Ep.02: Creative Attention and Staying Awake w/ Cody Cook-Parrott

Cody Cook-Parrott—artist, writer, dancer, and teacher—sits down with Carter Umhau to talk about what compelled them to write a memoir at nine years old; how quiltmaking has taught them to shapeshift as a trans person; and how they’ve learned to politicize their creative practice while staying far away from Instagram. Cody and Carter wonder together about the difference between making art that is inadvertently therapeutic, versus approaching art-making as a form of therapy itself. Ahead of the upcoming release of Cody’s sixth book, The Practice of Attention, this conversation is an exploration of how creative practice has taught Cody to be attentive to what they need to stay awake and alive to the work they’re meant to do.(This interview took place in Fall 2025.)..Learn more about Cody Cook-Parrott: www.codycookparrott.comPre-order The Practice of AttentionSubscribe to Monday Monday, Cody's newsletter.Listen to Common Shapes, Cody's podcast...Carter’s Artist’s Way workshop is back! Claim your spot!Want to work with Carter? Reach out to her at [email protected] or https://www.carterumhau.com/appointments-2Get a personal look at this episode and more in Carter’s newsletter...Editing by Abi NewhouseMusic by Aaron DavidsonPodcast art by Carter UmhauPhotos of Cody associated with this episode by Anna Friss. Get full access to How to Be Alive at carterumhau.substack.com/subscribe