At 18 years old, Allie was traveling the world, sleeping under the stars in remote jungles, and beginning to fall in love with poetry. But it wasn't until she wrote her first book that she began to realize the profound impact that words could have. Over the years, she began to fully dedicate herself to her writing: saying no opportunities, releasing the 'influencer' identity, and committing herself to the difficult process of writing novels.

In this episode of Musings, we follow along on that journey and learn what it truly takes to devote yourself to your art and let it reshape you. She shares about: finding belonging through books, creating timeless art beyond social media, giving up everything to pursue her dreams, staying devoted when it's hard, and the nuances of writing compelling fiction novels.

Thank you for being here 🤍

Continue the Journey in "The Art of Life"

my Substack space for deeper essays, creative practices, behind-the-scenes reflections, and inspiration for creating a life that feels like your own.

🌿 Join The Art of Life → https://chelseaputnam.substack.com/

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0:00 Begin

3:36 Traveling the World at 18 years old & Writing Poetry

7:50 Finding Belonging Through Books & Imagination

11:01 Becoming a Writer & Publishing Her First Book

13:00 Creating Meaningful Art Beyond Social Media

18:46 Protecting the Sacredness of Creativity

22:10 The Craft of Poetry & Finding Your Voice

24:47 Giving Up Everything to Pursue Her Dreams

30:12 Don’t Be a 'Ghost-Writer' of Your Own Life

36:08 Poem: "Maybe You're Not Tired"

37:16 Reclaiming Beauty & Being Fully Yourself

43:05 Remembering the Preciousness of Life

43:49 The Power of Fiction: Writing a World Into Existence

47:06 Devotion, Imagination & the Mystery of Storytelling

54:11 How to Keep Going When Creativity Gets Difficult

56:31 3 Writing Tips for Emotionally Compelling Fiction

58:10 Why We Keep Choosing What We Love

1:00:59 Poem: "Life in Reverse"

1:00:40 End

Connect with Allie Michelle:

Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/alliemichellel/

New Poetry Book "Don't Wait to Light the Candles" -- https://www.harpercollins.com/products/dont-wait-to-light-the-candles-allie-michelle

Substack -- https://substack.com/@alliemichellel

Musings Original Score by:

Nicolette Shwarzman

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step into my world ~

T H E A R T O F L I F E

A library of films, essays, and guided practices on creativity, becoming, and creating a life that feels like your own:

Join → https://chelseaputnam.substack.com/

M U S I N G S

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5dPJ899rZSkWjHk9506Uft?si=ffcc818cb60d4e6b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/musings/id1887389555

M A D E O N E A R T H

A documentary film series, that through the lives of artists, reveals the irreplaceable nature of human creativity and how we can each find fulfillment.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfhKAMFivYv9V8EG4jlEfIH23WsrNxFj8

W R I T I N G

Newsletter + Substack:

https://chelseaputnam.substack.com

S O C I A L S

https://www.instagram.com/chelsearoseputnam/

https://www.chelseaputnam.com

Our world often glorifies speed, but the creative process cannot be rushed. And because of this, as artists, there can be a great tussle between the desire to produce more/faster and the need to slow down and listen to what is asking to come through us. In this episode, I share about just that. Through my own experiences of learning to surrender timelines and prioritize getting it ‘right’ over getting it done quickly, I reflect on the importance of going at your own pace.

I share: the reality of divine timing, how let go of expectations, listen to what your art is asking of you, become the person you’re meant to through the creative process, and reclaim your pace in a world obsessed with speed.

As creatives, we all know that sensation of falling behind. In a culture that prioritizes output and speed, there is often little room for the time it takes to create something truly masterful. But there are hidden gifts in art that takes a long time (or really anything you create in the world).

In this episode, I share about that scary process of surrendering expectations and timelines to the vision that is coming through you. Through my own experience, I explore: the reality of divine timing, how to listen to what your art is asking of you, become the person you’re meant to through the creative process, and reclaim your pace in a world obsessed with speed.

Continue the Journey in "The Art of Life"

my Substack space for deeper essays, creative practices, behind-the-scenes reflections, and inspiration for creating a life that feels like your own.

🌿 Join The Art of Life → https://chelseaputnam.substack.com/

Thank you for being here 🤍

_______

0:00 Begin

1:40 Great Art Takes Time

2:33 When Things Take Longer than You Expect

5:30 Slowing Down & Listening What's Coming Through

9:27 Why it Takes So Long: Art Changes Us

12:32 Reclaiming Your Pace in a World Obsessed with Speed

17:04 Guided Meditation for Surrendering Expectations

24:09 Exciting News: The Art of Life

24:58 End

Musings Original Score by:

Nicolette Shwarzman

_______

step into my world ~

T H E A R T O F L I F E

A library of films, essays, and guided practices on creativity, becoming, and creating a life that feels like your own:

Join → https://chelseaputnam.substack.com/

M U S I N G S

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5dPJ899rZSkWjHk9506Uft?si=ffcc818cb60d4e6b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/musings/id1887389555

M A D E O N E A R T H

A documentary film series, that through the lives of artists, reveals the irreplaceable nature of human creativity and how we can each find fulfillment.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfhKAMFivYv9V8EG4jlEfIH23WsrNxFj8

W R I T I N G

Newsletter + Substack:

https://chelseaputnam.substack.com

S O C I A L S

https://www.instagram.com/chelsearoseputnam/

https://www.chelseaputnam.com

Life is not just about what we do, but how we do it. And many years ago, when I found myself burned out by the outcome-oriented pursuit of my purpose, creativity found me… and everything changed.

Amidst a world that encourages us to push harder and strive for outcomes - the creative process opens a door to a deeper way of being. It asks us to look within, to open our eyes to life’s inspiration, to surrender timelines, to embody relentless devotion, and to listen to what life is asking of us. Creativity is not just for the people who deem themselves ‘artists’, but for everyone. Because it shows us how to approach the masterpiece of our own lives in a better way.

So, in this second episode of M U S I N G S we'll explore: the transformation of productivity-thinking to creative living, making space for inspiration, the intelligence of the creative ideas that come to us, making meaning of our unique perspectives, cultivating a daily relationship to creativity, and a little guided meditation to settle into your moment and discover newfound inspiration.

Thank you for being here 🤍

0:00 Begin

1:22 Creativity Goes Beyond Just Making Things

2:49 A Turning Point: From Productivity to Creativity

5:20 How Inspiration Finds Us

6:29 Art's Intelligence: Your Ideas Aren’t an Accident

10:24 Making Art Shapes How We Live

11:30 Creativity is a Way of Life

12:34 The Art of Noticing

13:32 Making Meaning of our Lives

16:42 Cultivating a Daily Relationship to Creativity

20:56 Guided Meditation: The Art of Being

33:55 End

Musings Original Score by:

Nicolette Shwarzman

My friend's poetry book mentioned in episode

"Don't Wait to Light the Candles"

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/dont-wait-to-light-the-candles-allie-michelle?variant=44262764806178

_______

step into my world ~

M U S I N G S

Watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaPutnam

M A D E O N E A R T H

A documentary film series, that through the lives of artists, reveals the irreplaceable nature of human creativity and how we can each find fulfillment.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfhKAMFivYv9V8EG4jlEfIH23WsrNxFj8

W R I T I N G

Newsletter + Substack:

https://chelseaputnam.substack.com

S O C I A L S

https://www.instagram.com/chelsearoseputnam/

https://www.chelseaputnam.com

This is the place where every great adventure begins: our inner world. This episode is about the art of crafting a life you love, from the inside out. In a world that emphasizes the external, it is an invitation to turn inwards - to the place where true change happens.

I share: my journey of struggling to find myself, discovering meditation, and how I used the moments of illumination that came from sitting in silence to craft the life I didn't know I wanted.

This is the first chapter in my new sit-down series:

M U S I N G S

a podcast for the in-between moments, the quiet afternoons, and the bursts of inspiration.

Each episode is a window into the journey of living a meaningful life from the inside out. Together we’ll explore creativity, presence, and the art of crafting a life that is truly yours.

0:00 Begin

1:38 Welcome to Musings

2:24 The Inner World: Where Our Lives are Shaped

5:03 My Story: Childhood, Feeling Lost, Finding My Path

8:00 The Moment My Life Changed

9:40 Finding Something Deeper than Circumstance

12:03 Shaping a Life You Love, From the Inside Out

13:59 Letting Go of Who You're Not

15:19 Becoming Your Own Best Friend

17:27 In a World That Looks Outward, Go Within

20:48 A Guided Meditation

31:58 End

Musings Original Score by:

Nicolette Shwarzman

_______

step into my world ~

M U S I N G S

Watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaPutnam

M A D E O N E A R T H

A documentary film series, that through the lives of artists, reveals the irreplaceable nature of human creativity and how we can each find fulfillment.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfhKAMFivYv9V8EG4jlEfIH23WsrNxFj8

W R I T I N G

Newsletter + Substack:

https://chelseaputnam.substack.com

S O C I A L S

https://www.instagram.com/chelsearoseputnam/

https://www.chelseaputnam.com

Welcome to Musings

A sit down series, a place to reflect, to get inspired, and to come home to yourself.

This is a podcast for the in-between moments, the bursts of inspiration for your morning walks, and the questions in your heart that ask to be answered.

Each episode is a window into the journey of living a meaningful life, from the inside out. Together we’ll explore creativity, presence, self discovery, and the art of crafting a life that is truly yours.

Some episodes will be reflections with just me, and others will be conversations with friends.

Each one is an invitation,

To slow down,

To tune in,

And to return to what truly matters.

Thank you for being here.

with love,

Chelsea

Musings, Original Song Composed by:

Nicolette Shwarzman

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step into my world:

Substack/Newsletter: https://chelseaputnam.substack.com/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@chelseaputnam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsearoseputnam/

Website: https://www.chelseaputnam.com

Documentary Series on Creativity: https://www.chelseaputnam.com/made-on-earth