Skip to main content

Search TrendsNew Ads Appearances Podcasts API

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click “Accept All” to consent, or “Decline non-essential” to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.

Conversations from the Barn

Conversations from the Barn

A conversation with Chris Clayton and Alex M. Peterson

Oct 13, 2026 · 24 min · 9 segments

We are joined today by writer Chris Clayton and visual artist Alex M. Peterson. In this conversation, we talk about the gift of time and what it means to be productive, especially as an artist. As…

We are joined today by writer Chris Clayton and visual artist Alex M. Peterson. In this conversation, we talk about the gift of time and what it means to be productive, especially as an artist. As Alex and Chris conclude, "productivity" can mean spending 8 hours working on your creative practice, but it can also mean spending a day disconnecting from work, wandering in the forrest, or even taking the time to get a hair cut.

We are joined today by writer Chris Clayton and visual artist Alex M. Peterson. In this conversation, we talk about the gift of time and what it means to be productive, especially as an artist. As…

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Website

Speakers: Alex M. PetersonGuestChris ClaytonGuestChris EverettHost

Top entities: TED×4 John Mark Nelson×2 Menomonie×2 Instagram Oklahoma

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈57k followers

Productive Vacation and Creative Freedom4:50 – 10:05

Chris EverettHost

4:50

Chris, you, you were saying you haven't been on retreat before.

Chris EverettHost

4:53

How has this been for you?

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

4:54

It's been, uh, I mean, not to get too gushy, but-

Chris EverettHost

4:58

[laughs]

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

4:58

... it's been unbelievable.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:00

I-

Chris EverettHost

5:00

Oh, I'm glad

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:00

... just...

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:01

Yeah.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:01

And, and well said, Alex.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:03

I mean, I can totally relate to at least pre-retreat putting p- a lot of pressure on myself and thinking, like, "Okay, I'm gonna write eight hours a day, and it's gonna be super regimented-

Chris EverettHost

5:14

Hmm

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:14

... because this is such a, you know, rare opportunity, and I need-"

Chris EverettHost

5:18

You wanna make it count.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:19

"I must get this done," right?

Chris EverettHost

5:20

Yeah.

Chris EverettHost

5:20

Yeah.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:20

And I, and I did have certain goals in mind.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:22

And, you know, so that makes it sound like a work week almost.

Chris EverettHost

5:26

Hmm.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:26

And now that I'm here at a- it oddly, it feels like a productive vacation-

Chris EverettHost

5:32

Hmm

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:32

...

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:32

if that makes sense.

Chris EverettHost

5:32

Mm-hmm.

TEDEntityConference
92%4 mentions
John Mark NelsonPersonAmerican songwriter
75%2 mentions
MenomonieCityCity in Wisconsin
58%2 mentions
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
42%1 mention
OklahomaAdministrative AreaUS state
25%1 mention
Franconia Sculpture ParkMuseumPark in Chisago County, Minnesota
8%1 mention

Artist ResidenciesArts
Work-Life BalancePersonal Development > Wellbeing
Creative PracticeWriting
Creative RetreatsArts > Artist Residencies
Everwood Residency ExperienceArts > Artist Residencies > Creative Retreats
Unstructured Time for Artistic ReflectionArts > Artist Residencies > Creative Retreats > Everwood Residency Experience
Fiction WritingWriting > Creative Practice
Daily Artistic HabitsWriting > Creative Practice > Fiction Writing
Sustained Personal Writing RitualsWriting > Creative Practice > Fiction Writing > Daily Artistic Habits
Drawing PracticeArts > Visual Arts
Daily SketchingArts > Visual Arts > Drawing Practice
Prairie and Oak Savanna LandscapesNature > Ecology > Ecological Restoration
Artist Support NetworksPersonal Development > Wellbeing > Work-Life Balance
Rest, Reflection, and Transition Between JobsPersonal Development > Wellbeing > Work-Life Balance > Artist Support Networks
Visual ArtsArts
WellbeingPersonal Development
Personal Development
Ecological RestorationNature > Ecology
EcologyNature
Nature
Writing
Arts

Productive Vacation and Creative Freedom4:50 – 10:05

Chris EverettHost

4:50

Chris, you, you were saying you haven't been on retreat before.

Chris EverettHost

4:53

How has this been for you?

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

4:54

It's been, uh, I mean, not to get too gushy, but-

Chris EverettHost

4:58

[laughs]

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

4:58

... it's been unbelievable.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:00

I-

Chris EverettHost

5:00

Oh, I'm glad

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:00

... just...

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:01

Yeah.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:01

And, and well said, Alex.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:03

I mean, I can totally relate to at least pre-retreat putting p- a lot of pressure on myself and thinking, like, "Okay, I'm gonna write eight hours a day, and it's gonna be super regimented-

Chris EverettHost

5:14

Hmm

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:14

... because this is such a, you know, rare opportunity, and I need-"

Chris EverettHost

5:18

You wanna make it count.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:19

"I must get this done," right?

Chris EverettHost

5:20

Yeah.

Chris EverettHost

5:20

Yeah.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:20

And I, and I did have certain goals in mind.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:22

And, you know, so that makes it sound like a work week almost.

Chris EverettHost

5:26

Hmm.

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:26

And now that I'm here at a- it oddly, it feels like a productive vacation-

Chris EverettHost

5:32

Hmm

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:32

...

C

Chris ClaytonGuest

5:32

if that makes sense.

Chris EverettHost

5:32

Mm-hmm.

Sign up to see more

The rest of this transcript — segmented and speaker-labeled, so you land on the exact moment something was said
Search every transcript — by keyword, by phrase, or by meaning, across every show Radar indexes
Trends — what is surging across podcasts, measured against its own baseline
Alerts — when a name you follow appears in a newly indexed episode

Create an account Already have an account? Log in

No account is needed to search Radar.