Creatives Processing

This highlights episode features two moments from the full Creatives Processing conversation with Candace Cui and Carissa Potter, co-creators of the fantasy journaling book The Imaginary Atlas. First, Carissa on why art isn't a privilege—it's medicine—and how fantasy works as a tool to get around your own inner critic. Then Candace on what the writing process actually looks like when you stop forcing it, and why trust is what makes creative work possible, alone or with someone else. Between segments, creative director and podcast host Sarah Mulligan Williams shares what these moments bring up for her. Highlight 1: Carissa Potter on why art isn't a privilege, it's medicine; fantasy as the mind's way of going somewhere the body hasn't figured out how to get to yet, and letting it be information rather than destination. Reflection: On the inner critic, finding the side door, and journaling through an alien's eyes (with a little help from Marty McPug). Highlight 2: Candace Cui on what the writing process looks like when you stop forcing it: write it, walk away, come back — and why trust is the root of creative work, alone or with a collaborator. Reflection: On rumination as material (not distraction), and the trust that lets work change, break, or shift mid-project without it feeling like a threat. 🤩 Listen to the full conversation! If you liked this episode, the full conversation with Candace and Carissa is available now. We get into how The Imaginary Atlas came together, what it looks like to build something across different creative skill sets, all the different ways trust comes into play, and why they both believe imagination isn't an escape from real life, but a tool for building one. The Imaginary Atlas — ⁠peopleiveloved.com/products/the-imaginary-atlas-journal⁠ About Candace Cui Freelance growth marketing consultant and writer. Her advice column, Dear Candace, and her book, Why Do We Avoid the Hard Thing?, tackle the questions most people can't bring themselves to ask out loud—about life, love, and the impossible choices in between. Candace Cui — ⁠candacecui.com⁠ Dear Candace — ⁠dearcandace.substack.com⁠ About Carissa Potter Artist, illustrator, and founder of People I've Loved, a Bay Area studio and imprint making books and paper objects that help people get through their days. Carissa Potter — ⁠www.carissapotter.com⁠  People I've Loved — ⁠peopleiveloved.com,⁠ ⁠peopleiveloved.substack.com⁠ 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS Comedy 101 presents... O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? Sunday, July 6 — Hollywood Theatre, Portland, OR ⁠https://hollywoodtheatre.org/show/o-brother-where-art-thou⁠ WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER Monday, August 17 — The Roxie, San Francisco, CA  (Tickets available in July) 👋 SAY HEY! Creatives Processing is hosted by Sarah Mulligan Williams. Find them at their creative studio, Word of Mouth — ⁠wordofmouthcreative.co⁠ If you're looking for a creative partner who leads with strategy, storytelling, and a real human point of view — come say hey!  ⁠https://www.wordofmouthcreative.co/contact⁠ sayhey [AT] wordofmouthcreative [DOT] co 👍 FOLLOW For updates on Creatives Processing, Comedy 101, and everything else happening across the Word of Mouth studio, sign up for the monthly dispatch — ⁠wordofmouthcreative.co/newsletter⁠ Or follow on Instagram — ⁠@creativesprocessing⁠ ⁠@wordofmouthcreative⁠ ⁠@comedy101presents⁠ 👄 REAL WORD OF MOUTH 😁 If you loved this episode, spread the word! Leave a rating and some love, or share it with a friend. Produced by Word of Mouth, edited by Cai Indermaur, music by John Michael Rouchell

Candace Cui and Carissa Potter are the co-creators of The Imaginary Atlas, a fantasy journaling book that invites you to imagine yourself as a character in a fantasy world—as a tool for real-life reflection and change. In this conversation, host Sarah Mulligan Williams and her guests explore how The Imaginary Atlas came together, what it takes to build something across different creative skill sets, the many ways trust comes into play, and why they both believe imagination isn't an escape from real life, but a tool for building one. The Imaginary Atlas — peopleiveloved.com/products/the-imaginary-atlas-journal About Candace Cui Freelance growth marketing consultant and writer. Her advice column, Dear Candace, and her book, Why Do We Avoid the Hard Thing?, tackle the questions most people can't bring themselves to ask out loud—about life, love, and the impossible choices in between. Candace Cui — candacecui.com Dear Candace — dearcandace.substack.com About Carissa Potter Artist, illustrator, and founder of People I've Loved, a Bay Area studio and imprint making books and paper objects that help people get through their days. Carissa Potter — www.carissapotter.com  People I've Loved — peopleiveloved.com, peopleiveloved.substack.com 🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS Comedy 101 presents... O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? Sunday, July 6 — Hollywood Theatre, Portland, OR https://hollywoodtheatre.org/show/o-brother-where-art-thou WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER Monday, August 17 — The Roxie, San Francisco, CA  (Tickets available in July) 👋 SAY HEY! Creatives Processing is hosted by Sarah Mulligan Williams. Find them at their creative studio, Word of Mouth — wordofmouthcreative.co If you're looking for a creative partner who leads with strategy, storytelling, and a real human point of view — come say hey!  https://www.wordofmouthcreative.co/contact sayhey [AT] wordofmouthcreative [DOT] co 👍 FOLLOW For updates on Creatives Processing, Comedy 101, and everything else happening across the Word of Mouth studio, sign up for the monthly dispatch — wordofmouthcreative.co/newsletter Or follow on Instagram — @creativesprocessing @wordofmouthcreative @comedy101presents 👄 REAL WORD OF MOUTH 😁 If you loved this episode, spread the word! Leave a rating and some love, or share it with a friend. Produced by Word of Mouth, edited by Cai Indermaur, music by John Michael Rouchell

Three key moments from the full Creatives Processing conversation with artist, photographer, and director Maegan Gindi, photographer, director, and artist whose career spans portraiture, writing, audio, and fine art. From the self-funded project that launched her career to the "eternal hustle" of running a creative business, this episode explores what it actually means to keep going in an industry that never stops shifting. Between each clip, host & creative director Sarah Mulligan Williams shares her own perspective on treating feedback as diagnostic information, the 85/15 ratio of business to flow, and why we all need a space to show our unfinished work. Featured Highlights: The Avedon Connection — How studying art history and iterating on feedback transformed a self-funded political project into a career-defining breakthrough. The Eternal Hustle — Why Maegan's definition of failure is simply "stopping," and how the relentless work of being your own CEO/CFO creates the conditions for creative flow. Crit Nights and the Unfinished — The importance of building community-led spaces where work doesn't have to justify itself economically and can be looked at with serious, empathetic eyes. About the Guest:  Maegan Gindi is a New York and LA-based photographer, director, and artist whose work focuses on the intersection of human connection and cerebral, timeless aesthetics. A graduate of the ICP Teen Academy with a background in art history, she has built a career that spans high-stakes commercial assignments and deeply personal fine art projects. Her client list includes The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, and Louis Vuitton. Beyond the lens, Maegan is a community builder, hosting quarterly critique groups and fostering collaboration across the creative industry. Her work is characterized by a "sleek sensibility coupled with grit"—a nod to her South Brooklyn roots. She is currently exploring the medium of audio-portraiture and directing, while continuing to develop her long-term series In Conversation With. Want more than just these highlights? Check out the full conversation episode! Connect with Maegan Gindi Website: www.maegangindi.com Instagram: @maegangindi SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth, the creative studio behind Creatives Processing: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Credits Edited by Cai Indermaur Music by John Michael Rouchell

Maegan Gindi sees herself as an artist first, with photography as her primary medium. In this conversation, we trace her journey from starting with disposable cameras at age twelve in Brooklyn to shooting commissioned celebrity portraits. Maegan shares the story behind Shots at the Rally, the self-funded project that launched her career by referencing Richard Avedon’s In the American West to capture political supporters. We dig into the high-stakes reality of a 5-minute celebrity shoot, why she’s leaning into directing, and her deeply personal project In Conversation with Death. It’s a look at what it takes to build a sustainable creative life while staying true to a timeless, empathetic vision. About the Guest: Maegan Gindi is a New York and LA-based photographer, director, and artist whose work focuses on the intersection of human connection and cerebral, timeless aesthetics. With a background in art history, she has built a career that spans high-stakes commercial assignments and deeply personal fine art projects. Her client list includes The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, and Louis Vuitton. Beyond the lens, Maegan is a community builder, hosting quarterly critique groups and fostering collaboration across the creative industry. Her work is characterized by a "sleek sensibility coupled with grit"—a nod to her Brooklyn roots. She is currently exploring the medium of audio-portraiture and directing, while continuing to develop her long-term series In Conversation With. Episode Highlights: The Vegas detour: Using a move to the desert to repair a relationship with her father through photography and audio Why a portrait where someone isn't smiling is actually harder to get than it used to be The “adrenaline-addicted” personality type required to thrive in commercial production 85% vs 15%: The honest ratio of business admin to creative flow state Dealing with “no chill” moments and why being equals with celebrity subjects is essential for the shot Her definition of failure: It’s not a rough quarter or a shifting industry—it’s stopping Connect with Maegan Gindi Website: www.maegangindi.com Instagram: @maegangindi Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth, the creative studio behind Creatives Processing: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Get the Word of Mouth monthly newsletter! https://www.wordofmouthcreative.co/newsletter Check out the April edition of the Word of Mouth Mixtape! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2roZNrEDcmkoKCV7bkwJvP?si=5a04f721155140cf Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and send to a friend! Credits Edited by Cai Indermaur Music by John Michael Rouchell

