@ Sea Podcast #1: Gene Luen Yang

April 30, 2016At Sea, Batman, Comic Books, Podcast

The first installment of my first podcast, entitled “@Sea With Justin McRoberts,” is at iTunes. I am expecting this to become a significant part of my future and I’m glad you’ll be with me on these first few steps. Check it out. Gene Luen Yang is a writer and graphic novelist responsible for American Born Chinese and Boxers … Read More

Is Christian Music Dishonest?

April 30, 2016Christianity, Church, Creativity, Discipleship, Worship

Is music in the “Christian marketplace” markedly dishonest? Specifically in the way its writers address the darker aspects of life? More so than music made in the broader, “General market” is? In his a Fuller-curated conversation between Bono  and Eugene Peterson, Bono suggests as much. I’m not so sure. Let’s see what Drake has to say about the deeper … Read More

BOOK REVIEW: “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert

April 28, 2016Creativity, Reviews

In her book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert is winsome and charming. She is also transparent and earnest. This feels like a book written by someone who has done hard work, grown and isn’t embarrassed in the least about her process. I didn’t love it. But I did like it and think it’s worth reading. SOME SPECIFICS: … Read More

Healthy People Make Healthy Art

April 26, 2016Creativity

You know those dramatic stories of artists who smoke and drink and binge an stay up all night and ruin their lives on the way to creating? Yeah… don’t emulate those. On the whole, I think healthy people make healthy art. I think the art you make is an outpouring of who you are. And while … Read More

BOOK REVIEW: “Anything You Want” by Derek Sivers

April 21, 2016Creativity, Reviews

Full disclosure: I’m a Derek Sivers fan. I think he’s brilliant and I’m super thankful for his work. Truth is, had he not invented CD Baby, I’d likely not have made a living as a performing singer/songwriter. This book is, as it turns out, is a memoir of sorts, tracing the history and philosophy behind … Read More

Johnny Manziel And The Redemptive Power Of Sports

April 20, 2016Sports

Johnny Manziel issued a statement this week in which he hopes to  “…take care of the issues in front of me right now so I can focus on what I have to do if I want to play in 2016.” His statement was almost immediately met by a chorus of boos and detractors. We love to … Read More

Springsteen, HB2 and the Power of Art

April 14, 2016Good Music, Leadership, Politics

Bruce Springsteen was scheduled to play a show in Greensboro, NC this past weekend. In light of the passing of HB2, a law he feels (as many do) “attacks the rights of LGBT citizens,” The Boss canceled his only North Carolina date this year. Of that decision he writes, “It is the strongest means I have for … Read More

Star Wars and Your Creative Process

April 9, 2016Creativity, Title Pending

I picked up the Star Wars digital release and immediately jumped to the iTunes extras and searched for the 1-hr behind-the-scenes documentary called “Secrets of Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey.” Honestly, I’d have paid the $19.95 just for that 1-hr. From Daisy Ridley’s audition footage to JJ Abrams’ reaction to shooting Han and Chewie’s classic … Read More