Clever Creature
"A perfectly weird zine for your ears" - Boing Boing. "A case study in artistic drive" - Indiewire. A single surprise word seeds a piece of short fiction, a song, a reflection, and (part of) a conversation. Guests including Resmaa Menakem, Neil Gaiman, Mary-Louise Parker, and more. Until 2020, Jason hosted Think Again, with thinkers and creatives including Terry Gilliam, Margaret Atwood, Marlon James, and over 200 more. The show was an iTunes Best of 2015 pick and won praise from Salon, Inc. and The Huffington Post. Jason’s memoir HUMANITY IS TRYING: coming in 2021 from HarperCollins.
S2 E9 · Wed, September 01, 2021
DEVOLUTION (w/Tim Minchin)
Descend a few rungs on the old evolutionary ladder with us in this, the season 2 finale of Clever Creature. Mordant, multitalented Australian songwriter and actor Tim Minchin , the lyricist of the musicals MATILDA and GROUNDHOG DAY, talks with Jason about creative evolution, cultural devolution, and not taking yourself too seriously. There's short fiction by Jason that takes us to the outer limits of optimism. And a song by the one and only Jerm Boor , a deep soul with a deep voice. Special thanks to Emre Gots for the theme music, to Jerm Boor for the song, and to the ever-evolving (and never devolving) Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E8 · Wed, August 18, 2021
AUTOTOMY (w/Andre Gregory)
“If your castle’s made of sugar, don’t blame the rain when it melts.” Sometimes, you’ve just got to kill your darlings. You're a cuttlefish, say, and something’s got your arm in its jaws? No worries. Just eject it! It’ll grow back later . . . In biology, that’s called “autotomy”. In this episode, legendary theater director Andre Gregory talks to Jason about acts of self-reinvention and past selves left behind. There's short fiction about a utopian Christian community that keeps its peace at a hideous cost. And a rousing techno-barn-burner of a song—a lyrical and musical act of autotomy that defies description. Special thanks to Chris Dunlap for the word of the episode, to Adil Sadak for music and production on the song, to Emre Gots for the theme song, and to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E7 · Wed, August 04, 2021
GERMINATE (w/Ross Gay)
“He will come back with scars and with stories to tell…” This episode is about new beginnings that lead to surprising outcomes. Poet and essayist Ross Gay talks to Jason about precious things beheld and forgotten. There’s a twisted fairytale about weed farming, big box stores, and grand designs. And Jason goes solo with a tune of prayer and self-forgiveness. From warm, dark places, something new is born. Special thanks to Jamie Mayberry for the word of the episode. To Emre Gots for the theme song. To Adil Sadak for mixing and mastering the song. And to the weirdulous Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E6 · Wed, July 21, 2021
EMERGENCE (w/Merlin Sheldrake)
Word by word, a story emerges. Neuron by neuron, consciousness emerges. The story, song, and conversation of this episode are about that mysterious process whereby things become bigger than the sum of their parts. Cambridge mycologist Merlin Sheldrake talks with Jason about how fungal networks solve complex problems, and how LSD and polyphonic music have helped him understand them. There's fiction by Jason about an unhappy man who finds freedom from the outside in. And a hypnotic instrumental blues whose patterns emerge, evolve, and bloom... Special thanks to Jeffrey Cufaude for the word of the episode, to Adil Sadak for musical wizardry on the song, to Francis Mancini for flute magic, to Emre Gots for the theme song, to Robert MacFarlane for the introduction to Merlin, and to the emergent phenomenon known as Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E5 · Wed, July 07, 2021
RHYTHM (w/Bia Labate)
From the reassuring sound of our mother's heartbeat to our last breath, our lives are bounded by rhythm. In music, poetry, meditation, and prayer, rhythm is the trance that lets the spirit fly. In grounding us, it can free us. And it can sometimes become a dangerous drug, lulling us to sleep. In this episode Jason talks with anthropologist Bia Labate of Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines about the rhythms of ancient indigenous life and of life in the global north as they relate to the use of psychedelics for emotional and spiritual healing. There's a story by Jason about two brothers whose lives are out of sync. And a father-son musical collaboration (the second one this season) about rhythm as a refuge from doubt and self-destruction. Special thanks to Nicole Reed Caskey for the word of the episode, to Adil Sadak for the song production, to Emre Gots for the song of the episode (to which Jason added lyrics and vocals), and for the Clever Creature theme song, and to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E4 · Wed, June 23, 2021
