Creating a Life You Love with Shawndell Marks

What does it really mean to “make it”?

That question kept weaving its way through my latest conversation with one of my dearest friends, Shawndell Marks—a gifted musician, teacher, and all-around brave human. We’ve known each other for nearly two decades, and it’s been one of the greatest joys to witness her evolution—both creatively and personally.

We met while working at Sundara Spa, both pregnant, both navigating uncertain chapters, and both unknowingly planting the seeds of who we would become.

So, in this episode of Unwritten, we talked not just about her life now—but the winding path it took to get there. What unfolded was a beautiful, honest conversation about fear, creativity, motherhood, healing, and learning to define success on your own terms.

The Myth of “Making It”

Is creating a life you love success?

For so long, both of us believed that “making it” meant being busy, being seen, being successful by other people’s standards. Shawndell shared how, early in her career, she thought performing was the pinnacle of success—and teaching music was just something she’d do “for now.” But over time, she realized that teaching was the thing that lit her up. It wasn’t a fallback. It was her calling.

“Even if you make a difference in one or two people’s lives… you’ve made it.”

That simple truth hit home. We don’t need a massive audience, a packed tour schedule, or a perfect Instagram feed to matter. What we need is connection, purpose, and space to be who we are.

The Power of Creative Expression (at Any Age)

What I love most about Shawndell is how she invites people—especially adults—into creativity. Through voice and piano lessons, she creates space for people to use their voices, often for the first time in decades. She helps them move past shame and perfectionism and into joy.

And there’s a kind of healing that happens when adults remember they’re allowed to play.

“We all get stuck in ruts, but creativity helps us feel alive again.”

Whether it’s singing in a private lesson or performing at a cozy adult showcase (wine optional), Shawndell believes in creating safe spaces where people can feel seen—and heard.

Defining Success for Yourself

As we wrapped our conversation, Shawndell said something that I can’t stop thinking about:

“Success, for me, is having flexibility. It’s feeling fulfilled. It’s making a difference—even if it’s just one person at a time.”

And maybe that’s the invitation here—for all of us. To stop measuring ourselves by how busy we are, or how perfect it looks from the outside, and to start asking:
Does this feel like me?
Does this bring me joy?
Can I love my life without needing to prove anything to anyone else?

I hope this conversation on creating the life you love inspires you the way it inspired me. To chase what calls to you. To take the first

Want to follow Shawndell?

You can find her performance schedule, music, and more at ShawndellMarksMusic.com. She also posts on Instagram and Facebook, and she’s part of several incredible music projects—like Gold Dust Women and Spare Bones—bringing heart, harmony, and depth to every stage she steps on.

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Subscribe to my podcast Unwritten, where we talk to people—especially those over 40—who’ve made bold changes and embraced their most authentic lives.