Shows
Suffering For ArtEP 11: Knowing Your Worth as a CreativeKnowing your worth might sound like a basic concept — but for so many creatives and artists, it’s the very thing we leave behind when we step into our craft. In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens, and more importantly, how to change it.Through bold questions and honest reflections, I’m inviting you to rethink your path: Who do you want to be? Where do you truly want to go? And what’s standing in your way? The truth is, stepping into your full potential starts with recognizing your value — not just as a creative, bu...2025-08-0118 minSuffering For ArtEP: 10 Overcoming Perfection as a CreativeI’m not sure why perfection was on my mind this month, but I’m glad it was—because it helped me reframe how I want to create moving forward.In this episode, we unpack where our obsession with perfection even comes from. We take a historical dive, explore cultural and media influences, and look at how perfectionism became a standard we never actually agreed to.And then we do something even more important: we talk about how to quiet that voice that says, “This still isn’t good enough.”My hope? That by the end of th...2025-07-0121 minSuffering For ArtEP 9: From Starving Artist to Six-Figure CEO: Aleah Vassell on Building Wealth with Creative FreedomIn this episode of Suffering for Art, I sit down with Aleah Vassell (they/she)—a professional actor, creative agency owner, and the powerhouse behind Creative With Money Co. Aleah transformed their financial life by launching a six-figure virtual assistant business, all while continuing to thrive in the performing arts.We dive into how Aleah went from earning $27K to $116K in just one year, the realities of virtual assistant work, and how creatives can build wealth without sacrificing their art. Whether you're curious about what a VA actually does, how much it pays, or how to get s...2025-06-0143 minSuffering For ArtEP 8: Creative Loss: Grieving the Dreams That Didn’t Make It with Dr. DaJonitta Richmond🎙️ Creative Loss: Grieving the Dreams That Didn’t Make ItWhat happens when the project doesn’t land, the door doesn’t open, or the dream quietly slips through your fingers? In this episode of Suffering for Art, host Brianna Kaleen sits down with psychiatrist and educator Dr. DaJonitta Richmond to explore a part of the creative process we rarely talk about: grief.Not just grief for people—but for projects, paths, and versions of ourselves that never had a chance to fully unfold. Together, they dive into how disappointment affects the body, why so many artists push t...2025-05-0126 minSuffering For ArtEP:7 Cara Rose DiPietro on Influencing as a Creative Side HustleIn this episode, Brianna Kaleen sits down with actor and content creator Cara Rose DiPetrio to talk all things influencing as a creative side hustle. They get into how to make brand work actually work for your lifestyle, what it means to steward a community (instead of just chasing numbers), and how Cara made the leap to doing it full time. From managers and rates to staying aligned with your artistic self, this convo is full of insight for any creative wondering if influencing could be more than a fluke gig between auditions.To co...2025-03-2942 min
Not From HereSuffering for Art with Brianna KaleenThis week on Not From Here, are chatting with actor and podcast host Brianna Kaleen, whose career has taken her from the Hairspray National Tour to regional theater stages and even a big win in a Times Square singing competition.Brianna opens up about the rollercoaster of being a performer in NYC, auditions, the setbacks, and the small (but mighty) wins that keep us going. We also dive into her podcast, Suffering for Art, and why this career sometimes feels like a beautiful struggle.If you’ve ever questioned why we put ourselves through this, yo...2025-02-1059 minSuffering For ArtEP 6: Creative Burnout – How to Recover and Reignite Your SparkFeeling stuck, drained, or disconnected from your creativity? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore the root causes of creative burnout, its impact on your brain, and practical ways to recover. Learn how rest, microbreaks, and sleep can reignite your spark and why taking care of yourself is key to protecting your passion.
If you’re ready to reconnect with the joy of creating, tune in now!
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If this resource has helped you on your creative journey and you'd like to see more...2025-01-2725 minSuffering For ArtEP 5: 2025: The Year We Won’t Be Broke – The Creative’s BudgetDownloadable PDF of the “Creative’s Budget” can be found here. Use it to really understand this podcast episode.
Tired of the “starving artist” stereotype? In this episode of Suffering for Art, we tackle one of the most challenging aspects of creative living: managing your finances. 2025 is the year we take control, break free from financial anxiety, and build a sustainable creative lifestyle.
Join us as we:
Break down the basics of budgeting for unpredictable income.
Explore practical tools and apps that simplify money management for artists.
With actionable advice, relatable stori...2025-01-0518 minSuffering For ArtEP 4: You vs. Imposter Syndrome: How Knowing Yourself Changes EverythingAuthenticity is the foundation of meaningful art, relationships, and self-expression—but how can you be authentic with others or your craft if you don’t truly know yourself? In this episode, we’re exploring the complex web of relationships in the creative life: your connection to others, your relationship with your art, and most importantly, your relationship with yourself.
We’ll dive into how a lack of self-awareness can lead to struggles like imposter syndrome and inauthentic connections, while also providing practical steps to rediscover your goals, values, and true creative voice. Because when you know who you are...2024-11-3012 minSuffering For ArtEP 3: Making Art, Losing Money: Breaking Free from Financial StrugglesThe arts are billion-dollar industries, but here’s the harsh truth: most of the money rarely makes its way to the artists themselves. Whether you’re a painter, writer, or performer, you’ve likely felt the weight of financial insecurity. In this episode, we’re exploring why the creative world leaves so many of us struggling to pay the bills, despite the wealth generated by our work.
We’ll unpack the systemic issues that keep artists broke and share practical, actionable steps to start building financial freedom. From rethinking the “starving artist” mindset to taking control of your cash flow...2024-11-3017 minSuffering For ArtEP 2: The Mind of an Artist: Navigating Rejection, Hustle Culture and Job InstabilityThe creative life can be beautiful, but let’s be real—it’s not easy on the brain. Between job instability, constant rejection, and the pressure to “make it,” artists face a unique set of mental health challenges that few other professions encounter. In this episode, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of how these struggles affect our minds and what we can do to overcome them.
We’re diving deep into the toll that job instability and hustle culture take on creatives, and why rejection feels so personal when your work is tied to your identity. This episode u...2024-11-3021 minSuffering For ArtEP 1: Another Podcast? The Cost of Creating: How We Suffer for ArtWhat does it really mean to suffer for art? In this first episode, we’re diving into the raw, unfiltered reality of the artistic grind—balancing auditions and side hustles, navigating the chaos of big city living, and holding on to creativity while the world seems stacked against you. Whether you’re a painter, actor, writer, or creator of any kind, the struggle to make art while making ends meet is all too familiar.
I’m Brianna Kaleen, and I’ve lived this journey firsthand. Join me as I peel back the layers of what it means to live as...2024-11-3005 min