Cali Gilbert shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Cali, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
About a year into my relationship with my partner back in 2014. We met on Santa Monica beach and both lovers of Mother Ocean. Prior to meeting I had been in a very emotionally abusive relationship, so I spent a year finding myself again and learning to love myself unconditionally. When we met, I had just moved to L.A. and didn’t really have much. I was staying in a local hostel and starting over. Yet this beautiful man loved me unconditionally from Day One, regardless of what I could offer him emotionally at the time. He became my biggest cheerleader, encouraging me every step of the way as I embarked on a new chapter with my creative endeavors. We celebrated every new accomplishment, and he helped me believe in myself. I was doing the work to get myself back on my feet, and having someone by my side loving me with his whole heart meant everything. He’ll always be my best friend, my Merman.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello!
My name is Cali Gilbert, and I consider myself an ARTIST (author, photographer, filmmaker, painter). After experiencing 12 months of homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area, I arrived in Santa Monica with suitcase in hand and a dream of sharing my creative gifts with the world. After publishing a number of books, I decided I wanted to continue to grow as a writer and decided to look into screenwriting and filmmaking. After five years of volunteering for every film event, conference and festival I could find and being mentored by some amazing, heart-centered women, I launched my own production company, TOWER 15 PRODUCTIONS to write and direct social impact documentaries.
Today, Tower 15 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. In addition to producing social impacts films, we also support women in starting their own businesses via entrepreneurship mentoring and training.
My brand is THE MANIFESTING MERMAID and I’m a creative who loves supporting other creatives in the areas of publishing and filmmaking. I work with women 40+ in navigating the second act of their lives doing work they love while living authentically and on purpose.
At the end of 2023 my mother passed away and I moved my 84-year old father across the country from Maryland to California, and in with me. Dad is also an artist and retired military veteran having served in Vietnam and Desert Storm. As part of the healing journey following my mother’s death, I encouraged him to get back to his art and we created the brand, THE MERMAID & THE VETERAN in order to share our combined art creations with the world. We love participating in local art shows and walks and connecting with other artists. We’re currently working on a film together entitled WARRIOR’S CANVAS where we share how art and writing can be used as healing modalities for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I never felt I was good enough. I didn’t have the best relationship with my parents and there was never any emotional support. I was very gifted as an artist and athlete from a very young age, but anything I accomplished was never celebrated or encouraged. It wasn’t until I lost everything after following my parent’s wishes to live the life THEY wanted for me that I reclaimed my power and began living a life I was truly passionate about. Now I know I AM good enough to do and be whomever I wish to be, and the only acknowledgement I need today is that of my own. I’m my own biggest cheerleader, eager to try new things and gain new experiences. During the time I was homeless between 2011-13, I published two of my bestselling books while I was homeless. After that, I knew I could do anything.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yes. January 2012.
I had been homeless for seven weeks and could literally feel my body begin to shut down on me. I was sitting on a bus from Sausalito to San Francisco trying to figure out where I was going to sleep that night. All I wanted to do was lay down, close my eyes, and not wake up. Suddenly, I intuitively heard, DON’T GIVE UP! I knew I wasn’t done yet and I had more to offer.
I decided to set three intentions:
1. I wanted to stay in Sausalito.
2. I wanted to find a part-time job that paid the bills and allowed me the flexibility to do what I loved.
3. I wanted to wake each day and do what I loved with my creative endeavors.
Within two months, I manifested all of them.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The Pacific Palisades is my community. It was the first place I spent most of my time when I first moved to L.A. It was where my partner worked, and new friends lived. I loved spending time there and it became a very special place for me. When the fires broke out in January, my heart sank. So many friends lost everything. Places we visited often were destroyed, and our community had been shattered by the devastation.
The first few days after the fires were filled with so many emotions, from shock and horror, to grief, to I need to do something. Through my nonprofit, Tower 15 Productions, I decided to launch the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund to support women who had lost homes and businesses in the fires. I connected with some amazing women and grateful for the opportunity to be of support.
My BIG dream is to create a Cultural Arts Center as the centerpiece of the rebuild of the Palisades. I’m envisioning an architecturally beautiful space with an art gallery, small bookstore for local self-published authors, a theatre space for events and performances, and workshop space to host classes in publishing, photography, filmmaking, and painting. I see it so clearly in my mind’s eye and believe with everything in me that it will become a reality.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Everything you need to create the life of your dreams resides within.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CaliGilbert.com and www.Tower15Productions.com
- Instagram: @tower15productions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caligilbert/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tower15productions
- Other: Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund – https://www.tower15productions.com/whatwedo.htmlThe Mermaid & The Veteran – https://www.tower15productions.com/mermaidandveteran.html
