Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Moon.
Jackson, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been drawn to different creative endeavors. I’m often one of those people that have one too many plates spinning all at once. Not so long ago I realized that was a great way to remain a “Jack of all trades but master of none” so I decided to put my focus and energy into only the things I am most passionate about.
These days my creative energy goes toward two specific ventures. The first is my photography. Photography has always been a creative outlet for me ever since High School. My Mom was into photography as a kid and my Grandfather loved photographing wildlife, birds, and anything outdoors.
They were my inspiration for learning the craft. I am blessed enough to be married to a wonderful woman named Abbie who also shares my love of photography, and we challenge ourselves and each other to get better each time we pick up our cameras. Just like everything else, there is always room to grow so I try to follow and consume all different kinds of art in order to be inspired.
I also host a podcast called “Amateur Hour”. When I was in college I became fascinated with podcasts. I was drawn to the interview structure as well as the technology side because of minoring in Mass Media in college and studying those things from an educational angle.
Mostly though, I was drawn to the fact that speaking with others from different walks of life provided some of the best learning opportunities imaginable.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Anyone who tells you being creative is all free open roads with the soft breeze in your hair is not telling you the whole truth. Creativity is difficult. Struggles and roadblocks will always be in your way in some form or another when you are trying to achieve something you want.
Overcoming those obstacles and coming out on the other side, however, is one of the greatest feelings in the creative process. In those moments is where most of your growth happens. Most of the struggles I face are overcoming my own self-doubt. Negative self-talk can really set you back a way. I would not describe myself as a perfectionist, but I would describe myself as having imposter syndrome.
Often thoughts creep in of “who would want to listen to this”, or “don’t post that photo, nobody will like it.”
I have dealt with many obstacles along the way so far, and I expect even more are coming around the corner. The important thing to remember is not to compare yourself to others and put your art out into the world regardless of what others may think.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My biggest passion and the constant project is my podcast. The show is called “Amateur Hour” and our tagline is: “We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re doing it anyway!”
I started this show in the hopes of speaking with, interviewing, and collaborating with people from all walks of life that were passionate about what they do; whether that be their career or their own creative outlet. The tagline came about on the very first episode when I was speaking with one of my best friends on the topic of storytelling.
It just came out of nowhere naturally while we were speaking, and it became the feeling and motto for the whole show. There was a time shortly after starting Amateur Hour that I had to take an unfortunately long hiatus from putting out any episodes, but now I have brought it back to life with the help of my brother, William, and one of my best friends, David who both co-host with me.
Although we sometimes go on wild tangents and speak on topics that are far from the norm, (like aliens and conspiracy theories) the overall spirit of the original show lives on.
We have had some amazing opportunities arise to interview some very interesting people and even though we don’t always know what we are doing, we step away from every interaction and interview feeling that we have learned something to enrich our lives.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I hold to the belief that things like luck do not control my life, but rather the decisions I make that put me on whatever path I’m on. That being said, I will never rule anything out. To use one of my favorite quotes:
“I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” – Michael Scott.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/jacksonmoon/ - Twitter: https://Twitter.com/amateur_
pod - Amateur Hour on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/
30s6IrM - Amateur Hour on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/
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