Meet Lillian Molayem (Lilli Joon) | Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) & Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lillian Molayem (Lilli Joon) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lillian, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
By the end of my career, I’d like to be filled with a deep knowing that I have expanded and explored to the greatest possible extent. I’m currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in Private Practice and support children and adolescents gain independence and improve their qualities of life. I am also a singer songwriter (I release music under the name Lilli Joon), and am a Clinical Psychology graduate student, pursuing my masters and licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. Given my curiosity and love of life and learning, I am sure there will be many future careers ahead of me. Whatever I go on to do, I aspire to successfully synthesize my personal and professional skillsets in joyful and meaningful ways, and I dream of continuing to cultivate safe spaces for others to learn and grow. For example, I plan on someday releasing a children’s educational television show, as well as running empowerment groups for children, adolescents, and adults. The sky is the limit! I have such a clear picture of how I want to feel at the end of my career, and I am excited to continue moving forward and walking my path.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started playing the guitar as a preteen and started writing songs shortly thereafter. Singing and songwriting is something that has always been in my life, and has always been something I have felt called to do. I was born to Iranian immigrants in Los Angeles, CA, and I was taught to prioritize the practical over the dream. Growing up, I didn’t take many risks. I was terrified of taking the road not travelled and I accepted that I would never pursue my dreams of music, and that I would never share. I put my guitar down for quite a few years (I had a tumultuous early 20s). It was extremely painful to witness fear taking control and running the show, and I felt powerless against my self-imposed limitations. At the age of 28, after a series of decisions were made to reclaim my life and change the narrative (e.g., ending a longterm no-good relationship and deciding to move back home to Los Angeles after a decade in Seattle), I began to feel called on to write songs again. My goal was just to reacquaint myself with music and release a single on Spotify. Around that time, I met my partner (Corey Leiter) who is a musician and who had been playing shows and releasing music for practically his whole life. Though I felt very late to the game, he inspired and encouraged me to keep going, and I am so beyond grateful and proud that I did. Doing so has been the most life affirming process.

Primarily, I sing and play a nylon string guitar (a Cordoba C-7, my baby). My music is a reflection of my own personal healing process. I’ve always experienced feelings deeply and intensely, and I’ve never been afraid of them. I think this comes across in the songs that I write- It really feeds me to write vulnerably and directly. I am very new to recording and performing! It’s beautiful and scary to be such a beginner to sharing the art that I make with others. I definitely experience stage fright, but have had some deeply sacred experiences when I’ve pushed passed the fear. I am so excited to continue pushing the envelope of what I think is possible for myself.

In the next month, I will be releasing an EP (entitled, ‘Dwelling’). It’s my first-ever released collection of music and it’s a very-longstanding dream come true. ‘Dwelling’ reflects attempts to understand my family- how it formed me and how I fit. I had the privilege and pleasure of making it with my partner Corey, and friends Raymond Joseph, Wryn, and Sam Plecker. I am really excited to share it, so please stay tuned!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What a fun question! I was born and raised in West LA and live here currently, so most of my recommendations are based here. My dream LA trip itinerary would involve:

1) FOOD: We’d eat… constantly. Sandwiches at Bay Cities Italian Bakery and Deli, EVERYTHING at Cassia, Fromins Jewish Deli for breakfast, matzo ball soup, and a giant eclair, the wings at Tuk Tuk Thai on Sawtelle, Madre in Palms for Oaxacan food, Republique (their pastry case at brunch is… there are no words), Persian food at Taste of Tehran or the patio at Naab Cafe in Westwood (hookah, backgammon, tea, and awesome commotion), ALL THE TACO TRUCKS…

2) HIKE! I love hiking and being outside. We’d go anywhere in Topanga Canyon/Malibu or Angeles National Forest. Being outside by the ocean at night is one of my favorite favorite things to do. We’d definitely go to Point Dume at night and scream into the void.

3) MUSEUMS. I love a museum. I am obsessed with the Museum of Jurassic Technology, so we’d definitely get lost there for a day. The museum of death is also a really fun time if you can stomach it! Not really a museum but… I love the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz. They host so many such amazing events there and also have an incredible bookstore. We’d definitely attend an event there.

4) FRIENDS/FAMILY: We’d spend lots of time out and about with friends and family. I have a big, Persian family, and we love to cook and eat, so we’d drink tea with my fam and eat orange blossom ice cream with Persian almond cookies (check out Orchid Cafe for the cookies and Saffron and Rose for the Ice cream- both in Westwood). We’d also most certainly hang out with friends and see some live music! It’s really fun and wonderful to be friends with so many musicians, because someone is always playing somewhere and it’s always a really great time.

5) FLOW: I think there is a ton of space to go with the flow in this city, because it’s never hard to happen upon a beautiful time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Hm…That is a tough question! I have been so fortunate to have had such a beautiful support system. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the encouragement of my partner and friend Corey Leiter. Corey has encouraged me to be all that I can be- to choose curiosity over fear, to persevere in executing my vision, and to dream. Truly such a gem and I am beyond grateful to have him in my life.

Website: www.lillianmolayembcba.com

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zlVct5TxMasRvLmtf2ZRf?si=XbOgVd2kScCtYnNrm9iR1Q

Image Credits
Corey Leiter, Emily Wryn