Chaotic Creatives

Rachael has a craving that could bring about a big lifestyle change. She discusses with Lauren coming to a realization that she no longer feels at home in the environment she’s settled into— and the choice between staying the course or starting a new adventure. The hosts share how they have gained clarity, direction, and the courage to embrace the unknown in the quest to continually live creatively. Rachael’s new book “Prioritize Play” is now available for pre-order! Grab your copy today. Post on desire by Yumi Sakugawa Poetry Unbound - Seventh Circle of Earth by Ocean Vuon...

What happens when pursuing a creative dream becomes a catalyst for major life changes? In this episode, Rachael and Lauren discuss instances when following the creative path has taken them into unexpected territory. Episode Mentions Rachael’s new book “Prioritize Play” is now available for pre-order! Grab your copy today. Learn more about Luis Barragán. Watch Rachael’s Bedroom Makeover Reel Filterworld - How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka Check out Lauren’s Mural Mockups here! We are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your conference or organizat...

We all experience periods of low energy and motivation; but as Chaotic Creatives, our ideas and goals never stop calling to us. Rachael and Lauren talk about the necessity of giving ourselves grace when we’re feeling drained. They outline some actionable approaches that might help us advance towards our passions even when we aren’t feeling up to the task. This episode invites us to willfully take the path of inefficiency as an act of self care in a world burning with urgency and the pressures of productivity. Episode Mentions Rachael’s new book “Prioritize Play” is...

There are countless worries that come with self-promotion and marketing our offerings. Showing up consistently, sharing what we are working on, and selling can feel as if we are being annoying. BUT it’s necessary for our businesses and creative practices to thrive. Lauren and Rachael talk about overcoming apprehension when it comes to this challenging but critical aspect of being a creative entrepreneur. They also share the value of building “it” even when it’s not certain that “they will come.” Episode Mentions Rachael’s new book “Prioritize Play” is now available for pre-order! Grab your copy today. ...

So many of us give the lion’s share of our capacity to our employers and have very little left for our creative passions. With only so much time, energy, and resources to do what we want in life how can we do more of what fills us up? In this episode, Lauren and Rachael talk about creative ways of reallocating our efforts towards what matters most to us. They discuss when it feels okay to half-ass, when to give it your all, and the importance of being intentional with your personal investments. Episode Mentions: Rachael’s ne...

After a long period away, Rachael found herself packing it all in when she returned to Detroit. Lauren was there to bear witness and support Rachael through the overwhelm, which inspired today’s discussion. They debrief on Rachael’s chaotic week, and talk ways to do all of what you truly want, while incorporating guardrails to prevent spiraling into burnout.Episode MentionsThe Wedding People: A Novel by Alison EspachWatch a recap of our Marshalls Workshop in Detroit!Check out Rachael’s Online Community, The Juice Box here!We are now booking workshops and speaking engage...

Lauren and Rachael discuss the tools and rules they use to navigate running their creative businesses online. They talk about the line between convenience and spoon feeding, pitching clients, and accepting the pros and cons that come with going your own way.Episode MentionsCheck out Rachael’s Online Community, The Juice Box here!Please explore “River Scars,” the work of Robert Hodgin who presented at OFFF MX 2025If you liked this episode, check out Episode 12 “The Spark: How Advice for Dating is Advice for Creating”We are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To...

This episode is all about the “secret menu”, a concept that Lauren dreamed up for offering unprofitable skills that she still enjoys doing for herself and others. The hosts discuss the value of thinking of your own secret menu and how it can become a creative form of community care. This conversation is an invitation to pull your untapped abilities out of skill purgatory and put them to good use.Episode Mentions:Rachael’s Soup Gala Birthday PartyRachael’s Orange-Themed Birthday PartyWe are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to yo...

Rachael is ready to get serious about being an artist; so she and Lauren discuss a common component of presenting yourself as one: a portfolio. When describing your creative work and ambitions, it can be extremely helpful to have a curated selection of pieces to back it up; but many questions arise when attempting to build an online portfolio. In this episode, you’ll gain some insight towards answering those questions for yourself. Is it okay to have one-off works vs a series? How can you focus your practice around certain theme or through-line while allowing yourself to follow al...

Lauren sold most of her things in the months leading up to moving back to BK and absorbed helpful lessons around sales, customer service, and communication that she brought back to her business. In this episode she shares these lessons with Rachael and reflects on how they were more easily absorbed when she was selling “stuff” (chairs, furniture, etc) as opposed to her creative work and services.Episode MentionsLauren’s NYC Bedroom Storage ProjectLauren at Creative Mornings NYCWe are now booking workshops and speaking engagements as a duo! To bring us to your confer...

