Humanitou: Conversations of Humanness + Creativity

Follow Humanitou: Conversations of Humanness + Creativity
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Humanitou dives into what it means to be human, creative and authentic. Creator and host Adam Williams guides conversations of humanness and creativity with an inclusive and diverse series of artists, thinkers, leaders and spiritual practitioners. He also shares his own practices, questions and resources for the creative and spiritual life.

Adam Williams


    • Mar 15, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 66 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Humanitou: Conversations of Humanness + Creativity with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Humanitou: Conversations of Humanness + Creativity

    We Reap What We Practice

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 7:45


    In this short solo episode (ep 142), Adam Williams considers the phrase "life practice" and why it's not more widely used in society. He considers how honoring the process of practicing at life creates space for learning, compassion and evolution. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    Thinking on a Quote by Poet Jorie Graham

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 3:48


    In this short solo episode (ep 141), Adam Williams reflects on a line poet Jorie Graham gave in a recent interview in The New Yorker and digs into his own mission of self-expression. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    A Poet Was There: Brian Turner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 5:07


    In this short solo episode (ep 140), Adam Williams adds to his occasional series, "A Poet Was There," and features poet Brian Turner and work from his first collection, "Here, Bullet" (2005). He also reads three of Turner's poems from that book, including the title poem. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    Why Sharing Our Stories Is Vital

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 4:24


    In this short solo episode (ep 139), Adam Williams talks about the essential value in stepping up to our stories and vulnerably sharing them, with some inspiration from Fat Joe, Dax Shepard and Shaun White. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Artist vs. The Fundamentalist

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 3:18


    In this short solo episode (ep 138), Adam Williams pulls out a helpful piece of the best-selling author Steven Pressfield's book, "The War of Art," noting key distinctions between worldviews of the artist and the fundamentalist. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    Triggered By Another's Words? Ask Yourself This Liberating Question …

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2023 4:41


    In this short episode (ep 137), Adam Williams shares forward a life-changing question. It's the key to breaking down our reactive, defensive postures when someone says something that triggers us. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Fight

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 15:57


    In this episode (ep 136), Adam Williams weaves stories of his two young sons throwing head locks and left hooks, and finding confidence amid their tears and rage, with his own challenges as a boy raised to never fight. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    No One Else Has the Answers Either

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 8:12


    In this episode (ep 135), Adam Williams shares his approach to self-expression, including as a podcaster. It's about self-study and facing fears, putting life questions and the things he thinks he thinks, for now, into the sunlight to see what's what. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    5-3-1 & Being Grateful with David Choe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2023 5:15


    In this episode (ep 134), Adam Williams takes a positive life practice from David Choe and his Choe Show podcast. 5-3-1 ... That's five gratitudes, three things to work on today, and one positive thing about yourself. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    Truth in the Ultimate Age of Mindfuckery

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2023 10:50


    In this short solo episode (ep 133), Adam Williams steps further into self-honesty. He deviates from his usual Humanitou focus on creative expression, spirituality and so on with a semi-rant, airing some truths he feels in this era of fantastic social and political mindfuckery. He's also been making some simple artworks as a practice in facing blatant contradictions rather than glossing over the lies. Check out the artworks Adam refers to in the episode, and read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Courage to Do & Then Do Better 

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 7:39


    In this short solo episode (ep 132), Adam Williams shares the pure gold of what we've been looking for and a way to get there, amid his reflections on Maya Angelou's line, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Log Book of Doings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 9:31


    In this short solo episode (ep 131), Adam Williams shares a creative life practice he calls his Log Book of Doings (and other thoughts and practices). It's a practice of presence, accomplishment and motivation. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Intrinsic Value & Vulnerability in Sharing Who We Are

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 6:35


    In this short solo episode (ep 130), Adam Williams digs into why he shares what he creates as a writer, artist, podcaster and so on, even when no one is asking him to. He explores the value of being vulnerable over and over, and facing down the fear. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com.

    The Significance in Our Insignificance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 14:57


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams explores the mind-bogglingness of the Universe and our human arrogance to think it gives a fuck about what we give a foolish fuck about. He wades into our relatively insignificant places as humans in the vast universe and considers what our true significance actually can be. Bonus: Do you know the distance of a light-year? How many light-years across the universe reaches? How many galaxies are in it? Adam dug up those fun facts for this episode ... Not that he can fathom what any of them mean. Mind. Blowing. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    A Poem From Somewhere: 'Spark Cloaked But Burning'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 3:04


    In this ultra-short solo episode, Adam Williams shares "a poem from somewhere, for whomever needs it." For anyone who knows feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression, this short poem, "Spark Cloaked But Burning," is one of compassion and solidarity. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    Thinking About How We Impact Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 3:44


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams thinks about a worthy question: What is the impact we have on others, and is it the impact we intend to have? Essentially, "Do I give them energy or drain their energy?" He explores this question and practice as one of self-awareness and compassion. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    When Something Artful This Way Comes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2023 5:19


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams stands at the intersection of creative intentions and oopses, where truth lies in the inexactitude of life. He explores the practice of listening to the intuitive and recognizing "when something artful this way comes." Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    A Way of Being & Seeing on a Trail Hike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2023 3:30


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams shares a couple poetic examples of his awareness practices while on a trail hike. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation and publishing by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    Insecurities, Courage & Confidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2023 6:21


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams sorts out some truths of being creative, like facing insecurities with courage and cultivating confidence. He cites Dutch artist, curator and designer Erik Kessels' book "Failed It!" and reflects on Kessels' belief that insecurity is essential to confidence. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com. _____ All things podcast creation by Adam Williams (humanitou.com) Music by Joe Johnson

    Being 'The Man In The Arena' with Brené Brown & Teddy Roosevelt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 9:34


    In this short solo episode, Adam Williams shares about his experience with the conflicting voices in his head, including Brené Brown's, Teddy Roosevelt's and his imagined critics', every time he creates as a writer, poet, artist, podcaster ... whatever the creative medium. Read and listen to more at humanitou.com, where you also can see two artworks Adam made to go with this episode's show notes and related blog post on the website. You also can read the addendum, "Roosevelt's Bullet." _____ Music by Joe Johnson All things podcast by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

    Humanitou Is Dead, Long Live Humanitou

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 6:54


    Humanitou is dead, long live Humanitou. After an 18-month hiatus, Adam Williams is back with the Humanitou podcast. In this short solo episode, he tells what was going on during that time and about the lifeline that drew him back to the light. Transcript and show notes are at humanitou.com. _____ Music by Joe Johnson Host, producer and all things podcast by Adam Williams (humanitou.com)

    Back from Hiatus! The New Humanitou Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2023 2:28


    The Humanitou podcast dives into what it means to be human, creative and authentic. In this podcast, the writer, poet, artist and photographer Adam Williams explores creative and big life questions, the things he thinks he knows, and where those ideas fall apart, too. The podcast features short solo episodes by Adam and longer conversations he has with fellow creatives and thinkers. _____ Music by Joe Johnson (from his album "Dark Horse Pale Rider")

    121: Lucas Cullen, founder of Struggle Creates Strength, on dark times, pushing outside one's comfort zone ad figuring out one's purpose

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 70:09


    Lucas Cullen is the founder of Struggle Creates Strength, a mental health advocacy organization based in British Columbia, Canada. He’s also a podcaster, a traveler and a former semi-pro hockey player. In this conversation, Lucas and I talk about the power of story, of sharing our stories vulnerably and courageously and even publicly, so that they can help others. He shares his own story of mental health struggles as a teen and young adult coming up in the hyper-masculine culture of competitive ice hockey. We talk about the rocky and sometimes dark road that ultimately led Lucas to launch Struggle Creates Strength. We also talk about joy and life purpose. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/lucas-cullen/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    120: James McCrae, poet, meme artist and author of Sh#t Your Ego Says, on ayahuasca, karma and the art of our times

