Audacity Works

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:This episode is in response to a question I got from my internet friend and patron Bethaney, who asks:  How did you meet your husband and do you feel that your relationship has affected your art? In what ways do you feel a spouse/partner can influence our ability to create? And does a difficult partnership affect us creatively? This could easily be considered Part II of a series, the first is Episode 29:  Relationships and the Performing Arts which is a very salty episode that I recorded a couple of years ago.  1:35How me and Manflesh met 2:15The factors that I feel contributed to the longevity of our relationship 5:15The idea that being in an angst driven state of survival is bullshit 15:15Why my capacity for drama and angst is best placed on the page or the stage, not in my daily life 16:45Does a difficult relationship affect you creatively?  (yes) 17:30If you or someone you love needs to leave their situation, there are a lot of resources here.  This link will take you to a self guided page for creating a plan to get to safety. 20:00Sign up here for Woo Corner! Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:Alllll about how Creatrix 2.0 went1st piece of advice:  get a great house.  The biggest changes I made from Creatrix 1.0 to Creatrix 2.0 2:002nd piece of advice:  How to handle the financial risk and being ok if it didn't sell 4:303rd piece of advice:  HAVE EXCELLENT SUPPORT! 5:50Episode 82:  Creating Creatrix and the gremlins I met along the way 6:21What to look for when you're looking for an excellent support person 8:05Me gushing over the attendees and all my favorite parts of the retreat 8:40The chant we used (easy simple) 15:10Lexa Walsh:  artist and chefGenese Gee-SchmidtkSatya Belly Dance Kelly Jean YogaMax Cooper PhotographyKim MelohnLast advice:  bring bugspray to the beach!!!  17:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textThe episode that no one asked for but I recorded anyway.  What you'll hear:If you want to be on the waitlist for the fall cycle of The Audacity Project, you can do that here!  Exact dates TBD.  1:30Anger is an expensive emotion, but no we can't just not experience it.  3:45The NPR article I reference is here:  https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/12/1236973762/anger-management-types-purpose-cause defining the two kinds of anger:  core and defensive 4:38"I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief" 6:30Learn from my fails:  what happened after I suppressed my anger for 19 years 9:20Why suppressing anger is a side effect of perfectionism 10:15How can you tell the difference between kindness or people pleasing/codependency/perfectionist?  The answer is resentment.  13:00The Karpman's Triangle 14:00Actionable advice!  16:30Name and claim your emotionsLet people have their own experiences/feelings/consequencesFantasy role-play with your anger.  What does your anger want you to do?  What does it want you to say?  Fantasize your pants off about it.  It's ok if fantasies are harmful when they stay in your brain and help your brain achieve a sense of satisfaction and validation.  Take any other actual, unharmful action necessary to care for yourself.Please don't suffer in silence.  Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textYou'll find a link to a public google document below, as Jess gave me LOADS of supporting information for anyone who is curious!  Because of the character limit for shownotes this is my creative solution.  You'll find Jess' resources at the bottom, happy diving!I was thrilled to sit down with my new friend artist activist Dr. Jess Allen to discuss the intersection of art and activism.  Here's what you'll hear:Is art activism?  (TL;DR: No) 3:00Jess responds to a critic who insists that art and activism cannot go together 11:50Defining durational work and Jess' walking art practice (did y'all know that was a thing?  cause I didn't) 21:15View the webpage for "Drop in the Ocean" the piece we discuss most here:  https://awyrol.co.uk/drop-in-the-ocean 28:50Adrian Howells wikipedia page:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_HowellsAdvice from Jess for artists looking to use their art for activism 30:50What is emancipated pedagogy?  As defined by Jacques Rancière (1991) The Ignorant Schoolmaster. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 35:00The only model that most of us are exposed to in learning is hierarchical- so what would it look like practically to be in a learning environment that was non-hierarchical?  41:00Art activism and accessibility 47:00An adorable story about weeping over some chilis in a plastic bag 1:01View Jess' complete resources here!  (They would not fit into the character allowance on Buzzsprout, this link will take you to a public google document that you can view freely) Please do yourselves a great favor and peruse more of Jess' work here on her portfolio:  PortfolioYou can also follow Jess here on IGDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:A request for requests!  My list is getting pretty thin, don't be shy to reach out and let me know if there's something you'd like to hear about on this podcast. 1:00A 30 minute chunk of The Monstrous Feminine is being staged as part of "The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories" thanks to dancer/visionary Georgia Shrubbe.  You can buy tickets here!  https://www.eventcreate.com/e/yellowwallpaperWhy creating is sometimes an extremely lonely and isolated experience 3:30The advice I've given 100s of times and am now being forced to follow myself 4:40What your job is during creation, phase 1 6:50How phase 1 is going for me (spoiler, it's SO MUCH FUN)Advice for anyone else in the creative trenches 9:50Acknowledge what stage of creation you're in:embryonicPhase 1 (collecting material)Phase 2 (editing and feedback)Desert of Suck (can happen at any time, is not permanentTL;DR:  Just do your job.  Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textThis episode is by request, from my woman Rebecca, who asked, "When you're creating a larger piece of work (i.e. something longer than the standard 3-5 minutes), at what point do you ask others for feedback? At a rough draft phase or more of a pre-final phase? And if you're creating something that requires original music, at what point do you reach out to someone for that?"Let's talk about it!  What you'll hear:Woo Corner's coming atcha next week!  Join in here (not selling things, just sharing functional woo):  https://rachelstricklandcreative.ck.page/Are you going to be in Charleston on June 20?  Come see The Monstrous Feminine and The Yellow Wallpaper!  https://www.eventcreate.com/e/yellowwallpaper  2:30Creating outside of your prescribed or familiar structure, and the lessons of the length of a pop song 3:30When should you reach out for feedback?  5:50CAN WE PLEASE LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WANTING VALIDATION AND WANTING FEEDBACK 6:49The absolute worst way to ask for feedback (do NOT do this to me) 10:00One tell-tale sign that what you're craving is actually validation 12:15Maestro's podcast on the consequences of outsourcing your thinking 13:35  https://themovementmaestro.com/motm-656-the-consequence-of-outsourcing/Questions that can be helpful to ask for feedback, just some thoughts to get you started 14:05Creating with original music, and how to navigate that with the musician (ie:  when to pursue the music) 15:00Midas is King (creating completely without music, music was created by Max Cooper to fit the film) https://www.rachelstricklandcreative.com/midasiskingTwo pieces I made in collaboration with Jym Daly (created in tandem):Lion Skin (hoop solo) https://www.rachelstricklandcreative.com/lion-skinArchetype (aerial loops duo) created with Anastasia Sauvage https://www.rachelstricklandcreative.com/archetypeCliffsNotes for getting actually useful feedback when you're ready 20: 49Liz Lehrman's Critical Response Process for feedback (for the nerds) https://lizlerman.com/critical-response-process/ 22:31Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:Me yammering on about vacuuming up leaves from the yard, and the shedding habits of live oak trees Announcing my artist-in-residence-ness at ARC Take 2 Studios to show in a double billing on June 20th at Queen Street Playhouse 2:12A caretaking update on my dear ole dad's hip replacement surgery 4:00The Charleston Artists Salon took place this past Sunday, and it was dynamite.  If you want to start one in your area I talked about the process I used to create it here in Episode 100, around the 7 minute mark until the 12 minute mark. 5:00If you're local to Charleston and want to learn about future Charleston Artists Salons, please go here and sign up so I can let you know about it!  Product vs. Process based work, wtf is the difference 6:45How I realized we needed to talk about this, a lot of my students don't want to set choreography 13:35I think the answer lies in WHY we feel resistant to setting choreography (taking this route as it's often a "problem" I hear about)  16:45Is the resistance gremlin territory, or is it genuinely counter to your zone of genius?  One way to know if you're in gremlin territory or not is to see if your process of creating is counter intuitive to your objectives 18:30Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textThis episode is by request:  "I was wondering if you'd like to make a podcast episode on living in the South. I'm so excited to return to the swamps but with the political climate I am nervous on how to navigate day to day life and not let the bastards grind me down so to speak." -BrandiEpisode 91:  Love song to summer and why I live in the south 2:00What do I mean by The American South 2:45My response to "but the south is racist/misogynist" 4:11My adjustment period when I moved back here in 2018 9:30A summary of advice for my friend who wrote in 21:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:There are two places left for Creatrix 2025:  May 13-18 and I would LOVE to see you there! 1:00A whole slew of updates about me and my life lol.The difference between perfectionism (in the way that I use it) and high standards of excellence.  Spoiler:  if it stops you from doing stuff, it's bad.  7:20Invisible Women by Caroline Perez The original article (also by Caroline Perez) that inspired this podcast 9:20Episode 96:  Insidious Perfectionism and What to do about it, a past episode from August 2024 with some actionable ideas for you 12:40What follows is many minutes of diatribe where I agree with Caroline Perez and just urge you to not blame yourself for your rational responses to the world around you.Facilitating a sense of safety and GRACE in ourselves and in our communities can help us move OUT of this suppressive psychological landscape of needing to be correct all the time.  19:00What if the point isn't to be correct, but to be fully alive?  