In the conclusion of this first Crash Course mini-series, the hosts are sharing some of the commonly overlooked aspects of selling a workshop. They discuss how to navigate specific scenarios that they've encountered in hosting creative events and send you off with some encouraging words. Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here!For a transcript of this episode, contact us at chaoticcreativespodcast@gmail.com Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we a...

With a workshop concept locked in, Lauren and Rachael begin developing their idea into a more well-rounded offering. They work through how to provide the most valuable experience for workshop attendees, how to market the event, and what price point will cover costs while making a worthwhile profit for them as hosts. Throughout this phase of planning, they provide nuanced insight on what to consider when tailoring a gathering toward your own goals. Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here. Cover art designed and photographed b...

Lauren and Rachael brainstorm on a guided experience that merges both of their skills and teaching styles. In pitching ideas to one another, they land on a workshop that they are both jazzed to facilitate! The big question is: Can they develop this idea into a strong, marketable offering?Episode Mentions:Lauren's Tutorial on Turning Junk Mail into Paper Clay for Crafts  Lauren's Upcycled Croissant  Lauren's Upcycled Pedestal Planter  Shoutout to Meg Lewis and their 'taper mache' method. Check out their work here!  Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th...

Welcome to Crash Course! A Chaotic Creative mini series about gathering in the material world. Follow Lauren and Rachael as they plan a workshop that you can actually attend this November in New York City! In part one, the gals share how they began teaching and why they believe workshops are a great way to grow your creative community and business. Shoutout to The Dugout Podcast, which was an inspiration for this format. Go check them out!Join us for this special in-person creative workshop in NYC on November 13th! Get tickets here. <p...

In this wide-ranging conversation, Rachael and Lauren discuss how they stay creatively grounded in periods of grief; they then realize that the conversations they’ve had as friends and co-hosts have had a grounding effect as well. This season’s closing coincides with the closing of chapters in the respective lives of the Chaotic Creatives team and in this long indulgent sendoff, your gals are looking forward even while holding the sadness that comes with change. Episode MentionsBrené Brown: The Fast Track To Genuine Joy (HuffPost 2013)  King’s Hawaiian Lilikoi Crunch Cookies  How to Keep Ho...

In this penultimate episode of season 3, Rachael and Lauren both find themselves at the precipice of major change in their lives. They discuss how the nature of these changes have influenced their priorities and styles of decision-making. Expanding beyond the new seasons in their lives, they raise the importance of doing what you can to prioritize your creative work, and honing your intuition by practicing decisiveness in everyday scenarios.Episode Mentions:Paper pulp on Lauren’s blogGrit by Angela DuckworthRachael’s Creative Visioning Workbook Dusen Dusen Backyard MosaicSponsors:Creative Coaching with Rachael RenaeMural Mocku...

Get a sense of what a creative coaching session is like as Lauren and Rachael help each other with specific challenges they are facing in their respective businesses and lives. Each host listens and offers insights to help the other move closer to achieving their goals.Episode MentionsHere is the Forbes article about Mud Witch, and the inspiration behind their ceramics.Check out Lauren's website for an example of the "trail mix" style portfolio.Learn more about Lauren's 4-Week Portfolio Procrastinator program!Sponsors1-on-1 Coaching with LaurenCreative Coaching with RachaelThe transcript...

Much has been covered about the what, why, and how we create but this episode is all about WHERE we do our creative work. In the wake of Lauren’s big move back to NYC, she’s been thinking a lot about transitioning from a dedicated art studio to a wall in her new bedroom. It’s got the gals thinking about the benefits of having a home within your home (however small) JUST for being the best, most imaginative, creative you possible. They talk about the possibilities and limitations of making dedicated creative spaces and how they navigate arrang...

Rachael was brimming with excitement after her experience at this year’s Alt Summit. As she shared the details with Lauren, a discussion unfolded about all of the places to find your people and the magic of face-to-face meetings. Consider this a more extended answer to a listener question from the previous episode about finding connection around your creative passions and hobbies. Your chaotic creative gals explore the benefits of gathering, navigating forming adult bonds, and being clear on the types of communities you are interesting in joining or forming yourself.Episode Mentions See Rachael’s Bingo...

Rachael and Lauren continue to answer listener questions! They discuss their silly, self-indulgent projects, ideas on building community, and navigating the more tedious aspects of living a creative life.Topics CoveredThe silliest things the hosts created that made their souls smile. Ways to respond when people say “you should sell these,” if you don’t want to turn your passion into a business. Finding a creative community that also aligns with your values. Balancing the tedious parts with the joyful parts of your creative business. Tips on how to prioritize your creative energy and calm a chaotic...