We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Smith. Check out our conversation below.
Ashley, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a normal day for me is rooted in peace and presence. My routine usually starts with quiet—just giving myself space to breathe, reflect, and be. Of course, I still have to work—a girl’s gotta eat—so I check emails, knock out whatever’s on my to-do list, and sit in on any meetings I need to attend.
But once that’s done, I let my heart lead. Some days that means painting, other days it’s making music. Not for mass consumption, not for the grind—just from a place of childlike joy. I’m learning that I don’t have to constantly chase or prove anything. When you’re walking in purpose, what’s for you won’t miss you. And that truth lets me move slower, more intentionally, and honestly, more freely.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I’m the founder of Talented10th Entertainment, a creative platform I started to center storytelling, culture, and healing—especially through the lens of Black artistry. Right now, I work across different mediums like music, visual art, and podcasting. I don’t box myself in creatively, and I don’t expect others to either.
The brand was born out of a desire to create space where artists could grow without burning out—where we could make things with meaning, not just for metrics. I’ve worked in the industry for a while, and I’ve seen how often Black creatives are asked to produce without being poured into. Talented10th is my way of flipping that—creating from a place of rest and purpose instead of pressure.
This fall, I’m launching a new podcast called “5 Disc Changer,” where I blend my love for music with real conversations featuring people from all different walks of life. It’s nostalgic, soulful, and rooted in the culture that shaped me.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is usually unhealed pain—unspoken, unprocessed, and left to fester. That pain turns into ego, fear, pride, and defensiveness. People stop seeing each other clearly and start reacting to past wounds instead of present realities. Miscommunication, shame, and the need to protect yourself at all costs? That’ll wreck a connection fast.
What restores those bonds is honesty, safety, and grace. Not just surface-level “I’m sorrys,” but real repair—like sit-in-the-mess-with-me type of restoration. When someone sees your humanity even after you’ve disappointed them… that’s sacred. It takes humility to restore trust. It takes presence to heal. And it takes love—a kind of love that isn’t performative or convenient, but patient, accountable, and willing to do the slow work.
However, that also comes with wisdom. Everyone isn’t meant to be a part of the full journey. You can forgive, you can heal, and even restore a connection—but that doesn’t always mean you need to be in constant contact or relationship. Some bonds are mended so you can release them with peace, not carry them with you.
Also? Laughter. Music. Food. Creating something together. Sometimes you can’t talk your way back into connection—you gotta feel your way back. That’s why storytelling, art, and shared joy matter so much to me. They remind us of who we are underneath the pain.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d say, “You don’t have to earn your worth, baby. You already got it.”
You don’t have to shapeshift to be loved. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world just to prove you’re strong. And you are allowed to rest, cry, laugh loud, take up space, and not have all the answers. What’s inside of you is sacred, even when the world doesn’t recognize it yet.
I know you were trying to survive and still shine—but your softness is not a liability. It’s your gift. And one day, you’ll stop performing and start healing… and that version of you? She’s magic.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
A lot of smart people are mistaking performing intellect for living wisdom. They know how to debate, dissect, and deconstruct everything—but they don’t know how to feel. They’ll write dissertations on justice, empathy, or community, but they can’t hold space for someone in real life who’s grieving, healing, or just being human.
They’re also addicted to being right. And in that obsession, they forget that being kind and present will take you further than being clever ever will. You can’t logic your way into transformation—it takes heart work. Nervous system work. Inner child work. Spiritual work. And a lot of smart folks are too busy curating their brand of brilliance to do the deeper, quieter healing that would actually change the world.
So yeah, you might be smart. But are you soft enough to be changed
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
When I start performing instead of being present.
I know I’m out of my depth when I feel the need to prove something—to over-explain, over-deliver, or shrink myself to make others comfortable. That’s when I’m not rooted. That’s when I’ve drifted out of purpose and into panic.
It’s also when I stop listening. When I’m too in my head, disconnected from my body, and trying to control the outcome instead of trusting the process. My spirit will always whisper before my pride tries to push through. So now I pay attention to the whispers—tight shoulders, shallow breath, anxious energy. That’s my cue to pause, pray, and either ask for help or sit down.
Out of my depth doesn’t mean I’m failing. It just means I need to get anchored again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Talented10thEnt.com
- Instagram: Company: https://www.instagram.com/talented10thent/ Personal https://www.instagram.com/ashleyautumn03/
