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Jessica Payne

Creator's Cafe Episode 37: Rachel Lee: Bold Branding

Published 4 months ago • 2 min read
Happy Friday Reader,
​
There once was a creator named Jess
Who had Covid and was such a mess
her writing so sick
it comes out in limerick
to send you these links, thank you, bless!
​
Just kidding (kind of). But though I'm back at it, I've been reflecting on the transparency my guest Rachel Lee brings to everything she does. If you see a few seconds of a clip of her, you might think she's this badass creative who's curated an off the charts nerdy-cool-girl aesthetic. And you're right. But it's not a front, not something she has to force herself to step up to, even in "potato mode" as we discuss and I'm living in. She's dug into who she really is and what she cares about, and found that being deeply and aggressively herself is what gives her work power.
​
This week I've been sick. Like air mattress in the living room sick. I've missed out on some pretty cool opportunities, on seeing people I adore, and had to pull back on a project I've been developing. It's a bummer, and it's the kind of loop that threatens to discourage and depress. But then I remember:
  • 3 years ago when I had Covid the first time, and (remotely) got a new agent that week.
  • 12 years ago when the subway in NY made me an hour late to an audition, so I almost turned around, but wound up booking one of my favorite jobs ever. (after being asked to sing R&B, rap, and improvise hip hop dance. It was - terrifying and glorious).
  • 6 years ago today, when I donated 2/3rds of my liver and found out what 10/10 pain really feels like, but then got to look in my mom's eyes and realize she got more time (3 more years!).
  • 2 days ago Karen doordashed me Chinese takeout from Michigan (and Kyle's kept me rich in soup and toast) and I felt wrapped in love.
It's not that some seasons don't suck. They do.
​
It's that sometimes you can go to your favorite cafe and look like hell and see your favorite people who love you and accept you just as you are. And you can acknowledge that your current spot is painful, and shitty, and reeeeeally not what you want it to be and love and accept yourself just as you are. And if you're brave like Rachel Lee, you take that messy acceptance public, to give other creators a roadmap to finding the best parts of themselves in the mess.
​
-with love and kleenexes, Jessica

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​Theme Music: Our theme music is composed and performed by Kyle deTarnowsky.​

Jessica Payne

Actor, Host of "Creator's Cafe", CEO of Kika Labs

Hi! I'm an actor and host of "Creator's Cafe" podcast, available on YouTube and all of your favorite podcast apps. Subscribe for links to the podcast, and for information on getting more comfortable creating on camera!

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