And what if being correct is not the way to feel that?  20:10ps. The Irish Aerial Dance Festival is open for bookings!  21:18Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textA two-pronged episode based on complimentary requests.  You could summarize this episode by asking the question:  why is it so hard to freakin be happy when you have good shit happening in your life?What you'll hear:Part I:I just landed a contract I have spent the last two years dreaming about and I don't know how to process/deal with it. It feels like 'in the future' got here so quickly that I haven't caught up with myself yet and i keep swinging between "this isn't happening' 'they must have confused me with someone else" and "*confused static noises* -HelenWhat happens after your dreams come true? And why doesn't it feel BETTER?  1:45Storytime about my dreams coming true and how it sent me into a spiral 2:55Atlantic Center for the Arts Artist in Residency programHow I ended up recording a 20 minute screaming rant while trying to "rehearse" Keep your eyes peeled on the Patreon if you'd like to see this rant, it was actually really good looking back on it now.  6:15"Pressure doesn't make good work, it makes good panic attacks."For the first time ever, I'm making Teeth public.  This is what I ended up making on that residency:  https://youtu.be/3LVHOqEUIn4  Content warning:  early loss.  8:46The Ego Gap:  why it can feel less than wonderful when you finally get what you want 10:55Part IIA friend confided in me that she's avoiding doing her work even though when she actually does it, it makes her happy.  Why do we procrastinate on doing things we actually want to do?  12:30The Neverending Story:  sacred text  Auryn really called it.  13:51The real reason we procrastinate 15:30Brene Brown's quote about shame:    “If you put shame in a petri dish and cover it with judgment, silence, and secrecy, you've created the perfect environment for shame to grow until it makes its way into every corner and crevice of your life. If, on the other hand, you put shame in a petri dish and douse it with empathy, shame loses its power and begins to wither. Empathy creates a hostile environment for shame—an environment it can't survive in, because shame needs you to believe you're alone and it's just you.”  Brené Brown, Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.My take on why it's so hard for humans to be happy 20:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textToday buffet episode brought to you by the late spring that has FINALLY arrived!What you'll hear:Question from a listener:  I was wondering if I could request a topic... I have been recently feeling a bit down due to a break-up with my aerial duo partner/best friend. I know this situation is probably pretty common but I am finding it hard to move on even though I know it is probably for the best.TLDR:  I have no idea.  I'm so sorry.  1:45Storytime from my own life about friend break ups 2:00Sometimes the end isn't the end (sometimes it is) 3:50Healing isn't attaining something, it's being free of something 6:00Question from a listener:  Podcast idea: how to navigate a show when your director gives you no constructive feedback, no direction, and has bad taste.  Asking for a friend.  6:32Mount Stupid on the Dunning Kruger Curve:  7:50Not every project is going to be awesome, which is a side effect of being a professional 9:15It is a role of director to solve problems in the pursuit of the vision 10:30Question from a listener:  Yesterday I had a chat with a student of mine who is over 60 about how /where she could perform, I know she is not the only one who found aerial later than what is normally considered for gigs and shows. So I thought I'd suggest the topic of alternative route la to performing for those “aged out” or other circumstances. 12:30My turn to ask for something...does anyone know a physical performer in their 60's who had found access to stages? 13:08Any questions you have about the intersection of art and activism, please do send them my way so I can ask an upcoming guest, Dr. Jess Allen!  14:20Long luxurious Patreon update!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textAn episode by request from a listener!  This is by extension, a part II of a question answered in Episode 116;  "how do you defend your creative boundaries" except this part II is a more advanced version:  "How to tell your friends “no”.  Like, kind wonderful people in your life want to collaborate/have you in a performance but it simply does not align with your goals OR you know that you will not work well together."Let's hit it!What you'll hear:You can listen to part 1 of this question here on Episode 116 1:00There's another Charleston Artist Salon happening in April!  Click here to add yourself to the local list to be kept up to date 2:20I'm applying to the SC Arts Directory  2:50I'm also ACTIVELY LOOKING for new creation/rehearsal space in Charleston, SC.  If you know of anything, please do reach out and let me know!  You can contact me through my website here. 4:30Why this part II is an advanced level boundaries question 6:28Storytime from my own life about friendship conflict 9:00You have TWO CHOICES when presented with an opportunity you do not want to take with someone you care about (almost everyone will take option #1) 11:04Why being brutally honest is a greater kindness 18:00Homework!  Ask for something in the hopes of being told no, just as an experiment 19:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textToday for your listening pleasure, I have a true circus hero- physical therapist, circus artist, and my dear friend Dr. Jen Crane!  Jen's work has revolutionized circus training, and I know because I watched her do it, and she changed my life and saved the right side of my body (and many, many other bodies I know personally and professionally).  I am delighted to bring her on Audacity Works, please enjoy!What you'll hear:The Audacity Project, Cycle 28, is OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT!  You can read all about it here, or schedule a short, easy call with me here to see if we're a good fit for each other.How we met, and our shared dislike for being walked in on while peeing. :)  This would have been circa 2014.Why Jen is the reason the entire right side of my body still worksJen's wonderful protocols for recovering from top surgery, which you can find here.How Jen came to live in Portland, OregonQuestions from all of you!  "I am a 40-something neurodivergent circus performer.  I hear people talk about 'active rest' and I have no idea what that means.  Maybe you could ask Jen Crane?!"  Mission accepted!  Active rest is an extension of training, not a substitute."You wouldn't cancel on a coach you had a lesson with, don't cancel on yourself when you have rest scheduled."What to look for in a physical therapist and how to find a good fit for YOU.  Questions you can ask:Are you willing to pay out of pocket for a really good fit?Bear in mind that out of pocket/network usually means a more specialized PT, and being able to have less visits overallAre there dance/gymnastics/rock climbing/sports PT's in the area?How long is each appointment time?  Out of network PT's generally spend more time (45-60 minutes) with their patients.  The first appointment time should really be 60 minutes.What are the letters after their name (what trainings/education do they have?) Jen recommends they should have ONE of these in addition to PT:ATC - certified athletic trainerOCS - orthopedic certified specialistSCS - sports certified specialistWhat's the vibe?  (read their bios!)Knowing what you want out of the relationship, such as more of a manual therapy focused clinician, or exercise based?WTF is dry needling and why does it work so well?On mango sticky rice in Thailand, and working with the Olympic teams in China (I promise these two things are somewhat related)How not to eat duck tongueQuestion from a listener!  (Hi Fallon!)  "tell us about the dogs:  names, breeds, ages, how you got them" :)Squees about Jen getting married!!  Squeeeeeee  How Jen and Tomara metThe 5 Calls App:  for taking action- download and use daily!You can follow Jen here on Instagram, or check out her website (and I highly recommend doing so!)Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textWhat you'll hear:The Audacity Project, Cycle 28 is open to the waitlist!  It will open to the public next weekCreatrix still has a place available and I'd loooove to have you!  Come learn witchcraft with me and sit uselessly on the beach for 5 nightsI bitch about winter for a few minutes.  2:15This podcast inspired by sister-friend artist Kat Doherty, and alumni artist Alma Charlotte"I could never spend that kind of money on myself" 7:00Advice #1:  My own experiment with this, I gave myself a purpose which was just to write 8:00Shoutout to bangorang friend, filmmaker, and writer Adam O'Keeffe who gave me excellent advice on my first foray into a solo holiday 9:00Advice #2:  Give yourself a structure- How to structure your mini solo getaway 10:00The hardest part about going away on your own, and what to do to negotiate with it 12:30The second hardest part about going away on your own 14:15The proof that one truly believes lies in action.  It is a LOT easier to value yourself in theory than in practice.  How to fund this bish 16:30Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Send us a textThis episode is by request, on how to address the gremlin:  "No one wants to hire my work, it's too out there/contemporary/weird."What you'll hear:Hop on over to the waitlist for Cycle 28 of The Audacity Project, enrolling to next week for early adapters! 1:15There's 1 or 2 places left for Creatrix if you wanna come get warm and learn witchcraft with me 1:48The nature of a gremlin:  they are all liars and are not based in empirical data  3:37EMPIRICAL DATA:  Weirdos who have had lots of success (just to prove to your lizard brain that the gremlin is based on lies, and weird things get success too):me!  With Genesis, among othersEmpress Stah with StargasmThe Great Fleeky Flanco 6:29You can expect a 5-10% response rate from cold solicitations (emails to casting@___.com type inboxes)  13:15Please stop trying to sound professional 14:38That response rate number above increases by 20% if you get a personal recommendation/introduction 16:00Before we ask if we're good enough for them, how about asking if they are good enough for you? 17:15Add to your Brag Book! 20:50Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

