Common Discourse

Common Discourse

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work. Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:17am.

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Latest Emails

#080 Mother Design Meets MW.S

I try to keep this project separated from some of the other things going on in my life, but I cant help but to let some of my lifes experience influence what I write about every week.Some of you may know this already, but for those of you who dont, Im the Co-Founder and Partner of MOUTHWASH Studio,

2 days ago

Sights & Sounds: Annika Hansteen-Izora

The weeks are speeding by.Spring has finally come, but it still feels like the weather has yet to catch up to that reality.Nonetheless, were embracing the lightness and bloom that this season has to offer.For this weeks Sights and Sounds, we reached out to Annika Hansteen-Izora a queer artist, writ

6 days ago

#079 The Seventy Ninth One

This is the seventy ninth weekly briefing weve made.Thanks for sticking around.Im heading to ABQ, Santa Fe, and Taos for the first time this week.What should I eat and see.Open in app or online#079 The Seventy Ninth OneMar 14SaveListenCommon Discourse is a project designed to help others (and oursel

1 week ago

Sights & Sounds: Kate Lindsay

Kate Lindsay is a culture writer and co-founder of one of my favorite newsletter projects, Embedded, your essential guide to whats good on the internet.Her essays titled I dont care what AI wrote and Why it all feels like too much have stuck with me since first encountering them.I admire Kates brave

1 week ago

#078 Get To

If you know somebody that has been doing literally anything consistently for quite some time, especially if it requires discipline, you should let them know that you recognize their effort.Most of this stuff is mental.Starting a company, running a marathon, practicing meditation, getting in shape, w

2 weeks ago

Sights & Sounds: Ben Willett

Ben Willett is a designer working under the name WILLETTSPACE, designing furniture for spaces and spaces for furniture.I met Ben at Rancho Bar on the same night I told this story a few months back.Weve stayed in touch since then out of a mutual love and respect for tennis, design, and the niche LA d

2 weeks ago

#077 The Only Way Through

I went on a backpacking trip in New Mexico when I was 17.Half my body weight on my back, holding everything from my tent to the food and water I needed to make last for the duration of the trip.Nearly 10 miles every day for twelve days in an elevated, dry heat.Wake up, hike, get to camp, tie up ever

3 weeks ago

Sights & Sounds: Jasmine Onstad

Jasmine Onstad (Shiru) is a philosopher and DJ, completing her studies in Berlin.Her work is a collage of her dual Kenyan and British heritage, and compiles together sounds of past and present that create an eclectic sonic and visual experience.She is currently a resident at Refuge Worldwide where s

3 weeks ago

#076 Consider This!

A few ideas, a quote, and links worth sharing for your consideration on another Tuesday.Here is a list of things Im currently spending time with and would also recommend to others.Open in app or online#076 Consider This.Feb 21SaveListenCommon Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourse

1 month ago

Sights & Sounds: Omoruyi Atekha

Omoruyi Atekha is a designer based in New York and San Francisco.He currently works at Pollen research studio, and is studying for an MA at Stanford University.I came across Omoruyi through Pollens Twitter account and was always intrigued as to what the research and curation process behind the page

1 month ago

#075 Open the Box

When I dont know what to write about I just start typing, and soon enough, I start to see what it could be.Words are puzzle pieces.In fact, many things are.Most of us are still figuring out how to open the box.Open in app or online#075 Open the BoxFeb 14SaveListenCommon Discourse is a project design

1 month ago

Sights & Sounds: Galerie Navy

Galerie Navy is a flower arrangement and concept store owned by Julia Duong, a multidisciplinary creative living between London and Berlin.Shes created arrangements for designers such as Wales Bonner, Prada and Kiko Kostadinov, and for events at London Fashion week and Dover Street Market.Open in ap

1 month ago

#074 Time Spent

I spent a lot of time with my mother as a kid.She educated my brothers and I at home until I was 13.She took us to the YMCA every morning, the library every afternoon, and the science museum every Friday.She cooked dinner every night, she drove me all over Ohio for sport practices and she always put

1 month ago

Sights & Sounds: Arlette

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional workfrom Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.Every Tuesday we share words from a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing.On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from

1 month ago

The Journal: My Encouragement To You In 2023

Ive become decent at creating habits over the last couple years.In bed by 10:30p, start the day with physical activity, write, research, read, cook.I do most of these daily, and sometimes dont, but the one thing Ive been the most consistent at is shooting pool at a dive bar with my friends once a we

1 month ago

Sights & Sounds: Alex Tan

Sorry this is coming a bit late, Im currently in the air trying to push this live using American Airlines in flight WiFi.One day it will be fast, but today it is not.I blew through my camera roll and populated one image from every month in 2022, so heres a little time capsule of my year.Im drafting

3 months ago

#073 That Went By Fast

This is the last Weekly Briefing of the year as Alice and I both are taking time off from Common Discourse to reset the mind and go into 2023 with fresh eyes.Were also taking all of January off to brainstorm and set goals for this project, keeping our promise of making this as intentional as we poss

3 months ago

The Journal: What A Year

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional workfrom Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.Every Tuesday we share words from a journal, a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing.On Fridays we invite a guest to share

3 months ago

Sights & Sounds: Alice Otieno

One of my favourite aspects of Common Discourse this year has been introducing Sights & Sounds.The act of going through your camera roll ,intentionally or not, proves to be a meditative exercise.I love how it allows you to relive past experiences through photos, videos and miscellaneous screenshots.

3 months ago

#072 2022 Favourites

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional workfrom Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.Every Tuesday we share words from a journal, a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing.On Fridays we invite a guest to share

3 months ago

Sights & Sounds: CD Community

The seasons are starting to shift from autumn to winter, and we too are changing gearswe are slowing down and easing into the closing of this year and the beginnings of next year.Alex and I have been chatting and reflecting over the last few weeks on how much the project has grown this past year.Ope

3 months ago

#071 I Think I've Been Here Before

It feels like Im breathing through a straw as we get closer to end of year.Well unpack that a bit more as soon as I have a second to write words that arent being delivered to somebody in an email or slack message.If you didnt look at Sights and Sounds from Oliver last Friday, please do.I loved his c

4 months ago

Sights & Sounds: Oliver Campbell

Another week where we are given the chance to peak into someones camera roll, notes or music library.This week I reached out to Oliver Campbell to see if he would be interested in sharing what hes recently been thinking about or observing through images and a sound.Open in app or onlineSights & Soun

4 months ago

#70 I Love Tuesdays

A few ideas, a quote that hit hard, and some links worth sharing to friends on another fine Tuesday.Thanks for participating in Chat on the Substack app this week.I was blown away by how many of you are tapping in from all over the world.Also I expected it to just be me and Alice talking to the void

4 months ago

Sights & Sounds: Taya Francis

Taya Francis is a model, knitwear and textile designer based in Nottingham.Founded in 2019, her brand and practice, Knit & Ting, is an exploration into Tayas British upbringing and West Indian heritage.The garments serve as a memorabilia into what it means to co-exist within two cultures from distan

4 months ago