Fwacata

The Zen of Owning Your BullshitThere’s a question I think everyone should ask themselves from time to time:Am I the asshole?If you’ve never asked that question — not once, not even a whisper of it — then odds are, yeah… you probably are.We’ve all met assholes. You’ve probably encountered one today. Hell, in the last 48 hours, you’ve likely seen someone cut in line, ghost a friend, act superior at work, or just let a door slam in your face. And if you can’t think of anyone? Congratulations, it’s you.But here’s the thing: being an asshole isn’t always evil. It’s often a side effect of honesty, frustration, or just being human.The Razor’s Edge of TruthMy father had a saying — “Con la verdad no se juega.”You don’t play around with the truth.It sounds simple, but it’s one of those phrases that sticks with you your whole life — like a pebble in your shoe, reminding you to walk carefully.Because the truth is tricky.The truth doesn’t always make you popular.Sometimes it makes you the asshole in the room.You tell some

It’s Monday. You know what that means.It’s Monday Motivation fing time.*I’m on the road right now — my wife’s singing at an event, there’s no parking, and I’m sitting in the car like a responsible adult who’s pretending to be productive. And you know what? The hustle is real.So today’s theme comes from my dad, who had this one saying that’s been burned into my DNA:“¡VETE A VER!” — Go and see!See, when I was a kid, my dad would get so tired of me wondering about stuff. You know the kind of wondering — “I wonder if that bakery makes any money?” or “I wonder if I could open a tire shop?” or “What if I painted a mural somewhere?”And every single time, he’d snap:“¡VETE A VER!”Go see! Go ask! Go find out! Stop wondering and start doing.And as a kid, it drove me nuts. Like, “Come on, Dad, can I just daydream for a second?” But he didn’t let up. And over time, I realized what he was teaching me — don’t sit there stewing in what-ifs. Go test it. Go live it. Go do it.That’s the difference between talkers and doers.This

Hey, what’s going on, everybody?It’s Monday, the 27th (I think? My calendar’s buried somewhere under art supplies), and I’m feeling that post-Kickstarter glow. FWACATA #3 wrapped up strong — fully funded, stretch goals flying — and I’m buzzing. There’s no better way to start a Monday than on a high note.Because here’s the truth, man: life is highs and lows. That’s it. That’s the whole game. One day you’re up, the next you’re face-first in a puddle of ink, wondering if your printer hates you. But those dips? They’re part of the rhythm.Your heart pumps, your lungs breathe, and your brain—well, your brain just wants you to survive. It’s built to focus on the bad. That’s not your fault. That’s evolution being an overprotective mom. But the thing is, you can feed your brain. You choose what it focuses on. If you fill it with history, stories, good people, and perspective—you start seeing the patterns. Highs and lows. You start seeing that it’s all part of something bigger.I’ve been making comics for thirty years n

 You don’t “find” balance — you learn to dance between deadlines and dinner dishes.Comics take time — a lot of it. And time is the one thing life never seems to have enough of.We chase this mythical balance: perfect productivity, creative satisfaction, and a stable existence. But the truth? Balance is a rhythm, not a ratio.Some weeks you create like a machine; others, you barely doodle between day jobs and real life. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human.Art and life aren’t enemies. They’re collaborators. Life gives you the stories — art gives you the language to tell them.So take the pressure off.Draw small. Think big. Live fully.And remember: you’re not behind — you’re just between beats.

We all like to think we’re good people. But are we really? Or are we just people who haven’t been given the chance to be bad yet?That’s the thing my dad used to say: “People are how they are, and people are where they should be.” And as harsh as it sounded, he was right. Because most of the ugliness in the world isn’t random—it’s self-inflicted. There are very few tragedies. Doesn’t mean you don’t help or push people down, no, not at all, but many of us are where we put ourselves. The truth is, people are as good as their options.When life corners you, when you lose comfort, when the easy choices disappear—that’s when your character shows. And whether it’s in art, politics, or just being human, the same law applies:What you do when you can’t do much… says everything.As artists, we constantly face limits—time, money, doubt. But those limits don’t define us. How we respond to them does.So ask yourself this week:What options can I improve? What choices am I proud of?And which ones am I pretending I don’t have?Be

