Honestly, Dear Listener

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

Photo by Seth Schaeffer

Click here to download.

You're an artist--that is until you have kids and you no longer have time for art. Right? Is there a way to create while still holding on to who you were before having kids?

In our Season 2 opener, I talk about how to approach creativity while still being a parent. 

Listen to my interview with Youngman Brown of YourCreativePush.com.
Click here to listen to the interview.

Music:
"Batty McFaddin" by Kevin MacLeod
"Filaments" by Podington Bear
"Just Watching" by Podington Bear
"Biplane" by Podington Bear

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

You're an artist--that is until you have kids and you no longer have time for art. Right? Is there a way to create while still holding on to who you were before having kids?

In our Season 2 opener, I talk about how to approach creativity while still being a parent. 

Listen to my interview with Youngman Brown of YourCreativePush.com.
Click here to listen to the interview.

Music:
"Batty McFaddin" by Kevin MacLeod
"Filaments" by Podington Bear
"Just Watching" by Podington Bear
"Biplane" by Podington Bear

Vulnerability and shame expert/researcher Dr. Brene Brown defines vulnerability as "uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." Vulnerability isn't about just letting just anyone into our mess, and it isn't burying who we really are in armor that hides who we really are. Balanced vulnerability means that we open our hearts to people who we can trust with our hearts.

But what happens when we take calculated risks and vulnerability still backfires on us? This week, I talk to artist, entrepreneur, and dear friend, Allison Blevins to find out how to trust again after dealing with betrayal and personal loss.

Music by Podington Bear:

"Back Stairs"

"Proliferate"
"Fragile, Do Not Drop"

"Song for a Pea"

"La Di Day"

"Biplane"

Photo by Allison Blevins

Click here to download.

Vulnerability and shame expert/researcher Dr. Brene Brown defines vulnerability as "uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." Vulnerability isn't about just letting just anyone into our mess, and it isn't burying who we really are in armor that hides who we really are. Balanced vulnerability means that we open our hearts to people who we can trust with our hearts.

But what happens when we take calculated risks and vulnerability still backfires on us? This week, I talk to artist, entrepreneur, and dear friend, Allison Blevins to find out how to trust again after dealing with betrayal and personal loss.

Music by Podington Bear
"Back Stairs"
"Proliferate"
"Fragile, Do Not Drop"
"Song for a Pea"
"La Di Day"
"Biplane"

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

Click here to download.

I can't be the only one who is afraid of opening up...right?

This week, I took to the streets to ask you your thoughts on vulnerability. I was floored by your honesty. In the end, we're all in the same boat. We're hard-wired for connection, but everyone seems to be too scared to take the first step. What if we chose to put one foot in front of the other? What would our lives look like? What would our art look like?

All music by Podington Bear
"Airlift"
"Rarified"
"Filaments"
"Not Much"

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

This week, I took to the streets to ask you your thoughts on vulnerability. I was floored by your honesty. In the end, we're all in the same boat. We're hard-wired for connection, but everyone seems to be too scared to take the first step. What if we chose to put one foot in front of the other? What would our lives look like? What would our art look like?

All music by Podington Bear
"Airlift"
"Rarified"
"Filaments"
"Not Much"

This week, I switched things up.

I didn't interview anyone. I didn't follow my usual podcast format. I set out to be vulnerable with you, Dear Listener. And this week, I kept my word.

Today, in three parts, is three different parts of me--my thoughts and feeling in voice memo form, my writing (an excerpt from a creative nonfiction short story), and a song. And guess what? None of it is perfect. Or even close.

Our culture says that to be admired and loved, we must look flawless, act flawlessly, write flawlessly, sing flawlessly. I do none of these things flawlessly. And I'm learning to be proud of it.

I want to help change culture. I want to embrace the process and even go as far as showcasing the process.

Life is messy. Art is messy. Welcome to my mess, Dear Listener.

Music

• "Piano Diddy" by Carrie Schaeffer

• "Silence Await" by cdk

• "Curious Process" by Podington Bear

• "Toxic" by Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, & Henrik Jonback; Cover version by Seth (piano & vocals) & Carrington Schaeffer (vocals)

• "Outtake Beep" by slappy13

Click here to download.

This week, I switched things up.

I didn't interview anyone. I didn't follow my usual podcast format. I set out to be vulnerable with you, Dear Listener. And this week, I kept my word.

Today, in three parts, is three different parts of me--my thoughts and feeling in voice memo form, my writing (an excerpt from a creative nonfiction short story), and a song. And guess what? None of it is perfect. Or even close.

Our culture says that to be admired and loved, we must look flawless, act flawlessly, write flawlessly, sing flawlessly. I do none of these things flawlessly. And I'm learning to be proud of it.

I want to help change culture. I want to embrace the process and even go as far as showcasing the process.

Life is messy. Art is messy. Welcome to my mess, Dear Listener.

Music

• "Piano Diddy" by Carrington Schaeffer
• "Silence Await" by cdk
• "Curious Process" by Podington Bear
• "Toxic" by Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, & Henrik Jonback; Cover version by Seth (piano & vocals) & Carrington Schaeffer (vocals)
• "Outtake Beep" by slappy13

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

This week, I interviewed someone very near and dear to my heart: my 91 year-old grandmother, aka: Grammy. Grammy was kind of like a third parent to me, and it's from her that I inherited the storytelling gene. She's feisty as all get out, sharp as a tack, and probably the most fun person you'll ever meet.

But she wasn't always so carefree. Grammy grew up very poor during the Great Depression and World War II. Through education and setting goals, she bettered herself and her situation. In our interview, we discuss being ourselves and the power of helping others.

Music:
"Walk That Dog" by U.S. Army Blues
"California Blues" by the Abe Lymans California Ambassador Hotel Orchestra
"Lame Brain" by the Shorty Sherock Orchestra
"Désormais" by Podington Bear