Ara Katz
The Mentor
For our first interview of the season, I sat down with my mentor and friend, the brilliant and ever-wise Ara Katz. During our conversation, Ara reflected on many things: her return to New York after years living in LA, how experiencing grief as a teen shaped her worldview, and how she turned to creativity as a means of survival as a child. We explore neuroaesthetics and the impact of physical space, the importance of quiet, intuition, and trust in oneself, and why creatives must resist “contorting” for social media algorithms.
Tune in for a meditation on self-trust, the importance of non-attachment, and the lifelong work of becoming who you are.
Fig. 01 — From the episode archive
Guest Questionnaire
The Questionnaire
- Favorite work of art?
- Me
- Favorite quote or mantra?
- “Burn the barn now I can see the moon”
- Favorite book of yours?
- In the realm of non-attachment, favorites of anything would mean you are no longer seeing what’s in front of you
- Favorite time of day?
- Now.
- Favorite movie?
- ☺
- Album or musical artist you have on repeat?
- Today: MTV Unplugged, Bleachers (2017)
- Favorite type of tree, plant, or flower?
- Lotus seeds and creosote rings
Three Questions on Time
Take Your Time Back
If everything on your calendar tomorrow was canceled, what would you do?
I would take my children out of school and to my dad’s house and take a walk in nature with them and spend the day with them.
Time is the only thing you can’t fake. What’s something you could have only learned over time?
That you cannot, under any circumstances, abandon yourself.
When does time stand still for you?
Do I want time to stand still?
From the Episode
Show Notes
In This Episode
- 0:00Introducing Ara Katz, Co-Founder of Seed
- 1:37Three Deep Breaths & “How Is Your Heart Today?”
- 4:11Returning to New York & the Meaning of Home
- 9:49How Dianna & Ara Met
- 11:08When Do We Really Become Who We Are?
- 13:20Childhood, Early Trauma & Creativity as Survival
- 16:03Grief, Solitude & Losing Her Mom at 15
- 25:34“She Didn’t Always Follow the Recipe” — Her Mother’s Last Gift
- 27:25The Decision to Launch Crown Affair
- 30:26The Miracle of the Human Body & Lifelong Wellness Philosophy
- 34:19Disconnection from Nature & the Importance of Getting Quiet
- 41:37Building a Brand Without Contorting for the Algorithm
- 45:25Anxiety as a Signal You’re Out of Alignment
- 58:04Mary Oliver’s “The Journey” Read Aloud
- 1:02:52Take Your Time Questions Begin
- 1:05:15Seed’s Storytelling Legacy & the Times Square Billboard
- 1:12:02When Does Time Stand Still? Reframing Our Relationship to Time
In Her Words
- “Homecoming is the name of all of our autobiographies. I think we take a long journey to find our way home.”
- “The secret to life is there is no recipe.”
- “We can’t get to our knowing because we don’t shut the fuck up long enough to listen to it.”
- “When you have anxiety over something, it is usually a sign that you are not in alignment with your knowing and that you already know.”
- “I say this especially to women, because I feel it so deeply myself. We are contortionists and at every age we’re contorting for something, from relationships and friendships, to the algorithm. You have to decide — what level of contorting are you comfortable with? And why are you doing it?”
- “Brands are just conduits for human connection.”
- “Everything you need to do is nothing. It’s all here, and accessible.”
- “Everyone’s a mirror.”
- “I really think that what the world needs now are non-contortionists.”
- “You have to trust yourself to give something time.”
Mentioned in the Episode
- Undimmed by Cecily Mak
- Seed
- Mary Oliver, “The Journey”
Follow Along
Dianna on Instagram: @diannacohen
Take Your Time on Instagram, TikTok and Substack
