We recently connected with Chrystyan Cross and have shared our conversation below.
Chrystyan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
So after launching the podcast in May of this year, I’d placed myself in a mind frame of comfort. I had topics & episodes already brainstormed & in the chamber through the end of the year. I was working with an amazing producer who was seeing the vision & bringing it to fruition. I had a dope job as a travel agent & it was contributing exponentially to the brand. Then, life came at me quick.
The studios in Dallas I filmed out of was raided by the Feds. My producer & I have had to temporarily part ways due to him having to find a new space to call home. I reside in the neighboring state of Oklahoma, so it’s a bit harder to team up sooner. Then, after having to leave my job via ambulance due to my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) I was suspended by the company for accruing a “6th absence”. This led them to entertaining the thought of termination, which is obviously morally & ethically wrong. But in a post-Roe world, unfortunately anything is possible.
All of this happened in the month of September, literally DAYS before I was to create my next episode. With no production studio, I had to think fast.
Luckily, the episode that month was me interviewing an herbalist. In also a post-pandemic world, we were blessed with the uptick of Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet etcetera. Thanks to my producer sending me the tools to record while doing this episode virtually, it went off without incident! Sound was great visuals were decent & I made it through that storm.
Yesterday, I released my second episode since being solo, (at time of submission, 10.23.22). It was my 6th month “Podiversary” episode, & although it wasn’t my original vision, it was still a beautiful & humbling milestone. My motivation has been renewed because of this.
Never let circumstances limit your potential. As long as there is breath, every day is another chance to get it right. Whatever ‘it’ is. Be intentional!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m basically just a young Black Woman who is part of the highest demographic of people who die from reproductive issues/childbirth. I have PCOS, PMDD & stage 3 Endometriosis. I’ve dealt with doctors, employers & even significant others who treated me like trash when it came to me & my condition.
My creed for this podcast is to educate while I educate myself & advocate for ALL WOMEN.
I’m proud of the fact that I have reached so many Women in this short six months. You would be surprised as to who is suffering in silence.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The fact that I can be as uninhibited as I want. Creativity has no limits.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I definitely wish I had someone to teach me about monetization for social media right out of the gate. It’s been a humbling experience trying to learn it all lol.
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