My Coaching Process
Recently, a few people emailed and asked about my process as a coach. Good question! Here’s the scoop I work in both an intuitive and systematic way. After deep diving into your goals, motivations and [...]
Advice on Going to College (and Living Your Life)
Connect with people that you think you might not like or are really different from you. Take classes that aren’t up your alley. It may be difficult to see when you’re in the middle of [...]
Be like Larry Sanders and Garry Shandling- Use Your Creativity to Transform Your Life
i don’t usual take photos of my tv set. “Give more, give what you didn’t get, love more, drop the old story.” this is a note that comedian garry shandling wrote to himself. [...]
Writing into Your Subconscious
I am convinced that most of what drives our behavior is seriously affected by our subconscious programming in one way or another. I’m not gonna go into it in a big way on this [...]
Design Your Life
When a designer makes a new thing, there are always trade offs. To make your laptop more powerful, you need to make a bigger battery. That makes the whole thing heavier, bigger and more expensive. [...]
A Basic Concept of a Good Life
One of the most basic concepts of living a good life is rarely taught to kids. Being of value to others, offering hope, service, inspiration. We naturally gravitate towards this in one way or another. [...]
Einstein’s Dreams
Time is a mystery to physicists, shamans and the average Joe who cares to ponder it. I doubt we’ll ever really figure it out while we’re running around on Earth, but there are a few [...]
Breathe in and Receive
You guys ever read the Tao the Ching? It’s an ancient Chinese philosophy that talks about the balance of energies in the universe. Night/ day, masculine/ feminine, active/ passive. The deal is that if you [...]
Music in the Age of Distraction
We live in the age of distraction. Face the facts. This sucks for many reasons. It takes time and concentration to complete nearly any worthwhile goal. And social media and everything else are doing their [...]
The Tough Times are Worth It
My mom went to college in the 60s and is still friends with her roommate. The roommate has been a career artist. Tons of success. And some dark times of barely scraping by. One day [...]
A Star is Born
Do you know the recording artist Maggie Rogers? She’s amazing. And she has a kind of mind blowing origin story. She was at NYU as a music student a few years ago when Pharrell Williams, [...]
Life is Rhythm
Life is rhythm. In fact, all of nature is rhythm. As a bassist, I know this is true. I often see the rhythms of energy, focus and motivation in my daily life. Oftentimes I’m kicking [...]
Questioning Authority
As a young man stuck in the dulls of small town suburbia, I gravitated toward the punk rock ethos of “F Authority.” It was perfect. Easy to understand and easy to apply to teachers, parents [...]
How to Reclaim Your Power
If/ then. How many times in your life have you considered this little algorithm with any number of different variables? If she wants dessert, then I’m definitely getting some cake. If I get a raise, [...]
Gifts to Your Future Self
Way, way back in the olden days, when my grandmother was just a kid, she showed some aptitude for playing piano. My great grandparents didn’t have any money but they went wild and bought her [...]
A Beautiful Gift from a Dark Place
Unlike this year, last year around the holidays, I flew from my home in Seattle to the east coast to visit my family. As usual we had a layover in Chicago. It was already about [...]
Designing Your Time
When a designer makes a new thing, there are always trade offs. Creating a black and white T shirt is cheaper, but often less engaging. Put more sugar in your cereal and it'll taste better. It's [...]
How to Find Joy in Our Creativity
If/ then. How many times have you considered this little algorithm with any number of different variables? If she wants dessert, then I’m definitely getting some cake. If I get a raise, then I’m buying [...]
How to Turn a Challenge into an Win
Everybody likes it when things are easy. But it’s the challenges in our work and creativity (and pretty much everything else) that help us step into the extraordinary. When I started writing songs and recording [...]
The Gold of Summer Camp Stories
While I was writing my summer camp screenplay, I noticed something strange happening. Although the story was not really about me, I could see aspects of myself play out in my characters. Whoa. My hopes, [...]
The Magic of Music
I’ve had some really rough days recently. Getting sucked down the dark hallways. Feeling that deep heaviness, fear, anxiety. I hope you’ve somehow managed to swerve around this kind of thing. Maybe the deep breathing [...]
Tune Out of the Media, Tune into Your Creativity
Things are pretty crazy around here in Seattle, around the country, and around the world. It’s scary and things are changing fast. Besides prepping, washing your hands and all of that, we may be doing [...]
The 7MindSets
Overwhelm. The Inner Critic. Bad habits. Fear. Procrastination. Imposter syndrome. As heart-centered solopreneurs, side hustlers and/or creative types, we face these factors every.single.day. Below are the 7 MindSets that will help you go from Stuck [...]
The Solopreneur DreamJob
Just like you, I’ve done many jobs in my life. I’ve worked illegally and underage at a scrap yard. I’ve interviewed rock stars. I’ve mowed grass. I’ve helped people heal and thrive. I’ve even made [...]
Lead Yourself into Work that Matters
The world is full of followers. F that. If you have an idea, a dream, an agenda, a cause— it’s your responsibility to take action. I know. Big words, right? Responsibility sounds like a burden. [...]
Become Wonderful
As a functional adult these days, it’s really easy to lose your sense of wonder. Why does that matter? And why should you care? When you lose the wonder, your world becomes flat. Boring sets [...]
The Essence of Rock
You rock! That rocks! We will rock you! We hear the rock word tossed around all the time. It’s one of those words that holds some kind of magic, some kind of power. It’s like [...]
The Punk Rock Spirit— Assets and Liabilities
F authority. That was my mantra starting at about age fifteen when I turned onto the ethos of the punk rock music that shouted from heart. I was a discontented suburban kid. Bored. Unseen. Pissed [...]
How to Veer in the Direction of Your Dreams
Thought is cause. What the hell am I talking about? Fair question. Sometimes I speak in riddles. Here’s the scoop. Everything in the human world began in one place. Sometimes this is obvious. Sometimes not. [...]
The Wisdom of the Power Curve
I am not a race car drive. Nor do I play one on TV. Many years ago, I had an amazing boss at KNDD, 107.7 The End, the radio station that brought Seattle’s grunge music [...]
The Freshman and Steeled Tipped Boot of NFA
As a teacher and creativity coach, I sometimes need to square up and kick hard with the steel tipped boot of NFA. It can be kind of harsh. But it’s always backed with love. It’s [...]
A Magical Element of Music
Tonight I am taking a major trip on a musical time machine. It was July, 1985, when my folks dropped me and few friends off in the parking lot at The Spectrum in Philadelphia somewhere [...]
Heart Crushing Moments and the Joy of the Unexpected
How’s the new year treating you? You guys rocking forward with your writing, tunes and other general creative mayhem? Hope so! This past weekend in Seattle I had the absolute honor to lead a [...]
The Bonfire of Old Stories
How many old stories do you hold onto? I’m talking about the stories of your life. And for you [...]
Overcoming Overwhelm
The second day of shooting my short film ROADTRIPPING WITH DIA was easily one of the top ten most stressful days of my life. With the cast and crew all on-set (and on my dime) [...]
Stepping Forward with Your Courageous Heart
(I wrote this a few weeks ago— right before I started production on my second short film, ROADTRIPPING WITH DIA.) In case you’ve never made a movie before, it’s an incredibly complex creative and technical [...]
The Deep Value of Your Creative Heart
The other day out of the clear blue I got a referral to write some original music for a high end international dance troupe. These guys are Not F*ing Around. Fortune 500 corporate gigs, celebrity [...]
Cracking the Code of the Structured Jam
When I was a teenager learning to play guitar I was so psyched to learn cover songs. I had this amazing teacher, this long haired 20 something metal dude named Eric Todd. This guy could [...]
Every Creative Sapien (Hero #7)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
My Imaginary Friends
As a kid, I didn’t really have any friends. I was always sort of lost in my own little world, making up stories, creating kingdoms and stirring up magic potions. Or drawing wayyy outside the [...]
Azure Anarchy— SuperStar Goth Student (Hero #6)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
The Gift of Music (and how to use it)
I finally blasted out of my hometown in Pennsylvania and landed at a college in California (after dropping out to start a tie-dye business in my grandmother’s basement). I found my way to my dorm [...]
Henry Rollins— Punk Rock Spoken Word Artist (Hero #5)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
The Real Life Magical Barista
A few weeks ago as I was about to gear up for my next set of online workshops. I sent a note informing all of you SuperStars that I was gonna be firing out [...]
Holden Caulfeild— The Catcher in the Rye (Hero #4)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
Anna S.— First Awesome Boss (Hero #3)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
Weird Friendless Kid
I don’t know about you, but I was a weird friendless kid. It’s hard to remember the moment when I internalized the ‘weird’ part, although I have a feeling it was in preschool. I have [...]
Mike Schmidt— Guitar God (Hero #2)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
Finding the Perfect in Our Imperfections
I’ve had some pretty shit jobs in my life— working at a metal scrap yard, scrubbing toilets, telemarketing. But I’ve also had some damn good ones. Years ago, I had a gig as a music journalist [...]
Hawkeye Pierce (Hero #1)
My heroes are people who shine, act and broadcast clear ideals that have shaped my personality and mission in life. Heroes don’t always save babies in burning buildings. Sometimes they simply show us courageous ways [...]
