Turning Pain Into Power with Raven Rae

She’s not just singing songs. She’s giving voice to the things most people are too scared to say out loud.
Chronic illness. Trauma. Transformation.

Today’s guest on Attention Is The Currency turns pain into power, and her story hits deep.

Meet Raven Rae: recording artist, author, and creative force whose work bridges soul, storytelling, and self-healing. From church pews in Cleveland to genre-defying albums like Borderline and Discover Me, Raven has used her voice not just to perform, but to preserve. Living with ulcerative colitis hasn’t stopped her. It has fueled her art, her book Butterfly Language, and her baroque-soul style that creates space for anyone navigating pain, pressure, and purpose.

The First Song

Raven’s story starts long before the spotlight.

After losing her mother at just five years old, music became more than a background noise. It became a lifeline. At first, no one knew she could sing. Then one day, in church, her brother refused to sing a solo. Raven stepped up. That moment revealed her voice, and it has never stopped since.

Her gift drew the attention of a gospel singer who became her mentor. She gave Raven her first paid performances, and more importantly, taught her this:

“You can give your gift freely, or you can exchange it for money. But either way, it has to come from your soul.”

That lesson carried through every stage of her career.

Music as Survival

It wasn’t long before Raven realized music wasn’t just her passion. It was survival.

Her first album, Borderline, opened with the lyric:
“I lost myself to depression, and I don’t know where I am.”

It was the first time she had said those words out loud. Her family suspected she was struggling, but she hid it well behind her bubbly personality and acting skills. Music gave her a safe place to admit what she couldn’t otherwise share.

This became her pattern: take what’s hidden and make it heard.

Living With an Invisible Illness

Raven lives with ulcerative colitis, an invisible illness that can flip her day upside down in a heartbeat.

The hardest part? Most people can’t see it. They assume she’s faking, exaggerating, or fine. But the truth is far from it. One moment, she’s on stage smiling. Next, her body could collapse under the weight of her condition.

That’s why advocacy matters. Awareness matters. She’s determined to use her platform to educate and empower not just for herself, but for the millions living with similar hidden battles.

Building an Independent Path

There was a time Raven wanted the traditional artist’s dream of a major label. Today, she’s grateful it didn’t happen.

Instead, she’s an independent artist, building her own infrastructure and freedom. She refuses to be tied to contracts that don’t respect her body, her needs, or her truth. Technology has given her the tools to reach the world on her own terms and she’s using them to amplify her story, not water it down.

Self-Care as Strategy

Behind every performance is preparation. Raven knows she has to protect her energy, not just her voice.

She created Butterfly Language, a framework that brings mind, heart, body, and soul into sync. It’s not just the title of her book, it’s how she lives. Morning meditation. Nutrition plans before shows. Strict vocal prep. Deep rest when needed.

Because if she doesn’t care for herself, she can’t show up for anyone else.

Her advice is universal: whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or athlete, self-care isn’t optional. It’s the foundation that lets you perform at your best.

Butterfly Language: From Album to Book

The book Butterfly Language grew out of her second album Metamorphosis. Just like a butterfly doesn’t become beautiful without breaking down first, Raven embraced transformation.

The book combines personal story, personal development, and even music. Readers can scan QR codes and listen to the songs that inspired each section. It’s written for anyone bridging the gap between mental health and excellence. Entrepreneurs. Students. Artists. Anyone struggling with procrastination, overwhelm, or inner battles that the world can’t see.

Her message: the breakdown is part of the breakthrough.

Discover Me: Diamonds in the Rough

Her album Discover Me pushed that message further. Its cover shows Raven standing on top of a diamond. Why? Because diamonds are dug up rough, unformed, and dirty. Only through pressure and refinement do they shine.

That album is about discovering yourself even while you’re under pressure. For Raven, it meant navigating life as a young woman, a new wife, and a person living with a disability, all while chasing a calling bigger than her circumstances.

What People Say

After hearing her music or reading her work, people often tell her the same thing:
“I feel seen.”

Her songs are sighs of relief for people who’ve been suffering silently. Her words put language to feelings they’ve never admitted. And in that honesty, they find healing.

What’s Next

Raven is already working on her second book: Wellness in the Workplace: Butterfly Language for Corporate Professionals. It’s the first in a planned series that applies her framework to different areas of life.

She’s also writing new music with albums she plans to release before the year is over. And if her past is any indicator, each project will continue weaving her story of pain, healing, and transformation.

Rituals That Keep Her Grounded

Before her feet touch the floor each morning, Raven gives thanks. Gratitude for breath, life, and the chance to keep going. She prays, asks God to guide her day, and stays tuned to the flow of inspiration.

Her daily routine includes meditation, exercise, clean eating, and structured focus. As a creative, she admits ideas come fast and furious. Instead of resisting, she leans in, capturing them before they slip away.

Her mantra: “My mind is all I have in this world to get free.”

Attention Is the Currency

So if attention is the currency, where should we spend it?

Raven’s answer is clear:

“Stop wasting your attention doom-scrolling. Start investing it in self-care.”

That’s the truth every creative, entrepreneur, and human needs to hear.

Final Word

Raven Rae is proof that you don’t have to hide your pain to be powerful. She sings it. She writes it. She turns it into fuel for others.

If her story moved you, dive deeper:

  • Listen to her music, including Borderline, Metamorphosis, and Discover Me
  • Read her book Butterfly Language
  • Stay tuned for her upcoming releases

Because this isn’t just about music. It’s about giving voice to what’s been silent for too long.