Gifted Underachievers

Sometimes, putting out a small book or creating something outside your usual field can reinvigorate you and maybe...just maybe!...make a little money on the side. James updates listeners on what’s happening with his resurrected book of writing advice, and Pat describes the ins and outs of her new and improved Pleasure Journal. WINK. Questions for You: * Do you have any side projects on the go? * I...

If you’ve ever seen the 2006 film Borat, by Sasha Baron Cohen, it’s likely that the infamous nude chase and wrestling scene will be forever seared into your eyeballs. James and Pat talk about that scene and the surprisingly urbane costar who made it unforgettable, and Pat talks about literary writer Vladimir Nabokov’s fight scene and why it’s so good. Questions for You: * What’s your favorite wres...

We explore personal reinvention, capsule wardrobes for book tours, and whether image matters. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

After delivering a big client project (or several), the post-gig blahs can strike. We discuss what to do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

The deficit theory of communication is dead. Now what? Well, there’re the three truths of how people change their minds. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Call it body doubling, silent co-working session—it works! Here’s how you can join other gifted underachievers as we do what we gotta do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

There’s a lot to celebrate about being a midlevel creative, like knowing how to make stuff and having a body of work. So let’s celebrate together! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

We explore what it means to be in the "sandwich" generation—with kids below and parents above—and pursue creative work. WARNING TO ELDERLY PARENTS: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SEGMENT!!! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James explore a new podcast delusion, bee costumes, a London opera house, and Pat’s Pleasure Journal outselling the Bible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

When your creative (or creative-adjacent) work dries up, it’s easy to panic and either lowball yourself or break out whistling as you avoid reality. But there are better ways to deal.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

We all have to accept, navigate, and figure out how to thrive with a ton of subjectivity. How do we do that? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Like many creative types, James and Pat have side projects outside of their paying work. Here’s a report on what to look out for (hint: dogs). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James discuss why they are fascinated by the routines creatives keep (or don’t keep) then wonder what lessons they can learn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

It’s our official hard launch! Learn what we’d do again and what we’d maybe NOT. Spoiler alert: Have fun! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

James and Pat examine the weirdly common practice of lowballing creative professionals or offering ‘exposure’ in lieu of a fee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James question how to get value out of smaller creative projects. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James share their top-drawer tips for getting unstuck on a project when time counts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James consider the merits of being a character actor rather than the star. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

James and Pat discuss what solid professional development looks like for midlevel creatives, even those with delusional ambitions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

When an important aspect of your business changes, how do you adapt and change focus, and what’s the cost? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Here’s a real-time exploration of how to describe a project you haven’t started yet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Gifted Underachievers interviews Kath Montstream on her art, her business model, and her side project, the Red Hot Chilly Dippers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

It’s been a month since we started the experiment on grants as an income stream. Here’s Pat’s report. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com