Empowered Artist Collective Podcast - for actors, singers, dancers, writers, creators and performers

104. Vocal Care for Performers with Sarah K. Brown

How can singers, performers, or professional voice users take charge of their vocal health, prevent injury, and build a strong support team? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with licensed speech pathologist and singing teacher, Sarah K Brown, to discuss the intersection of vocal health, rehabilitation, and performance. Sarah shares her unique career journey from opera training to speech pathology and, unexpectedly, into private singing coaching—highlighting how her clinical skillset allows her to approach vocal training with both rehabilitative and preventative expertise. They dive into the stigma surrounding vocal injuries, the emotional toll of vocal setbacks, and how common irregularities actually are among professional singers. Sarah breaks down common vocal injuries, the difference between an ENT, laryngologist, speech pathologist, and voice teacher, and how to find a team that supports your individual needs. They also dispel common vocal health myths and share practical vocal health tips, from muscle tension release exercises to must-have items in a vocal health kit. Whether you’re an early-career performer looking to build your voice care team or a seasoned singer navigating vocal demands, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways on maintaining vocal longevity and finding the right teachers and medical professionals for your needs. Tune in for an empowering conversation that will help you feel more informed, confident, and in control of your vocal well-being.
About Sarah: Sarah K. Brown is a singing teacher and licensed speech pathologist based in NYC. Before launching her own voice studio and going into full-time private work, Sarah maintained a clinical caseload at the Voice Center of Mount Sinai for 5 years, as well as an adjunct faculty position at Pace University. Her research has covered a wide variety of topics in voice, and she has presented nationally at the Fall Voice Conference. Sarah also regularly teaches singing masterclasses, most recently with Yale University School of Drama. Her specialized combination of singing background, performance experience, and clinical expertise have enabled her to serve Broadway performers, Metropolitan Opera singers, and TV/film actors. She holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Chapman University and an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University.
Sarah’s IG: @vocalhealthskb
Sarah’s Website: www.sarahkbrownvoice.com
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103. The Intersection of Artistry & Motherhood with Daniella Rabbani

How does the creative process mirror the journey of motherhood? In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Daniella Rabbani – actress, singer, podcast host, activist, and mother – about the profound parallels between artistry and motherhood. Daniella shares how becoming a mother transformed her artistic identity, shifting her understanding of creativity, presence, and ambition. With prompts of “What moves me?” and “Who am I in this moment?” as a means for deepening one’s inner knowing, they explore the art of being present, the challenges of motherhood as an artist, and the importance of making small, intentional decisions to overcome life’s inevitable stuck moments. Plus, they discuss the intersections of artistry and motherhood that both require trusting one’s intuition, the challenges and rewards of balancing creativity with the financial realities of raising a child, and the profound importance of community and support. That creation—whether of a performance, a career, or a family—demands trust in the unknown and it is all with the desire to create a meaningful life, whether that includes motherhood or not. This conversation offers a raw and honest look at the often unspoken truths that shape the lives of artist-mothers, offering a candid and inspiring reflection on what it means to create life and art simultaneously.
About Daniella: Daniella has been hailed as “sympathetic and utterly alive” (New York Observer), “hilarious” (Wall Street Journal) and “will leave you twirling in the streets” (New York Times). TV credits: Amazon’s The Better Sister, HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage, CBS’ God Friended Me, FX’s The Americans, Fox’s Laughs. Films: Oceans 8, Appropriate Behavior and her award winning directorial debut OMA (Available on Amazon Prime Video) and more. Select Concerts: Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall NYC, Summerstage in Central Park NYC, The State Jewish Theater in Warsaw Poland, The State Jewish Theater in Bucharest, Romania and more. Off Broadway: Drama Desk Winning Amid Falling Walls, Drama Desk Nominated The Golden Land, Hershele Ostropolye and Gimpel Tam (all with The National Yiddish Theater), Nina (Primary Stages). A award winning filmmaker, Daniella’s directorial debut OMA is available on Prime Video and her feature length documentary, Klezmerette, is underway. She is the host of The Mom Curious Podcast produced by Hoff Studios and advocates for a more inclusive world on instagram @daniellarabbani
Daniella’s IG: @daniellarabbani
Daniella’s Website: www.daniellarabbani.com
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102. Financial Planning for Creatives with Sylvie Scowcroft

