LET IT OUT

In this first part of my conversation with the brilliant and wildly creative Blu Most, we dive into her experience through art, food styling, creative direction, and event design—embracing creative cycles, identifying as an ideas person, and navigating the tension between financial security and artistic freedom. We also get into stepping away from Instagram, marketing to niche communities, and how all of us being walking personal brands intersects with authenticity. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we get into ADHD habits, community for freelancers, shifting towards intimate gatherings, her best advice on relationships and anxiety, and how aging changes our perspective on it all.

"What's your greatest lesson on romantic relationships?" is a question I've asked in most every episode. This week, with the help of a few favorite guests, I attempt to answer it. It's the first time in 12 years that I've ever done a brief episode... brevity is not my strong suit so don't get used to it... but I hope you like it! It features: Kristin Hanggi, Cody Cook-Parrott, Robyn Kanner, Rachelle Robinett, Jessica Ciencin Henriquez, Mari Andrew, Jon Marro, Neada Deters, and Yoke Lore.

In honor of Valentine’s Day it’s an episode about what I know best: romantic love… just kidding it’s about breakups! It's a variety show from 2019 where I compiled all of the times (up until then) I spoke with guests on how heartbreak, grief, and sadness can lead to growth. I play some of my favorite clips from my conversations with founder of To Be Magnetic, Lacy Phillips, herbalist at Supernatural, Rachelle Robinett, author Sara Avant Stover, dancer and writer Cody Cook-Parrott, illustrator Mari Andrew, Yoke Lore, and more ... it sounds like a bummer of an episode but it was actually optimistic and even dare I say funny? Then I react to hearing their advice 5 years later, talk about if I took it and what has happened since…

I thought it would be fun to do a year-in-review of the music of 2024 with my friend James McCrae. Neither of us are music experts, but we’re constantly sharing music with each other. James first came on the show in 2020, when we did a similar review of the music from that wild quarantine year when artists weren’t touring and we all missed live shows. Fast forward to 2024, and we chat about what we've noticed over the last five years, including the changes in the music industry, trends we've seen, and of course, what we’ve had on repeat. James, a Bob Dylan super-fan, talks about his evolving tastes, new genres, and how pop and hyperpop have influenced his music choices. He also shares his insights on the current music scene and the role of streaming, social media, and live performances. James is an author, poet, artist, and founder of Sunflower Club, a global community dedicated to conscious creativity. He’s the author of several books, including The Art of You, which we discussed last year.

This week I spoke with Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Stevens, co-hosts of the Romanistan podcast. I talked to them about the tragic fires in LA and their advice on navigating dark times and finding personal and collective resilience. They shared advice on healing and self-care during crises, looking at the tarot card of the year, what they do when they're feeling uninspired or creatively blocked, embracing resilience, and the importance of bringing diverse perspectives to ancient traditions. Their new book, Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling, introduces the history of the Romani people and their long-standing relationship with fortune-telling, exploring techniques like card reading, palmistry, dream interpretation, and tea leaf and coffee reading, many of which were created or popularized by the Roma. We discussed their distinct cultural upbringings—Paulina’s roots in a traditional Romani community and Jezmina's mixed heritage—and how they each work with people today. And at the end they each pulled a card that's meant to be a message of anyone who listens.

Ready to take a fresh path to self-discovery? Every Monday, Jemma brings you a new mantra, breaking it down to show you how you can apply it to your own life. Whether you’re facing a major transition or looking to evolve your everyday routine, Mantra is the podcast for you. Join Jemma every week for reflections, practical tips, and personal insights that’ll inspire you to live with intention and unlock your true potential. Follow “Mantra with Jemma Sbeg” wherever you get your podcasts.

**This is part two of last week’s conversation with Dr. Patti, which was recorded prior to the devastating fires in LA. A list of resources is in the show notes below.** Dr. Patti Kim is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Los Angeles. She’s also my close friend, one of my favorite people to talk to. She came over on New Year’s Day to talk about our end-of-year rituals, including journaling prompts and ins and outs. We also get into self-awareness vs. integration, natural cycles, delighting in the discomfort of being human, and trends in wellness. Plus longevity in every sense of the word, from her career to our aging bodies, parents and pets. If you haven’t listened to our earlier conversations, they covered gentle naturopathic medicine, wellness vs. enjoying your life, simple quick eating, how loneliness impacts physical health, cocooning, and navigating change while staying present with what is in front of us.

Dr. Patti Kim is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Los Angeles. She’s also my close friend, one of my favorite people to talk to. She came over on New Year’s Day to talk about our end-of-year rituals, including journaling prompts and ins and outs. We also get into self-awareness vs. integration, natural cycles, delighting in the discomfort of being human, and trends in wellness. Plus longevity in every sense of the word, from her career to our aging bodies, parents and pets. I’m splitting this into two parts so come back next week for more. And in the meantime, if you haven’t listened to our earlier conversations, they covered gentle naturopathic medicine, wellness vs. enjoying your life, simple quick eating, how loneliness impacts physical health, cocooning, and navigating change while staying present with what is in front of us.

This week I spoke to Ashley Stahl, a counterterrorism professional turned international bestselling author and Forbes contributor. Not only is Ashley a TEDx speaker herself, she's now a highly sought-after TEDx speechwriter and CEO of her agency Wise Whisper, which helps people craft impactful talks and get booked on major stages. Ashley opens up about navigating the liminal spaces of life, where clarity is elusive, and how discipline plays a crucial role in finding your next elegant idea. Together, we discuss creative pivots, the value of storytelling, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

In this special year-in-review mailbag episode, producer Ella and I look back on favorite standout episodes from 2024, our process of working together, and what's ahead for Let It Out in the coming year. We answer a few questions about walking, the challenges of maintaining consistency, and our collaborative process with writing and editing newsletters and the truth of how our ideas take shape. Let us know if you listen!