Self-Care for The Creative Podcast

Stefani Fryzel

Welcome to the Self-Care for The Creative Podcast, where your host, Stefani Fryzel, dives deep into the world of self-care strategies tailored specifically for creatives, empaths, and highly sensitive people. Join us as we explore techniques and insights needed to nurture your mental well-being while navigating the unique challenges of an artist’s lifestyle. Our mission is to empower you to not only survive, but thrive, as we guide you on your journey towards creating a successful self-care plan that suits your individual needs!

  1. Jul 30

    Building Visibility, Authenticity & Personal Brand as a Creative Entrepreneur with Michelle Thames

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcaster, and visibility strategist Michelle Thames for a powerful conversation about personal branding, authenticity, and building a career rooted in purpose. Michelle shares her journey from marketing professional to community builder, explaining how helping people get seen and paid has become her life's work. Together, Stefani and Michelle explore the fears that hold creatives back from showing up online, the difference between posting consistently versus posting with intention, and why authenticity will always outperform trends. Michelle also shares practical strategies for creating content without burnout, building a personal brand that reflects your values, and leveraging AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human connection. You'll discover why personal branding is so important for artists and creatives, how to stand out in a crowded digital landscape, and why investing in yourself and getting into the right rooms can accelerate your growth in ways you never imagined. This episode is a reminder that your story, personality, and lived experiences aren't distractions from your brand—they are your brand. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Michelle's journey into visibility strategy 04:35 Overcoming the fear of being seen online 08:15 Consistency, burnout, and creating content sustainably 12:10 Trends vs. authenticity: what actually works 16:20 What personal branding really means for creatives 20:35 How to stand out in a crowded online world 23:40 AI, creativity, and using technology intentionally 26:00 Self-care, entrepreneurship, and navigating different seasons 27:40 The power of investing in yourself and building community 30:45 Creating opportunities through authentic relationships LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120   Connect with Michelle Thames: Website: https://michellethames.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelthames/?hl=en  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-thames Listen to Michelle's podcast, Social Media Decoded, and learn more about her visibility strategies, community events, and programs designed to help entrepreneurs show up authentically and grow their impact.

  2. Jul 23

    Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone: Why Your Environment Shapes Your Success as an Artist

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel explores why your environment may be the missing piece between where you are and where you want to go as an artist. She shares how investing in herself, surrounding herself with people who challenge her, and consistently stepping outside her comfort zone has transformed both her career and her identity. From songwriting rooms to entrepreneurial masterminds, Stefani reveals why growth rarely happens by staying where it's comfortable. You'll discover how your environment influences your creativity, confidence, and career trajectory, why getting in the right room can accelerate your growth, and how investing in yourself often leads to the biggest breakthroughs. Whether you're feeling stuck, plateaued, or simply ready for your next level, this episode will inspire you to trust the pull toward the opportunities that scare you—because that's often where your greatest transformation begins. Timestamps: 00:00 Why Artists Plateau in Their Comfort Zone 02:21 Investing in Yourself & Getting in the Right Room 04:43 How New Environments Create Breakthroughs 08:21 The Garden Analogy: Why Environment Matters 10:10 Building a Sustainable Music Career Through Community 12:25 Why We Created Hitmakers & Our Mission to Support Songwriters 14:20 The Question That Could Change Everything   LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120

  3. Jul 9

    Finding Your Voice: Confidence, Collaboration & Building a Lasting Career in Music with Kaydence

