We recently connected with Alanna Goldsmith and have shared our conversation below.

Alanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

While being a creative takes a terrific amount of trust of oneself, I’ve never experienced a deeper satisfaction. Only you can create your art, that’s the beauty of it. Once I stopped second guessing myself and really started to trust my vision and abilities, I started feeling a freedom I’ve never experienced in previous “regular” jobs. Why? I realized the the only thing I feared was failure. I realized the only way I could fail as a creative was to not be my most authentic self. Showing up as your authentic self is not easy, some days I wish I could hide behind someone else. Somedays I feel exposed and too vulnerable for my own comfort but those days are fewer. Most days I feel a tremendous amount of satisfaction in my creations. My only advice is to trust yourself! The world needs more people sharing their authentic selves. The world needs more creatives .

Alanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My life has been steeped in music from the very beginning. As a child, I’d perch on stools taller than me in a dimly lit bar, sipping on my daily favorite – coca-cola with a maraschino cherry and reese’s pieces (yes, it was the eighties), while my parents spun tunes upstairs at the Old Gilroy Hotel for the infamous K-Fat radio. Before school years later, I’d rise at the crack of dawn to accompany my dad to watch “Wild Bill” work his magic on the morning show.

As I grew, I wandered through countless music festivals, cultivating a profound passion for all genres. After a stint in Croatia during my twenties, I returned to the redwood forests of Humboldt County, California, where I’ve settled down and raised my two children, Bernadette and Christian. For over a decade, I’ve been deeply involved in managing and marketing local manufacturing companies and a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering local entrepreneurs, known as Humboldt Made.

While my career has been focused on community development, when the opportunity arose to join the family business, I leaped at the chance. Always a devoted fan of Radio Paradise, stepping into the world of music was a dream come true. Radio Paradise is a bit of an anomaly – we are a commercial free, 100% listener supported music streaming platform. We produce highly curated, eclectic playlists. Our business sustains on a gift economy model It works for us. It actually works really well. We have listeners in every country with approximately 500k listening each month. You can find Radio Paradise at radioparadise.com or in the app store. Our mission – Provide the best possible sound track to the masses.

As CEO, my responsibilities include general business and project management, curating new music, and providing customer service for Radio Paradise. Additionally, I serve as the Creator/Producer of Radio 2050. Radio 2050 is a one hour flow of music and conversation — exploring ideas, new perspectives and boots-on-the-ground efforts for a better future in the year 2050 and beyond. In my wildest dreams I would have never thought I would be able to spend my days pursuing such a creative endeavor. It feeds my soul daily but knowing it’s inspiring people around the world is nothing short of magical. We release two episodes per week, you can find those at radio2050.com.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Share, share, share. When you find an artist you love – support them by not only purchasing their art but go the extra mile and share their art with your community. Put it on IG, rate their business in Google, etc… Share the joy their art brings to your life with others. The best marketing is word of mouth. By being marketers for your favorite artists you are not only making one purchase but your actions could lead to significant sales. For example, a review I left for a local company in google maps has been read by 30 thousand people. One little review that took 2 minutes out of my day led to possibly thousands of people patronizing their business. Treat your local artists the way you would treat a beloved family member, boaster them up, sing their praises.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I like to be really clear on my purpose. Why am I doing this thing? For the good of what? Then work from there.

Our Radio 2050 mission is to tell the stories of change makers and inspire global action. Very similar to your mission here at Canvas Rebel.

Knowing we’re lifting someone’s day, giving a little hope or even better, inspiring action in their own lives and communities, is just about the greatest experience I could ask for in life. It’s a damn good motivator.

Radio 2050 has been an opportunity for me to create my personal dream listening experience. A show where I feel like I’m learning something, it lifts my mood, and inspires me to do my little part in helping create a better world around me. Mixed with some good music, Why? Because just a bunch of talk can be a little mind-numbing. Then remove any unnecessary chatter from the host, I regularly find myself wanting the host to get on with it. OH and whatever you do keep it ad-free! Capitalism just ruins the experience almost entirely! The world has enough sales pitches.

Contact Info:

• Website: radioparadise.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radioparadisestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RadioParadise
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ9AtxhsPKMkzI3nDLywz6g
• Other: radio2050.com