The YearCompass: Processing a Year That Was and Planning a Year That Will Be

***NOTE: This episode was recorded back in January of 2024. In typical ADHD fashion (and wanting to wait to release the episode until Sean’s wife’s pregnancy announcement was fully announced!), this episode sat in the drafts folder….for approximately 1 year and 13 days. C’est la vie. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)*** In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sean Khuon-Paige to dive into ADHD and creativity—two forces that have shaped our lives in profound ways. We share our journeys of growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, finally receiving a diagnosis (in college for Sean and later in adulthood for me), and navigating the challenges of medication. We also explore how we’ve learned to manage ADHD while working as full-time freelance creatives, balancing its unique challenges and benefits in our creative work. We unpack how ADHD has impacted us differently—whether it’s the struggle to focus on things we “should” be doing or the intensity of hyper-focus on creative projects that truly matter to us. While it’s not always easy, we talk about the systems and routines we’ve built to help bring structure to the chaos. We also reflect on how societal perceptions of ADHD influence the way we view ourselves and approach our work. Online communities and memes bring humor and connection, but they also remind us we’re not navigating this alone. And, naturally, we couldn’t resist talking about Everything Everywhere All At Once—a film that captures the layered, fast-paced chaos of an ADHD mind in a way that feels both relatable and validating. Finally, we share a glimpse into what’s ahead for both of us: I’m working on developing a workshop and course, while Sean is preparing for fatherhood and continuing to grow his creative business, Nice & Easy Films, with his partner Simone. This episode is jam-packed with an honest and personal look at living and creating with ADHD—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If you’ve ever felt like your brain is a spicy soupy mix of challenges and untapped potential…this one’s for you. <3  —Find Sean Everywhere on all platforms at once: @seankp.bsky.social Sean’s latest projects: Nice & Easy Films (a PDX-based production company with a focus on brand stories, commercials, and documentaries. Nice people, easy workflow. (@niceeasyfilms on Instagram)Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/showcase/niceeasyfilms Special mentions:Jamie Brindle, freelance creative (@jamiebrindle on Instagram) Simone Scarpino, Partner at nice & easy (@simonescarpino on instagram) Monty Python and the Holy Grail opening credits as an example of "unhinged" creativity: Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Opening Credits About Sean: Sean Khuon-Paige (he/him) is a dad, husband, cinematographer, photographer, drone pilot, gaffer, small business owner, ADHDer, and wearer of probably too many hats. He is 1/2 of the creative agency,  Nice & Easy Films, where he works as a director of photography shooting commercials, short films, and documentaries.

In this episode, I sit down with Joy Espinosa, the amazing founder and creator behind the inspiring brand I Choose Joy. Joy shares her deeply personal story of how she turned to creativity and design as a way to heal and cope with some heavy mental health and medical challenges.We dive into Joy's journey, where she opens up about dealing with intense pain and intrusive thoughts, and how starting ichoosejoy.co became her lifeline—helping her rediscover joy, passion, and purpose. We get real about the challenges of balancing business goals with personal well-being and Joy talks about her vision for building a supportive, uplifting community around her brand.She also shares some powerful advice for anyone struggling to find joy in tough times, like curating what you see on social media, practicing self-care, and noticing the beauty and humanity in the world around us. We chat about her evolving perspective on creativity, the role music has played in her life, and her mission to inspire others through her vibrant, joy-filled designs.Check out the links below to connect with Joy and explore her work:​Joy’s website: https://ichoosejoy.co/​Find Joy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosejoy.co/​Find Joy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosejoy.co​The joy I’m wearing (aka the Retro Sweatshirt): https://ichoosejoy.co/products/its-all-about-joy-rock-retro-1​Music Joy Loves: - Royal Blood: https://www.royalbloodband.com/- Pretty Lights: https://prettylightsmusic.comAbout Joy: Joy Espinosa (she/hers) is the founder, creator, and designer behind I Choose Joy, an apparel brand launched in 2024 in Denver. After facing significant mental and physical health challenges, Joy created the brand to rediscover happiness and promote mental well-being. Each piece is crafted with care, using ethically grown U.S. cotton to ensure comfort and durability. Through her designs, she aims to spread positivity and remind others to embrace joy in their lives. Find Joy everywhere online with the handle @ichoosejoy.co.

This solo episode celebrates TWO WHOLE YEARS of SPW Design Media. I talk about some important milestones, like the cringe “StephanieScribbles” phase, working with over 20 organizations/project partners, finding a rebrand that actually felt *right*, starting the podcast, and then a 🎉surprise🎉announcement about… the latest SPW Design Project: *drumroll* 👀👀👀👀 a digital & in-person course and workshop called “Engagement By Design.” !!! Sign up link to be on the interest list/Guinea pig list: https://bit.ly/SPWEngagementByDesign Sign up to join my insider newsletter (and to hear more about the upcoming project!): http://bit.ly/SPWDesignInsider Sign up for a Rage Ritual hosted by Katherine Newell Okojie: https://www.katherinenewell.com/public-events Submit a question to the podcast: https://www.spwdesignmedia.com/creatives-off-the-clock-podcast

