Kacie Willis

Kacie is a creator and arts advocate based out of Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her BS in Music Recording Technology from Hampton University and MFA in Sound Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.

After participating in the 2019 Spotify Sound Up accelerator program she formed the production company Could Be Pretty Cool whose mission is to produce unique creative experiences to inspire community building through the arts. Kacie has also served as a theatrical sound designer, arts administrator and speaker for local and national arts and cultural organizations.

I’m excited for you to connect with Kacie, check out her work and impact, and follow along as she continues to share her passion for passion for creation, collaboration and connection.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I'm an Atlanta-based audio producer and arts advocate and the Founding Producer of Could Be Pretty Cool, a production company that makes podcasts and livestream audio shows. I'm currently working on the second season of my podcast, You Heard Me Write and a second master's degree.

How did you get started?

I've been obsessed with audio ever since I was very young. I remember watching audio cassettes spin around and around for hours trying to figure out how the music "got in there" and my fascination with sound has only grown since then. I went from wanting to be a musician and music producer to designing sound for live theatre and eventually podcasting.

What Inspired the work you’re doing?

I love finding points of common connection between people that may not otherwise organically find time to create together or have a conversation with one another. My podcast You Heard Me Write serves as a reminder that strangers can possibly make incredible collaborators if you're open being vulnerable. I'm inspired by the common ground that can be discovered through collective creation.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is the act of coming up with an idea and experiencing the journey from a spark in my brain to a real, live prototype or product. It makes me feel amazing to know what I am capable of and that there are creations that literally will not happen if I don't make them happen. I feel like I am living my purpose because the act of creating is something that comes the most naturally to me.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I love weird art and weird people, ha! Anytime someone says, "There's an experimental, immersive, crazy art show you gotta see" or any time I meet someone with a unique perspective or worldview that I've yet to experience, I feel so honored to be challenged and inspired by something, well different.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

Finding space to remember that things won't happen overnight is how I remain grounded. The journey to creating and launching my first podcast lasted from August 2019 to February 2021 and there were certainly plenty of "hurry up and wait" moments that sometimes made me a little antsy. With all current and future projects I have to remind myself that things will happen when they are supposed to and that, in most cases, worrying about timing or trying to rush things along will end up being counterproductive.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

She wouldn't be surprised. She's always known there's nothing else that we would rather be doing, but I think that she would be proud of how humble we've become because we used to be a little bit cocky,lol.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

"My soul belongs to the cosmos. My soul belongs to the wind. I am the cosmos. I am the wind."

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to produce art for a living for the rest of my life and take care of my family. That's it.

To connect with Kacie and learn more check out her website couldbeprettycool.com or on Instagram @kcshar1

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Kacie Willis - Founding Producer, Could Be Pretty Cool