A Chat with Heart - with Christina Martin
Canadian singer-songwriter Christina Martin started a podcast to hold sacred conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, gathering resources to help people navigate their own life, with expert tips and tricks on how to support a path with heart and personal growth. Authentic, playful and free from regulations, A Chat with Heart gives listeners an opportunity to call the Heartbeat Hotline, help shape future episodes and be featured on the podcast.
A Chat with Heart - with Christina Martin
Kristen Herrington: Award-winning painter, podcaster and writer
Packed with soul candy, between meeting the Queen, colonoscopies, and finding The Artist's Way, Christina and guest Kristen Herrington cover a lot of shared experiences in this ultra-inspiring chat with heart. It's no wonder these two became fast friends, and only at Kristen's 100 year death will they part. Plus these two share a really BIG announcement in this chat with heart.
Kristen Herrington is an award-winning painter, podcaster, writer, event host and owner of Togetherland Art Gallery whose creative spirit knows no bounds. She invites viewers to join her in celebrating the beauty of the ordinary and the magic of shared experiences. Kristen has a particular interest in curating immersive experiences that amplify sensory and community bonds.
Podcast
Book: You and Me
Curiosity Club
Got a question for Christina? Call her Heartbeat Hotline in Canada: 1-902-669-4769
Explore Christina's music, videos and tour dates at christinamartin.net
S3E10: Kristen Herrington
Christina: [00:00:03] Welcome to a Chat with Heart. I'm your host, Christina Martin. I'm a singer songwriter. I live on a dirt road with my best friend Dale in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. A Chat with Heart is just me having chill conversations with people I want to celebrate, and topics that I'm curious about. If you have a question or a comment for this podcast, call my heartbeat hotline 19026694769. To send this podcast even more love, visit me online at Patreon.com/ChristinaMartin. I'm so happy you're listening. Our personal stories have great power to heal, influence and inspire. All we have to do is show up for the conversation.
Song 'Talk About It': [00:00:49] If we just talk about it, we can find a way, we can break a dark day. If we just talk about it, we can cut a way, we can make a brighter day.
Christina: [00:01:16] Hey, y'all. Uh, I just finished planting 80 poplar saplings on our property as part of my yearly ritual. Uh, to express my gratitude to everyone supporting me on my Patreon page. I've never planted the trees all by myself. Uh, usually Dale is helping me, but his back has not been, uh, great lately. And another thing. I've never planted the trees within a three hour span. I don't know how I found the energy, but I was just driven and the weather was perfect and the bugs were at bay, so I was just like, I'm gonna get this all done now. I got too much shit to do. This has to be done now. And, uh, check out the videos I made. Um, on my Instagram and Facebook. I just posted them or on my Patreon, uh, home page. Uh, it's like kind of go into explaining what Patreon is, and, and you can get the total update on why I plant the trees every year. I'm so grateful for Patreon. Um, I couldn't do what I do without my patrons. Later in this episode, um, my guests and I have a fun announcement about a big show we're working on together. I don't want to spoil it here, but just listen to the full episode to find out what I'm talking about. Okay. Um. Oh, I want to give you all a mom update. Uh, so my mother, Cecile, for anybody who's new to this podcast, she started, uh, chemo, uh, chemotherapy for, uh, uh, her breast cancer treatment.
Christina: [00:02:57] She's done round one and is about to get more scan results this week. And then she'll start round two of chemo next week. Unless, um, the scans alter her treatment. Um, she is definitely. She's definitely been hit very hard physically. Um, but she has been a champ, and and all things considered, I think she's doing quite well. She, um, has a little break now this week to get her energy back. She's feeling a little more like herself. Um, your well wishes and prayers. You know what? It. It's all helpful. And we've had so many great notes, and she has as well. And, uh, it's much appreciated as we navigate this together, I want to give a special shout out to my brother Alex, who flew home, um, from Columbus to spend last week with mum and and mum's new kitty, Lola, that she adopted. Um, so thanks, Alex. It meant a lot to me. I was able to take a break, come home and work on some projects, and then, uh, I'll be with mum next week. But, uh. Yeah, my brother Alex is, um, he's, uh, extremely close with my mom and always likes to take care of her, and and he's just a great support. So. Thank you, Alex. Love you. Okay? Okay. My guest today, um, has really become one of my most cherished friends. Uh, we cover a lot of important ground in this chat. Like our mutual meetings with the Queen of England, um, our first colonoscopies. Not together. But that is another fun idea. Perhaps. Uh, we both chat about how The Artist's Way, a book, uh, by Julia Cameron. Um, has impacted both of our lives. And I think with this episode, you'll get a pretty great sense of why I love this human so much. And she shares her adventure as an artist and the many exciting collaborations and projects that she's involved in. But we do spend an awful lot of time talking about our colonoscopy experiences. Um, so much that I had considered including a trigger warning for anyone that might be just, you know, put off or was not ready to hear about colons or cleansing the colon stories.
Christina: [00:05:32] Kristen Herrington is an award winning painter, podcaster, writer, event host and owner of Together Land Art Gallery at Togetherland Art Gallery. Kristen has curated a space where art, community and creativity converge. Kristen was born and raised in rural Nova Scotia and she resides today in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. Uh. In addition to her visual artistry, Kristen is a prominent voice in the Nova Scotia podcasting scene. She is the co-host of the popular podcast Mike and Kristen alongside her husband Mike Ryan. They are a super team. We're gonna get Mike on here too, pretty soon on his own. Um, and, uh, I had them both on one episode, uh, of a chat with heart. So check that one out. Um, and you know what else? Kristen is one of the founding members of Curiosity Club, where she collaborates with fellow artists and entrepreneurs to curate transformative creative experiences.
Christina: [00:06:43] Uh, it's just it's just it's a lot of exciting stuff with this woman. I also want to announce, because we forgot to mention this in the episode, that, um, Kristen and her husband, Mike Ryan, are going to be the guest authors reading at our next denim sessions in our home here in Port Howe, Nova Scotia. So if you're in the area, Cumberland County, or you just want to make a special trip up, you can get tickets to our denim sessions. Uh, seating is limited. They always sell out. We have two dates right now with Mike and Kristen opening our show June 26th and 27th. So if you want to attend, basically you just need to email me and tell me which date you want to come, and I'll tell you the address and all the other fun details. Um, it's super casual. It's always a lot of fun. It's, uh, an early evening of, uh, authors and live music, original music. And, um, I just we love doing it. This is, uh, year two that we're doing the denim sessions. Okay. I had the best morning editing this podcast episode with Dale, and, uh. And who knows, maybe I'll sign up for another colonoscopy soon.
Christina: [00:08:11] I know you really want to sound smart, but I just don't think that's a main goal.
Kristen: [00:08:15] I just don't think it's going to happen. I'm going to turn the Wi-Fi off my phone just so there. We're good.
Christina: [00:08:21] Oh, you're pro at this? Yeah. Do you have some tea? Do you have some coffee or something?
Kristen: [00:08:26] I have water I have water. Mhm. Mhm. I find when, when we're doing podcasts I always have drinks and everything set up and then it never happens. My tea just gradually gets colder and colder.
