#19 Robert Overweg on disruptive art, adaptable mindsets and the future of education Un-Machine Yourself

Robert Overweg on disruptive art, adaptable mindsets and the future of education

We, humans, typically try to construct meaning of all that we experience. We see something, something happens to us, and our brains - essentially predicting machines, help us to navigate through an uncertain future - make up a story. This podcast episode is meant to disrupt that.

You will hear it in the tone of the conversation, that flows and glows - Roanne and her guest -  artist, adaptation expert, education innovator and artist Robert Overweg - feel a click as two humans sometimes do when they first meet. Not love, not even a flirt, but definitely some sort of resonance - as if you instantly understand each others’ way of thinking and work. Maybe there is no perfect word for that, and that’s fine (although our brains don’t like that!)

You will hear it in the tips to art and books that will leave you astounded and confused.

You will note it in the conversation about Robert’s internationally renowned artwork, which is mindblowing (check the link in these shownotes if you want to see it!)

You will sense it in the way Robert works: he is extremely successful, yet extremely relaxed if one looks at his schedule. This man has clients like Vodafone, Liberty global, eBay, Heineken, a variety of startups, and innovative schools (including the one owned by Elon Musk!) and is the cofounder of the Adaptable Mindset Program that has already been applied at several fortune 500 companies, SME’s, and which supports over a thousand students and solopreneurs, ánd his artwork was featured in Centre Pompidou and on the Seoul Biennale. And yet, he explains to Roanne that he rarely picks up his phone, takes long walks in the forest on workdays, and believes the best ideas come when he is not working.

So, in this episode we discuss:

- The future of education
- Which artwork left him confused and inspired, and why
- How his own art-career was ‘scary as shit’
- The importance of taking forest baths
- Why busy people need to not answer their phone
- Why we all need to study technological developments. Now.

Enjoy the beautiful mess, dear listeners ;-)

SHOWNOTES:

Art by Robert can be found here: [https://www.shotbyrobert.com/](https://www.shotbyrobert.com/)

Or here: [The end of the virtual world](https://www.shotbyrobert.com/end-of-the-virtual-world)

Or check out his series ‘Flying and Floating’ as it was shown in the Centre Pompidou: [https://www.shotbyrobert.com/flying-and-floating](https://www.shotbyrobert.com/flying-and-floating)

Find more information about Robert and his work on: [www.adaptablemindset.com](http://www.adaptablemindset.com/)

Or connect with him on the socials: [https://twitter.com/RobertOverweg](https://twitter.com/RobertOverweg)

[https://www.instagram.com/theadaptablemindset/](https://www.instagram.com/theadaptablemindset/)

Roanne mentioned a book she wrote on fear, or more specifically, on how the world’s best climbers and other extreme athletes cope with overcoming fear. The English version of that book is sold out, internationally, but still available in E-version for Kobo E-readers: [FEAR!](https://www.kobo.com/nl/nl/ebook/fear-123)

The Dutch version is still available: [Alles Onder Controle](https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/alles-onder-controle/9200000057446925/)

Robert advises listeners to keep updated with what is happening in the world of tech. Here is how to start: [https://www.adaptablemindset.com/blog/what-is-happening-in-tech](https://www.adaptablemindset.com/blog/what-is-happening-in-tech)