The Warm-Up with Melanie and Andrew

Novelist Lee Ash shares her perspective on the balance between motherhood, her publishing career, her lifelong dream of being a novelist, and so much more!

Check out her debut Favor Angeles & The Rise of the Hidden Ones out now!

Chapters

00:00 - Intro, author reveal, and the Lee Ash name confusion
00:54 - Amanda Ashworth introduces herself and her debut novel
03:07 - Publishing background and the origin of Epiphany Press
04:11 - Why she writes fiction with hidden meaning and spiritual layers
06:34 - Fiction, culture, and the neuroscience of what we consume
08:53 - Naming Favor Angelus and the Rise of the Hidden Ones
10:16 - Favor’s disability, strengths, and NVLD
12:12 - Neuroplasticity, thought patterns, and repeated self-perception
14:23 - Anxiety, social media pressure, and modern adolescence
16:08 - The novel’s tension between technology and tradition
17:06 - Classical education, the great books, and division in society
19:01 - Becoming a reader and deciding to study English
21:26 - South Africa, life experience, and finding a voice
23:14 - What success as an author looked like early on
24:32 - Why authorship feels powerful through invisibility
26:07 - Learning to take criticism seriously without losing yourself
27:45 - School, grading, and why performance culture can be harmful
29:45 - Writing before publication and the road from publishing to novels
31:03 - Building a trilogy and balancing art with family life
32:25 - Harriet Beecher Stowe, unintended meaning, and authorial responsibility
33:43 - Motherhood, artistic identity, and rejecting the either-or mindset
37:47 - Timing, age, and why artistic value does not depend on youth
40:38 - Writing as healing, processing life through art, and giving back later
43:34 - Motherhood as a central theme, biological and chosen
45:42 - Finding joy outside art through novelty and projects
48:22 - What surprised her most about author life and meeting readers
49:39 - Teen readers, being seen, and cross-generational conversation
53:00 - How the novel was written and finding her voice
54:38 - Single POV, suspense, and how the book handles villains
55:38 - Planning versus intuition in writing
56:59 - Introvert and extrovert dynamics while writing a novel
58:55 - Protecting writing time and refilling the subconscious
62:10 - Seasonal writing rhythms and preparing for book two
64:14 - Editing, perfectionism, and the long work after drafting
67:12 - How Amanda defines artistic success now
69:06 - A listener response: forgiveness as the book’s most powerful theme
74:54 - The show’s vocal warm-up and the “Mandelily Cynthia Ash” finale

https://www.instagram.com/epiphanypressbooks/

This is one is all about FAILURE! AND MISTAKES! Not always a fun topic - but Melanie and Andrew break down some of Andrew's mistakes in his pursuit of his acting career. What they were, why he made them, and how he grew from them.

A note to our listeners: This episode includes a brief discussion of suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

00:00 Introduction: The Journey of Artistic Failure and Growth

02:06 Personal Stories of Failure and Regret

06:02 Lessons Learned from Early Career Mistakes

10:01 The Industry's Role in Artist Development

15:03 The Power of Mindset and Self-Compassion

20:09 Strategies for Moving Forward After Failure

30:12 Balancing Humility and Self-Promotion

39:56 The Importance of Detaching Self-Worth from Success

44:54 The Role of External Forces and Personal Agency

50:14 Sharing Lessons to Help Others in the Arts

53:25 Conclusion: Embracing the Artistic Journey with Grace

We had an amazing conversation with Tiger!

She shares her journey from child actor to accomplished music producer, arranger, and artist. She discusses her creative process, mental health, balancing artistry with practicality, and the importance of relationships and mental health in sustaining a creative life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tiger Darrow's Journey

01:47 Tiger's Early Interests and Career Path

03:47 Balancing Art, Family, and Practicality

06:54 The Role of Mental Health and Medication

11:52 The Evolution of Artistic Identity and Sound

15:59 Joy in Nesting, Collaboration, and Creativity

21:52 The Impact of Mental Health Guardrails

30:02 Advice to Younger Self and Future Goals

39:55 The Importance of Relationships and Presence

50:14 Reflections on Success and Life Balance

Links

Tiger’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tigerdarrow?stkn=cnpnMnk2bWExNng2

Tiger's Website - https://tigerdarrow.com/

In this episode, Dan Toomey shares his journey from college to becoming a successful content creator and comedian. We explore the challenges, joys, and lessons learned along the way, emphasizing the importance of rest, community, and staying true to oneself.

Key Topics

Dan Toomey’s journey from journalism to comedy

The importance of community and support in artistic careers

Balancing mental health and creative work

The role of routine and small joys in happiness

Lessons learned from early career struggles and successes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Warm-Up

02:12 Dan Toomey’s Background and Career Path

04:34 The Season of Life and Recent Experiences

07:22 Finding Joy in Daily Rituals

10:08 The Challenges of Stand-Up Comedy

19:58 Transition from Journalism to Content Creation

24:03 Progression and Growth in Creative Work

30:29 Hardships and Support Systems

42:41 Contentment and Success in Artistic Life

53:26 Advice to Artistic Self and Reflection

Guest Links

Instagram - https://instagram.com/dantoomey

Good Work YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodWork

In this episode, Andrew shares his transformative journey from pursuing a career in musical theater and acting to embracing a new path as a wine director. His story highlights the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and redefining success beyond societal expectations.

Key Topics

Andrew's background in musical theater and acting

The moment of clarity and spiritual conviction to change careers

The struggles with mental health and identity during transition

Redefining success and self-worth outside of art

The role of faith and support in personal growth

Balancing multiple passions and careers

Lessons learned from George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life

The importance of living a life aligned with personal values

Takeaways

Self-worth is not defined by career success or societal validation

Listening to inner convictions can lead to profound life changes

Joy can be found in unexpected places when you redefine your purpose

Support from loved ones is crucial during major life transitions

Life is a journey with ups and downs, and embracing the ride is key

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction

04:23 Andrew's background in musical theater and acting

08:40 The moment of clarity and spiritual conviction

10:36 Deciding to take a break from acting

16:22 The importance of self-identity outside of art

24:14 Finding fulfillment as a wine director

29:09 Living a full life beyond career success

36:35 The societal pressures on artists

44:30 The message of hope and embracing unpredictability

50:41 Final thoughts and encouragement for listeners

In this episode, Melanie shares her journey from self-doubt to successful content creator and pop musician, emphasizing the importance of creating a personal world and redefining success and failure.

Key topics

Melanie Herrera's journey as a late bloomer in music and content creation

The importance of creating a personal brand and visual identity

Redefining success and failure in the artistic industry

The role of mindset and self-organization in achieving goals

The impact of social media, especially TikTok, on artistic careers

Building a cohesive artistic world that combines music and content

Overcoming self-doubt and neurodivergence to pursue passions

The significance of research and strategic planning in launching a career

The narrative of success often portrayed in media and its effects

The importance of persistence and resilience in artistic pursuits

Takeaways

Success is not just about major milestones like awards or sold-out venues.

Creating a cohesive personal brand helps in building a recognizable artistic world.

Failure is a natural part of growth and should be redefined as a learning step.

Mindset shifts, such as believing in your capability, are crucial for progress.

Social media can be a powerful tool for artists to build their worlds.

Persistence and continuous effort are key to overcoming setbacks.

Research and strategic planning can significantly impact career success.

Artists often face societal narratives that distort the reality of success.

Overcoming neurodivergence and self-doubt requires intentional effort.

Your destiny is waiting to be found, not to find you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and Melanie Herrera

02:09 The circle of life and raw authenticity in recording

03:00 Melanie's journey as an artist and her current success

09:24 Societal definitions of success in music and art

12:39 Melanie's personal success milestones and goals

13:42 Intersection of music and content creation in Melanie’s world

18:55 Creating a visual and conceptual brand identity

23:58 Thinking of oneself as a unified artist and creator

25:01 Overcoming the feeling of being a late bloomer

29:07 Origins of self-doubt and neurodivergence in Melanie

35:12 The turning point: TikTok and reorienting her career

37:20 Learning to set goals and redefine failure

40:45 Why artists struggle with failure and societal narratives

46:19 The message: Destiny is waiting to be found

47:20 Final thoughts and encouragement to take action

Keywords

artistry, success, failure, content creation, music, mindset, perseverance, branding, late bloomer, TikTok

A new podcast about joy, passion, and learning how to be content in the pursuit of both. Tricky stuff! We'll dive in soon – subscribe so you don't miss it. Streaming everywhere this August 📌🎙️.

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsthewarmup/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsthewarmup