TO THE WEST AND BACK

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This is a podcast that explores and unpacks the stories of passionate creatives who inspire us. We'll feature artists, photographers, filmmakers, musicians, writers, and just all-around cool people. Everyone's got a cool journey that we could learn from, and it's our goal to provide a platform for them to share their experiences. Keep up with us on Instagram at @shawgostudios and @nicktylersmith, or at www.tothewestandback.com.

Alan Shawgo & Nick Smith


    • Jan 20, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 20 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from TO THE WEST AND BACK

    You Are Your Only Competition: KG Lillian on Creativity and Letting Go of Expectations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 48:23


    In this episode, we have a wide ranging chat with KG Lillian, from music to content creation to letting go of expectations. She even announces some big news for the first time on this episode! Learn more about KG at www.kglillian.com or follow her on Instagram or TikTok - @kglillian.

    “I HATE THIS GAME!” - A Vulnerability Sesh to Start the Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 32:55


    In this episode, we draw cards from the friendship edition of the game "We're Not Really Strangers". We get super deep in this episode and even shed a few tears.

    A ~Cathartic~ End to 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 31:31


    In this episode, we talk lessons learned from 2022, along with our plans for 2023. Thanks for listening!!

    Work Tired, Play Hurt, Love Hard: Lessons from Serial Entrepreneur Derrick Huskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 68:21


    In this episode, we sit down with Derrick Huskey to have a wide ranging conversation about music, entrepreneurship, and being a dad.

    What's your West?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 23:55


    In this episode, we discuss our "why" for doing the podcast! Whether it's a physical trek or a big career change, everyone has a journey that we can learn from.

    We're back and here to stay!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 24:36


    In this episode, we catch up after a hiatus from the podcast! We discuss life and new plans moving forward.

    2.06 Shawnaci Schroeder / Setting Boundaries When Your Life is On Display

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 56:33


    As a Social Media Influencer, it's hard not to be "always on." On this episode, Alan and Nick talk to Shawnaci Schroeder, an Influencer from small town Illinois, about setting healthy boundaries, overcoming your fears, and how we all have the power to spark movements through tough conversations. Stay up to date with new episodes by following us on Instagram, @shawgostudios & @nicktylersmith.  /  tothewestandback.com

    2.05 Dr. John Drea / Defying the Odds

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 53:34


    He grew up sharing a bedroom with his entire family in a small Central Illinois town, but later went on to earn his Doctorate and become a renowned college professor. On this episode, Alan and Nick talk with John Drea, their college Marketing professor, and dive deep into what it takes to persevere when the odds are stacked against you.

    2.04 Nick & Alan / A Lesson in Vulnerability

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 45:23


    Nick recently got a self-reflection journal from We're Not Really Strangers, so we decided to have a deep talk led by prompts from the journal. We dive into vulnerable topics like body image, expectations placed on others, and insecurities we are currently facing. Stay up to date with new episodes by following us on Instagram, @shawgostudios & @nicktylersmith. / tothewestandback.com

    2.03 Jared Haynes / How a Road Trip Became a Journey of Self-Discovery

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 53:09


    After a year of emotional reckoning and lessons learned, Jared Haynes joins us to talk about his solo cross-country road trip that helped him confront some valuable truths about himself. Stay up to date with new episodes by following us on Instagram, @shawgostudios & @nicktylersmith. / tothewestandback.com

    2.02 Rachael Marie / You CAN Manifest Your Own Confidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 44:29


    Rachael Marie, a full-time teacher and photographer, joins us to talk in depth about how she manifested her own confidence and embraced vulnerability to become her truest self. Stay up to date with new episodes by following us on Instagram, @shawgostudios & @nicktylersmith. / tothewestandback.com

    2.01 Nick Interviews Alan / Our First Episode as Co-Hosts!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 41:52


    To kick off season two, Nick puts Alan in the hot seat and interviews him about how he found his passion for photography and decided to take the leap of faith and become a full-time creative. Stay up to date with new episodes by following us on Instagram, @shawgostudios & @nicktylersmith. / tothewestandback.com

    007 Nick Smith - Photography, Marketing & Friendship

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 53:45


    On this episode, Alan talks with Nick about his passion for photography, different marketing techniques, and why being surrounded by good people is so important. Keep up with all the episodes on Instagram - @tothewestandback 

    006 Ash Forrest - Abstract Art, Implementing Systems & Doing What You Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 40:34


    On this episode, Alan talks with Ash about creating abstract art, how creatives can implement systems to make their workflow more efficient, and why doing what you love is so important. You can keep up with all the episodes on Instagram at @tothewestandback.

    005 E. Philly - New Music, New Beginnings & New Places

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 44:52


    On this episode, Alan talks with E. Philly about his debut EP coming out August 28th, the highs and lows of the past year, and much more. Follow along with all of the episodes on Instagram at @tothewestandback.

    004 KG Lillian - Making Music, Thrifting & Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2020 39:09


    In this episode, Alan talks with KG Lillian about her journey with music, her new online thrift shop, and having a good mindset about the creative process. They also dive into how to keep your passion for what you love when you turn a hobby into a career. Follow KG on Instagram, @kglillian. Her debut EP "Palm Valley" comes out July 17! Follow along with all of the episodes on Instagram, @tothewestandback.

    003 Wes Haertling - Photography, Traveling & Finding Your Niche

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 33:40


    Alan talks to his great friend, Wes Haertling, about discovering photography as a passion, great adventures, and finding your niche. 

    002 Ryan Cheney - Making Music, Being Yourself & the Creative Process

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 48:14


    In this episode, Alan talks with Ryan Cheney about his journey with music, always staying true to who you are, and the unique creative process. Enjoy and stay up to date with the latest episodes on Instagram - @shawgostudios.

    001 Ryan Hanlon - Filmmaking, Ireland, & Taking Chances

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2020 68:49


    Alan sits down with his good friend and mentor Ryan Hanlon of Route 3 Films. They discuss the intricate filmmaking process, Ryan's crazy adventure to Ireland for six months, and taking chances, like quitting his job at a hotel to pursue his passion of filmmaking. Enjoy the journey & let me know what you think over on Instagram, @shawgostudios!

    The Beginning of the Journey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 1:20


    The whole point of this podcast is to talk to people about how they discovered what they're passionate about and how they continue to improve their craft. Everyone has a unique journey that we can all learn from. My hope is that you listen to this podcast and receive inspiration for your passions and how you can continue to improve your craft. I will be talking to people in all different creative fields, but I feel like the lessons and ideas can be applied to anyone.

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