The ‘Rents Were Not Pleased— But Now My Mom is My Biggest Fan
“Stop playing guitar! Do your homework!” My mom obviously didn’t understand. At fifteen years old I just wanted to rock. Not science, not math, not history. Rock. I, of course, kept playing. My fingers almost [...]
What Anna Said— “Know Your Power”
When I first moved to Seattle in 1994 a series of very unlikely events landed me in the highrise office towers of 107.7 THE END, the radio station that broke grunge music to the world. [...]
Remixing Your Value
Bernard Resnick is my entertainment lawyer and friend. Affectionately nicknamed Bernie the Attorney, he’s held my hand through about a million sketchy music deals, licenses and various other business transactions over the past decade and [...]
Giving Gifts from Within
As you may have noticed, there’s a ton of hoopla around the holiday season. I’m all for hoopla, but I’ve never been a big fan of the cultural and corporate mandate to spend, spend, spend [...]
Quick Tips to Kick Ass (the NFA Way) Part 2
Making it happen in the creative world can be tough. Forces appear to conspire against us. F* that. The biggest forces conspiring against us are generally within. And we all hold power there. I’ve got [...]
Quick Tips to Kick Ass (the NFA Way) Part 1
Making it happen in the creative world can be tough. Forces appear to conspire against us. F* that. The biggest forces conspiring against us are generally within. And we all hold power there. I’ve got [...]
How to Blast Past the Bull and Get Sh*t Done (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this blog post we learned all about my dad’s famous wisdom of lists and piles. And how I went from hanging out half the day at a greasy spoon to getting [...]
Overcoming Mistakes and Rejection
Film Courage: …And I’m wondering what your take is on rejection because it doesn’t feel so great. Jeff Leisawitz: I…don’t want rejection but embrace [...]
What Got Me Out of a Creative Funk
Film Courage: At what moment did you say “I’m really going to do this!” Because we all love to think of these awesome ideas [...]
What Drives a Screenplay?
Film Courage: Jeff, regarding screenwriting, can you talk about the Power of Intention and how a writer needs to check their own intention, either [...]
What is the SuperVillain of the Creative Self?
Some theories of psychology believe that we’re made of psychological parts. Lover, brother, leader, activist, humanitarian, whatever. But there’s a dark side. For every saint there’s a sinner. For every virgin there’s a whore. If [...]
Fail Fast. Kick Ass Faster!
Failure is a scary word. Terrifying. Frightening. Paralyzing. But literally every successful musician, artist, songwriter and producer who’s kicking ass will tell you this—the faster you fail, the faster you succeed. In fact, when you [...]
Fail Fast— The Re-Write, Re-Pitch, Re-Dream
Fail fast. I dare you. Fail at writing a decent screenplay. Fail to distill it into a killer logline. Fail to communicate your big idea with that hot shot movie producer. How do you feel [...]
Tap Into Your Core Wounds to Bring Your Characters to Life
What hurts you deeply? What’s the scariest, most f*ed up, most traumatic moment of your life? What patterns of dysfunction, failure, or unending pain have been haunting you all your days? Tap into this darkness. [...]
Not F*ing Around— The Screenwriter’s Edition
Writing screenplays is hard work. I know. I’ve written a bunch. Not only do you have to know story structure, dialogue, formatting, tone, pace, and about a hundred other things, you actually [...]
Three Steps to Rocket Your Creative Dreams into the Stratosphere
I was definitely the weird kid. The boy who played with invisible friends out there on the playground during recess. I had what you might call “a rich inner life.” I guess that’s expected when [...]
How to Blast Past the Bull and Get Sh*t Done (Part 1)
Do you experience various flavors and shades of bullsh*t on a daily basis? If I were a betting man, I’d lay down a benjamin or two right about now. The nonsense of the world, however [...]
PODCAST— The Art of Creativity
Listen to my podcast one The Daily Beat— The Art of Creativity HERE.
PODCAST— Story Beat
Listen to my Story Beat podcast interview with Steve Cuden HERE.
PODCAST— The Writers Toolbelt
Listen to my podcast interview on The Creative Writer's Tool Belt HERE.
Secret Weapons of the Creative World
Being a kid at summer camp in the late 70’s was cool for a whole bunch of reasons. For me, the biggest one was turning onto the amazing rock music that was blasting out of [...]
Why Writers Write
By B. O'Malley This weekend, I was able to interview author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and musician Jeff Leisawitz, who helps filmmakers, screenwriters, and other creative people find their creative voice and inspiration, and get on track [...]
Two Roads Diverged In A Wood… And We’re Afraid To Take The One Less Travelled
At the end of our days, it just won’t matter what those who don’t matter think of us. Yet, even though each of us knows this, we convince ourselves that their ideas, opinions, and plans [...]
