Empaths Anonymous

Reconnecting to Your Inner Child Through Art and Play with Naomi Fierro Pẽna

• Crystina + Danie • Season 1 • Episode 27

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What's up Jefa Feelers!?

This week we had SO MUCH FUN talking to Naomi Fierro Pẽna.

She is the founder of That Art Party, creating artful wellness spaces through creativity and play for BIPOC adults. 

Find Naomi and That Art Party:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/that.art.party
Website: https://www.thatartparty.com/

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Intro music by Heet Deth

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

The more that we can tap into our own creative power. I know that I can create any world that feels good for me and for you. And when we do that together, that's when we create these really beautiful communities, right? I don't need to wait on or depend on these other systems and factors to come and do the thing because you don't got a we got it,

Speaker 2:

Welcome to Empaths Anonymous, a space for dreamers, healers, and feelers, navigating the fine line between putting yourself first and holding space for others. If you struggle with balancing your needs while still supporting your tribe, then you're in the right place. Welcome to the support group.

Speaker:

Hi everyone. Hello, and welcome to, or welcome back to the Empaths Anonymous podcast. I am Danie. I'm Crystina. And today we have, as always, a fun time for you, but this is a really fun episode because we get to talk about art, we get to talk about funsies. But before we get into that, we did share a little bit about our cups with our guests, but what's in your cup today, sister? Today I have, and you guys, I made this new discovery. I'm trying to not spend so much money going and getting coffee. We have been kind of like on a Coffee detox of sorts. I haven't been having it as much and I'm kind of limiting myself to if I have one I just have one a day But I did the I got them at sprouts Oh, i'm like showing this as if you can tell what it is from the cup. I got them at sprouts. So chamberlain coffee Cold brew pouches and I think it came with four Or so in a bag and the one that I got was Coconut macadamia. So it's coconut macadamia cold brew. It's just a little bit of flavoring to make you be like, Oh, that's coconutty, but it's not like in your face. It's not only coconut with a splash of coffee. Right. Yeah. So I made the cold brew and then I made lavender, vanilla, cold foam, forgetting that this was coconut macadamia coffee. So now there's just a lot of flavors in this bit of a mixture. Yeah. Yeah. That is what's in my cup today. And how are you showing up? Oh, like that. I just feel like the last couple of weeks have just been like, I can't even process cause it's just like one after the other, after the other, another one club, club, another club. That's how I feel. Oh, and just not really getting a lot of like downtime. Because of not having the space and the time that I normally allow or that I normally value I'm very much a ease and flow kind of girly and lately just hasn't been that because it just can't be and Because of that it also affects my mental health because my OCD is so dependent on control So when my time doesn't feel like my time It's hard for me to have the down time to process, and then I end up in an OCD spiral because I haven't had the time to myself. So I've been, I came up with a new mantra or affirmation, if you will, and it's The unknown doesn't mean it's unsafe. Because in OCD, a lot of people's experience with OCD and what triggers them is the unknown. Mm hmm. Because then it spark all the what ifs. Yes. OCD is the doubting disease. And so with a lot of things happening in my life, everything is a what if, a giant what if. Yeah. And especially like in dating right now, I'm self sabotaging myself because I'm doubting everything. I see. Mm hmm. What if this, what if that, what if we're not compatible? What if they cheat on me, what if they change their mind, what if, you know, all the things that happen in dating all of the time when you start dating a new person and you're getting to know somebody. But I'm trying to not let it ruin things for me. Not let it take over the good moments that you're having or the fact that you have been able to take a little bit of a break, which is something that you needed after a very stressful working environment. Right. Right. So still acknowledging that those feelings are real valid and that you're allowed definitely to feel those things while still taking it day by day as things come. Yeah. I think that I am looking back on my past relationships and it's like, Why did I allow myself to enter in those relationships? And it's because I had the upper hand or I had the control. And in this situation, it's hard because it's not that every, anyone needs to have the upper hand or control. That's obviously why my past relationships just didn't work out because they just weren't meant to be. But I've never just allowed myself to just. Let the chips fall where they may. Like, I haven't allowed myself to just fall. And just let the feelings be the feelings and go down the rabbit hole of romance, I guess you could say, with somebody. Yeah, there's always like a reservation or I'm holding something back and this person told me that they're like I feel like up until now it feels like you've had a wall up. I'm like, well, yeah. Yeah Yes, when you've had a lot of negative experiences dating It's hard to not when you've been cheated on when you've you know dated somebody who has substance abuse Problems or things like that things just never work out for you It's like you always get to the three month hump and then it fails. Mm hmm You So it's like, of course I have a guard up. Right. I'm trying to save or protect. Yeah. The best parts of myself because if I kept giving that to every single person that I started talking to. It's like depletion after depletion after depletion and then you're left with. Yeah. Yeah. So I think that I hit a breakthrough with this person a little bit, but I'm like, well, what if I just allowed myself to play into the feeling more and instead of stopping it before it can through all of my, what ifs. Right, I can just allow myself to experience it and then if it still doesn't work out then it's okay But at least I allowed myself. Yeah, almost like allow yourself to tell you the truth. Yeah about what it is That's happening, right and instead of what could happen in three months from now. Yeah, cuz I think that I Took a break from dating for a while when I moved here, obviously cuz I didn't know anybody But I just I needed a couple years of finding myself Rebuilding working on my mental health so Not that I want to be on a timeline, but I have just accepted, or I guess my intention was that the next person that I date or enter into something serious and long term with will be somebody that I see myself having a life with. And so I think that that also has put pressure on it because now I'm like analyzing every person I date as can I be with them for real, for real? Yeah. Past this just dating stage. Yes. And it's a really weird dance of having to be in the moment and also think about the future at the same time with somebody. Yes. So it takes time and that's, That's the hard part of, I might continue dating this person. And, you know, date them for another six months, a year, two years, and it may not work out. Yeah. That feeling of wasting time. But I think even so far this relationship, not saying like I'm in a relationship, but having a relationship with this person. Yes. Right? Has already taught me a lot. So I'm like, well. That can't be wasted time then if I'm learning things, if I'm learning new things about myself and about how I give love and receive love and I'm like, kind of working past my blockages. Yeah. So, long story short. Honestly, I'm like a firm believer in, I mean, even if you make like really, really poor life choices, I don't really feel like anyone can actually waste time if you take all of it. What it is that you learned from that moment and apply it to any thing in your life into the future right or even in that moment if you're learning how to Treat people a certain way or how to treat yourself a certain way I really don't think a lot of things are not a waste of time You just have to shift your perspective around it and my therapist told me this She was like, you know a lot of the time It's a struggle to forgive yourself because of this idea that you've wasted time and that's just simply not true. Yeah. It's not wasted time. It taught you a lot about people. It taught you a lot about yourself. Yeah. Anything I can teach you, anything is never a waste of time. Right. So girly, if you're out there thinking like whatever it is you're doing right now, you know, I would say even if you're struggling with your mental health and you have those days where you're just like, today is not my day. That is still not a waste of time because you're honoring. What it is that you're feeling and you have to be able to do that. And still you've learned at the end of the day. So yeah, for me, a really bland iced coffee, just not for me today. It's from home and I'm just not feeling it. It matches your shirt though. I do tend to match almost as if like I have a favorite color or something. And you know, just. Chillin, chillin. I have been feeling slightly stressed about school, which is frustrating because I had gotten to a point where I thought I was like at a good pace and now I am actually behind. So it's not even like the feeling of being behind. I'm actually, so I do have a lot to catch up on, but I'm really hoping to hunker down. I was like sick for a little bit too. So that played into it. We've been really busy with the podcast, which I love, but at the end of the day, it just, Take time out of the day. And just even busy doing stuff. Yeah. You know, like living. Yes, living life. We have that. Cooking class. We've been doing stuff with your daughter. Yeah. Pumpkin patches. Yeah, what else? I just feel like we've just been busy doing things. Yeah, we've been out. I just, lots of stuff happening. And so I just have felt like a lot of, which have been priorities, of course, have just taken over other priorities in my life. So I gotta get back to it. I'm really near the end. But yeah, I'm happy to have the conversation that we are having today with our guest. And that's really it in my cup. No real news on the dating front for me. I'm kind of just You Whatever. I did download like five apps and then deleted them all a couple of days after. Did y'all know eHarmony charges boo goo bucks? Remember eHarmony? That's like the OG, like match. com. They still don't have an app. It's still all on a browser. I'm like, okay. I get it. Traditional, but also inconvenience. They wanted to charge me 200 for the year. It's a very expensive service. I did not realize that only to get a preview of a message where someone was like, nice lips. I'm like, Oh, okay. So these are just people who are the same as everyone else on the other apps, but they just have money. What kind of greeting is that? Nice lips. Did you pay it? No, absolutely not. In fact, I deleted my account. E Harmony. Sorry. Honestly, 200 for the year. It was like they were running some kind of crazy 50 percent off premium membership, whatever, whatever. So when I went to go like pretend I was going to put it on my PayPal credit, It broke it down to the fine print 100 today and then four payments of an extra 100. I'm like, well, that makes up a lot more money than what you just told me on the last page. No, it was horrible. But yeah, I think just like trying to figure it out for myself. A fun experiment for the podcast would be maybe we split up the apps. Yeah. And so I get you. Yeah. I get on four and you got on four and then we like, you know, just be fuck around, have conversations with people and they'll get on the podcast and yeah, give reviews. This is what we like about this one. This is what we don't. These were our experiences. These were some funny stories. Let us know if you would like that. Uh, dating app review. Yeah, and I'm on a couple of different ones because once you start clicking them from your Instagram ads, they become at the woodworks with all these different like dating apps. Yeah. And so I did do Bumble, but I just haven't created my profile yet. And then I did another Latino app, which is called Soltera. Okay. Yeah. But there's a lot of them. I have no idea. There are a lot of them are behind a paywall. The membership is just behind a paywall. So you can't see your matches. You can't see your messages unless you pay. Okay. And I'm like, you know what? No, I'm just going to go back out into the wild. I'm just going to go start doing more things, you know, now that I have the capability of, of doing that. Meet somebody at Ceramics. That's so romantic. It is, but they're just not there, baby. No. It's not them. Anyway, yeah, that's it. But I really wanted to not make that so long so we can really get into our guest because she is absolutely fantastic and fun and fancy free. Yeah. I yapped for a long time. I'm sorry. No, that's fine. But yeah, without further ado, we hope that you guys enjoy our combo with Naomi Fierro Peña. See you on the other side, bitch.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Another guest on the podcast. Her name is Naomi Fierro Pẽna A soulful artist, engaging facilitator, and community creator. She specializes in creating artful wellness spaces for BIPOC adults. After 10 years of teaching, she opened her own business, That Art Party, art and play for BIPOC adults. as a means of healing and liberation for communities of color. When she is not in HEFA mode, you can find Naomi dancing, obsessing over a new creative hobby, or resting. Welcome to the podcast, Naomi.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

