82 episodes

Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.

Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.

Produced & Written by MJDorian

Creative Codex MJDorian

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 225 Ratings

Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.

Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.

Produced & Written by MJDorian

    Red Book Reading: Jung's Precognitions of WW1 & The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    Red Book Reading: Jung's Precognitions of WW1 & The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    Dr. Carl Jung began to have apocalyptic visions in October 1913 which compelled him to engage a dialogue with his unconscious. In the following months, he transcribed these experiences in his personal journals (Black Books). When World War 1 started in June 1914, Jung realized that his visions, dreams, and meditations may have been precognitions of the impending war.



    On this minisode, we explore the writings and journals of Dr. Carl Jung to help us better understand this pivotal moment in Jung's life and how it inspired his later psychological theories.

    ∞∞∞∞∞
    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to the Red Book Reading series, as well as other exclusives including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), and all the Episode Exclusives: 
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ————
    All Music by MJDorian
    Written & Produced by MJDorian
    ————
    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    ---------
    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
    All rights reserved.

    • 20 min
    Language Fails Us: Confronting the Nature of Art & Artessence

    Language Fails Us: Confronting the Nature of Art & Artessence

    Where language breaks, art begins. Language routinely fails us in conversations about art and creativity. In the following essay, I elaborate on the reason for this problem and offer three terms which can help give more depth and clarity to our discussions of art.

    The three primary experiential aspects of art:

    Art-making: verb, a creative act that results in an art-object.

    Art-object: noun, a material or immaterial byproduct of art-making.

    Artessence: noun, the state of mind of an art experience.

    ∞∞∞∞∞

    Read the essay in its original written form here: https://mjdorian.com/language/

    ∞∞∞∞∞
    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives: 
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -----------
    All Music by MJDorian
    Written & Produced by MJDorian
    ————
    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    ---------
    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
    All rights reserved.

    • 22 min
    46: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 3)

    46: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 3)

    What happens to Alexander McQueen when he achieves his life's dream? Is he able to continue creating inspired collections in spite of the intense pressures of global fame? What are the personal meanings behind his most iconic collections? And what leads to his tragic end?

    We will explore all of those questions and much more on this finale to the McQueen series.

    ∞∞∞∞∞
    View the companion gallery for this episode here: ⁠⁠https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/⁠⁠
    ∞∞∞∞∞

    Video of the McQueen's Eclect Dissect (1997) collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiJH8B2HxGU&t=136s

    ∞∞∞∞∞
    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives: 
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠⁠

    -----------
    Research Sources:
    • Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
    • Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
    • McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
    • Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
    • McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
    • Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
    ————
    Audio Editor: Erik Texter
    All Music by MJDorian
    Written & Produced by MJDorian
    ————
    Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!
    Executive Producer: Mike Hill
    ---------
    Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!
    Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!
    ---------
    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠
    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠
    ---------
    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
    All rights reserved.

    • 2 hr 5 min
    Creativity Tip 23: Be Driven By A Vision

    Creativity Tip 23: Be Driven By A Vision

    All creative geniuses have visions throughout their lives which guide their work. What does it mean to have a vision? How does a vision differ from a goal? How do you discover your own vision? Let's talk about it.

    This insight developed from recent studies and reflections I've been engaged in, it is part of my current attempt to define creative genius through several traits which all creative geniuses seem to share. In searching through all of the insights gathered over five years of doing this show, I've noticed that all of the figures we have covered have a vision which, in some way, guides their creativity.

    I hope you find this minisode inspiring.

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    Here are the questions mentioned in the episode. I recommend getting a journal or opening up a notepad on your computer and answering them to compel a vision of your own. Feel free to be as prosaic and lengthy as you like. 


    What activities / mediums am I most passionate about? What are my strengths in those activities / mediums? 


    What subjects and styles do I find most engaging? What subjects and styles do I love ‘creating in’ most? 


    What’s something the world needs? What’s something I’ve never seen anyone do?

    Even if the process of answering these doesn’t lead to a new vision immediately, the act of dialogue with your inner world will jumpstart something which will.

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    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives: 
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠⁠
    -----------
    All Music by MJDorian
    Written & Produced by MJDorian
    ————
    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠⁠
    Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠
    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠
    ---------
    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
    All rights reserved.

    • 12 min
    45: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 2)

    45: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 2)

    More than anything else in the world, Alexander McQueen at 21 years old wants to be a fashion designer. He embarks on a bold journey to flip the fashion industry on its head. But what makes his early collections so revolutionary and controversial? And what leads to him being 'discovered'?
    ∞∞∞∞∞
    View the companion gallery for this episode (including the video of McQueen's graduate collection) here: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/⁠
    ∞∞∞∞∞
    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives: 
    ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠

    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
    ⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠
    -----------

    A transcript is available of this episode on my site: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/⁠

    -----------
    Research Sources:
    • Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
    • Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
    • McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
    • Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
    • McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
    • Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
    ————
    Audio Editor: D. Martin Sound
    All Music by MJDorian
    Written & Produced by MJDorian
    ————
    Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!
    Executive Producer: Mike Hill
    ---------
    Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!
    Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!
    ---------
    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
    YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠
    Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠
    Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠
    TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠
    ---------
    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
    All rights reserved.

    • 1 hr 23 min
    44: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 1)

    44: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 1)

    How does a boy from a working class London background with no connections to the fashion industry go on to become one of the greatest fashion designers of all time? This is the story of Lee Alexander McQueen. Join me as we dive into the life and work of one of the most celebrated and controversial designers of the 21st century.

    ∞∞∞∞∞

    Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives: 

    ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠



    Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:

    ⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠

    -----------

    A transcript is available of this episode on my site: https://mjdorian.com/transcripts/

    -----------

    Research Sources:

    • Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson

    • Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt

    • McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion

    • Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

    • McQueen (Documentary, 2018)

    • Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)

    ————

    Audio Editor: D. Martin Sound

    All Music by MJDorian

    Written & Produced by MJDorian

    ————

    Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!

    Executive Producer: Mike Hill

    ---------

    Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!

    Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!

    ---------

    Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:

    YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex⁠⁠

    Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠

    Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠

    TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠

    ---------

    Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.

    All rights reserved.

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
225 Ratings

225 Ratings

Persiantraveler ,

Perfect

Best podcast series ever. So much effort, so much attention to details, so much research and on top of that such a kind and thoughtful way of presenting the podcast.

I wish you could keep going with Freud and Jung and maybe expand and include Alfred Adler.

If I be honest I should say that this podcast has set such a high bar that I can not listen to any other podcast. The more is not really much need. You can immerse yourself in so much artistic and creative content within a research and love driven content that you feel complete.

priruhet ,

Immaculate

This is the only podcast review I’ve ever done. It’s an amazing, well thought out, truly artistic podcast and I haven’t heard any like this before.
Happy I found it.

_k__a__t ,

Will Always Love Creative Codex

For anyone who has even the mildest interest in art, this is a must-listen. Especially if you find yourself to have an interest in the folks who tend to exist on the fringes of society, as those are the subjects the host often covers, this will be very enriching for you. My favorite series were the ones that covered Marina Abromović and Vincent Van Gogh. But of course I’ve enjoyed each that I’ve listened to so far. Also, major shout out for no ads!

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