---
title: "Unconventional Mind States and Slow, Slow Progress"

description: "Like a fox trapped in a corner, what kind of creative are you when the unexpected strikes? How do you train for it like my guest David Gnozzi (MixbusTv) in the gym or Bubby Lewis (Snoop Dogg, Jhené Aiko) with fasting and 1000 pushups? Let's talk about progress, change, and mindset. I don't know where AI will take the world, but I do know those three skills are as eternal as stardust."

status: complete

date: 2025-05-20

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Unconventional-Mind-States-and-Slow--Slow-Progress-e32q9a0"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unconventional-mind-states-and-slow-slow-progress/id1567355195?i=1000709102702&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uMC8t7ynp6UgrBsDE7xKA"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Collaboration"
  - "Creativity"
  - "Effects"
  - "Music production"
  - "Unconventional Mind States"
  - "The Deadline Effect"
  - "Mindset and Change"
  - "Physical Training for Creatives"
  - "Joy in Music Making"
  - "Personal Growth through Challenges"

hostNote: |
  "It's like a fox cornered; you really get to see what you're capable of." That's the deadline effect, not a threat but a diagnostic. The constraints and pressures you resent are often the ones that reveal what's actually there.
  
  This episode covers two slow-moving ideas: how unconventional mind states (pressure, altered perception, creative adversity, physical training, fasting) open access to instincts that comfortable, relaxed work doesn't reach, with reference to David Gnozzi and Bobby Lewis as examples, and how progress is genuinely slow and it's fine not to take on every battle at once. Some things only work if you let them marinate.
  
  One specific production note: sometimes the best-sounding records track drums piece by piece rather than all at once. The best version of a thing isn't always captured in one live room take. That applies to records and to careers.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "The Concept of the Deadline Effect"
    startSec: 90
    note: "I discuss the idea of the 'deadline effect' and how it impacts creativity and productivity."
  - label: "The Joy of Creation"
    startSec: 684
    note: "I reflect on how his creative process is influenced by his emotional states and my approach to music."
  - label: "Bobby Lewis's Approach to Music"
    startSec: 678
    note: "I share insights from his collaboration with Bobby Lewis and how my unique practices enhance creativity."
  - label: "The Importance of Progress Over Perfection"
    startSec: 1081
    note: "I address the reality of progress in skill development and the patience it requires."
  - label: "The Role of Altered Mind States"
    startSec: 679
    note: "I explore how different mind states influence artistic expression, drawing from conversations with his guests."
  - label: "Creativity in Adversity"
    startSec: 501
    note: "I talk about how unexpected circumstances can lead to the most genuine creativity."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "It’s like a fox cornered; you really get to see what you’re capable of."
    startSec: 509
    reviewed: true
  - text: "The world around us is constantly changing, and we have to adapt creatively or we can end up feeling lost."
    startSec: 541
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Progress takes time... and it’s okay not to take on every battle immediately."
    startSec: 1217
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Sometimes the best sounding records don’t actually play all the drums at once; they track them piece by piece."
    startSec: 266
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If you try and capture exactly the same magic, guess what? You won’t be able to."
    startSec: 454
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is the deadline effect in creativity?"
    answer: "The deadline effect refers to how deadlines can create bursts of motivation that enhance productivity and creativity."
  - question: "How does physical training impact creativity?"
    answer: "Physical training, such as weight lifting or athletic challenges, can improve mental clarity and creativity by fostering discipline and resilience."
  - question: "What role do altered mind states play in music production?"
    answer: "Altered mind states, whether from fasting, exercise, or other practices, can unleash new levels of creativity and innovation in music."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---