Your brand still matters even when the world is on fire. This week, Whitney Alexandra returns on the podcast to unpack the necessary work of showing up online authentically, why your business needs Fabulous Fridays, and why getting back to in-person connecting and tactile hobbies is so important. It’s about building a brand that’s resilient, relevant, and ready for real connection.

Make your audience feel seen, and they'll do the marketing for you. Cookie in the Kitchen has built the kind of brand people want to show off, share, and celebrate—even Harry Styles. She and Michelle dig into the strategy behind art that feels personal, why fandom is community gold, and how nailing the details turns customers into evangelists. From TikTok virality to capturing an artist’s “lore” on a cookie, Emily proves branding is about seeing people deeply. If you want your work to feel irresistible, this episode is your blueprint.

What started as a side hustle in dental hygiene school turned into a wildly successful lifestyle brand. Caitlyn Cochran shares how she built Dental Hygiene Nation from Etsy orders in her dorm room to a full-blown eCommerce business. She and Michelle talk about community, niching down, and trusting the slow-and-steady brand building process. If you've ever struggled to increase your prices, tackle limiting beliefs as an entrepreneur, or show up online as a founder, this episode will give you the insights to quell those fears.

Meet the teacher who’s building the next generation of creatives. Carolyn Jungman joins Michelle to talk about teaching digital arts and design to Gen Z high schoolers, what students really think about AI, and why creativity in education deserves more credit (and funding). If you’ve ever questioned whether this generation “gets it,” this episode proves they’re already building what’s next.

Ever feel like you’re stuck in your own professional bubble, wondering how to actually make connections that matter? Michelle dives in with Veronica Perondi of LEAD San Diego into what it really takes to break out, build a brag-worthy network, and get your seat at the table. From Michelle's personal experience with the program to redefining networking and why you need to join a local leadership program, this convo is all about mixing curiosity, community, and leadership together.

Drop everything and book a flight. Join Michelle and illustrator Caroline Tomlinson as they dive into the winding, wanderlust-filled path that led Caroline from agency burnout to full-time artistry, with pit stops in London, Cape Town, and New Zealand. They talk grit, galleries, creative identity, and the irreplaceable inspiration of travel. Tune in to embrace the beauty of happy accidents, creative ruts, and why travel is the ultimate fuel for your imagination.

Lauren deVane is back (for the fifth time!) to help us make sense of the AI landscape—minus the tech bro energy. She and Michelle unpack what GPT-4o actually means for creative work, how to use AI tools with taste, and why brand builders can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. From custom bots to off-label use cases, this conversation is a sharp, strategic look at where branding and AI intersect.

Real estate but make it cozy with a touch of luxury. Tune in to hear Molly Gallagher of FRG Real Estate and Michelle talk all things Milwaukee, from historic homes to heritage branding. They dig into the emotional side of real estate, how to stage and sell with style, creating branded merch people actually want to rep, and what makes FRG’s team-first, family-rooted approach so special. Molly shares her insights on client care, design taste, and why community is everything in the Midwest market. Tune in to learn all about architecture, aesthetics, and selling with heart.

SEO is a long game—here's how to play it well. SEO expert Tedi Bezna breaks down what SEO actually is, where to start, and how to make your website more findable without becoming a tech expert. From keyword strategy to AI myths to what Google really wants in 2025, this convo is a goldmine for service providers, designers, and online business owners alike.

Ready to ditch the starving artist trope and paint your own path to creative success? From charging what you’re worth, to calling out sneaky art competitions, and navigating the wild world of social media—Michelle and Phoebe break it all down. Pull back the curtain on the business of murals, how Phoebe cold-pitches her way to projects, and why she’s over playing nice with companies running “for exposure” contests. Plus, hear the hot takes and honest realities of building a creative career in late stage capitalism.

What if your anxiety is really just untapped creativity looking for a way out? Join Michelle and stop-motion expert Colette Peri as they give actionable tips for setting social media boundaries, making time for soul-nourishing hobbies, and rediscovering creativity just for the fun of it. In this episode, Colette shares how she found her niche, and what makes content actually magical. She and Michelle dive into creativity, pitching yourself, and staying playful even when the pressure’s on.

Melissa Litchfield is the marketing strategist brands call when they're ready to run ads that actually convert. In this episode, she breaks down the Facebook and Instagram ad game—from testing offers to ad copy do’s and don’ts to how your creative strategy can make or break your ROI. She and Michelle also dive into ad budgets, email list-building, and why you should probably stop boosting posts.

From a homemade gluten-free loaf for mom to Whole Foods shelves nationwide, Queen Street Bakery’s journey is anything but bland. Founders Giovanni and Tony share how they built a better-for-you, gluten-free bakery brand without cutting corners or flavor. They dig into ingredient sourcing, packaging pivots, building a brand, and what it takes to win customer trust in the crowded CPG space.

Big art. Bigger confidence. Molly Reopelle shares how she went from calligraphy at weddings to murals that define neighborhoods—literally. In this creative deep-dive, her and Michelle unpack the magic of large-scale art, finding your visual style, and navigating pricing with confidence (even if you’re Midwest nice about it). Molly drops gems on creative sustainability, public art, business coaching, and why she doesn't take on projects in January. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn passion into public-facing, paid work—this one’s for you.

One woman. One wild idea. One perfect can. Tiffany Jones, founder of Avenue 8 Cocktails, joins Michelle to share how she turned a frustration into an award-winning beverage brand. She'll walk you through the female-led research, formulation, and design process that brought her vision to life—from sourcing clean ingredients to collaborating with kick-ass team. They also dive into building a lifestyle brand, seeding strategy, and that feeling of seeing complete strangers enjoy your product. Tune in for business inspo, packaging eye candy, and a reminder to say yes to yourself before you're "ready."

If your Dropbox is full of unused brand photos… this episode is your intervention. Photographer and videographer Nadia of LeightBox Media joins Michelle to dish on everything from shoot prep to post-production magic. They talk creative direction, pricing realities, how to plan for photos with real longevity—and why one great image can work way harder than you think. Nadia shares what makes a shoot run smoothly, the gear that matters, and how AI is changing the creative workflow.

Big walls, bold colors, and even bigger creativity—Annie’s murals turn blank spaces into showstoppers. She shares how she landed her first big projects, why pricing your work confidently is non-negotiable, and how artists can ditch the starving artist myth for good. Plus, she breaks down the power of community, creative flow, and why women lifting each other up is the real blueprint for success.

Forget skipping lattes—Amber Frankhuizen is here to talk about real financial freedom (and why you should still enjoy your matcha). Michelle and Amber get real about building wealth, dismantling money myths, and why women must step up and own their financial power. Get the tea on overspending traps, pricing your work with confidence, and why making more money isn’t just about luxury—it’s about impact. Relearn what true wealth means as they dive into media literacy, self-care, and finding the rituals that help you feel your best self.

Jessica Molina didn’t just build an art career—she built a brand, a business, and a voice that won’t back down. From studying architecture to becoming full-time lettering artist, Jessica shares how she honed her signature style that is bold, vibrant, and undeniably her. You'll learn what you need to define your own style, the business of art, and why standing out beats playing it safe. Plus, get some real talk on imposter syndrome, why joy is a form of resistance, and the responsibility of artists to speak up in today’s political landscape.

Art isn’t just passion—it’s profit, and Alicia Puig is here to prove it. As co-founder of PXP Contemporary, she’s redefining how emerging artists sell, price, and thrive in the digital art world. From diversity in the art world to co-writing the ultimate creative biz handbook, Alicia spills the secrets every artist (and collector) needs to know. Plus, she’s got a no-BS formula for pricing artwork (which you can snag below)—because exposure doesn’t pay the bills.