Multimedia artist and designer Martin Thoburn joins the podcast to discuss how curiosity has driven his diverse career. With a background spanning graphic design, motion graphics, animation, filmmaking, and projection mapping, Martin shares his unconventional journey from film and mixed media experimentation, to a career in corporate work.

Architect, entrepreneur, and community advocate Lisa Sauve shares her journey from early drafting classes to founding Synecdoche. As CEO, she blends architecture, policy, and placemaking to shape urban spaces, local policies, and community culture. Through projects like Do Good Work, she supports creatives and fosters civic impact. This episode explores how design intersects with responsibility, offering insights for architects, designers, and changemakers.

Hien Lam, co-founder of Huck Finch, a strategic design studio in Ypsilanti, joins us to talk about building a business with intention, the power of saying no, and creating a brand that resonates. Hien shares his unconventional career path from pre-med to design entrepreneur, and how travel has influenced his work and worldview. We also dive into client experience, pricing strategies, and why great design starts with strategy, not aesthetics.

Hafsah and Yen sit down with Jason Jay Stevens, a creative force in exhibit design and the founder of Flutter and Wow Museum Projects. With a career spanning decades, Jason has played a key role in designing and implementing museum exhibits, interactive technologies, and immersive storytelling experiences. Jason shares insights into how curiosity, adaptability, and storytelling shape the world of museum design. He also reflects on the challenges of leading a creative team, the importance of accessibility in exhibit design, and why history museums are more vital than ever.

Creative director, web developer, and musician Chris Plumb shares his journey from a digital art-obsessed teen to leading web development at major tech companies like Duo Security, Cisco Systems, and Claroty. He dives into how his passion for music and visual storytelling shapes his approach to web design, breaking down front-end vs. back-end development, the power of hands-on learning, and the role of design thinking in user experience. vChris also offers practical advice for aspiring developers, covering community-driven resources, AI’s growing influence on creativity, and the challenge of balancing career ambition with personal fulfillment.

Hafsah and Yan take a deep dive into the day-to-day lives of creative professionals. They break down their workflows, tools, and processes, offering insights into the realities of working in design, motion graphics, and graphic recording. From navigating client relationships to finding efficiency in daily tasks, this episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to understand how creatives make their work happen.

In the final episode of Season 1, hosts Hafsah and Yen reflect on their six-month journey of launching Cadence, sharing lessons learned, growth experienced, and their gratitude for the guests and listeners who've made it all possible. We dive into the importance of commitment, navigating red flags, overcoming imposter syndrome, and finding balance in creative work. As the new year begins, Hafsah and Yen encourage listeners to embrace creativity, trust their instincts, and continue growing both personally and professionally.

Insurance is not the most fun thing to think about when you're starting out in your career, but it's a vital component of building peace of mind into your journey. Hafsah and Yen grill Chris on what to cover when you're an individual creative versus a mid-sized organization versus a big-sized production. Chris helps us to navigate how to get started with the insurance process and most importantly, and how to cover our butts when the worst case scenario becomes real.

It's never easy to talk about money. In this episode Hafsah and Yen dive down this rabbit hole with the principal graphic designer of Invisible Engines, a design consultancy that specializes in working with nonprofits and human-centered organizations. Linette talks about why charging hourly is not always the right fit for everyone, and offers insight on how to reframe the value of the dollar. We also discuss the nuances of being a woman in the workplace, how that affects salary disparity between genders historically, and what actions could be taken to combat that reality.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Donald Harrison, the lead producer and director at 7 Cylinders Studio. Donald shares insights from his extensive experience in film and video production. With his treasure trove of experiences, Donald shares nuggets of wisdom on everything from tackling the beast of client expectations, to why treating your work like a heartfelt collaboration can lead to magic. He schools us on the gentle art of educating clients, transforming them from question marks into exclamation points of understanding and appreciation for the creative process.