Do It Today

Trying to move forward but feeling sloggy or stuck? 

1. Do something easy.
2. Do something nice.
3. Do something hard.

And repeat until unstuck.

Would love to know if you try this out...!

Meet the author of an inspiring new book I devoured in two days...

Kara Cutruzzula talks to author and freelance writer Alyssa Ages, whose debut book Secrets of Giants is a deep dive into the science and psychology of why pushing our physical limits is so impactful — and a personal look at her own experience training for strongman competitions. Big moments include 5:30 a.m. workouts, the challenges of telling your own story, how coaches give her necessary external accountability, and why being strong makes you feel you can do anything. Plus, powdered bone broth!

Where to Find Alyssa

Buy Secrets of Giants

Amazon

Bookshop
Penguin Random House

Alyssa's website

https://www.alyssaages.com

Show Notes

00:23 Alyssa's Morning Routine

01:07 Building a Garage Gym

01:21 The Journey to Competitive Strongman Competitions

03:59 The Impact of Strength Training on, Well, Everything

06:04 Writing Process and Challenges

13:37 Alyssa's Nighttime Routine

13:52 The Importance of a Coach

19:05 The Book Writing and Publishing Experience

Mentions
Bone Brewhouse Instant Chicken Bone Broth

Do It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Special collaboration episode today with the wonderful Aransas Savas and The Uplifters Podcast! Aransas is a wellbeing and leadership coach, and her podcast highlights inspiring women and mindset techniques to create your biggest life. We talk about our weekly "Virtual Friday Therapy Runs," our creative practices and routines, closing open loops and finding deep work blocks, exercises from Do It (or Don't), avoiding overwork and burnout, and much more.

Where to Find Aransas:

Subscribe to The Uplifters Podcast

https://www.theuplifterspodcast.com/

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify
Website: https://www.aransassavas.com/

Show Notes

00:02 Introduction 

00:50 Defining an Uplifter

01:36 Introducing The Uplifters Podcast

02:36 The Power of Friendship and Regular Check-ins

07:50 Importance of Self-Care and Relationships

09:45 The Power of Choice and Setting Boundaries

12:03 Being a High-Capacity Person and Managing Overwhelm

13:38 The Role of Acceptance and Trust in Maintaining Flow

24:31 Self-Respect and Setting Boundaries

25:55 Admiration and Journaling

26:20 Planning and Procrastination

26:34 Podcast Growth and Challenges

27:34 Overcoming Hesitation

29:05 Reframing Sponsorship and Taking Action

31:25 The Importance of Sounding Boards

34:54 Planning and Prioritizing Tasks

36:42 Closing Open Loops and Time Management

39:55 Revisiting and Revamping To-Do Lists

43:25 The Power of Community and Activation

Do It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Hi friends! This conversation inspired me so much. I have a feeling Florencia's journey and persistence will inspire you, too...

Kara Cutruzzula talks to Florencia Iriondo, a writer, performer, and showrunner, about her new one-woman musical South. Big moments include leaving the corporate world to pursue theater full-time, putting up the show, and lessons learned along the way. She shares how her ingenious "alarm strategy" — and watching Tick Tick Boom! — help organize her day. They also dive into the importance of deadlines, and Florencia's big goal of making a living from producing her own work.

Buy tickets to South at SoHo Playhouse until Nov. 15

Florencia's website

Show Notes

00:01 Introduction 

01:01 The Role of Food in Florencia's Show

02:15 The Evolution of South

04:55 Florencia's Personal Journey and Career Transition

06:39 The Challenges and Rewards of Self-Producing

12:40 Florencia's Dual Identity and Skill Transferability

15:54 Florencia's Daily Schedule and Pre-Show Rituals

20:37 Florencia's Future Goals and Aspirations

Do It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks to Sara Wordsworth, a musical storyteller who has created shows for Broadway, television, arenas, cruise ships, and theme parks around the world. Big moments include making time for herself in the early hours of the morning, how to continue being vulnerable in your work, seeing feedback as a gift, and more.