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel sits down with 2x Grammy Award-winning songwriter Kaydence to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable career in the music industry. From finding your creative voice to writing chart-topping hits for artists like Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, Kaydence shares the lessons she's learned through years of persistence, growth, and showing up before she felt fully ready. Together, they discuss why confidence is built through repetition—not perfection—the importance of surrounding yourself with collaborators who bring out your best, and how developing multiple skills can create opportunities when they matter most. Kaydence also opens up about navigating rejection, overcoming self-doubt, advocating for yourself as a songwriter, and why relationships, preparation, and timing often matter just as much as talent. You'll discover why finding your voice takes time, how versatility can accelerate your career, and why investing in your craft beyond songwriting can open unexpected doors. Kaydence also shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with Ariana Grande, practical advice for writers feeling stuck, and her perspective on the evolving music industry and the fight for fair treatment of songwriters. This episode is a reminder that success isn't built from one breakthrough moment—it's built through years of showing up, continuing to learn, and trusting that your preparation will meet the right opportunity. Timestamps: 00:00: Kaydence's journey into songwriting and finding her voice 08:45: Building confidence through collaboration and repetition 14:30: Why community can accelerate your growth as a songwriter 18:00: Becoming more than "just" a songwriter: developing multiple skills 22:15: Navigating rejection, setbacks, and staying in the game 30:50: Behind the scenes of working with Ariana Grande and career-defining opportunities 37:00: Kaydence's songwriting process and creative approach 41:00: Burnout, self-care, and protecting your creativity 45:00: The current state of the music industry and advocating for songwriters   LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120   Connect with Kaydence: Social media: @kaydence

  4. Jun 11

    Stepping Out From Behind the Veil: Building Confidence, Refining Your Craft & Owning Your Voice with Uniq Being

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel sits down with songwriter, producer, creative educator, and emerging artist Uniq Being for an inspiring conversation about confidence, visibility, and stepping fully into your artistry. After years of working behind the scenes as a songwriter, producer, and educator, Uniq shares what led her to finally step into the spotlight and create her debut EP, The Veil. Together, they dive into the lessons Uniq gained from attending the Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat, including the importance of refining your craft, releasing self-limiting beliefs, and surrounding yourself with a supportive creative community. Uniq also shares her journey from discovering music through artists like TLC, to teaching music production to youth, to embracing her next chapter as an artist. You'll discover why perfectionism can be both a gift and a challenge, how confidence is built through repetition and action, and what it really takes to move from being "good" to becoming the artist you're meant to be. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth happens when you're willing to take up space, trust yourself, and step out from behind the veil. Timestamps: 06:51 – Meeting at Hitmakers & Feeling Ready for the Next Level 09:09 – The Power of Refining Your Craft 11:52 – Burning Limiting Beliefs & Letting Go of Fear 14:44 – How Hitmakers Helped Uniq Level Up 18:13 – Self-Care, Community & Creative Sustainability 21:30 – Visibility, Social Media & Documenting the Journey 23:30 – Building Confidence Through Action 26:49 – From TLC Inspiration to Songwriter & Producer 31:10 – The Story Behind The Veil 32:43 – Learning to Take Up Space as an Artist 36:01 – Advice for Her Younger Self: Take the Risk LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120     Connect with Uniq Being:  @uniqbeing on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and all streaming platforms.

  5. Jun 4

    The Real Reason Your Songs Stay Unfinished

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel dives into the hidden fears and self-limiting beliefs that keep artists and songwriters from finishing songs, releasing music, and fully stepping into their creative potential. From perfectionism and procrastination to the fear of being seen, Stef unpacks the sneaky mindset blocks that can keep projects stuck on your hard drive for months—or even years. She shares why many creatives convince themselves they need more time, more skills, or more resources, when the real obstacle may be something much deeper. You’ll discover how fear of judgment, perfectionism, and lack of community can quietly sabotage your progress as an artist. Stef also explores why being surrounded by the right mentors, collaborators, and creative peers can dramatically accelerate your growth and confidence. This episode is a powerful reminder that your music doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be heard. Timestamps: 00:00: Why Your Music Is Still Sitting Unfinished 02:15: The Lies Creatives Tell Themselves 05:37: Fear of Being Seen and Judged 07:49: Perfectionism, Procrastination & Creative Blocks 10:10: The Power of Proximity and Community 11:55: What Happens When You Get in the Right Room   LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120

