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Empathetic MusiciansEp. 34 - Who Am I Without My DogEP. 34 - Who Am I Without My Dog
On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am bringing you up to speed with where I am at after losing my “source of joy,” my dog Caramel. AND as we are all empaths in this community, I have some insight to how to go about this world as an empath. Grief is personal and you do not need to be understood. But you are not alone in your grief.
Highlights✨:
(3:30) - grieving my best friend, my dog of fifteen years...2023-09-1220 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 33 - Welcome to Empathetic Musicians 2023 BONUS EDITIONOn today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, tune into a BONUS version of our first podcast episode explaining my story with making music! I am reacting to how I first presented my story to the public - "It was very therapeutic for me."
From rejection to New York to a music program to one of the greatest trips in my life, in the Philippines! I fell really hard, but I eventually got back up. :)
I am so proud of where I am in my life today.
2023-04-0437 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 32 - What to Expect Inside Mini Mindset PORTAL for Soul Artists 2023We are one week OUT from Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023!
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! On today's podcast episode hosted by Sophia Stermer, Founder of Release with Sophia, we are giving you a taste of what to expect inside the FREE 3-Day Event Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023. If you’re new to Release with Sophia, welcome! I refer to women and LGBTQIA+ musicians as Soul Artists.
Day 1 will look like a similar process to how I picked myself back up in the very beginning back in late 2019. I know some...2023-03-2811 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 31 - Being a Female Composer in the World of Film Scoring with Madison KaminskyWelcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today on the podcast, I have my dear friend Madison Kaminsky talking about her experience as a female composer and what film scoring means to her. Madison is a Composer in Los Angeles, California and her first solo piano album is out on Spotify! She graduated from Sonoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in composition (Class of 2020) and is a graduate of the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring (2022). I’ve known Maddie since our days at Oak Park High School and am th...2023-03-2144 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 30 - International Women's Day as a Soul Artist (Musician)Today is International Women’s Day and on the podcast, Empathetic Musicians, I am championing those who have supported me throughout Release with Sophia, the podcast, and my entire journey with music!
I am honoring those who have supported me on this podcast by sharing their stories with me and being an example to you Soul Artist:
(Ep. 2) Hayley George, (Ep. 3) Aly Leia Wein, (Ep. 7) Sarah Townsend-Handley, (Ep. 12) Blessing, (Ep. 16) Annabella Johan, (Ep. 20) Trúc, (Ep. 21) Noah Finn, (Ep. 25) Morgan Paige, (Ep. 27) Mel
“Getting to know you, Soul Artist, and having these intimate conve...2023-03-0922 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 29 - traveling alone creates opportunityWelcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today is story time and I am sharing a quick story about my recent adventure involving the train! As a soul artist, I also want to share how I stay connected to myself and inspired to make music. I LOVE TO EXPLORE. It’s a part of my identity and maybe it’s also a part of yours :)
Highlights:
1:15 - exploring in an approachable way
1:32 - RECAP of trip to the Philippines PRE-PANDEMIC in 2019
2:23 - “I exist to raise the vibration of those that I encounter.”
4:16...2023-01-3115 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 28 - Celebration of 2022 and Intention for 2023Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I am the founder of Release with Sophia, formerly named So Just Collab! I have been a little busy while I was away from the podcast. All for a purpose :) BUT LET'S DIVE IN!
A year in review✨:
7 incredible guests on the podcast in 2022
hosting my first free workshop
I auditioned to sing the national anthem for my graduation from UC Irvine Class of 2022
Spontaneously shared a song a cappella with my Yoga (Asana) Teacher Training peers on our last day of our 13 Weeks together
Intention for 2023:
👁GRATITUDE👁
“I am”...2023-01-2418 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 27 - Coming into Their Magic Through Songwriting with MelWelcome to Empathetic Musicians! I had such a pleasure talking with soul artist Mel (they/them) and diving into their absolutely magical world. I was transformed energetically that day when we had this conversation around music and mental health. Mel currently performs in the Santa Cruz area!
"It's really EMPOWERING to LET OURSELVES SPEAK. To LET OURSELVES SHARE a message because I feel like there is SO MUCH TO LEARN IN THIS LIFE. There is SO MUCH TO SHARE. [Music has] been SUCH A HUGE ALLY FOR ME." - Mel
As always our core values...2022-11-2235 min
Empathetic MusiciansEp. 26 - Your Making Music ResetHey Soul Artist! :)
Welcome BACK! To Empathetic Musicians!
If you have been in the community for awhile you know we have switched the name from So Just Collab to Release with Sophia!
I start this episode with a very very short meditation 2022-10-0409 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 25 - How Morgan Paige Uses Yoga to Unwind and What Making Music Means To HerWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC.
“One ritual that I like to incorporate when I have a performance or practicing, probably yoga. I think it is really difficult for people like us who are musical and creative and hard on ourselves to have a positive mindset without negative self talk and negative thoughts coming in.”
I loved having my long time friend (almost a decade!!) Morgan, come on the podcast today! I have so much love for her and she shared so much with us as an entert...2022-08-0926 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 24 - How do I start again? How do I make music for me?Happy August Soul Artist!
How are you feeling about this new month?
For some, I know, thinking about the whole month is overwhelming. And there is some truth to that! I am a fan of focusing on the present! :) But for me it’s easy to overlook the whole month and stay present. I’ve wrestled with my relationship with music and I like to say that I made it through.
Everything is easier said than done.
Why is it that I am here, but other’s aren’t?
Or they a...2022-08-0212 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 23 - Mindset + Imperfections as a Soul Artist/Overview of Music Events I Attended in JulyHello soul artist! Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! On today’s episode I am sharing how July has been for me. The theme for the month was mindset.
Today I covered:
Where I have spent most of my free time
My disruptor story about why I represent something different than most "musicians"
Why I embrace and encourage imperfections
Watching a musical in an outdoor setting
Going to my first k-pop concert
"Soul artist, I can say today at the end of July and near the start of August, that I making choices more and more for me...2022-07-2616 min
Empathetic MusiciansEp. 22 - Romanticizing the Mundane in Celebration of Pride as Soul Artists (Musicians)Hello soul artists! Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I realized as I recorded this episode that I am an alum of UC Irvine now. One of my last classes I took was History of Sexuality, which I highly recommend if you are a UC Irvine student. Today, I share a little of how this class opened my eyes to Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community in general. As soul artists, I truly see all of us as human beings who share a love for music, experimenting with music, and creating our own music.
In today's episode I cover:2022-06-2210 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 21 - "Still worthy when I wilt" with Noah FinnHello soul artist! In today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am talking with my dear friend Noah Finn. I technically have known Noah since elementary school, but we went to the same high school and shared memories in the choir and drama department. Years after leaving our high school we reunited and it has been nothing but authenticity. Noah is truly one of the most incredible human beings you will ever meet.
In today's episode we cover:
Noah's early experiences with music including the album Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff on the walkman
the politics of “high...2022-06-1441 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 20 - "Maybe It's Because"... You're Surrounded By Creatives with TrúcHello soul artist! In today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians, we are sitting down with Trúc, one of my friends from the days I lived in New York City. I met Trúc at Marymount Manhattan College in 2016, where she eventually became a Film alumnus as Class of 2020. She was one of my first roommates and I will never forget those early college days with Trúc! I actually gave my piano away to Trúc before I left in Spring 2018.
Trúc talks about her father influencing her love for music through his early stories of teach...2022-05-1737 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 19 - Valuing Yourself: AAPI Month EditionHello soul artists! Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! As one of the new values of my company So Just Collab, Being Seen, I want to continue to evolve as I better plan for the months and holidays that I highlight and this goes for how I want to start 2023! I am your CEO, but I am your Soul Artist Sophia.
I am half Filipino and want to highlight how I’ve recently incorporated my heritage into my identity as a soul artist. Something I don’t talk about often is how I feel about bein...2022-05-0312 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 18 - How to Stay Inspired Creatively: Human Connection + MusicalsToday on Empathetic Musicians, I talk about my emotional experience at a local music event hosted by MoCa (Musicians of Color Association) that deeply inspired me, musical theatre, and how this relates to human connection. Watching someone sing can creatively inspire you because you are sharing in their storytelling and their raw emotions.
