What makes art work? Is creativity a psychological process, a mystical one, or something stranger, layered, and unnameable?

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, Reese and Lauren dive deep into an evocative conversation inspired by Gordon White’s Podcast, Rune Soup, and the episode titled “Art as Evocation” with Phil Ford and J.F. Martel of Weird Studies. Together, Reese and Lauren explore the numinous, the imaginal, and the nature of creativity through philosophy, psychology, and personal experience.

Topics include:

• Whether artists act as mediums or makers
• Flow state vs. ego in artistic practice
• Possibility, actualization, and unfinished art
• AI art and the question of human agency
• Magic vs. psychology and why the answer might be “both”
• Oppositional forces within metaphysics and schismatic selfhood
• Creation as Genesis and the paradox of consciousness

If you love philosophical deep dives, metaphysics, art theory, or long-form intuitive thinking, this one’s for you. Enjoy, and step into the imaginal with us!

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Please check out and support Rune Soup and the Creator, Gordon White: https://www.youtube.com/@RuneSoup

https://runesoup.com/

Please check out and support Weird Studies and the Creators, Phil Ford and J. F. Martel:

https://www.weirdstudies.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/weird-studies/id1343819177

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

References and Resources:

The Original Podcast Episode, Art as Evocation by Rune Soup: https://youtu.be/3eHU8fZRpis?si=uN7hqiCXs8bCLl_u

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

Existential therapy, aesthetic theory, and philosophically spooky, this Halloween special of The Unwritten Aesthetic dives deep into the philosophy of spookiness. From Paul Klee’s haunting puppets to the Jungian witch archetype and the paradox of being both enchanted and alienated in a hyper-digital world.

You’ll heart about…

Why the witch symbolizes feminine autonomy and rebellion

- How play and childhood eeriness reveal the uncanny unconscious

- Whether you can truly dismantle capitalism with capitalist tools

- What happens when art, intellect, and identity collide

- And how losing control (cognitively, creatively, spiritually) might be the most haunting experience of all.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses. Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

References and Resources:

Our previous episode discussing Paul Klee and Martin Heidegger: https://youtu.be/8Gd9oVfnyHM

Paul Klee's Puppets: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/of-angel-and-puppet/

The Archetype of the Witch from This Jungian Life: https://thisjungianlife.com/episode-186-the-archetype-of-the-witch-dangerous-denied-dishonored/

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

What does it actually mean to be or become “woman”?

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, Reese and Lauren go full “chaos mode philosophy,” unpacking what it means to grow up under the “myth of woman” — the stories we’re told about femininity, beauty, success, and self-worth — and how those stories still shape our choices today.

They explore the cycles of shame and creativity that define early adulthood, the paradox of feminism in the “post-girlboss” era, and why existentialism might be the key to living authentically in a world obsessed with performance.

From body image and dance teachers to sex work, motherhood, and the question of freedom, this is a raw, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about how we learn, unlearn, and redefine what it means to be human.

This one’s for anyone navigating the space between who you were told to be and who you’re becoming.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

References and Resources:

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/457264.The_Second_Sex

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

Let’s unpack the quarter-life crisis (yay….). From existential dread to redefining purpose, we at least know one thing: life isn’t a stage, it’s a soup!

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, Reese Brown and Lauren Bush celebrate the space between their birthdays and dive deep into what it means to reach quarter-life. From the awkwardness of birthday songs to existential philosophy, they explore how we define meaning, purpose, and identity in our mid-twenties.

Lauren shares a powerful mindset shift: moving from life as a performance to life as a soup — embracing flow, connection, and self-compassion. Together, they unpack Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, and the anxiety of existing in a hyper-productive late-capitalist world.

Whether you’re facing your own quarter-life crisis or just rethinking what purpose really means, this conversation invites you to stop performing your life and start living it from a place of owning your worth.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, Reese and Lauren get real about what it means to feel stuck in your creative practice. From writer’s block to painting plateaus, they unpack the frustration of creative ruts and share strategies for finding flow again.

They explore:

• How structure can both help and stifle creativity
• Why confidence in your own ideas is essential
• The tension between academic rules and authentic voice
• Using imagined audiences to unlock better writing
• Practical tools to keep the creative spark alive (journaling, speaking drafts, cutting up notes, etc.)

Whether you’re a painter, writer, poet, or creative of any kind, this conversation will remind you that blocks are part of the process—and that your ideas are worth sharing.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren: @laurenbushpaints

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

What do philosophers think will happen with the future of AI and what are the ethical implications we all need to be considering now, before it’s too late?

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, Reese Brown and Lauren Bush explore the artist journey and what it means to balance artistic practice, studio practice, and academic constraints in a world increasingly shaped by AI. From grad school frustrations to the future of artistic expression and artistic vulnerability, they reveal how technology challenges the role of artists, writers, and philosophical thinkers alike.

Expect conversations on:

• How philosophy of art meets AI and why artistic interpretation matters
• The tension between creativity, multidisciplinary creativity, and institutional boundaries
• The creative process as a lived form of existentialism and human experience
• The ethics of AI art through the lens of moral philosophy and thought-provoking ideas
• Why interdisciplinary creativity fuels deeper philosophical ideas and even philosophical comedy (yes, expect some “brilliant idiots” moments)

It’s a conversation that blends rigor with play, weaving artists, writers, and philosophers into one dialogue. Whether you’re navigating academia, questioning the role of AI, or simply chasing your next spark of creativity, this episode is here to inspire and challenge.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren: @laurenbushpaints

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

References and Resources:

The UN’s Take on AI’s Environmental Impact: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

Portraits, love, and the philosophy of art — what can a painting really say?

In this episode of The Unwritten Aesthetic, a philosophy of art podcast, Lauren Bush and Reese Brown explore the question: what can an artist truly say through their work? From portraits painted with love and vulnerability to the symbolism of doors and the unexpected ways viewers interpret art, this conversation dives deep into the philosophy of painting. Can an artist control meaning? Should they even try? We unpack the tension between intention and interpretation, the emotional weight of portraits, and why art often says more than words ever could.

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren: @laurenbushpaints

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren

In this episode, we discuss the overlapping perspectives between the philosopher Martin Heidegger and artist Paul Klee regarding the essence of the work of art. Through this lens, we interpret art as the vehicle for, and evidence of, the genesis of meaning [the process of bringing meaning into being]. We also explore how this interpretation of art parallels the issue of linguistic translation, asking: what’s the difference between word and image, and how can we bridge that divide? (To further illuminate the essence of art, we also discuss the ancient Greek concepts of khōra and tetelestai.)

Welcome to The Unwritten Aesthetic, where the intellectual rigor of philosophy meets the creative pursuit of an artful life. A place for two friends to be passionate about philosophy as an artistic pursuit, ask life’s most important questions, create something we believe in, and to be two silly gooses.

Be a part of the Collective and tune in to The Unwritten Aesthetic every other Tuesday.

To find Lauren's work: https://www.laurenbushpaints.com/

To work with Reese: https://www.thecoherecollective.com/coherent-design

Follow The Cohere Collective:

https://www.instagram.com/thecoherecollective/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoherecollective

Follow Lauren:

@laurenbushpaints

https://www.instagram.com/laurenbushpaints/

For more information, head to www.thecoherecollective.com

To support The Cohere Collective, head to https://www.thecoherecollective.com/support

With artful Coherence,

Reese and Lauren