Reclaiming Joy: A Conversation on Mental Health, Resilience, & Finding Your Creative Spark

Spicy Brain Soup: ADHD, Creativity, and Everything Everywhere All At Once

***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 [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 [https://youtu.be/79TVMn_d_Pk?feature=shared] 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.

Reclaiming Joy: A Conversation on Mental Health, Resilience, & Finding Your Creative Spark

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 [https://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/ [https://ichoosejoy.co/] * Find Joy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosejoy.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosejoy.co/] * Find Joy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosejoy.co [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 [https://ichoosejoy.co/products/its-all-about-joy-rock-retro-1] * Music Joy Loves: - Royal Blood: https://www.royalbloodband.com/ [https://www.royalbloodband.com/]- Pretty Lights: https://prettylightsmusic.com [https://prettylightsmusic.com/] About 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.

The Birthday Episode! SPW Design Media Turns 2! 🎉

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

Celebrating the Wins in Business, Travel, Transitions, and Mental Health

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) [https://www.inkandolivemedia.com/courses] REFERENCES: Connect with Sarah: inkandolivemedia.com [https://inkandolivemedia.com] - Instagram: instagram.com/inkandolivemedia [https://instagram.com/inkandolivemedia] Liz Moody's Podcast (we reference Circ-Walks): https://www.lizmoody.com/healthier-together-podcast/ [https://www.lizmoody.com/healthier-together-podcast/] #creativesofftheclockpodcast #creatives #inkandolivemedia

“Sew” Creative: On Repurposing, Thrifting, & Creating for Discomfort & Play

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 Cameron [https://amzn.to/4gOeSwo] ReCreative Denver -  A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting creativity, community and environmental stewardship through creative reuse & arts education. Find them online: Recreativedenver.org [https://Recreativedenver.org] On Instagram: @recreativedenver #creativesofftheclockpodcast #playfulcreativity #creativitypodcast