On why we create

Intermission

Hi, dear friends! Just a short note to let you know there’ll be a short intermission, while I’m on maternity leave for a couple of months (wahoo! And, another short note to say – if you’re on a fertility journey [and the mention of maternity leave hurts your heart], I see & hear you; keep going, friend. There’s always a light.) With big love, until next episode! Emily x

PS Thank you for all your messages / support this season – it’s always a joy to hear your stories and to connect with you; I love our SN community. Keep rating / reviewing / sharing - it really does make a huge difference to what we do.

Experience(s) of Endometriosis as a Performer

March was endometriosis awareness month! And we’re a little late to the party! But in the spirit of embracing the mud (!), we’ve decided to (un)officially extend endo awareness month with this convo all about endo – and some personal experiences of living with this condition, as a performer.

If you’re someone who bleeds / are a little suss that something might be up with your cycle / have been diagnosed with endo / are just curious to hear more about this condition, then this episode is for you! Wonderful singer-extraordinaire Hanna-Liisa Kirchin joins me for this honest and open conversation, about our (varying) experiences with endometriosis. She’s so generous in sharing her experience – I’m so grateful to her for speaking about her journey.

As ever, this conversation is just a sharing of personal experiences; it does not stand in for medical advice. Please seek the support of your doctor / medical professional, for further information. Also, please bear in mind that every endo journey is so wildly different. What you hear might align with either of our experiences – or it might not. It’s just a jumping-off point for raising awareness / the asking of questions / you being an even fiercer advocate for your own health and body.

Suffice it to say, we talk loads about menstruation… so if that’s not up your alley, then this conversation is probably not for you, my friend (or, it might be, if you’d like to learn more!) Whyever (is that a word?! If not, should be) you’re coming to this conversation – we’re so glad to have you; you’re welcome here, and you’re seen.

I’ll also include some resources below, if you’re interested in finding out more / seeking support. This list will be somewhat limited to what I’ve been exposed to / had access to, so a) see your doctor (and then see another one, if they’re dismissive…) and b) keep seeking great information, on your own terms (there’s more and more out there, now – and loads for free, too).

We’re here as friends on the journey! Emily x

Resources mentioned / further info:

Endometriosis Australia: https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/
Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/
Endo dietitian: @endo.dietitian
How to Endo, by Bridget Hustwaite: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56855221-how-to-endo
Period Repair Manual, by Lara Briden: https://www.larabriden.com/period-repair-manual/
The Fifth Vital Sign, by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43616354-the-fifth-vital-sign

About our guest:
http://www.hannaliisakirchin.com/
Hanna-Liisa on Instagram: @hannaliisak
Hanna-Liisa on Twitter: @Hanna_Liisa_K

On why we create

Our guest today is an awesome artistic human – singer / songwriter / poet, Cara Walkam. In addition to being a badass creative artist, Cara is also one of the fiercest humans I know; after a life-changing (read: life-threatening) event, Cara faced an epic re-thinking of her relationship to creativity / making. The insight she shares today is based in a lived understanding of the mess, the mud, and the ways in which we show up, even when there’s no “ideal” or “perfect” way forward.

We talk about the balance between creative work and a day job, juggling the practicalities of everyday life, and creating work in a shifting / changing landscape (within and without). Our convo sits deep in the magic of that mess and mud; we talk loads about how we show up to creativity alongside / within this. It’s an honest, present, joyful convo, about the ways we create in this weird and crazy time (and all times). Enjoy! Emily x

About our guest:
Cara Walkam is a singer-songwriter, poet and stroke survivor from Wollongong, Australia.  She invariably writes and sings about her dogs, her complaints about society, and her many and varied neuroses.  Cara is a double Sagittarius with an Aries rising, a philosopher and a frequent cryer.

Cara’s Website
Cara on Spotify
Cara on Apple Music

Reintegration

*Since recording this episode, much more has come to pass in the world at large. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the scale of suffering and tragedy being experienced by so many, and to acknowledge the privileged position we are currently in – able to continue creating and sharing. We will continue to do so – in the face of; despite and still; in honour of those who cannot. Hopefully this sentiment resonates; I want this to be a place of solace, comfort, and creation. May we keep creating.*

It’s time for our first convo of Season 2! And who could we begin this season with, other than the inimitable Monica O’Brien? Mon saw us through the highs and lows of early 2020, and brought us so much wisdom / clarity / joy across Season 1 – and now she’s here with us as we dance (with wild and muddy grace) into Season 2!

It’s an understatement to say that we all have so much to process – as artists, and humans – about the last few months & years. In this episode we talk all about integrating what has come to pass, as well as reintegrating: into our artistic worlds / lives / selves.

It’s my hope that this conversation will be nourishing, supportive, and help us all begin / continue to process what has been and what’s to come – a perfect way to start this Season 2 journey together. So, grab a cuppa, and join us for the first convo of Season 2! Emily x

Welcome to Season 2!

Season 2 has been in my heart and mind for quite some time now; through the highs (hmm) and lows (uh-huh) of the last couple of years (ya know), I’ve been deeply reflecting on what it means to be a performer – and therefore what it means to produce a podcast about being a performer. One of the things that has become wildly clear is – I don’t know. In the (constantly) shifting landscape of the world (let alone the arts world), I’ve realised I can’t quite put my finger on what it “means” to be a performer – and, I’ve realised that that’s okay. It’s okay to not know. It’s okay to be making it up as we go. It’s okay to be messy and muddy and all-things-and-nothing, at once. It’s in the mud, in the mess, that we re-shape; re-make. I’m here for that – and I’m here for you.

I’m here for conversation, community, and discussions about: 1. the (frankly) wild nature of being a performer in the world right now, 2. stuff that might help you along the way, 3. anything else that might make life a little sunnier, really…! Join us this season to be seen, to be heard, and to belong – in this wild wilderness that we’re processing and moving through and re-making, together. Can’t wait to get stuck in! Emily x