About Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy, a cultural critic and rebel advocate covering the world, one story at a time.
I’m Sean Murphy, and you might have heard me on NPR’s “All Things Considered” or seen my name in The New York Times or The Huffington Post, among others. As a contributor to outlets ranging from The Good Men Project and PopMatters to The Village Voice and The Weeklings, my aim has always been to connect, provoke, and celebrate the stories that define us.
I founded 1455, a non-profit dedicated to celebrating creativity and community, and I direct the Center for Story at Shenandoah University, but I’ve been telling—and savoring—words for as long as I can remember. Since I first began writing, I’ve been obsessed with the ways powerful narratives explain our world while creating new possibilities, how art broadens awareness and builds empathy. I think we’d all agree that understanding how storytelling works—and why it’s important—has never been more critical, for our collective and individual well-being.
I see part of my life’s work helping champion voices that might otherwise remain unheard, while connecting communities in an increasingly bifurcated climate that creates barriers and isolation. A win for me is helping facilitate communication and connection amongst passionate people who might otherwise never engage with or discuss things they care about with people outside their bubble. What I’m saying is, we know these dislocations are a pressing sociopolitical issue, but they also pertain very much to the art world.
As such, I intend to exist as comfortably as possible in this space where, as a writer, I’m both a supporter and participant in the so-called Literary Industry. I’ll also acknowledge, with concern, that this space—and arts in general—has become more of a zero-sum game—whether it’s the book publishing or music or movie industry, there are increasingly less risks taken or tolerated; funding and promotion generally goes to the established, and so much worthwhile creative output is getting lost in the margins. As I’ve opined many times during the last decade, it’s never been easier to get one’s work into the world, and it’s seldom been more difficult, considering all this competing product, to be noticed.
Our duty, as individual creatives and fans, is to tell our stories, listen to other’s stories, and do whatever we can to generate awareness and enthusiasm. One thing I’m certain of, after a lifetime of learning, failing, and falling, is the belief—no matter what the cynical or soulless insist—that art matters. What art provides is the reason we toil, struggle, and refuse to surrender. Art is what redeems the occasional silence and solitude. As ever, for those keeping the faith and staying true to their vision: the deeper drive is to connect, to put something unique into the world and see how it lands. Can a connection be established? Can a dialogue be initiated? Can a debate begin? Can our world be saved, one exchange at a time?
About My Substack Sections
Subscribe to one, or all four distinct sections covering the world, one story at a time. My Substack sections dive into the worlds of culture, music, history, and storytelling.
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Website: seanmurphy.net
Twitter: @bullmurph
Instagram: @bullmurph
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41