Meet Brittany Smith | Literary Podcast & Bookclub Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been drawn to the artistic and creative side of life, it fills my cup. The book club and podcast are moreso passion projects than a career for me. I’ve worked in healthcare my entire adult life. Having work that is a job I can step away from seperate from what I think of as my ‘life’ work, my creative passion, that thing that drives the fire of my soul being seperate from capatilzing to survive has been key in it still bringing me joy. Not to say that I wouldn’t love for my creative outlet to financially support me. It in no way drives my creative thinking. I never feel pressured to create or produce anything that doesn’t excite or bring me joy. I never have to care if I lose followers, or no one is tuning in. It’s not for money, it’s not for attention, it’s for me.

My favorite author, Clarissa Pinkola Estès has a quote about the creative life “… It is the love of something, having so much for something — whether a person, a word, an image, an idea, the land or humanity — that all that can be done with the overflow is to create. It is not a matter of wanting to, not a singular act of will; one solely must.” this resonate so much with me because I felt for many years that I was a creative failure for not capatilzing on my artistic outlets. Reading her book “The Creative Fire” (where that quote is from) really validated me as a person with artistic and creative desire. That I should continue to persue and create because of the joy and love that it brings, montenizing everything in life can be a real theif of joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Nothing worthwhile in life is ever easy, there’s always good and valid reasons not to chase things. I left my parents house at 18 to escape the rules of the religous cult I grew up in. At 19, I found myself pregnant with a belief that my life was over and my goals didn’t matter anymore. For years I let myself believe that if I couldn’t chase a creative career, I couldn’t have a creative life becasue there was simply no time for anything else.

After several years, and many introspective nights alone with my thoughts I realized I have to create that joy and success in my life. I started creating more because I needed to. Then I hit a lull creatively and was spending too much time on Instagram. I always have books laying around guilting me into believing I’m a bad person for chosing social media over them. So one night. I just thought okay – combine the two. Make an online book club so other people can see that you’re a loser if you don’t read them. It’s crazy how motivating not wanting to seem like a loser publically can be. That coupled with real passion. I’ve never read more, I’ve never created more, I’ve never been more inspiried.

I think success is first and foremost, about defining what that word means to you personally. Then, really being honest with yourself. Be open to success and finance being seperate entities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am actually from North Florida, but a frequent visitor of North Carolina – closer to the Jacksonville area where I have family. I’ve only been to Raleigh once but I will never forget Smoke Stacks Cafe. I think they’ve only been in the community for a few years when I went but they are locally owned and great people. As well as INCREDIBLE food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could truly write a book as a response to these questions. Every aspect of my life has been possible because of the love, support and mentorship of many people I consider myself lucky to know. Without a doubt my siblings, and my close friend group (you know who you are) having been my lifelines. They have supported me when there is no support, they have encouraged and loved every creative venture I’ve partaken on and they are my support. One of the best aspects of the human experience to me, is to love and be loved. Your friends, your family, your community matter so much, the people you surround yourself with matter. There a quote from the game bioshock “If Utopia is not a place, but a people, then we must choose carefully.”

I credit “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn, for helping change my view of the world and my place in it. Then “Women Who Run with the Wolves” & “The Creative Fire” by Clarissa Pinkla Estès for changing my view of myself and my inner critic. As well as a life long reminder of the necessity of my creative life.

Website: https://allmylinks.com/bimbobookshelf

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4FRTH4nfj0ezD9TydOSVCQ

Image Credits
Brittany Smith