We had the good fortune of connecting with Mackenzie Edmondson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mackenzie, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, I had no other option because I wouldn’t be happy in any other sector. I’ve always been what I like to call “Chaotically Creative” meaning that, sporadically, I get the intense need or craving to make something. Or as a friend put it: if I don’t act on those artistic impulsions, I “start vibrating and eventually explode.” So to ensure that I don’t spontaneously combust, I went for a career that allows me to create on a regular rather than trying to find time around a busy schedule to do so. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I tend to medium-hop so I’m never making the same type of work for long. I’ve done music, illustration, screenwriting, and just about anything that seems appealing to me at that given moment. I think the only real constant throughout my work is a sense of irony and self-awareness, probably because I am unable to take anything seriously. I guess maybe that is what separates me from the pack. Some artists take their work so seriously not to knock them for it, but it’s not something that feels natural for myself and my work. For me, self-expression doesn’t always have mean bearing the depths of your soul and putting your trauma on parade. I can just be putting your weird “what-ifs” out into the world for others to see and maybe even appreciate your point of view. Right now, I’m psyched about my short film, “Stagefright.” It was an absolute rollercoaster of a process. I had days where it felt like it was never going to make it to production. Despite all odds seemingly being attacked against us and by the grace of the amazing donors, sponsors, cast, and crew we pulled it all together and are nearing the end of post-production! With any luck, it’ll be hitting the film festival circuit early in 2021. On top of that, I recently launched a podcast with my friend Kate called “I Can’t Stop Thinking about…” which has been an absolute blast to create (and worth listening to as well, in my oh-so-very humble opinion). Professionally, I got to where I am by what seems like sheer stubbornness. I know “stubborn” seems like an aggressive and even negative sort of word, but I find it to be a better fit for how I function than the happier words like “persistence.” The way I accomplish things is by telling myself again and again that I don’t have the option or luxury of giving up on it and believing it despite clear evidence that I can stop if I wanted to. Truly, I think anything is possible if you’re too stubborn to quit. So I guess to distill this “sage wisdom” into a catchy bit of unsolicited advice: Don’t take yourself so seriously, create with the unyielding stubbornness of a mustard stain, and all that jazz.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have exactly 4 places in Houston take I take all of my favorite people without fail: – The Chocolate Bar (for sweets) – Fat Bao (for the Yummy Fries) – Boomtown (for the coffee) – The Downtown Aquarium (because I’m inexplicably obsessed with fish. It’s a problem.) – The Wilde Collection (for the wonderfully macabre)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am without all the friends and family members who listen to and encourages my ideas. They don’t let me get away with putting anything on the backburner and relentlessly bug me about a project until I finally have something to show for it. Annoying at times? Perhaps. But without that loving sort of nagging, I would have passed up so many opportunities.

Website: https://kenzieedmondson7.wixsite.com/mackenzieedmondson
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-edmondson-4a8141122
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICSTAPodcast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4xPvLWyGOYQk59zOjLBnw?view_as=subscriber
Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/kenzieedmondson Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7iE4n4Q0B6l7s2SheZNSs0?si=f24zK9iGR82aO602pUFY4g Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-cant-stop-thinking-about/id1538027382?i=1000496696685 Anchor: https://anchor.fm/icsta

Image Credits
Black and white photo in witch costume – Evan L’Roy (2018) Header Photo – Jeff McMorrough (2018)

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