Sol Talk: From Corporate to Creative

What does it take to stay connected to your art throughout your life? In this episode of Sōl Talk, Simone sits down with Vanessa Aldrich, an opera singer, writer, creative director and content creator, to explore this profound question.

 

Having been engaging with her own art for two decades, Vanessa knows firsthand the responsibilities and challenges that come with being an adult artist. Throughout this conversation, Vanessa shares the differences between an adult and child artist, as well as how we can identify our unique talents, the role of loneliness in fostering creativity, and the common misconceptions we have about chemistry in our work and relationships.

 

Topics Discussed:

• The journey of an adult artist and the responsibilities it entails
• Identifying and nurturing your unique talents
• How loneliness can support and enhance artistic expression
• Misunderstandings about chemistry and how to navigate them
• Strategies to honor your creative calling despite internal and external pressures

 

Connect with Vanessa:

·      TikTok: @vanessadomslife

·      Instagram: @vanessadomslife

·      Website: VanessaAldrich.com and anotefromself.com

 

In a more off-the-cuff episode of Sōl Talk, Simone dives into a topic that weighs heavily on many creatives: resistance. Whether it's hitting the gym, managing finances, or pursuing your artistic dreams, resistance is a universal challenge that can derail progress and stifle potential.

Simone shares her personal reflections on how resistance has impeded her creative process, along with tactics to confront and work alongside resistance to reach your full potential.

MORE FROM SIMONE:

• Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you'll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity.
• Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah

Ever wondered how to balance pursuing your dreams with your day-to-day responsibilities? In this episode of Sōl Talk, Simone sits down with Jai Franklin Sarki, who embarked on her journey to become a TV writer at 40. Jai shares her inspiring story of overcoming challenges and realizing her dreams through strategic planning and unwavering determination.

 

In this heartfelt conversation, Jai reflects on her path to breaking into the TV industry, the highs and lows she encountered along the way, and the true meaning of achieving your aspirations.

 

Topics Discussed:

• Jai's journey to becoming a TV writer
• Balancing personal dreams with professional responsibilities
• How Jai funded her dreams
• Strategies employed to network and strengthen her portfolio
• Overcoming challenges on the path to success
• Lessons learned and advice for aspiring writers

 

Connect with Jai:

• Instagram: @giveshrimpachance
• Show: Jai writes for "Tracker" on CBS

 

Making the leap from a corporate job to creativepreneurship is often framed as the ultimate dream—ditching the 9-to-5 grind to follow your passion. But what happens when the reality of that transition isn't exactly what you expected? In this episode of Sōl Talk, Simone shares five surprising things she's learned on her journey from corporate life to creative entrepreneurship.

 

Join Simone as she pulls back the curtain on the less talked about aspects of being a creativepreneur. From working longer hours than anticipated to navigating the emotional highs and lows, this episode is packed with insights and real-life lessons that every aspiring creative should hear.

 

MORE FROM SIMONE:

• Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you'll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity.
• Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

Do you struggle to balance your day job with your creative passions? In this episode of Sōl Talk, Simone sits down with Barry S Naylor, a substitute teacher by day and comedian by night, to explore how he navigates these dual roles. Barry shares his journey of tapping into the zeitgeist through comedy, creating content, and the persistence needed to build a creative career. Join us for a conversation filled with humor, insights, and practical tips to help you transform your 5-9 passions into a 9-5 reality.

Topics Discussed:

·       Balancing a day job with creative pursuits

·       Using humor to connect with audiences and stay relevant

·       Drawing creative inspiration from everyday experiences

·       Practical tips for content creation and audience building

·       The importance of persistence in the creative industry

CONNECT WITH BARRY:

·       Instagram: @barry_s_naylor

·       Twitter: @barry_s_naylor

·       Samples: Barry from the Delta Counter; Mr. Barry Feels the Blues; Florida Music

MORE FROM SIMONE: Join the community on Substack (https://simonekeelah.substack.com), where you’ll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity. Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

Pouring your heart into a creative project can be rewarding, but what happens when things don’t go as planned? In this episode of Sōl Talk, we delve into the inevitable letdowns that are part of every creative journey and how to navigate them with grace and resilience.

