Thoughts on the Path

In this season one finale of Thoughts on the Path, Aziz and Taylor reflect on what the podcast has taught them about empathy, healing, active listening, and the power of honest conversation. Looking back on the season’s guests and themes, they talk about how hearing other people’s stories shifted their own perspectives, deepened their emotional awareness, and made them feel less alone. The episode also explores vulnerability in real time, the challenge of talking openly about what you are currently going through, and how therapy, self-reflection, and creative risk can lead to meaningful growth. Warm, reflective, and full of gratitude, this outro closes the season by honoring the journey so far while pointing toward what is still ahead.

00:45 What the podcast revealed about human similarity

02:00 Why these conversations help people feel less alone

03:10 Individualism, healing, and learning through other people’s stories

05:00 Favorite episodes and what empathy really looks like

07:10 Emotions as information, not something to suppress

10:52 Carrying lessons from the podcast into everyday life

13:10 Growing the podcast and stepping outside of comfort zones

18:00 The final pop-it question: therapy, healing, and why getting help changed everything

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

We currently live in a world where most men have been raised to mask their emotions for fear of being viewed as weak. We live in a world where men who lack empathy have led the world into socially questionable times, and one of the best things that we can do to begin healing these problems, is talk. In this episode, the crew sits down with Tony Newbury for an honest conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, purpose, and the emotional cost of chasing a creative life. Tony reflects on self-worth, loneliness, friendship, therapy, and the pressure artists feel to keep pushing even when they are hurting. Together, they explore how masculinity can make openness feel difficult, why support systems matter, and how redefining success can help people stay grounded. Vulnerable and deeply reflective, this episode is a conversation about learning to care for yourself while still building toward the life you believe in.

01:22 Who Tony is beyond the music

04:05 Identity, family, and wanting to become a provider

06:55 Why support systems and male friendship matter

11:02 Therapy, self-love, and speaking openly about dark thoughts

14:20 Letting go of control and holding onto your truth

15:40 Redefining success beyond fame

19:37 Loneliness, burnout, and the physical toll of obsession

21:20 Therapy, the pain of the creative process, and what the world needs more of

Tony Newbury:

Tony Newbury is a recording artist making a name for himself in Jersey’s hiphop scene. His flow and usage of samples has been able to differentiate him from the basic drill or hard style rapper we hear today. He not only wants to entertain people, but also help them make sense of the crazy world we live in. By making music from his hardships, Tony hopes to help others through theirs.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

In this episode, the crew sits down with Subin Kara Ahn for a thoughtful conversation about culture, identity, immigration, and mental health. Subin reflects on growing up in South Korea, moving to the U.S. alone as a teenager, and navigating the tension between assimilation and staying connected to their roots. The conversation also explores how the environment shapes self-perception, how identity shows up in art, and the emotional weight of building a life while living through the uncertainty of the artist visa process. Honest, vulnerable, and deeply reflective, this episode is about belonging, self-acceptance, and learning to trust yourself while building a future far from home.

00:43 Identity, pronouns, and moving from South Korea to the U.S.

01:49 Independence, family, and cultural difference

04:46 Assimilation and reconnecting with Korean identity

08:14 How place shapes self-perception

10:30 Reclaiming culture through art

12:24 The turning point that kept Subin in the U.S.

15:07 The artist visa process and its limits

17:57 Mental health, uncertainty, and the pressure of proving yourself

22:33 Love, support, and the pop-it question on toxic traits

Subin Kara Ahn:

Subin Kara Ahn is a professional actor, director, musician and model based in NYC. They started out taking private lessons for pop singing when they were 10, then got into Musical Theatre, which led them to study Theatre in Marymount Manhattan College. As a musician, they go by Will Bug and is best known for being featured in K-drama soundtracks such as Rise Again from Mr. Sunshine and You're Beautiful from Romance Is a Bonus Book (both on Netflix).

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

2020 was an extraordinarily tough year for mankind. With the rise of the Covid 19 virus, we experienced social struggles that many of us have never seen before, and hopefully will never see again. We experienced a rise in calls to mental health hotlines relating to fear and anxiety. We experienced an increased suicide rate, and overdose related deaths. Many of our lives were changed forever. We personally are so grateful to be on the other side of our lockdown journey and have been enjoying the opportunity to go out and be social again. However, many of us are struggling to get back out there and make new friends. Making friends as an adult is a daunting challenge in itself. Adding the pressures of the anxiety brought on by the lockdown, and we’re dealing we are on a much tougher journey to get out there. In this episode, Aziz sits down with producer Taylor Tote for an honest conversation about what it really takes to make friends as an adult. Together, they reflect on how the pandemic reshaped connection, why meaningful friendship often requires more intention later in life, and how authenticity, patience, and shared spaces help real relationships grow. The episode explores everything from social media friendships and moving to new cities to loneliness, toxic relationships, emotional standards, and learning when to let people go. Thoughtful, relatable, and encouraging, this conversation offers a grounded look at building genuine community in adulthood.