It had to be done.  Imma say it out loud.Listen to The Movement Maestro's podcast that inspired this one:  "Should you share your political views on social media?"  It's so good.The 4 Calls App 10:00Your life has VALUE 14:00The waitlist for The Audacity Project is open!  Enrolling this month! There are still 2 spots left officially for Creatrix in May!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

By request from my friend Lizzie who asks:  How to deal (or not) with people who don't get it. It = circus, no longer wanting stability and pleasures of muggle life, wanting to train hard and achieve.What you'll hear:Creatrix: Unleash the Muse is open and ready for you!  Information and application here. 2:20What it can look like when people just don't get it.  3:00"One half the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other" Let them misunderstand you.  Let them.  5:30When you choose your boldness and your ambition, you could trigger the fuck out of somebody.  9:00If you can remember that their disapproval might be built on their own grief/anger/fear for you and your safety, it might be easier to understand them.  The good news is, you don't need them to understand you.  "If a person's behavior doesn't make sense to you, it's because you are missing a part of their context."  -Devon Price 12:00This really comes full circle from my very first episode:  Cheers!  to the irresponsible 16:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Continuing from last week's conversation- I'm tackling the question from my girl Ali about "what to do about undercutting uuuugggghhhh"What you'll hear:Avenues you can pursue to make a living wage as a performer without doing anything else 1:15On last week's episode- flipping the scriptSubject #1:  UNDERCUTTING.  What it is and why it happens.  2:50Why it doesn't happen in other industries the way it does in the freelance performance gig industry 4:00Two frustrating truths about how to handle undercutting: 7:00#1:  The ONLY action I can confidently say actually works to confront undercutting in your community is having the conversations with the people doing it.#2:  Why it will continue to happen even if you are having these conversations. 8:30Ask me how I know (it was me.  I was the problem, it's me.) 9:40The answer to the question- why did I create The Audacity Project?  11:15You can learn more about it and sign up for the waitlist hereWhat NOT to do about undercutting and wanting to be marketable 13:36The questions I do recommend asking yourself 15:30To those who say "I'm afraid of stepping on someone's toes" 17:30In closing...nearly every industry I observe is built to exploit those who engage with it.  We can know that and we can still have excellent lives in integrity 19:30Creatrix is open to the public!  I would love to guide you towards the thing that is most authentic to you as an artist, and teach you some witchcraft while we're at it.  21:30Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

