Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106

2025-12-24 · 111 min · 15 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ hosted by Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob
→ discusses Education concept

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Feed category: Education
→ discusses Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
→ discusses Self-Improvement concept

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Feed category: Self-Improvement
→ discusses Visual Arts concept

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Feed category: Visual Arts
→ references Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
→ references wakingup.sjv.io website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Entities found in this episode

concepts 9

mentioned Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
mentioned Arts concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Visual Arts concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
discusses Education concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
discusses Self-Improvement concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
discusses Visual Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
mentioned Mattyj Ay concept

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evidence rules-v5
@mattyj_ay

websites 4

mentioned Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
mentioned wakingup.sjv.io website

0.45

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965
references Insiders website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
references wakingup.sjv.io website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why The Only Reason You Should Be a Photographer is Obsession - Jesse Lenz: E106": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

persons 2

mentioned Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob
hosted by Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob

Episode description as stored

In this episode - the last guest episode of 2025 - I sit down with photographer, publisher, and curator Jesse Lenz for one of the most expansive and honest conversations I’ve had on the show - fitting to end the year with such a nice gift-wrapped present. What begins as a discussion about photography and photobooks quickly becomes a deeper exploration of obsession, taste, community, and what it actually means to build a life of artistry that lasts. Jesse speaks candidly about art not as a career path, but as something closer to devotion; something you shape your life around rather than extract from. Here's what we talk about: Why art is an addiction Discovering photobooks Why most projects fail Editing and sequencing of art Making work for yourself before others Charcoal Press and publishing work Chico Review Longevity over visibility Follow Jesse and his incredible work: Website: www.jesselenz.com Instagram: @jesselenz Charcoal Book Club: www.charcoalbookclub.com Charcoal Press: www.charcoalpress.com Chico Review: www.chicoreview.com _____________________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Support the show _________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus features https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders The App That Transformed My Art & Mind https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965 Website: https://themoodpodcast.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay