S2, Ep2: Perfect vs. Done: Kyle Metzger on Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Pursuing Art Anyway

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with longtime friend and creative force Kyle Metzger, an award-winning lighting designer and multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans ski films, fine furniture, carpentry, and photography. Through the lens of perfectionism, we explore how the desire to create something exceptional can become a paralyzing block. Kyle opens up about his journey navigating the tension between idealism and action, identity and ego, creative vision and real-world limitations. From career pivots and burnout to breakthrough projects and deeply personal insights, this is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever struggled to start (or finish) because it didn’t feel perfect.We Chat About:How perfectionism disguises itself as integrity, identity, and controlWhy perfectionism often leads to procrastination, paralysis, or avoidanceThe emotional cost of being “too precious” with your workNavigating perfectionism as a multi-passionate creativeKyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment after 20 years of quiet effortWhy design, lighting, and environment are emotional experiencesHow ego and creative expression are deeply intertwinedThe tension between wanting recognition and fearing exposureWhy small creative acts matter just as much as big onesGiving yourself permission to be seen—even when it’s messyAbout Kyle: Kyle Metzger is an award-winning lighting designer for films specializing in ski movies. He is also a talented carpenter, photographer, writer, farmer and chef. He lives in Portland, Oregon. Connect with Kyle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basil_wrathbone/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchetlerFilmsWebsite: https://www.chrisbenchetler.com/Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Kyle Metzger01:15 – Which creative role feels most fulfilling now02:30 – From film to carpentry: building as expression05:00 – Why Kyle almost became an architect06:45 – Choosing filmmaking: fear, freedom, and social life08:50 – Charting a nonlinear creative career10:20 – Advice for younger creatives: “You can do less in a day, more in a year”12:00 – Current desires: writing, building, skiing, and solitude14:00 – How Kyle’s rural upbringing shaped his creative eye16:00 – Cooking as survival creativity17:50 – What life in the film industry actually looks like20:00 – The Mountains of the Moon project: skiing, psychedelics, and skeletons23:00 – Authoring work vs. being a cog25:00 – Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment in British Columbia28:00 – Why he couldn’t have handled success any earlier30:00 – Rejecting mainstream influence to preserve intuition32:00 – Kyle’s take on perfectionism as ego and idMore Resources:Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcastCheck out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blogJoin the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachingsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.comLearn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com