Hey there, fuckos. Welcome back to another Monday Motivation—your weekly reminder that your brain is not just for storing old passwords and random Die Hard quotes.I’m FWACATA—your art dad, your creative comrade, your podcaster-shouter of truths.And today’s episode? The Joy of Learning.Not the homework kind. Not the “show your work on the math problem” kind.I’m talking about learning as fuel. The good shit.Learning ≠ HomeworkNow, I know what you’re thinking:“Learning? Didn’t I leave that back in high school, right next to my bad haircut and my crippling acne?”Yeah, me too. But here’s the thing—learning isn’t punishment. It’s fuel. It’s rocket fuel for your brain-car. Without it? You’re just Fred Flintstoning your way through projects, barefoot on gravel, wondering why everything feels stale.When I was working for the Hormel family as an art archivist—yes, that Hormel family—my boss used to say, “I don’t want to hear ‘I don’t know.’ I want to hear ‘I’ll find out.’” That stuck with me. “I don’t know” isn’t an an

Hey, everybody—it’s Monday, September 29, and this is your Monday Motivation Podcast by FWACATA.What’s up, heathens? You sweaty, creative masses of chaos? Yeah, that thing that happened—wild, right? I mean, I don’t know what happened, because I pre-recorded this. But thanks to the internet’s nonstop firehose of madness, I’m sure something insane just went down. So now it sounds like I know what’s happening. See how that works? “Dude, did you SEE that shit?” Boom. Timeless.Anyway. Welcome back to the other Monday Motivation—the one where we drag your creative bird out of bed, slap it around a little, pour some coffee on it, and shove it back into the ring.Today’s episode? Creative Reboots.Restarting stalled projects with fresh energy.Here’s a confession: I have drawers—literal drawers—of half-finished comics, folders of “someday novels,” Google Docs of script fragments, and sketchbooks that look like serial killer ransom notes. Every time I open them, these projects look up at me like, “Bro, remember us? You a

Delays, Shitstorms, and Staying Motivated AnywayHey everybody—it’s Juan. Yeah, I know, I’ve been MIA and missed a couple of episodes in September. My bad.And no, I wasn’t out there selling my ass on Biscayne Boulevard… but honestly? It came close. Life’s been busy as hell, and when the bills scream louder than your muse, you gotta answer.But that’s not the only reason I hit pause. Truth is, after the Charlie Kirk incident, it got really hard to sit down and record something motivational. I mean, how do you scream “be good, make art!” into the mic when the world feels like it’s circling the drain?The Shitstorm in My HeadEvery day, I catch myself thinking about how fast things are unraveling. And I try to balance it—like, “Juan, it’s not that bad.” But then I scroll the internet, and holy hell… it’s toothpaste ads next to hate speech, conspiracies being treated like facts, and everyone yelling louder just to be heard.And here’s the thing—I’m always more wary of the people pushing hate and violence than anyone s

When was the last time you practiced the basics? I’m talking about drawing cubes, playing scales, writing clean sentences—the broccoli of creativity. Not glamorous, not sexy, but absolutely essential.The truth is, fundamentals aren’t just for beginners. They’re for everyone. Athletes run drills. Musicians practice scales. Even chefs revisit chopping onions. Why? Because mastery is maintenance.Skipping fundamentals is like skipping the gym—you’ll eventually regret it. And the best part? The stronger your basics, the freer your creativity becomes. Fundamentals are the foundation that lets you build castles, break rules, and push limits without everything collapsing.So this week’s Monday Motivation is all about revisiting your fundamentals. Pick one area of your craft, go back to basics, and practice. Not because you’re bad, but because you’re sharpening your edge.

Because your sketch that looks like a potato is still proof that you showed up.If there’s one thing that chaps my balls (and trust me, there are many), it’s ego.You know the kind—spoken-word monologues that sound like they were written by a mirror:“I am the truth, I am the fire, I am the cosmic latte of your reflection.”Cool. Congrats. But here’s the thing: creating isn’t about being the cosmic latte. It’s about doing the thing, failing at the thing, and sometimes—even more importantly—celebrating the fact you did the thing at all.Because being creative is like being in a bad relationship. You give it everything: your time, your sleep, your Netflix queue. And what do you get back? A drawing of a horse that looks like a toaster with legs. Or a short story that reads like it was typed with someone’s feet.But now and then, you land it. You make something, you look at it the next day, and you don’t want to vomit. That’s a win.And here’s the tragedy: most of us don’t celebrate it. We just shrug and say, “Yeah, but

The other day I saw this video of a professor talking about cringe culture—how being openly hopeful, positive, or ambitious somehow makes you the human equivalent of a “kick me” sign. Better to be nihilistic, detached, and “cool” than risk being seen trying.And you know what? She’s right. We’ve built a culture where fear is fashionable. Fear of being judged. Fear of being canceled. Fear of failing so hard that you leave a crater.But here’s the truth: fear’s only job is to keep you bland and “safe.” It’s that smoke detector that screams at burnt toast. It’s the backseat driver telling you to stay home and eat dry cereal instead of risking rejection, ridicule, or (God forbid) being seen.Here’s the dirty secret nobody tells you: everyone’s afraid.The artists you admire? Afraid. Your favorite musicians? Nervous wrecks before a show. Even Beyoncé probably has a moment backstage wondering if her dress is too sparkly.The difference is—they act anyway.Fear has never written a book, painted a canvas, or built a busine

Stop chasing perfect—start chasing what only you can doHey hey, kids—it’s Monday Motivation and you know what that means: caffeinate your soul, kick your brain into gear, and let’s make something happen.Welcome to episode 28: Your Creative Superpower – Embracing What Makes Your Work Special.Everybody wants to be “good” at their craft. But “good” is a moving target. You could be the cleanest illustrator in the game and still get compared to some 14-year-old on Instagram who figured out Procreate last week. You could write a sentence so sharp it could slice bread—and still feel like you’re nowhere near Hemingway, or hell, even the dude who writes the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer.Here’s the truth bomb: perfection is boring. The world is full of technically brilliant work that nobody remembers. Your real power isn’t about fitting into the mold—it’s about smashing the mold with a brick you made yourself, duct-taped together with your quirks, your flaws, and your experiences.Your creative superpower is that weird th

The raw power of making something just for the hell of it—and why you should do it anyway.HEY HEY KIDS!Yeah, I said it Krusty the Clown–style. It’s Monday Motivation time, and you know what that means: caffeinate your soul, slap yourself awake with a paintbrush, and prepare to scream into the void—in the most beautiful, artful way possible.This week on FWACATA, we’re talking total artistic freedom. That holy grail where there are no rules, no deadlines, no clients, no critics—just you, your tools, and that screaming void begging you to make something weird, raw, honest, maybe even kind of ugly... and therefore brilliant.But here’s the trap: freedom is scary. Like, pants-half-unzipped-at-the-buffet scary. Blank canvases don’t come with instructions. No guardrails. No gold stars. And when you strip away all the outer noise, what comes up? Imposter syndrome. Fear. Doubt. That voice that whispers: “You? Really? You think you’re good enough?”I once painted a mural in Hialeah Gardens with the Teenage Mutant Ninja T

Because choosing intelligence shouldn’t feel like a radical act.Okay, look—I had to sit down and face a hard truth. We all have our “-isms,” right? Some people are racist, some are classist. Me? I’m dumbist. I have a low tolerance for stupidity. Not ignorance—ignorance can be educated. But active, enthusiastic stupidity? That’s my villain origin story.I realized this while standing in line at the grocery store, overhearing someone explain how they “don’t trust electricity.” And it hit me: I’m a misanthrope with WiFi. But I’m not alone.Let’s be real—we live in a society that rewards physical aesthetics but not mental acuity. You get a six-pack, you’re a hero. You read six books? You’re suspiciously quiet and probably a witch. It’s wild.And we’ve created a machine—a black mirror we carry in our pockets—that spits info at us so fast, we don’t retain a damn thing. It’s all junk food for the brain. The tragedy? We used to savor knowledge like a fine meal. Now we inhale it like gas station nachos and forget it by l

(A picture I found of the poster I used to have in my room, but it was smaller) Cue the music:

Why Effort, Not Perfection, is the Real Win(FWACATA Monday Motivation Blog – July 21 Episode)Ever have one of those moments where you look like you’ve got it all together on the outside, but inside you’re screaming like a goat in a horror movie? That was me last weekend.This episode of the FWACATA Monday Motivation Podcast is about conquering fear—or, more accurately, holding hands with it and whispering, “Please don’t kill me” while pretending to be cool.In a short trip meant to cap off a busy but beautiful summer, I took my wife up to Fort Davis, Texas. Scenic mountains, dark sky preserve, hot springs… the works. My lovely partner, ever the explorer, found a mountain-top lookout for some late-night stargazing. Cute, right? Except for one tiny problem—I’m terrified of heights.Now picture this: it’s pitch black, we’re driving up a winding, rail-less mountain road that looks like it was designed by Wile E. Coyote, and I’m trying not to visibly sweat through my skull. When we reached the top, I wanted to run ba

In this fiery and heartfelt episode of the FWACATA podcast, Juan dives into something that’s been gnawing at his soul: the soul-crushing apathy many folks are clinging to in the face of horror. From Gaza to ICE raids, from flood zone tragedies to TikTok indifference, we’re living in a world where not choosing is becoming its own kind of evil.Juan shares a raw convo with an old friend—actor, comedian, fellow chaos juggler—about the plague of “I’m not political” energy infecting people who should know better. Whether it’s fear of being wrong or just the comfort of not being inconvenienced, that middle-of-the-road numbness is exactly what the worst people in power are counting on.This isn’t about left or right. This is about right and wrong. About being human. About choosing to care, even when it hurts. And about not waiting until the heat’s too high to realize you're the frog in the pot.Yeah, there’s some yelling. Yeah, there’s swearing. Yeah, there’s a solid reminder that artists and actors can be full of it,

Hey hey kids—yes, it's another slightly-late-but-definitely-worth-it episode of the FWACATA Monday Motivation Podcast. I know, I know… we missed last week. But it’s summer, and without the structure of a school week, I’ve entered that magical zone where time is fake and weekends are theoretical.So what’s today’s sermon from the Church of FWACATA? Simple: check your expectations before they wreck your attitude.This week I talk about how something as dumb as traffic, a melted cheeseburger, and a detour involving a pony (yes, an actual pony) can either ruin your day—or make it a reminder that life’s pretty damn good.We often get mad because things don’t go the way we expected. Not because something actually terrible happened, but because we created some fantasy version of reality and got mad when the real world didn’t follow the script. El Paso summer heat? Inevitable. Traffic on I-10? Of course. But somehow, we still let that stuff light our fuse like it’s some injustice.But here’s the thing: the difference bet

It’s another Monday—or Tuesday, or whatever, and yeah, World War III might be trending, but that doesn't mean you stop creating.In this episode, I ramble (with purpose!) about stomach bugs, soap sniffing, and the urgent need to keep making stuff, even if it’s trash. Especially if it’s trash. Because making art right now isn’t just therapeutic—it’s rebellion. It’s flipping the bird at the madness and saying, “I’m still here, and I’ve got glitter glue.”Whether you’re a full-time creative, a part-time doodler, or someone who’s just really good at meme curation, this one’s for you. We talk about:Why making even “bad” art mattersFinding your creative voice in a world screaming nonsenseHow to shut off the doomscroll and turn it into a sketchWhy male figure models on Instagram are weirdly hard to findAnd how to get tired for the right reasonsThis isn’t self-help. It’s self-defense. It’s anti-apocalypse productivity with a smirk.So grab a pencil, or a stick, or hell, just a thought—and let’s make something today.Beca

A FWACATA Podcast about Resistance, Identity, and the Power of CommunityThis week’s FWACATA Podcast isn’t your usual Monday motivation. It’s a call to attention. A gut check. A reminder that resistance starts with presence, and that presence begins with you.There’s a growing weight in this country—a pressure building from misguided policy, ICE raids, political cruelty, and systems designed to divide us. The fear is real. The threats are real. But so is the power of people who refuse to bend, who refuse to disappear, and who refuse to be silent.This episode is for everyone who feels angry, scared, ignored, or underestimated, especially our Latino community and immigrant brothers and sisters who have carried the weight of labor, culture, and community while being treated like criminals.Let’s be clear:Hard-working people aren’t the threat. The system that targets them is.