This episode of The Third Way Podcast was a gift. I got to sit down in person with my dear friend Wendy Colonna, a much loved Austin-based singer-songwriter, creative coach, and one of those rare artists who is both a master of her craft and endlessly collaborative. Wendy is woven into some of my most cherished Austin memories, from surprising Virginia with a tear-inducing cover of “Humble and Kind” for her 50th birthday to Wendy featuring the song she wrote for my dear friend, Mohan Rangarao, at her concert at the Regal Room.
We recorded the episode on the back patio of The Hive in South Austin, just days before Virginia and I left Austin to move to Mexico City.
Our conversation covers a lot: Wendy’s journey from being “too much” as a kid to releasing nine studio albums, her work helping creatives escape the poverty mindset, and her role in founding Wavemakers: Women in Music 40+ , a movement amplifying the voices of women who are in the prime of their creativity, defying industry ageism, and building bridges with brands who want real connection with women over 40.
We dig into the craft of songwriting, the difference between songs written to serve an artist vs. songs written to stand on their own, and the magic of turning everyday objects and moments into talismans of meaning (including my favorite Wendy song, The Water’s Fine).
We also talk about activism without burnout, paradigm-breaking approaches to music and business, and why intentionally choosing to be joyful might be the most subversive act of all.
This one’s part music geek-out, part creative manifesto, and part love letter to the power of women’s voices.
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