Creating Your Own Path

Today, I’m chatting with our CYOP artist resident Malia Tong as we wrap up Season 6 of CYOP. Listen in as we talk about what we’ve both learned over the course of the season, what’s changed in our lives and careers and some of the surprising things we see on the horizon for our respective work.SHOW NOTES:Episode 134 with MaliaEpisode 139 with MaliaMalia on InstagramMalia on EtsyTechnical production by Ray OrtegaMe on InstagramCYOP on InstagramGet the Creative Digest

On today’s show, we catch up with past CYOP guests Maritza and Roshaun Davis of the Sacramento Kings and Unseen Heroes, respectively, to talk about Maritza’s recent decision to take on a full-time role outside of Unseen Heroes and what it’s meant for their business, their family and their personal career goals. We also talk about what it’s been like for Roshaun as he’s taken the reins at Unseen Heroes, why he’s assessing how they want to scale the business next and what he does to stay grounded when both he and Maritza are moving a million miles a minute.Unseen Heroes websiteUnseen Heroes on InstagramRoshaun on InstagramThe Sacramento Kings websiteThe Sacramento Kings on InstagramMaritza on InstagramCapitol FloatsDigital Minimalism by Cal NewportArt by Malia TongTechnical production by Ray OrtegaMe on InstagramThe official CYOP Instagram accountGet the Creative Digest

On today’s show, I chat with illustrator and writer Ludi Leiva about how she’s transitioned from working in media full-time to working for herself. We also dive into what it means to be a creative in a place like New York (and why she’s decided to move out of the city), why she believes we all need to stop worrying about the perceptions of others, and why her family history has her dreaming of some really beautiful projects. SHOW NOTES: Ludi's website Ludi on Instagram + Twitter Ludi's work for Refinery29 Art by Malia Tong Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram CYOP on Instagram Get the Creative Digest

Today’s show is an interview with multidisciplinary artist Tia Keo. Her story is one I think many of us can relate to — especially if we’ve been working creatively for a while. In the episode, we discuss how she’s been playing with different mediums over the years to stay creatively inspired and to combat the burnout that comes with working in one medium for so long. We also chat about the dangers of the creative hustle — pushing and pushing to find success — and how she’s discovered a certain amount of flow that is opening up opportunities she may have never considered. I loved hearing how intentional Tia is about creating habits while also making space for the unexpected. I hope you’ll get just as much as I did from this interview. SHOW NOTES: Tia's website Tia on Instagram Tia's laser cut jewelry designs at Silvercocoon Art by Malia Tong Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

Today’s episode will get you a front row seat at my recent talk at Sacramento’s Creative Mornings event last month. In it, I discuss the challenges I’ve faced, both personally and professionally, as I’ve navigated significant losses over the last several years. The theme for this talk was END and I cover how I’ve worked to claim my narrative while I was going through the grief process surrounding my divorce and the death of a loved one. As always, my goal in sharing these kinds of topics is to help others who might be going through something similar. SHOW NOTES: My Creative Mornings talk (video) Sacramento Creative Mornings on Instagram Creative Mornings Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

On today’s show, I sit down with Meagan Lewis of Brown Pigeon and Alejandra Magana of Echeri Ceramics to talk about their respective businesses and a joint venture — the Spottery — they submitted to the Calling All Dreamers contest. In the short time between our conversation being recorded and this interview going live, they made some major decisions about their business. Listen in to hear all of the lessons they’ve learned since initially jumping into the contest. Vote for The Spottery in the Calling All Dreamers Contest! The Spottery on Instagram Brown Pigeon on Instagram Shop Echeri Ceramics Echeri Ceramics on Instargam Art by Malia Tong Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

Several months ago, I was lucky enough to be on my friend Non’s podcast called “You, Me, Empathy,” which is a show about mental health and wellness. He kindly shared the audio and today’s show is his interview with me as a guest. In the episode, I chat about my recent experiences with loss, both through death and divorce. We also discuss the importance of sitting with the uncertainty that is the grieving process and allowing ourselves to slowly make our way through it. SHOW NOTES: Original interview on You, Me, Empathy You, Me, Empathy on Instagram Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

Today’s episode is an interview with blogger, interior designer and content creator Shavonda Gardner. In the episode, we chat about how her military background actually helped her as she’s built her business, why she shares so openly about many different topics on social media, and the importance of choosing who and what we surround ourselves with every day. SHOW NOTES: Shavonda's interior design and lifestyle blog Shavonda on Instagram My favorite highlights from Shavonda's Instagram stories: White Women Do Work Race Resources Education System Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

Today’s show is a chat between me and our CYOP Artist Resident Malia Tong. The artist residency includes several co-hosted conversations on topics that are either timely, top of mind or both, and this is one of those chats. On the show, we catch up on what we’re working through in our careers right now, what previous jobs have taught us about life, work and everything in between, and what skills we feel like we’re collecting and perfecting on the job right now. SHOW NOTES: Malia’s initial CYOP interview Malia on Instagram Malia on Etsy Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest

In this episode, you’ll meet Zahra Ammar, whose work can only be described as mesmerizing. She works primarily with paper and uses styles like quilling and origami to bring stunning imagery to life. Listen in as she talks about the big leaps she’s taken in her life and career, how important it is for her to watch people experience her art and why she believes that both taking breaks for outdoor adventures and sitting down to do the work have helped her succeed. Zahra's Website Zahra on Instagram More about paper quilling Technical production by Ray Ortega Me on Instagram The official CYOP Instagram account Get the Creative Digest