Dreamcatchers District Podcast - Mindset, Authentic Marketing, Coaching, Goals, Creative Entrepreneur, Online Business, Fear

Today on the Podcast, Guest Emmanuel Belliveau:

If you've ever had a dark night of the soul, where you lost sight of who you were or what you wanted or why you started, and you emerged stronger  — than you know how important mindset, rituals and lifestyle design become. This is inner Creative Direction at its core.

But if you're still going through it and you're looking for that light at the end of the tunnel, enter creative designer Emmanuel Belliveau whose multiple successes in entertainment and design speak volumes about the attitude of gratitude.

How Empathy & Enjoyment Attract Ease:

You may recognize Emmanuel as a TV host on HGTV, Discovery Channel and the CW. But what you may not know is what a thoughtful, kind, multi-passionate creative entrepreneur and creative activist he really is; working also as the design partner of Marko Taylor (a start up handbag company in LA helping to support women in Kenya) and the creative director of Price Wellness House (a center for women in Uganda).

When he's not designing, you can find Emmanuel celebrating community, doing Crossfit and figuring out more ways to incorporate work into travel. Annnd you can find me knocking on his door, ready to host a popup live event in Toronto. Oh, and asking for design tips on what to do first with our sweet LA fixer upper.

In this Episode We Talk About:

• Growing up to French Canadian & Filipino parents

• Challenges in childhood & cultural expectations

• Values conflicts & why he changed careers early on

• Why he's a cheerleader for creatives putting themselves out there

• What his mentors gave him early on that made all the difference

• How he navigated sudden success & the Imposter Syndrome

• When he fell into an unexpected Dark Night of the Soul

• Letting go of scarcity thinking, inadequacy & entitlement

• When he had to "do what I had to do" just to keep working

• The Daily Ritual that turned his mindset around

• How doing things you enjoy attracts success with ease

• How he's changed as a leader & the asking better questions

• Why it's dangerous to think, "I know this already" and how to always stay a beginner

• What his relationship taught him about humor & self-compassion

• Balancing masculine and feminine energy in partnership & design

• How he brings an element of coaching to his design clients

• Where to spend money when designing your home

• What the Crossfit community gives him

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights from Emmanuel Belliveau 

Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Emmanuel: Instagram , Facebook ,  Twitter , Website

• Where You've Seen Him: World's Greenest Homes

• Projects: Marko Taylor handbags supporting women in Kenya, a center for women in Uganda: Price Wellness House

• Daily Rituals: Crossfit ,  Wisdom of the Ages by Wayne Dyer,  10 quotes by Zig Ziglar 

• His Partner: Dr. Emily Fitzgerald, ND

• People: future podcast guest Vanessa Bryan , Indina Menzel

• The Dreamcatchers District Creative Direction: For Your Beliefs and Business, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast? 

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to info @ dreamcatchersdistrict.com . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

• Or if you're on the Anchor App, "Call In" to our Anchor Radio Station and ask your question there!

Today on the Podcast: A peek into podcasting, my biz, willingness & capacity.

Since the launch of this here poddy-pod, my team and I have received dozens upon dozens of emails and DMs and calls, as well as coaching clients, asking:

• How do I start a podcast?

• How do host my first event?

• How do I write and perform my signature talk?

• How do I sell out my first workshop?

• How do I partner with panelists?

• How do I get sponsors?

• How do I get booked solid?

• How do I get paid to speak?

• How do I launch my creative business?

• What do I do if I started the wrong business?

If You've Worked With Me:

You know this is what Dreamcatchers District is all about. Teaching step-by-step skills, systems, strategies so that you can plan and produce these kind of results to feel that kind of Creative Direction. AND most importantly — teaching, mentoring, and coaching you on how to empower yourself with better stories, higher energetic states and social circles; removing all those inner blocks and outer influences that get in the way of your actually implementing on all these skills, systems, strategies and steps.

Because truth? We can have all the insights and information in the world but if we don't know how to practice catching, challenging, and changing our thoughts, feelings, and actions in the moment — it won't matter. If we don't surround ourselves with generous and genuine sister friends and relationships, attracting our ideal audience and clients — it won't be fulfilling.

That's why our immersive planning retreats, masterminds, creative biz workshops, coaching and live popups are so, so focused and fun. Remember: "What's fun gets done."

To give context on a more global scale:

While we'll be doing more episodes in the future where I answer your direct questions, the first conversation really is — How to start where you are and stand where you're going.