Christina: [00:08:40] Yeah I get it. Well I had Dale make me a scalding hot um cafe mocha. And so that's going to be, that's going to last me this episode.
Kristen: [00:08:51] I have to have my coffee couple hundred degrees, so lots of microwaving. I haven't invested in one of those coffee warmers, but that would be like a good gift somebody could give me one day. Just one day.
Christina: [00:09:07] Note to me. Note to end our little heartbeat listeners.
Kristen: [00:09:12] Uh, note to anybody. Maybe I'll get a whole bunch of them even, can spread them around.
Christina: [00:09:17] Do we need to to tell the audience what your address is? Someone could make this happen.
Kristen: [00:09:24] I'm not opposed to sharing my address. We live in Haliburton Hills, which is basically Beverly Hills. And, uh, you can just find us. You can track us down.
Christina: [00:09:36] Um, and, you know, and you could just. If anybody wants to buy Kristen this, you want to. It's a it's just it's a heater for your coffee mug. You just sit it on it. It never gets cold. Is that.
Kristen: [00:09:48] Yes. And there are different. There's a spectrum of quality you can get. And one of them, I understand, has an app that you download on your phone, and you can just set it to whatever temperature you want the coffee to be consistently at and where you go, like smart coffee. I think is what they would call it.
Christina: [00:10:08] I tell you what, if any of my little heartbeat listeners want to buy this for Kristen because she's an incredible human being. You get in touch with me, I will get you her address once I see proof of purchase. Um, and we'll make it happen. How's that sound?
Kristen: [00:10:22] I have, great. We can we can wrap things up now, I guess.
Christina: [00:10:26] Yeah. That's it.
Kristen: [00:10:27] That's that's out there.
Christina: [00:10:28] You were great. And I forgot to say welcome to a chat with our podcast. But you did great.
Kristen: [00:10:33] Thank you. I just, uh, I thought I didn't know if we were still sound checking so.
Christina: [00:10:39] Well, our whole life is a sound check. Really? I mean, isn't it?
Kristen: [00:10:43] Yeah, I that sounds very philosophical.
Christina: [00:10:46] That's where we're going with this today. No. You know what I wanted to start with? I, uh, as I was, uh, loosely preparing for this, I loosely prepare with the people that I am the closest to, and I find I, I, uh, I have the most fun.
Kristen: [00:11:03] We've been preparing our whole life for this, so. Right.
Christina: [00:11:06] Well yes,
Kristen: [00:11:06] Is that another, like, uh, bumper sticker quote we can add to this episode? Just a bunch of one liners.
Christina: [00:11:13] I think so, and we could make merch based solely on this episode and probably make our fortune, because, how's it going with everything else we're trying to do? You know? Um.
Kristen: [00:11:24] Yeah, this this will supplement all the other projects. Agreed.
Christina: [00:11:29] Hey, there's some things we have in common that I thought we could just vamp on. I read I heard somewhere that we both have met the Queen.
Kristen: [00:11:39] Oh. Did you? Where the queen. Where did you dig that little nugget up?
Christina: [00:11:43] Honestly,
Kristen: [00:11:44] Just doing light research.
Christina: [00:11:47] I do not remember, but it it just last week or so, I honestly, I must have been listening to your podcast, uh, Mike and Kristen the podcast, and you just like casually mentioned that you met the Queen maybe. And I was like, oh, there's something we're going to, we're going to talk about because I did too. And that is, let me hear it. I have no idea.
Kristen: [00:12:12] Something to brag about. You know, when people ask you, tell me a fun fact about yourself. I panic because I'm like, is there anything fun and factual about me that people would want to know? And I did meet the Queen when I was a kid, and so that's my go to fun fact if I'm really put on the spot. Yeah, uh, people don't ask me this all that often, but, uh, my grandfather worked in politics, and the legislature was in session way back when. I think it was 8 or 9 years old. And I knew two things about this special day. One was that the Queen was coming, and the other was that they were going to be serving chocolate covered strawberries. So I was really bear more for the snacks. And like, I met the Queen. But I remembered the strawberries and got a photo taken with me eating one of the strawberries, but not with the Queen. But she was cool. She was there. Yeah.
Christina: [00:13:11] So, uh, she would have been in her, like 70s, 60s. It's 50 now. I'm not going to date us.
Kristen: [00:13:20] The Queen feels like somebody that's always been kind of older, you know, like Steve Martin or something. Like some people are just always look the same age, which is great when we're in middle life and they still look like they did when we were children. But yes, that that checks out.
Christina: [00:13:36] That's cool. Did she shake your hand? Your little chocolate covered hand?
Kristen: [00:13:39] Yeah I think so, my little my little sticky fingers as a kid.
Christina: [00:13:43] Oh that's so cute.
Kristen: [00:13:44] What was your what was your meeting?
Christina: [00:13:46] Well, I'll tell you in a sec. But first of all, I want to say that, like the thing that got you. Interested in meeting the Queen was the same thing that got me interested in attending family funerals, was food.
Kristen: [00:13:58] Right. It's pretty. Pretty reliable marketing ploy. Yeah.
Christina: [00:14:03] For sure. Okay, so I met the Queen. Uh, it was 2009, and I was invited to perform on Parliament Hill. Um, a song called Two Hearts, and they had this big production, and we were performing for the Queen. Um, and and she all the artists lined up. I remember Tim Baker there, um, as well from Newfoundland. And, uh, so we're lined up waiting to meet the Queen. No prep whatsoever. She comes along, shakes all of her hands. I didn't know that you weren't allowed to like. You know, you don't speak to the Queen or put your hand out unless she reaches out to you first. But of course, I did everything wrong. Um. But yeah. The hands. The hand was shook, shaken, shaken. Shake.
Kristen: [00:14:49] That's quite impressive that you were invited to open for the Queen to perform. No big deal. Yeah. Or perform for, yeah. Opening act.
Christina: [00:14:58] Yeah. I was the opening act for the Queen. No, um, it was a highlight of one of my highlights of my life. And I think because my my family, my grandmother especially, we always had, like, royal family, you know, magazines around the house. And there was this fascination with the royal family. So it was it was a pretty cool moment for me. I was always curious about about the family and like, Princess Di was one of my idols. And so. Yeah, so we have that in common.
Kristen: [00:15:27] I remember. Mike and I took a trip to Thailand. This is quite a few years ago now, but we were staying in this, uh, smaller city called Chiang Mai, and we flew in to that airport. Uh, we stayed on the outskirts of the city and had this woman, uh, come pick us up. And we stayed at her little cottages. She didn't speak a word of English, and we certainly didn't speak any Thai, but she had a number of royal family old hardcover books, and we had been traveling for like, what felt like days. But she invited us into her kitchen late at night and made us some tea and kind of got us settled. And she pulled out these royal family books and started going through them. And that was our way of connecting. Or she felt like this is maybe a cultural way of us finding a middle ground. I thought it was really sweet. I call her my Thai mom, and I just thought it was really thoughtful of her to think this is something that they will recognize or make them feel at home.
Christina: [00:16:26] That is really cool. That is really sweet. Yeah. Uh, you guys have met a ton of people, uh, through your adventures traveling you and Mike together. And, uh, I want to say that your book, You and Me, is one of my favorites. And it made. Well, it just made me feel all kinds of feelings, but it definitely made me laugh. Laugh out loud. Um, so, uh, do you think that there'll be a you and me two, like, a follow up? Is that something that's in the works?
Kristen: [00:16:56] Well, I don't think we plan to do a sequel of that particular book. We have certainly talked about writing other books together. Mike is more of a, I don't know, a natural author than I am. I don't love the process of editing and like putting a book together. It's really great when you get them in the mail. It feels like an accomplishment. Absolutely. But we went to an artist retreat a couple of years ago in Colombia with the intention of starting our second book, and it was going to be a collection of stories from our childhood and meant to have the same feeling of light hearted, humorous, kind of poking fun at ourselves. And we realized in writing these chapters that Mike's stories from his childhood were hilarious, like, very much fit the brand. The mood and mine once I get writing them, were just kind of sad. Like, I. I laugh about it. Um, but I remember there was a sharing circle at one point halfway through this month long residency where you had to just give an update essentially on on your work. And I shared a couple of stories. One was called, uh, Something About a Skunk, where I tell the story of an ink spraying our house growing up in farmland, which, yeah, I laugh about. And there were all these New Yorkers there, like New York artists that were near tears thinking this would be the most devastating thing ever to happen to me in life. Didn't see the humor in it whatsoever. So we left that residency kind of questioning, like, is this the right project for us? Is this funny? Or so we kind of parked that for a bit, right?
Christina: [00:18:34] Right. Probably smart I got it, yeah. Oh, God. Yeah. I could think of a number of sad, sad childhood stories. Um, that would not make the cut. Uh, that's fucking okay. Don't do the book.
Kristen: [00:18:48] Maybe we'll co-author a book and those will be. Those will be the stories we tell.
Christina: [00:18:53] Our sad childhood. Oh, my God, my mom listens to this. She's gonna be like, she had a great childhood. She doesn't speak like that. She actually has as a French Canadian, uh, Acadian accent. Um. Uh, yeah, we'd have lots. And I'm sure, to me that is hilarious. The skunk story is hilarious. So I just if my vote counts at all, maybe it's just marketed in Atlantic Canada. We would find that funny.
Kristen: [00:19:17] Agreed. Yeah, it's a very local local book.
Christina: [00:19:20] Shall we share our colonoscopy stories? Know that we do edit this podcast. So, you know, if you're like, I don't think the world wants to hear this.
Kristen: [00:19:29] Do you have one to share with me?
Christina: [00:19:31] Well, I could start by saying that I somehow allowed myself to be convinced to not take the drugs when I did my colonoscopy, and it was the most, one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. And I did, halfway through the colonoscopy, um, thank God the doctor who was a sound in mine, um, was prepared and said, we're going to hook you up in case you change your mind mid colonoscopy. Um, but didn't try to convince me otherwise. She must have thought I was like some, like, of some kind of religion that didn't want, you know, drugs in my body or something. And I don't know what I was thinking because I do like, especially when it's prescribed by a doctor and I'm like, being supervised. I like drugs, um, I like to be out of it. Particularly supervised. Right. Like I feel safe having a good time. And so anyway, it was it was horrific. And then got the drugs and then. It was fine from then on, you know. Uh, what about you?
Kristen: [00:20:35] Oh gosh, I'm glad that you had the option for halfway this to be something that you could still receive. Uh, I didn't question taking the drugs, although I did. I did ask for a low dose, because the more you, the more sedative you take, the longer you have to be there after the fact. And I thought, yeah, let's just kind of get get in and out, um, pardon the pun there, but yeah, it I, I so I had to have a colonoscopy just because of my family health history. My mom and grandmother or grandfather both had colon cancer. So screening had to start in my 40s and I didn't mind so much the prep like I started the restricted diet even earlier than you thought. I was really paranoid about not being completely ready. Like, I would have been mortified if I got there. And they were like, I think you snuck some.
Christina: [00:21:31] I see a burger or.
Kristen: [00:21:31] Cheerios or something in there?
Christina: [00:21:33] I See a burger lodged into the crevices of your colon.
Kristen: [00:21:37] This is my A-type personality. Like, I will do this perfectly. You know what? I'm even going to stare at a day early with my cleanse. So? So that part was cool. The stuff you drink is pretty, like the liquid laxative is intense and it made my teeth feel really weird, almost chalky. I don't know if you had that experience, but yes, you just have to kind of put your mind to it. Cleansing part was cool. Got through it. This was all just it's in your head. And I did have the sedative. I have very hard to find veins, so they had to poke me a bunch of times. That was probably worse. That was the worst part so far at this moment. And they're like, do you want to watch? And I thought.
Christina: [00:22:21] I wanted to.
Kristen: [00:22:22] Really? I'm like, does anybody say yes to this?
Christina: [00:22:25] Well, I won't ever again, but I was really curious, like as if I didn't trust them like that. If I not being an expert on colons, I don't know what I'm looking at. Um, would have known what to look for anyway. We'll summarize the lessons at the end of this, but. So what did you say?
Kristen: [00:22:47] Yes, we'll do, we'll do a recap. Uh, the doctor made a point to be very clear about the lubricant he was using. Like he said, okay, I'm going to show you. And he squeezes out this basically entire tube of lubricant. And I think that was supposed to make me feel better somehow.
Christina: [00:23:07] Like, this is going to go inside of you. This is going inside of you.
Kristen: [00:23:11] I guess, or this is gonna, like, help this this camera go inside of you was was, I guess, his point. But, uh, he said the way in is more uncomfortable. But the way out, when they pull the camera back takes longer, uh, about 20 minutes. And so that felt really exceptionally long to me. I thought 20 minutes. Whoa. Um, but. And so they give me the sedative immediately, I felt it, it hit me, and I thought I was really with it the whole time, like, really able to pay attention. And I did end up watching this screen, but it was only maybe 7 or 8 hours later that some of the memories of the things that I said during that time came back to me, because I thought I was really just normal and cool about it. And yeah, it was later that evening I was recovering at home, and I had this vivid memory of looking up at the male nurse and being like, thank you for being so nice to me. And like, really gushing about him being kind during this process. Yeah. So I hope there wasn't anything more elaborate than that said.
Christina: [00:24:29] Oh yeah, I think that's pretty sweet. They probably because that's not what came out of my mouth.
Kristen: [00:24:35] It's not often that I thank someone so profusely for putting cameras at my behind. But, you know, I guess that really was meaningful to me in that moment.
Christina: [00:24:46] Oh my god. I was cursing and noises were coming out of me that I didn't know I was capable of producing. And they I remember being coached like you're, you're actually doing you're actually doing okay.
Kristen: [00:25:01] Yeah, like all things considering you're not, there were definitely a few times, even with the sedation that I came up off the table just in that really wincing alarming. I don't want to say pain, but yeah, pain I guess. So. It's not comfortable.
Christina: [00:25:18] No. I'm going um, let's do a let's do a recap of what we've break down.
