In this episode, Mo dives into the complex relationship with her own name—how a childhood lisp, early speech therapy, and the shame of not being able to say “Morgan” shaped the way she felt about identity and worth. From journals full of doodles and affirmations to the weight of credit scores and financial pressure, Mo traces how core beliefs get written into us early and how brutal the tug must be to pull them up by the root.

Timestampish:

[0:00-2ish] Growing up unable to say my own name and finding comfort in “Mo.”

[2-4ish] Speech therapy folders, repetition drills, and the power tucked inside names.

[4-6ish] My journals: half affirmations, half doodles, always a little embarrassing.

[6-8ish] Credit scores and money stress tangling themselves up with self-worth.

[8-10ish] Core beliefs, and murky thoughts.

[10-12ish] Flipping that idea—if no one cares, then I’m free to find something to care about.

Instagram: @this.is.a.metaphor & @joyscout.mo

“Don’t get Deterred, get Inspired”

Cover Design by: Joyscout Studio // For commissioned art & design inquiries: Joyscout Studio

Email Mo: mo@joyscoutstudio.com

We all have friends that bring out the best in us, and some of us are blessed to have friends that bring out the wit, the horror, and the delightfully deprecated allure of brutal honestly. Enter my very good friend, Joseph Witowsky. A deep thinker, avid dater, home designing, button pressing genius. We make fun of each other and reflect on our current dating lives.

4:01: Intro to Joe

9:24: Sex Lives

15:06: “High Value” (ehhh)

22:22: Mo is a catch—why nobody catching?

29:42: Intentions in Dating

46:00: Know who you are and attraction will happen.

48:31: Closing and a reflection on “The Fool” in Tarot

Instagram: @this.is.a.metaphor & @joyscout.mo

“Don’t get Deterred, get Inspired”

Cover Design by: Joyscout Studio // For commissioned art & design inquiries: Joyscout Studio

Email Mo: mo@joyscoutstudio.com

This is a Metaphor isn’t about what you think it’s about. It’s never about what we think it’s about. It’s deeply introspective, wildly human, and definitely artful. As a multi-disciplined human, I’ve found that the greatest gift I’ve been given is the one that deeply desires to connect as often, and as genuinely as possible with the room I’m in, and the world I’m exploring.

This podcast is part musings, part conversation, with much space left for iteration, contemplation, and integration. This is a metaphor, and it is not without its stories, it’s magic, and it’s humor.

This podcast is another way to push art into the world—less refined and untethered to perfection, these are free words, brought to you by a full-bodied creative mind—me, Mo Houston. A writer, illustrator, athlete, friend, and lover. And. A bunch of other things that are so literal that they deflate the magnetism of this introduction. Listen, follow, and connect.

1:00: A Flight from Hawaii

1:44: What are you doing?

2:33: Artist Magic

4:55: The More You Do…

7:06: Guest/People Themes

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People Themes: Comedians. Artists. Writers. Yogis. Thinkers. Musicians. Editors. Innovative Mother F*ckers.

Industry Themes: Art/Design/Performance/Stand-up/Film/Fitness/Spirituality/Mental Health/Creativity/Publishing/Entrepreneurship.

Instagram: @this.is.a.metaphor & @joyscout.mo

“Don’t get Deterred, get Inspired”

Cover Design by: Joyscout Studio // For commissioned art & design inquiries: Joyscout Studio

Email Mo: mo@joyscoutstudio.com

Commit to the bit. See it through. Double down. Milk it. Take it all the way…

They call it the Full Send, baby. This is episode 000. It is a brutal stream of consciousness that sets the tone for the podcast. There is never a perfect time to start. There’s never a gauge for how vulnerable is too vulnerable. There are just our thoughts, and the intensity in which we seek out their exposure. In order to get to the good stuff, you’re going to have to go all in and trust that you aren’t a totally bonkers human being with access to a microphone. None of which I can promise you, some of which I can foreshadow to, and all of which I have surrendered to.

Instagram: @this.is.a.metaphor & @joyscout.mo

“Don’t get Deterred, get Inspired”

Cover Design by: Joyscout Studio // For commissioned art & design inquiries: Joyscout Studio

Email Mo: mo@joyscoutstudio.com