Check it out, we have a fancy intro now. And when I say "fancy" I mean "A short song I slapped together with sounds from my clay studio and an amateur rendition of the guitar part from a song that was popular years ago." First one to guess what the song is gets an internet high five.

Thanks for taking a listen. This episode is shorter than the first three. Let me know if that is better or worse.
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Transcript:
This is episode 4 of the MudTalk Podcast and is brought to you by Expert Clay. Expert Clay is a new site that allows clay experts to share their knowledge through courses, videos and digital media. Go to expertclay.com to find out how you can join for free and learn from an expert or decide what expertise you can share with others. Thanks for tuning in. In this episode we’re going to be talking about what you think about as you start making a pot. I looked forward to exploring this topic because I expected a variety of different answers. There were quite a range of answers but most were about feelings or visualizing the finished piece or about the process itself. So, we’ll hear comments about each of those and then I’ll share a few of my favorites at the end. Let’s get started!
Self Encouragement / Hope / Chant
First there were some responses with great chants or words of self encouragement.

Amelia.tungsten "Don't mess up! Don't mess up! Don't mess up!"

TangentGirlNat Don't collapse. Don't collapse. Don't collapse. Don't collapse.

Stonecropstudio Was curious about this. Threw yesterday...turns out I think "lift, lift, lift!"

WineSellersGirl "Please don't screw this up." (I'm new to this throwing stuff.)

Rainstormworks I hope the clay has the same idea i do.

NancyeOakley1969 hope i can create what my mind sees.

Sgrace_pots Is this going to center? Am I breathing? Nope. Take a breath. Slow down.

BrandonDonnaLee I can do this. I can do this. And finding the picture in my head in the clay. Listening to my breathing (somehow far away in the distance).

RobinLambright My first thought...is it a throwing day or a back in the bucket day...
Feelings: calm, zen, clear mind
Plenty of people seem to get a feeling of calm or clear mind as they start to make a pot.

Blue_s_reflectedin_fiery_water in my opinion it makes calmness and releases the soul in love

Erikapetersons Throwing on the wheel is my yoga. If I'm too distracted with thoughts I can't throw. So it is a zen moment. After a session on the wheel I feel like I've been totally washed from all my worries.

Bobbie141 I love playing with clay ..my mind just goes .....to a great place…

Terispad_yellowdoorpottery I try to clear my mind, and breathe. I sometimes hold my breath and that makes me tense.

Annelie57 I just close my eyes and feel the clay

Lkjohnson.09 I'm new to the wheel and it feels much more soulful than handbuilding. Close my eyes often for tactile focus, which is lovely. It's akin to playing an instrument well or singing a beautiful song.

Themuddyyogi Nothing. I think of nothing at all which is why I love doing this so much. It's a fabulous escape.

Studio2ceramics There's very little in my head when I throw. Lol!

Themuddyhive Yes!!! ? Breathe and go. Relax and do. ?

Ladarafineart I have a clear mind and relax

Tania_akm Emptiness and mindfulness... And let my hands work ☺️

Wren_wolf_stag Nothing. That's why I love pottery. It's the only thing that calms my over thinking brain

Bviv2323 Let's breath and get centered ?

Clay_breeziespots It's my peaceful time, every time I start making a pot I always wish that I started sooner.
Joy
Some potters have happy thoughts and are just excited to be living the dream.

Jisfalt88 the biggest thing that goes through my head is, "Oh yay, time to get Dirty!"

Zockollpottery I'm getting to do what I love...my passion in life.

CarolBarclay6 I hand build in porcelain. My overwhelming feeling