Creative Energy: Finding Inner Clarity for Founders, Creators & Visionaries

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In this rich and vulnerable conversation, we talk with Priya Vij, the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a hardware brand rooted in legacy, but built on her own terms. From studying journalism and working at Nike to launching her own modern, design-forward product line, Priya shares how returning to her hometown and family industry cracked open a deeper journey of personal agency, identity, and creativity. We dive into the nuanced dance of boundaries in business, why baby steps matter more than overnight success, and how relational dynamics, especially with parents, can both stifle and shape our creative path.

We Chat About:

• Starting a business “next to” the family legacy, not inside it
• The tension between independence and inherited wisdom
• How imposter syndrome can show up when you’re self-taught
• Using creativity as a tool for healing and self-definition
• The emotional cost of working in male-dominated industries
• Building confidence through experimentation and small wins
• Why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital business
• Boundaries as creative protection
• Growing a business and your nervous system at the same time

About Priya: Priya Vij is the founder and product designer behind Hapny Home, a cabinet hardware brand bringing a personal and design-forward lens to an often overlooked category. She grew up around the hardware business - her dad’s been in the industry for nearly 40 years - but saw a clear gap: well-made, thoughtfully designed hardware that didn’t cost a fortune. After years of living and renting in Houston, Austin, Portland, and New York, she launched Hapny, named for the cities that shaped her sense of home. Priya designs every piece herself with a focus on modern forms, joyful details, and consistent, high quality materials - all at an accessible price point.

Connect with Priya:

Check out Hapny Home: http://www.hapnyhome.com/

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

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Caroline Fullerton is one of those people who lives close to the veil. She’s a designer, artist, and founder of Studio 528Hz: a slow-growing, love-frequency-driven studio making accessories for body and home. In this episode, we talk about her nonlinear path through design, motherhood, and spiritual practice, and how she’s learning to balance creative downloads with the messy realities of daily life. Caroline shares what it means to create from the heart, why she rejects fast timelines and trend cycles, and how she’s building a brand that doesn’t fit in a box.

We Chat About:

• How Caroline’s global upbringing shaped her creative lens
• The origin story and spiritual frequency behind Studio 528Hz
• Navigating motherhood while receiving creative downloads
• Why Caroline sees creative intuition as a form of current data
• The challenge of translating energetic depth into physical products
• Finding aligned collaborators and working slowly by design
• Honoring multidimensionality while staying rooted in form
• The real reasons behind homogenized design and mass culture
• Why intentional, heart-led creation matters more than ever

About Caroline: As a heart-centered creative and product designer, Caroline Fullerton is led by intuition and weaves sacred geometry and symbolism into her work. With a varied background in art & design & hands-on make and a passion for meaningful expression, she founded Studio 528 Hz, a design studio that crafts accessories for body and home that inspire authentic living. As a mother of two, she finds joy in exploring life’s depths and complexities. Her Scandinavian roots (Denmark and Sweden) influence her aesthetic, while her Portland, OR home cocoons her creativity. Through her work, she aims to help others connect with their true selves and live from the heart.

Connect with Caroline:

Studio 528 Hz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_528hz/

Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefullcaro/

Studio 528 Hz Website: http://www.studio528hz.com/

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

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What happens when your vision is too big for an elevator pitch? In this episode, we welcome Brooklyn-based brand designer and illustrator Laci Harmon, whose creative path has been anything but traditional. From growing up unschooled in rural Vermont to building a self-taught design business in NYC, Laci shares the honest, often chaotic truth of chasing a creative life without a roadmap. We talk about the terror of starting before you’re ready, the emotional weight of imposter syndrome, and how to keep moving even when perfectionism tells you to pause. This one’s for the big-dreamers, late-starters, and multi-hyphenates trying to birth something entirely new.