so excited to be here with you.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

We're so excited to have you. We love talking about creative things and art and playing. So we felt like this was going to be the perfect little collaboration. so we do like to start every episode by asking our guests what's in your cup. So if you have anything in your physical cup today, what you're drinking and then how you're showing up today on the

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, I brought out my really special cup. I love these. A friend

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Ooh. Love.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, it was like, they come in all kinds of colors. Uh, and today I'm just drinking a little sparkling water. It's lemon sorbet flavored. Yeah, so, uh, yeah, that's what I'm literally drinking in my cup. And yeah, just how I'm showing up today, I think. Excited, a little nervous, also a little tired. And again, wishing that it was windy and gray outside and yet it's sunny. So, here we are.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right. Very out of character for Northern California right now. Yes. We'll love to hear that. We're huge sparkling water girlies too. We've kind of started making up our own little like mocktails and things like this to prevent ourselves from buying stuff that's just already pre made and we usually save a little money on it. So we wanted to start off by asking you our first question that I guess the first thing would be an admiration. So we admire so much that you chose a career change when that's typically a huge risk. So was there anything about your teaching career when you were still teaching that inspired you to start that art party?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, that is a really great question. I appreciate the question because it is an important moment to see like where I started and how far I've come right in the journey. And it's funny because I also ran into a former student of mine's mother who told me that he's 21 now. So, I'm like,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Wow!

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I don't know. I was like,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

You're like, impossible, I'm 21!

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I was like, I'm sorry. Yeah. How is my student older than me? What?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

I'm just a baby!

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Great. Oh you know, and she told me that he was studying electrical engineering and I'm like, Diego go off. Yes. I love that. But yeah, so how I was informed by my teaching career, I started off teaching in title one schools in my neighborhood. And I'm originally from San Francisco, from the mission district in San Francisco. And so, yeah, if you know something about it, you know, it's very Latino, very immigrant. And for me has always been the center of culture and art and healing, you know, but it's also become the center of what's been called hyper gentrification. And so for me to go back and teach was really kind of a pivotal moment for me. I was teaching young brown and black kids and it was a very financially under resourced school.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Mmhmm.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

And what I noticed about that time in my life was how we were training our young people to memorize To be compliant, right? To conform and to shape their personalities in a way that I just need you to regurgitate and to repeat after me, right? And that juxtaposed with the end of my teaching career where I was teaching at a very elite high school, uh, also in San Francisco. It was an arts based private school where, uh, At that time, the tuition was over 50, 000 a year. Uh huh. Uh

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

That's more than I spent on my entire four year college. Okay.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Right. And so, and obviously it was a predominantly white institution. And so, what I got to see young people do and be There was completely different, right? The concept of a free period to really actually enjoy and to play and to make art and not to spend studying was valued. And. Essentially what I saw is like we were teaching young white kids to be in our culture, right? We were studying art that looked like me, that looked like you, you know what I'm saying? And I'm like, wow, what is it that we have taken that joy, that leisure, that play away from the young people that look like me and you? And we're, we're saying only if you have money, only if you have time, can you access that? And then art and play is valued as creativity, innovation, genius, right? And I'm like, our young people are genius. We should get to enjoy that and relish in that. And so I think that kind of really distinct side by side in my short career, I was like, Oh, no, I want these for us to be able to relish and play and to enjoy that, I think, especially in terms of our own mental and spiritual health. Okay.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

like a beautiful group of students. Then now they're trying to adopt this same, like what you're saying, memorization, regurgitation, just show me that you know it, right? Show me that you know it. And I'm like, they have to show me that they know it in English. They can't even show me that they know it in their native language. So that adds on an extra layer and I'm just seeing you know, it's nine weeks into the. Regular school year. And it's just like some of these kids are fading and I'm like, no, hold on for me, please. It's like, we just got here. But I'm noticing that and as much as there are a lot more resources, especially in the area that we're in we do get more funding and we've got more funding to add on more of my position. And that's been very helpful. But at the same time, I'm like, well, there is no play their free period is homework because they don't. Have the opportunity to do that at home. So now they have no where to get that outlet is why one of my students draws in every single period in her class. And while I like, hate to tell her stop, I sometimes have to tell her to stop because there's content that's getting missed there. So it's like a struggle because you want them to be able to have that creative outlet, but if it's taking place of actual content that they need to be learning, where. Do I draw the line in my personal stance? Right. How much of my personal belief do I bring into my position? Cause if I allowed all of it, then yeah, I wouldn't be following the rules. know, I would be like, yes, girl, draw. I'm like, I'll get you the notes later. You know what I mean? That's how I feel about it because I've had a very different relationship with school myself. I never, wasn't ever like, I didn't like school. I very much enjoyed school, but I do realize it's not for everybody also. So, you know, we do love that you kind of took what you learned from that and you saw that those spaces really needed that. It's like you saw these, you know, you know, the PWI, right? That institution studying all the things that were of another culture. And those students of those cultures have no idea what those things are. And you're like, Oh, there's a huge disconnect happening just because someone doesn't have 50, 000 a year to spend on a private education.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

that's beautiful.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Thank you.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, yeah, it's like we're ingrained, assimilate, assimilate, assimilate, sit in a desk and memorize and regurgitate and learn the way that our American school system has deemed as the right way to learn. And then on the opposite side, it's like things are being taken from our cultures That we're supportive for our people in the first place, but then we're told that to be an American and to fit into our current society, we just have to change that. But, on the other hand, we liked what you guys were doing, so we're just gonna take it for ourselves and give it to people who have the money and the access. A hello?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Hello. I was like, neocolonization again. Okay. Yeah, no, for sure. You know, I didn't like being part of a system that was teaching young brown and black bodies to be workers, right, like to be wheels in a cog. While, you know, like I said, at the end of my career, it was, I was then part of this system that was like, and we're teaching that white folks that it's okay to co opt our culture, right? Like we were, Literally teaching them to study our culture. Right. And so it's like, uh, I, I can't be part of that. And so what is my activism then look like outside of the system?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

right. Yeah. And even just like a quick note, because you said that you're from the Mission District, we went to the Cheech Museum, which is in Riverside, and the artist who was on display being highlighted when we went was Yolanda Lopez. And so we got to learn a lot about her activism and her art and the mission district, which I'm not a California native. I've lived here for coming up on two years. So I wasn't even aware at all. And we're wanting to go to San Francisco and do a little trip. So I'm so excited, but it's exciting to hear that you're from there. Cause I'm like, Oh yeah, yeah, no, we have a couple of things like check off, right? Okay. We're going to go to San Francisco and we're going to get hit this. We're gonna hit this I've been wanting to take her for like literal years, even before she moved. I've only ever been once and I was really young, so I would love to experience it differently as an adult. I remember absolutely loving the city when I was, I think I was like 13 or 14. I was very young. Yeah. So I would love to go back and experience it differently. For sure. It's coming up. I know it is.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

yes, let me know. I'm happy to take y'all around show you where to go.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. We would love that. It would be so fun. And if you have a class, we would love to join the class too while we're there. That'd be so great. Yeah.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I was like, done and done.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

