After Skool with Mark Wooding - Exploring the creative process

Summary In this conversation, Mark, the creator of the YouTube channel After Skool, discusses his journey as an artist and animator. He talks about how he got started in art and animation, his experience in art school, and his transition to freelance animation. Mark also shares his creative process and the inspiration behind his videos. He mentions his podcast and collaborations with thinkers like Rupert Sheldrake and Graham Hancock. The conversation touches on topics like consciousness, spirituality, and the importance of self-reflection. Mark also discusses his upcoming role as a father and how it will influence his content creation. The conversation explores the topics of educating children about harmful things, the dangers of repression, the power of indifference, the impact of belief systems, the importance of experiences and creativity, the influence of social engineering, the significance of facing death, and the role of gratitude. Takeaways Mark's journey as an artist and animator began at a young age, and he has always been passionate about creating art. He started his YouTube channel, After Skool, as a side hobby and eventually turned it into a full-time gig. Mark emphasizes the importance of creating for the joy of creating and not getting caught up in external validation or chasing views. He values self-reflection and personal growth, and his content reflects his own interests and curiosity. Mark is excited about becoming a father and sees it as a new chapter in his life that will inspire his content creation. Educating children about harmful things is more effective than sheltering them, as it is impossible to keep such things away from them. Repression leads to explosive opposite reactions, which is not good for humanity. Indifference, shedding away the ego, and gaining a larger perspective can help us navigate through challenges and find harmony. Belief systems shape our interactions and lives, and it is important to be selective about the ones we subscribe to. Experiences and creativity are essential for personal growth and the synthesis of ideas. Social engineering and addictive business models are prevalent in today's society, and it is important to be aware of their impact. Facing death and contemplating our mortality can bring gratitude and a deeper appreciation for life. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can shape our perspective and bring contentment. The hero and the villain have similar traumatic experiences, but the hero learns and grows, while the villain becomes resentful and bitter. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and the rejection of victimhood. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:54 The Journey of Creating After Skool 15:11 Exploring Deep Questions and Collaborations 26:55 The Importance of Creating for the Joy of Creating 33:01 Personal Growth and Parenthood 36:28 The Self-Reflective Journey of Parenting 38:17 The Dangers of Repression and Censorship 40:46 The Power of Belief Systems and the Importance of Critical Thinking 46:29 The Transformative Power of Travel and Diverse Experiences 51:03 The Influence of Social Engineering and Technology 57:18 The Need for Discipline and Unplugging from Screens 01:06:10 Exploring Death and Cultivating Gratitude 01:10:25 Perspective and Choice in Facing Adversity 01:19:06 Podcast music Exit music and voice  - 4:19:24, 7.55 AM.wav   Keywords #art, #animation, #creativity, #podcasting, #consciousness, #spirituality, #selfreflection, #fatherhood, #educating #children, #beliefsystems, #experiences, #creativity, #social #socialengineering, #death, #gratitude, #socialengineering,  Intro and exit music used: Strange the dreamer by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@savfkmusic Find Marks work below: https://www.youtube.com/@AfterSkool https://www.afterskool.net/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5S-og4jjdFo8FqoM8D42DA