Community support and Creative Direction, my friends. That is what truly bridges the gap between where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Working with creative likeminds at similar seasons of life, going through similar stages of business, THAT is how you can finally love, honor and accept starting where you are versus focusing on the wrong things, at the wrong time, with the wrong people and wondering why you're feeling so "behind."

In this Episode We Talk About:

• Why this Podcast almost didn't happen

• My stage of business 2 years ago versus now

• How to know your Willingness & Capacity

• What really goes into hosting a podcast

• The myth of balance vs harmony and rhythms

• Why this podcast is in its first iteration

• What I still don't have that I wish I did

• Why starting where you are is a must

• How to empower yourself even if stay where you are

• The universal regret more scary than starting

• The #1 thing to ask yourself every day this week

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights 

Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Me: Instagram , Facebook ,  Twitter , Anchor ,  Pinterest , Linked IN

• The Dreamcatchers District Creative Direction: For Your Beliefs and Business, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast? 

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to info @ dreamcatchersdistrict.com . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

• Or if you're on the Anchor App, "Call In" to our Anchor Radio Station and ask your question there!

Today on the Podcast: Sarah Heyward.

If you've ever had an unexpected chance conversation, which truly changed the trajectory of your life and career (maybe you fell upon a creative project or a new community or a business mentor, agent, or coach), then you know it wasn't simply about being in the right place at the right time.

Yes, there may have been some initial serendipity that fell in your favor. But for you to have experienced sustained success and satisfaction? A true transformation? Where your present and future look and feel nothing like your past? That was ...

Luck Meets Preparation:

And this, my friends, is what inner and outer Creative Direction is all about — both for your beliefs and your creative business or brand.

Because here's the truth:

Every one of us has experienced some stroke of luck (or grace) at one time or another. However big or small, there's not a person on the planet who hasn't had some moment of blessed happenstance. The question is not, "Why doesn't that kind of synchronicity happen to me?" The questions are ...

"Why don't I notice it when it does? What's draining and distracting me? How do I make myself more available next time? Who do I need to be? Where do I need to go? What do I need to think, feel, and do? When an opportunity opens, how willing am I to put myself 'out there' and simply start where I am? When the going gets tough, who will I turn to? How will I keep going? What stories will I tell myself about what it all means?"

A writer of Television, Features, and Fiction:

Sarah's creative chops turned a chance conversation into a seat at one of the most coveted writer's rooms in Hollywood. Her work has earned not only six seasons of writing and producing credits on HBO's hit GIRLS, but also garnered a Writer's Guild of America award and the ability to pick and choose next projects.

And while she's gotten to work with Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow, Tina Fey — to name only a few — she's just getting started. Even better? She takes nothing for granted and she's having a really good time in the process.

Turns out it's not fame or fortune that's made the success so worthwhile. Listen in and find out what has. Then make sure you're on our Insider Invite Only list for a chance to hear Sarah on an upcoming Dreamcatchers District panel, live in LA.

In this Episode We Talk About:

• How getting fired was the best thing that ever happened

• What made her stand out from other screenwriters

• The vulnerable question that made day 1 on set so much easier

• Why the GIRLS writer's room was truly unique from the top down

• What she learned working with Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow, and Tina Fey

• How she handled continuous feedback, critique, revisions, deadlines

• Why exploration and play are foundational to creative confidence

• Where the lessons of the writer's room overlap with relationships, therapy, empathy

• Why mentors are ageless and who she turns to for different needs

• How she navigates being a woman in Hollywood & the things she wished she'd said

• The #1 thing she refuses to bond with women around & how she vents with purpose

• Saying "goodbye" to GIRLS, the fertile void, and how she avoids the "sophomore slump"

• Why it's "all been done already" and, yet, it's "never too late to start"

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights that Sarah is dropping.

Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Sarah: Instagram , Facebook ,  Twitter

• Watch: GIRLS on HBO , City Guys , Bored to Death , Friends With Money , Tiny Furniture , Sex and the City , Bridesmaids

• People: Jonathon Aimes , Nicole Holofcener , Jennifer Konner , Lena Dunham , Judd Apatow , Tina Fey , Lesley Arfin

• Read: Seth Godin's Ted Talk , Purple Cow 

• Workshops: Iowa Writer's Workshop

• The Dreamcatchers District Creative Direction: For Your Beliefs and Business, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast?

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to info @ dreamcatchersdistrict.com . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

Today on the Podcast, guest Bari Tessler.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "The teacher is the student." And the best coaches, mentors, therapists are those who continually do their own work to heal and grow, understanding we're all in this dance together.

So it's with great appreciation I introduce you to my dear colleague and personal mentor, Bari Tessler.

