Podcast Summary

Podcast: Next On Scene: The Human Behind The Brand
Episode: From Pre‑Med to Photo Powerhouse: Mariah Gale’s Creative Pivot
Host: Jaclyn Zukerman Delory
Guest: Mariah Gale
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the bold career transformation of Mariah Gale—who pivoted from pre-med studies, and a family expectation of medicine, to become a sought-after creative strategist, visionary brand photographer, and entrepreneur. Through candid storytelling with host Jaclyn Zukerman Delory, Mariah shares the pivotal moments, mindset challenges, and values that shaped her creative path, emphasizing authenticity, empowerment, and the process of choosing oneself. The discussion delves into topics like imposter syndrome, visibility, motherhood, creative routines, and actionable advice for anyone seeking to step into their authentic path—making it inspiring for creatives and would-be entrepreneurs alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Psychology of Style and Identity

[00:00–01:58]

• Jaclyn opens with a playful "red carpet" moment, spotlighting Mariah's outfit: a white shirt (wealth and power), denim (rebellion), black accessories (mystery and elegance).
• Mariah shares the story of her "plan B shirt," turning an accidental moment into a symbol of authenticity.
  • Quote: "This is my Plan B shirt, my authentic shirt. Today, Plan A." – Mariah Gale [01:09]
• Discussion touches on how external choices can reflect internal change and self-perception.

2. The Creative Pivot: From Pre-Med to Photographer

[02:18–04:35]

• Mariah recounts her unexpected journey to photography:
  • Grew up pre-med, surrounded by medical professionals, expecting to be a doctor.
  • A chance gift of a camera led to side gigs, eventual agency and destination work, and discovering a sustainable creative business.
  • "I was vice president of the pre med society...and then I started working in an emergency room… my boyfriend at the time gave me a tiny camera...I started taking pictures...they started paying me for it." – Mariah Gale [02:51]
• Navigating family and societal expectations versus personal fulfillment.
• Ultimately, Mariah chose to lean into her creativity, supplementing with graphic and web design credentials.

3. Facing Visibility & Imposter Syndrome

[04:39–06:27]

• Host Jaclyn commends Mariah's increasing visibility, noting that even those who coach others on branding can struggle to step into the spotlight themselves.
• Mariah reveals that helping others grow their brands has been her comfort zone, but she feels a pull to become more visible herself:
  • Quote: "There's still this part of me that's like, you should have been a doctor... Maybe you're not a real photographer… shedd[ing] that identity of being a doctor and stepping into something that felt terrifying for years." – Mariah Gale [05:05]
• Affirms her self-talk is centered on service: "Who are you helping by [doing this]?" [06:27]

4. Legacy, Motherhood & Protecting Values

[07:39–09:46]

• The pair discuss balancing visibility as a parent and modeling courage for children, while being mindful of privacy.
• Mariah reflects on outgrowing environments that keep you "small," learning to identify unsupportive relationships/business alliances:
  • Quote: "A lot of people, unfortunately, want to keep you small and don’t want to see you grow... learning to recognize those dynamics and choosing yourself instead." – Mariah Gale [08:25]
• Emphasizes staying true to one’s values as a guidepost for regret and decision-making.

5. Mindset Shifts for Stepping into Visibility

[10:00–10:56]

• Mariah’s advice for overcoming fear when seeking greater visibility:
  • Shift focus from self to helping others.
  • Use "Who are you helping?" as a reframing mantra to override fear.
  • Recognize that self-care includes being truthful and showing up authentically.
  • Quote: "Step one, don’t make it about you, make it about the other people that you can help." [10:15]
  • "It’s self-care when you tell the truth." – Mariah Gale [11:05]

6. Rapid Fire & Game Time Insights

[11:15–13:37]

• Fun "This or That" and rapid-fire questions reveal Mariah’s creative beliefs:
  • Candid shot over editorial pose.
  • Coffee over matcha.
  • Flow over structure.
  • "Speak your truth because that is your peace." – Mariah Gale [11:40]
  • Prefers "risk" to "routine" (aligning with her ADHD-fueled preference for variation).
  • Describes her current chapter as "Authenticity." [11:55]
  • Favorite music for shoots: Sia (energetic, empowering) and K Pop Demon Hunters [12:09]
  • Dream collaboration: Tina Fey, admired for her unapologetic authenticity.

7. Creative Process, Routines & Standout Projects

[14:01–16:22]

• A "day in the life" highlights varied days and dislike of strict routine ("routine is death for me" [14:08]).
• Describes unusual, creative projects, like painting a skeleton on a draft horse for a fantasy shoot [16:09]:
  • "I love clients that bring me ideas...Let’s paint a skeleton on a horse."
• Finds fulfillment in long-term client relationships (e.g., photographing a family annually for years).

8. Lasting Impact, Self-Advice & Manifesting the Future

[16:34–17:39]

• On legacy: wants people to remember "how it felt to be empowered and to know that they could step into the next version of themselves and be so comfortable doing that." [16:34]
• Advice to younger self: "You can be yourself…You can do all these creative things and be appreciated for them." [17:04]
• Manifestation goal: expand her brand into passive income and allow others into the "world" she’s created [13:12].
• Looking forward, sees "so much opportunity" as next on scene.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is my Plan B shirt, my authentic shirt. Today, Plan A." — Mariah Gale [01:09]
• "I don't think anybody would say that about me…But there's this whole history...shedding that identity of being a doctor and stepping into something that felt terrifying for years." — Mariah Gale [05:05]
• "You are helping people by doing this." — Mariah Gale [06:27]
• "A lot of people…want to keep you small and don’t want to see you grow…learning to recognize those dynamics and choosing yourself instead." — Mariah Gale [08:25]
• "Step one—don’t make it about you, make it about the other people that you can help." — Mariah Gale [10:15]
• "Speak your truth because that is your peace." — Mariah Gale [11:40]
• On routine: "Routine is death for me." — Mariah Gale [14:08]
• "Let’s paint a skeleton on a horse." — Mariah Gale [16:19]
• "You can be yourself…you don’t have to hide to be professional." — Mariah Gale [17:04]
• "So much opportunity. That’s what you do. You just create opportunities for people." — Mariah Gale [13:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:09] – “Plan B” Shirt Story: A Symbol of Authenticity
• [02:51] – Mariah’s Pre-Med to Photography Pivot
• [05:05] – Imposter Syndrome and Internal Struggle
• [06:27] – Self-Talk & Affirmations for Visibility
• [08:25] – Recognizing Limiting Dynamics/Choosing Growth
• [10:15] – Mindset Hack: “Make It About Who You Help”
• [11:40] – Speak Your Truth vs. Protect Your Peace
• [12:09] – Empowering Playlist: Sia and K Pop Demon Hunters
• [16:09] – Skeleton Horse Shoot: Signature Creativity
• [17:04] – Advice to Younger Self: “You Can Be Yourself”

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is candid, supportive, and empowering, emphasizing the complexity of reinventing oneself, the courage needed to value your own creativity, and the joy of helping others step into their own power. Mariah and Jaclyn model authentic storytelling and actionable vulnerability, making the episode not only motivational but also practical for listeners considering their own pivots.

If you’ve ever wrestled with expectations or wondered how to blend creativity, legacy, and service—Mariah Gale’s story offers both inspiration and real-world wisdom for stepping into your power.