Every story worth telling is a journey into the unknown.  . . .

A creative leap of faith from the host of Think Again, Clever Creature is an experimental variety show: a short story, a song, and a conversation in each episode, all inspired by a single word.

“The whole project is a case study in artistic drive” —Indiewire

A “Perfectly weird…zine for your ears” —Boing Boing

“Ambitious and Touching” —The Guardian

SEASON TWO (launched 5/12/21)

Season 2, episode 1: THAW (w/Neil Gaiman)

Season two opens with a word of power, this spring especially, as the world anxiously, hopefully opens back up again. SANDMAN and AMERICAN GODS author Neil Gaiman on the comfort of scary (fictional) places and the long arc of a writer’s life (“have I got it?…have I lost it?”). Also a reading (by Neil) of a terrifyingly funny, very short story. Speculative fiction by Jason about finding Joy on the map. And a father-son musical collaboration. Special thanks to Jenny Doh for the word of the episode, to my son Emre Gots for the song of the episode (the main guitar part is all him) and for the podcast’s theme song. And to Nathan Gelgud for the episode art. 

Season 2, episode 2: 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.

Season 2, episode 3: CROWN SHYNESS (w/Aimee Nezhukumatathil)

“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

Season 2, episode 4: 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. 

Season 2, episode 5: 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.

Season 2, episode 6: 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. 

Season 2, episode 7: 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.

Season 2, episode 8: 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.

SEASON ONE (launched 5/12/20)

Season 1, episode 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.

Episode art by Nathan Gelgud. Theme song by Emre Gots.

Season 1, episode 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 track guided meditation at the end.

Season 1, episode 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!

Season 1, episode 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. 

Season 1, episode 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 Jason conjures up a beat-driven tribal-futurist tune about life in the substrate.  

Season 1, episode 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 the creative risks that might get him cancelled. In this week's fiction story, a tuba zealot begs his brother not to go electric. And there’s an acoustic tune about a broken family and a restorative brunch with avocado toast. 

Season 1, episode 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 help get you through the tough times. 

Season 1, episode 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 grand finale. A father besieged by his tech-obsessed son. A mysterious figure besieged in a Borgesian library. Graphic novelist Jerry Craft on the movie “The Siege” + race, class, and middle school. And a genre-defying barn-burner of a rock tune.

What some folks thought of Jason’s show before this one: