Shut Your Monkey

The monkey is your inner critic. It’s the voice inside us that says, “This [whatever creative thing you want to do] is a mistake!” Dare to draw and the monkey will hurl insults at your work; try to write and it’ll screech. The monkey’s job is to keep you from being creative, and it can sabotage all areas of your life.

Join Danny Gregory, artist and best-selling author of Shut Your Monkey and the artists, authors, therapists and creatives he interviews. Together we'll learn how to shut our monkeys. In this premiere episode, Danny tells you how to identify the monkey’s voice before it mugs your creative endeavors.

This week's Monkey Tale: Christie tells the story of her monkey’s chatter—that she’s too old to make art, doesn’t have enough time or money, and that everything she does is ugly. Hear how she wrassled that chimp to the ground to pursue her creative dreams.

What’s your experience with your monkey? How has it affected you, and how have you overcome it? Record your Monkey Tale at dannygregory.com/monkey.

In this week’s podcast, Shut Your Monkey author and host Danny Gregory talks with Patti Digh, the bestselling author, teacher and storyteller. They'll discuss trauma and how the harsh voices of our childhood can continue to play tired old tapes in our heads — long past their expiration date.

Monkey of the Week: the Fake. It’s that voice that says: "You are a fraud and an imposter. Everyone knows you can’t do this. They’re all laughing behind your naive back." What can we say in response?

Monkey Tale: A few careless critiques can derail one's young career. Steve tells us how he was sabotaged by his first boss and how he has fought back after years of hiding his talent.

What’s your experience with your monkey? How has it affected you, and how have you overcome it? Record your Monkey Tale at dannygregory.com/monkey.

This podcast is brought to you by Sketchbook Skool, online art klasses that inspire you how to be creative—no matter what your monkey tries to tell you. See what it’s like to take a klass, and use the promo code MONKEY to save 20 percent off your first kourse. Take that, monkey...

Last week, I felt a little harried and overwhelmed and the podcast was rushed and missing some good bits so I hope to make up for it this week with lots of interesting stuff. Our main topic will be how the monkey tries to define our lives in completely unrealistic ways.

This week's guest is Jennifer Louden, the bestselling author and personal growth pioneer. If you like the conversation, I urge to to download a free copy of her great new book.

Monkey of the Week: The Utopian. It’s that voice that says: "Your life could be so perfect, so much better than this if only you would listen to me. Instead, it sucks and so do you." The Utopian is wrong and we'll discuss how to make things a lot more rosy.

Monkey Tale: Susanna is related to her monkey and she's been family for far too long.

What’s your experience with your monkey? How has it affected you, and how have you overcome it? Record your Monkey Tale at dannygregory.com/monkey.

This podcast is brought to you by Sketchbook Skool, online art klasses that inspire you how to be creative—no matter what your monkey tries to tell you. See what it’s like to take a klass, and use the promo code MONKEY to save 20 percent off your first kourse. Take that, monkey...

Two years after my last episode, I'm back with some final thoughts and a big announcement.

I will tell you the one thing that is guaranteed to not only shut your monkey once and for all but also to transform your life and leave a lasting mark on the world. What is your mission? And how can you make it your destiny? Lets discuss it.

If you'd like to continue this discussion, let's do it! My new Sketchbook Skool podcast art for all is available and I'd love to have you join me as I discuss the monkey, but also many other aspects of living a productive and satisfying creative life. New episodes each week with guests, ideas, essays, jokes, and lots of free giveaways.

Subscribe on iTunes and the art for all homepage.

This podcast is brought to you by Sketchbook Skool, online art klasses that inspire you how to be creative—no matter what your monkey tries to tell you. See what it’s like to take a klass, and use the promo code MONKEY to save 20 percent off your first kourse. Take that, monkey...

This week we’ll discuss how the monkey uses alcohol, drugs, overeating and other destructive habits to interfere with our creativity. This week's guest is Victor Yocco, the author and psychologist.

What’s your experience with your monkey? How has it affected you, and how have you overcome it? Record your Monkey Tale at dannygregory.com/monkey.

This podcast is brought to you by Sketchbook Skool, online art klasses that inspire you how to be creative—no matter what your monkey tries to tell you. See what it’s like to take a klass, and use the promo code MONKEY to save 20 percent off your first kourse. Take that, monkey...