Unblocked Creators

Jesse James Carver

I interview artists and creatives of all kinds, including carvers, painters, filmmakers, inventors, scientists and psychologists, to break down their worldviews and help listeners become creatively unblocked. Let's develop the psychological wholeness and agency to live out our dream life designs. Let's unblock your path of creative purpose, and check out a lot of brilliant art along the way.

  1. Hussain Ibarra Reveals Secrets of His Online Writing Business [Ep.15]

    OCT 28

    Hussain Ibarra Reveals Secrets of His Online Writing Business [Ep.15]

    Join us as we delve into the world of online writing and content creation with Hussain Ibarra, a self-proclaimed "beginner" with over 22,000 users on X.  Hussein shares his journey from being a disenchanted engineering intern to becoming a successful online writer and mentor. We discuss the importance of consistency, the role of personal branding in the creator economy, and practical tips for starting your own writing venture. Whether you're stuck in a 9-to-5 or looking to improve your online presence, this episode offers invaluable insights. Get your ticket to the Creator Economy Convention: http://thelivinginternet.com?via=jesse Read Hussain's Letters on Substack: https://hussainibarra.substack.com/ Read Hussain's threads on X: https://x.com/HussainIbarra 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:14 Weekly Meetings and Podcast Beginnings 01:15 Journey from Engineering to Writing 02:08 Early Struggles and Discovering Online Writing 04:17 Balancing Work, Studies, and Writing 09:59 Developing a Unique Writing Voice 17:41 Understanding the Creator Economy 26:39 Creator Economy Convention Announcement 32:26 The Loneliness of the Creator's Journey 34:17 Facing Skepticism and Self-Doubt 35:47 Overcoming Identity Hurdles in Writing 41:47 The Power of Delusional Aspirational Rates 44:51 The Importance of Physical Fitness for Creativity 50:01 Effective Writing Strategies for Attention 56:16 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 57:55 Starting Your Creator Journey Support the show Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here: https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver

    1h 6m
  2. Matt Buffa - How Not To Be A Perfectionist [Ep.14]

    OCT 24

    Matt Buffa - How Not To Be A Perfectionist [Ep.14]

    Breaking Free from Perfectionism Read Matt's Substack article (yes, the one we discuss in the episode!) here: https://mattbuffa.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips Join The Living Internet Alliance, a free community for up-skilling your social, creative, and financial mastery: https://living-internet-alliance.circle.so/join?invitation_token=226e75d9ce467200f26b8d69c30cc6fce33321b1-4df96578-ddf5-46b9-bd0c-81882743ba7d Join Matt Buffa and Jesse James Carver as they explore the struggle of perfectionism and its impact on creativity. Through a casual conversation about spirituality, anxiety, and the quest for self-improvement, we unpack the importance of letting go and embracing imperfection to make progress. 00:00 Realization and Taking Things Too Seriously 00:56 The Concept of Letting Go 02:53 The Perpetual Need for Self-Improvement 03:39 The Burden of Shoulds and Guilt 06:59 The Red Light Syndrome and Authentic Conversations 08:31 Balancing Podcasting and Personal Life 20:45 Creative Habits and Systematizing Work 24:24 The Challenge of Writing and Perfectionism 33:44 Reflecting on the Creative Wayfinder 34:24 Introducing a New Course Concept 35:11 Exploring the Unblocked Carver Metaphor 35:56 The Process of Carving and Creativity 38:54 Sharpening Your Axe: Preparation vs. Procrastination 41:17 Overcoming Resistance and Starting Projects 43:18 The Role of Ego in Creativity 50:57 Integrating the Self and Ego 57:43 The Zen Approach to Creativity 01:05:48 Final Thoughts and Sign Off Support the show Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here: https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver

    1h 15m
  3. Dan Goldfield — How to Monetize Spirituality Without Selling Your Soul  [Ep.11]

    AUG 27

    Dan Goldfield — How to Monetize Spirituality Without Selling Your Soul [Ep.11]

