Today’s episode is about voice, femininity, vulnerability, mental health, songwriting, and the power of art. I sat down with Kaylyn Rogers, a lovely friend of mine, to chat about her latest EP The Older Brother, and her courage in creating an authentic piece that expressed her struggles with anxiety, among other things. Unfortunately, the audio turned out a bit shabby in this episode, but I promise the hygge conversation makes it absolutely worth it! The sound of the espresso maker, neighboring chit chat, and overall coffee shop vibes all speak to the frankness of our conversation. As a gal who has very recently come to terms with the role of my gender in creating my experience, I was eager to ask Kaylyn about the ways her bravery and femininity informed her creation of such vulnerable art. Plus, discovering her beautiful EP was a gift to me as I found comfort in its understanding of my own mental health struggles. If I didn’t already believe that our challenges fuel art and that vulnerability may just be our God-given superpower, I sure did after talking with this amazing guest on episode 8 of what the hell is up.

Featured music: Older Brother by Kaylyn Rogers

Follow Kaylyn on Instagram @cerealrogers

Cover art: Spence Hood

Today’s tidbits:

1:00 Intro// a HUGE hygge thank you for supporting my podcast

2:35 Kaylyn Rogers// a singer-songwriter & artist of authenticity

4:30 Anxiety// fuel for art & art as a means of coping

9:40 Risk// validity in taking up artistic space

16:55 Older Brother// what do they think about at night?

22:00 Faith// hope in the mere act of prayers that don’t go anywhere

25:15 Femininity// the value of emotional expression

32:00 Forward// more on anxiety in new sounds

Quotes:

• “Songwriting on so many different occasions has been the one thing that made sense of things for me”—Kaylyn

• “The beauty from ashes thing—I’ve never experienced it anywhere else more than when I’m feeling like shit and make something cool out of it” –Kaylyn

• “I got a little rush that made me think, Kaylyn: 1, mental health: 0” –Kaylyn

• “I felt like it was my responsibility to put it out there just in the off chance that some kid in Wisconsin who I’ve never met might stumble upon it” –Kaylyn

• “I had this moment of crisis when I was writing the songs on the album… that I have people in my life who I would die for and I don’t know what keeps them up at night” –Kaylyn

• “I’m learning the way that my femininity is not a weakness, but has given me a bit more access to my emotions and being raw about them” –Claire

• “Growing up, I was a tomboy not necessarily because I thought cargo shorts flattered me but because I felt like I would have more validity in spaces if I was more masculine” –Kaylyn

• “Even though there is that fear of being discounted for being more emotional—which is something women encounter all the time—I think I saw such a strength in myself for doing it that I didn’t really care if somebody was discounting me”—Kaylyn

• “I think the more art that could do what yours does would only make people feel more allowed to experience a breadth of emotions” –Claire