How can you best align your finances with the life you want? In this episode, Jennifer talks with certified financial planner, Sylvie Scowcroft, to tackle the often-overwhelming topic of money, especially for creatives. Sylvie shares her desire to demystify financial jargon and empower artists to feel confident with their money and overcome any shame surrounding it. She explains how financial planning is about creating tools to build the life you want as she breaks down the essentials of budgeting, cash flow, tax planning, and long-term goal setting. They discuss how to overcome money shame, approach financial planning with curiosity instead of judgment, and understand how your time, energy, and finances are interconnected. Plus, they share practical tips like setting up “money dates,” categorizing expenses, and reframing how we view spending through storytelling. Whether you’re overspending, over-saving, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you take the first steps toward financial clarity and freedom by discovering how you can shift your mindset, align your finances with your values, and use money as a tool to live your fullest artistic life. 
About Sylvie: Sylvie Scowcroft loves talking about art and money. A New York native who studied Mathematical Economics and Dance, she has consistently straddled the performing arts and business worlds. She is the founder of The Financial Grove, a financial planning firm aimed to help creative-minded people gain clarity and confidence around their finances. Sylvie also works as a producer and especially loves championing new musical theater. She is a proud board member for Flight Path Dance Project, an organization that is revolutionizing accessibility to dance education.
Sylvie’s IG:@sylvscow
Financial Grove IG: @financialgrove
Financial Grove Website: www.financialgrove.com
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101. Building a Mission-Driven Company with Ashley-Lauren Elrod

How can your art be a catalyst for social impact? In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Ashley-Lauren Elrod, Emmy-nominated producer and founder of the mission-driven production company, Visionary Woman Productions. Ashley-Lauren shares her inspiring journey of marrying advocacy with art that focuses on impactful storytelling to combat and address sensitive issues like sexual assault, domestic violence, and the stigma around mental health. She provides tangible tools for artists and entrepreneurs looking to build mission-driven companies, including how to legally establish a business, the back-end necessities, onboarding clients, and various ways to secure funding. This conversation is a reminder of the vast ways art can be used to inspire, advocate, and drive tangible change, from influencing legislation to empowering communities. 
About Ashley-Lauren: Ashley-Lauren Elrod is an award-winning triple-threat, versatile professional with proven acting, producing, casting, directing, and production design expertise. Her unique approach to media, film, and marketing through her company Visionary Woman Productions makes her a highly sought-after industry dynamo who is known for her exceptional thought leadership and nonprofit advisory work. As a board-certified, trauma-informed leader, CSA survivor, and suicide attempt survivor, Ashley-Lauren connects her story in all that she does, partnering with organizations to raise awareness, change legislation, and tell powerful stories that need to be told. Ashley-Lauren is a true champion of diversity, safety, and inclusivity in all aspects of entertainment, media, marketing, and advocacy. She brings fresh perspectives, energy, and spirit to every project she takes on. Her passion is to impart the tools and knowledge to help people lead a fruitful and audaciously authentic life and to assist clients in achieving their creative vision through bold, audacious moves.
Ashley-Laurens’s IGs: @ashleylaurenofficial
Ashley-Lauren’s Website: www.ashleylaurenonline.com
Visionary Woman Productions IG: @visionarywomanproductions
Visionary Woman Productions Website: www.visionarywomanproductions.com
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100. Being a Theatre Historian with Jennifer Ashley Tepper

