EP. 34 - Who Am I Without My Dog
On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am bringing you up to speed with where I am at after losing my “source of joy,” my dog Caramel. AND as we are all empaths in this community, I have some insight to how to go about this world as an empath. Grief is personal and you do not need to be understood. But you are not alone in your grief.
Highlights✨:
(3:30) - grieving my best friend, my dog of fifteen years, Caramel
(5:10) - grief altering my relationship with making music
(6:20) - getting to know my Grandi’s piano
(9:01) - Experiencing the Taylor Swift Eras Tour 8.9.23
(13:49) - 5 months post starting my new job as a yoga instructor
(15:31) - regulating your nervous system as an empath in order to remain healthy
On today's episode of Empathetic Musicians, tune into a BONUS version of our first podcast episode explaining my story with making music! I am reacting to how I first presented my story to the public - "It was very therapeutic for me."
From rejection to New York to a music program to one of the greatest trips in my life, in the Philippines! I fell really hard, but I eventually got back up. :)
I am so proud of where I am in my life today.
Highlights✨:
(2:12) - Did musical theatre all four years of high school
(2:31) - "The Musical Phenomenon" where you go home and perform the whole show alone
(3:59) - Genuine today but were we a diva then?
(7:30) - all the musicals I have been in
(9:28) - Acknowledging ANY and all DIVA ATTITUDE from my past
(12:06) Theatre History Major for a second and English Major for Two Years
(16:21) - “I thought that if you learn from the best, you will become the best.”
(17:32) - Two years I went without reading sheet music
(20:45) - I started seeing a Therapist for the first time April 2019
“Life is going to always be as amazing as you feel when you express yourself through music in public.”
We are one week OUT from Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023!
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! On today's podcast episode hosted by Sophia Stermer, Founder of Release with Sophia, we are giving you a taste of what to expect inside the FREE 3-Day Event Mini Mindset for Soul Artists 2023. If you’re new to Release with Sophia, welcome! I refer to women and LGBTQIA+ musicians as Soul Artists.
Day 1 will look like a similar process to how I picked myself back up in the very beginning back in late 2019. I know some of our listeners are pursuing music as a career and that’s incredible! I support all types of Soul Artists!
Day 2, will look like a similar process to how I continued to reset my mindset and get rid of old stories I used to tell myself. I’m interested in helping you individually reset your mindset and develop a MAGICAL mindset!
Day 3, is Stepping into the PORTAL. We will be doing affirmation work, something that is recent to my journey, but also has been proven to me ONE of the most helpful tools in my life.
AND MORE TO COME during our 3-Day Event!
Join us with the link to register below!
https://forms.gle/JrAF3dGP5Ad5QyZE7
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today on the podcast, I have my dear friend Madison Kaminsky talking about her experience as a female composer and what film scoring means to her. Madison is a Composer in Los Angeles, California and her first solo piano album is out on Spotify! She graduated from Sonoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in composition (Class of 2020) and is a graduate of the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring (2022). I’ve known Maddie since our days at Oak Park High School and am thrilled to have you tune in to her personal story in such an exciting and challenging industry.
“A composer’s net worth can be anything… in general it’s such a hard business to break into, it’s really all about the connections.”
“I want to see myself being the John Williams of the industry, but female composer version.”
Highlights:
(5:19) In-Studio Experience (Library Session) for the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring
(10:40) Unwanted Energy received during a networking situation
(18:50) Free vs. Paid Work as a Female Composer
(22:50) Booking her First Commercial as a composer
(26:50) First Composition Experience Connected to a song on her First Solo Album
(33:50) Film Scoring Cultivates Emotion in a Film
(36:05) Who experiences movies for free in their brain?
(39:33) The idea of the Universe Supporting us
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Madison:
Instagram - @madisonkaminskycomposer
TikTok - @maddie_rey_
Website - https://www.madisonkaminsky.com/
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Today is International Women’s Day and on the podcast, Empathetic Musicians, I am championing those who have supported me throughout Release with Sophia, the podcast, and my entire journey with music!
