Honestly, Dear Listener

Honestly, Dear Listener
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Being a creative person is tough.  We want to make cool things, but then life hits us with insecurity, rejection, schedules, etc. How do we push past all the noise and make the things that light us up?  Welcome, Dear Listener, to a space where it's okay to ask questions and dive deep into the world of fear, creativity, and the roadblocks that get in the way of us busting forth with creativity energy. We're a couple of weirdos who want to talk about the hard things with you, so welcome to our living room--pull up a chair, cover up with a cozy blanket, and let's get started.  Honestly, Dear Listener is a weekly podcast hosted by Emily Hatch and Carrie Schaeffer.

  1. 94: Straight Out the Vag: Our Inner Child

    7 DE NOV.

    94: Straight Out the Vag: Our Inner Child

    A lot of us didn’t get what we needed as kids, so we adapted—squeezed ourselves into shapes that kept us safe. As adults, our nervous systems still remember those shapes. This episode is about our inner child: the part that wants to play and create, but also freaks out when life feels unsafe. Carrie shares how ACA and parts work (IFS) helped her begin reparenting herself; Emily talks survival mode, productivity, and why singing felt like safety. We get into grief-in-autumn vibes, the self-soothing we never learned, and—because it’s us—a strangely perfect detour into inner ears and earwax: inner child, inner ear—chef’s kiss. _____________________________________________________ References: ACA - Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families - 12-Step Support & Recovery Group - for anyone who, because of people or circumstances in their childhoods, had to adapt in painful, unhelpful, or unhealthy ways to survive—whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually IFS - Internal Family Systems - also known as “parts work” - a psychotherapy tool developed by Richard C. Schwartz that views that the mind as a collection of relatively separate subpersonalities or parts, each with its own unique viewpoint and qualities “Ball of Wax” - english idiom meaning “everything” or “all of it” TIMECODES:0:00 - Intro0:49 - Grief3:24 - Inner Child work10:39 - Often, our parents didn’t have enough tools to give us what we needed12:35 - Hiding from healing in the church18:54 - We were trained that if we were okay, we were doing something wrong21:59 - We weren’t taught how to self-soothe24:32 - When the Inner Child calls bullshit/earning back our Inner Child’s trust27:14 - Getting healing for US is the best gift we could give our kids28:48 - Our Inner Child is the seat of our creativity34:39 - Trauma lands hard as a child35:28 - The Earwax Discussion

    40min
  2. 93: "The Inside Girl" by Carrie King (Schaeffer) 10.25.25

    25 DE OUT.

    93: "The Inside Girl" by Carrie King (Schaeffer) 10.25.25

    Carrie tried smoking grass at 14. It's not what you think. It didn't go well. Today, we’re doing something a little different: Carrie is sharing a finished thing—a non-fiction short story she wrote called “The Inside Girl.” It’s about growing up in a bubble, longing to be inside of culture, and the day teenage curiosity met cattail fluff and…fire. It’s a story she needed to write to make sense of her longing to belong. _____________________________________________________________ Where to find Carrie: Read “The Inside Girl” on Substack Substack: carriekingpresents.substack.com Instagram: @carriekingpresents YouTube: @carriekingpresents

    25min
  3. 92: Play & Rest & Why They're Not Stupid 10.03.25

    3 DE OUT.

    92: Play & Rest & Why They're Not Stupid 10.03.25

    This week on the show, we talk about play and rest and how they’re kind of important parts to our creative practice. We talk about giving our minds a rest and letting our bodies take the wheel by choosing low-stakes experiments (waste the page) to loosen perfectionism. On the rest side, we talk about what it is (choice) and isn’t (doomscrolling). We’re getting a little rebellious with this one—and perhaps even a tad wasteful *gasp*! References: Utah Shakespeare Festival - annual summer/fall theatre festival in Cedar City, UT Into the Woods - 2014 Disney adaptation of the 1986 musical Into the Woods starring Meryl Streep and a bunch of other famous people “Stay with Me” - song from the 2014 Disney adaptation of the 1986 musical Into the Woods written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Heartburn - novel by Nora Ephron, narrated by Meryl StreepTom Lake - novel by Ann Patchett, narrated by Meryl Streep“Aqueous Transmission” - song by Incubus“Get Ur Freak On” - song by Missy ElliottThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - novel by Douglas AdamsThe Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, book by Julia Cameron TIMECODES0:00 - Intro2:04 - Get your “frisson”8:15 - Dance as play12:16 - Resistance to play18:13 - When did we stop playing?29:49 - Rest is radical

    45min
  4. 91: Rewind (Q3) & Reset (Q4): Writing, Grief, and What's Next 09.19.25

