The Create Unknown podcast

38:30

Chef Shuai Wang was the runner-up on the 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef and is the force behind two standout restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina—Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ—where he brings together the flavors of his childhood in Beijing and the spirit of the South in some pretty unforgettable ways. He grew up just a short walk from Tiananmen Square, in a tiny home with no electricity or running water, where his grandmother often cooked over charcoal. Later, in Queens, New York, his mom taught herself to cook—her first dishes were a little salty, but they were always made with love. And somewhere along the way, Shuai learned that cooking wasn’t just about food—it was about taking care of people. After years working in New York kitchens, he made his way to Charleston and started building something that feels entirely his own. Today, we’re talking about how all those experiences come together on the plate, the family stories behind his cooking, and what it’s been like to share that journey on national TV. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

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The Create Unknown interviews the most successful online creators to reveal how they got started and how they keep going. iDubbbz. Vsauce. Casey Neistat. iJustine. PsychicPebbles. We talk to the YouTubers, artists, and streamers who exemplify our mantra of “Make Something. Mean Something.” Part high-level analysis, part hopelessly stupid, Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor from Vsauce2 dissect the complex business, the unpredictable drama, and the uncertain future of creating online. We’ll see you in The Create Unknown, Space Cowboys. For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy

259 episodes

The Create Unknown

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updated about 10 hours ago

Series home•Feed•Pay the publisher

259 episodes

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The Create Unknown

1
Is Success Even Worth It? 1:22:26

10 hours ago1:22:26

1:22:26

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today’s episode dives into the uncomfortable cost of success, and the strange, often isolating lives it creates. We start with Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, and his calculated decision to fully disappear into his character. Why would someone abandon their identity just to stay famous? And, perhaps more importantly, what does that do to a person over time? From there, we look at other creatives caught between the ceaseless conflict between public persona and private self. Creatives like Larry David, for instance, who canceled a documentary about his real life the day before its release. Then we dive into a story that’s honestly a little hard to believe. We talk about how Dilbert became a global hit thanks to a forgotten letter, somebody’s death, and a traffic jam. Does success have anything to do with talent, or is it just…luck? Either way, success comes with its fair share of trade-offs. For today’s example, we explore just how much normalcy someone like Michael Jackson had to give up to even EXIST in public. And finally, we turn inward: can creators truly enjoy art the same way their audiences do? What happens when consuming becomes competing? And how do you know if you’re preparing too long before you finally hit “publish”? Big thanks to all our listeners and patrons for being here with us—we’ll see you next week. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Everything’s Garbage 1:06:13

7 days ago1:06:13

1:06:13

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today’s episode kicks off with a huge shoutout to former guest Quackity, whose new app DABABEL takes voice translation to heights never seen before, rivaling the likes of the tech giants of Silicon Valley. The core of today’s discussion, however, is about something far less futuristic: why is everything we buy seemingly getting worse? Kevin regales us with some first hand knowledge that illustrates how something as small as a manufacturing error can result in big, big consequences. Matt brings in some much needed global perspective to explain why quality seems to be taking a nosedive across the board. Is it cultural differences? Economics? Or is plain laziness to blame? This leads us to a pretty crucial question: does perfectionism matter? Why do consumers have to be experts all of a sudden just to shop for things as simple as a wrench or window? Have reliable brands gone the way of the dodo? Let’s find out. Thanks to our patrons, old and new, for making these episodes possible—we’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Does Reading Matter? 1:45:32

21 days ago1:45:32

1:45:32

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin kicks off this week’s episode by revealing how a lifelong disinterest in reading vanished after making one strategic decision that completely changed his outlook on writing. As Kevin describes diving headfirst into fiction for the first time, we also explore the vitally important role that READING plays in understanding storytelling, what it means to truly observe people, and why writing is actually a lot more than just putting words on a page. Next we unpack the differences between books and film, how male readership is quietly disappearing, and why so many great authors have left fiction behind. And, as a final cherry on top, we hit you with some essential book recs to take with you on your own journey. Big thanks to all our Patrons, we’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
The Collapse of Thinking 1:36:32

28 days ago1:36:32

1:36:32

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week, we dig into the viral controversy around a UCLA graduate who proudly used ChatGPT for all his final projects, and made sure the whole stadium on graduation day knew it. Is this just a funny moment, or a sign of something much bigger? We break down new research showing that AI might be helping people finish tasks faster… but at the cost of actually thinking. What happens when students stop engaging with their own ideas entirely? That leads us to an even bigger question: where’s the line between using tools and outsourcing your brain? Is using AI any different than having a research assistant, or are we skipping the most important part of the process? From there, we zoom out to take a broader look at life at large. Are we losing basic skills across the board? From reading clocks to making change at the cash register, the erosion of foundational knowledge might be further along than we think. We wrap by exploring why memorization still matters, how quirks define real people, and why the value of human experience might skyrocket in a world “run by machines.” Thanks for listening (and thinking), and big shoutout to all of our patrons, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Should Artists Get Paid? 1:14:06

