
The Art of Doing Life
By Danielle Shontae Smith

The Art of Doing LifeMar 02, 2023

2: What Thrives in Silence
Well. This episode didn't go according to plan...and that's okay. Breathe. Remember that self-compassion and the creative process can (and should) co-exist. In this imperfect episode, I explore the gifts and risks of silence and why pain and trauma need a place to live.
Note: This episode contains a content warning. The content note and timestamps are below. Please listen with care.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
1. Perfectionism has entered the chat...
2. Why I’m celebrating myself right now
3. Content warnings: What they are and why this episode has one
4. Meet the two voices that live within me
5. The ways in which pain and trauma speak to and through us
6. Story sharing and giving pain somewhere to land
***
FROM THIS EPISODE
- To access show notes and other information relevant to this episode, click here
- Learn more about A Seat At The Table
- Read my book: A Map You Cannot Refold
- Mindful Self-Compassion: Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
- Dr. Brené Brown: Website
- Audre Lorde: Sister Outsider
CONTENT NOTE & TIMESTAMPS
In this episode, I discuss the following subjects. The mentions are brief, but they are present. Please listen with care.
- 21:05-23:02 Mental health challenges affecting college students, suicidal ideation, suicide
- 23:40-25:33 Obsessive-compulsive disorder, emotional abuse (referenced, but no details)
- 28:26-29:06 Disordered eating and self-harm behaviors
RESOURCES
View a selective list of organizations that offer direct services and provide education programs and initiatives to address eating disorders, intimate partner/domestic violence, mental health, and sexualized violence: Resources
ABOUT A SEAT AT THE TABLE
A Seat At The Table is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide free or low-cost community resources and activities to the public and communities in the Antelope Valley. Learn more about them and how to support their work on their website or Facebook page.
CONNECT WITH ME
- If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
- To financially support me and my work, you can do so here
- You can connect with me at msdaniellesmith.com or by email at podcast@msdaniellesmith.com
- I have a love-hate situationship with Instagram: @writedaniellesmith

1: Creating Things While Falling Apart
In this first episode of The Art of Doing Life, I share my vision for the podcast and what you can expect from our time together. Consider this your official invitation to hang out with me while I imperfectly explore the intersection of creativity, art, mental health, and chronic illness.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
- Why I created this podcast and what I thought I was going to be doing instead
- Permission to be a learner. It’s okay. Really.
- The one message I most want to convey to the world
- An important life lesson I will never stop learning [book excerpt]
- Overview of the topics I hope to cover in this podcast
- The rules I’m breaking and the advice I refuse to follow (note: list of rules/advice I'm ignoring is not exhaustive)
***
FROM THIS EPISODE
- To access show notes and other information relevant to this episode, click here
- Learn more about my book: A Map You Cannot Refold
- Read the Instagram post: life feels hard
CONNECT WITH ME
- If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform
- You can connect with me at msdaniellesmith.com or by email at podcast@msdaniellesmith.com
- I have a love-hate situationship with Instagram: @writedaniellesmith

Welcome to the Art of Doing Life
As we navigate the realities of living while human, making art can feel impossible. Many of us have a list of the perfect conditions that must exist before we can live our creative dreams. But what if the ideal circumstances we’re waiting for never come?
“The Art of Doing Life” is a show about creating while falling apart, hosted by educator, writer, and storyteller, Danielle Shontae Smith. Living with major depression, chronic illness, PTSD, and grief, Danielle explores the daily realities of engaging in the creative process during times of trial. Featuring a mix of solo episodes and conversations with guests, “The Art of Doing Life” is for those of us trying to make art from the messiness of our lives.
"The Art of Doing Life" podcast will launch in early 2023.
Contact the show: hello@msdaniellesmith.com // msdaniellesmith.com/podcast