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 and Jenn share their excitement about progress they’re making on their creative projects. Chrishaun talks about some of the reasons people make choices against their best interests, particularly in terms of whiteness. She shares her observation that building something of your own allows you to center yourself on your own creation, rather than on your dependence on someone else or on a system that places you above others. Building something of your own brings you joy and teaches you to validate yourself.

Jenn’s favorite thing was Queen Charlotte on Netflix.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was working through anxiety, knowing that failure is the first step, and not the end.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Queen Charlotte

Severance

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

@JennLessmannAutho

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 talks about transitioning from an author to a game designer. She opens up about how facing her own truths and embracing her creative work has helped her get through dark times. Chrishaun and Jenn catch up on their creative work - Chrishaun’s Java course and Jenn’s manuscript - and discuss plans for physical products. 

Jenn’s favorite thing was Severance.

Chrishaun’s favorite things were her new Gel Pens.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Severance

Gelly Roll Pens

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 addresses her white friends in a reflection on how political power shifts will affect them as members of a class over their race. Jenn expresses concern about the SAVE Act. Jenn and Chrishaun discuss options for dealing with tariffs and other concerns as a creative business. Then they break down the symbolism of Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

The SAVE Act

Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show.

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 and Chrishaun discuss struggles with scheduling and mental health. They commiserate over winter weather and geek out about Severance. Chrishaun shares plans for a side quest and does an unboxing of Jenn’s PR box for Unforgivable, book two in her upcoming trilogy. They also discuss recent events in the news. (This was filmed the week of the presidential inauguration.)

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Severance

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 power and challenges of self-validation. Chrishaun talks about valuing skills learned over academic success. Jenn shares her new response to no response when it comes to reaching out to people professionally. They share news about a few different creative side projects they're working on, as well as giving updates on their primary ventures.

Jenn’s favorite thing this week was exceeding her word count goals and pushing herself to reach her stretch goals.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was Severance’s season 2 premiere.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Severance

Severance PR Stunt

Stephen Colbert Interview with Adam Scott

Doctor Who

Doom Patrol

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

In this week’s episode, Chrishaun and Jenn catch up on what they’ve been working on since the end of season one. Chrishaun shares her reasons for making a big move and then celebrates small wins, including her coding coursework and developing the game mechanics for RPGs in her Shaman States universe. Jenn talks about her progress in drafting her third novel and gives some updates on her plans for a special edition and in-person events.

Jenn’s favorite thing this week was building a dice popper for her family D&D game.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was watching Landman and seeing Hulk Hogan get booed on RAW.

Stuff we referenced in this episode:

Book Vault

S.L. Rowland, cozy fantasy and LitRPG author with awesome special editions

How to Watch the MCU and Watching the MCU with Kids

Squid Game

Severance

Skeleton Crew

Dune: Prophecy

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

Ep 16: seen and heard

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.

This week, in an episode filmed on Halloween, Chrishaun and Jenn geek out about the finale of Agatha All Along. They reflect on the first season of Building the Creative Life and share their goals for season two.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Kathryn Hahn in Parks & Rec

Ep 15: be the one who asks the questions

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.

This week, Chrishaun and Jenn discuss a challenge Jenn had with her son’s teacher, bridging that experience into a broader discussion of how to have open communication when you need questions answered, being honest with yourself about what you need to know and why, and letting go of responsibility for how the other person reacts.

They also talk about motivation and doing the hard and fun stuff at the same time. 

Jenn’s favorite thing was episode 7 of Agatha All Along.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was getting her games ready for fulfillment.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode 6 Bonus Content: Hard Conversations (Director’s Cut)

Ep 14: embracing chaos

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.

This week, Chrishaun talks about her plans for her newest project: the Chaos Machine. She discusses the courses she’s taking and other steps involved in building her own AI, as well as addressing the concerns she’s heard about the use of AI in creative processes. She explains how the skills she is currently developing for that project will have cross purpose applications, allowing her to take on gigs when she needs a side hustle. Jenn shares her experiments with finding the ideal level of chaos in her writing environment to promote a creative flow.

Jenn’s favorite thing was VE Schwab’s podcast, No Write Way

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was watching the Dallas Cowboys and eating American Dream Nut Butter.

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

Ep 13: grounding

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.

This week, Chrishaun and Jenn talk about grief and making space in the creative life to process hard emotions. Chrishaun shares a technique she calls the Conversation, which helps her to ground herself and prepares her to move forward.

Chrishaun’s favorite thing was watching Agatha All Along and Law&Order UK

Jenn’s favorite thing was reading Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn and watching Agatha All Along on Disney+

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

Recommended channels:

TikTok: 

Folklore and Myth- Dr. Jean Menzies @jeansthoughts 

Agatha All Along Recaps- Tiffie Starchild @tiffiestarchild