Field of Streams Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:48:57 -0400 https://fieldofstreams.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Janeen McCrae yes Support this Podcast 397ed3fd-1ef9-5724-8bdf-34607c2ebf38 janeen@janeenmccrae.com Janeen McCrae episodic true Audio readings of original writing from the creative newsletter, The Stream, written by Janeen McCrae and designed to inspire you to get out and make the thing. Subjects range from writing and art to just some generally odd stuff about what it is to be creative. Sometimes essays, sometimes humor, sometimes creative exercises.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) writing, arts, creativity, inspiration, writer, creative writing, analysis, motivation, write, Janeen McCrae janeen@janeenmccrae.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/472zsz3k3lazsz4sgpdmikagidg5?.jpg Field of Streams With these words With these words Feeling low energy? No motivation? Time to supplement these words, because with those words, you can do amazing things. Join me as I read my latest piece of writing, followed by some thoughts about it. 

This is an audio reading of the post "With these words" published in my newsletter, The Stream, on April 16, 2026. Subscribe to the newsletter and find addition inspirations here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/with-these-words/


Support the show

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 

]]> Feeling low energy? No motivation? Time to supplement these words, because with those words, you can do amazing things. Join me as I read my latest piece of writing, followed by some thoughts about it. 

This is an audio reading of the post "With these words" published in my newsletter, The Stream, on April 16, 2026. Subscribe to the newsletter and find addition inspirations here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/with-these-words/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-19050555 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0700 733 writing, writer, Janeen McCrae, the stream, the power of words, words for trying times, full true Are we not trees? Are we not trees? Part travelog, part love letter to trees, in this episode I take you on a seven-day motorcycle trip and wax poetic about the glory of the ancients (and how we are alike).

Related links: 

Walk the Methuselah Loop with me and check out the Bristlecones. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DMyzZfDpEVK/

Photos from my motorcycle tour found here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/are-we-not-trees/

This is an audio reading of the post "Are we not trees?" published online on August 1, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. 

Support the show

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 

]]> Part travelog, part love letter to trees, in this episode I take you on a seven-day motorcycle trip and wax poetic about the glory of the ancients (and how we are alike).

Related links: 

Walk the Methuselah Loop with me and check out the Bristlecones. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DMyzZfDpEVK/

Photos from my motorcycle tour found here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/are-we-not-trees/

This is an audio reading of the post "Are we not trees?" published online on August 1, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18750047 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0800 1784 writer, writing, travel writing, motorcycle tour, bristlecone pines, methuselah, audio reading, full false How+L (Poem for Minneapolis) How+L (Poem for Minneapolis) Make art. Write history down. Sing the times. It is your job.

Stay sane with Heather Cox Richardson.
Read her Substack: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
Watch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson

This is an audio reading of the post "How+L" published online on January 30, 2026. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/howl/

Support the show

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 

]]> Make art. Write history down. Sing the times. It is your job.

Stay sane with Heather Cox Richardson.
Read her Substack: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
Watch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson

This is an audio reading of the post "How+L" published online on January 30, 2026. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/howl/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18615206 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0800 586 writing, poem, poetry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, make art, writer, author reads work, audio reading, poetry reading, full false The Mark Maggiori Art Safari: Look at clouds from both sides. Now! The Mark Maggiori Art Safari: Look at clouds from both sides. Now! I'm a huge fan of what I call the "Art Safari" where you travel somewhere to go look at art and experience something creative. In today's episode, I talk about my first ever Art Safari in 2023 to go see some of artist, Mark Maggiori's paintings. He paints epic scenes of the American West. 

Related Links:

Listen to the episode about my 2024 Glasgow Art Safari here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/14798893

Experience "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1pjATX7sbd6Y4jMVqIvzHk?si=362fd77debde429f

Go check out Mark Maggiori's work here: https://markmaggiori.com

This is an audio reading of the post "The Mark Maggiori Art Safari: Look at clouds from both sides. Now!" published online on March 13, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-mark-maggiori-art-safari-look/

Support the show

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 

]]> I'm a huge fan of what I call the "Art Safari" where you travel somewhere to go look at art and experience something creative. In today's episode, I talk about my first ever Art Safari in 2023 to go see some of artist, Mark Maggiori's paintings. He paints epic scenes of the American West. 

Related Links:

Listen to the episode about my 2024 Glasgow Art Safari here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/14798893

Experience "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1pjATX7sbd6Y4jMVqIvzHk?si=362fd77debde429f

Go check out Mark Maggiori's work here: https://markmaggiori.com

This is an audio reading of the post "The Mark Maggiori Art Safari: Look at clouds from both sides. Now!" published online on March 13, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-mark-maggiori-art-safari-look/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18537567 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0800 936 writer, writing, art safari, mark Maggiori, Joni Mitchell, art, inspiration, creativity, full true Bitching in a Forward Direction Bitching in a Forward Direction On the healing powers of a gentle bicycle ride. One that is NOT for exercise purposes and simply for tootling about and enjoying the day.

This is an audio reading of the post “Bitching in a Forward Direction,” published online on May 30, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/continue-on/

Support the show

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 

]]> On the healing powers of a gentle bicycle ride. One that is NOT for exercise purposes and simply for tootling about and enjoying the day.

This is an audio reading of the post “Bitching in a Forward Direction,” published online on May 30, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/continue-on/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18459636 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0800 837 writing, writer, author reads their work, audio reading, bicycles as therapy, why ride a bike, how to clear your head, full true Catch of the Day Catch of the Day Inspired by the Japanese print style of Gyotaku ('fish print'), today I'm talking about how we all desire to leave an impression on others. What will yours look like?

This is an audio reading of the post "Catch of the Day", published online on December 16, 2024. Additional inspirations, including videos showing how to make a Gyotaku print, can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gyotaku/

Support the show

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 the Japanese print style of Gyotaku ('fish print'), today I'm talking about how we all desire to leave an impression on others. What will yours look like?

This is an audio reading of the post "Catch of the Day", published online on December 16, 2024. Additional inspirations, including videos showing how to make a Gyotaku print, can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gyotaku/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18377472 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800 712 gyotaku, impression, writing, creative writing, writer, audio reading, fish print, art, creativity, full false Absolutely Sweet Dreams Absolutely Sweet Dreams I had a dream. Bob Dylan was in it. What does it all mean? Time for some armchair dream analysis. 

This is an audio reading of that post "Absolutely Sweet Dreams", published online on December 16, 2024. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/dreams/


Support the show

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 

]]> I had a dream. Bob Dylan was in it. What does it all mean? Time for some armchair dream analysis. 

This is an audio reading of that post "Absolutely Sweet Dreams", published online on December 16, 2024. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/dreams/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18322298 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0800 924 full true You cannot fact check poetry You cannot fact check poetry If all poetry had to be fact checked before it got published, there would be no joy. 

The David Sedaris interview with Mike Birbiglia where he talks about The New Yorker fact checking his writing can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJtgocLVa0A 

All poems referenced within this piece are listed in the footnotes here if you want to go read some great poems! https://www.jumpinthestream.com/you-cannot-fact-check-poetry/

This is an audio reading of that post “You cannot fact check poetry”, published online on June 13, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. 

Support the show

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 all poetry had to be fact checked before it got published, there would be no joy. 

The David Sedaris interview with Mike Birbiglia where he talks about The New Yorker fact checking his writing can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJtgocLVa0A 

All poems referenced within this piece are listed in the footnotes here if you want to go read some great poems! https://www.jumpinthestream.com/you-cannot-fact-check-poetry/

This is an audio reading of that post “You cannot fact check poetry”, published online on June 13, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18208894 Tue, 18 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0800 875 full false The time it takes is the time it takes The time it takes is the time it takes Slow down. Don't get mad. There are things you can control and things you can't and you can't escape time. Lemme explain what I mean.

This is an audio reading of the post "The time it takes is the time it takes" from April 9, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/time

Support the show

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 

]]> Slow down. Don't get mad. There are things you can control and things you can't and you can't escape time. Lemme explain what I mean.

This is an audio reading of the post "The time it takes is the time it takes" from April 9, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/time

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18084620 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0700 683 full false I am not a brand. I am a body of work. I am not a brand. I am a body of work. You are what you make. Listen in to ten minutes of me reframing what failure and success look like for me going forward, then launch into a spirited reading of my new mantra. If you want to skip straight to that, hit 11 mins and 18 seconds and GO! 

I mention a Greg Proops pep talk quote. Here is a picture of it on my corkboard: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP20nIcjqG2/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The Patti Smith interview on WTF with Marc Maron is here. She tells the story about William Burroughs at around 1 hour 9 mins: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1167-patti-smith

This is an audio reading of the post "I am not a brand. I am a body of work." from October 10, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/not-a-brand/

Support the show

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 

]]> You are what you make. Listen in to ten minutes of me reframing what failure and success look like for me going forward, then launch into a spirited reading of my new mantra. If you want to skip straight to that, hit 11 mins and 18 seconds and GO! 

I mention a Greg Proops pep talk quote. Here is a picture of it on my corkboard: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP20nIcjqG2/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The Patti Smith interview on WTF with Marc Maron is here. She tells the story about William Burroughs at around 1 hour 9 mins: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1167-patti-smith

This is an audio reading of the post "I am not a brand. I am a body of work." from October 10, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/not-a-brand/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-18020275 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0700 1192 full false If Your Heart Beats Like a Hammer, Find a Nail If Your Heart Beats Like a Hammer, Find a Nail Today I read a piece of my writing triggered by Justin Hawkins, frontman of The Darkness, describing a certain type of drummer as a "shed builder." I take that term and give it a positive spin in relation to creativity and what it takes to be an artist. One's heart must hammer on. One must keep building the shed and banging in the nails. Blessed are the shed builders! 

This is an audio reading of the post "If your heart beats like a hammer, find a nail" from February 20, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/if-your-heart-beats-like-a-hammer

 

Support the show

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 I read a piece of my writing triggered by Justin Hawkins, frontman of The Darkness, describing a certain type of drummer as a "shed builder." I take that term and give it a positive spin in relation to creativity and what it takes to be an artist. One's heart must hammer on. One must keep building the shed and banging in the nails. Blessed are the shed builders! 

This is an audio reading of the post "If your heart beats like a hammer, find a nail" from February 20, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/if-your-heart-beats-like-a-hammer

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17974925 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0700 557 creativity, writer, writing, motivation, creative writing, Janeen McCrae, creative podcast, full false The Taste of Yuck: An Incomplete Oral History The Taste of Yuck: An Incomplete Oral History Komodo dragons have an 'iron' coating on their teeth, protecting them and keeping 'em sharp. In today's episode, I make a connection between the idea of the damage negative emotions have on us and how we must eat them to learn how to digest and build a sort of emotional enamel against them. You'll see... take a listen!

The story on Komodo dragon teeth that I mention in the intro is here: https://boingboing.net/2024/07/25/komodo-dragons-teeth-are-so-metal.html

This is an audio reading of the post "The Taste of Yuk: An Incomplete Oral History" from April 25, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-taste-of-yuk-an-incomplete-oral/

Support the show

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 

]]> Komodo dragons have an 'iron' coating on their teeth, protecting them and keeping 'em sharp. In today's episode, I make a connection between the idea of the damage negative emotions have on us and how we must eat them to learn how to digest and build a sort of emotional enamel against them. You'll see... take a listen!

The story on Komodo dragon teeth that I mention in the intro is here: https://boingboing.net/2024/07/25/komodo-dragons-teeth-are-so-metal.html

This is an audio reading of the post "The Taste of Yuk: An Incomplete Oral History" from April 25, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-taste-of-yuk-an-incomplete-oral/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17901364 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700 555 komodo dragon, iron teeth, emotions, how to deal with negative emotions, writing, writer, creativity, full true Take a hike Take a hike In a time of doomscrolling and constant distraction via the rectangles in our hands and the insanity of the churning of content butter it is ever more important to step away. In this episode, I urge you to take a hike, actual or in the imagined worlds of others. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Take a hike" from May 12, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hike/

Support the show

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 a time of doomscrolling and constant distraction via the rectangles in our hands and the insanity of the churning of content butter it is ever more important to step away. In this episode, I urge you to take a hike, actual or in the imagined worlds of others. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Take a hike" from May 12, 2025. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hike/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17818852 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700 770 disconnect, distraction, technology, writing, personal essay, writer, how to disconnect, creativity, full false Prime time in the time of Primus Prime time in the time of Primus On a warm night in Santa Cruz, California, I entered the Quarry Amphitheater at UCSC to watch one of my favorite bands, Primus, play as part of the “Onward and Upward” tour, 2025. It got me to thinking about a moment in time, 30 years ago, when a song about a beaver helped me realize it’s ok if you don’t feel like you fit. Join me as I read to you a personal essay about the things that influence us, music as medicine, and the wonderful weirdness of Primus.

Find a slew of Primus related links and some hilarious pictures of me in my 20s at the post. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/primus/

This is an audio reading of that post “Prime time in the prime of Primus”, published online on August 22, 2025. 

Support the show

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 

]]> On a warm night in Santa Cruz, California, I entered the Quarry Amphitheater at UCSC to watch one of my favorite bands, Primus, play as part of the “Onward and Upward” tour, 2025. It got me to thinking about a moment in time, 30 years ago, when a song about a beaver helped me realize it’s ok if you don’t feel like you fit. Join me as I read to you a personal essay about the things that influence us, music as medicine, and the wonderful weirdness of Primus.

Find a slew of Primus related links and some hilarious pictures of me in my 20s at the post. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/primus/

This is an audio reading of that post “Prime time in the prime of Primus”, published online on August 22, 2025. 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17746347 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700 2380 writer, writing, personal essays, audio reading, primus, onwards and upwards tour, les Claypool, GenX, memoir, creativity, Wynona's big brown beaver, full true The Book of Hurt, Now Available at your Local Library The Book of Hurt, Now Available at your Local Library Do the things that hurt us shape us? Should we try to forget or rewrite the hurt found in our personal histories so that it doesn’t continue to hurt us all our lives? What can we learn from our scars? And is the "book of hurt" one of the most important emotional guide books (metaphorical) to our lives?

The story that inspired it all, about the bowdlerizing of Roald Dahl books. https://popula.com/2023/02/20/roald-dahl-sensitivity-and-copyright/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Book of Hurt, Now Available at Your Local Library" from February 27, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-book-of-hurt-now-available-at/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do the things that hurt us shape us? Should we try to forget or rewrite the hurt found in our personal histories so that it doesn’t continue to hurt us all our lives? What can we learn from our scars? And is the "book of hurt" one of the most important emotional guide books (metaphorical) to our lives?

The story that inspired it all, about the bowdlerizing of Roald Dahl books. https://popula.com/2023/02/20/roald-dahl-sensitivity-and-copyright/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Book of Hurt, Now Available at Your Local Library" from February 27, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-book-of-hurt-now-available-at/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17734346 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700 675 books, self help, bowdlerize, writing, writer, full false "Hello, You Have Reached the Plug and Play Connection Hotline" "Hello, You Have Reached the Plug and Play Connection Hotline" Can we be taught how to connect with art, be it a painting, music, writing, or whatever? Let’s talk about it. 

LA Story “looking at art” scene: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsN40iv5nzg

This is an audio reading of the post "Hello, you have reached the Plug and Play Hotline" from March 6, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hello-you-have-reached-the-plug-and/

Support the show

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 

]]> Can we be taught how to connect with art, be it a painting, music, writing, or whatever? Let’s talk about it. 

LA Story “looking at art” scene: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsN40iv5nzg

This is an audio reading of the post "Hello, you have reached the Plug and Play Hotline" from March 6, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hello-you-have-reached-the-plug-and/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17633377 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700 695 art, how to look at art, writing, writer, connecting with art, connection, creativity, full false Resurrect Yourself Before you Wreck Yourself Resurrect Yourself Before you Wreck Yourself Every day is a new day. An opportunity to hit the reset button on ourselves and be different than we were the day before. Let's talk about it!

Bonus link: The cherries scene I mention from "The Witches of Eastwick." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdyFtK-HmNs

This is an audio reading of the post "Resurrect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself" from March 23, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/resurrect-yourself/

Support the show

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 

]]> Every day is a new day. An opportunity to hit the reset button on ourselves and be different than we were the day before. Let's talk about it!

Bonus link: The cherries scene I mention from "The Witches of Eastwick." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdyFtK-HmNs

This is an audio reading of the post "Resurrect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself" from March 23, 2023. Additional inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/resurrect-yourself/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17578947 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700 539 reinvent yourself, self-help, writer, writing, author reads their own work, creativity, audio reading, full true Appetite for Disruption Appetite for Disruption When things aren't sticking - when you're not breaking through - it can be tempting to try what others are doing. No! Don't be same same. Be you you. That's the real disruption. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Appetite for Disruption" from December 2022. Additional inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/disrupt/

Support the show

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 

]]> When things aren't sticking - when you're not breaking through - it can be tempting to try what others are doing. No! Don't be same same. Be you you. That's the real disruption. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Appetite for Disruption" from December 2022. Additional inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/disrupt/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17528875 Sat, 19 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0700 567 creativity, disruption, be yourself, writing, don't play the algorithm, writer, audio reading, full false The bird who must be aubade The bird who must be aubade An aubade is a parting song, often sung at dawn as lovers farewell. This idea of singing our loves away was the inspiration for this episode, where the love is our creation - our work - and we must sing it on its way to find roost in the world. Listen in!

This is an audio reading of the post "The bird who must be aubade" originally published on February 6, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-bird-who-must-be-aubade/

Support the show

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 

]]> An aubade is a parting song, often sung at dawn as lovers farewell. This idea of singing our loves away was the inspiration for this episode, where the love is our creation - our work - and we must sing it on its way to find roost in the world. Listen in!

This is an audio reading of the post "The bird who must be aubade" originally published on February 6, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-bird-who-must-be-aubade/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17488138 Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700 591 writing, writer, audio reading, creative writing, aubade, productivity, letting go, creativity, share your work, full false The Steps in Between The Steps in Between Just like the 400 meter hurdles, you cannot complete a creative project without completing the steps in between. 

The Intelligencier article I reference in the intro “The Singular Beauty of the 400 Meter Hurdles” is here: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/07/the-singular-beauty-of-the-400-meter-hurdles.html

This is an audio reading of the post ”The Steps in Between” originally published on February 13, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-steps-in-between/

Support the show

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 

]]> Just like the 400 meter hurdles, you cannot complete a creative project without completing the steps in between. 

The Intelligencier article I reference in the intro “The Singular Beauty of the 400 Meter Hurdles” is here: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/07/the-singular-beauty-of-the-400-meter-hurdles.html

This is an audio reading of the post ”The Steps in Between” originally published on February 13, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-steps-in-between/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17425590 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700 562 Writing, writer, audio reading, creativity, productivity, hurdles, 400 meter hurdles, full false The calm before the storm within The calm before the storm within Have we simply forgotten how to sit in the nothing of the moment? To sit in the silence without reaching for a phone? Sit. Take note of what's around you. Don't let frivolous things take you out of it. 

This is an audio reading of the post "The calm before the storm within" originally published on January 30, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-calm-before-the-storm-within/

Support the show

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 

]]> Have we simply forgotten how to sit in the nothing of the moment? To sit in the silence without reaching for a phone? Sit. Take note of what's around you. Don't let frivolous things take you out of it. 

This is an audio reading of the post "The calm before the storm within" originally published on January 30, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-calm-before-the-storm-within/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17385098 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700 712 storm, life, be present, in the moment, audio reading, personal essays, full false Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo  Inspired by the phrase, “Use the whole buffalo” today’s episode encourages you to use the whole ‘buffalo’ of your life and experience to create your art. 

Here’s the TED video explaining how the title of this episode is grammatically correct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWbzjGIec20

This is an audio reading of the post “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” originally published on January 9, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo/

Support the show

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 the phrase, “Use the whole buffalo” today’s episode encourages you to use the whole ‘buffalo’ of your life and experience to create your art. 

Here’s the TED video explaining how the title of this episode is grammatically correct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWbzjGIec20

This is an audio reading of the post “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” originally published on January 9, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17348540 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700 739 Grammar, use the whole buffalo, buffalo, lexical ambiguity, writer, writing, audio reading, creativity, inspiration, creative motivation, full false This horse has a name and its name is… This horse has a name and its name is… Are you right or left brained? Is that even a thing? And would you trust how your brain responds to an optical illusion to tell you so? Here’s something I wrote inspired by a little animation of a horse walking backward… or is it forward? 

Here’s the illusion. Which way does the horse walk for you? https://x.com/juliabradbury/status/1431221260860764162

This is an audio reading of the post “This horse has a name and its name is” originally published on January 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/this-horse-has-a-name-and-its-name/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you right or left brained? Is that even a thing? And would you trust how your brain responds to an optical illusion to tell you so? Here’s something I wrote inspired by a little animation of a horse walking backward… or is it forward? 

Here’s the illusion. Which way does the horse walk for you? https://x.com/juliabradbury/status/1431221260860764162

This is an audio reading of the post “This horse has a name and its name is” originally published on January 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/this-horse-has-a-name-and-its-name/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17309199 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700 699 creativity, optical illusions, left brain, right brain, writer, writing, audio reading, horse illusion, full true Six Degrees of Ideation Six Degrees of Ideation Have you ever heard of vitrification? Crudely put, it’s the process where super-hot liquids cool rapidly and turn to glass. In this episode, I explore how hot ideas, if cooled too quickly, turn to glass and shatter. You need to cool those ideas down by degrees if you want them to survive. Listen in. 

I filmed a behind the themes video to go with this episode, and you can watch that here: https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-six-degrees

If you want to read about the glass brain man, you can do that here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vesuvius-turned-a-roman-mans-brain-into-glass-now-scientists-reveal-how-the-extremely-rare-preservation-happened-180986145/ 

And here’s a story about the frescos: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/03/dionysian-fresco-pompeii/

This is an audio reading of the post “Six Degrees of Ideation” originally published on March 26, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/six-degrees-of-ideation/


Support the show

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 

]]> Have you ever heard of vitrification? Crudely put, it’s the process where super-hot liquids cool rapidly and turn to glass. In this episode, I explore how hot ideas, if cooled too quickly, turn to glass and shatter. You need to cool those ideas down by degrees if you want them to survive. Listen in. 

I filmed a behind the themes video to go with this episode, and you can watch that here: https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-six-degrees

If you want to read about the glass brain man, you can do that here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vesuvius-turned-a-roman-mans-brain-into-glass-now-scientists-reveal-how-the-extremely-rare-preservation-happened-180986145/ 

And here’s a story about the frescos: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/03/dionysian-fresco-pompeii/

This is an audio reading of the post “Six Degrees of Ideation” originally published on March 26, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/six-degrees-of-ideation/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16908390 Tue, 03 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0700 574 writer, writing, Pompeii, Vesuvius, man's brain turns to glass, vitrification, creativity, ideas, author reading, creative writing, full false What is this, your dumb diary? What is this, your dumb diary? At the start of 2023, I made a pact with myself: for the next year, I vowed to be Prolific AF.* I made the vow, then I wrote myself this pep talk, which I will happily read to anyone who needs it. Be prolific! Hope to see you out there, making stuff. 

This episode is somewhat of a follow on from the episode "What does it mean to be The Best?", which you can listen to here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/17104737

This is an audio reading of the post “What is this, your dumb diary?” originally published on January 16, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/what-is-this-your-dumb-diary/



* The vow is still in play in 2025, with slight alteration to be Professional AF

Support the show

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 start of 2023, I made a pact with myself: for the next year, I vowed to be Prolific AF.* I made the vow, then I wrote myself this pep talk, which I will happily read to anyone who needs it. Be prolific! Hope to see you out there, making stuff. 

This episode is somewhat of a follow on from the episode "What does it mean to be The Best?", which you can listen to here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/17104737

This is an audio reading of the post “What is this, your dumb diary?” originally published on January 16, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/what-is-this-your-dumb-diary/



* The vow is still in play in 2025, with slight alteration to be Professional AF

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17223588 Tue, 27 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 586 motivation, creative pep talk, creativity, writer, be prolific, prolific af, writing, audio reading, creative writing, creative essay, personal essay, full true What does it mean to be The Best? What does it mean to be The Best? Inspired by a listicle in Rolling Stone magazine's "The 200 Greatest Singers of all Time", I got to thinking about what being The Best actually means? The Best by whose standards? What are you The Best at? Is that the point of making things? Hmm...Let's talk about being The Bestest. 

The Rolling Stone 200 Greatest Singers List https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/

This is an audio reading of the post “What does it mean to be the best?” originally published on January 2, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-best/

Support the show

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 listicle in Rolling Stone magazine's "The 200 Greatest Singers of all Time", I got to thinking about what being The Best actually means? The Best by whose standards? What are you The Best at? Is that the point of making things? Hmm...Let's talk about being The Bestest. 

The Rolling Stone 200 Greatest Singers List https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/

This is an audio reading of the post “What does it mean to be the best?” originally published on January 2, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-the-best/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17104737 Tue, 20 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 683 writer, writing, creative writing, be the best, simply the best, rolling stone's 200 best singers list, audio reading, Janeen McCrae, full false The Objects of my Afflictions The Objects of my Afflictions Difficult emotions, if left neglected, can take on a life of their own and cause all sorts of mischief. Similar to the Japanese myth of tsukumogami, where simple tools such as umbrellas and lamps can develop and spirit after 100 years of life and come back to haunt you, these emotions can play tricks on you. In this episode, I argue for the value of these difficult emotions. They are still tools you can use - just acknowledge their presence and show them some love.  

Go behind the scenes of this episode and learn more about tsukumogami, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-objects/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Objects of my Afflictions" originally published on March 10, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/object/

Support the show

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 

]]> Difficult emotions, if left neglected, can take on a life of their own and cause all sorts of mischief. Similar to the Japanese myth of tsukumogami, where simple tools such as umbrellas and lamps can develop and spirit after 100 years of life and come back to haunt you, these emotions can play tricks on you. In this episode, I argue for the value of these difficult emotions. They are still tools you can use - just acknowledge their presence and show them some love.  

Go behind the scenes of this episode and learn more about tsukumogami, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-objects/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Objects of my Afflictions" originally published on March 10, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/object/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16873624 Tue, 13 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 681 writer, writing, writer reads their own work, Janeen McCrae, tsukumogami, ghosts, emotions, manage your emotions, creative writing, full false Glitter Spuds for Everyone! Glitter Spuds for Everyone! The things we make - our art, our poems, our preciousprecious things that I call in this episode "Glitter Spuds" - are special to us. Special and nutritious and sparkly. But people will only see that if we SHARE our Glitter Spuds with the world. It's possible someone will turn our glitter spud to mash, but that fear should not hold you back. Take a chance. Share your precious spuds!

Related listens mentioned in episode:

"Anting: It's not just for the birds" https://fieldofstreams.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/13106573-anting-it-s-not-just-for-the-birds

"Caution: Resistance is Hostile" https://fieldofstreams.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/12978427-caution-resistance-is-hostile

This is an audio reading of the post "Glitter Spuds for Everyone!" originally published on November 28, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/spud/


Support the show

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 things we make - our art, our poems, our preciousprecious things that I call in this episode "Glitter Spuds" - are special to us. Special and nutritious and sparkly. But people will only see that if we SHARE our Glitter Spuds with the world. It's possible someone will turn our glitter spud to mash, but that fear should not hold you back. Take a chance. Share your precious spuds!

Related listens mentioned in episode:

"Anting: It's not just for the birds" https://fieldofstreams.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/13106573-anting-it-s-not-just-for-the-birds

"Caution: Resistance is Hostile" https://fieldofstreams.buzzsprout.com/2194216/episodes/12978427-caution-resistance-is-hostile

This is an audio reading of the post "Glitter Spuds for Everyone!" originally published on November 28, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/spud/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17081982 Tue, 06 May 2025 03:00:00 -0700 550 share your work, share your art, writing, creative writing, audio readings, art, why you should share your art, full false Putting the role in steamroller Putting the role in steamroller We've all been in a meeting or conversation where someone just rolls on in and takes over, flattening the whole experience, killing conversations, and sharing (often) unwanted and wrong opinions. Don't be that person! 

This is an audio reading of the post "Putting the role in steamroller", originally published on December 12, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/steamroller/

Support the show

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 

]]> We've all been in a meeting or conversation where someone just rolls on in and takes over, flattening the whole experience, killing conversations, and sharing (often) unwanted and wrong opinions. Don't be that person! 

This is an audio reading of the post "Putting the role in steamroller", originally published on December 12, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/steamroller/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-17062415 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 700 full false Proof of life Proof of life It's the little things - the things that bring us joy - that can remind us in a moment of experience that we are alive. Things like full fat ice cream, or the smile of a friend. Don't deny yourself the full fat of life. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Proof of Life" originally published on November 14, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/proof/

Support the show

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 

]]> It's the little things - the things that bring us joy - that can remind us in a moment of experience that we are alive. Things like full fat ice cream, or the smile of a friend. Don't deny yourself the full fat of life. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Proof of Life" originally published on November 14, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/proof/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16993427 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 511 life, enjoy life, meaning of life, writer, writing, creative writing, author reads their work, audio reading, janeen mccrae full false How to plant, nurture, and grow an Adventure Capitalist How to plant, nurture, and grow an Adventure Capitalist Are you an Adventure Capitalist, aka someone who lives a curious and adventurous life with a curious and adventurous soul? Forget about investing in the markets, invest in yourself! Let's talk the basic principles and practices of the field of Adventure Capitalism. 

Want to dive deeper into it? Go watch the behind the scenes and themes of this episode here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/adventure-capitalist/

This is an audio reading of the post “How to plant, nurture, and grow an Adventure Capitalist” originally published on February 18, 2025.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/adventure-capitalist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you an Adventure Capitalist, aka someone who lives a curious and adventurous life with a curious and adventurous soul? Forget about investing in the markets, invest in yourself! Let's talk the basic principles and practices of the field of Adventure Capitalism. 

Want to dive deeper into it? Go watch the behind the scenes and themes of this episode here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/adventure-capitalist/

This is an audio reading of the post “How to plant, nurture, and grow an Adventure Capitalist” originally published on February 18, 2025.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/adventure-capitalist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16714599 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 895 writing, writer, adventure, creative writing, audio reading, janeen McCrae, full false The Last Picture Show The Last Picture Show Have you ever heard of the science of Optography? It is the study of the last thing a person sees at the moment of their death, which posits that your retina captures on final image as an imprint burned in, like a photograph. This imprint that can be used to identify criminals! Or so they theorized.

I did a whole video on this, which you can watch at this link: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-last-picture/ 

Related reading: "Optography: Preserving a Dead Person’s Last Sight" 

This is an audio reading of the post “The Last Picture Show” originally published on February 3, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-last-picture-show/

Support the show

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 

]]> Have you ever heard of the science of Optography? It is the study of the last thing a person sees at the moment of their death, which posits that your retina captures on final image as an imprint burned in, like a photograph. This imprint that can be used to identify criminals! Or so they theorized.

I did a whole video on this, which you can watch at this link: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-last-picture/ 

Related reading: "Optography: Preserving a Dead Person’s Last Sight" 

This is an audio reading of the post “The Last Picture Show” originally published on February 3, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-last-picture-show/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16577897 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 869 optography, death, what happens when we die, pseudoscience, writing, creative writing, full false You do not need permission to land You do not need permission to land Inspired by a Newsweek headline that read: “Woman Gave 'Russian Astronaut' $30,000 so He Could Pay Earth Landing Fees”, I remind us all that when it comes to creative projects, you do not need permission to land your ideas. 

Related links: Newsweek story 

This is an audio reading of the post “You do not need Permission to Land” originally published on November 7 , 2022.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/quark/

Support the show

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 Newsweek headline that read: “Woman Gave 'Russian Astronaut' $30,000 so He Could Pay Earth Landing Fees”, I remind us all that when it comes to creative projects, you do not need permission to land your ideas. 

Related links: Newsweek story 

This is an audio reading of the post “You do not need Permission to Land” originally published on November 7 , 2022.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/quark/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16882344 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 03:00:00 -0700 542 ideas, creativity, audio reading, writer, creative writing, scams, catfishing, full true Rumble in the Jumble Rumble in the Jumble Why does the vision of what I want to draw - the one that's so clear in my head - not come fully formed out of the end of my pencil and onto the paper? In this episode, I talk about skill deficit when it comes to the vision of what you're trying to create. 

Related reading:

"How many Van Gogh's is one earth worth?" - Vox article https://www.vox.com/culture/23414590/just-stop-oil-van-gogh-sunflowers-protest-climate-change

"How to deal with unexpected edibles." https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/edibles

This is an audio reading of the post “Rumble in the Jumble” originally published October 24, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/jumble/

Support the show

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 

]]> Why does the vision of what I want to draw - the one that's so clear in my head - not come fully formed out of the end of my pencil and onto the paper? In this episode, I talk about skill deficit when it comes to the vision of what you're trying to create. 

Related reading:

"How many Van Gogh's is one earth worth?" - Vox article https://www.vox.com/culture/23414590/just-stop-oil-van-gogh-sunflowers-protest-climate-change

"How to deal with unexpected edibles." https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/edibles

This is an audio reading of the post “Rumble in the Jumble” originally published October 24, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/jumble/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16854740 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700 743 full false Practice makes practice Practice makes practice The number everyone throws around is 10,000 hours. That's the time you need to spend doing something to master it. But is that a hard and fast rule? Let's talk practice. 

Related links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uB5PUpGzeY <-- Malcolm Gladwell talking about how people misunderstand his 10,000 hours rule.

This is an audio reading of the post “Practice makes practice” originally published on October 17, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/practice/

Support the show

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 number everyone throws around is 10,000 hours. That's the time you need to spend doing something to master it. But is that a hard and fast rule? Let's talk practice. 

Related links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uB5PUpGzeY <-- Malcolm Gladwell talking about how people misunderstand his 10,000 hours rule.

This is an audio reading of the post “Practice makes practice” originally published on October 17, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/practice/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16812001 Tue, 18 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700 371 practice, Malcolm Gladwell, 10000 hour rule, 10000 hours, audio reading, creative writing, writer, writing, full false Burn Before Needing Burn Before Needing Inspired by something Patti Smith said in a post about poetry (“If you don’t understand a poem, sit in it and let it wash,”) this episode encourages you to do the same when attempting to understand influences, relationships, and  experiences. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Burn before needing” originally published on May 8, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/burn-before-needing/

Support the show

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 something Patti Smith said in a post about poetry (“If you don’t understand a poem, sit in it and let it wash,”) this episode encourages you to do the same when attempting to understand influences, relationships, and  experiences. 

This is an audio reading of the post "Burn before needing” originally published on May 8, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/burn-before-needing/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16716874 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0700 720 inspiration, audio reading, writer, writing, creative writing, creative influences, full false Playing Dead for Fun and Profit Playing Dead for Fun and Profit Do you ever withdraw from other people’s timelines to make yourself unavailable, declining invites and hang outs to work on your creative projects? It’s the equivalent of “playing dead” socially to get things done. I do it—do you? Let’s talk about playing dead. 

 Go behind the scenes and themes of this episode with a video and related links here, including opossums and sneks: https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-ep-62-play-dead

 This is an audio reading of the post “Playing dead for fun and profit” originally published on October 24, 2024.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. www.jumpinthestream.com/play-possum/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do you ever withdraw from other people’s timelines to make yourself unavailable, declining invites and hang outs to work on your creative projects? It’s the equivalent of “playing dead” socially to get things done. I do it—do you? Let’s talk about playing dead. 

 Go behind the scenes and themes of this episode with a video and related links here, including opossums and sneks: https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-ep-62-play-dead

 This is an audio reading of the post “Playing dead for fun and profit” originally published on October 24, 2024.Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. www.jumpinthestream.com/play-possum/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16582394 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0800 940 playing possum, creativity, time management, audio reading, creative writing, playing dead, find time to work on your art, writing, writer, full false Raccoons Under the Influence Raccoons Under the Influence You're heard of pet influencers on instagram - famous cats and dogs and hedgehogs and the like? What about Verminfluencers? In case you didn't know, there's a whole niche for rats, rodents, and vermin out there, and in today's episode, you'll discover the raccoons are sniffing around and eager to get in on the action. 

This is an audio reading of the post “Raccoons Under the Influence” originally published on October 03, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/influence/

Support the show

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 

]]> You're heard of pet influencers on instagram - famous cats and dogs and hedgehogs and the like? What about Verminfluencers? In case you didn't know, there's a whole niche for rats, rodents, and vermin out there, and in today's episode, you'll discover the raccoons are sniffing around and eager to get in on the action. 

This is an audio reading of the post “Raccoons Under the Influence” originally published on October 03, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/influence/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16661097 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800 833 writer, writing, comedy writing, humor writing, creative writing, raccoons, verminfluencers, influencers, full false The Tall Order of the Creative Sweet Spot The Tall Order of the Creative Sweet Spot Did you know that we’re taller in the morning? Gravity and lying down overnight has a lot do with it. Along with being taller, I am also more creative in the morning. It is my “creative tall” time. When do you feel like you are at the height of your creative powers? And when is it OK to be small? Let’s talk about it. 

Go behind the scenes and themes of this episode with a video and related links here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-tall-order/

Related reading:
"You’re taller in the morning." - Interesting Facts article
https://interestingfacts.com/fact/youre-taller-in-the-morning/

This is an audio reading of the post “The tall order of the creative sweet spot” originally published on August 21, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-tall-order-of-the-creative-sweet/

Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know that we’re taller in the morning? Gravity and lying down overnight has a lot do with it. Along with being taller, I am also more creative in the morning. It is my “creative tall” time. When do you feel like you are at the height of your creative powers? And when is it OK to be small? Let’s talk about it. 

Go behind the scenes and themes of this episode with a video and related links here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-tall-order/

Related reading:
"You’re taller in the morning." - Interesting Facts article
https://interestingfacts.com/fact/youre-taller-in-the-morning/

This is an audio reading of the post “The tall order of the creative sweet spot” originally published on August 21, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-tall-order-of-the-creative-sweet/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15918679 Tue, 18 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800 853 creativity, when are we most creative, writing, writer, audio reading, tall, we are taller in the morning, JANEEN MCCRAE, creative writing, full false For Days When You Have Nothing For Days When You Have Nothing Just because you think you have nothing - no ideas or creative inspiration - doesn't mean you do. We've all been there, but you can Turn nothing into something. This little missive is designed to keep you going on days when you open the brain pantry and it appears to be empty. 

