The Lenny and Tyler Show

I think we should pursue things that bring us into deeper and higher love. And when we do fall, and our lives are in pieces perhaps we can remember that though we will never have the power to speak light into existence as God did when he said, “Let there be light,” may we be reminded in those most trying and downtrodden times and when we’re tempted by that next thing that we fantasize will take aw...

Why do we fall so far short of human fulfillment?   "We fall away from what we could be, namely united in love through justice and truth, because we want to draw the whole world into ourselves and our finite reality. And this is the old doctrine of the paradise story, '...you will be like God,' that’s the temptation."   -- Paul Tillich     "Wisdom is pagan!" -- Slavoj Zizek Why I am opposed to wis...

“It is by grace you have been saved.” -- Though I saw these words written by the apostle Paul long ago, I only just now feel their vibration within me. I contend that regardless of whether or not one believes in God or an afterlife, it is possible to experience the truth of these words. Setting aside any hope of future heavenly treasures or fear of condemnation and the agony of eternal torment, I...

This week I just barely dip my toe into exploring the difference between Jung and Freud. With the upcoming Peterson vs Zizek debate, I'm interested in unpacking what I've learned so far ... which admittedly isn't much. Any input is much appreciated. 

I don't really have much to share this week. But nonetheless, I'm gonna publish something ... my happiness depends upon it!!!!!

This week I sat back and ate pizza while my friend Claire Overholt talked with Daniel Keys about childhood interests, a career in art, and how art and design touches each of our lives everyday. 

This week Parker Brown swung by the house for some coffee, some good conversation, and to share a couple tunes as he and I prepare for the opening of Portal at Montana Gallery. 

This week we touch on Lacan's notion of objet petit a. For me this is an important concept and can be partly understood through studying Rene Magritte's painting, "The Son of Man." I plan to give a talk on this at the gallery in the coming weeks. This episode was a way for me to think out loud so that I can come to know whether I'm making any sense or not. 

Here's a quick reflection on Paul Tillich's Courage to Be and his distinction between anxiety and fear. 

The rose is without why; it blossoms because it blossoms; It cares not for itself, asks not if it's seen.

This week my roommate and I shoot the breeze and discuss Hegel and other things we have surface level understandings of. 

Thank God, at times I’m graciously reminded that I’m small, not by cause of other people’s belittling remarks or actions, but because I see the stars above, the mountains before me, the mass of humanity to my back and those unborn that have already and will one day turn to dust. In these ways I remember I’m small. The universe refuses to let us make sense of it. Quantum mechanics can’t be reconcil...

It's easy to get so caught up in the day to day demands on our lives and I often forget what it feels like to sense that life is meaningful. But then I think back on times I'm connected with others ... times when they and I could naturally be our authentic, lonely, insecure selves with no fear of judgment. In these moments I sense that my very presence increases delight and decreases suffering for...

Jean Paul Sartre, was a somewhat controversial 20th century thinker. He claimed that "being precedes essence" which means we are all "condemned to freedom" ... In this episode I try to my best to explain what the heck that means and what value these ideas may have today. 

I changed the name of the podcast from "The Montana Gallery Podcast" to ... "The Lonely Painter Podcast" ... I did this for a handful of reasons. Mainly, I want to do what I can to help make the world a little less lonely for others. I think one way we can accomplish this is by admitting to our own loneliness, our uncertainties, insecurities, and our mistakes. 

This week my friend and Billings based photographer, cinematographer, artist, poet Mary Kate Teske and I catch up. 

This week I tried my best to answer a few emailed in questions and then went over a few more with Ken and Richie as we sat in Chico Hotsprings...hotsprings sound so nice right now, especially after having just fallen down my studio stairs.

Like the title says, this week it's mostly nonsensical ramblings. There might be one or two halfway decent thoughts in this somewhere. 

My friend Garth swung by to use my internet, little did he know he'd have to defend his love of Jordan Peterson to me... Whether you like him or not, Peterson is making huge differences in the lives of so many people today. Thank you Garth for taking time out of your work day to engage with me and help me to understand why so many people do find him very helpful to their lives. 

In this episode I share a couple stories about times I felt humiliated or really awkward or small and how sharing stories like this can help us bear the hard parts of life -- that in sharing about the wounds of our past, they are in some way robbed of their sting.

This morning Lenny and Jaxi, the owners of Ebon Coffee Collective -- which is connected to the gallery, swung by my place for coffee. Jaxi recently attended the Global Leadership Summit and has some new ideas she's excited to implement into their business. 

I love this conversation with my buddy Grant! If I remember correctly, we covered a lot of good stuff about the creative process, coping with insecurities -- how they can fuel us at times and how we can perhaps set them aside and just live life.  If you haven't already, checkout Grant's kickstarter at:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2038353113/grant-jones-debut-album-nighttime-friends

Everything falls off the rails in this one...

This week I'm getting ready for the Yellowstone show! But I thought I'd share a few more thoughts on lack and how we cope with it. Also I share a few emails from listeners.