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Creative Codex

MJDorian

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

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  • 21 episodes
  • every few months
  • Avg 59 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • September 1 · 44 min

    Listener Q&A • 8th Year Anniversary Special

    Time to celebrate 8 years of Creative Codex! On this episode we'll answer 8 juicy questions sent in by listeners of the show. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened, re-listened, shared the show with friends, and supported this passion project on Patreon. You make this all possible. Thank you. ----------- Signup for the Creative Codex Newsletter here: https://mjdorian.com/newsletter/ ----------- Join the virtual class I'm teaching for Morbid Anatomy library starting Sept. 2nd, 2026 about Dr. Carl Jung's Red Book. Signup here: https://www.morbidanatomy.org/classes/p/dr-carl-jungs-red-book-a-visionary-guide-to-psychological-spiritual-transformation-with-artist-mjdorian ----------- 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.

  • July 28 · 41 min

    Creativity Tip 25: Three Habits to Cure Writer's Block...for Life

    Here are three habits which will guarantee a healthy creative process and help you to avoid writer's block. The three habits in order are: Feed the Garden Get Curious or Get Distance Keep the Wheels in Motion This episode is a culmination of studying the habits of creative geniuses for 8 years of Creative Codex. I hope you enjoy. ----------- 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 MJDorianWritten & 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.

  • May 14 · 1 hr 55 min

    54: Hilma af Klint • Painting the Unseen • Part 3: Behind the Forces of Matter

    Hilma af Klint's paintings are not an intellectual exercise in abstraction, they are symbolic works encoded with specific spiritual messages. What are the spiritual messages encoded in her artworks? Can they be deciphered? Was Hilma part of a Rosicrucian Order? We will also make an in depth exploration of Hilma's most infamous series: The Ten Largest. What is it about The Ten Largest which makes it a work of genius? And how does Hilma tell the story of the 'life of the soul' through it? ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to exclusive episodes including Jung's Red Book Reading series, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and the Tarot Exegesis series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you in advance! ∞∞∞∞∞ View the Companion Gallery for this episode: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/hilma/⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to Julia Voss! Author of Hilma af Klint: A Biography. Follow her work here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/julia.voss_/⁠ Thank you to Johan af Klint for his guidance on Hilma's art, life, and spirituality. ∞∞∞∞∞ Resources used: • Hilma af Klint: A Biography by Julia Voss • Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by The Guggenheim Museum • Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods • Hilma af Klint and The Five's Sketchbooks • Hilma af Klint Catalogue Raisonné (Book 2) • Thought Forms by Annie Besant & C.W. Leadbeater • Hilma af Klint's Philosophy of Life by Johan af Klint ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producers: Madie Laine & Ryan Williamson View The Wall of Gratitude for this episode, with all of the Shadow-Fam Plus shout-outs: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/thankyou/⁠ --------- 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • March 27 · 1 hr 16 min

    The 3 Signs of Human Genius • Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation (Video)

    Discover the 3 Signs of Genius through a journey into the mind of Leonardo da Vinci. What made Leonardo so brilliant? We will venture deeper than anyone else to find out through the most comprehensive analysis of Leonardo da Vinci's first masterpiece: Annunciation.Support the Creative Codex vision and get access to exclusive episodes (Kurt Cobain, Jung's Red Book, Creativity Tips, etc.) by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mjdorianCreator's Note: No A.I. was used in the production of this video. This includes: no image generation, no text generation, and no music generation. ALL of the art imagery was made by human artists and is credited accordingly throughout the video on the lower right side of the screen. All research, writing, and music is by MJDorian with no assistance from generative A.I. at any point in the production process.Audio Editor: Erik TexterAnimation: Michael PisanoConnect with Michael Pisano: https://www.michaeljamespisano.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papa_pisano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatmakesmesadWritten & Produced by MJDorianMusic by MJDorianConnect with MJDorian: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian YouTube: https://youtube.com/@creativecodex?si=To9hmuUQmuPlb8gNCopyright 2026All rights reserved.

  • January 29 · 44 min

    The Red Book: The Midlife Catharsis of Dr. Carl Jung (Video Bonus)

    Dr. Carl Jung wrote that around the age of 35 we enter "the shadow side of life". Nowadays we call it a midlife crisis, but to Jung, it's a call from the depths of your soul—an invitation for the journey inward. Will you answer the call?Support my work and the Creative Codex vision on Patreon, where you can gain access to my Red Book Reading series, along with all my Creativity Tip minisodes, the Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain series: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian∞∞∞∞∞Note on the imagery used in the video: Attribution for artworks appears in the lower right hand corner onscreen. The imagery shown during Jung's vision segments was made with Midjourney. All other imagery, such as the artworks shown when discussing Jung's physical Red Book, are the original documents & artworks.∞∞∞∞∞Written & Produced by MJDorianAll music by MJDorian

  • Nov 23, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min

    The Divine Madness of Dr. Carl Jung (Video Bonus)

    Watch Part 2: The Midlife Catharsis of Dr. Carl Jung on the Creative Codex YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/y6_H95DH-LM?si=tUQZmK0vEzpXisgg This is the true story of Dr. Carl Jung's descent into the depths of his psyche.Support my work and the Creative Codex vision on Patreon and gain access to tons of exclusive goodies & episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/mjdorian∞∞∞∞∞• Note: This episode is a re-release of Episode 11: "Carl Jung • The Red Book (Part 1)". This is the most popular episode of Creative Codex, and on its six year anniversary, it felt appropriate to celebrate it with a video special. • Note on the imagery used in the video: The imagery shown during Jung's vision segments was made with Midjourney. All other imagery, such as the paintings shown when discussing Jung's physical Red Book, are the original documents & artworks.∞∞∞∞∞Written & Produced by MJDorianAll music by MJDorian

  • #55
    Sep 11, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min

    53: Hilma af Klint • Painting the Unseen • Part 2: For The Temple

    In 1906, Hilma af Klint begins painting a monumental project: Paintings for the Temple. She receives a commission for this series from higher beings contacted through channeling sessions. What is the message of these paintings? And what makes them so remarkable? ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes including Kurt Cobain, Jung's Red Book Reading series, Jim Morrison, and the Tarot Exegesis series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you in advance! ∞∞∞∞∞ View the Companion Gallery for this episode: https://mjdorian.com/hilma/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to Julia Voss! Author of Hilma af Klint: A Biography. Follow her work here: https://www.instagram.com/julia.voss_/ Thank you to Glen Vivaris for help with the Porch Sitter's Convention ad! Follow his inspired escapades here: https://www.youtube.com/glenmakes ∞∞∞∞∞ View full transcript for this episode here: https://mjdorian.com/transcript-53/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Resources used: • Hilma af Klint: A Biography by Julia Voss • Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by The Guggenheim Museum • Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods • Hilma af Klint and The Five's Sketchbooks • Hilma af Klint's Philosophy of Life by Johan af Klint • Modern Occultism by Mitch Horowitz ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producers: Mike Hill, Madie Laine, Ryan Williamson View The Wall of Gratitude for this episode, with all of the shout-outs: https://mjdorian.com/thankyou/ --------- 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • Aug 18, 2025 · 18 min

    Tarot Exegesis: The Devil & The Star

    Get access to the full Tarot Exegesis series and many more exclusive episodes: ⁠patreon.com/mjdorian⁠ This is a preview of my Tarot Exegesis series, which analyzes every card of the Major Arcana. I've created this multi-part series as supplemental material to the main Tarot series and as a thank you to all my Patreon supporters. Each episode is an in depth exploration of the symbolism and psychological significance of several cards. On this preview I explore The Devil & The Star (Major Arcana cards XV & XVII). ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ Watch Creative Codex on YouTube and 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • #54
    Jul 2, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min

    52: Hilma af Klint • Painting the Unseen • Part 1: Life & Death & Art

    What makes Hilma af Klint's artwork so groundbreaking? Did she really create her art with the aid of higher beings? And why did it take a century for the art world to catchup with her vision and finally recognize her genius? Join me as we discover the answers to all of that and so much more. ∞∞∞∞∞ Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try one of three different mental performance shots. Get 60% off with promo code: CODEX60. Just follow this link: http://magicmind.com/codexmf ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes including Kurt Cobain, Jung's Red Book Reading, and the Tarot Exegesis series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you in advance! ∞∞∞∞∞ Resources used: • Hilma af Klint: A Biography by Julia Voss • Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by The Guggenheim Museum • Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods • Hilma af Klint and The Five's Sketchbooks • Hilma af Klint's Philosophy of Life by Johan af Klint • Modern Occultism by Mitch Horowitz ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producers: Mike Hill & Madie Laine --------- 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • #53
    May 14, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min

    51: The Tarot • Part II: Synchronicity & The Spirit of Creative Genius

    By what mechanism does Tarot work? On this episode we answer that question through the illuminating writings and theories of Dr. Carl Jung and Marie Louise von Franz. ∞∞∞∞∞ Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try their mental performance shots. Get 48% off with promo code: CREATIVECODEX. Just follow this link: https://magicmind.com/creativecodex ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to my exclusive Tarot Exegesis episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Resources used: • Synchronicity by C. G. Jung • On Divination and Synchronicity by Marie Louise von Franz • Alchemical Active Imagination by Marie Louise von Franz • Psyche & Matter by Marie Louise von Franz • 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack (Great for beginners) • The Encyclopedia of Tarot by Stuart R. Kaplan • The Way of Tarot by Alejandro Jodorowsky • The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious by C.G. Jung ∞∞∞∞∞ Follow the Tarot work of Nightgrowler and Nicola Bruno here: Nightgrowler • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightgrowler/ Nicolas Bruno: https://www.somniatarot.com/ ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ Read the transcript of this episode (including all the quoted passages): https://mjdorian.com/transcript-51/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producers: Mike Hill & Madie Laine --------- 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • Apr 29, 2025 · 20 min

    Tarot Exegesis: The Emperor & The Lovers

    Support my work and research by becoming a patron and get access to the full Tarot Exegesis series and many more exclusive episodes: patreon.com/mjdorian This is a preview of my Tarot Exegesis series, which analyzes every card of the Major Arcana. I've created this multi-part series as supplemental material to the main Tarot series. Each episode is an in depth exploration of the symbolism and psychological significance of several cards. On this preview I explore The Emperor & The Lovers (Major Arcana cards IIII & VI). ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • #52
    Mar 19, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min

    50: The Tarot • Part 1: Tarot's Origins & The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious

    When did the Tarot begin? Can it be traced back to Egypt or is it more recent in origin? The Tarot is a tradition with a varied reputation, over centuries it has been labeled: a card game, a divination tool, a creation of the devil, and a spiritual book of wisdom. What is it about the Tarot's symbolism that provokes so much emotion out of us? We will explore the cards through the theories of Dr. Carl Jung to find out. ∞∞∞∞∞ Companion gallery for this episode: http://mjdorian.com/tarot ∞∞∞∞∞ Resources used: • 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack (Great for beginners) • The Encyclopedia of Tarot by Stuart R. Kaplan • The Way of Tarot by Alejandro Jodorowsky • Tarot and the Archetypal Journey by Sallie Nichols • Man & His Symbols by C.G. Jung • The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious by C.G. Jung ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to my exclusive The Tarot: Exegesis of the Major Arcana episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 --------- Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producer: Mike Hill & Madie Laine --------- 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 Music by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • Jan 30, 2025 · 13 min

    Creativity Tip 24: Pursue Ambitious Projects (Spotify Video Episode)

    What do J.R.R. Tolkien, David Lynch, Emily Dickinson, and Damon Albarn have in common? They each pursued ambitious projects—something challenging within their skillset that compelled their growth. On this video-minisode, we explore the benefits of ambitious projects and the many inspiring examples of artists pushing their limits. ∞∞∞∞∞ Check out the dark pop album (CATHARSIS) which I wrote & produced here: https://www.youtube.com/@mjdorian ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Jim Morrison & Kurt Cobain), 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 --------- Written & Produced by MJDorian All Rights Reserved.

  • Jan 2, 2025 · 45 min

    Visionary Art: The Book of Job by William Blake (Spotify Video Episode)

    Video not showing? Watch it on the Creative Codex YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/WLCVwqdw53o ---------- Why must the righteous suffer? This is a question at the heart of The Story of Job. On this special episode, we seek out the answer through the visionary artwork of William Blake. In 1805, William Blake was commissioned by his patron and friend, Thomas Butts, to create a set of watercolor illustrations depicting key scenes from The Book of Job. Blake clearly resonated with this 2,600 year old story—there are no other Biblical narratives which he dedicated so much time and energy to. What value did Blake see in The Book of Job? Let's find out. Join my Patreon to gain access to exclusive series such as my Kurt Cobain series, Carl Jung's Red Book Reading series, Jim Morrison series, and Creativity Tips episodes: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Credits: Audio Editor: Erik Texter Original Music: MJDorian Writer & Producer: MJDorian All Rights Reserved

  • #51
    Nov 28, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min

    49: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 3: The Gods of William Blake

    Why did William Blake create his own gods? What does Blake's cosmology teach us about humanity? What role does Blake's visual art serve in fulfilling his creative vision? Join me on a journey to The Morgan Library & Museum, where we view Blake's original manuscripts & artworks, to answer these questions. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including a fully rendered copy of The First Book of Urizen with transcribed text and a diagram of Blake's gods: ⁠⁠https://mjdorian.com/blake/⁠⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Jim Morrison & Kurt Cobain), 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ View an online copy of A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon: ⁠⁠https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxpOMQ_Pa8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false⁠⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Research Sources: • The Life of William Blake by Alexander Gilchrist • William Blake vs The World by John Higgs • The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake publ. by Anchor Books • A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon • Fearful Symmetry by Northrop Frye • William Blake: The Complete Illuminated Books ———— Audio Editor: Erik Texter All Music by MJDorian (With the exception of brief samples of Double Vision by Foreigner and Stranded by Gojira.) Written & Produced by MJDorian ———— Thank you to my Dream Maker tier! Executive Producer: Mike Hill & Madie Laine --------- 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 --------- 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! --------- Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian. All rights reserved.

  • #50
    Sep 30, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min

    48: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 2: Innocence & Experience

    What makes Blake's Songs of Innocent & of Experience a work of genius? What is the nature of vision? What is Blake's concept of fourfold vision? Is it even graspable by the intellect? We will make the attempt. Join us for a deep dive into all of this and much more. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including read-along versions of the poems: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/blake/⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Jim Morrison & Kurt Cobain), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ View an online copy of A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon: ⁠https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxpOMQ_Pa8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞Research Sources:• The Life of William Blake by Alexander Gilchrist• William Blake vs The World by John Higgs• The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake publ. by Anchor Books • A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon• Fearful Symmetry by Northrop Frye• William Blake: The Complete Illuminated Books ————Audio Editor: Erik TexterAll Music by MJDorianWritten & 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/creativecodex⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.All rights reserved.

  • #49
    Aug 7, 2024 · 1 hr 28 min

    47: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 1: The Marriage of Heaven & Hell

    William Blake is considered one of the greatest artists and poets of the English language, yet he lived most of his life in poverty. Why? Many of his acquaintances considered him mad while friends who knew his art considered him 'brilliantly mad'. What was so different about Blake? Join me on this William Blake series as we pry open the mind of this celebrated creative genius to find the true meaning of his enigmatic works. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including read-along version of the poems: https://mjdorian.com/blake/ ∞∞∞∞∞ 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 ∞∞∞∞∞ View an online copy of A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon: https://books.google.com/books?id=HOxpOMQ_Pa8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false ∞∞∞∞∞ Research Sources: • The Life of William Blake by Alexander Gilchrist • William Blake vs The World by John Higgs • The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake publ. by Anchor Books • A Blake Dictionary by S. Foster Damon • Fearful Symmetry by Northrop Frye • William Blake: The Complete Illuminated Books ———— 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.

  • Jul 17, 2024 · 20 min

    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.

  • #48
    Jun 6, 2024 · 22 min

    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.

  • #47
    May 9, 2024 · 2 hr 5 min

    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.

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