Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.
Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.
Produced & Written by MJDorian
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52: Hilma af Klint • Painting the Unseen • Part 1: Life & Death & Art
Episode 54
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 • Duration 01:21:53
What makes Hilma af Klint's artwork so groundbreaking? Did she really create her art with the aid of higher beings? And why did it take a century for the art world to catchup with her vision and finally recognize her genius? Join me as we discover the answers to all of that and so much more.
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Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try one of three different mental performance shots. Get 60% off with promo code: CODEX60. Just follow this link: http://magicmind.com/codexmf
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes including Kurt Cobain, Jung's Red Book Reading, and the Tarot Exegesis series: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Thank you in advance!
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Resources used:
• Hilma af Klint: A Biography by Julia Voss
• Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future by The Guggenheim Museum
• Hilma af Klint: Notes and Methods
• Hilma af Klint and The Five's Sketchbooks
• Hilma af Klint's Philosophy of Life by Johan af Klint
51: The Tarot • Part II: Synchronicity & The Spirit of Creative Genius
Episode 53
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • Duration 01:23:24
By what mechanism does Tarot work? On this episode we answer that question through the illuminating writings and theories of Dr. Carl Jung and Marie Louise von Franz.
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Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try their mental performance shots. Get 48% off with promo code: CREATIVECODEX. Just follow this link: https://magicmind.com/creativecodex
Language Fails Us: Confronting the Nature of Art & Artessence
Episode 48
Thursday, June 6, 2024 • Duration 22:32
Where language breaks, art begins. Language routinely fails us in conversations about art and creativity. In the following essay, I elaborate on the reason for this problem and offer three terms which can help give more depth and clarity to our discussions of art.
The three primary experiential aspects of art:
Art-making: verb, a creative act that results in an art-object.
Art-object: noun, a material or immaterial byproduct of art-making.
Artessence: noun, the state of mind of an art experience.
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1
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All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
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Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.
46: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 3)
Episode 47
Thursday, May 9, 2024 • Duration 02:05:40
What happens to Alexander McQueen when he achieves his life's dream? Is he able to continue creating inspired collections in spite of the intense pressures of global fame? What are the personal meanings behind his most iconic collections? And what leads to his tragic end?
We will explore all of those questions and much more on this finale to the McQueen series.
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View the companion gallery for this episode here: https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1
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Research Sources:
• Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
• Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
• McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
• Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
• McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
• Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
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Audio Editor: Erik Texter
All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
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Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!
Executive Producer: Mike Hill
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Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!
Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!
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Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
---------
Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.
Creativity Tip 23: Be Driven By A Vision
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 • Duration 12:14
All creative geniuses have visions throughout their lives which guide their work. What does it mean to have a vision? How does a vision differ from a goal? How do you discover your own vision? Let's talk about it.
This insight developed from recent studies and reflections I've been engaged in, it is part of my current attempt to define creative genius through several traits which all creative geniuses seem to share. In searching through all of the insights gathered over five years of doing this show, I've noticed that all of the figures we have covered have a vision which, in some way, guides their creativity.
I hope you find this minisode inspiring.
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Here are the questions mentioned in the episode. I recommend getting a journal or opening up a notepad on your computer and answering them to compel a vision of your own. Feel free to be as prosaic and lengthy as you like.
What activities / mediums am I most passionate about? What are my strengths in those activities / mediums?
What subjects and styles do I find most engaging? What subjects and styles do I love ‘creating in’ most?
What’s something the world needs? What’s something I’ve never seen anyone do?
Even if the process of answering these doesn’t lead to a new vision immediately, the act of dialogue with your inner world will jumpstart something which will.
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1
-----------
All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
————
Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.
45: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 2)
Episode 46
Thursday, March 7, 2024 • Duration 01:23:35
More than anything else in the world, Alexander McQueen at 21 years old wants to be a fashion designer. He embarks on a bold journey to flip the fashion industry on its head. But what makes his early collections so revolutionary and controversial? And what leads to him being 'discovered'?
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View the companion gallery for this episode (including the video of McQueen's graduate collection) here: https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1
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Research Sources:
• Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
• Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
• McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
• Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
• McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
• Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
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Audio Editor: D. Martin Sound
All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
————
Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!
Executive Producer: Mike Hill
---------
Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!
Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!
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Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.
44: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 1)
Episode 45
Thursday, January 25, 2024 • Duration 01:04:59
How does a boy from a working class London background with no connections to the fashion industry go on to become one of the greatest fashion designers of all time? This is the story of Lee Alexander McQueen. Join me as we dive into the life and work of one of the most celebrated and controversial designers of the 21st century.
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
• Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
• Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
• McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
• Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
• McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
• Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
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Creativity Tip 22: Harvesting Time
Thursday, December 21, 2023 • Duration 11:29
Ever feel like life is too busy to explore your creativity? Ever feel like you don't have enough time?
On this Creativity Tip minisode we explore the idea of finding and utilizing the corners of your day. And the possibility that less time isn't always a bad thing–just ask yourself:
What can I do with the time that I have?
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Help fund Creative Codex in 2024 with a donation to our Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/creativecodex
Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to the Red Book Reading series, Kurt Cobain series, and other exclusive goodies:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
∞∞∞∞∞
All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
---------
Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.
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43: Listener Q&A 🎉 5 Year Anniversary Special 🎉
Episode 44
Thursday, December 7, 2023 • Duration 01:08:29
All of the questions in this episode were sent in by listeners via Instagram, Patreon messages, or Spotify responses.
Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the RED BOOK READING series and all the Episode Exclusives:
Questions (in order of appearance, with timestamps):
Do you think sadness / heartache / trauma is the secret ingredient to making great art? - Nikita ( 3:33 )
Of all the artists featured so far in Creative Codex, who would you most like to spend a day with – perhaps even working alongside or collaborating on a project? And what question would you most like to ask them? - Tamara ( 6:24 )
Will you ever do an autobiography? - X ( 9:03 )
What is the relation between Alchemy and Christianity, I know Jung wrote some pieces on it? - Tim Susss ( 10:16 )
How the hell do you do it? Is this your full time job? How do you read and dive into so many heads and worlds and then share it in this rich and atmospheric podcast? - Vika ( 11:48 )
What’s something you learned about a creator that caught you off guard and made you laugh? - Nolo ( 13:54 )
In episode 39: Carl Jung and Alchemy Part 1, 15 minutes and 17 seconds in, I would love to know the name of that beautiful piece of music. - Daniel ( 16:41 )
Do you think AI could ever independently tap into individual, animal or human collective consciousness? How will we know what art (say something done by hand like a painting or sculpture) is authentically from that artist anymore? Will imagination become an unused skill through laziness? - Sue Ryan ( 22:05 )
I have started a YouTube channel but I get discouraged very quickly. How do I stop getting discouraged? - Priyanka ( 34:27 )
42: Carl Jung & Alchemy • Part IV: The Heart of Alchemy
Episode 43
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 • Duration 01:34:35
What is your relationship to matter? On this episode–the fourth and final episode in the Jung & Alchemy series–we journey to the heart of alchemy. Through studying examples in alchemy we answer these questions: What are archetypes? What is the collective unconscious? What is individuation?
And the question to end all questions on the matter: What happens when you practice alchemy? Does it confirm Jung's theories? Let's find out.
I’d love to know about your writing process, I enjoy your work. Where do you start? - Thomas Widner & Vida013 ( 42:50 )
Do you think the Collective experience of archetypes (to articulate beliefs and ideas) has contributed to the rise of fantasy / collaborative storytelling games and entertainment in the recent years? - Nathan Grabosch ( 45:20 )
I have been reading Jacques Sadoul's “Alchemy and Gold”, and it states that alchemists wrote their discoveries in metaphors, since true knowledge has to remain occult. Why do you think this is? - Romina ( 47:10 )
How do you reconcile the tension between the desire to create something absolutely original with the idea that creativity seems to be the revealing of a truth? Is there anything new under the sun and should we strive for that if there is? - J Kent ( 48:39 )
Do you consider that genius is someone fixated in the stage of the albedo? This stage is the closest point between the ego and the collective unconscious. It’s a fascinating yet perilous stage (psychosis). - Trudy ( 52:45 )
How does Jung remember all these dreams and poignant symbolism so clearly? How could we follow his genius processes of the internal if our dream memories are not nearly as clear, if even present? - Mulnah ( 54:26 )
I’m curious what your feelings are about drugs and creativity? Are drugs a crutch, a useful tool, or something else? - Ben Thurnhoffer ( 56:00 )
I’m curious about how symbolism works in alchemy as well as in Jung’s work, the origin of symbols and such. - Chris DeHaven ( 59:25 )
Do you think that knowledge that Jung left behind was for the creatives and perhaps neurotypicals of today to be re-discovered to heal from modern madness and unlock potential? - Talos_draws ( 01:00:46 )
What is the relationship between art and value? What is the value of art? To elicit an experience? To convey a message? To transform the subjective into the objective? - Al Spaulding ( 01:02:34 )
How has this podcast changed your life? - Clinton King ( 01:05:30 )
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