TRANSITION (w/Ajahn Amaro)
At first glance, the word of this episode is impossibly, mind-bogglingly big. "Transition" applies to everything. There's nothing in the known universe (or anywhere else, for that matter, I'd bet) that isn't, at some level, in a state of change. But as always, god, the devil, and everything in between is in the details . . . This week, Ajahn Amaro, a Buddhist monk of 45 years in the Thai Forest tradition talks to Jason about his transition from skeptical rebel to rule-bound monk. There's a story by Jason about coming of age in the racist, classist suburbs of '80's Washington, D.C. And, with music by Adil Sadak and lyrics/vocals by Jason, a tune full of unexpected musical transitions, rocking way harder than anything this show has seen before. Special thanks to Weusi Baraka for the word of the episode, to Adil Sadak for the music and song production, to Emre Gots for the Clever Creature theme song, and to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
S2 E3 · Wed, June 09, 2021
CROWN SHYNESS (w/Aimee Nezhukumatathil)
“The higher up I go, the less I need to know…” “Crown shyness” is social distancing for treetops. It’s a botanical mystery, the fact that certain trees give each other space in the canopy. Are they sharing sunlight? Protecting each other from disease and infestation? Perhaps they just prefer to be alone… A story, a song, thoughts, and a conversation about growth and separation. The poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil , author of WORLD OF WONDERS on love and the natural world. A short story from Jason about academic warfare. And a breathtakingly beautiful song by Jerm Boor . Special thanks to Robert MacFarlane for the word of the episode, to Jerm for the exquisite song, to my son Emre Gots for Clever Creature’s theme song, and to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art. Thanks also to all the wonderful musicians on Crown-Shy: Demetra Markis - vocals, Daniel Schoenfled - button accordion, Mark Ogren - trombone
S2 E1 · Wed, May 26, 2021
BODY (w/Resmaa Menakem)
“I was so in love with images, I forgot the native art…” A story, a song, thoughts, and a conversation about what goes on underneath the words and the skin. Somatic therapist Resmaa Menakem , author of MY GRANDMOTHER’S HANDS , on racialized trauma in black, white, and police bodies. A short story from Jason about a birthday party gone so wrong, it’s almost right. And a love song to…can you guess it? Can you guess it? Special thanks to Eric Sanders for the word of the episode, to Helix Lamont for the song’s music, to my son Emre Gots for the theme song, and to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art. Take Resmaa Menakem’s free courses in Cultural Somatics
S2 E1 · Wed, May 12, 2021
THAW (w/Neil Gaiman)
“I never saw a sun so bright as on that day…” Season Two of the podcast Indiewire calls "a case study in artistic drive" opens with a word of power, this spring especially, as the world anxiously, hopefully starts to open back up again. SANDMAN and AMERICAN GODS author Neil Gaiman on the on the strange comfort of scary (fictional) places and of having your whole year’s schedule cancelled by COVID. Short fiction by Jason Gots about finding Joy on the map and deciding not to stay there. And a father-son musical collaboration. Special thanks to Jenny Doh for the word of the episode, to my 13 year old son Emre Gots for the song of the episode (the main guitar part is all him) and for the theme song. And to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art.
Trailer · Wed, April 07, 2021
Trailer: Coming 5/12/21 — Clever Creature, Season Two
The show Indiewire called "a case study in artistic drive" is back with nine wild, open new episodes featuring short fiction, conversation, and original songs. Each is an "experimental variety show" based on a single world having something to do with the natural world. Writer and podcaster Jason Gots talks with fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Cambridge Mycologist Merlin Sheldrake, somatic therapist Resmaa Menakem, singer-songwriter Tim Minchin, Buddhist monk of 45 years Ajahn Amaro, anthropologist Bia Labate—founder of Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicine, theater director Andre Gregory, and poet and essayist Ross Gay. Every two weeks on Wednesdays, from 5/12/21 to 9/1/21
S1 E8 · Tue, August 18, 2020
8. SIEGE (w/Jerry Craft)
"I don't need much/I never needed much/All I need is something good to read/I'm all alone here/I'm in my home here/Deep in my infinite library..." Season 1 finale. A father besieged in his videogame-obsessed son's bedroom. Graphic novelist Jerry Craft on race, class, and middle school. And a genre-defying barn-burner of a rock tune.