I've been putting this episode off for a while because it's DENSE.  It's a bit of a bite-sized master class in this subject, according to me.  All my gratitude to the 100+ artists who have talked with me about this in my career, and especially to TaiTai for asking the question:  "How to leave my fucking morning job without having plan B and I still have bills to pay."What you'll hear:A question for you:  "Why did you get into this/what do you want to get out of it?" 2:00It's not WORSE.  It's just DIFFERENT. 8:50When you workin, you ain't trainin.  Why it's difficult to upskill at the same time you are working 10:23I highly recommend you buy this book (available on a sliding scale, including for free!) by Andrew Simonet:  Making Your Life as an Artist.  Scroll down on this page to see the sliding scale options!! 11:00Ok, after all that and you still want to perform full time, here is some actionable advice 15:00#1:  Have 6-12 months of your living expenses saved (I recommend all humans have 3 months at all times)#2:  All savings accounts should be high yield savings accounts with 3.5% interest or more#3:  Get rid of your credit card debt, it's too expensive 17:50Get Ramit's book I Will Teach You to be Rich to learn how to do this, and much more cool shit that will help you.#4:  Know your non-negotiables and make good note of them.  They will dictate the parameters in which you can explore opportunities.#5:  Find out how much your life cost per month 20:00#6:  Familiarize yourself with the Profit First System.  Here is a spreadsheet you can make a copy of and use!  23:00Here are some suggested percentages to get you started (they are on the spreadsheet, and you can change them according to your needs):50% profit/owner's pay goes to you, to pay for groceries, clothing, Netflix, etc.30% goes to business expenses like training, costumes, travel to gigs, scheduling software, etc.  (I just leave this 30% in my business checking account)5% to all purpose savings (in a high yield savings account of course)15% to another high yield savings account with which to pay your taxes.If you need pro help, Sandi York is THE BEST and very familiar with creative businesses.  She was the source for the profit first spreadsheet I shared above.  24:44#7:  TALK TO PEOPLE.  Use your mentors.  Get a mentor.  Please do not skip this step.  There is no reason whatsoever that you should suffer unnecessarily when we could save you some grief.#8:  Have your shit together (website, bio, demo, headshots, etc)Speaking of making a website, that's exactly what The Audacity Project is for!  I'm enrolling cycle 28 in February.  The best place to know about it is the waitlist, which you can find here!  28:00A review of all the actionable advice 29:00Creatrix is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  come play in the warmth with me!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Creatrix is open to the waitlist!  It will open to the public January 20th.  You can click here for details and questions are always welcome.  You can DM me on Instagram or Patreon.  2:00full disclosure, there's no plans to hold another Creatrix retreat at this time.Question from Rachel:  why I sign off with "Don't go back to sleep."  The story behind it 3:10The first Patreon post where I mention "Don't go back to sleep."The poem itself, you can read here 6:00"Know thyself (and act accordingly)" 7:15What I am suggesting by this sign off 9:30Question from Kate:  How do you create (and keep) the time you set aside for creative work? If I don't do my morning pages actually in the morning, they get steamrolled by the day. Even when an artist date is scheduled on my calendar I sometimes find myself prioritizing other people (who I love and cherish) over my artist date or morning pages or creative exploration time, etc. 10:00An experiment you can try next time you have the opportunity to defend your boundaries around your creative time 13:29Question from Michelle:  How to support another artist thru rejection/disappointment? 16:30What to say to them that could actually be helpful 18:30What NOT to say lol 20:00What you can ask when your friend is ready to move forward from the grief stage after a disappointment 21:38Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

By request from Rachael via Instagram (what's up Rachael!) asking me to discuss the uncomfortable state of being obsessed/in love with something but not yet good at it.What you'll hear:Creatrix applications are official open to waitlist!  Click here to get a reminder (I'll notify you if the spaces have been filled).How the discomfort between being a beginner and having high standards of excellent can manifest 2:26There are no shortcuts to development, and if there were, I'd advise against it 3:50Ambition is precious, and should be honored while it's breathing fire 4:25How this cognitive dissonance between where I was and where i wanted to be manifested for me when I was a beginning 6:00How to actively celebrate that which you already have on the table- make a brag list! 9:00How to include the AND while acknowledging your gremlins 12:00What an absolute fuckin legend you are for pursuing your love in spite of your gremlins 13:30If you want to read the full story about Agnes de Mille and Martha Graham, you can do that here. How you can deal if someone dismisses you when you tell them what you want 20:30Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Episode 112, where I outline how I chose my word of the year this year 1:30My word of the year:  EVOLVE and some ways that will show up for meReminder to patrons of the Coven tier and higher, one of your rewards is a hand-penned calligraphy of your word of the year, so keep an eye out for a message from me via Patreon in the next couple of days 2:52My #1 priority moving forward in 2025 3:26An intentional shift in my perspective moving forward for artists and creators to frame which opportunities we choose to pursue 6:30Accessible questions you can ask yourself and refer to when trying to decide if an opportunity is a good fit 11:42Am I able to ask questions and get answers on safe working conditions?What our responsibility is FIRSTDo I feel respected when I engage with this organization and/or these individuals? 14:25Feeling respected and cared for is a somatic experience.  Here's an exercise on how to know what that feels like in YOUR body 15:39My example for this comes from 2024's invitation to speak at BossUp at the invitation of the greats: Dr. Shante Cofiled of The Movement Maestro and Jill Coleman of JillFitUpdated contract recommendations from my friend and alumni who inspired this episode 18:00"Surely your father could have traded down a few ducats for an ounce of virility?" from Dangerous Beauty 21:00NYD rituals from the south 22:45What you can expect from the podcast in 2025  23:15Creatrix applications will open to patrons on the Patreon at 9am on January 4thAny remaining spots will go to the public waitlist on January 8th at 9amDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

With all the talk about the light returning (which is very fair and which I add to in the canticle) how about we actually sit with this long darkness of winter and honor what we find there.  What you'll hear:Applications for Creatrix 2.0 will open January 4th at 9am EST for my patrons, you can become one here  Any remaining slots will be offered to the waitlist on January 8th, you can join that hereHoliday updates from my house to yours 2:25Refusing to accept invisible labor and therefore giving a finger to the patriarchy one boundary at a time 3:00How can we honor the dark of winter instead of just impatiently waiting for it to end?  7:00Shadow work baby!  If you're new to it, I'd start with this very accessible approach from Dr. Carolyn Elliott, Existential Kink 8:30Introducing you to three shadow aspects of myself that I have grown to love very much:1:  The tunnel-visioned, stubborn AF and foot-stamping, logic-ignoring insistence to do what I want, and how I got to know her  10:302:  The addict...the self aspect with an immense capacity for excess  14:003:  The raging bitch :) and how I got to know her  16:30Fun ways to uncover your own shadow aspects and what they are protecting 19:39Wanna leave me a review?  I'd love that! 21:19Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Wanna leave me a review?  I'd love that! 1:00Applications for Creatrix 2.0 will open January 4th at 9am EST for my patrons, you can become one here  2:00Any remaining slots will be offered to the waitlist on January 8th, you can join that hereWhy I chose to wait until January to open applications (spoiler, it's because no-work December starts the day this episode airs) 2:30The best cheese is Delice de Bourgogne 5:00End of the year bonfire and what I burned 5:45Claude, the chatgpt bot who helped me find my word of the year after a suggestion from Lex Lancaster 9:00Why words of the year and other end of the year rituals are valid aspects to maintaining a magical practice 11:40"Magic is easy, magic is everywhere." told to me by my dear friend Kristina CanizaresYear in Review practice- I've done this every year since I can remember, always very illuminating 15:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

I'm not a talented gift giver, so I really appreciate personal recommendations for products and companies that are good to work with, ethically sourced, and/or just solid products.  What you'll hear:How the show this past weekend at Bloom Movement Artistry went (spoiler, it was awesome) 3:00The power of asking for what you need 4:30Ficarre hair clips:  $50 and worth every penny, works even if you have a shit ton of hair 6:00Luxury lounge wear also worth every penny, particularly for my big booty big leg brethren who hate being gently squeezed by clothing 8:20From Lilysilk, the most wonderful luxurious silk/cashmere blend sweater 10:00Family-owned Goulet Pen Company, especially the TWSBI Iris vacuum fountain pen Oxblood ink, also from Goulet Pen Co. 13:00MoonBabe custom leather work, CA based artisan who made my current notebookk (an amazing gift from Kat Boston) 13:21Other gift ideas including kits like candle making, cross stitch, and origami 14:00 Black family owned Charleston based Motherland Essentials 16:00My favorite matcha from family-owned Breakaway Matcha 17:00For my bougie bitches- the Cadillac of milk frothers 17:53Info is available for Creatrix now! 19:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

