The Doing Scary Things Podcast

The story behind the idea and meaning of the Doing Scary Things podcast! We are a weekly podcast with practical encouragement for pursuing the things you're most passionate about. Subscribe now and tell us what you think by leaving a review or emailing us here. We're cheering for you!

-The vulnerability and bravery it takes to tell a joke again, even after it bombs -Why she strives to talk about women in a way that challenges thinking but doesn't isolate the men -Why she likes Jim Gaffigan & Angelina Johnson -Why clean comics have to work harder -How she shares freedom with people through comedy and encourages her fellow comics -How she strives to tell the truth without any fear! -Determination to keep going and why you should give yourself permission, always

-You are not alone in doing your scary thing! -The non-glamorous parts of chasing your dreams -Why it's not fun to operate out of the "bare minimum" and why learning to rest is a non-negotioable -Why it's important to keep being consistent, even when you don't feel seen -What to do when resistance hits (UGH) -Why mindset is everything -Why deadlines can be helpful -Leveraging your experience -Why Life (Like Us) is Dynamic 

-Forcing herself to set a deadline to start even though she's scared -The fear of success and leadership! -The difference in feeling equipped and qualified-Starting before you're an expert! -Making time for creativity -Prioritizing tasks and paying the bills while self-employed -Learning boundaries and balance -When sweatpants are our WHY -Turning 30 -Thoughts on therapy and self-awareness -Defining Your Values -Using the Enneagram to increase in empathy for ourselves & others

-How he moved to NYC after years of dreaming about it -Why he believes in Law of Attraction -Learning the NYC subway system & other scary things! -Did he really book his first audition ever?!? -What the Disney audition was like -Why he started studying dance in COLLEGE, even though he had to take classes with 6 year olds! -Why he never thought he fit in as a child and how that got him to where he is now -Why fear is relevant and what he's scared of currently -Why he's eternally grateful to Lady Gaga

Hear Daydream Masterpiece here first, as well as the story behind the song. *Why we chose to release our songs individually. *The story of the artwork and why it delayed the release of the song. *The process of writing this song & how it was different from the others. *Why the song may not be about what you think. *Why we're not going to tell you the artist that influenced this song the most. *How we approach splitting up vocals as a duo & why.

-Learning how to rest on purpose -How he's figured out a way to do music even though never saw it as a realistic way to raise a family -The process of renovating an RV to live in full time with his family -Why him & his wife decided the road was the best place for them to live -How he has calculated the risks of this endeavor and the safety and health of his family -How to see past barriers -His experience with postpartum depression -Why the fear of the unknown is on both sides of the coin!

-Helpful questions to ask yourself as you try to figure out your passion. -How to narrow down and distinguish multiple interests to figure out what you are truly passionate about -Why someone else cannot tell you what your passion is. -What all of this has to do with Marie Kondo and The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up "If you think of passion as a luxury... it will be. If you think of it as a necessity - that changes everything." 

-How she found her amazing tribe -What writing means to her and how she uses it to encourages others -What is multi-passionism and why is it so important?! -What is the most valuable thing you can give people? -Why she doesn't believe in self-help gurus or 10 step programs -Why creativity is contagious -The problem with social media -Why courage & creativity go hand in hand. -Why the idea of living fearlessly is just a myth & why you shouldn't worry about things that haven't happened yet! And more!

Today we discuss the scary question: Is there really room for everyone in my career field? Why do some people and industries feel exclusive? Is this needed and/or helpful? "Someone else's success doesn't de-value my own journey."

Today we chat with author & ted talk speaker Hannah Brencher. Hannah discusses the benchmarks of calling yourself a writer and how the not knowing is tied to insecurities and what-ifs in her experience. "What if I'm not good at the thing I love more than anything in this world?" She describes the importance of having an internal confidence and knowing that "if you didn't do it tomorrow, nobody else's heart would be broken, but your own heart would be broken and that should be enough."

-Feeling selfish & impractical but protecting that time -Ignoring the guilt -Why this is self-care -What to do if you don't think you have the time to start -When you're at your capacity & how to find your margins -Why Actionable Steps are different than a 10 step program & why they will look different for everyone -Why your passions are important enough to sacrifice for and what that might look like -Why 5 minutes still matters -Creative "problem solving" ways to find more time in your life

This week we discuss the ways Justin creatively raises his sons. He tells us why he decided to go back to school to become an RN and why "failure was not an option." We discuss the many ways medical professionals have to use creative problem solving every day and how he deals with the risk of medical error. We compare/contrast those risks with those of a self-employed artist.

A + K release their 3rd single, Close. They discuss in detail why this was the song that brought them together and, as Anna says, "the original scary thing." They share the process of how this song evolved from a very beginner garage band demo to a professional recording with Josiah Prince. They discuss why escaping the vulnerability requires you to equally escape the reward also. They want you to know that "We didn't think we could do it. But we did. And we believe you can, too!"

Today, we speak with Anna's younger sister, Mary J. Austin. MJ is an undergraduate student at Harding University studying Communication Sciences & Disorders. -What it's like to be a part of a generation that has yet to be named/labeled! -MJ discusses using creativity in the midst of her busiest season of life yet and what the benefits of creativity really are to her, leading to our first official argument for creativity on the show. "Don't let the fear of the unknown freeze you in your tracks."