In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coach and author JP Rindfliesch IX to talk about The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. They discuss the impact the book had on their lives and why they disagree with.
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AI SUMMARY OF THE CONVERSATION
This conversation between Jeff Elkins and JP (JP Ryan Flesh the Ninth) is divided into two primary sections: a series of personal professional updates and a critical deep dive into the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
Professional and Personal Updates
The speakers begin by catching up on their recent creative endeavors:
- JP’s Projects: JP has secured his third audiobook contract for The Alchemist Baker of Rosen. He has also released a short story in the Mandric Manor universe and is preparing for the final release in the Leah Aman series. To combat potential burnout, he is returning to a serialized format for the sequel to Mandric Manor.
- Jeff’s Projects: Jeff is working with JP on Season 2 of Nerds, which he considers some of their best collaborative work. He has also begun writer coaching on TikTok and is preparing a masterclass on “Engineering Emotion,” which uses masterworks to teach seven ways to manipulate reader emotions.
- Personal Growth: Both men reflect on their current mindsets. Jeff expresses that he is in a uniquely healthy and happy place in 2026, while JP discusses the benefits of having hired a Virtual Assistant (VA) to help manage his workload.
Critique of The War of Art
The majority of the call is dedicated to a critique of Steven Pressfield’s 2002 book, The War of Art. While acknowledging that the book has been inspirational for many, Jeff and JP find many of its core philosophies problematic and even detrimental.
- Book 1: The Concept of “Resistance” Pressfield personifies procrastination and self-doubt as an external, spiritual enemy called Resistance. JP and Jeff strongly object to Pressfield’s claim that mental health issues like ADHD, social anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder are merely “marketing ploys” or forms of resistance rather than real conditions. They also reject the book’s suggestion that seeking healing or spending time with family are distractions that writers must “go to war” against.
- Book 2: Defining the “Pro” Pressfield defines a professional as someone who works seven days a week and views misery as a badge of honor. The speakers characterize this as a toxic “daily grind/bro mindset” that inevitably leads to burnout. They argue instead for a definition of professionalism that values rest, community, and emotional health, noting that all major religions and healthy careers incorporate some form of a “day off”.
- Book 3: The Muse and the “Hack” Pressfield believes that creative ideas are divine gifts from Muses and Angels, given only to those who battle Resistance through isolation and grinding. He famously labels those who “write to market” as “hacks”. Jeff and JP disagree, arguing that writing for a market is actually a way of engaging with a community and honoring what readers love. They suggest that the best work comes from being grounded in reality and human connection rather than escaping into a “spiritual” isolation.
Conclusion: A Healthier View of Art
The conversation ends with a focus on joy and inclusivity. Jeff and JP emphasize that there is no single “right” way to be a creative; instead, an ideal artist is one who understands their own needs and finds wholeness in their work. They encourage listeners to appreciate diverse forms of art, even those not intended for them, by trying to understand the community that finds beauty in it. Ultimately, they reject the image of the “starving, miserable artist” in favor of one that prioritizes mental health, therapy, and social support.