This episode is for anyone who's considering forming a nonprofit, I've brought on Sierra Nicholls of CSAW just in time for the energy following Giving Tuesday.What you'll hear:Sweet Retreat:  the intermediate and advanced aerial hoop retreat I co-host with the great Jenny Tufts both have some spaces available, kicking off the last week of January and first week of February.  Details and application here!  1:00On Creatrix, my retreat on Edisto Island, SC for those of you in the overlapping Venn diagram between artists/creators and the witchery inclined.  1:30I'll release this first to my Patrons in a couple of weeks, so if you KNOW you want in that's the place to be.After one week if there's room, I'll release it to the waitlist.  I don't expect this to make it to the public, so if you're interested I'd recommend one of these courses of action.Changes to my usual No-Work December 2:50Introducing Sierra Nicholls!  Co-Founder of CSAW:  Connecting Circus Students Around the World 3:34What CSAW is and their mission 5:00Why create a non profit?  And the process of growing from the very beginning, and how long it took 6:50The 1023 EZ formOn having a board and choosing the board members 11:00Problematic themes within the non profit world, and how CSAW chose to structure their board differently to avoid them 14:00In a giving mood?  You can contribute to CSAW's 2024 fundraising effort here. 16:49What the fundraiser is for:  the microgrants for BIPOC circus artists for the 2025 year 17:25Information and application for microgrants, open from the 1st to the 15th every month 23:30Note:  December's microgrant is for youth BIPOC circus artists onlyCannonball Black Circus Week information Bookmark this page for the Cannonball Grant for 2025What to have prepared to apply 30:00My rude and burning question for anyone who founds a nonprofit (Are you able to pay yourself and how??) 33:30Sierra's contemporary circus company:  Full Out Formula 38:15When I asked Sierra what NOT to do if you want to start your own circus company 41:55Sierra's advice for anyone wanting to start a nonprofit 46:00You can follow CSAW hereYou can follow Sierra hereYou can follow Full Out Formula hereContribute to the 2025 fundraiser before December 31, 2024!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Boooo Thanksgiving, yaaay Thanksgiving, both are true 4:00 For those interested in Creatrix 2.0, here's the best places to learn about it:Best place is the Patreon, they get first dibs2nd best place is the waitlist, hereFull Circle Aerial Hoop retreat update, with me and Jenny Tufts 4:30This episode is about food, but not nutrition.  If you want nutrition content, I'd highly recommend giving episode 71 with Shannon Morse of The Green Door Life a listen. 7:00How our cultural relationship with food shapes our lives, as well as the microculture of a family/household 8:00How my family food story has structured my current daily life 9:15Forays into what were, to me, bizarre circumstances of family feeding 12:00Cultural escapades into food culture in Florence, Italy with one of my besties 15:45American food habits overseas 18:00Food friendships/relationships with other food people 20:00On appetite 21:00Visual and performance artist Gregg Deal, you can purchase these stickers and spread the message 24:15Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

This episode is by request from my friend Chloe, who asked, "I'm wondering if you have any advice for managing adrenaline spikes before during and after performance. I find the post performance crash quite intense, any tips would be awesome."What you'll hear:Some post-election musings about staying in the room, and why it's important 2:00The original question 6:13Need an expert in nervous system regulation?  It's JPB of Brain Body Resilience. You can find a whole webinar of her wisdom right here. 6:45My approach involves witchcraft.  So what does that even mean? 7:27The witchcraft overlap 9:00Some grounding exercises for you, starting with the quickest version 9:28Graphic from my Instagram about the quick grounding exerciseClick here for a guided 7 minute grounding meditation from me (no purchase required) 11:30Post from Patreon about my Muse 13:50Advice for dealing with the glittercrash 15:00If you want to learn more about witchcraft from me, Creatrix is the place to do that.  You can join the interest list for it here Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

How ya doing?  Holding up ok?  I hope this episode finds you well and finding your feet in whatever method The possibly helpful thing I wrote the day after the election, here for you if you need it.How the 2nd Charleston Artist's Salon went, and a few of the artists who presented 2:30A moment of exquisite synchronicity (I'll explain later on) 3:45My favorite hack #1 for actually getting a chunk of new work created (spoiler:  it a deadline that involves other people) 4:40Ticket link to Shadows at Bloom Movement Artistry, Dec 7th in Charlotte NC 4:48Why the synchronicity I mentioned earlier was so profound for me 7:23A Blessed Unrest by The Parlour Trick- unending gratitude to MeredithYayanos 8:15Habeas Corpus, bitch 10:10Listen to Episode 67: Art, Grief, and What Happens Next with Shannon McKenna 11:30Hack #2:  Destroy the blank canvas 12:15Hack #3  You're not stuck, you're scared.  Or depressed.  Or you're just a giant fig leaf and you need to try the 5 basic rude things  14:50sunlightwaterfoodrestexercise.  SO rude.Do you live in SC or the surrounding areas and want to be apprised of future local happenings?  You can do that here.Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

My guest interview for November fell through at the last minute, so I decided to interview myself.  I put up an anonymous Question link on the gram, it was only up for around 18 hours so I didn't get many responses, but I am delightedly answering all of them here.What you'll hear:I mention giving a tarot reading in the beginning, for shits and giggles, here is the link to book one if you're interested (patrons of the Queensguard and higher get one a year!) https://calendly.com/theaudacityproject/intuitive-tarot-readingMy recommendation for getting the nitty gritty of American politics from a wise, neutral, caring source:  Sharon McMahon 4:00An easy, effective exercise for calming anxiety from the wonderful Dr. Brittni, who I got to meet at BossUp 5:45Q 1:  Any advice for someone who has gone through life believing they are not a creative person? I've recently accepted that there's no such thing but finding it hard to adjust  7:30Unpacking the cliche of "The Creative Person" and our subconscious expectations of what creativity looks like/how it presents 8:30One of the most transformative skills you can build if you're going to create anything 11:00Q 2:  What is the sty meat person you've helped unstick?  How?  (truly if you asked me this please clarify what you meant, but I ran with it) 13:00How I "help unstick" people (and why you are almost certainly not stuck...you're scared) 14:10The Audacity Project, cycle 28 waitlist.  This is the framework that I used to unstick people, and the next cycle will be March/April 2025.  18:30Q 3:  I am a shameless Rachel Strickland groupie.  You are so wise and funny.  I love your defence and bolstering of creativity especially women.  (this wasn't a question but I LOVED reading it, thank you so so much!)  19:50Q 4:  I'm going to my first ever aerial retreat  with Ais in 2 weeks.  Any advice?  Sincerely, a panicked person who doesn't feel qualified to be there.  21:00Me hoping to calm the fears of this lovely commentor 21:30A reminder that fear/anxiety is pleasure without permission 22:22My recommendation for SPF, I've been using this on my face daily for a decade 23:08Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

