Where Have You Been, Bitch?

This week I had author, musician, and entrepreneur Mark Firehammer stop by the pod:) Mark is the author of The Echo and the Voice, which, in Mark’s words, is “a modern allegory about what gets lost when we trade creative truth for cultural belonging, and what it takes to reclaim it in a world that rewards conformity.” 

He shared his perspective on staying authentic, creating for the market, creativity as a system, holding onto trust, and letting go of limiting beliefs. 

Read more of his work and his vast collection of original songs via his website

Music by KOZO

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I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with a true multi-hyphenate for this week’s pod: Siquoyia Blue! Siquoyia is a songwriter, IT wiz, artist, author, and she is in the process of creating a new AI platform for creatives and entrepreneurs of all types. Siquoyia uses her IT knowledge to leverage tech for her music writing process and accompanying visuals. She shared her insight on balance, her pathway from songwriting to IT and back, and developing her unique music genre Abstract Soul. 

Find out more about Siquoyia’s work, including her card game Dating Assassins, via her website<3 

Music by KOZO

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Please welcome the hilarious and unique Paul Pape! Paul has had an extensive career in theatrical design, production, creative consulting and is now known as Santa for Nerds. His consulting business, Gamify Business, helps artists connect their creative thinking with business techniques to make a living out of their art. He shared his insight on burnout, rejection, letting go, business models, finding your audience, lightsaber s*x toys, and Dungeons and Dragons

If you want to work with Paul or read his books, find more info here

Music by KOZO

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A quick n dirty check in with our fave, Joshua<3 He shares the latest in his culinary escapades, being the official/unofficial event manager of my sister's engagement party, and our own anniversary plans

Music by KOZO

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A quick update on a feature I booked, a feature I wrote, a newsletter I craft, and how I'm doing it scared

Music by KOZO

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This week, musician and songwriter Reeya Banerjee joins me to chat all things songwriting, dayjobs, finding inspiration, and sharing your stories through art. Reeya is a multi-passionate, dabbling in film, writing, voiceover, and indieshark.com called her songwriting style “as if Carole King came of age in the post-grunge era.” With the release of her second album, out as of August 22nd, Reeya traces the evolution of her identity through the loss of a parent, interstate moves, and the ups and downs life throws at us. 

Listen to her new album and learn more about Reeya’s story via her website

Music by KOZO

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This week, I had the privilege of chatting with Sarah Degrave! Sarah is an ADHD-informed creative coach for artists and entrepreneurs.

She shared her insight on how creative types are prone to ADHD tendencies, how to manage burnout and overwhelm, knowing when to seek support, perfectionism, building confidence, and ADHD as a superpower

If you would like to work with Sarah, you can connect with her via her website! 

Music by KOZO

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Lucky number 7 of this recurring series where The Boy and I share a bunch of stuff we're into right now that bring us a little joy in this bleak existence.

These lists include, but are not limited to: documentaries, good habits, emotional reframes, podcasts, and flavored vinegar (don't knock it till you try it!)

Music by KOZO

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Please welcome Patrick Williams! Patrick is an artist, writer, public speaker, consultant, and the founder of Satori Innovation which helps business owners, artists, and entrepreneurs reconnect with their creative spirits.

Patrick shared his insight on what he calls Creative Colonization, Creative Collapse, reconnecting with your inner child, the importance of play, how vital it is to know yourself, and showing up as a bad-ass

See more of his work, including his TedxTalk and his beautiful flower series, via his website

Music by KOZO

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This week we have our first poet joining WHYBB! Please welcome Katerina Stoykova, she is a writer and teacher, originally from Bulgaria and now based in Kentucky. She also runs her own publishing company Accents Publishing. We chatted about the joy of creation, coming back to yourself, starting over, the importance of staying grounded, and the healing power of a chocolate chip cookie. 

Her book “Between a Bird Cage and a Bird House” is centered around her search for cultural identity and what it really means to find home. Find her books everywhere books are sold including her guide on how to self-publish “A Poet’s Guide to Publishing: How to Concieve, Arrange, Edit, Publish and Market a Book of Poetry”

Music by KOZO

Follow me on the gram: ⁠@thatjanewest⁠

Buy me a coffee: ⁠@ThatJaneWest⁠