Kristen: [00:25:25] Break down the colonoscopy.
Christina: [00:25:26] What have we learned. You go first. What's one thing?
Kristen: [00:25:29] Take the drugs.
Christina: [00:25:30] Take the drugs. Let me take that one step further. Take as much as. They will offer you. I would say try to get them to put you to sleep. That's. Yeah.
Kristen: [00:25:42] Well that's that's a takeaway. I was very surprised at how long it took my body to energetically bounce back. Honestly, the worst part about the probably 4 or 5 day experience was the day or two after, because they tell you like, oh, you should be good to eat whatever you want and get back to normal by tomorrow. It was like three days for me of just utter exhaustion. I don't know if it was the depletion of fasting and shitting and then trauma. Yeah, yeah, basically that combo. My point is, my second tip would be to prepare for a couple of days recovery.
Christina: [00:26:26] I think that's a good tip. I would agree with that. And if if anything, if you can just take the day to be drugged and then enjoy the drugs after, like have someone drive you around, take you out to lunch. Like we went out to lunch after and I enjoyed that, but I was still high and really enjoying it. And then I kind of just chilled out in bed the rest of the day. So if you can, if you can, you know, arrange for that.
Kristen: [00:26:52] That's a great tip. Ride the high for sure, take as many drugs as possible, and then have somebody drive you around and buy you ice cream after.
Christina: [00:26:59] Like, we're not doctors, but I think if we were, that's what we would prescribe is what? Yeah, yeah. Um, yeah. What about this?
Kristen: [00:27:07] May find its way into the literature.
Christina: [00:27:10] I, I didn't do as much prep as you did. I mean, I did the prescribed prep, but I would also say enjoy the prep. It was a fucking cleanse. Like, I mean, don't be surprised if you are like, what? When's this going to happen? And then you go to the bathroom and then you are there for like a minute or two. And the I remember like bursting out laughing because it was as if someone had turned a faucet on and Dale could hear me in the other room. And then I burst out laughing because it was so unexpected and such a shocker. And it was. It was a great cleanse. It was just. Yeah, it really was.
Kristen: [00:27:49] And and okay, I'm just going to go there with you and ask about this part of your experience. So I was expecting it to be like pretty like everything to kind of come out at once and it to look like maybe it normally would. But for me it was yes, the faucet thing, but it would blast for maybe 3 or 4 seconds and then you're done for an hour, and then that happens again and again and again.
Christina: [00:28:17] Yeah, yeah, the blast. Oh, that's a good description. Yeah. I bet you didn't expect this, this podcast chat to cover this much ground.
Kristen: [00:28:25] Well, chat with heart.
Christina: [00:28:27] It is a chat with heart and rhymes with all kinds of things and yeah, no that's true. We can move on from colonoscopies, but I think it's important for I mean, more people our age are getting into this where it's like first time colonoscopy. Um, I mean, I was afraid of it and I'd say, go for it. You got to really push for it, too, because they don't want to give them anymore. Did you know that?
Kristen: [00:28:54] It took two years on a waiting list for me to get in, even with this family history. So yes, I, I completely agree that if it's something you feel that you might need to get on it sooner than later.
Christina: [00:29:06] Yeah, even if you have to lie, you could you could borrow our family history, the histories, um, and just say, I mean, they don't even do background checks. They just ask you, does anyone in your family have a history of, you know, just say, just go in and say everyone had colon cancer.
Kristen: [00:29:24] Say everybody. Everybody. Yeah. Everyone I know died. Yeah.
Christina: [00:29:28] So I'm an orphan. Fucking get me in there. I'm feeling. I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding. I know you can't see it, but it happened the other day. You know, those kinds of things. Just push. A self-advocate, is what I'm saying. Lie.
Kristen: [00:29:41] Exactly, exactly.
Christina: [00:29:42] Listen, we have other things in common, too. Like I want to say, um, that The Artist's Way has had a big impact on both of us at different times in our life. And I'd love to hear what maybe some of the, the big how it's how it's really impacted you reading your first time experiencing The Artist's Way.
Kristen: [00:30:07] I've read The Artist's Way.
Christina: [00:30:08] We should explain. Sorry. Even though it's come up. So this could be first time listeners. You never know. They're like, what the fuck is The Artist's Way? Is this some cult kind of. But you want to explain because you're the pro?
Kristen: [00:30:21] Well, arguably you might say a cult, but it was. It was a book that was written in the 90s by an American author named Julia Cameron. And it's a book, but it's broken into 12 chapters that are intended to be read one a week. So it's a 12 week program, essentially, and each week guides you or challenges you or introduces you to new creative ideas. But rather than really offering a creative prompt, it is really about digging into yourself as a spiritual being, as a creative being, and and using that foundation, that sense of self to then go create something. So it's not as though she's saying, okay, this week we're going to do watercolor, next week we're going to learn papier maché, whatever the case might be, but instead it's it's inviting you to look into other aspects of your life where, okay, I have this clarity about myself now, what does that look like if I translate it into a creative project? So I'd say that's what I really loved about the program, was that it is designed for people who aren't necessarily artists, but it's rekindling that love of, say, your inner child. Or like, where in your life might you have considered yourself creative? And now as an adult, it's been tailored out of you in some way. And so you're going back and try to reconnect with that part of yourself. So I've never really yeah, read read anything like it. And I've read it myself and gone through this 12 week solo. And just this last winter was one of three facilitators to help guide a group of 20 women. We did it together as a group virtually over the winter, so we met once a week for 12 weeks, and at the end of that experience, not only did these women feel like they now had a community, but we hosted a final art show at my gallery so that it really gave this tangible, hands on outcome, which was really special.
Christina: [00:32:24] Oh so, oh, by the way, Curiosity Club, uh, that facilitated this experience with The Artist's Way, the 12 week, um, experience that is a club, a curious club that you co-founded. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Kristen: [00:32:38] Yep. Yeah. With two of my friends, Erin Bulger and Stephanie McNamara, who are both talented photographers. But we did a collaboration last fall together and just found we worked well together and had more to offer. And so we've been organizing a few different projects and events. The Artist's Way that we did virtually was our first, uh, collaboration. And then we're also hosting coming up next month, the a secret show for the Town Heroes, for my husband Mike and his band.
Christina: [00:33:11] I'm going. But I'm not going to say where it is. Um, okay. We're going to let people know, uh, at the end of this where they can sign up, um, for Curiosity Club events and also, uh, find out all things Kristen Herrington, find out more about your podcast. Find out we're going to we're definitely going to get to that. Um, how is The Artist's Way changed your life?
Kristen: [00:33:40] It's been really important to remind myself as a creative person that it's not the product that I make is not about the audience, or at least not entirely about the audience. I think it's a really tricky thing, in particular, as a full time artist, that we have to consider how we're going to make money and buy our groceries and these sort of variables factor in. But reminding myself through this 12 week program that the process and the authenticity and just truly making something from the heart is going to be the best thing anyways. And maybe it's not as universal as making a lighthouse painting in Nova Scotia, for example, that you assume people will be familiar with and be comfortable with and perhaps purchase. Uh, it's it's when you get into the real gritty, weird stuff that is actually who I, I am, more so that I have more fun creating work and yeah, people are attracted to that. Like they the niche. The more niche you get, then there's benefits to that approach to.
