Windowsill Chats

Out of the Ashes: Poetry, Resilience & Reclaiming Your Voice with Courtney Peppernell

Margo sits down with internationally bestselling poet and storyteller Courtney Peppernell. Known for her Pillow Thoughts series and many other beloved poetry collections, Courtney has spent nearly a decade writing about love, healing, and the resilience that carries us through life's hardest moments. Her words have reached millions across the globe, offering comfort and connection through the power of honest storytelling. In this conversation, Courtney shares how her creative journey has evolved—from "accidental poet" to global literary voice—and how her newest book, Out of the Ashes, explores rising after trauma, recognizing emotional abuse, and learning what healthy love truly looks like. She and Margo also discuss community, vulnerability, and the whimsical characters (yes, jellyfish!) that make her work so unique. Margo & Courtney Discuss: * How Pillow Thoughts went from Tumblr blog to international bestseller * Recognizing emotional abuse and reclaiming your voice * Why vulnerability in storytelling fosters connection and healing * Building a creative career rooted in authenticity * The importance of community — online and IRL * Using anger and grief as catalysts for growth * The charming characters that have become symbols throughout her books * What's next: fiction, exciting new projects, and a whole lot of dogs Connect with Courtney: Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneypeppernell [http://www.instagram.com/courtneypeppernell] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@courtneypeppernell [http://www.tiktok.com/@courtneypeppernell] Website: www.peppernell.com [https://www.peppernell.com] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry] Join the Confident Creative Workshop (November 17th-20th) [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/products/the-confident-creative-workshop]

It Starts With You: Claiming Your Creative Identity, Building Confidence & Community with Martina Flor

Margo welcomes internationally acclaimed lettering artist, illustrator, author, and creative mentor Martina Flor to the show. Originally trained as a graphic designer in Argentina, Martina took a leap of faith that led her to Berlin — and eventually to building one of the most recognized lettering studios in the world. Through bold choices, ongoing experimentation, and a belief in the power of claiming your identity, she has carved out a career filled with artistry, entrepreneurship, and community. Martina opens up about what it really looks like to follow your passion before the world has validated it — from printing "lettering artist" on her business cards long before she had clients, to trusting that the right environment and relationships can transform everything. Margo and Martina discuss: * Martina's journey from Argentina to Berlin and how a new environment shaped her career * The moment she claimed the title "lettering artist" — and the ripple effect it created * Why community, mentorship, and visibility are essential for creative growth * How to charge confidently and build a financially sustainable art career * Key business strategies for finding clients and marketing your work authentically * The importance of a supportive team behind any thriving creative business * Balancing commercial work with personal projects and ongoing learning * Using storytelling to build a magnetic brand that attracts aligned clients * Navigating transitions and creative risk with curiosity and courage * Her advice for artists who want to turn passion into profession — without burning out Connect with Martina: Website: https://www.martinaflor.com [https://www.martinaflor.com] Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinaflor [http://www.instagram.com/martinaflor] The Golden Secrets of Lettering [https://www.martinaflor.com/goldensecretsoflettering?utm_campaign=skedlink&utm_medium=button&utm_source=skedlink] Book Make It [https://www.martinaflor.com/makeit?utm_campaign=skedlink&utm_medium=button&utm_source=skedlink] Book Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

For the Love of Renovating: How the Brownstone Boys Built a Brand Rooted in Authenticity and a Creative Life from the Ground Up

