Real Time Creator | A Career Break Diary

A very unexpected invitation pulled me across the country, so here I am, popping in from my hotel room in San Francisco.This episode will feel like a spontaneous, casual voice note, but we’re also talking about opportunities… and how you can create more of them if you just send the damn email!In This Episode:The email draft I sat on for WEEKS and what happened when I finally hit sendCarly Valancy’s reach out experiment and her overall success rate What exactly led to me getting a mysterious invite to San FranciscoThe deeper fear that hides underneath the possibility of rejectionResources & Links:Follow Carly Valancy on LinkedIn and check out her Substack article where she shares more about her Reach Out experiment.Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Did you notice I went quiet? No episodes, no social media, no showing up. Life got heavy in a way I wasn't expecting, and honestly… I needed a minute.This episode is part nostalgia, part grief, and part reminder that the scariest leaps are always the ones worth taking.In This Episode:Why I’ve been grieving the past few days, and the pit in my stomach I felt when I was at TEDxThe weird butterfly effect of leaving home and accidentally building an entirely different lifeLosing my dog unexpectedly, and the spiral of thinking about alternate timelines and “what if” momentsThe moment my car’s alternator failed on a busy California freeway - and why we almost gave upLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

I did NOT expect a 6-week pottery class to turn into a bigger conversation about quitting, intuition, and the things we stay stuck in for way too long. But that’s exactly what happened. What started as a small creative experiment on my career break ended up showing me how much resistance I was feeling and what kinds of creative experiences actually light me up.In This Episode:What resistance reveals about creative expansion vs. adding another open tab to your lifeMy unexpected visit with a reiki healer a few months before I got laid offThe complacency I felt in the final stretch of my tech career, even while still liking my jobThe internal tension between leaving a stable job for entrepreneurship, and sunk cost fallacyLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

For 8 months, I’ve been avoiding the job market, questioning if I want to “enter the arena.” And it’s because the stories I'm hearing are genuinely jaw-dropping.The rules have changed in 2026. We can no longer reactively apply to hundreds of jobs. Our networks matter more than EVER, and I’m ready to share all of my theories.In This Episode:My “life admin” week, and why I skipped last week’s episodeWhy the traditional job search feels more broken than everThe two arenas you can choose to play in, and why one of them is a crowded, exhausting dead endWhy the "white picket fence" version of a career might be the thing we need to questionResources & Links:Episode 8: A $107K Portfolio Career, “Boring” Businesses, & the Rise of Unconventional Work Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Last week, I REALLYYYY stretched myself by saying “yes” and speaking on stage at a local podcaster’s panel. I'm going to take you into my head for the entirety of it - the anticipation, the "day of" investments I made, what it felt like minutes before walking on stage, and how podcasting has shaped who I am as a person.In This Episode:Live clips from my introduction on stage, along with some panel highlightsThe three “power words” I wrote in my journal before I got on stageThe $60 and $13 investments that changed how I showed up The unexpected part of committing to this experience that drained the most energyDid I get paid? And was it worth it?Resources & Links:This is the bronzer I used for a sunkissed glow on stage:Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Melting Bronzing StickLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Nobody talks about what happens when a high salary stops feeling like enough. I was making over $200,000 a year and STILL attaching my sense of worth to every paycheck, every commission, every win. This is a vulnerable episode that goes deep into the complex layers of lifestyle creep, what it was like to earn at a high level and why I was still chasing “more” even when I was already maxed out.In This Episode:My exact tech sales salary progression, and what I earned at each stageThe debt that “ballooned” to 5-figures overnight when I was in my early 20’sHow I got caught in an unexpected shame spiral because of lifestyle creepThe “overemployment” rabbit hole I fell into while already burned outRelated Episodes:Episode 1: I Lost My $200K Tech Job… and Everything I Thought I WantedEpisode 5: We Scaled Podcasting for Creatives to 22 Clients… Then My Husband Ended Up in the ERLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