But as perfections and recovery, as we call ourselves, we often feel overwhelmed with the idea to start at perfect. How do you encourage guests of that art party that attend your events to tap into their imaginations?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Oh my gosh, yes, this is something that is so common. And again, I don't ever blame us for having that habituated and embodied, right? We have been conditioned to get things right and to do this one way, right? Those are all tenets of white supremacy culture that we are all. Have been socialized in right. And so, I mean, there's a couple of different ways I kind of guide us into that. And I think the first being that our approach to play. And through art is play. Our approach to art is play. And so, what I mean by that is, I always start and have people share, When was the last time you played? And I have folks describe that. And immediately, People are smiling, they're laughing, their body language changes, and it's again an embodied experience of like, Oh, the last time I played, I actually felt free. I felt a sense of, of just like freedom and stopping time and not like I was overly of what I was doing in the moment, right? And so once we have that feeling in our bodies, that's then what I ask us to. Continue to do in our art making. I always say that it's just play, right? Like we're not over here trying to make some sort of a like masterpiece because in reality, who decides what a masterpiece is. and then to I'm I always. I had a teacher, a dance teacher who used to tell us, make it ugly. And I was like, Oh my gosh, yes. Because so I'm, I'm a dancer by training and so much of my like experience, right. You have to be beautiful as a dancer. And so. This idea of like, make it ugly, make bad art, get messy, right? Like it's just that level of permission to play, to like literally color outside the lines and it's not about. A specific outcome. It's about honoring the process and feeling into the materials. I'm like, what is this material feel like in your hands? Right? Just take a second to like tap into that sensation. And so it really is a blend of mindfulness. And art making. And so I think those are things that I like to embed in our experiences together. And it's funny because you'll hear people that have attended. tell each other from across the room. They'll be like, it's just play. We're

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

That's cute.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

you know? And so it becomes this really supportive environment where people are like, yeah, cool. It's not about the final product. It's about the process. And so I think that really helps us let go of this idea that we have to have some perfect product at the end.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right. Yeah, it's one of the hardest things for us both. And I think we deal with our perfectionism qualities and intricacies very differently, but they still exist very much. It's why I think the podcast functions the way that it does. Because it's like we are, if one thing we can agree on is that we're very strict about certain things when it comes to creating for this space. I would say like whenever we're having a conversation about it and how this is not going that way, this is not going that way. It's like, relax. Right. Return to the fun. Return to the fun. We did this for a very specific purpose as an outlet to create the community and the friendships and connections that we've been able to so far. Which has been the most fun, I think for us is to be able to connect with so many different personalities and learn so many different things. Both of us are lifelong learners. So I would love to be in that space. I think, could you remind us what, did you attend the self love jam or did you provide something for,

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I was just a guest that day.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

You got to enjoy.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes, I did, which is so beautiful. I was like, wow, it's something different to be on the receiving end, Right. of creativity as a form of self care. Because I mean, this is a whole other topic, but like turning this passion into a business. Can then take from the actual

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Exactly.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

fun

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes. Yeees.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

the, you know, and so, yeah, I was really fortunate to, to just experience the event.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

we were painting these picture frames, right, and I had a vision in my mind that I wanted it to be like an ombre, sunset vibe. And it just wasn't, I didn't have the right tools, I didn't have the right brushes, and I was like Oh my gosh, this isn't even what I want. I'm going it home and redo it and blah, blah, blah. And she was like, it's fine. We're just enjoying our time here. I'm like, I know, but now I'm not going to use it. Cause it's not a hundred percent what I wanted it to be. But there's this idea of being more in the moment, as you said, the mindfulness of it, noticing the colors and how they mix together and the materials that are being used and just appreciating that and the, you Almost the gateway that it provides to conversation. Cause when you're distracted with doing art, playing, creating, you're able then to talk to people around you and it's not so scary. It removes that barrier. Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

totally. I love that. And I mean, I always talk about the concept of parallel play in that, right? Like we can be sitting across from each other and we're both creating and even without words. We're still playing together. Right? And it, to your point, it takes that one layer of like anxiety away from the moment because it could be really anxiety provoking to sit across from someone and be like, okay, what am I going to say to this person now? And you know, all of the things that can happen. And so it's actually, for me, it feels very. culturally responsive, but also trauma informed to be creating and doing so in a way where we're not trying to make something perfect. But creating together and that's how we connect. And so, yeah, I love that.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

It was definitely fun to get there. And even us showing up late, I feel like we still were, we were able to enjoy like most of it and got to hear Brittany MC and it was just, it was such a good time. So we honestly can't wait to the next one. Let's just hope it is done at a plant shop because I already restrained myself once and I'm not gonna be able to do it again. I don't know how many times we can do that. No, I can't. I'm not gonna be able to. I'm telling you right now. Yeah. So as we mentioned earlier, we do talk about art a lot, and we love to showcase BIPOC artists on our podcast, on our gallery wall. But when we do have people especially People of color that submit their work. We like to showcase it for a couple of episodes. So we found that curating our wall, as you can see, we have lots of different stuff going on here. We found it to be specific to us as the podcast, our personalities individually. And it was very therapeutic looking through things and picking up what we wanted. So as far as. It relates to that art party. Can you speak to how art plays a role in our emotional well being?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, totally, totally it's just like, Like eye candy and it just is so exciting just to be in a space that makes you feel Right? like good and seen and alive. That's what I think color and shape and texture do for me. But anyhow, that's, that's an aside. I think the way that I talk about art really playing a role in our mental health. One, it allows us to feel and it allows us to feel without putting a word to it. Like I actually used to have a really hard time when a therapist would ask me how I feel or just the question of so how, how do you feel?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

to find a specific word that matches the exact feeling was actually really challenging for me. And so the fact that without words, many times art can, can Grab something in you that really allows you to feel in an embodied way, right? Like you feel it here first. You feel it in your breath. You feel it in your posture. That is, I think, something so beautiful and magical that art has the power to do. So I think that's number one. Number two, it allows us to reduce our stress. you don't even have to be making art for you to feel calmed by being in the presence of art.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

And so I think that's also a huge component of how art is important to our mental health. The third thing I talk about is that it's actually really good for our brain function. Taking in art and making art. Really produce serotonin and activate the reward centers of our brain. And so I think that is really powerful too. And again, it's not about the quality of art that you're making. It's just the experience of being present. It allows us to focus. I think something that happens over and over and over again at all of my playdates or events is that we'll start in an hour, hour 15 go by and people are like, Oh, What? Whoa. Where did the time go? Right? Because they were, I think, so enveloped and focused in the actual art making. And so I think especially in a time where there can be so many stimuli that are asking for our attention, it really feels kind of luxurious. To just be immersed and focused on one thing, you know, so I think it does that. And then the last two things I'll say is one. It gives us permission to be messy. And I always, always, always say that I always share this, that when I was little, my mom used to ask me to color in the lines, she's like, why are you coloring all over? You have to color in one direction.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

And I was like, oh, oh my gosh, I have to be perfect as a five year old coloring. Whoa. You know, like that's, I think the implicit message is and so I always tell people there's no right, wrong. And I think that's a really important way, right to be and to experience your art. Please make it messy. Please don't have a direction for where you want to go. Just be in this moment. And so especially when there are so many places that ask us to show up perfectly. This is, I think, one space where we don't have to and I think people feel safe enough not to have to show up perfectly. And then the last thing I think I've mentioned this too, is that It pauses time. That is a magical gift that I'm just like, wow. The fact that I'm not consciously like, Oh my gosh, I have only five more minutes and I have to do this thing, right? Like that ability to exist outside of time is, I don't know how many other places. And spaces can do that. And so I think that also really does wonders for your mental and emotional health.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

right. So true. Yeah. Just the immersiveness, as you're saying of art in general is something that draws me to it.'cause it can be a mindfulness practice, it can be, I view art as a meditation, you know, going to a art museum and just having the quiet. And just observing what somebody else has made and maybe coming up with your own meaning to it. I think that that's very therapeutic. So I, yeah, I definitely agree. I can see a lot of the different ties to your mental health. Kind of going off of that a little bit, how does playing specifically as BIPOC adults inspire self care for ourselves in our communities?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, I think it's one really similar. I think they're really similar, right? So I think what I described, I think the differences that I will highlight is that I think play really encourages learning and innovation. And if you think, I don't know how many of you have had this experience before, but the idea of gamified learning or right. Like learning some skill through a game. I don't know. I think randomly what I'm thinking about right now is like Mavis Beacon, like learning how to type with maybe, you

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Love her. Yeah. She was a Computer game like a typing. I don't know if it was just a California thing. I've never heard of that one. Yeah, because I mentioned her before and they're like, who is she? And I'm like so confused because she literally Taught me how to type. Oh. She was like this beautiful black lady and she was dressed up in her power suit and she

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes, what?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

we're gonna And we're going to type and make sure you have your cover. I had to have a cover on the skin and the keyboard, like you couldn't see the letters. So you had to learn how to type with the home keys and all that. you had games and you would have to type the letters in the bubbles and things like that. Yeah. For those of you who don't know who Mavis Beacon is, she's an icon, a legend, and a typing, teaching queen. I grew up in the Midwest, so I don't know about all of that, but she sounds wonderful. It was so fun, yeah. It was like back in the day when you used to have to take like a computer class as an elective. Yeah.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm. Mm hmm.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

have to learn like how to use PowerPoint, how to use Word, and all that. Right, all of that.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, I mean, all the point being right that, like learning through a fun experience, a joyful experience, right? That's playful. And it's something that will cement whatever skill for you. And so play, I think one leads to really important innovation and learning. And then, too, I think it also really allows us to tap into our inner child. And I think this is particularly important for BIPOC adults because of our experience as racialized beings in the United States, right? Like where we have a history of racism amongst all of the other isms that exist, right? So I mean, for me specifically, I don't remember playing as a child, right? Like my childhood was very much like taking care of my brother, taking care of my dad, then taking care of my grandma, you know, just lots of

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm. Yep.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I'm a very young age. And I would say that's not an uncommon experience for us. And so being able to reclaim pieces of what could feel like a carefree childhood and doing that through play as an adult, I think is also really healing.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

hmm.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

And again, I think play allows us to feel really free and to make mistakes and to get messy. And when. In what I call it, like in the outside world, right? Mistakes or being messy or not being perfect. Can often lead to violence against us as people of color. And so when we have space where we. Can like literally let her hair down literally just breathe and not have a direction and yeah make mistakes if you want to without any Serious harmful consequence to you that's actually really empowering and it changes the way that you And so I find it to be like the more that we engage in play and an art making as a creative ritual, the more that we get to really harness our innate creative power and really create realities that we feel free in.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. That feeling of always having to be in line. I remember in a lot of my experiences growing up in the Midwest in primarily like white communities is always noticing well, how come that person can behave that way? And it's tolerated. But if I were to behave that way, it would be a trip to the principal's office or being talked to by my soccer coach or whatever it may be. And so always feeling like, well, I'm so terrified of, Losing that perception of safety or getting in trouble that I'm just going to make sure everything is always Inline all my ducks are in a row at all the times. So I think that from early ages, which I think is very Common for people who look like us we lose that Play faster. Like you said, the caretaking and all these different ways where we have to show up in society a certain way is like we lose a little bit of that right to be a child for as long as possible. so playing really brings that back for me. And it almost, like you said, heals my inner child in a way of you didn't get to do this or you were put down for enjoying this or told that, you know, that's not for you or you're too old for that or whatever it was. And now I can enjoy it in the peace of my own home without anybody telling me what their expectations are on me. It's very healing for my inner child. It's like a coping mechanism, survival strategy, like I need to ensure that I'm showing up in a very specific way, behaving in a specific way, especially when it's outward in front of other people, like what you said. Who could actually get you in trouble, maybe with an administrator and then at home with your parents because you saw a behavior that was, shrugged off, but then when you exhibited that same behavior, it was not the same reaction, right? I remember specifically struggling in fifth grade when I moved schools, actually because I was just on a different level. I don't know what the math they were teaching at my old school, but it wasn't the 5th grade math I came to in Temecula, because that was different. I was just so unfamiliar, and I could just tell that my teacher was getting very, very frustrated. With me and my inability to comprehend. It was fractions. Fractions are hard. So, it you know, it just wasn't a good experience for me. It was like my first time being one on one with that teacher and it just felt like a cold experience. And so I think that that in and of itself, it's okay, have to know so many things. I have to know more things than my peers. I have to be on my a plus game all the time, just to prove that I'm worthy to be

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

by the peers in my class. I always have to be on.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

have that luxury to relax. I don't have that luxury to sit down and really be in my childhood. I've got responsibilities

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm. Mm

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

kind of took over.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, exactly. And I think the other piece too that I was reminded of, as you both were sharing, I think Was the idea that like, whatever we were doing with our time had to be functional in some way, like if we were going to do something, if we were going to invest our time in some way, it had to be for a very productive purpose. And. Being taught that from a very young age. And also, I think to your point earlier about art making and when you were saying you were talking about your frame not being the thing that you were going to use anymore, right. And almost devaluing the experience because you're like, well, it doesn't have a functional purpose anymore. And so, that's something I still will struggle with and will have to be like, No, Naomi, it's okay. You made this. Whatever it was from clave, and it was about the experience not necessarily the fact that I can use this as an ashtray tomorrow. You know what I

