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Sometimes it feels like the divides between groups of thought are getting wider, conversations devolving into people shouting opposing views at each other and getting nowhere. In such a situation, how can we move towards healing the deep emotional/psychological/social/environmental/systematic/political wounds and traumas which we all face? On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses this prevalent problem, and how we might be a part of the solution. We can never escape the bias within ourselves, but we can acknowledge it and adjust our conduct accordingly knowing that it’s there. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page. Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing! Thanks for your lending us your ears and continuing to support us so that we can put out content like this.

For those who have something important to say and are earnestly seeking to find their audience, how can they stand out amidst all of the competing noise out there? On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses life as an introvert in an extroverted world and how to balance self-care with stretching oneself to meet western society’s requirements on all of us. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page. Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing! Thanks for your lending us your ears and continuing to support us so that we can put out content like this.

In grief we can catch a rare, clear glimpse of the bigger picture and what really matters in life. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses dealing with the death of a leader and answering the question that silently echoes after their final death throe that is, “What now?” If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page. Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing! Thanks for your lending us your ears and continuing to support us so that we can put out content like this.

The world we live in is an infinitely large place and, when we consider its scale, our individual existences within it are minuscule and we can only witness small bits of the whole. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the lifelong process of refining our subjective and limited perspectives through experience. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

Do more of what makes you forget to check your phone. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the importance of finding meaning in our actions and how we might discover our own passions by following the curious path of curiosity. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the traditional Zen Night Chant and how it can be a useful tool in challenging each of us to live up to our potential.  Life has an expiry date, and we don’t want to only realize this when it is already too late. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

Waves of creativity come and go, but if we look closely there is a pattern to the cycle. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring poses his working theory on the source of creativity.  The question in question: where do original ideas come from and how can we work with that understanding to avoid getting stuck in the creative process?  Listen to episode #19 and you just might find out! David’s homework assignment (okay, it’s just a book club read for extra credit) is to read Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey.  We’ve arranged a partnership with Audible so that you can get the audiobook for free when you join.  Simply create an Audible account at this link and check it out for yourself: www.audibletrial.com/ContemplativeCreative If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the classic psychology question with regards to our individual traits, “Nature or nurture?”  With recent advancements in the fields of genetics and neuroscience, we are finally able to look at specific innate qualities and begin to formulate clear answers as to where they arose from, removing the guesswork of associated with previous soft science methods.  But the new question that follows is, “If we are biologically predisposed to have certain negative tendencies, are we still responsible for our actions and thoughts?” David’s homework assignment (okay, it’s just a book club read for extra credit) is to read Hardwiring Happiness by Dr. Rick Hanson.  We’ve arranged a partnership with Audible so that you can get the audiobook for free – Dr. Rick Hanson even narrates the book himself!  Simply create an Audible account at this link and check it out for yourself: www.audibletrial.com/ContemplativeCreative If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the despair that can arise when we consider world issues with such wide scopes that we feel powerless to change them.  Wary of the danger of slipping into paralysis and inaction, David brings the focus back to what we can actually do in our unique individual circles of influence. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to continue to hear more of them, please consider supporting Contemplative Creative through one of the ways we’ve made available on our support page.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the benefits of the reflective thought process and some pitfalls around it to be wary of.  This is a particularly timely discussion at a time of year where the age old question, “What is your New Year’s resolution?” is unavoidable. If you found that this discussion resonated with you and would like to support more of them, please consider making a donation through our PayPal page – a new way we’ve made available for you donate either once or regularly.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses how every time you spend a dollar, you cast a vote for what you would like to see more of in the world. Also, check out our brand new PayPal donation page – a new way we’ve made available for you donate once or regularly.  Vote with your dollar to keep Contemplative Creative sustainable and growing!  Thanks for your continued support.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the necessity of retreat in a world that idealizes busyness.

On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses kaizen: the Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement. Check out our new goods in the “Words to Live By” series available exclusively on Society6.  Design #1 is based on the philosophy presented in this episode of the podcast and is now available inscribed on a mug, tote bag, or some other item for your daily life!  Get $10 off your first purchase of $50 or more by creating your account through this link.

Quality over quantity in all ways.  Always. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the important consideration of quality in creation and consumption within a society that can sometimes seem fixated on quantity. Check out our new schwag in the “Words to Live By” series available exclusively on Society6.  Design #1 is based on the philosophy presented in this episode of the podcast and is now available inscribed on a mug, tote bag, or some other item for your daily life!  Get $10 off your first purchase of $50 or more by creating your account through this link [UPDATE: I misspoke during recording – the minimum purchase for the introductory offer is $50, not $30]

The value of an object is deeper than simply the price tag it fetches. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses an alternative measure of valuation beyond the monetary system: that of intrinsic value.

The mind is a mystery, but we’re closer to understanding it than ever before. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses neuroplasticity: a term from modern neuroscience that refers to the malleability of the human brain.

Professionals are always sought after, but these days they are getting harder to distinguish. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the term professional and its shifting definition in a world of modern learning.

You are not special, in that we are all special.  You are just not more special than others. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses acting out of respect, both at career peaks and in the midst of struggles along the path.

Street smarts: understanding of what’s going on in the world and one’s place amidst it all. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses individual responsibility with regards to the consequences of our actions within different ecosystems.

There is no getting around the fact that so much in our lives is dictated by chance, but that doesn’t mean we can’t grab ahold of the steering wheel of life and live strategically. On this episode of the Contemplative Creative podcast, host David Quiring discusses the importance of weaving where you’ve been, where you are, and where you would like to go into your artist vision statements; namely, your public bio and portfolio.