Suffering For Art

What happens when you refuse to choose between your art and your career — and somehow thrive at both? This week on Suffering for Art , host Brianna Kaleen sits down with Hunter Milkes: a vacation swing for the hit musical Wicked , a published children's book author (alongside his mom), and a full-time corporate professional. Yes, all at once. Hunter pulls back the curtain on what it really mea...

Is overconsumption quietly killing your creativity? Packages keep showing up. Your screen time is terrifying. Your brain feels full… but your ideas feel empty. In this episode, we’re unpacking the psychology and neuroscience behind why buying things feels easier than creating things — and how modern convenience may be outsourcing our imagination without us even realizing it. We talk about: Why dop...

What happens when logic meets emotion in the creative process? In this episode of Suffering for Art , I sit down with Kiana and Andrew from the Soul Journey Project to explore the dynamic between the “left-brained” and “right-brained” creator. We dive into how analytical thinkers and emotionally driven artists approach creativity in completely different ways—and why neither approach is complete on...

Most creatives assume taxes are confusing and intimidating—but understanding a few basic write-offs can actually make your creative life more sustainable. In this episode, I'm sharing the tax deductions that many creatives don't realize they qualify for: creative research, software subscriptions, gear and equipment, home office deductions, and education expenses. Learn which business expen...

The world teaches women to push through. Push through the pain. Push through the fatigue. Push through the mood swings. Push through the burnout. But what if your body isn’t failing you — what if it’s trying to speak to you? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Toya Gordon, founder of Journey Well MD, to talk about women’s hormones, menstrual cycles, chronic stress, and what it means to support yo...

You’ve already fallen off your New Year’s resolution — and that doesn’t mean you failed. In this episode of  Suffering for Art , we explore  why New Year’s resolutions fail  and how to actually  build goals that stick in 2026  — without burnout, shame, or relying on willpower. Most people don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle because their goals are fighting  human biology, nervous system...

In this episode of the Suffering for Art , I’m joined by relationship coaches and longtime leaders Sean Reed and Lanette Reed for a powerful conversation every creative needs to hear. We unpack the hierarchy of relationships — your relationship to self , others , and your craft — and why getting this order wrong quietly erodes your mental health, creativity, and longevity. We talk about: Why putti...

In a world engineered for distraction, what does it actually take to create meaningful work? In this episode of  Suffering for Art , we dive into  flow state and deep work —exploring how creativity thrives not through hustle or constant visibility, but through sustained focus. Drawing from the principles of deep work and modern research on attention, we unpack why it’s become harder than ever for...

Y’all — it’s officially been  a whole year  of  Suffering for Art . I’m so honored to be on this journey of learning, healing, and creating with you. I’m endlessly proud of the episodes we’ve produced together and can’t wait for everything this next year will bring. In this episode, we’re breaking down the basics of investing — what it actually is, how to start (even if you feel behind), and why f...

As whispers of a Broadway strike grow louder and the political climate grows heavier, one question stands:  where are the artists? This 15-minute episode reflects on the role of creatives in moments of change — from the dancers like  Pearl Primus  who turned movement into protest, to the artists of the  Civil Rights era  who used their craft as resistance. Inspired by  The Gilded Age  and the orig...

When you hit a point of success in your life, do you feel as though you are on a high and then suddenly when that successfully moment wears off your suddenly left with a life that feels lackluster? In this episode Brianna Kaleen talks about how to love your life in the off seasons. When the accolades are not happening yet and life seems dull. With practical steps and tips on how to love your life...

Knowing your worth might sound like a basic concept — but for so many creatives and artists, it’s the very thing we leave behind when we step into our craft. In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens, and more importantly, how to change it. Through bold questions and honest reflections, I’m inviting you to rethink your path: Who do you want to be? Where do you truly want to go? And what’s...

I’m not sure why  perfection  was on my mind this month, but I’m glad it was—because it helped me reframe how I want to create moving forward. In this episode, we unpack where our obsession with perfection even  comes  from. We take a historical dive, explore cultural and media influences, and look at how perfectionism became a standard we never actually agreed to. And then we do something even mo...

In this episode of  Suffering for Art , I sit down with Aleah Vassell (they/she)—a professional actor, creative agency owner, and the powerhouse behind Creative With Money Co. Aleah transformed their financial life by launching a six-figure virtual assistant business, all while continuing to thrive in the performing arts. We dive into how Aleah went from earning $27K to $116K in just one year, the...

🎙️  Creative Loss: Grieving the Dreams That Didn’t Make It What happens when the project doesn’t land, the door doesn’t open, or the dream quietly slips through your fingers? In this episode of  Suffering for Art , host  Brianna Kaleen  sits down with psychiatrist and educator  Dr. DaJonitta Richmond to explore a part of the creative process we rarely talk about:  grief. Not just grief for people—...

In this episode, Brianna Kaleen sits down with actor and content creator Cara Rose DiPetrio to talk all things influencing as a creative side hustle. They get into how to make brand work actually  work  for your lifestyle, what it means to steward a community (instead of just chasing numbers), and how Cara made the leap to doing it full time. From managers and rates to staying aligned with your ar...

Feeling stuck, drained, or disconnected from your creativity? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore the root causes of creative burnout, its impact on your brain, and practical ways to recover. Learn how rest, microbreaks, and sleep can reignite your spark and why taking care of yourself is key to protecting your passion. If you’re ready to reconnect with the joy of creating, tune in now!...

Downloadable PDF of the “Creative’s Budget” can be found ⁠ here. ⁠ Use it to really understand this podcast episode. Tired of the “starving artist” stereotype? In this episode of  Suffering for Art , we tackle one of the most challenging aspects of creative living: managing your finances. 2025 is the year we take control, break free from financial anxiety, and build a sustainable creative lifestyl...

Authenticity is the foundation of meaningful art, relationships, and self-expression—but how can you be authentic with others or your craft if you don’t truly know yourself? In this episode, we’re exploring the complex web of relationships in the creative life: your connection to others, your relationship with your art, and most importantly, your relationship with yourself. We’ll dive into how a l...

The arts are billion-dollar industries, but here’s the harsh truth: most of the money rarely makes its way to the artists themselves. Whether you’re a painter, writer, or performer, you’ve likely felt the weight of financial insecurity. In this episode, we’re exploring why the creative world leaves so many of us struggling to pay the bills, despite the wealth generated by our work. We’ll unpack th...

The creative life can be beautiful, but let’s be real—it’s not easy on the brain. Between job instability, constant rejection, and the pressure to “make it,” artists face a unique set of mental health challenges that few other professions encounter. In this episode, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of how these struggles affect our minds and what we can do to overcome them. We’re diving deep in...

What does it really mean to suffer for art? In this first episode, we’re diving into the raw, unfiltered reality of the artistic grind—balancing auditions and side hustles, navigating the chaos of big city living, and holding on to creativity while the world seems stacked against you. Whether you’re a painter, actor, writer, or creator of any kind, the struggle to make art while making ends meet i...