Pushing Past the Eclipse
Humans around the world, for zillions of years, have been freaking out every time the sun goes dark in the middle of the day. I would too, if I didn’t know the science. I might [...]
Lunch with my Guru Dentist, Part 1
My dentist was my guru. As a kid, my brothers and I always went to the same dentist. Dr. Serwin was kind of a strange guy. Big beard. Big laugh. Smelled kind of funny. But [...]
The Biggest Lie of the Creative Life
The biggest lie of the creative life is that you have to be inspired to make something great. This is total bullsh*t. Complete horse sh*t. Absolute dog sh*t. Every successful artist, musician and writer knows [...]
The Pleasures of Being Human
The other day I was cruising down the I5 freeway going from Seattle to Olympia to visit Jetta, an old college friend. It was a day off. I was free from the job, the hassle [...]
Caffeinated Wisdom— Mystic Coffee
As a life coach and independent filmmaker I was inspired to make a short film called MYSTIC COFFEE. MYSTIC COFFEE is about a wise and magical barista who offers advice along with her beverages. As [...]
A Rock n Roll Take with a Voice of Reason
By Stacie Rose Dear world…I have recorded five songs for my upcoming album. I am going for a more live feel here. Less over-dubs. Less fuss. More focus on the songs, the mood, and creating [...]
NFA SuperStar: Marcus Lopés— Chef/ Baker
by Marcus Lopés The creative thing I do just for the pure joy of it is to cook and bake. It's always great to play without feeling the pressure that the world will judge it. So [...]
Do you even know how cool you are?
Do you even know how cool you are? Do you? Seriously. I don’t know you, but I do know one thing— I know that every single human who has ever walked on this planet has value. [...]
The Pure Joy
I’m a goal oriented guy. I like to do things for some kind of reason. To be productive. To move forward in a project. When I’m not resting or hanging out with the people I [...]
How to Rock Like U2
U2 has been one of my favorite bands for very long time. Back in Jr. High when I was learning guitar I played Sunday Bloody Sunday over and over and over again until I channeled [...]
The Beautiful Truth About Your Dying Day
Every day, every hour, the clock ticks. And whether we like it or not, every breath takes us closer to our deaths. Harsh, [...]
Bangin’ the Drums of My Dreams
I’ve always wanted to play drums ever since I can remember. But it never really happened. Yes, I constantly tap out beats on the steering wheel and table top. When I’ve played with bands I’ve begged the drummer [...]
Buy Your F*ing Ticket to California
I’m not a travel agent. I don’t care which airline you fly. But please, do yourself a major favor and buy yourself a f*ing ticket to California. This is a metaphor. Of course. California [...]
Waiting at the Mailbox (for My Rock God to Write Back)
To say that I was a madman, die hard, full-on Styx fan would be an understatement. In junior high I glued all of my Styx albums to the wall (much to my mom’s dismay). I cranked albums [...]
What is the Supervillain of the Creative Self?
Some theories of psychology believe that we’re made of psychological parts. Lover, brother, leader, activist, humanitarian, whatever. But there’s a dark side. For every saint there’s a sinner. For every virgin there’s a whore. [...]
The Art of Fulfillment
The other day I found myself at a huge event where NFA SuperStar Tony Robbins was doing his thing. In case you don’t know, Tony has been the undisputed champion of self help and business [...]
Start Before You’re Ready (and Build a Galactic Beacon to the Gods)
My good friend Miguel Edwards is my current hero. He (along with a team of awesome humans— including his dad) designed and built a three and a half story kinetic sculpture in Seattle called Pursues II [...]
How to Re-define Failure and Flip into Possibility
Have you ever failed? Yeah, me too. It f’ing sucks. Now step back. Define failure. Most people would probably say it has something [...]
How to Find the Quiet, Clear your Babbling Brain, and Tune into your Truth
The world is loud. It is noisy. Distracting. Frantic. Noise is not just sound. Sure, there’s traffic everywhere, TVs and radios blaring, [...]
Mean it Like Aretha — How to Make Art that Matters
When a movie or book changes the way you understand the world, there’s a reason. When a painting or photograph stirs you at the [...]
Tap Your Soul and Find Success as an Indie Artist— 5 Steps
I’ve been an independent artist my entire adult life. Musician, photographer, filmmaker. Sounds glamorous, right? It pretty much isn’t. Although it’s great to follow your passions (and I very highly recommend it) any working artist [...]
Loving the Bully Within
The world is full of bullies. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. It’s true. In one way or another someone will eventually intentionally overpower you. Kick your ass and/ or heckle and tease [...]
Scarface was Right
Every moment of our lives we’re either acting upon the world or reacting to it. Both are necessary. But you gotta keep an eye on the ratio. If you’re generally reacting— in your work, in your [...]