Christina: [00:34:47] Oh, I love that.
Kristen: [00:34:48] What about you?
Christina: [00:34:49] Well, it was. I mean, the Artist's Way changed my life because it it gave me sort of a a it gave me a format for, like, how do I make time? Like the artist dates, which are essentially you take time to go out and do something that fuels you creatively. It could be for an hour, it could be an afternoon, it could be just a trip to the museum alone, like it taught me that I could go and do these things by myself. And and of course, that coupled with the morning pages, the writing, um, the daily writing, getting into that routine, those two things were extremely powerful for me at a time when I was in a place that was just, you know, all about, uh, creativity in my mind was Austin, Texas. Right. So I at that time, it just it it just helped me make time to explore and figure out what I wanted to do in this, in this, uh, creative avenue, I suppose. And I wasn't doing that before. I was probably like a lot of people, and, like, it's easy to do today, even, um, you know, just being led by what other people maybe wanted me to do or, you know, what everybody else was doing. And it was lots of distractions, but really not very happy or fulfilled and didn't really know what my role was in my life. Like, uh, in terms of generating something that could be considered a gift to others or a gift to myself. So yeah, the time to create and play and then the morning pages, the taking time to write, show up to the page were really critical. Yeah.
Kristen: [00:36:32] Do you still do either of those things, like do you still journal each morning as a result of the artist way?
Christina: [00:36:40] Well guess what. Actually, right behind me, um, I have the Artist's Way on my desk because I do want to go back to it, because I have I have not been doing that. I have on and off, um, over the years. But I definitely am at a place right now in my life where I need to reconnect and have fallen. I won't say I'm fallen totally off my path, but uh, definitely need to put more effort into creating that sacred space where I show up to, uh, you know, to work on the, the art. And so I'll always come back to it. It's like a homecoming, you know? I know it's there. Um, so. And there's some other great books from, by Julia Cameron that I have, like Vein of Gold and some other writing books. Uh, I posted a photo and, uh, of some creative books, some books on creativity and spirituality today on my Instagram. And there are a couple other Julia Cameron books in there on writing that I will go back to them and it'll be like, I've read them for the first time, and there are prompts in them, uh, for writing. So, um, yeah, it's funny because I read some of these books 2 or 3 times in the last 20 some years, but I just, you know, in and out, you know, at the time it serves me. And then five years later, I go back to it. It's like reading a new it's it's like new inspiration. Right. And the prompts, even though you may have done those exercises before, because you've lived life and have more experiences, it'll prompt something completely different. So that's what I find great about.
Kristen: [00:38:14] Yeah, it's so true. It's it's kind of like receiving good advice from a friend that if you're not ready for it at that point in your life, it's yeah, these are meaningful words, but it doesn't resonate or like truly sink in. And you can hear the same sentence five years later and it's profound and mind mind blowing and yeah, you're ready for that. So the artist's way is similar.
Christina: [00:38:38] Yeah, exactly. Now you had a you had a good corporate paying job. Um, you quit it to pursue what I call a path with heart. And I, I wonder if you agree with this, um, statement that the path with heart is not necessarily the path of least resistance.
Kristen: [00:39:00] Oh gosh. Yeah, I agree with that. Absolutely.
Christina: [00:39:04] Like do you, ever have you had. Oh sorry to interject, but I mean I mean interrupt. Do you have moments where you're like, oh fuck. I just I'm gonna go back and get that job, that corporate job back. What was I thinking?
Kristen: [00:39:18] I, I have had, I would say 2 or 3 of those moments over the last couple of years since I made this decision. And it's always, uh, because of finances. It's not because I miss the commute. It's not because I miss wearing polyester suits that match. Uh, yeah. None of the none of those things do I long for. But there I mean, the lifestyle, there's nothing about it. I would change getting used to going from. Yeah, a six figure salary with pension and benefits and all these perks, bells and whistles. I had a cell phone and a laptop and a corner office. Like all these things that you think are going to somehow fulfill you. Yeah, the perks were nice, but not at the cost of which they came. But there have been times just struggling as an artist. If if you work as a full time entrepreneur, probably in most sectors, you would understand what that means. But in our house there's two full time artists and it's yeah, it's tricky to make ends meet all the time. And I've absolutely had a couple of moments of just totally broken down, like cried my eyes out, feeling like a failure, feeling like, you know, I've made a mistake, this is never going to work for me, and yadda yadda yadda. And I gave it a couple days and a couple pep talks and you just keep going and somehow we make it work. So no regrets. But yeah, certainly have have my weak moments too.
Christina: [00:41:00] I wish we had an audio cut we could cut to of your breakdown. Um, just just to I mean, I could do one. I could just wait for one of mine, record it, cut it, and edit it in here just so that people understand. Yes, that it's a part of the journey.
Kristen: [00:41:23] Just imagine yourself in the fetal position like crying really, really hard, quite snotty and just wet in general and wet. And that's pretty much it.
Christina: [00:41:33] Wet and broke. It's the security. It's the security that I think a lot of artists do, um, struggle with, myself included is like, I, I want security, but I want this life, and it's, uh, and it's, it does feel like a lot of, um, you know, unpaid, insecure work and time to get to the good things. But when you do get to the, the good things, it's it does feel rewarding and worthwhile. And I would love for you to tell us about, uh, some of your recent, um, just triumphs on this path with heart. I know you've had. Honestly, it seems like you have a shit ton. Like, I'm so proud of you.
Kristen: [00:42:18] Well, thank you. And as you know, there are a whole whack of rejections and no's that go along with those few and far between triumphs, but it does make them all the more sweet. And one that comes to mind was receiving a Canada Council grant this year. And it wasn't about, I mean, yes, it was. I've just talked about griping about not having money, and I was going to start this story off with it's not about the money. Like, yeah, that was an amazing part of it. But there's something about the prestige of a national arts recognition that was so meaningful to me that even had it not come with this cash prize, I still would have felt proud of myself. And it's it's a hard thing for creatives to, like, truly say those words out loud that I'm proud of myself. But I really felt like it was a milestone. It felt representative of validating my career as an artist and making this big decision and taking the leap. So and the project itself is, uh, I'm creating what are called haptic chairs. So they're vibrating chairs that help the deaf and hard of hearing community quote, hear, sound or hear music. So it feels like a meaningful project to be recognized for being somebody who belongs to that community. Um, that and and opening my gallery for season two. And Togetherland is a place that has gone through an evolution and transformation this year, and we're really focusing on hosting other creatives, hosting a variety of events, making it a real community hub. And that's, again, something that I feel proud of. Like maybe those are the things that I would most be attracted to, to call my triumphs. Yeah. Are the things that feel purposeful. Yeah. Um, so those have been those have been the big ones.
Christina: [00:44:16] Well, those are huge. And I mean, your podcast with your partner, uh, Michael Ryan is is a huge hit, like you guys are tastemakers in, in Atlantic Canada and you've been nominated for awards and every I your guests are incredible. You're promoting all kinds of great Nova Scotia, uh, creators and storytellers and just people that inspire you. So I just want to mention, I just want to slip that in there, that that is a big triumph.
Kristen: [00:44:46] I'm glad that you've I'm glad you have my CV better memorized than I do. But yes, that is another big. We did some podcasting conferences this year that we got funding for, so it felt like, I don't know, you hear from Nova Scotians often that you want to flee for the winter months. And so when we were successful in securing funding, that allowed us to travel away to warm places during the winter months, that too felt like such a long time coming that this was finally this, this manifestation that we've been trying to make happen for so many years had finally been realized. So it was it was great to be away, but it also was really satisfying to think that this is something we've been chipping away at and haven't given up on to create this lifestyle that we want. And yeah, this was our first winter really, really doing that.
Christina: [00:45:41] So I want to drive home the point to listeners who are who are striving for similar things in their own lives that you know, not to give up, that, like every no, is an opportunity to, uh, okay, let's, let's, let's look at how we can, you know, either improve the application or the mission or maybe the timing wasn't right and we just resubmit. And you know that saying of like, don't take anything. You know, personally, I know that's hard and sometimes I struggle with that. But it really helps if you repeat that to yourself to move forward and keep trying. And, uh, with certain things, especially that you just really feel strongly about, um, and, uh, because for all of us, it's like not it's usually like quite a few years in the making. Right? Um, to get to the point where you're starting to see one, you know, approved for a project or support in some, some form or fashion. So I'm glad that you brought that up and you're shining example of that, I think.
Kristen: [00:46:45] Well, it has taken the guidance and reassurance of people like you as well. Christina, to you have more experience in this world and, and dare I say, the rejection that this world can present and.
Christina: [00:46:59] So much rejection.
Kristen: [00:47:01] It can feel emotional. Yeah. But you're like, ah, what's another rejection? And I'm like, okay. Like I needed to hear that and I needed to hear it from someone that I admire that I know has kept going themselves. Like, these aren't just words of advice that you're offering. Like, you live this life, you're walking the walk. And so I am fortunate, be it through podcast guests or my partner or close friends like you that you recognize, you know, like you see this process unfolding for me. And it's a path that you have walked yourself before me. And so it's so helpful also to have people in your corner that will encourage you to keep going, because it can get kind of stale to keep hearing this like, uh, just keep it up, keep it up. And you're like, yeah, I haven't bought, you know, food though in a couple of weeks. And so I'm discouraged and it requires people to, to pick you up, like to do it, do the work for you I guess is what I'm saying at times.
Christina: [00:48:01] Yeah. Well, thank you for saying that. And it's, uh, I'm definitely a realist in these situations where it's like, all right, this is part of the this is part of it, like you and you really sometimes I have to say to myself, you got to suck it up and keep going, and you might have to do something else in the meantime to fill in the gaps of financial gaps. Like I've really had to kind of, you know, put my ego aside at times, you know, and just do the thing and just and patience is a hard one for me. But practice patience, you know, to, you know, and yeah, I think that like, people like, like you and I are, are always learning. We're always still. We have so much to learn from each other and from people who have done the things that we want to do. But then there's people who are trying to do the things that we have done. And so it's really important for us to share the knowledge people share it with us and to keep that going. There have been times when I've reached out to people who were, uh, even friends of mine for advice or tips and was not, you know, that wasn't. There have been plenty of people who have helped and have support.
Christina: [00:49:09] But, you know, you remember like, oh, wow, I don't want to be like the person that someone reaches out to and just gets like, ghosted or no response because they're too busy. And like some, you know, a response is always, I think, appropriate. And even if it's just so much to say. I don't have time this week or next week, but I'm going to think on this and get back to you and or you know what I don't have? I actually don't think I can help you in this, but here's someone who can, you know, those kinds of things. But, um, in any case, let's just keep, uh, championing, championing each other because, um, you know, that's something we can do, and it feels good. And, uh, oftentimes we're like, so busy, we're like, how can I help in this world? Well, I don't know. That's one way, like your podcast, hosting a podcast and promoting other people and and fostering connection, I think is a massive way of giving back. Even if you're not working at a, at a food bank, you know, or food bank. Awesome work. But like, if you can't do that, but you can do something like a podcast that is giving back, you know, I think.
Kristen: [00:50:18] Yeah. And people listening at home, it's also as simple and quick and affordable as sharing the link to the podcast or sharing a post. Like, you don't have to always be buying people's work or attending their shows. It's just there's there's lots of ways. I had a friend yesterday reach out to me and say, uh, I'm going to nominate you for this Emerging Artist Award through Visual Arts Nova Scotia and just took it upon herself to write this letter and fill out the application. Like, I didn't ask her to do this or nor would I ever, uh, because she's a busy full time artist as well. But I thought I was so touched by that. Like it was quite emotional, actually, for someone just out of the blue to say, I'm going to do this really nice thing for you. Yeah. And she, again, is someone who has been in the industry for a long, long time, much longer than me, and probably knows how meaningful that gesture would be to to me because she's been there.
Christina: [00:51:12] Yeah, absolutely. That's a good point. Uh, sharing community. It's, uh, it's it's just so simple to do. And we're so distracted, but I really, I, I always feel good when I share something from somebody. And it certainly is a boost in your day when you see somebody else does that just on their own accord, you know. So, hey, listen, I have, um, I mean, I want to keep you forever, but I think we're running out of time because, you know, you you are a busy person and high demand. But I have some, like, just some other fun questions I want to ask you before I let you go and then summarize with, uh, where we can find you. And I think we have a big announcement as well coming up that you and I need to talk about, but are.
Kristen: [00:51:56] Are we going to talk about that today? Okay. I'll just let you go
Christina: [00:51:59] I think so, okay. Okay. Yeah. Well we should. Yeah. Can you tell me what the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you is?
Kristen: [00:52:08] When I was in fifth grade, I was part of a precision line team. So I don't know, like 20 kids my age and I was far too old to have peed my pants. But I did pee my pants at Precision line practice that day, so I took it upon myself to fall a lot during practice, so it looked like I had a wet bum from falling on the ice. So good save at least, right?
Christina: [00:52:34] Yeah, absolutely. Did anybody notice? Did anybody make fun of you that.
Kristen: [00:52:38] I like to tell myself that they didn't know. Nobody said a word, so I think I was safe. Oh yeah. Long jacket. Pull that down. And yeah, I don't really know why it happened. I think because I had my skates on and I couldn't run to the bathroom with my skates on in time. And, you know, life happens. It's also. But I was very embarrassed at the time.
Christina: [00:52:59] I understand I think it's also a nice, warm feeling to pee yourself.
Kristen: [00:53:05] For for a moment, but in a skating arena when you have wet jeans, that.
Christina: [00:53:11] Yeah, you're right, the consequences. Not great. Um, what's the scariest thing that's ever happened to you? Like, like Halloween scary. Not like, oh my.
Kristen: [00:53:24] Two Christmas's ago.
Christina: [00:53:25] Oh, you. Sorry. I love how prepared you are. Like.