This is an audio reading of the post "For Days When You Have Nothing." originally published on October 10, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/thing/

Support the show

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 

]]> Just because you think you have nothing - no ideas or creative inspiration - doesn't mean you do. We've all been there, but you can Turn nothing into something. This little missive is designed to keep you going on days when you open the brain pantry and it appears to be empty. 

This is an audio reading of the post "For Days When You Have Nothing." originally published on October 10, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/thing/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16578797 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800 492 creativity, writer's block, creative block, turn nothing into something, audio reading, writer, writing, creative writing, full false The Persistence of Donuts The Persistence of Donuts “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.” David Lynch said that. He was a director, filmmaker, artist, painter, and I think above all else, a dreamer. R.I.P. David Lynch. 

Listen to the 1973 Kmart Reel-to-Reel here

Go behind the scenes of this episode (and get more David Lynch inspiration) with Behind the Streams: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-david-lynch/

Today’s episode was inspired by his existence on this weird ol’ plain we called life. This is an audio reading of the post “The Persistence of Donuts” originally published on January 20, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-persistence-of-donuts/

Support the show

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 

]]> “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.” David Lynch said that. He was a director, filmmaker, artist, painter, and I think above all else, a dreamer. R.I.P. David Lynch. 

Listen to the 1973 Kmart Reel-to-Reel here

Go behind the scenes of this episode (and get more David Lynch inspiration) with Behind the Streams: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-david-lynch/

Today’s episode was inspired by his existence on this weird ol’ plain we called life. This is an audio reading of the post “The Persistence of Donuts” originally published on January 20, 2025. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-persistence-of-donuts/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16485793 Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0800 996 David Lynch, transcendental meditation, how to get ideas, catching the big fish, Salvador Dali, writing, audio reading, creative writing, writer, memory, creativity, full true Just Feel It Just Feel It What do you feel when you look at art? What do you feel when you... feel? Let's talk about it.

Related post: "Happy is a list of things felt strongly by this body."

This is an audio reading of the post “Just Feel It” originally published on September 26, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/feel/

Support the show

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 feel when you look at art? What do you feel when you... feel? Let's talk about it.

Related post: "Happy is a list of things felt strongly by this body."

This is an audio reading of the post “Just Feel It” originally published on September 26, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/feel/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16506985 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 575 feelings, art, expression, feel, how do you feel art?, writer, writing, audio reading, self expression, full false Introduction to Squirrel Math: Art is Nuts Introduction to Squirrel Math: Art is Nuts “Squirrels don’t find 80% of the nuts they hide.” This was the headline that inspired this week’s episode. In it, I equate collecting inspiration for your art as akin to a squirrel collection nuts. Art is nuts, and to make it, you must be a little but nutty, too. Welcome to Squirrel Math. Look for it at a university near you. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode as I discuss the themes and the subject of squirrels and the nuts they collect, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-squirrel/

This is an audio reading of the post "Introduction to Squirrel Math: Art is Nuts” originally published on August 07, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/introduction-to-squirrel-math-art/

Support the show

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 

]]> “Squirrels don’t find 80% of the nuts they hide.” This was the headline that inspired this week’s episode. In it, I equate collecting inspiration for your art as akin to a squirrel collection nuts. Art is nuts, and to make it, you must be a little but nutty, too. Welcome to Squirrel Math. Look for it at a university near you. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode as I discuss the themes and the subject of squirrels and the nuts they collect, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-squirrel/

This is an audio reading of the post "Introduction to Squirrel Math: Art is Nuts” originally published on August 07, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/introduction-to-squirrel-math-art/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15777070 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 1133 squirrels, nuts, comedy, squirrel math, inspiration, writing, audio reading, creative writing, full false Mote Work Mote Work “A mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” That’s a line from Carl Sagan’s famous Pale Blue Dot text talking about Earth in the universe. This episode riffs of that, positing that we are, in a way, motes upon a mote. Seemingly insignificant, yet complex and full of potential—capable of so much. Listen in...

This is an audio reading of the post “Mote Work” originally published on September 19, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mote/

Support the show

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 

]]> “A mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” That’s a line from Carl Sagan’s famous Pale Blue Dot text talking about Earth in the universe. This episode riffs of that, positing that we are, in a way, motes upon a mote. Seemingly insignificant, yet complex and full of potential—capable of so much. Listen in...

This is an audio reading of the post “Mote Work” originally published on September 19, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mote/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16397577 Tue, 14 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 678 full false Happy is a List of Things Felt Strongly by this Body Happy is a List of Things Felt Strongly by this Body What does it mean to be happy? Where do you feel it in the body? Can you recognize it when you are happy? Let’s talk about the importance of being able to call back to happy when you need it. Smile lines are badges of honor!

Go behind the scenes of this episode and talk happiness with this BTS video, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-happy/

This is an audio reading of the post “Happy is a list of things felt strongly by this body” originally published on November 21, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/happy/

Support the show

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 does it mean to be happy? Where do you feel it in the body? Can you recognize it when you are happy? Let’s talk about the importance of being able to call back to happy when you need it. Smile lines are badges of honor!

Go behind the scenes of this episode and talk happiness with this BTS video, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-happy/

This is an audio reading of the post “Happy is a list of things felt strongly by this body” originally published on November 21, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/happy/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16225292 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0800 706 full false Red Plus Blue But Not Green Red Plus Blue But Not Green Did you know that purple does not exist? It is a non-spectral color—not visible on the light spectrum—and so is invented on the spot by your brain. “Red plus blue but not green.” Today, we talk about how amazing your brain is, and that if it can invent a color out of thin air, just imagine what else you can make it do. 

Related Links

Watch the Behind the Scenes video on this post where I talk about purple, the brain, and some background on the post I just read to you.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-purple/

Purple Isn’t Real | Slice of Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQt5B1GsTsg

This is an audio reading of the post "Red plus blue but not Green " originally published on September 18, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/red-plus-blue-but-not-green/

Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know that purple does not exist? It is a non-spectral color—not visible on the light spectrum—and so is invented on the spot by your brain. “Red plus blue but not green.” Today, we talk about how amazing your brain is, and that if it can invent a color out of thin air, just imagine what else you can make it do. 

Related Links

Watch the Behind the Scenes video on this post where I talk about purple, the brain, and some background on the post I just read to you.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-purple/

Purple Isn’t Real | Slice of Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQt5B1GsTsg

This is an audio reading of the post "Red plus blue but not Green " originally published on September 18, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/red-plus-blue-but-not-green/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15777036 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800 716 writing, writer, audio reading, creative writing, creativity, purple, purple does not exist, full false Go Your Own Way Go Your Own Way Feel like you're on the wrong path in life? Is it too late to change direction? In this episode, I talk about how the concept of ‘desire paths’ can be applied to life. 

Want to learn more about desire paths? Go behind-the-scenes of this episode here.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-desire-paths/

Desire Path Reddit Group
https://www.reddit.com/r/DesirePath/

This is an audio reading of the post "Go Your Own Way" originally published on October 7, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/desire/

Support the show

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 

]]> Feel like you're on the wrong path in life? Is it too late to change direction? In this episode, I talk about how the concept of ‘desire paths’ can be applied to life. 

Want to learn more about desire paths? Go behind-the-scenes of this episode here.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-desire-paths/

Desire Path Reddit Group
https://www.reddit.com/r/DesirePath/

This is an audio reading of the post "Go Your Own Way" originally published on October 7, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/desire/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16152318 Tue, 24 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800 867 life, writer, creative writing, desire path, creativity, full false "Everything I know about Marketing" as told by a Rooster "Everything I know about Marketing" as told by a Rooster Roosters are the absolute kings of self-promotion. We could learn a lot from them. If only there were some kind of seminar that we could attend where a rooster – nature’s megaphone – would share his secrets? Welcome to the rooster equivalent to a Ted Talk on how to promote yourself using.

Go Behind the Scenes of this episode in this video. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-rooster/

This is an audio reading of the post '"Everything I know about Marketing' as told by a Rooster" originally published on July 10, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/everything-i-know-about-marketing/

Support the show

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 

]]> Roosters are the absolute kings of self-promotion. We could learn a lot from them. If only there were some kind of seminar that we could attend where a rooster – nature’s megaphone – would share his secrets? Welcome to the rooster equivalent to a Ted Talk on how to promote yourself using.

Go Behind the Scenes of this episode in this video. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-rooster/

This is an audio reading of the post '"Everything I know about Marketing' as told by a Rooster" originally published on July 10, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/everything-i-know-about-marketing/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16259282 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800 1022 marketing, self promotion, how to market yourself, share your work, roosters full false The Royal You The Royal You You are the newly crowned King or Queen of your creative realm. It is ordered by royal decree (which I will now read to you so that you are familiar with your Royal Creative Duties.)

"Cash, stamps and flags: how royal symbols will change"- The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-death-cash-stamps-flags

Here is a link to a video about my Grandma. A eulogy of sorts.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-grandma/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Royal You", originally published on September 12, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/royal/

Support the show

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 

]]> You are the newly crowned King or Queen of your creative realm. It is ordered by royal decree (which I will now read to you so that you are familiar with your Royal Creative Duties.)

"Cash, stamps and flags: how royal symbols will change"- The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-death-cash-stamps-flags

Here is a link to a video about my Grandma. A eulogy of sorts.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-grandma/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Royal You", originally published on September 12, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/royal/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16251975 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800 666 creativity, how to be creative, writer, writing, audio reading, creative writing, queen elizabeth ii death, full false Is there Art in Artificial? Is there Art in Artificial? Can AI make art? Can ChatGPT be a poet? Time for me to tackle this question, since my livelihood as a writer and copywriter is already being affected by it.

Watch me in this Behind the Scenes video talking about protest art, propaganda, and asking the question: what is dangerous art anyway?
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-artificial/

This is an audio reading of the post "Is there Art in Artificial", originally published on July 24, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/is-there-art-in-artificial/

Support the show

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 

]]> Can AI make art? Can ChatGPT be a poet? Time for me to tackle this question, since my livelihood as a writer and copywriter is already being affected by it.

Watch me in this Behind the Scenes video talking about protest art, propaganda, and asking the question: what is dangerous art anyway?
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-artificial/

This is an audio reading of the post "Is there Art in Artificial", originally published on July 24, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/is-there-art-in-artificial/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15777067 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0800 1284 ai, chatgpt, writing, writer, audio reading, andy warhol, artificial intelligence, poetry, art, can ai make art?, full false All signs point to North All signs point to North Inspired by a lyric in a Gorillaz song, today's episode is all about finding your North, your meaning, your purpose in life. Try all the other directions, sure, but your true North - that's the direction to keep reseting your compass for.

"Glitter Freeze" by Gorillaz feat Mark E. Smith
https://open.spotify.com/track/4EJFCpthcrP6oOUUXQZ22Z?si=128b9e860c324034

This is an audio reading of the post "All signs point to North", originally published on September 5, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/north/

Support the show

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 lyric in a Gorillaz song, today's episode is all about finding your North, your meaning, your purpose in life. Try all the other directions, sure, but your true North - that's the direction to keep reseting your compass for.

"Glitter Freeze" by Gorillaz feat Mark E. Smith
https://open.spotify.com/track/4EJFCpthcrP6oOUUXQZ22Z?si=128b9e860c324034

This is an audio reading of the post "All signs point to North", originally published on September 5, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/north/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16159085 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800 515 life, purpose, advice, writer, writing, audio reading, creative writing, find your north, find your purpose, full false The One About Dangerous Pencils The One About Dangerous Pencils Are you overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness? Feeling like everything is spiraling out of control around you? Art can help. And all you need is a pencil. As legend and artist, Laurie Anderson says, "Very dangerous art can be made with a pencil."

"No Place for Self Pity, No Room for Fear" by Toni Morrison
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/no-place-self-pity-no-room-fear/

Watch me in this Behind the Scenes video talking about protest art, propaganda, and asking the question: what is dangerous art anyway?
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-dangerous/

This is an audio reading of the post "The one about dangerous pencils", originally published on November 8, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-one-about-dangerous-pencils/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness? Feeling like everything is spiraling out of control around you? Art can help. And all you need is a pencil. As legend and artist, Laurie Anderson says, "Very dangerous art can be made with a pencil."

"No Place for Self Pity, No Room for Fear" by Toni Morrison
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/no-place-self-pity-no-room-fear/

Watch me in this Behind the Scenes video talking about protest art, propaganda, and asking the question: what is dangerous art anyway?
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-dangerous/

This is an audio reading of the post "The one about dangerous pencils", originally published on November 8, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-one-about-dangerous-pencils/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16132059 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800 1242 art, laurie anderson, inspiration, protest art, plato, propaganda, creativity, audio reading, toni morrison, full true Is it time to purge your life pantry? Is it time to purge your life pantry? Do you have a habit of hanging onto bad memories? Bad conversations, bitterness, the pain of relationships – are you an emotional hoarder of them all? This is an episode about letting go. Remove this stuff—all the expired goods—from your life pantry! 

This is an audio reading of the post “Is it time to purge your life pantry?” originally published on August 29, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/pantry/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do you have a habit of hanging onto bad memories? Bad conversations, bitterness, the pain of relationships – are you an emotional hoarder of them all? This is an episode about letting go. Remove this stuff—all the expired goods—from your life pantry! 

This is an audio reading of the post “Is it time to purge your life pantry?” originally published on August 29, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/pantry/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16107533 Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800 593 life, self-help, let go, audio reading, full false "..and the draft horse you rode in on." "..and the draft horse you rode in on." After several failed attempts at writing a book, I'm taking another crack. To give myself a pep talk, I consulted writers and scoured the internet for advice on the first draft and have concluded that to get through the first draft, you just have to keep PULLING THE PLOW. Don't stop and look back at the field until the field is done.

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E.L. Doctorow

 Agree? Disagree? How you approach a first  draft?

Watch the Behind the Scenes video about first drafts, with Stephen King, Anne Lamott and more, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-draft/

This is an audio reading of the post "...and the draft horse you rode in on", originally published on June 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/and-the-draft-horse-you-rode-in-on/

Support the show

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 

]]> After several failed attempts at writing a book, I'm taking another crack. To give myself a pep talk, I consulted writers and scoured the internet for advice on the first draft and have concluded that to get through the first draft, you just have to keep PULLING THE PLOW. Don't stop and look back at the field until the field is done.

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E.L. Doctorow

 Agree? Disagree? How you approach a first  draft?

Watch the Behind the Scenes video about first drafts, with Stephen King, Anne Lamott and more, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-draft/

This is an audio reading of the post "...and the draft horse you rode in on", originally published on June 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/and-the-draft-horse-you-rode-in-on/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15777050 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800 863 writing, first drafts, how to write, how to write a first draft, writer, audio reading, writer reads their work, full false Can Bravery Be Bought? Can Bravery Be Bought? Wouldn't it be great if you could order courage from a catalog? Not just bravery, but a whole Life Package that equipped you with all the tools you need - bravery, judgement, curiosity, etc. - to be an artist? And what if you bought that package and it didn't work? Here is an imagined conversation between a customer and the company that sells the Life Package goods.

This is an audio reading of the post "Can bravery be bought?", originally published on August 22, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/brave/

Support the show

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 

]]> Wouldn't it be great if you could order courage from a catalog? Not just bravery, but a whole Life Package that equipped you with all the tools you need - bravery, judgement, curiosity, etc. - to be an artist? And what if you bought that package and it didn't work? Here is an imagined conversation between a customer and the company that sells the Life Package goods.

This is an audio reading of the post "Can bravery be bought?", originally published on August 22, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/brave/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-16050081 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0800 867 full false To Bee or Not to Bee To Bee or Not to Bee Part riff on a Shakespearian soliloquy (hat tip, Hamlet Act 3) and part riff on finding out that bees can count, here is the text from an imagined letter by a drone bee to his Queen requesting reassignment of duties. 

Video from Ze Frank. "True Facts: Bees That Play With Balls And Do Math!" 
https://youtu.be/M6hGjh9SJ_M?si=mtoWVhrEQ6uE4cgI

Watch the Behind the Scenes video about bees and this post here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-54-bee/

This is an audio reading of the post "To Bee or Not to Bee", originally published on May 7, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bee/

Support the show

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 

]]> Part riff on a Shakespearian soliloquy (hat tip, Hamlet Act 3) and part riff on finding out that bees can count, here is the text from an imagined letter by a drone bee to his Queen requesting reassignment of duties. 

Video from Ze Frank. "True Facts: Bees That Play With Balls And Do Math!" 
https://youtu.be/M6hGjh9SJ_M?si=mtoWVhrEQ6uE4cgI

Watch the Behind the Scenes video about bees and this post here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-54-bee/

This is an audio reading of the post "To Bee or Not to Bee", originally published on May 7, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bee/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15833254 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700 586 full false Faith is Unreal Faith is Unreal Why is it so hard to believe in ourselves? Much easier to believe in UFOs and flat earth theories - but let's cut it out! Here is your pep talk for the day.

This is an audio reading of the post "Faith is Unreal", originally published on August 8, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/faith/

Support the show

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 

]]> Why is it so hard to believe in ourselves? Much easier to believe in UFOs and flat earth theories - but let's cut it out! Here is your pep talk for the day.

This is an audio reading of the post "Faith is Unreal", originally published on August 8, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/faith/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15967293 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700 428 faith, self belief, confidence, believe in yourself, conspiracy theories, audio reading, writer reads their work, writer, writing, creative writing, full false How to ask for help How to ask for help If you were an alien tourist, visiting Earth in a humanoid rental body, would you know how to ask for help? Specifically "Where is the toilet?" Luckily, there is an alien tourist guide for that. Take a listen.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-help/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Ask for Help" originally published on April 30, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/how-to-ask-for-help/

Support the show

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 were an alien tourist, visiting Earth in a humanoid rental body, would you know how to ask for help? Specifically "Where is the toilet?" Luckily, there is an alien tourist guide for that. Take a listen.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-help/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Ask for Help" originally published on April 30, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/how-to-ask-for-help/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15790374 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1148 full false Take care of the caretaker Take care of the caretaker There are things you should care about and things that you should not. Do not expend energy on pointless trivialities! Direct those energies on empathy and understanding. Take a listen to my list of things that I shall care more and less about in my effort to show care to myself and others.

This is an audio reading of the post "Take care of the caretaker" originally published on August 15, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/duty/

Support the show

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 are things you should care about and things that you should not. Do not expend energy on pointless trivialities! Direct those energies on empathy and understanding. Take a listen to my list of things that I shall care more and less about in my effort to show care to myself and others.

This is an audio reading of the post "Take care of the caretaker" originally published on August 15, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/duty/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15887526 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 732 audio reading, empathy, compassion, self care, 2 33 full false Confessions of a Life Pickpocket Confessions of a Life Pickpocket How much of your own life - your memories your experiences and your time - do you use in your creative work? What else do you steal? In this episode, I ask for forgiveness from all those things I steal from my own life. In short - I pick my own pockets ruthlessly. How about you?