What do I actually DO all day?! In this episode, I’m getting real and honest about the resistance I felt around committing to a new creative hobby, why I’m doing the exact opposite when it comes to my usual workout routine, and how I’m trying to avoid acting “retired” 24/7.The messy middle of reinvention doesn’t always look super dramatic from the outside. It’s like a series of tiny experiments that slowly start reshaping your life.In This Episode:The six-week pottery class I almost bailed on 90 minutes (!!) before it startedMy awkward first attempt filming video content (hello, cringe mountain)The self-care appointment I hadn’t done in almost 1 yearEarly reactions to the Brick device and how it’s impacting my screen timeA coffee chat with a founder building device-free “third space” experiencesResources & Links:Read my layoff story in Maggie Blackburn’s newsletter, Feeling FreeLearn more about the Brick if you want to cut back on your phone screen timeGet the FREE AI prompt I used to map out my 3 odysseys, lifeview, and workviewRelated Episodes:Episode 3: The Bad Habit That Hijacks My Life, and What I’m Changing in 2026Episode 10: I Asked AI to Map Out My Future… and It Gave Me 3 Completely Different LivesLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Every time someone asks me what’s next for my life, I freeze. And last week, a conversation with my former boss pushed me to explore that tension using AI in a way I didn’t expect. (And I’m sharing the ENTIRE prompt with you so you can try it too!)We’re talking all things AI, internet nostalgia, and what I learned when I used Claude to map out three potential “paths” for my career.In This Episode:Betting on a dream vs. the “safer” path that’s less riskyHow I craft thoughtful AI prompts to avoid surface level answersThe reflection questions that forced me to confront what I think about workAI use cases, including my take on AI clonesThe future version of my life that would feel like a “slow death”Resources & Links:Get the FREE prompt I used to map out my 3 odysseys, lifeview, and workviewDesigning Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave EvansLearn more about AI Snack Club to join a community of other women mastering AI togetherLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Seven months ago, I was googling “how to make extra money from home.” I had just been laid off, my nervous system was buzzing, and I needed proof that I could still be “valuable” and generate income if I had to. Over 3 months, I experimented with three different gig-style income streams: market research studies, restaurant mystery shopping, and wedding event support, and made exactly $1,127.Some of it felt empowering. Some of it felt absurd.In This Episode:What it was like having a post go viral on LinkedIn last weekWhy I felt like I needed to be “busy” and “useful” after getting laid offHow I landed seven paid market research gigs, one of which paid $200The unglamorous aspects of restaurant mystery shoppingThe mindset shift that made me stop gig work completely and commit to building visibility and leverageResources & Links:Episode 2: Why I Almost “PANIC-SOLD” My House, and How I’m Saving Over $1,500/MonthSign up for Dscout and make money doing research studies.Check out these mystery shopping companies: A Closer Look and iSecretShop.Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

There is a WILD cultural shift happening between AI, massive layoffs, and the boom of portfolio careers, “boring” businesses, and complete identity rewrites are happening EVERYWHERE.One woman left Slack and Asana and built a 6-figure income without a traditional job. Another started a “boring” business and had a four-figure day. People are walking away from a stable corporate path to make a zig-zag pivot into a dream they can’t ignore.It feels less like rebellion and more like recalibration, and I can’t stop paying attention!In This Episode:The unconventional income mix behind Maggie’s $107K portfolio careerHow Alyssa turned a playful hobby into a creative income streamThe sentence my friend said about her wine bar dream that gave me chillsMy friend’s “boring business” that is generating real revenueWhy I’m constantly turning to my 80-90 year old self for wisdomResources & Links:Many of the women featured in my stories have Substacks where they go deeper on their pivots! Check them out here:Feeling Free by Maggie BlackburnMade of Memories by Alyssa MopiaFrom the Inside Out by Jessica HowellEpisode 6: I Turned Down TWO 6-Figure Job Opportunities - Am I Crazy?!Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

This is a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at my first 30 days of podcasting. I’m spilling the download numbers, the unexpected surprises and freak-outs, and how putting my “journal” out in the world is already opening doors I didn’t even pitch for.In This Episode:The exact mental block that made YouTube feel impossible even though I had ideas ready to goHow many downloads I expected to get, vs. how many I actually gotWhy a podcast felt “frictionless” compared to YouTube and what got me to actually hit recordThe 4 things that are still “keeping me up at night” about this podcastLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

Two weeks ago, I seriously questioned ending my career break.In this episode, I’m walking you through what actually happened when I was invited to explore two sales roles I would’ve jumped at a year ago.In This Episode:Why being wanted and “in demand” messed with my head more than I expectedThe bargaining spiral and pros/cons list I went throughWhere I got starry-eyed about saying “yes”, and what it would have meant for this season of my lifeThe uncomfortable truth this choice surfaced about my valuesLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

3 years ago, our podcast editing business scaled beyond our wildest dreams to 22 clients. And then my husband ended up in the ER.Steve is joining me for an honest conversation about how we divide roles, why our dynamic as business partners actually works, and what happened when the overwhelming tension built as our business expanded.We also talk about juicy things like the moments we annoy each other, the decisions we avoided WAY longer than we should have, and the questions we’re sitting with about ambition, scaling, and health.In This Episode:The exact numbers $$$ of what we made in our first yearHow we went from “fake it till you make it” to 22 clients FAST, without social mediaThe terrifying wake-up call that made us downsize, and why it took me over a year to feel safe rebuilding afterWhat’s keeping us up at night as entrepreneurs and why we’re happier being a leaner business Resources & Links:Our favorite to-do list/project management tool is Asana.Thinking about starting a podcast? Fill out this quick form and let’s chat.Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

My energy is giving me WAY more information than my to-do lists ever did.What happens when I stop forcing decisions and start collecting clues? I’m back from a 3-city trip and we’re covering it all: networking, my unexpected obsession at the Tampa RV Show, and a realization about commitment that caught me off guard.There’s a clear thread in this episode: paying attention to what lights me up, what drains me, and what my body and mindset are trying to tell me.In This Episode:Why I’m not forcing outcomes and focusing instead on patterns, surprises, and signalsA simple, but powerful language shift from an Entrepreneur Success Series event that felt like a gut punchHow walking 20,000 steps a day in San Francisco revealed some of my own self-imposed limitsResources:Noovo VansEntrepreneur Success Series - if you’re local to San Diego, check out Jaymie and Jess’s monthly events for foundersLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

I hate to admit this, but being on my phone is literally a part-time job. And I didn’t realize how much it was costing me until I looked at the data. (And yes, I’m sharing my REAL screen time stats in this episode that make me CRINGE).You'll hear what I’m experimenting with, what I haven’t figured out yet, and why this feels like a pivotal moment in my career break.In This Episode:The unexpected question my therapist asked that made me realize I’m not living my ideal “normal” dayMy real screen-time stats, including how often I pick up my phoneHow nighttime scrolling is sabotaging my mornings, routines, and self-trustThe idea of “putting your phone to bed” and the intriguing tool I’m considering buying Resources:Learn more about the Brick (I’m really thinking about getting one!)Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

We’re talking MONEY, baby! Today I’m walking you line by line through all the expenses I cut out of my budget to afford my new life on a creative career break, and the moment I realized that wanting to panic-sell my house wasn’t really about the house at all.This solo episode is all about what happens when your sense of safety gets shaken, your identity cracks open, and your nervous system starts looking for control anywhere it can find it.In This Episode:The lightbulb moment that stopped me from blowing up my life, and what it taught me about uncertaintyExactly how I cut over $1,500 a month from my budget, including the expenses that used to make me feel “successful”Why stretching my severance (and paying myself monthly from it) is giving me nervous-system safety A pep talk for anyone experiencing an “in between” phase, a career pivot, or ANY unknownsResources & Links:Episode 1: I Lost My $200K+ Tech Job… and Everything I Thought I WantedSave $$ with Mint Mobile - this is my refer-a-friend linkLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

I thought I had “made it.” Five years into a dream sales career in tech, earning over $200K a year without a college degree, it felt like my life checked all the boxes. But then I got laid off. And instead of freaking out and applying to 100 jobs, I decided to treat this as an invitation to start a full-blown creative career break. In this first episode, I’m walking you through the emotional unraveling, and the surprising shifts in my body, stress, and creativity that have unfolded in just five months. If you’ve ever wondered what a career break can do to your identity, ambition, and sense of possibility, this is the raw, real, behind-the-scenes starting point of my story.In This Episode:What it was like to be a high-earning breadwinner, the lifestyle upgrades I loved, and the downsides that it cost meMy pattern of shelving my own ideas to work behind the scenes for 7-figure creators The expensive coping ritual I created to escape stress multiple nights a week after workThe surprising changes that unfolded after my layoff (both mental + physical), and how wildly different my life feels, 5 months inLet's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives. 

I spent years chasing success, money, and shelving my creative dreams. I was a lifestyle blogger, a secret weapon inside of a 7-figure creator business, and a high earner in tech. Then I got laid off, and EVERYTHING changed.Real Time Creator is my unfiltered, voice note style diary of what it's like to be in your late 30's, reinventing your entire life and business.Every week, you'll catch me nerding out over money transparency, identity shifts, entrepreneurship, the zig-zag of living your life online and building in public, and the messy middle.Start with episode 1 for my full story.Let's Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @alisonkinsey or send me an email: [email protected]. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn.I also help entrepreneurs and thought leaders launch and grow their podcasts through my boutique podcast editing agency, Podcasting for Creatives.