    19 DE SET.

    91: Rewind (Q3) & Reset (Q4): Writing, Grief, and What's Next 09.19.25

    In this Rewind & Reset episode, we look back at Quarter 3—Carrie stepping into her writing and performance dreams, and Emily navigating grief while still creating music and finding her footing. We talk about what it means to stop playing small, to honor our own timing, and to carry those lessons forward into Quarter 4 with gentleness, courage, and creativity. References: Carrie’s Substack - Read & SUBSCRIBE here Carrie’s “Girl on the Mountain” Substack post - (It’s actually called “The Audacity of Wanting”) TIMECODES0:00 - Intro2:13 - “Dead dad couture” 3:05 - “Drawers”5:10 - English is an asshole language7:04 - The world’s greatest joke7:54 - Clothing on animals…we die.13:45 - How Carrie’s Q3 goals went19:40 - What’s ahead for Carrie in Q423:19 - Emily’s Q3/Q4 goals

    35min
  5. 90: God's Glory or Ours?: Reclaiming the Joy of Performance Part 2 with Melissa V. Cartwright 09.05.25

    5 DE SET.

    90: God's Glory or Ours?: Reclaiming the Joy of Performance Part 2 with Melissa V. Cartwright 09.05.25

    NOTE: This is part 2 of our two-part series talking with Singer/Songwriter Melissa V. Cartwright. If you haven’t already, go back and listen to part 1 and then come back here for part 2. In this follow-up conversation with Melissa V. Cartwright, we continue unpacking the process of spiritual deconstruction—especially how it reshapes the way we create. We talk about what happens when the certainty we once clung to dissolves, and how grief, disorientation, and memory show up in our art. From “cry nights” and purity culture to unexpected dreams and desert metaphors, we explore the tension between old beliefs and creative freedom. Ultimately, we ask: what if not knowing is a perfectly good reason to make something? Melissa’s Bio:Singer, Songwriter, and Bilingual Voice and Performance Coach Melissa V. Cartwright is the founder of MVC Performance and the host of Passionate Performer PODCAST (in fact, Emily was a guest on her show—and we’ve the episode below). With over 25 years of experience in TV, radio, studio work, and musical theatre, she helps artists step on stage with confidence—whether it’s their very first open mic or a headlining show.  Where to find Melissa: Website: www.mvcperformance.comInstagram: @mvcperformanceTikTok: @mvcperformancePassionate Performer Podcast: on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube References: Emily’s episode on the Passionate Performer Podcast, aired 6/25/25“Shiny, Happy People”, Season 2: A Teenage Holy War - TV series on Amazon Prime Faith after Doubt: What Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It - book by Brian D. McLaren Teen Mania Ministries - a now-defunct, Evangelical Christian youth organization spreading the Western evangelical, Christian faith with charismatic youth events (Acquire the Fire) and missions trips (Global Expeditions), founded and spearheaded by Ron Luce - the primary organization highlighted in Season 2 of the Amazon Prime documentary “Shiny, Happy People: A Teenage Holy War” Saved! - 2004 American independent satirical black comedy film directed by Brian Dannelly and starring Mandy Moore Focus on the Family - an American, Evangelical organization founded in 1977 by James Dobson that primarily lobbies against LGBT and pro-choice rights Easy A - 2010 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck and starring Emma Stone and Amanda Bynes Columbine High School massacre - school shooting and attempted bombing in Columbine, CO on April 20, 1999 that killed 13 students (including Cassie Bernal) and 1 teacher The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, book by Julia Cameron TIMECODES0:00 - Intro1:25 - As evangelicals, how do we enjoy making things now?3:53 - Allowing ourselves to grieve10:40 - Uncertainty and the unknown13:59 - “I don’t know” breeds humility17:17 - “Compassion led me away from the church.”19:46 - What made Carrie start questioning - the Teen Mania missions trip story24:34 - Christians are mean26:56 - Aquire the Fire29:49 - “Cry Night”33:44 - Cry Night - an explanation for those who didn’t grow up weird like we did37:32 - Expendable bodies in an evangelical war machine41:11 - Numbness42:36 - Brain versus body & artists44:05 - Artists need space and freedom to create

    52min
  6. 89: God's Glory or Ours?: Reclaiming the Joy of Performance Part 1 with Melissa V. Cartwright 08.22.25

    22 DE AGO.

    89: God's Glory or Ours?: Reclaiming the Joy of Performance Part 1 with Melissa V. Cartwright 08.22.25