  6. May 28

    Mental Health, Burnout & Sustainable Creative Careers with Terra Lopez

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel sits down with artist, activist, and mental health advocate Terra Lopez for an honest conversation about burnout, mental health, and the realities of navigating a career in music. As both a touring artist and formerly a part of Backline, Terra shares why creatives are especially vulnerable to burnout, the pressure of constantly needing to perform, and why so many artists struggle silently behind the scenes. Together, Stef and Terra dive into topics like touring burnout, social media overwhelm, emotional boundaries in songwriting sessions, and the importance of preventative self-care. Terra also opens up about her personal mental health journey, how therapy changed her life, and why building a supportive community is essential for creating a sustainable long-term career in the music industry. This episode is a powerful reminder that asking for help is not weakness - it’s survival. Timestamps: 00:00: Introducing Terra Lopez & Backline 06:26: Why Backline Was Created for the Music Industry 08:27: The Mental Health Challenges Creatives Face 11:18: Recognizing Burnout & Warning Signs 14:04: Why Seeking Help Matters 16:16: Terra’s Personal Mental Health Journey 19:44: Creating Sustainable Careers in Music 22:16: Touring, Burnout & Hustle Culture 25:40: Emotional Boundaries in Songwriting Sessions 29:17: How Backline Supports Artists & Creatives 32:24: The Importance of Community & Support   Connect with Terra Lopez: Instagram: @terralopez | @ritualsofmine Backline: https://backline.care?utm_source=chatgpt.com   LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com Self-Care for the Creative book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1960876120

  7. May 21

    From Childhood Dreams to Sync Success: Kimberly Korn on Building a Sustainable Music Career

    In this episode, Kimberly Korn joins Stefani Fryzel for an inspiring conversation about persistence, reinvention, and building a long-term career in music. A New York–based singer, songwriter, and producer, Kimberly shares how her love for music began in childhood and the journey that led her through music school, an early record deal, motherhood, and eventually finding success as both an artist and songwriter. Known for her genre-blending approach across pop, rock, indie, R&B, and hip-hop, Kimberly has built an impressive catalog of over 300 songs with placements on platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, CBS, MTV, and WWE. She also recently earned recognition from the Recording Academy after being selected as 1 of only 10 songwriters in the country to attend their prestigious songwriting camp. Throughout the episode, Kimberly opens up about overcoming self-limiting beliefs, balancing creativity with family life, and learning how to keep showing up for your dreams even after setbacks. You’ll hear a powerful conversation about the importance of resilience, networking, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with people who inspire growth. Kimberly also shares insights into the world of sync licensing, the impact of songwriting camps and creative communities, and her goals of expanding further into film, TV, and Broadway. This episode is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight, but consistency, self-belief, and staying connected to your passion can completely change the trajectory of your life.   Connect with Kimberly Korn:  Instagram: @kimberlykornmusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VDhqq3bEIU3UPSNgg9tCj?si=GX-9jmdfQMOvXlJS8b7WjQ   LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com

  8. May 14

    Burnout, Motherhood & Rebuilding Your Life as a Creative

    In this episode, Stefani Fryzel opens up about navigating burnout while balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Sharing her deeply personal experience of becoming a new mom while running a growing business, Stefani reflects on how burnout forced her to reevaluate her routines, priorities, relationships, and definition of success. She explores the realities of postpartum life, the pressure creatives place on themselves to keep performing, and the importance of rebuilding a life that actually supports your well-being. You’ll discover practical tools for recognizing burnout, including Stefani’s favorite “monitor, measure, and map” framework for checking in with your self-care basics. She also shares strategies for redesigning your life by identifying what drains versus nourishes you, the importance of seeking professional support during difficult seasons, and why rest is often the missing piece creatives avoid the most. This episode is an honest reminder that burnout is not failure - it’s often a signal that something in your life needs to change in order for you to grow. Timestamps: 00:00: Welcome to Season Three & Why Burnout Matters 02:52: Motherhood, Identity Shifts & Creative Pressure 08:32: Recognizing the Signs of Burnout 14:28: Practical Tools for Managing Burnout 20:14: Redesigning Your Life & Seeking Support 23:10: The Power of Rest & Recovery LINKS Join us at our Annual Hitmakers Songwriting Retreat this October in Los Angeles!: https://www.stefanifryzel.com/songwriting-retreat-1-1 More info: stefanifryzel.com

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Self-Care for The Creative Podcast, where your host, Stefani Fryzel, dives deep into the world of self-care strategies tailored specifically for creatives, empaths, and highly sensitive people. Join us as we explore techniques and insights needed to nurture your mental well-being while navigating the unique challenges of an artist’s lifestyle. Our mission is to empower you to not only survive, but thrive, as we guide you on your journey towards creating a successful self-care plan that suits your individual needs!