Daring Creativity Podcast Episode Summary: "Dare to Feed the Right Wolf" with James Victore

Release Date: July 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the Daring Creativity podcast, host Radim Malinic engages in an enlightening conversation with James Victore, a renowned artist, author, and activist. Celebrating the release of Victore's latest book, Hey Weirdo, the discussion delves deep into the essence of authentic creativity, self-acceptance, and the challenges creatives face in a conformist society.

James Victore’s Journey: From Commercial Designer to Creative Mentor

James Victore begins by sharing his transition from a successful commercial graphic designer to a passionate educator and coach. Despite achieving accolades, including two exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Victore felt unfulfilled working on projects that lacked personal significance. He recounts:

"I started my career years ago as a commercial graphic designer, and I realized I'm a pretty good one... but I'm a much better teacher." ([03:33])

This realization led him to teach at the School of Visual Arts in New York for nearly two decades, where he discovered his true calling: mentoring frustrated creatives struggling to express their authentic voices.

The Power of Creative Expression: The Protest Poster Story

A pivotal moment in Victore’s career was his creation of a protest poster commemorating the 500th anniversary of America's "discovery." Driven by a desire to comment on the ongoing genocide of Native Americans, he designed and disseminated 5,000 posters throughout New York City. Victore describes the intense experience of seeing his work alongside mainstream advertisements and the moment the police singled out his poster for removal:

"They scraped my posters off the wall. They didn't touch the movie posters or the advertising posters." ([06:50])

This incident underscored the impact of creating work that evokes strong emotions and provokes thought, even at personal risk.

Embracing Weirdness: Self-Acceptance and Authentic Creativity

The conversation shifts to the concept of "weirdness" and its relationship with creativity. Victore discusses the origins of his book title, Hey Weirdo, highlighting his struggle with embracing his unique identity:

"I want to be normal. I want to fit in. I want to be liked just like everybody else. But, yeah, I think I'm a tad weird." ([08:33])

Radim Malinic supports Victore by emphasizing that everyone is inherently unique and that embracing one's quirks is essential for genuine creative expression.

Overcoming Perfectionism: From Self-Sabotage to Self-Love

A significant portion of the discussion addresses perfectionism as a barrier to creativity. Victore defines perfectionism as:

"It's a tool we use to stop ourselves." ([30:26])

Drawing from his experiences teaching at SVA, he explains how societal and educational systems often enforce rigid standards that stifle creativity. This realization led him to advocate for self-love and accepting imperfections as fundamental to creative freedom.

The Necessity of Business Acumen for Creatives

Victore emphasizes that true creatives must also navigate the business side of their endeavors. He argues that:

"A starving artist is just an artist who doesn't know they're in business." ([20:17])

By understanding business principles, creatives can sustain their passion while making a living, bridging the gap between artistic integrity and financial viability.

Creating Safe Spaces for Creativity

Addressing the societal suppression of creativity, Victore highlights the importance of safe spaces where individuals can explore and express their creative impulses without fear of judgment. He reflects on his upbringing in a military household, contrasting the rigid environment with the free-spirited nature required for genuine creativity:

"We need drama club or we need that art club or we need the cool and groovy kids. They need that safe space." ([18:03])

Teaching and Coaching: Empowering the Next Generation of Creatives

Victore's role as an educator and coach is rooted in empowering others to break free from creative constipation—the inability to express one's true self. He shares success stories of his students and clients who overcame self-doubt and embraced their unique creative voices through his guidance.

Encouraging Boldness and Authenticity in Creative Pursuits

The dialogue underscores the necessity of boldness in creative endeavors. Victore encourages creatives to:

"Be bold, be audacious... Coffee B.), you can't just put up a shop and go, okay, where's the money?" ([22:48])

By consistently expressing their unique perspectives and maintaining authenticity, creatives can attract like-minded audiences and foster meaningful connections.

The Future of Creativity: Embracing Weirdness

Looking ahead, Victore asserts that the future of creativity hinges on the collective acceptance and celebration of individual weirdness:

"The future had better be weird or we're screwed." ([49:44])

He envisions a world where diverse creative expressions flourish, driving societal progress and cultural enrichment.

Conclusion

This episode of Daring Creativity offers profound insights into the challenges and triumphs of living an authentic creative life. James Victore's journey from commercial success to creative mentor serves as an inspiring testament to the power of embracing one's unique voice. Listeners are encouraged to delve into his book, Hey Weirdo, for a deeper exploration of fostering lifelong creativity and personal greatness.

Notable Quotes

• "Creativity isn't about perfection. It's about showing up with all your doubts, insecurities, and imperfections—and making them count." – Radim Malinic ([01:29])

• "I think the opposite of depression is expression." – James Victore ([15:16])

• "Every moment in our lives, we are either shrinking out of fear or growing out of love." – James Victore ([20:17])

• "You gotta choose which wolf you feed—the one of doubt and fear or the one of love and creativity." – James Victore ([33:43])

Further Resources

To explore more about James Victore's philosophies and creative strategies, visit heyweirdo.org and consider reading his latest work, Hey Weirdo. Additionally, Radim Malinic offers a suite of resources on mindful creativity, creative business, branding, and graphic design at novemberuniverse.co.uk.