Podcast Summary: Chapter One: Taming of the “Woo!!”: Mastering Energy and Excitement

In this episode, Ruby dives into the complexities of mastering energy and excitement as an artist. She begins by acknowledging the artist’s natural inclination towards extremes, exploration, and pushing limits. Celebrating the exhilarating moments of success after an audition, Ruby explores the concept of ecstasy, rooted in the Greek word "ekstasis," which means "standing outside oneself." Artists experience this state as a vital part of their creative process, often losing themselves in the energetic flow of creativity.

Ruby introduces the idea of "body budget leaks" (BBLs), where excessive metabolic energy expenditure can lead to a depletion of one’s physical and mental resources. Drawing from Lisa Feldman Barrett’s research on "body budgets," Ruby debunks the myth of unlimited energy, emphasizing the importance of managing one’s daily energy reserves wisely to avoid burnout and fatigue.

She uses vivid metaphors such as an oversized pool toy taking up the entire pool, symbolizing how unchecked excitement can overwhelm and drain one’s energy. Ruby explains how our nervous systems can be thrown off balance by both negative and positive experiences, highlighting the need for tools to manage these fluctuations effectively.

Throughout the episode, Ruby encourages artists to distinguish between healthy excitement and detrimental energy leaks, often stemming from trauma or unresolved emotional issues. She stresses the importance of regulating the nervous system to maintain equilibrium, essential for sustainable growth and well-being in artistic pursuits.

Ruby discusses the profound impact of somatic memory on artistic expression, describing how unresolved trauma can manifest in dysregulated behaviors and extreme emotional responses. She shares personal insights and tools for artists to recognize and address these patterns, fostering a healthier relationship with their creative energy.

In conclusion, Ruby invites listeners to embrace a practice of neutrality with big life moments, advocating for a balanced approach that supports long-term artistic fulfillment and well-being. She offers practical exercises like the Capacity Rocketship tool to help artists manage excitement and maintain equilibrium in their creative journeys.

Join Ruby as she navigates the intricate balance between artistic passion and personal well-being, providing invaluable insights and tools for harnessing creative energy effectively. Discover how mastering energy and excitement can transform your artistic practice and enhance your overall life experience.

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🎙️ Episode Summary: Unveiling the Myth of the Starving Artist and the Power of the Nervous System

In this groundbreaking episode, we dive into the deep-rooted myth of the starving artist and explore its connection to the history of mental health. We'll unravel the mysteries of why the nervous system is so foreign to us and discuss whether nervous system work in the arts is a new frontier or if it has been intentionally suppressed.

Have you ever wondered why we haven't fully embraced our nervous systems despite artists being so connected to their bodies? Or why the education system seems to stifle our innate creativity? Picasso famously said, "All children are born artists," and a NASA study reveals that 98% of 5-year-olds are considered geniuses in imagination, a percentage that drastically drops as they grow older. We'll examine how our education system impacts our ability to imagine, stay curious, and be creative, causing profound damage.

This episode isn't just about uncovering problems; it's about sparking a revolution. We aim to redefine reality for artists, empowering them to thrive financially, change the world, and create without being shackled by the outdated stereotype of the starving artist. We'll delve into how genius and creativity have historically been linked to depression and mental illness, creating a culture of fear that hinders artists from embracing their full potential.

We'll tackle the concept of "freeze" response, an often misunderstood nervous system state, and its implications for artists. PTSD, officially recognized only in the 1980s, sheds light on why nervous system education is still lacking in many art schools. Through historical insights, we'll see how nervous system knowledge dates back centuries, yet remains underutilized in modern artistic training.

The episode will also address the dangerous stereotypes that have perpetuated the image of the melancholic genius, examining how this belief system has harmed countless artists. We'll explore the impact of cultural codes, advertising, and societal expectations on the perception of artists and their work.

By blending the arts and sciences, we aim to empower artists with knowledge about their nervous systems, debunking the myth that creativity and mental illness are inextricably linked. We'll highlight how understanding the nervous system can enhance performance, promote well-being, and foster a healthier, more empowered artistic community.

Join us as we embark on a journey to dismantle toxic paradigms, embrace a new era of artistic enlightenment, and revolutionize the way we understand creativity, mental health, and the human nervous system. The revolution begins now, and it starts with you.

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Join us in a profound exploration on "Muscle Music" where we delve deep into the intricacies of artists' nervous systems. This episode, brought to you by Ruby Rose Fox, features an illuminating conversation with Antonio Ocampo-Guzman, an esteemed actor, director, and professor at Northeastern University. Discover how artists navigate emotional landscapes from stage fright to self-expression through innovative somatic experiences.

Antonio recounts his transformative journey from a conservative upbringing in Colombia to becoming a designated Linklater master voice teacher and a voice for actors . The discussion ventures into the vital intersection of art and science, emphasizing the necessity of integrating body and mind to foster safe artistic practices post-COVID.

Whether you're an artist struggling to connect body and mind, a teacher seeking compassionate pedagogy, or simply a lover of profound human stories, this episode promises to enlighten, inspire, and empower.

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