The Doing Scary Things Podcast

Today we talk with the one and only, Meg Kissack. Meg is host of the Couragemakers Podcast and creator of That Hummingbird Life, an online community offering 100+ practical and rebel-rousing posts about creativity, courage and dream-chasing, and what it means to show up in the world and own, live and share your story. She's also a life coach and has almost a decade of experience in project development, community development, activism and campaigns.

 

"I think the messy middle for me has been perseverance and I think that can be the scariest thing."

 

Together, we discuss:

 

-How she found her amazing tribe

-How she figured out how to explain what she does to others

-When she doesn't share freely with others about her soul's work

-Why she created a podcast talking to "real" women

-How she figured out how to not "dull her shine"

-Why it's necessary to "take her own medicine" sometimes

-Why life isn't actually linear

-What writing means to her and how she uses it to encourages others

-What is multi-passionism and why is it so important?!

-What is the most valuable thing you can give people?

-Why she doesn't believe in self-help gurus or 10 step programs

-Why creativity is contagious

-The problem with social media

-Why courage & creativity go hand in hand.

-Why the idea of living fearlessly is just a myth & why you shouldn't worry about things that haven't happened yet!

"We all surprise ourselves when we do scary things!"

 

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Stream our music here!

  Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Twitter: @katiesnyder     Anna Packer has a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Harding University, as well as a master of science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University. She has periodically taught undergraduate psychology courses and worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor in a private practice setting since 2013. She is an avid songwriter, singer, and dramatist.     Katie Snyder has a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and Photography from Milligan College. She has owned and operated her own wedding and portrait photography business since 2003. She is in the process of publishing her first book and is extremely passionate about encouraging others to pursue their passions.

 

Today we discuss the scary question: Is there really room for everyone in my career field?

Why do some people and industries feel exclusive? Is this needed and/or helpful?

Topics discussed:

-It's impossible to judge people's capabilities 

-Benchmarks & other judgements are only helpful when being applied to ourselves.

-Why people are threatened when they see other people pursuing something similar to their path (but in a different way) & where these feelings come from

-What exclusivity is and where it comes from

-The advice Katie gives to those just starting out in photography

-Why we should help & encourage others

-What you can learn from a beginner in your field

-Is comparison helpful and when?

-Reconnecting with your sense of security: remembering your why, re-affirming yourself, and valuing your own journey

-Healthy competition

"Someone else's success doesn't de-value my own journey."

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Stream our music here!

Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Twitter: @katiesnyder   Anna Packer has a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Harding University, as well as a master of science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University. She has periodically taught undergraduate psychology courses and worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor in a private practice setting since 2013. She is an avid songwriter, singer, and dramatist.   Katie Snyder has a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and Photography from Milligan College. She has owned and operated her own wedding and portrait photography business since 2003. She is in the process of publishing her first book and is extremely passionate about encouraging others to pursue their passions.

Today we chat with author & ted talk speaker Hannah Brencher. Hannah discusses the benchmarks of calling yourself a writer and how the not knowing is tied to insecurities and what-ifs in her experience.

"What if I'm not good at the thing I love more than anything in this world?"

She describes the importance of having an internal confidence and knowing that "that's why you're here and that's why you're doing the thing and if you didn't do it tomorrow, nobody else's heart would be broken, but your own heart would be broken and that should be enough."

We also discuss:

-How she deals with getting 1 star reviews and where she believes most of them come from.

-The fact that you can't please everyone and why that's okay.

-How she dealt with a "Hannah Brencher Sucks" blog and other criticisms and the good that has come from responding to them in kindness.

