

New Creative Era
Joshua Citarella and Yancey Strickler
A podcast exploring how creative people develop their practices and the worlds we live and operate in. metalabel.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

22 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 43min
The economics of the dark forest
Dive into the intriguing world of Dark Forest spaces and their self-supporting economies. Explore the technical mechanics that fuel these online-native proto-institutions. Discover the balance between shared membership roles and privacy concerns within communities. Unpack how crypto and community tokens play a vital role in governance and economics. The hosts debate the implications of rewarding early contributors while preventing speculation. Get ready for a lively discussion on the future of collaborative publishing and online institutions.

61 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 34min
What's a Dark Forest?
Dive into the intriguing concept of Dark Forests, where private, non-indexed spaces like invite-only chats foster genuine conversation. Discover the origins of the term and why people are retreating into these gated communities, escaping the chaos of public feeds. Explore how Dark Forests can both shield sensitive information and pose risks like radicalization. The hosts discuss the balance between privacy and the responsibility to share ideas, while also addressing how these spaces shape power dynamics and influence in society.

11 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 33min
The return
Get ready to explore the intriguing world of dark forests—private online spaces shrouded in mystery. The hosts discuss their struggles with productivity amidst a content treadmill and reflect on the risks of publishing unconventional ideas. There’s a dive into public benefit corporations and how institutions influence creative careers. They also introduce a new concept: Dark Forest Operating System, aimed at building cooperative tools for communities. Tune in for a captivating journey into uncharted digital territories!

23 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 51min
Artist Corporations: new podcast and early traction
The conversation dives deep into the innovative concept of Artist Corporations, exploring how they can reshape the landscape for creative individuals. Listeners learn about the various legal structures artists can utilize and the potential benefits of a unified A-Corp. There's discussion on the evolving value of art in today's culture and the impact of collectives that are currently paving the way for collaboration. The dialogue emphasizes the need for community input in crafting supportive systems, aiming to empower artists in navigating financial challenges.

5 snips
May 13, 2025 • 31min
Why talk about the creative life?
They talk about why recording candid creative conversations matters and the decision to turn transcripts into a printed zine. They debate whether creative life is in crisis and how the internet changed creative compensation. They explore the creator economy’s growth and inequality, tensions between access and pay, and paths toward cooperative networks and small institutions for belonging.

42 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 38min
Seven things we want out of a new creative era
Dive into a lively discussion about envisioning a new creative landscape! The hosts share their hopes for an art market that thrives on accessibility and collaboration. They explore empowering artists to wield influence in societal decisions. The idea of curated creative bundles sparks excitement for mutual support among artists. Also on the table is a vision for a platform that enhances online creative communities. The conversation wraps with an optimistic look at the creator economy and its potential to address societal challenges.

16 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 33min
What we wish we knew then
They trade seven lessons learned from long creative careers, from keeping a steady writing habit to documenting collaborations so scenes endure. They argue for showing up to concerts and openings, and for repetitive early work that builds craft. They warn about mixing romance with collaboration, urge direct communication, and encourage embracing uncategorizable work while protecting health and labor.

34 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 28min
How to develop a creative career
Explore the nonlinear paths of creative careers, from content repurposing to unexpected virality. Delve into the balance between solitude and social connection in artistic practices. Hear personal anecdotes on embracing transitions across different formats and genres. Discover how unconventional traits can become vital strengths in a rapidly evolving landscape. This discussion highlights the importance of authenticity and storytelling in finding success against shifting industry norms.

28 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 29min
Is there such a thing as artist-format fit?
The hosts dive into the intriguing concept of artist-format fit, questioning how the right format can elevate creative work. They discuss the impact of algorithms on art presentation and the challenges of fragmented formats. The conversation shifts to the influence of cultural context on artistic expression, highlighting the transition from short radio singles to longer streaming albums. Additionally, they explore the evolving creator economy and present a tiered model for creative works, emphasizing the need for adaptability across various media.

16 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 29min
Creative economic case studies (with actual numbers!)
Dive into the tangible side of creativity as the hosts explore the costs behind artistic projects, from book printing to community building. They provide insights on monetization strategies and share real-life examples from their initiatives. Learn how innovative membership models support fair compensation and community engagement. Discover how shifting from competition to collaboration in the creative economy fosters sustainable practices and emotional satisfaction for artists.


