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Making Ways is back with a brand new episode, recorded live at Wayfair HQ in Boston last fall. We sat down for a live conversation with Kendall Bradford, Senior Brand Manager, Experience & Retail Design at Wayfair, about her winding creative career path. Nowadays Kendall designs real world retail experiences for the online giant Wayfair, but before her latest career turn, she worked as a fine artist, painter, bartender, and event planner. It was in her evolution into a visual designer, window and set creative artist for Ralph Lauren, Saks, and the National Gallery of Art, where Kendall’s passion for creative spaces took hold. Kendall is a longtime friend of the show and we’re so excited to have her on. Stay tuned for more from Making Ways this fall as we work on a new set of episodes that will leave you inspired in a whole new way.

Heather D’Angelo used to tell her Au Revoir Simone bandmate Annie that going on tour was a pipe dream. The band, that went on to tour the world, release four full length albums, and take the stage at the Roadhouse for David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return, reached indie rock heights on their own terms. In this new episode of Making Ways podcast, Heather talks about her latest creation, Carta fragrances, and the journey that brought her from musician to scientist to perfumer. Learn about the hustle it takes to follow more than one path to bring creative dreams to life.

Making Ways is back with a new episode all about Risk. Tune in for tales that offer advice on breaking through, getting uncomfortable, and leaping towards the unknown. You’ll hear from past guests of the show offering tips and guidance you can apply to your creative practice and career right now. Host Rob Goodman also shares the latest risk he took in his creative career journey.

Michael Stinson had dreams of becoming an airplane pilot, but his imperfect eyesight led him to an entirely different path, albeit one where precision is essential. Listen to Michael’s story of discovering a career in typography, his evolution from print to digital, and how he now trains students and companies like Disney, Facebook, and Mattel, through his program TypeEd, to better understand how to use type to design brilliantly.

Carissa Potter started out making greeting cards to serve as conversation starters for difficult conversations. She’s concerned and curious about the human condition –– the deep sadness, the surprise joy, the relationship muddiness, the everyday occurrences that make our days bright and dark. Carissa and her team, also known as ‘People I’ve Loved,’ run a popular site, have published books, and make goods in search of truths that connect us all. On today’s episode, Carissa shares her journey, her struggles, and how she came to become 'People I’ve Loved.'

Giselle Gyalzen, owner of San Francisco’s beloved art and gift shop, Rare Device, joins the show to discuss the critical decisions she made to follow her passion. Giselle moved to California from the Philippines as a teenager to attend college, built an accomplished career as a project manager for some of the world’s finest agencies, and switched gears midstream to support local creators and community with Rare Device. Giselle’s story is one of hard work, creativity, and constant evolution.

Annie Galvin and Eric Rewitzer discuss their path to opening 3 Fish Studios, the popular workspace and retail store in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. This husband and wife, printmaker and painter, dynamic duo talk about their recent sabbatical in Paris, and how good business planning and real connection with their community have been essential ingredients to thriving as independent artists and small business owners. In this episode you’ll learn about what it takes to plan and run a small business, switching gears mid-career to follow your passion, how relief printmaking works, and so much more.

When Donald Burlock was a little kid and started breaking eggs to see how they worked, his mother noticed his curiosity and gave him more tools to construct and understand better. These early signs ultimately grew into a passion for designing the world around us. Donald Burlock joins the show to discuss his path to industrial design, his experiences working for IDEO, General Motors, and Coca-Cola. And Donald shares the leadership lessons he learned after running his own agency and the qualities that make for an exceptional design studio.

Caldecott and Sibert Honor recipient, children’s book author and illustrator, Jason Chin discusses his path to creating stories for kids that beautifully combine science and imagination for grand results. In this episode, you’ll learn how seeking out a mentor changed the course of Jason’s career, the ways reading and travel play into his inspiration, and how a great tale need only rely on one vital idea. _____ Jason Chin combines imaginative storytelling with intriguing science to create books that both enchant and educate. He is is the author and illustrator of Grand Canyon which received a 2018 Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor and won the 2018 Orbis Pictus award. His other books, include Redwoods, Island: A Story of the Galápagos, Gravity, and most recently Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard. While researching his books, he’s gone swimming with sharks, explored lava fields and camped with scorpions at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Jason was raised in New Hampshire, studied illustration at Syracuse University, and now lives with his family in Vermont. _____ This episode is brought to you by Soothe. Get $20 off your first massage with code MAKINGWAYS. _____ Find Making Ways on Instagram @making.ways.

Muralist Nathan Richard Phelps discusses his road to life as an independent artist, his rough early days as a teenager, the mental break that changed the trajectory of his life, and his years of hard work as an artist and waiter. Nathan creates beautiful, massive murals that are intensely personal and vividly otherworldly. You’ll also hear about the practical dollars and cents of making a living as an independent artist and the vision that propels his work.   This episode is brought to you by Soothe (https://www.soothe.com). Get $20 off your first massage with code MAKINGWAYS.   Get news, updates, and merchandise at http://www.makingwayspodcast.com.   Find Making Ways on Instagram @making.ways.

Making Ways podcast welcomes dancer and artistic director of Samba Funk, Theo Aytchan Williams. Theo discusses his path from arts advocate to dancer and now artistic director for the non-profit organization focused on preserving and celebrating African Diaspora culture. From the first captivating moments Theo heard the rhythms of a drum, to the unexpected death of his mentor and the community rebuilding that followed, listen in for an amazing conversation on the power of family, music, and transformation. Plus you'll hear real world tips for navigating a creative career with a mission but without a roadmap.

On today’s episode we are joined by dancer, instructor, and coach Alicia Langlais. Alicia’s practice is all about conquering your fears and overcoming the demons that are holding you back from pursuing your own path, whether that be as a dancer, artist, creator, or entrepreneur. Alicia found her way back to dance after years as a school counselor and time overcoming the challenges of her early dancing days at the renowned LaGuardia Performing Arts High School aka the school that inspired Fame. Listen in to Alicia’s incredible journey and get ready to conquer your own dragons today.

Artist and designer Mik Gaspay left the steady 9 to 5 twice in his career and has learned a thing or two about being bold and going for what you want. On today’s episode of Making Ways podcast Mik shares his journey, discussing his move to Palo Alto from the Philippines at age 9, his work at Colorforms toys, what life was like as a grad student at art school while also working full time there in IT, and the moment the band Built to Spill helped light the spark to his pursuit of an independent career. Mik also offers practical advice for those seeking to break away from their day jobs and how to navigate the highs and lows of the freelance hustle.

On today’s episode we are joined by the CEO and Executive Creative Director of Butchershop agency, Trevor Hubbard. You could call Trevor’s path to becoming a design leader unconventional… he went to film school, got fired from his first design job after botching a pet ad, left design school and later taught there instead, and came to starting an agency through his love of the action sports industry. Trevor runs Butchershop, an award-winning creative agency that works with organizations on reimagining culture through design. Tune in for a great story, conversation, and advice on navigating your own creative career with Trevor Hubbard.

On today’s episode we’re joined by artist, curator, and director Brion Nuda Rosch. Brion discovered his love of art-making in the San Francisco creative community scene of the 1990s. He went on to curate art shows (even some in his apartment bathroom), make his own way as a painter by initially cutting up and recontextualizing his work, and breaking into the art world not through a MFA but by an unrelenting commitment to moving forward. Brion spends his days directing the studio program at Minnesota Street Project––helping to support the careers and creative practices for resident artists. Minnesota Street Project is based in San Francisco’s Dogpatch district and provides sustainable spaces for galleries, artists, and arts nonprofits. Tune in for Brion’s story and learn more about how to carve your own path by earning your stripes in the real world.

Brian Singer is a fine artist whose work includes installations, civic-minded projects, paper sculpture, and large-scale participatory experiences. Brian recently changed gears to devote his full-time attention to artwork after years of running his own agency and holding senior design roles at Facebook and Pinterest. In this episode of Making Ways, learn more about gradually carving out a career based on doing more of what you like and less of what you feel obligated to do. Brian also shares details on his new crowdfunded earthquake preparedness project, Basic Safety, and his acclaimed The 1000 Journals Project, which has been exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

During our recent visit to Design Week Portland, we had the awesome opportunity to meet illustrator and designer Jason Sturgill. Jason came to illustration later in his career and has flourished, sharing his journey on Instagram for fans the world over. His clients include Warby Parker, New Balance, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and many more. Jason lives his life and career with a curiosity and bias towards openness that has inspired him to start his own record label (where he released one of Modest Mouse's first 7" records), art gallery, and more recently take on roles at Wieden+Kennedy, Nike, Dark Horse Comics, and mentor students at Portland State University. On today's episode Jason talks about his unique serendipitous path and shares the nature of his open mindset. He also discusses his challenges with depression and bipolar disorder and how creativity plays a significant role in his happiness and health. Tune in for a great discussion with the inspiring, creative mind of Jason Sturgill. 

Making Ways podcast is live from Design Week Portland with Laura Whipple, the CEO and Cofounder of Scout Books. Laura shares her unlikely path to launching the company, great advice for entrepreneurs looking to get started, and she details the power of writing down your goals. She also offers listeners a closer look at what makes the Portland creative community tick (and how you can bring some of that magic to your own city or town). Thanks to Design Week Portland, Outlet PDX, and Stream PDX for making this live event and episode so special.

Aundre Larrow is a portrait photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. On today’s episode Aundre shares his story––from early days in Jamaica to adolescence with his supportive single mother in Florida, and the first steps that brought him into a freelance photography career. Throughout the conversation, Aundre talks about the motivation behind his work, details his latest project ‘Stories from Here,’ and discusses his year as an Adobe Creative Resident.

Indhira Rojas is the founder and creative director of Anxy Magazine, a beautifully designed Kickstarter-funded print magazine that tells the true stories of our internal lives. Indhira once called the mental health magazine, “group therapy in print.” On today’s episode Indhira discusses her path from a photography-loving student in the Dominican Republic to an esteemed designer working with some of Silicon Valley’s best-known brands. During our conversation, Indhira shares the challenges of overcoming childhood trauma and offers insights for listeners struggling to find their footing, both professionally and personally. Hear her story of leaving behind the corporate world, starting her own agency, and creating Anxy Magazine on Making Ways podcast today.