Ep. 39 - Creative Jobs, Life Balance, & Working towards a Liberatory Future within Capitalism

BrownTown on BrownTown. The fellas take an introspective look at their own lives, analyzing the strategies (for better or worse) for managing time, money, and relationships while running SoapBox, building power with activists, and working in creative fields and other industries under capitalism.BrownTown goes macro before micro, discussing how the Bourbon 'n BrownTown podcast functions within SoapBox's larger multimedia framework as well as the outside perspectives of SoapBox's work itself. Caullen quickly explains the importance of language in how we talk about and value work (what is "work?" Is it a "weekend" if you're still working?), noting 9-5p salaried job normalization versus creative fields and freelance work. Both David and Caullen talk about their life outside of SoapBox as David brings up the struggle between financial security and following creative passions. BrownTown goes on to cover filmmaking/movement-buildling as collaborative work; being new to the non-profit funding world; and their personal strategies on how they (attempt to) balance their lives between work, time with loved ones, hobbies, and even (and especially) sleep. The duo lands on a notion which should be at the forefront of our lives: happiness is a priority. But under capitalism, which prioritizes profit over people, profit over the planet, and constantly commodifies and brainwashes our desires, how do independent creatives get paid without their work being co-opted by elites/corporate powers? How do activists avoid burnout while working towards a liberatory future? How do we simultaneously fight the power while operating within the power to dismantle the power? Here's BrownTown's take.--Mentioned in episode: Ben Bernstein for inspiring the topic, Chicago actor Isis Mollinedo, Chi DNA alum Rio Mutasim, audio engineer Genta Tamashiro and his work with Masego, and Andrew Merz for taking photos during the session.CREDITS: Intro/outro song Success by Heavy Crownz ft. Joel Q. Audio engineered by Genta Tamashiro. Episode art and Bourbon 'n BrownTown logo by Desirae Gladden.--Bourbon ’n BrownTownFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | PatreonSoapBox Productions and Organizing, 501(c)3Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Site | Support