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Like,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

so, you know, I think the other piece of that too was not being wasteful. Or, yeah, I think that's another big one that I think about a lot too, when, you know, Making art and using supplies, it's interesting people will, will come to me and they'll be like, Oh, I don't want to waste anything. So here you go. And it's, I'm like, no, waste it. Use it. even if you have the inkling that you want to use it, use the whole thing, you know, because I want us to feel so entitled. To the materials,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

how often do we get to be in a space where we feel so entitled, you know?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right. That's very true. Not often. Especially with this idea that we have to share everything we have. Mm hmm. Yeah. Yeah. We have to share everything oh, let me not use all of this just in case someone else wants to use it without ever having been approached or no one asked me if they could use it. It can be fully mine. Or the frame of mind that you're in when you're actually trying to be in this space, you're still so hyper aware, so cognizant of everyone else's feelings and wants around you that you're never really able to be in it. I had an art class in seventh grade. And I love my teacher. You know, our teachers are so, they're always the best. They're so fun. And she had, she dressed fantastic, of course. But we had this like really strange inside joke that when it turned 11, 11, we would say hi to her grandma. She's like the quirkiest little cause she would all, I guess her grandma would always see that time. And so now, of course, us being like really super into numerology, we're like, I just saw two, two, two on her phone. I was going to say it out loud. And I'm like, Don't say that. Yeah. But it was such a fun time and we got to play with all these different materials and things like this. And I do remember like that being my one class where I could be like, Ooh, yes, like I get to be free in this and doing things. But. Still with a very specific purpose, like we did a papier mâché, like letters. And so I just did the first initial of my first name, and I still had to make it so that it matched my bedroom though. at the time it was stars and moons. And so it had to be that, because then it wouldn't be cohesive with my bedroom. So just things like that, but it still allowed me to have fun.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Okay.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

the parties, What is your favorite story so far that you've had personally when you're throwing the party? And then have you had any of your attendees share how either meaningful or impactful or I guess, I suppose life changing the experience was for them?

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah, yeah. Oh, there's so, there's so many is like really hard to choose.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

You know what, which ones to share. I think there are two that they're just like top of mind right now. So one I, I like to call this. Person, like the creative that's burnt out, right? that's also very real. And so this person has shared with me and with other people before too, they're like, whenever I see her in person, she'll be like, this is my creative Madrina. And just know that she's the creative Madrina for many of us out here in the community. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, that's so sweet. That's like creative God mother. For anybody that, that one of the little translation that'll. She will say, oh, you know, frequently she'll be like, I worked at an arts high school. I am a creative in my profession. And yet somehow the permission that Naomi gives. Me to not be perfect to just honor the process to play to be messy. I don't know what it is, but the fact that Naomi has given that permission makes me feel like I actually do have the permission to do that. And so that is always something that I really value. Because I mean, this person is a, formidable creative in her own right. And. The fact that she, it's a, it's very human. It's very human. And I think that's what I love about it is that no matter where you are in your career, no matter what, stage you're in, you are in, in your life, we still need each other. And there is something so important about being able to be mirrors for each other and, and to hold each other's hand in the process and like to be messy and make mistakes together and know that I'm going to still love you after. That I think is why That particular kind of sharing always resonates with me. And then the other one that I love that I got recently this is like your quintessential high performing, woman of color who has taken care of everybody, always had the answers to everything was like the end all be all point person. You know what I mean? Never can turn off, right?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

I know that. I know cause I am that. Yeah we know her.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Okay, I would like to know her. Okay,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Very familiar.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes. So, At the end of one of, uh, It was a virtual doodle date. And she, at the very end of this, goes, I just needed to be the first one to share because As someone who has tried every single meditative practice, journaling, yoga, this, that, x, y, z, right? She goes down the list of all the things that she's tried and she goes, nothing has been able to do what this just did for me. The fact that there was nothing going on up here, the fact that I wasn't going through the to do list or the fact that I could actually really just empty out all of the peripheral kind of ongoing background noise and thoughts and just doodle,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

that's incredible. Nothing has been able to do that for me. And. I that's something I was like, wow, I couldn't have even set her up to say that if I tried, right, that was just a very organic moment. And I'm like, those are the reasons, you know, those are the reasons why I do what I do. And that particular group where that woman had shared that she like really felt called by doodling, that group went on a retreat. I think two weeks after, and the director of the group was like, literally every person on this retreat has pulled out their journal, has been doodling at some point or another, like the way that that is the go to mechanism now to relax or like to de stress or unwind. And I'm like,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yay. Right. You're like, that's all I could do.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

yeah, I'm

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

is done. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like that specific explanation about getting lost in something and turning your brain on is so hard. It's so hard to do. Couple that with having to. kind of reteach yourself and relearn things that you learned as a child that were not really meant for you in your childhood and more were adult themes that could have been pushed until later on in life. I do feel that way. I've taken two ceramics classes. And when I'm there, I'm like, whatever first of all, I love that they don't tell you to make any type of piece they say, whatever it becomes is what it is. And I'm like, perfect, because I'm not going to be able to make a base. That's Guinea. I'm not doing it. And so, so far I've created a couple of things that like, it's been nice to find use out of them, but I didn't necessarily create them to have a purpose. So that's when I'm kind of like, I'm talking to my clay and because I have to talk to my clay, nothing else gets let in. Cause I

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm. Yeah.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

push, one wrong, like thing. And it's all wonky. And then I have to call the instructor over and it's a, it's a really good time. And usually. This is not surprising news. I'm the last one in the studio where I feel like everyone else is kind of like, okay, I did my two pieces. I'm leaving. I'm like, y'all, we have two hours in here. Don't you want to make use of the two hours and lean into the process. So I've been noticing that about like my external environment and being really able to tap back into that myself. So far, we've got an air plant holder and kind of like a catch all. Situation like keys go in there and stuff. Yeah, and I'm proud of her because she We're like a whole squad up in this bitch, you know, yeah, we roll deep like when we show up to an event We're all showing up. Yeah, and both times she's been like I'm doing this by myself So I know that you guys would love to do this, but this time it's just me Yeah, I have to do so because I would I would really allow myself to get back to this place where I have to have someone with me all the time. And that just feeds into the insecurities that I've worked on a lot in myself. And so I have to remind myself a lot that I used to be perfectly fine hanging out with me. And so doing those things by myself, I'm like, Yes, welcome back to myself. And I just get to have these full two hours. Cause I'm using them because cost 50 that I am there and I'm present and I'm going to come out with something and I don't really care what the something is.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

just about being there.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Amazing. We love that. What a gift.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

