Week #4 – Applause (with Rob Nicholson)
This past week for our fourth video, we interviewed Rob Nicholson – writer, singer, actor, podcaster, and all-around good company for our creative journey!
Rob is a singer, actor, award-winning playwright, and podcast host of The Rock and Horror Pop-cast Show. He is a father to three, partner to one, and in his own words: “a reckless renaissance man!”
Rob and I go back a long way to our hometown, but we stay connected through creativity…and the keen awareness that life is short and no tomorrow is promised. One of the things I most admire about Rob is that he is a relentless creator…and he not only encourages, but emboldens, anyone who crosses his path to step into their own creativity. (Even me!)
Because…what’s the alternative?
When I asked Rob about his seemingly fearless creativity he answered with this: “It comes down to this…you don’t know what tomorrow is, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. So, what’s the alternative?”
The question dogged me all week…what IS the alternative? Not doing, not creating, not trying? Is it settling, resigning, or even quitting?
What IS the alternative to being brave?
Brave (adjective) – exhibiting courage or courageous endurance
The funny thing is…the word “courage” literally means “of the heart.” So if “brave” is exhibiting your heart, and following it through, it’s no wonder creative endeavors take a certain type of bravery and urgency. Because the alternative would be heart-crushing…wouldn’t it?
Which leads me to the next take-away: Rob and I talked about the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people — not in the sense that they have to agree with you, but in the sense that they challenge you to rise to meet YOUR occasion, whatever that might be!
In addition to creative bravery and good company, we talked about:
- The challenges of adulting and the threat it poses to creativity (dogs, day jobs, and transmissions alike)
- The desire for applause (and why that might not be such a bad thing)
- Ideal routines (and how quickly they can be derailed)
- What tools Rob packs for work (and why he takes “all that stuff” with him in the bucket)
- The importance of having a good circle of friends!
What about you?
We would love to talk with you about your experiences with creating, collaborating, and keeping fun company for the journey! Join us in our private Facebook group where we break these questions down each week, share tools and techniques, and hold each other accountable to the work we have been called to create.
Because we know it’s hard…we want to talk about how!
Up next: Tune in to our Facebook page tomorrow when we get to talk to another amazing creator and newly minted friend in the faith and trauma space!
Until then, set your alarm for whatever time YOU feel most creative and productive, and then…
Rise and Write!
Grace
10/3/21 by Grace Church
© 2021 Rise and Write with Grace & James
riseandwritewithgrace@gmail.com
About Our Guest: Rob Nicholson is a singer, actor, award-winning playwright, and podcast host of The Rock and Horror Pop-cast Show – a podcast dedicated to all things rock, horror, and pop culture. He is a relentless creative and self-proclaimed reckless renaissance man with deep feelings for lyrics, music, and images (both moving and still). Father to three, partner to one, and an advocate for any creative soul lucky enough to cross his path — Rob lives in his hometown of Hopatcong, NJ but you can find him all over social media, starting with @rockandhorrorpopcastshow on Facebook.