-The pitfalls of the "power of anonymity" of the internet

-The importance of not looking to others for validation and yet feeling like your work is important

-Self-promotion and why it matters if you are your authentic self

-Why she moved across the country because of a friend from Twitter and why it wasn't easy

-Thoughts on becoming addicted to what it feels like to be seen by and applauded by other people

-Why you have to decide what you're made of and what's worth fighting for

-"What do I do when the momentum slows down, because it will

-Why consistency and creating content (even when we don't feel like it) matters

-Why discipline is important & how it led to her becoming passionate about writing

-Why she does not believe in writer's block

-Why perfection is crippling, irrelevant, and a waste of time.

-How to be patient when things "might not work out"

-The importance of instilling hope in other people

-Why you shouldn't put up "phantom barriers" or make fear based decisions

 

 

 

Hannah Brencher is a writer, TED speaker, and online educator with a heart for building leaders. She is the author of "Come Matter Here" and "If You Find This Letter." Named as one of the White House's "Women Working to Do Good" and a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, Hannah founded The World Needs More Love Letters in 2011. The global community has grown to over 20,000 individuals across six continents, fifty-three countries, all fifty states, and is established on over sixty-three college campuses.

Hannah has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Oprah, Glamour, USATODAY.com, Chicago Tribune, and dozens of other publications. Hannah graduated from Assumption College in 2010 with a double major in Sociology and English, with a concentration in Writing and Mass Communications. She calls Atlanta, Georgia her home. 

Connect with her at www.hannahbrenchercreative.com - buy your own Saint Joseph statue here. :)

  Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

In this very special end of the year episode, Anna + Katie discuss how to finally make the changes in your life that you've been longing for. They discuss how they went from being very busy business owners to song writers. They talk about how they took their first step of giving themselves one day and what has happened for them since.   Topics discussed: -Feeling selfish & impractical but "ferociously" protecting that time -Ignoring the guilt -Why this is self-care -What to do if you don't think you have the time to start -When you're at your capacity & how to find your margins -Why Actionable Steps are different than a 10 step program & why they will look different for everyone -Why your passions are important enough to sacrifice for and what that might look like -Why 5 minutes still matters -Creative "problem solving" ways to find more time in your life -Tracking social media/screen time & tips for taking back that time! -How would you help a friend if they were in the same kind of trouble as you?   "Your steps might be different than ours, but you have to take the first one."   We also added an extended blooper reel to this episode just for fun!   Katie read "The Journey" by Mary Oliver. Original Music created just for us by Dan Snyder.   Let us know what you think of this episode by contacting us through the links below!   Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

This week, we talk with divorced, cat-dad, & single father of two, Justin Farrey. We discuss the ways he creatively raises his sons, including organizing and executing "Bike Adventure Pizza Crawls".

Justin tells us why he decided to go back to school in his late twenties to become an RN, even though he had no scientific background and wasn't a good student and why "failure was not an option." He also discusses what he learned during his 9 years at a call center job he didn't enjoy.

He originally states that he's not sure he's creative and then disagrees with himself. We discuss the many ways medical professionals have to use creative problem solving every day and how he deals with the risk of medical error. We compare/contrast those risks with those of a self-employed artist.

We discuss the ways he has used his natural gifting/interests in his career and why he has vowed to always provide a teaching environment in his nursing career.

Find out what the scariest thing he can imagine is & why he wants to challenge himself more in the future. 

"It is doable. There is a way."

Let us know what you think of this episode by contacting us through the links below!   Connect with Justin on Instagram: @JustinFarrey Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

This week, Anna + Katie release their 3rd single, Close, under the band name Jasper + Jade. They discuss in detail why this was the song that brought them together and, as Anna says, "the original scary thing." They share the process of how this song evolved from a very beginner garage band demo to a professional recording with Josiah Prince at The Ranch in Nashville. Anna shares the "devastating" circumstances that provided the meaning behind the song and how going through that situation and writing about the process sealed the deal that "I have to do this - period." They explain to listeners that "if we can start - you can start" and discuss why escaping the vulnerability requires you to equally escape the reward also. The girls discuss a few of the many shapes Close took before the recording process and give credit to the plentiful Josiah-raz-a-ma-taz that was added in that process. If you get nothing else out of this episode, Anna + Katie want you to know that "We didn't think we could do it. But we did. And we believe you can, too!"

