Episodes
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Trying to move forward but feeling sloggy or stuck?
1. Do something easy.
2. Do something nice.
3. Do something hard.And repeat until unstuck.
Would love to know if you try this out...!
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Meet the author of an inspiring new book I devoured in two days...
Kara Cutruzzula talks to author and freelance writer Alyssa Ages, whose debut book Secrets of Giants is a deep dive into the science and psychology of why pushing our physical limits is so impactful — and a personal look at her own experience training for strongman competitions. Big moments include 5:30 a.m. workouts, the challenges of telling your own story, how coaches give her necessary external accountability, and why being strong makes you feel you can do anything. Plus, powdered bone broth!
Where to Find AlyssaBuy Secrets of Giants
Amazon
Bookshop
Penguin Random HouseAlyssa's website
https://www.alyssaages.com
Show Notes00:23 Alyssa's Morning Routine
01:07 Building a Garage Gym
01:21 The Journey to Competitive Strongman Competitions
03:59 The Impact of Strength Training on, Well, Everything
06:04 Writing Process and Challenges
13:37 Alyssa's Nighttime Routine
13:52 The Importance of a Coach
19:05 The Book Writing and Publishing Experience
Mentions
Bone Brewhouse Instant Chicken Bone BrothDo It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Missing episodes?
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Special collaboration episode today with the wonderful Aransas Savas and The Uplifters Podcast! Aransas is a wellbeing and leadership coach, and her podcast highlights inspiring women and mindset techniques to create your biggest life. We talk about our weekly "Virtual Friday Therapy Runs," our creative practices and routines, closing open loops and finding deep work blocks, exercises from Do It (or Don't), avoiding overwork and burnout, and much more.
Where to Find Aransas:Subscribe to The Uplifters Podcast
https://www.theuplifterspodcast.com/
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Website: https://www.aransassavas.com/
Show Notes00:02 Introduction
00:50 Defining an Uplifter
01:36 Introducing The Uplifters Podcast
02:36 The Power of Friendship and Regular Check-ins
07:50 Importance of Self-Care and Relationships
09:45 The Power of Choice and Setting Boundaries
12:03 Being a High-Capacity Person and Managing Overwhelm
13:38 The Role of Acceptance and Trust in Maintaining Flow
24:31 Self-Respect and Setting Boundaries
25:55 Admiration and Journaling
26:20 Planning and Procrastination
26:34 Podcast Growth and Challenges
27:34 Overcoming Hesitation
29:05 Reframing Sponsorship and Taking Action
31:25 The Importance of Sounding Boards
34:54 Planning and Prioritizing Tasks
36:42 Closing Open Loops and Time Management
39:55 Revisiting and Revamping To-Do Lists
43:25 The Power of Community and Activation
Do It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Hi friends! This conversation inspired me so much. I have a feeling Florencia's journey and persistence will inspire you, too...
Kara Cutruzzula talks to Florencia Iriondo, a writer, performer, and showrunner, about her new one-woman musical South. Big moments include leaving the corporate world to pursue theater full-time, putting up the show, and lessons learned along the way. She shares how her ingenious "alarm strategy" — and watching Tick Tick Boom! — help organize her day. They also dive into the importance of deadlines, and Florencia's big goal of making a living from producing her own work.
Buy tickets to South at SoHo Playhouse until Nov. 15
Florencia's website
Show Notes
00:01 Introduction
01:01 The Role of Food in Florencia's Show
02:15 The Evolution of South
04:55 Florencia's Personal Journey and Career Transition
06:39 The Challenges and Rewards of Self-Producing
12:40 Florencia's Dual Identity and Skill Transferability
15:54 Florencia's Daily Schedule and Pre-Show Rituals
20:37 Florencia's Future Goals and Aspirations
Do It Today is created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to Sara Wordsworth, a musical storyteller who has created shows for Broadway, television, arenas, cruise ships, and theme parks around the world. Big moments include making time for herself in the early hours of the morning, how to continue being vulnerable in your work, seeing feedback as a gift, and more.
More about Sara on her website!
Fun mentions in the episode:
BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre WorkshopJulia Cameron's book, The Artist's WayDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating JournalBuy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to professional organizer and coach Linda Samuels, founder of Oh, So Organized! and author of The Other Side of Organized, who facilitates change in her clients' lives. Big moments include creating a "success check-in" for the summer, advice for clearing a path for the new season, and why a slow start to her day is essential.
Follow Linda and find more about her work:
WebsiteBlogThe Other Side of Organized book NewsletterInstagram @lindasamuelsFacebookLinkedInDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal — out Sept. 12!Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to Kat Jackson, the senior director of Audible Studios, who has worked in the storytelling space for two decades and oversees all production in the U.S. as well as Canada, Latin America and Brazil. She's also an educator, mother of two, and fierce Tough Mudder competitor. Big moments include how she found a career she loves, why "being good enough isn't good enough," how audiobooks encourage accessibility, and the inspiration and gratitude you experience while competing in an eight-hour obstacle course.
Find your next favorite book on Audible!
