Dear Future Boss

Welcome to another installment of our At Home series! This time, we chat to Claudia Bonnici, a Media and Communications graduate with a passion for content creation and mental health advocacy.

In this episode, we deep dive into how the current lockdown and social distancing is affecting the lifestyles and mental wellbeing of young people on the verge of starting their careers.

We discuss how societal pressures add to the struggles of young creatives, given the ‘non-essential’ classification granted to the arts industries and artists in general.

As someone who has experienced her own mental health struggles, Claudia offers great encouragement and helpful strategies to cope with anxiety, feeling out of control and the fear of the unknown. 

Our conversation brings to light the importance of managing our content consumption, practicing self-care and reaching out for support when we need it. 

Want to learn more about Claudia? Connect with her on Instagram!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introductions
03:15 - The challenges of social distancing
06:50 - How the lockdown affected Claudia’s employment
08:50 - Navigating the great uncertainty
11:16 - New project opportunities and creative ideas
13:00 - The need for mental health support 
15:55 - The perspective of older generations
17:30 - The silent struggle of younger generations
19:27 - Creatives as a minority
24:00 - Content creation vs consumption
29:00 - Setting the goal to “survive”
32:00 - Some words of encouragement

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

It’s the second episode of our At Home series and we chat with Rochelle Liu, a writer, editor and consultant in the education sector.

As someone who works with students and soon-to-be-graduates (as well as being a young creative herself!), Rochelle shares her unique perspective on how the current crisis is affecting the way we study, work and plan for the future.

We discuss the possible long-term effects of the pandemic on the education and arts sectors, and explore the different ways we can support each other now and in the times ahead.

If you’re an emerging artist or young job-seeker in general, this episode might hit home for you and hopefully, provide you some useful tips on how to be creative, productive and find support amidst uncertainty.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introductions
03:42 - How high school students are handling the lockdown
05:32 - Predictions about the long-term effects of the pandemic on education
08:29 - Rochelle’s experiences as a graduate
10:35 - How do you see the pandemic is affecting the arts sector
16:10 - What creative people can do to support one another
21:46 - How art is helpful for our mental health
25:42 - How emerging artists are navigating ‘uncertainty’
29:30 - Advice for young job-seekers during this time
35:50 - Strategies for working at home
37:52 - The importance of reaching out to people

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

It’s an understatement to say that the last few weeks have been strange for every single one of us, no matter who we are or where we’re from.

The world as we knew it is no longer - we’re faced with a new kind of reality, a new kind of anxiety and without any certainty about the future beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

And so, I’ve decided to press pause on an official Season 2 for now, in order to have important conversations about what’s currently happening, how we’re feeling about it and how we go about navigating this unprecedented time.

I’m happy to bring you the first episode of the At Home series, where I interview young creatives and my peers to listen to their insights and experiences in this ‘new normal’.

My first guest is none other than my younger sister Ezra May Aringay - who also happens to be my number one creative collaborator (and the producer of this very podcast!

I wanted to sit down with Ezra May to get a better understanding of how she and her friends are coping amidst all of the ‘self-isolation’ and ‘social distancing’, and what it means for young people and the future ahead.

We discuss the various impacts of the pandemic on youth employment and lifestyle, and posit how artists and the arts sector might bounce back from such a challenging setback.

Don’t get us wrong however, this series isn’t here to encourage more wallowing about the state of the world right now - but rather, to help us see the good things despite of it!

References:

Arnold Schwazenegger and His Horses
Steve Martin’s Banjo Balm

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

Well here we are, the final episode of the very first season of Dear Future Boss!

If you’re tuning in for the first time, I do encourage you to return to the beginning, because I’d love for you to hear my introductory thoughts on why I started this podcast and our mission to help young creative people.

If you’re up-to-date, thank you - it means the world to have you on this ride with me.

I'd like to also take this opportunity to thank my wonderful sister Ezra May who has been passionately working behind-the-scenes as my brilliant editor and producer.

In this finale, I recap the season that has been, as well as share one last lesson to wrap things up. It's a goodie - perhaps a lesson to encompass all of the lessons I've shared thus far!

My hope for Season 1 was to set the scene for what Dear Future Boss promises to be over time - a place to hear new ideas and valuable insights, a friendly guide along your creative journey and most importantly, a platform for young people to share their own unique voices and stories.

So I would love to hear from you! Which episodes did you most enjoy? What topics would you like to hear more about? Please be sure to leave us a comment or get in touch via Instagram.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to Dear Future Boss. If the show has been in any way valuable to you, please spread the word and ensure to subscribe for more exciting content coming soon!

I appreciate you being here and can't wait to share more of the things I've learned being young, creative and unemployed.

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

What do the bands Aerosmith, Earth, Wind & Fire and legendary performer Judy Garland have in common?

Well, apart from being iconic musicians and artists of their generation, each has performed a song about the power of dreaming.

As a believer in the value of being a big dreamer, I dedicate this episode to the gift of music and its ability to allow us to express our dreams, understand our dreams and find the courage to pursue them.

While dreams may not protect us from the sting of life’s harsh realities, simply daring to dream and having a vision for our lives, helps us sustain a sense of hope for the future which can provide us great motivation for the present.

Dreams are the seeds from which all things can grow, and through the 3 songs I've chosen to review and celebrate in this episode, we can learn to harness the power of dreaming in our lives.

This one's for all the music lovers, creative thinkers and big dreamers out there.

Source Material

Music Videos:
'Dream On' by Aerosmith
'Fantasy' by Earth, Wind & Fire
'Over The Rainbow' by Judy Garland

Articles:
7 Facts About Aerosmith's Classic Song
Earth, Wind & Fire's 'Fantasy' Song Facts
The Powerful Message Behind 'Over The Rainbow'
'Over the Rainbow': The Story Behind the Song of the Century

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

I've always been a big believer in the power of words - their ability to shape our thoughts, influence our behaviours and help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

Any lover of reading and writing would agree I'm sure, but even if you aren't either of these, I want you to know that words can be powerful tools to help you find perspective and courage in whatever situation you might be facing.

This week's episode explores these two little words - Just Work - which although seem simple and ordinary, have great depth of meaning when applied to how we understand employment, creativity and even our own identities.

Whether you're currently stuck in a job that you loathe or worried about a job you don't yet have, I share 2 valuable mindset shifts you can start implementing to gain better control of your circumstances and better position yourself towards the life you desire.

I encourage you to take mental notes (or actual written notes) while listening to this one - they might come in handy as you navigate your current and future career!

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

The infinite access to knowledge in our modern world - though bearing great benefits - can cause great anxiety, fear and doubt about ourselves and the future. We live in very noisy times and when we want answers and need solutions, we often look to the outside, rather than within.

In this episode, we discuss where all of the noise comes from, how it negatively impacts us and most importantly, how we can learn to listen to our own voice and live our truth amidst the various messages thrown at us every day and every hour.

I also share 3 useful tips to help eliminate the distractions of the world and of other people, so that you can start finding greater meaning, balance, contentment and clarity about who you are and how you want to contribute.

If you're a creative, this is an especially important one as it offers strategies on how to position yourself as an active creator rather than simply being a passive consumer overwhelmed with the saturation of content out there.

To find out more about the resources referred to in this episode, check out the links below!

Gabrielle's Blog Post:
https://www.thementorship.com.au/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-my-instagram-feed/

Oprah on Gratitude:
http://www.oprah.com/holidays/oprah-tips-for-gratitude

The Five-Minute Journal:
https://www.intelligentchange.com/products/the-five-minute-journal

Day One Journal App:
https://dayoneapp.com/

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/
Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/
Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

I'm a little hyped about this one! Why? Because I'm ready to break down and challenge the 3 common stereotypes about Millennials that affect the way older generations perceive us.

If you've listened to Episode 1, you'll know how much I don't like to subscribe to labels, but since we're often judged by labels in the culture we live in, it's worthwhile having a better understanding on how they have come about and how we can rise above the typical cliches.

I'm here to share some new perspectives on how Gen Y has evolved and what it means for us in the workforce and for our relationships with others.

While we cannot change the fact that people will always assume things or make judgements about us, we can harness what we know about ourselves - starting with our willingness to learn and improve in all areas of our lives!

If you're a Millennial, this episode should hit home and if you're not, I truly hope this one will help you understand us a little better.

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers.

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/

Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/

Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

If you're a recent graduate looking for work you know all too well how it goes...you can't get a job because you don't have experience but you can't get experience because you don't have a job...a seemingly endless loop!

In this episode, we discuss and help re-define the concept of 'experience' and how we as young job-seekers can start creating our own opportunities.

Yes, there is the matter of the new work reality, where the job market is more competitive than ever, but before you get carried away with any feelings of discouragement, listen here for important tips on being positive and proactive in your job search!

It is also important to note that you are not alone in this - trust us, so many are in the same boat! So, let's ride this wave together, okay?

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers. 

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/

Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/

Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show

A few years ago I discovered a secret...

Okay, not so much a secret, but a new mindset - or philosophy, if you will - that is the ultimate key to unlocking a fulfilling and sustainable creative career.

Once I learned about it and implemented in my life, I felt more free and powerful as a creator - no longer did I default to playing victim to the creative struggle, the stereotypes or the criticisms thrown my way as I pursued an unconventional, uncertain path.

This is an important episode because it lays the foundation for what it takes to build a creative life, one that is not only successful, but enriched with purpose!

I urge you to listen, re-listen and then implement the strategy in your life and watch how it changes your perspective on yourself and your career. I'd love to hear your thoughts too, so make sure to share in the comments!

Dear Future Boss is a podcast series produced especially for young people pursuing creative careers. 

Subscribe now to listen to stories and insights into what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling life as a multi-passionate creator.

Website: https://dearfutureboss.com.au/

Instagram: @dearfutureboss

Support the show for the price of a coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/dearfutureboss

Find about more about The Mentorship https://www.thementorship.com.au/

Get in touch: [email protected]

Support the show