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams pulls three moments from her conversation with Mona Shomali — author, visual artist, and director of a Youth Environmental Leadership Program. Between each clip, Sarah shares her own perspective on the creative process and connects Mona's insights to her approach to building authentic, human-centered creative work. This episode covers what it actually takes to get a book into the world on your own terms, why dreaming has to come before doing, and what technology and Western isolation are quietly costing us — creatively and as humans. Featured Highlights The 180 Nos — What 180 rejections did to Mona's sense of self, how one conversation helped her reframe it, and why building your own publishing infrastructure isn't settling — it's strategy Before Reality Shuts You Down — Why dreaming has to come first, what Mona's youth program has taught her about keeping creative possibility alive, and the danger of closing the window before it's even open Too Afraid to Be Human — What phoneless activities and indigenous community structures reveal about Western isolation, why no one dances anymore, and why showing up imperfectly is both a creative and a human necessity About the Guest: Mona Shomali is an author, visual artist, and director of a Berkeley-based youth environmental leadership program. She spent a decade teaching International Relations at three New York universities, where she led courses on Indigenous human rights in the Amazon, resource conflicts in the developing world, and international environmental governance — and took students to live with the Makushi people in Guyana. Her debut novel, Water Mamas: A Novel of Climate, Spirituality, and Indigenous Human Rights, follows a UN environmental scientist navigating a clash between a proposed geoengineering project and the indigenous communities whose land — and spirits — would be affected. It's a book that reads like a thriller and teaches like a course. The cover is Mona's own painting — a work she envisioned before the novel was even finished. Get Water Mamas on ⁠Bookshop.org⁠ or ⁠Amazon⁠. Also available through the IngramSpark catalog — request it at any independent bookstore near you. Connect with Mona Shomali Website: www.monashomali.com Substack: monashomali.substack.com Instagram: @monashomali_ Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth, the creative studio behind Creatives Processing: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection wordofmouthcreative.co⁠ Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and send to a friend! Credits Edited by Cai Indermaur Music by John Michael Rouchell

Mona Shomali spent years as a professor of International Relations teaching courses on Indigenous human rights, resource conflicts, and environmental governance — and she had a book's worth of material to show for it. The problem was, nobody wanted to read it. In this conversation, Mona shares how she transformed a dense, unreadable nonfiction manuscript into Water Mamas, her debut climate fiction novel. We get into the five-year editorial journey, what it took to survive 180 rejections, and the collaborators who made self-publishing not just possible but excellent. We explore how her background as a visual artist shapes the way she writes — including the painting that became the book's cover. And we dig into what her work with youth has taught her about keeping the dreaming alive before reality shuts it down, and what technology and Western isolation are quietly costing us. About the Guest: Mona Shomali is a visual artist, author, and director of a Berkeley-based youth environmental leadership program. She spent a decade teaching International Relations at three New York universities, where she led courses on Indigenous human rights in the Amazon, resource conflicts in the developing world, and international environmental governance — and took students to live with the Makushi people in Guyana. Her debut novel, Water Mamas: A Novel of Climate, Spirituality, and Indigenous Human Rights, follows a UN environmental scientist navigating a clash between a proposed geoengineering project and the indigenous communities whose land — and spirits — would be affected. It's a book that reads like a thriller and teaches like a course. The cover is Mona's own painting — a work she envisioned before the novel was even finished. Episode Highlights From art major to Amazon obsession: how an environmental studies class changed everything The pivot from nonfiction to fiction — merging the academic mind with the creative one The painting on the cover: Death in the Forest, the Yanomami, and why the trees are bleeding 180 rejections, one botched yes, and the Reddit thread that pointed toward self-publishing Building a creative team you love: editor Dana, book designer April, and what great collaboration actually looks like The IngramSpark strategy that got Water Mamas into Barnes & Noble, the Strand, and indie bookstores nationwide What Mona can control in a painting that she can't control in prose — and vice versa Working with young people who haven't reached the place where reality shuts them down — and what that does for her own creativity What success looks like now: contentment, not benchmarks Connect with Mona Shomali Get Water Mamas at ⁠Bookshop.org⁠, ⁠Amazon⁠, or request it at your local independent bookstore. Website: monashomali.com Substack: monashomali.substack.com Instagram: @monashomali_ Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth, the creative studio behind Creatives Processing: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection wordofmouthcreative.co⁠ Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and send to a friend! Credits: Edited by Cai Indermaur. Music by John Michael Rouchell

