Have you ever wondered how therapists manage their busy schedules and avoid burnout? In this episode of Start Your Day With, I chat with Vera Cheng,a registered social worker, psychotherapist, seasoned speaker, and the founder of Talk Therapy with Vera. Vera shares her experience transitioning from long, exhausting workdays to a more structured schedule that prioritizes her well-being.

Tune in to learn from Vera's experience and gain valuable insights for your own journey.

About Vera:

Vera Cheng is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, seasoned speaker, and the founder of Talk Therapy with Vera. With over 15 years of devoted work in mental health and racialized communities, she is a leading expert in mental health and anti-Asian racism, featured in renowned media outlets such as CBC NEWS, CP24 and CTV NEWS. In addition, she partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association and featured in a provincial mental health campaign.

As a Chinese-Canadian immigrant, she has honed her practice beyond therapy sessions into community engagement, advocacy and fighting against Asian hate. She is passionate about mental health awareness, primarily through anxiety, which she has struggled with. Sharing her journey helps reduce mental health stigma in the hopes of helping others overcome their struggles, too.

Talk Therapy with Vera is deeply rooted in the "Healing Lens," with the anti-oppressive framework addressing anti-Asian racism through attachment, client-centred, self-compassionate and trauma-informed approaches. she engages with her clients collaboratively and empathically to improve their self-awareness and make positive, goal-directed life changes.

Connect with Vera and Work in Culture:

Website: https://talktherapywithvera.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/talktherapy.with.vera

Facebook: https://facebook.com/talktherapy.with.vera

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/vera-cheng-rsw

Email: info@talktherapywithvera.com

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

What's the difference between coaching and therapy? When is it best to seek therapy support, and when is it best to seek career coaching support?

I've certainly talked about this before, but I've always been curious about how a therapist would articulate the difference. So I invited Vera Cheng, a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of Talk Therapy with Vera, to share her expertise. In this episode, Vera opens up about her own healing journey and shares some really practical insights on how intergenerational trauma shows up in our career and life difficulties. We discuss how to distinguish between the healing work that we need to do going back to our childhood and how we can carry forward and get support.

If you're struggling with intergenerational trauma, or if you're just curious about the difference between coaching and therapy, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:01 What's the difference between coaching and therapy?
• 04:02 Vera's work as a therapist
• 06:17 Intergenerational trauma at work
• 08:51 Vera's healing journey
• 10:59 What does the healing process look like?
• 12:45 How to distinguish discomfort from being triggered
• 14:44 Building trust in a therapeutic relationship
• 16:58 Common trends in healing needs for Gen Z and millennials
• 19:38 Vera's mental health journey
• 22:59 Difference between a career coach and a therapist
• 27:41 What's next for Vera?

About Vera:

Vera Cheng is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, seasoned speaker, and the founder of Talk Therapy with Vera. With over 15 years of devoted work in mental health and racialized communities, she is a leading expert in mental health and anti-Asian racism, featured in renowned media outlets such as CBC NEWS, CP24 and CTV NEWS. In addition, she partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association and featured in a provincial mental health campaign.

Talk Therapy with Vera is deeply rooted in the "Healing Lens," with the anti-oppressive framework addressing anti-Asian racism through attachment, client-centred, self-compassionate and trauma-informed approaches. she engages with her clients collaboratively and empathically to improve their self-awareness and make positive, goal-directed life changes.

Connect with Vera and Work in Culture:

Website: https://talktherapywithvera.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/talktherapy.with.vera

Facebook: https://facebook.com/talktherapy.with.vera

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/vera-cheng-rsw

Email: info@talktherapywithvera.com

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

Subscribe to my e-news: Gentle Signals

https://xiebetty.ck.page/enews

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

How do you create work-life balance as a creative professional? In this minisode, Start Your Day With, we're chatting with Stephanie Draker, a Toronto-based arts manager, about her daily routines and rituals. Stephanie shares how she balances the demands of her work with her personal life, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and staying connected to her creative purpose.

Tune in for practical tips and inspiration on how to create a fulfilling and sustainable work-life balance in the arts.

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is a Toronto-based arts manager. Over the last 16 years she has worked at several prominent arts organizations and heritage institutions developing and implementing strategic projects and programs for a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders. Stephanie joined the Work in Culture team in 2015 and has since worked on numerous initiatives to support the career advancement of artists and arts workers throughout Ontario and beyond.

Connect with Stephanie and Work in Culture:

Website: https://workinculture.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/workinculture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workinculture.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workinculture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@workinculture

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workinculture/ and https://ca.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedraker

Email: stephaniedraker@workinculture.ca

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

How do you navigate the twist and turns of a creative career?

It's not uncommon for artists to find themselves wearing multiple hats, shifting between creative roles and arts administration. My guest today, Stephanie Draker, shares her inspiring journey from being a working artist to becoming a successful arts manager. Stephanie's story is a testament to the power of transferable skills, resilience, and embracing the unexpected.

Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into navigating career transitions in the arts, discover the importance of transferable skills, and find inspiration in Stephanie's journey of resilience and passion

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:01:56 Stephanie's Career Journey
• 00:04:02 Twists and Turns in Stephanie's Career
• 00:09:00 Moments of Transition to Arts Management
• 00:11:18 Stephanie's Role at Work in Culture
• 00:12:11 Common Pain Points Faced by Artists
• 00:15:32 Staying Energized and Motivated
• 00:18:22 Work in Culture's Role in the Future of Work
• 00:22:50 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Arts
• 00:23:46 Advice for Entering the Arts Sector
• 00:28:06 The Love-Hate Relationship with the Arts
• 00:28:27 How to Connect with Work in Culture

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is a Toronto-based arts manager. Over the last 16 years she has worked at several prominent arts organizations and heritage institutions developing and implementing strategic projects and programs for a diverse range of audiences and stakeholders. Stephanie joined the Work in Culture team in 2015 and has since worked on numerous initiatives to support the career advancement of artists and arts workers throughout Ontario and beyond.

Connect with Stephanie and Work in Culture:

Website: https://workinculture.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/workinculture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workinculture.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workinculture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@workinculture

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workinculture/ and https://ca.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedraker

Email: stephaniedraker@workinculture.ca

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

Subscribe to my e-news: Gentle Signals

https://xiebetty.ck.page/enews

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

Join me in this mini =-episode of “Start Your Day with…” as I sit down with the incredible Javelin, a multi-talented creative who juggles coaching, film industry advocacy, and acting. Javelin shares their secrets to crafting an intentional workday that embraces flexibility and prioritizes well-being.

About Javelin:

Javelin Laurence is a Coach, Educator, and Storyteller with a special interest in neurodivergent world building. They consider themselves an alchemist, transmuting the raw material of life into something uniquely their own, and are passionate about working with humans who live outside the box. Javelin brings over a decade of experience as an actor and storyteller to their coaching work, along with a Diploma in Life Skills Coaching and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. They also are proudly neurodivergent and trans-nonbinary, bringing this lived experience into their work as a coach, ensuring that they create a safe space that works with unique identities instead of against them. They have a special interest in working with late-diagnosed ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD. As an eccentric professor type, they embrace their own idiosyncrasy, and champion others to do the same.

Connect with Javelin:

Website: www.alchemy-coaching.ca

Instagrams: @alchemydivergencecoaching @javelinlaurence

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

Have you ever felt like you're not allowed to have more than one passion? Or that you have to choose just one creative endeavour to be successful? If so, this episode is for you. My guest today is Javelin, an actor, coach, educator, and storyteller. Javelin knows firsthand what it's like to feel like you have to choose just one path. For years, they focused solely on their acting career, believing that was the only way to be successful. But eventually, they gave themselves the permission to break the perceived norm and pursue more than one path.

In this episode, Javelin shares their story of how they embraced their multifaceted self and built a career that is uniquely their own. They also share some valuable insights on how to coach and work with neurodivergent humans.

If you're a multi-passionate creative or artist, or if you're simply curious about how to embrace your whole self, this episode is a must-listen. Javelin's story is sure to inspire and empower you to create a career that is truly fulfilling.

Ever felt the thrill of ditching the 9-to-5 for the freedom of freelancing, only to realize it's not all rainbows and butterflies? If your creative hustle is feeling more like a never-ending grind, you're not alone. I've been there, and so have many of the amazing creatives I work with. But here's the good news: freelancing doesn't have to be another soul-sucking job.

In this episode, I'm diving deep into the three telltale signs that your freelancing career is veering into toxic territory. We're talking about the burnout, the financial stress, and the nagging feeling that you're not truly in control. If you're a creative freelancer feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your path, this episode is for you. It's a candid conversation about the challenges we often face, but more importantly, it's a roadmap to creating a fulfilling and sustainable freelance career that truly nourishes your creative soul.

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:00) - Freelancing as a Toxic Job
• (05:04) - Signs of a Toxic Freelance Career
• (10:00) - Managing Time
• (12:00) - Effort and Return on Investment
• (16:00) - Mental Space Boundaries
• (22:00) - Seasonal Time Management
• (33:00) - Income as Business Revenue
• (39:00) - Creating Your Work Culture
• (46:00) - Transitioning Back to a Job
• (49:36) - Structural Integrity of Your Practice

This episode is also available on Youtube. Watch it here:

https://youtu.be/fw8Yh4AwtOk

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and a career coach for creative. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

Sign up for my newsletter Gentle Signals for regular and raw reflection on the creative path:

https://xiebetty.ck.page/enews

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.

In this episode of Start Your Day with a Creative, I sit down with the amazing Cristal Buemi to explore her daily routine and how she stays inspired and productive. From her morning rituals to her end-of-day practices, Cristal offers a glimpse into how she structures her workweek and maintains her creative energy. Whether she's teaching, working on personal projects, or taking care of client work, Cristal's approach to balancing her diverse roles is both insightful and inspiring.

About Cristal:

Cristal Buemi is a Puerto Rican Canadian multidisciplinary artist (stop motion animation, video art, photography, collage and digital design). Her work pushes frame by frame boundaries by exploring the materiality and inherent beauty found in the minutia, through an experimental, and ecological lens. Her collaborative and individual works have been exhibited worldwide including: Animac, Harbourfront Centre’s CoMotion Festival, Fashion Art Toronto, and broadcasted on AMC and HBO. Cristal’s passion for creative expression has enabled her involvement in art education with various organizations such as OCADU, TIFF, TAIS, North York Arts, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada. Supporting a diverse group of participants in the advancement of their own creative practices. Most recently, she co-founded Frame by Frame, a research and programming initiative that through the magic of stop motion animation creates flexible and adaptive artistic opportunities accessible to participants of all abilities.


Connect with Cristal:

Instagram: @cristalclear_
Website: cristalbuemi.com


About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

*FREE Resource* Discover your creative career archetype today: https://www.xiebetty.com/quiz

The Everyday Talent Podcast is produced by Betty Xie and Benice Detoon.