6 weeks ago1:14:06

1:14:06

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Today we retroactively celebrate the 250th episode of the Create Unknown…better late than never. Then we drive right into something even more exciting: the latest drama surrounding a friend of the podcast, Dean Lamb. Why are he and his band Archspire going independent? More importantly… why are fans mad? Then we take a closer look at how artists make money—or don’t. We look at Archspire’s kickstarter and see why people are so upset by how the money is being spent. What seems like a huge number at first glance ends up making a lot more sense when you take the time to factor in what’s actually involved to make anything creative. It makes us wonder, do people just talk out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to supporting artists? Even those who bash AI and champion “real art,” often don’t want to fund it. To round things out, we break down how Karl Marx’s work may have been one of the very first Kickstarters to ever exist. Thanks for listening, and shoutout to everyone who continues to support us and the creators they love. We’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Are We Going Backwards? 1:51:52

7 weeks ago1:51:52

1:51:52

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick today’s episode off with a fun thought experiment: what would Kevin do if money weren’t a limiting factor? Spoiler: It’s not a life supply of hotdogs. That takes us into a discussion about one of the most overlooked media shifts. Why do older books, shows, and games seem… different? We reflect on what’s missing from today’s content, and why watching Columbo captures a kind of magic that most modern sci-fi just… doesn’t. Next we dive into what is perhaps the most prolific and worn out trend in modern storytelling: the remake. Why are writers trying to repackage old stories? And why are they just… worse? Turns out, it’s the same reason YOU don’t talk to old people. Thanks for hanging out with us — and as always, thank you to our amazing patrons. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
You’re On Your Own 1:24:34

7 weeks ago1:24:34

1:24:34

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick things off this week with…a bag of dog poop. No, really. Matt shares his bizarre sidewalk encounter that leads to a surprisingly deep conversation about responsibility, both social and personal. Kevin brings his own awkward pet-related tale to the table, and suddenly we’re talking about dopamine, TikTok, and the death of the traditional life path. Next, we trace the shift in nearly everything from sports to spirituality, and why it’s totally normal all of a sudden to feel lost without the maps people used to rely on— things like religion, family, or even your hometown that used to play such a big role have shifted dramatically. The big theme? You’re on your own. But we have to wonder… is that necessarily a bad thing? We also unpack why constraints might actually be the secret weapon of creativity, how Kevin almost got an internship at Adult Swim, and how working at a restaurant might be the best training ground for becoming a YouTuber. Big thanks to all our Patrons! We’ll be back soon! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Is Your Phone More Interesting Than You? 1:16:23

9 weeks ago1:16:23

1:16:23

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick things off this week with a recap of TaborCon—a real-life Vegas meetup that somehow included karaoke, heartfelt ballads, and exactly zero arrests (we think). Matt gives us the full rundown. Then Kevin drops a question that sounds simple but hits hard: Can a real person compete with the allure of a smartphone? What follows is a deep dive into the quiet crisis happening in social spaces—from dating, to small talk, all the way up to job interviews. How are we to compete when on-demand content is winning the war for our attention? We talk about the ever-expanding role that phones play in our lives now – and how that certainly doesn’t help. More than just entertainment, they’ve also become escape hatches, safety nets, and sometimes, emotional shields. And if that’s the new normal… what does that mean for us? It’s a weird one. It’s a real one. And you might end up seeing your lock screen a little differently. Thanks for listening—and special thanks to our Patrons for keeping this whole thing rolling. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
I Turned Down Creator Clash 50:33

10 weeks ago50:33

50:33

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Something’s shifting in the world of YouTuber live events. Kevin starts to unravel all the controversy surrounding iDubbbz’ previously acclaimed “Creator Clash” and asks a very important question: Was boxing ever the right fit to begin with? After that, we dive into a larger discussion on ins and outs of the boxing industry as a whole, which leads us to an even bigger question – what actually makes an event unforgettable? Why do some attempts to bring creators together feel hollow, while others become cultural landmarks? From there, we start spitballing. What could a creator event look like if it wasn’t all blood and bruises? Kevin floats some wild (but somehow obvious) ideas for what might actually bring the community together again… maybe even with a few less broken noses. Big thanks to our Patrons for all the support, we’ll see you again next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
The Easiest Way To Make $2.4 Million 1:25:07

