In this week’s episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we talk about showing up in the middle of neither of us being okay. We talk about how our creative energy—heck, our energy in general—is like a coin, an “energy coin” and how we spend it on mental and emotional resources, sometimes on creativity and connection, and other times on self-criticism and fear. We discuss the struggle of self-trust, the reality of creative burnout, and the challenge of accepting that some days, we simply don’t have the coins.

Along the way, we acknowledge the privilege of rest, the cost of overextending, and the importance of grace in a world that demands constant output. If you’re feeling depleted, this episode is a reminder that self-compassion is an investment worth making.

TIMECODES
0:00 Intro
2:00 - Collectively, we’re not okay
3:25 - Let’s talk about creative energy coins!
5:41 - We spend our coins positively and negatively
9:04 - We believe we have (or SHOULD have) unlimited coins
18:01 - Buying things on credit/overdrafting/mental health!

Check out our episodes about spiritual deconstruction/fundamentalism:

• 21: How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create PART 1 02.09.24

• 22: How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create PART 2 02.16.24

• 59: Fundamentalism, Mental Health, and Creativity 11.15.24

• 64: Panic, Prayer, and Prozac: Our Mental Health Adventures! Part 1 12.20.24

• 65: Panic, Prayer, and Prozac: Our Mental Health Adventures! Part 2 12.27.24

Who says artists have to pick one identity and stick to it forever? Creativity is about curiosity, exploration, and—let’s be honest—trying on new looks like an unhinged fashion season. In this episode, we’re talking about reinvention—not as a brand strategy, but as an artist’s natural evolution. Your creative identity isn’t a fixed logo—it’s a closet full of possibilities. Some seasons, you’re all about red bows and high-waisted belts; next season, maybe it’s neon crocs and mismatched socks. The point? You get to change. So, let’s embrace the freedom to evolve and celebrate the endless costume changes that come with making art.

References:

• Beyonce Wins Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys

• “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles

• Lizzo Declares a New Era

• Follow Us on Spotify!

• Please Consider Giving Us 5 Stars on Apple Podcast

TIMECODES:

0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Artists as Brands
6:03 - How do we know ourselves without having experimented with ourselves?
7:40 - Artist’s have to have freedom
8:02 - Reinvention as fashion seasons
20:41 - Art is playing dress-up

Check out our episodes about spiritual deconstruction/fundamentalism:

• 21: How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create PART 1 02.09.24

• 22: How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create PART 2 02.16.24

• 59: Fundamentalism, Mental Health, and Creativity 11.15.24

• 64: Panic, Prayer, and Prozac: Our Mental Health Adventures! Part 1 12.20.24

• 65: Panic, Prayer, and Prozac: Our Mental Health Adventures! Part 2 12.27.24

In this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we dive into the uncomfortable but necessary conversation about bias—the ones we know we have and the ones we don’t always notice. Carrie shares a personal story about confronting her own snap judgments in a dive bar, and we explore how biases show up in politics, social media, and everyday interactions.

No matter what side of the aisle we’re on, at the core, most of us want the same things—we just disagree on how to get there. So how do we recognize when we’re dehumanizing others? How can we create space for grace, empathy, and self-awareness? Let’s talk about it.