Close was produced at The Ranch in Nashville, TN with Josiah Prince. Strings by Corey Justin Horn at The Reef Studio

Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

Today, we speak with Anna's younger sister, Mary J. Austin. MJ is an undergraduate student at Harding University studying Communication Sciences & Disorders with hopes of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. She is also the volunteer coordinator at a non-profit and wearer of many other hats.   A few topics covered include:   -What it's like to be a part of a generation that has yet to be named/labeled!   -We myth bust a few of the common stereotypes of Millenials and discuss why everything actually is not their fault!   -We discuss what it was like to grow up always having access to internet... (or did she?) and the positivities that have come from that easy accessibility    -MJ explains the thought process behind knowing that she might not actually end up doing what she's studying in college as a career and why that's okay, as well as the benefits she's experiencing from learning interpersonal skills & how to talk to people!   -Together, we discuss how things automatically get less "scary" after you do them the first time! And what it looks like to do things even though they're scary aka tolerating discomfort. MJ reminds us that, "I can be uncomfortable and enjoy it at the same time."    -Katie shares some thoughts about what "enjoying the journey" means to her and Anna chimes in with disclosing something she's gotten really, really good at over the years. (Hint: It's probably not what you think!)   -MJ shares a recent example of how she's used her creativity with a task she felt "completely unqualified" for.   -We discuss what it's like to have perfectionism tendencies and some practical strategies for overcoming that. During this segment, we reference the Enneagram, which is (in Katie's opinion), the holy grail of Personality Tests. Contact us to discuss further. We'd love to.   -MJ discusses using creativity in the midst of her busiest season of life yet and what the benefits of creativity really are to her, leading to our first official argument for creativity on the show.   -We discuss what that elusive J really stands for and what songs have or have not been written about her famous name.   -MJ leaves us with this incredible word of wisdom: "Don't let the fear of the unknown freeze you in your tracks." (and a few other great train metaphors)   Let us know what you think of this episode by contacting us through the links below!   Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Email us! [email protected] Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

Matt Keller is a senior vice president of innovation and intrepreneur at a rapidly growing company. He's also an entrepreneur, Inventor, urban homesteader, husband, and dad. Today, he chats with Anna & Katie about the way he uses his creativity to start and lead businesses and his family.   Learn Why Matt Believes:  -Entrepreneurs are borderline psychopaths  -We're all driven by different things on different days -There's different challenges to being both a full time and/or a part time entrepreneur  -Some people don't want to claim creativity because of fear -You shouldn't fight the momentum around you, even if it's not the way you originally thought things would work out -You should never short change your responsibilities because you're pursuing opportunities -Creativity works best within limits -Not everyone is your customer & that's okay -You should listen to all criticism -You should find mentors who have done what you're doing before & ask for help -You will probably fail the first time you try something   People/Resources Mentioned by Matt: 10% Entrepreneur by Patrick McGinnis Brett Trapp, Creator of Blue Babies Pink The Element by Ken Robinson AVYD   On today's episode, Matt discusses in great detail why he likes new ideas, solving problems, and creating things from nothing. He explains that his ideal outlet is creating solutions & value propositions.   He chats candidly about his previous "failed" project.   He chats about what it's like to have a different medium of creativity while being married to a multi-passionate artist & musician, Blaine Watson Keller.   He also shares how he and his wife have (re-)pioneered his dream living situation after initially giving up on that dream when he was 16 & explains a little about the responsibilities that have come with that.   Matt tells how he balances being an entrepreneur with being an employee at the same time & why the first makes him a better employee.   He tells us all about his fascinating new invention and start-up company AVYD.    If you've ever wondered if you have what it takes to juggle many plates, start and/or lead companies, or how to live in a creative way, we think you'll enjoy our convo with Matt Keller.   Connect with us online! www.doingscarythings.com Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Stream our music here! Twitter: @katiesnyder

