Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success – Details, episodes & analysis

In a profound conversation with Lavi Daniel, we explore how creative expression can transform pain into art. This lifelong artist shares his journey of turning life's struggles into meaningful work that resonates on a deeply human level.Host Taylor Gallegos and Lavi discuss the delicate balance between creating beauty in challenging times and addressing the harsh realities around us. They examine how art serves as both escape and mirror—reflecting our humanity while helping us process difficult truths.Whether you're creating through personal hardship or feeling the weight of global events, this conversation reminds us why we need "the poetry, the artwork, the gathered humanity" now more than ever.Instagram: @lavi.artistWebsite: lavidaniel.net::Produced by Snapjack Studios http://snapjackstudios.com/© 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.

What happens when you stop trying to formulate creativity and start trusting your instincts instead? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with Lynn Abate Johnson  @lajbiz  to talk about breaking free from rigid creative formulas. Lynn shares her journey from following prescribed systems to developing what she calls an "un-marketing" approach—where inspiration trumps structure every time.Together, they explore how authenticity beats strategy, why Lynn refuses to cage her creativity in hard frameworks, and what it really means to show up as yourself in a world obsessed with formulas. From her accidental path to becoming a two-time international bestselling author to building community without scripts, Lynn proves that the best creative work happens when you leave space for whatever wants to emerge.Whether you're tired of forcing your art into someone else's system or ready to trust your own creative instincts, this conversation brings a raw look at what it really means to make it on your own terms.Website: lynnabatejohnson.com::Produced by Snapjack Studios: http://snapjackstudios.com/Copyright 2025 Taylor Gallegos Art, LLC. All rights reserved.

In this episode I Interview Billy Arana (Along with my guest hosts Haylee, Kelsey, Cyndie, and Moe LaCroix).  Billy is the owner/operator/guide of North Pacific Adventure in Mendocino County, California.  In this episode we talk guiding, fishing, environmental awareness, the cooking of the freshest catch, and much more.

You can find and follow Billy on IG @north_pacific_adventure, and online at npadventure.com.

In this episode I interview Rusty Perez.  Rusty is a builder / small business owner and Gabby’s (from the next episode) husband.  In this episode we talk about his love of fabrication and building, the growth mindset, and the process of building a community.

You can connect with him on Instagram @evrbottle.

In this episode I interview Sean Moon.  Sean Moon is a cocktail crafter / mixologist / bartender / drink slinger (depending on your definition of the profession).   In this episode we talk about recreating the classic with a contemporary perspective, the archetypes of social interaction and characters that gather around a watering hole, and the social nature of humanity in general.

You can connect with Sean at @themoonisrising on Instagram.

In this episode I interview Stryker1.  Stryker1 is a recent retiree with a cross functional relationship within the DOD-retired USAF and retired federal government employee with a combined service of 39yrs in analytics and contingency planning.  Skryker1 received his education with an AAS Information Management, an AAS Production Management, a BA in Prelaw, and an MBS in Global Management Studies.  In this episode we talk about Leadership at all levels of society, analyzation with the collective in mind, and building contingency plans that work.

In this episode I interview Mickey Kenny.  Mickey is a poet, rapper, teacher, and good friend who's currently living and teaching in a remote village  3 hours north of Fairbanks, Alaska.  In this episode we talk about poetry's process and philosophy, his transition through poetry into spoken word into the lead MC for the band Wasteland Hop, and the flow and lifecycle of a group of creatives as a band.  You can connect with him on Instagram @wasteland_hop or on their website www.wastelandhop.com.

In this episode I interview Tony Watters.  Tony is my business partner in Live Wedding Art, he's got a background in video editing and is now entering the world of Real Estate.  In this episode we talk about building an art based business, traveling with the artistic lens and the importance of family.

You can connect with him on Instagram @minnesocal or @liveweddingart.

In this episode I interview Brad Cameron.  He's a writer, a teacher and the father to the three Cameron Brothers that I have interviewed in the past 3 episodes.  In this episode we talk about connections with characters, his creative writing process, and teaching one's craft.

You can find Brad's novels at bradcameron.net.  He also encourages you to check out his two youngest son’s band, The Resinators, @theresinatorsmusic.

In this episode I interview Kevin Cameron.  Kevin is a musician,  he plays the bass and sings, and he's the youngest of the brothers Cameron.  In this episode we talk about working through views of the self, writing creatively, and connecting with your creative process.

You can connect with Kevin at @kevycameron and The Resinators @theresinatorsmusic on Spotify and Youtube.