EP. 34 - Who Am I Without My Dog

On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am bringing you up to speed with where I am at after losing my “source of joy,” my dog Caramel. AND as we are all empaths in this community, I have some insight to how to go about this world as an empath. Grief is personal and you do not need to be understood. But you are not alone in your grief.

Highlights✨:

(3:30) - grieving my best friend, my dog of fifteen years, Caramel

(5:10) - grief altering my relationship with making music

(6:20) - getting to know my Grandi’s piano

(9:01) - Experiencing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour 8.9.23

(13:49) - 5 months post starting my new job as a yoga instructor

(15:31) - regulating your nervous system as an empath in order to remain healthy

On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, tune into a BONUS version of our first podcast episode explaining my story with making music! I am reacting to how I first presented my story to the public - "It was very therapeutic for me."

From rejection to New York to a music program to one of the greatest trips in my life, in the Philippines! I fell really hard, but I eventually got back up. :)

I am so proud of where I am in my life today.

Highlights✨:

(2:12) - Did musical theatre all four years of high school

(2:31) - "The Musical Phenomenon" where you go home and perform the whole show alone

(3:59) - Genuine today but were we a diva then? 

(7:30) - all the musicals I have been in

(9:28) - Acknowledging ANY and all DIVA ATTITUDE from my past 

(12:06) Theatre History Major for a second and English Major for Two Years

(16:21) - “I thought that if you learn from the best, you will become the best.”

(17:32) - Two years I went without reading sheet music

(20:45) - I started seeing a Therapist for the first time April 2019

“Life is going to always be as amazing as you feel when you express yourself through music in public.”

We are one week OUT from Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023!

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! On today's podcast episode hosted by Sophia Stermer, Founder of Release with Sophia, we are giving you a taste of what to expect inside the FREE 3-Day Event Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023. If you’re new to Release with Sophia, welcome! I refer to women and LGBTQIA+ musicians as Soul Artists. 

Day 1 will look like a similar process to how I picked myself back up in the very beginning back in late 2019. I know some of our listeners are pursuing music as a career and that’s incredible! I support all types of Soul Artists! 

Day 2, will look like a similar process to how I continued to reset my mindset and get rid of old stories I used to tell myself. I’m interested in helping you individually reset your mindset and develop a MAGICAL mindset!

Day 3, is Stepping into the PORTAL. We will be doing affirmation work, something that is recent to my journey, but also has been proven to me ONE of the most helpful tools in my life.

AND MORE TO COME during our 3-Day Event!

Join us with the link to register below!

https://forms.gle/JrAF3dGP5Ad5QyZE7

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today on the podcast, I have my dear friend Madison Kaminsky talking about her experience as a female composer and what film scoring means to her. Madison is a Composer in Los Angeles, California and her first solo piano album is out on Spotify! She graduated from Sonoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in composition (Class of 2020) and is a graduate of the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring (2022). I’ve known Maddie since our days at Oak Park High School and am thrilled to have you tune in to her personal story in such an exciting and challenging industry. 

“A composer’s net worth can be anything… in general it’s such a hard business to break into, it’s really all about the connections.” 

“I want to see myself being the John Williams of the industry, but female composer version.”

Highlights:

(5:19) In-Studio Experience (Library Session) for the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring

(10:40) Unwanted Energy received during a networking situation 

(18:50) Free vs. Paid Work as a Female Composer 

(22:50) Booking her First Commercial as a composer

(26:50) First Composition Experience Connected to a song on her First Solo Album

(33:50) Film Scoring Cultivates Emotion in a Film

(36:05) Who experiences movies for free in their brain?

(39:33) The idea of the Universe Supporting us

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with Madison:

Instagram - @madisonkaminskycomposer

TikTok - @maddie_rey_

Website - https://www.madisonkaminsky.com/

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Today is International Women’s Day and on the podcast, Empathetic Musicians, I am championing those who have supported me throughout Release with Sophia, the podcast, and my entire journey with music!

I am honoring those who have supported me on this podcast by sharing their stories with me and being an example to you Soul Artist:

(Ep. 2) Hayley George, (Ep. 3) Aly Leia Wein, (Ep. 7) Sarah Townsend-Handley, (Ep. 12) Blessing, (Ep. 16) Annabella Johan, (Ep. 20) Trúc, (Ep. 21) Noah Finn, (Ep. 25) Morgan Paige, (Ep. 27) Mel

“Getting to know you, Soul Artist, and having these intimate conversations, whether you are DMing me through stories or commenting on content, and even if I get to see you in person from time to time, I’m so glad that I can create a space for all of us to feel, like we belong. And belonging is such a crucial human thing.”

I want to thank YOU Soul Artist and I’d love to know what you got out of listening to this episode!

H i g h l i g h t s :

(1:45) - Shoutout to the 9 GUESTS who have come on the podcast to share their stories

(10:48) - Shifting how I listen and curate music

(12:00) - Supporting Female Artists

(12:26) - Celebrating Female Celebrity Musicians who have impacted my life (Selena Gomez and more)

(19:20) - Belonging as a crucial human phenomenon

(20:08) - If there’s anything to take away from this episode it’s this!!

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today is story time and I am sharing a quick story about my recent adventure involving the train! As a soul artist, I also want to share how I stay connected to myself and inspired to make music. I LOVE TO EXPLORE. It’s a part of my identity and maybe it’s also a part of yours :)

Highlights:

1:15 - exploring in an approachable way

1:32 - RECAP of trip to the Philippines PRE-PANDEMIC in 2019

2:23 - “I exist to raise the vibration of those that I encounter.”

4:16 - weekend trip

5:08 - my travel safety tip!!

6:29 - Los Angeles Union Station

7:53 - when someone joins me on the train platform

8:59 - striking up conversation

9:45 - opportunity sparks :)

10:40 - I LOVE MATCHA

11:11 - “What are the odds” that a stranger has MULTIPLE things in common with me

12:19 - My intention wasn’t to make friends but :)

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I am the founder of Release with Sophia, formerly named So Just Collab! I have been a little busy while I was away from the podcast. All for a purpose :) BUT LET'S DIVE IN!

A year in review✨:

Intention for 2023:

👁GRATITUDE👁

“I am” statements to practice throughout 2023 and beyond:

I am abundant.

I am surrounded by what I seek.

I am loved.

I am present.

I am receiving.

I am growing.

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I had such a pleasure talking with soul artist Mel (they/them) and diving into their absolutely magical world. I was transformed energetically that day when we had this conversation around music and mental health. Mel currently performs in the Santa Cruz area!

"It's really EMPOWERING to LET OURSELVES SPEAK. To LET OURSELVES SHARE a message because I feel like there is SO MUCH TO LEARN IN THIS LIFE. There is SO MUCH TO SHARE. [Music has] been SUCH A HUGE ALLY FOR ME." - Mel

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Highlights from this episode:

5:14 - on using their voice

8:30 - the magic of their songwriting and singing

11:21 - on playing their first live set with an audience and being seen

21:46 - music theory as a piece of the puzzle and not the main way to access musical talent

27:46 - *SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER DONE ON THE PODCAST!!*

Connect with Mel:

Instagram - @melabarb

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Hey Soul Artist! :)

Welcome BACK! To Empathetic Musicians! 

If you have been in the community for awhile you know we have switched the name from So Just Collab to Release with Sophia! 

I start this episode with a very very short meditation <3 

The rest of the episode is a "check-in" with yourself with your relationship with making music. Do you need a reset? This is your reset. 

Connect:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia

Welcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC. 

“One ritual that I like to incorporate when I have a performance or practicing, probably yoga. I think it is really difficult for people like us who are musical and creative and hard on ourselves to have a positive mindset without negative self talk and negative thoughts coming in.” 

I loved having my long time friend (almost a decade!!) Morgan, come on the podcast today! I have so much love for her and she shared so much with us as an entertainer in the music industry. 

Highlights from the conversation I had with Morgan:

At 3:06 

Her rituals that combine self care with making music

At 12:44 

Her honest feelings about what it’s like going after music and how she keeps going

At 15:54 

What it’s like having music as the center of her life

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with Morgan:

Connect with her on Instagram - @morganp_

Connect with her on TikTok - @morganpaigesings

Connect with Sophia:

Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab

Website - sojustcollab.com

Email - [email protected]