We Chat About:

• Taking the leap from corporate to creative entrepreneurship
• Rebuilding confidence when imposter syndrome takes over
• Growing up unschooled and its impact on creativity
• Finding your way when the path isn’t linear
• Laci’s bold creative vision and what’s holding her back
• The power of emotional intelligence in brand design
• How to hold big visions without getting stuck in overwhelm

About Laci: Laci Harmon is a Brooklyn-based brand designer and illustrator who creates visual identities that feel human—honest and emotionally resonant. She works with founders and creatives who care deeply about what they’re building and want their brand to reflect that care. With a background in marketing, storytelling, and the arts, Laci brings a strategic, collaborative approach to every project. She’s a firm believer that staying curious beats being an expert—and she’s built a practice around asking better questions, not having all the answers.

Connect with Laci:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laci.design/

Website: www.laciharmon.com

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

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Apply to be on the show: 

https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

In this real-time reflection, Linda and Heather speak from a familiar place: creative overwhelm. With honesty and gentleness, they explore what it feels like to be maxed out emotionally, mentally, and energetically, and how naming the truth of that experience can become its own kind of medicine. They discuss nervous system overload, the pressure to show up anyway, and why sometimes the most helpful thing is to say, “I’m at capacity.” If you’ve ever felt like you just can’t push through, this episode will not only help you feel less alone, but also give you permission to slow down.

We Chat About:

• What it actually feels like to be in a state of creative overwhelm
• The physical and emotional signals that capacity has been exceeded
• Why honest conversations matter more than polished performances
• The gap between intention and what’s available in the moment
• How childhood trauma affects our ability to focus on ourselves 
• Reclaiming softness and slowing down when things feel like too much
• How co-regulation and shared truth can bring relief
• The gift of naming exactly where you are
• Choosing rest, spaciousness, and connection over pushing through
• Tools to break down projects into tiny manageable steps

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we sit down with longtime friend and creative force Kyle Metzger, an award-winning lighting designer and multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans ski films, fine furniture, carpentry, and photography. Through the lens of perfectionism, we explore how the desire to create something exceptional can become a paralyzing block. Kyle opens up about his journey navigating the tension between idealism and action, identity and ego, creative vision and real-world limitations. From career pivots and burnout to breakthrough projects and deeply personal insights, this is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever struggled to start (or finish) because it didn’t feel perfect.

We Chat About:

• How perfectionism disguises itself as integrity, identity, and control
• Why perfectionism often leads to procrastination, paralysis, or avoidance
• The emotional cost of being “too precious” with your work
• Navigating perfectionism as a multi-passionate creative
• Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment after 20 years of quiet effort
• Why design, lighting, and environment are emotional experiences
• How ego and creative expression are deeply intertwined
• The tension between wanting recognition and fearing exposure
• Why small creative acts matter just as much as big ones
• Giving yourself permission to be seen—even when it’s messy

About Kyle: Kyle Metzger is an award-winning lighting designer for films specializing in ski movies. He is also a talented carpenter, photographer, writer, farmer and chef. He lives in Portland, Oregon. 

Connect with Kyle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basil_wrathbone/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchetlerFilms

Website: https://www.chrisbenchetler.com/

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Kyle Metzger

01:15 – Which creative role feels most fulfilling now

02:30 – From film to carpentry: building as expression

05:00 – Why Kyle almost became an architect

06:45 – Choosing filmmaking: fear, freedom, and social life

08:50 – Charting a nonlinear creative career

10:20 – Advice for younger creatives: “You can do less in a day, more in a year”

12:00 – Current desires: writing, building, skiing, and solitude

14:00 – How Kyle’s rural upbringing shaped his creative eye

16:00 – Cooking as survival creativity

17:50 – What life in the film industry actually looks like

20:00 – The Mountains of the Moon project: skiing, psychedelics, and skeletons

23:00 – Authoring work vs. being a cog

25:00 – Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment in British Columbia

28:00 – Why he couldn’t have handled success any earlier

30:00 – Rejecting mainstream influence to preserve intuition

32:00 – Kyle’s take on perfectionism as ego and id

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

In this first teaching episode under the new Creative Energy name, we dive deep into the tangled roots of perfectionism: a pattern that keeps so many creatives stuck in fear, performance, and procrastination. Linda and Heather share their personal experiences of how perfectionism has shown up in relationships, business, parenting, and artistic work, offering insight into how to recognize, unravel, and release its grip. If you’ve ever felt held back by the need to get it “just right,” this episode will help you reconnect with your real, imperfect, and wildly creative self.