“You don’t have to be a theatre nerd to love musical theatre.”
I also talk about how lyrics from musicals are powerful. I share some musicals that have been forever connected to my rocky journey back to making music. Some musicals, through...2022-04-1217 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 17 - Positive Self Talk: "We don’t need to talk about pitches”Welcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC. Today on Empathetic Musicians, I very much share how I reframed my way of thinking about myself. And this starts with our everyday thinking. In the 24 hours of a day, now 16 or more hours depending on how much you sleep, What do you think about? what do you say to yourself? How do you comment about yourself through commenting on others? By the end of the episode I share what I have done to negative thoughts about my musical talents. And this is SIX years...2022-04-0513 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 16 - Embracing My Value Through Opportunity with Annabella JohanWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC. In today’s episode, we are sitting down with Annabella Johan, a soul artist at heart. Sophia met Anna virtually through a friend of a friend at UC Irvine, and ever since that day, she knew she wanted to share Anna's music story!
Anna talks about how she had a connection to pop music at a young age, had several opportunities to perform, including being in a band, as well as a special guitar from her childhood that is still in the family to...2022-03-2943 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 15 - Welcome to Mindset Through MusicHello soul artist! Wherever you are in the world, whatever you are doing as you listen to today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians. Hi! I am really glad you are here today because I can’t wait to share what is to come in the coming months! First, I think it’s important to reintroduce myself for anyone who is new to the podcast or the So Just Collab community! My name is Sophia Stermer and I am a Mindset Music Coach who is here to help you build and maintain a lifelong relationship with music. The core values of my...2022-03-2213 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 14 - How I Got to Where I Am TodayWelcome Soul Artist! On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians I walk through in depth how I was able to rebuild my relationship with music from the day I decided to move away from a traditional path as a music educator. Despite disapproval, rejection, shame, expectations, negativity, bullying, my own thoughts, personal experience and exposure I have come back to my peace. “If making music makes you happy, then we should do what makes us happy.”
*Warning* - I do mention what happened to me when I passed out during June 2020, so listen with caution when I mention "bath...2022-03-1524 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 13 - Why Karaoke Changed My LifeHello soul artist! Today, I am talking about why karaoke has played such an important part of my new relationship with making music! When I was in the Philippines, it was karaoke that brought me back to singing for fun again. In today's episode I cover how I felt when I was asked to karaoke with friends in California and how fear can stop us from opportunities.
As always, empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are valued here.
Connect with Sophia:
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
I...2022-03-0814 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 12 - Authentically Living with BlessingWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. Today, she is sharing a conversation that she had with her friend Blessing. During her first year at UC Irvine, Sophia met Blessing through a cappella auditions and eventually got to spend more time with Blessing as a member of Clair De Lune, an all-female identifying a cappella group. In today's episode, we talk about growing up in a music community, interests in many genres of music, specifically jazz, as well as how to keep your passion for music alive.
Blessing reminds us that "i...2022-02-2215 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 11 - JealousyHello soul artist! In today’s LIVE! episode of Empathetic Musicians, I talk about jealousy as a musician. Comparing yourself to other musicians who you put on a pedestal or label them as more “successful” tells your brain, that you are worth less than them. Where does this jealousy come from? Comparison? The real word is envy. Being envious of someone’s life, their gifts/abilities, or even their luck in life, if you believe in luck.
As always, empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are valued here.
Connect with Sophia:
Website - sojustcollab.com
Em...2022-02-2211 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 10 - Balancing Life with the Energy You WantHello soul artist! Today is a very special day, but as you listen to today's episode I hope that you start to think about the energy that you allow in your life. Do you have a pet that gets you? Do you love to explore? I share insight into my personal life today, outside of being the CEO of So Just Collab, and talk about what keeps me going in life. I cover my opinion on being a student, a daughter, and so many core parts of my life. I hope as you listen to today's episode that you...2022-02-0816 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 9 - Lyric Writing From the HeartWelcome my soul artists! Ever tried lyric writing? Today's episode dives into how you can start to explore writing lyrics from the thoughts that you have on your mind. This ranges from putting pen to paper or using a napkin, if need be. We spend a lot of time absorbing music in the grocery stores, the radio, listening to our favorite artists on repeat. And these artists are storytelling. They are sharing their personal thoughts and experiences.
So why not tap into your personal creativity and write a song about how you are feeling? As always, empathy, v...2022-02-0113 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 8 - How to Manage Anxiety Centered Around Making MusicWelcome my soul artists! In today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, I talk about when my anxiety started and how I overcame my anxiety about my talents as a musician. I go over ways to reduce your anxiety around making music, small steps you can take, as well as my number one suggestion to taking back how special making music can be, for you only.
We may have origins of where our anxiety came from, but I know you love creating music. As always, empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are valued here.
Connect with S...2022-01-2513 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 7 - Elevated Leadership Over Money in the Music Industry with Sarah Townsend-HandleyWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. She can’t wait for you to hear today’s episode on the conversation she had with her dear friend Sarah. Sophia met Sarah in her first and only year at Chapman University in 2018, but the two have always stayed in each other's lives. Today’s episode covers financial insecurities for musicians, non-traditional paths in the music industry, and Sarah's work with Musicians of Color (MoCA).
Sarah reminds us today that "we cannot equate security with contentment." Empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are always valued here.2022-01-1819 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 6 - Playing Ukulele by EarWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. In today’s episode, Sophia is talking about how she keeps her creativity alive by playing the ukulele by ear. She talks about how the ukulele is perfect for making music on the go.
After this episode, Sophia hopes you will feel inspired to play the ukulele without restrictions or limits on how you explore this instrument.
As always, empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are valued here.
Connect with Sophia:
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.soph...2022-01-1111 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 5 - Valuing Yourself as a Soul ArtistHappy New Year! To kick off 2022, on today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am sharing what it means to be a “soul artist” and how you can value yourself as a soul artist. I spill my three ways that I add value to myself as a musician, including finding moments to be proud of ourselves. I do go back to 2016 for a vulnerable moment to reflect on a choice that I made. My hope today is to show you that you are valued. This episode is short and to the point, but that's all you need today. As always, empa...2022-01-0413 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 4 - Reflecting and My Vision for 2022As the year comes to a close, I wanted to share my thoughts on 2021 and share with you what I see for 2022! In the final episode of the year, I read a portion of an email I wrote to myself, talk about setting boundaries, and changes for So Just Collab. I really saw this year how I was finding myself in situations that do not serve my highest self. As I reflect on myself, I hope YOU see something you can leave behind and something you want to bring into 2022!
As always, empathy, vulnerability, and imperfections are v...2021-12-2824 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 3 - "Music Meets Me Where I Am" with Aly Leia WeinWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. In today’s episode, Aly Leia Wein, one of her friends from back home, talks about her relationship with music. They have had the opportunity to reconnect several times over the past eight years ever since they first danced together in Oak Park, CA.
Aly talks about her non-traditional college journey, her deep connection to music, and how you don't need to commodify your passion for music. She points out that we can have many relationships with music such as how we feel as sin...2021-12-0726 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 2 - Musical Theatre Love with Hayley GeorgeWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. In today’s episode, we are sitting down with the show's first guest, and one of her dearest friends, Hayley George. Sophia has known Hayley for over 10 years and shared the stage with her while they were in high school together.
Hayley talks about how she fell in love with musical theatre at a young age, her favorite moments with music on stage, as well as the difference in atmosphere for musical theatre in high school versus community college. She also talks about the neg...2021-11-1632 minEmpathetic MusiciansEp. 1 - Welcome to Empathetic MusiciansWelcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab. In today’s episode, Sophia is talking about how she came up with the idea for her company. She will cover every roadblock that has actually brought her to where she is today. Sophia will also be pointing out what those few life-changing moments were for her.
After this episode, Sophia hopes you will feel less discouraged to express yourself through singing or playing piano. This episode will show you that you have everything you need to be a unique musician. Empathy, vulnerability, and im...2021-10-2325 min