Nah-Cademics

Send us Fan MailJohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailAt some point, we’ve all encountered the messaging that it pays to be a “Yes!” person. Whether from our parents, the endless barrage of self-help materials, or the 2008 titular classic starring Jim Carrey, the wisdom is always the same: say yes to life, push past your comfort zone, abandon your boundaries, put others first, take risks! And while there’s certainly value in these principles for some people and situations, there’s also the real risk of self-abandonment and burnout when we overcommit and forget to honor our own needs—when we forget how to say “No.”In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John say no to the popular philosophy of perpetual affirmatives and try to discern what a healthy balance looks like: between saying yes to life’s opportunities and others’ requests, and saying no to ignoring one’s own needs for rest, nourishment, and healthy boundaries. -How do we overcome the tendency to overcommit in ways that lead to exhaustion and burnout? Are there benefits to saying yes to everything?-In what ways do FOMO, scarcity mindset, and black-and-white thinking fuel this pattern? Can reframing an outward “no” into a “yes, to myself” make it easier to set boundaries?-Does the mere mention of having needs and saying no to others on a recorded podcast fill John with extra anxiety?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers (well, except that last one—the answer is yes, absolutely yes); it’s just the ongoing negotiation of two negative Nellies. However, if you find yourself a stranger to your own needs, stretched in every direction by your inability to trust that “no” is okay, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailIn all of our incessant thoughts of “not good enough,”  “not successful enough,” “not far enough along” how often do we stop and actually consider what exactly we are measuring our supposed insufficiencies against? There must be some basis for comparison. Maybe it’s the mythologized overnight success stories that Hollywood crafts around our heroes or maybe it’s just a generalized societal expectation for how—and at what rate—a worthwhile life ought to unfold, but the point is, they are seldom helpful and even less frequently true.In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John work to tear down these faulty monuments we both simultaneously worship and cower in the shadows of—all in the hope of right-sizing expectations and taking our true measure against the one and only figure we can: ourselves, and in so doing, we come to realize that we are always, automatically, outgrowing who we were yesterday. -Why is it unhealthy to compare our own output and rate of growth with our heroes—those who often come from different eras and who have undoubtedly had their own creative struggles downplayed by mythologized retellings?-How can shifting our focus to consistent action and merely cultivating the belief in life’s possibilities help to relieve the misery that comes from constant comparison?-With the discussion of physical activity being a useful counterbalance to an overactive mind—and, you know, millennia of proof for the benefits of exercise—will John ever actually go to the gym?As always this podcast doesn’t offer any definitive answers to these questions (well except maybe that last one. Answer: ha, unlikely); it is but the reassuring rambling. However, if you find yourself robbing yourself of feeling joy and accomplishment in your creativity because you’re too busy watching others (seemingly) pass you by, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWebster’s Dictionary defines burnout as—just kidding, this isn’t a middle school book report (it’s worse). The point is, you probably don’t need burnout defined for you because, let’s face it, if you’re listening to this podcast—and reading its description—you know exactly what it feels like. It can be just brutal to find yourself desperately in pursuit of your longing only to get lost in an endless desert of depleted energy and willpower.In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John attempt to throw some water on the feeling that burnout is permanent by breaking down what factors seem to lead to it; what methods can be employed to help lessen it; and in what ways art, specifically, lends itself to these heinous droughts of exhaustion and hopelessness. -In what ways do our expectations and sense of urgency contribute to our burnout? Are they its source?-Can we help mitigate and heal our burnout by taking on new hobbies and working to be more self forgiving when we engage in them?-Do all the inanimate captives of Brett and John’s model train village who are forced to listen to this podcast count as legitimate listeners?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (well, other than that last one—Answer: Just no, guys. Just no.). It is but the bumbling of the bored. However, if you find yourself bereft of inspiration, exhausted from the pursuit, and just all around too burned out to do anything but watch your dreams seemingly float further and further into the distance, this podcast is for you. Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailYou know the type. Sometimes when we find ourselves hurling sheepishly through our own galaxy wondering if there’s any other life out there, and, if there is, whether they’ll find any priceless minerals beneath our stony exterior—yep, really going for it with the comet metaphor. However, sometimes we might find our celestial path caught in the gravitational pull of a proud and boisterous (gaseous?) giant and spend our days stuck in its orbit. Okay, that’s enough. On this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John discuss those extreme personalities we encounter which can sometimes eclipse (okay, but for real though) our own worth, our own needs, and our own visions for our life. The idea isn’t necessarily to demonize high ego individuals, but rather to discern what a healthy relationship can look like which celebrates the confidently well endowed among us while also protecting and celebrating those of us who are more modestly endowed. It is after all, not the size of the boat, but the… okay, actually you know what, let’s go back to the space metaphors. -How can one discern whether they’re caught in the orbit of someone whose ego is overpowering their ability to take good care of themselves?-What does a healthy confidence level look like? How much of our tendency towards handing our power over to those more outwardly confident than us is our responsibility to change? -Do Brett and John realize the paradox between the inherent ego required to host an opinion based discussion podcast and what has to be a painfully humbling reality of having their names on this?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions; (well except maybe that last one. Answer: yes, obviously, we just try to balance it out with space metaphors and putting our names on amateur music as well!) it is but the mumbles of humbles—thanks, pretty proud of that one. However, if you find yourself endlessly losing your own star’s shine while getting sucked into the black hole of big egos, this podcast is for you… okay, metaphors over. Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailThough it’s safe to say that, if you’re listening to this podcast, you’re day isn’t going perfectly, are you the type that’s bothered by that sort of thing? How often do you find yourself chained by the exhausting anxiety of perfectionism? Do you find your joy spoiled and your peace sapped when your endeavors inevitably don’t go precisely as your mind says they should? Join the club—we’re still working the kinks out and, you know, it’s probably not the most well organized club you’ve ever been in, but like, in our heads it looked a lot cooler…On this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John try to flawlessly depict that subtle, relentless urge to do everything “right”—be it creating universally beloved art, being liked by literally everyone, or trying to make your voice sound even one iota less embarrassing on a microphone while discussing the potential benefits of perfectionism. -What preconceived notions do we have about perfectionism, and how does considering its five types help us to avoid the heinous cycle of using our own tendency towards perfectionism as more evidence of our imperfection?-Does the process of healing from our perfectionism mean trying to pretend it isn’t there, settling, or growing out of it--is that even possible? Or are there ways we can view it as an innate quality that can be used to our advantage as opposed to our destruction?-Given that these descriptions are usually not proofread, does the author (whose name rhymes with Don Jennis) ever worry that he’ll be deemed a moron if anyone actually reads them? As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (except that last one: Yes, but he’s super confident that the actual audio of each episode will make you think otherwise… lmao) it is but the flawed flailing of two overly self-conscious friends. However, if you find yourself constantly grading all of your interactions, successes, and situations against an impossible rubric of idealized reality, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailIt’s an age old artistic question: does the aim of being professionally creative destroy or empower the impetus for actual creation? Whereas one’s mind may go to the adage of “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” anyone who has assigned an occupational dimension to artistry has almost certainly wound up, now and again, wondering if they even love what they’re doing anymore—what with the sheer amount of thankless labor and eroding expectations that inevitably freckle that path. Even more embarrassingly, they could end up starting an amateur podcast about that very dynamic…In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John attempt to get to the bottom of whether the professional aspiration actually helps to inspire the very creative expression it seeks to market, or whether adding a business component is a crippling obstacle that leads to artistic stagnancy. -Does the goal of making art your job—and the implication that doing so means sharing and pleasing an audience—actually propel the artist forward, or does it sap the blissful freedom that inspired you to create in the first place?-Are the creative mindset and the business mindset mutually exclusive, or is there a healthy balance that can be struck which utilizes the best facets of both frameworks to be the most authentic and productive artist one can be? -Do Brett and John honestly think that making this podcast is an outgrowth of… lmao… professionalism?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (well, except that last one: hahaha no, we’re laughing right along with you—and by “you” we mean Brett’s mom). It is but the aimless ambling of amateurs. However, if you find yourself worn out and wandering through the minefield of dreaming of an artistic vocation and gradually wondering whether you even love it enough to keep on, this podcast is for you. Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWe know what we want. We know when we want it. We think, at least. Every time we actually get serious about our dreams we find ourselves resisting every step towards actually fulfilling them. What gives? What is it about actually starting to see the success we have long craved coming to fruition that inspires us to self-sabotage? In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John try to get to the bottom of the brutal tendency to get in our own way and guard the doors of our own dreams. We look at the many subtle habits so many of us have developed to prevent ourselves from actually following the path we know we want to walk both when the going gets tough and (infuriatingly) when the going gets easier. -What does self-sabotage look like? Do we always know when we're doing it, and is it something that can eventually be managed through enough awareness and perseverance?-Is it accurate that humans are wired for comfort over happiness--even when that comfort/safety comes in the form of confining ourselves to relationships, routines, and lives that not only don't fulfill us but often make us miserable?-Could it be said that spending time on an amateur podcast was, itself, a form of self-sabotage on the part of Brett and John who each have musical aspirations (allegedly)?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (well, except maybe that last one. Answer: probably, but it's at least a more entertaining form of sabotage than all of the other distraction we'd inevitably be using to not make music), it is but quibbling in the quicksand. However, if you find yourself constantly telling yourself that you know what steps to take towards a better life, but instead find yourself just pacing the unfulfilling circular pattern you know, this podcast is for you!Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailIn the early innings of yet another new year, compelled to take on fresh resolutions and (likely short-lived) self-improvement projects, it can be difficult not to get overwhelmed by the incessant pressure to always be working on oneself. Of course, it is both noble and worthwhile to be willing to grow and heal, but is it possible to go overboard? Is there such a thing as unhealthy self-care?In Season 2 episode 3 of Nah-cademics, Brett and John reconvene to discuss the, sometimes neurotic, tendency to  constantly be looking for areas of improvement and consuming self-help materials—be it literature, motivational speakers, or binging those online inspirational quotes in typewriter font printed over a bust of Marcus Aurelius or Mt. Everest… you know the ones.-In an era of much needed destigmatization of and emphasis on self-reflection, mental health, and trauma exploration, is it possible to overidentify with one’s brokenness and perceived need to be “fixed?” -How can one approach self-improvement in a healthy and compassionate manner, rather than simply approaching personal recovery with the same tendencies toward self-abandonment, imbalance, and overextension? -Is the term self-hell the most clever and artistically significant contribution Brett and John will collectively make to the world?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (well, except maybe that last one. Answer: all signs point to yes, and Brett came up with it, so not looking good for the J man); it is but the blathering of the “broken.” However, if you find yourself burnt out trying to cure your perfectionism with more perfectionism, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWe all have moments in our lives that we look back on and cringe. Maybe it’s a legitimate regret at an opportunity we wish our previous self had taken or a situation we could have handled differently. Maybe it’s something as truly heinous as telling the cashier at the movie theater “you too” when they tell you to enjoy your movie (who even does that!?!), but how useful is it to get angry about it now? In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John dive headfirst into the “deep” end (they tell themselves) of this tendency towards replaying past missteps and drowning in the could have beens. -Is there any value in weighing the past events of our lives against our current context and getting angry when they inevitably don’t balance out? Can one legitimately find peace in seeing those past mistakes as an essential part of a better present?-What does a healthy relationship with the past look like? Where can the middle road between totally dissociating from the shames of our past and the emotionally charged constant perpetuation of that shame be found? -If Brett and John hadn’t made all the so-called mistakes they now overthink, would they have ended up feeling the need to make an amateur podcast? Will they look back on this and cringe? As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (except maybe that last one. Answer: unfortunately for you, we’ll never know, but yea *cringe*), it is but a rambling reminiscence. However, if you find yourself tossed about by the waves of wishing things had gone differently, we hope you find a buoy here—or at least a couple more people to flounder in the pool with. Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailAs difficult as it is, some days, to bring oneself to be creative, it can seem almost impossible to envision a life in which creativity happens on a consistent basis. This can seem even more insurmountable if one finds that, on those rare days of creative output, it is more the result of a frenzied and exhausting overdrive than a balanced, peace-giving, and sustainable cruise control (yes, John recently watched the Cars movies). Fortunately for you, having just returned from a (totally planned) multi-month hiatus, Brett and John could be seen as experts in inconsistency. Unfortunately for you, Brett and John aren’t experts in anything—though they do have some thoughts on what healthy and consistent creativity can look like… you know, in theory. -Is it possible to develop a disciplined practice of creativity, and if so, can it be done without sacrificing the romanticized visions one has for artistic authenticity?-By recalibrating our artistic purpose to prioritize joy and personal nourishment, can one override the internal pressures and critiques to more consistently create—without sacrificing what might be a legitimate dream of making a career out of art?-For all the raving about Jarod K. Anderson in this episode, might Brett and John consider just recommending his podcast instead?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions (except maybe that last one, it’s called the Cryptonaturalist, and yes, you should check that out, but we tell ourselves Brett’s mom would be disappointed if we just stopped ours). This is but the consistent (?) chattering of chums. However, if you find yourself searching for an oasis of inspiration in an ever growing desert of inconsistency, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWhen was the last time we really loved what we were doing? Really loved the art that we set out, however long ago, to create and the art made by others? For some of us (!?!),  maybe that was as recently as today, but for many of us, that love has been barricaded deep within us by years of life’s countless convoluting forces. Maybe it feels like it’s left us entirely.Welcome back to Nah-Cademics! Following a totally planned—though interestingly timed—hiatus after season 2 episode 1, Brett and John are back to discuss whether or not that once winged love of creation in its most basic, recreational forms can be recovered. -Is it normal for an artist to go through periods of wondering whether or not their creative path has reached a dead end? Is it possible to still forge ahead and rekindle their love for the mere process of creation after lengthy periods of feeling uninspired?-Is it possible to discern and overcome the countless subtle voices that prevent us from simple acts of creativity in its purest, playful expressions? -Since it’s apparent that Brett and John haven’t been busy, you know, accomplishing great feats, can we count on them to not take another five month hiatus? As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to these questions—except maybe that last one (Answer: Count on us at your own risk. Zelda ain’t gonna play itself, but we’ll do our best). It is but recreational rambling. However, if you see the clock ticking down on the game that you once loved, but feel like you’ve forgotten how to play, this podcast is for you! Come, overthink with us! PS) This episode was actually going to be a bit longer than this, but the computer decided to stop recording when even it got tired of hearing us talk. If you’d like to send it a thank you message, you can do so at [email protected].  JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailIs it just us or has everything been feeling a little stagnant lately? As we find ourselves caught in the monotonous whirlpool of tending to responsibilities, making ends meet, and feeling just that much older every time we come up for air, it can start to feel like our lives have lost all momentum—and the longer we’re forced to cling to these empty routines, the harder it seems to grasp firmly the hope that used to buoy us towards our imagined futures.Kicking off the much anticipated (we tell ourselves) Nah-Cademics Season 2, Brett and John return from their mundane meanderings to discuss that ever-lingering question of how one keeps creative hope alive in a world (and body) which only gets more exhausting by the day… hence why John keeps yawning. #methodpodcasting— Is the joy one experiences through art a sufficient enough motivation to continue—especially when the financial realities of life are particularly pressing?— As the old roadmaps for “success” are seeming less realistic, is there hope to be found in embracing the new opportunities modernity has to offer and celebrating momentum on a smaller scale?— Now that Brett has discovered a newfound optimism, can John follow suit by simply living vicariously through his Latin American counterpart with whom he shares an Apple Music profile?As always, Nah-cademics offers no definitive answers to any of these questions (well, except maybe that last one, the answer is: yes, yes, he can. The music slaps.)—it is honestly just a nourishing way to pass the time. However, if you find yourself feeling like the only one trapped on the tarmac to nowhere (and really hoping your guitar doesn’t end up in Guam again), this podcast is for you! PS) Our sincere apologies to the artist Rodriguez for not being able to remember his name while recording. Latin John Dennis almost certainly would have, so add another point to his column. JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWhat is true artistic freedom? We’d all almost certainly argue that it looks something like having no boundaries or restrictions to one’s creative process or the time needed to perfect it. Maybe it means having the resources to rent a studio and pay musicians for months on end, or maybe it looks more like being able to create any convention-defying work you want without fear of rejection or financial consequence—ideally, not a podcast. Regardless, we all have a tendency to romanticize the freedom which, in practice, is often both unrealistic and ineffective while resenting the limitations that, in reality, can actually be beneficial as they force us to rein in our perfectionism and discipline our process. Note: The truth is, Brett and John were about to be late for a movie, so they made the topic on the benefits of limiting factors and hoped you’d think it was enlightened. It was not, but hey, at least you only have to listen to them ramble for half the time.