48 - Josh Bean (Planet of the Apiaries)

For this episode I interview Josh Bean, a woodworking-visual artist and festival and events specialist for the city of Waterloo.

Josh had just left his work on stress leave, when the COVID pandemic sent everyone else home too. So he’s working on healing, but it’s a strange time. Today we start our interview spiralling out about dog videos and apps. We have a lot in common, in terms of how our brains work, and you’ll get a glimpse into some of that in this conversation. Our obsessive compulsive tendencies when it comes to bagging groceries. Our anxieties around efficiency and process. The value we place in the little bit of control we do have, the things we can plan for, and our systems. Our tendency to take on many hobbies and interests and projects without dropping any of the previous ones, and how that changes during a pandemic. Our pondering the line between art and craft, artist and worker. And we question: How do you stay home, keep yourself safe and sane, and keep your friendships and connections going, while still following all the recommended quarantining? What could support look like for folks struggling with anxiety and mental illness, right now, and going forward? What is art without an audience? We don’t have the answers, but it’s an interesting conversation. You can follow him and his art on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joshmbean

This interview was originally recorded on May 21st 2020

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bridgingthesocialdistance.substack.com