The theme for the sixth Escape Adulthood Summit was "Shine On." It's always good to be reminded that even on the darkest days, the sun isn't gone, it's just hidden. This Summit was a call to look for the light during our seasons of darkness, and to bring light to others, by sharing our talents and kindness. For the third consecutive year, it was held at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond, which is a beautiful spot in the middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin, miles away from the Adultitis-ridden pace of everyday life. As always, the line of people waiting to enter buzzed with anticipation, Golden Tickets in hand. Attendees were treated to some of the most delicious gourmet cotton candy, compliments of Jo and her son from Sugarsmith. Once the door opens, the wild rumpus begins, and guests are treated to a goodie bag filled with fun stuff for fighting Adultitis. Two of Madison's best food carts were on hand to serve lunch. And it just …
Listen In For Ideas on Creativity, Finding Inspiration, and Tinkering
I was recently interviewed on two great podcasts that are definitely worth a listen: In an episode of The Idea Medic Podcast by Tara Roskell, we explore a bit of my journey from cartoonist to speaker and author, and talk about my artistic style and where I find inspiration. We also discuss ways to escape adulthood and the benefits of bringing fun to business. Meanwhile, my friend Neil Mathweg has started a podcast for people who live in (an especially recently moved to) Madison Wisconsin. I was honored to be the first guest on the I Love Madison Show, where we talked about finding your tribe and the powerful concept of Tinker Projects. Neil is a great host and produces an entertaining show! …
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Wondernite 2017
A few years ago, I had the chance to visit some art galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona. Although much of the art was truly impressive, I was taken aback by the extreme levels of Adultitis that permeated everything. Everyone was so serious and stuffy. Making art is a joyful experience for me – as I’m sure it is for many of the artists who had their work on display – but in those galleries, that joy was missing. Big time. Kim and I have worked hard to marry my art into my speaking programs in a meaningful way. This past year, we spent hours and hours brainstorming the idea of creating some sort of "art show" for our tribe. We wanted something fun and different that incorporated my storytelling abilities, but was free of the Adultitis that dominates so many traditional galleries and art shows. What finally emerged was Wondernite, a VIP art collecting event where I premiered never-before-seen originals. It was billed as inspiring evening of art, food, and storytelling. One …
Get Your 2018 Celebrate Everything Calendar!
Too many people treat the calendar as the utmost authority on what constitutes a good reason to celebrate. If a holiday is written in fine print on a particular day in the calendar, we assume it’s safe to throw a party. But the truth is that every single day is a holiday; it’s just that most days, what to celebrate is up to you. If a reason seems good enough to you, well then, it’s good enough. The Celebrate Everything calendar was created for those times when you’re just not sure what to celebrate, as well as for those people who need permission first. Of course, disregarding a particular day’s “official” holiday in favor of making up your own is always encouraged. This 12-month wall calendar features the colorful, whimsical, and inspiring artwork of Jason Kotecki. Only 2,000 calendars have been printed. Every single day includes a real holiday typeset in legit, official-looking fine print. Every month features an open-ended challenge to help you keep Adultitis at …
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Calling All Creative Warriors!
I recently had the great pleasure of being featured on Jeffrey Shaw's Creative Warriors podcast. It was one of the best interviews I've been a part of, mainly because Jeffrey was so well-prepared. Since he'd read my book, Penguins Can't Fly +39 Other Rules That Don't Exist, he came armed with some great questions and we were able to go much deeper, more quickly than usual. I think you'll find it to be a worthwhile listen. Among other things, we discussed... Where the rules that don't exist come from, The danger in being realistic, Why you might not want to wear clean underpants, Where we got this idea that you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, Whether or not you should make your bed, The big difference between kids and adults when it comes to water, And why being careful is the most risky thing you can do. Listen here! …
2017 Escape Adulthood Summit Recap
Adventure. That’s what the fifth Escape Adulthood Summit was all about. But not the kind of adventure you encounter when you google the word “adventure." You know, like scenes of people hanging precipitously from a cliff’s edge with one hand. We talked more about everyday adventures; the opportunities to try something for the first time and see the magic in seemingly ordinary moments. Nothing against mountain climbing or sky diving, but we wanted to challenge attendees to embrace adventure on an even wider scale. Once again, this year’s shindig was held at the beautiful Barn at Harvest Moon Pond, nestled within the rolling Wisconsin countryside. Kim and I welcomed another sold-out crowd with hugs and high fives. It was exciting to see new faces and old friends — some of whom have been to all five Summits! Of course, Golden Tickets are required for admittance. Goodie bags and personalized name tags awaited each guest. I think those name tags are …
How to Ensure Your Next Event Stands Out and the Message Sticks
I've always respected the idea that Native Americans who hunted bison would put every inch of it to good use. Meat, bones, hide, everything. As a speaker who just so happens to be an artist (or is that an artist who happens to be a speaker?), I love it when someone makes the most of everything we have to offer. Oftentimes, my art gets used in the printed program and marketing materials that promote the event. Other clients give products featuring my art as thank you gifts to sponsors and volunteers. Sometimes it’s even incorporated into the stage design! A recent client went next level and it was awesome. Not only was I able to deliver their luncheon keynote, but they used my art in a multitude of ways that tied my message into their event brilliantly. It's not surprising that Baird was listed in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, as they put a lot of effort into the small details to create a wonderful experience for their people. For example, Kristin, the …
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You Might Be an Art Collector If…
If I have extra time when I am traveling for speaking engagements, one of my favorite things to do is visit art galleries. I love discovering new artists who inspire me. What I don't usually love is the vibe of the galleries themselves, and the so-called "art world" as a whole. Quiet as a museum and serious as a heart atttack, they often ooze pretension and feature prices that only an elite few could afford. Sometimes artists themselves contribute to this snobby, holier-than-thou aura. I believe that art is for everyone, whether it comes to making it or owning it. Art can address serious issues and be the catalyst for important change in the world, but there is plenty of room for art that's fun and makes people happy. My goal is to inspire, encourage and entertain as many people as possible with my art. I'm not against offering different levels of exclusivity in the form of originals and limited editions, but I want it to be accessible to everyone. I certainly don't care about …
Making a Splash at the First Madison Night Market
Last week we had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever Madison Night Market, which is a celebration of Madison’s unique and inspiring creative culture. It features handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, food carts, and live music. Little Luxuries, which is regularly voted as the best gift shop in Madison, carries some of our stuff. When Amy Moore, the owner, invited us to be a part of her store's booth, we jumped at the chance! It was the first time I'd be showing my new art in a public forum and I was excited (and a little nervous) for the opportunity to see people's reaction firsthand. We got to share the booth with Tami Reschke, owner of purple hair and jewelry maker extraordinaire. We complimented each other well, and Kim traded Tami some Bee Optimistic t-shirts for some sweet new necklaces. A few weeks earlier, I did a mock-up of our display in our garage, using some grid wall panels and accessories we had from our days doing gift shows. I was pretty …
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Talking About Tinkering on the Mere Mortals Unite Podcast
I recently had the privilege of appearing on the Mere Mortal Unite podcast, hosted by Julie Ann Sullivan, who is a tremendous Adultitis Fighter. The focus of the episode was to give you permission to tinker, and in fact remind you that you used to do it all the time — when you were kid. We talked about what tinkering is, why you should do it, and how you can use it to transform your life or get out of a place of "stuckness." I also shared the magical benefits of a Tinker Project and how you can start your own to achieve breakthrough levels of creativity and uncover hidden opportunities. I think you'll find it worthwhile. Listen here! …
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