I am honoring those who have supported me on this podcast by sharing their stories with me and being an example to you Soul Artist:
(Ep. 2) Hayley George, (Ep. 3) Aly Leia Wein, (Ep. 7) Sarah Townsend-Handley, (Ep. 12) Blessing, (Ep. 16) Annabella Johan, (Ep. 20) Trúc, (Ep. 21) Noah Finn, (Ep. 25) Morgan Paige, (Ep. 27) Mel
“Getting to know you, Soul Artist, and having these intimate conversations, whether you are DMing me through stories or commenting on content, and even if I get to see you in person from time to time, I’m so glad that I can create a space for all of us to feel, like we belong. And belonging is such a crucial human thing.”
I want to thank YOU Soul Artist and I’d love to know what you got out of listening to this episode!
H i g h l i g h t s :
(1:45) - Shoutout to the 9 GUESTS who have come on the podcast to share their stories
(10:48) - Shifting how I listen and curate music
(12:00) - Supporting Female Artists
(12:26) - Celebrating Female Celebrity Musicians who have impacted my life (Selena Gomez and more)
(19:20) - Belonging as a crucial human phenomenon
(20:08) - If there’s anything to take away from this episode it’s this!!
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today is story time and I am sharing a quick story about my recent adventure involving the train! As a soul artist, I also want to share how I stay connected to myself and inspired to make music. I LOVE TO EXPLORE. It’s a part of my identity and maybe it’s also a part of yours :)
Highlights:
1:15 - exploring in an approachable way
1:32 - RECAP of trip to the Philippines PRE-PANDEMIC in 2019
2:23 - “I exist to raise the vibration of those that I encounter.”
4:16 - weekend trip
5:08 - my travel safety tip!!
6:29 - Los Angeles Union Station
7:53 - when someone joins me on the train platform
8:59 - striking up conversation
9:45 - opportunity sparks :)
10:40 - I LOVE MATCHA
11:11 - “What are the odds” that a stranger has MULTIPLE things in common with me
12:19 - My intention wasn’t to make friends but :)
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I am the founder of Release with Sophia, formerly named So Just Collab! I have been a little busy while I was away from the podcast. All for a purpose :) BUT LET'S DIVE IN!
A year in review✨:
Intention for 2023:
👁GRATITUDE👁
“I am” statements to practice throughout 2023 and beyond:
I am abundant.
I am surrounded by what I seek.
I am loved.
I am present.
I am receiving.
I am growing.
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I had such a pleasure talking with soul artist Mel (they/them) and diving into their absolutely magical world. I was transformed energetically that day when we had this conversation around music and mental health. Mel currently performs in the Santa Cruz area!
"It's really EMPOWERING to LET OURSELVES SPEAK. To LET OURSELVES SHARE a message because I feel like there is SO MUCH TO LEARN IN THIS LIFE. There is SO MUCH TO SHARE. [Music has] been SUCH A HUGE ALLY FOR ME." - Mel
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Highlights from this episode:
5:14 - on using their voice
8:30 - the magic of their songwriting and singing
11:21 - on playing their first live set with an audience and being seen
21:46 - music theory as a piece of the puzzle and not the main way to access musical talent
27:46 - *SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER DONE ON THE PODCAST!!*
Connect with Mel:
Instagram - @melabarb
Connect with me:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Hey Soul Artist! :)
Welcome BACK! To Empathetic Musicians!
If you have been in the community for awhile you know we have switched the name from So Just Collab to Release with Sophia!
I start this episode with a very very short meditation <3
The rest of the episode is a "check-in" with yourself with your relationship with making music. Do you need a reset? This is your reset.
Connect:
Instagram - @releasewithsophia
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC.
“One ritual that I like to incorporate when I have a performance or practicing, probably yoga. I think it is really difficult for people like us who are musical and creative and hard on ourselves to have a positive mindset without negative self talk and negative thoughts coming in.”
I loved having my long time friend (almost a decade!!) Morgan, come on the podcast today! I have so much love for her and she shared so much with us as an entertainer in the music industry.
Highlights from the conversation I had with Morgan:
At 3:06
Her rituals that combine self care with making music
At 12:44
Her honest feelings about what it’s like going after music and how she keeps going
At 15:54
What it’s like having music as the center of her life
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Morgan:
Connect with her on Instagram - @morganp_
Connect with her on TikTok - @morganpaigesings
Connect with Sophia:
Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Happy August Soul Artist!
How are you feeling about this new month?
For some, I know, thinking about the whole month is overwhelming. And there is some truth to that! I am a fan of focusing on the present! :) But for me it’s easy to overlook the whole month and stay present. I’ve wrestled with my relationship with music and I like to say that I made it through.
Everything is easier said than done.
Why is it that I am here, but other’s aren’t?
Or they are somewhere in the middle.
Why Does Society Not Leave Room for Making Music?
Highlights:
At 2:34
Somehow there is this part where we become “adults” and we psyche ourselves out of being able to do the things that we want to do. And shave off that time and make room for time for things that provide us home, financial security, things that we need to be able to be safe.
We don’t want to swim in this robotic system.
At 3:48
There may not be this built in room for you to do this hobby, for you to sing, to play guitar because you spent hours studying for this test, so that you can do this career that will give you the financial security and safety that you will have. That is the truth for a lot of people.
Where’s your true ownership.
At 4:32
But where do we give up and allow this system and exhaustion and pain and fear and guilt and shame and rejection and just not enough time, hours in the day, and energy to be able actually feed ourselves the thing that makes us feel alive the most.
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artist! Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! On today’s episode I am sharing how July has been for me. The theme for the month was mindset.
Today I covered:
"Soul artist, I can say today at the end of July and near the start of August, that I making choices more and more for me. And you deserve the same."
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artists! Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! I realized as I recorded this episode that I am an alum of UC Irvine now. One of my last classes I took was History of Sexuality, which I highly recommend if you are a UC Irvine student. Today, I share a little of how this class opened my eyes to Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community in general. As soul artists, I truly see all of us as human beings who share a love for music, experimenting with music, and creating our own music.
In today's episode I cover:
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artist! In today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians, I am talking with my dear friend Noah Finn. I technically have known Noah since elementary school, but we went to the same high school and shared memories in the choir and drama department. Years after leaving our high school we reunited and it has been nothing but authenticity. Noah is truly one of the most incredible human beings you will ever meet.
In today's episode we cover:
One of my favorite moments on the podcast was when Noah said, “Still worthy when I wilt. You can be a rose, but even on your worst days when you are not feeling your best, or you feel like super depressed or that the world’s beating you down, you’re only wilted. But you’re still worthy of people’s respect love, kindness.”
As always, our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Noah:
Instagram - @noahfinn and @noahsark.productions
Email inquiries - noahfinn@noahsark.productions
Connect with Sophia:
Connect with me on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artist! In today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians, we are sitting down with Trúc, one of my friends from the days I lived in New York City. I met Trúc at Marymount Manhattan College in 2016, where she eventually became a Film alumnus as Class of 2020. She was one of my first roommates and I will never forget those early college days with Trúc! I actually gave my piano away to Trúc before I left in Spring 2018.
Trúc talks about her father influencing her love for music through his early stories of teaching himself how to play guitar. Not surprisingly, Trúc herself takes up playing guitar, but her relationship with guitar changes over the years and she eventually starts up a Youtube channel. Something I picked up from the conversation I had with her is that she surrounds herself with people who are giving off this good energy and inspiring her to become a singer/songwriter. I cannot wait for you to dive into this episode with us!
As always, our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Trúc:
Instagram - @misss_truc
Youtube - Miss Trúc
Connect with Sophia:
Follow us on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artists! Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! As one of the new values of my company So Just Collab, Being Seen, I want to continue to evolve as I better plan for the months and holidays that I highlight and this goes for how I want to start 2023! I am your CEO, but I am your Soul Artist Sophia.
I am half Filipino and want to highlight how I’ve recently incorporated my heritage into my identity as a soul artist. Something I don’t talk about often is how I feel about being half Filipino. For most of my life I’ve felt disconnected with this side of my identity because I didn’t grow up speaking Tagalog.
In this episode I share how, "we can connect with ourselves deeper at any moment." There’s no “too late”. There’s no “you’re not a part of this identity.”
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Today on Empathetic Musicians, I talk about my emotional experience at a local music event hosted by MoCa (Musicians of Color Association) that deeply inspired me, musical theatre, and how this relates to human connection. Watching someone sing can creatively inspire you because you are sharing in their storytelling and their raw emotions.
“You don’t have to be a theatre nerd to love musical theatre.”
I also talk about how lyrics from musicals are powerful. I share some musicals that have been forever connected to my rocky journey back to making music. Some musicals, through artists, have the ability to ask yourself, “Who are you? Do you know yourself?”
Highlight:
“Musicals have that quality where if we all know it, somehow we’re all connected.”
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Join our FB Group "Mindset Through Music" to connect with more soul artists!
Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC. Today on Empathetic Musicians, I very much share how I reframed my way of thinking about myself. And this starts with our everyday thinking. In the 24 hours of a day, now 16 or more hours depending on how much you sleep, What do you think about? what do you say to yourself? How do you comment about yourself through commenting on others? By the end of the episode I share what I have done to negative thoughts about my musical talents. And this is SIX years in the making. Post high school. As you can tell from the title of this episode, I am on fire and am ready for you to hear about my take on the phrase "too pitchy."
As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Join our FB Group "Mindset Through Music" to connect with more soul artists!
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Instagram - @sojustcollab
Welcome to Empathetic Musicians, hosted by Sophia Stermer, owner of So Just Collab LLC. In today’s episode, we are sitting down with Annabella Johan, a soul artist at heart. Sophia met Anna virtually through a friend of a friend at UC Irvine, and ever since that day, she knew she wanted to share Anna's music story!
Anna talks about how she had a connection to pop music at a young age, had several opportunities to perform, including being in a band, as well as a special guitar from her childhood that is still in the family to this day. She also talks about what she hopes to see in her future self in regards to making music. “I want future Anna to have music in her life. I also hope that I would perform more again… Even whenever someone needs a singer… in the moment.” This last quote from Anna is what we hope to instill in you after you listen to today's episode.
As always, our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
Connect with Sophia:
Join our FB Group "Mindset Through Music" to connect with more soul artists!
Stay tuned! Our first FREE workshop, "Mindset Through Music," will be in late April! More info to come!
Follow us on Instagram - @sojustcollab
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Hello soul artist! Wherever you are in the world, whatever you are doing as you listen to today’s episode of Empathetic Musicians. Hi! I am really glad you are here today because I can’t wait to share what is to come in the coming months! First, I think it’s important to reintroduce myself for anyone who is new to the podcast or the So Just Collab community! My name is Sophia Stermer and I am a Mindset Music Coach who is here to help you build and maintain a lifelong relationship with music. The core values of my company are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.
In this episode I talk about what Mindset Through Music is and why this is what you have been looking for. I'm here to provide an ongoing support system for the soul artist who has been called back to making music, whatever it takes! I'm not here to "help" you. You already have what you need. I'm here to remind you, why you were put on this Earth to be a soul artist!
Connect with Sophia:
Join our FB Group "Mindset Through Music" to connect with more soul artists!
Website - sojustcollab.com
Email - sojustcollab.sophia@gmail.com
Instagram - @sojustcollab
