A Very Short Pep Talk From Me to You
Trying to move forward but feeling sloggy or stuck? 1. Do something easy. 2. Do something nice. 3. Do something hard. And repeat until unstuck. Would love to know if you try this out...!
Jun 25, 2024•2 min•Ep. 32
Do It Today
DO IT TODAY is a podcast hosted by Kara Cutruzzula, who asks friends and notable figures across creative industries about what they're doing that day—and how they're going to do it. It's an up close look at process and practice, a reminder for you to do your most meaningful work, and a mini dose of encouragement in 20 minutes or less.
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Episodes
Today with Alyssa Ages: Deadlifts, Bone Broth & More Secrets of Giants
Meet the author of an inspiring new book I devoured in two days... Kara Cutruzzula talks to author and freelance writer Alyssa Ages, whose debut book Secrets of Giants is a deep dive into the science and psychology of why pushing our physical limits is so impactful — and a personal look at her own experience training for strongman competitions. Big moments include 5:30 a.m. workouts, the challenges of telling your own story, how coaches give her necessary external accountability, and why being s...
Dec 04, 2023•23 min•Ep. 31
Today with Aransas Savas and Kara Cutruzzula: How to Activate Your Dreams
Special collaboration episode today with the wonderful Aransas Savas and The Uplifters Podcast! Aransas is a wellbeing and leadership coach, and her podcast highlights inspiring women and mindset techniques to create your biggest life. We talk about our weekly "Virtual Friday Therapy Runs," our creative practices and routines, closing open loops and finding deep work blocks, exercises from Do It (or Don't) , avoiding overwork and burnout, and much more. Where to Find Aransas: Subscribe to The Up...
Nov 30, 2023•49 min•Ep. 30
Today with Florencia Iriondo: You Have to Take a Leap of Faith
Hi friends! This conversation inspired me so much. I have a feeling Florencia's journey and persistence will inspire you, too... Kara Cutruzzula talks to Florencia Iriondo, a writer, performer, and showrunner, about her new one-woman musical South . Big moments include leaving the corporate world to pursue theater full-time, putting up the show, and lessons learned along the way. She shares how her ingenious "alarm strategy" — and watching Tick Tick Boom! — help organize her day. They also dive ...
Nov 07, 2023•23 min•Ep. 29
Today with Sara Wordsworth: Living a Lifetime by 9 a.m.
Kara talks to Sara Wordsworth, a musical storyteller who has created shows for Broadway, television, arenas, cruise ships, and theme parks around the world. Big moments include making time for herself in the early hours of the morning, how to continue being vulnerable in your work, seeing feedback as a gift, and more. More about Sara on her website ! Fun mentions in the episode: BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way Do It Today is a podcast created by K...
Sep 18, 2023•23 min•Ep. 28
Today with Linda Samuels: Helping You Reset for the New Season
Kara talks to professional organizer and coach Linda Samuels, founder of Oh, So Organized! and author of The Other Side of Organized , who facilitates change in her clients' lives. Big moments include creating a "success check-in" for the summer, advice for clearing a path for the new season, and why a slow start to her day is essential. Follow Linda and find more about her work: Website Blog The Other Side of Organized book Newsletter Instagram @lindasamuels Facebook LinkedIn Do It Today is a p...
Sep 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 27
Today with Kat Jackson: Remembering That We Get to Do This
Kara talks to Kat Jackson, the senior director of Audible Studios, who has worked in the storytelling space for two decades and oversees all production in the U.S. as well as Canada, Latin America and Brazil. She's also an educator, mother of two, and fierce Tough Mudder competitor. Big moments include how she found a career she loves, why "being good enough isn't good enough," how audiobooks encourage accessibility, and the inspiration and gratitude you experience while competing in an eight-ho...
Aug 21, 2023•20 min•Ep. 26
Today with Dr. Aegean Chan: Creating Intentional Pockets of Time
Kara talks to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aegean Chan, who opened her own practice in Santa Barbara, California, has published in medical journals, and runs one of my favorite Instagram accounts with skincare advice. Big moments include balancing parenting with her career, her social media cutoff time, creating realistic to-do lists, and treating responsibilities like glass balls and plastic balls—and accepting you can't always juggle them all. Visit Aegean's website Follow Aegean on Insta...
