Chaotic Creatives

Lauren and Rachael answer more of your questions! Being authentically you, building confidence, avoiding the cringe: these were a few of the concerns listeners had about developing an online presence and promoting their work. The hosts explore these ideas the best way they know how, with lots of curiosity and nuance, to guide you toward what works best for you!Questions CoveredTips/advice for incorporating playfulness, sparkle, and fun into your corporate job/work.How to not be cringey when promoting your work.How do you connect with your audience authentically? How do you find...

Lauren and Rachael discuss the importance of managing expectations throughout the creative process and journey. As artists, we can’t help but to dream big and plan accordingly; BUT leaving space for unexpected twists and turns can allow us to better enjoy the process and tap into our playfulness. There is so much to gain when we embrace the detours that often occur on the path to where we really want to be. We hope this discussion allows you, dear listener, to be less hard on yourself and develop a healthier relationship with your creative practice. E...

In this discussion, Rachael and Lauren explore the how their upbringings, and communities of origin have influenced the trajectories of their creative lives and careers.Episode Mentions:ESPN 30 for 30: Bad BoysRodman: For Better or WorseThe Last DanceSponsors:Mural Painting for DesignersDress For YourselfThe transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreativesFollow the pod on...

The creative path is full of wonder and play; but sadness, depression, and grief are inevitable parts of the human experience. Rachael and Lauren return by discussing how they navigate these very real seasons in life while remaining committed to what they are passionate about. As we face down ever-increasing uncertainty and loss, does art still matter? Your creative gals say YES! This chat explores art practice as a healing balm and energizing force in our lives and communities.Mentions:The War of Art by Steven Pressfieldwoman, 30, sobs to All Time Low music video on couch...

For this final episode of Season 2, Rachael and Lauren talk about creating challenges and passion projects and how the practice can be useful for self-discovery, play, and meeting creative milestones. They examine crafting prompts from both personal and business perspectives and share helpful examples along the way.Big thanks to our audience for listening this season. Please share our pod with someone you think would love the show AND give us a rating and review! We’ll be back soon for Season 3!In the meantime, join Rachael for a FREE Creative Challenge Webinar on March 30th...

Lauren and Rachael discuss the importance of creating personal guidelines for navigating social media. You can think of these as 10 Commandments, House Rules, Standard Operating Procedures etc. They each share three of their own ‘commandments’ related to common scenarios they’ve encountered as artists and business owners with large audiences online.Special shoutout to Therapy Jeff!The transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to pat...

This episode is all about money and feelings! There’s a saying that is constantly floating around online: “Charge your worth and add tax.” Lauren and Rachael discuss the limits of this phrase and how decoupling your self-worth from the perceived value of your products or services can be a healthier perspective when building a sustainable business. Additionally, they discuss how values like accessibility inform their goals to engage in an inclusive form of commerce, while still covering the costs of doing business and making a living. Hopefully, this conversation makes you feel seen and supported in navigating all of the...

As a creative entrepreneur, experimentation is important in finding a balance between your desires and those of your community. Rachael and Lauren discuss times that they’ve taken risks on new offerings in their business and the lessons learned from their experiences. How can we find profitable pathways for growth without abandoning our core purposes or interests? They also discuss low-effort ways to identify and test ideas on how to expand your business in a way that aligns with your missions and goals.Episode Mentions:Join the waitlist for Lauren’s Portfolio Procrastinator CourseGet the PLAYlist temp...

Happy New Year! Lauren and Rachael are glad to be back and are thinking about loosening their adherence to certain labels that they’ve stuck with for far too long. This discussion was inspired by Lauren doing something that she had previously written off as not her thing and is all about revisiting the stories we’ve been telling ourselves. Do they still ring true? Are we unnecessarily closing ourselves off to new, beautiful experiences or facets of ourselves? The hosts share areas in which they personally feel more curiosity could work wonders and invite you to do the same...

Lauren and Rachael share reflections on the year as we head into 2025. If you’ve been listening since episode 1, you know that these gals LOVE reflection as a tool for resetting and crafting thoughtful future goals that are consistent with your personal values. In this discussion, they dig into: being flexible with metric-based goals, the power of self-awareness in setting your goals, AND acknowledging achievements that you didn’t see coming.Your Chaotic Creative Gals are taking a mini break for the holiday season and will be back in January. In the meantime, give us the gift of a...

After a few heavier, more cerebral episodes, we wanted to lighten things up with a FUN ONE using Rachael’s silly list of questions to get to know yourself and others. These ice breaker questions are silly ways to actually get to deeper conversations and important topics, especially related to creativity and authenticity.Episode Mentions:Rachael's Silly Questions Resource!The Immortals After Dark series by Kresley ColeWTF Should I LetterLauren’s IG post about shame snackThe transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Mars...