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features key insights from her conversation with Alicia J. Rose, a Portland-based multi-disciplinary artist whose three-decade career proves that vulnerability and empathy are creative superpowers, not weaknesses. Alicia's candid reflections on rejection sensitivity dysphoria, building creative community, and her upcoming documentary “Menopunks” and new podcast offer essential lessons for any creative professional navigating self-doubt, collaboration, and the intersection of personal health and creative potential. Between each highlight, Sarah shares her own perspective on humanizing the creative process, connecting Alicia's experiences to her approach to building authentic creative work that serves community over ego and transforms challenges into strategic advantages. Featured Highlights: Empathy as Creative Superpower - Why sensitivity and empathy aren't weaknesses to overcome but essential tools for creating meaningful art Documentary Process Flexibility - How Alicia's approach to filmmaking evolved from commercial work to documentary storytelling, and why following the story is more important than controlling it Building Creative Community and Support Systems - The long game of building goodwill in creative communities and why staying in Portland instead of moving to LA or New York was Alicia's most strategic career decision Want more than just these highlights? Check out the full conversation episode! Connect with Alicia J. Rose: Website: ⁠menopunks.com⁠, ⁠aliciajrose.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@ajrhq⁠, ⁠@menopunks⁠, ⁠@party_witch⁠, ⁠@girlsintroublemusic⁠ Podcast: ⁠Menopunks podcast⁠ Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth, the creative studio behind Creatives Processing: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Rate and Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate the show and share it with another creative who might benefit from Alicia's insights.

In this deeply personal conversation with Alicia J. Rose, we explore what it means to transform vulnerability into creative power. Alicia shares her journey through RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria), ADHD, and imposter syndrome—revealing how embracing sensitivity rather than hiding it became her greatest asset. We dig into the genesis of her upcoming documentary "Menopunks," which examines how 23 years of HRT (hormone replacement therapy) misinformation has systematically disempowered Gen X women's creative potential. Alicia explains what hormonal optimization unlocked in her own creative practice, why she believes the medical establishment's treatment of menopause connects to broader political power, and how building goodwill within creative communities creates lasting impact that transcends individual recognition. About the Guest: Alicia J. Rose is a Portland-based filmmaker, photographer, musician, and cultural curator whose three-decade career has shaped the Pacific Northwest music community. From her early days as Miss Murgatroid playing avant-garde accordion to her current work with Party Witch, Alicia has consistently championed collaboration and authentic creative expression. As a booker, she helped define Portland's music scene at legendary venues like the Doug Fir Lounge and Mississippi Studios. She's directed over 35 music videos for artists including Bob Mould, Corin Tucker, and The Decemberists—whose visual aesthetic she helped establish through five to ten years of album photography and creative direction. Her upcoming documentary “Menopunks” and new podcast examines how hormone replacement therapy misinformation has impacted Gen X women's creative potential, featuring conversations with musicians and artists from Sleater-Kinney, Neko Case, The Thermals, and the broader Pacific Northwest creative community. The project has already garnered significant attention, growing from 1,000 to 7,000 Instagram followers in one week following the teaser release. We can’t wait to see it! Episode Highlights: Alicia's creative journey from childhood show-and-tell to multi-disciplinary artist Understanding rejection sensitivity dysphoria and how it manifests in creative work Learning to embrace sensitivity and empathy as creative strengths rather than weaknesses The power of being a "yenta" and bringing people together through curation The origin story of "Menopunks" and discovering hormone optimization and the connection between HRT and creative output The documentary research process and letting the story evolve Why collaboration and service are more radical than individual achievement Connect with Alicia J. Rose: Website: menopunks.com, aliciajrose.com Instagram: @ajrhq, @menopunks, @party_witch, @girlsintroublemusic Podcast: Menopunks podcast Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing AT wordofmouthcreative DOT co About Word of Mouth: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Rate and Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate the show and share it with another creative who might benefit from Alicia's insights.

