Musings of the Artist: (Honest) Conversations with Montse Andrée

Jessica Ciencin Henriquez is a Colombian-American writer and editor. Her personal essays and narrative journalism have appeared in the New York Times among many other publications. Her essays have also been featured in multiple anthologies, including Oprah's Little Guide to The Big Questions, and she is the author of the forthcoming memoir: If You Loved Me You Would Know.

Jess is also a wonderful writing teacher which is how we met! 

In this episode, we speak on growing up between two vastly different cultures, on the necessity of vulnerability in art, on the key element that helps transform pain into gratitude. She notes that all of her success has followed rejection and shares a wonderful story that serves as a reminder that when the door doesn’t open, it’s not your door, and something better is around the corner.  We also talk about our shared feeling towards the suggestion of growing a “thick skin” (spoiler, we don’t like it).

Jess drops so much wisdom as I knew she would. I always feel lighter and so inspired after talking to her and this was no exception. I’m thrilled for you to get to know her, too!

Where to find Jessica:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Ilan Isakov.

Allison (“Alli”) Russell is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters. She is also a mother and describes herself as a “connection seeker.”

I recently sat down with Alli in New Orleans, and I was so grateful to spend this hour with her. Alli has an incredibly powerful story. To me, she is a shining example of someone who has walked through darkness and come out on the other side beaming with warmth and beauty.

In this episode you’ll hear Alli speak about her time in foster care, finding the strength to escape an abusive home at such a young age, on creating community, motherhood, finding love in chosen family, how music changed her life, and more.

Alli is an extraordinary artist and human. Throughout this conversation, as you’ll hear I laughed, I cried, I was so moved by Alli’s story. I know you will be too.

Where to find Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters:

Birds of Chicago Website

Birds of Chicago on Instagram

Birds of Chicago on Twitter

Our Native Daughters on NPR

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music by Ilan Isakov.

Podcast webpage here.

Krista Tippett is the creator and host of On Being and a New York Times bestselling author. She radiates wisdom and generosity and is one of the wisest voices of our time. In 2014, President Obama awarded Krista the National Humanities Medal at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence.”

In this conversation, we dive into the deeper meaning of the words “beauty” and “love.” We discuss cultivating qualities of character, going from, as Krista says, “wound to gift,” illuminating the quiet voices, and much more.

It’s hard for me to put into words how special this episode is to me. It’s one I will always cherish.

I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to Krista and the entire team at On Being for welcoming me to their beautiful studio and my thanks to Chris Heagle for recording this episode.

Where to find Krista / On Being:

The On Being Project

On Being Instagram

On Being Twitter

On Being Facebook

Krista on Twitter

Krista’s most recent book: Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living

This episode was recorded at On Being's studio by Chris Heagle, and edited by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Ilan Isakov.

Zac Clark is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville. After seven years traveling the world as a member of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Zac is leaving the band and heading out on his own with new music on the way. While co-writing on each Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness record, Zac released two solo records, 2015's "I Am a Guest" and 2012's "Young Volcanoes."  His self-titled album was released last year.

We recently sat down in LA and talked books, music, rock bottoms, and a whole lot more.

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Ilan Isakov.

Podcast Website here.

Ben Moon is a filmmaker, photographer and author based on the Oregon coast. His beautifully vulnerable memoir "Denali: A Man, a Dog, and the Friendship of a Lifetime" will be released on Penguin Books in January 2020.

Ben has inspired countless people with his photography for Patagonia, impactful portrait series, and the short film "Denali". His new memoir is a moving account of Ben’s journey with colorectal cancer and his special relationship with his dog. 

In this episode, we discuss living as an “off-the-charts” empath, the healing powers of dogs and nature, his creative process, and much more! When I read Ben’s memoir, which at its core is a story of growth, resilience, and genuine love and connection, my cheeks were stained with tears. Getting to sit down with him over tea and just talk about life for an hour was so lovely. I can’t wait for you to hear his story.

Where to find Ben:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Denali, Short Film

Pre-Order Ben’s Memoir: ‘Denali’

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Ilan Isakov.

Podcast webpage here. 

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a poet and theologian based in Ireland. He is the author of a number of books including a gorgeous memoir called In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World.

Themes of loneliness, belonging, language, and the power of storytelling are laced throughout his work, and we unpack these topics, and much more in this conversation. 

If you enjoy this episode, I’d highly recommend reading his heart-opening memoir and listening to his On Being interviews with Krista Tippett - where you can find more of Pádraig’s replenishing wisdom.

Where to find Pádraig:

Website

Twitter

Musings of the Artist is audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Ilan Isakov. 

Podcast website: https://www.montseandree.com/podcast

E. J. Koh is a poet, author and translator based in Seattle, WA. Her book of poetry is called A Lesser Love, and her memoir The Magical Language of Others is forthcoming this January.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with E.J. in her home recently, where we discussed everything from memoir writing, to inter-generational trauma, to her “Love Letter” project which is all about her mission to write a thousand letters to strangers by hand. She tells us what drove her to start the project and the common thread she’s noticed about the stories we tell ourselves.

E.J. also shared the old way she used to deal with rejection to her new approach of taking the rejection as a gentle nudge, a whisper saying “not right now.” 

If you are a storyteller or want to be, I think this episode will be especially relevant but truly you can glean so much wisdom from E.J.’s words no matter who you are or what you’re up to! 

Where to find E.J.:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Heather Maloney. 

Alex Hwang is a singer and songwriter for the Los Angeles based band Run River North.

In this conversation, we touch on growing up bi-culturally and Alex speaks on learning how to find ways to talk about his Korean culture. He also talks about his faith, how finding a routine in yoga helps him battle anxiety, about his love of reading and getting lost in menial tasks. He also shares the most touching story about a Run River North fan, and what he’s most excited about right now.

Where to find Run River North:

Where to find Run River North:

Website: http://home.runrivernorth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runrivernorth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runrivernorth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/runrivernorth

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFn3IPGHVWH_C0j4nt6iICw

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme song is by Heather Maloney.

Episode webpage here. 

Sam Lamott is the creator of the Hello Humans website and How To Human podcast. If you like this podcast you should definitely check his out as well! He’s had many wonderful guests including Brené Brown, Byron Katie and his mom Anne Lamott.

In this conversation, we get deep real fast. I love that Sam speaks so openly and honestly about his story. He talks about being the sensitive kid who didn’t feel like he belonged. About being an addict and getting sober at 22. On being a young dad. Learning how to live well with depression. On getting past envy, and how to keep going, even when you feel like a failure.

He also tells us how pain has been his biggest teacher, and we talk about how the smallest moments of kindness can make a major impact on ourselves and others.

If you’ve struggled with any kind of addiction, I think it will be especially powerful for you to hear Sam’s story, but no matter who you are or what you’re going through, you will find plenty of wisdom, comfort and inspiration throughout the episode.

Where to Find Sam/Hello Humans:

Sam on Instagram

Hello Humans Instagram

Twitter

Hello Humans Website

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme music is by Heather Maloney.

Danya Kukafka is the bestselling author of the novel Girl in Snow and is currently at work on another book.

In this episode we talk a lot about writing, and the whole process of publishing a book. We dive into the differences between writing long form fiction vs. non-fiction, what drew her towards fiction in particular, and she shares how her first published novel came to be.

Some other themes we cover include resisting comparison, nostalgia, criticism, and how she deals with negative feedback as a writer.

If you are an author or aspiring writer I think you’ll get a lot out of this episode. And if you’re an artist of any kind you’ll find a lot of gems here. I hope you enjoy!

Where to find Danya:

This episode was audio produced by Aaron Moring. Theme song is by Heather Maloney.