Empowering Artists Podcast

When starting off with anything that's new, it's easy to not feel confident in what you're doing. And guess what? THAT'S OKAY!! Confidence is something that takes time to develop and a lot of times, people don't know where to start. In today's episode I'm talking about what you can do to be confident and how to do it. 

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As artists who make their living through their art, it's important that we make sure the projects we take on will be enough to help support us. However, it can be a little uncomfortable asking if projects are paid or declining projects that aren't. In today's episode we'll talk about what you can do to ask if a project will be paid and how to politely say no to the ones you don't want to take on. Take a listen today!  

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They say that comparison is the thief of joy. As an artist, it can be something that we face consciously or subconsciously, but not matter what this can easily change our perspective on our accomplishments. In today's episode I'm talking about how you can make sure you're never robbed of your joy as an artist and how you can rewire your thinking around comparison too. 

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I don't know about you, but here in Washington, DC we've been dealing with a surge in the Omicron variant cases which has caused everything from schools returning to virtual learning, ceremonies being cancelled and theaters in the area cancelling or rescheduling shows until Fall of 2022. It can feel like we don't have a lot of control of what will happen to our artistic careers, but I have three tried and true things I do to make sure that my career keeps moving forward. 

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Hi friends! I get a lot of questions asking what are the the top things an artist needs to have/do in order to grow and thrive in this industry and today's episode is all about that. If you're wondering what's the top thing to do in order to move forward in 2022 take a listen right now and learn the singular thing that will help you the most in your artistic career. 

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Hi everyone! The other day I read a blog post about an entrepreneur's business and how it changed in 2021, and not in the way they expected. That inspired me to share my own recap of 2021 and share the things that happened that I didn't expect as well as the goals I had set for myself and didn't reach. I wanted to be transparent with you all in hopes of it maybe helping someone who is feeling like they didn't do everything that should have. Take a listen today! 

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Hello and welcome to the first episode of 2022! I hope that you had a wonderful start to the New Year and can't wait to see what 2022 has in store for us! In today's episode I'm talking all about how to keep your momentum going, especially during a time like right now when things are being cancelled left and right, and it seems like progress forward is going to be challenging. I'm sharing my thoughts, tips and strategies on how to keep that artistic spark bright and how to make sure you continue on your path as an empowered artist in 2022 

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I can't believe it's the last episode of 2021! So much has happened in the past year and as we look to 2022, I want to ask you, what do you want to do? In today's episode I talk about why it's important to set goals, some failed goals of my own, and how to set yourself up for artistic success in 2022. Take a listen today and I hope you have a great start to 2022! 

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2021 has been one heck of a year. We're in such a different place than where we were a year ago and so much has changed since then. No matter what industry you're in, everyone has had to change, readjust and pivot throughout the year. And as artists, of which many professions involve being around or performing for other people, we've had to make every sort of change under the sun continue making art and sharing it with our communities. It's been a long, windy road, but guess what? You DID IT. And that calls for a celebration of what you've accomplished this year. Take a listen to now to today's episode to really see how I know you've made a difference during the year. 

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Weird metaphor right?! I thought so too! But when I heard it for the first time and really thought about it, the metaphor made total sense! Not sure how your own artistic goals are a like a package you order online? Take a listen today and see why! 

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It's our 100th episode of the podcast! I can't believe it! In January 2021 the first episode of The Empowering Artists Podcast was released (and it had a different name too!) and here we are almost a full year later with our 100th episode. I'm so grateful for everyone who has listened and my hope is that with every episode you learn something new or feel encouraging and empowered as an artist. When I first started this podcast, I was an actor who didn't know anything about recording audio and turning it into a podcast. It was a new artistic project I was so scared to do, but am so happy that I took that first step. Take a listen to the most important lesson I've learned about how to be an empowered artist, no matter what field you're in. And again, thank you for making this 100th episode possible!! 

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It's been a while but today's episode is the next installment of the Artist Money Mindset segment! Today I'm talking all about preparing your finances for taxes because it's never to early to start right? I'm talking the difference between 1099 income, W-2 income, and how to track everything and keep it all in once place. Take a listen today! 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing what happened to me recently at an audition/interview for a new project I'm working on. I ended up being on the other side of the table from someone I had worked with three years ago! I didn't even know if they remembered me, but they did and it made me think how crazy the universe is sometimes. Take a listen to why the connections and impressions you make today, can and will affect your artistic career in the future. 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

Hi everyone, today I'm sharing a story about something I recently experienced when I tried my hand at a different artistic medium than what I typically do. My artistic work was call bad and I was told I didn't put in any effort. Those words frustrated me a lot, and I know that I'm not the only one to have experienced a situation like this. In today's episode I'm sharing with you that situation, how I processed it and why it's important to remember not everyone has to like you or your work, and that's okay. Once we allow ourselves to take all comments in stride, that's when we really feel empowered as an artist. 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing a thought that I had recently: People who are creative often provide services or products that are PERFECT for gifting this holiday season! As the height of holiday shopping approaches, I want to encourage and empower you to step out of your comfort zone and into a place where you can confidently tell others about what skills and services you provide as a professional artist, and turn that conversation into a gift for someone else and a confidence for you and your business! 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

Hi everyone! Today is going to be a shorter episode because I've been feeling a tad under the weather. While I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to record a longer episode for you all, I realized that when you're not 100% physically and mentally you can be your best or do your best art. Today, I share why it's important to remember to rest if you need it, and some of the fears I have about resting in the middle of projects. Take a listen today! 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

When you're going after your dreams, it can be really easy to have blinders on, and not see what's around you. That happened to me when I started pursing my career as an actor, and having an 'all or nothing' mindset around your career can sometimes slow your growth. In today's episode, I talk about some other reasons why it's important to recognize and nurture your other interests as an artist and how it can help you in your own career to feel like an empowered artists. 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

We've all been there before, we try something new, put in a lot of time and effort into the project, only to be told that it's 'not good at all.' It can be disheartening, especially when it's a new artistic medium you've been wanting to try for forever. Today' I'm sharing a personal story of this exact situation, and what I hope listeners can take away from when they face negative comments when trying something new. Take a listen today, and remember, no matter what, keep trying. 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

The holidays are coming up! I don't know about you, but I absolutely love this time of year! Seeing family, spending time with friends and just taking a couple days to rest and relax are some of the things I look to the most. However, I know that this time of year, especially for newer artists, the holidays can be a bit stressful with family asking about your career and sometimes, not knowing how to respond. In today's episode I share my thoughts on how to approach the holiday conversations about being an artist and how to feel confident in your career path. 

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Podcast Instagram: @empoweringartistspodcast

Hi everyone! For today's episode we are talking money. Money can be such a taboo topic, but I want us to get over that feeling of like we can't talk about it. Today I'm telling you why people want to pay you money for the skills and services you are offering and they'll pay them at the price you are asking. This is a MUST LISTEN for anyone who is nervous to set their prices for their offers. 

Life is constantly changing and there are different seasons for everything. The last couple of weeks, I've noticed myself spending more time on other projects outside my career and my family. This has resulted in me not submitting for as many projects and feeling like I was falling behind. But then I realized that's life, that's what happens. Especially now that we're getting into the holidays. Take a listen to today's episode if you're feeling me on this. 

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while now, you know that I upload episodes on Mondays and Thursdays. Well the past week, I did not follow that schedule nearly as well as I usually do, and that's okay! Life happens, and things get moved around. Past me would have freaked out that everything wasn't 'perfect' but present me was a little disappointed and then moved on. I think that this is a great example as to why people sometimes don't go after what they want: it's not 'perfect' so why even try when you could freak out and talk yourself out of it instead? Today I'm sharing why you don't need to be perfect when it comes to pursuing your artistic journey. In fact, it might be better if you just go for it perfect or not! Take a listen now! 

In today's episode, I'm opening up a little bit about my own journey as an artist and actor. The last five projects I submitted to/auditioned for didn't go the way I was hoping and I ended up getting a 'no' from them. In all honesty, it kinda sucked and I was feeling down for a little bit. Today I'm sharing a bit of what happened and my thoughts on the matter. I know that I'm not sharing as much as I could be, but I'm still working on being more vulnerable and expressing myself in that way. If you resonate at all with this episode, I hope that you remember that it's okay to feel sad about projects that didn't happen but that doesn't mean it's the end of your career, it's just part of it.  

Today I'm doing a bit of a chit chat and sharing some conversations I had about pursuing your dream as an artist. People will always have opinions on what you do, but it's important to remember that you have to be happy with your life, so make sure you're happy with yourself. 

Hi everyone! Today's episode is about something that all artists need to hear, and that is: success does not happen overnight. In fact, true success (not virality) takes a long time to build up to. I'm sharing a couple of examples of that in today's episode, and also some things to remember when just starting out as an artist, or if you're an established artist looking to fully support yourself using your skills and talents. Take a listen now! 

