Field of Streams

Got something inside you, itching to get out? How would you describe the wolf in you? What does it want? The wolf in you can help you achieve a great many things, creatively. Let it out from time to time.

This is an audio reading of the post "The Wolf in Me" originally published on October 30, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/wolf

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

Inspired by a story of a pilot crashing the same plane seven times in seven days, this episode tackles an age old dilemma: How do you survive when your creative projects keep crashing. How do you get back in the cockpit, let alone the air. Let's discuss.

The crash story: "Seven Accidents in Seven Days"
https://generalaviationnews.com/2023/09/06/seven-accidents-in-seven-days/

This is an audio reading of the post "Creative Flight: A Guide for Art Aviators"  originally published on September 18, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/flight

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

In this episode, I push the idea of eating planets. It's a metaphor of course, because that's what I deal in. But planets = influences. If you want to be an artist you will need to absorb as many influences as possible from the universe around you. If you want to write, read. If you want to paint, go look at art. If you want to be a film maker, watch a lot of films. And then look outside those galaxies to explore more. Listen in.

Story about stars eating planets: Ravenous Stars Keep Devouring Habitable Planets
https://futurism.com/the-byte/stars-devouring-habitable-planets

This is an audio reading of the post "The Universal Big Gulp" originally published on May 2, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/swallow

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

At the time of its release, a critic described Marcel Duchamp's painting, "Nude Descending a Staircase" as looking like "an explosion in a shingle factory", (which is a wicked and amazing burn that Duchamp loved.) To be nude in your work - to expose yourself to the public perception - leaves you vulnerable - open to being loved, hated, or worse, ignored. But to be an artist is to take that risk of receiving criticism. You must keep striping off and being vulnerable if you want to continue to express yourself in an authentic way.

This is an audio reading of the post "What do you look like when you're nude?" originally published on August 7, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/nude

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

Everyone loves dandelions (if you don't, I don't wanna hear about it!) and yet, dandelions are weeds. Weeds are bad aren't they? There's a lot we can learn from weeds. To be as successful as a dandelion and make everyone love you, you have to be a tenacious as a weed. Survive and thrive - it is the weed mindset. Consider this your pep talk for the day.

This is an audio reading of the post “Weed is Good” originally published on April 25, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/weed

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

...if Everest were a creative project. OK. A Neverest is a creative mountain to climb, whether it's your latest song, artwork, and book. You can die at every stage of climbing this mountain, but unlike climbing Everest the mountain, you will always respawn after ever attempt at conquering your creative project. Get in the Art Zone!

Video: Ways you can die on Everest
https://youtu.be/QT-VO1uRanM?si=UIjrKio-EBwdhL42

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Climb Everest" originally published on October 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/everest

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

In this episode, inspired by a story I read about flensing and articulating a whale to be installed in a lobby, I explore the importance and value of examining your completed work and celebrating its life.

"Bones, Bones: How to Articulate a Whale" by Peter Wayne Moe (the story mentioned in the intro). https://longreads.com/2022/02/22/bones-bones-how-to-articulate-a-whale/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Fit a Whale in Your Life Lobby" originally published on October 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/whale

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

Some people leave an imprint; some people leave a scar. What impression will you leave when you shuffle off this mortal coil? Let's dig into it.

This is an audio reading of the post "Brace Yourself for Final Impact" originally published on July 10, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

This episode was inspired by Bob Odenkirk’s memoir, “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama.” I love a good memoir, particularly those of creative people, but I always view them as a nice glimpse into a life and a particular person’s process, NOT as a blueprint for my own life. Nor should you. Yes, you can try the same things, but no book contains the plans for a successful creative life. Just keep on plugging away—that’s about the only lesson. Let’s talk about it. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Books are not Blueprints” originally published on April 11, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/blueprint

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

This episode pays homage to a bunch of musical riffs that you may or may not pick up on, but even if you don’t, it won’t matter.  Because it's not really about riffs. It's about what I'm calling the "riff raff" of you. The riff being the memorable thing about you, and the raff being all the stuff you try to find your riff. It might seem frivolous, but it's all important to your art.  It's a conceptual piece - enjoy!

Conan O'Brian and Jack White talking Seven Nation Army
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-7bSDbIePc

This is an audio reading of the post "Find Your Riff via a Whole Lotta Raff" originally published on April 17, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/riff-raff

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

If you've ever wondered: "Should I get a high horse? What do you feed a high horse? How often do I need to shovel out its stall?" then this is the episode for you. It's a phone call between someone attempting to purchase an animal matching the description of a high horse, and a seller of such fine equine beasts. Enjoy. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Hello, I would like to purchase a high horse" originally published on April 4, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/outrage

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

Today’s episode was inspired by two things, nonce words and a book I love called the Meaning of Liff. It's an episode about making up words, which many of you will know is one of my favorite things to do. There are some made up words in the episode, which I explain at the end. Enjoy!

Basic premise of this episode: Words. They do, in fact, come easy. Actually, that’s not right. Maybe it’s Fake it ‘til you make it?