Watch the Behind the Scenes video on this post - including a whole lot of pickpocketing ephemera - here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-pickpocket/

This is an audio reading of the post "Confessions of a Life Pickpocket" originally published on April 23, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/pickpocket/

Support the show

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 

]]> How much of your own life - your memories your experiences and your time - do you use in your creative work? What else do you steal? In this episode, I ask for forgiveness from all those things I steal from my own life. In short - I pick my own pockets ruthlessly. How about you?

Watch the Behind the Scenes video on this post - including a whole lot of pickpocketing ephemera - here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-pickpocket/

This is an audio reading of the post "Confessions of a Life Pickpocket" originally published on April 23, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/pickpocket/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15833247 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700 950 4 15 full false What does opportunity look like? What does opportunity look like? Recognizing opportunity when its right in front of you can be a challenge. What does it look like? Is it really a chance at something, or is it not right for right now? Only you can decide, but when the right one comes along, your mission is clear: seize it!

This is an audio reading of the post "What does opportunity look like?" originally published on July 25, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/opportunity/

Support the show

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 

]]> Recognizing opportunity when its right in front of you can be a challenge. What does it look like? Is it really a chance at something, or is it not right for right now? Only you can decide, but when the right one comes along, your mission is clear: seize it!

This is an audio reading of the post "What does opportunity look like?" originally published on July 25, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/opportunity/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15789456 Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700 472 writing, audio reading, opportunity, andy warhol, eminem, 2 25 full false Dial 1-800 Cry-On-Cue Dial 1-800 Cry-On-Cue Did you know there’s a difference in the composition of tears shed from cutting onions when compared to tears triggered by emotion? Today, I read a piece of my writing inspired by weeping. Listen in…

Related Links
"Hello, I would like to purchase a high horse"
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/outrage/

"Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds"
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/firework/

Behind the Streams
Go behind the scenes on this episode, with additional links to cry-related science.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-cry-on-cue/

This is an audio reading of the post "Dial 1-800-Cry-on-Cue" originally published on April 16, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cry/

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know there’s a difference in the composition of tears shed from cutting onions when compared to tears triggered by emotion? Today, I read a piece of my writing inspired by weeping. Listen in…

Related Links
"Hello, I would like to purchase a high horse"
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/outrage/

"Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds"
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/firework/

Behind the Streams
Go behind the scenes on this episode, with additional links to cry-related science.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-cry-on-cue/

This is an audio reading of the post "Dial 1-800-Cry-on-Cue" originally published on April 16, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cry/

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15739408 Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1138 crying, audio reading, writer reading own work, why do we cry? 4 15 full false Signs you might be a masochist Signs you might be a masochist Do you have a penchant for putting yourself through hard physical and mental challenges? You might be a masochist. If you make/create art of any kind, you definitely are. Let's talk about why being a masochist isn't all bad.

Things I've written about two Stupid Arbitrary Goals (cycling)
Centuries are for the Birds
http://www.nodirectionknown.com/centuries-are-for-the-birds/
The Year of Living SAG-ily
http://www.nodirectionknown.com/the-year-of-living-sag-ily/

This is an audio reading of the post "Signs you might be a masochist" originally published on July 18, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/masochist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do you have a penchant for putting yourself through hard physical and mental challenges? You might be a masochist. If you make/create art of any kind, you definitely are. Let's talk about why being a masochist isn't all bad.

Things I've written about two Stupid Arbitrary Goals (cycling)
Centuries are for the Birds
http://www.nodirectionknown.com/centuries-are-for-the-birds/
The Year of Living SAG-ily
http://www.nodirectionknown.com/the-year-of-living-sag-ily/

This is an audio reading of the post "Signs you might be a masochist" originally published on July 18, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/masochist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15712106 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700 720 2 29 full false Totality is Lit Totality is Lit Did you watch the most recent total eclipse? It got me thinking about how it's a chance for the Sun and the Moon to talk to each other without Earth butting in. So that's what this episode is - us humans eavesdropping on that conversation.

Watch the Behind the Streams video where I discuss the themes and dissect my own writing as it relates to this very episode, plus provide bonus links to eclipse content and more.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-totality/

This is an audio reading of a piece of my creative writing called "Totality is Lit", originally published on April 02, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/totality/



Support the show

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 

]]> Did you watch the most recent total eclipse? It got me thinking about how it's a chance for the Sun and the Moon to talk to each other without Earth butting in. So that's what this episode is - us humans eavesdropping on that conversation.

Watch the Behind the Streams video where I discuss the themes and dissect my own writing as it relates to this very episode, plus provide bonus links to eclipse content and more.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-totality/

This is an audio reading of a piece of my creative writing called "Totality is Lit", originally published on April 02, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/totality/



Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15698744 Thu, 05 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0700 826 total eclipse, creative writing, writer, audio reading, moon, solar eclipse, 4 14 full true The Zone of No Returns The Zone of No Returns Are you good at spacing out? Do you think that spacing out is an essential part of the creative process? Let's talk about it. (Oh, and if you are good at spacing out, I'll clue you in to a place where you can prove it to the world.)

The Official Space Out Competition Rules

View a Behind the Scenes video about the spacing out here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-space-out/


This is an audio reading of the post “The Zone of No Returns” originally published on April 02, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-zone-of-no-returns/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you good at spacing out? Do you think that spacing out is an essential part of the creative process? Let's talk about it. (Oh, and if you are good at spacing out, I'll clue you in to a place where you can prove it to the world.)

The Official Space Out Competition Rules

View a Behind the Scenes video about the spacing out here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-space-out/


This is an audio reading of the post “The Zone of No Returns” originally published on April 02, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-zone-of-no-returns/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15660666 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0700 928 4 13 full true Singular Humanity: Approved Modifications to Accommodate a Better Life Singular Humanity: Approved Modifications to Accommodate a Better Life Inspired by the story of a man who shoved a Guinness record breaking number of matches up his nose and training his nostrils to accommodate such a feat, (I won't spoil the surprise of how many, but I tell you in the intro) please tune your ears to the sound of my voice and learn how to expand you heart, mind, and soul with some exercises I made up.

Here's the story of the nostril stretcher: "Danish dad crams 68 matchsticks up his nose to set world record"

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-singular/

This is an audio reading of the post "Singular Humanity: Approved Modifications to Accommodate a Better Life" originally published on March 11, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/human-hacks/

Support the show

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 the story of a man who shoved a Guinness record breaking number of matches up his nose and training his nostrils to accommodate such a feat, (I won't spoil the surprise of how many, but I tell you in the intro) please tune your ears to the sound of my voice and learn how to expand you heart, mind, and soul with some exercises I made up.

Here's the story of the nostril stretcher: "Danish dad crams 68 matchsticks up his nose to set world record"

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-singular/

This is an audio reading of the post "Singular Humanity: Approved Modifications to Accommodate a Better Life" originally published on March 11, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/human-hacks/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15530641 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1297 humanity, empathy, audio reading, 4 11 full false How to Flip Your Way Out of Failure How to Flip Your Way Out of Failure The bird, the middle finger, the one-finger salute. It is a power gesture in the real world, but what about in your creative life? Here's a piece describing the different breeds of (metaphorical) birds you can flip at all the things in your creative pursuits that get in your way. From self-doubt to failure - flip those birds in your hand and keep on making.

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-bird/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Flip Your Way out of Failure" originally published on March 04, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/flip/

Support the show

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 bird, the middle finger, the one-finger salute. It is a power gesture in the real world, but what about in your creative life? Here's a piece describing the different breeds of (metaphorical) birds you can flip at all the things in your creative pursuits that get in your way. From self-doubt to failure - flip those birds in your hand and keep on making.

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-bird/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Flip Your Way out of Failure" originally published on March 04, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/flip/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15530639 Thu, 15 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700 836 failure, flipping the bird, writing, creativity, audio reading 4 10 full true A Song for Clean-Up on Aisle Five A Song for Clean-Up on Aisle Five If human beings are made up of items pulled off the supermarket shelves of Life, what are two essential ingredients everyone should put in their basket? In today's episode, I advocate for "Cat food and cold cuts." Cat food for sass (cats don't care about anything) and cold cuts for saltiness (to preserve and save the day).

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-aisle-five/

This is an audio reading of the post "A Song for Clean-Up on Aisle Five" originally published on February 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/catfood-coldcuts/

Support the show

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 human beings are made up of items pulled off the supermarket shelves of Life, what are two essential ingredients everyone should put in their basket? In today's episode, I advocate for "Cat food and cold cuts." Cat food for sass (cats don't care about anything) and cold cuts for saltiness (to preserve and save the day).

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-aisle-five/

This is an audio reading of the post "A Song for Clean-Up on Aisle Five" originally published on February 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/catfood-coldcuts/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15530636 Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700 697 stream of consciousness, shopping list, creative analysis, writer, writing, audio reading, creative writing, 4 9 full false The Elements of (Your) Style The Elements of (Your) Style Do foundational elements of a creative persona exist? As artists, do we use these elements - Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Aether - and how does each element affect our creative style? Let's talk about it.

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-elements/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Elements of Your Style" originally published on July 03, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/elements-of-your-style/


Support the show

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 

]]> Do foundational elements of a creative persona exist? As artists, do we use these elements - Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Aether - and how does each element affect our creative style? Let's talk about it.

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-elements/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Elements of Your Style" originally published on July 03, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/elements-of-your-style/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15506753 Thu, 01 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0700 754 3 27 full false Drowning in Excellence Drowning in Excellence Do you know "The Swimming Song?" by Loudon Wainwright III? To me, it speaks of risk and the importance of taking risks and practice. The lessons in this song can so easily be applied to the creative process. Yes, you might drown, but if you practice, if you dive in, if you take the risk and swim around in the works of others and try new strokes for yourself, you will over time, master your craft. It's a metaphor!

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-drown/

You can listen to the full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6scUEism6pBnY0IXYr8fw3?si=97b268d63b4947db

This is an audio reading of the post "Drowning in Excellence" originally published on February 19, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/drown/



Support the show

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 

]]> Do you know "The Swimming Song?" by Loudon Wainwright III? To me, it speaks of risk and the importance of taking risks and practice. The lessons in this song can so easily be applied to the creative process. Yes, you might drown, but if you practice, if you dive in, if you take the risk and swim around in the works of others and try new strokes for yourself, you will over time, master your craft. It's a metaphor!

Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-drown/

You can listen to the full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6scUEism6pBnY0IXYr8fw3?si=97b268d63b4947db

This is an audio reading of the post "Drowning in Excellence" originally published on February 19, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/drown/



Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15471940 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700 645 London wainwright III, song lyrics, lyric break down, writer, audio reading, the swimming song, creativity, 4 8 full true The Glitter of the Mouth The Glitter of the Mouth Inspired by a Francis Bacon quote (the painter, not the philosopher), today I dig into the glitter of the mouth AKA words. Words can stick, so choose your words wisely.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-43-glitter/
(Some good links to Francis Bacon interviews there)

This is an audio reading of the post "The Glitter of the Mouth" originally published on February 12, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/glitter-mouth/

Support the show

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 Francis Bacon quote (the painter, not the philosopher), today I dig into the glitter of the mouth AKA words. Words can stick, so choose your words wisely.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-43-glitter/
(Some good links to Francis Bacon interviews there)

This is an audio reading of the post "The Glitter of the Mouth" originally published on February 12, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/glitter-mouth/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15457459 Tue, 23 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700 728 francis bacon, language, words, writing, writing, audio reading, creative writing, art, 4 7 full false What ever happened to quicksand? What ever happened to quicksand? As a TV-addicted Gen X kid, I can tell you that quicksand seemed like the greatest threat to humans out there. But what ever happened to using it as a plot device? Why is it a joke of a TV and movie trope? And how is it like the creative process? Let’s dig into it.

Slate story: Terra Firma: The The rise and fall of quicksand.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:

This is an audio reading of the post "What ever happened to quicksand?" originally published on June 12, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> As a TV-addicted Gen X kid, I can tell you that quicksand seemed like the greatest threat to humans out there. But what ever happened to using it as a plot device? Why is it a joke of a TV and movie trope? And how is it like the creative process? Let’s dig into it.

Slate story: Terra Firma: The The rise and fall of quicksand.

Watch the behind the scenes video about the post here:

This is an audio reading of the post "What ever happened to quicksand?" originally published on June 12, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15420796 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700 707 3 24 full false The Last Bite Club The Last Bite Club The first and last lines of a book are important. How you start and how you finish - it's like nailing that perfect first and last bite of a meal.

This is an audio reading of the post "The Last Bite Club" originally published on July 11, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bite/

Support the show

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 and last lines of a book are important. How you start and how you finish - it's like nailing that perfect first and last bite of a meal.

This is an audio reading of the post "The Last Bite Club" originally published on July 11, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bite/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15420398 Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700 522 writing, writing analysis, creative writing, audio reading, food, last bite, first lines of books, 2 28 full false It was Never Supposed to be Whistler's Mother It was Never Supposed to be Whistler's Mother Did you know that the painting "Whistler's Mother" has a different name? More than that, the subject of the painting was not even supposed to be Whistler's mother, Anna at all? Tune in to listen to this story, and listen to me ponder what it feels like when you step out of the shadows and become, suddenly, the center of attention.

The story that inspired this post: "James McNeill Whistler painted his mother after the person he was supposed to paint didn’t show up"

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-whistlers/

This is an audio reading of the post "It was Never Supposed to be Whistler's Mother" originally published on February 5, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/it-was-never-supposed-to-be-whistlers/

Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know that the painting "Whistler's Mother" has a different name? More than that, the subject of the painting was not even supposed to be Whistler's mother, Anna at all? Tune in to listen to this story, and listen to me ponder what it feels like when you step out of the shadows and become, suddenly, the center of attention.

The story that inspired this post: "James McNeill Whistler painted his mother after the person he was supposed to paint didn’t show up"

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-whistlers/

This is an audio reading of the post "It was Never Supposed to be Whistler's Mother" originally published on February 5, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/it-was-never-supposed-to-be-whistlers/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15370331 Sat, 06 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0700 719 james mcneill whistler, whistler's mother, art, creative writing, audio reading, 4 6 full false A Not-So-Simple Twist of Fate A Not-So-Simple Twist of Fate Oreology is the study of Oreo cookies - specifically the twist and fracture of them in a very scientific study conducted at MIT. Are we like Oreo cookies, being twisted and manipulated, all with a goal of one side getting all the creme? Let's talk about.

Do a deep dive into this episode and learn all about Oreology with my Behind the Streams (scenes) video on it.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-twist/

Here's a story on the study which inspired this whole thing
"Scientists Publish Breakthrough Study in Oreo-Splitting Research"

This is an audio reading of the post "A Not-So-Simple Twist of Fate” originally published on January 29, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/twist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Oreology is the study of Oreo cookies - specifically the twist and fracture of them in a very scientific study conducted at MIT. Are we like Oreo cookies, being twisted and manipulated, all with a goal of one side getting all the creme? Let's talk about.

Do a deep dive into this episode and learn all about Oreology with my Behind the Streams (scenes) video on it.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-twist/

Here's a story on the study which inspired this whole thing
"Scientists Publish Breakthrough Study in Oreo-Splitting Research"

This is an audio reading of the post "A Not-So-Simple Twist of Fate” originally published on January 29, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/twist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15359944 Thu, 04 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0700 945 oreos, writing analysis, writer, audio reading, creative writing, oreology, funny science, 4 5 full true About Face About Face Pareidolia is the ability to see faces in things. Let's talk about the possible reasons as to why we see those faces. Is it something to do with the loneliness epidemic? 🤔

View the Behind the Streams theme video, where I do a deep dive into pareidolia and the why of it, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-faces/

This is an audio reading of the post "About Face” originally published on January 15, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/about-face/

Support the show

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 

]]> Pareidolia is the ability to see faces in things. Let's talk about the possible reasons as to why we see those faces. Is it something to do with the loneliness epidemic? 🤔

View the Behind the Streams theme video, where I do a deep dive into pareidolia and the why of it, here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-faces/

This is an audio reading of the post "About Face” originally published on January 15, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/about-face/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15306387 Thu, 27 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1008 4 3 full false Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds Listen in on the call between a potential buyer of some "idea fireworks" and the astute salesman in today's episode of Field of Streams.

Related: "Hello, I would like to purchase a high horse."
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/field-of-streams/id1689516809?i=1000644343522

This is an audio reading of the post "Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds” originally published on July 4, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/firework/

Support the show

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 

]]> Listen in on the call between a potential buyer of some "idea fireworks" and the astute salesman in today's episode of Field of Streams.

Related: "Hello, I would like to purchase a high horse."
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/field-of-streams/id1689516809?i=1000644343522

This is an audio reading of the post "Idea Fireworks for Explosive Minds” originally published on July 4, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/firework/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15304927 Tue, 25 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 876 fireworks, how to get ideas, creative writing, audio reading, humor, 2 27 full true What is Human? What is Human? Human is human. I don't know what else to say. Find some empathy and compassion, people! We can do it!

This is an audio reading of the post "What is Human?" originally published on June 27, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/human/

Support the show

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 

]]> Human is human. I don't know what else to say. Find some empathy and compassion, people! We can do it!

This is an audio reading of the post "What is Human?" originally published on June 27, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/human/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15252567 Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 472 2 26 full false Raised by Literature Raised by Literature Inspired by musician Tom Verlaine's book sale - he's rumored to have amassed 50,000 books at the time of his passing - today I talk about how the books we read play a role in our lives. Raised by literature, built from books - what do the books on your shelves say about you?

Watch the behind the scenes video to this episode (where I talk about the sale and dig into what my own books say about me) https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-raised-by/

This is an audio reading of the post "Raised by Literature" originally published on September 25, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/literature/

Support the show

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 musician Tom Verlaine's book sale - he's rumored to have amassed 50,000 books at the time of his passing - today I talk about how the books we read play a role in our lives. Raised by literature, built from books - what do the books on your shelves say about you?

Watch the behind the scenes video to this episode (where I talk about the sale and dig into what my own books say about me) https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-raised-by/

This is an audio reading of the post "Raised by Literature" originally published on September 25, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/literature/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15241407 Thu, 13 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 929 3 39 full false DIY Life Hack: Build Your Own Mortsafe DIY Life Hack: Build Your Own Mortsafe Are you managing your work/life balance? How are you protecting your personal life and projects from being dominated by work-a-holism or the expectation of an always-on-duty employee? Today I talk about the concept of a "mortsafe" but instead of it being to stop bodysnatchers, it's to stop work from stealing time from your life.

Here the article on ACTUAL mortsafes that inspired this piece of my writing that I'm reading to you today.

This is an audio reading of the post "DIY Life Hack: Build Your Own Mortsafe", originally published on June 13, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mortsafe/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you managing your work/life balance? How are you protecting your personal life and projects from being dominated by work-a-holism or the expectation of an always-on-duty employee? Today I talk about the concept of a "mortsafe" but instead of it being to stop bodysnatchers, it's to stop work from stealing time from your life.

Here the article on ACTUAL mortsafes that inspired this piece of my writing that I'm reading to you today.

