Michael Macfadden

The Creative Lesson that Cost Me $10,000

Explore my journey from earning, then losing, $10K in NFTs, discovering the power of design in vexillology, and embracing failure as part of creative…

Oct 3 • 

Michael Macfadden

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September 2025

What I've Learned After One Year on Substack

What I've learned publishing at least once a week on Substack for a full year.

Sep 26 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Finding Creativity in the Small Surprises

Discover how subtle Easter eggs, a generative art project, and Tom Petty’s persistence reveal lessons about patience and inspiration.

Sep 19 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Contagious Creativity

From a mobile bookstore in LA to AI-powered podcasts with Notebook LM and Charlie Puth’s passion for reverb, explore creativity in all forms.

Sep 12 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Creative Lessons from Mayer, Posters, and Apps

Discover how bravery, curiosity, and clever problem-solving fuel creativity—whether in music, art, or technology.

Sep 5 • 

Michael Macfadden

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August 2025

Finding Inspiration in Feeds, Guitars, and Logos

From social media algorithms to John Rzeznik’s Iris tuning to Sherwin-Williams’ bold logo, three stories reveal creativity in unexpected places.

Aug 29 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Unique Messengers and Creative Insights

Explore unique voices in creativity, why progress isn’t linear, and the timeless humor of master punchlines.

Aug 22 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Les Paul, Improv, and Creative Curiosity

From Les Paul’s guitar tinkering to improv’s “yes, and” rule, explore how curiosity, iteration, and connection spark creative breakthroughs.

Aug 15 • 

Michael Macfadden

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When Deadlines, Detours, and Dance Moves Spark Magic

South Park, Reno 911, and the Shuffle Mamas prove creativity doesn’t need perfect conditions. Sometimes it just needs a deadline and a spark.

Aug 8 • 

Michael Macfadden

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Create Anyway: What Crayons, Youth Sports, and Garage Bands Teach Us

From crayon fish to garage bands, explore how low-stakes tools and informal play nurture creativity better than rigid systems.

Aug 1 • 

Michael Macfadden

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July 2025

Spotting Genius, Embracing Cliché, and Fiction’s Power

McCartney was overlooked. Comic Sans redeems itself. Fiction strengthens nonfiction. Three reminders that creativity defies easy expectations.

Jul 25 • 

Michael Macfadden

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When Should Art Belong to Everyone?

A nuanced look at intellectual property, legacy, public domain, and how creativity thrives when ideas are protected—then set free to inspire others.

Jul 18 • 

Michael Macfadden

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