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features three insights from her conversation with Joan LeMay, an artist whose creative career spans visual art, music publicity, and collaborative book projects. Joan's unflinchingly honest approach to the business of creativity offers essential lessons for any creative professional navigating market challenges, pricing decisions, and the question of artistic value in an increasingly automated world. Between each highlight, Sarah shares her own perspective on sustainable creative practices, connecting Joan's experiences to her approach to humanizing creative work and building authentic client relationships that honor both artistic integrity and business realities. Featured Highlights: From Steely Dan to the Grateful Dead - How a pandemic fanzine idea became a critically acclaimed book series The Economy, AI, and the Value of Human Art - Joan's perspective on market challenges and why AI and budget services aren't actually competition The Transparency Experiment: Too Much Information - Joan's business lesson about how putting detailed process information on her website killed all inquiries Connect with Joan LeMay: Website: joanlemay.com Instagram: @joanlemay Book: Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan (co-created with Alex Pappademas) Music: Viennetta; Bull Thieves Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing@wordofmouthcreative.co Highlights Episode: Listen to the companion highlights episode for Sarah's reflections on Joan's most powerful insights about creative business, market realities, and artistic value Learn More About Word of Mouth: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Rate and Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate the show and share it with another creative who might benefit from these insights.

Joan LeMay is a painter, analog illustrator, author, and musician whose creative journey spans fanzines, seventeen years as a music publicist, and a thriving visual art practice and commissions business. In this conversation, she speaks about what it actually takes to sustain a creative life—the financial extremes, pricing disasters, and why making art is vital. We dig into her book collaboration with Alex Pappademas on Quantum Criminals, her philosophy on the value of human-made work, and returning to her creative practice after open heart surgery. About the Guest: Joan LeMay is a Brooklyn-based painter and analog illustrator known for emotionally charged portraits and fragmented figurative work. Her art and text book with writer Alex Pappademas, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan, was called "weird and wondrous" by the New York Times and "one of the sharpest, funniest, and best books ever about any rock artist" by Rolling Stone. They're currently working on two more books for Random House—the first, Friends of the Devil, goes deep on the Grateful Dead. Her work has been exhibited internationally across New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Provincetown, London, and Cologne, and appears on several album covers. Before focusing on visual art full-time, Joan spent seventeen years as a music publicist—including at Sub Pop Records and running her own firm, Riot Act Media. Episode Highlights: How Quantum Criminals evolved from a pandemic fanzine to a multi-book deal Balancing multiple creative identities across visual art mediums and playing in bands Surviving open heart surgery and wanting to "live triple" afterward The pricing lesson she learned from oversharing process on her website Why human-made art carries value that can't be replicated Not letting the "working" part destroy the "creative" part of being a working artist Connect with Joan LeMay: Website: joanlemay.com Instagram: @joanlemay Book: Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan (co-created with Alex Pappademas) Music: Viennetta; Bull Thieves Connect with Creatives Processing: Instagram: @creativesprocessing Email: creativesprocessing@wordofmouthcreative.co Highlights Episode: Listen to the companion highlights episode for Sarah's reflections on Joan's most powerful insights about creative business, market realities, and artistic value [RELEASES 2/24/26] Learn More About Word of Mouth: Website: wordofmouthcreative.co Services: Strategic creative direction, brand development, and design for mission-driven organizations—always through the lens of humanizing the creative process Approach: Partner with Sarah to create authentic brand experiences that honor both strategic goals and human connection Subscribe to Creatives Processing to hear more conversations with creative professionals about their processes, challenges, and what it really takes to build sustainable creative careers. Rate and Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate the show and share it with another creative who might benefit from Joan's insights.