    Non‑duality is the absence of mentally fabricated boundaries.” In this wide‑ranging conversation, creator and teacher Dan Goldfield unpacks what that means in real life; how freeing ourselves from constant interpretation dissolves suffering, and why you don’t need hours of meditation to find rest. We cover Dan’s path from 20 years as a professional drummer/teacher to publishing hundreds of short teachings (Insight Timer, YouTube), and the non‑dual lineages that shaped him (Advaita Vedanta, Zen, Dzogchen, plus lessons from modern Theravada). Dan explains “non‑meditation” (dissolving the line between practice and life), how effort can become the problem, and practical ways to relate to pain, anxiety, and tension, including his experience with the Alexander Technique. We also reconcile spirituality with business and the creator economy: service over self, authenticity, and empathy‑driven marketing. You’ll hear why “being of benefit” is both the spiritual path and the most sustainable growth strategy for modern creators. Follow Dan Goldfield on X — @itsdangoldfield Watch more from Dan on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsdangoldfield Join us in person: Creator Economy Convention (Vancouver, BC • June 5–7, 2026) Founder tickets are $200 off for a limited time: http://thelivinginternet.com Your ticket includes access to our Circle community and optional accountability groups, and access to the three-day long convention and three meals throughout the weekend. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Energy, frequency, vibration: opening and setup 00:42 - Meet Dan Goldfield and the origin of his short teachings 04:45 - What is non‑duality? “Absence of mentally fabricated boundaries” 06:30 - The rain example: freedom from interpretation vs reactivity 08:44 - Lineages that shaped Dan: Advaita, Zen, Dzogchen (and modern Theravada) 09:45 - When effort backfires: “gladdening the mind” vs letting go 16:27 - What is non‑meditation? Dissolving the boundary between practice and life 22:21 - “I’m unhappy and in pain”—when to use supportive practices 24:37 - Alexander Technique: releasing self‑created tension and chronic pain 32:02 - Reconciling spirituality and money; creators, service, and authenticity 38:13 - From drums to Dharma business: courses, $10k launch, and focus 43:06 - “Being of benefit” as the test of enlightenment and the creator’s path 1:16:32 - How to find rest now: awareness, gaps in anxiety, and the cloud frame story 1:24:02 - Where to find Dan + Creator Economy Convention details and $200 off Support the show Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here: https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver

    1h 27m
  4. David Morin, The Man Who Helps People Face Death (And Live Fuller) [Ep.9]

    JUL 17

    David Morin, The Man Who Helps People Face Death (And Live Fuller) [Ep.9]

    A Journey Through Poetry, Darkness, and Death Doula Work with David Morin. Join us in an intimate and enlightening conversation with David Morin, a poet and death doula, as he explores his journey to discovering his poetic voice and understanding his role in guiding others through their final moments. David shares his transformative experiences at a darkness meditation retreat, the profound impact of poetry on his life, and the unique challenges and rewards of working with incarcerated individuals. This episode delves into themes of purpose, mortality, finding peace within ourselves, and freeing our true voices, offering a compelling perspective on living a fulfilling life. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:31 Discovering Poetry 02:09 The Darkness Meditation Retreat 05:18 Becoming a Death Doula 10:05 A Year to Live Experiment 14:52 Reflections on Life and Death 26:06 The Essence of Poetry 31:32 Innovative Body Composting in Washington 33:42 Personal Reflections on Meditation 35:46 Rehabilitation and Poetry in Prisons 39:54 The Role of a Death Doula in Prison 50:33 Sharing a Poetic Journey 59:43 Final Thoughts and Reflections Register for The Creative Wayfinder here: Initiate Your Life Purpose David's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mor.intune/ Milkweed: David’s poetry book that he describes as a raw, soul-stirring, vision quest of reclaiming himself through poetry. Get the book at the following link, as well as his free resource, the Voice Reclamation Guide, a poetic workbook for helping you reclaim the voice that you buried to survive: https://stan.store/Morintune David’s podcast, Art 2 Heart, and other podcasts that David has been on can be found here: https://linktr.ee/morintune?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ebf4978-f515-4e41-80ad-b462da2bcaa0 Support the show Check out the Unblocked Carver newsletter here: https://www.oakmoss.ca/unblockedcarver

    1h 3m

About

I interview artists and creatives of all kinds, including carvers, painters, filmmakers, inventors, scientists and psychologists, to break down their worldviews and help listeners become creatively unblocked. Let's develop the psychological wholeness and agency to live out our dream life designs. Let's unblock your path of creative purpose, and check out a lot of brilliant art along the way.