S2, Ep2: Perfect vs. Done: Kyle Metzger on Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Pursuing Art Anyway

S2, Ep6: The Power of Baby Steps, Boundaries, and Bold Vision in Creative Business, with Priya Vij

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2431566/open_sms] In this rich and vulnerable conversation, we talk with Priya Vij, the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a hardware brand rooted in legacy, but built on her own terms. From studying journalism and working at Nike to launching her own modern, design-forward product line, Priya shares how returning to her hometown and family industry cracked open a deeper journey of personal agency, identity, and creativity. We dive into the nuanced dance of boundaries in business, why baby steps matter more than overnight success, and how relational dynamics, especially with parents, can both stifle and shape our creative path. We Chat About: * Starting a business “next to” the family legacy, not inside it * The tension between independence and inherited wisdom * How imposter syndrome can show up when you’re self-taught * Using creativity as a tool for healing and self-definition * The emotional cost of working in male-dominated industries * Building confidence through experimentation and small wins * Why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital business * Boundaries as creative protection * Growing a business and your nervous system at the same time About Priya: Priya Vij is the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a cabinet hardware brand bringing a personal and design-forward lens to an often overlooked category. She grew up around the hardware business - her dad’s been in the industry for nearly 40 years - but saw a clear gap: well-made, thoughtfully designed hardware that didn’t cost a fortune. After years of living and renting in Houston, Austin, Portland, and New York, she launched Hapny, named for the cities that shaped her sense of home. Priya designs every piece herself with a focus on modern forms, joyful details, and consistent, high quality materials - all at an accessible price point. Connect with Priya: Check out Hapny Home: http://www.hapnyhome.com/ [http://www.hapnyhome.com/] More Resources: Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog] Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/] Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com [http://www.lindalewcreative.com/] Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com [http://www.heathermanwaring.com/]

S2, Ep5: Designing from the Heart: How Caroline Fullerton Builds Her Life from Creative Intuition

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2431566/open_sms] Caroline Fullerton is one of those people who lives close to the veil. She’s a designer, artist, and founder of Studio 528Hz: a slow-growing, love-frequency-driven studio making accessories for body and home. In this episode, we talk about her nonlinear path through design, motherhood, and spiritual practice, and how she’s learning to balance creative downloads with the messy realities of daily life. Caroline shares what it means to create from the heart, why she rejects fast timelines and trend cycles, and how she’s building a brand that doesn’t fit in a box. We Chat About: * How Caroline’s global upbringing shaped her creative lens * The origin story and spiritual frequency behind Studio 528Hz * Navigating motherhood while receiving creative downloads * Why Caroline sees creative intuition as a form of current data * The challenge of translating energetic depth into physical products * Finding aligned collaborators and working slowly by design * Honoring multidimensionality while staying rooted in form * The real reasons behind homogenized design and mass culture * Why intentional, heart-led creation matters more than ever About Caroline: As a heart-centered creative and product designer, Caroline Fullerton is led by intuition and weaves sacred geometry and symbolism into her work. With a varied background in art & design & hands-on make and a passion for meaningful expression, she founded Studio 528 Hz, a design studio that crafts accessories for body and home that inspire authentic living. As a mother of two, she finds joy in exploring life’s depths and complexities. Her Scandinavian roots (Denmark and Sweden) influence her aesthetic, while her Portland, OR home cocoons her creativity. Through her work, she aims to help others connect with their true selves and live from the heart. Connect with Caroline: Studio 528 Hz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_528hz/ [https://www.instagram.com/studio_528hz/] Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefullcaro/ [https://www.instagram.com/thefullcaro/] Studio 528 Hz Website: http://www.studio528hz.com/ [http://www.studio528hz.com/] More Resources: Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog] Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/] Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com [http://www.lindalewcreative.com/] Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com [http://www.heathermanwaring.com/]

S2, Ep4: Making the Leap to Entrepreneurship and Overwhelming Visions with Laci Harmon

