Honestly, Dear Listener

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we are unpacking what the heck “the patriarchy” even means, how it hurts artists, and what YOU can do to dismantle it. Joining us today is Carrie’s childhood friend Rachel Darden , a working actor known not just for her talent but also for her keen observations on the state of the arts. From storytelling shackled by skewed representation to the invisibility of agi...

Welcome back, Dear Listener! In this special episode, we pull back the curtain of our show and discuss how we handle criticism—and, in particular—online criticism. We reflect on what we do when we receive negative and mean-spirited comments online and share our personal reactions and coping strategies. From addressing controversial topics to navigating the onslaught of hurtful comments, the we dis...

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we trot down the yellow brick road of our dreams and delve into the confusion and disillusionment that happens when we finally get what we want, peering behind the curtain and finding ourselves asking, “Is that all there is?” We’re not just tackling the Wizard of Oz’s famous quartet’s search for heart, brains, courage, and home—but also how that metaphoric journey...

This week on Honestly, Dear Listener, we deep dive into first and secondhand embarrassment, why we’re really embarrassed for other people, and how we can be kinder to ourselves when we feel like our self-concept is shattered. We share how we all feel the nagging voice of self-doubt which leads to the all-too-familiar rendezvous with Imposter Syndrome. We share insights on creating safe havens for...

It’s Honestly, Dear Listener NEW YEARS edition! Today on the show, we’re talking about defining what we want to carry into the new year and what we want to leave behind in 2023. We only have so much time and attention, and we’ve decided that we’re no longer going to take some negative behaviors and/or thought patterns into the new year with us. We also talk about loneliness, sharing stories of how...

In this week’s episode, we're bringing you the story of a true modern-day pioneer, Star Hawks. A visionary in the world of fashion, Star is a fashion stylist and owner of Punks Monks and Glitter Queens in Nashville, Tennessee. We discuss that pioneering is about embracing your creative quests but also about the spirit of perseverance, the joy of inspiring others, and how to keep sprinting towa...

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about keeping our wits about us when we’re doing so many things at once. Brilliant Performer, Costumer, Seamstress, (and not to mention our personal friend) Charlotte Campbell joins us today to chat about how she balances her time between her myriad of endeavors. We discuss the matter of making things for personal joy versus financial necessity, and...

Today on this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about what to do when you’re at your limit--like the times when you’re so burnt out and exhausted that you feel yourself spiraling into anxiety and/or depression, and you don’t know what to do. We’ll talk about how you can recognize when you’re in a downward spiral and how you can craft your own 911 toolkit. 

Today, we’re talking about boundaries, a theme that runs deep through every industry but especially the music industry, and to help us tackle this theme is Denver-based Saxophonist, Artist, and Educator Sarah Mount of Sarah Mount and the Rushmores. Sarah shares her journey of striking a balance between the art of making music and the art of making a living. She details how musicians playing for fr...

Welcome back, Dear Listener. Today, we're diving deep into an all-too-familiar topic for many of us: guilt and shame. We're talking about the  journey from the confines of self-doubt and societal pressure to the wide open space of self-kindness and light. We'll share some personal stories, our own battles with guilt and shame; including awkward moments on stage, and the often challengi...

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we dive into the deep, dark world of creating our very own structure--for our own selves. We share personal stories of our own goal-setting journeys including that one time that Emily wrote and produced an entire Steve Wonder tribute show in just nine weeks. But it's not all a "pastime paradise." We discuss the challenges of comparing ourselves to ot...

In today's episode, we'll be embracing change, tackling the concept of seasons in our lives, and opening up about our own struggles and triumphs. We share some laughably bizarre incidents from Emily's time in Australia, with everything from being defecated on by a bird to grappling with butt crack-awareness.  We also delve into the more serious aspects of life's seasons, discussing...

Our very first guest! Mizz Bren is a dynamic force in the music industry hailing from Staten Island, New York. With a musical journey that started with piano lessons and singing in the church choir, Mizz Bren quickly emerged as a talent to be reckoned with. She honed her skills in school, embraced various instruments, and even had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with legendary figures li...

Does the way I talk to myself actually matter? Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we're talking about self talk, what it is, and how it affects not only us but the world we're creating around us. We check in with our listeners on how monitoring our self talk the week before had gone. We explore the joy and freedom that come from engaging in hobbies without the pressure of perfection, and how to qui...

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we're talking about self talk, what it is, and how it affects not only us but the world we're creating around us. We discuss the importance of being your own ally and carving out an internal sanctuary amid the chaos. This episode delves into the intricate dance with our inner critics as well as the different Parts of ourselves that come into play when we&#...

Note: This episode was originally aired as an Instagram Live--before we upgraded to better sound equipment. As a result, the audio quality might not be as great as our more recent episodes. We hope you still enjoy!   Hello, Dear Listeners! Today on the show, we’re talking about the things we want to be able to say we did on our deathbed. We discuss how, perhaps, the richest achievements aren’t alw...

This week, we talk about one the hardest subjects to deal with as artists: REJECTION. And we felt this one this week; Emily was very recently rejected, so naturally, we shared the process with you. At some point in our lives, we all will be rejected. It’s so hard when it happens, often causing us to question ourselves and our belief in our abilities. The fear of rejection can make it tempting to s...

In this episode, we navigate the treacherous terrain of trusting ourselves—ooo, scary! We explore the detrimental effects of negative self-talk that often makes us feel like we can’t trust ourselves. Join us as we share strategies for battling self doubt, from engaging in physical exercise to creating a safe space inside for emotional processing. We all discuss how making things from a place of jo...

Welcome to Season 3, Dear Listeners! After two previous seasons and a seven-year hiatus, I am back, and my dear childhood friend Emily Hatch will be joining me as co-host (like from now on) on the newly rebooted incarnation of Honestly, Dear Listener. (I’ve known her since we were eleven, so I know for a fact that she’s a keeper.) Today, we’re talking about all things criticism. As artists ourselv...

What happens when you're so hurt that all you want to do is numb? How do you emerge intact from the most painful rejection? How do we know what our worth is and operate out of wholeheartedness instead of from brokenness? This week, makeup and hair artist Abigail Holmes of Abigail Holmes Artistry talks to us about looking your best in five minutes, her emotionally connected approach to hair and...

What happens when we get stuck in a rut? We hate our job, we're not doing what we want to do, and we're not happy. Should we stay in a place where people don't respect us or our art? This week, I talked with Seth Schaeffer of Hoptocopter™ Films (aka our sponsor), a Grand Junction based video production company who focuses on storytelling in corporate films. Visit Hoptocopter™ Films onl...

You're an artist--that is until you have kids and you no longer have time for art. Right? Is there a way to create while still holding on to who you were before having kids? In our Season 2 opener, I talk about how to approach creativity while still being a parent.  Listen to my interview with Youngman Brown of YourCreativePush.com . Click here to listen to the interview .   Music: "Batty...

Vulnerability and shame expert/researcher Dr. Brene Brown defines vulnerability as "uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." Vulnerability isn't about just letting just anyone into our mess, and it isn't burying who we really are in armor that hides who we really are. Balanced vulnerability means that we open our hearts to people who we can trust with our hearts. But what happ...

This week, I took to the streets to ask you your thoughts on vulnerability. I was floored by your honesty. In the end, we're all in the same boat. We're hard-wired for connection, but everyone seems to be too scared to take the first step. What if we chose to put one foot in front of the other? What would our lives look like? What would our art look like? All music by Podington Bear "...

This week, I switched things up. I didn't interview anyone. I didn't follow my usual podcast format. I set out to be vulnerable with you, Dear Listener. And this week, I kept my word. Today, in three parts, is three different parts of me--my thoughts and feeling in voice memo form, my writing (an excerpt from a creative nonfiction short story), and a song. And guess what? None of it is per...