Alyssa Rosenheck & Sarah Davidson

We went to college together at Belmont. We have grown so much as people and friends, and I absolutely am in all of her heart. The way she thinks about things, the way she chooses to view things that come into her life that may be bad per se, but she always spins them and makes them a lesson and a blessing. She blows my mind. And Alyssa Rosenheck is a new friend of mine who I have just fallen in love with immediately. She's an incredible photographer. She shoots interiors of

houses that are absolutely mind blowing. They will take your breath away. And the way that she approaches life and the world with her heart and her soul. She is so connected, so tuned in. This conversation is about influencing, but it's about influencing from your soul and using your calling to make your life's purpose become your work. And it's absolutely inspiring. I hope that you love this interview as much as I loved having it. Alyssa Rosenheck and

Sarah Davidson here to rock your souls. Man, what up, babes? What's up? Oh? I'm just here with all of the two most fabulous Alyssa Rosenheck and Sarah if it's in two of my favorite y'all are so much more than like bloggers. This is an influencer series. Y'all are influencers in such your own way, and not only influencing with style and home design and all sorts of things, but you're influencing with your positivity, and I think that is really the greatest of all. Thank you. You bring the

light every day well. I try to gather with people who are light shiness as well, because I feel like it only makes things brighter. You know, I'm very used to something about that on your instant story the other day. You are both really good at posting inspirational stuff on your answer stories. Well, I try first of all, you know, things get tough, and so I try to share the things that really work for me, and then I share them and put them out into the world. So, yeah,

what are things that have worked for you? Oh? Man? Um, really starting with positive intentions every day and being peaceful and having focus and really capturing the things that are priorities and going back to basics like not letting all the hype kind of you know, get you and just you know, maintain focus, staying peaceful. Sarah Ne were talking about this. We're in Alissa's house right now, and it feels like peace. Like it's if the words the word

piece had a house, this would be it. Write that. Sarah just released your music today today. What's the name of it? Pretty much love you? Pretty much love you because you're writing about us a video and I was like, because I pretty much love all of y'all. But no, honestly, I genuinely do, and that's sort of my I'm an independent artist. So um, this music that I that I've released and I will be releasing over the next four weeks is a little less I mean, it's very the

intention is love. They're more stories sort of from the past couple of years of my life. But as an artist, that's really what I want to do, just compel people to love, to question their beliefs, to question where they stand on certain things, to question their judgments, and to provoke people to think and to provoke people to love. It's such a gift you have. I downloaded it quickly. I listened to the first like ten seconds and it's it's amazing. Thank you. And you've been on such a

journey with your music career. So tell me how you've ended up here Because you came to Nashville being like hot off the press, country music star all that way. I mean you literally have You've had record deals, you've had a TV show, you've had it all. You've had it all. So tell me how you've ended up here musically and what your journey has looked like. Gosh, okay, so, and how you've got into this positivity light space. Yes, that's a long question. I'd like to tell you everything

I want you to answer. Then you just roll um, assuming that we only are seeing we only have an hour. Basically, guys are moving in. Yeah, I moved to Nashville. You know, when I was twenty years old, sort of like without intention, like I want to be a star, I want to write music. I want to, you know, be known like so stadiums, you know that whole thing I known. I always wanted to be known. Yeah, but it wanted to be known really, yes, but it was in a different way.

I feel like now. I actually was listening to Oprah Super Soul and I don't it was who wrote Love Warrior, Ohlendon Doyle, Glendon Doyle, and she was talking about how she really just wants to be known. And it's in not in an egotistical way, in like a real way. And I think at that time in my life earlier on, it was it was it was like I have to be famous. It was almost like this validate your yeah, to validate my worth. And so you know, record I love people. I listened over here and she's like, no,

I've been common people forever. She's like, I've already known this ship for a long time. Um, but yeah, so you know, in and out of record deals. Um, you got my first record deal about a year and a half after I went to Town, and I was a part of this reality show that ended up not doing anything. It wasn't really a main character in it, but it was gonna be a big deal on CBS and all sorts of stuff, or maybe Fox. The first one was

on Fox. Yeah, and then UM, you know, ended up getting married to another songwriter in Nashville, and UM just kind of living that Nashville life, you know, writing music. I was assigned to EMA then Sony at the time or you know, I was purchased by Sony and um then ended up doing another reality show and that was kind of about how I was married and I was in a position that I where I didn't necessarily have to go out and hit the pavement as as a new artist and work my music, but I wanted to

because I am that passionate about my music. UM, and I think still at the time, it was kind of like that, you have to prove something, you have to be something, and UM, So anyways, I ended up doing the show. I ended up going through a divorce. Like while I was on the show. The way you've handled your divorce though, is so glassy and fascinating, fascinating. I agree. It's explaining me why you think it's fascinating, because I

do too. I just think there's so much transparency and courage behind your story and now where you are today, I think it's filled with so much just substance and self love. And you've reflected and you've grown every day since then and you've embodied it full force. And to me,

thank you. I really agree with you. Y'all were not there on my floor with me, and I was those but you know, it's what you do after that may you have picked yourself up and have been a just ray of like and you haven't been bitter about any of it. And because there's always two sides, so it's of course, like you don't want to just like blame

someone for the divorce. Obviously you are both involved, but you haven't been bitter, you wishing well you like she said, you've taken it and you've made it a part of your story in such a positive way. You've used it for growth. Well, I think it's really interesting. I think, you know, it's really easy for people to point the finger, and I think when I initially got out of it, I did that. I was like, well, it wasn't me.

Not in a way where I came out and said that, but in sort of it's always round about let be honest. And it started to really reflect on like the things that I did and the things that I said, and I was just as guilty, you know, and I and I look back and I have now compassion for that girl because the situation that I was in. I didn't know that girl like yourself. Yeah, myself, but that situation because I didn't have the tools and I didn't have the the moment, the AHA moments that I have now

to handle the situation that I was in. So what AHA moments have you gathered? Um? I think I've just really kind of dealt with things that were in my past before my marriage, you know, things that were um, you know, almost where I didn't feel worthy. We all have those moments in life. It's like those injuries that stick with us forever. You and I are super similar with how where we are now and what we've come from because I never felt worthy, and I'll be interested

in where does that come from? Though, because we I think we all have very similar stories. I think so too. I never felt like I don't know, I grew up with parents who told me I was great and all this stuff and believed to me. But I just never felt like I was good enough ever, Like I never felt like I would be the one picked, Like I would be the one that the guy would want to date, I'd be the one that would get the job, I'd be the one that would get the opportunity. I don't know,

I just never thought it was me. I don't know where that came from, but I believe that for a really long time. Yeah, and maybe that I think that's kind of how like why I ended up where I was in my marriage, because I had all those things and I felt unworthy and then it was like I almost was in this position of worthiness, and it was like almost like I felt entitled. You know, it wasn't. It wasn't. I didn't come from place of gratitude, thanking the universe to all of the blessings, thank God for

all the blessings that have been given. It was like what can I have? That's more, what can I How can I be or appear more perfect? And that just continues to perpetuate us in a very unhealthy external way. Yes, until God, the universe, whatever slaps you, blaps down and brings you down. Yeah, and that I think that's really what it was. It was like, people think that, like the breakdown is bad, but really the breakdown is where

you get the break through. Yeah it is, Yes, Amen, there's so much beauty in in that moment of Wow. I have been living my life all wrong, you know, in my mindset, my attentions, my lack of gratitude is all wrong. So I've just really been on a journey the past three or four years and just kind of finding that and getting back to that place of of being in unity with with God, my spirituality and um, I mean I'm binding. No means perfect at all, but I feel like I'm a lot more of a granted

same person now and a Lissa. You've been through a lot too, Like how did you end up being this peaceful? Have you always just radiated peace? No? No, I'm like a crazy human being. God, I mean so am. I I feel like half the time if people could get to my brain may No. No, it takes work every day and I feel like I've gone from my life has been. It's been full and good and and positive, but I've had some moments where you know, growing up, I had a very supportive family, but my father had

you know, some alcohol issues, which sucks. You know, and so we talk about self worth. Through that process, I had to really look within and say, Okay, my self worth needs to come from full alignment within, not any external sources. And at the time, all of that propelled me into very much like people pleasing, if that makes sense, And so I went I would just try to be this like perfect little thing where I had. I went to college, I got a full ride playing tennis. I

went into the corporate world. I was the perfect corporate employee, rising the ranks, you know, and I worked in very male dominated industries because that's really what was able to support myself financially. How did you handle male dominated industries being the beautiful woman that you are. Did you have the correct tools to handle it then? Or how did you navigate that? Do you guys want to answer? We have a not online interior was amazing Bason Arnold Interiors.

You want to come to design my house, I'm available call you back. Oh, how did I handle male dominated the male dominated industry? So I was in medical device sales, selling spine equipment, and I wanted to be hired for my knowledge and not the way I looked. So I really wanted to be taken seriously. Well, there's a fine line because at that point you have to not be bitter number one, because you're not being like you can't

be your feminine, full creative self. And I didn't want that rough edge around myself, and so I just worked really hard. I didn't wear a lot of makeup, you know, you know, and um, my whole goal was just to be hired from my knowledge and provide as much value to you know, my accounts and my my clients as possible, and to grow because I had to work twice as hard and twice as long to get you know, in the door and to get respect. And I'm not this

I am a feminist, but I'm not this staunch. I believe in equal rights and humanists, you know, and I believe that you know, when you walk in that door, people should, you know, respect you period, regardless of what you look like, how old you are, and you know, especially if you're coming from a place of being, you know, providing value. So it was tough. I mean I was

judged by the way it looked. You know, there were people might not taking you seriously, and there was you know, and not to get too deep, but you know, there was sexual discrimination. There was like stuff you know that I think as a young female in the corporate world or in any industry, you know, especially with everything going on right now, like we have all experienced it. So I was living that life and to me, I said

this a couple of days ago. But I think success changes depending upon where you are in life, and at that time in my life, success was very much on the outside looking in. I had to feel like I had it all, like I had to make a certain amount that I had to just I had to feel like I had it all together. You had to check off some major boxes for you to feel like you had success. And those were all external things that were driving me. And it really wasn't until I had cancer

that it knocked me on my ass. Breakdown back, because that is a story that he that that took you by surprise, Explain, explain that part of your story. So my husband's very much involved in this story. And we, you know, on the outside looking in still like everything looks perfect, but we're all human, like we all go through growing changes and seasons in life and this Evan flow, and we were very much in this Evan flow during the first part of our relationship to where I said, peace,

I'm moving to Chicago. I know. I sometimes you have to find yourself because you can't be a great partner if you don't know what you're looking for, truly correct. So I said, peace, I'm out and um Chicago going to Chicago. Um. So that happened, and we took a year off and then we got back together and we're towards the end of me being in the city. And um, I was really towards the end of my corporate career.

And I had been in the corporate world for a little over a decade and that was my identity, you know. And um, I remember us We're having dinner and we're talking about, you know, important things, and he looked across the table from me and he's like, um, Alyssa, you have you have a tumor growing out of your neck. And I'm like, Benjamin, were talking about we haven't even ordered appetizerste So, you know things. I do believe that things happen for reasons, and I believe in, you know,

surrendering and letting those things happen. And this was just a season of change for me. I was really doing a lot of introspection and having that self dialogue of is this what your life is supposed to look like? You know, you're in this pretty, you know, condo in Chicago, and you're you have this great corporate career, but are you happy? Like, are you really? Is this filling you?

Because you had reached the place where you had actually checked off those boxes you're trying to check and so you didn't get the happiness you're hoping was going to come with it, right, And then that's an interesting moment that happens. You have to revisit it and you're like, you have all of these things and you should be happy. You know, exactly like what you're saying. You know, you have all of these things, this this stuff, and you know you you should be proud and happy. And I

knew something was lacking. And whenever he diagnosed me and was going through cancer, it honestly gave me the permission to really really look within and start living my most authentic life. So cancer was actually a blessing. It was a gift. I get emotional still to this day because it really gave me the opportunity to pursue the things that bring me life. And it's just been. It's cancer is a terrible thing, but it gave me so much

more than it took away. I know that it sounds, you know, but it's so what did you do once you went through this diagnosis? You've got your cancer removed, every your back, You're back through it. My coping was so I had never really had the opportunity financially to have that freedom to do the things that I wanted to do. And through the process of me being diagnosed, the process of me having surgery and then healing, I started doing things that I wanted to do for me,

and I bought a camera. I read the manual, you know, that's amazing. I started shooting like around my own home, you know, in the city, which ended up selling the condo we know, which was great, and the photos sold the I mean, I used the photos, you know to sell that. So you just always had a passion for photography,

well latent. I didn't know it, and my mom was always kind of this this like little voice on my shoulder, going a Lissa, you really need to focus on photography because growing up as a little girl, I loved going

to museums. And when I would go to the museums, I would always go to the photography, you know side, and I would always have loved like Richard Avidant growing up, and I'm like, I don't even know who this man is, but I gravitated towards his work, and and she she saw it, and I didn't see it, and I didn't have the time to do to pursue it, and so she was always like, Okay, now it's your time do it. So how did you What did you do when you

decided to quit print job? I know that's an incredible story. Quit your corporate job and now you're like, okay, I'm gonna go into photography. How did that transition happen? What what did that look like? So again, I'm after having all the things where you where it feels forced, and then you take a step back and you kind of

surrender that control. I feel like once you surrender, and once you're following that light within yourself, that authentic light that's been each and every one of you, things fall into place. Yes they do, because you're finally doing what you call to do on this earth. And I believe that we all have a different blueprint. It's like that you have that urge inside of you that draws you to photography, that draws you to muse it, that draws

you to whatever. But you're like, oh, that's just what you don't listen to because you don't think it's really going to make money and be a conduit to something so much more substantial and so much more bigger than yourself. So yes, I just take pictures of houses and style, that's not it. I people to see the light and the love and from the collaborations and from the you know, the love that I have in my heart. I want

the end receiver to feel that. Saying just compassion, I feel like there's something so cool about, like you said, just living from the success is relative, and living from that place of passion rather than like, where's the money going to come from? How am I going to know? In fear? You just trusting the light within you and then aligning that with your intention to love others. And it's really it's getting out of your head. It's it's

kind of like mind versus heart. It's truly taking some time quieting your environment and asking yourself those tough questions, what drives you? Where, where do you feel those goosebump moments? And when that yeah, and that's what's going to connect

you to your greater your greater purpose and truth. And I think exactly what both of you guys have mentioned in your stories is you both had check marks you needed accomplished this, this is what success is, and you reached them, you checked them, and then you realize, Okay, you're not fulfilled, and then you have trauma happened, a divorce, cancer.

I mean, I have a similar story, totally a different story, but same process that I work at, where it's like, all of a sudden, you're like, Okay, I got what I thought I was going for that would make me happy, didn't make me happy. Ship hit the fan, and now I gotta decide what I'm gonna do with this life.

Next steps most authentic next steps. So it's almost like kind of amazing when you have that process happened to you because you get to experience it firsthand and really know that things in success like success of the world is not going to make you happy. We were at Burnet Brown's went to it because I've tried. After we had dinner, I tried to go get tickets. It was

sold out. But she said, similar to your point, Curlin, she said that, and she talked, She's amazing for everybody, for anyone who doesn't know Rene Brown get She started out as this clinical researcher and you know, huge corporate one hundred Silicon Valley companies hire her out to do motivational speaking, to consult and these companies expect a failure rate because that's when you grow, innovate, you know, and

rebuild in a stronger way. Failure is crucial, crucial success. Yeah, yes, we're an unlock because I feel but you know, you wouldn't regret your marriage and divorced now because look at where you are Rush now. Honestly, I it really has taught me like the biggest lessons in life. And I feel like the opportunity to have had those lessons and go through that process and learn we're there like I didn't have to go through all of that. And so I don't want anyone that's listening to think I have

to suffered, because that's not what you're called to. You're called to greatness. You're called to live a life full of love and success and all of the there is no purpose, but when you have pain and you can turn it into goodness. Yeah, and so because I hadn't reached that point when I was in my marriage and sort of just everything that was involved was just kind of spiraling to this negative place. My mindset was negative, my thought pattern was negative, that things I expected were

negatives was negative. So my life was negative. And UM, I am so grateful to have gone through what I what I've been through, UM, because I now can see that my my intentions are what matter. My thought pattern is what matters. My return to love and like running from fear, just allowing the fear to fade away and living and existing in a place of love, UM is

what is important, what this life is about. But why do so many people hit these moments where they could easily throw in the cars and for the rest of their life they could play the victim. Like you guys could both be a victim forever if you wanted to, and you could have. You could have just like given up and just been like, well, screw this, I'm upset. Life through me a bad hand. And so many people stopped there when they get their first big round of

bad luck. I feel like they're not bad luck, but they're big round, like that first big hit that like wipes you out. So many people curl up in a ball and just die and live in that pain. They never get out of it. How did y'all get out of it and elevate to this next level? I think it's oh, man, I've had really strong female forces in my life and that was just never an option. It's like, you survived and you keep going. And that is like sitting in that corner crying. You know you can do

that for a day. Better get yourself a most crying. You get a moment. You get a moment, for sure, but the next is a new day and you pick yourself up. And this is the other thing. There is no greater gift than living in the present, and you

cannot live in the past. That is debilitating. And so you have to hold yourself accountable and say, Okay, this is what I mean, this is this is what's in front of me, and we're just gonna keep going and we're going to do the best we can and you know we're gonna, yeah, we're gonna try to make it work. I totally I think for me, so many strong female forces in my life, but I think it was almost um the fact that I knew I was going to be able to use my message and that I could

be used out of it. Like I've always had a very strong faith at the base of all of this other ship that I've allowed to hie onto my emotions and patterns and all of that. But at the at the base of it, I know that God exists, that God wants to write our stories to be beautiful. And I think if you listen to that too. I mean, my mom always said, you have this turtle compass, call it what you want. It could be the universe, it could be God, it can be. But it's that little

voice inside you, and it like propels you. It's this compulsion. And I feel like with you and your music, you have that right now, like that you are conduit of this beautiful gift and this beautiful message. Thank you, Ry, And I feel like you're coming more into yourself musically than you ever have been. Even when you had record deals, the TV shows, all that stuff, you almost were chasing what you thought the industry wanted you to have. But now you're just doing what you want. Aren't you more

grateful for it? Now? Oh? My gosh, I you know what. I'm grateful for the ability to think a thought or experience something or have an emotion and put it into music and sharing that with other people. You know, that's

what art is. That's it and everything that we do, like that's our purpose is communion and communication, communication and community and boarding each other through that, right, And like it may just be a song that evokes an emotion, but that song is something that someone can feel I've been here before, me too, She's been there and she feels this. Oh I feel that too. Like we're one

in the animal. Yeah, and it takes. It's just you have to be vulnerable and you have to be vulnerable, and that is getting thrown around a lot and everyone's like often vulnerable. But it's so true because it is a movement that's happening. People are social media can we We've also talked about this. Social media can be a

bad thing for comparison, but also it can reveal. It can take those layers off that we used to put on people because now everyone is able to expose themselves, be honest, and we're all craving that and people want to relate. Like you're saying it, say like okay, I get that, I'm the same, I'm not alone, I'm not crazy. You know, I think we're all connected, we're all into this together, and we I don't know. I feel like as a society, we grow up and we use these

differentiating points to divide ourselves from each other. And that I mean that I don't know. I mean, I just it's comparison and its judgment, and it's fear. And I think when you are again in alignment with who you are, your heart, you're living from a place of love, not fear, not ego, and you're connecting to the people around you, You're connecting to your community, You're providing a positive message.

You're only going to strengthen not only yourself but those around you, and it's going to be a very supportive world. And you don't have to worry because when you are in alignment with your calling, you almost can be fearless because you're like, I know, I'm walking in my purpose, which brings me to this. This is my influencer series. But you guys influence. You guys have influence. It's all

ties together y'all have in y'all influence. The way you are influencing and the way you've had success and the most success that you've ever enjoyed. True success is by doing something different than other influencers have done. Like a lot of people study algorithms, try to like stay on top of like you know, like have a clear and for how they blog. I mean, that's great, You've got to think about your business. But you guys, your main way of influencing is like being connected to your soul.

I feel like, tell me how your careers have opened up when you truly started letting your soul guide it. Because that is risky business for a lot of people are risky business. Most people are like, I won't do that. People like that soul ship. Hell no, I'm gonna go ahead and try to regulate my life. You know, Like these pants are so cute totally and it is great, But so many people work at like a business, have

all this hustled and dry work so hard. I still think there is that there needs to be that grit. There is that hard work. But I coming into the world of interior and architectural photography photography, I'm also a stylist. This was this was a new world for me, and so coming into the world of photography, I was, you know, if if I'm being very honest and vulnerable. I was scared and I did. I didn't initially started as a business.

It was a very cathartic healing point for me because I was coming off of the cusp of this tremendous corporate environment and career and I needed a break. And for me, that break was a creative outlet. And and so I never in my wildest dreams thought it would turn into a business. And it was a passion. It was. It got me through cancer, It made me, It brought me into alignment with who I am as an artist, as a creative, as a woman, as you know. And so for me, it was just this very genuine and

pure form of expression of myself like love. It was true love, and it it's vulnerable when you put that true love out into the world. And so I it happened very organically, and you did thinks differently than other photographers. I did so, being untrained, there was a little sensitivity around that, and I was like, well, am I good enough? Am I good enough to do this? And so by default I ended up pioneering a new way of doing business in the industry, which has been incredible. But it

wasn't planned. And I looked at it. I just took my corporate experience. I worked for to fortune one companies and basically developed in many NBA from all the training and the experience. And for me, I left the corporate world understanding value and how to provide it to the end user. And I looked at architectural photography and I entered into this landscape where there were it was pretty antiquated. I mean, I was one of the young guns coming in.

I didn't know what I was doing. Um I read the manual that was my school of hard knocked to the photography, you know, and um I recognized a how I can save big shelter national magazines money and how I can be of benefit and help grow small businesses. And I I was the middleman. So what was the little way of doing it? What was your way of

doing it? So traditionally magazines will have in house photographers and in house stylists and they will send those in house stylists and photographers on location and occur a lot of expenses to shoot and then hire. You have to hire photographer, you have to hire a crew crew probably there's so many people you have to hire. And it was always a dream of mine to work for those magazines eventually, you know, but I knew at that point I just wasn't I don't know if I was good enough.

I didn't have the confidence. And so it was the meshing of really the perfect world to where I had a client, my first client. It was she was a brand new designer in Chicago. It was my first shoot, it was her first shoot, and I really intuitively loved the process of Okay, well I want to style it.

We're going to work together, We're going to collaborate. It's going to be about the pro cess as opposed to the end result, and we're gonna work in tandem to try to make this as beautiful and successful as possible to benefit her business and her portfolio. And then I ended up with this gallery and I'm like, okay, cool pictures. Pictures, And now I'm like, okay, well I'm going to try

to pitch it. And so, not knowing, not even thinking I could be part of this now editorial community, an editor gave me a shot and she said and picked up picked it up you know, on a really magazine was it Room magazine, which I adore, and so they

that was the first time I've ever been featured. So you your first shoot that you styled, that you curated, you photographed, you decided on a whim, I'm just gonna pitch this, and it got to benefit my client, you know, because in my mind, I'm thinking, Okay, if she, if I can provide and capture her brand and provide her with this beautiful portfolio moment, and if I can get it out there in a national way, that's going to give her more clients. And I always say, what does

the world need? How can your gift help what people need? You fulfilled a need and so well, thank you, and you did it with love. I did it and I still do and so that's really what has separated my business model from the traditional way of going into this, you know, shooting as a photographer. And it's been it's

been really cool. And now looking back, I still pinched myself every day because I'm part of these magazines, I'm in print, and I I've worked with some of the most incredible designers and creatives and architects in stylists out there. And I I never, in my wildest dreams thought I would be be here. So would you say you got here from just following your heart? And then also being innovated to figuring not trying to think, Okay, what is

everyone doing? You just figured out what I need. I put blinders on and knew that I had I knew I had a gift, and I knew I had something

to offer my client to better their businesses. And I really still to this day, I have to put blinders on, and I can't be concerned about what other people are doing, and I have to continue to to listen to my heart, to continue to innovate and do the things that inspire me, because those are the things that are going to continue to help my clients, provide value to the community, and differentiate my path for everybody else. Got talking to you.

How do you know when you have a gift? Like, how do you know, Like you said, you knew you had a gift, How do you know when it's a gift? When it feels right, you feel it, you feel it deep in your soul and you get into that flow like the time. This is something I try to achieve every day. It's when you lose track of time and it's almost like it's yeah, and it's this meditative state and you know, you call it flow. You know whatever

it is. I get into it when I'm shooting. I get into it when I'm editing, get it to when i'm in like this kind of new creative realm of thinking outside the box and what else I can do. Not you're not like, oh I hate this making me feel drained. It makes you feel invigorated and almost more like even if you're working hours, you feel so alive. For me, it's like, you know, I love style. I love fashion. I love more so than anything, I love

bringing people's personal style out. Um. But when I'm writing music, like especially recently now that I feel like I'm really connected to my intention of love and spreading love and trusting that the universe will work through me. Um. And I mean I really needed to hear what you just said actually because you were doing it differently. And I feel like for me, I was, you know, an artist

than in a band for a little bit. Yeah. Right, But if you're not, you know, if you're not going to be polarizing, right, I mean, I gotta gotta rule father. I actually got not to. I have been feeling that way too, because sometimes I'm like, oh my gosh, what do people think I'm annoying? What if people think I'm stupid and I'm like, you know what, my heart is good. I'm trying to do good things and who cares? So getting to that place where you're just like screw it,

who cares? Who cares? Yeah? And so like this release, this music I've been making and releasing and I'm actually working on another project that's more like of an inspirational type uh direction. But this music that I'm releasing over the next four weeks and the song I released today, Um, you know, I don't have a deal. I haven't even gone to one publishing meeting. Um, so I don't really have a team. And how does that feel going from

having big teams doing it just on your own. So it's like I can either come from it at a mindset of like, oh, I'm not doing this right, like I don't have a radio promotions team, Like everyone in Nashville is just gonna laugh at me because I'm like

little independent Sarah putting out music. Or I can look at it from a point of what you were doing, how can I best serve the people that are going to be involved in my community, my listeners, the people that are on my Instagram that are you know, hearing seeing that I'm posting, posting new music and going to listening to people that are on my Facebook, like the people in my direct life, Like what can I do through my music to impact them and best serve them?

Not to make a buck or right not to make a buck or gets famous, and um, I mean, granted, you do have to make money, but like for me, it's like I'm discovering this whole new thing and it's coming from a place of love. So I don't even give a ship if people don't if they make fun of like it's like say, I'm a little peon, but like I'm not a little pian. I'm voice of truth, you know. So it's like when people hate, it's a reflection of where they are and their friend And you

are either with your positivity, with your glow. I'm sitting in between two beautiful women inside and out who are strong and courageous and radiate like one with sweaty armpits. Say, but you either are going to raise the person up next to you and continue to live your truth. And while doing that, you're also going to expose that other person who's going to be a hater. You're going to be a mirror or what they need to work, only

they're willing to see it. But it's not your Yeah, it's not monkey, not a social When I started my podcast, I was coming out of music and you know, I have been doing music forever, kind of developed a reputation in that way, always been involved with other artists, like never alone, And I was so terrified starting this podcast. I'm like people to think I'm a freaking joke, you know, like it's gonna be embarrassing, like how dumb? Like who does she think she is? Like love it? But I

love it? Oh, I love it so much. And I finally was just like walking through Bob Dapiro hit songwriter said this, and I will never forget Mama told you all fear is a hundred feet wide and a hundred feet tall, but it's paper thin. I'm visualizing this right now, so like a hundred feet wide and a hundred feet tall, but it's paper thin. So all you gotta do. It looks like it's everywhere, It looks like it's all around, like it's all you can see, but really you can

just walk right through that well and that's where you. Okay. I always say yes to the things that scared the ever living ship out of it. I'm gonna grow and be like I need it. That's what my soul needs. So you have to you there's a good I'm not saying go into burning houses, but I'm saying, if you feel fearful, that's it a good indication and a good litmus test that you need to say yes and do it. That is so true and exactly what you're talking about

with your music. It is a little intimidating to be like, Okay, I've gone from having all this big press around me, so I'm gonna do this by myself. Yeah, because I believe in what I'm doing. Yeah, it's definitely and like beyond that talking of just on the influencer, I mean, we've had this conversation, but you know, I know you both of you put out a lot of positivity out there and I do too, and I put up prayers

every day or try every day. But when I first started doing it, I thought people that know me, they're going to be like that know me in my life now they would they believe that that's my truth. But that wasn't my authentic truth even three years ago, maybe even last year. You know I've acted in ways or said things or hurt people, not intentionally. I was not like ever an evil, vindictive person, but right well I'm feming with a lot of people judge you according to that.

And it's like maybe people are stuck like their friendship Toop two years ago with you there, So you're thinking, maybe they still think of you that way, right, And so you know that can either hinder us, that fear can hinder us, or that can empower us to continue to speak truth because we know that we're going to impact whether you have one follower, whether you have fifty followers, whether you have two million followers, those are the people

that are in your direct community. And that goes for like followers in real life, people that like imitate you, your family, your friends or sisters, whatever it is. You have the opportunity to impact them for the better. And why let the fear of what someone else thinks of you inhibit you from speaking life and love and changing people's lives. And also, it's make believe. What I finally realized was it is absolute make believe. Like whatever I

think someone is thinking about me, they're not. Yeah, I'm making up a story, like I'm literally might as well be Cinderella or you're making it up like I have no idea what you're thinking about me, and I have no idea what you have gone through in your life that impacts your thoughts. You know, what are your wounds that you've gone through that impact your You know, decisions or how you feel about people are just the way your personality is shaped, you know. But back to you

can you can redefine your narrative. You can redefine the person that you want to be and grow into that and embody that every day we all should be doing. You know, it's right. We should not people do that. We should yet let people involve all. I love that, Yeah, because if we can't, if we can't give grace to people to evolve, then how could we spoke people to

get So I totally agree with that. I said something about that all my ancestry the other day and like I was blow drying my hairs and some girl I know, and I was thinking about something like I don't know what it is. I think it's sometimes like God, the universe kind of like now that I'm aware, like kind of pricking me and being like, Okay, this is something that you need to like deal with. And I thought this.

I thought about a situation that was genuinely like seven years ago, and a girl said something about a dress that I had on it to be in my words because I was like my ex was getting the songwriter of the year, and so I went, I got this like super super just like extra address had like Ostrich feathers on it, and it was actually like I have arrived.

And someone said totally it was that righteous. But some girl goes, oh, I didn't know it was prom and I mean, wasn't a big deal, Like it was something that like I should have been like, yeah, whatever, but it's stuck with for seven years, for seven years, and I'm like, it's crazy. Those little moments can impact you so much. Yeah, it's it's great. So I started thinking about this and I'm like, oh, I can't believe this

person said that. And I'm like, Sarah, you cannot assume that this person is even had the intention of saying anything wrong, but or that they are the same person that they were, or that it would be okay to judge them even if they were the same person. You know, Like I feel like a lot of times in our lives we have these offenses and we pick them up, you know, we like forgive, forget, move on. But then we think about the situation again and pick it back

up and don't allow. And it's like you have to check yourself and be like, okay, why am I picking this offense back up? And so I have kind of realized when somebody hits a nerve of me or offense me or upsets me, that to me is like, Okay, they've hit something, they've hit, they've hit they've hit something, like why is that bothering me so much? What did they stir up? And side to me that is not healed? Like what did they what little insecure part that wound?

What wound just got pripped? You know, because you have to go back into yourself and be like, okay, I could respond with fear and ego and just attack them and you know, throat punch them to the throat or I could you know, be graceful and choose love And how would you want to be treated in this first? You know, it's simple, it's fear of love people, and you haven't really especially when you're getting those moments, those moments where you want to cut somebody out or punch

them in the throat. Taking ten always works. Taking it or not respond you know, or not even think about it. Put that thought away until you're less emotional. Amen to that, you're having the maturity and the wisdom to get above the thought. You know, not to get lost in the thought. If you say, you know what, life is not supposed to be painful. Life is supposed to be enjoyed, and

this thought is not bringing me joy. Put it away until another the next day where you're a little less emotional, a little more for us, and then you could ask yourself those questions. So you're you're graceful with yourself. You're not beating yourself up, and you're not beating to what you guys are saying, like we don't have to take on that other person's what some in the injury or the whatever, the negativity they're putting on us with their words,

like we don't have to pick up their trash. No, not your circus, not your monkey. That that is such good advice, just being in it but not of it. Yeah, I'm happy to provide you know, I'm happy to meet you halfway if you want to meet me, you know, but I'm not going to play by your negativity right, well, and you said you posted something very incredible like eye opening from me, and I think it was a quote from op Oprah over everything she says I about. Can

we all sit down with Oprah? I am like wishing so badly right now because they're like be at the fining around the wall, like so I think it. I don't think it's not word for word, but basically, you're not only responsible for the energy that you bring to a situation in a conversation, but you're responsible for the energy that you allow into your space. Yeah, so well, and yeah, just choosing to say how do we protect

our energy? Visualized? But what do you do when an energy sucker comes in and like you can't avoid them, so you like you have to work with them, or they're like a family member or like you know, like you can't escape them. Call them grenades or like terrorists. What do you do with it? What if you what if you have a constant grenade in your life that you can't get rid of because they're just in your life, what do you do with that? You have emotional go

ahead emotional trainers. Is that what you were going to say? Boundaries okay, well feel like you. I don't know. I have to visualize kind of a technique, but I that I learned a long time ago. But it's like a grounding technique. You have to just give them their space and they are not allowed to penetrate your little bubble. What if they count into your bubble? What do you say?

How do you protect yourself nicely? You just you show you treat you treat people with the way you want to be treated, period, you know, and you don't buy in. You could listen, but you don't have to to enable and by I love so there was I might have been Gabrielle Bernstein. It was a book on tape I was listening to. But I know me too. You do kind of her like so tiny and cute like her and just like the energy. Yes whatever, you know, it's funny because you will meet me. They're like I thought

you were so much taller. I like, no, I could join a tiny person person um, but she's she called them emotional trainers or it was like basically like a like a personal trainer, emotional personal trainers. So people, God, the universe puts people in your life that rub you the wrong way and so it's almost like it's almost like, okay, God, they're your teacher. They're your teacher getting those nerves. Yes, and so I'm so annoying. I know. Oh wait, oh

wait is she gab? Gabby? Gabby? What you what you It's something it's like what you avoid persists, what you resist persists? Yeah, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah truly. But you're so right, because I could there's all sorts of people in the world, but I don't care what they're doing. But then there's certain people who are in my life and they just hit that nerve, and especially when you can't escape them, they're just in your reality. It is a teacher. It's because you haven't healed that wound or

learned that lessons something of yourself. Yeah, spot it, God bought it. You got it. I got it. Yeah, that's from the good old you know, the spot I got it. Truly, if you see something of someone else that drives you crazy, actually, I think it's a fact. It's in you. It's a reflection of your own darkness. So what are we doing? I just see it like it is. That's what yeah says,

you know what I do? And I really really like this, Like I was at a party and like, going back to the music thing being around really successful women, because I haven't had a lot of success, but you have, Yeah, depends on how let's how right, well in the sense of a record deal. I mean, okay, okay, I did that in quote because I truly feel like I have had success. You have had a lot. I've accomplished things that I want to accomplish, and success for me now

is living from a place of love. So I'm successful, but in the quote unquote realm of what other people would deem as successful, like a number one or cuts on this artist or cuts on that artist. You know, I've had some cuts, but it hasn't been compared to other big female songwriters or other big um you know,

artists in Nashville. And so being around a group of really music business driven people kind of makes me nervous sometimes and I will feel like less than So if I start to get into that mindset, I go to the bathroom and I breathe, and I just basically meditate for like a couple of minutes, and yes, bring myself back into a linement, into the center. Yes, And that's

what I repeat to myself. I inhale worthiness and love and exhale the negativity of feeling less than and Gabby Bernstein also talks about this, but having like special people, like people that you almost hold on a pedestal above you, like, oh they're better than me, Like we are all different, but we are all one. We're all on the same playing field. Yes, why do we tits that special? I have special people too, and I'm like, you're not, So you know what it be like up there? I think

having vulnerability removes those layers. I agree, and I feel like with you. It allows you to be an incredible artist. It allows you to put your heart out there in the world, but it also allows you to ground yourself. And maybe you should be feeling icky amongst you know, like certain industry people, and that's your indicator to you know what, I'm going to continue to pursue this with love.

I'm going to continue to be authentic, and I'm going to continue to fight the good fight with my message and not be part of the issue in the industry. I agree everything you just said. Yes, you're wanting to be around other like minded artists and songwriters who are going for the same thing. So maybe if you feel like it's all about money and success. Maybe it feels griss to you because that's really not what your goal is now. Of course you want to have all of

that support yourself. Yeah, but you're not going just to make money or have number one like you want to pack because you're getting your message out there from love. Absolutely, Yes, that's my I want to talk about forever. But we gotta wrap up because its almost an hour. So I always lead, leave my podcast and leave your light, and

this whole thing has been straight inspiration. But just some what your intentions are, Like what you what you want people to walk away with from your lives, your existence? Like what you want people to know? Um so I guess since it isn't influencer podcast. Um yeah, like people who are trying to get into careers, y'all have very fabulous careers. Like how do you What would you say to someone who's like, oh, I'll never be like them, I could never have that, you know? And you can? Yeah,

I think you know. It's really embracing the light within yourself and in doing that, you're not only going to further your life with so much substance and passion and exciting new magical moments every day you're going to lift up the people around you and going to build a tremendous community. And I think, you know that's my intention. My intention is connection and community and living a life of love and gratitude, which is you know, I think every day. And it's a practice. It's a daily press.

It is a practice. It's like you have to keep going to the gym to work out. You can't just stop. You can't just get these spiritual lessons and then be done. You got to work on it every day, every single day. Well, and it's it's what has allowed us all to be here on this couch today. And we think this is only the second time Sarah and I have hung out with you, and but it was immediately a connection because

we all have this soul drive. Um, so I could along the ones of what you said basically, but you know, just kind of aligning with your your light inside and not focusing on the amount of followers you have or the amount of people you can impact, and not not allowing that to stifle you from being you. Like, by you being off authentically you, by you being real and vulnerable, you are empowering other people to live their authentic, real,

vulnerable life. And I think that is probably one of the most important things that we are put on this earth for is to be our embrace our light, be ourselves, expose ourselves so that other people feel comfortable being themselves. Um yeah, and using that and like I said, not listening, not looking at it like, oh, I only have like two hundred followers or what. That's two hundred people that you can impact for the better. Focus on that, not

on what you don't have. And I think it's leaving this creative realm in this this world, you know, a better place. I feel like if we can inspire the next generation to rise up even stronger and you know, with more force, and to be more fearless and more courageous and to pursue their craft internally and you know, create that unity, I think that's a beautiful thing. I think y'all are beautiful things. I thank y'all are beautiful things. I love you guys. This is such a great interview.

Thank you for joining me. I thank you for having us my soul inspired influencers. I'm so grateful we are. Thank you for joining me on the Love is Here. How amazing was that conversation was that not so inspiring and inspired me so much to hear back and to be a part of it. And I'm so grateful that I have friends like Sarah and Melissa. They make me want to be a better person and keep working hard to fulfill my purpose. So I hope that you got

that same inspiration from that conversation. Next week, the Influencer Series, It's still on, y'all. This is going on and on because I have so many incredible influencer friends. I have a couple joining me next week, Miles and his beautiful wife Vanessa. I become friends with Vanessa through this influencer world. She is so incredible. She's a mom, blogger, and actress. She does everything. She moved here from l A. She met her husband, Miles at the tavern. They have incredible

love story. He also heals people. He has all sorts of ways that he helps people's souls through his on site clinic, which is where you can go and actually have a stay for a week and help heal yourself, deal with your wounds. Grow. But together, there's such a power couple and they're an example of how to be a great couple, how to work together how to grow your own self, how to grow together. They have a kid. I love them, obviously, I'm obsessed. I can't stop talking

about him. So y'all tune in next week for Vanessa and Miles ad Cox. They're the best.