I See What You Mean with April Kae
40 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsApril Kae knows what it’s like to feel stuck as a creative. For years, she worked jobs from Wall Street to Public Radio. But on the two-year anniversary of landing her “dream job,” she realized she wasn’t dreaming big enough. So, she quit to pursue creativity full-time. Since then, April has built a six-figure freelance creative business, cultivating careers in music, modeling, and social media. And now, she’s here to help you get unstuck and live your creative dreams, too. On "I See What You Mean," April asks creatives in a variety of fields to share how they overcame barriers limiting their self-expression—and achieved success and artistic freedom. Join every other Tuesday for candid, enlightening, and witty conversations on creativity, personal growth, and finding meaning.
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Episodes
GOODBYE (for now)
March 29, 2022 11:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBAfter three seasons and interviewing dozens of creatives, this is the last episode that I will be releasing, at least for now. In this episode, I share the real story behind my viral video and all the things behind the scenes that I had never talked about before. Let’s get into it! 01:48 • Steps To Going Viral 12:09 • Create Without Burning Out 22:10 • How To Get Management 27:10 • What’s Next For Me Meet the team! Host + Producer: https://www.instagram.com/aprilkae/ Assistant Producer: ht...
3 Things to Spark Creativity — With Annika Hansteen-izora, Art Director, Designer, and Author
December 07, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MB“You’ll never find freedom trying to be understood by someone else.” How many of your life choices are based on the perception of others? Today I’m talking with Annika Hansteen-Izora, an art director, designer, and author. Talking all about self-indulgence, dreaming, and pacing your creative projects—this episode left me speechless and inspired. 00:56 • Are You Understood? 08:17 • Resources for Creatives 19:18 • What Really Is Tenderness? 27:26 • Reimagining Social Media 35:14 • The Meani...
How I Created My Dream Life — With Annika Hansteen-izora, Art Director, Designer, and Author
December 07, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MB“You’ll never find freedom trying to be understood by someone else.” How many of your life choices are based on the perception of others? Today I’m talking with Annika Hansteen-Izora, an art director, designer, and author. Highlighting self-indulgence, dreaming, and pacing your creative projects—this episode left me speechless and inspired. 00:56 • Are You Understood? 08:17 • Resources for Creatives 19:18 • What Is Tenderness, Really? 27:26 • Reimagining Social Media 35:14 • The Meaning B...
Ask For What You Want — With Jen Winston, Creative Director and Author
November 23, 2021 16:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBWhat is one universal career tip you would tell your younger self? Today I’m chatting with Jen Winston about her best piece of advice for new writers and creatives. Jen is a creative director and writer working at the intersection of sex, technology, and pop culture. Celebrating the release of her new book, Greedy, we cover it all from liberation to burnout and boundaries. 00:44 • Liberation From Introspection 11:28 • Coping With Burnout 17:22 • Advice for Writers 26:34 • Side Hustle ...
What’s Your Time Worth? — Tommy Franklin, Podcast Host and Filmmaker
November 09, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MB“When we’re asking for our worth, it has to be a collective effort.” Sitting down with Tommy Franklin, we dive deeper into self-advocacy and why community organization matters. Tommy shares insight from being the President of indie production company Special Menu Productions, host of “Weapon of Choice Podcast,” and the star, director, and producer of the short film “WHITE TEARS.” 00:52 • Are You Really 'Woke?’ 13:04 • Facing Flaky People 26:13 • Get Out Of A Rut 29:27 • Reclaim Your Worth...
Facing Your Fears (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL) — Maay Brice and Joshua Monroe, Hosts of the Spookems Film Festival.
October 26, 2021 09:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MB“My fears are rewriting my story, and I can’t always live anticipating the worst.” In the spirit of Halloween, we’re sitting down with Maay Brice and Joshua Monroe to talk all about facing your fears. Joshua and Maay are both founders of The Neighborhood Watch channel and are hosts of the second annual Halloween film festival, “Spookems.” Grab some popcorn (or candy corn), and let’s get into it! 01:17 • Gaming for Love 07:35 • The Magic of Horror 19:24 • Facing Your in Fear 25:53 • Findin...
The Pitch That Got Tracee Ellis Ross — Darian Harvin, Journalist
October 12, 2021 12:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MB“My truth evolves because I evolve.” What is your truth, and why is it hard to pinpoint? Today I’m talking with Darian Harvin. Darian is a reporter based in LA, covering beauty at the intersection of politics and pop culture. You’ve probably read her work interviewing powerhouses like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tracee Ellis Ross. If you’ve been stuck in a rut or isolated recently, this episode is especially for you. 00:50 • Pressures of Social Media 12:09 • Pop Culture Rebellion 1...
How I Got 100K Followers In A Week
September 28, 2021 12:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBIn this episode, I answer questions from YOU, the I See What You Mean community. If you follow me online, you know that I’ve gone from 80K to over 320K followers over the past 9 months. Navigating this networking tool is challenging, and I want to share tips and a more in-depth look into my story of going viral. Regardless of your takeaway, remember to KEEP CREATING! 00:34 • Do You Need Social Media? 11:26 • Importance of Boundaries 27:41 • Downsides of Social Media 43:55 • How To Go Viral...
How To Be a Better Collaborator — Indigo and Richie, Music and Activism Duo
September 14, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MB“If art is an expression of emotion, how can you create without taking the time to check in with yourself or your collaborators.” To kick off this new season, we’re checking in with Indigo Mateo and Richie Reseda. They’re both incredible musicians and they’re the team behind Question Culture. Diving into conversations about cultivating deeper connections, we couldn’t ask for a better start to this next chapter of I See What You Mean. 01:03 • Intro to the Arts 09:20 • No More Struggling Art...
Self-Discovery Tips YOU Need — Jazzmyne, Diversity And Inclusion Consultant
June 22, 2021 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB"I started as a 25-year-old intern, with no experience, in a sea of people with film degrees." This week we're joined by Jazzmyne Robbins, diversity and inclusion consultant at Buzzfeed and an all-around icon. If you've been online anytime in the past five years, you've definitely seen her and her work. In this episode, Jazzmyne recounts her story leading up to where she is today and shares how you can embrace your most authentic self. 00:42 • Confronting Conformity 10:13 • Fashion And Sel...
30-Day Challenge (For Creatives) — Tourmaline, Filmmaker
June 08, 2021 09:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MB"For 30 days, suspend disbelief that what you want is impossible and just see what happens." Are your dreams unattainable, or are you just underestimating yourself? This week we're speaking with Tourmaline, a filmmaker based in New York City, to talk about Freedom Dreaming and why you should start doing it. Tourmaline's work is featured in TIME 100 as well as the MoMa and Brooklyn museum. 01:05 • Perspective Shifts 08:06 • Perks Of Superficiality 21:00 • Freedom Dreaming 25:10 • Be The Mai...
What Is Your Legacy? — Kimmortal, Musician and Artist
May 25, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MB"My work lives online. So with my art I'm thinking in terms of legacy." This week, we are diving into what it means to reclaim and decolonize the creative process. Joining us is Kimmortal, a musician and illustrator who was nominated in the 2020 "Hip Hop and Rap" category of Breakout West Music Awards. Kimmortal shares insights on power dynamics in the creative field and highlights the importance of working through discomfort. 01:05 • Being An Outcast 08:06 • Hustle Culture 21:00 • Stop Se...
How To Curate A Community — Julian Gavino, Model And Activist
May 11, 2021 10:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBIs internalized oppression holding you back? Today, we’re joined by Julian Gavino, a model, activist, and writer whose work focuses on trans and disability activism. Julian recounts his journey recognizing his prejudice and highlights the importance of healing through cultivating a supportive community. 01:05 • Breaking Away From Tradition 07:00 • What Is “Real Art”? 13:37 • How To Spark Motivation 16:11 • Recognizing Your Biases 27:05 • Activism Burnout 35:37 • Why Creativity Is Healing ...
Learn To Say No — Minaa B., Therapist and Writer
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBAre you struggling with burnout—because you haven’t cultivated healthy boundaries? Today we're joined by Minaa B, a wellness coach, therapist, writer, and mental health educator, regularly featured in Ebony, Vogue, and Bustle. Minaa highlights the importance of recognizing your limitations and describes why it’s crucial to incorporate your feelings into your creative work. 01:05 • The Person Behind The Bio 07:40 • How To Set Boundaries 19:50 • Key Questions For Creatives 23:00 • Finding So...
A Love Letter To My Haters — Shehab (Isis) Awad, Curator and Writer
April 13, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBThis week, Shehab (Isis) Awad joins us to discuss the power of gratitude, manifestation, and mindfulness. Shehab is an independent curator and writer based in New York City. He/she highlights queer and marginalized practices, and her/his writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Brooklyn Rail and ArtAsiaPacific Magazine. Shehab is also the Founding Director of Executive Care, a non-profit launching in Spring 2022 that aims to end artist exploitation. 01:10 • Fueling C...
How To Stop Running In Circles — Marco Pave, Hip-Hop Artist and Activist
March 30, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.1 MBDo you have to speak loudly to speak up? This week, we're joined by Marco Pave, a hip-hop artist, advocate, and independent label owner. Marco has shared the stage with artists including Mobb Deep, Waka Flocka, Young Dolph, and now he's here to talk about the importance of recognizing your power and influence—and why you should redefine what success means to you. 01:12 • Learn To Love Your Forward 08:44 • Advice To Find Your Purpose 11:54 • Dangers Of External Validation 20:46 • Speak Up W...
I Had A Miscarriage — Dr. Jessica Zucker, Psychologist And Writer
March 16, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBHighlighting life-changing experiences and their impact on the creative process, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist, author, and creator of #IHadAMiscarriage. In this episode, we dive deeper into Dr. Jessica Zucker’s personal journey and the importance of sharing your story. As Jessica mentions, "Sharing our stories allows us to understand that vulnerability is being human, and being human means that we are flawed. And we can be loved and find joy in all of th...
You Are Not Your Work — Nikita Richardson, Senior Staff Editor For New York Times Food
March 02, 2021 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBChatting about career, food, music, and finding hobbies, today we dive into the importance of recognizing all of your facets. Joined by Nikita Richardson we cover the ins and outs of career and personal life balance. Nikita is also an all-around passionate creative who continually inspires those around her to not be defined by one narrative. 01:15 • Meet Nikita 08:00 • Cultivating Community 11:13 • Love of Music 20:50 • Being a “Jack of All Trades” 30:27 • Constructive Criticism 33:17 • Im...
You Are Not Your Work — Nikita Richardson, Senior Staff Editor for New York Times Food
March 02, 2021 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBChatting about career, food, music, and finding hobbies, today we dive into the importance of recognizing all of your facets. Joined by Nikita Richardson we cover the ins and outs of career and personal life balance. Nikita is also an all-around passionate creative who continually inspires those around her to not be defined by one narrative. 8:00 Cultivating Community 11:13 Love of Music 20:50 Being a “Jack of All Trades” 30:27 Constructive Criticism 33:17 Importance of Speaking Up 40:27...
The Five Little Rituals All Creatives Need — Nikki Kae, Designer and Musician
February 16, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBToday we’re joined by Nikki Kae a costume designer, fine artist, and musician specializing in Afrofuturist queer stories and style. She’s also my sister—my actual flesh and blood sister. We discuss her must-haves to stay creative, why Instagram is so frustrating, and how New York City compares to Austin.
The Five Little Rituals All Creatives Need — Dominique Kaplowitz, Designer and Musician
February 16, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBToday we’re joined by Nikki Kaplowitz, a costume designer, fine artist, and musician specializing in Afrofuturist queer stories and style. She’s also my sister—my actual flesh and blood sister. We discuss her must-haves to stay creative, why Instagram is so frustrating, and how New York City compares to Austin.
5 Rituals ALL Creatives Need — Nikki Kae, Designer And Musician
February 16, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBTo kick off Season 2 we’re diving into the artistic process, the challenges of social media, and redefining work and success. Today we’re joined by Nikki Kae, a costume designer, fine artist, and musician specializing in Afrofuturist queer stories and style. Nikki is also my actual, blood sister—so, there’s no holding back when it comes to our conversation! 05:52 • Why It's Important To Have Options 13:02 • Redefining ‘Work’ And ’Success' 24:18 • The Instagram Dilemma 30:29 • Music, Stage ...
How To Set (And Achieve) Your Goals In 2020 — Mikayla Martinez, Wellness Coach And Writer
December 29, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBOn this week’s episode, you’ll learn... How to be more creative when times are tough What it means to be "a limited resource" and how to deal with it Mikayla’s game-changing advice on setting (and achieving!) goals This is the last episode of Season 1 of I See What You Mean—we’ve officially made it to the end of 2020! I’ll be back with Season 2 in January 2021. So, subscribe to I See What You Mean wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss it. You can also stay updated by follow...
