What’s On Your Secret Menu?

So many of us give the lion’s share of our capacity to our employers and have very little left for our creative passions. With only so much time, energy, and resources to do what we want in life how can we do more of what fills us up? In this episode, Lauren and Rachael talk about creative ways of reallocating our efforts towards what matters most to us. They discuss when it feels okay to half-ass, when to give it your all, and the importance of being intentional with your personal investments. Episode Mentions: Rachael’s new book “Prioritize Play” is now available for pre-order! Grab your copy today! Shout out to Kyle Scheele! See selections from Lauren’s Daily Dishonesty series. Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens. Check out Lauren’s Mural Mockups here.   For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

After a long period away, Rachael found herself packing it all in when she returned to Detroit. Lauren was there to bear witness and support Rachael through the overwhelm, which inspired today’s discussion. They debrief on Rachael’s chaotic week, and talk ways to do all of what you truly want, while incorporating guardrails to prevent spiraling into burnout.Episode MentionsThe Wedding People: A Novel by Alison EspachWatch a recap of our Marshalls Workshop in Detroit!Check out Rachael’s Online Community, The Juice Box here!We are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organization, reach out to us at [email protected]. For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

Lauren and Rachael discuss the tools and rules they use to navigate running their creative businesses online. They talk about the line between convenience and spoon feeding, pitching clients, and accepting the pros and cons that come with going your own way.Episode MentionsCheck out Rachael’s Online Community, The Juice Box here!Please explore “River Scars,” the work of Robert Hodgin who presented at OFFF MX 2025If you liked this episode, check out Episode 12 “The Spark: How Advice for Dating is Advice for Creating”We are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organization, reach out to us at [email protected]. For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

This episode is all about the “secret menu”, a concept that Lauren dreamed up for offering unprofitable skills that she still enjoys doing for herself and others. The hosts discuss the value of thinking of your own secret menu and how it can become a creative form of community care. This conversation is an invitation to pull your untapped abilities out of skill purgatory and put them to good use.Episode Mentions:Rachael’s Soup Gala Birthday PartyRachael’s Orange-Themed Birthday PartyWe are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organization, reach out to us at [email protected]. For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

Rachael is ready to get serious about being an artist; so she and Lauren discuss a common component of presenting yourself as one: a portfolio. When describing your creative work and ambitions, it can be extremely helpful to have a curated selection of pieces to back it up; but many questions arise when attempting to build an online portfolio. In this episode, you’ll gain some insight towards answering those questions for yourself. Is it okay to have one-off works vs a series? How can you focus your practice around certain theme or through-line while allowing yourself to follow all of your curiosities? Listen to learn more!Episode Mentions:Check out The Juice Box here!For more portfolio advice, watch Lauren’s Adobe course.We are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organization, reach out to us at [email protected]. For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

Lauren sold most of her things in the months leading up to moving back to BK and absorbed helpful lessons around sales, customer service, and communication that she brought back to her business. In this episode she shares these lessons with Rachael and reflects on how they were more easily absorbed when she was selling “stuff” (chairs, furniture, etc) as opposed to her creative work and services.Episode MentionsLauren’s NYC Bedroom Storage ProjectLauren at Creative Mornings NYCWe are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organization, reach out to us at [email protected] a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

In the conclusion of this first Crash Course mini-series, the hosts are sharing some of the commonly overlooked aspects of selling a workshop. They discuss how to navigate specific scenarios that they've encountered in hosting creative events and send you off with some encouraging words. Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here!For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

With a workshop concept locked in, Lauren and Rachael begin developing their idea into a more well-rounded offering. They work through how to provide the most valuable experience for workshop attendees, how to market the event, and what price point will cover costs while making a worthwhile profit for them as hosts. Throughout this phase of planning, they provide nuanced insight on what to consider when tailoring a gathering toward your own goals. Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here. Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

Lauren and Rachael brainstorm on a guided experience that merges both of their skills and teaching styles. In pitching ideas to one another, they land on a workshop that they are both jazzed to facilitate! The big question is: Can they develop this idea into a strong, marketable offering?Episode Mentions:Lauren's Tutorial on Turning Junk Mail into Paper Clay for Crafts  Lauren's Upcycled Croissant  Lauren's Upcycled Pedestal Planter  Shoutout to Meg Lewis and their 'taper mache' method. Check out their work here!  Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here!  For a transcript of this episode, contact us at [email protected] Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching

Welcome to Crash Course! A Chaotic Creative mini series about gathering in the material world. Follow Lauren and Rachael as they plan a workshop that you can actually attend this November in New York City! In part one, the gals share how they began teaching and why they believe workshops are a great way to grow your creative community and business. Shoutout to The Dugout Podcast, which was an inspiration for this format. Go check them out!Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here. Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on Instagram @chaoticcreativespod and tag us in the projects you’re working on while listening!Say hi or tell us a silly lil joke: [email protected]’s links:WebsiteInstagramOnline ClassesRachael’s links:WebsiteInstagramThe Juice BoxCreative Coaching