11 weeks ago1:25:07

1:25:07

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick off this week’s episode with a passing joke about financing your food which naturally turns into a FULL-ON SPIRAL about spending, savings, and the absolutely insane cost of convenience. Strap in folks, this episode’s a big one. Kevin opens up about how his relationship with food has changed—he compares his old diet to what he eats now, and we hone in on how much of your diet is actually about who you’re eating with. Meanwhile, Matt pulls out the calculator and starts crunching numbers that will make you never look at your lunch receipt the same way again. From there, we get granular about how food has shifted from something purely functional to a massive part of culture and personal identity. We touch on how platforms like YouTube have made cooking more accessible, and how what we choose to eat can reflect a lot more than just taste. Let’s just say: by the end of this one, you might be inspired to make dinner at home. Thanks for tuning in, and a special thanks to all our Patrons. We’ll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Are Modern Stories Trash? 1:33:58

12 weeks ago1:33:58

1:33:58

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin opens this week’s episode with a challenge – one that came straight from a listener. Stephen, the author of a manga called Handyman Quincy, sent a fantastic TWO PAGE EMAIL our way about Kevin’s perspective on storytelling. Thanks for the email Stephen, we love the input. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Handyman Quincy here: https://starfruitbooks.com/products/handyman-quincy In that email, Stephen also provided some pointed feedback that pushes Kevin to rethink how he talks about certain stories. Is Kevin missing the point, or is there something deeper at play here? After that, we open up a broader conversation about the value of bold, sweeping statements, and the surprising pitfalls that hyper-specificity can sometimes provide. How do we wrestle with the tension between saying something provocative and acknowledging the messy, complicated exceptions? Along the way, we dig into a rule of thumb that might explain why so much creative work just doesn’t land… and why that might actually be okay. From there, Kevin unpacks what makes certain shows stick in your brain long after the credits roll. Through examples you might not expect, he explores how great storytelling can work on multiple levels at once, while lesser stories just skate by on surface thrills. To wrap it up, things take a turn toward the delightfully strange as we share our fascination with oddly specific passions. From vintage milk bottles to…hot dog rollers. We also talk about how “boner pills” can teach us about being curious in a distracted world. Thanks for tuning in, see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Our Best Advice is the Dumbest 1:16:50

13 weeks ago1:16:50

1:16:50

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Matt is finally BACK, and he’s here to explain his long podcasting absence. He tells us about all the life detours that kept him away from the mic – from unexpected responsibilities to the emotional weight of figuring out one of life’s hardest challenges on the fly, things have been WILD. Kevin also reflects on his somewhat short-lived journey as a solo podcaster, cluing us in to what he learned without having his usual partner-in-crime “with him as always.” After that, we dive right into the key to EVERYTHING, and it is astonishingly simple: you just have to SHOW UP. We talk extensively about how doing something as simple as just consistently being present, even when it’s hard, can open doors in the most unexpected ways. We wrap with a dive into the world of auctions, exploring the strange psychology of bidding, the weird value we assign to things, and what it all says about human nature. Thanks for sticking with us—we’re back, baby. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
What is Kevin DOING? 54:49

14 weeks ago54:49

54:49

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown Kevin kicks things off by opening up about his recent absence from Vsauce2. What started in December as a break from YouTube turned into something much bigger: a full-fledged writing project that has pushed him into new creative territory. He walks us through the highs and lows of crafting a book from scratch, and the weird balance between structured outlining and letting ideas unfold on their own. Kevin dives into discovering his own writing process and what he believes actually makes a story work. Reflecting leads Kevin into a passionate takedown of some of today’s most overused narrative tropes, especially in superhero movies and serialized television. What makes these stories fall flat? And why does it seem like audiences are settling for less? From there we dig into character, exploring what makes a person feel real on the page, and how quirks, contradictions, and specificity breathe life into fiction. Kevin points to the masters of this art and explores how he's trying to capture a similar authenticity in his own work. Finally, Kevin teases a few details about Sleep Warrior, a project that blends the worlds of reality and dreams, and how it’s unlike anything he’s tackled before. But what it actually is… well, that’s something you’ll have to discover over time. Thanks for tuning in, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Why The Church Boycotted Me 55:04

15 weeks ago55:04

55:04

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week, Kevin takes a look back at the backlash against Glengarry Glen Ross, and how it stirred up a deep memory from his college days. What does a play about shady salesmen have in common with the chaotic antics of a student writer? A lot more than you’d think. We learn about Kevin’s alter ego “Muffer Van Awesome,” and how one controversial article nearly sank the school paper and angered the church. You know, normal college stuff. This all spirals into a larger discussion about how audiences often misread flawed characters and satire, mistaking critique for endorsement, and why that misunderstanding matters more than ever today. To wrap things up, Kevin lays out a kind of creative manifesto: when it comes to bold ideas and risky writing, is the real danger in offending—or in backing down? Thanks for listening, and stick around—there’s plenty more on the way. You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

The Create Unknown

1
Is AI Art Real or Slop? 59:44

16 weeks ago59:44