Episode 18: José Cotto - Creator, inspirer, and cultural entrepreneur across scales

Show Notes: Grew up knowing possibility and that people create things (8:30) Being around art, there was always another reality that could be made (9:00) How do you sit with tension? (10:00) The thing that allows me to maintain balance in the present - keep moving at the pace that feels most fulfilling and productive in the moment Find comfort in the tension  Poetry is complex enough to hold the tension of human experience - pair with Brené Brown's thoughts (12:15) Love of poetry (12:30)  "Where the sidewalk ends" and "Falling up” - Shel Silverstein Music - Nas (14:00) A love for how people are able to communicate narratives Pedagogy (20:15) "The way that you move is going to get you to where you need to get” (22:15) Community empowerment (24:30) Create. Inspire. Support. What is it about the physical environment that is preventing people from being about to leave?  Community is everything (30:00) What do you tell people to help them embrace the moment? (31:00) Everything is designed and the built environment (31:00) Concept of scale (space and time) (32:15) The Bayou St. John, New Orleans (35:00) Human-level scale and humanizing things (35:30) Everything is interconnected Pair the discussion with David Krakauer thoughts on complexityRegaining lost focus (42:00) Taking long breaths and breathing practice “The thing that I value most is breathing” (42:30) Perspective on pandemics and COVID-19 (45:00) Lightning round (48:15) Book: "Where the sidewalk ends" and "Falling up” - Shel Silverstein Passion outside his work: proximity to social work Making his heart sing: new series of drawings called AncestorsChanged his mind about lately: “how much I need" “The fastest way to have more is to need less" Human beings not human doers (55:30) Find José online: InstagramTwitter @jccotto https://jccotto.com/Ancestors series of drawings 'Five-Cut Fridays’ series  Jose’s list