Honestly, Dear Listener

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we trot down the yellow brick road of our dreams and delve into the confusion and disillusionment that happens when we finally get what we want, peering behind the curtain and finding ourselves asking, “Is that all there is?” We’re not just tackling the Wizard of Oz’s famous quartet’s search for heart, brains, courage, and home—but also how that metaphoric journey ties into our own quest for creative identity and worth in our own lives. We’ll also take a good look at those poppy fields of life, touching on darker themes of depression and the traps that can stall our journey.

But before we go there, we talk all about Carrie’s recent tubal ligation and about how women’s bodies *say it with us* ARE 👏 NOT 👏 shameful 👏. So why don’t we feel like we can talk about them freely—> all this and more as we delve into another episode of Honestly, Dear Listener.

• References:
  “Is the ‘Barbie’ Movie Somehow Connected to The Wizard of Oz? Fans Say Yes!”

This week on Honestly, Dear Listener, we deep dive into first and secondhand embarrassment, why we’re really embarrassed for other people, and how we can be kinder to ourselves when we feel like our self-concept is shattered. We share how we all feel the nagging voice of self-doubt which leads to the all-too-familiar rendezvous with Imposter Syndrome. We share insights on creating safe havens for ourselves where it’s okay to take risks and mistakes are joyful learning moments instead of fodder for shame. 

But first, Emily puts her voice teacher hat on as she shows Carrie a quick and useful tip for when you’re voice feels sick and phlegmy. And we even discuss a documentary in which Mary Tyler Moore picks herself up after huge embarrassment and goes on to do even bigger and better things. 

It’s Honestly, Dear Listener NEW YEARS edition! Today on the show, we’re talking about defining what we want to carry into the new year and what we want to leave behind in 2023. We only have so much time and attention, and we’ve decided that we’re no longer going to take some negative behaviors and/or thought patterns into the new year with us. We also talk about loneliness, sharing stories of how our desperation for community might have actually shifted from vulnerable to creepy.

But first, as we are both actors/singers/dancers, we are going to delve into the world of Musical Theatre and share some shocking confessions. We also include a retelling of a story Carrie heard and then directly bummed off of a This American Life story of a girl who watches The Sound of Music--but only the first half.

Happy New Year, Dear Listener. We hope 2024 brings you many laughs, much gentleness, and bursts of creative energy.

In this week’s episode, we're bringing you the story of a true modern-day pioneer, Star Hawks. A visionary in the world of fashion, Star is a fashion stylist and owner of Punks Monks and Glitter Queens in Nashville, Tennessee. We discuss that pioneering is about embracing your creative quests but also about the spirit of perseverance, the joy of inspiring others, and how to keep sprinting towards your dream without the weight of doubt. Through her story, we'll learn about the pop-up events that confirm her purpose, her thriving Instagram presence, and her exciting new store opening in Nashville.

We also veer into some fun side conversations that include strange discoveries on a beach in Australia (see pictures below—what is THAT?) our struggle with trying to replicate the Australian accent, and the truth about Dolly Parton’s naked dress form.

How you can find Star Hawks:Instagram: @punksmonksglitterqueens

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about keeping our wits about us when we’re doing so many things at once. Brilliant Performer, Costumer, Seamstress, (and not to mention our personal friend) Charlotte Campbell joins us today to chat about how she balances her time between her myriad of endeavors.

We discuss the matter of making things for personal joy versus financial necessity, and we talk about her approach to projects that don’t spark joy for her. We also delve into how our multi-faceted friend uses her art to continue to play as an adult. 

Find Charlotte Campbell here:

Website: pillowfishco.com

Instagram: @pillowfishco

Today on this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about what to do when you’re at your limit--like the times when you’re so burnt out and exhausted that you feel yourself spiraling into anxiety and/or depression, and you don’t know what to do. We’ll talk about how you can recognize when you’re in a downward spiral and how you can craft your own 911 toolkit. 

Today, we’re talking about boundaries, a theme that runs deep through every industry but especially the music industry, and to help us tackle this theme is Denver-based Saxophonist, Artist, and Educator Sarah Mount of Sarah Mount and the Rushmores.

Sarah shares her journey of striking a balance between the art of making music and the art of making a living. She details how musicians playing for free can create a ripple effect that can undervalue their craft for everyone and how she’s learned to say no to lowball offers and yes to respecting her work, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

Sarah also gets real with us about her encounters with the darker side of the industry: from combating sexism to facing down macho band leaders and handling uncomfortable advances, Sarah's stories shine a light on the importance of setting boundaries for women in music. Both Emily and Sarah swap tales of being undermined, undervalued, and the sometimes-loneliness of leadership within a male-dominated field.

Sarah’s Instagram: @saxxy_sarah
Sarah Mount and the Rushmores URL: Sarah Mount and the Rushmores Webpage
Sarah Mount and the Rushmores Instagram: @sarahmountandtherushmores

Welcome back, Dear Listener. Today, we're diving deep into an all-too-familiar topic for many of us: guilt and shame. We're talking about the  journey from the confines of self-doubt and societal pressure to the wide open space of self-kindness and light. We'll share some personal stories, our own battles with guilt and shame; including awkward moments on stage, and the often challenging path of creative expression. 
We'll be chatting not just about how these forces can limit us, but also how they can be a catalyst for change. From taking a hard look at "shoulding yourself" to understanding the impact of language on motivation and self-perception. Expect some laughter, honest introspection and of course, a t-shirt slogan or two. So sit back, join us and remember--you're among friends here. Let's get started, shall we?

Today on Honestly, Dear Listener, we dive into the deep, dark world of creating our very own structure--for our own selves. We share personal stories of our own goal-setting journeys including that one time that Emily wrote and produced an entire Steve Wonder tribute show in just nine weeks.
But it's not all a "pastime paradise." We discuss the challenges of comparing ourselves to others, particularly in the age of social media, where it seems like everyone else (except for us) has their life together. We dive into techniques for staying organized and motivated, sharing our personal strategies, including habit stacking, chunking tasks, and utilizing to-do lists. 
All this and more, but not before we discuss being a mortician, never getting to see our internal organs, and our plan to flee to the public library should there ever be a zombie apocalypse.

In today's episode, we'll be embracing change, tackling the concept of seasons in our lives, and opening up about our own struggles and triumphs. We share some laughably bizarre incidents from Emily's time in Australia, with everything from being defecated on by a bird to grappling with butt crack-awareness. 
We also delve into the more serious aspects of life's seasons, discussing the challenges creativity faces when it meets motherhood, or the self-imposed guilt for not being productive enough.  We discuss body acceptance, chronic pain, and mental health, and explore what it means to find value in life's challenging seasons. And true to our title, we get highly honest about the desire for control, struggling with self-trust and learning to ride the wave of life's seasons. 
So buckle up, dear listeners, as we traverse the seasons of life, in all their beautiful, bewildering perplexity.