Fine art photographer Reka Nyari has built an internationally recognized career creating bold, thought-provoking work that challenges cultural norms surrounding women, motherhood, identity, and the human body.

In this episode of The Aligned Creative Podcast, Reka shares her journey from growing up in Finland and Hungary to building a successful artistic career in New York City. She discusses taking creative risks, transitioning from commercial photography to fine art, and why meaningful art often begins where comfort ends.

We also explore:
• Finding your artistic voice
• Why criticism can be a sign you're creating meaningful work
• The creative cycle and balancing rest with ambition
• Motherhood and maintaining an artistic identity
• Women's empowerment through photography
• Body image, confidence, and self-expression
• Creating art that sparks difficult but necessary conversations
• Building a sustainable creative career

Whether you're an artist, creative entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for inspiration to pursue your own vision, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to create work that is both deeply personal and culturally impactful.

About Reka Nyari

Reka Nyari is an internationally exhibiting fine art photographer whose work explores femininity, identity, motherhood, and the human experience. Her photographs have been exhibited in galleries and art fairs around the world and are known for their emotional depth, striking visual language, and fearless exploration of contemporary social themes.

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Follow Reka Nyari:
Instagram: @rekanyari
Website: https://rekanyari.com

Follow The Aligned Creative Podcast:
Instagram: @alignedcreativepodcast

Hosted by Annika Rhea

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:25 Growing Up in Finland & Becoming an Artist
03:51 Discovering Photography Through Modeling
08:10 Moving to New York & Building a Career
13:15 Taking Creative Risks & First Gallery Shows
16:01 Nudity, Women's Bodies & European Culture
18:53 Mother Ink: Breastfeeding, Criticism & Creating Conversation
23:04 Flesh on Flesh: Creating Art That Challenges People
26:12 Finding Inspiration & The Creative Cycle
30:11 Motherhood, Creativity & Building an Artistic Life
36:01 Tattoos, Identity & Transforming Photography into Sculpture
52:21 Advice for Artists: Don't Be Afraid of Criticism
54:07 Wellness, Creativity & Protecting Your Artistic Practice

In this Takeaways episode, I share my biggest insights from my conversation with Scott Dennis (Madame Vivien V). From overcoming adversity and building confidence through character work to trusting the universe, embracing change, and dreaming bigger, Scott's story is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible when we fully commit to our creative path.

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Dennis, a professional drag performer in New York City known as Madame Vivien V. Scott shares his journey through a tumultuous childhood, his move to New York, his evolution into drag, and his recent transition from drag performance into comedy.

We explore the wellness practices that helped shape his path, including meditation, EMDR therapy, and sobriety, and discuss how they supported both his personal growth and creative career.

Filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, honesty, and inspiration, this conversation is a powerful story of transformation, resilience, and finding your authentic self.

Topics include: drag performance, Broadway, trauma recovery, addiction and sobriety, Vipassana meditation, EMDR therapy, stand-up comedy, manifestation, spirituality, creative entrepreneurship, and personal transformation.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction
02:10 Childhood Creativity & Growing Up on a Pig Farm
08:16 Dreaming of New York & Broadway
14:17 Manifestation & Dreaming Bigger
15:48 Discovering Drag & Becoming Madame Vivien V
34:18 Character Work, Confidence & Identity
37:08 Addiction, Trauma & Rock Bottom
40:05 Vipassana, EMDR & Sobriety
51:00 Leaving Drag & Pursuing Stand-Up Comedy
1:02:00 Trusting the Universe & Advice for Artists
1:05:17 Final Thoughts

After each interview, I'm going to offer mini takeaway episodes that reiterate pieces of the interview that I found to be particularly interesting, compelling or inspiring.

This episode features the seven takeaways that I got from my interview with Anya Sapozhnikova.

Performance artist, producer, director, fabricator, and co-founder of House of Yes, Anya Sapozhnikova joins Aligned Creative for a conversation on mental health, purpose, creativity, absurdity, wellness, and what it means to navigate the complexities of being human. We explore the subconscious, creative process, personal transitions, and the unexpected paths that shape who we become.

Welcome to the Aligned Creative Podcast!

I’m so excited to bring you this project that will be full of inspiration, valuable information and incredible guests representing all walks of creative professions. I’ll be hosting conversations with artists, creators, producers, entrepreneurs,scientists, coaches, wellness practitioners and anyone who I truly believe will have a positive impact on your creative life.