The Meaning of Mariah Carey, written and read by Mariah CareyBorn a Crime, written and read by Trevor NoahI Can’t Make This Up, written and read by Kevin HartFun people, stuff, and books mentioned:
An assortment of things is called a klondike, according to Kat's grandma!Charles de Montebello, owner of CDM Sound StudiosMaysoon Zayid, comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocateFind a Tough Mudder event near youThe Tough Mudder Holy GrailAmelia Boone, obstacle racer and endurance athleteSean Corvelle, Tough Mudder start line MC and motivational speakerDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating JournalBuy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aegean Chan, who opened her own practice in Santa Barbara, California, has published in medical journals, and runs one of my favorite Instagram accounts with skincare advice. Big moments include balancing parenting with her career, her social media cutoff time, creating realistic to-do lists, and treating responsibilities like glass balls and plastic balls—and accepting you can't always juggle them all.
Visit Aegean's websiteFollow Aegean on Instagram @DrAegeanChan Aegean's practice, California Dermatology GroupDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating JournalBuy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks with author Michelle Wildgen, whose newest book Wine People was published August 1. She's the editor of the food writing anthology Food & Booze, and the former executive editor of the literary journal Tin House. Michelle is also a freelance editor and creative writing teacher and co-runs the Madison Writers' Studio with novelist Susanna Daniel.
Big moments include being in a no-reading writers' group, her hot take on prescriptive advice, the magic of a blank-page revision, field trips for Wine People, and why pasta is almost always the answer.
More about Michelle:
https://www.michellewildgen.com/
Buy Wine People, published by Zibby Books, on Amazon and Bookshop
Fun stuff mentioned:
Madison Writers' Studio — they have virtual and hybrid sessions!"Thoughts on Editing and Being Edited" in Tin House"A Practice Guide to Starting a Group of Your Own" in Poets & WritersChloe Benjamin's The Immortalists (Buy on Bookshop)The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at University of Wisconsin-MadisonDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating JournalBuy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to Tony Award-winning producer, manager, and educator Erica Rotstein, who's currently represented on Broadway as a co-producer of Parade and Just For Us. Big moments include embracing radical candor, the idea of emergent strategy and being able to pivot your plans, and why she wants to build all of her work around relationships.
More about Erica Rotstein
http://ericarotstein.com/
Take workshops on producing theater with Erica and her Business of Broadway partners Rachel Sussman, Heather Shields, and Sammy Lopez. (They're wonderful!)
https://www.thebusinessofbroadway.com/
Shows, books, and resources mentioned:
The musical The Appointment at WP TheaterBroadway-bound musical Water for Elephants, directed by Jessica StoneThe book Radical Candor by Kim ScottEmergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown Author, poet, and activist Sonya Renee TaylorDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to Dorie Clark, a keynote speaker, consultant, and author of four books, most recently The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. Dorie is also a musical theater lyricist and member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop (where we met!). Big moments include a new fitness routine and myofunctional therapy, the power of four-way wins, how she uses forcing functions to make progress on her musical, and more.
More about Dorie Clark
https://dorieclark.com/
Follow Dorie on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec/
Buy The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World
https://dorieclark.com/books/
Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut -
Kara talks to actor, singer, and writer Samantha Massell, who is starring as researcher Rosalind Franklin in the world premiere of the new musical Double Helix by Madeline Myers. Big moments include the four-year journey of Double Helix, treating creative projects like they're non-negotiable, her script for saying "no," and how plants and word puzzles create the structure of her day.
More about Samantha:
Visit her websiteFollow Sam on Instagram @smassellsingsDouble Helix tells the story of the race to discover the structure of DNA in the 1950s and follows the brilliant young researcher, Rosalind Franklin, as she contends with adversity, anti-semitism, and love to uncover one of life's great mysteries.
Buy tickets for Double Helix, running May 30-June 18 at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New YorkNew York Times article: Untangling Rosalind Franklin’s Role in DNA Discovery, 70 Years OnAnd Sam uses the app Planta to create her plant schedule!Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to certified professional organizer Julie Bestry, an expert in all aspects of organizing and time management, who writes articles and teaches seminars on how organizing can make your life more functional. Big moments include creating time blocks for your most meaningful work, her 1-2-3 system for moving through the day, and letting go of the stress, shame, and overwhelm of not doing "enough."
More about Julie:
Visit Julie Bestry's websiteJulie's article on Body Doubling for ProductivityJulie turned the tables and interviewed me!Now Is the Right Time to Declare Bankruptcy on Your ProjectsDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to screenwriter and author David Koepp, who's written or co-written the screenplays for over 30 films, from Death Becomes Her and Jurassic Park to Mission: Impossible and his latest film Kimi. He's also a director and has written two novels, Cold Storage and Aurora, both of which are being adapted into films. Big moments include reworking a draft, how to respond to notes you may not agree with, and his method for fighting the number one enemy of work.
Visit David Koepp's website
Read his Script Archive
Buy Cold Storage
Buy Aurora
Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to author, speaker, and personal finance expert Erin Lowry, who helps broke millennials get their financial lives together. Big moments include how to do a deep dive with your money, managing wildly variable income as a creative or self-employed person, and bucketing your accounts to reach your financial goals.
