Creative Pep Talk: Episode 478 - Make Your Art an Invitation with Brad & Kristi Montague

Release Date: November 6, 2024

In Episode 478 of Creative Pep Talk, host Andy J. Pizza welcomes Brad and Christy Montague, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo renowned for their heartwarming and humorous picture books, including the New York Times bestseller, "Circles All Around Us", and their latest, "Fail Abration". This episode delves deep into their creative journey, collaborative process, and the powerful message of embracing failure to foster a growth mindset.

1. Introduction to Brad & Christy Montague

Andy begins by reminiscing about his longstanding friendship with Brad, recalling Brad's earlier appearance on the show in episode 72. He highlights Brad's influential web series, Kid President, praising its blend of humor, inspiration, and impactful collaborations with celebrities like Steve Carell, Beyoncé, and Obama.

Andy J. Pizza [08:08]:
"Brad was on an earlier episode, a much earlier episode of this show, episode 72 I believe. It was one of the first guests on the show... Kid President is one of the most hilarious, inspired, and successful creative things to ever live on the Internet."

2. Exploring "Fail Abration" and Growth Mindset

The conversation shifts to Brad and Christy's newest picture book, "Fail Abration", which humorously yet poignantly illustrates the concept of a growth mindset, as popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck. Andy emphasizes the book's significance in teaching both children and adults the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to growth.

Andy J. Pizza [09:21]:
"I think it's the idea of the growth mindset so well, and we talk about that idea so often on this show that I had to have [Montague's] talk about it."

Brad Montague [11:26]:
"All the creative professionals listening right now is procrastinate."

Christy Montague [11:40]:
"That's kind of how this book happened."

3. Embracing Failure as a Creative Catalyst

Brad shares the inspiration behind "Fail Abration," explaining how transforming an event centered around failure into a children's book became a natural evolution. He discusses overcoming fears associated with failure by making the event intentionally imperfect, fostering a space where attendees felt safe to embrace their own failures.

Brad Montague [12:13]:
"It was demanding to be made. So we couldn't be in our heads too much."

Brad Montague [13:36]:
"We made the event about failure so that it could be messy and scrappy."

Andy relates to this approach, noting how embracing potential failure creatively can unlock deeper creative processes and prevent self-sabotage.

4. The Dynamics of Creative Collaboration

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Brad and Christy's collaborative process. They delve into how their differing strengths—Brad as the dreamer and Christy as the realist—complement each other, creating a balanced and effective partnership. This synergy allows them to tackle creative challenges without stifling each other's ideas.

Christy Montague [26:14]:
"We are so much alike, and I think we complement each other so well... I'm like, no, like, we are alike in so many ways, except for he is a dreamer and I'm a realist."

Brad Montague [29:05]:
"There’s something really cool that can grow from that sort of binocular vision."

Andy shares his own experiences with collaboration, highlighting the importance of trust and mutual understanding in producing exceptional creative work.

5. Memorable Stories of Failure from "Fail Abration"

Brad and Christy recount some of the funniest and most insightful failure stories featured in "Fail Abration." These anecdotes not only entertain but also serve as valuable lessons in resilience and the human experience.

Brad Montague [39:45]:
"One for me was hugged the wrong grandpa. I have a memory of doing it with my aunt."

Christy Montague [41:02]:
"The kid that ripped his pants while trying to dance in front of his friends."

These stories exemplify how failures can be humorous and educational, reinforcing the book's central theme of viewing failure as a part of growth rather than a setback.

6. Art as an Invitation to Community Creativity

Andy introduces the concept of making art an invitation, encouraging creators to produce works that inspire others to create. He applauds Brad and Christy's approach of designing their books and events in ways that invite community participation and further creative endeavors.

Andy J. Pizza [60:10]:
"I wondered if you could give any tip on how to recognize an idea like that or how to take an idea and maybe inject some of that into it."

Christy Montague [60:28]:
"Brad is just like the Pied Piper. He just constantly is creating things for people to follow and get behind him."

The Montagues' efforts to spark creativity in others align with Andy's vision of art fostering deeper connections and ongoing conversations within communities.

7. Overcoming Creative Challenges and Celebrating Progress

The episode also touches on the struggles and triumphs inherent in maintaining a creative practice. Brad and Christy discuss the importance of perseverance, iterative improvement, and maintaining joy throughout the creative process. They emphasize that healthy tension and constructive criticism within collaborations can lead to more refined and impactful work.

Christy Montague [54:42]:
"Trying to make sure we have enough time built in that we can kind of work through problems."

Brad Montague [57:08]:
"Joy and leaning in towards those things... it needed to be silly too."

Andy reflects on his own experiences, drawing parallels between his collaborations and those of the Montagues, underscoring the value of growth mindset both individually and within collaborative settings.

8. Call to Adventure: Be the First Word

Wrapping up the episode, Andy introduces a creative call to adventure inspired by Brad and Christy's work. He challenges listeners to create art that serves as a conversation starter, encouraging ongoing dialogue and further creative projects within their communities.

Andy J. Pizza [69:06]:
"My call to adventure for you today is to think about how can your next post, how can your next book, how can your next song be the first word in a conversation that is ongoing?"

This call to action reinforces the episode's central theme of transforming personal creations into communal invitations for collective growth and creativity.

Notable Quotes

• Brad Montague [11:26]:
  "All the creative professionals listening right now is procrastinate."

• Andy J. Pizza [15:19]:
  "Brad, could we try? Like, could we make it into something? Could we try it?"

• Christy Montague [27:31]:
  "But, yeah, enough is not gonna happen, but then she goes, actually, I think that's a thing."

Conclusion

Episode 478 of Creative Pep Talk offers valuable insights into the creative processes of Brad and Christy Montague, emphasizing the importance of embracing failure, fostering collaborative dynamics, and creating art that invites community engagement. Their journey serves as an inspiring model for creatives seeking to build meaningful and impactful creative practices.

Don’t miss "Fail Abration" by Brad & Christy Montague, a testament to turning failures into delightful learning experiences for both children and adults.

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