Lauren and Rachael talk ethics, personal values, and what it can look like to honor those ideals in your creative business. They discuss how outside forces can challenge one’s adherence to a self-imposed ethical framework and OF COURSE the importance of holding the nuance through it all. This discussion blossoms into an exploration of how the mutual support of a loving community can help us grow and thrive; plus, a reminder on the importance of checking in with yourself and having the courage to change course when your current path no longer suits you.Episode Mentions: h...

There are SO MANY shared lessons on building healthy romantic relationships and joyful, sustainable creative passions that Lauren and Rachael HAD to discuss it for this episode. In examining their dating experiences, they give key insights into the practices and postures that have allowed them to keep the spark alive on their chaotic creative journeys.Episode Mentions:Rachael’s leprechaun, spaghetti, and sun goddess costumes.Book Rachael References: A Year in Practice by Jacqueline SuskinJoin Rachael November 10th for Dress For Yourself Chicago: More info here!The transcript for this episode can be found here!...

It’s firmly Fall and Rachael and Lauren are back! They discuss what’s been going on in their worlds, and how they’ve been navigating seasons of change. While new territory inevitably brings about weirdness and uncertainty, your Chaotic Creative gals share insight on how having the resolve to move toward your core values can not only allow you to grow; but also broadens what it means to be playful in our everyday lives.Episode MentionsNYC-Based listeners can learn The Art of the Hand-lettered Magazine Cover at Lauren’s workshop at Creative Works East in Brook...

Lauren and Rachael don polka dot funeral garb to put season one to rest and discuss the importance of giving yourself your flowers. Reflecting on past wins and unexpected achievements is such an important practice for chaotic creatives, who are constantly facing change and the unknown. Acknowledging the promises you've kept to yourself can be a great way to build the trust in yourself that is essential when facing new challenges. Plus, your Chaotic Creative hosts reflect on working together on the podcast and what they look forward to over the break. Episode Link Mentions:C...

Listener Jen asked a really big question: "How do you easily add different creative projects while keeping it all in one brand? Or do you?" It was such a big question, Lauren and Rachael decided to dedicate an entire episode to unpacking this common creative quandary. For Chaotic Creatives, "following the fun" is a guiding light; but can too many disparate interests transform the fun house into a house of horrors for your audience? Don't worry! The most important tools to building a coherent personal brand are already in your possession.Episode Link Mentions:The chocolate...

Rachael and Lauren answer more of your questions while making fun chaotic detours along the way!Episode Link Mentions:Play with Clay with Rachael Renae @ Still Life Studio: https://ferndale.still-life-studio.com/collections/workshop/products/play-with-clay-with-rachael-renaeMural Painting Workshop with Lauren: https://www.homsweethom.com/in-studio-mural-painting-workshopCheck out Tuesday Bassen's work here: https://www.instagram.com/tuesdaybassen/Lauren's Refinery 29 Room: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByAjoLBBbVo/?img_index=1The transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you...

Lauren and Rachael answer your questions and make fun chaotic detours along the way!Episode Link Mentions:Play with Clay with Rachael Renae @ Still Life Studio: https://ferndale.still-life-studio.com/collections/workshop/products/play-with-clay-with-rachael-renaeMural Painting Workshop with Lauren: https://www.homsweethom.com/in-studio-mural-painting-workshopThe Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://bookshop.org/book/9780143129257The transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sweet HomIf you love what we are doing and want to support us, head to patreon.com/chaoticcreatives<...

Rachael and Lauren talk about the concept of taking "imperfect action" when following what fascinates them, and how this could lead to new insights and a higher tolerance for uncertainty. Plus, Rachael shares fun practices to turn off autopilot and find joy, even at the post office. Episode Link Mentions:Rachael's "Prioritize Play" Workshop: https://rachaelrenae.com/prioritizeplayThe Ideal Road Not Taken by Tom Gilovich: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/05/woulda-coulda-shoulda-haunting-regret-failing-our-ideal-selves The transcript for this episode can be found here! Cover art designed and photographed by Kristle Marshall for Hom Sw...

We know that narrowing your focus is a great tool for curbing the creative chaos; but, is a creative niche forever? Don't fret! Rachael and Lauren talk about the "Niche for Now" approach, remaining engaged in your work, and and the freedom that comes with setting aside what no longer serves you.Episode Link Mentions:Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet by Taylor Lorenz: https://bookshop.org/book/9781982146863The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker: https://bookshop.org/book/9781594634932Open Wide: A...