So going off script a little bit here, but I just love hearing people's stories and you said you're from the mission district. What was your experience growing up there? As a queer Latina,

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Ooh, yeah. I like well that there's so many layers to that question.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

however you want to

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. I'm like, where do I start? What do I want to say about that? Exactly. I think there are so many really beautiful things about it. So first and foremost, I grew up the first five years with my abuelita who owned her own alterations shop. She was the person that made the charro the mariachi outfits, right? It was that deep. I mean, it then became everybody's alteration on their jeans or their pants or whatever. But, you know, I was like, that, that was the level. so, one, I grew up speaking Spanish all of the time. Two, everybody in the neighborhood knew my grandma. And then by Association that knew me, right? I was her first nieta, everybody, you know, everybody was like bringing me little things when they went to go pick up their pants or whatever it was, right? And so it felt like family, right? It was just community, family, all the time. And she really was like the center. Of our family, right? She had five children, my mom being her middle daughter and So I got to see my tías and my tíos all the time, right? Because they always kind of landed back in her space. and so I think that was like a really beautiful memory. I have memories like when the paletero would come by, like he always knew to stop at the corner and like that, right? I would write,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right? You were there. Yeah.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

writing that to me and so, I think that was really special. I still remember, I think getting older, I remember not getting in literal fights, but you know, there would be certain people that would come and, I'm just gonna say there were, English only speaking, and then would be getting mad at my grandma for not having XRZ ready on time. And I remember profusely defending her and being like, well, if you don't like it, you can leave. And I was little, okay?

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes. Find another shop.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

great. I was like, take your ass somewhere else, okay? That's gonna charge you double the price, but get out of here with that kind of attitude. And so, yeah, I think it was like a little bit of everything growing up, I think in that way. But I also, I grew up dancing in Carnival every single year. My tia is a dancer and she is who I have studied with and traveled with and performed with. And I think that was like the impetus For me feeling like art is actually a spiritual practice,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. Mm-Hmm.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

and it not only connects me to myself and my body in this present moment in a way that feels like I am fully in my body. But it also felt like a very spiritual connection to ancestors. And I mean, like I have danced barefoot my entire life. So like that level of grounding and embodiment. And I don't know, it was just always this idea that I didn't need anything else, right? Like I didn't need anything else, but to just show up to really feel Connected and grounded and that was just enough in that moment, you know, yeah, I remember taking the bus home and watching all of the murals that. Were bright and in color and looked like me. And not only were they joyful, but they also had a very particular political

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Right.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

right? Like it was really kind of ingenious activism, right. Where we could talk about very political things and like for immigrants rights, right. Like just on a basic level. And that was all communicated, no words, just a mural, right? And the number of people that would see that on their way home from work or to school or what have you. Like, yeah, I definitely had a really beautiful upbringing in that sense. I mean, the mission is very different today. And in, in a lot of ways, I think it feels heartbreaking. like so many of the businesses that I grew up with are no longer there.

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Mm hmm.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Very white. And I'm like, wow. I remember when y'all used to be scared to come over here. I was just like, wow. And now you're, Oh, okay. But yeah, I think I feel really lucky to have been raised In that space when when I was Yeah

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

these pockets of we don't really want to be here so you guys can go and inhabit this space. Right. And then. We take the time and the care and it blooms and it blossoms and we, our communities create these amazing joy filled spaces and then they're like, Oh, well actually we want to live there now. So we're going to make it so expensive so that you can't and then push you all out and it's just so well then where, like where is good enough for us, right? If you're basically giving us the scraps and then when those scraps become a garden, then all of a sudden you want it back. Yeah, that's tough. Insecure, the show which I could watch it over and over and over again. Huge Issa Rae fans over here. She did a really good job. It was over several episodes over all the seasons because she integrated Inglewood and Leimert Park and just a lot of South Central LA into the show itself and actually literally showcased real places. Where it was a conversation that happened a lot between the characters, but it was a very real conversation that was happening in real life where it's didn't this used to be so and so's place or didn't this used to be this, or there was a white lady standing out of somewhere in, in Limerick Park and she was like handing out these flyers and Issa Ray looked at her like, What are you doing here? It used to be something else, right? And so I really admire people like her who use her platform to keep those spots open and alive and thriving. I think she's part owner in Hilltop Coffee, which now has like several locations and she's kept the one in Englewood and it's remained black owned and it's going to stay that way. And so I just Love that we can have those voices still present and those things being talked about on a show that's literally on a network like HBO, because those are things that are very crucial, super important, and that just continue to happen. Like it just continues to happen in Inglewood. And it continues to happen even when I was living in South Central LA myself, like I was noticing lots of different things. As soon as certain families started to move out and other families started to move in, I was like, Oh, and then repainting all the complexes, making sure the streets were cleaned up. I'm like, Oh, this is an interesting thing to really see in real time. You're like, y'all didn't care about this like a year ago. And now all of a sudden there's a deep care. We need a new fence around the pool. What's nobody even, you know what I mean? So it was just such an interesting thing to experience. And I think it continues to happen in lots of places. Barrio Logan in San Diego is a really good happening. Yeah, just very, very interesting. It really does beg the question, where do we go? Where's good enough for us? And then when we make that space good enough for us, why y'all want to take it back? Makes no sense.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

I know. I know. It's terrible. I know. I mean, I think that whole question of like, where is good enough for us is it's wherever we are, where wherever we are, we're gonna make it exactly what it you know what I mean? Like, it reminds me of that quote, They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds. It's, it's that. I'm like, wherever you put us, you try to put us in the corner, like we're going to pop off. And it's, it's about also, I think, knowing our power. Again, I think this is why I do what I do. The more that we can tap into our own creative power. I know that I can create any world that feels good for me and for you. And when we do that together, that's when we create these really beautiful communities, right? I don't need to wait on or depend on other people. These other systems and factors like to come and do the thing because you don't got a we got it,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yes. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. I think we're done waiting. We're like well past that point. It's, it's what, uh, really inspired us and kind of lit a fire under us to start something because we kept asking the same question over and over again and we continue to do that. When is this space going to be for us? When is this going to get created for us? Do we have to do everything? And the answer is just yes. Yes. And. For now, it is that until people start to catch on and realize that what it is that we're bringing to, to the community that we live in is something very beautiful. So yeah. So thank you for doing what you do in your community.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