By request from wonderful Vix!  Thank you Vix!  On seasonality in strength training, favorite muggle gym exercises.What you'll hear:On meatsuits and the muggle gym, Episode 18What I use the muggle gym for (spoiler, it's GLUTES) 2:15Balancing muggle gym strength training and aerial training 4:30Why I learned to love short workouts 8:00Shoutout to JillFit's program that made me realize ramping back up GENTLY is the only way to fly.  Strength training is RESILIENT 10:00My personal trainer Nelson's advice that finally got through my thick circus-skull that just wants to do as hard as I can all the time 11:00Favorite leg/ass/hamstring exercises- you don't need 30, you only need like...10.  Squats, kettlebell swings, walking lunges, and hip thrusts are my favorites and I do them each week on different days when possible.  13:00Favorite ab exercises:  Myotatic crunch with or without weight (start with 2lbs.) and hanging leg lifts 14:00Getting as much bang for your buck as you can for ab exercises so you're not just doing crunches for a billionty years 15:30The basic recipe I use every time I go to the muggle gym 16:24What I'm most proud of from my muggle gym time 18:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Come see me this weekend in Washington DC!  All workshop times and descriptions can be found here:  Monarca in Flight!These strategies are for entry-level instructors who have been teaching for a minute but want to get into teaching traveling workshops 5:40 How I got into it, and how I approached it in the beginning and why it's super beneficial/how you can grow from it professionally 6:15Best possible way to reach out to a studio owner 7:50What you need to have ready when you reach out 8:30How many offerings do you need to have to choose from before you reach out?  10:10Getting testimonials:  why you need them and how to get them 12:45Here's an example of a menu of offerings How to price your workshops and the split with the studio 15:00Need a sample contract?  Sign up for my newsletter and get a contract template as well as lots of other templates and goodies.  17:30What about accommodation? 19:00The metric for success when traveling to teach workshops 20:53Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Workshop intensive weekend at Monarca in Flight October 26-27! 2:00It is apparently Infant Loss Awareness week, so in the spirit of not shoving this very common and very taboo human experience into the back of the closet, I make you and myself aware of it for approximately 2 minutes 2:30Episode 6:  Operating Under Active GriefThe Tale of BossUp!  5:30  "All you can do is prepare."  A dumb TMI story about a silly thing I did involving a sleepless night and a THC gummy 6:30If you want to take a bath while watching a sunset over the marina, stay at the Shad Hotel in Redondo Beach 10:20How the talk actually went on the day of 12:04My beef with the response "you're not alone" when you share a challenge with someone and how this weekend put it to rest 16:30All my gratitude to these two heroes, the splendid Dr. Shante Cofield and Jill ColemanGetting to meet the other two amazing guest speakers 18:00:Dr. Jennifer HuttonDr. Uchenna OssaiDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Acknowledging the grief associated with a loss of interest in your discipline 1:00My very unpopular advice for what to do if you find you are bored with your discipline 3:15Why teaching your discipline will not constitute the break that you might benefit from 5:43Wanna quit?  Try it.  Your practice is more resilient than you might think.  8:20Other ways you can disrupt your practice if you're bored with it 9:40The cultural story about "Passion" and why it's not helpful.  Here are some things that ARE reliable forms of fuel 10:00A lil story for you about the peace that can come when you are actually done with something, because you did it already.  13:15See you at BossUp?!  Come say hi if you're there!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Welcome to Audacity Works, for my next guest please enjoy while I share with you one of my favorite humans on earth, coven sibling, youthful dancing partner, and lifelong anam cara, Dr. Mel Hobart-Beaumari .  Dr. Mel (aka Dr HB) is a primary care physician who practices in Seattle Washington. They hold a naturopathic doctorate degree and did a teaching residency with a strong focus on community health. Their current practice has a little bit of everything, but a lot of women's health, gender affirming care, gut health, and pediatrics. They also continue to teach and lecture on a regular basis. Outside of medicine they are an avid rock climber and try to get outside as much as possible. Their route to medicine (and climbing) was circuitous and started with a short lived but precious semi-career as a modern dancer and some time spent homesteading in the mountains of North Carolina.What you'll hear:Disaster relief for Western North Carolina:Action Network Mutual AidHow we met (awww) 4:00Our career as dance partners in college and all the beautiful ridiculous things we made together 8:00Mel's pathway to medicine, and their stint homesteading in western North Carolina 13:00The myths surrounding naturopathic medicine 17:35Mel's favorite herbs for entering into a parasympathetic nervous state 21:59skull cap, chamomile, tulsi, milky oats, passion flower, holy basiladaptogen herbs are also helpful for this such as ashwagandha and rhodiola Mel's favorite brands for quality botanicals 26:01Wise Woman HerbalsWish Garden HerbsHerb PharmGaia HerbsHow Mel blew my mind about essential oils (and why she hates them) 27:55What is a daily "must-do"? 32:35Listen to Mel explode my brain about eye contact 34:30All the talk about hormones begins at 35:30Herbs you can take for hormonal regulation 39:54If you have ovaries, what are the signs that you might have increased testosterone and what might that be indicative of? 42:20How I learned about the magic of breastmilk from Mel after the birth of their son Kiran 44:40What would you recommend for someone starting a healing journey when they get the advice to trust your body, but you don't/can't? 47:56Me exploiting my access to Mel by asking them about drinking salted water cause I saw it on Instagram 56:28Advice for athletes!  Supplements and recovery suggestions for athletes 59:47Have you ever had to address barriers to care within GNC communities, especially in regards to hormonal or OB/GYN issues? 1:07:07A charming anecdote about how Mel taught me to make bread 1:11:22As an expat southerner, how are the ways you stay in connection to your sense of home? 1:13:01What advice would you give to yourself at the age of the anecdote about the bread? 1:16:15You can't follow Mel because they aren't on the socials, but you can find them if you need them.  Hit me up if you need their help finding resources and I'll connect you.Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Happy anniversary to US!!  I'm so honored to have this space, thank you all so much for keeping it alive and vital.  Without you, it's just a woman talking to herself in her office.  Today I cover a host of things including the nature of Audacity, where the name of The Audacity Project came from, holding the first Charleston Artists Salon (that I made anyway), on leadership, and what I've learned from recording 100 episodes.What you'll hear:The origin of Audacity and why I've chosen to adopt that word so thoroughly into my life 2:00The story behind naming The Audacity Project 5:30Enrolling in the early spring of 2025, Cycle 28 of The Audacity Project has a waitlist here.The first Charleston Artist Salon and how it went!  7:25If you are local, you can sign up to hear about future salons here.Why I think effective leadership has to start with the leader 10:40You can check the Patreon to see my half-baked weirdly sexual concept 12:15What I've learned from recording 100 episodes of the podcast 12:50The top 5 most downloaded episodes:#5 Cheers to the irresponsible#4 When is it ok to perform for free: a re-framing of performing opportunities#3 The Radical Responsibility of Being Seen with Dr. Shante Cofield#2 Art, Grief, and What Happens Next with Shannon McKenna#1 most downloaded episode is...Morning Pages: how to do them, how to not do them, and what to do if they bore the pants off of youThe wonderful alumni of The Audacity Project share their favorite tips for being Audacious, or share their most audacious moments.  So much gratitude to these audacious AF beings for sharing their voices 19:00:Maria "Cris" MorrellSammy DeanSusannah DonauTricia MelkeAlicia LloydKat DohertyHeather MeyerHannah LemkeVerity BradfordHeather BentleyMirrahEmily Garrod CoxElena "Tink"Chris Angel FisherCecilia Quin de la NocheJenny TuftsThank you all so much for being here.  It would not exist without you. xoDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Today's episode is brought to you by a nice little fit I got to throw for myself in the studio yesterday.  Do enjoy.You'll hear:The Maestro's Instagram Intensive is enrolling this week only- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you're looking to re-define and re-establish your relationship with social media, and use it to great effect.  I'm a proud affiliate and will always champion this course.Intensive weekend workshops at Monarca in DC are open for booking for October!Me and the great Jenny Tuft's Full Circle retreat still has some available space!  Click here to learn more and view our myth busting IG live about it here.BossUp is happening October 10-11 in Redondo Beach, CA!  I can't believe I get to speak to this room and be a part of it.  Hosted by The Movement Maestro and Jill Fit!Why the morning after a failure is not a great metric for the mettle of an artist. 7:00The humbling nature of success rather than failure because the work itself has to be enough 8:45Flipping the script on "what would you do if you knew you could not fail?" 9:09The most terrifying success I've had 12:10What I learned 3 years after recorded my first humiliating fit of despair 15:00Why hearing "you're not alone" is not comforting to me at all 16:35A TMI gift for my patrons coming up this week.Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:Where I was on 9/11, 2001 (where were you?  I'd love to know) and the gift my art professor gave me that dayIt's enrollment week baby!  Cycle 27 of The Audacity Project is open for enrollment this week only, until Friday, September 13th at 11:59pmCycle runs 9/16 until 11/15 with a break week October 14thClasses are Tuesdays at 2pm EST (replays are always available)Targeted, strategic tasks assigned to you weeklyunlimited support from me during the cycleTwo 1:1 30 minute video calls with mealumni access to these materials for life, and ability to audit future cycles at any timeLeaning way into what you love about your own work:  story time about me taking a walk (so riveting lol)Process-based work and the importance of documenting your process as well as the finished productWhat you can use process documentation forA challenge for you!  (2 of them actually) 15:00Does anyone actually read show notes??Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

And now for something completely different, talking to aerialist and adventure athlete, the fabulous and Audacious Sasha Galitzki!  Sasha uses photography and videography to document her work in what is to me, the most unimaginable of places including FREAKIN GLACIERS, Y'ALL!!What you'll hear:The Audacity Project Cycle 27 launches to the public on Monday, September 9th!  My email list is the best way to hear about it, also I write excellent emails, just sayin. How she got into performing in -15 degree temperatures in jaw-droppingly gorgeous environmentsNo but like seriously how tf is this happening and how is she rigging from ice?!Here is the non-optional image that you absolutely have to see, prepare yourselves.  Photo by Kris AndresThe added dance of being warm, but not warm enough to sweat because then you can literally freeze inside your clothes omg how is this happeningWhy "flow" is not a way to approach doing aerial work in these extreme conditions.How we finally met IRL even though we've known each other through The Audacity Project for years.Shout out to rigger spouse Marcus making up the other half of the dream teamNiching down harder than anyone has ever niched before, and the shadow side of accomplishing something extraordinary. How she has witnessed climate change in the most unavoidable, personal ways possible, and her advice for what us as individuals can do to address it locally.All about Wild Aerial, the film and the process of making it.Elk poop. :)How she as a fellow introvert approached visibility using a PR agent and a voice coach (I love this!) and you can see her TV interview here!You can follow Sasha's shenanigans (and I'd recommend it) here on her personal Instagram, and follow the film on the official Wild Aerial Instagram page.You can find Sasha's website here.Wild Aerial Film pageDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Happy Wednesday errbody!  The waitlist for The Audacity Project, Cycle 27 closes on Friday the 30th!  Sign up here for early enrollment, $100 off the price of tuition, and an early access bonus- all of this is only available to the waitlist before enrollment goes public.This week's episode is all about perfectionism, how it manifests in artistic practice as well as outside of it, and what to do about it if it's got its teeth in you.  It also ended up being accidentally confessional but I'm going let it be what it is.What you'll hear:The role of routine and discipline, and how it sometimes needs to be disrupted 3:00Why I think perfectionism is one of the most insidious gremlins there are 7:30How to know if you're a perfectionist or if you just have high standards of excellence 8:15How discipline and routine can be the ladder out of perfectionism 11:15My own relationship with perfectionism in art work 11:30How I got all smug about not being a perfectionist in my artistic work, but realized I have these tendencies in my other life omg so rude 13:30How I've experienced perfectionism outside of artistic practice 15:00Why perfectionism is bullshit 21:45Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

The waitlist for The Audacity Project, Cycle 27 is open, and closes next Friday August 30th at 11:59pm!  You can sign up for that here and get all the goodies and extras, save some $$ on the project if you decide to enroll in it, and get access to early action bonuses!What you'll hear:This episode was inspired by two write ins:  Thanks to Michelle for asking for an episode about Finding your Why, and thanks to Ruthie for asking for how to reconnect to your body when you're no longer in a physically creative field.The surprising reasons I've avoided exercise for long periods of time (3-6 months sometimes) 5:00An extremely powerful, simple exercise for finding your why 7:00An example of the Finding Your Why exercise 9:30Wtf is the point of finding your why?  12:00Follow Laura Jean here for her amazing resources on identifying your values https://www.instagram.com/dietitianvalues/  Thank you Shante aka The Movement Maestro for the Mafia and sharing your people with us!TrustU by Jillfit that I'm having a lot of fun with!How I found my why recentlyShout out to Jen Crane for her MyFlex program that came to the rescueDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

An episode by request from MM- thank you for this food for thought!What you'll hear:enrollment for The Audacity Project begins in September, if you're interested in this cycle I HIGHLY recommend you get yourself to the waitlist!  I'll be loving up on you soon but only to the waitlist.A previous episode on Internet fame and how to handle it when you get a whole bunch at once (thanks to the great Jenny Tufts for this one!)A story about the Sweet Potato Swear between me and my BFF Christy Acee, and the caveat to it I now fully renounce (so does she) 4:00Why the word "professionalism" makes me roll my eyes pretty hard 8:45What boundaries we actually can have with the online space when it's helpful 12:15How I responded when my audience quadrupled 16:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Please join me in welcoming the fabulous Veronica Rosas, creator of La Bruja Creative and Theatre of Mutiny!  I met Veronica through The Audacity Project several years ago, and have long wanted to bring her on the podcast as I've watched from afar as the woman just.  Creates.  So.  Much.  And I love it.  Please enjoy!What you'll hear:Out of frustration comes doing the damn thing- what frustrated Veronica enough to create her own companyThe growing pains of creating an award winning show, and bumping up against needing to replace core membersHow she navigated funding the show as an independent American creatorThe process of casting the showWhat it's like being a scare actor for Universal StudiosHer timeline from conception to premiereThe most useful thingHow to work for the Ren Faire if that's your bagWhat's next for Veronica, and for 79 Ways to DieClick here to see an example of a press kit y'all!  Dealing with big injury griefAaaaand me getting all weepyOh and don't forget to register for How'd You Get that Awesome Residency? which is tomorrow August 8th at 2pm est!  Save yourself a bunch of time and headaches, and learn about best practices from career artist Lexa Walsh with me!  (if you're viewing this after August 8th, yes you can still purchase the recording).You can learn more about Veronica here on insta:  https://www.instagram.com/labrujacreative/Go see Theatre of Mutiny live!  https://www.theatreofmutiny.com/liveDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What I learned at #IADF24, as I'm fresh off the plane after two weeks of intense art learning and making. What you'll hear:a whole bunch of what it's like for me as a teacherThe amazingness that is the annual meetup for the alumni of The Audacity Project who are at the festival (you can hop on the waitlist for the next cycle here)Lessons learned from the festivalYou gotta use what you have available to you that day.  Cyr wheel is the shitYou have to be ok with sucking if you ever wanna be greatChantal McCormick is a force of nature (this is not news)There is magic being in the roomSome rooms you can get into:Full Circle Aerial Hoop retreat with Jenny Tufts at Sweet Retreats in Mexico, two retreats to choose from babyBOSSUP2024!  October 10-11 in Redondo Beach, CA.  Hosted by Jill Coleman and Dr. Shante Cofield, it's gonna light a fire under your ass.Also, I have to quit vaping again.  Once more into the breach, dear friends.  Wish me luck.Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

