Honestly, Dear Listener

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about overwhelm—all about facing the tidal wave of responsibilities, deadlines, and creative pursuits that can leave us feeling, well, overwhelmed. We’re talking to Becca Waugh, a multitalented artists who wears many hats, both literally in her hot dog-themed attire, and metaphorically in her diverse creative endeavors. However, managing such a variety of projects doesn't come without its challenges. Becca is with us to candidly discuss her journey, her relationship with procrastination, and how she sets her own rhythm when it comes to deadlines and personal projects.

We'll also dig into her strategies for tackling the big scary projects by breaking them down into small, achievable goals, and how those strategies have helped her to support herself entirely through her art. We’ll also explore the concept of “INCUP” as a motivation enhancer and the importance of balancing interest and passion with the hustle required in a creative career.

How to Find Becca Waugh:

• Website: beccawaugh.com

• Sleepy Panther Website: sleepypanther.com

• Instagram: @beccawaugh

• TikTok: @bextra5000
  

References:

• “Woman in Comedy with Katie Bowman,” episode 23 of Honestly, Dear Listener

• “The INCUP Secret: 5 Motivating Factors for ADHDers”

• The Artist’s Way, book by Julia Cameron

In this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we unpack the art of valuing ourselves and our art—and how our lives would transform if we took what we make as seriously as what we do for others. We dive headfirst into the psychological tango of setting sky-high goals while still staying grounded…with a dash of self-kindness. Think of it as being the world best boss, but the employee is you.

We also discuss the joy of hearing the clack clack of a 1960s typewriter, how lovely it is to create around fresh flowers, and the brilliance that is Kristen Wiig.

References:

• The Artist’s Way, book by Julia Cameron

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re pulling off the band-aid on something that indiscriminately affects ALL of us: the omnipresent companion that is fear. We explore not only the primal instincts that come with fear but also how it intricately weaves itself into our creative lives and personal growth. Join us as we dive into personal anecdotes—from our childhood misconceptions influenced by purity culture to the complexities of teeth grinding and sewing challenges. Emily's time teaching music and Carrie's new sewing project remind us that fear, like a passenger in a car, doesn't have to drive.

We reexamine whether fear is a friend or a foe and how we will allow it to function in our lives and how we will not. We also talk about how to motivate ourselves without using fear by using “toward” motivations instead of “away” motivations. As always, thank you for joining us on this journey with us—a journey on which we kindly ask fear to take a backseat as we drive toward goals and dreams.

References:

• Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of “How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create” (episodes 21 and 22) of the Honestly, Dear Listener podcast 

• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, book by Susan Jeffers Ph.D.

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, book by Elizabeth Gilbert

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re peeling back the curtain on a topic that’s both personal and pervasive in creators’ lives—VICES. We discuss how our underlying beliefs inform our behaviors, and how when we change our beliefs, more often than not, our behaviors also change. We share our experiences with alcohol—from sipping liquid courage before stepping onto the stage to wrestling with social expectations at parties. We explore the scarcity mentality, the importance of mindfulness, and the power of gentleness and kindness over shame in addressing our not-so-helpful habits. 

So, buckle up, Dear Listener, as we dissect the ties between beliefs, behaviors, and the vices that fill the gaps in between. 

References: 

• Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of “How Fundamentalism STILL Affects How We Create” (episodes 21 and 22) of the Honestly, Dear Listener podcast 

In this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we talk with visual artist and comedian Katie Bowman about the intersection of substance abuse and creativity in the entertainment industry. We explore the struggles of maintaining our personal and artistic boundaries amidst industry expectations, particularly in comedy and music. We discuss the need for diverse stories and authentic female portrayals in an industry often blinded by gender biases.

Prepare to rethink what it means to be a feminine creator in a world stubbornly molded for the masculine narrative. We're unpacking it all—aging, sexism, representation, and the resilience of womanhood.

