Learning to be Less Afraid of AI | May 4, 2026

Go Touch Grass | May 13, 2026

In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn leads a conversation about unplugging from screens, summer hobbies, and creative projects that get you off the computer. This episode covers: * Boulder Startup Week recap: Highlights from the AI-heavy conference, an unexpected standout workshop using LEGO to surface abstract ideas, and why networking leads from startup events tend to pay off on a longer timeline than you'd expect. * Explaining motion design to non-designers: Why pitching at conferences and local meetups sharpens how you describe your work in ways your website never will. * Automation as a way off the screen: How vibe coding and AI tools can actually free up time for hiking and other things—and the trap of getting pulled back in to build "just one more" automation. * Tactile creative projects for summer: Laser cutters, zoetropes, flip books, stop-motion experiments, and physical design work that keeps the creative muscles moving without a monitor. * In-camera experimentation over Photoshop: Playing with prisms, plexiglass, LED wands, and actual cameras to make weird abstract imagery and try unfamiliar genres. * Rituals that reset the brain: A grab bag of what the team actually does to unplug—biking, hammocks, gardening, running programs, and small bookend habits that separate work from life. * Visiting Colorado pre-camp: Recommendations for anyone arriving early for Camp Mograph, plus a heads-up about altitude. Upcoming Events/Schedule: * **Monday Meeting is moving to a monthly format—every second Monday going forward! * Next podcast: Open Discussion on June 8th * Game Night: Wednesday, May 27th * Join the Discord for announcements, office hours, and topic suggestions Visit MondayMeeting.org [MondayMeeting.org] for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community! SHOW NOTES: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/Monday_Meeting] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/2zDcj7PyB7] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/monday-meeting-podcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mondaymeetingpodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/mondaymeeting.bsky.social] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter [https://mondaymeeting.substack.com/%E2%81%A0]

Learning to be Less Afraid of AI | May 4, 2026

In this open discussion episode, host Jen Van Horn facilitates a conversation about AI systems, workflow automation, and the evolving role of motion designers as creative technologists. **ATTN! Show Format Update: Monday Meeting is moving to once-a-month scheduled open discussions (second Monday of each month), with additional guest episodes announced as they come together. Off-Mondays will feature open office hours on the Discord, with more focus on game nights, workshops, and community engagement across Discord and social media. A new topics channel is live on the Discord server for episode ideas and guest suggestions. This episode covers: * AI as operations supercharger, not generative art: The most valuable AI use cases for small studios and freelancers aren't generative imagery—they're automating the operational tasks that drain mental load and free up creative energy. * Building agents like employees: Framing each automation as a specific role (producer, biz dev, social media manager) keeps things tactical and prevents the "system after system" trap that plagues early adopters. * Motion designers are uniquely positioned: Sitting at the intersection of creative and technical, motion designers are well-suited to ride the current automation wave across industries—reminiscent of the pre-standardized motion design era. * Vibe coding as a legitimate skill: Real examples shared of building MVPs, custom plugins, and proprietary tools (cloud generators via GLSL, render queues) born from specific production needs that became sellable products. * The democratization opportunity: If artists don't inject their voices and processes into the AI ecosystem, the path of least resistance for the next generation will shape tools and recommendations away from craft. * Energy, ethics, and legitimate concerns: Discussion of environmental impact, IP/rights issues, and the optimization pressure driving genuine efficiency gains—though guardrails and legislation remain urgent. * Choosing your lane: Participation isn't mandatory. Artists keeping traditional workflows become the specialists others hire—collaboration across approaches is the path forward, not forced adoption. Upcoming Schedule: * Next week: Another open discussion episode (hosts TBD) * Going forward: Open Discussion episodes scheduled for the second Monday of each month * Off-Mondays: Open office hours on the Discord Visit MondayMeeting.org [Visit MondayMeeting.org] for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community! SHOW NOTES: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/Monday_Meeting] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/2zDcj7PyB7] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/monday-meeting-podcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mondaymeetingpodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/mondaymeeting.bsky.social] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter [https://mondaymeeting.substack.com/%E2%81%A0] * * Mark Cernosia's Systems PDF [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j61uzenztz5u1hlgy2w01/THE_WIRED_STUDIO_FINAL-SLIDES.pdf?rlkey=4e0njr2g890kaaciytzooewg4&st=81htlw22&dl=0]

Keep Making Human Art with Reece Parker | Apr 27, 2026

In this episode, host Kendall Hotchkiss interviews motion designer and illustrator Reece Parker on intuitive creativity, building a personal brand, and thriving as a human artist in the AI era after a decade of solo freelancing. This episode covers: * The eras of a freelance career: Reece breaks down ten years of solo work into distinct growth phases—learning the tools, shaping market perception, figuring out business, and the current era of resilience and "art over commerce." Each era required a different mindset shift. * Working intuitively as a creative identity: Practical tips for recognizing intuitive moments and protecting time for them. * Showing up authentically on social media: Why offering vulnerability outward is what brings community back in. * Positioning a portfolio site to speak past peers: Why he invested a year and serious money into a developer-built site with capability decks and process decks designed to win direct clients—and how it changed his business overnight. * Mantras for dry spells: "It's not personal, it's business." Manifesting positive energy instead of waking up scared. Why packing your schedule to feel valuable eventually catches up with you. * Freelance platforms vs. networking: When platforms actually work versus the slow-game alternative of networking. * The human option in the AI era: Why being clearly the craft-forward, human choice is now an easier and more meaningful position to occupy, and why the clients chasing the cheapest AI option were never the ones you wanted anyway. Upcoming Events: * Game Night: Wednesday, April 29th * Next Monday (May 4th): Open discussion hosted by Jen Van Horn * Looking for community members interested in hosting! Visit MondayMeeting.org [MondayMeeting.org] for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community! SHOW NOTES: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/Monday_Meeting] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/2zDcj7PyB7] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/monday-meeting-podcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mondaymeetingpodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/mondaymeeting.bsky.social] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mondaymeeting.substack.com/%E2%81%A0] * * Reece’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reeceparkerco/] * Reece’s Website [https://www.reeceparker.com/⁠]

Taking the Leap Towards Creating with Audrey Havey | Apr 20, 2026

In this guest episode, host Kendall Hotchkiss chats with Audrey Havey — graphic designer, art director, motion designer, illustrator, YouTuber, and co-founder of the newly launched creative studio Sword and Shield — covering studio launches, content creation, personal style, and the value of art school. This episode covers: * Launching Sword and Shield: How Audrey and her husband planned a studio launch months in advance. * Commissioning frame-by-frame animation: What their process looked like working with an external animator, from brief to final delivery, and how they tried to be the "dream client." * YouTube content creation: How Audrey's video workflow evolved over time, and why she stepped away from the channel — temporarily. * Brand deals with Rive and School of Motion: How those collaborations came about organically, and what she got out of them beyond the paycheck. * LinkedIn without overthinking it: Audrey's low-pressure approach to social media and why personal work has driven most of her client relationships. * Developing a personal style: Why it took until after college for Audrey to understand her own visual identity — and how she knows when something is distinctly hers. * What art school actually teaches you: The case for soft skills over technical training, and what online learning can and can't replicate. * Sword and Shield's vision: The studio's philosophy on craft, client work, and a longer-term project Audrey hints at but doesn't fully reveal. Upcoming Events: * Game night: Wednesday, April 29th (Discord) * Next week's guest: Reece Parker! Visit MondayMeeting.org [MondayMeeting.org] for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community! SHOW NOTES: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/Monday_Meeting] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/2zDcj7PyB7] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/monday-meeting-podcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mondaymeetingpodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/mondaymeeting.bsky.social] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mondaymeeting.substack.com/%E2%81%A0] * * Audrey's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@audreyhavey⁠] * Audrey's Website [https://www.audreyhavey.com/⁠] * Sword and Shield Studio [https://swordandshield.tv/⁠]

Strategize This: Smart Social Moves That Work | Apr 13, 2026

In this open discussion episode, host Kendall Hotchkiss leads a hands-on social media workshop, fielding community questions and sharing practical strategies. Topics range from promoting free tools to crafting hooks, storytelling techniques, and platform-specific tactics for motion designers. This episode covers: * Promoting free tools and work-in-progress content: Rather than only announcing a tool at launch with a single video, sharing the development journey—snags, workarounds, and behind-the-scenes moments—builds anticipation and a stronger audience connection. * Platform strategy for niche audiences: Different platforms serve different purposes—Reddit and LinkedIn tend to perform well for technical tool creators, while Instagram favors short-form and quick cuts, YouTube rewards vlog-style depth, and TikTok skews toward meme and humor content. * Documenting process after the fact: For creators who struggle to post while in the middle of a project, it's entirely valid to open old project files, film a quick walkthrough, and frame it as a case study or retrospective. * Posting for availability without sounding desperate: Framing availability as "booking for next month" rather than "available now" signals that you're still in demand. * The chocolate-covered almond hook framework: Effective posts use a compelling hook (the "chocolate") to draw people in, paired with genuinely useful substance (the "almond") to retain them. The three copywriting questions—Can I visualize it? Can I falsify it? Could nobody else write this?—help ensure posts feel specific, authentic, and not interchangeable with AI-generated content. * Storytelling structure for social posts: Short-form storytelling follows a simple beginning-middle-end arc—even a monthly recap carousel ("here's what I did, here's what I learned, here's what's next") qualifies. The three-panel problem/solution/outcome format and writing as if addressing a specific person (a mentor, a son, a Girl Scout troop) help ground posts in a specific perspective and avoid generic-feeling copy. * Consistency over frequency: Posting once or twice a week with focused, high-quality content outperforms daily posting of filler. Engaging on other people's posts, reposting with commentary, and showing up in comments all count as social media presence—useful for staying visible without burning out on original content creation. * LinkedIn profile and banner optimization: The LinkedIn banner is an underused piece of real estate where freelancers can embed their elevator pitch or positioning statement. Upcoming Events/Schedule: * Gartic Phone Game Night on Wednesday, April 29th (details in Discord) * Next Monday: Kendall interviews YouTube content creator Audrey Havey Visit MondayMeeting.org [MondayMeeting.org] for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community! SHOW NOTES: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/Monday_Meeting] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Monday Meeting Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://discord.com/invite/2zDcj7PyB7] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/monday-meeting-podcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mondaymeetingpodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/mondaymeeting.bsky.social] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MondayMeeting Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://mondaymeeting.substack.com/%E2%81%A0] * * Shannon Mckinstrie [https://www.instagram.com/shannonmckinstrie/p/DWhOW9AmSnc/⁠] * Creator Science Episode about Chocolate Covered Almonds [https://open.spotify.com/episode/11VkAHxxKXpAYv1aIkAWx8?si=1b5ca45bda3b4729⁠] * Copywriting Questions [https://youtu.be/OkehiNcC5zw?si=WC2xp0Wb7qormi24⁠] * LinkedIn Tips with Jasmin Alic [https://open.spotify.com/episode/09kLXG62NZlxDrcoqXI7U2?si=26444723334e4982⁠]