Consciousness in a Nutshell: A Psychonautical Odyssey

A neuroscientist trapped in a room without doors or windows writes a letter to a stranger explaining everything he knows about consciousness — in exchange for one little favor.

Recipient of a Bronze Award from The Nonfiction Book Awards, "Consciousness in a Nutshell" is a mind-bending work of narrative nonfiction that takes the reader on a psychological trip through concepts of consciousness, perception, and thought.

Written in the style of creative nonfiction, this semi-autobiographical tale follows two young neuropsychopharmacologists on the verge of publishing a major breakthrough, when one of them (only identified by the name "Ava") winds up missing, and the other finds himself trapped in a room without doors or windows. Faced with impending doom, "James" decides to write a letter to a total stranger explaining everything he and his partner discovered so his entire life won't have been for nothing.

Inception: This book originally started as a TEDx-style talk back in 2017. A talk I've given to the Master's students at Naropa University and DU.

About the Artwork:
Working with Kevin Cuellar for the illustrations was a super-fun process and we're so thrilled about the artwork he produced for us. I served as the Art Director for the cover and all seven pieces of Chapter Art. The instructions were heavily-inked, surrealistic drawings in the vein of Ralph Steadman and Kevin absolutely nailed it!