In this special episode, host Sarah Mulligan Williams shares recommendations from Creatives Processing’s 2025 guests—books, memoirs, and unexpected pieces of media that have genuinely shaped how these working creative professionals approach their craft. With the holidays approaching, think of this as both a gift guide for the creatives in your life and a way to prepare yourself for creative work in the new year. From David Byrne's theories on how environment shapes music, to books about overcoming creative resistance, to a wrestling match that's a masterclass in audience connection—these recommendations challenge conventional wisdom about where creative insights come from. --- KEY TAKEAWAYS Creative insights often come from unexpected sources—comedy memoirs, wrestling matches, and books about small business failures The common thread through all recommendations is intentionality and creating deliberate practices Creative growth is practical: expose yourself to different ways of thinking and find tactics that work for your brain Sometimes the best creative education comes from learning how other art forms solve problems --- FEATURED RECOMMENDATIONS Music & Production Insights “How Music Works” by David Byrne Recommended by John Michael Rouchell 🎧 Listen to John Michael’s full conversation and highlights episodes Practical Creativity & Business Resources “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield Recommended by Craig Winslow 🎧 Listen to Winslow Studio’s full conversation and highlights episodes “The Artist's Way” by Julia Cameron “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero Recommended by Kira Corbin 🎧 Listen to Kira’s full conversation and highlights episodes Unexpected Wisdom “The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to The Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More” by Arin Murphy-Hiscock “Leslie F*cking Jones” by Leslie Jones Recommended by Lee Hedgmon 🎧 Listen to Lee’s full conversation and highlights episodes Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest at Backlash 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico Recommended by Eliana Mendez Listen to Eliana’s full conversation and highlights episodes Host Recommendations “The Sunny Nihilist” by Wendy Syfret “The Crossroads of Should and Must” by Elle Luna --- ABOUT CREATIVES PROCESSING Creatives Processing is the podcast that illuminates the human journey behind creative work – where professional creatives share their authentic processes, struggles, and triumphs. About the Host Sarah Mulligan Williams is a creative director and the founder of Word of Mouth, a creative studio where she helps mission-driven organizations tell their stories through strategic branding and design. She is a champion of creative collaboration and human connection & kindness. Connect with Creatives Processing Instagram: @creativesprocessing   Email: creativesprocessing@wordofmouthcreative.co   Website: wordofmouthcreative.co/creativesprocessing Share your unexpected creative recommendations with us—we'd love to hear what books, media, or experiences have influenced your creative work! Creatives Processing will return in 2026 with more conversations exploring the human journey behind creative work. --- CREDITS Produced and edited by Word of Mouth Creative Theme music by John Michael Rouchell

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features three transformative insights from her conversation with prop and interior stylist turned homewares entrepreneur Kira Corbin, founder of ceramics line Standard Affair. Kira's evolution from commercial styling to launching her own product line offers essential lessons about creative service, adaptive resilience, and the irreplaceable value of human collaboration in an increasingly automated world. Between each highlight, Sarah reflects on how these insights connect to her philosophy of humanizing the creative process, offering practical guidance for creative professionals seeking to build meaningful work that serves something larger than themselves. Featured Highlights: Reframing Creative Collaboration - How approaching styling as service rather than self-expression creates better outcomes and stronger client relationships through collaborative problem-solving Preparation Meets Pivot - Why thorough preparation paired with adaptive thinking transforms unexpected challenges into growth opportunities rather than creative failures Relationships Over Efficiency - Kira's choice to work with an experienced developer rather than AI tools, and why investing in human collaboration creates stronger creative outcomes Connect with Kira Corbin: Instagram: ⁠@kiracorbin⁠, ⁠@standardaffair⁠ ⁠kiracorbin.com⁠⁠, ⁠standardaffair.com⁠⁠

Join us for a conversation with prop and interior stylist turned homewares entrepreneur Kira Corbin, founder of ceramics line Standard Affair. After years of perfecting the art of curating and arranging objects to tell stories for clients, magazines, and cookbooks, Kira embarked on a two-year journey to create something entirely her own. This honest conversation explores the evolution from creative service to creative authorship, covering everything from the meditative aspects of styling to the challenging realities of product development. Kira shares insights into her commercial styling process, the importance of cultural exploration in creative work, and why she believes human craftsmanship matters more than ever in an automated world. Whether you're a creative professional considering your own evolution or simply curious about what goes into creating beautiful objects, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creative courage, authentic growth, and redefining success on your own terms. Episode Highlights: How Kira’s high school exchange year in Argentina sparked a lifelong love of cultural exploration and language learning Her journey from graphic design student to discovering styling at Glamour magazine The transition from fashion styling to still life and food styling, and why she prefers the intuitive, meditative quality of prop styling The comprehensive process of commercial styling, from initial client briefs to on-set problem-solving Her philosophy that there are many right answers in styling Why she launched Pillar, her retail shop, and the strategic decision to close it after three years Working with a career coach to break circular thinking patterns and make intentional growth decisions The two-year development process for Standard Affair, including factory negotiations and the compromises between artistic vision and production realities Choosing Portugal for manufacturing: personal heritage, cultural craftsmanship, and sustainability innovations Why she believes creative work provides essential relief and beauty in people's daily lives The human element in manufacturing and why collaboration beats automation Connect with Kira Corbin: Instagram: @kiracorbin, @standardaffair kiracorbin.com⁠, standardaffair.com⁠

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features three essential insights from her conversation with creative director, videographer, and photographer Eliana Mendez. Eliana’s approach to storytelling demonstrates how authentic integration of self and work, combined with genuine care for subjects and clients, creates more powerful creative outcomes. Between each highlight, Sarah explores how these insights connect to her philosophy of human-centered creative leadership, offering practical guidance for building sustainable creative practices that prioritize authenticity, empathy, and service over perfection and validation. Featured Highlights: Your Values ARE Your Value - How integrating your authentic self into your work creates more effective creative outcomes and builds lasting professional relationships What AI Can't Replicate - Why human empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine investment remain irreplaceable in creating work that truly resonates Alignment Over Accommodation - Reframing client education as an opportunity to demonstrate value rather than defend worth, and how service-oriented approaches build stronger business relationships Connect with Eliana Mendez: Website: humancentricmedia.com Instagram: @humancentricmedia Want to hear more? The full conversation with Eliana covers their entire creative philosophy, from documentary-style production to redefining client relationships through authentic care. Listen here! Featured Highlights:

Portland-based creative director, photographer, and videographer Eliana Mendez has built their entire practice around a simple but powerful belief: genuine human connection is what makes media truly impactful. Working primarily with nonprofits and community organizations, Eliana has discovered how to turn their natural curiosity and genuine interest in people into their greatest professional strength. In this episode, Eliana shares how they moved from commodity-based photography to creating authentic visual stories that get to people's hearts and stick in their minds. This honest conversation explores how personal values can become your competitive advantage, the importance of thinking backwards from the life you want rather than forward from where you are, and why authentic human connection remains irreplaceable in our increasingly automated world. We dive deep into their unique approach to client relationships, their fascinating use of professional wrestling as a creative metaphor, and why they believe the future of visual storytelling lies not in perfection, but in humanity. Whether you're a creative professional looking to differentiate your work or someone interested in the intersection of authenticity and business success, this conversation offers valuable insights into integrating who you are with what you do. Topics Mentioned: Eliana’s journey from journalism to starting their own creative studio How mentors helped Eliana recognize their natural strengths as professional assets Using professional wrestling as a metaphor for creative process and improvisation Building a business around human-centric storytelling and authentic connection The importance of thinking backwards from the life you want to live How pricing and positioning decisions shape your client ecosystem Eliana's perspective on AI and what makes human creativity irreplaceable The value of imperfection and authenticity in visual storytelling Turning personal curiosity and empathy into professional competitive advantages Defining success on your own terms rather than external metrics The intersection of personal values and business strategy How authentic relationships translate into better creative work and business outcomes Connect with Eliana Mendez: Website: humancentricmedia.com Instagram: @humancentricmedia

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features three key insights from her conversation with Lee Hedgmon, founder of The Barreled Bee and Portland's “honey alchemist.” Lee's approach to entrepreneurship—building a thriving business by being completely, unapologetically herself—offers lessons for any creative professional who's felt like their process doesn't fit the traditional mold. Between each highlight, Sarah shares how these insights connect to her own approach to creative work and the patterns she sees in entrepreneurs who build truly sustainable, meaningful businesses that can't be replicated. Featured Highlights: The Origin Story - The single moment in a friend's kitchen that led to an entire business, and why trusting authentic curiosity over market validation creates breakthrough work ADHD as Competitive Advantage - How Lee designed her entire business around how her brain actually works, turning perceived limitations into strategic strengths Testing Philosophy Beyond Efficiency - Why Lee tests products in laundromats and refuses production on bad mood days, prioritizing real human experience over conventional business wisdom Connect with Lee Hedgmon / The Barreled Bee: Website: www.thebarreledbee.com Instagram: @thebarreledbee Want to hear more? The full conversation with Lee dives much deeper into her journey, product development process, and entrepreneurial wisdom. Listen here!

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Lee Hedgmon, founder of The Barreled Bee and Portland's “honey alchemist.” What began with a single taste of honey in a friend's kitchen has evolved into a thriving business built entirely on curiosity, wonder, and the guiding question “I wonder what would happen if…” Lee's entrepreneurial journey challenges conventional business wisdom at every turn. Instead of market research, she follows authentic curiosity. Rather than hiding her ADHD, she's transformed it into a competitive advantage by designing systems that work with her brain instead of against it. From testing products in laundromats to refusing production on bad mood days, her approach to quality goes far beyond what most entrepreneurs would ever consider. This candid conversation covers the realities of building a business that integrates your humanity with your process, the power of designing work around your authentic strengths, and why the most irreplaceable businesses are built on relationships and intention rather than efficiency and scale. Whether you're an entrepreneur questioning traditional business advice, a creative professional seeking to honor your neurodivergence, or simply curious about building something meaningful on your own terms, this episode offers valuable insights into creating work that can't be replicated. Episode Highlights: Lee's transition from feminist studies PhD to craft brewing to entrepreneurship The challenges of being a Black woman in the brewing and distilling industry The pandemic pivot that created Buzz Stix - honey sticks that taste like cocktails Her unique product development methodology and “I wonder what would happen if” philosophy Designing business systems around her ADHD Testing philosophy that prioritizes real-world human experience Why emotional state directly impacts product quality Building relationships and knowledge that competitors can't copy Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and food product developers Connect with Lee Hedgmon / The Barreled Bee: Website: www.thebarreledbee.com Instagram: @thebarreledbee

In this highlights episode, Creatives Processing host Sarah Mulligan Williams features five powerful insights from her conversation with Craig and Jess Winslow, the light artist and creative strategist behind experiential light art studio, Winslow Studio. Craig and Jess’s approach to creative partnership offers lessons for any professional navigating the intersection of creativity, business, and authentic relationships. Between each highlight, Sarah shares her own perspective on how these insights connect to her approach to creative leadership and strategic design, offering practical guidance for building sustainable creative practices that honor both human relationships and business success.Featured Highlights: Setting Boundaries as Business and Romantic Partners - How Craig and Jess protect both their creativity and relationship through intentional systems and clear communication "No, But" vs "Yes, And" - Why successful creative partnerships need both visionary thinking and practical reality checks Fake Internet Points and Reframing Creative Value - Jess's honest reflection on social media's impact on artistic practice and finding authentic measures of success Being Present vs Chasing Achievements - The importance of celebrating progress and being fully engaged in the creative process rather than constantly rushing toward the next milestone Setting Ambitious vs Achievable Goals - Craig's hard-learned lesson about creating sustainable momentum through realistic expectations and "layered victories" Connect with Winslow Studio: Website: www.winslow.studioInstagram: @hellowinslowstudio, @craigwinslow, @jayzombie

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Craig and Jess Winslow, the creative duo behind Winslow Studio, an experiential light art design studio in Portland, Oregon. After meeting in fall 2019 and weathering the early pandemic together, they transformed their budding relationship into both a creative and romantic partnership that's reshaping experiential art. Craig, a light artist and experiential director, and Jess, a photographer and creative strategist, discuss how they've navigated everything from working with major brands and museums to managing the challenges of being married business partners. This candid conversation covers the realities of running a creative studio, the importance of passion projects, and finding authentic success on your own terms. Whether you're a creative professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how art meets business, this episode offers valuable insights into building something meaningful together. Episode Highlights: How Craig and Jessica met in fall 2019 and built their creative partnership during the pandemic Craig's evolution from graphic designer to light artist and experiential director Jess's journey from Instagram employee to photographer to creative strategist Setting boundaries between personal and professional relationships as a married couple The "yes, and" vs "no, but" dynamic in creative partnerships Managing artistic integrity while meeting client expectations and budgets Building trust with clients through research and understanding their deeper needs The challenges of working on construction projects and managing timeline uncertainty How passion projects like Projecting West led to major career opportunities The evolution of problem-solving skills over 12 years in projection mapping Jess's relationship with photography and stepping away from social media metrics Redefining success beyond external validation and career milestones The importance of celebrating wins and being present in the creative process Setting achievable goals versus impossible standards for sustainable momentum Connect with Winslow Studio: Website: www.winslow.studio Instagram: @hellowinslowstudio, @craigwinslow, @jayzombie Projects Referenced: Brilliant! at The Neon Museum Las Vegas Pathways of Pursuit cancer gala installation Winchester Mystery House projections Futopia Murals at the Faena Hotel Educational winemaking installation at The Grove in McMinnville Oregon Projecting West Kickstarter project Light Capsules series Evel Knievel Museum (upcoming) Route 66 Centennial project Resources Referenced: “The Courage to Be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga CreativeMornings monthly breakfast lecture series Creative Lunch Club

This highlights episode distills three game-changing principles from Grammy-winning producer John Michael Rouchell that separate sustainable creative leaders from those who burn out chasing validation. Discover the Alfred Hitchcock principle that transforms how you approach every project, why constraints actually liberate creativity, and how shifting from ego-driven work to service-oriented collaboration becomes your competitive advantage. Between each insight, I share how these principles connect to my own work and the patterns I see in creative professionals who consistently deliver exceptional results. These aren’t abstract theories—they’re immediately actionable insights that reframe what it means to build lasting impact as a creative professional.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ For further exploration, listen to the full conversation with John Michael Rouchell for deeper insights into his creative process. Connect with John Michael Rouchell: Website: www.hereintheblueroom.com Instagram: @thatjohnmichael TikTok: @thatjohnmichael