1KHO 536: How to Foster Creativity in a World That Wants to Control It | Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist

The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Ginny Yurich

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 29 July 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast episode How to Foster Creativity in a World That Wants to Control It, Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work, discusses the challenges of nurturing creativity in today’s highly structured, outcome-driven world. He highlights how the pressure for perfection and the desire for certainty can stifle innovation, both for adults and children. Kleon shares his belief that the magic of creativity comes from embracing uncertainty, remaining open to failure, and allowing space for experimentation. For parents, particularly, he offers insights on how to support their children’s creative growth in a world where schedules, expectations, and “rules” often get in the way. In this inspiring conversation, Kleon discusses the importance of maintaining an “amateur spirit,” even as we grow older and more experienced. He urges listeners to embrace their inner beginner, whether they’re parents encouraging their children’s creativity or adults rediscovering their own. Creativity thrives when we stop seeking validation and instead focus on doing the work that excites us. Kleon also encourages listeners to sign up for his weekly newsletter, where he continues to share his thoughts on creativity and inspiration. Listen to the full episode now to find out how to embrace uncertainty and foster a creative mindset in both yourself and your family. Sign up for Austin's weekly newsletter here Get your copy of: Newspaper Blackout Steal Like an Artist Show Your Work Keep Going Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to live at home.
0:02.0	I've ruled out uni because I want to earn money.
0:05.0	I've ruled out uni because of my grades.
0:10.0	Study with the Open University and there's no need to rule out anything.
0:13.0	With our respected degrees, you can learn from home and work alongside study.
0:17.0	We're open to all. Plus, you'll have the support of expert tutors. So rethink your
0:23.6	future with the degree you didn't think was possible. The Open University. The future is open.
0:30.2	All right, welcome to the 1000 Hours Outside podcast. My name is Ginny Urich. I'm the founder of
0:34.1	1000 Hours Outside. And I'm so excited. I've really been looking forward to this.
0:38.4	Austin, Cleon, is back. Austin, welcome. Thank you, Jenny. It's nice to be back.
0:43.6	Austin, the author of these phenomenal books, I always say they're great for graduation. They're
0:47.3	really great for any time. They are still like an artist. Show your work. Keep going.
0:52.3	And a new one is being added to the mix next summer
0:55.9	called Don't Call It Art. Austin, I crossed your path from this man named Daniel Heffington
1:00.8	who gave away a copy of Steel Like an Artist at this conference. You know, normally people
1:06.6	give away stuff to promote their own business, and he didn't do that. He gave away your book
1:10.7	because it was so impactful for him. So I got it. I fell in love with it immediately and give away stuff to promote their own business. And he didn't do that. He gave away your book because
1:11.1	it was so impactful for him. So I got it. I fell in love with it immediately and got the other
1:15.7	ones right away. And I just have been, one of the things I come back to all the time is don't
1:21.6	throw any of yourself away. So many of these things that you write about in these books,
1:26.3	which are really coolly designed,
1:28.6	they have stuck with me, like having an analog workspace.
	...

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