What Happens When You Actually Feel Feelings Instead of Avoiding Them? Jessica Gill on Grief, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Leveling Up

This week, I spoke with Jessica Gill, Chief Content Officer at To Be Magnetic, about creativity, expansion, and what it really means to feel your feelings. We talked about grief, nostalgia, career ruts, rock bottoms, and how to get unstuck by doing the opposite of what you usually do. Jessica shares practical tools for raising self-worth, letting go of the past, and reconnecting to radical authenticity. If you’ve ever felt in limbo or like your old shell doesn’t fit anymore, this one will hit home.Show notes:Sign up here to get a companion workbook for this episode and the next!Jessica's Instagram | YoutubeKatie's Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout  | Zine shop is here!My Creative Clinic. Book Let It Out: A Journey Through JournalingIf you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 481: (RERUN) Get Better at Feeling: The Art of Emotional Expansion - Lacy Phillips on Body Image, Style, and How To Be Magnetic (EP 212)

*This episode originally aired in 2018, re-airing it today in honor of Lacy's new book. And look out of an updated conversation between us later this week. In in late 2017 a friend mentioned a workshop she’d  attended in New York led by Lacy. After hearing about her experience, I was intrigued, yet slightly apprehensive because after years of obsession and addiction to all things personal-growth, spirituality, and manifestation I was at a point where I was exhausted by content even in the vicinity of self-help. Despite my trepidation I checked out Lacy's work and several hours later, I was hooked. From her style and aesthetic to her framework and perspective, her work was incredibly intriguing. In the weeks leading up to this interview  I was a bit nervous to meet her in person. Fortunately, Lacy was  warm and welcoming putting me at ease the second I walked into the Brooklyn apartment where she was staying. We sipped a tea infusion she made us (Lacy’s also an herbalist) and chatted for hours about everything from bodies and food to design and design to relationships. We talked about her philosophy around authenticity, boundaries, and of course debunking myths about manifestation. She was kind, charming, articulate, and I loved recording this episode and listening back to it.Show notes:- Lacy on The Web | Podcast | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest>> Lacy's new book: How to Manifest - Katie's Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout  | Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic. >> book Let It Out: A Journey Through JournalingAll original music composed by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs 

*This episode originally aired in 2018, re-airing it today in honor of Lacy's new book. And look out for an updated conversation between us later this week. In late 2017, a friend mentioned a workshop she’d attended in New York led by Lacy. After hearing about her experience, I was intrigued, yet slightly apprehensive because after years of obsession and addiction to all things personal-growth, I was at a point where I was exhausted by content even in the vicinity of self-help. Despite my trepidation, I checked out Lacy's work. From her style and aesthetic to her framework and perspective, her work was incredibly intriguing. In the weeks leading up to this interview, I was a bit nervous to meet her in person. Fortunately, Lacy was warm, putting me at ease the second I walked into her Brooklyn apartment. We sipped a tea infusion she made us (Lacy’s an herbalist) and chatted for hours about everything from body image and food to design to relationships and boundaries. She was kind, charming, articulate, and I loved recording this episode and listening back to it.Show notes:- Sign up here to get a companion workbook for this episode and the next!- Lacy on The Web | Podcast | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest>> Lacy's new book: How to Manifest- Katie's Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout  | Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic. >> book Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 464: Micro-Hysterical Moments: Amanda Chantal Bacon on shame, aging, dating, the myth of balance, and more!

This week I spoke with longtime activist and author Dean Spade about the complexities of relationships and the challenges we face in a society shaped by disposability culture. We discussed the fear of being wrong in public and of conflict and feedback. He spoke about why self-help often falls short in addressing systemic issues and shared some insights from his latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World, which offers practical advice on navigating personal growth and connection in a world that often feels isolating and disconnected. I loved both the book and this conversation. Let us know if you listen! Show notes:- Dean's books | podcast | IG: @spade.dean- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 426 - Queering in Friendships: Rae McDaniel, Sex Therapist & Author of Gender Magic, Returns

This week, I talked to interior designer Cooper Osinski. He shared what makes a space feel personal, how he balances his style with client work, and how he developed his taste and style while navigating trends. We also discussed his intentional approach to growing an online presence on YouTube and how he stays thoughtful and constructive when offering design commentary. Cooper was as warm and inviting as the spaces he creates, and he offered heaps of practical, accessible tips—including small design fixes that make a big impact. Whether you're deep into design or just curious, he makes the world of interiors feel both approachable and fun. Let us know if you listen. Show notes:- Find Cooper on the Web | Instagram | YouTube- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 425 - Mindful Space Design: Anjie Cho Returns

This week, I talk to business strategist Abbi Miller about navigating pivots in both personal and professional life. Abbi was on the podcast five years ago, and her perspective on time management, which she calls Time Pessimism, is a concept I’ve found helpful ever since. Since then, much has changed for her both personally and collectively (including becoming a mom). In this episode, we catch up on everything she’s learned since then, including how to work with the muse when it strikes and how she sets up systems to support that flow. We also discuss how to deal with cynicism and find ambition again, and her strategies for effective quarterly goal-setting. Plus, Abbi gets me to open up about some of my own career changes and how I’ve been navigating them within my life. And you can hear me talk about it more on her show, where she had me on as a guest too. Show notes:- Abbi's Workwomb Instagram | Podcast- Free 30-min consult with Abbi to chat about working together- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:In Abbi's previous episode, we covered her pivot from full-time work to freelancing, navigating burnout, and the importance of support in both business and personal life.

This week, I talk to Erin Claire Jones, one of the world’s leading experts in Human Design. She talks about her journey from skeptically discovering it at a party to now writing a book (How Do You Choose) about how we can use our design to make better decisions in relationships and career. Erin also shares how these principles have transformed her life, and we explore how they can be used by anyone, even those just beginning to learn about the system.I first discovered her grounded approach to Human Design when I was gifted a personalized reading by her in 2017. What she shared was so useful to me, it led me to host 2 live podcast episodes with her as the guest. Since then, her work has been featured in Forbes, Elle, Vogue, and Nylon, and she's worked with thousands of people in over 160 countries. Erin and I reflect on how the concepts in her new book connect to the way we navigate our lives, as well as how Human Design can be used as a tool for self-awareness, overcoming obstacles, and better communication for more harmonious relationships with others. Show notes:- Find Erin Claire on IG: @erinclairejones | @humandesignblueprint- Erin's book: How Do You Choose?- Look up your design here | code LETITOUT for a discount on your guide- Study human design with Erin here- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Zine shop is here! - My Creative Clinic If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 249: Habits, growth, doing our best, human design and love with Erin Claire LIVEEpisode 242: Human Design, family, connection, parenting with Jenna Zoë

LA-based artist Christopher DeLoach and I talked about his path from class clown to intrepid traveler—walking the Appalachian Trail—to becoming an artist and creating the iconic bumper stickers you know and love. He shares a series of surreal encounters while hitchhiking, including rides with enigmatic characters that challenged his worldview. Our conversation spans time—from his childhood in NYC to adventures in his early 20s and how both continue to shape him today. We talked about identity, American culture, his painting process, collecting ideas, funding and sustaining a career in LA, becoming known for something, doubt, belief, and even death. It’s a humorous and earnest conversation that I really loved—let us know if you listen!Show notes:- Find Christopher on the Web | Instagram -The bumper sticker story we talk about- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Zine shop is here! - My Creative ClinicIf you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 393: Kismet Color with Artist Kimmy Quillin: Painting, Living in NYC as an Artist, and Highs and Lows of Creating

This is the second half of my conversation with my friend Blu Most, an artist who has worked in food styling, creative direction, and event design. We get into ADHD habits, community for freelancers, her best advice on relationships and anxiety, and how aging changes our perspective on it all. If you missed part 1 last week, we talked about embracing creative cycles, the tension between financial security and artistic fulfillment, and how personal branding intersects with authenticity. Show notes:- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- Find Blu on the Web | Instagram- Ozma of California code: Katie15 for 15% off- My Creative Clinic: book a call with me here- Zine shop is here! or become a paid Substack member and I'll mail you a copy of Pivot!- COMING 2025- FRESH NEW (!!) In Process: Experimental Creative Group semester coming up: sign up for the waitlist If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 353: Riding Waves: Surfing, Design, and Change with Heidi Baker, Founder of Ozma of California

In this first part of my conversation with the brilliant and wildly creative Blu Most, we dive into the life of a self-proclaimed “ideas person” and explore what it means to be a jack-of-all-trades. Blu shares her experience through art, food styling, creative direction, and event design—embracing creative cycles and navigating the tension between financial security and artistic fulfillment. We also get into stepping away from Instagram, marketing to niche communities, and how personal branding intersects with authenticity. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we get into ADHD habits, community for freelancers, shifting towards intimate gatherings, her best advice on relationships and anxiety, and how aging changes our perspective on it all. Show notes:- My Substack | IG: @letitouttt + @katiedalebout- The reel we were talking about- Find Blu on the Web | Instagram- Ozma of California code: Katie15 for 15% off- My Creative Clinic: book a call with me here- Zine shop is here! or become a paid Substack member and I'll mail you a copy of Pivot!- COMING 2025- FRESH NEW (!!) In Process: Experimental Creative Group semester coming up: sign up for the waitlist If you liked this episode, try out from the archive:Episode 353: Riding Waves: Surfing, Design, and Change with Heidi Baker, Founder of Ozma of California