Episode 358: Joe Biel

Shortly after appearing on the podcast way back in 2015, Joe Biel sent me an email. Since the interview, he’d been diagnosed with autism (or “Asperger’s” at the time), a revelation that had already begun to have a profound effect on his life.

Biel returned 30-odd episodes later to discuss the insight and impact.

On a recent visit to New York City, the Portland-based publisher returned my apartment to discuss the intervening four years his life, which included the 2016 publication of Good Trouble.

The book was published to mark Microcosm’s 20th anniversary, exploring the publisher’s history and Biel’s own life, up to and including his diagnosis.

from the microcosm publishing 2018 catalogue

how to thrive -read every day -respect/ compliment -embrace change -forgive -talk about ideas -learn daily -accept responsibility -sense of gratitude -have a long term plan towards real goals -learn from people with different experiences -embrace meaning and purpose!

how to starve -compare self to others every day -punch down / criticize -fear change -hold a grudge -talk about people -know it all -blame others for failures -sense of entitlement -never set goals -dictate others’ experiences -internalize criticism

Hey, kids! Here are some pages from my sketchbook. They’re characters from a graphic novel I’m doing for Microcosm Publishing in Portland (@microcosmpub). On that note: I’m doing a graphic novel for Microcosm! It’s a solarpunk story about lesbians, libraries, and Shakespeare! I’ll be posting more updates as I go, but I’m really excited about this project. 

-Brea Grant, from “Beyond The Music: How Punks are Saving the World with DIY Ethics, Skills, & Values” by Joe Biel

Right on, Brea. This quote reminds me to have more confidence in myself, and that making music/ art/ zines isn’t a competition or a hierarchy that I’m automatically at the bottom of. She also echoes my cheerleading call to “keep making weird shit, people!”

(via freecakeforeverycreature)

[ID: A link to the website Microcosm Publishing.  The image associated with the link is a pink background over which white lettering is superimposed the lettering reads “Microcosm Publishing” with a sub header in black “Growing your small world” beneath the words is the image of an orange person raising their fist in protest above the words is the microcosm logo a gear with 5 spokes and a concentric circle in the middle a heart.  End ID]

So my friend turned me onto this small Portland Oregon publisher.  If you want books to fuck with your world view, help you with actual self care, or spread a little anarchy this is the publisher for you.  Seriously!  I just found a leaflet called “Organizing Cools the Planet” on there, there’s another called “How to Resist Amazon and Why”.  Or how about “Perspectives on Anarchist Theory: Beyond the Crisis”.

The link I included takes you to the page for their patches, a great place to get a feel for the whole org.  Anywhoozles, enjoy!

Ben Passmore is back with an expanded edition of his popular self-published comic. Our critic Etelka Lehoczky says that with this new book, Passmore “has room to unleash his dense, brilliantly colored drawings, thoughtful reflections and kooky vignettes.” Check out her full review here.

– Petra