We Chat About:

• How perfectionism masks itself as productivity, control, or care
• The connection between people-pleasing and perfectionism
• Parenting patterns, early survival strategies, and “good girl” programming
• The parasite metaphor: how perfectionism seeps into all areas of life
• Creative procrastination as a fear-based perfectionist strategy
• Tools for working with—not eradicating—perfectionist patterns
• The role of writing, somatic work, and service in loosening its grip
• How real connection replaces the need for perfection

Chapters:

00:44 – Naming perfectionism as a core creative block

02:00 – Defining what perfectionism isn’t

05:00 – Control, image, and the fear of exile

07:00 – Relationship perfectionism and performative care

10:00 – How school rewards perfectionism—and adulthood punishes it

13:00 – Childhood roles and the cost of always being “the good one”

18:00 – Sibling dynamics and early identity stories

21:00 – The surprise of discovering “hidden” perfectionism

23:00 – Under-baking as a protective strategy

26:00 – AI, filters, and the illusion of perfect

28:00 – Parenting and redefining the “perfect” home

32:00 – Releasing control in family and business

35:00 – Can we ever fully let go of perfectionism?

36:00 – Compassion as the key to recognizing the pattern

39:00 – Writing as a tool for pattern tracking

42:00 – Dancing, tapping, and being of service

46:00 – Befriending our inner rejected parts

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

In this deeply honest and nourishing episode, Linda and Heather sit down again with our dear friend Cecile Terrillon for a conversation on capacity: what it is, how we lose it, and how we rebuild it slowly, gently, and sustainably over time. We explore the nervous system’s role in capacity, the impact of grief and motherhood, and how life often forces us to slow down when we won’t do it ourselves. This episode is a gentle invitation to honor your humanity, feel what you’ve been avoiding, and start again, with 1% more space than before.

We Chat About:

• What “capacity” really means and why it matters in creative and everyday life
• Cecile’s personal story of burnout, estrangement, and starting over from the ground up
• How to identify when you’re outside your capacity (even if you’re high-functioning)
• Why resistance, grief, and discomfort often arise when we try to slow down
• Building capacity in the body through nervous system work and micro-moments of rest
• The difference between numbing and true rest—and why we don’t have to judge the former
• How desire and frustration coexist when your capacity doesn’t match your ambition
• What sustainable growth looks like across different areas of life, including movement, business, and motherhood
• A behind-the-scenes update on what’s shifting with the podcast and the Jumping Bean Magic Collective

Our Guest: 

Cécile Terrillon is an embodiment teacher and medicine woman who challenges the societal norm of forcing and pushing to stay productive at all costs, and instead - invites us into resting, slowing down, and investing into the health and stability of our bodies and nervous systems.

By reconnecting to our body’s boundaries and navigating the relationship between capacity and desire, we begin to halt the patterns of people pleasing, performing, and proving ourselves. It is from this place that we discover who we are underneath the masks, and gain capacity to share and express ourselves authentically.

Through deep listening and emotional attunement, Cécile holds her clients with tenderness and love through the fears that accompany this work, yet brilliantly calls forth the truth you already know and cannot ignore.

Connect with Cecile:

Instagram: @cecile.terrillon

Jumping Bean Magic Collective:

www.jumpingbeanmagiccollective.com

Instagram: @jumpingbeanmagiccollective

Linda Lewis:

 www.lindalewcreative.com

Heather Manwaring:

 www.heathermanwaring.com

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome + Introduction

01:00 – What Is Capacity? Cecile’s Framework

03:00 – Burnout, Disconnectio

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

In this conversation, Kelsey shares her creative journey, detailing her early influences from family, her experiences in acting, and how these shaped her musical career. She reflects on the importance of her upbringing in a creative environment, the role of teachers in her development, and her transition into songwriting and performance. Kelsey also discusses the emotional connections she draws from film and music, and how these experiences have influenced her artistic expression. In this conversation, the speaker reflects on their journey through performance, creativity, and self-discovery. They discuss the early days of performing in high school, the influences that shaped their artistic expression, and the challenges faced in navigating creative relationships. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care and trust in oneself, as well as the rediscovery of dance as a means of reconnecting with their identity. They share insights on maintaining a creative practice and the significance of showing up consistently, regardless of the scale of the effort. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the themes of endurance in creativity, the importance of returning to basics for inspiration, and the influence of family and ancestry on artistic expression. They discuss how creativity can be nurtured through consistent practice and the significance of personal experiences in shaping one's artistic journey. The conversation also touches on the challenges of creative blocks and the ways to overcome them, emphasizing the value of showing up and engaging with one's craft.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kelsey's Creative Journey
02:47 Family Influences and Early Musical Foundations
06:02 The Role of Acting in Kelsey's Creativity
09:09 Inspiration from Film and Music
11:59 The Impact of Teachers on Creative Development
15:03 Transitioning to High School and Musical Experiences
18:01 First Steps in Songwriting and Performance
31:05 The Early Days of Performance
34:32 Creative Inspirations and Teenage Experiences
37:41 The Impact of Environment on Creativity
39:15 Rediscovering Dance and Identity
45:57 Navigating Creative Relationships
51:00 The Importance of Self-Trust
53:15 Current Creative Practices and Self-Care
01:03:16 Endurance in Creativity
01:05:07 Returning to Basics for Inspiration
01:06:38 Exploring Creative Energy Beyond Music
01:11:07 The Impact of Family on Creativity
01:17:26 Ancestry and Its Influence on Artistic Expression
01:20:39 Connecting with the Artist: How to Find Kelsey Klein

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com

Send us Fan Mail

Summary

In this episode of the Jumping Bean Magic Collective podcast, host Linda Lewis and co-host Heather Manwaring engage with architect Meredith Vlahakis about her creative journey, the development of personal style, and the parallels between architecture and social work. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working in architecture, the impact of remote work, and the misconceptions surrounding the profession. Meredith shares her insights on the importance of understanding the extensive training architects undergo and the need for greater recognition and compensation in the field. In this conversation, Meredith Vlahakis and Linda Lewis explore the complexities of the architecture profession, discussing the challenges of justifying fees, the sacrificial mindset prevalent in the field, and the importance of integrating business education into architectural training. They reflect on their creative aspirations, the fluidity of artistic style, and the unique nature of each project, emphasizing the relationship between creativity and humanity. The discussion also touches on the significance of having creative outlets that are not driven by commercial viability, highlighting the need for architects to be recognized for their contributions to society. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of personal style development, the courage to explore diverse interests, and the importance of individuality in a world that often promotes conformity. They discuss the significance of following one's passions, even when they seem disconnected, and the value of community support in creative endeavors. The conversation also touches on the future of collaboration within the Jumping Bean community, including potential retreats and creative projects.

Meredith Vlahakis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-vlahakis-b9234721/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Creative Journeys
03:10 Meredith's Early Influences and Creative Path
05:47 Transitioning to Architecture
09:04 Parallels Between Social Work and Architecture
12:01 The Rewards of Architecture
14:57 Remote Work in Architecture
17:58 Challenges in the Architecture Industry
20:59 Misconceptions About Architects
23:59 The Future of Architecture and Gender Dynamics
29:55 The Value of Architecture Fees
32:22 The Sacrificial Mindset in Architecture
36:01 Creative Aspirations and Career Reflections
40:10 The Fluidity of Artistic Style
44:52 Navigating Client Expectations in Architecture
48:39 The Relationship Between Creativity and Humanity
52:55 The Importance of Creative Outlets
54:15 Embracing Personal Style Development
57:32 The Courage to Explore Interests
01:00:30 The Importance of Individuality
01:01:47 Navigating Change and Growth
01:02:01 Getting Involved with Jumping Bean
01:11:37 Future Collaborations and Retreats

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com