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 75:54


    James McCrae is a poet, a meme artist, and the author of the book, Sh#t Your Ego Says. Naturally, this conversation dives into James' thoughts on the ego. We also talk about karma, existential crisis and ayahuasca, poetry and meme artistry, which James is convinced is the most potent and powerful art form of our times. In fact, he has a new book coming out through Thought Catalog later this year that just might be the first in the world to combine poetry and meme art in the way that he does. We talk about that and all the things, the stories that weave along James’ road from an idyllic childhood in tiny-town Minnesota to getting washed out of New York City on his first attempt to live there, and then seeking refuge on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra. We talk about James’ “dark night of the soul” experience while on Culebra, a sort of existential crisis, and how it was pivotal to his spiritual and creative voice, the one he’s publicly known for now. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/james-mccrae. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    119: Yassine Diboun, Ultramarathon Trail Runner, on addiction & sobriety, DEI & racism, the power of community & forest bathing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 81:30


    Yassine Diboun is a professional ultramarathon trail runner, coach and entrepreneur (Wy'east Wolfpack) in Portland, Ore. He's also nearly 17 years sober. In this conversation, we talk about Yassine's story of addiction, which started at a really early age. And we talk about sobriety. Serious topics no doubt. But we have some good laughs along the way too. We also talk about Yassine's transformation from, as he tells it, spiritual bankruptcy to spiritual awakening, and his becoming a pro athlete and a community leader, on the trail and off. Among other things, like diversity in the outdoors and the Japanese concept of shin-rin yoku ("forest bathing"). More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/yassine-diboun-ultrarunner. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    118: A Poet Was There ... Nguyễn Chí Thiện, Vietnamese Dissident

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 14:27


    In this solo episode, Adam Williams kicks off an occasional series called “A Poet Was There.” Adam reads his poem, "I Want Poets," which is his kernel of inspiration for the series, praising poets as essential truth tellers, the ones who are most equipped to help us understand the human experience -- our own and others’ -- more fully. In this episode, Adam tells the what, why and how of "A Poet Was There." He also highlights the story and work of the first poet in the series: Nguyễn Chí Thiện, a Vietnamese dissident who spent 27 years in and out of North Vietnamese "reeducation" camps. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/nguyen-chi-thien. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    117: Victoria Stracke, publisher of 'The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 73:29


    Victoria Stracke is the curator and publisher of "The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite." And she has remained anonymous in that role. Until now. Larry was a gay man who grew up in the Midwest during the 1950s and 60s. He prolifically documented his life for more than 30 years, with intimate and sometimes brutal, raw honesty. Those diaries ended up in Victoria's hands. In this conversation, we find out how she came to be the keeper of Larry’s story, how she ultimately decided to move forward with publishing the diaries on his behalf, and the special relationship she has with him now, posthumously, through his writing and photographs. Victoria describes Larry's life as one of tragic beauty. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/victoria-stracke-the-last-hundred-miles. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    117: Victoria Stracke, Publisher of 'The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 73:29


    Victoria Stracke is the curator and publisher of "The Last Hundred Miles: The Diary of Larry Waite." And she has remained anonymous in that role. Until now. Larry was a gay man who grew up in the Midwest during the 1950s and 60s. He prolifically documented his life for more than 30 years, with intimate and sometimes brutal, raw honesty. Those diaries ended up in Victoria's hands. In this conversation, we find out how she came to be the keeper of Larry’s story, how she ultimately decided to move forward with publishing the diaries on his behalf, and the special relationship she has with him now, posthumously, through his writing and photographs. Victoria describes Larry's life as one of tragic beauty. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/victoria-stracke-the-last-hundred-miles. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    116: Isabelle Gelot, illustrator & designer, on thirsting for life, putting down roots in Maine, launching dreams and what it means to belong

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 73:30


    Isabelle Gelot, a French illustrator and designer, and the heart of Isatopia, has shifted, at least for the time being, from a world traveling, semi-nomadic flow of life to one of home renovation and growing a vegetable garden, from light-filled cultural capitals to small-town life in Maine. We talk about this new kind of adventure and the phases of life, the gift -- and sometimes burden -- of curiosity, and what it means to belong. It turns out there's no word for "belonging" in French. But that doesn't stop us from trying to figure it out anyway. We also talk about the call Isabelle felt from the city to the ocean. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/isabelle-gelot. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    115: Imi Lo, therapist & author, on emotional intensity and overexcitabilities, being 'gifted' and loving one's fate

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 78:47


    Imi Lo is a psychotherapist, art therapist, and consultant for emotionally intense and highly sensitive people. She is the founder of Eggshell Transformations and author of the book Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity. In this conversation, we talk about Imi's turbulent childhood in Hong Kong and the false safety of conformity. We talk about grieving who we're not, and learning about and embracing who we really are. We talk about how highly sensitive people, while often misjudged as weak, actually have extraordinary strengths of perception, vision, leadership and creativity. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/imi-lo. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    114: Adam Williams, on breaking conformity & the profound power of mismatching your socks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 17:39


    Adam Williams, creator of Humanitou, goes it alone in this episode and shares one of his simplest, most private practices for breaking away from conformity: mismatching his socks. He's been doing it for years, and has been influencing his two sons in doing it, too. Frivolous and weird? Maybe. Shockingly empowering and profound? Could be. Listen to Adam lay out his reasoning and, well, advocate for everyone to mismatch their socks in this solo episode of the Humanitou Podcast. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/breaking-conformity. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    113: Rukmini Poddar, artist & illustrator, on 'Obscure Emotions,' the relationship of spirituality and creativity, and essence seeking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 57:52


    Rukmini Poddar is an artist and illustrator who describes herself as an essence seeker. She believes in the value of imperfect work, prizes quantity as a means of getting to quality, and sees art making as an act of revolutionary love. We talk about her growing up in a community of Hare Krishnas, expressing her dharma through art, the relationship of spirituality and creativity, her enthusiasm for #the100dayproject, her Obscure Emotions project and book, and what she’s doing with the Enneagram of Personality. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/rukmini-poddar. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    112: Savannalore, artist and "beautiful trash" advocate, on conformity and perfectionism, impostor syndrome and playing with imaginary friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 76:08


    Savannalore is an artist, writer, "creative hype-woman," and "bad art" advocate in Austin, Texas. In this conversation, we talk about why she makes art that she calls "beautiful trash," and how it’s been a process for overcoming a life of conformity and perfectionism. We talk about blowing up on TikTok and how she handles haters. We dig into impostor syndrome and how comparison is the killer of joy. And what, during the isolation of the pandemic, Savannalore learned from some imaginary friends at an imaginary place she calls Lava Lamp Coffee. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/savannalore. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    111: Big Samir, of The Reminders, on empowerment, providing 'the soundtrack to protests,' and Snoop Dogg

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 79:14


    Big Samir, the bilingual lyricist and emcee of The Reminders, grew up in Belgium and the Congo, and in a single-mother home with the images of MLK, Jr., Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X on the wall. We talk about his rising above the challenges of his youth, and the empowering and loving messages of The Reminders. We talk about The Reminders sharing stages with some of Samir's influences, like Snoop Dogg, Rakim, Lauryn Hill, Redman, Method Man and so many more. Even though the music he and his musical partner and wife, Aja Black, make is conscious and activist-energized -- "the soundtrack to the protests" -- Samir rejects wearing the "activist" label. He tells why. Along with a lot more of his story, including about his Muslim faith, his presence as a father, and the cheat codes to life. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/big-samir-reminders. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    110: Ruben Rojas, muralist and co-founder of Beautify Earth, on living through love, losing it all and what really matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 58:18


    Ruben Rojas is a muralist, poet and activist who was on a path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, then left it behind for big money in the real estate game -- and then lost everything. In this conversation, we talk about that hero's journey, the ups and downs, building up again from bankruptcy and, ultimately, becoming known throughout L.A. and far beyond as an artist who inspires others to live through love. We talk about love in the context of masculinity, strength and weakness. We talk about vulnerability and ego and what really matters. And we get into that personal practice of shifting from fear to love, so that we actually can and do act from a place of love and make the world a better place. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/ruben-rojas-muralist-beautify-earth. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    109: Steven Pressfield, best-selling author of The War of Art, on creative Resistance, fear/love & tuning into the cosmic radio station

