Why does money feel so emotional for creatives? In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with licensed therapist and lifelong creative Amy Dykes (MS, APC, NCC, E-YRT) to unpack financial anxiety, avoidance, and the deeply ingrained starving artist narrative.

• Why so many creatives struggle with fear, shame, and avoidance around money
• How family upbringing and cultural narratives shape our relationship with finances
• The emotional toll of rejection and inconsistent income on self-worth
• Why avoidance is often a nervous system response, not laziness or failure
• The damaging impact of the “starving artist” myth
• How perfectionism shows up in financial habits
• Practical ways to identify limiting money beliefs
• Journaling prompts and mindfulness tools to build financial self-awareness

• Find more about Amy’s counseling here.
• Download Amy’s Money Mindset Mini Journal here!
• Sign up for The Direct Deposit, our free weekly recap newsletter
• Download the 5 Things Financial Checklist and other free tools
• Explore more about us at www.showbizpod.com

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo

College is often framed as the finish line before a creative career begins, but for most artists, it’s actually the starting point. In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with current BFA student Ruby Wolter to talk about what school doesn’t teach artists about money, business, and long-term sustainability.

• Why college is the beginning of your career, not a waiting room
• How Ruby turned her own college audition experience into a coaching business
• When a “fun Instagram account” becomes a real income stream
• The reality that auditioning is unpaid labor and how to financially plan for it
• Why being a multi-hyphenate is a strategic choice, not a fallback
• Letting go of the starving artist mentality early and building sustainability from the start

• Follow Ruby Wolter and RubyInRehearsal
• Ruby’s book: The Audition Chronicles
• Sign up for The Direct Deposit, our free weekly recap newsletter
• Download the 5 Things Financial Checklist and other free tools
• Explore more episodes at www.showbizpod.com

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Do you actually need extreme budgets and perfectly curated New Year’s resolutions to “be good with money”? Or is there another way to reset your finances that actually works for creatives?

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down how to approach money in the New Year without shame, pressure, or unrealistic expectations. For a mindset reset + tangible steps you can actually stick to, give it a listen.

• How to reflect on last year’s spending without guilt or shame
• What a “financial reset” really means (and what it doesn’t)
• Realistic budgeting strategies for freelancers and artists
• How to save money with inconsistent or seasonal income
• Setting financial goals that fit your lifestyle - not TikTok’s
• Why progress over perfection is the key to better money habits

• Sign up for The Direct Deposit - our free weekly recap newsletter!
• 5 Things Financial Checklist + other free tools to organize your money
• Free Budget Tracker Spreadsheet
• Be sure to check out our budgeting & savings episodes!
• Submit a topic idea or guest pitch at www.showbizpod.com

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo