So Indifferent, So Intentional: A Conversation with Chad Hopson
- Eartha Aisha Lowe
- Mar 25
- 16 min read
So, let’s say that you are someone who cares deeply. Maybe too deeply. You notice the details, question what others accept, and find yourself wondering how to stay true in a world that rewards performance. How do you navigate that?
You’ll want to hear what Chad has to say.
Certain artists demand more than mere observation; they invite a deeper dialogue with the self. Chad Hopson, the visionary behind So Indifferent, creates work that serves as a mirror, urging us to look past the surface and confront our own perspectives.
In Conversation with Chad Hopson
HRBN Life Stories sits in conversation with Chad Hopson a multidisciplinary creative whose work spans far beyond a single medium. Through soindifferent.com, he offers thoughtfully designed pieces, original storytelling, and his Fear Theory Series – a collection of children’s books and visual narratives that explore emotion, self-discovery, and the human experience.
It was fascinating to learn that alongside So Indifferent, Chad brings his creativity to life through music, playing the guitar and performing, while also working as a trained actor and model, with appearances in campaigns and music videos.
Born in St. Vincent and shaped by a journey that spans music, design, performance, and storytelling, Chad’s path has never been linear. His early experiences navigating identity, environment, and belonging, paired with a deep sensitivity to the world around him, set him on a path of self-discovery long before he had the language for it. Being removed from high school in his early years, moving between vastly different social environments, and observing the ways people assign value, Chad began asking deeper questions:
What do we actually care about, and why?
That questioning would eventually evolve into So Indifferent, a creative philosophy and platform exploring emotions that are often avoided or misunderstood – fear, anger, grief – not as obstacles, but as entry points. What emerges is a mirror that gently challenges, and just as gently invites you inward.
At first glance, the name So Indifferent feels like a contradiction – a suggestion of detachment. But should you spend even a moment with Chad’s work, it becomes clear that what you’re witnessing is far from an absence of care. Instead, it is a deliberate release of everything that distracts from what truly matters.
Eartha:
If you could distill the essence of So Indifferent into a single message or mantra for someone encountering your brand for the first time, what would that message be, and why is it so important to you?
Chad: So Indifferent began at my parents’ dining room table, at a time when I was trying to understand myself; questioning whether I was depressed, and what that really meant for me.
What I came to realize at that table is that it’s easy to NOT care about something, however, that wasn’t the case for me. My struggle with my feelings was never a lack of, it was the opposite. I cared too much, sometimes to the point of overwhelm.
So Indifferent became a kind of permission. Permission to let go of how I was perceived, and to stop filtering myself through the expectations of others. It gave me space to explore who I was through self-expression – honestly and without apology.
There’s an intentional irony in the name. So Indifferent suggests detachment, but when you look at my work, you can see that it does come from a place of deep care. That contrast is the point. And if I had to distill the essence of So Indifferent into a single message, it would be this: care deeply, but don’t let the weight of others’ opinions define you.
That idea continues to shape everything I create.
Eartha:
In a world often driven by constant comparison and external validation, how does So Indifferent offer a refreshing alternative, and what kind of impact do you aspire to have on your audience's mental well-being or self-perception?
Chad:
With So Indifferent, I did ask myself: What are people exhausted by? How does my brand show up differently, and how can that difference actually help someone?”
I think people are exhausted by the constant performance – the pressure to keep up, to be someone they’re not because it’s what’s trending or accepted. There’s a fear around simply being yourself, so people build layers, or proxies, to shield themselves from judgement.
I wanted to create a space where you don’t have to measure yourself, explain yourself, or perform for anyone.
From the beginning, before I even had the language for it, the goal was self-discovery. Not through comparison, but through doing. Through creating, through actually showing up for yourself in a real and honest way.
Imagine getting excited about something YOU created! Whether it’s “cool” or not becomes irrelevant.
I’ve found that internal validation is far more fulfilling than anything external. It’s the difference between chasing approval and building something that’s yours, whether anyone else understands it or not.