How To Set (And Achieve) Your Goals In 2021 — Mikayla Martinez, Wellness Coach And Writer
December 29, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBOn this week’s episode, you’ll learn... • How to be more creative when times are tough • What it means to be "a limited resource" and how to deal with it • Mikayla’s game-changing advice on setting (and achieving!) goals I couldn’t think of a better person to end 2020 with than Mikayla Martinez. She is a wellness coach, helping people build new habits, let go of diet culture, and achieve their goals. Mikayla is also the founder of Unmastered Co., where she guides millennial women ...
Finding Beauty In Ants and Adventure In Cheetos — Yasmin Almo, Artist and Illustrator
December 22, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBThis is an exciting one—Yasmin Almo is the first person I’m interviewing for the podcast, who isn't already a good friend. Join Yasmin and me as we discuss how they learned humility in jail, the importance of honest and loving communication, and what makes ants so beautiful. They also share their secret for getting past self-criticism and releasing art into the world. If you’ve ever struggled to share your work, find inspiration, or build a loving community, this one's for you. I wanted to...
Finding Beauty In Ants, Adventure In Cheetos, and Humility In Jail — Yasmin Almo, Artist and Illustrator
December 22, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBThis is an exciting one—Yasmin Almo is the first person I’m interviewing for the podcast, who isn't already a good friend. Join Yasmin and me as we discuss how they learned humility in jail, the importance of honest and loving communication, and what makes ants so beautiful. They also share their secret for getting past self-criticism and releasing art into the world. If you’ve ever struggled to share your work, find inspiration, or build a loving community, this one's for you. I wanted t...
My Best Friend Interviews Me—And I Share Big Secrets, Terrifying Insights, And Brutally Honest Advice
December 15, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBAfter interviewing six different creatives—a supermodel, a podcast host, a makeup artist, a musician, a mental health influencer, and an Instagram coach—it feels like the right time to give you a chance to get to know me a little bit better. So, I’ve asked my bestie, Maay Brice, to interview me! You might remember Maay from the bonus episode I released before officially kicking off the podcast. We counted down our “top five songs to get through an emotional rough patch.” If you didn’t get a...
Starting A Six-figure Business, Getting Married, And Moving Across The Country...In 2020 — Jera Foster-Fell, Instagram Coach And Speaker
December 08, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBJera was born and raised in New York City, studied Fine Art in LA, and worked as a graphic designer in LA, Boston, and New York City. In 2015, living in New York, she was miserable after five soul-sucking years in a job her heart just wasn't in. She needed a change. Jera poured herself into social media, fitness, and SoulCycle, built up a formidable Instagram following—and promptly left the graphic design job to focus on her newfound passions. She hasn't looked back since. At the beginning ...
Self-Discovery Is Hard Work — Kelly U., Mental Health Influencer
December 01, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBWhen she was just ten years old, Kelly U. began struggling with disordered eating. Since then, she’s been on a stunning journey of recovery—and she has shared that journey with the world all along the way. From winning the Miss Friendship Ambassador Pageant to founding The Warrior Collective—a jewelry line promoting self-love—Kelly has continually beaten the odds by putting creativity and healing first. She is an Instagrammer and Youtuber collaborating with organizations and companies like ...
Surviving Abuse, Making Pop Music For Queers, and Embracing Femme Sex Appeal — Kady Rain, Musician
November 24, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB// Content Warning: This episode contains descriptive discussion of sexual assault, overdose, and domestic violence. // Kady Rain has been making music since she was a child, but in 2014 her career really took off after she left an abusive relationship that nearly cost her her life. Since then, the resilient Kady Rain has released countless hits, including “RAD Moves,” NPR’s 2018 Song of the Summer. She has performed at Austin City Limits Music Festival and named Austin’s Next Megastar by m...
Surviving Abuse, Making Pop Music For Queers, And Embracing Femme Sex Appeal — Kady Rain, Musician
November 24, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB// Content Warning: This episode contains descriptive discussion of sexual assault, overdose, and domestic violence. // Kady Rain has been making music since she was a child, but in 2014 her career really took off after she left an abusive relationship that nearly cost her her life. Since then, the resilient Kady Rain has released countless hits, including “RAD Moves,” NPR’s 2018 Song of the Summer. She has performed at Austin City Limits Music Festival and named Austin’s Next Megastar by m...
