18. Art, Advocacy, and Authenticity with Opera Tang

In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman talks with Opera Tang, a drag artist and performer, about her transition from a tech sales career to full-time drag performing. Opera shares her inspiring journey, starting from her retrenchment to finding her artistic voice by reconnecting with her Chinese heritage. They discuss the balance between art and commerce, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of staying true to oneself. Opera also opens up about her future goals, including her desire to engage with the elderly community and make a positive impact on society through her art. Tune in for a heartfelt and engaging conversation filled with valuable insights on creativity, resilience, and personal growth.   Opera's links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opera.tang/    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theoperatang  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/opera.tang  Podcast links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2h9gsrWKH9C1KY1OzR12kr?si=2a4d19970632465f     Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-we-get-there/id1775182252 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforewegettherepodcast/  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nicholasbraman Website: https://nicholasbraman.com/before-we-get-there-podcast/     00:00 Introduction 01:08 Meet Opera Tang: Drag Artist and Storyteller 01:54 From Tech Sales to Full-Time Drag 03:59 Building a Personal Brand 19:29 Navigating Imposter Syndrome 23:35 The Power of Delusional Optimism 24:45 Exciting Collaborations and Partnerships 29:54 Balancing Work and Rest 38:48 Future Aspirations and Community Impact 43:09 Emotional Reflections and Future Goals 47:17 Conclusion and Farewell