For me, it’s not about how many followers you have or what you’ve achieved on paper. You can have all of that and still feel inadequate or unsure. That’s part of being human.
What I hope people take from this is simple:
Show up as you are. Do the thing. Don’t perform it – live it.
Slow down, create something real, and let that be enough.
Eartha:
So Indifferent appears to be more than just a brand; it seems to embody a lifestyle or a perspective. How do you hope your products or message empower individuals to embrace a sense of self-acceptance or detachment from external pressures?
Chad:
I’ve come to realize that being yourself is probably one of the most difficult things you can do. It sounds simple, but it requires a level of self-reflection that most people aren’t taught to sit with.
For me, growth began when I started to detach from external validation and gave myself permission to do the things I was naturally drawn to, without needing approval first. What I noticed along the way is that the moment you step into that space, you’re often met with other people’s projections. Whenever I set out to do something – learn an instrument, listen to a new genre of music, I was often met with other people’s insecurities. It’s almost as if they were saying, “How dare you be yourself? If I’m not free to be myself, how can you be?”
That realization was important. It taught me that those reactions aren’t about you, they’re reflections of something unresolved in others.
With So Indifferent, I intentionally lean into that tension. The name itself creates a kind of cognitive dissonance. I want nothing more than to encourage people to create something, for no other reason than to learn about themselves.
Eartha:
The series delves into various facets of fear. Are there specific types of fears – existential, societal, personal – that you find particularly compelling to explore, and why?
Chad:
Over the past five years, a lot of the fear I’ve been unpacking in my personal life has been societal, especially around race and identity. It’s something I’ve had to sit with almost daily, whether directly or indirectly.
There’s a particular tension in how Black identity is perceived, and how people choose to interpret you based on limited or distorted narratives. Should a Black man be doing what I do?
As a Black man, I’m very aware of those perceptions. There’s an irrational fear that can be projected onto you simply because of how you look. What I find especially complex is the contradiction within that. On one hand, the image of Blackness can be demonized, yet that same image is often borrowed, imitated, and used to drive culture, trends, and capitalistic gain. That contrast is something I find deeply compelling to explore.
At the same time, I’m entering a space where I want to shift from only observing and absorbing these ideas to applying what I’ve learned. Moving forward, it’s about integrating those experiences into my work in a way that feels honest to where I am now – adding my own perspective, rather than simply reacting to what’s around me.
Because ultimately, the goal isn’t just to examine fear, but to understand it, reshape it, and create something meaningful from it.
Eartha:
How do you hope viewers and readers engage with The Fear Theory Series? What kind of emotional or intellectual response do you aim to evoke, and what conversations do you hope it sparks?
Chad:
Honestly, I just want to offer readers an opportunity to learn about themselves.
Throughout the series, I intentionally include moments that invite reflection, small prompts that encourage readers to pause and look inward. Questions like: When was the last time you felt anger? or What beliefs or patterns might you be carrying that were passed down to you? I want readers to go down a rabbit hole of introspection.
What’s been especially meaningful is seeing how this shows up in real life, particularly through workshops. I’ve worked with both elementary and high school students, and hearing their responses is always powerful. More than anything, it creates a space where they feel comfortable sharing something real – something they might not normally express, especially in front of their peers. There’s something that hits different about that kind of exchange. It feels special in a way that goes beyond sharing through a screen or a post.
When one student opens up and their peers respond with genuine curiosity or encouragement – saying things like “Oh, wow, that’s cool,” – you watch their faces light up. Their whole energy shifts. There’s a sense of connection, of being seen.
Those moments are what stay with me.
If my work can create more of that – more reflection, more openness, more real conversations – then it’s doing exactly what I hoped it would do.
Eartha:
For aspiring entrepreneurs who resonate with your journey, what is the single most important piece of advice you would offer them as they embark on creating something truly authentic and impactful?
Chad:
If you’re truly trying to be authentic, you have to learn how to detach from external validation, unless it genuinely aligns with your values. Not all validation is meaningful, and not all attention is worth having.
It’s easy to get caught up in what looks good, what’s trending, or what people respond to. But “cool” isn’t enough. It fades quickly. Authenticity is where the real value is.
That means creating something that reflects who you are, not who you think people want you to be. It means being honest in your process, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain.
Because in the end, the work that lasts, the work that connects, is the work that comes from a real place.
Eartha:
Looking back at the journey of So Indifferent so far, what is one achievement or moment that fills you with the most pride, and why?
Chad:
I’ve never really been someone who pauses to celebrate accomplishments, I tend to do the work and keep moving. It’s something I’m still learning to make space for. But when I look back, there are two moments that really stay with me.
The first was in 2020, when I set out to create and self-publish my first children’s book, The Fear Theory. It was a time filled with a lot of uncertainty, but I committed to seeing it through. I remember the day I got the package – my girlfriend was recording as I opened it. When I pulled the book out, held it in my hands for the first time and started flipping through the pages, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I actually started to cry.
In that moment, it felt like everything I had gone through, the struggles, the questions, the weight of past and present experiences, had found a place to land. I hope this makes sense, but what I was holding was a reflection of my journey in physical form. Imperfect, but real. And somehow, that made it even more meaningful.
The second moment was much quieter, but just as powerful. I asked my nephew what he wanted for Christmas, expecting the usual answers – games, gadgets, something new. Instead, he said he wanted my book. That hit me in a different way.
Out of everything he could have asked for, he chose something I created. That moment reminded me that what we make, when it comes from a real place, can reach people in ways we don’t always expect.
Eartha:
Chad, your “Fear Theory Series” is incredibly thought-provoking. Could you share the initial spark or personal experience that led you to explore the concept of fear so deeply through your art and writing? What was the catalyst for this series?
Chad:
I was a very shy child growing up. As I got older, I started looking for ways to challenge that by stepping outside of what felt comfortable.
I was afraid of heights, so one day I decided to face it head-on and go skydiving. It felt amazing! I felt like a completely different person for months. I ended up going two more times, chasing that feeling of breaking through something I once thought I couldn’t.
That became a pattern. I joined a band with musicians who were far more advanced than me, just to push myself to grow. I got into modeling, which forced me to confront anxiety in a very public way – through auditions, photoshoots, even walking the runway. At one point, I was on stage in nothing but a speedo.
From the outside, it might have looked like I had overcome fear. I could do all of these things that most people would be terrified to do, yet when it came to sharing my creative work – something I had made – I would be overcome with fear. The fear of judgment, of looking foolish, or of making a mistake. That’s when I realized the fear I was facing wasn’t about external experiences, it was internal. It was perfectionism, and it was showing up in more areas of my life than I wanted to admit.
The Fear Theory Series came from that realization. It became my way of challenging perfectionism by stepping directly into imperfection. Writing and illustrating a children’s book allowed me to loosen control, to colour outside the lines, to leave in eraser marks and pencil strokes. It was intentional, and a reminder to myself that creating something real matters more than creating something perfect.
In a way, it also became an open invitation: if someone feels the urge to criticize my work, I invite them to create their own book. Most people could not take on that challenge. The act of creating, of facing that fear, is where the real work begins.
Eartha:
The name “So Indifferent” itself suggests a certain detachment or perhaps a critical perspective. How does the philosophy behind “So Indifferent” intersect with and inform the themes you explore in The Fear Theory Series?
Chad:
It takes a lot of courage to begin a self-discovery journey. It can be painful, because it challenges you to re-evaluate your value system. Throughout that process, I’ve had to constantly come back to my “why.”
The philosophy behind So Indifferent does suggest detaching from what doesn’t truly matter – external noise, expectations, and validation – so you can focus on what does.
That mindset carries directly into The Fear Theory Series. Through the main character, Creo, I explore what it looks like to move through the world with intention rather than ego. Creo interacts with others, offers perspective, and helps where he can, but he doesn’t stay attached to outcomes or rewards.
In my latest book, The Stone, Creo is faced with the opportunity to take more, to extract all the riches from the planet, but instead, he chooses to simply appreciate what’s there and move on. There’s no need to possess or prove anything. There’s value in presence, in perspective, and in leaving things better than you found them.
Many of these stories are drawn from real moments in my life. Sometimes it’s a brief interaction that stays with me, and I find a way to distill it down to its essence.
Eartha:
Fear is a universal human emotion. What unique perspective or interpretation do you aim to bring to the conversation about fear that you feel is often overlooked in mainstream discourse or artistic representations?
Chad:
I wanted to confront the idea of fear from the very first moment someone encounters the work, starting with the title itself. I’ve been asked why I would include the word “fear” in a children’s book series, and my response is simple: why not?
We’re taught not to judge a book by its cover, yet we do it all the time. If a single word is enough to make someone turn away, then it raises a bigger question – how open are we to having deeper conversations? In many ways, my goal is to challenge that instinct, to gently confront the assumptions we make before we even begin.
What I’ve found is that my books tend to attract a very particular kind of reader: people who are curious.
Children, especially, approach it differently. They’re not intimidated by the word “fear.” If anything, it sparks their interest. They understand fear in a very direct way where something is either scary or it isn’t, and they’re open to exploring it.
Adults, on the other hand, often carry a different kind of fear. Not always of the thing itself, but of what they don’t understand. Somewhere along the way, curiosity can get replaced with hesitation.
What I hope to do through this work is reintroduce that sense of curiosity. Not to remove fear, but to change how we approach it, and to see it as something we can explore, question, and learn from, rather than avoid.
Eartha:
Your portfolio showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions within The Fear Theory Series. Could you walk us through your creative process when developing a new piece or concept? How do you translate abstract fears into tangible artistic forms?
Chad:
A lot of my creative process begins with personal experience. I’ve found that words alone don’t always fully capture what I’m trying to express, especially when it comes to emotions like anxiety or depression. They’re complex, and sometimes language can feel limiting.
Visual storytelling, on the other hand, creates space.
When I’m developing an idea, I take something complex and strip it down to its core without over-explaining it. I try not to make it too raw or too defined. Instead, I leave just enough room so people can bring their own meaning to it. I’m not telling them exactly what to feel, I’m guiding them toward a perspective.
For example, my first book explores anger. It’s often labeled as a negative emotion, but I wanted to shift that perspective. Anger usually comes from somewhere. It’s a response, a signal that something deeper is happening. In the story, that anger stems from concern, uncertainty about a friend’s well-being. Through this, the reader is invited to see that anger isn’t just something to suppress or react to immediately; it’s something to understand.
That’s a theme I come back to often: slowing down, creating space, and choosing understanding over reaction. It’s something the King models in the story, and something I try to reflect in the work as a whole.
Eartha:
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for The Fear Theory Series? Do you envision expanding it into other mediums, collaborating with other artists, or exploring new dimensions of fear?
Chad:
Looking ahead, I want to continue pushing myself creatively by exploring different mediums, especially ones that challenge my tendency toward perfectionism. Working digitally makes it easy to rely on the “undo” button, so I’ve been intentionally stepping into more tactile forms like watercolours and pencil crayons, where imperfection becomes part of the process.
I also want to continue opening up this world to others, particularly aspiring artists and young writers, by building upon my workshop, like the “create your own planet” activity. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when people are given the space to imagine and express freely, and I’d love to keep expanding that experience.
I’ve recently completed the illustrations for my third book, which tackles grief. It’s been a deeply personal process, reflecting something I’ve been navigating in my own life over the past year. It isn’t an easy subject, but I see it as an opportunity, not just to create, but to process and better understand that experience.