This is an audio reading of the post "DIY Life Hack: Build Your Own Mortsafe", originally published on June 13, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mortsafe/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15229513 Tue, 11 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 600 work life balance, career, work, productivity, creativity, mortsafe, 2 24 full false I am in Love with a Robot I am in Love with a Robot Is it wrong to love a robot? What about if that robot is a vacuum cleaner? And should you name it executor to your will? In this episode - written in the style of an Agony Aunt letter - I pose this very question about my iRobot Roomba named Reggie. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-37-robot/

This is an audio reading of the post "I am in love with a robot" originally published on January 1, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/robotlove/

Support the show

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 

]]> Is it wrong to love a robot? What about if that robot is a vacuum cleaner? And should you name it executor to your will? In this episode - written in the style of an Agony Aunt letter - I pose this very question about my iRobot Roomba named Reggie. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-37-robot/

This is an audio reading of the post "I am in love with a robot" originally published on January 1, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/robotlove/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15160876 Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1171 irobot, roomba, robots, dear abby, creative writing, audio reading, 4 1 full false Is this the audition and did I pass? Is this the audition and did I pass? Do you need to quit to be successful? And by quit, I don't mean forever. More like taking a break from the pursuit to regather your stones before charging back in. Inspired by Molly Shannon talking about how she quit for a year due to rejection just getting too much, before coming back and ending up where she is today. She talks about it on an episode of Fly on the Wall with David Spade and Dana Carvey. (David says he also quit for a while when coming up, leading to this quote: “To succeed, you have to be a quitter”

You can listen to the Molly Shannon episode here (but listen to mine first, yeah.)

This is an audio reading of the post "Is this the audition and did I pass?" originally published on June 20, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/audition/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do you need to quit to be successful? And by quit, I don't mean forever. More like taking a break from the pursuit to regather your stones before charging back in. Inspired by Molly Shannon talking about how she quit for a year due to rejection just getting too much, before coming back and ending up where she is today. She talks about it on an episode of Fly on the Wall with David Spade and Dana Carvey. (David says he also quit for a while when coming up, leading to this quote: “To succeed, you have to be a quitter”

You can listen to the Molly Shannon episode here (but listen to mine first, yeah.)

This is an audio reading of the post "Is this the audition and did I pass?" originally published on June 20, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/audition/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15172665 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0700 500 2 25 full false Pure Nonsense Pure Nonsense Inspired by the cutup technique, this episode is exactly what it says on the tin: Pure Nonsense. There is a Behind the Scenes companion video to this episode which digs into the inspiration, William S. Burroughs, David Bowie, and the beauty of the cut up technique. You can watch that here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-pure-nonsense/

This is an audio reading of the post "Pure Nonsense" originally published on January 22, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/nonsense/

Support the show

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 the cutup technique, this episode is exactly what it says on the tin: Pure Nonsense. There is a Behind the Scenes companion video to this episode which digs into the inspiration, William S. Burroughs, David Bowie, and the beauty of the cut up technique. You can watch that here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-pure-nonsense/

This is an audio reading of the post "Pure Nonsense" originally published on January 22, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/nonsense/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15022550 Thu, 30 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 488 4 4 full false Are You a Mattress in the Wild? Are You a Mattress in the Wild? Nothing makes me angrier than a mattress in the wild. And by that, I mean one someone has dumped down the side of a pristine mountain road because they're too cheap to take it to the dump. It's a perfect metaphor for drafts or early iterations of your work. They are FILLED with mattresses aka bad ideas, not quite right thoughts, and ugly executions of your ideas. Worse still, you can throw one of your bad "mattress" ideas into the work of others and really stink up the joint. In today's episode, I talk in my usual riddles but this time about mattresses and how to recognize when you have one in your work.

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you a mattress in the wild?" originally published on June 6, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mattress/

Support the show

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 

]]> Nothing makes me angrier than a mattress in the wild. And by that, I mean one someone has dumped down the side of a pristine mountain road because they're too cheap to take it to the dump. It's a perfect metaphor for drafts or early iterations of your work. They are FILLED with mattresses aka bad ideas, not quite right thoughts, and ugly executions of your ideas. Worse still, you can throw one of your bad "mattress" ideas into the work of others and really stink up the joint. In today's episode, I talk in my usual riddles but this time about mattresses and how to recognize when you have one in your work.

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you a mattress in the wild?" originally published on June 6, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mattress/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15148556 Tue, 28 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 550 ideas, creativity, editing, first drafts, writing, writer, audio reading, creative writing, 2 23 full true Kicking the Idea of the Bucket Kicking the Idea of the Bucket What do you want to do before you die? What about all the things you know you will never do? That's what this is about. It's a reverse bucket list of sorts. All the things I know I will never do - some of which I know I should work on.

Go behind the scenes of this piece of creative writing and watch the companion video here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-bucket/

This is an audio reading of the post "Kicking the Idea of the Bucket" originally published on January 8, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bucket/

Support the show

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 want to do before you die? What about all the things you know you will never do? That's what this is about. It's a reverse bucket list of sorts. All the things I know I will never do - some of which I know I should work on.

Go behind the scenes of this piece of creative writing and watch the companion video here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-bucket/

This is an audio reading of the post "Kicking the Idea of the Bucket" originally published on January 8, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/bucket/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15022546 Thu, 23 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 521 4 2 full false Welcome to the Rat-ture Welcome to the Rat-ture Scientists recently discovered that rats may have imaginations. Now I'm wondering what they're imagining. Is world domination on their mind? With this discovery, rats have been forced to reveal their plans for global domination. The representative rat, Vernor, will no proceed to hip you to their plans via this address, which I will read to you now.

News story about the rat imagination research. 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/nov/02/rats-may-have-power-imagination-research


Go behind the scenes of this piece of creative writing and watch the companion video here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-rat/

This is an audio reading of the post "Welcome to the Rat-ture" originally published on November 6, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/rat/

Support the show

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 

]]> Scientists recently discovered that rats may have imaginations. Now I'm wondering what they're imagining. Is world domination on their mind? With this discovery, rats have been forced to reveal their plans for global domination. The representative rat, Vernor, will no proceed to hip you to their plans via this address, which I will read to you now.

News story about the rat imagination research. 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/nov/02/rats-may-have-power-imagination-research


Go behind the scenes of this piece of creative writing and watch the companion video here
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-rat/

This is an audio reading of the post "Welcome to the Rat-ture" originally published on November 6, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/rat/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15012964 Thu, 16 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 841 3 45 full true O Mother, Where Art Thou? O Mother, Where Art Thou? Written around Mother's Day in 2023, this episode digs into the who, what, where when, and why of Mother. What does the word Mother mean to you? Take a listen. Happy Mother's Day, everyone, and to all those with complicated relationships or missing their mother today, go easy on yourself. 

Watch the Behind the Scenes video and review supplementary material that goes with this episode at this link:
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-mother

This is an audio reading of the post "O Mother, Where Art Thou?" originally published on May 15, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/oh-mother-where-art-thou/

Support the show

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 

]]> Written around Mother's Day in 2023, this episode digs into the who, what, where when, and why of Mother. What does the word Mother mean to you? Take a listen. Happy Mother's Day, everyone, and to all those with complicated relationships or missing their mother today, go easy on yourself. 

Watch the Behind the Scenes video and review supplementary material that goes with this episode at this link:
https://janeenmccrae.substack.com/p/behind-the-streams-mother

This is an audio reading of the post "O Mother, Where Art Thou?" originally published on May 15, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/oh-mother-where-art-thou/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-15011191 Thu, 09 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 611 3 20 full false You Gotta Know When to Fold 'Em You Gotta Know When to Fold 'Em Part poetry slam, part Mad Magazine Fold In, today's episode is kinda out there in terms of trying to make a high-falutin' concept work. It works much better as a visual piece than audio, and you can go see what it look like (and watch the video I mentioned where I break it down) at the link below.

CORRECTION FOR AUDIO: I state that I wrote this is May 2022 in the intro, shortly after Mad Magazine Fold In inventor and illustrator, Al Jaffee, passed, but it was actually May 2023. I just mispoke. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-fold-em/

I prefer the folded in version of the poem, how about you? Shorter. Punchier. Better.

This is an audio reading of the post "You gotta know when to fold 'em" originally published on May 1, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/you-gotta-know-when-to-fold-em/

Support the show

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 

]]> Part poetry slam, part Mad Magazine Fold In, today's episode is kinda out there in terms of trying to make a high-falutin' concept work. It works much better as a visual piece than audio, and you can go see what it look like (and watch the video I mentioned where I break it down) at the link below.

CORRECTION FOR AUDIO: I state that I wrote this is May 2022 in the intro, shortly after Mad Magazine Fold In inventor and illustrator, Al Jaffee, passed, but it was actually May 2023. I just mispoke. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-fold-em/

I prefer the folded in version of the poem, how about you? Shorter. Punchier. Better.

This is an audio reading of the post "You gotta know when to fold 'em" originally published on May 1, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/you-gotta-know-when-to-fold-em/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14994301 Fri, 03 May 2024 03:00:00 -0700 757 3 18 full false Live Your Vision Live Your Vision Does your outer match your inner? When it comes to the work you're producing, is it playing for your heart or for the algorithm? In this episode, I dig into what it means to find your line of compromise.

This is an audio reading of the post "Live your vision" originally published on May 20, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/vision/

Support the show

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 

]]> Does your outer match your inner? When it comes to the work you're producing, is it playing for your heart or for the algorithm? In this episode, I dig into what it means to find your line of compromise.

This is an audio reading of the post "Live your vision" originally published on May 20, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/vision/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14980705 Tue, 30 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 896 2 20 full false How to Sterilize a Thought Hippopotamus How to Sterilize a Thought Hippopotamus In the 90s, Pablo Escobar imported four hippos for his personal zoo. After his death, the hippos flourished in the jungles of Colombia and four hippos grew to 170, now dubbed the "Cocaine Hippos". Inspired by the story of how they're looking to sterilize these hippos, I wrote about "Thought Hippos" which are the invasive thoughts in your brain, and created a guide on how to identify and eradicate them. Fun!

As mentioned in the episode, there is a behind the scenes video that goes with it. It talks about how I wrote the post and is just PACKED with juicy hippo info.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-hippo/

Pablo Escobar's Cocaine Hippos story:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pablo-escobars-multiplying-cocaine-hippos-will-be-sterilized-in-colombia-180983316/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Sterilize a Thought Hippopotamus" originally published on November 27, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hippo/

Support the show

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 the 90s, Pablo Escobar imported four hippos for his personal zoo. After his death, the hippos flourished in the jungles of Colombia and four hippos grew to 170, now dubbed the "Cocaine Hippos". Inspired by the story of how they're looking to sterilize these hippos, I wrote about "Thought Hippos" which are the invasive thoughts in your brain, and created a guide on how to identify and eradicate them. Fun!

As mentioned in the episode, there is a behind the scenes video that goes with it. It talks about how I wrote the post and is just PACKED with juicy hippo info.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-hippo/

Pablo Escobar's Cocaine Hippos story:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pablo-escobars-multiplying-cocaine-hippos-will-be-sterilized-in-colombia-180983316/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Sterilize a Thought Hippopotamus" originally published on November 27, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/hippo/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14952651 Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1053 hippopotamus, pablo escobar, creative process, writer, audio reading, 3 48 full false The Gentle Art of the Art Smash The Gentle Art of the Art Smash Did you know that from 1896 to the 1930s, there was a traveling show that purposefully smashed locomotives together - head on - for the entertainment of massive crowds? It got me to thinking about how smashing two ideas together can be just a fun, and you can never quite predict what you'll get from the wreckage.

Atlas Obscura story: For 40 Years, Crashing Trains Was One of America’s Favorite Pastimes
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/staged-train-wrecks

This is an audio reading of the post "The Gentle Art of the Art Smash” originally published on May 23, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/smash/

Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know that from 1896 to the 1930s, there was a traveling show that purposefully smashed locomotives together - head on - for the entertainment of massive crowds? It got me to thinking about how smashing two ideas together can be just a fun, and you can never quite predict what you'll get from the wreckage.

Atlas Obscura story: For 40 Years, Crashing Trains Was One of America’s Favorite Pastimes
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/staged-train-wrecks

This is an audio reading of the post "The Gentle Art of the Art Smash” originally published on May 23, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/smash/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14945744 Wed, 24 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 556 2 21 full false The Teaspoon Drawer of the Soul The Teaspoon Drawer of the Soul Inspired by a study into why teaspoons disappear in office settings, today I dive into what 'teaspoons' represent from a philosophical standpoint and why we should leave our soul drawer open. Come on, listen to my theory!

Watch the behind the scenes companion video that goes with this episode and talks about the study and themes of the post. Links to the study can also be found here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-teaspoons/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Teaspoon Drawer of the Soul" originally published on October 16, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/teaspoons/

Support the show

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 study into why teaspoons disappear in office settings, today I dive into what 'teaspoons' represent from a philosophical standpoint and why we should leave our soul drawer open. Come on, listen to my theory!

Watch the behind the scenes companion video that goes with this episode and talks about the study and themes of the post. Links to the study can also be found here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-teaspoons/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Teaspoon Drawer of the Soul" originally published on October 16, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/teaspoons/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14889054 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0700 957 3 42 full false Is Exposure Existence? Is Exposure Existence? Comedian, Norm MacDonald, once attempted to calm Larry King's fear of not existing by telling the story of Nabokov and a photograph - a photograph which showed a time where Nabokov did not exist. What does it mean to exist? Are photographs proof of life and why do we need the reassurance of existence anyway? Let's dig into it.

Watch the Norm MacDonald and Larry King interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=370&v=7kbBIWnVjpA&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1

This is an audio reading of the post "Is Exposure Existence?” originally published on May 16, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/exist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Comedian, Norm MacDonald, once attempted to calm Larry King's fear of not existing by telling the story of Nabokov and a photograph - a photograph which showed a time where Nabokov did not exist. What does it mean to exist? Are photographs proof of life and why do we need the reassurance of existence anyway? Let's dig into it.

Watch the Norm MacDonald and Larry King interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=370&v=7kbBIWnVjpA&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1

This is an audio reading of the post "Is Exposure Existence?” originally published on May 16, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/exist/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14889231 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 669 existence, norm macdonald, larry king, nabokov, life, death, 2 20 full false Will my next thought be my best thought? Will my next thought be my best thought? Inspired by an Eckhart Tolle technique, in this episode I do a deep dive into the question: "Will my next thought be my best thought?" Well, will it? Let's discuss. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-next-thought/

This is an audio reading of the post “Will my next thought be my best thought?” originally published on September 4th, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/next-thought/

Support the show

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 an Eckhart Tolle technique, in this episode I do a deep dive into the question: "Will my next thought be my best thought?" Well, will it? Let's discuss. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-next-thought/

This is an audio reading of the post “Will my next thought be my best thought?” originally published on September 4th, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/next-thought/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14868928 Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 563 eckhart tolle, thinking, writer, audio reading, writing, creative writing, thought, 3 36 full false Self-Hate Poisoning FAQs Self-Hate Poisoning FAQs I don't know where self-hate comes from, but I do know that it poisons your soul. Today's episode identifies how to recognize you've been poisoned with self-hate and self loathing, and suggests some "antidotes" for attempting to neutralize the poison. You've got this!

This is an audio reading of the post "Self-Hate Poisoning FAQ" originally published on May 9, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/poison/


Support the show

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 

]]> I don't know where self-hate comes from, but I do know that it poisons your soul. Today's episode identifies how to recognize you've been poisoned with self-hate and self loathing, and suggests some "antidotes" for attempting to neutralize the poison. You've got this!

This is an audio reading of the post "Self-Hate Poisoning FAQ" originally published on May 9, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/poison/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14846334 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 975 self image, personal essay, beck, depression, writer, audio reading, 2 19 full true Parts of Your Brain are Out There, Without You Parts of Your Brain are Out There, Without You Ideas form in your brain. Your brain instructs your body to turn those things into reality. Those ideas become actual and real and in a burst of excitement, you send those things out into the world to find their futures. Without you. You have no control over how they - your art - will be received. You must let these parts of your brain go and be interpreted by others as they will interpret them. That's the joy of making stuff. Your art works are like your children. Let them find their way!

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-brainescape/

This is an audio reading of the post "Parts of Your Brain and Out There, Without You” originally published on July 24, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/without-you/

Support the show

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 

]]> Ideas form in your brain. Your brain instructs your body to turn those things into reality. Those ideas become actual and real and in a burst of excitement, you send those things out into the world to find their futures. Without you. You have no control over how they - your art - will be received. You must let these parts of your brain go and be interpreted by others as they will interpret them. That's the joy of making stuff. Your art works are like your children. Let them find their way!

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-brainescape/

This is an audio reading of the post "Parts of Your Brain and Out There, Without You” originally published on July 24, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/without-you/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14346328 Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0700 556 art, creativity, creative writing, audio reading, janeen mccrae, creative process, 3 30 full false The Heart and the Hawk The Heart and the Hawk In which I go to Scotland to see "LIVE! Justin Hawkins Rides Again...for the first time" on tour; Thom Yorke and The Smile exploding my brain (also LIVE!); and wander around Glasgow feeding on art. Welcome to Art Safari 2024. Let's talk open heart doors, art, bulletproof fragility and how awkward I can be around rock stars. Fun episode! Take a listen. 

Companion Video to this episode here.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-heart-hawk/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Heart and the Hawk" originally published on March 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/heart-hawk/

Support the show

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 which I go to Scotland to see "LIVE! Justin Hawkins Rides Again...for the first time" on tour; Thom Yorke and The Smile exploding my brain (also LIVE!); and wander around Glasgow feeding on art. Welcome to Art Safari 2024. Let's talk open heart doors, art, bulletproof fragility and how awkward I can be around rock stars. Fun episode! Take a listen. 

Companion Video to this episode here.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-heart-hawk/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Heart and the Hawk" originally published on March 26, 2024. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/heart-hawk/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14798893 Sun, 31 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1566 Justin Hawkins, the smile, Thom Yorke, Glasgow, Justin Hawkins rides again, art, creativity, music, scotland, the darkness, 4 12 full true The Dangling Carrot of Destiny The Dangling Carrot of Destiny The inspiration for today's little gem came from a story I stumbled upon about a man in Melbourne, Australia, who walks around carrying a giant papier maché carrot. Everyone calls him, wait for it, The Carrot Man. 

The Carrot Man
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/12/melbourne-fitzroy-carrot-man

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-carrot-god/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Dangling Carrot of Destiny” originally published on November 20, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/carrot/

Support the show

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 inspiration for today's little gem came from a story I stumbled upon about a man in Melbourne, Australia, who walks around carrying a giant papier maché carrot. Everyone calls him, wait for it, The Carrot Man. 

The Carrot Man
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/12/melbourne-fitzroy-carrot-man

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-carrot-god/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Dangling Carrot of Destiny” originally published on November 20, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/carrot/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14672118 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700 669 3 47 full false The Broomsquire’s Compendium of Mind and Body Besoms The Broomsquire’s Compendium of Mind and Body Besoms Sometimes, your mind needs a good sweeping. Fortunately, there are skilled Broom Squires who can craft you the exact kind of broom you will need to sweep. Each kind of broom tackles a different problem. Which one will you use?

