Highlight REAL – Details, episodes & analysis

Do you feel overwhelmed with your life? Does the thought of achieving balance feel like a joke? Or do you think balance is only reserved for a select few - the super-human or those who have a perfect life and have it all together? Are you tired of hustling and falling short of balance in your life? I believe there’s another way. In this episode I share my thoughts about balance and how to achieve it. How to flip how we think about balance  on its head, and give you practical tools and questions to ask yourself so you can take back the reins of your life. Join me for a thought provoking episode! In addition - I share with you what’s next for the Highlight REAL podcast while I achieve balance in my own life.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Define what balance means to you
• Define what is most important to you
• Get clear on what is actually achievable and what your next right step is
• Create a plan for your balanced life
• Stop shoulding all over yourself
• Gain clarity and courage so you can own the reigns of your life

FIND HOST JOSEPHINE KIMBERLING HERE:

• Josephine's Website
• @josephinekimberling on Instagram

FOR MORE OF HIGHLIGHT REAL:

• Visit JOSEPHINEKIMBERLING.COM/HIGHLIGHT-REAL-PODCAST  for the show notes 
• Follow @letshighlightreal on Instagram

Are you dreaming of one day starting your own business? Are you considering going into business with a friend but aren’t quite sure? Today’s guests Carrie Kiefer and Morgan Georgie of Ampersand Design Studio share their creative journey and how they are truly - better together. To call these girls close would be a serious understatement. For years it’s been Carrie & Morgan, Morgan & Carrie. The name of their design venture says it all — Ampersand, which is the symbol that with one single stroke, connects two formerly separate elements. 

Ampersand quickly became known for combining graphic and handmade marks to create bold patterns in refreshing color palettes. Together they create and collaborate on every design with paint, pen and ink, cut paper and anything else they can get their hands on! Their artwork appears on products ranging from textiles to stationery to home décor to fashion for companies such as The Land of Nod, Windham Fabrics, Giggle, and Tiny Prints in addition to their own line of products sold in shops across the world.

These days, Carrie & Morgan not only work together, they live five minutes apart with their sweet, (and very supportive), husbands and adorable kids. Whether they are playing with their children or painting in the studio, their mission is always to create looks and lives that are creative, harmonious and happy. Ampersand is where color and pattern come to play!

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Take the leap from a stable job to starting a business
• See negative surprises as opportunities for something new 
• Work with a business partner when you both overlap on a lot of skills
• Put friendship first over a business partnership 
• Respect each others opinions when working together
• Leverage what each person brings to the table, to make something stronger, together

FIND CARRIE AND MORGAN HERE:

• Ampersand Design Studio’s Website
• @AmpersandStudio on Instagram
• Ampersand Design Studio on Facebook
• Ampersand Studio on Twitter

FOR MORE OF HIGHLIGHT REAL:

• Visit JOSEPHINEKIMBERLING.COM/HIGHLIGHT-REAL-PODCAST  for the show notes of each guest
• Follow @letshighlightreal on Instagram

Whether working for yourself or taking on freelance projects, how do you find clients and price your work? And how can you solicit feedback from your clients that doesn’t leave you hurt and defensive? 

Today’s guest is Olivia Herrick, a Minnesota based graphic designer who’s client-centered business approach is thriving – allowing her to build a business that she loves and that works for her and her family.

In this episode, Olivia shares what we don’t hear often - the upside for working for another company, and how the story you tell yourself about your 9 to 5 doesn’t have to be negative. From her beginnings of working in-house, to starting her own graphic design business, Olivia shares how she created a financial strategy before she took the leap, and offers tips for designers on finding clients, how to price your work, and how to solicit feedback that won’t hurt you but instead make the work stronger and your clients happier. In addition, Olivia dives into some of her life wisdom, including how the Enneagram changed her life, as well as insights into some of the quotes she is known for sprinkling throughout Instagram.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Pitch our work
• Price our work
• Take on clients that are a good fit
• Have a client-centered approach to your business
• Request and take feedback in a positive way

FIND OLIVIA HERRICK HERE:

• Olivia Herrick’s Website
• Olivia Herrick on Instagram

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned 
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to follow us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Do you find yourself stressing? Tensing up? Setting overly high expectations for yourself and your art? Today’s guests Sarah and Colin Walsh are going to have you get into some frothy goodness with your art and teach you to be your own friend aaaand give yourself a hug.

Sarah and Colin Walsh are co-creators of Tigersheep Friends, a husband and wife illustration duo that love to create fun and quirky products like art prints, enamel pins, tote bags, pillows and T-shirts. Reveling in the weird, listening to music, drinking coffee, people watching, eating tacos and partaking in kung fu pillow fight dance parties gives them the special blend of energy it takes to make the kind of art they feel proud of. Their hope is to be a positive force in the world with their art!

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Take a break when you get frustrated
• Have no cherished outcomes
• Be a good friend to yourself
• Pay attention to your FUN barometer
• Condition like an athlete 
  

FIND TIGERSHEEP FRIENDS, SARAH & COLIN WALSH HERE:

• TigerSheep Friends Etsy Shop
• @tigersheep_friends on Instagram
• Sarah Walsh’s Website
• @sarahwalshmakesthings on Instagram
• @colinwalshillustrations on Instagram

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned 
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to follow us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Do you find yourself stressing about “all the things” in your creative business and journey? My guest today will show you how to loosen up and gain perspective in your life! When it comes to art, Timree Gold isn’t your typical artist. She believes art should be approachable, imperfect and most importantly fun. Her art studio invites students of all ages into her whimsical world to paint all sorts of things she adores – from vintage sunglasses to summer popsicles. You’ll typically find her teaching art in her painted jeans and a statement necklace. The beauty of it all is that her paintings and crafts are bright, colorful but never perfect. 

Adults and children from around the world come to a little studio in Newport Beach, California to learn the whimsical and charming painting techniques of Timree. As a self-taught artist she began by  painting custom dishes as a hobby. From live event paintings and murals, to teaching classes and designing product lines, Timree sparkles with creativity and makes art accessible and fun for everyone.

Her studio has been voted one of the top 10 “Most Sought-after Art Classes” in the United States with classes known to sell out quickly. She has been named one of the “Style Icons of Orange County” by Orange County Magazine and featured on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Orange County.” 

In addition, close to Timree's heart are "Timree Treatments", where she donates her time to teach paint classes and private lessons to those affected by cancer. It is known that art is a very healing process, and it is Timree's joy to be able to bring the healing of art to those in need.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Not let Instagram skew your perspective on your success
• Work hard and treat yourself
• Let go in order to grow
• Find gratitude no matter the circumstances
• Vocalize our dreams

FIND TIMREE GOLD HERE:

• Timree’s Website
• @timree on Instagram
• @timreeinc on Facebook
• Timree Gold’s YouTube channel

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned 
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to follow us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Do you judge your work harshly? Do you want to create through your intuition, but don’t know how? Carrie Schmitt is a full time artist, art retreat facilitator, and author based in Seattle, WA. She began painting in 2009 after being diagnosed with a life threatening allergy to heat. Bedridden and unable to go outside for months, one day she heard a voice that said, “Now that your life is over, you might as well do what you want and paint.”

Thankfully, she listened. In our conversation, Carrie talks about how art saves her every day. How it has brought the most beautiful things into her life – giving her a glimpse of hope amidst the darkness. 

Her intuitive painting process is incredibly inspiring. Carrie shares about how we need to stop judging our art as either good or bad, and instead focus on the internal process and create through that place. Because what we create expresses who we are in that moment and the skills we have now, and how that HAS to be good enough. This episode is really going to speak to you on so many levels. So let’s get started! 

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Develop coping skills with daily practices
• Not judge our art, and instead let it happen
• See destruction as a necessary part of the creation process
• Troubleshoot your fears
• Touch your dream every day

FIND CARRIE SCHMITT HERE:

• Carrie Schmitt’s Website
• @carrieschmitt on Instagram
• Carrie Schmitt on Facebook
• Carrie’s workshops and retreats

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned 
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to follow us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Are there things in your life that just feel hard, and you are having trouble moving past them? Are you holding onto expectations and things in your life that aren’t serving you anymore? Artist, Jessica Swift’s world completely changed when her husband Ryan died in August 2018 – leaving Jessica pregnant and with a toddler. As Jessica was grieving, art projects began to emerge. Today Jessica is going to share her story with us, including her grieving process, and how art has been helping her through this difficult time – helping her re-frame her expectations and realize that she CAN do unimaginably hard things.

