Y’all — it’s officially been a whole year of Suffering for Art. I’m so honored to be on this journey of learning, healing, and creating with you. I’m endlessly proud of the episodes we’ve produced together and can’t wait for everything this next year will bring.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the basics of investing — what it actually is, how to start (even if you feel behind), and why financial literacy is a creative act. From understanding stocks and ETFs to opening your first Roth IRA, this is your crash course in growing what you already have.

And because I love y’all — two big announcements:
✨ The Artist Recharge Retreat is officially open for applications! Seven artists will spend three nights in Upstate New York recharging, resting, and reconnecting with their purpose. [Apply here → link]
📄 Download your free Investing 101 PDF to follow along and take notes from the episode. [Grab it here link]

Here’s to building freedom — financially, creatively, and emotionally.
Thank you for being part of year one. 💛

As whispers of a Broadway strike grow louder and the political climate grows heavier, one question stands: where are the artists?

This 15-minute episode reflects on the role of creatives in moments of change — from the dancers like Pearl Primus who turned movement into protest, to the artists of the Civil Rights era who used their craft as resistance. Inspired by The Gilded Age and the origins of The Met, this conversation asks what it truly means to create with conviction when history is repeating itself.

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💸 Support the movement: https://www.venmo.com/u/sufferingforart

When you hit a point of success in your life, do you feel as though you are on a high and then suddenly when that successfully moment wears off your suddenly left with a life that feels lackluster?

In this episode Brianna Kaleen talks about how to love your life in the off seasons. When the accolades are not happening yet and life seems dull. With practical steps and tips on how to love your life she challenges all Creatives to love more than success so that when the high of an accomplishment comes, it is at the same peak level as life itself.

Support the Show: If you’ve been moved, inspired, or simply entertained by Suffering for Art, consider supporting the work. Your donations help keep the conversations going, the resources flowing, and the creative community growing. Every bit counts.

🎭 Donate here

Thank you for being part of this space.

Resources mentioned in the Podcast Episode: To learn more about finances and wealth check out this PDF and give EP 5 of the Suffering for Art Podcast a listen!

Knowing your worth might sound like a basic concept — but for so many creatives and artists, it’s the very thing we leave behind when we step into our craft. In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens, and more importantly, how to change it.

Through bold questions and honest reflections, I’m inviting you to rethink your path: Who do you want to be? Where do you truly want to go? And what’s standing in your way? The truth is, stepping into your full potential starts with recognizing your value — not just as a creative, but as a person.

Let’s talk about how knowing your worth isn’t just a mindset — it’s a strategy for the future you’re building.

I’m not sure why perfection was on my mind this month, but I’m glad it was—because it helped me reframe how I want to create moving forward.

In this episode, we unpack where our obsession with perfection even comes from. We take a historical dive, explore cultural and media influences, and look at how perfectionism became a standard we never actually agreed to.

And then we do something even more important: we talk about how to quiet that voice that says, “This still isn’t good enough.”

My hope? That by the end of this episode, your goal won’t be perfection either—it’ll be completeness.

In this episode of Suffering for Art, I sit down with Aleah Vassell (they/she)—a professional actor, creative agency owner, and the powerhouse behind Creative With Money Co. Aleah transformed their financial life by launching a six-figure virtual assistant business, all while continuing to thrive in the performing arts.

We dive into how Aleah went from earning $27K to $116K in just one year, the realities of virtual assistant work, and how creatives can build wealth without sacrificing their art. Whether you're curious about what a VA actually does, how much it pays, or how to get started, this episode is your roadmap

Aleah also shares insights into their signature program, Virtual Assistant Accelerate, which helps aspiring VAs go from zero to $5K+ months in just seven weeks. Their story is a powerful reminder that financial freedom and creative fulfillment can coexist.

Connect with Aleah:

• Instagram: @creativewithmoney | @creativewithmoneyco

• Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you, please consider supporting Suffering for Art via Venmo. Your contributions help us continue to provide valuable resources for artists everywhere. 💛

🎙️ Creative Loss: Grieving the Dreams That Didn’t Make It

What happens when the project doesn’t land, the door doesn’t open, or the dream quietly slips through your fingers? In this episode of Suffering for Art, host Brianna Kaleen sits down with psychiatrist and educator Dr. DaJonitta Richmond to explore a part of the creative process we rarely talk about: grief.

Not just grief for people—but for projects, paths, and versions of ourselves that never had a chance to fully unfold. Together, they dive into how disappointment affects the body, why so many artists push through instead of processing, and how hope is reshaped by the losses we carry.

Dr. Richmond is the founder of WHOLENESS Mental Health, where she helps individuals, families, and communities find clarity, connection, and emotional well-being. With her background in both adult and child psychiatry, she offers powerful insights into what it means to honor our pain and still move forward with intention.

✨ Connect with Dr. Richmond:

• Instagram: @doctor.daj

• TikTok: @dr.dajonitta.richmond

• Website: https://wholenessmentalhealth.com

In this episode, Brianna Kaleen sits down with actor and content creator Cara Rose DiPetrio to talk all things influencing as a creative side hustle. They get into how to make brand work actually work for your lifestyle, what it means to steward a community (instead of just chasing numbers), and how Cara made the leap to doing it full time. From managers and rates to staying aligned with your artistic self, this convo is full of insight for any creative wondering if influencing could be more than a fluke gig between auditions.

To connect with Cara Rose DiPietro and follow her creative journey, you can find her on:

    ◦    Instagram: ⁠@cararosedipietro⁠

    ◦    TikTok: ⁠@cararosedipietro⁠

    ◦    Website: ⁠www.cararosedipietro.com⁠

    ◦    

Support the Show: If you’ve been moved, inspired, or simply entertained by Suffering for Art, consider supporting the work. Your donations help keep the conversations going, the resources flowing, and the creative community growing. Every bit counts.

🎭 Donate here: ⁠https://venmo.com/u/sufferingforart⁠

Thank you for being part of this space.

Feeling stuck, drained, or disconnected from your creativity? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore the root causes of creative burnout, its impact on your brain, and practical ways to recover. Learn how rest, microbreaks, and sleep can reignite your spark and why taking care of yourself is key to protecting your passion.

If you’re ready to reconnect with the joy of creating, tune in now!

Donate to Suffering for Art here!

If this resource has helped you on your creative journey and you'd like to see more like it, please consider donating. Whether it’s $1 or more, every penny makes a difference in keeping Suffering for Art alive and thriving. Your support helps us create valuable tools and content for artists everywhere. 💛 Thank you for being a part of this community!

Downloadable PDF of the “Creative’s Budget” can be found ⁠here.⁠ Use it to really understand this podcast episode.

Tired of the “starving artist” stereotype? In this episode of Suffering for Art, we tackle one of the most challenging aspects of creative living: managing your finances. 2025 is the year we take control, break free from financial anxiety, and build a sustainable creative lifestyle.

Join us as we:

With actionable advice, relatable stories, and inspiring insights, this is your guide to making 2025 your most financially empowered year yet.

Whether you’re a painter, filmmaker, musician, or any kind of creator, this episode is packed with strategies to help you thrive without selling your soul.

🎥 This is our first-ever video podcast! 🎥
And guess what? You’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Suffering for Art studio – which, this time, is host Brianna Kaleen’s parents’ closet! Who says a makeshift setup can’t spark creativity?

Downloadable PDF of the “Creative’s Budget” can be found here. Use it to really understand this podcast episode.