The Candid Cara Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with LA singer-songwriter Sydney Shea, who is also an incredible dancer. Self-taught on the guitar and piano, she is making great strides in her career. Having spent the last couple of years focused on artist development, she recently took the big step of performing on LA stages such as Hotel Café. She is also working on new music to release in the very near future. Sydney’s voice is angelic, and her lyrics are as poetic as they are intentional.

Make sure to check out Sydney’s diary, YouTube channel, and more!

https://www.sydneysheamusic.com

https://www.youtube.com/@iamsydneyshea

Instagram: @iamsydneyshea

In this episode, I sit down with indie singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, artist coach, founder of The PAL Community Hannah Bowers. We talk about her 15+ year journey as an artist, her early influences, the creative process, and how she's built a career rooted in authenticity and community.

Here's some of what we cover:

• How Hannah was naturally drawn to singing and songwriting from an early age
• The artists and time period that first influenced her unique sound
• Moving to LA at 18 to study music at USC
• The powerful practice that leveled up her songwriting skills
• The vision for Radio and The Woods and how she raised $20k in 30 days to bring it to life
• How authenticity, community building, and fostering genuine connection have been so powerful in her music career and in leading other artists

Check out Hannah's work:

• https://www.hannahbowers.com/
• @TheHannahBowers (on all socials)
• CHECK OUT HER MUSIC!
  • WATCH her visual album here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP5s8UjzAb6SJACUNfOxxRQorcAYCQlmK
  • https://hannahbowers.bandcamp.com/album/the-woods
  • https://open.spotify.com/artist/7IjOLLLOhmV1FEqEgYbbRv?si=eZyB7gouQlOQ4R58Hn8qkA
• BUY HER COOL MERCH HERE!
  • https://hannahbowers.bandcamp.com/merch
• PAL
  • Connect on instagram @ThePALCommunity
  • "A community of creatives supporting each other in their personal and professional growth through positivity, authenticity and love"
  • https://www.thepalcommunity.com/

In this episode, I sit down with multi-genre singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary behind Good Moraale: Caleb Jerome Morales.

We talk about:

• Caleb’s journey from classical piano to alt-rock to EDM and beyond
• The Avicii inspiration behind Good Moraale
• Learning the banjo (as a grown-up!) for a rising country band with Gabriel Key
• Letting go of old identities and self-protective perfectionism
• Awakenings and starting new chapters
• How intention, humor, and playfulness shape Caleb’s process and perspective

Check out Caleb’s work:

🌐 CalebJeromeMorales.com

✨ Good Moraale on Instagram

🎵 The Food Hall

🎧 Community – the concept album

In this episode of The Candid Cara Podcast, I sit down with Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and self-producing artist Richie Edwin to talk about the release of his debut EP, A Quiet Forgiveness.

What follows is a thoughtful and grounded conversation about honoring the inner artist, the healing power of structure, and the cathartic process of making music. Richie shares moments from his journey, from music school to playing in multiple bands to his first solo EP. We explore what it means to move away from perfectionism and how discipline can actually become an act of self-love.

Check out Richie's music:

https://richieedwinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/a-quiet-forgiveness

https://open.spotify.com/artist/06ryujQm7B3M4ymtP3wcLp?si=MSXLHiraQW2GXqiP6Im74Q

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/richie-edwin/1760980104

https://www.instagram.com/richieedwinmusic/

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with indie artist, songwriter, and lawyer Emerald Gearing for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation. Together, we explore topics like healing and evolving through music, learning how to sing, embracing imperfection, changing friendships, and the power of showing up even if it feels scary.

We also discuss Emerald’s debut album The Lonely Hour, where she reflects on her 20's with clarity and grace.

Listen to the album here!

https://emeraldgearing.com/

Specific songs referenced:

"American Grace"

"Hey Best Friend"

"I'm Fine"

"You're A Mess"

"Neon"

"Restless"

"Three" ... coming soon!

In this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, I sit down with rising pop artist Lina Cooper to talk all things music, lyrics, mental health, creativity, performing and more. We dive into her artist's journey that has led her from Ukraine to Berklee to LA, the emotions behind her powerful lyrics, and what it really takes to put yourself out there - from awkward first gigs to owning the stage. Lina opens up about her influences, her experiences with the industry, and the delicate balance of being vulnerable, bold, and authentic in today’s music industry. Whether you’re a fan, an artist or someone chasing your passion, this episode is packed with inspiration.