More about Erin:Buy Erin Lowry's Broke Millennial books
Subscribe to her Substack
Follow her on Instagram
Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of three motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Pre-order Do It (or Don't): A Boundary-Creating Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to author, TV writer, and journalist Carrie Seim about her day. Big moments include the release of The Flying Flamingo Sisters 2, how she overcame setbacks on her "wild and weird" creative path, why everyone needs lifeguard friends in their corner, her secret to finishing drafts, and how working on a gigantic project is like building a canoe. (Yes, a canoe!)
More about Carrie: https://carrieseim.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ckseim
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriekseim/
The Flying Flamingo Sisters 2, Carrie's brand-new sequelThe Flying Flamingo Sisters, the bestselling Audible seriesCarrie's wonderful novel Horse GirlCarrie's New York Times article about people taking a creative hiatus (including the canoe story)And the canoe builder himself, Trent Preszler, whose excellent memoir is Little and OftenThe art of the TKThe Groundlings Theatre & School in Los Angeles
Mentions in the episode:Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Wallace about his day. Big moments include working on the arrangements for a new musical adaptation of Animal Farm, how he avoids over-analyzing and gets stuff done, the faith that guides his creative vision, and more.
More about Steve: https://stevewallacemusic.com/
Twitter: @stevewstudio
Instagram: @stevewstudio1
A developmental production of Animal Farm: The Musical — music by Steve Wallace, lyrics by Daniel Abrahamson, book by Sarah Mucek — is running at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center from Nov. 16-20 in New York City. More info here (it's free!).
Mentions in the episode:
Watch Hal King, a hip hop/R&B-style musical set in the jazz era of the late 1950s, based on Shakespeare's King Henry IV and V.Steve's first album, Come With Tha Real!Finale, the music notation softwareDo It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacut
Artwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke -
Kara talks to actor and singer Liz Callaway about her day. Big moments include releasing her live Sondheim album, realizing it's never too late to learn something new, creating your own breaks, the joys of starting before you're ready, her favorite reads on creativity, and more.
More about Liz Callaway: http://lizcallaway.com/Twitter: @LizGoesOn
Instagram: @LizGoesOn
Facebook: LizCallawayOfficial
Watch Liz's YouTube channel
Buy Liz's new album, To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim
Listen to To Steve With Love on Spotify
See Liz and her sister Ann Hampton Callaway at 54 Below in November. Tickets here
Buy Liz's Christmas album, Comfort and Joy: An Acoustic ChristmasFollow Liz on Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyLizCallaway
Follow Liz on Apple Music: http://bit.ly/AppleMusicLizCallaway
Billie Jean King's book Pressure Is a PrivilegeRichard Maltby Jr and the BMI Musical Theater WorkshopJimmy Webb, Paul Williams, and Liz Callaway at Feinstein's in 2001The organizational app ThingsDavid Allen's book Getting Things DoneCirca NotebooksAustin Kleon's book Keep GoingJeff Tweedy's book How to Write One SongListen to Stephen Sondheim's 1971 talk at 92nd Street YOliver Burkeman's newsletter The ImperfectionistJames Clear's 3-2-1 newsletter
Mentions in the episode:Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacutArtwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke
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Kara talks to book editor Zack Knoll about his day. Big moments include how he protects his creative editing time, maintaining author relationships, fighting the three o'clock slump, and why he organizes his multi-folder inbox while watching Real Housewives.
Follow Zack on Twitter: @zackknoll_
Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal (which Kara wrote and Zack edited!)Abrams BooksTurning on airplane mode and logging out of Outlook while editingWhy he creates folders for each book project in his inboxBeating back the three o'clock slump by putting tasks on his calendar
Follow Zack on Instagram: @rack__roll
Mentions in the episode:Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacutArtwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke
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Kara talks to Broadway stage manager, producer, and educator Cody Renard Richard about his day. Big moments include navigating a two-show day for Into the Woods, why he brings his full self to work, his "sh*t to get done" list, finding the path he was supposed to walk, and how he winds down after working long hours.
More about Cody: https://www.codyrenard.com/Follow Cody on Instagram: @codyrenard
Follow Cody on Twitter: @codyrenard
Mentions in the episode:
Parade at New York City CenterThe Cody Renard Richard Scholarship ProgramInto the Woods on BroadwayProducing the Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop on BroadwaySeeing Avenue Q and knowing he wanted to be a stage manager The gateway musical power of WickedAnd check out Cody's Tony Award, which arrived since we recorded this episode!Do It Today is a podcast created by Kara Cutruzzula. She's the author of two motivational journals and a musical theater writer, playwright, and editor.
Buy Do It Today: An Encouragement Journal
Buy Do It For Yourself: A Motivational Journal
Subscribe to Kara's newsletter: https://brassringdaily.substack.com/
Visit www.karacutruzzula.com, or follow her on Instagram @karacutArtwork by Tyler Spangler and music by Kristoffer Bjarke
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