Craft Talk

In this episode, I chat with Abe Russell, a licensed builder who specializes in tile work. We discuss his journey into the construction industry, his passion for tiling, and all of the skills he has acquired over the years. Abe shares some of his insights on the importance of learning through experience, the challenges of different jobs, and the pride he takes in creating beautiful spaces. We also touch on so many areas like evolving trends in tile and construction, the journey of entrepreneurship, customer experience, and even chat about some of his favorite tools! As Abe continues to grow in his experience, he ultimately is working on balancing artistry with business and after talking to him, I know he's well on his way. Finding any "contractor" is easy. Finding the right contractor... not so much. As a former customer for multiple projects in our home, I really appreciate sitting down with Abe and hearing about his creativity, work, and experience. I really enjoyed this conversation. I hope you all enjoy! About this Podcast : Craft Talk is a collection of interviews with people of different disciplines ranging from creativity, business, and lifestyle. By diving into my guest's story and learning about how they approach their craft, I hope that these conversations help you find different ways to improve your own! Say hi to me on Instagram @crafttalk.podcast Website -  crafttalk.net [http://crafttalk.net/]

In this episode, I’m joined by singer-songwriter Taylor DeRousse, whose new album “Running Back To Me [https://open.spotify.com/album/66ExJlXSHdUxcGnS2JxAuY?si=ERKTqNIWTMi_7QRt0eKw9Q]” is the product of a decade long journey of self discovery and bold creative choices. During this album release cycle, I observed that she approaches her craft with so much intentionality, and isn’t afraid to go for it. She not only understands the demands of being an artist, but also understands the work required to market her work in the social media space. Taylor also runs a music school called “Tailored Harmonies Music Co. [https://www.tailoredharmoniesmusicco.com/]” where she shares her passion for teaching music and providing custom paths for aspiring artists. She shares insights on her teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of balancing emotional expression with technical skills and fundamentals. I really enjoyed learning about where Taylor’s drive comes from. Hearing about her experience of being told that she can’t do something, really explains why she’s always rose up to challenges and made her want to fully commit to what she truly believes in. That drive shows up in her music, her teaching, and the way she builds her business. With her balanced mindset, I can’t wait to see Taylor’s success continue and I hope that the listeners enjoy our conversation! About this Podcast : Craft Talk is a collection of interviews with people of different disciplines ranging from creativity, business, and lifestyle. By diving into my guest's story and learning about how they approach their craft, I hope that these conversations help you find different ways to improve your own! Say hi to me on Instagram @crafttalk.notes Website -  crafttalk.net [http://crafttalk.net/]

I’m so excited to speak with Ioana Jongsma, an executive presence coach and public speaking trainer. Ioana is an ICF Associate Certified Coach, a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach and a NeuroMindfulness Master Practitioner. Headquartered in Denmark, Ioana has worked with hundreds of speakers from all over the world including scientists, artists, educators, leaders, world record athletes, policy experts, and entrepreneurs to help them communicate their ideas. Whether it’s for a TEDx talk, a pitch to investors, or a networking presentation, her goal is to help people clarify and structure their ideas, cultivate confidence, hone their personal style, find the right words, and build leadership presence. In this conversation, we explore the ins and outs of speaking in front of others. From how the body responds to stress, to reframing nerves as energy, to building trust through presence. This chat was a perfect combination of science and soul when it comes to the artform of public speaking. Whether you’re an introvert, a seasoned speaker, or just trying to find your voice, this episode offers tools, insight, and warmth to help you grow more authentically in your journey to sharing your story. You can find Ioana’s work on https://onspeaking.com/ [https://onspeaking.com/] Enjoy! About this Podcast : Craft Talk is a collection of interviews with people of different disciplines ranging from creativity, business, and lifestyle. By diving into my guest's story and learning about how they approach their craft, I hope that these conversations help you find different ways to improve your own! Say hi to me on Instagram @crafttalk.notes Website -  crafttalk.net [http://crafttalk.net/]

For this solo episode, I share 3 essential approaches to leadership whether you’re stepping into a leadership role, refining how you lead, or just curious about what separates great leaders from bad ones. I hope that these items will help you on your own journey to leadership in whatever that looks like for you. The world is always going to be full of questionable leadership or terrible managers, but maybe in our own small circles, we can make even decisions to serve the people around us, and make any type of positive impact. And I think if that happens, it's all worth it. Enjoy! About this Podcast : Craft Talk is a collection of interviews with people of different disciplines ranging from creativity, business, and lifestyle. By diving into my guest's story and learning about how they approach their craft, I hope that these conversations help you find different ways to improve your own! Say hi to me on Instagram @crafttalk.notes Website -  crafttalk.net [http://crafttalk.net/]

For this episode, I have a chat with Singer Songwriter, Jack Droppers. Jack has been in a band with his best friends for almost a decade, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. I loved where this conversation went. From sharing our mutual connection to Orlando, to finding the hidden little things that we incorporate into our work, and also celebrating the fun and quirky methods that we have in order to chase down that great idea. Jack has really great insights when it comes to creative work. His music is really in touch with his personal memories and emotions, and also inspires listeners to ultimately celebrate life despite all of its imperfections. He understands the value of art, and also has a deep desire in expressing that the act of creating is just as important as the finished product. I can’t help but to smile when thinking about how serendipitous this conversation was. To start the chat with me sharing a childhood photo wearing an Orlando Magic jersey (well before I’ve ever lived in Orlando), to learning how big of a basketball fan Jack is, particularly the Orlando Magic, and to top it off, the conversation about creativity was focused on finding the little MAGICAL moments to incorporate into our art. I mean, cmon! The band Jack Droppers and the Best Intentions [https://www.jackdroppers.com/] is in the process of writing and recording their next album. Their latest album "Scooter" won the WYCE "Alternative Album of the Year" in 2024 and "Dad Rock" won the WYCE "Rock Album of the Year" in 2023 Enjoy! About this Podcast : Craft Talk is a collection of interviews with people of different disciplines ranging from creativity, business, and lifestyle. By diving into my guest's story and learning about how they approach their craft, I hope that these conversations help you find different ways to improve your own! Say hi to me on Instagram @crafttalk.notes Website -  crafttalk.net [http://crafttalk.net/]