Thank you, I was yeah, I was just like man I wanted a space where I I went to lots of different I think art spaces and community spaces and healing spaces, right? Like when I was trying to heal from the burnout that was You know, being a queer woman of color in a, you know, public facing profession and time and time again, I was like, either it feels really unorganized and I know that my time is valuable and I want this shit to be tight if I'm going to go like period. Okay. I was like, I deserve nice things. So that's one or the space would be a white person trying to teach me my own art. And I was like, absolutely not. Couldn't be me. Won't be me. No. You know, I was like, I know that there are plenty of people that look like us that can teach our cultural traditions. And I'm like, we need to be put up on a pedestal too. You know, and so I was like, huh, can't find the space, can't find the space. And so I was like, oh, okay, yes, I definitely, that's something that I want to create. And I want it to feel accessible and like home to anybody that looks like this, you know,

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Yeah. Yeah. I love it. I really appreciate that it exists. And I'm excited to come when we make our trip to San Francisco. Yeah. But on that note, I feel like it's a perfect place to close out and I would love to give you the chance to let everybody know where they can find you in that art party. Awesome.

naomi-fierro-pe-a--she-her-ella-_1_10-28-2024_134928:

That Art Party. We host creative play dates for BIPOC adults to ritualize arts and play as self care. You can find us on Instagram at That Art Party. Visit our website for all of the good juicy details about how to bring us to your workplace. Corporate gifting, all of the things. www. thatartparty. com. So, yeah. so

empaths-anonymous_2_10-28-2024_134928:

Thank you. Thank you so much, Naomi. We loved this conversation. Yes. We can't wait for everybody to hear it. Yes.

Speaker:

All right. So as always, as you guys can probably tell, we yap our guests ear off. Sometimes I'm like, are we talking too much? But we're just really enjoying our time and we're really enjoying like the connection that we're making with them and what they're sharing. So yeah, loved having Naomi on. She's just very. Open and very knowledgeable. I mean, she used to be a teacher, so I almost felt you could tell. Yeah. Just by the way that she like presents things, she's, she has numbered points. Yeah. And the third thing, articulate, yeah. I love, yeah, we love it. And we love that. She got a little hood on us. And we can't wait to go visit. I feel like more and more things are bringing us to like very specific like cities. I know at some point we're going to have to visit the East Coast to see our feminine chaos girlies. I know at some point we're going to go up north to San Francisco to meet some of the people that we've been talking to up north. So it's going to be a time. I'm very excited. As we said, we met her at a event that we went to. And I just, I mean, being around your daughter, Already kind of inspires that, but just doing any kind of inner child work, you start to realize, Oh, these things aren't silly. Right. It's what makes me, me. Yes. You don't have to feel ashamed. No one should ever make you feel ashamed for doing the things that bring you joy. If you want to color, if you want to watercolor, if you want to go walk outside barefoot, if you want to go run around, those things are not weird. I think that we put, you know, age, restraints on certain things so that we are not felt like we are othered by our community or people outside of our communities. And so I really liked that that was a huge part of our conversation. The conversation about gentrification came up and how it's very prevalent in So many cities throughout the U. S., but very specifically in California. And it was all in all such a good time. I'm finding myself proud that I have more examples to share of playfulness and tapping into my creativity. Whereas before I would answer like, Oh, I have to get back into that. Or, Oh, I have to start doing that again. Or now, Yes, I color! And yeah, I am in my ceramics class, right? And so it's nice to have that reflection period where I'm like, Oh, okay. Before I used to say that I was going to start doing this and now I can actually share a story or an experience from when I. When I did it when I did so that does feel refreshing and it kind of speaks to a little bit more of what's in my cup today as far as feeling grateful that I've been able to have the support system number one to be able to do that the finances to be able to do that and the time. Because time is valuable as we all know as always as always speaking of as always if you enjoyed this conversation Please let us know you can leave us a review on Apple podcast or Spotify. We would love to read it We love when you guys tell us what you like, maybe more of what you would like to see But also you can follow us on At Empaths Anon pod, where we're going to put all of our fun clips from this episode. And we'd love to have a conversation with you there or on YouTube, Empaths Anonymous. Yeah, we've been loving the response so far. We've got a great response from our visit to Bikakoa salon. And I think you guys really like us sharing more of kind of what we do outside of the pod. So we're going to try to schedule more things. She's off jet setting again, so it won't be for like a little while, but just trying to be mindful of. When we do go out and do things to have fun and be present in the moment, but also try to get content and show you guys what is it we're up to outside of the green velvet couch, which sometimes isn't much. And yeah, if you want me, if you want me to record me doing homework for 10 hours. Okay, there are some like aesthetic do homework with me or work with me type. Oh, yeah I watch where they like set up their their youtube and you are like very much a supply girly So you can show off supplies like the highlighters the pens like your organization system how you take notes Yes, that could be very aesthetic It's true and we got a new desk and chair for in here because we use this as a double space Which of course you have to maximize that it's kind of a triple space. It's my closet. That's true It's the podcast studio and it's an office and office space. But yeah, it's really nice. It's like finally coming together and feeling a little bit more like us. So functional. Yeah, maybe I will. Honestly, it's been in the back of my mind. What? Doing one of those like a UGC or, uh, do homework with me, like study with me type of thing. Cause I already listened to the Pomodoros. If you're not onto the Pomodoros, get into the Pomodoros. If you have to work or study anything for an extended period of time and you need. Breaks built in for yourself. Those are it. She could be the spokesperson. I could be a pomodoro spokesperson. Honestly, I do be talking about pomodoros, but that's it. We don't want to take too long and we hope that you enjoy the rest of your day, week, night, whenever it is that you're listening to this. We should pray though. We should pray. We haven't in a while and I feel like we need to get back into the routine. We do. It's our thing. We should pray. And with that, let us pray. Spirit, grant me the serenity to tap into my imagination. The courage to play without perfection. And the wisdom to not read the mind. Oh, bitch, when she tells my abuelita that she took too long to tailor her pants and Amen. Go off. So it is. So it is. And shut down. Shut down. Bye. Bye.