22. Wicked by Night, Corporate by Day (Balancing Broadway and a Corporate Job with Hunter Milkes)

22. Wicked by Night, Corporate by Day (Balancing Broadway and a Corporate Job with Hunter Milkes)

What happens when you refuse to choose between your art and your career — and somehow thrive at both? This week on Suffering for Art, host Brianna Kaleen sits down with Hunter Milkes: a vacation swing for the hit musical Wicked, a published children's book author (alongside his mom), and a full-time corporate professional. Yes, all at once. Hunter pulls back the curtain on what it really means to live a double creative-and-corporate life — the hustle, the schedule, the mental load, and the moments that made it all feel worth it. We get into what a Broadway swing actually does (hint: it's one of the most demanding jobs in theater), how his corporate brain both helps and challenges his artistry, and what financial stability has actually looked like. We also go deep on the real stuff: burnout, the relationships that take the hit when your calendar is overflowing, and what rest even looks like when both sides of your life demand everything from you. Whether you're a creative scared to pursue your art without a safety net, someone secretly juggling two identities, or just obsessed with musical theater — this episode is for you. In this episode: * What it means to be a Broadway swing (and a vacation swing on Wicked) * How Hunter built a corporate career alongside his theater life * The financial reality of Broadway + a 9-to-5 * Burnout, mental health, and protecting your peace * Relationships, and making time for the people you love * What success actually looks like when you're doing it all 🎙️ Guest: Hunter Milkes🎧 Host: Brianna Kaleen📍 Podcast: Suffering for Art Follow Hunter on TikTok and Instagram for more @hunter_milkes

21. Overconsumption is killing your creativity.

Is overconsumption quietly killing your creativity? Packages keep showing up. Your screen time is terrifying. Your brain feels full… but your ideas feel empty. In this episode, we’re unpacking the psychology and neuroscience behind why buying things feels easier than creating things — and how modern convenience may be outsourcing our imagination without us even realizing it. We talk about: * Why dopamine spikes before your package even arrives * How convenience removes the constraints that creativity depends on * The shocking number of times the average person checks their phone daily * Why boredom is actually a creative superpower * How we’ve gone from processing experiences → to endlessly consuming them * The sneaky way shopping can trick us into feeling like we’ve made progress * How creativity comes back the moment friction returns If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, overwhelmed, or like you’re “doing everything but creating anything,” this episode will hit home. Maybe creativity isn’t something we need to add to our lives. Maybe it’s buried under everything we keep adding. Keywords for search: creativity, overconsumption, dopamine, boredom, minimalism, slow living, productivity, creative block, consumerism, mental health, creative habits, intentional living.

20. Left Brain vs. Right Brain — Finding Your Creative Balance

What happens when logic meets emotion in the creative process? In this episode of Suffering for Art, I sit down with Kiana and Andrew from the Soul Journey Project to explore the dynamic between the “left-brained” and “right-brained” creator. We dive into how analytical thinkers and emotionally driven artists approach creativity in completely different ways—and why neither approach is complete on its own. We talk about the power of finding your personal “sweet spot,” where structure and intuition work together instead of against each other. Kiana and Andrew share insight into how emotionally attuned creatives can deepen their relationships—with themselves, their craft, and others—while also learning to ground their vision with clarity and intention. Whether you lean more logical or more emotional, this conversation will help you better understand your creative tendencies and how to evolve them into a more balanced, sustainable process. Connect with Kiana & Andrew (Soul Journey Project): Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souljourneyproject [https://www.instagram.com/souljourneyproject] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souljourneyproject/ [https://www.facebook.com/souljourneyproject/] Website: https://www.souljourneyproject.com/ [https://www.souljourneyproject.com/]

19. Tax Write-Offs Creatives Don't Know About (But Should)

Most creatives assume taxes are confusing and intimidating—but understanding a few basic write-offs can actually make your creative life more sustainable. In this episode, I'm sharing the tax deductions that many creatives don't realize they qualify for: creative research, software subscriptions, gear and equipment, home office deductions, and education expenses. Learn which business expenses actually count and why understanding these basics matters. If you're feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode with your work, I'm also hosting the Artist Recharge Retreat this fall in upstate New York—a three-day space to rest, reconnect with your creativity, and have honest conversations about building a sustainable creative life. https://briannakaleen.com/retreat [https://briannakaleen.com/retreat] Want to collaborate? I'm looking for podcast editors, sound designers, social media creatives, writers, and other collaborators. Reach out at sufferingforartpodcast@gmail.com [sufferingforartpodcast@gmail.com].

18. Why Women Can’t Create Like Machines with Dr. Gordon

The world teaches women to push through. Push through the pain. Push through the fatigue. Push through the mood swings. Push through the burnout. But what if your body isn’t failing you — what if it’s trying to speak to you? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Toya Gordon, founder of Journey Well MD, to talk about women’s hormones, menstrual cycles, chronic stress, and what it means to support your body while pursuing a demanding creative life. We break down the phases of the cycle, how energy shifts throughout the month, signs your hormones may be out of balance, and why so many women have never been properly taught how their bodies work. We also talk about PCOS, endometriosis, cortisol, rest, creative burnout, and how learning to say no can be one of the healthiest things a woman does for herself. This is a conversation about health, creativity, and giving yourself permission to listen. To connect with Dr. Toya Gordon, you can find her at JourneyWellMD on Instagram, YouTube, and at www.journeywellmd.com [http://www.journeywellmd.com].