As creatives, we’re often surrounded by endless content—from social media and news feeds to constant emails and notifications—all vying for our attention. In this episode of Tales From The Lane, host Kate Kayaian shares her experience with a "Content Deprivation Week," an approach to minimize content consumption and foster personal creativity. Originally written as a blog post, this topic is as timely as ever, releasing just ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election and amidst other global...

You still have over 2 months until the end of the year! Grab your Free Quarterly Retreat Planning Guide HERE. In this episode of Tales from The Lane, we explore one of the most important distinctions you can make in your life and career: the difference between being busy and feeling fulfilled. Kate shares a powerful story about a longtime client who faced the challenge of juggling all the wonderful parts of her life at once—and feeling like she had slipped back into the dreaded "busy-ness"...

Get your Free Quarterly Retreat Planning Guide HERE. About our guest: Christine Smith is co-founder and co-owner of Frosted Lens Entertainment, an entertainment and informational content development company. Prior to her work at Frosted Lens, she held the position of Sound & Music Director/Composer-in-Residence for RPR Studios. Her work has been heard in award-winning films, commercials, and promotional videos. She is currently the host and editor of the podcast "Musicians vs the World"...

In this episode of Tales from The Lane, Kate Kayaian tackles one of the most common struggles among high-performing creatives: overwhelm. Feeling like you're constantly busy, stressed, or never having enough time to focus on what truly matters? Kate shares actionable steps to help you prioritize your most important work, build quiet space into your day, and establish systems that free up mental bandwidth. Whether you're balancing multiple gigs, running a studio, or planning your next creative...

The 2024-2025 Cohort of The Creatives Leadership Academy is starting up soon. If you're ready to design your life and career with more intentionality so that you can take things up a notch, earn more income, do the gold standard of whatever it is you love to do, AND have time for the rest of your life, Book a call with me today so we can discuss how CLA can help get you there! ---> CHAT WITH KATE Today's guest is Dr. Mila Thigpen, chair of dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee,...

If you're curious about how the Creatives Leadership Academy can help you to design your life and career with more intentionality so that you can take things up a notch, earn more income, do the gold-standard of whatever it is you love to do, AND have time for the rest of your life, Book a call with me today so we can discuss it! ---> CHAT WITH KATE In this special episode of the Tales from The Lane podcast, I'm joined by fellow podcast, Ayana Major Bey, host of The Artist Pivot Podcast...

Do you ever feel torn between your performing life, your teaching life, and your family life? Our guest this week on Tales from The Lane, Heather Miller Lardin, was feeling exactly that way until she figured out how to balance it all--making space for what was most important:  Being at the top of her game as a performer Being an incredibly generous mentor and guide for her beloved students Being present for her family (and having the energy they deserve from her) You'll hear how she...

Enrollment is open for Kate’s 9-month group coaching mastermind, the Creatives Leadership Academy (CLA). Book a no-obligation call to see if CLA is the right fit for you. In this episode of Tales From The Lane, Kate dives into the powerful role that mentorship can play in your career, especially as a high-performing creative. Drawing from a variety of sources, including Judy Robinett’s How to Be a Power Connector, and Tara Mohr’s Playing Big, Kate discusses the difference between vertical...

In this week’s episode of Tales from The Lane, host Kate Kayaian tackles one of the biggest obstacles to pursuing your dreams: money. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to do this…if only I had the cash,” this episode is for you. Kate shares creative ways to generate income that fit into your existing schedule. These simple, money-making ideas can help turn your dreams into a reality, no matter your current financial situation. But it doesn’t stop there. With Thrive Fest kicking off tomorrow,...

In this week’s episode of Tales from The Lane, we embrace the energy of fall as a fresh start, just like January 1st, for creatives and professionals alike. As rehearsals, performances, and teaching schedules ramp up, many of us are setting ambitious goals for the new season. However, if you find yourself with the same unresolved goals year after year, this episode is for you. Host Kate Kayaian shares her foolproof 5-part system for achieving big goals and making meaningful progress—whether...

In this episode of "Tales from The Lane," we delve deep into the wisdom passed down from generation to generation. Inspired by the story of host Kate Kayaian's paternal grandfather, Ohan Kayaian, who survived the Armenian massacre and built a new life in the United States, we explore Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it shapes our quest to thrive in modern life. From the basic physiological needs to the highest aspirations of self-actualization, we discuss how understanding and fulfilling...

In Episode 34 of "Tales from The Lane," host Kate Kayaian offers a practical and introspective guide to navigating the often overwhelming transition from summer to fall. As new opportunities arise and familiar obligations return, Kate introduces a powerful 8-question exercise to help you evaluate your commitments, maximize your joy, and strategically plan your upcoming year. Whether you're feeling excitement or dread about what's ahead, this episode will provide the clarity you need to make...

In Episode 33 of "Tales from The Lane," host Kate Kayaian reflects on her recent vacation in England and shares insights on the importance of taking time off.  Kate dives into the benefits of stepping away from your craft, how to determine your unique needs from your downtime, and why making time to relax is essential for maintaining your creativity and well-being. Whether you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or simply in need of a break, this episode offers practical advice on how to truly...

this episode explores the transformative journey of internal growth that precedes and supports external success. Host Kate Kayaian shares personal experiences and coaching insights, revealing a powerful framework of the five levels of internal growth. This episode highlights how profound changes beneath the surface set the stage for remarkable achievements in both personal and professional arenas. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the essential steps needed to foster personal and...

In this episode of Tales From The Lane, we explore the crucial roles of "sidekicks" in our creative and entrepreneurial journeys. Whether you're navigating career pivots, overcoming self-doubt, or battling imposter syndrome, having the right support system can make all the difference. We delve into how these sidekicks—The Proof, The Peer, The Pillar, The Professor, and The Prodder—can transform your path to success. Join host Kate Kayaian, a former cellist turned writer and coach, as she...

Welcome back to Tales From The Lane Podcast with your host, Kate Kayaian. In this episode, Kate dives deep into the mid-year review process, a crucial checkpoint for anyone striving for balance and success in their creative careers. Whether you're a musician, writer, dancer, or artist of any kind, navigating the halfway point of the year can be daunting. Kate offers actionable insights and strategies to reassess goals, finances, professional growth, and personal well-being, ensuring you...

In this episode of Tales From The Lane, host Kate Kayaian tackles the frequently asked question: "How long does it take to shift a career?" Drawing parallels between career transitions and sailing, Kate shares personal anecdotes and practical insights to illustrate the unpredictable yet navigable nature of career changes. With a touch of humor and a lot of wisdom, she delves into the elements that influence the timeline of career shifts, emphasizing the importance of preparation, mindset, and...

In this episode of Tales From The Lane, we delve into the pervasive issue of burnout among high achievers, especially in creative fields. Host Kate Kayaian, a former cellist turned writer and coach, shares her personal journey from burnout to balance, offering insights and strategies to help listeners achieve peak performance without sacrificing their well-being. Join Kate as she unpacks the detrimental effects of burnout and explores practical approaches to integrate rest, joy, and a...

Perfectionism can be both a driving force and a paralyzing obstacle for high-achieving creatives. In this episode, we explore how perfectionism manifests in the lives of ambitious individuals across various industries, hindering their progress and fulfillment. Through personal anecdotes and coaching insights, we uncover strategies to overcome perfectionism and foster creative growth.   Key Moments: Identifying the root of your perfectionism. Balancing your high standards with the...

Hello, friend, and welcome back to another episode of the Tales From The Lane Podcast. I’m your host, Kate Kayaian– a former cellist, and now a writer and coach for high-performing creatives–This is the show where we talk about how to create a life and career that you love– ones that bring both creative fulfillment and financial reward–ones that make you feel like you are Thriving, instead of merely Surviving.  Today, we have as our guest, oboist, coach, podcaster, and author of the upcoming...

In this episode of Tales From The Lane, we delve into the perennial struggle many face as they approach the summer months: the challenge of planning and executing a fulfilling and productive summer. Whether you're an artist, educator, or parent, navigating the myriad of end-of-year events, travel plans, and personal goals can feel overwhelming. But fear not, because we're here to guide you through crafting your most successful summer yet. Discover the three essential components to a thriving...

Hello, friend, and welcome back to another episode of the Tales From The Lane Podcast. I’m your host, Kate Kayaian– a former cellist, and now a writer and coach for high-performing creatives. This is the show where we talk about how to create a life and career that you love–one that brings both creative fulfillment and financial reward–one that makes you feel like you are thriving, instead of merely surviving. We’re using business frameworks to help us reach our artistic potential, and we...

In this episode of Tales From The Lane, host Kate Kayaian explores the unsettling but common feeling of realizing your career has taken a wrong turn. Drawing from personal experiences and client stories, Kate delves into the emotional and practical aspects of identifying when you're on the wrong path and how to course-correct toward a more fulfilling career. Using business frameworks and creative strategies, she offers guidance on how to realign your career with your true passions and goals. ...

   Welcome back to another episode of the Tales From The Lane Podcast with your host, Kate Kayaian. Join Kate as she discusses the chasm that can often exist between knowing what needs to be done, and doing it–especially when it comes to taking action on something that is important to us.    In this encouraging episode, Kate reflects on one of her favorite teaching examples. Filled with thought-provoking questions, this episode will fill you with the drive to stop wasting precious time and...