Join Simone as she shares a personal story of tackling a writing fellowship deadline, only to face unexpected challenges. Through this experience, she uncovers powerful lessons: the importance of embracing progress over perfection, recognizing your ability to overcome obstacles, and trusting the Universe to deliver new opportunities.

Discover how to shift your mindset and see setbacks not as failures, but as essential steps in your creative evolution. Whether you're an artist, writer, or any kind of creative, this episode offers valuable insights to help you stay motivated and keep moving forward, even when the road gets tough.

MORE FROM SIMONE: Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you'll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity.

Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

It’s one thing to decide to pursue your creative interests and passions, but it’s another when you start to question the sustainability of a particular creative path. Mel Czaykowsky had crafted an envious career Broadway Touring when she started to wonder if the path ahead was still the one she wanted to be on. Against the wishes of those around her, she made a reverse pivot—transitioning from a successful career on Broadway to kickstart a new path in HR.

In this episode of Sōl Talk, Simone sits down with Mel to discuss the pivotal moments when you know it’s time to move on, how to handle the reactions from others, and what it looks and feels like to return to creative work after a stint in corporate America. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating career shifts and finding fulfillment in new paths.

Topics Discussed:

·       How to make peace with pivots

·       Navigating adverse reactions to career choices

·       The conversations that help you gain clarity on pivots

·       The evolution of your career needs and values

·       Crafting a creative life on your own terms

·       Finding creative community abroad

 

CONNECT WITH MEL:

·       Instagram: @melczay

MORE FROM SIMONE:

Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you’ll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity.

Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

As creatives, we often believe that serious artistry demands endless hours of solitary work and relentless dedication. But what if the key to your most innovative ideas lies in something you mastered as a child?

In this episode of Sōl Talk, we're exploring how losing touch with our playful side, especially after years in corporate environments, can lead to creative blocks and uninspired work. Join Simone as she delves into four powerful ways to reintroduce play and childlike curiosity into your creative process. Discover how these strategies can help you break through ruts, rediscover artistic joy, and unlock fresh ideas. Whether you're stifled by corporate culture or just stuck in a creative groove, this episode offers insights to reignite your creativity.

MORE FROM SIMONE: Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you'll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity. Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

Every creative has the opportunity to leverage social media as a vehicle to share their creative projects, sell their art, or gather with their community. However, many of us have a lot of anxiety around building a brand tied to work that is already deeply vulnerable.

In this episode, Simone sits down with Dr. Corey Emanuel, a media psychologist and multimedia strategist who examines how film, TV, and social media influence us. Corey has both knowledge and personal experience when it comes to building a brand online. Together, they explore the impact of visibility on creatives and how to overcome the fear that comes with it to begin building a strong creative brand.

Topics discussed:

·       Creative inspirations and the beauty that comes with sharing your art

·       Strategies for overcoming the fear of sharing your art online

·       Practical tips for not losing our authenticity online

·       Navigating a lack of creative support

·       Dr. Corey Emanuel’s personal journey in building his brand

CONNECT WITH DR. COREY EMANUEL:

·       Instagram: @coreyemanuel

·       Bloomberg article: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-02-24/black-hollywood-s-role-in-keeping-the-industry-white?srnd=undefined

 

MORE FROM SIMONE: 

Join the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you’ll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity.

Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.

Are you tired of feeling like your corporate job is suffocating your creative spirit? What if I told you that some of the most popular advice on cultivating creativity might actually be holding you back? In this episode of Sōl Talk, we're diving into three hidden traps that can sabotage building a creative practice and what you can do that will be more supportive as you continue on your journey. Join Simone as she explores daily rituals and habits that you should avoid when trying to nurture a consistent creative practice alongside your corporate job. Discover practical insights and actionable tips to help you find a balanced approach to creativity that truly supports your unique path. MORE FROM SIMONEJoin the community on Substack (www.simonekeelah.substack.com), where you’ll receive weekly musings that hit on the intersection of mindfulness and creativity. Stay connected with Simone Keelah on Instagram: @thesoltalk and @simonekeelah.