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 67:13


    Steven Pressfield is the best-selling author of The War of Art, The Artist's Journey, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire and, his newest novel, which was published earlier this month, A Man at Arms. In this conversation, we talk about Resistance with a capital-R, that diabolical enemy within each of us that tries to keep us from connecting with our highest Self (and each other). We talk fear and love, self-sabotage and leadership, Hero's Journey and Artist's Journey, dreams and discovering ourselves, and tribalism and society, among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/steven-pressfield. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support the Humanitou Podcast: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    New Trailer: Humanitou Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 3:14


    The Humanitou Podcast is about humanness and creativity. It's created and hosted by artist and writer Adam Williams, a super-curious introvert who might not be a superstar at small talk but loves thoughtful, energizing, one-on-one conversations. Humanitou shines light on failure and triumph, fear and love and all the messy and real parts of being human. There are conversations with fellow artists, thinkers, leaders and spiritual practitioners. And sometimes Adam goes solo to tackle the tough topics of being creative, not to mention just plain human. Topics like impostor syndrome, self-sabotage, and fear of success. Guests have included illustrator and author Lisa Congdon, celebrity chef Brother Luck, and best-selling author of The War of Art, Steven Pressfield. And many more amazing people doing super-amazing things to make the world a better place. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, produced and hosted by Adam Williams. Episode transcript available at https://humanitou.com/new-trailer-the-humanitou-podcast/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    108: Adam Williams, on the season wrap-up, Humanitou updates and Lewis Hyde's 'The Gift'

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2020 14:31


    Adam Williams, creator and host of the Humanitou Podcast, wraps up Season One of the podcast, and talks about the newest goings on around Humanitou and his plans for the season break before he jumpstarts Season Two early in 2021. Along the way, he talks about Lewis Hyde's classic book, "The Gift," and how it's influencing his perspective on art creation (and even selling) as a means of gift giving, and how we all can play a role in keeping the energy of generosity flowing in the world. These things and more in this season-ending episode of the Humanitou Podcast. Show notes and transcript at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/season1-wrap. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/ Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/1zaS3Lrq9g7/

    107: Chip Thomas, doctor, public artist & activist, on documentary photography, 'soul wounds' of the Navajo Nation, Quaker values, and surviving a widow-maker

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 80:17


    Dr. Chip Thomas, a.k.a. "Jetsonorama," as a boy, avoided the violence of school desegregation by spending a fateful few years in a Quaker community. He later carried those Quaker values with him into a four-year commitment to serve as a young doctor on the Navajo Nation. That was in the Eighties. He's still there, more than 30 years later, and has become an integral part of the community, not only as a doctor, but as a public artist and activist. In this conversation, we talk about Chip's recent selection by the United Nations as one of nine artists being highlighted for #UN75. We talk about the disproportionate suffering on the Navajo Nation and "soul wounds." Chip earned a Guinness World Record for a 12,000-mile cycling trek the length of Africa. And on another cycling adventure met the brink of death in the grip of a widow-maker heart attack. These things and much more in this episode of the Humanitou Podcast. Show notes at humanitou.com. Photo credit: Ben Moon ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/chip-thomas. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    106: Ber-Henda Williams, founder of The Power of Girlhood, on leadership and poetry, curiosity, FOMO and Sheila E.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 76:00


    Ber-Henda Williams is an empathic coach and facilitator, a bilingual poet and storyteller, and founder of The Power of Girlhood, a leadership institute for teen girls in Detroit. In this conversation, we talk about Detroit, and about going against the tide and leading from where we are. We talk about the need for curiosity, love poetry as a tool against the political power structure, and going toe-to-toe with the boys in class, laying down beats and rhymes. We've got special shoutouts to DJ Kool Herc and Sheila E. ("she's not just some Prince protegé"), among many other influences, including Eve Ensler and her play, "The Vagina Monologues." And we talk about other things, too. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/berhenda-williams-2. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ Give feedback to Humanitou via the Listener Survey at humanitou.com About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    105: Amanda E.K., writer and filmmaker, on purity culture and rapture anxiety, religious trauma syndrome and coming into her own as an atheist queer polyamorous nonbinary woman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 61:25