Where You Can Find Katie:

• TikTok - @katiebowmancomedy

• Comedy Instagram - @katiebowmancomedy

• Art Instagram - @thecurlybush

• Website - katiebowman.rocks

Resources:

• Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker, Published 2019 by Dial Press

• This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace, Published 2015 by ASPN Publications

• “What Alcohol Does to Your Body” by the Institute of Human Anatomy - TW: Video includes real human cadaver parts

• Comics referenced: Brandie Posey, Janae Burris, Jordan Wieleba, Atsuko Okatsuka, Laurie Kilmartin, Maria Bamford

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we delve further into the complexities of fundamentalism in part two of our series on growing up as Christian fundamentalists. We'll unpack the profound impact a religious upbringing can have on aspects of morality, mental health, and the daunting concern of never being "ok" without the framework of faith to guide us. 
Throughout this episode, we share our deeply personal experiences, including the troubling ways in which our physical appearances and the concept of eternity were navigated within our religious communities. We'll explore how the sexualization of children and a cultivated fear of pride and joy in our achievements left lasting marks on our identities and self-perceptions. 
In tackling the delicate subjects of religious trauma and creativity, we aim to offer a safe space for you, Dear Listener, whether you have or have not felt the weight of patriarchy and fundamentalism in your life and on your creative spirit. You are not alone.

References:

• Be Yourself- comedy special by Kevin James Thornton on Apple TV+

• HappyWholeWay.com - “Guiding You Out of Your Religious Programming and Back to Yourself”

Welcome back to Honestly, Dear Listener. This week, we’re talking about the role fundamentalist religion plays in how we see the world and create in it. We dive into our own personal histories with charismatic, Pentecostal, evangelical Christianity and how just because we’ve deconstructed our faiths doesn’t mean we’ve left fundamentalism behind. We examine the barriers that rigid doctrines erect, squeezing the vibrant palette of expression into a narrow spectrum of black-and-white. Join us as we unravel the complex ties between fundamentalism and artistic freedom, and take a step towards reclaiming our creative spirits.

References:

• “Shamala Hamala” by Kevin James Thornton

• “Who’s in the House” by Carman

This week on Honestly, Dear Listener, we dive into what to do when we just can’t seem to MAKE ourselves make things we want to make. We reflect on the need for creativity as an integral part of life, rather than an occasional indulgence, discussing strategies like changing environments and implementing boundaries to infuse passion into daily tasks.

First, we talk about what happens when we finally get to where we want to be in our lives and we’re STILL worried we’re going to screw everything up. Then, we dissect the mentality of prioritizing unwanted tasks, sometimes resulting in the avoidance of the very activities we yearn for, and the struggle to find the right time for our creative pursuits. We propose practical solutions like setting a timer for tasks to ensure time is allocated for things we care about. We emphasize the importance of viewing creativity as a grounding and valid pursuit rather than a frivolous one.

And finally, we return to the subject of last week’s episode as Carrie unpacks what the patriarchy’s influence on fashion and the concept of what is “flattering” and what isn’t and how we might as well just wear whatever the hell brings us joy!

References:

• Self-Sovereignty - from We Can Do Hard Things Podcast, from episode 230 entitled “The Best Advice We’ve Ever Received”

• “The Secret Formula to Motivating Your ADHD Brain: INCUP” from inflow

• “How the Patriarchy Hurts Artists” - from episode 19 of Honestly, Dear Listener

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we are unpacking what the heck “the patriarchy” even means, how it hurts artists, and what YOU can do to dismantle it. Joining us today is Carrie’s childhood friend Rachel Darden, a working actor known not just for her talent but also for her keen observations on the state of the arts.

From storytelling shackled by skewed representation to the invisibility of aging women, the patriarchy has left its mark on creativity. Today, we'll explore the need for diverse stories and authentic female portrayals in an industry often blinded by gender biases. We also discuss how the patriarchy is hurtful for men and what all genders can do to recognize and counteract the patriarchy in their art and in their own lives.

Prepare to rethink what it means to be a feminine creator in a world stubbornly molded for the masculine narrative. We're unpacking it all—aging, sexism, representation, and the resilience of womanhood.

Where You Can Find Rachel:

• TikTok - @likely_nauseated

• Instagram - @likely__nauseated

Resources:

Welcome back, Dear Listener! In this special episode, we pull back the curtain of our show and discuss how we handle criticism—and, in particular—online criticism. We reflect on what we do when we receive negative and mean-spirited comments online and share our personal reactions and coping strategies.

From addressing controversial topics to navigating the onslaught of hurtful comments, the we discuss the emotional toll these comments have on our mental and emotional health and and our determination to champion vulnerability in the digital space. Join us for an intimate and eye-opening discussion on the complexities of sharing one's authentic self online.

Resources

That Controversial Episode: Ep. 17: “Is This All There Is?” 01.13.24

Brené Brown’s “Man in the Arena Speech” - on Daring Greatly