01:00 Friendship after lockdown and the rise of online connection

03:00 What makes a friendship meaningful

07:00 Authenticity, judgment, and being fully yourself

11:00 Moving to new places and putting yourself out there

13:00 Shared interests, routines, and finding your people

17:30 Loneliness, high school memories, and outgrowing old dynamics

24:50 Making time for friendship, patience, and the bigger picture

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

In this episode, the crew sits down with TONIE for a thoughtful and candid conversation about identity, visibility, and what it means to move through the world authentically. TONIE shares their experience as a non-binary Vietnamese-American artist, reflecting on pronouns, family, community, activism, and the emotional complexity of being seen. Together, they explore how representation works in everyday life, how culture and queerness can sometimes feel at odds, and why joy can be one of the most powerful forms of resistance. Honest, insightful, and deeply human, this episode offers a grounded conversation about self-definition, empathy, and choosing to live truthfully.

01:35 Moving from LA to New York and finding freedom

05:47 Performative Allyship

06:47 Why normalization matters more than spectacle

11:00 Pronouns, culture wars, and the danger of public misunderstanding

14:25 Online outrage versus real-world issues

20:30 Navigating music spaces as a non-binary artist

29:00 Coming out to family and defining success on your own terms

33:00 Joy as activism and the pop-it question

TONIE:

TONIE is doing their very best to help you feel comfortable in your own skin. The LA-native writes and produces each synth-pop track from the comfort of their skylit home studio in Brooklyn, NY — a perfect backdrop for the emotional vulnerability that colors their lyrics.They have been featured on Spotify’s “New From NYC: Pop” playlist and publications, such as Buzz Music: LA, Mobangeles, and The Music Bugle.During live shows, TONIE dives deep into moments from their life that inspire them and the stories behind their music. They hope that through their combination of vulnerability and bombastic energy, listeners will experience catharsis and feel empowered to embrace who they are fully, without holding back.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

In this episode, the crew sits down with Lissie Poyner and Daisy Habib for a thoughtful conversation about the connection between mental and physical health. Drawing from their work in diabetes coaching, nutrition, eating disorder recovery, and holistic wellness, they explore how stress, environment, chronic illness, food, and self-image all shape the way people experience their bodies. The episode moves through personal stories of diagnosis, recovery, and healing, while offering a compassionate look at what it means to support the whole person instead of just treating symptoms. Honest, educational, and deeply human, this conversation highlights the power of self-awareness, proper support, and learning to work with your body rather than against it.

01:06 How they personally nurture mind-body connection

02:22 Daisy’s journey into nutrition and eating disorder work

04:30 Eating disorders vs. disordered eating

05:28 Lissy’s health journey with Type 1 diabetes and Crohn’s disease

08:23 Why treating the whole person matters

11:06 What client transformation can look like

16:45 Chronic illness, identity, and the emotional toll of losing your normal

19:24 Spoon theory and knowing when it’s time to get help

25:00 Pop-it questions: honesty, vulnerability, and being perfectly imperfect

Daisy Habib:

Daisy is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition who works with people recovering from eating disorders and disordered eating. She also helps people become intuitive eaters and work through negative body image. She started her own private practice, The Eating Disorder Space LLC where she provides virtual nutrition counseling sessions for her clients.

Lissie Poyner:

An Integrative Diabetes Health Coach and Certified Personal Trainer, Lissie is the owner/founder of Needles and Spoons Health & Wellness, and creator Keeping It 100. She helps overwhelmed people with Type One Diabetes gain more predictability in their blood sugars so they can finally take their life plans off hold.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Did you know, there’s a new survey from the American Enterprise Institute’s survey center on American Life, that says there are more people single now than before the pandemic? Particularly young women. Marriage is becoming less common and people are simply choosing to be single these days. For those of you who aren't interested in following the trend though, we got you covered on today's episode. In this episode, the conversation dives into the red and green flags that show up in modern dating. Joined by singer-songwriter Ashley McKinley, the group talks through self-awareness, emotional availability, online dating, grief after relationships, and how personal healing shapes the way we connect with others. They also explore the unique insecurities that can come with dating as artists, the importance of integrity in love, and what it means to grow through recovery. Honest, funny, and vulnerable, this episode is a reflection on dating with intention in a world that often makes connection feel complicated.

01:05 Early green flags and red flags

04:06 Men, masculinity, and emotional expression

06:53 Why therapy matters

09:14 Mental health and dating readiness

11:30 Resistance to dating apps

14:31 Becoming your best self before dating

17:25 Fear of intimacy

18:50 Dating yourself and reflecting honestly

24:53 Dating reveals hidden insecurities

27:47 Pop-it question segment begins

Ashley McKinley:

Ashley has a strong voice and artistic vision, but her biggest strength is how meticulously she can craft a story into a song. She graduated from Belmont University with a major in Songwriting and a minor in Music Business. Frequently writing songs on her own and also collaborating with other songwriters and producers, she considers herself a forever learner. In all collaborations and performances, she hopes to help people feel less alone in their busy minds and worlds, by sharing her stories as honestly and as vulnerable as possible.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

In this episode, the crew sits down with Jess McDevitt for a thoughtful conversation about mental health, creativity, and the pressures of working in entertainment. Jess shares her perspective as a social impact strategist and artist partnerships consultant, reflecting on how artists navigate visibility, success, authenticity, burnout, and the fast pace of the modern music industry. Together, they explore the emotional cost of constant content creation, the shifting meaning of success, the pressure artists face after the pandemic, and why staying grounded in your own path matters more than chasing industry timelines.

01:25 The pressure to “make it” in today’s industry

03:30 Content creation fatigue and the pressure to always document

06:00 Authenticity versus performance online

08:30 Redefining success beyond numbers and status

11:00 Knowing when you’re on the right path

14:00 Age pressure, timelines, and rewriting your story

17:00 Family support, work ethic, and building your own narrative

20:00 More human conversations with artists and post-pandemic burnout

27:30 Pop-it question: change, co-living, and learning compromise

Jess McDevitt:

Jessica is a social impact strategist + artist partnerships consultant based in NYC. After 3 years at the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, Jessica developed a storytelling project called More or Less (with Jess), a podcast that asks the question, 'How are you really feeling, more or less?' Today, Jessica connects artists and fans to social impact movements by finding ways to drive change beyond the music. Previous work experience includes SIRIUS XM, AEG Presents, Forbes Under 30 Scholar, Sofar Sounds, and consulting for various mental health organizations.

Jake Tavill:

Founder and CEO of Indigo Soul NYC, Jake is an artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer whose goal in life is to create, and empower others to create moving art. A graduate of NYU Tisch’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Jake has released a number of albums, coordinated the renowned GroundUP Music Festival, worked with talented musicians from Jazz to Pop, scored for Film/TV (notably K-Dramas), and performed for audiences across the world. Jake started Indigo Soul NYC to harness the power of the artistic community he had seen grow disconnected yet ever more inspired, through creating accessible resources and support to encourage collaboration across genre, background, and medium to shape the future of culture and make an impact on society.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

In this episode, the crew sits down with Jake, founder and CEO of Indigo Soul NYC, for a conversation about artistry, purpose, community, and burnout. Jake reflects on growing up as a musician, the people who shaped his creative life, and how collaboration became central to his vision for building spaces where artists can thrive. The episode also explores what artists sacrifice in pursuit of meaningful work, why creative community matters more than ever, and the importance of learning balance before passion turns into burnout.

01:25 How the podcast came together

05:30 Jake’s beginnings as a musician and artist

08:00 What it means to truly be an artist

09:00 Early influences, music community, and loss

11:10 Why Jake started Indigo Soul NYC

13:05 The importance of collaboration in art and culture

15:45 The Pop-It question: toxic traits and overworking

Jake Tavill:

Founder and CEO of Indigo Soul NYC, Jake is an artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer whose goal in life is to create, and empower others to create moving art. A graduate of NYU Tisch’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Jake has released a number of albums, coordinated the renowned GroundUP Music Festival, worked with talented musicians from Jazz to Pop, scored for Film/TV (notably K-Dramas), and performed for audiences across the world. Jake started Indigo Soul NYC to harness the power of the artistic community he had seen grow disconnected yet ever more inspired, through creating accessible resources and support to encourage collaboration across genre, background, and medium to shape the future of culture and make an impact on society.

Aziz Finney:

Aziz Finney is an artist and musician, driven by curiosity, connection, and the search for deeper meaning. In the wake of the disconnection left by COVID, he began a personal journey of self-discovery that pushed him to ask bigger questions about identity, healing, purpose, and what it means to be human. That journey evolved into conversations with strangers on deeply reflective topics, creating space for honesty, vulnerability, and perspective in a world that often moves too fast to look inward. Through his work, Aziz invites others to join him in exploring the questions that shape us, hoping to make people feel a little more seen, a little less alone, and a little more connected to themselves and each other.

Taylor Tote:

Taylor Tote is a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director originally from the NJ/NYC area now based in San Diego, CA. Recognized by the Asbury Park Press for her “big voice, old soul” style, Taylor has spent the last 10 years touring nationally as both a solo artist and alongside acclaimed soul performer Remember Jones. With a background in music, media, business, and entrepreneurship, Taylor served has lead Content Creation and Production at Indigo Soul NYC, where she produced and co-hosted the podcast Thoughts on the Path. Passionate about honest conversation, creativity, and community, Taylor helped curate a thoughtful and artist-driven perspective to each episode, exploring the realities of music, mental health, identity, and navigating life on your own terms.

Indigo Soul NYC:

Indigo Soul NYC nurtures artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media

Thoughts on the Path is Hosted by Aziz Finney and Taylor Tote

Powered by Indigo Soul NYC

To learn more about how you can support Thoughts on the Path and other Indigo Soul NYC media projects visit www.indigosoulnyc.com/media