As a Financial Therapist, Mentor Coach and Mamapreneur:

Bari's work has been seen on Oprah.com, Inc.com, the Huffington Post, Us News & World Report, Reuters Money, The Fiscal Times,  The Yogi Times, Best Self Magazine, Emerging Women, and you may have even seen her grace the cover of Experience Life Magazine. 

And while she's achieved undeniable "success," it's the way she's redefined and reclaimed what that meant for herself (at every phase of business and season of life) which gives so much hope to anyone wondering how to do this whole creative entrepreneurial life as a mom. (Hi, that's ME!)

The Power of Immersive Learning:

While Bari and I first met through Marie Forleo’s B-school, it wasn't until enrolling in her own year long program, the Art of Money (with my husband) that I deeply connected to the true power of what she calls Money Healing, Money Practices and Money Maps.

Her book The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness, published by Parallax Press, is the first of many (we hope) and brings sweet relief right when you need it most.

In this Episode We Talk About:

• How she went from earning $11/hr in the mental health field to Oprah

• The link between our bodies, EQ, and relationship to money

• Why she pivoted through 4 distinct Business Models

• The power in scaling down & the growth myth in biz

• Feminine Leadership vs Masculine Launching

• The sudden realization she had to have a baby

• How her marriage navigated the #1 agreement that changed

• The home birth that became near fatal and how she healed

• How her leadership style differs between work and home

• The loneliness that can come with "being at the top" and shifts in friendship

• Universal self-doubts that plague all creative entrepreneurs

• Why this is a psycho-spiritual journey and continual practice

• How Nature answers her deepest questions

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights that Bari is dropping.

Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Bari: website , FACEBOOK , Instagram , Twitter

• Her Book: The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness

• People: Marie Forleo's B-School , Mark Silver , Brian Clark

• Platforms: Rainmaker , Copyblogger , Clarity Lab

• The Dreamcatchers District Creative Direction: For Your Beliefs and Business, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast?

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to [email protected] . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

Today on the Podcast, Guest Tyler J. McCall!

People! I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to, my very new friend, Tyler. J. McCall.

Tyler helps Creatives Use Instagram with Intention.

To grow their lists, grow their communities, and grow their businesses.

Teaching his clients how to use Instagram to tell stories, build relationships, and convert followers to fans — Tyler draws from his 10 years of experience in non-profit marketing, management and community organizing.

He lives in Chicago but He's Coming to LA:

You know he recently moved to the windy city with his partner Eric and their dog Douglas, but we're already in talks to get him out here to LA for a next live Dreamcatchers District event.

When he's not coaching, teaching, or speaking  — he's "not trying to get Insta Famous, ya'll" but rather "I'm trying to live a life that I love." No wonder he fits in so well here in our Dreamcatchers District community.

And you can bet I would LOVE to go on road trips, Target runs, and movie marathons with my mister of another sister, Mister Tyler J. McCall.

In this Episode We Talk About:

• Navigating a Public Persona versus a Private Life

• What to share, when to share, and with whom

• How his business taught him what he's NOT good at

• What he's learned about the Trail of Fears

• The lesson his father shared about integrity

• What it really felt like to come out as a gay man in a Southern Baptist family

• How he's redefined success and satisfaction for himself

• The thing that gets him crying

• How to Fascinate and Knowing Your Strengths

• Why Authenticity is bull

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights that Tyler is dropping.

Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Tyler: website , Twitter , Instagram and The IG Advantage Facebook Group 

• How to Fascinate: Tyler fascinates as an Avant Guard (I'm The People's Champion) What are you? 

• People: Danielle LaPorte

• Podcasts: My Big Story with Christopher Swan

• The Dreamcatchers District Creative Direction: For Your Beliefs and Business, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast?

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to [email protected] . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

Today on the Podcast, Guest Heather Stewart!

I'm so excited to introduce you to one of my absolute favorite people on the planet, longtime friend, Heather Stewart.

Heather is a Singer, Songwriter, Actress and Comedian.

She was most recently featured on ABC's American Housewife and one of her original songs was just featured on NCIS (the world's most watched drama). And her comedy trio The Boobe Sisters who, according to The LA Times, blend their 1960's doowop with hilarious song parodies, have been seen headlining all over the city as well as appearing on America's Got Talent and The Gong Show.

But what I think's most impressive about miss Heather Stewart? The stand she takes for sisterhood. Funny, generous, thoughtful, and always up for a good time — these are the kind of women you thank your lucky stars for. A sister-friend. A kindred spirit. And the Dreamcatchers District community wouldn't be the same without her. I know I sure wouldn't.

She's Ambitious, Creative, Entrepreneurial Folk:

And that's why she's such a needed and beloved welcomed energy in our community. Breaking free in our beliefs and our businesses, it's not just what we do. It's who we are. And having positive, forward thinking, women friends and mastermind gal-pals like Heather Stewart — is what makes Dreamcatchers District exactly what it is. Ah-mazing.

From belly laughs to ugly cries, from planning retreats to virtual co-working dates, you just want to have them in your court. And I'm beyond grateful to have Heather in mine.

We Talk About:

• How she experiences Fear and Failure today versus 15 years ago

• The truth about auditioning and why you're not booking

• Grief and Loss and stepping into her own womanhood, going pro

• The recent disappointment that left her in tears and how she bounced back

• Why doing and action are everything; How to get things on a calendar

• The Success Mindset she learned from husband and fellow Creative Entrepreneur, Alex Albrecht

• How denying your gifts and talents is like "spitting in the face of God"

• The power of partnering with people better than you

• The Dreamcatchers District framework we've used for years to vent with purpose

Get Ready to Hear All The Behind-The-Scenes Stories & Insights that Heather is dropping.

Links Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Follow Heather: website and Twitter and her album What It Is with photography by Karen Christensen

• Books: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Expectation Hangover by Christine Hassler, Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

• Follow Heather's Husband: Creative Entrepreneur, Future Dreamcatchers District Guest: Alex Albrecht 

• Heather's Comedy Trio: The Boobe Sisters 

• The Dreamcatchers District Detox Calls: Get Your Own Mastermind Sister-Friend, Ask Me How

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe. Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast?

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to [email protected] . (I read 'em all, ya'll!)

Welcome to The Dreamcatchers District Podcast!

Have you ever thought, “What am I doing?” Well, my friend, you are not alone. And even the best of the best have been right where you are.

I’m Karen Christensen and this is your weekly Dreamcatchers District. The place to be to face fear, get noticed and feel free. For confessions, conversations and creative direction — Mondays never felt so good.

Why this Podcast, Why now ...

I wanted a place where we could come together, every single week, and co-create a shared virtual experience. To start our days off with a bit more intention, what I call inner and outer Creative Direction. Both for our beliefs and our creative careers or business endeavors. Before the week's To Dos, Fear Freak-outs, and Shame Spirals take us off course. Given the state of the world, I believe we all could use a little more of that 7 days a week; twice on Sunday.

Because the goal with everything I create, whether you've known me for filmmaking or photography, coaching or hosting live events, is to be your energizer and your reminder. So that when you get stuck, and you want to give up, which (let's be honest) even the most passionate and driven of us creative entrepreneurial gals - will, you can keep going.

Knowing Who You Are, knowing What You Want, knowing Why You Started - that's what's going to help you take the next aligned action and give you that Creative Direction toward more Success, certainly, but (more importantly) more Satisfaction. Because isn't that the whole point? To feel fulfilled.

And to learn to do it without all that haphazard hustling, pushing, controlling - or - waiting, perfecting, fantasizing that we ambitious, high performing gals are want to do. I see you, I know you, you come up to me at events — heck, I've been you myself! But I promise you there's an easier, softer, gentle and more graceful way to land. For you, for me, for all of us.

After all — insight is great; change is better.

In the Episode We Talk About:

• Remembering Who You Are, What You Want, Why You Started

• Inner and Outer Creative Direction for your beliefs and your business (or creative career)

• The importance of recalibrating and getting back to basics

• The myths and pressures of social media, feeling "behind," and burnout

• Putting yourself "out there" and getting in the "creative ring"

• Building self-confidence and never going it alone

• Stages of Business, Seasons of Life, and Career Iterations

• Knowing how to focus and follow through

• Spiritual Bypassing vs Creative Spiritual Musculateur

Weekly Episodes With Influencers + Ones to Watch:

Hear behind-the-scenes stories about fear and failure, doubt and determination, success and satisfaction. Plus solo shows with prompting thoughts for the week. 

Links Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Download today's Show notes and Grab Your Free Goodies at www.DreamcatchersDistrict.com

• My Showtime and SXSW film: The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story

• Podcast I'm Listening To: The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher

• Book I Love: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

• My Mentors: Marie TV Host + Founder of B-School, Marie Forleo and Thought Leader: Marianne Williamson

This is Not a Monologue, Chime In!

Rate, Review and Subscribe Share this with your friends. Listen with your team. Send it to yo mama!

• Got a question you want answered on the podcast?

• A guest you want interviewed?

• Email your biggest challenges, aha’s, and guest nominations to [email protected]. (I read 'em all, ya'll!)