Many of us assume that if we just keep creating—more art, more content, more projects—confidence will eventually catch up. Yet plenty of lifelong creatives still feel like imposters, even with decades of work behind them.

In a recent episode of MindDog TV, performing artist, writer, and nervous system educator Lieya shared a different way to think about confidence: not as a personality trait you either have or don’t, but as a set of skills rooted in your body, your mindset, and your creative process.

The interview introduces Ashlieya Mariano as an actress, educator, and community leader whose work weaves together acting, arts education, and a clear social mission. She explains that for her, art is inseparable from purpose: it is a way to understand what it means to be human and to offer different pathways for navigating the human experience. Whether she is acting, writing, or teaching, she frames creativity as a tool for empathy, courage, and authentic connection.

A recent Mundane Magazine feature positions Ashlieya “Lieya” Mariano as a visionary arts leader who treats creativity as essential emotional infrastructure—not a luxury—and spotlights her mission to build a better world through dance, education, and community-based healing.

Ashlieya was recently featured on the Awaken Hope podcast in an episode titled “Awaken Hope with Ashlieya Mariano on Builders of a Better World.” This 54-minute conversation is part of Season 3, Episode 90, and is now available on Apple Podcasts.

On March 27, 2026, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth spotlighted Hollywood actress, dancer, and writer Ashleiya Mariano, highlighting her mission to mentor young people in North Texas as part of a Women’s History Month tribute. This segment, titled “A Force Called Her,” showcases how one artist is turning her creative career into a vehicle for empowerment, helping the next generation learn to dream big and then build the skills to make those dreams real.

Ashlieya Mariano - Building a Better World Through Creativity, published in QP Magazine, January 2026