Hi everyone, happy Monday! In today's episode we're talking about something that we need to do more of: respecting our time. As an artist, it's very easy to get wrapped up in our work because we love it so much and it doesn't feel like work to us. I'm sharing a couple stories about why respecting your own time is so important, and how to take the first steps to doing it. Take a listen now! 

I'm so excited for today's episode because I was able to interview musician, Jess Pillay! Learn more about Jess below: 

Jess Pillay is an independent singer/songwriter, pianist, and guitarist from Seattle, Washington. Known for her soulful alto voice and lyrically-driven songwriting style, she will immediately entice fans of artists like Rachael Yamagata, Norah Jones, and Missy Higgins. Her songs often wrestle with themes like faith, doubt, hope, loss, and the ever-changing, messy nature of relationships and can be found on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Bandcamp. Currently, Jess is working on her debut EP, which is set to be released sometime in 2022.

Instagram/Twitter: @jesspillaymusic
Facebook: facebook.com/jesspillaymusic

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If there comes a time when an artist decides to sell their products online, offers to teach their skills, or offers their services in any way resistance is often met along the way. I know that when I decided to start offering to teach my skills, I came up against a lot of imposter syndrome and resistance as a result of that. Today I'm sharing ways you can move past any resistance you may come up against and how to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Networking can be a scary thing to do, especially when you're starting out. But it doesn't have to be. Networking can be as easy as talking to one person or connecting with someone on social media. Take a listen to today's episode and learn how you can take your first step start your network. 

Everyone in their artistic journey feels stuck at one point or another. The self-doubt, impostor syndrome or negative feelings can start creeping up and then you freeze. Sound familiar? Today I'm talking about why taking small steps, even messy and imperfect ones, is the best way to move forward in your career. 

You've probably heard before that you need to make sure your paid what you're worth. You've probably also felt like you couldn't price your art lessons, photography services etc. at the price you want because you don't feel like you could ask for that much. I'm here to tell you in today's episode, yes you can price your services at a high dollar amount, and why you NEED to do this. It might sound crazy, but take a listen and see why pricing your artistic services at a higher price will only benefit you in the long run. 

TW: Some discussion of gun violence.  

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Today I'm sharing a story that I heard recently from someone who is a professional classical singer. They experienced a life altering event and not to be too dramatic, thought that they could have been experiencing their last moments on earth. In those moments they realized that they were so happy to have lived their life pursing something that they wanted to do and not what other people wanted them to do. I invite you to listen to today's episode and hope this encourages you to continue to do the art that you love. 

We've all experienced it before: we tell someone we're an artist for a living and then they ask us questions, many times not realizing the questions come off as rude. In today's episode I talk about why being an artist means that I have control and flexibility within my schedule and how I have no cap on my income. Take a listen today and figure out why and how you can do it too! 

No matter what industry you're in, eventually we all run into someone who doesn't want to pay our rates as artists for services. That can be pretty frustrating (trust me, I know) but I've figured out how to not let that happen, and make sure you're paid what you are worth. Take a listen today! 

A lot of the time, I find myself talking to people who wished they would have followed their passion, but didn't because 'someone told them they shouldn't.' This happens way too much and today I share my thoughts on why it's silly to do this and how to rewire your thinking around what you 'should do' and 'shouldn't do,' take a listen today! 

Surprise! I completely changed the name of my business that this podcast is part of to Artists as Entrepreneurs! I'm so excited for this change and I think it really encompasses where I want to take this business. Take a listen to today's episode about the name change and why I know all artists can become entrepreneurs in various ways to create the life they want with the skills and talents they already possess!

Does this sound like you? "I'm not good enough at this" or "I can never make a living doing the art I love" or "I will never make it as an artist." Yeah, I've been there too. Lot's of times. And these are all limiting beliefs I've had creep up on me that made me feel like I wasn't worthy of calling myself an artist. After years of shifting my mindset, I finally realized that all of these limiting beliefs I had were lies I was telling myself. I know artists all have these thoughts go through their heads at some point, and today I'm sharing how I overcame these limiting beliefs and how you can too. 

In today's episode, I've taken a more chatty approach to the podcast. I'm sharing my thoughts on why you can't let the fear of money stand in the way of doing what you love. Money is a touchy subject, one that I hope I'll be talking more of in the future, and often times is what artists say is what's holding them back. I completely understand, and today I'm sharing my personal thoughts on money mindset and share a bit of my money story. 

Artists can get advice from a lot of places and people and sometimes this advice comes unsolicited. If there's anything I've learned while pursuing a professional acting career, it's that you don't take advice from someone who has never been where you want to be. Take a listen to today's episode and find out why every artist, no matter where they are in their career, needs to hear this.