CALIA BRENCSONS VAN DYK shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
CALIA, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m diving deep into Tony Robbins’ work. His blend of strategy and mindset is inspiring how I guide creatives at Caliativity Productions—helping artists move from idea to action. As we head into Q4, I’m borrowing his energy and practical tools to fuel our upcoming book launches and coaching projects.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Calia Brencsons-Van Dyk, and I lead Caliativity Productions and Creative Agency, a 360-degree creative studio. We produce films and live events, create branded content, and handle the digital side—web design, social media, and strategic storytelling. I’m also a presentation and executive coach, helping leaders and creatives show up with confidence whether they’re on stage, on camera, or in the boardroom.
My path started in television and large-scale event production—everything from award-winning food and lifestyle programs to international live shows. Over time I realized that creative people need more than great production; they need a clear personal brand and the presence to share it. Caliativity grew out of that insight, bringing production and branding together under one roof.
What makes us unique is that whole-picture approach. We don’t just build a website or film a piece; we think about how the story flows across every touchpoint—live, digital, and social—and we coach clients to speak that story with authenticity and power.
Right now we’re developing a year-long guided creative program to help performers and multi-disciplinary creatives explore identity, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. As we move into Q4, we’re also expanding our coaching and production projects so that more artists, entrepreneurs, and companies can present their ideas with clarity and impact. At the heart of it all is one goal: helping people tell their story in a way that truly connects.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I have to give credit to my parents, my husband, and my teachers. If we are lucky in life, we are surrounded from an early age by people who believe in us, and I have been extremely blessed in that way. I grew up in a loving, caring, and supportive family who have always done everything to push me forward, often sacrificing a great deal for my success.
I also treasure my time at Mills College, a small liberal arts college whose intimate classroom setting allowed me to become close to my professors and to make friends for life. Those friendships have been a constant source of support, and my professors—who knew me personally—challenged me to become a better person and to reach higher than I thought possible. It is thanks to them that I learned to push myself harder and to aim for more.
I still carry with me the Mills College motto—“remember who you are and what you represent.” It remains a touchstone for me, reminding me of the values and community that shaped me and continue to guide the work I do today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. Yes. Yes. It’s a daily struggle. The statistics show that many women leave the entertainment industry in their 40s and never go back—and there are reasons for that. The hours are long. You give up time with your family. It’s hard. As someone in this industry, you are your own brand, and you need to fiercely believe in yourself and the difference you can make, and we don’t always make it easy to do that.
It isn’t always financially feasible, and it can be hard to get funding. So yes, I have often thought of giving up. And yet I keep coming back to the same people who have supported me—my family. They are the reason that I don’t give up. They are the vision that keeps me going and believing in what is possible.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I once believed—wholeheartedly—that people are inherently good and that we can always work together for the greater good. I still want to believe it, but experience has shown me that isn’t always true.
At my core I’m an optimist and fiercely loyal. I like to look at both sides of an issue, find common ground, and create a positive outcome for everyone. Even in today’s divisive climate I try to bring people together, even when that isn’t the easiest or most profitable choice. I need to be able to look myself in the mirror, so I will pass on a business deal rather than harm someone along the way.
I’ve learned that this mindset can be naïve, yet I still choose to treat people the way I want to be treated and refuse to work in toxic or unhealthy environments. That commitment—though sometimes costly—remains essential to who I am.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop procrastinating. I’d stop asking for permission. And I’d stop seeking approval from others. I’ve always been a people pleaser, but I think this generation has learned to take risks in a way I never knew. Even though many would describe me as a risk-taker—someone who has forged a path for others—I know I could do more. I’d write the script. I’d put on the show. I’d get on the stage.
I came up in a time when you had to fit a certain mold, when you were expected to look a certain way. One of the things I love about today is that we celebrate all shapes, sizes, and differences. It pains me to see any movement backwards, because it’s precisely those differences that make us so special.
I have been blessed in my career—an Emmy Award, two James Beard Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from Mills College, and most recently Northeastern University’s 2025 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards – Special Recognition. But my greatest accomplishment is personal: being the daughter of an 85-year-old mother who lives with me; a 26-year marriage to an incredible husband who still puts up with me; being the mom of the most intelligent and kind 12-year-old boy; and having friendships that have lasted for decades. All the accolades mean nothing without the village that supports them.
I was asked last night what I hope for my child, and my answer was simple: that he will grow up empathetic, with love in his life, and with a global outlook and understanding of the world that perhaps I didn’t have. That, more than anything, is what I want to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://caliativity.com
- Instagram: caliativityproductions
- Linkedin: Caliativityproductions
- Facebook: caliativityproductions
- Youtube: Caliativityproductions
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