Jessica Swift is a 100% self-taught, full-time artist, surface pattern designer, painter and business owner, who has never had a “real grown-up job”. She hails from sunny Boulder, Colorado and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest in Portland, Oregon. In 2008, she discovered how to create patterns, and fell in love with the process. Soon after, she began licensing her artwork and created the popular online class & community called “Pattern Camp”. She also created “Campfire” which is an online community that talks openly about the real struggles members have in their creative process. Jessica’s transparent and authentic style resonates with her many followers, and I’m honored she’s sharing her story with us today.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Follow our intuition
• Do hard things
• Let go of things that are not serving us anymore
• Be open and vulnerable in order to work through things
• Be gentler on ourselves
• Let art guide us through our pain

FIND JESSICA SWIFT HERE:

• Jessica Swift’s Website
• Jessica Swift on Instagram
• Jessica Swift on Facebook
• Pattern Camp
• Pattern Camp Level 1 on Skillshare
• Pattern Camp Level 2 on Skillshare
• Campfire

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to follow us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Stasia Savasuk is revolutionizing how women think about their bodies. As a body-positivity advocate, Stasia teaches about “Inside-Out Congruency” – which is when who we are on the outside reflects who we are on the inside, a concept that has changed the lives of thousands of girls and women.

Stasia is also a style coach and the creator of “Stasia’s Style School” which is a 5-week online class and lifelong sisterhood that ushers women from feelings of insignificance, body shame, and a perpetual state of “why-bother” into radically embracing who they are and who they want to be, all while encouraging them to fully show up in the world as the BRAVE, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL woman that they are! Therefore breaking down the body shame complex one woman at a time.

Stasia recently amplified her message of “Inside-out congruency” on the Ted-x stage, and in this interview she shares with us her behind-the-scenes journey of how she bravely prepared for this event, giving us tips and examples as to how we can build our brave muscles.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Challenge our body shaming mindsets
• Cultivate our bravery
• Wear the clothes you want to wear based on how you feel
• Cultivate the part of you that has never been wounded
• Own our power

FIND STASIA SAVASUK HERE:

Stasia’s Website

Stasia on Instagram

Stasia’s Style School

Stasia’s Style School on Facebook

Stasia’s Ted-X talk “Dressing for Confidence and Joy”

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to visit us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

Are you a freelance creative or do you create work in-house for a company? Are you curious about the benefits each world offers? Nate Williams, a creative force in both the freelance, solopreneur, and corporate spaces talks with us about how he has been able to navigate both worlds and why creating personal work is so important.

As a is a visual thinker and a multidisciplinary Art Director, Designer and Illustrator, Nate has worked in-house for companies such as Microsoft, Xbox, and Starbucks. While his instantly recognizable illustration style has been tapped by clients such as Target, Urban Outfitters, Wired Magazine, the New York Times, Coca Cola, Oreo, Converse and the Cartoon Network – just to name a few. His curiosity and desire to learn has taken him all over the world where he has both lived abroad as well as traveled as a guest speaker – inspiring creatives along the way. For all this and so much more, be sure to join us for this inspiring conversation!

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Find your artistic style and voice
• Navigate working in-house for a company or freelance
• Stay curious & create personal work
• Know when it’s time to create another brand for your work
• Move past fear and start your idea

FIND NATE WILLIAMS HERE:

• Nate’s Website
• Nate on Instagram
• The Alexander Blue Website
• Alexander Blue on Instagram
• Proconist - Mood Analyzer

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to visit us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!

What if you chose to live with “Creative Abandon” – where you follow your passions and not follow money? Anahata Katkin, an Atlanta based mixed-media artist, mother, entrepreneur and boutique-maker, is the cofounder of PAPAYA! Inc, PAPAYA! Living Boutique, Jupiter Row, and Fireweed, which are all independently and family owned.

In this episode Anahata shares how she successfully lives a life of purpose, passion & creative authenticity – all with Creative Abandon. She tells us how she started Papaya, how her role has shifted over the years as she’s hired more employees, how to treat new friendships like dating, and why it’s so important to take care of your health now.

TODAY WE WILL LEARN HOW TO

• See your “weaknesses” differently
• Know if an idea should to come to life
• Redefine your day in order to take care of your health
• Be yourself on social media
• Increase your creative productivity
• Build a community of friends
  

FIND ANAHATA KATKIN HERE:

• Anahata’s Website
  
• Anahata on Instagram
  
• Anahata’s flagship brand PAPAYA!
  
• PAPAYA! on Instagram
  
• PAPAYA! Living Boutique
  
• Jupiter Row
  
• Anahata’s new line Fireweed
• Fireweed on Instagram

VISIT THE SHOW NOTES AT LETSHIGHLIGHTREAL.COM FOR

• The TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS from today's episode
• Additional RESOURCES mentioned
• Visually designed QUOTES to inspire you, and for you to share on Pinterest to inspire others
• A PROMPT to help you go deeper and get a little more real with yourself

Be sure to visit us and connect further on Instagram & Pinterest!