All about nonse words
https://youtu.be/OgDAFxVm5tw?si=sTAjYW_f7Rztf0kf

This is an audio reading of the post "Make it up to get Made in the Shade" originally published on May 29th, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/made-in-the-shade

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

There's always the threat of the hottest, next big thing making what we do irrelevant. Andy Warhol knew it, but he also believed all of us would be famous for 15 minutes. It's more like 15 seconds these days, but regardless, when we are given that 15... whatevers, we should make the most of them. Keep driving your creative car!

In this episode, I effortlessly tie together a Tesla crashing into a Subaru, Andy Warhol, and why competition is good for your art. Take a listen!

Here's the flying Tesla
https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3nka4/viral-flying-tesla-video-alex-choi-durtedom

This is an audio reading of the post "Fifteen minutes of souped up shenanigans" originally published on June 7, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/fifteen

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

This episode was inspired by two things - a question mark in space, photographed by the James Webb Telescope, and the Golden Record - the record sent to space on the outside of the Voyager craft that, when played, represented us as humans to aliens. It contains photographs, music, and more. It got me thinking about all the stuff we create. That's how we want to be seen by others, so WE are our own Golden Records, in a way. Take a listen, and if you want to see some of the things or dig deeper into the post, go watch the Behind the Scenes video I made about it, here:
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-ep-22-golden-record

The question mark in space:
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/17/1194212940/question-mark-space-webb-telescope-photo

The Tim Ferris story is here (about the contents of the record):
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/voyager-golden-record-40th-anniversary-timothy-ferris

This is an audio reading of the post "You are the Golden Record" originally published on August 21, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. 
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/golden-record

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

In this episode, a make the case that the period - or full stop, if that's what you call it - is like a portal to another world. This little punctuation mark is not just the declarative end to a sentence, but the potential beginning to, well, anything. Fall inside that little black dot with me and find whole universes to explore.

Get some more behind the scenes content about this episode, here:  https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-periodically-yours

This is an audio reading of the post "Periodically Yours for the Making, Full Stop" originally published on June 5, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/periodically-yours 

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

“Mend carefully. / Think of mending the world at the same time." This episode was inspired by Yoko Ono's instructional artwork, Mend Piece, and the Japanese tradition of kintsugi. Take a listen and see how I managed to tie those two pieces into the idea that we are all broken people, but beautifully mended with our golden cracks visible.

A piece on Mend Piece
https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/yoko-ono-mend-piece-london-whitechapel-gallery-060821

This is an audio reading of the post "I am Perfectly Broken" originally published on March 21, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/broken

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

What do you actually need to get attention? What do you need to keep going? When you don’t get it, how do you keep going? Is it bad to constantly monitor your analytics when no one is picking up what you’re putting down? Do you need to create a gimmick – like mustard Skittles – to get all eyes and curiosity upon you? How do you achieve creative longevity when all the numbers – the analytics, the comments, the likes or lack of them – are telling you to stop?

I’m talking about creative longevity and people, you only need two things for that. Listen and you’ll find out what those two things are. 

Here is a limited edition Mustard Skittles story
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/08/04/frenchs-mustard-skittles-taste-test/70523465007/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Secret to Creative Longevity: Taste the Remainbow" originally published on August 14, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/skittles

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

The first draft is rarely the final draft. This episode, inspired by a story showing the many drafts of an Elizabeth Bishop poem, a villanelle called "One Art", takes a meandering walk down a draft of mine as a way of exploring the benefits of working at the drafts. 

The Elizabeth Bishop draft story: 19 Lines That Turn Anguish Into Art
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/06/18/books/elizabeth-bishop-one-art-poem.html

This is an audio reading of the post "It all comes out in the rinse (of the draft)" originally published on March 14, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/rinse

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

Until 2022, I had never committed a New Year's Resolutions List to paper (digital or otherwise). This is the list I made that year. Old! I hear you say. Well, yes, but also worth revisiting. In this episode, I read that it out as a way of assessing if they're one-and-done items, or are things creative people - or people in general - should resolve to be and do for all time.

At one point during the episode, I mention recent ramblings about me being quite good at stupid arbitrary goals and then link to it. Here is that link:
http://www.nodirectionknown.com/the-year-of-living-sag-ily/

This is an audio reading of the post "In Lists We Trust", originally published on January 10, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/list

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here

They say that for a story to be interesting it must have conflict. Is it the same with people? What if that conflict comes from within - the conflict of self? In this episode, it's Janeen vs. Janeen. Come on inside my brain, it's nice in there.

This is an audio reading of the post "The Conflict of Being in Conflict" originally published on May 22, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/the-conflict-of-being-in-conflict

About Field of Streams
This podcast provides audio readings of The Stream newsletter's main feature. The Stream is written by Janeen McCrae, and aims to provide a weekly dose of personal essays and creative inspirations that'll get you revved up to 'make the thing.'

Dip a toe into the stream and sign up for my free ramblings here