The Resistance
Matt Conner
There's a force at work that keeps you from being you. We feel it, too. It's the reason we avoid making the call, the reason we put off the diet. It's why we've done nothing about that entrepreneurial idea, that creative endeavor, that new relationship. In his book The War of Art, Stephen Pressfield defines this universal force as Resistance. Welcome to The Resistance, a new podcast featuring honest interviews with creative persons about this force and the forms it takes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 5, 2026 • 28min
Madi Diaz: Optimism as a choice
Madi Diaz, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter known for intimate, confessional songs and the album Fatal Optimist, talks about shedding personas and writing with brutal honesty. She explores heartbreak as a creative catalyst. She discusses choosing optimism, loose Quaker-influenced faith, and how songs evolve and connect with listeners.
Feb 12, 2026 • 34min
Natalie and Meegan Closner of Joseph on the pains of creative evolution
At a moment of real transition, Natalie and Meegan Closner of the band Joseph talk about loss, resilience, and learning how to let something evolve without letting it go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 28, 2026 • 39min
Paloma Young on the cost of always being available
Paloma Young is a Tony Award–winning costume designer whose work spans Broadway and London, including Peter and the Starcatcher, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, & Juliet, The Notebook, Bandstand, and Real Women Have Curves. In this episode of The Resistance, Paloma reflects on how motherhood changed the cost of availability in an industry built on endurance, and what it means to stay committed to the work without disappearing into it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 5, 2025 • 31min
Steven Tracey on the surprising echoes between roles and real life
Steven Tracey, an accomplished actor known for roles in shows like Anne with an E and Invasion, dives deep into the connection between his life and his performances. He shares insights on achieving flow while acting and the importance of presence in creative work. Tracey discusses how spirituality and personal experiences shape his craft, emphasizing the synchronicity in landing roles. He also explores the transformative journey of producing his own film, highlighting the drive to tell stories from his unique perspective.
Nov 4, 2025 • 32min
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata on the creative power in all of us
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata talks about her new album Starlit Alchemy, the healing power of creativity, and how transformation often begins with surrender.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 22, 2025 • 37min
Suzanne Vega on the lifelong work of finding her voice
From smash hits like "Luka" and "Tom’s Diner" to her new album Flying With Angels, Suzanne Vega reflects on journaling as survival and how, even after four decades, she’s still discovering new depths in her songwriting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 30, 2025 • 33min
Tony winner Lauren Patten on finding her story in the creative work
Tony-winning actress Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill, Death and Other Details) opens up about identity, perfectionism, and pushing past fear to explore new creative lanes—from writing and music to producing her first short film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 16, 2025 • 36min
Kathleen Edwards on quitting, returning, and rewriting Her Story
Celebrated songwriter Kathleen Edwards reflects on the career leaps that didn't happen, the unexpected joys she’s embraced, and the creative armor that allows her to keep showing up for the work that matters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 3, 2025 • 36min
Dominic Lewis on the Work We Do vs. the Work We Want
From his restless ambition to create to the challenge of finding balance, Dominic Lewis takes us inside the life of an in-demand composer whose work spans Bullet Train, The Fall Guy, Nobody 2, and more, all while still chasing deeper artistic fulfillment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 21, 2025 • 32min
Composer Raashi Kulkarni on creative focus and pioneering new paths
Before Raashi Kulkarni ever scored a feature film, before she ever composed music for well over 300 television episodes (including The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), before her multiple solo releases that have dominated World Music charts, she learned one valuable lesson from her parents: to focus solely on the work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