Aug 14, 2023•21 min•Ep. 25
Today with Michelle Wildgen: Words, Words, Words — and Wine People!
Kara talks with author Michelle Wildgen, whose newest book Wine People was published August 1. She's the editor of the food writing anthology Food & Booze , and the former executive editor of the literary journal Tin House . Michelle is also a freelance editor and creative writing teacher and co-runs the Madison Writers' Studio with novelist Susanna Daniel. Big moments include being in a no-reading writers' group, her hot take on prescriptive advice, the magic of a blank-page revision, field...
Aug 07, 2023•23 min•Ep. 24
Today with Erica Rotstein: Producing Theater & How to Tell the Truth without Sugarcoating
Kara talks to Tony Award-winning producer, manager, and educator Erica Rotstein, who's currently represented on Broadway as a co-producer of Parade and Just For Us. Big moments include embracing radical candor, the idea of emergent strategy and being able to pivot your plans, and why she wants to build all of her work around relationships. More about Erica Rotstein http://ericarotstein.com/ Take workshops on producing theater with Erica and her Business of Broadway partners Rachel Sussman, Heath...
Aug 01, 2023•21 min•Ep. 23
Today with Dorie Clark: Cardio, Playing the Long Game & the Power of Rituals
Kara talks to Dorie Clark, a keynote speaker, consultant, and author of four books, most recently The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World . She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review . Dorie is also a musical theater lyricist and member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop (where we met!). Big moments include a new fitness routine and myofunctional therapy, ...
Jun 13, 2023•18 min•Ep. 22
Today with Samantha Massell: Committing to a Project & Saying 'No' to What Doesn't Serve You
Kara talks to actor, singer, and writer Samantha Massell, who is starring as researcher Rosalind Franklin in the world premiere of the new musical Double Helix by Madeline Myers. Big moments include the four-year journey of Double Helix , treating creative projects like they're non-negotiable, her script for saying "no," and how plants and word puzzles create the structure of her day. More about Samantha: Visit her website Follow Sam on Instagram @smassellsings Double Helix tells the story of th...
May 30, 2023•22 min•Ep. 21
Today with Julie Bestry: Letting Go of the Stress of Getting Things Done
Kara talks to certified professional organizer Julie Bestry, an expert in all aspects of organizing and time management, who writes articles and teaches seminars on how organizing can make your life more functional. Big moments include creating time blocks for your most meaningful work, her 1-2-3 system for moving through the day, and letting go of the stress, shame, and overwhelm of not doing "enough." More about Julie: Visit Julie Bestry's website Julie's article on Body Doubling for Productiv...
May 15, 2023•24 min•Ep. 20
Today with David Koepp: Screenwriting, Noisy Neighbors & Fighting the Enemy of Work
Kara talks to screenwriter and author David Koepp, who's written or co-written the screenplays for over 30 films, from Death Becomes Her a nd Jurassic Park to Mission: Impossible and his latest film Kimi . He's also a director and has written two novels, Cold Storage and Aurora , both of which are being adapted into films. Big moments include reworking a draft, how to respond to notes you may not agree with, and his method for fighting the number one enemy of work. Visit David Koepp's website Re...
May 01, 2023•21 min•Ep. 19
Today Erin Lowry Is Getting Honest About Money
Kara talks to author, speaker, and personal finance expert Erin Lowry, who helps broke millennials get their financial lives together. Big moments include how to do a deep dive with your money, managing wildly variable income as a creative or self-employed person, and bucketing your accounts to reach your financial goals. More about Erin: Buy Erin Lowry's Broke Millennial books Subscribe to her Substack Follow her on Instagram Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author...
Apr 24, 2023•20 min•Ep. 18
Today Carrie Seim Is Convincing You to Finally Build Your Canoe
Kara talks to author, TV writer, and journalist Carrie Seim about her day. Big moments include the release of The Flying Flamingo Sisters 2 , how she overcame setbacks on her "wild and weird" creative path, why everyone needs lifeguard friends in their corner, her secret to finishing drafts, and how working on a gigantic project is like building a canoe. (Yes, a canoe!) More about Carrie: https://carrieseim.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ckseim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriekseim...
Dec 02, 2022•26 min•Ep. 17
Today Steve Wallace Is Composing 'Animal Farm: The Musical'
Kara talks to composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Wallace about his day. Big moments include working on the arrangements for a new musical adaptation of Animal Farm , how he avoids over-analyzing and gets stuff done, the faith that guides his creative vision, and more. More about Steve: https://stevewallacemusic.com/ Twitter: @stevewstudio Instagram: @stevewstudio1 A developmental production of Animal Farm: The Musical — music by Steve Wallace, lyrics by Daniel Abrahamson , book by...
Nov 18, 2022•20 min•Ep. 16
Today Liz Callaway Is Sharing Her New Sondheim Album
Kara talks to actor and singer Liz Callaway about her day. Big moments include releasing her live Sondheim album , realizing it's never too late to learn something new, creating your own breaks, the joys of starting before you're ready, her favorite reads on creativity, and more. More about Liz Callaway: http://lizcallaway.com/ Twitter: @LizGoesOn Instagram: @LizGoesOn Facebook: LizCallawayOfficial Watch Liz's YouTube channel Buy Liz's new album, To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondh...
Nov 14, 2022•30 min•Ep. 15
Today Zack Knoll Is Editing Fiction and Archiving His Inbox
Kara talks to book editor Zack Knoll about his day. Big moments include how he protects his creative editing time, maintaining author relationships, fighting the three o'clock slump, and why he organizes his multi-folder inbox while watching Real Housewives. Follow Zack on Twitter: @zackknoll_ Follow Zack on Instagram: @rack__roll Mentions in the episode: Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal (which Kara wrote and Zack edited!) Abrams Books Turning on airplane mode and logging out of Outlook whi...
Nov 08, 2022•18 min•Ep. 14
Today Cody Renard Richard Is Making Many Lists for a Two-Show Day
Kara talks to Broadway stage manager, producer, and educator Cody Renard Richard about his day. Big moments include navigating a two-show day for Into the Woods, why he brings his full self to work, his "sh*t to get done" list, finding the path he was supposed to walk, and how he winds down after working long hours. More about Cody: https://www.codyrenard.com/ Follow Cody on Instagram: @codyrenard Follow Cody on Twitter: @codyrenard Mentions in the episode: Parade at New York City Center The Cod...
Nov 02, 2022•18 min•Ep. 13
Today Carlotta Brentan Is Narrating Audiobooks Like an Endurance Athlete
Kara talks to actor, audiobook narrator, and director Carlotta Brentan about her day. Big moments include prep work and book analysis, why she's devoted to 10-minute breaks, co-directing the new play Vatican Falls , and how she uses Airtable to organize her life. More about Carlotta: carlottabrentan.com Follow her on Twitter: @CarlottaBrentan Listen to Carlotta's award-winning audiobook narration for New York Times and Audible bestsellers: http://carlottabrentan.com/audiobooks Learn about Fabler...
Oct 24, 2022•19 min•Ep. 12
Today Tim Herrera Is Helping You Deal With Scarcity Mindset
Kara talks to writer, editor, and freelance guru Tim Herrera about his day. Big moments include encouraging writers and self-employed folks to take time off, overcoming scarcity mindset, and leaving the New York Times to build his own business Freelancing with Tim. Follow Tim on Twitter @TimHerrera Subscribe to Freelancing with Tim on Substack: https://freelancingwithtim.substack.com/ Register for Freelancing with Tim workshops on improving your pitches, upping your personal essay game, learning...
Oct 18, 2022•19 min•Ep. 11
Today Ann Harada Is Going Back Into the Woods
Kara talks to actor and singer Ann Harada about her day. Big moments include one last vacation on Cape Cod, preparing for her Into the Woods return, how she says no to certain gigs, the anniversary of Avenue Q , working with Milky White, and more. Follow Ann Instagram: @iamannharada Twitter: @annharada Mentions in the episode: Into the Woods on Broadway Schmigadoon! on Apple TV+ Encores! at City Center Avenue Q The Muny in St. Louis Milky White and Kennedy Kanagawa Falsettoland produced by Natio...
Sep 27, 2022•20 min•Ep. 10
Today Adam Gwon Is Finding the Hook for His New Musical
Kara talks to musical theater composer/lyricist Adam Gwon about his day. Big moments include building the foundation for a sequence song, becoming a morning person while on the road, writing advice he received from Lynn Ahrens, and more. More about Adam: adamgwon.com Instagram: @gwonster Twitter: @adamgwon Mentions in the episode: Adam's lyric writing classes at Primary Stages Adam's class at the Dramatists Guild Institute Witnesses , the musical produced in California Dramatists Guild Foundatio...
Sep 12, 2022•18 min•Ep. 9
Today Diane Allen Is Quieting Her Inner Critic and Tapping Into Flow State
Kara talks to speaker and flow state expert Diane Allen about her day. Big moments include how to find your own state of flow, vanquishing your inner critic, setting email power hours, tuning out distractions, and more. More about Diane: dianeallen.com Contact Diane at diane [at] dianeallen [dot] com for a free 15-minute flow strategy session! Mentions in the episode: Kara's TED Ideas interview with Diane: "The key to productivity is tapping into your flow state. Here’s how" Flow: The Psycholo...
Sep 08, 2022•20 min•Ep. 8
Today Delia Cai Is Introducing Her Debut Novel to the World
Kara talks to Vanity Fair correspondent and Central Places author Delia Cai about her day. Big moments include her first public literary reading, how she wrote her book in two hours a week, and her middle school glory days writing Harry Potter fan fiction. More about Delia Cai: deliacai.com Twitter: @delia_cai Instagram: @deeeliacai Preorder her book Central Places Read Delia's work for Vanity Fair Subscribe to Delia's newsletter Deez Links Mentions in the episode: Rax King literary series at No...
Sep 06, 2022•19 min•Ep. 7
Today Laura Belgray Is Being Unapologetically Lazy
Kara talks to writer and email genius Laura Belgray about her day. Big moments include keeping open space on her calendar, her EFAB email method, procrastination, writing habits, her upcoming essay collection, and more. More about Laura: https://www.talkingshrimp.com/ Instagram: @talkingshrimpnyc Laura's mastermind group Shrimp Club Laura's book Tough Titties is coming out June 13, 2023 from Hachette! Mentions in the episode: Laura's NextAdvisor story 11 Reasons I Wasn't Meant to Have a Business...
Aug 31, 2022•19 min•Ep. 6
Today Tyrone L. Robinson Is Hitting His Deadline — No Matter What
Kara talks to actor, writer, director, and composer Tyrone L. Robinson about his day. Big moments include strategies for hitting a major deadline, making theater more inclusive, connecting with people you admire, and the importance of your first draft. More about Tyrone: tyronelrobinson.com Mentions in the episode: Soul Train Letters From May at the 2022 Sound Bites Musical Festival Wordle Colored notecards! NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cu...
Aug 29, 2022•15 min•Ep. 5
Today Danielle Friedman Is Immersing Herself in Interviews
Kara talks to journalist and Let's Get Physical author Danielle Friedman about her day. Big moments include conducting rapid-fire interviews, discussing how to write pitches that editors want to read, and three types of story scoops she learned about from our former boss. More about Danielle: danielle-friedman.com Twitter: @dfriedmanwrites Instagram: @daniellefriedmanwrites Purchase her book Let's Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World Mentions in the episode: Daniell...
Aug 24, 2022•16 min•Ep. 4
Today Jake Kahana Is Doing Deep Work in the Cave
Kara talks to Caveday cofounder, designer, and entrepreneur Jake Kahana about his day. Big moments include developing a killer morning routine, writing better emails, monotasking, and going into the cave to do your most important work. More about Jake: jakekahana.com Subscribe to Jake's Email Refrigerator , a wonderful monthly publication he sends to help readers think about their lives, relationships, and work more deeply. Resources mentioned: Caveday Recent New York Times article on Caveday's ...
Aug 22, 2022•16 min•Ep. 3
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