Toil in Obscurity (GWTW819)

Getting Work To Work

How do you know that when your moment shows up, you’ll be ready? Earlier this week, I met up with a friend for tea. I purposely waited to record my monologue because I knew something good would come from our conversation; it always does. My friend is widely creative and curious; he is into everything. He uses digital tools to create analog art. At one point, he talked about developing your craft and the importance of toiling in obscurity. You’ve been doing the work. Day after day. Year after year. No awards. Little recognition. Just the casual amassing of a body of work. That’s how you know you’ll be ready when your moment shows up.

9 Lessons I’ve Learned in Almost a Decade of Producing This Weekly Show:

1. There will always be something to talk about and someone to interview.
2. My voice has changed through age and confidence.
3. The worst interviews were the ones I was most prepared for.
4. In nine years, I was only ghosted by one guest.
5. A like on social media does not translate to a listen of the episode.
6. Most podcasting advice doesn’t apply to someone this far into the journey.
7. The person responsible for the show—both in starting it and helping me maintain the momentum to keep going in the early years—is my good friend, Bruce Elgort.
8. As someone who struggles to make small talk, learning how to talk with strangers all over the world is the highlight of my career.
9. There is a saying gurus like to use to talk about podcasts and YouTube shows, “If you aren’t growing, then you’re dying.”

Show Links

• Bruce Elgort
• Bend Design
• Midjourney prompt for episode art: toil in obscurity a warehouse full of pottery cinematic lighting –ar 16:9