S1 E7 · Tue, August 04, 2020
7. FAIL (w/Mary-Louise Parker)
"I built a mountain out of/Cardboard and string/And I sat inside it/And I called myself the Mountain King..." Could this be the most uplifting episode yet? A dung beetle risks everything for a life beyond drudgery. Actress and writer Mary-Louise Parker on risking failure and ignoring ridicule for those perfect moments when everything works. And a pop-rock tune to get you through tough times. You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group ? And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium . Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E6 · Tue, July 21, 2020
6. PRECEDENT (w/David Sedaris)
"Even as you're crossing them/Some bridges turn to smoke behind you . . ." David Sedaris joins Jason from lockdown to talk about creative risks that might get him cancelled. In this week's fiction story, a tuba zealot begs his brother not to go electric. And an acoustic tune about brunch inside the neutral zone, with ennui and avocado toast. (psst—stick around for the "bonus track" guided meditation at the end...) . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group ? And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium . Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E5 · Tue, July 07, 2020
5. CONVICT (w/Etgar Keret)
"You're a convict/on a convicted ship/and you're never coming home again..." Mushrooms, love, and anarchy on an alien prison colony. Etgar Keret on why capitalism and ethics don't mix, and how the great American novel is the enemy of creativity. And a beat-driven tribal-futurist tune about life in the substrate. And a "bonus track" guided meditation at the end! . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium . Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E4 · Tue, June 23, 2020
4. LACE (w/Françoise Bourzat)
"What if faith is paradoxically what we need the most/in these Facebook days when everything is giving up the ghost?" The random word of the episode—"Lace"—plants a seed that grows into a trip-hop tune about cognitive biases, an existential weird-fiction detective story, and a deep dive with Consciousness Medicine author Françoise Bourzat on psychedelics and psychological healing. Stick around for a "bonus track" guided meditation at the end! . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group ? And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium . Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E3 · Tue, June 09, 2020
3. RALLY (w/Shima Oliaee)
“A garden full of spiders and a spider for each pomegranate tree/Inside its web of gold...” Three episodes in, the word 'rally' sends Jason spinning off into an imaginary city with a feral pig problem, a dreamlike acoustic tune to rally the spirit, and musings with Radiolab's Shima Oliaee, co-producer of "Dolly Parton's America", about rallying yourself through the twists and turns of a creative career. And a "bonus track" guided meditation at the end! . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium . Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E2 · Tue, May 26, 2020
2. CHURCH (w/Gish Jen)
"I peel back the layers 'til the baby shines through/ And I see a different aspect than I ever knew/ I never really knew you at all..." Deeper and darker. A Northwestern Gothic coming-of-age tale. An elemental steampunk blues. Novelist and thinker Gish Jen on losing religion, finding art, and taking creative risks. And a bonus guided meditation at the end! . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium. Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
S1 E1 · Tue, May 12, 2020
1. DESERT (w/Emre Gots)
The Moleskine is open, the page is staring back accusingly, Like "come on, Punk, what makes you think you possibly could fill the likes of me?" Reflections on a big creative leap of faith: the making of this podcast. A staples manufacturer on the brink of death, taking solace in his gut flora and the memory of his daughter's love for LOL Surprise dolls. A song about deserts, real and figurative. A conversation with Jason's son Emre about the Ice Cream Desert and music-making as a doorway. And a "bonus track" 7 minute guided meditation at the end. . . . You can learn more and join my mailing list at my website . Or maybe you want to join our Facebook Group And hey—I'm making this first season all on my own—it's a blast, but it takes a lot of time! Please consider supporting the show by joining our creative community on Himalaya Premium. Just download the Himalaya app for any smartphone, search for the show, and click "join membership" at the bottom. . . . Episode art by Nathan Gelgud Theme song by Emre Gots
Trailer · Tue, February 25, 2020
Season 1 trailer: a creative leap of faith
Every story worth telling is a journey into the unknown. You have to risk getting lost if you want to end up somewhere new. I’m Jason Gots , and after 5 years hosting and producing Think Again - a Big Think Podcast, my newest thing is a creative experiment. An alternative variety show called Clever Creature. Each episode starts with one random word. I record an audio diary entry. I write and produce a story and a song about the word. Then I sit down with guests including David Sedaris, Gish Jen, and Mary-Louise Parker to talk about taking creative risks. And wait, there’s a “bonus track”! A short, guided meditation at the end of each episode. You can listen straight through, or you can bounce all over the place. It’s totally up to you. Season one is eight episodes, every other Tuesday starting May 12th. And I’m inviting you to join the conversation, share your own creative experiments, and find collaborators through our community on Himalaya . Come join me for a strange, risky, playful leap of faith into the unknown.
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