BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 14 with Kathleen Shannon & Krissy Teegerstrom

TRT 1:00:21 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 7/27/19

For this episode, we flip the format so that designer, creative director and podcaster Kathleen Shannon interviews me, Krissy Teegerstrom, your host of the Beyond + Back podcast.

For this episode, we’re turning the tables on my usual format, where I interview interesting creatives, because Kathleen Shannon is actually interviewing me.

Allow me to explain.

I’m a big fan of Kathleen’s podcast Being Boss. It’s a podcast for creative entrepreneurs that she hosts with her business bestie Emily Thompson.  Since 2015 they’ve recorded over 200 episodes, racked up nearly 8 million downloads and published a book together.

At the end of last year, I was listening to the Being Boss podcast (episode #207) and Kathleen mentioned she wanted to go on someone else’s podcast to interview them. I really wanted to have a conversation about creativity with Kathleen so I wrote to her and much to my surprise, she wrote me back and said she’d do it! Then my nervousness set in. At that point I’d never been interviewed before, and I had also never recorded an interview remotely. I didn’t know how I would pull it off, but I didn’t want to turn down the opportunity. Despite my nervousness, I figured it out and went for it.  Kathleen is an experienced and generous interviewer, she’s an artist herself, and she’s not afraid to go beyond, so I feel fortunate to have had this conversation with her.

In this episode Kathleen and I talk about art, spirituality, authenticity, why I started this podcast and my business Featherweight Studio, the challenges we both face as creative entrepreneurs and lots more. We recorded it remotely from our laptops, several states apart from each other.

I might have a little bit of a vulnerability hangover after this one! Talking about myself, revealing things that I believe and hold dear, recording it and sharing it — it’s scary and it takes courage. But I hope that maybe sharing my experience helps you not feel alone if you’re nervous to take a creative risk or to pursue your creativity despite any lack of skills or experience. 

I want to thank Kathleen for her willingness to talk about subjects like authenticity, intuition, discernment, meditation, worthiness… I think about these subjects all the time, but I don’t always have the courage to talk about them. Not only did Kathleen and I talk about art and creativity, but she also made it really natural to talk about all the stuff I put in the category of BEYOND or THE UNKNOWN. Kathleen, you are a true artist in my eyes. 

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EPISODE SPONSOR:

WILLIE’S RESERVE

The legendary artist Willie Nelson has long been a champion for farmers and for cannabis. So who better to look to, for quality cannabis products?  Head to williesreserve.com to explore the line of products, learn about the independent growers behind them, find retailers near you, or click on the Gear tab to order a T-shirt or a hoodie.

Thank you Willie’s Reserve for supporting the Beyond + Back podcast!


LINKS:

BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 15 with Jakob Dylan, Musician & Songwriter

TRT 1:00:21 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 8/10/19

In this episode, we go beyond and back with songwriter and musician Jakob Dylan.

Jakob Dylan, Charlie Sexton, John Doe at the 2019 Austin Music Awards [photo: Krissy Teegerstrom]

Jakob Dylan, Charlie Sexton, John Doe at the 2019 Austin Music Awards [photo: Krissy Teegerstrom]

Jakob Dylan has been playing music for more than 30 years, touring all over the world and winning two Grammys with his band The Wallflowers. He’s released two solo albums and most recently he collaborated with his longtime manager Andrew Slater on the film and project called Echo in the Canyon, which celebrates the music that came out of LA’s Laurel Canyon in the mid-1960s. In the film, Jakob performs with contemporary musicians and interviews musical legends from the era.  

Something I often like to ask my guests is how creativity was viewed in their home growing up. Well we’re not going to discuss that in this interview. Jakob’s been surrounded by music his entire life, we all know his father as one of the greatest living songwriters, but that doesn’t make it any easier when you sit down alone to write a song. In this conversation Jakob and I talk a lot about his songwriting process, where inspiration comes from, and why we both think it’s important to share encouragement with others. Jakob and I spoke somewhere in the basement of ACL Live at the Moody Theater, located off of Willie Nelson Blvd in Austin TX. 

We recorded this in February before I had the chance to see Jakob’s new film Echo in the Canyon. As of the release of this episode, you can still see the film in select theaters around the US. What I found interesting about the film was the hyper focus on two years of musical output from a particular neighborhood, really, but then the exploration of it was broad, with archival footage, interviews with many musical legends influenced by the era, plus live performances of the era’s songs by contemporary musicians including Jakob, Cat Power and Fiona Apple. It was Tom Petty’s last film interview, which is bittersweet to watch, and even though you don’t see Jakob asking questions of the legends he speaks with, he’s a constant presence throughout the film, a bridge from the past to the present. Being surrounded by legends could be intimidating or inspiring, maybe both at the same time, but to me Jakob gives off an air of equanimity. He can take it all in and still hold his own center. That’s a great skill to have in this wild world.

So go on, don’t art yourself out, but keep going because there’s room for you.

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EPISODE SPONSOR:

HERITAGE BOOT

This episode is brought to you by Heritage Boot! If you need a pair of  show-stopping handmade cowboy boots that are actually comfortable, look no further. Their designs are inspired by the 1930s-60s and each pair is made by hand with grade A leathers. Visit the shop on South Congress Avenue in Austin Texas or find them online at www.heritageboot.com. 

Thank you Heritage Boot for supporting

the Beyond + Back podcast.

LINKS:

SONGS IN THIS EPISODE:

  • “Truth for a Truth” by Jakob Dylan from Women + Country

  • “God Says Nothing Back (demo version)” from The Wallflowers: Collected 1996-2005

  • “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers from Bringing Down the Horse

  • “You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty from Wildflowers

BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 16 with Danielle MacKinnon

16: Danielle MacKinnon, Animal Intuitive

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 8/24/19 // TRT 55:55


In this episode, we go beyond and back with intuitive and animal communicator, DANIELLE MACKINNON.

Danielle MacKinnon is an intuitive, animal communicator, and coach. She has two published books, Soul Contracts and Animal Lessons, and she teaches animal communication classes at the Omega Institute, the Kripalu Center, and also through her own online school.

Today we’re hearing from someone whose creative work might go beyond your comfort zone of what’s real or acceptable. Many of us are open to the idea of psychics or intuitives, but the notion that humans can communicate intuitively with animals is still pretty controversial. We’re not here to talk extensively about what it means to be an animal communicator, or even to change your mind if it’s closed to the idea of it. I’m here to talk about creativity in its many forms, and what it feels like when you follow a path that the mainstream doesn’t really believe in. Danielle grew up in an environment that didn’t support her intuitive gifts, but she has come to embrace them fully and she now teaches others how to awaken their own.

In this episode we talk about what it’s like when you take a left turn that the people around you don’t necessarily support, what it feels like to tune into your own intuition, and how staying present in our creative process allows it to flow and change in ways that benefit us. I personally have benefitted from exploring ideas that are beyond own my beliefs and comprehension, I find it stimulating to my inspiration, so please open your ears and your mind and I hope you enjoy listening.

Danielle and I spoke over our laptops from Austin to Boston, so please forgive any strange audio quality.

I hope this episode expands and inspires you to tap into your own inner knowing and venture bravely toward whatever it is that makes your heart sing. 

EPISODE SPONSOR:

MISTER BEEVER’S PAWS & CLAWS

This episode is brought to you by Mister Beever’s Paws & Claws. Since 2004 they’ve offered animal & human training from highly trusted professionals. Services include phone or video consultations for people who have new puppies or need help with behavioral training; and if you're in the Oakland area they offer a wide range of in-person services as well. Mister Beever's is bonded, licensed, background checked and insured for your protection and is a proud LGBTQ business.

Thank you Mister Beever’s for supporting the Beyond + Back podcast!

LINKS

SONGS IN THIS EPISODE

  • All songs by David Garza. Visit his website at www.davidgarza.com to purchase original art & music.

BEYOND + BACK PODCAST: Episode 17 with Davíd Garza

17: Davíd Garza, Musician & Artist

TRT 1:03:52 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 9/7/19

In this episode, we go beyond and back with songwriter and musician Davíd Garza.

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Davíd Garza hails from Texas and has been making music and writing songs since the late 1980s. These days he collaborates with all sorts of artists; you might find him making music with Fiona Apple or scoring the recent Beto O’Rourke documentary.

He just released a book called Lost Rhyme which pairs 100 of his paintings alongside 100 poems, or song lyrics, he’s written. Davíd has generously allowed me to use several pieces of his music for this podcast, including the theme song. I never see David without a pad of paper or an instrument, he has a creative practice that’s a daily devotion. So in true Davíd fashion, he had a guitar and a book nearby so you’ll hear some readings and some strumming during this episode. We talked in his brother’s kitchen in Austin, Texas.

Davíd is in my inner circle of trusted art friends & this was just part of our ongoing conversations about creativity and what it’s like to choose to be an artist. I hope you enjoy listening in & I hope you find some good food for thought for your own creative practice. 

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EPISODE SPONSOR:

BIG SWIG WATER


This episode is brought to you by Big Swig Water! Big Swig sparkling water is unapologetically Texan, most of us native Texans are, and it comes in EIGHT unique natural flavors, including Chile Mango and PARTY PICKLE. My personal favorite is Jalapeño Pineapple, it starts out a little sweet and ends up a little spicy. You can find Big Swig water clear across Texas and at www.bigswigwater.com. Thank you, Big Swig, for supporting the Beyond + Back podcast.

Thank you BIG SWIG for supporting

the Beyond + Back podcast.

LINKS:

SONGS IN THIS EPISODE: