Building the Creative Life

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti-greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun shares her experience at BBG Con (Board Games and Geeks convention).

Jenn talks about selling out of her books at River City Witch Market.

They reflect on what they’ve learned and accomplished since the beginning of the season and discuss plans for the future.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

BBG

Witch Market

Play Dead Pottery

Killem with Kitsch

Painted Wings Publishing

Getting Witch With It in Salem

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun reflects on validation she’s received in her spiritual life and then talks about participating in the Breathless Jam with a new game.

Jenn shares her struggle with a creative hangover in the wake of finishing her third book and how she worked through it to ultimately take advantage of a new opportunity.

Chrishaun talks about the concept of “active rest” and maintaining 5-7 streams of income to help balance the creative life.

Chrishaun’s favorite things were the TikTok trend about Gingers being Black, playing DOOM: the Dark Ages and making barbacoa.

Jenn’s favorite things were the casting announcement for the Buffy reboot and watching Poker Face on Peacock.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Andor

Breathless Jam

Rocking with Mark

Pottery by Danielle

Buffy Reboot Casting

Slayers: a Buffyverse Story on Audible

Poker Face

Twisted Metal

DOOM: The Dark Ages

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun discusses the steps she’s taken to reduce her anxiety, physically and mentally.

She reflects on events of the last few months and how they have affected her. Having done emotional and spiritual work to process things, she describes the physical effects of anxiety and what she plans to do to manage it. 

Her newest project is going to be an apocalyptic monster-hunting/journaling game within the Shaman State world she created.

Jenn talks about attending a local author fair at a winery that was hosted by an indie bookstore. Her favorite thing this week was Warner Brothers’ announcement of the Practical Magic sequel.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was the anniversary of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef. She’s loving the way she’s changed since that time.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

JuiceLand

Ohno Coho

Harlan Ellison

Everything Shower

Andor

The Last of Us

Practical Magic 2

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Jenn shares updates on her book sales and her first attempt at Facebook ads. Chrishaun discusses going to Leander Con and talking with other gamers about what they look for in a new game. She’s excited to try building a new duelist game based on one she played there.

They discuss the class action suit Stonemaier Games has joined to sue the Trump administration over the tariffs on goods from China and the effects these tariffs are having on small businesses.

Chrishaun shares a new plan for completing four projects before her next assignment. Jenn and Chrishaun discuss the challenges of doing their work outside of the house, and what that means for the way they interact with people and present themselves.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Peeps, Legos, and Block Tech at Five Below

Duelists of Darkwana by Martin Wolt

Old Navy Pixie Pants

Levi 510 bootcut jeans

Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

Yummy Skin Moisture Repair Balm Serum

Unseen Sunscreen Stick SPF 40

Colour Case Cosmetic Paint Palette The Essentials

Bailey Sarian

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn talk about protein coffee and other ways to take care of themselves while they work towards new creative goals and projects. Chrishaun talks about changing her plans–including doing her work on the grounds of her church instead of at home. She shares the challenges she faced in shifting the way she approaches her job and accepts the fact that sometimes existing in a public space is enough.

Jenn and Chrishaun talk about current events (Juan Abrego Garcia), remembering to take a moment to celebrate good news and breathe. Both Jenn and Chrishaun share plans for attending conventions in the next few months. Chrishaun shares her adventures in car buying with Bill. 

Jenn’s favorite thing was working with her tarot artist and beta readers, and watching The Studio.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was rewatching Silicon Valley. She also got excited about China promoting direct warehouse sales to help people get around the tariffs.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Select Protein Powder

Javvy Coffee

How to Draw Adorable

LeanderCon

FlingCon

RavenCon

Getting Witchy With It in Salem

Silicon Valley

The Studio

Glaze - anti-AI software

CoreyxKenshin and The Monsters We Make

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti-greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn math out the options for getting tarot cards printed. They discuss pricing options, including considerations for bulk vs small-batch orders, as well as the consequences for shipping from overseas in light of the undetermined status of new tariffs.

Jenn’s favorite thing was a book box from Beth Revis that included Night of the Witch and The Fate of Magic.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was playing South of Midnight.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

South of Midnight

Shuffled Ink

MakePlayingCards.com

Dongguan Bayaya Board Game Co

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn talk about letting their creative moods guide them and remembering to take time out from the creative business to live the creative life - because being flexible and having fun is why we do this. Play is research, so it’s time to stop feeling guilty about the time spent enjoying it. 

Jenn’s favorite thing was reading for enjoyment instead of work (Keepers of Forest and Flame by E.E. Holmes).

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was watching Severance and Daredevil.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Severance

South of Midnight

Huggin’ Molly

Two-toed Tom

Godot

Leonie Dawson

Outliers by Samantha Leigh

Solo Survivor: Wasteland by Javier Loustaunau

Daughters of Sea and Storm/Keepers of Forest and Flame by E.E. Holmes

Daredevil: Born Again

David Gaughran’s Starting from Zero

Shuffled Ink

MakePlayingCards.com

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun has completed her class (Full Stack Java Development at Per Scholas) and plans to take the week to rest and process big changes that are coming. She talks about leaving the structure of the class behind, as well as potentially leaving her American identity to move forward with her life in a safer environment. Jenn screenshares the designs for her upcoming tarot deck, which is being drawn by S.J. Gautreaux. Then she talks about other projects she’s working on for her book boxes.

Jenn’s favorite thing was reading Oathbound by Tracy Deonn on audiobook.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was watching Severance and Paradise (and wearing her new wig!).

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Per Scholas

Severance

Paradise

S.J. Gautreaux: the Night Witchery

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn catch up on their projects, sharing the things they are most proud of–Jenn revised 32 chapters in a week, and Chrishaun has developed new branding to house all of her projects under one label: Sique’s Powered by the Apocalypse. Chrishaun also talks about ways she works to lower her anxiety and keep from getting overwhelmed.

Both Jenn and Chrishaun’s favorite thing this week was Severance: Season 2, Episode 7

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Severance

Powered by the Apocalypse

Godot

Splattercat

3-6-9 Method

Daredevil: Born Again

Nerdy Nuts

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor

Building the Creative Life is a podcast about choosing to prioritize creativity as we build a life that supports the lens of empathy, truth, joy, kindness, and anti greed.

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn discuss the joys of making progress and seeing results. Chrishaun shares her work on a hunter encounter generator. Jenn talks about getting feedback on her manuscript and starting revisions, then shares some finds for companies that make custom tea blends. Chrishaun explains her plan to compile her content into a new Substack: Sique’s Powered by the Apocalypse.

Jenn’s favorite thing was Severance

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was the Combine and Reward Cake

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Designatea.com

Adagio Teas

Maggie Stiefvater’s Writing and Revision Courses

Severance

2025 NFL Scouting Combine

To learn more about Chrishaun’s games and the world of The Shaman States of America: linktr.ee/caramelsugarevil

For info about Jenn’s writing: www.JennLessmann.com

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok!

@CaramelSugarEvil

@JennLessmannAuthor