What does it mean to be a theater historian? In our 100th episode, host Jennifer Apple speaks with Jennifer Ashley Tepper — producer, historian, author, and Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below — who shares how her passion for theater history began organically and evolved into a career spanning programming, teaching, consulting, and authorship. Together, they chat about the importance of cabaret spaces as creative hubs for fostering and preserving theater and offer practical tools for artists to pitch ideas with specificity and vision, embracing self-promotion through social media, and crafting creative marketing strategies to build one’s audience. Tepper also discusses the writing process and content of her latest book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy That History Books Left Out, which uncovers the erased contributions of 300 women composers underscoring the power of history to inspire future change. For anyone passionate about theater, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration, practical advice, and encouragement to forge your unique path in the arts.
About Jennifer Ashley: Jennifer Ashley Tepper is an acclaimed theatre historian, author, and producer. She is the conceiver of The Jonathan Larson Project, which will start previews this coming February at the Orpheum Theatre, off-Broadway, following an acclaimed 2018 concert premiere and cast recording. She has been the Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below for the past decade. She has curated or produced over 7000 shows in this position. Her leadership at the beloved venue has gained praise from publications including The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, Playbill, Newsday, The New York Post, and more. Tepper's four volumes of The Untold Stories of Broadway book series have been called an "inspiring Must- Read" by NBC New York and occupied the #1 spot on Amazon.com's Best Sellers List in Broadway & Musicals. Her upcoming book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out was published in November 2024. Women Writing Musicals is the first-ever book about female musical theatre writers. Tepper is the producer of the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation, recent projects that are part of a decade-long collaboration with the group known as Joe Iconis & Family. On Broadway, Tepper has also worked on [title of show], The Performers, Godspell, Macbeth, and The Parisian Woman. She was historian consultant on the tick, tick... BOOM! movie (directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Netflix) and co-creator of the Bistro Award- winning concert series, If It Only Even Runs A Minute. Her work as a theatre historian also encompasses celebrated live talks and events, including at TEDxBroadway, BroadwayCon, The Museum of Broadway, Thespian Festivals, and more. Tepper received a 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. She was named one of the 10 professionals on Backstage Magazine's "1st Annual Broadway Future Power List", which stated: "Proving herself both a zeitgeist predictor and theatrical historian with her eclectic programming, Tepper is leading the conversation on contemporary musical theatre.” The Jonathan Larson Project, which she conceived starts previews at the Orpheum Theatre in NYC in February.
Jennifer’s IGs: @jenashtep
Jennifer’s Website: www.jenniferashleytepper.com
The Jonathan Larson Project: TheJonathanLarsonProject.com
54 Below Website: 54below.org
54 Below Email: booking@54below.org
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99. Writing Adaptations with Victoria Male

What makes a good adaptation? In this episode, Jennifer chats with screenwriter Victoria Male about the art of adapting material for the screen. Victoria shares her journey into screenwriting, inspired by her love of historical storytelling, and offers practical tools for reimagining stories with personal truth. The conversation explores how to approach adaptation, from acquiring rights through shopping agreements to better understanding intellectual property to structuring a TV pilot or screenplay to preparation with mood boards, cheat sheets, and outlines for staying true to the source material. They discuss balancing instinct and research, collaborating with authors, and honoring the original material while finding your unique way to tell a story that feels both personal and universal. They also talk about researching the market, connecting with collaborators who share your vision, and the importance of loving your project. Whether adapting a novel, article, or historical event, this episode empowers creators to reimagine stories authentically and bring them to life in new ways.
About Victoria: Victoria Male is a 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Finalist whose screenwriting also made the 2024 Love List of best-unproduced romance scripts in Hollywood. Her prose has been published worldwide in fifteen literary magazines and she's written op-eds for major publications. Most recently, she served as In-House Writer for the audio entertainment platform PocketFM. Victoria worked with some of the most prolific talent in Hollywood today during her years in creative development at The Montecito Picture Company/Ghost Corps under Ghostbusters’ director/producer Ivan Reitman and at the Western arm of media startup Graphic India.
Victoria’s IGs: @VictoriaMale1 
Victoria’s Website: victoriamale.com
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98. Letting Go of Control with Tara Nicolas