    Amanda E.K. is a writer and filmmaker, the editor-in-chief and publisher of Suspect Press, a memoirist about purity culture and an exvangelical. In this conversation, Amanda talks about her fundamentalist evangelical upbringing, purity culture, rapture anxiety and religious trauma syndrome. We also talk about when she started to question the faith, and about eventually coming into her own truths as an atheist and a self-described "queer polyamorous nonbinary womxn" in a loving heterosexual marriage. Among other things, like Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" and Amanda's forthcoming memoir. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/amanda-e-k. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    104: Adam Williams, on his fear of 'love', the nuances of karma, and healing our dis-ease and disconnections

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 24:25


    Adam Williams, creator of Humanitou, gets into a topic that he's really not comfortable talking about: love. In this solo episode, he starts with an odd little story that finally got him to speak on this issue he's got with love. He explores why he's not comfortable having this talk with you today, why that’s got to change and how he's changing it. He also briefly digresses into the nuances of karma, what it really is and what it really isn’t. And he shares some other things that he thinks you’ll find useful in your own relationship to love. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/love. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    103: Lucas LaRochelle, designer and founder of Queering the Map, on the magic of archiving queer experience, and anonymity, love and truth, data privacy and A.I.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2020 65:53


    Lucas LaRochelle is a designer and artist, and the founder of Queering the Map, a collaborative digital archive of queer experience across the world. With Lucas, we dive into the storytelling and the magic of Queering the Map. We talk about the importance and the transcendental powers of anonymity, and we talk about one of the most powerful aspects of love. We also dig into truth and fiction, and what it means to acknowledge another’s story versus invalidating it and dismissing it as untrue or even unworthy. And we get into data privacy and artificial intelligence. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/lucas-larochelle/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ Give feedback to Humanitou via the Listener Survey at humanitou.com About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    102: Lewis Lee, community facilitator and mentor, on using technology and creativity to make change in the 53206, staying out of prison and cultivating a legacy of good

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 59:54


    Lewis Lee struggled to stay out of prison when he was a young man, and then to find life purpose once he did. Now, he's a community leader, facilitator and mentor, a voice for social justice, and the Milwaukee-based curator of the Shared Studios Portal in the neighborhood where he came up. The 53206, where Lewis still lives, is the zip code with the highest incarceration rate of black men in America. Lewis is working to change that. He shares his story of using technology to negotiate gang peace and creative collaboration to maintain it, of working with the city's leadership on a fatherhood initiative, and building police-community relations. Among other things. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/lewis-lee/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    101: Adam Williams, on building a path of purpose one step at a time, applying the Zen philosophy of chopping wood and carrying water

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 23:39


    Humanitou creator Adam Williams digs into some thoughts, resources and ideas about recognizing life purpose and cultivating success through the Zen Buddhist koan, "chop wood, carry water." Along the way, he dips into the wisdom of sages like Jedi master Yoda and Michael Jordan, Baba Ram Dass and Pablo Picasso, an 8th century Buddhist poet and the lightbulb inventor Thomas Edison. Adam also shares the simplest of three-step action plans to create lasting success in your life. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/chop-wood-carry-water/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    100: Ber-Henda Williams, empathic coach and bilingual poet, on empathy, systemic racism, cultural behaviors, collective grief, curiosity and reaffirming connections of humanity

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020 60:39


    Ber-Henda Williams is an empathic coach and facilitator, a bilingual poet and storyteller, and founder of The Power of Girlhood, a leadership institute for teen girls in Detroit. In this conversation, in the days following the police shooting of Jacob Black seven times in the back in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we talk about empathy and getting curious about ourselves, systemic biases and anti-racism. We talk about spiritual practices and having courageous conversations, and how to chip away at the callousness and lack of humanity that pervades society right now, and about the need for collective mobilization for something better. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at humanitou.com/berhenda-williams/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    99: Virgil Ortiz, artist, on the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and the reason he lives, on having a drink with Boy George and talking taboo topics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 72:43


    Virgil Ortiz, an artist internationally renowned for his work in pottery, fashion and film, carries on a legacy of pueblo potters. He bridges the past with the future, conceptually and technologically, through his blend of indigenous and sci-fi-influenced work. His art is featured in museums and galleries across the U.S., including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and in Europe. It's been his focus since the clay spoke to him through his ancestors at 15 years of age. He uses that power and history to speak out on taboo subjects like politics and culture, mental health and social justice, including for two-spirit people, contemporary (e.g. Boy George, Grace Jones) and historic (We'wha, the Zuni princess). Virgil also is a leading voice on the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 (and 2180). More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes of this episode at https://humanitou.com/virgil-ortiz/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    98: Brother Luck, celebrity chef, on Top Chef and James Beard, mental health, #nolucksgiven and making bold decisions when the chips are down

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2020 54:30


    Chef Brother Luck is the owner of two restaurants in Colorado Springs: Four by Brother Luck and Lucky Dumpling. And he's got a new project underway, even in the heat of the economic and health crises of 2020, The Lucky Lounge. Brother has also been a crowd favorite in the celebrity chef universe of the Food Network, where he was a finalist on Chopped, and where he beat Chef Bobby Flay on the Network’s show, Beat Bobby Flay. He also competed in seasons 15 and 16 of Bravo’s Top Chef. We get into some traumatic and life-altering stuff from Brother’s early years: lessons he learned from his dad, and then the road he took when his dad died way too soon. We talk about mental health and the dark emotional space Brother was in a couple years ago when something -- call it divine intervention or whatever it needs to be called -- shook him out of it. We talk about facing fear and making bold decisions even when the chips are down, like now, when he's taking on and building out The Lucky Lounge. We talk about Brother’s hashtag #nolucksgiven, and how and why he uses his social media and public platforms for good. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/brother-luck/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    97: Adam Williams, on humanness and creativity, and what Humanitou really is about

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 27:04


    In this solo episode, Adam Williams, creator and host of Humanitou, digs into his own "humanness and creativity," going into those corners he so often asks his guests to vulnerably explore on the podcast. He talks about how his immense curiosity led him into the U.S. Army, and now guides Humanitou. He talks about leadership and empathy, communication and connection as humans who experience different yet relatable stories. He talks about why Humanitou exists and what its place is in his world. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/humanness-creativity/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    96: Lisa Congdon, illustrator & author, on failure, impostor syndrome, LGBTQ rights, meditation, breast cancer and being a change-agent

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2020 80:17


    Lisa Congdon is an illustrator, and the author of eight books, most recently: “Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic.” Her client list runs deep, including the Obama Campaign, the United Nations, Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, MoMA, REI, AirBnB, Martha Stewart Living … In this conversation, we talk about failure, impostor syndrome, and the stories and experiences that shape us. We get into spirituality and authenticity, conformity and fear. Lisa speaks on white privilege and anti-racism, and her activism for LGBTQ rights. We talk about a crucial, "magical" chapter in her story while living in San Francisco in the 90s, her breast cancer diagnosis in recent months, and what she's learned from friends-slash-idols Brené Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert and Debbie Millman. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes and transcript of this episode at https://humanitou.com/lisa-congdon/. Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    95: Elliana Grace, circus performer, on being a human cannonball, life aboard the Ringling Bros. train, growing up in a circus family, and having a famous (non-circus) grandfather

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020 55:22


    Elliana Grace grew up in a circus family and in the circus life. From infancy. Like, from being a baby being breastfed while sitting atop an elephant kind of infancy. She and her two younger brothers, who also are globe-traveling professional circus performers, spent more time at their fantastically strange and sometimes dangerous home-away-from-home in St. Louis, the City Museum, than they did their home-home. Elliana shares some laugh-out-loud stories of mischief and sibling rivalry. And by the way, Elliana spent a year riding the rails with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as, hands down, the most singularly explosive performer (wink, wink) in the circus, let’s say. And a lot more, including memories of her grandfather, the renowned columnist and jazz critic, Nat Hentoff. More at humanitou.com. ----MORE---- Humanitou is created, hosted and produced by Adam Williams. Show notes at https://humanitou.com/elliana-grace-circus/. [Episode transcript will be added soon.] Follow on Instagram @humanitou Support Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/support-humanitou/ Give feedback to Humanitou via the Listener Survey at humanitou.com About Humanitou: https://humanitou.com/about/ Media Kit: https://humanitou.com/media-kit/

    Claim Humanitou: Conversations of Humanness + Creativity

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel