You can’t always see a breaking point from the outside. Erika G. Musser looked like she had it together. She was working in nonprofits, climbing the ladder, and doing everything by the book. 

But at home, she was unraveling. At one point the burnout was so bad her husband even said, “I feel like I don’t have my wife anymore.” So she started rewriting her life on her own terms.

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, Morgan talks with Erika, a freelance content strategist, ghostwriter, and the mind behind The Secret Life of Freelancers newsletter.

We talk about what it really means to choose yourself in a world that rewards conformity. Erika shares her journey through burnout, freelancing, an adult ADHD diagnosis, and the freedom of going nicheless.

We also get into:

• The cost of burnout
• The decision to freelance and the freedom that comes with it
• Her ADHD diagnosis and how it helped her create better, not less
• What it means to be a multipotentialite and fun stuff about human design
• Going nicheless because “you are the niche”
• Her Business Insider essay and the costs of going viral (hint: don’t read the comments)
• Why you don’t have to monetize every corner of your creativity
• The balance myth, especially in motherhood

This one’s for the nonlinear creatives. The ones who are done fitting into other people’s systems and are ready to build their own. It’s raw. It’s funny. It’s honest. And it might just give you permission to bet on yourself.

💌 Subscribe to The Secret Life of Freelancers Newsletter 

🔗Connect with Erika on LinkedIn or visit her website.

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Are you feeling disconnected from your work? Curious about how creativity and passion can redefine success? Then this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, host Morgan Short welcomes Katherine Pomfret, founder of the Society of Alternative Entrepreneurs. Katherine shares how she left her corporate head of marketing career in the tech industry to a life full of makership, van-life, hospitality, community management, and creative expression in service to her values. 

Whether you’re contemplating a career pivot, seeking to heal and find fulfillment, or just curious about alternative paths to success, Katherine offers practical advice and perspective on:

• Overcoming the realities and traumas of corporate environments (02:53)
• The philosophy and practice of alternative entrepreneurialism (09:34)
• Navigating financial realities and redefining 'enough' (17:28)
• Addressing healthcare concerns and assessing risks (20:36)
• The future of work with AI, layoffs, and economic turmoil (28:42)
• Exploring the history and evolution of entrepreneurship (31:52)
• The gritty realities of freelancing (37:38)
• Rediscovering childhood passions (44:48)

Katherine emphasizes the significance of self-discovery, healing from workplace trauma, and reprogramming our mindset for a fulfilling life. The episode concludes with practical advice for those looking to embrace a life driven by passion and values.

Find the society at https://www.societyofalternativeentrepreneurs.com/ or on Instagram at @thesocofalts. Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn. 

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Art is the New Wall Street is BACK! Host Morgan Short kicks off season 2 with a solo episode summarizing season one, setting intentions for season two, and shedding light on the societal structures that often exploit rather than support us. These very structures sparked the creation of the show and are the basis for the show’s name.

After a health scare last November that forced Morgan to slow down, she’s approaching this season with more ease and grace. Season 1 included 13 episodes that connected with over 1,000 listeners. This season you can expect about one meaningful episode per month.

Season 2 will feature stories from people like Katherine Pomfret (our next guest) who have left high-paying corporate careers to pursue alternative paths. We'll explore what happens when we reject the "Wall Street mentality" and embrace creativity and all the beautiful things that make us human.

Thanks for tuning back in. 

• 00:00 Welcome back for season two
• 03:13 Reflecting on season one
• 04:29 The Wall Street Mentality vs. the non-traditional path
• 06:21 Student debt, the American Dream, and AI's impact on our world
• 08:30 The power of art in addressing systemic challenges
• 09:47 Highlighting stories of those who have left corporate careers
• 11:18 Sustainability over burnout
• 12:19 Art as an act of resistance

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

What happens when creativity is forced to serve the machine? As capitalism demands productivity and social media rewards visibility, the line between art and content is questioned.

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, host, Morgan Short sits down with Noah Lekas, a writer and musician, to explore how the pressures of the job market and industry shifts are reshaping creativity. 

We get real about what it means to create in a society driven by metrics, social media likes, and the never-ending pressure to be 'marketable.' Noah shares his personal journey, from going viral on LinkedIn to grappling with the advancements of AI.

We cover:

• The harsh reality of making a living as a creative in today's job market
• Why so many creatives find themselves in the field of marketing and how the industry is changing
• The constant push and pull between creating for passion versus creating for an audience or algorithm
• What happens to the world when we lose artistic talent
• How Noah transformed his poetry into multiple forms of art
• The burnout, the breakthroughs, and the hard-earned lessons along the way

What does it take to keep your creative fire alive? And at what cost?

About Noah Lekas:

Noah Lekas is a writer, musician and the author of Saturday Night Sage (Blind Owl, 2019) a collection of  poetry about mysticism and menial labor. A Music Journalist and Essayist, Lekas has written about music, labor and culture for 40+ publications. His latest record, Sounds From The Shadow Factory was released February 19, 2021 by Blind Owl Records. 

Subscribe to Noah’s Substack:

The Lunch-Bucket Letters

Find Noah’s Collection of Poetry:

Saturday Night Sage

Listen to Noah’s Record:

Sounds From the Shadow Factory

Connect with Noah:
https://noahclekas.com/

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

How is AI changing the way we create, and what does that mean for what it is to be human?

With machines now crafting images, writing stories, and even composing music, we’re left to ask: Is creativity still ours? And if it isn’t, what does that mean for the future of art?

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, we dig into these big questions with 2D and 3D animator Dave Razor, who’s been making weirdly cool art using AI and tech for years.

We talk about:

• AI’s Role in Creativity: How technology is pushing the limits of what we can create and challenging traditional ideas of what art should be.
• Is AI Art Real Art? Whether machine-made creations can be considered true art, or if they’re just imitating human creativity.
• What Makes Us Human: How AI might be changing our fundamental understanding of humanity, through the lens of philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Daniel Dennett.
• The Cost of Commercialization: How AI is disrupting the art world and what it means for artists trying to preserve their creative integrity.

If you’ve ever wondered where the line between human and machine creativity really lies, this episode is for you. Tune in and rethink everything you know about art, creativity, and what it means to be human.

Learn more about Dave Razor at the links below:

https://www.daverazordesign.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-razor-compton-wolff-88084a27/

https://www.instagram.com/the_dave_razor/

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Feeling stuck in your 9-5? Wondering if there's more to life than your daily routine?

Meet Christiana Trapani. A Ukrainian American with a marketing background, Christiana found herself in a decent job with a great team but felt a pull toward something greater, something that aligned more closely with her potential.

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, you'll learn all about how Christiana leaned into her calling, left her stable job, and launched her own ventures that are changing the world, one candle at a time. 

This episode is for you if you:

• Often find yourself wondering if there's more to life than your current job
• Feel a strong pull towards doing something meaningful that makes a real difference
• Are curious about how small actions can lead to substantial impacts in the world
• Desire to break stereotypes and pave new paths in traditionally constrained roles

Listen in to hear about:

Christiana’s Leap of Faith into Entrepreneurship:

Hear how a routine commute to her 9-5 led to a life-changing decision to start Door County Delivered, and later purchase Door County Candle Company. Learn about the challenges of juggling two full-time roles and what it takes to fully commit to chasing your dreams.

Light and Hope for Ukraine:

Learn about the powerful campaign Christiana started with a simple video that exploded online, leading to over $1 million raised for Razom for Ukraine. 

Candles Creating Change®:

Christiana didn't stop with one successful campaign. She built on that momentum to create "Candles Creating Change," where every purchase supports meaningful causes, from wildfire relief in Maui to earthquake support in Turkey. Discover how her candles are lighting up dark times around the world.

Real Talk on Entrepreneurship

Christiana opens up about the rollercoaster of running a business, balancing personal growth with professional demands, and the resilience needed to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Breaking Down Barriers

As a woman in manufacturing, Christiana is shaping the future of female empowerment in industry. Gain insights into her efforts to dismantle stereotypes and inspire other women to take the lead.

Connect with Christiana and Follow Her Businesses:

Door County Candle Company
Door County Delivered
Luba Libations
Christiana Trapani on LinkedIn
Christiana Trapani on Instagram

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Feeling disconnected from yourself or others? Craving community?  Looking to reconnect with nature or your own inner artist?

Meet Sarah Morris. She’s a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter, who masterfully captures moments of profound human connection in her music and in life.

In this episode of Art is the New Wall Street, you’ll learn all about how Sarah connects.

Connection with Song: Hear how "Where’ve You Been" ignited Sarah's passion for storytelling through music, and how "Sway Me" reinforced her identity as a true songwriter.

Connection with Self: Sarah discusses balancing songwriting with self-care, including her annual September songwriting pause to recharge creatively.

Connection with Other Musicians: Learn about "Toilet Tunes," a series in which Sarah transforms her bathroom into a studio for intimate musical collaborations every Friday at noon.

Connection with Family: Learn how motherhood has deepened Sarah’s music, infusing her work with purpose and inspiring her to pass on a legacy of creativity.

Connect with Sarah:
Catch Sarah’s live performances at the White Squirrel in Saint Paul, Minnesota every fourth Wednesday of the month through November 2024.

https://sarahmorrismusic.com/
Light On Maggie Rogers Cover Toilet Tunes with Clare Doyle:    • ‘Light On’ (Maggie Rogers Cover) | To...
 https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorrismusic/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/35HiS...

Tune in to explore how Sarah builds connections through her music and life, providing inspiration for anyone looking to deepen their own relationships and creative expression. 

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Host, Morgan Short, welcomes Daniel Gilbert, affectionately known as Daniel Gilbert to episode 9 of Art is the New Wall Street. 

Daniel shares more about his musical journey, transitioning from early music lessons to becoming an acclaimed violinist who artfully merges classical music with the soulful rhythms of hip-hop.

Daniel opens up about how expressing emotions through music enriches the human experience. He pays homage to his late mother, Linda Gilbert, whose legacy continues to inspire his artistic journey. Daniel’s philosophy is grounded in helping listeners find their own stories in his music, underscoring the personal connection he seeks to build through his art.

Daniel shares the importance of carving out a unique space in the music industry. He stresses the significance of understanding your “why” behind how you’re doing your art.

We also explore the challenges and triumphs of making art your livelihood, the value of authenticity over chasing trends, and how music can be a catalyst for mental well-being and fostering community connections.

Episode Overview:

• :50 Intro to Daniel the Violinist
• 1:50 Emotional Connection Through Music
• 2:36 Early Influences - From Childhood to Mastery
• 3:39 Honoring a Legacy Through Music
• 7:16 The Making of Linda’s Melody
• 10:31 The Business Side of Music and Networking
• 15:37 The Impact of Music on the Individual and the Collective
• 20:28 On Perfectionism and Interpreting Art
• 30:59 What is Art? Who is an Artist?
• 34:34 Hear Daniel Play
• 34:50 Stay True to Yourself and Express Yourself through Art

Find Daniel's work at https://danieltheviolinist.com/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/daniel_soulmusician/

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

Ever felt invisible in the mainstream narratives of art and media? What if you could see the most real and raw aspects of yourself celebrated through art? That's the kind of magic Mary Castillo brings to every human who steps in front of her lens.

Mary is a renowned photographer, educator, and lover of all things empowerment and feminism. Starting out with a borrowed camera and a heart full of curiosity, she quickly discovered her superpower: boudoir photography that makes everyone feel like a masterpiece.

In this episode we hear all about:

• Mary’s Path to Boudoir Photography: From stay-at-home mom to boudoir photography badass, Mary’s story is all about finding your passion in the most unexpected places.
• Finding Community and Mentorship: How a serendipitous mentorship in Minnesota became the cornerstone of Mary’s booming business and lifelong friendships.
• The Importance of Inclusivity in Art: Mary’s on a mission to show that beauty isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’. Her studio is a no-judgment zone where every BODY is celebrated.
• Using Social Media to Promote Her Work: How Mary uses Instagram and TikTok to show off her stunning work and build a community that’s all about authenticity and love.
• Real Talk: Mary gets candid about the ups and downs of her journey, including her battle with postpartum depression and how it shapes her work and empathy.

Art is a mirror that reflects the beautiful diversity of the human experience. Mary's approach to photography and art challenges norms, celebrates diversity, and sparks a conversation about what it means to truly see ourselves as the art that we are.

Find Mary’s work at www.marycastillophotography.com or on Instagram @marycastillophotography

Or learn about FEYRE Workshop, a boudoir photography workshop Mary co-facilitates alongside @ashleyjacksonstudio.  

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.

As creatives we often experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. There are many reasons for this. We have deep sensitivities, moments of intense inspiration, periods of stagnation, and struggles in finding equilibrium.

At times, our creative spirit feels caged by excessive structure, suppressing the natural flow of our feminine energy. Conversely, we might find ourselves lost in creative ideas lacking the masculine structure necessary to materialize these concepts.

If any of this resonates, if you’re feeling trapped, emotionally scattered, or disconnected from your physical self, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

Morgan Short is joined by Chelsea Kazmierczak-Goethel, a board-certified functional nutritionist and intuitive practitioner whose life work is to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, guiding individuals towards a state of whole person wellness. With nearly a decade of experience under her belt as a holistic wellness practitioner, Chelsea brings a wealth of knowledge on how to nourish the body, soul, heart, and mind.

We discuss the essence of energy and wellness, and their profound impact on creative flow. Chelsea shares the importance of balancing our masculine and feminine energies, offering insight into how we can harness these forces to enhance our creative expression and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life. 

She also discusses the significance of aligning our natural rhythms, such as menstrual cycles, with our creative processes to maximize productivity and harmony.

What you’ll learn from Chelsea:

• Understand energy dynamics and the interplay between masculine and feminine energy on our creativity, productivity, and wellness
• Strategies for achieving balance in our creative processes and daily lives, emphasizing the necessity of both structure and flow
• Steps for healing the wounded aspects of our energies and embracing a holistic approach to personal development
• The benefits of synchronizing our biological cycles with our creative projects for enhanced productivity and well-being

Chelsea’s final invitation encourages us to embrace ourselves as our own best healers. Deep within, we hold the answers to our needs; sometimes, all it takes is a guiding light, like Chelsea, to uncover the tools and foundations necessary to break free from our binds.

Learn more about Chelsea at https://www.khailazwellness.com/ or on Instagram at @chelsea.kaz.goethel

Listen to unlock your creative potential and achieve holistic harmony.

Support the show

• Subscribe at artisthenewwallstreet.com and on YouTube
• Learn more about host and producer, Morgan Short
• Follow us on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook
• Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts

Keep creating, keep making art. Your art is a gift to you and to the world.