Honestly, Dear Listener

Our very first guest!

Mizz Bren is a dynamic force in the music industry hailing from Staten Island, New York. With a musical journey that started with piano lessons and singing in the church choir, Mizz Bren quickly emerged as a talent to be reckoned with. She honed her skills in school, embraced various instruments, and even had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with legendary figures like Timbaland and Pharrell. Mizz Bren also shared her incredible voice as a background singer for renowned artists such as Christina Aguilera and was signed to Justin Timberlake's label.

But her journey took an unexpected turn when Mizz Bren became a mother. She experienced a difficult and traumatic birth. Struggling with her physical recovery and adjusting to the overwhelming demands of motherhood, Mizz Bren found herself losing her sense of self. Instead of seeking professional help for postpartum issues, she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

However, her son became her source of strength and inspiration. Mizz Bren incorporated him into her music, finding solace in their bond and rediscovering her passion. Now, she's here to share her insights and experiences with us on motherhood and art.

Mizz Bren’s Instagram: @mizzbren
Mizz Bren’s band The Sh-Booms: theshbooms.com
The Sh-Booms’ Instagram: @theshbooms

Does the way I talk to myself actually matter?

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we're talking about self talk, what it is, and how it affects not only us but the world we're creating around us. We check in with our listeners on how monitoring our self talk the week before had gone. We explore the joy and freedom that come from engaging in hobbies without the pressure of perfection, and how to quiet the fear of being "bad" at something we love.

This is final installment in our two-part series on self talk. Click here to listen to Part 1!

Note: We recorded this episode back in October of 2023, but we're finally releasing it April of 2024.

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we're talking about self talk, what it is, and how it affects not only us but the world we're creating around us. We discuss the importance of being your own ally and carving out an internal sanctuary amid the chaos. This episode delves into the intricate dance with our inner critics as well as the different Parts of ourselves that come into play when we're creating a safe inner space. We'll examine the role of our upbringing, particularly within a strict Christian paradigm, and its influence on the narratives we tell ourselves.
Note: We recorded this episode back in October of 2023, but we're finally releasing it April of 2024.

Note: This episode was originally aired as an Instagram Live--before we upgraded to better sound equipment. As a result, the audio quality might not be as great as our more recent episodes. We hope you still enjoy! 
Hello, Dear Listeners! Today on the show, we’re talking about the things we want to be able to say we did on our deathbed. We discuss how, perhaps, the richest achievements aren’t always necessarily the ones we can quantify or list, be the connections we forge with ourselves and others and the impact we leave behind. We also talk about balancing ambitions with the fact that we have less control than we think we have over our lives while emphasizing the power of crafting meaningful relationships and creativity legacies. 

This week, we talk about one the hardest subjects to deal with as artists: REJECTION. And we felt this one this week; Emily was very recently rejected, so naturally, we shared the process with you.

At some point in our lives, we all will be rejected. It’s so hard when it happens, often causing us to question ourselves and our belief in our abilities. The fear of rejection can make it tempting to shrink back and not share our work with the world. However, pushing through this fear is crucial to the creation process, requiring a deep sense of self-belief and a willingness to confront the possibility of rejection head-on. Taking the theme a step further, we can even celebrate when we’re rejection by using each one as a stepping stone towards improvement.

In this episode, we navigate the treacherous terrain of trusting ourselves—ooo, scary! We explore the detrimental effects of negative self-talk that often makes us feel like we can’t trust ourselves.

Join us as we share strategies for battling self doubt, from engaging in physical exercise to creating a safe space inside for emotional processing. We all discuss how making things from a place of joy instead of from fear transforms the process from scary to safe.

Welcome to Season 3, Dear Listeners!

After two previous seasons and a seven-year hiatus, I am back, and my dear childhood friend Emily Hatch will be joining me as co-host (like from now on) on the newly rebooted incarnation of Honestly, Dear Listener. (I’ve known her since we were eleven, so I know for a fact that she’s a keeper.)

Today, we’re talking about all things criticism. As artists ourselves, we know how gut-wrenching it is to hear someone criticize our babies (ie: the things we make, aka our art). We discuss how we actually have more choices than we realize and how we can choose to let criticism either hinder or motivate us in our creative endeavors.

Reach out to us on social media or comment on ways that you have overcome criticism. We want to hear from YOU!

Let's get started!

Abigail Holmes // Professional Makeup Artist

Click here to download.

What happens when you're so hurt that all you want to do is numb? How do you emerge intact from the most painful rejection? How do we know what our worth is and operate out of wholeheartedness instead of from brokenness?

This week, makeup and hair artist Abigail Holmes of Abigail Holmes Artistry talks to us about looking your best in five minutes, her emotionally connected approach to hair and makeup, and how she healed and learned from rejection.

Hosts: Emily Hatch and Carrie Schaeffer
Instagram: @honestlydearlistener
Youtube: youtube.com/@honestlydearlistener

What happens when you're so hurt that all you want to do is numb? How do you emerge intact from the most painful rejection? How do we know what our worth is and operate out of wholeheartedness instead of from brokenness?

This week, makeup and hair artist Abigail Holmes of Abigail Holmes Artistry talks to us about looking your best in five minutes, her emotionally connected approach to hair and makeup, and how she healed and learned from rejection.

Click here to download.

What happens when we get stuck in a rut? We hate our job, we're not doing what we want to do, and we're not happy. Should we stay in a place where people don't respect us or our art?

This week, I talked with Seth Schaeffer of Hoptocopter™ Films (aka our sponsor), a Grand Junction based video production company who focuses on storytelling in corporate films.

Visit Hoptocopter™ Films online at hoptocopter.com.

See below for an example of Hoptocopter's work.

Music:
"Boop" by Podington Bear

Hosts: Emily Hatch and Carrie Schaeffer
Instagram: @honestlydearlistener
Youtube: youtube.com/@honestlydearlistener