Pep Talks for Artists

Ep 82: Dare to Be Stupid in the Studio

Published: 16 September 2025 at 10:28 Europe/London

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Episode notes

This is an episode about how acting on dumb ideas in the studio can be just the thing to get you out of artist's block or help you make a big change. Get ready for some choice bon mots from the likes of Weird Al Yankovic, Laurie Anderson, William Kentridge and others on the sage subject of being open to studio stupidity.

Mentions: Weird Al Yankovic, Laurie Anderson, William Kentridge, Jack Whitten, Epictetus, Susan Sontag, Mister T, Twyla Tharp

Writings mentioned:

https://brooklynrail.org/2022/06/art/Laurie-Anderson-with-Paul-D-Miller/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/magazine/laurie-anderson.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/17/podcasts/the-daily/laurie-anderson.html

https://screencrush.com/weird-al-yankovic-interview/

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2014/08/13/his-own-wavelength/

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp

https://shop.hauserwirth.com/products/jack-whitten-notes-from-the-woodshed-updated-edition?_pos=1&_psq=notes+from+&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Thanks for listening!

All music by Soundstripe

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