What if the systems we rely on—at events, in institutions, across industries—were designed not just to function, but to care?

In this episode, we sit down with sustainable systems designer Clay Cole Young, whose work lives at the intersection of logistics and love for community. With a background in human nutrition, food systems, and large-scale event operations, Clay reimagines infrastructure to prioritize equity, resilience, and social well-being.

From rethinking how we plan events to redesigning institutional operations, Clay shows us what’s possible when we put people and the planet at the center of every blueprint.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on weaving human values into the fabric of functional design—and why the most sustainable systems start with inclusion.

In this episode of Creative Footnotes, I sit down with Paul, a seasoned executive leader and design strategist, to explore the intersections of entrepreneurship, leadership, and creative problem-solving. With over two decades of experience spanning startups to Fortune 500s, Paul shares insights on building empowered teams, the real business value of design, and how human-centered principles drive innovation. We also dive into mentorship and what it takes to lead with authenticity in today’s fast-changing creative landscape.

It’s a milestone moment—Lea Audrey turns 30! In this special birthday episode of Creative Footnotes, Lea reflects on her journey as an artist, storyteller, and now fully self-employed creative. She opens up about the lessons, challenges, and wins from the past year, and shares what’s ahead: new projects, bold ideas, and fresh energy for the future of the podcast.

But that’s not all—it’s a double feature! Joining Lea is her close friend and fellow creative, Ben, a talented flow artist, for a vibrant conversation about movement, artistic evolution, and staying inspired.

Whether you’re new here or have been listening since the beginning, this episode is a heartfelt snapshot of growth, creativity, and connection.

In this episode of Creative Footnotes, we sit down with Opal Buttons, an Atlanta-based multimedia artist and vintage enthusiast with a flair for the peculiar. Opal shares her journey from academia to antique appraisal, weaving stories of her love for quirky collectibles, forgotten treasures, and all things old and interesting. Tune in as we explore how her passion for history and creativity converged into a unique career path filled with color, character, and curiosity.

On this episode of Creative Footnotes, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the incredible Hillia Hula, a mesmerizing hula hoop artist and performer! 🌟✨ We dove into the world of hula hooping as an art form, the power of movement in self-expression, and how performance art can captivate and inspire.

Hillia shared her journey into the world of hoop dance, the dedication behind her craft, and the magic of turning a simple prop into a stunning visual experience. Whether you’re an aspiring performer, a lover of creative movement, or just curious about the intersection of flow arts and storytelling, this episode is packed with inspiration!

#CreativeFootnotes #HilliaHula #HulaHoopArt #PerformanceArt #FlowArts

In this episode of Creative Footnotes, we sit down with Angela Martin, a UX Designer at Lenovo and a passionate advocate for accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. From her early days crafting posters in middle school on a ThinkPad to designing interfaces for products used by over 44 million people every month, Angela takes us through her creative journey. She opens up about her design philosophy—how not designing for everyone means you’re unintentionally excluding someone—and her work as Board Chair of ABLE, Lenovo's disability advocacy group. Along the way, we explore her passion for making technology that’s not just functional, but truly accessible and inclusive. Tune in to learn how Angela's values drive her work and how design can transform the way we connect with the world.

Blake Pipes is a photographer and video producer living in Atlanta, Georgia. Blake creates a variety of work from portraits and landscapes to interviews and music videos. His most recent exhibition, Don't Die Yet, combines his photography with illustrations in an exploration of depression and finding light within darkness.

Ashleigh is a photographer based in Orlando, Florida. She specializes in creative portraits that are whimsical, out of the box, and vibrant!

A Creative Astronaut himself, Quintin takes us on a journey through his incredible creative experience as a professional footwear designer and instructor at the collegiate level. Passion and inspiration ooze from Q as he shares valuable knowledge on finding success in your passions and sticking to them.

I met this next guest as he toured the USA playing bass with musician Kenzo Creegan, Jake Minter joins us to talk about his experiences as a musician! He shares stories of his adventures as a traveling bassist.