NASA's Broom gas detection technique: "The Broom Method"
https://shop.minimuseum.com/blogs/cool-things/the-broom-method

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-broomsquirey/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Broomsquire’s Compendium of Mind and Body Besoms" originally published on November 13, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/broom/

Support the show

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 

]]> Sometimes, your mind needs a good sweeping. Fortunately, there are skilled Broom Squires who can craft you the exact kind of broom you will need to sweep. Each kind of broom tackles a different problem. Which one will you use?

NASA's Broom gas detection technique: "The Broom Method"
https://shop.minimuseum.com/blogs/cool-things/the-broom-method

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-broomsquirey/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Broomsquire’s Compendium of Mind and Body Besoms" originally published on November 13, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/broom/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14644256 Tue, 19 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700 1139 3 46 full false The Wolf in Me The Wolf in Me 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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-wolf/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/wolf/

Support the show

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 

]]> 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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-wolf/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/wolf/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14619859 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0700 515 3 44 full false Creative Flight: A Guide for Art Aviators Creative Flight: A Guide for Art Aviators 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/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-creative-flight/


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://www.jumpinthestream.com/flight/

Support the show

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/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-creative-flight/


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://www.jumpinthestream.com/flight/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14595860 Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0800 1131 3 38 full false The Universal Big Gulp The Universal Big Gulp 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/swallow/


Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/swallow/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14543828 Tue, 05 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0800 593 2 18 full false What do you Look Like When You're Nude? What do you Look Like When You're Nude? 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. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-20-nude/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/nude/

Support the show

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. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-20-nude/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/nude/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14346327 Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 611 3 32 full false Weed is Good Weed is Good 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/weed/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/weed/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14523002 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 362 pep talk, creativity, weeds, dandelions, 2 17 full false How to Climb Everest How to Climb Everest ...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

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-everest/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/everest/

Support the show

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

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-everest/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/everest/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14491923 Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 876 everest, mount everest, climb everest, creativity, productivity, goals, 3 43 full true How to Fit a Whale in Your Life Lobby How to Fit a Whale in Your Life Lobby 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/whale/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/whale/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14491915 Tue, 20 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 630 ideas, creativity, inspiration, writing, whales, life, failure, 2 16 full false Brace Yourself for Final Impact Brace Yourself for Final Impact 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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-16-final-impact/

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.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/final-impact/

Support the show

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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-16-final-impact/

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.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/final-impact/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14356203 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 855 death, grief, personal essay, audio reading, 3 28 full false Books are Not Blueprints Books are Not Blueprints 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/blueprint/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/blueprint/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14452203 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 721 bob odenkirk, memoir, self help, personal essay, olga Tokarczuk, books, audio reading, creative writing, writer, writing, 2 15 full false Find Your Riff via a Whole Lotta Raff Find Your Riff via a Whole Lotta Raff 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 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-riff-raff/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/riff-raff/

Support the show

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 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-riff-raff/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/riff-raff/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14366624 Thu, 08 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 552 3 16 full true "Hello, I would like to purchase a High Horse." "Hello, I would like to purchase a High Horse." 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/outrage/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/outrage/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14433356 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 667 outrage culture, high horse, audio reading, creative writing, comedy, personal essay, 2 7 full true Make it up to Get Made in the Shade Make it up to Get Made in the Shade 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

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-make-it-up/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/made-in-the-shade/

Support the show

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

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-make-it-up/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/made-in-the-shade/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14346264 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0800 578 language, etymology, personal essay, audio reading, douglas adams, meaning of liff, nonse words, 3 22 full false Fifteen Minutes of Souped-up Shenanigans Fifteen Minutes of Souped-up Shenanigans 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/fifteen/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/fifteen/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14351761 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 758 andy warhol, tesla, art, competition, rivalries, jean michel basquiat, personal essay, creativity, artist, 2 13 full true You are the Golden Record You are the Golden Record 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/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://www.jumpinthestream.com/golden-record/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/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://www.jumpinthestream.com/golden-record/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14348081 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 808 voyager, nasa, golden record, jerry saltz, space, voyager mission, carl sagan, personal essay, audio reading, 3 24 full false Periodically Yours for the Making, Full Stop Periodically Yours for the Making, Full Stop 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/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://www.jumpinthestream.com/periodically-yours/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/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://www.jumpinthestream.com/periodically-yours/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14337200 Wed, 24 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 572 3 23 full true I am Perfectly Broken I am Perfectly Broken “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://www.jumpinthestream.com/broken/

Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/broken/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14348368 Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 683 yoko ono, artist, art, mend piece, broken, kintsugi, personal essay, creative writing, audio reading, 2 12 full true The Secret to Creative Longevity: Taste the Remainbow The Secret to Creative Longevity: Taste the Remainbow 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/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-skittles/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/skittles/

Support the show

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/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-skittles/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/skittles/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14288944 Wed, 17 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 699 advertising, skittles, mustard, motivation, persistence, purpose, inspiration, creativity, 3 33 full true It all Comes Out in the Rinse (of the Draft) It all Comes Out in the Rinse (of the Draft) 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://www.jumpinthestream.com/rinse/

 


Support the show

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/rinse/

 


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14315388 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 816 2 11 full true In Lists We Trust In Lists We Trust 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

Support the show

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

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14272247 Wed, 10 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 1403 new year's resolutions, lists, bucket lists, goals, goal setting, life goals, 2 2 full true The Conflict of Being in Conflict The Conflict of Being in Conflict 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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-conflict/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-conflict-of-being-in-conflict/

Support the show

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. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-conflict/

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://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-conflict-of-being-in-conflict/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14227739 Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 516 storytelling, writer, writing, story, self, personal essays, 3 21 full false The Episode in which I Become a Citizen The Episode in which I Become a Citizen In June 2023, after 20 years of living in the USA, I took my oath ceremony and became an American Citizen. The naturalization ceremony was - wait for it - a drive-thru affair - held in a parking lot in San Jose across from Costco. Here is the story of that day and some of the emotions I felt.

The letter from the President
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct7L9_9vGWm/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-citizen/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Episode in which I Become a Citizen" originally published on June 26, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/i-citizen/

Support the show

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 June 2023, after 20 years of living in the USA, I took my oath ceremony and became an American Citizen. The naturalization ceremony was - wait for it - a drive-thru affair - held in a parking lot in San Jose across from Costco. Here is the story of that day and some of the emotions I felt.

The letter from the President
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct7L9_9vGWm/

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-citizen/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Episode in which I Become a Citizen" originally published on June 26, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/i-citizen/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14207896 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 1000 3 26 full false How to Gorge on Your Creative Leftovers How to Gorge on Your Creative Leftovers Just because you've finished making something, doesn't mean there's no flavor to be found in the leftovers. This episode was inspired by people called 'sinkies' who eat leftovers over the sink. Your work can also be picked apart and eaten over the sink, to find additional flavors and inspirations. Take a listen and see what I mean when I say you should "Dine over the sink of your work."

What's a sinkie?
http://www.sinkie.com/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Gorge on Your Creative Leftovers" originally published on February 21, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gorge/

Support the show

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 

]]> Just because you've finished making something, doesn't mean there's no flavor to be found in the leftovers. This episode was inspired by people called 'sinkies' who eat leftovers over the sink. Your work can also be picked apart and eaten over the sink, to find additional flavors and inspirations. Take a listen and see what I mean when I say you should "Dine over the sink of your work."

What's a sinkie?
http://www.sinkie.com/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Gorge on Your Creative Leftovers" originally published on February 21, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gorge/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14178653 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 829 creativity, creative process, 2 8 full false The Pantone Color of the Year (Revised) is… The Pantone Color of the Year (Revised) is… Forget PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, the true Pantone color of the year is straight out of left field and will make you feel like a gadzillion bucks. Take a listen and find out this late entry and winner!

As to the one the Pantone people chose... you can read about that here
https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024

This is an audio reading of the post "The Pantone Color of the Year (Revised) is..." originally published on December 26, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-pantone-color-of-the-year-revised/

Support the show

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 

]]> Forget PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, the true Pantone color of the year is straight out of left field and will make you feel like a gadzillion bucks. Take a listen and find out this late entry and winner!

As to the one the Pantone people chose... you can read about that here
https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024

This is an audio reading of the post "The Pantone Color of the Year (Revised) is..." originally published on December 26, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-pantone-color-of-the-year-revised/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14151022 Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 589 2 90 full false How to Find Your Jam How to Find Your Jam Whether it's writer's block, creative block, or thought block, we all can get stuck during the process. The panic sets in. How do you move past it? Why does it happen? Should you throw it all in and give up? In this episode, I talk about obstruction being a necessary part of the process and how all kinds of jams can help you make better work. The ideas are there. The words are there. You just need to be patient and wait for the jam to clear.

The inspiration this week was an artwork where an artist created a person-made traffic jam in the Alps. Watch a short video about it. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-jam/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to find your jam" originally published on August 28, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Whether it's writer's block, creative block, or thought block, we all can get stuck during the process. The panic sets in. How do you move past it? Why does it happen? Should you throw it all in and give up? In this episode, I talk about obstruction being a necessary part of the process and how all kinds of jams can help you make better work. The ideas are there. The words are there. You just need to be patient and wait for the jam to clear.

The inspiration this week was an artwork where an artist created a person-made traffic jam in the Alps. Watch a short video about it. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-jam/

This is an audio reading of the post "How to find your jam" originally published on August 28, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14162566 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 751 writer's block, writing, creativity, creative block, artist, art, traffic jam, Maider López, 3 25 full false How do you write a song? How do you write a song? Songs. I love them. But how on earth do you write one? Where do you start? This week, I dive into my various methods of attempting to figure out how to "catch" a song.

You can follow the songwriter I mentioned in the episode - FogChaser - via his substack and Spotify, where he releases his music and insights for your listening pleasure. Thanks for your input on how to write a song and for allowing me to use it in this episode.

This is an audio reading of the post "How do you write a song" originally published on March 7, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Songs. I love them. But how on earth do you write one? Where do you start? This week, I dive into my various methods of attempting to figure out how to "catch" a song.

You can follow the songwriter I mentioned in the episode - FogChaser - via his substack and Spotify, where he releases his music and insights for your listening pleasure. Thanks for your input on how to write a song and for allowing me to use it in this episode.

This is an audio reading of the post "How do you write a song" originally published on March 7, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14159689 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 834 songs, songwriting, writing, creativity, how to write a song, 2 10 full false Cut. Putting the Wide in Wide Local Incision Cut. Putting the Wide in Wide Local Incision This is a story about my melanoma diagnosis. Let me stop you there and say this was a while back and I am, and remain, fine. Skin checks every six months since the cancer was removed and all is good so far. Take a listen. It was an interesting time, to say the least.

This is an audio reading of the post "Cut. Putting the wide in wide local incision" originally published on February 28, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cut/

Support the show

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 is a story about my melanoma diagnosis. Let me stop you there and say this was a while back and I am, and remain, fine. Skin checks every six months since the cancer was removed and all is good so far. Take a listen. It was an interesting time, to say the least.

This is an audio reading of the post "Cut. Putting the wide in wide local incision" originally published on February 28, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cut/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14169252 Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 1094 2 9 full true Your Gift Horse Has a Pretty Mouth Your Gift Horse Has a Pretty Mouth Forget Playstations - what about something from the Human's Gift Guide to Being Human this holiday season? Marketing emails hit our inboxes with extreme violence at this time of year, suggesting gifts for loved ones that will make them squeal. Subject lines that entice you with discounts, free shipping, and the promise of winning Christmas. But what about this? How about instead of material gifts this year, we give the gift of ourselves. Things like attention, vulnerability, and forgiveness. Let's discuss.

This is an audio reading of the post "Your Gift Horse Has a Pretty Mouth" originally published on December 19, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/your-gift-horse-has-a-pretty-mouth/

Support the show

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 

]]> Forget Playstations - what about something from the Human's Gift Guide to Being Human this holiday season? Marketing emails hit our inboxes with extreme violence at this time of year, suggesting gifts for loved ones that will make them squeal. Subject lines that entice you with discounts, free shipping, and the promise of winning Christmas. But what about this? How about instead of material gifts this year, we give the gift of ourselves. Things like attention, vulnerability, and forgiveness. Let's discuss.

This is an audio reading of the post "Your Gift Horse Has a Pretty Mouth" originally published on December 19, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/your-gift-horse-has-a-pretty-mouth/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14138027 Wed, 13 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 986 christmas, email marketing, human, 2 89 full true The Power of the Unmoored Thought The Power of the Unmoored Thought How do you turn the kernel of an idea into something bigger? Or decide that it's not worth pursuing at all? In this episode, I explore the idea of letting your mind wander to help it figure out what it is before bringing it into land. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-unmoored/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Power of the Unmoored Thought" originally published on June 19, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/unmoored-thought/

Support the show

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 

]]> How do you turn the kernel of an idea into something bigger? Or decide that it's not worth pursuing at all? In this episode, I explore the idea of letting your mind wander to help it figure out what it is before bringing it into land. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-unmoored/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Power of the Unmoored Thought" originally published on June 19, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/unmoored-thought/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14117379 Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 591 3 25 full false Have You Seen My Masterpiece? Have You Seen My Masterpiece? What makes something a Masterpiece? Have you got one in you and if so, how are you going about getting it out of you? Let's talk about it.

The song: "When I Paint My Masterpiece - Studio Outtake 1971" by Bob Dylan

This is an audio reading of the post "Have You Seen My Masterpiece?"  originally published on February 14, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/masterpiece/

Support the show

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 makes something a Masterpiece? Have you got one in you and if so, how are you going about getting it out of you? Let's talk about it.

The song: "When I Paint My Masterpiece - Studio Outtake 1971" by Bob Dylan

This is an audio reading of the post "Have You Seen My Masterpiece?"  originally published on February 14, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/masterpiece/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14104677 Fri, 08 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 665 bob dylan, masterpiece, writing, creativity, personal essay, 2 7 full true Are You Playing the Shell Game? Are You Playing the Shell Game? Does what you see in the mirror match the vision you have of yourself? What do you do if it doesn't? In this episode, we dig into how to approach body image and why you should stop playing the 'shell game' with your "Self."  Mirrors. Never trust a mirror.

Curious about MackIntosh? Read this:  "Charles Mackintosh and his Famous Coat"

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you Playing the Shell Game?" originally published on March 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Does what you see in the mirror match the vision you have of yourself? What do you do if it doesn't? In this episode, we dig into how to approach body image and why you should stop playing the 'shell game' with your "Self."  Mirrors. Never trust a mirror.

Curious about MackIntosh? Read this:  "Charles Mackintosh and his Famous Coat"

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you Playing the Shell Game?" originally published on March 23, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14089977 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0800 732 self image, personal essay, body image, body dysmorphia, 3 13 full true Forged on the Anvil of Change Forged on the Anvil of Change Why are we so hooked on nostalgia? Why do we want things to go back to the way they were and resist change? Was the past really that good? Let's discuss.

This is an audio reading of the post “Forged on the Anvil of Change” originally published on February 7, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/anvil/

Support the show

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 

]]> Why are we so hooked on nostalgia? Why do we want things to go back to the way they were and resist change? Was the past really that good? Let's discuss.

This is an audio reading of the post “Forged on the Anvil of Change” originally published on February 7, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/anvil/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14053970 Wed, 29 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 648 change, prince, 2 6 full false We are Simple Worms, Yearning to Melt our Permafrost We are Simple Worms, Yearning to Melt our Permafrost It's easy to freeze and get set in old ways. Wake up! Don't stay frozen like a worm in the Siberian tundra. Defrost and get at it - there's work to be done.
 
Worms Revived After 46,000 Years Frozen in Siberian Permafrost https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/science/roundworm-nematodes-siberia-permafrost.html

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-19-worms/

This is an audio reading of the post "We are Simple Worms, Yearning to Melt our Permafrost" originally published July 31, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/worms/

Support the show

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 

]]> It's easy to freeze and get set in old ways. Wake up! Don't stay frozen like a worm in the Siberian tundra. Defrost and get at it - there's work to be done.
 
Worms Revived After 46,000 Years Frozen in Siberian Permafrost https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/science/roundworm-nematodes-siberia-permafrost.html

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-ep-19-worms/

This is an audio reading of the post "We are Simple Worms, Yearning to Melt our Permafrost" originally published July 31, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/worms/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14032604 Tue, 28 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 598 nematodes, worms, productivity, 3 31 full false Grief is a Gift. Don’t Pretend it Isn’t There Grief is a Gift. Don’t Pretend it Isn’t There Grief is a slippery emotion. A slippery roller coaster. Written on the three-year-anniversary of my Mum’s passing back in 2022, in today’s episode, we take a look at what grief is and why, though it sucks, it can also be considered a gift.

WandaVision’s Controversial Line

This is an audio reading of the post “Grief is a Gift. Don’t Pretend it Isn’t There” originally published on January 31, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/feign/

Support the show

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 

]]> Grief is a slippery emotion. A slippery roller coaster. Written on the three-year-anniversary of my Mum’s passing back in 2022, in today’s episode, we take a look at what grief is and why, though it sucks, it can also be considered a gift.

WandaVision’s Controversial Line

This is an audio reading of the post “Grief is a Gift. Don’t Pretend it Isn’t There” originally published on January 31, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/feign/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14016314 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 633 grief, 2 5 full true Are you Carrying Unnecessary Weight in your Life Box? Are you Carrying Unnecessary Weight in your Life Box? At the start of your life, you are given a box. You put stuff in. You take stuff out. Let's discuss how to get the balance right. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-life-box/

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you Carrying Unnecessary Weight in your Life Box?" originally published on April 24, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/life-box/

Support the show

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 start of your life, you are given a box. You put stuff in. You take stuff out. Let's discuss how to get the balance right. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-life-box/

This is an audio reading of the post "Are you Carrying Unnecessary Weight in your Life Box?" originally published on April 24, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/life-box/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-14006213 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 748 life advice, life, personal essay, self help, work life balance, philosophy, 3 17 full true Making Mountains Out of Soul Hills Making Mountains Out of Soul Hills The best way to figure out how to create or find your style is to try. This post was inspired by something Georgia O'Keeffe said, which got me thinking about mountains and how the world speaks to us. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode with more juicy Georgia O'Keeffe action: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-mountain/

This is an audio reading of the post "Making mountains out of soul hills" originally published on September 11, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mountain/




Support the show

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 best way to figure out how to create or find your style is to try. This post was inspired by something Georgia O'Keeffe said, which got me thinking about mountains and how the world speaks to us. 

Watch Behind the Streams and Themes of this episode with more juicy Georgia O'Keeffe action: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-mountain/

This is an audio reading of the post "Making mountains out of soul hills" originally published on September 11, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/mountain/




Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13923753 Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0800 726 georgia o'keeffe, writing, style, voice, 3 37 full false Gimme Now, Later Gimme Now, Later Have we lost the ability to wait for things? When it comes to entertainment, when did we become a "gimme now!" society? Let's discuss the value of waiting.

Stephen King and George R.R. Martin interview mentioned in the post

This is an audio reading of the post "Gimme now, later" originally published on January 24, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gimme/



Support the show

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 

]]> Have we lost the ability to wait for things? When it comes to entertainment, when did we become a "gimme now!" society? Let's discuss the value of waiting.

Stephen King and George R.R. Martin interview mentioned in the post

This is an audio reading of the post "Gimme now, later" originally published on January 24, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/gimme/



Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13952882 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0800 684 writing, creativity, artists, writers, stephen king, george r.r. martin, 2 4 full false Raise Your Voice Right: Steal Scraps from Expert Tables Raise Your Voice Right: Steal Scraps from Expert Tables To figure out your one true voice, you will spend a lot of time imitating the work of those you admire. Go for it! Imitate, imitate, imitate until you learn to create, create, create. It'll help you figure out your own voice along the way. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-raise-your-voice/

This is an audio reading of the post "Raise Your Voice Right: Steal Scraps from Expert Tables" originally published on April 10, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/raise-your-voice/

Support the show

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 

]]> To figure out your one true voice, you will spend a lot of time imitating the work of those you admire. Go for it! Imitate, imitate, imitate until you learn to create, create, create. It'll help you figure out your own voice along the way. 

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here:  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-raise-your-voice/

This is an audio reading of the post "Raise Your Voice Right: Steal Scraps from Expert Tables" originally published on April 10, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/raise-your-voice/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13914865 Wed, 08 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 552 voice, writing, style, 3 15 full true Pig. It Tastes Good. Pig. It Tastes Good. Why is it so important to us that people think we have good taste? In this episode, I not only ask that question of myself, I make a compelling case for watching the Nicolas Cage pig revenge film, PIG. For real.

This is an audio reading of the post "Pig. It Tastes Good" originally published on January 17, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/taste/

Support the show

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 

]]> Why is it so important to us that people think we have good taste? In this episode, I not only ask that question of myself, I make a compelling case for watching the Nicolas Cage pig revenge film, PIG. For real.

This is an audio reading of the post "Pig. It Tastes Good" originally published on January 17, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/taste/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13907350 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0800 818 pig, nic cage, nicolas cage, movies, film, taste, 2 3 full false Grandma's Hands Grandma's Hands In loving memory, Margaret Florence McCrae, born 1924, died 2023. If you want to see some lovely photos of my grandma and the most recent rug she made me, go here. Vale, Grandma!

Watch me talking my grandma and how we honor those who've been in our lives, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-grandma/

This is an audio recording of a piece of my writing taken from my newsletter The Stream, originally published on October 2, 2023. 


Support the show

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 loving memory, Margaret Florence McCrae, born 1924, died 2023. If you want to see some lovely photos of my grandma and the most recent rug she made me, go here. Vale, Grandma!

Watch me talking my grandma and how we honor those who've been in our lives, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-grandma/

This is an audio recording of a piece of my writing taken from my newsletter The Stream, originally published on October 2, 2023. 


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13886804 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0700 785 Eulogy, obituary, death, personal essay, writing, audiobook, 3 40 full false "Hello. I am the sea otter who stole your surfboard." "Hello. I am the sea otter who stole your surfboard." Inspired by the sassy surfboard-stealing sea otter, Santa Cruz’s own Sea Otter 841, this episode attempts to explain her Wavestorm-ways via, of all things, Craigslist Missed Connections. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode to see how it came together here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-otter/

This is an audio reading of the post "Hello, I am the Sea Otter Who Stole Your Surfboard,” originally published on July 17, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/otter/


Support the show

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 the sassy surfboard-stealing sea otter, Santa Cruz’s own Sea Otter 841, this episode attempts to explain her Wavestorm-ways via, of all things, Craigslist Missed Connections. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode to see how it came together here:
https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-otter/

This is an audio reading of the post "Hello, I am the Sea Otter Who Stole Your Surfboard,” originally published on July 17, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/otter/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13865214 Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0700 734 sea otter, comedy, santa cruz, writing, craigslist, missed connections, 3 29 full true Get Lost to Get Found Get Lost to Get Found Sometimes we all need a little time out. Today, I talk about the value of stepping away—alone, in the shoulder of life—to revive and come back to it all.  

This is an audio reading of the post "Get Lost to Get Found" originally published on January 3, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/lost/


Support the show

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 

]]> Sometimes we all need a little time out. Today, I talk about the value of stepping away—alone, in the shoulder of life—to revive and come back to it all.  

This is an audio reading of the post "Get Lost to Get Found" originally published on January 3, 2022. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/lost/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13865182 Tue, 31 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700 388 creativity, personal essay, 2 1 full false What the Cluck? What the Cluck? Are we just like eggs? Do we need to get sat on to warm up and hatch ideas?

This is an audio reading of the post "What the Cluck?" originally published on December 27, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cluck/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are we just like eggs? Do we need to get sat on to warm up and hatch ideas?

This is an audio reading of the post "What the Cluck?" originally published on December 27, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/cluck/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13821306 Wed, 25 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700 515 1 39 full false What We Have Here is Failure to Feel What We Have Here is Failure to Feel When you are in the proximity of great art - paintings, books, film, whatever - does it affect you deeply? Do you feel too much? Perhaps you need to call the offices of Feel Free, a company that can help rid you of that nasty overfeeling problem.

Read the Mark Maggiori Art Safari story

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-failure-to-feel/

This is an audio reading of the post "What we have here is failure to feel" originally published on April 3, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/failure-to-feel/

Support the show

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 

]]> When you are in the proximity of great art - paintings, books, film, whatever - does it affect you deeply? Do you feel too much? Perhaps you need to call the offices of Feel Free, a company that can help rid you of that nasty overfeeling problem.

Read the Mark Maggiori Art Safari story

Watch me talking about the inspirations and themes of this episode on Behind the Streams video, here: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-failure-to-feel/

This is an audio reading of the post "What we have here is failure to feel" originally published on April 3, 2023. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/failure-to-feel/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13833905 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700 984 art, emotions, creativity, mark maggiori, comedy, 3 14 full true The Darkness: A Love Letter The Darkness: A Love Letter What is it to love a band? To love music? Come along with me as I attend my first live gig in over 3 years, which just happens to be a band I love. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Darkness. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode. Watch: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-darkness/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Darkness: A Love Letter" from October 2023. Additional inspirations (and some photos from the gig) can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-darkness/

Support the show

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 is it to love a band? To love music? Come along with me as I attend my first live gig in over 3 years, which just happens to be a band I love. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Darkness. 

Go behind the scenes of this episode. Watch: https://www.jumpinthestream.com/behind-the-streams-darkness/

This is an audio reading of the post "The Darkness: A Love Letter" from October 2023. Additional inspirations (and some photos from the gig) can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/the-darkness/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13816338 Fri, 20 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0700 1902 the darkness, music, live music, justin hawkins, radiohead, bob dylan, personal essay, 3 41 full true Creative Juicing for Dummies Creative Juicing for Dummies What is creative juice? Is it a fruity juice or a meaty juice? In this episode, I discuss the properties of the liquid that fuels our creativity.

Play him off key board cat

This is an audio reading of the post "Creative Juicing for Dummies" originally published on December 20, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/juice/

Support the show

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 is creative juice? Is it a fruity juice or a meaty juice? In this episode, I discuss the properties of the liquid that fuels our creativity.

Play him off key board cat

This is an audio reading of the post "Creative Juicing for Dummies" originally published on December 20, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/juice/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13792197 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700 637 creativity, creative juice, how to be creative, advertising, writing, art, 1 38 full true Pretty Vacant Pretty Vacant Why do we abandon ideas before they get off the ground, and is there a way to get back to them? Let's explore, together.

This is an audio reading of the post "Pretty Vacant" originally published on December 13, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/vacant/


Support the show

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 

]]> Why do we abandon ideas before they get off the ground, and is there a way to get back to them? Let's explore, together.

This is an audio reading of the post "Pretty Vacant" originally published on December 13, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/vacant/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13739935 Wed, 11 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0700 723 1 37 full true A Heart on Ice in an Esky A Heart on Ice in an Esky What is your vehicle for self-expression and is your heart driving it? Inspired by a weird story of a guy getting pulled over for driving a motorized cool, today we’re digging into your heart and if you know what it wants and where it is.

Motorized Cooler story

This is an audio reading of the post "A Heart on Ice in an Esky" originally published on December 6, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/esky/

Support the show

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 is your vehicle for self-expression and is your heart driving it? Inspired by a weird story of a guy getting pulled over for driving a motorized cool, today we’re digging into your heart and if you know what it wants and where it is.

Motorized Cooler story

This is an audio reading of the post "A Heart on Ice in an Esky" originally published on December 6, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/esky/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13732379 Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0700 410 heart, creativity, passion, follow your heart, 1 36 full false How to Deal with Unexpected Edibles How to Deal with Unexpected Edibles Inspired by a kid “accidentally” ordering $2,618.85 worth of Spongebob Squarepants popsicles and having them delivered to his aunt’s house, this episode explores the joy of the unexpected order… from your brain. 

Spongebob ice cream article

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Deal with Unexpected Edibles" originally published on November 29, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/edibles/

Support the show

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 kid “accidentally” ordering $2,618.85 worth of Spongebob Squarepants popsicles and having them delivered to his aunt’s house, this episode explores the joy of the unexpected order… from your brain. 

Spongebob ice cream article

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Deal with Unexpected Edibles" originally published on November 29, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/edibles/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13696155 Wed, 04 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0700 687 thinking, brain, ideas, creativity, yelp, 1 35 full true Time to Set Your Life Clock Alarm Time to Set Your Life Clock Alarm If the message of today's episode can be summed up in one sentence, it's probably this: focus on the right things, not perfecting the perfect 140 characters of whatever it is. Why? Because, as writer, comedian, and podcaster Julie Klausner says in a Creative Independent interview, "No one mentions Twitter in your obituary."

Julie Klausner Interview at The Creative Independent

This is an audio reading of the post "Time to Set Your Life Clock Alarm" originally published on November 22, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/clocks/

Support the show

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 the message of today's episode can be summed up in one sentence, it's probably this: focus on the right things, not perfecting the perfect 140 characters of whatever it is. Why? Because, as writer, comedian, and podcaster Julie Klausner says in a Creative Independent interview, "No one mentions Twitter in your obituary."

Julie Klausner Interview at The Creative Independent

This is an audio reading of the post "Time to Set Your Life Clock Alarm" originally published on November 22, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/clocks/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13665714 Wed, 27 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700 824 time, twitter, julie klausner, obituary, life, self-worth, self help, value, 1 34 full true And So This is Fifty And So This is Fifty Is turning fifty such a big deal? If feeling the most creative and alive is a big deal to you, then yeah, it is! This episode is for anyone feeling a little nervous about hitting this number.

This is an audio reading of the post "And So This is Fifty” originally published on the day I turned 50, November 15, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/fifty/

Support the show

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 

]]> Is turning fifty such a big deal? If feeling the most creative and alive is a big deal to you, then yeah, it is! This episode is for anyone feeling a little nervous about hitting this number.

This is an audio reading of the post "And So This is Fifty” originally published on the day I turned 50, November 15, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/fifty/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13616964 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700 746 birthday, fifty, personal essay, creativity, inspiration, motivation, aging, 1 33 full true Can't Stand Ya Stanza Can't Stand Ya Stanza "Poetry is bad standup." This is a quote from Jerry Seinfeld to Norm Macdonald during an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and while I know it's just a line, it really got me inspired. All the world's a poem, and everyone is a poet in training. Even Jerry Seinfeld.

Norm Macdonald on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

This is an audio reading of the post "Can't Stand Ya, Stanza" originally published on November 8, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/stanza/

Support the show

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 

]]> "Poetry is bad standup." This is a quote from Jerry Seinfeld to Norm Macdonald during an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and while I know it's just a line, it really got me inspired. All the world's a poem, and everyone is a poet in training. Even Jerry Seinfeld.

Norm Macdonald on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

This is an audio reading of the post "Can't Stand Ya, Stanza" originally published on November 8, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/stanza/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13564694 Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700 700 poetry, poem, jerry seinfeld, norm macdonald, comedy, standup, standup comedy, writing, comedians in cars getting coffee, 1 32 full false Small Minds Brainstorming Shrimpy Ideas Small Minds Brainstorming Shrimpy Ideas What's the secret ingredient in your creative cereal? Is it shrimp tails?

Cinnamon Crunch Shrimp Tail Story

This is an audio reading of the post "Small Minds Brainstorming Shrimpy Ideas” originally published on November 1, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/shrimp/

Support the show

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's the secret ingredient in your creative cereal? Is it shrimp tails?

Cinnamon Crunch Shrimp Tail Story

This is an audio reading of the post "Small Minds Brainstorming Shrimpy Ideas” originally published on November 1, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/shrimp/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13538495 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700 1176 creativity, art, cereal, brainstorm, ideas, taglines, 1 31 full true Don't Bury Your Creativity Underground Don't Bury Your Creativity Underground This is a pep talk for anyone hiding their creative work from the world because they're too shy to share it. Get it out and away from you - these things need to breathe.

The article mentioned in the intro:
“Hundreds of three-eyed 'dinosaur shrimp' emerge after Arizona monsoon”

This is an audio reading of the post "Don’t bury your creativity underground" originally published on October 25th, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/underground/

Support the show

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 is a pep talk for anyone hiding their creative work from the world because they're too shy to share it. Get it out and away from you - these things need to breathe.

The article mentioned in the intro:
“Hundreds of three-eyed 'dinosaur shrimp' emerge after Arizona monsoon”

This is an audio reading of the post "Don’t bury your creativity underground" originally published on October 25th, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/underground/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13492033 Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700 501 inspiration, creativity, show your work, work, productivity, writer, writing, motivation, pep talk, 1 30 full true Some People Just Suck (Your Energy) Some People Just Suck (Your Energy) We all know about energy vampires, but there is another danger out there - the mood succubus. Here's an episode about how to identify the different types you may encounter in your work or social life.

It's an episode inspired by the King of Energy Vampires, Colin Robinson. Familiarize yourself with his drain, here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Some People Just Suck (Your Energy)" originally published on October 18, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/suck/

Support the show

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 

]]> We all know about energy vampires, but there is another danger out there - the mood succubus. Here's an episode about how to identify the different types you may encounter in your work or social life.

It's an episode inspired by the King of Energy Vampires, Colin Robinson. Familiarize yourself with his drain, here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Some People Just Suck (Your Energy)" originally published on October 18, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/suck/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13447640 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0700 986 what we do in the shadows, energy, mood, self-help, vampires, personal essay, 1 29 full true How to Utter Bye to your Butterfly How to Utter Bye to your Butterfly Don't hold on to your creative butterflies - release their beauty to the world immediately. This week's episode was inspired by a story about murderous milkweed butterflies, which you can read here: "Milkweed Butterflies are More Murderous Than They Look"

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Utter Bye to Your Butterfly" originally published on October 11, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/kleptopharmacophagy/

Support the show

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 

]]> Don't hold on to your creative butterflies - release their beauty to the world immediately. This week's episode was inspired by a story about murderous milkweed butterflies, which you can read here: "Milkweed Butterflies are More Murderous Than They Look"

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Utter Bye to Your Butterfly" originally published on October 11, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/kleptopharmacophagy/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13413186 Wed, 16 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0700 1024 butterflies, creativity, ideas, criticism, feedback, writing, 1 28 full true Creative Wormholes are Portals to Peace Creative Wormholes are Portals to Peace The world is full of bad news, and it seems to be coming at you 24/7. If only there were some kind of escape portal to take you to another world. Newsflash: There are plenty and they’re all around you—books, songs, art, film, and so many more. Use all the creative portals at your disposal to escape from reality so that you can come back, refreshed, reinspired, and ready to make something of your own.

Some links:
“Cat loves its portable hole” story (with video of the floof on the portal)
Tiff Blue color
Playschool video going ‘through the windows’

This is an audio reading of the post "Creative Wormholes are Portals to Peace" originally published on October 4, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found there. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/wormhole/

Support the show

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 world is full of bad news, and it seems to be coming at you 24/7. If only there were some kind of escape portal to take you to another world. Newsflash: There are plenty and they’re all around you—books, songs, art, film, and so many more. Use all the creative portals at your disposal to escape from reality so that you can come back, refreshed, reinspired, and ready to make something of your own.

Some links:
“Cat loves its portable hole” story (with video of the floof on the portal)
Tiff Blue color
Playschool video going ‘through the windows’

This is an audio reading of the post "Creative Wormholes are Portals to Peace" originally published on October 4, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found there. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/wormhole/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13373002 Wed, 09 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0700 909 creativity, the arts, escape, writing, personalessay, music, books, songs, 1 27 full true You Cannot Gatekeep the Moon You Cannot Gatekeep the Moon You cannot own a creative niche, even if you think you were there first. Everyone is free to dabble and you do not 'own the moon!' 

Copyright moon strike story: UMG Seems to Think It Copyrighted the Moon

This is an audio reading of the post "You Cannot Gatekeep the Moon" originally published on June 7, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link 

Support the show

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 

]]> You cannot own a creative niche, even if you think you were there first. Everyone is free to dabble and you do not 'own the moon!' 

Copyright moon strike story: UMG Seems to Think It Copyrighted the Moon

This is an audio reading of the post "You Cannot Gatekeep the Moon" originally published on June 7, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13333489 Wed, 02 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0700 678 gatekeep, moon, creativity, originality, ideas, writer, personalessay, 1 26 full false When in Doubt, Build a Sandcastle When in Doubt, Build a Sandcastle Walking around with a head full of sand - it's not an insult. You can make a lot of things with sand. Sand is one of the best tools, and toys, out there. There's a reason it's a National Toy Hall of Famer!

"Sand among finalists for National Toy Hall of Fame" story link:

This is an audio reading of the post "When in doubt, build a sandcastle" originally published on September 20, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/sandcastles/

Support the show

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 

]]> Walking around with a head full of sand - it's not an insult. You can make a lot of things with sand. Sand is one of the best tools, and toys, out there. There's a reason it's a National Toy Hall of Famer!

"Sand among finalists for National Toy Hall of Fame" story link:

This is an audio reading of the post "When in doubt, build a sandcastle" originally published on September 20, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  https://www.jumpinthestream.com/sandcastles/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13326505 Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700 380 creativity, ideas, writing, 1 25 full false Revved up like a Deuce Revved up like a Deuce Newsflash for ya: All first drafts are sh*t. It’s what you do after you finish the first draft that matters and I say, get that rich fertilizer you just made with your very own brain working for you!

The Roomba story: "iRobot built over 100 models of dog poop to train Roomba's visual AI"
Cat Scat Coffee: "Why Travelers Should Avoid Drinking Cat Poo Coffee"

This is an audio reading of the post "Revved up like a deuce" originally published on September 13, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/deuce/

Support the show

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 

]]> Newsflash for ya: All first drafts are sh*t. It’s what you do after you finish the first draft that matters and I say, get that rich fertilizer you just made with your very own brain working for you!

The Roomba story: "iRobot built over 100 models of dog poop to train Roomba's visual AI"
Cat Scat Coffee: "Why Travelers Should Avoid Drinking Cat Poo Coffee"

This is an audio reading of the post "Revved up like a deuce" originally published on September 13, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/deuce/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13290009 Wed, 26 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0700 572 first drafts, creativity, writing, productivity, artist, advice, writer, 1 24 full true The Machine is Always Broken The Machine is Always Broken Your brain is a machine. Does it sometimes feel like it's broken? Today we explore why the feeling of it being broken and producing sometimes imperfect things is a feature, not a bug.

The story that inspired this post was about the McFlurry machines always being broken at McDonalds. Here is the link

This is an audio reading of the post "Why is the Machine is Always Broken?" originally published on September 6, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/machine/

Support the show

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 

]]> Your brain is a machine. Does it sometimes feel like it's broken? Today we explore why the feeling of it being broken and producing sometimes imperfect things is a feature, not a bug.

The story that inspired this post was about the McFlurry machines always being broken at McDonalds. Here is the link

This is an audio reading of the post "Why is the Machine is Always Broken?" originally published on September 6, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/machine/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13248731 Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0700 551 creativity, thinking, brain, ideas, mcdonalds, mcflurry, creative, 1 23 full true Aloha, Is It Me You're Looking For? Aloha, Is It Me You're Looking For? Ever feel like you’re invisible? In this episode, we dive into the frustration of being constantly overlooked even though you’re standing RIGHT THERE, and why it doesn’t matter – it’s the work that counts.

The Huffpost story: “Woman Wore Same Hawaiian Shirt To 264 Zoom Meetings — And No One Noticed”

This is an audio reading of the post "Aloha, Is It Me You’re Looking For?" originally published on August 30, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/aloha/


Support the show

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 

]]> Ever feel like you’re invisible? In this episode, we dive into the frustration of being constantly overlooked even though you’re standing RIGHT THERE, and why it doesn’t matter – it’s the work that counts.

The Huffpost story: “Woman Wore Same Hawaiian Shirt To 264 Zoom Meetings — And No One Noticed”

This is an audio reading of the post "Aloha, Is It Me You’re Looking For?" originally published on August 30, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/aloha/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13206435 Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0700 615 writing, creativity, art, work, productivity, 1 22 full true Situation /ˈderəˌlikt/ Situation /ˈderəˌlikt/ Ever get frustrated with your brain's ability to fix a creative problem, and the more you work at it the worse it gets? In this episode, I explore the value of mental resets—aka stepping away from a project—as a way of making a derelict mind house habitable once more.

The article mentioned in the episode was: “Photographer Accidentally Captures Amazing Shot of a Shooting Star Over an Erupting Volcano”

This is an audio reading of the post "Situation /ˈderəˌlikt/" first published on August 23, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/derlikt/


Support the show

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 

]]> Ever get frustrated with your brain's ability to fix a creative problem, and the more you work at it the worse it gets? In this episode, I explore the value of mental resets—aka stepping away from a project—as a way of making a derelict mind house habitable once more.

The article mentioned in the episode was: “Photographer Accidentally Captures Amazing Shot of a Shooting Star Over an Erupting Volcano”

This is an audio reading of the post "Situation /ˈderəˌlikt/" first published on August 23, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/derlikt/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13162867 Wed, 05 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0700 537 mind, art, writing, creativity, thinking, 1 21 full true Derecho. The Perfect Word Storm Derecho. The Perfect Word Storm Have you ever stumbled upon a word you’ve never seen before, one that makes you think: “How do I not know this word?” You, a fully grown, long-ago educated adult who thinks their vocabulary is top-notch? In this episode, we explore what that’s like and why the unknown word is a great gift.

Lyz Lenz : Men Yell at Me (Dingus of the Week is in the nav)

This is an audio reading of the post "Derecho. The Perfect Word Storm” first published on August 16, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/derecho/

Support the show

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 

]]> Have you ever stumbled upon a word you’ve never seen before, one that makes you think: “How do I not know this word?” You, a fully grown, long-ago educated adult who thinks their vocabulary is top-notch? In this episode, we explore what that’s like and why the unknown word is a great gift.

Lyz Lenz : Men Yell at Me (Dingus of the Week is in the nav)

This is an audio reading of the post "Derecho. The Perfect Word Storm” first published on August 16, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/derecho/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13161241 Wed, 05 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0700 525 words, language, writing, learning, creativity, arts, literature, 1 20 full false Anting: It's Not Just for the Birds Anting: It's Not Just for the Birds Have you ever heard of birds taking an ant bath? It’s called ‘anting’ and this week, we look at our willingness – or lack of willingness - to allow the ants of criticism to crawl and nibble at our work. Should we invite them in?  
 
Anting Story: “Photographer Captures Rare Sight of Crow Taking an Ant Bath”

This is an audio reading of the post "Anting: It’s Not Just for the Birds" originally published on August 9, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/anting/

Support the show

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 

]]> Have you ever heard of birds taking an ant bath? It’s called ‘anting’ and this week, we look at our willingness – or lack of willingness - to allow the ants of criticism to crawl and nibble at our work. Should we invite them in?  
 
Anting Story: “Photographer Captures Rare Sight of Crow Taking an Ant Bath”

This is an audio reading of the post "Anting: It’s Not Just for the Birds" originally published on August 9, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/anting/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13106573 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 417 creativity, writing, writer, ants, criticism 1 19 full true If I fits, I sits. Meow! If I fits, I sits. Meow! Cats love boxes - it’s a fact. Brains love boxes too because they’re safe. This week, I bob around on the cerebral sea with my brain. What does it mean? Who knows, but it’s nice and short!

If I fits, I sits study at this article: “Scientists Have Studied the Mysterious Behavior of Cats Sitting on Squares”

This is an audio reading of the post "If I fits, I sits. Meow." originally published on August 2, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/meow/

Support the show

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 

]]> Cats love boxes - it’s a fact. Brains love boxes too because they’re safe. This week, I bob around on the cerebral sea with my brain. What does it mean? Who knows, but it’s nice and short!

If I fits, I sits study at this article: “Scientists Have Studied the Mysterious Behavior of Cats Sitting on Squares”

This is an audio reading of the post "If I fits, I sits. Meow." originally published on August 2, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/meow/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13104657 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 343 writing, writer, cats, creativity, 1 18 full false Canary in an Idea Mine Canary in an Idea Mine Did you know there’s a piece of a supercontinent beneath New Zealand? Did you know there’s a supercontinent beneath you? Let’s talk about it.

Article about Zealandia “Chunk of Ancient Supercontinent Discovered Under New Zealand”

This is an audio reading of the post "Canary in an Idea Mine" originally published on July 26, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/canary/


Support the show

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 

]]> Did you know there’s a piece of a supercontinent beneath New Zealand? Did you know there’s a supercontinent beneath you? Let’s talk about it.

Article about Zealandia “Chunk of Ancient Supercontinent Discovered Under New Zealand”

This is an audio reading of the post "Canary in an Idea Mine" originally published on July 26, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/canary/


Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13078398 Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 338 ideas, creativity, writer, writing, author, 1 17 full false Song Snacks for Curious Brains Song Snacks for Curious Brains Have you stopped listening to new music? Today’s episode was inspired by an article that stated we stop discovering new music past the age of 30. Not only do I object, I think we can do better. Listen to new music! Feed your brain for all your life!

Article: “We stop discovering new music at age 30”

This is an audio reading of the post "Song Snacks for Curious Brains" originally published on July 19, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/curious/

Support the show

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 

]]> Have you stopped listening to new music? Today’s episode was inspired by an article that stated we stop discovering new music past the age of 30. Not only do I object, I think we can do better. Listen to new music! Feed your brain for all your life!

Article: “We stop discovering new music at age 30”

This is an audio reading of the post "Song Snacks for Curious Brains" originally published on July 19, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/curious/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13077744 Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 458 music, songs, curiosity, writing, writer, author, 1 16 full true All Swim, No Sink Found in Artist DNA All Swim, No Sink Found in Artist DNA Is it an impulse to make art? Instinct maybe? And if you stop, do you stop being an artist? In this episode, I explore the idea of the artist’s DNA, so to speak, and come to the conclusion that just like fish, we cannot stop swimming.

It was inspired by this article: “DNA Test Fails to Find Any Tuna in Subway Tuna Sandwiches”

This is an audio reading of the post "All Swim, No Sink Found in Artist DNA" originally published on July 5, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/swim/

Support the show

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 

]]> Is it an impulse to make art? Instinct maybe? And if you stop, do you stop being an artist? In this episode, I explore the idea of the artist’s DNA, so to speak, and come to the conclusion that just like fish, we cannot stop swimming.

It was inspired by this article: “DNA Test Fails to Find Any Tuna in Subway Tuna Sandwiches”

This is an audio reading of the post "All Swim, No Sink Found in Artist DNA" originally published on July 5, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/swim/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13035703 Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 422 dna, subway, artist, creativity, 1 14 full false Don't Leave Your Legacy on the Moon Don't Leave Your Legacy on the Moon What is legacy? Is it what you leave behind in the form of works and deeds? Or does sending your DNA to the moon make more sense? Let’s get into it.

Here is a link to the service that sends your DNA to the moon.

This is an audio reading of the post "Don’t Leave Your Legacy on the Moon", originally published on July 12, 2021. Additional creative inspirations and ephemera can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/legacy/

Support the show

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 is legacy? Is it what you leave behind in the form of works and deeds? Or does sending your DNA to the moon make more sense? Let’s get into it.

Here is a link to the service that sends your DNA to the moon.

This is an audio reading of the post "Don’t Leave Your Legacy on the Moon", originally published on July 12, 2021. Additional creative inspirations and ephemera can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/legacy/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-13035471 Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 342 creativity, moon, dna, legacy, 1 15 full true An Evaluation of the Value of Value An Evaluation of the Value of Value Would you pay $18,000 USD for an invisible sculpture? Do you question the sanity of anyone who would? Today, we dive into the idea of value and if it's cool to devalue what others love just because you don't like it. 
 
Invisible Sculpture Story: “It’s Made Literally of Nothing”

This is an audio reading of the post "An Evaluation of the Value of Value" originally published on June 28, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/value/

Support the show

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 

]]> Would you pay $18,000 USD for an invisible sculpture? Do you question the sanity of anyone who would? Today, we dive into the idea of value and if it's cool to devalue what others love just because you don't like it. 
 
Invisible Sculpture Story: “It’s Made Literally of Nothing”

This is an audio reading of the post "An Evaluation of the Value of Value" originally published on June 28, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/value/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12993970 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 479 value, criticism, creativity, art, music, 1 13 full true Caution: Resistance is Hostile Caution: Resistance is Hostile You've heard the term "hostile architecture"? It exists in people too. The hostile architecture I’m talking about in this is all the defenses you put up as a creative person to shield yourself from feedback and criticism, and why sometimes you should really open yourself up to it.
 
Link: 15 Examples of Hostile Architecture Around the World

This is an audio reading of the post "Caution: Resistance is Hostile" originally published on June 28, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> You've heard the term "hostile architecture"? It exists in people too. The hostile architecture I’m talking about in this is all the defenses you put up as a creative person to shield yourself from feedback and criticism, and why sometimes you should really open yourself up to it.
 
Link: 15 Examples of Hostile Architecture Around the World

This is an audio reading of the post "Caution: Resistance is Hostile" originally published on June 28, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12978427 Wed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 507 feedback, creativity, writing, advertising, 1 12 full true Ejection Does Not Equal Rejection Ejection Does Not Equal Rejection It's tough when you lose your job, but just because you've been ejected from that particular make and model of vehicle, doesn't mean you are rejected by all moving forward. Find another one and keep on driving.

You can read the story about the dog who went missing after a car accident and was found two days later herding sheep, here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Ejection Does Not Equal Rejection" originally published on June 14, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

 

Support the show

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 

]]> It's tough when you lose your job, but just because you've been ejected from that particular make and model of vehicle, doesn't mean you are rejected by all moving forward. Find another one and keep on driving.

You can read the story about the dog who went missing after a car accident and was found two days later herding sheep, here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Ejection Does Not Equal Rejection" originally published on June 14, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12974924 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700 478 employment, laid off, jobs, career, rejection, 1 11 full false The Power of Solitude, as Told by a Solo Banana The Power of Solitude, as Told by a Solo Banana Being alone is not the same as being lonely. In this episode, I make the case for why enjoying the pleasure of one's own company is a superpower.

If you'd like to read the Marginalian story that I mention in the intro,  here it is: “Artist Louise Bourgeois on How Solitude Enriches Creative Work”

This is an audio reading of the post "The Power of Solitude, as Told by a Solo Banana" originally published on June 7, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/solitude/

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Being alone is not the same as being lonely. In this episode, I make the case for why enjoying the pleasure of one's own company is a superpower.

If you'd like to read the Marginalian story that I mention in the intro,  here it is: “Artist Louise Bourgeois on How Solitude Enriches Creative Work”

This is an audio reading of the post "The Power of Solitude, as Told by a Solo Banana" originally published on June 7, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/solitude/

 

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12946677 Tue, 30 May 2023 09:00:00 -0700 488 1 10 full true Productivity: The Zombie Way Productivity: The Zombie Way Are you someone who takes time to think? Do people get frustrated with you because they think you're moving too slowly because of it? Don't worry - you're just a Zombie thinker. You still get things done on time, you just have a very special way of going about it. 

Nick Cave's Red Hand Files
Zombie Fires story

This is an audio reading of the post "Productivity: The Zombie Way" originally published on May 31, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/zombie/

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you someone who takes time to think? Do people get frustrated with you because they think you're moving too slowly because of it? Don't worry - you're just a Zombie thinker. You still get things done on time, you just have a very special way of going about it. 

Nick Cave's Red Hand Files
Zombie Fires story

This is an audio reading of the post "Productivity: The Zombie Way" originally published on May 31, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/zombie/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12939213 Mon, 29 May 2023 09:00:00 -0700 512 ideas, creativity, thinking, writing, 1 9 full false Half the Story is Not the Whole Half the Story is Not the Whole Being a creative person often means you have to talk about your work, but it also means you may have to talk a bit about yourself. As terrifying as that may sound, I'm here to tell you, if you can talk about your work, you can talk about the other half of the equation - you. 

The story about the disastrous miscommunication that lead to half a house being built instead of the whole thing, is right here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Half the Story is Not the Whole" originally published on May 24, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/half/

Support the show

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 

]]> Being a creative person often means you have to talk about your work, but it also means you may have to talk a bit about yourself. As terrifying as that may sound, I'm here to tell you, if you can talk about your work, you can talk about the other half of the equation - you. 

The story about the disastrous miscommunication that lead to half a house being built instead of the whole thing, is right here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Half the Story is Not the Whole" originally published on May 24, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/half/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12936391 Sun, 28 May 2023 20:00:00 -0700 683 writing, art, creativity, 1 8 full true From Dysphonia to Utopia From Dysphonia to Utopia It can be hard to find your true voice as an artist. I don't claim to know how you will find yours, all I can say is don't stifle it. 

The story about people taping their mouths shut to stop snoring is here.

This is an audio reading of the post "From Dysphonia to Utopia" originally published on May 17, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> It can be hard to find your true voice as an artist. I don't claim to know how you will find yours, all I can say is don't stifle it. 

The story about people taping their mouths shut to stop snoring is here.

This is an audio reading of the post "From Dysphonia to Utopia" originally published on May 17, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12936162 Sun, 28 May 2023 19:00:00 -0700 460 voice, writing, creativity, 1 7 full false You are Now on Notice to Take Notice You are Now on Notice to Take Notice Do you look at things, or do you NOTICE things? This week's episode is all about the value of not just looking, but really taking the time to see the world around you and be OF IT, not just IN IT. 

The art installation mentioned in the recording was called Applause Encouraged, and you can read about it here.

This is an audio reading of the post "You're Now on Notice to Take Notice" originally published on May 10, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/notice/

Support the show

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 

]]> Do you look at things, or do you NOTICE things? This week's episode is all about the value of not just looking, but really taking the time to see the world around you and be OF IT, not just IN IT. 

The art installation mentioned in the recording was called Applause Encouraged, and you can read about it here.

This is an audio reading of the post "You're Now on Notice to Take Notice" originally published on May 10, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link. https://www.jumpinthestream.com/notice/

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12935921 Sun, 28 May 2023 18:00:00 -0700 480 mindfulness, creativity, 1 6 full false Schrödinger's Humdinger Schrödinger's Humdinger Are you one of these people who can't be read? Is that a bad thing? Jump into a short stream on the way in which we express ourselves.

This is an audio reading of the post "Schrödinger’s Humdinger," originally published on May 3, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Are you one of these people who can't be read? Is that a bad thing? Jump into a short stream on the way in which we express ourselves.

This is an audio reading of the post "Schrödinger’s Humdinger," originally published on May 3, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12908393 Tue, 23 May 2023 22:00:00 -0700 307 writing, creativity, art, 1 5 full false Idea Tremors: Waiting to Quake Idea Tremors: Waiting to Quake A meditation on why you should memorialize all your half-baked idea quakes.

The Tamagotchi Cemetery I mentioned during this reading is here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Idea Tremors: Waiting to Quake," originally published on April 26, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  

Support the show

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 

]]> A meditation on why you should memorialize all your half-baked idea quakes.

The Tamagotchi Cemetery I mentioned during this reading is here.

This is an audio reading of the post "Idea Tremors: Waiting to Quake," originally published on April 26, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.  

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12908392 Tue, 23 May 2023 22:00:00 -0700 474 writing, creativity, ideas, art, 1 4 full false A Layperson's Guide to Fighting Tree Beasts A Layperson's Guide to Fighting Tree Beasts What's stopping you from making the thing? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it that if it only exists in your head, it will always be the perfect thing? It's time to stop procrastinating and stop listening to your fears - make the thing!

This is an audio reading of the post "A Layperson's Guide to Fighting Tree Beasts," originally published on April 19, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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's stopping you from making the thing? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it that if it only exists in your head, it will always be the perfect thing? It's time to stop procrastinating and stop listening to your fears - make the thing!

This is an audio reading of the post "A Layperson's Guide to Fighting Tree Beasts," originally published on April 19, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12908391 Tue, 23 May 2023 22:00:00 -0700 332 writing, creativity, art, 1 3 full false Love the Shape You're In Love the Shape You're In It can be tempting to change the 'shape' of who we are as artists not just to conform, but to gain success at the expense of our taste. But is it the right thing to do?

This is an audio reading of the post "Love the Shape You're In" originally published on April 12, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Read about the new pasta shape here

Support the show

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 

]]> It can be tempting to change the 'shape' of who we are as artists not just to conform, but to gain success at the expense of our taste. But is it the right thing to do?

This is an audio reading of the post "Love the Shape You're In" originally published on April 12, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Read about the new pasta shape here

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12908388 Tue, 23 May 2023 22:00:00 -0700 341 writing, creativity, art, 1 2 full true How to Unstick the Stuck How to Unstick the Stuck Got writer's/artist's block? Ever get stuck like the Ever Given in your own Suez Canal of procrastination? Put on your Captain's hat, Captain! Unload that thing and get back out to sea.

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Unstick The Stuck," originally published April 5, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Got writer's/artist's block? Ever get stuck like the Ever Given in your own Suez Canal of procrastination? Put on your Captain's hat, Captain! Unload that thing and get back out to sea.

This is an audio reading of the post "How to Unstick The Stuck," originally published April 5, 2021. Additional creative inspirations can be found at that link.

Support the show

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 

]]> Janeen McCrae Buzzsprout-12908347 Tue, 23 May 2023 21:00:00 -0700 278 ideas, creativity, inspiration, writing, full false