The Artist Pivot

Speaking with author, actor, and artist Andrew Norlen led me to these takeaways. First, people tend to see you before you see yourself. They can see your talents and greatness before you do, and it can be hard to believe them when they tell you, but once you do believe you can put yourself out into the world. Second, don’t judge yourself too hard on your journey, give yourself grace and trust that...

Here are some takeaways from the conversation I had with actor, singer, and cabaret artist Sierra White. First, sometimes we need a hard reset, and a reset doesn’t mean you are failing, it means you are being led to a new part of yourself and career. Next, do not diminish your accomplishments by letting imposter syndrome say you aren’t capable, and last we have to actively remind ourselves not to...

Susan Hensel has a career that spans over 50 years and she is currently a Textile sculptor. The conversation we had led me to these takeaways. First, life is not going to present itself to you the way you thought it would but can learn how to persevere. Next, sometimes we are the last ones to admit we need a change and those around us are waiting for us to catch up to what they already know. Third...

I talked to the creative human known as Olithea Anglin and I wanted to share some takeaways from our conversation. First up, there are so many ways to feel artistically full, so don’t pigeonhole yourself to one thing, and give yourself grace when you’ve grown out of something that used to fill you artistically but doesn’t anymore. Second, learning how to give yourself permission sooner so that you...

Here are some takeaways from the conversation I had with Shaness Kemp who happens to be a performing artist, choreographer, and dance educator. The first takeaway is you need time to replenish. Now this looks different for all of us but it’s important to replenish so you can continue to pour out as an artist. Next, versatility is the key to flexibility. If you are versatile it’s easier to be flexi...

From the conversation that I had with Darlene Hope, who is an actress, I have some takeaways I wanted to share. First, it’s all about your staying power. Being in the arts, especially as an actor is a marathon. Developing the skills and coping mechanisms you need to run the marathon is essential. Second, when running this marathon, allow life to guide you, stay flexible, and ask yourself if this s...

From the conversation that I had with Julio Agustin, who is a Theatrical consultant and entrepreneur, I have some key takeaways I wanted to share. First, resisting change and things shifting often makes your experience during the change or shift worse. Do your best to release control and let the change happen. On the flip side we all reserve the right to change our mind. If you want to change or s...

1.Stop downplaying the skills you have learned through the arts. Meaning if you’re an artist who is looking to pivot or have a parallel career in something artistic or not, stand on the skills you’ve learned as an artist. Don’t negate them!  2. Money is a neutral tool, we are the ones who ascribe an emotion to it and for a lot of artists that emotion is fear, but we can choose to ascribe another e...

Listen to your body. Period. That’s what I took away from this conversation with actor and performer Roslyn Seale. We discuss our hesitancy to try new things but then it’s something we end up loving, how our bodies tell us it’s time to make a change, and accepting that you may have to close certain doors but it’s for your good. A Brooklyn, NY native, Roslyn has performed on tour, in regional theat...

Life comes in seasons which could include giving you a beautiful detour. That’s what I took away from this conversation with Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson. In this episode we discuss letting your tribe come to you, embracing change in your career, and that if you understand that life comes in seasons, that understanding may just help you not to panic pivot.  Johnathan Lee Iverson, the Ringmaste...

Life comes in seasons which could include giving you a beautiful detour. That’s what I took away from this conversation with Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson. In this episode we discuss letting your tribe come to you, embracing change in your career, and that if you understand that life comes in seasons, that understanding may just help you not to panic pivot.  Johnathan Lee Iverson, the Ringmaste...

Don’t put yourself or thoughts of what you could be in a box, that can hinder you because you are allowed to grow! That was my takeaway from this conversation with Circuspreneur Shenea Stiletto! In this episode we discuss not letting others' lack of vision stop you from doing what you want, giving yourself second chances, and questioning is your daily baseline joy? Shenea Stiletto is a former Two-...

Hello! I am excited to say welcome to Season 5 of The Artist Pivot Podcast! I am your host Ayana Major Bey and I happen to be an actor, voice-over artist, mentor, and world traveler. This is a bi-weekly show featuring conversations about pivots and life lessons from the perspective of artists, those who work in and around the arts, and arts educators. Everyone possesses the ability to pivot, you j...

In part 2 of the season finale I am joined by author, illustrator, and musician Paco de Leon. She is the founder of The Hell Yeah Group, a financial firm dedicated to inspiring creatives to engage with their personal and business finances and Hell Yeah, Bookkeeping , a bookkeeping agency for creative businesses. Her career experiences in banking, business consulting, financial planning, and wealth...

In part 1 of the season finale I am joined by financial literacy educator and former modern dancer David Maurice Sharp. David  is the author of The Thriving Artist: Saving and Investing for Performers, Artists, and the Stage & Film Industries.  In 2014 he was named a 'money hero' for his work in financial literacy for artists by Money magazine. David currently teaches at HB Studio in New York City...

On this episode I am joined by professional figure skater and choreographer turned Realtor Jermey Ten. Jeremy Ten is a Junior National Champion, the 2015 Canadian Silver medalist, and a 2 time world team member. He has traveled the world both competitively and professionally having toured with Bietak productions and Cirque du Soleil. Jeremy now works as a realtor in one of the World's hottest mark...

On this episode I am joined by BLUE. Hailing from Brooklyn, BLUE is a podcaster, photographer and brand consultant that started off as an independent music artist. He has taken his different experiences and pulled them together for conversations on his podcast blue Dope which has featured the likes of Selling Tampa’s Sharelle Rosado, Sistas Devale Ellis and Claire Sulmers of fashion bomb daily to...

Shirine Babb is an award winning artist who is passionate and committed to diversity, creativity, and professionalism. In addition to more than 20 years of acting experience, Shirine has a BFA in musical theatre, a MA from East 15 Acting Conservatory in London and MFA from USD/The Old Globe in classical theater. Shirine supports students by serving as an Instructor at New York Conservatory for Dra...

On this episode I am joined by Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, Writer, and Strategist Davon Williams. Two-Time Anthem Award winner, Davon Williams is an International performer, the Director of Communications for Black Theatre Coalition, and a TED Talk alum. He is committed to using his talents to bring about substantive social change within his industry. As a performing artist, he has appeared...

On this episode I am joined by Singer, Actor, Streamer, and now vlogger Renée Jackson. Born and raised in sunny Tampa, Florida, Renée grew up listening to her father play records. Influenced by Pop, Soul and R&B divas such as Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson, Renée found her gift of song. Her growing interest in all things music, would earn her a spot in the prestigious musical theatre program...

On the episode I am joined by Carlita Victoria. Carlita is a Raleigh, NC native and a lover of cupcakes and laughter. Carlita founded Darkness RISING Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community, due to her personal mental health experiences. Selected credits:  DR. OZ, APPLE, AARP, Reg: IN THE HEIGHTS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, HAIRSPRA...

On this episode I am joined by Actor and Teaching Artist Keisha Gilles. Keisha Gilles is a theater artist who guides humans as they grow in their artistry through light, laughter and love. Light, for times when we allow the shadows of doubt and fear to dim the glow. Laughter, for times when perfectionism and ambition make mistakes serious instead of opportunities to learn. Love, for the sensitive...

On this episode I am joined by Intuitive Healer/Performer/Teaching Artist/Entrepreneur Queen Shereen Macklin. Queen Shereen is a bright, bold and vibrant soul who embodies her vision of freedom, transparency and connection for all womxn-more specifically womxn of color who have often been silenced, downplayed or ignored. She is a native New Yorker who currently resides in her spiritual home of New...

On this episode I am joined by artist Hamadi Price. Hamadi has always been drawn to self expression and expressionism in general through art, whether movement and performance or visual mediums like photography and film. With a natural love for storytelling, art, culture and entertainment have always been at the heart of what excites and energizes him. He currently exercises many muscles as photogr...

On this episode I am joined by arts educator and advocate Britney Lee. She is the Performing Arts Center Specialist and Theater/Dance District Lead for Clayton County Public Schools. Britney has a BFA in Musical Theater from Montclair State University and a Masters in Educational Theater from New York University. With well over 15 years in Arts Education, Directing, Coaching and Producing Britney...