Creative Pep Talk – Episode 543: "3 Shifts to Make if You Feel Off Creatively"

Host: Andy J. Pizza
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Andy J. Pizza addresses the universal feeling many creatives experience: finding yourself creatively “off,” imbalanced, or stuck in a rut. Drawing on personal anecdotes, creative theory, and inspiration from thinkers like Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, Andy outlines three key tensions—tightropes—that creatives must continually balance. The goal is to help listeners perform a "creative self-audit," identify where they're over- or under-indexing, and deliberately swing the pendulum the other way to re-energize their practice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recognizing the Creative "Off" Feeling

• Andy normalizes feeling "off": It happens to everyone and is part of the ebb and flow of creative work.
• The key is not to ignore these signals; instead, listen and take counterbalancing action.
  • “Learning to listen to, ‘Oh, things feel off, don’t just bury that, don’t just hide—figure out the counterbalance you need to make and then take some action...’ When I’ve done that, it’s led to some of my favorite things I’ve ever done.” (05:30)

2. The Tension of Opposites in Creative Work

• Creativity isn’t a single thing; it requires balancing seemingly contradictory approaches—what Andy calls “whole brain creating.”
• Drawing on Carl Jung (“tension of the opposites”) and Joseph Campbell (“master of both worlds”), Andy frames creative growth as a continual process of holding and engaging with creative dualities (08:52).
• "We’re going to try to do very, very different things, not at the same time, but in the same creative practice at different times.” (12:00)

3. The Three Creative Tightropes

A. Standing Out vs. Fitting In

Key Idea:

• Creative work thrives on both fitting into a community/scene and breaking away to assert individuality.
• The culture often overemphasizes “standing out,” but fitting in is crucial for learning and exchanging ideas.
• Practical example: Leaning too far into fitting in leads to imitation; too far into standing out can lead to disconnected work.
• Following the rules vs. breaking them: Andy urges artists not to avoid learning the rules out of fear—they’re fuel for later innovation.

Memorable Quote:

• “A lot of creative people don’t even want to know the rules...it’s so powerful, there’s not really any downside to having a loose grasp on all the wealth of knowledge that came before you.” (16:30)
• “Creativity is both—standing out and fitting in—and it’s always both. That’s why it’s ‘yes, and’ in the creative world...we gotta have both of those energies.” (20:55)

Timestamps:

• Standing Out vs. Fitting In discussion starts: 13:05
• Rules, Del the Funky Homosapien, and the importance of knowing/using creative constraints: 16:30

B. Self vs. Audience

Key Idea:

• The balance isn’t about binary thinking (“is it my voice or what they want?”), but a pendulum or seasonal back-and-forth.
• Andy references Rick Rubin: “The audience comes last,” meaning not “never consider them,” but order matters.
• Stand-up comedy analogy: Material originates with the creator’s taste, but is refined via audience response.
• “Writing on stage”: Andy uses the internet to test ideas, then perfects the "specials" (big projects).

Memorable Quote:

• “If you’re a writer, you don’t really have to worry so much about capturing all of your ideas...the ideas that are usually worth pursuing are the ones that are deeply persistent.” (25:30, paraphrasing Cal Newport)

Timestamps:

• Self vs. Audience segment begins: 21:35
• Stand-up and “writing on stage” analogy: 23:55
• Testing material across different platforms (analogy: Brooklyn, LA, "the Midwest"): 25:15

C. Plot vs. Pants

Key Idea:

• From the writing world: plotters (outline, structure, control) vs. pantsers (improvise, follow intuition).
• Andy believes everyone needs both; the right mix may shift over time or project to project.
• Personal anecdote: Andy’s evolution from heavy pantser to heavy plotter (2015–2024), then back to a more fluid approach for enjoyment and growth.

Memorable Quote:

• “My main challenge to you is: whichever one you relate to and feel comfortable in, don’t have the fixed mindset that says, ‘That’s me.’ ... I just feel like it’s really healthy to mix it up, and you might surprise yourself.” (38:40)

Timestamps:

• Plot vs. Pants section starts: 27:57
• Andy’s own plotting/pantsing journey: 32:50

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Creativity is sports for the brain, and you have to know how to play all the positions.” (09:55)
• “Some of the best things I’ve ever done started with realizing: things feel a bit off. Don’t just bury that.” (05:45)
• Using comedy and “writing on stage” as parallels for sharing and refining creative work. (23:55)
• Advice on goal-setting: If you talk about your plans before making progress, you can lose momentum due to the “dopamine hit.” (26:00)
• “You might surprise yourself—even with what you’re capable of and what you’re going to say and do.” (39:45)

The Call To Adventure: "Counterbalance" Exercise

[41:28]

• Step 1:
  Reflect on the three tensions:

  • Standing Out vs. Fitting In
  • Self vs. Audience
  • Plot vs. Pants

• Step 2:
  Identify which one you are most out of balance on or overindexing.

• Step 3:
  Intentionally create a project or piece of work that swings the pendulum hard in the opposite direction—whether that’s fitting in more deeply, focusing solely on self, improvising with no plan, etc.

• Step 4:
  Recognize the result probably won’t be your masterpiece—but will exercise and build creative versatility.

Memorable Instructions:

• “Take a day, take a Saturday and have no plan and just let your creativity show you the way. Maybe make something you don’t even make. But whatever it is, pick one of these three, figure out which one am I really imbalanced and then swing super hard.” (46:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------| | Opening/Overview of “Off” | 02:00 | | Introduction: Creative Tightropes | 08:10 | | Standing Out vs. Fitting In | 13:05 | | Rules and Rule-Breaking | 16:30 | | Self vs. Audience | 21:35 | | “Writing on Stage” / Testing | 23:55 | | Plot vs. Pants | 27:57 | | Andy’s Personal Evolution | 32:50 | | Call to Adventure: Counterbalance | 41:28 |

Tone & Style

Andy’s style throughout is encouraging, animated, and self-effacing. He uses metaphors, humor, and personal stories to make creative concepts concrete and relatable, often drawing from music, art, and pop culture. He reminds listeners that feeling lost is normal—and the solution is rarely prescriptive but always dynamic and personal.

Summary

Andy J. Pizza uses this episode to validate creative discomfort, unpack the nuanced balance necessary for sustainable creative growth, and inspire listeners to actively seek out the tension points in their own practice. By identifying where you’re stuck along these three creative tightropes and intentionally swinging hard in the opposite direction—whether it’s embracing community, tapping into personal motivation, or subverting your usual process—you can escape creative ruts and unlock new avenues for meaningful expression.

Stay pepped up!