Margo sits down with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—better known as The Brownstone Boys—a Brooklyn-based couple, award-winning interior designers, and renovation experts known for their ability to breathe new life into historic homes while keeping design fresh, livable, and true to their roots. What began as a shared passion project to restore their first brownstone quickly became a creative business built on authenticity, approachability, and an unshakable belief in learning by doing. Without formal design training, Barry and Jordan leaned on curiosity, community, and sheer persistence to grow their brand into one of the most trusted names in renovation. Along the way, they've worked with clients like Kerry Washington and Peloton's Anna Greenberg, launched collaborations with brands like Blueprint Lighting, and released their debut book For the Love of Renovating. Together, they share what it means to build a business (and a life) together, how to stay grounded in your values, and why the most beautiful spaces often come from imperfect beginnings. Margo, Barry and Jordan discuss: * How a bike ride through Brooklyn led to a shared dream of restoring a brownstone—and building a creative business from the ground up. * The early days of The Brownstone Boys and how posting their real-life renovation journey online unexpectedly launched a design career. * Learning by doing—why neither formal training nor perfectionism are prerequisites for success. * The power of authenticity on social media and how showing the real moments built their loyal community. * Finding balance and clarity in a creative partnership—how Barry and Jordan divide roles, communicate, and keep their vision aligned. * Their signature design philosophy: honoring history while adding a clean, modern touch. * How playlists and personal stories inspire their design process and make every project feel soulful and lived-in. * The importance of humility, collaboration, and staying curious in creative work. Connect with Barry + Jordan: https://thebrownstoneboys.com/ [https://thebrownstoneboys.com/] https://www.instagram.com/brownstoneboys/ [https://www.instagram.com/brownstoneboys/] https://www.tiktok.com/@brownstoneboys [https://www.tiktok.com/@brownstoneboys] https://www.pinterest.com/BrownstoneBoys/ [https://www.pinterest.com/BrownstoneBoys/] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5OJXUbPjR8JqoE099QwUOw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5OJXUbPjR8JqoE099QwUOw] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

The Art of Sound: Silas Hite on Scoring Stories, Creative Variety, and a Life in Music

In Part 3 of the Dawn Dusk series, where Margo explores the creative forces behind the documentary, she sits down with Emmy-winning composer Silas Hite, whose music spans blockbuster films, hit TV shows, museum installations, bestselling video games, and award-winning commercials. With over two decades of experience and an unmatched ability to move between genres, Silas shares how an early love of rhythm and melody grew into a multifaceted career in composing and recording. They explore how the industry has shifted over the years — from strikes to the rise of AI — and how Silas balances commercial projects with deeply personal creative work. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his collaborative process, translating visual stories into sound, and the joy of creative experimentation. Margo and Silas discuss: * Silas' early inspirations and how his musical path evolved from performing to composing * Navigating major industry shifts and the impact of AI on music creation * The art of translating visual storytelling into sound, including scoring Dawn Dusk * Balancing commercial projects with personal artistry and creative fulfillment * Why being a musical generalist has been key to Silas' success * Insights into composing for short formats like commercials and TV segments * The inspiration and creative process behind Chicha Macabre and My Happy Place * Upcoming projects and how personal work keeps his creativity thriving Connect with Silas:https://www.silashite.com/ [https://www.silashite.com/] https://www.instagram.com/silas_hite [https://www.instagram.com/silas_hite] https://soundcloud.com/satincowboy [https://soundcloud.com/satincowboy] https://www.facebook.com/SilasHiteComposer/ [https://www.facebook.com/SilasHiteComposer/*] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]

From Dawn to Dusk: Chelli Look on Grief, Beauty, and the Healing Power of Creativity

In Part 2 of a special Dawn Dusk series, Margo sits down with designer and maker Chelli Look, whose story is at the center of the documentary Dawn Dusk. Directed by Jason and Blue Gerber, the film follows Chelli's journey through grief and healing after the devastating loss of her sister to domestic violence. In this conversation, Chelli shares how creating leather handbags under her brand CHC became both a lifeline and a language for navigating profound loss. She offers her perspective on how the documentary came to be, what it means to create beauty amidst grief, and how creativity continues to shape her work as a designer, advocate, and visual storyteller. Through her story, we're reminded of the resilience found in making and the quiet strength of simply being. Margo and Chelli discuss: * How the documentary Dawn Dusk unfolded from Chelli's perspective * The role of creativity and design in navigating grief and emotional recovery * Why beauty is a necessity—not a luxury—in the healing process * How CHC handbags became a vessel for processing and storytelling * The evolution of Chelli's work as an advocate for domestic violence survivors * Learning to slow down, be present, and allow healing to unfold over time Connect with Chelli: https://www.dawnduskfilm.com/trailer [https://www.dawnduskfilm.com/trailer] https://www.chellilook.com/ [https://www.chellilook.com/] www.instagram.com/chelli_look [http://www.instagram.com/chelli_look] www.instagram.com/dawnduskfilm [http://www.instagram.com/dawnduskfilm] Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com [https://www.windowsillchats.com/]www.instagram.com/windowsillchats [https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats]www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill [https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill]https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry [https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry]