The Doing Scary Things Podcast

Why He Believes:  -Entrepreneurs are borderline psychopaths -We’re all driven by different things on different days -There’s challenges to being both a full time and/or a part time entrepreneur  -Some people don’t want to claim creativity -You shouldn’t fight the momentum around you, even if it’s not the way you originally thought it would work out -You should never short change your responsibilities by pursuing opportunities -Creativity works best within limits

Dan Snyder discusses the biggest challenges he's faced in his 12 years in the music industry. Dan explains a few of the responsibilities that come with being an independent artist and dispel a few common myths typically believed of musicians. He explains why singing in front of people is "the most vulnerable thing he could ever imagine" and the stages of fear he has personally experienced with this process. Dan shares the stories behind two of PAPER LIGHTS' newest songs, Release The Bear and Simple. 

1. Acknowledge their effort. (Say something nice) 2. Be a good listener 3. Express interest with no negativity. 4. Bilndly encourage (them to think/spend more time on it) 5. Use your own creativity  6. Give them room to experiment (& fail) 7. Encourage their interest & the things they are naturally good at. (And tell them they can do it!) 8. Encourage them to work hard (Ask if you can hold them accountable) 9. Tell them you believe in them. 10. Actually believe in them.

Anna + Katie release their second single They discuss in intricate detail every step of the recording process with producer Josiah Prince. Find out which band inspired this song the most and why it's really like two songs in one. Anna + Katie detail the process and emotion that went into writing the lyrics of the song and the metaphor that Deathbed represents. Hear why Katie should never, ever be in a screamo band.

Teri Dosher owns and runs The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Venue in Johnson City, TN. She discusses what led her to "just go for it" and open the business with the encouragement of her daughter. Teri describes what it was like to leave her secure teaching job at the time, and what it's like for her now 5 years later. Teri talks about the highs and lows and some of the things that have made it most worth it for her over the years. She discusses how she pushes past the different fears that creep in.

Anna + Katie talk with Amanda about the process of publishing her first book and then having the bravery to ask for it to be re-released. We discuss how she finds time to run her costuming business and how she brings her creativity to her fundraising job. She talks about the fears that come with doing this work. Amanda discusses the way that she prioritizes her time and what keeps her going along the way.

Dr. Janine Krippner has been called a "smiter of ludicrous volcanological rumors" by Forbes. She has studied explosive volcanic eruptions and their deposits using data collected in the field and also using satellite data from space! Anna + Katie talk with her about why creativity is required for all scientific professions. She discusses process of becoming qualified to do what she does, and how she wasn't sure she was good enough to do it.

Anna + Katie interview WILKES. He discusses in detail why he decided to go by his last name, why he doesn't measure progress based on money, and gives lots of insight into his 18 years of experience in the music industry. He describes his journey in fascinating detail. He discusses what he was really thinking during that unintentional mic drop moment on The Voice and explains why his musical experience has been like going to medial school.

Anna + Katie discuss the inspiration and true life story behind their first single, Collide. They discuss the insecurities and challenges that come from putting yourself out there as an artist for the first time, and the experience of recording with their friend WILKES, who was a contestant on Season 14 of The Voice. Katie talks about how she had to take the words she had written to encourage others seriously for herself and the courage it took to decide that she had every right to pursue this passion.

Anna talks to Katie about the book she’s been writing that inspired them to start this podcast. Katie argues that the belief that everyone is creative will change the way people think about their life and what they’re capable of pursuing and achieving. She also suggests that creativity is one of the most misunderstood concepts in our world and clarifies the actual definition of it. Anna and Katie make a really special announcement regarding new music they are releasing under the band name Jasper and Jad

Learn all about Katie in today’s episode! Anna and Katie discuss the many reasons we talk ourselves down, and the realization that, “The safe and sensible thing is not satisfying.” How Katie finally decided, “I can do it for myself, or I can do it for nobody,” and how she’s writing a book on this subject. “We are at least one example that you can start. You only have one life - it’s really up to you how you choose to spend it."

Learn all about Anna in today’s episode and how she eventually returned to her first love of music and the story behind how she began writing songs with Katie. They debunk the myth that everyone should follow the same path, discuss ways to think outside of the box when it comes to pursuing your life passions, and elaborate on why they think you shouldn’t listen to or follow the status quo.