Summary

What does it really mean to survive through art?

Alex and Chris take a thoughtful detour from craft mechanics and dive into something deeper — how writing, storytelling, and the arts help us survive difficult seasons of life.

From Chris’s college epiphany (when a professor bluntly told him he loved music… but wasn’t a musician), to reflections on Stephen King writing his way through trauma, to stories of young artists in the Bronx finding sanctuary on stage — this conversation explores how creativity becomes more than career.

It becomes identity.
It becomes a refuge.
It becomes survival.

We also talk about:

• Knowing who you really are (Aristotle would approve)

• The difference between loving an art form and being called to it

• Why self-reflection matters more than external labels

• How artists like Josh Johnson find their voice in chaotic times

• Surviving expectations — especially other people’s expectations

• Why your art doesn’t need to fit someone else’s definition to be valid

Whether writing is your sanctuary, your profession, your side hustle, or your calling, this episode asks a simple but powerful question:

What does your art do for you?

And maybe even more importantly…

What might it do for someone else?

Tell your story.
Tell it honestly.
Tell it bravely.
And as always…

Tell the damn story.

Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?

Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.

Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

And follow us on ...

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

www.TellTheDamnStory.com

TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. 

Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