Abigail Holmes // Professional Makeup Artist

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What happens when you're so hurt that all you want to do is numb? How do you emerge intact from the most painful rejection? How do we know what our worth is and operate out of wholeheartedness instead of from brokenness?

This week, makeup and hair artist Abigail Holmes of Abigail Holmes Artistry talks to us about looking your best in five minutes, her emotionally connected approach to hair and makeup, and how she healed and learned from rejection.

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What happens when we get stuck in a rut? We hate our job, we're not doing what we want to do, and we're not happy. Should we stay in a place where people don't respect us or our art?

This week, I talked with Seth Schaeffer of Hoptocopter™ Films (aka our sponsor), a Grand Junction based video production company who focuses on storytelling in corporate films.

Visit Hoptocopter™ Films online at hoptocopter.com.

See below for an example of Hoptocopter's work.

Music:
"Boop" by Podington Bear

Photo by Seth Schaeffer

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You're an artist--that is until you have kids and you no longer have time for art. Right? Is there a way to create while still holding on to who you were before having kids?

In our Season 2 opener, I talk about how to approach creativity while still being a parent. 

Listen to my interview with Youngman Brown of YourCreativePush.com.
Click here to listen to the interview.

Music:
"Batty McFaddin" by Kevin MacLeod
"Filaments" by Podington Bear
"Just Watching" by Podington Bear
"Biplane" by Podington Bear

Photo by Allison Blevins

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Vulnerability and shame expert/researcher Dr. Brene Brown defines vulnerability as "uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." Vulnerability isn't about just letting just anyone into our mess, and it isn't burying who we really are in armor that hides who we really are. Balanced vulnerability means that we open our hearts to people who we can trust with our hearts.

But what happens when we take calculated risks and vulnerability still backfires on us? This week, I talk to artist, entrepreneur, and dear friend, Allison Blevins to find out how to trust again after dealing with betrayal and personal loss.

Music by Podington Bear
"Back Stairs"
"Proliferate"
"Fragile, Do Not Drop"
"Song for a Pea"
"La Di Day"
"Biplane"

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I can't be the only one who is afraid of opening up...right?

This week, I took to the streets to ask you your thoughts on vulnerability. I was floored by your honesty. In the end, we're all in the same boat. We're hard-wired for connection, but everyone seems to be too scared to take the first step. What if we chose to put one foot in front of the other? What would our lives look like? What would our art look like?

All music by Podington Bear
"Airlift"
"Rarified"
"Filaments"
"Not Much"

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This week, I switched things up.

I didn't interview anyone. I didn't follow my usual podcast format. I set out to be vulnerable with you, Dear Listener. And this week, I kept my word.

Today, in three parts, is three different parts of me--my thoughts and feeling in voice memo form, my writing (an excerpt from a creative nonfiction short story), and a song. And guess what? None of it is perfect. Or even close.

Our culture says that to be admired and loved, we must look flawless, act flawlessly, write flawlessly, sing flawlessly. I do none of these things flawlessly. And I'm learning to be proud of it.

I want to help change culture. I want to embrace the process and even go as far as showcasing the process.

Life is messy. Art is messy. Welcome to my mess, Dear Listener.

Music

• "Piano Diddy" by Carrington Schaeffer
• "Silence Await" by cdk
• "Curious Process" by Podington Bear
• "Toxic" by Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, & Henrik Jonback; Cover version by Seth (piano & vocals) & Carrington Schaeffer (vocals)
• "Outtake Beep" by slappy13

Photo by Seth Schaeffer

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This week, I interviewed someone very near and dear to my heart: my 91 year-old grandmother, aka: Grammy. Grammy was kind of like a third parent to me, and it's from her that I inherited the storytelling gene. She's feisty as all get out, sharp as a tack, and probably the most fun person you'll ever meet.

But she wasn't always so carefree. Grammy grew up very poor during the Great Depression and World War II. Through education and setting goals, she bettered herself and her situation. In our interview, we discuss being ourselves and the power of helping others.

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Music:
"Walk That Dog" by U.S. Army Blues
"California Blues" by the Abe Lymans California Ambassador Hotel Orchestra
"Lame Brain" by the Shorty Sherock Orchestra
"Désormais" by Podington Bear

Photo by Jeff Stoddart Photography

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This week, I interviewed my friend and all-around-artist/maker Cullen Purser. By day, he's a handyman, but by night, he's creating community at The Cavalcade, an art collective in Fruita, Colorado.

But what's so fascinating about Cullen is that he's made it his life's goal to learn how to do everything. And he does everything just a piece at a time; he doesn't focus on huge tasks. Instead, he takes everything "brick by brick." And before he knows it, he's built a huge wall and learned a thing or two about art and life.
 

Check out:

• The Cavalcade: www.cavalcadefruita.com
• Short & Hat (our 2011 travel blog I mention in the podcast): www.shortandhat.com
   

Photo by Michael Wong

Photo by Jeff Stoddart Photography

Photo by Stephanie Summerfield

Photo by Stephanie Summerfield

A passage from the Tao Te Ching hanging on Cullen's shop wall

Music:
"Call to Adventure" by Kevin MacLeod
"Watching Seabirds Soar (Harmony)" by DoKashiteru
"Reverie (small theme)" by _ghost
An original by Cullen Purser
"peaceOut" by airtone

Photo by Benjamin Lesage

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We've all thought it.
"I would be happier if I had ______________."
But by focusing on what we don't have, are we missing out on what we do have?

This week, I interviewed Daniel Suelo who has...well...nothing. Literally.
In fact, he's lived without money for nearly fifteen years and has no mortgage, no car, no job, and no debt. He spends his time between his dwelling (a cave in Moab, Utah) and traveling around the world with his "moneyless tribe."

We also talked to Stephanie Summerfield who, at the time of our interview, had lived in Suelo's community for three weeks.

Keep up with Suelo:
Daniel Suelo's blog: www.zerocurrency.blogspot.com
Stephanie Summerfield's blog: www.stephaniesummerfield.blogspot.com
 

Music:
"Theme for Harold Var. 2" by Kevin MacLeod
"Batty McFaddin" by Kevin MacLeod
"George Street Shuffle" by Kevin MacLeod
"Dark Side of your Heart" by Jeris
"Freedom in our Voices" by ditto ditto

Photo by Cat Mayer

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Sometimes, life just stops you dead in your tracks. Maybe we're building a dream or an idea, and a person, an event, or a set of circumstances knocks you flat on your back. How do you recover?

This week, I talked with local business owner, letterpresser, and home brewer David Miller. After investing in his brand new business, The Letterpress, in 2001, David almost had to close the doors on Grand Junction's only letterpress shop when the great recession hit in 2008. David lets us in on what to do when real life happens.

Find David online at www.theletterpress.net. And if you're looking for great design and letterpress, check out his side venture, www.handcraftpress.com.

Photos by David Miller and Cat Mayer

Music:
"Call to Adventure" by Kevin MacLeod
"Unplugged and Out of It" by MC Jack in the Box
"Tell Somebody" by Alex

Photo by Kimberly Weber

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If you don't like something, change it. Instead of complaining about an organization, town, or city, why not use your creativity to be the positive change you want to see?

This week, I interviewed Brian Watson, an entrepreneur, a visionary, and a prime example of a leader who transforms his ideas into reality. Currently, he is the Director of the Colorado Leadership Network and the Marketing Director of the Good Samaritan Clinic, a free medical clinic for the under or uninsured. Last but not least, he is a part of my personal community, a close-knit group of friends who are dedicated to making our town a better (and more cultural) place.

Music:
"Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" by Kevin MacLeod
"Urbana-Metronica" by spinningmerkaba
Auld Lang Syne" by Jeris
"i dunno" by grapes

Miss Emily

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We all have at least one boulder in our lives.
The people who are where we wish we could be.
And these boulders seem to sit right in the middle of our path, blocking our way to success.

This week, we interview soul singer and long-time friend (see picture below!) Miss Emily about insecurity, fear, and transforming the people who intimidate us into people who inspire us.

Ways you can connect with Miss Emily:

• On the web: www.MyMissEmily.com
• Twitter: @mymissemily
• Miss Emily's Facebook
• Miss Emily's YouTube channel
• iTunes:
  • Miss Emily EP
  • "Sweet Sunlight" single
• Video links:
  • "Miss Emily // An Introduction - "Sweet Sunlight"
  • "Enjoy Music: Miss Emily"

Music:

• "Sneaky Snitch" & "Fun in a Bottle" by Kevin McLeod
• "Lady Marmalade" by Bob Crewe & Kenny Nolan
  Performed by Miss Emily, Steve Williams, John Schultz, Fernie Garcia, & Bill Moody.
• "Sweet Sunlight" by Miss Emily
• "Holiness" by Scott Carl Underwood

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Hi.

This is the very first episode of Honestly, Dear Listener wherein I introduce the show as well as tell you what you can expect which includes art, discussions about vulnerability, and only one mention of morticians.

Music:
"George Street Shuffle" & "The Snow Queen" by Kevin MacLeod
"Auld Lang Syne" by Jeris