    Have you ever felt guilty for enjoying the spotlight? This week we talk with singer, songwriter, and voice coach Melissa V. Cartwright about what it means to grow up evangelical, wrestle with performance, and deconstruct the old programming that told us our art could only be “for God’s glory.” Together, we explore perfectionism, fear, and how to reclaim joy, play, and the freedom to be fully seen. Melissa’s Bio:Singer, Songwriter, and Bilingual Voice and Performance Coach Melissa V. Cartwright is the founder of MVC Performance and the host of Passionate Performer PODCAST (in fact, Emily was a guest on her show—and we’ve the episode below). With over 25 years of experience in TV, radio, studio work, and musical theatre, she helps artists step on stage with confidence—whether it’s their very first open mic or a headlining show.  __________________________________________________ Where to find Melissa: Website: www.mvcperformance.comInstagram: @mvcperformanceTikTok: @mvcperformancePassionate Performer Podcast: on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube __________________________________________________ References: Emily’s episode on the Passionate Performer Podcast, aired 6/25/25“31: How to Start Over: New Beginnings and the Power of Resilience” with Amber Mogg Cathey 05.03.24 - Honestly, Dear Listener podcast episode“53: Can We Motivate Ourselves without Kicking Our Own Butts?” with Amber Mogg Cathey 10.04.24 - Honestly, Dear Listener podcast episodeMorning Pages - from The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, book by Julia Cameron Shiny, Happy People, Season 2: A Teenage Holy War - TV series on Amazon Prime TIMECODES0:00 - Intro5:11 - Growing up in fundamentalist Christianity as performers6:38 - Melissa’s history & deconstruction14:53 - Communication & overspiritualization19:17 - “I don’t have to hate God to not buy into the bullshit”19:33 - Worship leading & our bids for connection23:18 - The weight of overspiritualization & perfectionism25:26 - Performance: for God or for you? & FEAR32:00 - Do we need constant saving?32:48 - From saving the world to play

    40min
  7. 88: When Expectations Die With Them 08.08.25

    8 DE AGO.

    88: When Expectations Die With Them 08.08.25

    Hey, Dear Listener, A quick heads- up before we begin: Today's episode involves the death of a parent. If you're navigating any kind of loss--whether someone is truly gone or just no longer who they were before--take care of yourself as you listen.  _______________________________________________________ In this episode of Honestly, Dear Listener, we’re talking about what happens to all the expectations we carry once the person who placed them on us is no longer here. Emily shares about the recent passing of her dad—her childhood best friend and fiercest cheerleader—and how his absence has unexpectedly reshaped her relationship to music, identity, and pressure. We explore how parents pass down not just values, but scripts—and how, in their absence, we’re sometimes left wondering who we really are. Whether you’ve lost a parent or are simply renegotiating the story you’ve been handed, we hope this episode meets you where you are. _______________________________________________________ References: As I Lay Dying - novel by William Faulkner TIMECODES0:00 - Intro2:38 - Creatives & Overthinking4:39 - “My dad died.”10:48 - “I’m living his dream.”12:26 - Grieving someone while they’re still alive22:48 - Expectations- “Who am I if my parents are gone?”25:55 - What Emily’s noticing about expectations/her identity now that her dad is gone30:00 - An irreverent chat about cremation40:27 - Grief

    47min
  8. 87: The Creative Pivot: When Comfort Stops Being Comfortable with Trishawna Quincy 07.25.25

    25 DE JUL.

    87: The Creative Pivot: When Comfort Stops Being Comfortable with Trishawna Quincy 07.25.25

    What happens when the work that once gave you life starts to feel like a cage? In this episode, we talk with designer, teacher, entrepreneur, (and Carrie’s former sewing program director) Trishawna Quincy, who shares the story of how she left a stable job she loved—one she built from the ground up—to launch her own sewing business. We talk about discerning when it’s time to pivot, how to say no without guilt, and why building a creative life you actually enjoy is worth the risk (even if it means ironing a cocktail dress when you’re broke). We cover: Navigating career transitions with intention (and spreadsheets) How to know what kind of work lights you up vs. what drains you Setting boundaries around your time and talents Why following joy isn’t a luxury—it’s fuel for the hard parts The unexpected power of making videos, honoring process, and letting your students into your creative practice Whether you’re a multi-hyphenate creative, a burned-out teacher, or just someone who’s hearing the quiet call to “jump,” this one’s for you. Learn more about Trishawna’s private sewing lessons and creative work at tikivisionstylelab.com. ____________________________________________________________ Where to find Trishawna: Website: www.tikivisionstylelab.com Instagram: @tikivisonstylelab TikTok: @tikivisionstylelab ____________________________________________________________ References: Sewing Training Academy - workforce program in Nashville, TN offered by Catholic Charities TIMECODES 0:00 - Intro 3:57 - History of the Sewing Training Program 8:44 - Trishawna’s childhood history with sewing 16:52 - Feeling the need for change 22:41 - Fears about jumping, fear, and uncertainty 28:45 - On saying “no” 38:14 - Advice for new entrepreneurs

    52min
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Sobre

Being a creative person is tough.  We want to make cool things, but then life hits us with insecurity, rejection, schedules, etc. How do we push past all the noise and make the things that light us up?  Welcome, Dear Listener, to a space where it's okay to ask questions and dive deep into the world of fear, creativity, and the roadblocks that get in the way of us busting forth with creativity energy. We're a couple of weirdos who want to talk about the hard things with you, so welcome to our living room--pull up a chair, cover up with a cozy blanket, and let's get started.  Honestly, Dear Listener is a weekly podcast hosted by Emily Hatch and Carrie Schaeffer.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Honestly, Dear Listener
  • Anos de atividade
    2014 - 2025
  • Episódios
    107
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Honestly, Dear Listener
  • Site do podcast
    Honestly, Dear Listener