Every artist knows the feeling: the exhilarating spark of a new idea followed by the sinking realization that bringing it to life is much harder than imagined. Illustrator, author, and professor John Hendrix joins Andy Patton to explore what he calls "the Pit of Despair"—that universal stage of the creative process where excitement gives way to doubt, frustration, and the temptation to quit.

Drawing from years of teaching artists, creating award-winning books, and wrestling through his own projects, John explains why struggle isn't evidence that you're failing—it's evidence that you're making something real. Together, Andy and John discuss why great art seems effortless only after it's finished, how community helps us climb out of creative despair, why good work demands persistence, and how learning to enjoy the process can transform the way we create.

Whether you're a writer, musician, painter, entrepreneur, student, or simply trying to bring an idea into the world, this conversation offers a hopeful reminder: the pit of despair isn't a sign you're on the wrong path. It's part of the journey.

Every artist knows the feeling: the exhilarating spark of a new idea followed by the sinking realization that bringing it to life is much harder than imagined. Illustrator, author, and professor John Hendrix joins Andy Patton to explore what he calls "the Pit of Despair"&mdash;that universal stage of the creative process where excitement gives way to doubt, frustration, and the temptation to quit.
Drawing from years of teaching artists, creating award-winning books, and wrestling through his own projects, John explains why struggle isn't evidence that you're failing&mdash;it's evidence that you're making something real. Together, Andy and John discuss why great art seems effortless only after it's finished, how community helps us climb out of creative despair, why good work demands persistence, and how learning to enjoy the process can transform the way we create.
Whether you're a writer, musician, painter, entrepreneur, student, or simply trying to bring an idea into the world, this conversation offers a hopeful reminder: the pit of despair isn't a sign you're on the wrong path. It's part of the journey.

The Rabbit Room Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things Rabbit Room. Each month, co-hosts Drew Miller and Leslie Eiler Thompson discuss what you can expect from us in the next four weeks, from Rabbit Room Press to North Wind Manor events to our Podcast Network and more. And sometimes, they'll even talk with a special guest. Be on the lookout for new episodes at the beginning of each month.

In addition, you'll find here an archive of the 64 episodes of the original Rabbit Room Podcast that aired between 2008 and 2018. The Rabbit Room Podcast, as it existed for those 10 years, has been retired in favor of the more focused and diverse series that make up the Rabbit Room Podcast Network.

The Rabbit Room Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things Rabbit Room. Each month, co-hosts Drew Miller and Leslie Eiler Thompson discuss what you can expect from us in the next four weeks, from Rabbit Room Press to North Wind Manor events to our Podcast Network and more. And sometimes, they'll even talk with a special guest. Be on the lookout for new episodes at the beginning of each month.
In addition, you'll find here an archive of the 64 episodes of the original Rabbit Room Podcast that aired between 2008 and 2018. The Rabbit Room Podcast, as it existed for those 10 years, has been retired in favor of the more focused and diverse series that make up the Rabbit Room Podcast Network.

The Rabbit Room Podcast

The Rabbit Room Podcast brings together conversations about art, faith, imagination, and the stories that shape us. For now, this feed features audio editions of Rabbit Room's video interviews, offering thoughtful conversations with writers, musicians, artists, and friends of the Rabbit Room.

Whether you're listening on the go or revisiting a favorite conversation, you'll find discussions rooted in the Rabbit Room's mission to cultivate and celebrate truth, goodness, and beauty through story, music, and the arts.

You'll also find the complete archive of the original Rabbit Room Podcast, whose 64 episodes aired between 2008 and 2018, preserving a decade of conversations that helped lay the foundation for the Rabbit Room community.

The Rabbit Room Podcast brings together conversations about art, faith, imagination, and the stories that shape us. For now, this feed features audio editions of Rabbit Room's video interviews, offering thoughtful conversations with writers, musicians, artists, and friends of the Rabbit Room.
Whether you're listening on the go or revisiting a favorite conversation, you'll find discussions rooted in the Rabbit Room's mission to cultivate and celebrate truth, goodness, and beauty through story, music, and the arts.
You'll also find the complete archive of the original Rabbit Room Podcast, whose 64 episodes aired between 2008 and 2018, preserving a decade of conversations that helped lay the foundation for the Rabbit Room community.

The Pit of Despair with John Hendrix

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/66f5b341-bc25-4dea-96aa-b4810105c090/transcript