On today's special episode, Anna + Katie have a very real and honest talk with Katie's husband, Dan Snyder. Dan has been a working musician for 12 years and fronts alternative rock band PAPER LIGHTS.    From his years of driving an armored car to the decision to take a chance pursuing music, Dan and Katie tell the behind the scenes version of the steps that led them to where they are today in the first interview they've ever done together.    Although they make a slightly wrong comment about Atlanta's current minimum wage, they explain what made giving up their secure jobs an "easy decision" and what they held as their safety net during that first year. Anna accurately assesses the "relativity of their risk".   Dan discusses the biggest challenges he's faced in his 12 years in the music industry, including why he finds it hard to set goals and discussing the ever mysterious gate keeper.    Dan and Katie explain a few of the responsibilities that come with being an independent artist and dispel a few common myths typically believed of musicians.   Dan discusses the ambitious endeavor PAPER LIGHTS achieved in the making of their most recent album Everything is Sound (HINT: It includes visiting 13 National Parks) and the difference between supporting other artists as a backing musician vs fronting a band.   He explains why singing in front of people is "the most vulnerable thing he could ever imagine" and the stages of fear he has personally experienced with this process, leading Anna to tell the story of the time he "saved her life" during a country music soundcheck.   Dan and Katie discuss some of their experiences revolving around the House Concert resurgence and Dan shares the stories behind two of PAPER LIGHTS' newest songs, Release The Bear and Simple.    We hope you love this week's episode!   PAPER LIGHTS have won GMA, IMEA, and Academia Music Awards this year. Their music has been featured on MTV, ESPN, NPR, CBS and for brands like Coca Cola, Boeing, Chicfila, and Outdoor Magazine. Their latest album is called Everything is Sound and includes sounds recorded from 13 National Parks across the US.   Also mentioned:   Jeremy Griffith    Josh Stewart   Shane Cole   Connect with Dan / PAPER LIGHTS online: www.paperlightsmusic.com Instagram: @paperlights Images from the National Parks Tour: #rudolphtheredadventurevan Twitter: @thepaperlights Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepaperlights/ Stream PAPER LIGHTS on Spotify   Connect with us! www.doingscarythings.com Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Twitter: @katiesnyder   Listen to our music!(Click here to stream on spotify)

This week, Anna + Katie discuss a listener question from Daniel which is, "How do you encourage and support the people in your life who are using their creativity?" Here's their list:   1. Acknowledge their effort. (Say something nice) 2. Be a good listener (Ask them a question about it!) 3. Express interest with no negativity. 4. Bilndly encourage (them to think/spend more time on it) 5. Use your own creativity  6. Give them room to experiment (& fail) 7. Encourage their interest & the things they are naturally good at. (And tell them they can do it!) 8. Encourage them to work hard (Ask if you can hold them accountable) 9. Tell them you believe in them. 10. Actually believe in them.   In this episode, Anna + Katie candidly discuss the reality that while every human is creative, not everyone is living in the vulnerable space of using their creativity daily. A + K believe that you are qualified and you have permission to do whatever you'd like to do with your life and say, "When you're doing scary things.. the tiniest amount of encouragement can go so far." Katie goes on to clarify that it "might be scary to start, it might be scary to talk about, or it might be scary to keep going," but this is the work you must do in your life!   They discuss the ways all humans desire to be seen, heard, & known and talk about what it means to give your friends room to fail. Katie works towards debunking the myth of "the best" and together they clarify that you don't have to be good at something the day you start! "People are capable of so much."     Connect with us! www.doingscarythings.com Instagram: @doingscarythings @jasperandjade.music @thekatiesnyder @annaesthetic23  #doingscarythings #jasperandjademusic Twitter: @katiesnyder   Listen to our music!(Click here to stream on spotify)