How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102

2025-11-05 · 64 min · 16 entities

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→ references Insiders website

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Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
→ references wakingup.sjv.io website

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Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Entities found in this episode

concepts 10

mentioned Education concept

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Feed category: Education
mentioned Arts concept

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Feed category: Arts
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

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Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Visual Arts concept

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Feed category: Visual Arts
mentioned Marshall To, EO102 concept

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How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102
discusses Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses Arts concept

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

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

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Feed category: Visual Arts
mentioned Mattyj Ay concept

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@mattyj_ay

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mentioned Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
mentioned wakingup.sjv.io website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965
references Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
references wakingup.sjv.io website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "How Photography Helped Him Survive Not Belonging Anywhere: Marshall To, EO102": 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

”What if the stories that shape us are the ones we can't remember?" Marshall To , a photographer whose photobook 'Blank Notes' explores ancestry, memory, and identity through a deeply personal lens, grew up in rural Canada, the son of Chinese immigrants and a Taoist family who ran a small restaurant. His family believed the physical and spiritual worlds overlapped - that we live among spirits of our ancestors, those waiting for rebirth, and those still wandering, restless and vengeful. In Taoist tradition, during the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Gates of Hell open - releasing the 'Hungry Ghosts' back into our world to seek food and remembrance. Families burn paper offerings, pray for protection, and leave food for the dead. It’s both a celebration and a warning: walk gently, because the ghosts are hungry. In his debut monograph, Blank Notes, published by Charcoal Press, Marshall explores the space where the natural and supernatural meet - where photography becomes ritual, and images serve as offerings to both the living and the dead. His work blurs culture, memory, and the unseen, inviting us to question how the spiritual and the physical intertwine in our everyday lives. What we discussed: The origin story behind Blank Notes Grief, Taoist ritual, and ancestral storytelling Making art from illness, memory, and dual identity The power of “noticing” in photography and cooking Creative process behind sequencing a photobook How to honour invisible subjects through visual storytelling Why Marshall believes creativity is compulsion, not choice The intersection of food, art, and healing Pre-orders and signings with Charcoal Press at Paris dates: I arrive in Paris November 10th and I'm there until the 17th Follow Marhsall and his work: Website: www.marshalljamesto.com Instagram: @marshalljamesto ___________________________________________ This episode is sponsored by Strata Editions - use discount code MOOD for 10% discount on their store - visit strata-editions.com to shop and see their collections. ______________________ 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