On March 13, 2020 the first of many dramatic changes to my plans for the year began to unfold. It became quickly evident that the life ( personal and professional) that I had been living was going to change dramatically, as I imagine might be true for you too.
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Almost immediately I began to feel the loss of connection that my life is built around. Connection with people and places on the road as I travel. I found myself longing for so much...making eye contact with someone I hadn't seen in a while, those surprisingly intimate conversations that happen at shows, belly laughing with my incredible peers, couch surfing, crying with strangers as we connect, the tidbits ( some of which come at the most poignant moments) gained from listening, the good food, new adventures and even the shows themselves ( the anticipation, having something to work toward and even the set-up itself).
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So many ideas, emotions and heartbreaks swirled through those early weeks (and months)....
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Immediately I realized that I had to be far more intentional about my communications, that they couldn't be passive anymore. This revelation got me thinking about intentionality and connection.... and then just how damn lucky I am to know so many amazing people..... brilliant, talented, fear-less, vulnerable, warm, kind, bad-ass, hard working, creative people. And furthermore, I started to realize, that I was going to need them to survive this.
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The concept for "Working Knowledge" was starting to form. From the beginning it was always going to be about direct, intentional, honest conversations. I knew instinctively that I wanted ( and needed) to see the person's face. Non-verbal communication; eye contact, body language, emotional reaction, were all things that had to happen. One Saturday as I was moving out of one studio and into another I stumbled upon a live conversation on IG between two potters ( Amy Sanders and Jen Mecca). I fell right into listening and giggling; just knowing that the conversation was happening in that moment brought me so much joy! I knew then that I wanted to do a live interview show with my peers.
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Coming up with the title, questions, and logistics was simultaneously exciting and frustrating with my brain on hyperdrive with the potential of it all. I had a lengthy "working" list of potential show titles, mostly bad, maybe a couple with potential. Then the idea of working knowledge came - a concept that, for me, represents knowing, while always being open to learning more.. an evolving knowledge. "Working Knowledge" as a title and concept took hold.
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This is my 16th episode, which to be honest, boggles my mind. I am eternally grateful for this experience and all of the amazing people that have given their time and stories to help me manifest this project. I have learned and gained so much; I have cried, and danced, and laughed, and learned. I have been held to account and had conversations that I might never have had under different circumstances. I see trends and commonalities in these creatives, but also vastly divergent experiences. Some of these folks are people that I talk with regularly and others are faces that I haven't seen in years. I look forward each week to the authenticity that each person brings.
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Thus far "Working Knowledge" has been exactly what I needed it to be. It is a weekly reminder that though things are tough, down right unpalatable at times, I am not alone. I am part of a community of incredibly kind, resilient , vulnerable, charitable, thoughtful makers. I have asked this people ( my friends and acquaintances) to be so open at an already painfully vulnerable time and they all stepped up and shared their stories.
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If you are a listener- Thank You! I hope that one of the interviews gave you something that you needed and I hope you will keep listening because there is so much more to come.
Erica
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