How Dropping Out Of College Prepared Me To Start A Makeup Company Fit For A Fairytale — Tai Ceme, Makeup Artist And Entrepreneur
November 17, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBThis week, we’re joined by Tai Ceme. Tai is a makeup artist and entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work as a makeup artist has been featured in Office Magazine, Preme Magazine, Vogue Italia, Hypebae, and more. She is also the founder of Tai-Lite—a cosmetic company focusing on skincare based clean makeup—formulated for everyone and made with deep skin tones in mind. Tai and I met a few months back on set shooting for Universal Standard. She was doing makeup and I was modeling. Sin...
How Dropping Out Of College Prepared Me To Start A Makeup Company Fit For A Fairytale — Tai Ceme, Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur
November 17, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBThis week, we’re joined by Tai Ceme. Tai is a makeup artist and entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work as a makeup artist has been featured in Office Magazine, Preme Magazine, Vogue Italia, Hypebae, and more. She is also the founder of Tai-Lite—a cosmetic company focusing on skincare based clean makeup—formulated for everyone and made with deep skin tones in mind. Tai and I met a few months back on set shooting for Universal Standard. She was doing makeup and I was modeling. Sin...
Avoiding Burnout, Creating Confidence From Loss, and Finding Beauty in a 99-Cent Meal — Chinae Alexander, Entrepreneur and Podcast Host
November 10, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBChinae is one of those people who possess an endless well of creativity—and more importantly, the courage to share that creativity with the world every single day. Where do all of her fresh ideas come from? How does she avoid getting burnt out? What is her approach to overcoming fear and sharing her work with the world on such a consistent basis? I talk with Chinae about all this and more as we explore her journey from growing up with a single mom in Texas, to building a successful marketin...
Avoiding Burnout, Creating Confidence From Loss, And Finding Beauty In A 99-Cent Meal — Chinae Alexander, Entrepreneur And Podcast Host
November 10, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBChinae is one of those people who possess an endless well of creativity—and more importantly, the courage to share that creativity with the world every single day. Where do all of her fresh ideas come from? How does she avoid getting burnt out? What is her approach to overcoming fear and sharing her work with the world on such a consistent basis? I talk with Chinae about all this and more as we explore her journey from growing up with a single mom in Texas, to building a successful marketin...
Walking The Walk From East Siberia To Playboy — Khrystyana, Model And Activist
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBThe premiere episode of I See What You Mean features Khrystyana, a model and activist originally from North East Siberia. Her early years as a model were tough. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, she moved around the country from Hawaii to California to New York City, trying to find a market that would embrace her. In 2016 she hit a low point, sleeping on couches, taking any work she could get, and in a deep depression. And that’s when things began to turn around. Khrysty...
Model and Activist — Khrystyana
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBThe premiere episode of I See What You Mean features Khrystyana, a model and activist originally from North-East Siberia. Her early years as a model were tough. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, she moved around the country from Hawaii to California to New York City, trying to find a market that would embrace her. In 2016 she hit a low point, sleeping on couches, taking any work she could get, and in a deep depression. And that’s when things began to turn around. Khrysty...
Walking the Walk From East Siberia to Playboy — Khrystyana, Model and Activist
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBThe premiere episode of I See What You Mean features Khrystyana, a model and activist originally from North East Siberia. Her early years as a model were tough. After immigrating to the United States as a teenager, she moved around the country from Hawaii to California to New York City, trying to find a market that would embrace her. In 2016 she hit a low point, sleeping on couches, taking any work she could get, and in a deep depression. And that’s when things began to turn around. Khrysty...
This Song Saved My Life — with Kayla Maay Brice
October 30, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBOn this bonus episode of I See What You Mean, we welcome Kayla Maay Brice! In addition to being a massive music-lover, Maay is a yoga instructor, the Imanigold mind body specialist, founder of “Literary Cinema,” and a genius on all things related to early childhood development and education. Join us as we each count down our top five songs to get through an emotional rough patch.
Introducing I See What You Mean with April Kae
October 19, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 1.43 MBSince relocating from Austin, Texas to New York City, April Kae has worked a dizzying array of day jobs from Wall Street to Public Radio, grown a six-figure freelance business, and built an industry-shifting modeling career, all while making music with her band and art collective Imanigold. After years of forging her own path, April is launching I See What You Mean, a podcast dedicated to the journey all creative people take. From supermodels to tech entrepreneurs, April asks creatives in a ...