Check out Lina's music:

https://www.linacooper.com/

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4zDizjeU4bITfOhI6hZ94u?si=ml06wqGVS0qY9MSp9X7mVA

Her newest song is sooo good: DADDY ISSUES: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xT7MteIgCTp3sV90i0xRO?si=5f8a66985718444f

My fave Lina Cooper tracks:

Anyway

https://open.spotify.com/track/12djztp31AsieRFnebqMdH?si=71e499cc78b64bc4

All I've Ever Known https://open.spotify.com/track/7KkOGSSKiWio5HaF1zPbpu?si=5debef8de9014d93

Something to Lose https://open.spotify.com/track/5dDIS0Z0WNYITNwbYwHGxF?si=b6fb40dab6104119

Reason Not To Jump https://open.spotify.com/track/63gHR9fEqNtZDoZt7Dqkkw?si=79294d21416e4d45

100 MILLION BITCHES https://open.spotify.com/track/0xC9BMROM0AYYeni8iEEQq?si=49e7e2b0b6cd438a

YOUR GIRLFRIEND https://open.spotify.com/track/2nbAXM7WTOk7r4aqTZNMyd?si=c795971ceeff4541

Too Much To Ask https://open.spotify.com/track/1egMfw3gmcdUscngyDtSwU?si=0586d5e190254c58

Good Guy https://open.spotify.com/track/1QyMqpdwBZuLxYQjeqidUI?si=dd74298908854689

🎶 Other Artists Mentioned in This Episode

Taylor Swift, Lorde, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Shania Twain, Queen, ABBA, Louis Armstrong, Halsey, Alanis Morissette, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Carol Ades, Chappell Roan, Maggie Rogers, Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzo, Julia Michaels, Amy Allen

Life often feels like a dance between struggle and joy, and in this week's episode, I'm sharing a little bit of both. This is a candid, messy, (frankly on-brand) check-in on where I'm at emotionally and I hope you enjoy listening :)

In today's episode, I share an update on how I'm taking baby steps out of my comfort zone and enjoying the journey <3

I perform a rendition of my new song, Now, at the end of today's episode :)

https://beacons.ai/candidcara

stream now on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1gdarviTGCn9Oi7NDrWpJP?si=INopoAbpRlGI0XJwwergcg

stream now on apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/now/1791858977?i=1791858978&at=1000l3bbu&itscg=30200&itsct=music_box_link&ls=1&app=music

demo links for further listening:

now https://on.soundcloud.com/9AuPefUPUZPxXuvE8

groundhog day: https://on.soundcloud.com/KmENuUBu5fAZeMgt9

In this episode, I interview my husband Justin <3

In this week's episode of The Candid Cara Podcast, part 1 of 2, we take a deep dive into therapy- a topic close to my heart. We'll touch on its history, common misconceptions, key statistics, and the pivotal role therapy can play in our lives. This episode aims to foster curiosity, challenge stigmas, and help you reflect on your own perspectives about therapy.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I'll share my personal journey with therapy and offer actionable tips for getting started!

Join the conversation: What's your experience with therapy? Have these misconceptions or statistics shaped your perspective? Let me know! I'd love to hear from you :)

References:

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/a-brief-history-of-therapy-where-it-all-began/

https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/epidemic-loneliness-and-isolation#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Surgeon%20General's,a%20happy%20and%20healthier%20life.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/one-third-of-americans-say-they-cant-afford-therapy-as-u-s-copes-with-ongoing-mental-health-crisis-11657298164

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/new-apa-poll-one-in-three-americans-feels-lonely-e

https://nypost.com/2019/04/30/1-in-4-americans-feel-they-have-no-one-to-confide-in/

https://lawyerwellbeing.net/ten-key-takeaways-from-the-surgeon-generals-report-on-the-epidemic-of-loneliness-and-isolation/#:~:text=The%20report%20compares%20the%20need,to%20combat%20the%20loneliness%20epidemic.

https://www.wired.com/story/therapy-broken-mental-health-challenges/

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748