More about Sara on her website!

Fun mentions in the episode:

• BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop
• Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks to professional organizer and coach Linda Samuels, founder of Oh, So Organized! and author of The Other Side of Organized, who facilitates change in her clients' lives. Big moments include creating a "success check-in" for the summer, advice for clearing a path for the new season, and why a slow start to her day is essential.

Follow Linda and find more about her work:

• Website
• Blog
• The Other Side of Organized book 
• Newsletter
• Instagram @lindasamuels
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal — out Sept. 12!

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks to Kat Jackson, the senior director of Audible Studios, who has worked in the storytelling space for two decades and oversees all production in the U.S. as well as Canada, Latin America and Brazil. She's also an educator, mother of two, and fierce Tough Mudder competitor. Big moments include how she found a career she loves, why "being good enough isn't good enough," how audiobooks encourage accessibility, and the inspiration and gratitude you experience while competing in an eight-hour obstacle course.

Find your next favorite book on Audible!

• The Meaning of Mariah Carey, written and read by Mariah Carey
• Born a Crime, written and read by Trevor Noah
• I Can’t Make This Up, written and read by Kevin Hart

Fun people, stuff, and books mentioned:

• An assortment of things is called a klondike, according to Kat's grandma!
• Charles de Montebello, owner of CDM Sound Studios
• Maysoon Zayid, comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate
• Find a Tough Mudder event near you
• The Tough Mudder Holy Grail
• Amelia Boone, obstacle racer and endurance athlete
• Sean Corvelle, Tough Mudder start line MC and motivational speaker

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aegean Chan, who opened her own practice in Santa Barbara, California, has published in medical journals, and runs one of my favorite Instagram accounts with skincare advice. Big moments include balancing parenting with her career, her social media cutoff time, creating realistic to-do lists, and treating responsibilities like glass balls and plastic balls—and accepting you can't always juggle them all. 

• Visit Aegean's website
• Follow Aegean on Instagram @DrAegeanChan 
• Aegean's practice, California Dermatology Group

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks with author Michelle Wildgen, whose newest book Wine People was published August 1. She's the editor of the food writing anthology Food & Booze, and the former executive editor of the literary journal Tin House. Michelle is also a freelance editor and creative writing teacher and co-runs the Madison Writers' Studio with novelist Susanna Daniel.

Big moments include being in a no-reading writers' group, her hot take on prescriptive advice, the magic of a blank-page revision, field trips for Wine People, and why pasta is almost always the answer.

More about Michelle:

https://www.michellewildgen.com/

Buy Wine People, published by Zibby Books, on Amazon and Bookshop

Fun stuff mentioned:

• Madison Writers' Studio — they have virtual and hybrid sessions!
• "Thoughts on Editing and Being Edited" in Tin House
• "A Practice Guide to Starting a Group of Your Own" in Poets & Writers
• Chloe Benjamin's The Immortalists (Buy on Bookshop)
• The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut

Kara talks to Tony Award-winning producer, manager, and educator Erica Rotstein, who's currently represented on Broadway as a co-producer of Parade and Just For Us. Big moments include embracing radical candor, the idea of emergent strategy and being able to pivot your plans, and why she wants to build all of her work around relationships. 

More about Erica Rotstein

http://ericarotstein.com/

Take workshops on producing theater with Erica and her Business of Broadway partners Rachel Sussman, Heather Shields, and Sammy Lopez. (They're wonderful!) 

https://www.thebusinessofbroadway.com/

Shows, books, and resources mentioned:

• The musical The Appointment at WP Theater
• Broadway-bound musical Water for Elephants, directed by Jessica Stone
• The book Radical Candor by Kim Scott
• Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown 
• Author, poet, and activist Sonya Renee Taylor

Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.

Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal

Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut