We recently connected with Sara Rodenburg and have shared our conversation below.
Sara , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I believe, like many, I found my purpose through experience, trial and error, hardships, accomplishments and successes, and that purpose for me continues to evolve.
Today I feel grounded in who I am as woman with many interests , callings , and pursuits.
I am a Singer-Songwriter, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a specialization in Older Adults and Healthcare, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist.
I am a, Sober Woman, and spiritual person on a lifelong path, which supports all of my endeavors.
For a long time in my young life I struggled with what it was I was placed here for. It seemed like Some seemed to exactly who they are, what they want, like “being a mom” or “running a business” was what they were supposed to do and began that pursuit at a young age.
Looking back, I think I did “know” on some level, what my purpose here is, but didn’t always allow myself follow my instincts .
I remember feeling, deep down, that I wanted to perform, be heard, share my heart, help others, but didn’t fully trust my instincts and desires. I wasn’t’ sure what that meant for me, or that I had the power and passion to make anything realized that I wants
For some time, I struggled with inner demons that told me I wasn’t good enough, or didn’t have what “they” had.
One foot in front of the other, I trudged through college and grad school, worked jobs that taught me what I did and didn’t like, and helped me see my strengths,
I struggled with self worth and addiction, and when I broke through on the other side, my spiritual growth and ability to self love blossomed, and I felt I could soar, no matter what.
I embraced myself for who I am and began to see and explore the gifts I’d been granted at birth and looked for ways to cultivate them.
Awareness, curiosity about others and desire to work in the helping profession led me to study Psychology, Social Work, and I began to hone my skills. I discovered populations I loved working with, and that my skills in this field were needed, valued, and that I was making a difference.
That felt good, and I realized that my background in Psychology, coupled with My Masters in Social Work was extremely useful across so many areas in the field.
I loved working with elders and in Mental Health and over the years have found joy, satisfaction and inspiration in working with these groups.
I realized I that my musical gift and abilities to express thoughts feelings, experiences and stories through song was where I found my light and a place to shine.
When I bought that first guitar after Grad School, and felt I was “home”, I don’t think I realized that it would open up an entire portal for which my soul had been calling.
Writing music and sharing my heart this way has saved my life in so many ways.
It is an a panacea, a friend, a coping skill, a dance partner an antidepressant, and a conduit to connection with spirit, soul, and for those in need.
I felt how people responded to my music, even when I wrote words and tunes behind bedroom doors, without any intention of them being heard.
I felt it mattered, That I mattered, That I could be all of these things, and that I am uniquely me. That my purpose it to be the summation of my upbringing, my pain, my passion, and my spirit, and I Can bring all of myself, my purpose, to my music, my work as a LIcensed Clinical Social Worker, and that sometimes those paths are intertwined.
In my work at Kaiser Permanente, I have an annual “gig” at the Day of Remembrance ceremony, where we honor those we have lost. I bring songs I have written, some that are about the losses I have experienced, and some that are inspirational songs, meant to bring comfort and hope.
I delight in being able to bring my authenticity to shows I play, my recorded work, and pride in every single and album I release.
My experience and story through music and songwriting is meant to be shared.
I understood that I didn’t need to choose one or the other, that I could use all of the gifts I have been given to be my fullest self professionally and as spiritual being.
My purpose here is to heal, help, and remain open to how the Universe continues to guide me and offer new opportunities, nearly every day, as long as I am willing to listen.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently I am working full time as a Medical Social Worker for Kaiser Permanente, while cultivating a small private Psychotherapy Practice, which offers Hypnotherapy, As a Singer-Songwriter, I am always working on new music, performing several times a month, and recording when time allows.
I have a new album coming out early this summer, and recent singles and previous Albums on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube etc.
What I love about my life today, is that the delicate balance I make between Professional in Social Services and mental health and Musician, is that I get to embrace all of me,
Each area of my life allows me to embrace my whole being, be creative, and of service in all of the work that I do.
My story, like most, began at a young age. As child I had an active imagination, making up stories and songs, acting out plays with dolls, and putting on musicals with my friends and brothers adn sisters. Ill
I was guided, by my mother (a piano teacher) , to play music, and studied piano, violin, partiipated in choral groups, and in theatre..
Being a shy child, I had a lot of fears and insecurities, which kept me from really feeling I deserved accolades, or that I was “good enough”
My dreams were to be an actress, beauty queen, rockstar and to “be discovered” like I read about in fashion magazines. Somewhere along the road, those inner demons, and the voices that told me I couldn’t got the better of me.
I began to focus on swimming, where I excelled. The stopwatch doesn’t lie, and I enjoyed being commended on my achievements there.
I continued to swim in HIgh School and in College, and focused less and less on music and the arts.
I studied psychology, in part, to help me figure my own head out, but also to be that guide for others, so that I may help those in need and allow their voices to be heard, achieve what they desire and find inner peace and self love.
My college days were filled with life, love, learning, and quite a bit of drinking. I will talk more about this later.
After graduating with a BA in Psychology from INdiana University, I entered graduate school in pursuit of my Masters in Social Work, so that I may one day become a Psychotherapist.
I worked at an Irish Pub in Long Beach, CA, which was a great job to have during school, and where I met some of the people that influenced and spurred my life as a Musician. After school song circles writing and experiencing life and love reminded me so much of my family, and the way my brothers and sisters and I would sit around in the summers, on holidays, and share and sing songs. I understood then how dearly I missed music in my life, and my creative inner child needed to breathe,
In 2000, having graduated with my Masters in Social Work, I bought myself a guitar and a Grateful Dead songbook, taught myself to play ,and began to write my own with rabid fervor.
I found my voice, connected to my heart, allowed my inner thoughts to breathe life in song, no matter how dark, how imperfect, and how rough, This was my voice and these were my songs.
My career in Social Work opened up, and I worked with diverse populations at Family Service Centers, With Older Adults, in Hospice and psychiatric settings.
When I went into Recovery in 2011, I had the opportunity to reflect on all I’d been through, my mistakes, where I was self-seeking, dishonest or afraid and make amends for those things, I also reflected on my assets, my gifts and talents, what I have to offer and how very much I have to be grateful for.
Today, I experience so much appreciation for who I’ve become as whole person, A woman who is able to truly feel and hold space for her patients and clients she sees in her Social Work practice, a Songwriter who knows life’s pain and darkness, has been there and possesses the ability to see the light and lead others there.
Today, with a clear head, bold vision, self-compassion, hard work, and self-knowledge, I hold my head high as I perform my songs at Shows, and help my clients walk through their own struggles,
I truly have so much to be grateful for today
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were most likely: Willingness,open mindedness, persistence
Along my path, and in discovering my purpose, I was blessed with the gift of Willingness and an open mind.
I had doubts when I started out m journey as a social worker, primarily because I had preconceived notions about a social worker is and does. I kept an open mind
Overtime, that changed as I stuck around, trying different areas in the field, and gathered experience and discovered populations and enjoyed working with, special skills I learned I possessed, and honed in on those.
I asked a lot of questions, and talked to people that seemed passionate about what the were doing, and seemed like they loved their jobs. I asked more about specializations I was interested in like private practice, Individual psychotherapy, Hospice, hospital work, and Hypnotherapy.
It wasn’t much different in my music career .
I think, like many creatives, I experience self doubt, and feeling “less than”. However didn’t let those thoughts discourage me.
I always knew that, regardless, of who is listening or watching, I will continue to sing, I will continue to write, and it will all continue to flow somehow.
Persistence is a word I would use to describe the way I continue to market myself, book gigs, let people know about new releases and albums. I have coming out, and again, and finding out how people are admired. Do what they do.
I think a periodic inventory, or self review about where one is in one’scareer, what goals one has, and whether those goals have perhaps changed, whether is there more t o achieve, and what that could look like is also essential
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you? I was blessed with the most supportive, loving parents, I could’ve ever asked for.
Both grew up in the Great Depression. My Dad was a World War II POW, and survived being in a Japanese prison camp for several years.
My father came home from the war, put himself through law school, became an attorney and Judge, and raised eight children.
My mother, a minister’s daughter, was the Organist and played piano in the church from age 16, until she no longer could (well her 80s).
Both of my parents were Salt of the Earth, honest hardworking people, and sweeter than pie .
I had a very good example of what it means to keep on going, even when times are tough, and the world looks bleak. I learned from my parents that is it is important to be practical, have a job work hard, but also the importance of listening to your heart, and that it means everything to follow your dreams
I feel so lucky that they sent me to college right from high school, and encourage me to keep swimming at the college levelat a division, one school.
They also supported my decision to stop swimming when it was time.
When I graduated with my Bachelors in Psychology , considering my options for graduate school, I looked at programs as well as schools across the country .
While I initially considered studying my MSW program locally, being that, they were so much older. I wanted to be near them, and it seemed to make sense, rather than going further away to a California school
I know in my heart, how much they loved me, and believe that they still see how my life is unfolding from wherever they are. My parents instilled a bit of wanderlust in me, and provided safe encouragement for me to follow my dreams, and pursue my degree in California, where I still live today .
Though both have now passed, I feel that love, support, and encouragement to know that whatever I choose is the right thing, even if it doesn’t turn out as I expected
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sararodenburg.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sararodenburg/
- Facebook: https://www.sararodenburglcsw.com/
- Youtube: @sararodenburg1655
- Other: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/0VRy3BebEqQrQ9WpIMNYH6?si=JmZiqxznStilSnr-fx0gtw
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Zyra Raguro Tiana Hunter Sarah Barrre Harrison Susan Weiand
