26. Being more than words on a stage
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India’s guest today is North Philadelphia native Perry “Vision” DiVirgilio, a poet, activist and youth poetry educator. His work focuses on identity, using poetry and performance to tackle difficult discussions like race, racism, mental health, male privilege, patriarchal power, toxic masculinity, and the many manifestations of interpersonal violence. He has authored three collections of poetry: “Surviving Saturn’s Return,” “Heal On Purpose,” and “About Her.” Vision's latest project is the online animated short series, "Trashterpiece Theater," which "Oscars So White" creator, April Reign, described as a "hilarious mix between Issa Rae's "Insecure," a Jordan Peele movie, and Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood stories."
In today’s episode, India and Vision discuss the importance of authenticity and genuine vulnerability in business and creativity. They examine how letting yourself be seen and heard as you are, not watering yourself or your message down, helps your audience connect with and relate to you, and become invested in you as a person and as a brand. India and Vision discuss how your showing up for your audience even in times of crisis when it might seem inappropriate to sell might be supporting your audience in ways you never realized. This episode is full of truth bombs from India and Vision about living a gracious, authentic, creative life, so get ready!
you empower other people to be themselves when you're yourself. You give permission to people who don't know if they can be themselves. – Vision
Your Action For This Episode
If you’re ready to start showing up for your audience and clients as your true self and incorporating your values, check out Pause on the Play’s Masterclass, From Implicit to Explicit: Leading Through Your Values. This virtual workshop is capped at 6 participants, so reserve your seat soon!
Takeaways
[05:05] There is immense power in sharing personal stories in ways that compel others to feel like they know and trust you.
[07:01] Audiences feel more connected and engage more when a creator seems more accessible.
[09:52] Humor is a bridge – everyone likes to laugh. It’s a gift to be able to talk about a serious situation and add humor.
[10:15] Vulnerability in your storytelling helps people understand that it’s okay for them to be vulnerable, too.
[13:40] You can’t please everyone, but you should tell your truth, anyway, when you’re ready. Because there’s liberation in the truth – your truth – and in telling your story.
[19:07] Connecting with an audience on a personal level means they’ll be invested in you as a person and as a brand.
[24:21] At the end of the day, no matter how big your bank account or impressive your portfolio, you have to look in the mirror and like who you see. So be yourself.
[28:12] It feels better to have a smaller audience who you can speak directly and honestly to, than a much larger following who you’re scared of losing.
[32:27] Taking chances in creativity, in business. Do things your own way instead of trying to blend in. Trying new things can land you your next big idea.
[38:02] During the pandemic and the social justice uprising, there are ways to find a balance in selling, in creating. Because there are still people who want what you do, want to hear from you, even during crises.
[45:48] That thing you’re afraid to do? Try it. If it doesn’t work, you don’t have to do it again. Be willing to fail spectacularly.
Quotes
“I think that there's immense power and being able to share personal experiences in a way that compels others to feel like they know like and trust you.” – India
“Be as vulnerable as you can as you can in your work. Whatever you’ve got to do, just get it out, because it's so freeing to tell your story.” – Vision
“I'm gonna write this on my own terms so that nobody can come behind me and tell my side of the story. There's so much power, there's just so much liberation and that.” – Vision
“The more you stepped into yourself, the more you were able to connect with the people around you on a deeper level, they were no longer just members of the audience, but they started having real conversations with you. And that's really where the magic happens, is getting people from being passive listeners and to active engaged relationships.” – India
“I don't want people in my life, whether on a personal level, or a business level, who want me to slice up myself who want me to hide parts of myself. I don't want that.” – Vision
“When you're yourself, you empower other people to be themselves when you're yourself. You give permission to people who don't know if they can be themselves.” – Vision
“Don't be afraid to be the first person to start [something new]. You know, it's a lonely road. Sometimes it is. And it doesn't happen overnight, sometimes. Don't be afraid.” – Vision
“And there's power in bringing that creativity and that fun and that excitement and that innovation that you bring to your TikTok videos back into your nine to five or into your business when the quarantine is over. Because it's in that energy, in those feelings and emotions, that can bring up what you might land on your next big idea.” – India
“Your audience needed you. The missed you. They wanted you to still show up. And so I think that if we’re taking some time off because we need it emotionally, to refuel ourselves and to be able to come back as our whole selves, great. That’s important to do. But if we’re taking it off because we’re afraid of what people might say or think from us showing up, not good. Because you never know who your product, your service, your content is supporting.” – India
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