Brainstorming: The Podcast

The gals gather round the mic for a fun little season one finale episode and storm eachother's brains. We discuss ghost gal things, getting vaxxed & verified, and battling our inner bully's by unpacking habitual hatred. Shannon also makes the MASH life of Sierra's dreams this week in a Freaky Friday level role reversal. Stay tuned for Season Two! 

Shan's childhood friend (and Lizzie to each-other's Miranda), Annie Rayas is on the pod and it's truly what dreams are made of! We discuss the creative joys of our youth, their influence on both professional and personal relationships, and the parallels of plant care versus self care. Annie also shares an incredibly grounding reminder from @thefairlylocalfamily about being gentler to yourself.

Sierra's former castmate and current friend William Hoshida brings an incredible energy to the pod and we miss him already! We discuss the anxieties of audition culture, the pressures of artistic perfectionism and what we want to worry less about. Will also divulges his dream man AND hairstyle from "3rd Rock From the Sun," and shares the multitude of inspirations he's found recently in the NYC Drag Scene, various music videos, and silent discos.

Sierra's dear friend and "neighbor'' from Avenue Q Asha Brownie-Gordon is on the pod! She shares tales of COVID cruise ship chaos and discovering strength in creative collaboration while shedding artistic subservience. Plus, we discuss a Nick Cannon-inspired "Sound of Music" remake. Asha also reminds us of the importance of sharing our energy with those who inspire us.

Shan's former co-worker and co-conspirator of male contraceptives Marti Argueta is on the pod! He shares the origination and musical experimentation of The Nervous Physician, his latest EP. We dive into some fish-tank-talk, the future of jet-packs and the power of creative self-collaboration. Marti also discusses the conflicting perspectives presented in the book Death by Shelly Kagan and how these ideas affect our life.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCHzg4OE2RFbguMpBDwabtGw

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kir5P7PaGLzwjxO7FFUkY?si=3YVT80vfR72fAwj-v87Vzw&dl_branch=1

Sierra and Shan's former classmate and 30 Rock Soulmate Jacob Inman is on the freaking pod! He gives us a wonderful peek into the artistic and personal joys he's found in Chicago, the liberation of breaking the mold you've been put in by making your own creative work, and helps us bring back everyone's favorite type of hat. Jacob also shares his deep dive into ancient Roman Dynasties and fascination of the suppressed and powerful women of the era. Plus, we brainstorm a couple of new catchphrases for the show.

Sierra's ol' tour friend and paranormal partner in crime Elli Stovall Brown joins us on the pod this week! They share a ghost-hunting spooker story about a haunted theater, we discuss seeking stability through spiritual creative endeavors, and the unexpected connections to be made from releasing the suppression of the psyche. Elli shares a passage from "Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and how she's learning to embrace her feminine energy as it relates to spirituality, creativity and relationships. Check out @queendom_arts on Instagram for more of Elli's beautiful work (you may recognize a lil cover art perhaps?) and mosey on over to her Etsy Shop to commission this queen!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/QueendomArts

The original "Brainiacs" Jake Delaney and Galloway Stevens are on the pod this week as our first dynamic duo! They share their incredible double proposal stories, we discuss (on multiple occasions) shipping large quantities of Creekside Pizza's ranch dressing across the country, and we have our first ever MEGA-MASH session. Plus, we engage in conversation about the inequalities, lack of support, and transparency of Actor's Equity, it's effect on regional theaters and performers during the pandemic, and how to engage with change in the industry. Jake and Gal also share how it feels to be back on and off the stage, working together on The Oregon Cabaret Theater's production of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical". For more information on tickets and how to support the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, visit www.oregoncabaret.com.

Shan's friend and fellow Cancer Queen Narlyn is on the pod! Truly, what can't this woman do? She shares the joys and challenges of developing and executing a creative endeavor in its entirety, the inevitable evolution of said endeavor and the incomparable power of Black women as inspiration for her latest project: "Parallels". Nari also gives us a preview of what's to come for all things Narlyn Venice! 

For more info on prints and merch available for purchase, visit her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narlynvenice/

Shan's former co-worker and present day friend-worker Joseph is on the pod this week and we have a grand ol' time! We discuss the birthing process of French Bulldogs, our favorite Simpson's episodes and Joe shares his thoughts on acknowledging the affirmations presented to you in your life. Joseph also reads a thought-provoking passage from "Could This Be Magic? Tattooing as Liberation Work" by Tamara Santi Banez and we end the episode on a poetic note with a reading from W.S. Merwin's "To the Hand".