What does it mean to care for yourself? In this episode, Jennifer chats with Tara Nicolas —actor, global Nike trainer, Reiki master, meditation instructor, and community healer —who opens up about her physical and emotional journey through her many titles and personal life. She shares how a post-surgery healing process shifted her perspective on rest, movement, and the art of asking, “What do I truly need today?” Plus, she discusses balancing career highs with personal lows while discovering the beauty in letting go of control. Together, they unpack the power of self-trust, the importance of pausing, advocating for one’s needs in medical and personal spaces, cultivating flow amidst chaos, and redefining productivity by honoring the messy, beautiful truth of all that you are.
About Tara: Tara A. Nicolas is a Washington, D.C. native with Haitian roots who now calls Brooklyn home. Her journey into the arts began at the age of three in Lomé, Togo, and hasn't slowed down since. After earning her B.A. from UPenn, she followed her passion to the bustling streets of New York City. You might recognize her from commercials, leading workouts on Netflix’s Nike Training Club, in episodes of the CBS series FBI, or Godfather of Harlem on MGM+.
A multi-hyphenate, Tara’s artistic career spans acting, singing, and dancing mediums, leading her to work with some of the most illustrious names in the business, including Beyoncé, Queen Latifah, Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito, Fatima Robinson, and Megan Thee Stallion, among others. Beyond the spotlight, an unexpected life event led Tara on a lasting wellness journey, fueling her roles as a Global Nike Trainer, Reiki Master, and Meditation Instructor. When she’s not programming a spicy workout, Tara dedicates the rest of her time to community healing. A known face within Brooklyn, Tara hosts and supports wellness events geared toward women and communities of color, including one of her more popular events—Tea Time with T. For more about Tara and her work, visit her wellness company, Avocho.co.
Tara’s IGs: @taraanicolas and @TeaTimeCommunity
Tara’s Website: Taranicolas.com
Tara’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@taraanicolas
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97. Content Creation Meets Skincare with Jillian Gottlieb

Ever wonder how comedy, acting, and skincare can collide to create a thriving career? In this episode, Jennifer chats with actress and skinfluencer, Jillian Gottlieb, who turned her frustrations with theater into a flourishing, candid, and comedic social media presence, by combining her acting skills with storytelling to connect in meaningful ways. She dives into the realities of influencer life and the meticulous planning behind her creative process. Jillian offers valuable strategies for anyone navigating the social media space from tips on creating engaging videos to insights on growing an authentic audience. They also explore the essentials of skincare, break down must-have products, share simple routines, and how to approach treatments with choice, trust and confidence. Whether you're an aspiring content creator, a skincare enthusiast, or simply curious about how to redefine your relationship with social media and self-care, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.
About Jilliian: Jillian Gottlieb is a tv/film actress splitting her time between New York City and Los Angeles. Most recently Jillian portrayed the role of Dr. Astrid Olsen in the hit CBS series ‘Elsbeth.’ She has a recurring role on Season Two of the Amazon Prime show ‘Harlem,’ and can be seen in the Fox feature film ‘Daughter of the Bride starring Marcia Gay Harden, as well as in the Universal Pictures feature film ‘Bros.’ For her performance in the critically acclaimed musical The Golden Bride,  The New York Times said "Ms. Gottlieb is a revelation: effervescently daffy like a young Georgia Engel but also sassy and deadpan. The show is not the only discovery here."  Jillian is also a popular skincare and comedy content creator with over 600,000 followers on social media.
Jillian’s IG: @jillian.gottliebJillian's Tiktok: @jillian.gottlieb
Jillian’s Discount Codes: https://shopmy.us/jilliangottlieb
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96. Recognizing What Truly Matters with Gina Su

How can honoring your core values help you make decisions that align with your purpose and bring fulfillment? In this episode, Jennifer talks with actor and filmmaker, Gina Su, who shares her journey while offering practical strategies for measuring personal progress, how to define one’s core values, and aligning decisions with purpose for what truly matters. They discuss the power of finding “flow,” ways to deepen empathy and prioritize joy by carving out intentional time for oneself, and learning how celebrating wins can help us grow meaningfully. Whether you’re striving to grow as an artist, professional, or human, this episode offers a fresh perspective on optimism, reminds us that healing others can heal ourselves - and vice versa, and that joy is found in the journey, not just the destination.  
About Gina: Gina Su is a film actress, producer, and founder of Pretty Magic Productions, which strives to make films with impact while prioritizing the hiring and storytelling from a female POC perspective. She is known for "Autopilot", the sci-fi film in which she starred and co-produced. It screened at the prestigious Fantasia Film Festival alongside a film produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Currently, "Autopilot" is being turned into the feature film "Trüebadour," the latest news covered by Deadline. Besides her many kick-ass action roles in films like "Fetish," "Transpo," and "Santa Con," Gina's voice is heard on many Netflix Top 10 shows like "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" and "The Glory." Gina has been featured on ABC 7 News, various Apple and Spotify podcasts, and Comic Con. Outside of filmmaking, Gina enjoys traveling to tropical places, exploring plant-based cuisine, and making ceramics.
Gina’s IG: @missginasu
Gina’s Website: www.ginasu.com
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95. Pivoting with Purpose with Casey Farah

How do you embrace life’s plot twists and find creativity in unexpected places? Jennifer sits down with Casey Farah, the artist & business owner behind Rally Bird Brand, to unpack how a life-altering accident shifted her path from performing on stage to creating in the studio and what it means to pivot and lean into various forms of creativity. They discuss the importance of embracing seasons of change, finding side hustles that fuel passion without burnout, and cultivating opportunities that align with one’s values. They also discuss how to navigate tough moments with grit and ingenuity through trusting one’s instincts, learning how to show up fully as oneself across all platforms, and the importance of learning to ask for help. Whether you’re navigating a pivot in your career, need inspiration for change, or are looking for ways to balance artistry with business, this episode is a testament to the power of following your gut and the courage it takes to pivot when life demands it. 
About Casey: Casey Farah was an AEA actress, appearing in productions at the Walnut Street Theatre, Disney Cruise Line, and many other theaters across the country. When she wasn't onstage performing, she was in her dressing room illustrating- and throughout her years in NYC, whenever she had free time away from auditions, she was painting and upcycling. Casey began selling her work and taking on commissions and suddenly, a "side hustle" was born. Soon, the artistic pursuits once kept on the back-burner due to a demanding theater career became more fulfilling- and more financially stable- than performing, and the side hustle became a full-time job. Casey is the founder and artist behind Rally Bird Brand, an online shop that specializes in items that are painted, sewn, upcycled, and illustrated. From a collection of illustrated iconic women (with every product purchased, a portion of the proceeds was donated to Planned Parenthood) to a line of hand-painted hats (where with the purchase of every hat, a beanie is donated to a cancer treatment center in memory of Casey's mom) every RBB product is created to bring joy and positive change. Casey's collection of one-of-a-kind stuffed animals, Punklings, went viral last year and turned her small business into a "not so small anymore" business. Having a background in live musical theater has provided Casey with a tool kit that has proven to be incredibly valuable while running a business- being flexible and ready to adjust whenever life throws curveballs, both personally and professionally. Though she doesn't perform onstage anymore, Casey is thrilled to be able to share her work with a different kind of audience as an artist and business owner and is forever grateful for her years of performing.
Rally Bird’s IG: @rallybirdbrandRally Bird’s IGTikTok: @rallybirdbrand
Rally Bird’s Website: www.Rallybirdbrand.com
Rally Bird’s Etsy: https://rallybirdbrand.etsy.com and the code: EACLOVE10 for 10% off.
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