Another area I’m passionate about is creating resources for individuals with ADHD. I was diagnosed about a year ago, and it’s given me a new perspective on my own journey. I want to help others see that despite those challenges, it’s still possible to create, grow, and accomplish meaningful things. In many ways, it’s also helped me better understand the root cause of what I once experienced as depression.
Overall, I see this next chapter as an expansion, and not just of the work itself, but of the ways it can connect, support, and create space for others.
Eartha:
Beyond the products, what kind of community or movement do you hope to cultivate around the So Indifferent philosophy, and how do you plan to engage with and inspire that community?
Chad:
I’m currently in the process of organizing a community event and workshop series for Spring 2026. The idea is to create a space where people can show up and share what they’ve been working on – like a “show and tell,” but for real life.
It could be anything: learning an instrument, building a business, creating art, or exploring a new idea. The goal is to give people a platform to express themselves without pressure. It’s an opportunity to be seen, to share, and to grow.
Beyond that, I’m also developing a multi-session workshop focused on self-discovery. This will incorporate elements like acting, role play, music, and guided exercises, tools that encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones and explore who they are in a more honest way.
At its core, what I’m trying to build is a space where people feel safe enough to be courageous – a space where they can learn about themselves not just through introspection, but through connection with others who are on a similar path.
Because when people are given permission to show up as they are, something shifts, and that’s where real growth begins.
Eartha:
Considering the nature of the content on So Indifferent, do you have a particular quote or saying that deeply resonates with you or has significantly influenced your perspective? If so, what is it, and could you share a brief story or explanation about why it holds such importance for you?
Chad:
One quote that has always stayed with me is this:
“When the archer shoots for nothing, he has all his skill. When he shoots for a prize, he becomes divided. The need to win drains him of his power.”
That idea has shown up in my life in a lot of ways.
I’ve performed in front of hundreds of people, taken part in multi-day creative projects, and even experienced financial success through collaborations, and still found myself waking up depressed. Those moments made me realize that external markers of success don’t necessarily translate into fulfillment. Something was missing.
But when I was creating from a place of genuine curiosity, when I was doing something simply because I loved it, that’s when everything felt different. It wasn’t draining; it was energizing.
Over time, I started to notice a pattern: whenever I allowed other people’s expectations, opinions, or definitions of success to take over, I became divided. And that division came at a cost – physically, mentally, and emotionally. So I’ve come back to something simple. The goal is to “shoot my arrow” – to create, to explore, and to express without being consumed by the outcome.
As long as I can continue doing the things that keep me connected to that place of curiosity, authenticity, and creation, I consider myself a winner.
“Care deeply, but don’t let the weight of others’ opinions define you.” - Chad Hopson
If you feel drawn to his work, you can explore more at soindifferent.com.
Continue the Conversation
In speaking with Chad, what becomes evident is the intentional irony in the name So Indifferent. Detachment from life it is not, but about a deeper commitment to it. So Indifferent is the willingness to move through fear, to question what we’ve all been taught to value, and to return, again and again, to what feels true.
Chad’s work reminds us that self-discovery is an ongoing practice that asks for courage, curiosity, and, at times, the strength to begin in the face of uncertainty.
He invites us to trust that, in choosing authenticity over perfection, we are already closer to who we are becoming.
If something in this story stayed with you, I invite you to write to Dear HRBN. Whether it is a reflection on the path you are walking, a question that has been stirring in your mind, or a realization you are just beginning to name, your voice is a vital part of this collective journey. Share what resonated, what you are reflecting on, or what you are beginning to understand. Let’s create a space where our stories can meet, be understood, and ultimately, be held.
Editorial Note
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and flow, ensuring that Chad's unique voice and the heart of his message remain at the forefront.
Written by Eartha Lowe
Eartha Lowe is a writer and founder of Her Roots By Nature (HRBN), a storytelling platform dedicated to capturing community-rooted narratives through reflective interviews and cultural storytelling.
Based in Ontario, Canada.
Website: herrootsbynature.ca