This episode features a conversation with the phenomenal Sarah Mills, CEO of Ink & Olive Media! We talk about entrepreneurship, analysis paralysis, travel, transitions, getting excited for things in business, advocating for ourselves in our biz, celebrating the small wins, and how we take time to recharge & replenish that creative energy in our bodies!Sarah launched her course, “The Social Media Business Academy" (Sign up here: https://www.inkandolivemedia.com/courses)REFERENCES:Connect with Sarah: inkandolivemedia.com - Instagram: instagram.com/inkandolivemediaLiz Moody's Podcast (we reference Circ-Walks): https://www.lizmoody.com/healthier-together-podcast/#creativesofftheclockpodcast #creatives #inkandolivemedia

This episode features a conversation with the lovely Oliva Phelan Heiser @livphehei, a law student & serial sewer/crafter/trail runner/multitasker/extraordinaire!We talk about creating for utilitarian purposes, how productivity influences our creative practices, thrifting, repurposing, ethical & environmental consciousness, & integrating ritual into our creative endeavors.We also talk about how we can lean into the discomfort that sometimes come with creating things we may not like or know what to do with afterwards.Some items we reference:"Morning Pages" from The Artist’s Way - 1992 self-help book by American author Julia CameronReCreative Denver -  A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting creativity, community and environmental stewardship through creative reuse & arts education. Find them online: Recreativedenver.org On Instagram: @recreativedenver#creativesofftheclockpodcast #playfulcreativity #creativitypodcast

Happy New Year! Welcome to a solo episode where I share with y’all one of my favorite tools for reflection & turning the page when it comes to getting closure from the old year, and embracing the new one: the YearCompass, a booklet for reflection “made with love by an international team in Budapest, Hungary”. You can find/fill out/download/print/cry on/burn your own YearCompass at: https://YearCompass.com/gb. Arrive. Reflect. Let go. Embrace. You got this. ♥️ #yearcompass #notanad #creativesofftheclock

Join me for this long-awaited episode I've been sitting on & letting percolate for the last few months of the year, for all the best reasons! I speak with THE Katherine Newell Okojie, spiritual leader & facilitator, systemic change strategist, speaker, author, and dear friend.This was such a deeply personal & spiritual conversation and I am so thankful to have birthed this together! We talk about the importance of ritual in our lives as divine creative beings, finding time and space to be in our bodies, how creativity is infused with ethical manifestation, and we break down (and take down!) the capitalistic, nuanced pressures/container of "productivity".(TW:) We talk about some harder things: quitting on purpose for things that don't serve us, systemic racism, boundaries, parenting, being "cringe", online haters, and making the decision not to take sh*t from people who aren't "in the arena" doing the thing.We celebrate positive affirmations, creative risk-taking, and daring greatly with our whole essences.​Sign up for Katherine’s Courageous Leaders For Change transformative cohort starting 12/19: https://www.katherinenewell.com/courageous-leaders​MAKE MAGIC WITH KATHERINE: https://www.katherinenewell.com/offerings-2​Get a crash course in some of the paradigms we move in and touch on by listening to Katherine's appearance on the ReMembering & ReEnchanting podcast hosted by Sara Wolcott here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ii-3-untangling=manifesting-a-conversation/id1620018280?i=1000583531022​Watch the Netflix comedy standup special by Ronny Chieng "' referenced in this episode here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81267202​Love these creative convos? Consider supporting this podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/creatives-off-the-clock/support

In this episode I’m joined by Sean Khuon-Paige of @viewsbysean. Sean is a dad, a videographer, filmmaker, & multi-talented freelancer extraordinaire! We talk about our myriad of digital interests, our childhood cringe origins stories, being creative on your own terms, and we get #real about burnout, digital detoxes, “screenagers”, the urge to “be on all the time” on social media, “doom-scrolling”, imposter syndrome, and ultimately…..how having fun should be the Whole Point, and finding out what you desire, and then doing that, is how we create fulfilling lives. Live vicariously through Sean and his creations at: https://viewsbysean.com/ (...and leave him that fire Google Maps review!! LOL: https://goo.gl/maps/ZQ3quZzq4MESoS3Y7) And his production company, @niceeasyfilms! Some things we mention in the episode:- Sean talks about an amazing music-video film project he worked on with an incredible team of creatives: Blue Cranes feat. Edna Vazquez - "Tatehuari" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOdzrm4FgGU ft. Sarah Wheldon @sarahmakesmovies on IG- And inspiration for his “white-girl Pinterest” tattoo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOdzrm4FgGU- BONUS: (For the kids who never knew the “JumpStart” CD-Rom Era): https://jstart.fandom.com/wiki/JumpStart_Learning_Games_series

Join Stephanie and Andrea of @thecrochetcounselor for some conversation around Andrea’s crochet-cat-butt adventures, her support for mental health, and art therapy. You can support her art on Instagram (@thecrochetcounselor) or shop her crafts on Etsy: https://Etsy.com/shop/AndreasArtCo

Welcome to the Creatives Off The Clock Podcast! In this first-ever episode, creator & host Stephanie Whitehouse gives a brief intro to herself and the podcast.