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2431566/open_sms] What happens when your vision is too big for an elevator pitch? In this episode, we welcome Brooklyn-based brand designer and illustrator Laci Harmon, whose creative path has been anything but traditional. From growing up unschooled in rural Vermont to building a self-taught design business in NYC, Laci shares the honest, often chaotic truth of chasing a creative life without a roadmap. We talk about the terror of starting before you’re ready, the emotional weight of imposter syndrome, and how to keep moving even when perfectionism tells you to pause. This one’s for the big-dreamers, late-starters, and multi-hyphenates trying to birth something entirely new. We Chat About: * Taking the leap from corporate to creative entrepreneurship * Rebuilding confidence when imposter syndrome takes over * Growing up unschooled and its impact on creativity * Finding your way when the path isn’t linear * Laci’s bold creative vision and what’s holding her back * The power of emotional intelligence in brand design * How to hold big visions without getting stuck in overwhelm About Laci: Laci Harmon is a Brooklyn-based brand designer and illustrator who creates visual identities that feel human—honest and emotionally resonant. She works with founders and creatives who care deeply about what they’re building and want their brand to reflect that care. With a background in marketing, storytelling, and the arts, Laci brings a strategic, collaborative approach to every project. She’s a firm believer that staying curious beats being an expert—and she’s built a practice around asking better questions, not having all the answers. Connect with Laci: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laci.design/ [https://www.instagram.com/laci.design/] Website: www.laciharmon.com [http://www.laciharmon.com/] More Resources: Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog] Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/] Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com [http://www.lindalewcreative.com/] Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com [http://www.heathermanwaring.com/]

S2, Ep3: It’s Giving Focused: Nervous System Insights for Overwhelmed Creatives

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2431566/open_sms] Apply to be on the show:  https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] In this real-time reflection, Linda and Heather speak from a familiar place: creative overwhelm. With honesty and gentleness, they explore what it feels like to be maxed out emotionally, mentally, and energetically, and how naming the truth of that experience can become its own kind of medicine. They discuss nervous system overload, the pressure to show up anyway, and why sometimes the most helpful thing is to say, “I’m at capacity.” If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t push through, this episode will not only help you feel less alone, but also give you permission to slow down. We Chat About: * What it actually feels like to be in a state of creative overwhelm * The physical and emotional signals that capacity has been exceeded * Why honest conversations matter more than polished performances * The gap between intention and what’s available in the moment * How childhood trauma affects our ability to focus on ourselves  * Reclaiming softness and slowing down when things feel like too much * How co-regulation and shared truth can bring relief * The gift of naming exactly where you are * Choosing rest, spaciousness, and connection over pushing through * Tools to break down projects into tiny manageable steps More Resources: Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog] Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/] Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com [http://www.lindalewcreative.com/] Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com [http://www.heathermanwaring.com/]

S2, Ep2: Perfect vs. Done: Kyle Metzger on Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Pursuing Art Anyway

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2431566/open_sms] In this episode, we sit down with longtime friend and creative force Kyle Metzger, an award-winning lighting designer and multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans ski films, fine furniture, carpentry, and photography. Through the lens of perfectionism, we explore how the desire to create something exceptional can become a paralyzing block. Kyle opens up about his journey navigating the tension between idealism and action, identity and ego, creative vision and real-world limitations. From career pivots and burnout to breakthrough projects and deeply personal insights, this is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever struggled to start (or finish) because it didn’t feel perfect. We Chat About: * How perfectionism disguises itself as integrity, identity, and control * Why perfectionism often leads to procrastination, paralysis, or avoidance * The emotional cost of being “too precious” with your work * Navigating perfectionism as a multi-passionate creative * Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment after 20 years of quiet effort * Why design, lighting, and environment are emotional experiences * How ego and creative expression are deeply intertwined * The tension between wanting recognition and fearing exposure * Why small creative acts matter just as much as big ones * Giving yourself permission to be seen—even when it’s messy About Kyle: Kyle Metzger is an award-winning lighting designer for films specializing in ski movies. He is also a talented carpenter, photographer, writer, farmer and chef. He lives in Portland, Oregon.  Connect with Kyle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basil_wrathbone/ [https://www.instagram.com/basil_wrathbone/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchetlerFilms [https://www.youtube.com/@BenchetlerFilms] Website: https://www.chrisbenchetler.com/ [https://www.chrisbenchetler.com/] Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Kyle Metzger 01:15 – Which creative role feels most fulfilling now 02:30 – From film to carpentry: building as expression 05:00 – Why Kyle almost became an architect 06:45 – Choosing filmmaking: fear, freedom, and social life 08:50 – Charting a nonlinear creative career 10:20 – Advice for younger creatives: “You can do less in a day, more in a year” 12:00 – Current desires: writing, building, skiing, and solitude 14:00 – How Kyle’s rural upbringing shaped his creative eye 16:00 – Cooking as survival creativity 17:50 – What life in the film industry actually looks like 20:00 – The Mountains of the Moon project: skiing, psychedelics, and skeletons 23:00 – Authoring work vs. being a cog 25:00 – Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment in British Columbia 28:00 – Why he couldn’t have handled success any earlier 30:00 – Rejecting mainstream influence to preserve intuition 32:00 – Kyle’s take on perfec More Resources: Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast] Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog] Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings [https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/] Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com [http://www.lindalewcreative.com/] Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com [http://www.heathermanwaring.com/]