What you'll hear:BIG NEWS I'm hosting artist Lexa Walsh to bring her amazing workshop How'd you get that awesome residency?Click here to learn more about the workshop and to save your placeNo idea what a residency is?  Listen to Episode 31 here and Episode 37 about it!Workshop is 2-4pm EST and is available on a sliding scale, from $33-47, made by working artists for working artistsWhy I love summer, and why on earth I would move from San Francisco to the deep south 4:00Taking a moment to acknowledge the call of the land to a place, and not just the culture 10:00Why I didn't move to LA in 2013 even though it would have made a lot of sense professionally 11:30my necessary summer activities that make me feel I have honored summer 17:00Swimply!  Thanks to Vanessa Sirois for this resource 19:00If you are local to the low country or surrounding areas (basically driving distance) and want to be on my local list for local happenings, PLEEEEEASE join this list!  https://poser.ck.page/d604e26530 20:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

A buffet episode!  In which I tackle as many questions/requests from you as I can in 20 minutes.What you'll hear:How to protect yourself from overworking/overtraining when you're committed to a program that encourages that behavior?  If you want to ask for an amended program and want to back that up with data, here's something you can do 4:40On navigating your ego and sitting at the big kid's table 6:20Listen here to the episode of The Movement Maestro that I reference!  10:4911:28 Next question is from wonderful Emma, go follow her!  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  Why do we get in our own way all the time?A question about how to create a semblance of structure for yourself, especially if you have ADHD 16:32I reference this episode on seasonality if you'd like more thoughts on how it looks in practice Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

On Artistic Hoarding and what to do about it.  This is super similar to the "Use the Good China" axiom that I'll always champion, but it's a little more subtle and subversive.one additional packing recommendation for anyone coming to the Irish Aerial Dance Festival 3:25An update on patron rewards for Coven tiers and higher 4:15What is Artistic Hoarding and why is it so insidious?  5:40How to tell the difference between hoarding an idea and just letting it cook naturally 8:54The fallacy of waiting to feel a certain way before taking action 12:45What hoarding an idea protects us from 14:00Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Please join me in welcoming accomplished actor, clown, acrobat, and badass art maker, Ross Travis.  Ross is a prolific and dedicated creator, always pushing boundaries and with a creative practice deeply rooted in his values, and disregard for the status quo.  His company Antic in a Drain is also one of the only American freelance artists I know who has had success within the American funding system. Y'all excited yet?  You should be.What you'll hear:The spectrum of clown, from light to dark (yes this is an actual thing) and the history behind it 2:15What it was like to work together on Salvage and Inversion at Kinetic Arts Center, and how an audience member's complaint led to new opportunities instead of less 8:00What it was like attending the notorious Dell'Arte School of Physical Theater 16:15Via Negativa!  If you're tired of being called amazing without getting necessarily actionable notes, listen up 24:15What I've experienced as a mentor happening in graduates from various professional circus programs (why is it so much fun when guests ask me a question?  it is!) 29:00What it's like to perform for a mud circus (Flynn Creek Circus) for 6 freakin seasons JFC 32:24The role of risk in physical performance 40:00How Ross scared the shit out of me in his show The Greatest Monkey Show On Earth 41:00On navigating the American funding system for the arts LISTEN UP PEOPLE!!! 45:00What's next on the buffet for this hungry hungry artist?  1:03:00See Ross perform at Kinetic Art's Center's Summer Circus Celebration and the San Francisco Aerial Arts FestivalViaHow to find, follow, and support Ross' work:https://anticinadrain.com/https://www.instagram.com/anticinadrainhttps://www.patreon.com/anticinadrainDon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

Probably the most technical episode I've ever recorded, but if you want personal recommendations for the exact tools to use to run your creative business, you're in the right place.What you'll hear:How I structure my business (sole proprietorship, LLC etc.) 2:15What I use to host my website:  WixWhat  I use to deliver my online courses:  Teachable I use Crowdcast  to host webinars Convert kit, the GOAT of email marketing softwareInstagram, which no one needs a link to.  If you want to learn how to use Instagram effectively THIS IS THE ONLY Instagram coaching program you will ever need, viva la Maestro!  The Maestro's Instagram Intensive 14:15Audacity for music editing as well as recording solo podcast episodesBeezeteez for merchandise!  Tell em I sent ya!Why I'm withholding an official endorsement for Riverside.fm (Zencastr is the other option I know of but I've never used them.)Once more gotta shout out my girl Dr. Shante Cofield, The Movement Maestro, for her dope free resource on how to start a podcast.  It is why this podcast exists.  If you're thinking about starting one, get your free guide here. 23:00Irfanview for super simple image editing, but honestly just get the pro version of Canva.  Do yourself a favor and just use the desktop version.InShot for editing videos on mobileFilmora for editing video on desktopI love using Buzzsprout to host this podcast, it's ridiculously easy to use Sign up here for free contract templates, tech rider templates, and as an added bonus, Woo Corner!Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

An episode by request from my friend Jessie.What you'll hear:pre-IADF preparation!  Episode 36: IADF Survival GuideNia Burk's original Instagram post referenced in the podcast (follow Butter & Filth for more truth bombs)Why "just be yourself" is maddening advice to anyone, particularly people who are already trying to do that every day 7:30Everyone should watch The Libertine, it's dope. 9:00 just sayinCatherine Linard's "radical self compassion" 11:00 and some advice she gave me that was an immense reliefCreating an ancestral altar as a method for getting support from your ancestors 12:30Creating a sense of interiority 15:08Susannah Conway's guided journaling workbook Unravel Your YearWhat creating art as well as becoming familiar with your own interiority takes 17:20Don't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon

I turned 42!  So I thought it was a good time to respond to a request episode from my girl Rachel on the gram' about aging, birthday rituals, and midlife crises!  Hooray!  :)What you'll hear:What my experience of turning 40 was like 5:25My thoughts on midlife crises 6:40What to do when 20 year olds complain about being scared about being old 8:00What I'm noticing about aging in myself 11:00The most challenging aspects of aging from where I'm sitting 12:55A birthday ritual that you can do (and you can do it at any time)  17:15I would LOVE to hear from you about what you might want to learn from me as a tiny birthday ask:  https://forms.gle/oin5NLdG2bYE8gaUADon't go back to sleep.xoRachelSign up here for monthly blasts and functional wooFind me on InstagramSupport this podcast on Patreon