Kristen: [00:53:28] Like I have answers for the. Well, I just like. Yeah, I have answers for these questions. I think it was 2 or 3 Christmases ago. Uh, like December 23rd. I think it was. I was Mike and I were getting ready for bed and not often are we online that late at night, but I just so happen to be and I saw our neighbor had posted an update that somebody had tried to break into their house and just to be cautious. So I mentioned this to Mike, like, oh, Jackie said this whatever. And he thought, well, I'll just go out and lock up the woodshed just because we've got some tools and kayaks and stuff in there. And he took with him a lead pipe that we had been gifted for our wedding, you know, traditional wedding gift. And once he got out there, realized that there were, in fact, footprints that came out of the woods from our neighbor's house that led up to our woodshed. So there was somebody in the woodshed close to midnight. Uh, and there was an altercation, to say the least. This is a very long story if I tell it in its entirety. But essentially, Mike was like, I know you're in there. I have a lead pipe. And buddy was like, well, I have an axe and I'm going to kill your family. So Mike starts screaming at him like very profanity, like, insert every curse word you've ever heard in your life into strung together. That's he said, and then very gently was like, dear, can you call 911.
Christina: [00:55:00] God.
Kristen: [00:55:01] So I did, uh, called 911 and they arrived. You know what felt like a year later, but was probably just a couple of minutes and eventually had to wrestle this guy to the ground. And like Mike had pushed him down. He did not have an axe, thank God. He was very high on some type of drug, maybe a colonoscopy drug. Who knows, maybe right?
Christina: [00:55:26] Maybe he had just had a colonoscopy.
Kristen: [00:55:28] Maybe he had just had. Yeah, so in hind-sight.
Christina: [00:55:34] Good one, score. Here's the clip.
Christina: [00:55:38] That's the clip right here.
Kristen: [00:55:39] Let's end it here.
Christina: [00:55:40] That's the promotional clip right there, which won't make sense to most people unless they listen to the whole episode.
Kristen: [00:55:44] But it'll get generate some curiosity perhaps. But yeah, having somebody say that they're going to rob you and kill you with an axe at midnight before Christmas was. That was probably my scariest moment yet.
Christina: [00:55:56] Okay, so we need to add to our recap of the colonoscopy stories we shared earlier that you need to have someone keeping an eye on you. Maybe lock yourself in a room for a couple of days. Otherwise, you run the risk of being the guy or the gal that threatens to kill somebody with an axe.
Kristen: [00:56:14] It's, it's a very real, uh, after after effect potential.
Christina: [00:56:19] That's fucking terrifying. That is a terrifying story that that's. Yeah. I can't relate to that particular experience.
Kristen: [00:56:27] Yeah.
Christina: [00:56:28] Okay.
Kristen: [00:56:28] Well, I'm glad to hear that.
Christina: [00:56:30] Yeah. Me too. Me too. Um, okay. What would I have to do to you or Mike for you not to want to be friends with me anymore?
Kristen: [00:56:46] My mic like my microphone or my husband.
Christina: [00:56:50] Your husband, I mean, I and it's not an expensive mic. Uh, I would say, Mike your husband. Yeah.
Kristen: [00:57:01] What would you have to do?
Christina: [00:57:02] What would I have to do?
Kristen: [00:57:04] Like to.
Christina: [00:57:05] Like, what's the non-murdery thing that I would do that you'd be like, you know what? Maybe we shouldn't be friends with Christina. Maybe still Dale, but, like, let's cool it with Christina. I just want to know so that I just don't do that thing.
Kristen: [00:57:19] We certainly have not reached our threshold of of, like, going pushing boundaries with our friendship. I don't know that I have that with you, actually. Like you, we really are. Like, we look alike. We're kind of. I don't know, you feel like family to me now. So I guess maybe, like, if you broke his arm and he couldn't play music and write me little love notes and stuff, I'd be pretty upset about that.
Christina: [00:57:47] But what if it was an accident?
Kristen: [00:57:50] Well, accidents happen. Yeah. Accidents happen. I'd forgive you for that. Yeah, I guess the breaking his arm. Well, yeah, that would be the. That's the limit.
Christina: [00:58:00] Okay, okay.
Kristen: [00:58:01] Like a pinky finger or something is. Yeah, that's doable.
Christina: [00:58:04] What about you? Like, if I broke your arm? Because that would affect what you do as well as a visual artist and probably, you know, typing. And are you still like me? If if I did that.
Kristen: [00:58:16] I think.
Kristen: [00:58:17] I'd still think I'd still like you.
Christina: [00:58:19] Yeah. Cool, cool.
Kristen: [00:58:20] I think I yeah, I have like a deep I have a deep love for you. So it's take a lot.
Christina: [00:58:26] Thank you. This is good. This is good. Okay, let's let's get into the promo world here. Where? Where can my little heartbeat listeners find you online if they, uh. Now I want to I will say we have an episode with you and Mike, uh, that people can listen to, which, um, they should, uh, but just just forget about Mike. That he even exists. Um, except for the podcast, what are the places that people need to go to help you.
Kristen: [00:58:55] My website, KristenHerringtonArt.com has most links to other things. I'm one of those people that has like 17 different places you can find me, but that's kind of the central hub that will have everything else that connects to Curiosity Club or the podcast or my gallery. Everything's sort of there. I'm Kristen Herrington, underscore or Dot art, sorry. KristenHerrington.art on Instagram and CuriosityClubCreative is where you can find more info on the second round of The Artist's Way that we're going to be hosting, and tickets to that secret show that we're putting on for the Town Heroes in June.
Christina: [00:59:34] I think I want to sign up for the, the second round of The Artist's Way because, you know, I said I was going to start it again, but I don't need to do it by myself. I think I just it'd be cool to I think I should support that.
Kristen: [00:59:47] We'd be absolutely thrilled to have you. And it really does make a difference. Having a community, a group to to push through it. You're less likely to skip things.
Christina: [00:59:57] I might still skip no I won't, I won't skip, I won't skip. Yeah, you're right. It's like going to a workout class where it's like you're not going to leave halfway through. Um, but, uh. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Um, we are working on an event together, and I haven't told anybody really about it except my mom and, um, Dale and my band, maybe a string quartet. Um, and I think I think we should announce it here and now and then people can go and start buying tickets to, like. What do you think?
Kristen: [01:00:29] I think that's brilliant and feel honored to be part of the official launch of this.
Christina: [01:00:34] This is okay, like I don't I'm not prepared here. Like, all I, I'm I'm nervous. I'm nervous to even say it out loud. Like I'm, I'm nervous that nobody will come. But I know that's not true. Um, it's just, uh, it's just, I don't know, I. Okay, here we go. You ready? Okay.
Kristen: [01:00:53] Okay. Yes.
Christina: [01:00:54] Okay. So if you remember, if you recall, I put out an album last year called Storm. Okay? And I, we've been overseas, but we haven't played in Halifax, which is my biggest market. Most of my fans live in HRM. So I've been thinking about this for years and leading up to this moment where I can announce that my full band and a string quartet are going to perform for the first time ever. All the songs from the album storm at Alderney Landing Theatre. But that's not it. That is not it. Because we have special guests emceeing and then hosting a live Q&A podcast, live podcast, Q&A, Mike and Kristen, the podcast for like the half of the entire show. Okay. And you are also event managing. This is like a big fucking deal.
Kristen: [01:01:59] I'm just going to bring a bunch of different hats and put them on for whatever role I'm playing that day. But yeah, I am so proud of you. You have put I, I can say this about you, so I'm going to do my little follow up to this promo and say, September 6th is going to be a very special day at Alderney Landing, because I know how much of your heart and soul and energy and blood, sweat and tears you put into just a single spreadsheet, much less a show of this caliber. There are lighting effects, there are accessibility considerations. You have brought together the most beautiful, talented band and visual artists, right down to the spacing on your poster. Every detail has been considered, and I know this will be more than just a concert, like it's going to be a full experience and having the audience be able to participate at the end and really ask of you the questions that they might have. And Mike and I facilitating. That is something I've never seen done before, at least not here in Halifax. So I just know that it's going to be unique, and I hope that we just pack that room full of lovely faces there for you.
Christina: [01:03:10] Oh my God, I'm so fucking excited. I'm so excited I think I mean I it's it's like two, two separate excitements. I'm excited to do the show with the band and the quartet and uh, we have lighting, uh, lighting design and video design by Mackenzie Cornfield. She is a Halifax artist who I've never worked with her before, and I'm just so delighted and excited to be collaborating with her. Um, there's that excitement for that. And then I'm equally and in a more chill way because I, like, just get to sit down and hang out with y'all like you and Mike. I'm I will be in ecstasy to sit down with you and Mike and just breathe and chill and, like, chat and answer questions and interact with my fans. And if I can call them that, if there are any out there. Um, I've just. And then I'm excited to go home and go to bed at the end of that night.
Kristen: [01:04:12] Yes, all, all of those checkpoints mean something. I can totally relate. I think the moment of the kickoff of that Q&A portion is going to be really, really special because I know that you will be in that heightened adrenaline state that performers often experience after a show, and then it's going to be a total shift of just kind of, as you said, chilling out, taking a seat and kind of like allowing the audience to do the work at that point, or for Mike and I to to just guide you through some of that Q&A. It's going to be a roller coaster for you a little bit.
Christina: [01:04:49] I'm gonna, and then I can retire. I'm just going to retire. At that moment. I will announce my retirement. How about that?
Kristen: [01:04:54] Yeah, that's another retirement party.
Christina: [01:04:57] It's this is a pre-announcement to an announcement that we're going to make September 6th at Alderney Landing Theatre. Oh, my God, I'm so excited. Thank you so much for supporting me on this adventure. And I'm so excited for you and Mike to be there and be a part of it. And, um, I have a I have prepared a special goodbye statement for for you. Can I read it?
Kristen: [01:05:18] Oh, yes.
Christina: [01:05:19] Okay. I wrote this this morning, so it's deep. Okay. Kristen. It is often the case with my dearest friends that I cannot remember when we first met. Perhaps it is because we've always known each other. I know right?
Kristen: [01:05:39] Okay, I'll cry.
Christina: [01:05:42] And therefore it's safe to assume that we will never say goodbye. And if we..I know. Right. Like I just came up with this this morning.
Kristen: [01:05:52] And there's more songwriter ladies and gentlemen,
Christina: [01:05:55] There is the more... And if we do say goodbye, we sure as hell won't remember it. Uh, you bring people together and you make them feel special. It's also safe to assume that you will live a long and happy life as a result of the experiences you foster for yourself and others on your deathbed. I picture you smiling and peacefully drugged, surrounded by dozens of friends and family, and a line up of people taking tickets just to get to spend five last minutes with you. I love you. Keep kicking ass.
Kristen: [01:06:34] Wow. I know right?
Kristen: [01:06:37] That that is a tribute. If I have ever heard one. And you know, I plan to die on my 100th birthday so we can maybe start selling tickets for that date in the future now.
Christina: [01:06:50] Did you already book your aassisted death meeting for this? Uh, because.
Kristen: [01:06:56] This is my plan. I want to blow out my candles and then just kind of, like, lay in my cake and, like, maybe lick a little bit of icing, and that's it.
Christina: [01:07:04] I'll be there. I'll be there. And you listen, I'll bring my little speech.
Kristen: [01:07:08] Yeah.
Christina: [01:07:09] I'll play my funeral song. And, uh, I'm already. I'm not, I mean, I yeah, it's gonna be great. It's gonna. Be great.
Kristen: [01:07:17] It'll be great. It'll be great. So we've got Christina's show September 6th and my death party June 9th. Way in the future.
Christina: [01:07:25] Yeah. Oh, my god. And our birthdays are two days apart.
Kristen: [01:07:28] Yeah. Great. Gemini or Gemini's? Yeah, yeah, this is us.
Christina: [01:07:32] Dale just bought me an espresso machine.
Kristen: [01:07:35] Ah, early birthday gift. I got some new plants. Mike got me some plants already for the gallery for a birthday, a pre-birthday present. Yeah.
Christina: [01:07:44] That's sweet, that's sweet.
Christina: [01:07:45] So we need a little heartbeat listener to get you that, that coffee mug heater.
Kristen: [01:07:50] Yes.
Christina: [01:07:50] And that's how we'll end this podcast episode.
Kristen: [01:07:54] Which is great. That's my birthday list.
Christina: [01:07:57] We've got a registry for both of our birthdays. Uh, we got KristenandChristinabuyusshit.ca.
Kristen: [01:08:06] I cannot wait to see the show notes for this episode.
Christina: [01:08:10] Oh, boy.
Kristen: [01:08:11] Thank you,
Christina: [01:08:11] I love you. That was fun.
Song 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You': [01:08:22] It's love. I don't want to say goodbye to you. I don't want to say goodbye to you.
Heartbeat Hotline: [01:08:37] Welcome to the Heartbeat Hotline 1-902-669-4769. I'm the host of a Chat with Heart podcast, Christina Martin, and I'm so excited you called. Leave me your question, suggestion for the podcast or a comment about this episode. Please be aware your message may be used on the podcast and social media. Tell me your name, where you're calling from and it's also fine if you want to remain anonymous. Thanks for listening. Have a great fucking day!
Christina: [01:09:09] Thanks for listening to a Chat with Heart podcast produced by me, Christina Martin. Co-produced and engineered by my husband, Dale Murray. Dale's a stellar singer, songwriter and music producer, so check out his website dalemurray.ca. Podcast theme song 'Talk About It' and 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You' were written by me and recorded by Dale. Visit my Bandcamp to find a CDs, vinyl, digital music, and fun merch like custom made puzzles and temporary tattoo packs. Become a monthly or yearly supporter of this podcast and my music endeavors on Patreon. If you're new to Patreon, it's a membership platform that helps creators get paid. I love it! Sign up is a free or paid member at Patreon.com/ChristinaMartin. I would love it if you had time to share rate, leave a review and subscribe to a Chat with Heart on all the places you listen to podcasts. Wishing you, my little heartbeat listeners, a great day.