-What is it about creating “conventional” art that seems so repulsive, and in what ways has our deliberate striving to feel original prevented us from disciplined growth?-How can daily, scheduled creative periods and deadlines aid in getting us out of cycles of inactivity and perfectionism?-How does Brett and John’s limitation of endlessly overthinking how they’re being perceived benefit them in the creation of a podcast that is shorter than normal?As always, Nah-cademics offers no definitive answers to these questions—well, except maybe that last one (answer: heh heh, it does not.)—it is but the, usually meandering, chatter of fools, but if you find yourself creating only excuses but never any art, this podcast is for you—and we’ll only be enabling your distraction for half the normal time. Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailWhy is it that no matter how vigorously we run the race of life, we always end up feeling like we’re falling behind? Whether we’re losing ground, time, or patience, why do we invariably get so bogged down by what we know to be but mundane detours in our quest for joy that we put on the back burner any of the activities that will actually bring us closer to our true goals?In this episode, our favorite carping creatives, Brett and John, revel in their own Sisyphean struggles when it comes to actually, you know, creating and aim to find ways to not only extend ourselves some grace, but also better use the free time we do have to feel more fulfilled—such as, complaining about it on an amateur podcast on a biweekly basis. -What is it about our creative endeavors that makes them so easy to put at the bottom of our to do lists when we’re constantly measuring ourselves most acutely by our progress in them?-How can we view deadlines as a positive way of forcing our efforts and preventing ourselves from falling into the perfectionism trap?-For two people so intent on not squandering energy or time in unproductive ways, how’s starting an amateur podcast working out?As always, Nah-cademics offer no definitive answers to these questions—well except maybe that last one (answer: Well, no worse than anything else, but we do it so you don’t have to)—this is but the spinning of a hamster wheel. All the same, if you find yourself always behind in the things that matter most to you and needing something to listen to while stuck in traffic on an unfulfilling detour of life, this podcast is for you. Silence works too. Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailA good friend can be hard to find. How is it that, for a subset of people who define themselves by their sensitivity and depth, it can feel so difficult to find relationships that aren’t centered on networking and shallow small talk?Sure, we may know a hundred other artists who we get along well with, but how well do we really know these folks, and how well do they know us beyond what shows we have coming up or what new projects we’re working on? Casual acquaintances are great, but the loneliness inevitably creeps in when one needs friends with whom to share the true joys and sorrows of life —such as when you need help moving or company at the DMV. In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John seek to get to the bottom of this dilemma and inadvertently confirm that running an amateur podcast doesn’t automatically net you a bunch of friends—shocking, we know. -How much of the feeling of having too few friends is really the result of over romanticizing the friendships of our youth and failing to accept and redefine what they mean in adulthood?-As musicians who (most of the time) love music, why does talking about music often feel so exhaustingly hollow?-Would Brett and John have more friends if they simply attended more “Pickin’ Parties”?As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers to the above questions—well, except maybe that last one (it’s doubtful, they’re “those podcast guys,” remember?)—it is but the eager chattering of two long-winded loners. However, if you find yourself asking any of the above questions and always feeling alone the crowd, this podcast is for you.Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailSometimes it gets to feeling like the acts we put on pervade well beyond the literal stage. In an age where we feel like the eyes of the world are always upon us (at least in our heads), it can become difficult to know who we are underneath it all—both as artists and as people.In this episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John try to get to the bottom of this exhausting —and ultimately unnecessary—performative tendency.-Though we feel repulsed when we feel ourselves putting on an act, is it truly wrong to be this way, or does it ever serve a beneficial function? -How can things like social media marketing, creativity, and mundane interactions be approached in a more healthy way which doesn’t feel like our self-acceptance and authenticity are in constant jeopardy?-Is Facebook’s care emoji just a form of gaslighting, or is it possible that we overthink it and should realize that we’re incapable of knowing the level of someone else’s sincerity? As always, this podcast offers no definitive answers—it’s just whichever answer makes you like us more… heh heh, just kidding (sort of)—but if you find yourself feeling like the only one always wearing a mask and quietly resenting it, this podcast is for you. Come, overthink with us! JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailEpisode 4: You Are Not Your ArtWhy does it matter so much that others like our art ? Sure, we can all cling to the rational platitudes of “it doesn’t matter, so long as we personally love what we’re doing,” but let’s face it, it still hurts our feelings when others don’t share the belief that we’re doing something special—and more importantly, don’t constantly remind us of such. In today’s episode, Brett and John dive into these feelings and wax (un)poetic about the dangerous tendency we have towards over-identifying with our art. For just because others don’t, hypothetically, think that your podcast is special, eloquent, or even a net positive for the world, it doesn’t mean they think less of you as person, right?…RIGHT!?!-How much of our identity (and value) is tied up in what we create, and is it even possible to create art which is “inauthentic?” -if we made no art, would our lives and where we are in it still be special/worthwhile? -Will Brett still speak to John after finding out that he does, on RARE occasion, listen to Creed? As always, Nah-cademics offers no expertise or definitive answers to any of these questions—well, except maybe that last one (answer: not if he wants to hold on to that last shred of dignity). This is merely the spinning of wheels, but if you find yourself feeling alone in asking the above questions and stuck between the need for constant reassurance and the awareness of how ridiculous that need is, this podcast is for you. Come, overthink with us!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailPt 2: New Year, Same Me‘Tis (still) the season! In this follow up holiday episode, Brett and John shift their rambling from the past-looking pathos of Christmas to the futile futurism of New Years—for what better cure for spending another holiday ruminating on all that we’ve lost and fallen short of than to set new resolutions to invariably regret next year; but hey, anything for some content!Are New Years Resolutions even helpful? Is it possible to be goal oriented without measuring our success (and worth) by what we’ve accomplished? What defines a “good year?” Is there improvement to be found in focusing on the small victories rather than on life’s inevitable discomforts and our inability to avoid them?  How many self-help Instagram quotes does one have to read to achieve enlightenment?As always, there are no definitive answers to be found here—though we can confirm the answer to that last one is more than a lot—it is but an exercise in overthinking out loud…festively! In short, if you find yourself entering a new year dreading needing to listen to this podcast again 12 months from now just to not feel alone in your perceived future shortcomings, this episode is for you—though yea, let’s face it, we’ll more than likely still be here either way. PS) in this episode you’ll get to witness John wreck his ‘23 resolution of not misleading anyone on the pronunciation of a philosopher’s name. Brett’s correct, Schrödinger has a hard g. Way to go, John. Year failed.JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailPt. 1: Walking Backwards Through Life’Tis the season! On this two-part episode, Brett and John sing the holiday blues—not literally, thank goodness—and attempt to get to the bottom of that subtle, unspoken sadness that always seems to undergird this time of year.Maybe it’s the dwindling sunlight, the passage of time, or having too keen an awareness of where this shopping cart full of Beanie Baby equivalents will eventually end up (it ain’t eBay), but it is sometimes difficult to truly experience the joy of a season which so naturally reminds us of the impermanence of things—especially for those who tend to over sentimentalize and reminisce (ahem…).What is it about the holidays that makes them so ripe for the broad spectrum of emotion, while seemingly associating anything other than joviality with being a Scrooge?Is there a way that we can channel lessons learned from our creative journeys to be more present and not miss the joy of the moment due to focusing too much on the fact that it will end?For two people so quick to critique consumerism, why do Brett and John keep talking so much about having personal revelations at Target? As always, Nah-cademics offers no genuine expertise or answers. It is merely an exercise in overthinking out loud and—to answer that last question—hypocrisy. In any case, if you, too, find yourself feeling fa-la-la-la-fatalistic amidst the merry multitudes, this is for you.Come, overthink with us and have Happy… er… you know what, just have a Holiday!JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions

Send us Fan MailCome, overthink with us. Who do you make art for? Do you feel like you owe it to anyone to keep being an artist? Is starting a podcast (and calling it art) really worth disappointing your parents over?This podcast will not help you answer those questions—well, except maybe the last one—but in the debut episode of Nah-cademics, Brett and John discuss: The feeling that one is letting down their loved ones by not “succeeding”The ways in which their goals for life have evolved as has the role creativity plays in that journeyLearning to be okay with being both content in the present moment and in striving for a better life by letting go of judgement and expectation.As always, there is no expertise to be found here; it is but the spinning of wheels. What can be found, however, is two clueless troubadours asking some of the questions you might have felt like you were the only one asking.**This episode also features the first appearance of the Flagrant Falsehood Foghorn (trademark pending) when Brett butchers boxing stats. JohnDennisMusic.comBrettRyanStewart.comWirebird Productions