Cozy with Calinnah

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Teaakat (aka Tea Noel) — a Filipina singer, songwriter, model, and actress from LA who has transformed seasons of toxicity, abuse, and isolation into powerful artistry. We talk about how modeling opened doors in entertainment, the release of her EP, what it means to represent as a Filipina creative, and how she continues to reinvent herself t...

What does it really take to market yourself as an artist — without burning out? In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Karen Reyes , founder of Indieground and the face of Nothingmag. As a booker, event coordinator, and creative, Karen shares how artists can pitch themselves to promoters and magazines, push past fear, experiment with sound, and find balance by resetting to avoid b...

When you look at a photo, do you see just an image — or an entire story? 📸 In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Carolina Isabel Salazar , a Guatemalan American photographer whose work has been featured with brands like Levi’s, Spotify, Netflix, Tiffany & Co, and Adidas. Her exhibitions, including GAZE and Artistic Working Class , prove that every image can speak volumes — a...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Brennan Villarreal and Sasha Schoen of Got Your Back ( @gotyourbacklb )—the duo known for their pop-ups, supper clubs, and Long Beach residency at Selva. 🌴🍴 We dive into the power of collaboration, why leading without ego creates better outcomes, and how integrity and kindness are at the heart of building community. From backyard dinners to...

Being an artist isn’t just about the music — it’s also about understanding the business, building with your community, and learning to let things flow. In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Jerry Garcia, the creative mind behind Casita Negra , to talk about: Why independent artists should know business basics 🎶 How to work with family and friends without losing boundaries 💡 The...

Polin Ung opens up about the lessons he learned the hard way—why grinding nonstop isn’t always enough, how not fitting into the traditional school system shaped his unconventional path, and why building a business with heart can create real impact for family, community, and purpose. From life in the Philippines to running Pursuit of Coconuts and Isla Eden , this episode is packed with insights for...

From church choir Sundays to punk bands, jazz trios, and finally Brainstory — Kevin Martin’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and artistry. 🎶 In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , Kevin opens up about: ✨ Growing up surrounded by music and diverse influences (from his dad’s choir to his sister’s eclectic taste) ✨ Forming multiple bands before Brainstory — and the failures that taught him...

When COVID forced me to slow down, it brought up more than just a week of rest — it took me back to my early nursing days, when the pandemic first hit and fear was constant. In this solo episode, I share what stillness taught me about purpose, creativity, and why taking breaks matters as an artist. Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, or someone running on empty, this is your reminder that slowin...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with Colombian artist and educator Carlos Eduardo Gacharná to talk about his journey as an immigrant creative, the hustle of finding artist grants, and how he uses art to build community. From neon bending to teaching youth, Carlos shares how being an artist is like a sport—and why persistence is everything. 🎧 Tune in for real talk on creativity,...

In this episode, I sit down with Meaghan — a Filipino American multidisciplinary artist and founder of Nezzy Studios. After moving from the Bay to LA just before the pandemic, she found herself navigating uncertainty and solitude. But instead of waiting for opportunities, she built her own. We talk about creating a community-rooted studio, leaning into your own voice, and what it truly means to cr...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with my longtime friend Johnny—founder of Lobsterdamus and Mano Po—to talk about building from the ground up without a college degree. We dive into his early hustle, training under Roy Choi, what it means to give 110%, and how being a family man reshaped his perspective on life, love, and legacy. If you’ve ever felt torn between passion and stabil...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , Menchie—queer Filipinx-American cultural worker, producer, and founder of Bootleg Orchestra—shares how activism and artistry intersect in her life. We talk about honoring our inner child, understanding our histories, and finding balance as creatives while staying rooted in community.

In this cozy episode, Tati Velazquez—lead vocalist of Asi Fui and founder of Baked Papaya —opens up about how she balances her music, art, and business without burning out. We talk about why consistency (like meeting with her band twice a week) is grounding, how switching between creative outlets keeps the inspiration flowing, and why she’s all about trusting the vibe instead of forcing the proces...

In this episode, I sit down with muralist, animator, and community-driven artist Jason Keam. We talk about how drawing 100 pieces a month helped him land both local and corporate clients, and why staying consistent is the key to long-term creative growth. Jason also shares insight into his project at Be Here Now and how community involvement shapes his art. This one’s for the artists, dreamers, an...

Christian Orozco is a genre-defying drummer who blends jazz, hip-hop, and indie styles into a sound that’s all his own. In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , we talk about how gigging nonstop, saying yes to every opportunity, and listening to every kind of music helped him grow into one of the most versatile drummers. Whether you're an artist, musician, or just curious about the hustle behin...

In this episode, I sit down with Colocho—a Long Beach native, musician, and recording artist who’s been playing in bands since he was a teenager. By day, he works as a pressure valve technician, and by night, he’s in the studio building sounds, stories, and community. We talk about growing up in Long Beach, traveling the world, starting bands, and what it really means to be a self-starter in music...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with powerhouse vocalist Joe Caigoy of The Filharmonic to talk about the real journey of being a full-time artist. From finding his voice as a Filipino-American singer to dealing with the competitive pressures of the music industry, Joe shares his unfiltered truth about staying grounded in the chaos. We also get into our shared cultural upbringing...

Ever feel like your 9–5 is holding your creativity back? In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I chat with Chapis—an engineer by day and artist by night—about how we both manage to keep our artistic dreams alive while working full-time. We dive into the realities of touring without a huge following, how to stay consistent with your craft, and budget-friendly gear tips for indie artists just star...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I’m joined by Leti Gomez—a Long Beach-based DJ, co-founder of Las Chicas Tristes, founder of OhDear Radio, and owner of Latina-run screenprinting business West Coast Artwear. We talk about the power of music, reading the room as a DJ, and balancing multiple creative roles while staying true to your identity. If you're a multi-hyphenate creative or just c...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with actress, voice artist, and host Jaimi Gray to talk about her bold move from Virginia to L.A. to pursue her creative dreams. From working a 9-5 to becoming the voice of Felicia in Bratz , Phaedra in Rainbow High , and roles in Miraculous Ladybug , Jaimi shares the ups, downs, and lessons from her journey in the entertainment industry. We talk...

In this episode, I’m joined by digital content creator and social media strategist Jonathan Soto — who also happens to be my behind-the-scenes partner-in-crime. We break down what it really takes to go viral, how consistency and relevancy play a major role, and the importance of planning content ahead of time. Jonathan shares the strategy behind his viral moments (including a video that hit over 1...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I open up about the harsh truth behind grind culture. I share my personal story of working full-time as a nurse while chasing my dreams as an artist — and the moment I realized I was more addicted to being busy than being aligned. If you've ever felt stuck in survival mode while trying to create, this one's for you. We’re done glorifying burnout. It’...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with @stefaniemaegan from @brokegirltherapy to discuss the journey from humble beginnings to building a successful podcast. We delve into the challenges of starting a podcast, the importance of representation in the creative space, and how our shared Filipino upbringing influenced our paths. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience,...

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I sit down with my close friend and collaborator, Vanessa Jimenez — the founder of Be Here Now , a music and art events company based in Long Beach, CA. We dive into what it takes to build community through events like Dear Long Beach , Lost Lucidity , and Trip Out , while balancing a full-time hustle and staying rooted in purpose. If you’ve ever thought abo...

Never in a million years did I think I’d become a nurse. I was the creative one—always singing, dancing, performing. But during a major shift in my life, I made a decision that wasn’t part of the plan: I chose nursing. In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah , I share the emotional story of how working through the chaos of COVID as a new nurse broke me down—but also reconnected me to music in a way...