Old Soul Young World: Jessie Elly on Purpose, Mental Health, and Creative Impact

In this episode of Creativity Connects, Mikki Wilson sits down with Shantel Alix Fernandez to explore how identity, lived experience, and community-centered leadership shape the way we show up for others. Shantel reflects on her journey as an immigrant, Afro-Latina, and trans woman, and how navigating systems that weren’t built for her informed the values she brings into her work today. This conversation goes beyond titles to examine leadership rooted in empathy, representation, and widening access for the next generation.

In this episode of Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson, we sit down with Alyssa Conary, Membership Director at Creative Collective, for a grounded conversation about what it really means to hold community.

Rather than focusing on growth for growth’s sake, Alyssa reflects on community-centered leadership as a practice rooted in care, consistency, and responsibility. Drawing from her work supporting women entrepreneurs and her involvement with Historic Salem, Inc., she shares how history, place, and stewardship shape the way she approaches leadership—both formally and behind the scenes.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level ideas of connection and explores the quieter labor of maintaining trust, setting boundaries, and making decisions that honor both people and institutions over time. Alyssa offers a thoughtful perspective on sustainability, reminding us that not everything needs to scale—some things simply need to be held well.

What community-centered leadership looks like in practice

How history and place influence modern leadership decisions

Holding institutions, not just moments or momentum

The unseen labor of maintaining trust and sustainability

Why care, boundaries, and pacing are strategic leadership tools

“Community isn’t just about bringing people together. It’s about what you’re willing to hold when people show up as their full selves.”

“A lot of the work I do is invisible. It’s listening, following up, remembering details, and creating a sense of safety people don’t always realize they need.”

“You can’t build trust through systems alone. Trust comes from consistency, presence, and doing what you say you’re going to do.”

“Holding community doesn’t mean carrying it all yourself. It works best when responsibility is shared.”

“People think community is events, but it’s really about relationships — and relationships take care.”

Alyssa Conary is the Membership Director for Creative Collective, where she supports and nurtures a community of entrepreneurs and creatives across the North Shore. Alyssa is known for her human-centered approach to community care, helping members feel welcomed, supported, and connected while strengthening the relationships that make the creative economy thrive. She is also involved with Historic Salem, Inc., bringing a place-based and preservation-minded lens to her leadership work.

Mikki Wilson is the host of Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting. Known for her ability to facilitate meaningful connections, Mikki cultivates conversations that go beyond the brand to highlight the lived experiences, leadership, and “messy middles” behind women’s entrepreneurial journeys.

Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs in the creative economy. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV, the series amplifies the voices of Creative Collective members and the moments, motivations, and pivots that shape their work. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry.

Website: creativecollectivema.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-conary-1b59173b/Email: [email protected]Instagram: @alyssagaconary

Key Topics DiscussedMemorable Quotes About the GuestAbout the HostAbout the PodcastConnect with Alyssa Conary 

In this heart-centered episode of Creativity Connects, host Mikki Wilson sits down with Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry, to explore how food can do more than feed—it can connect, dignify, and transform communities. From her creative roots in Pittsburgh’s film and DJ scene to leading a North Shore nonprofit through the pandemic, Robyn shares how her journey redefined what it means to lead with empathy, creativity, and collaboration.

In this warm and fuzzy episode of Creativity Connects, host Mikki Wilson sits down with fifth-generation crocheter and Salem Style founder Julianna “Jules” Donovan to explore how one handmade hat, a magical city, and a deep love of yarn turned into a modern crochet brand rooted in comfort, legacy, and community. From learning to crochet as a kid to launching an Etsy shop in 2011 and later making it official as an LLC, Jules shares how she’s keeping crochet “modern, magical, and anything but granny” while honoring the women who stitched before her.

Tracey Westgate – Beyond the Lens: Seeing People, Not Poses

In this episode, Mikki is joined by Dr. Tariana V. Little, CEO and co-founder of EmVision Productions, an award-winning Social Impact Storytelling™ agency. Tariana opens up about how she weaves science, storytelling, and justice into what she calls intentional creativity for social change. Their conversation explores Tariana’s journey as a proud queer, mixed-race, first-generation college graduate and how her lived experiences shaped her mission to elevate marginalized voices through storytelling. She reflects on pivotal moments—from bus rides as a METCO student to building EmVision alongside her partner Jonas—that taught her resilience, vision, and the power of community.

The origin story of EmVision Productions and how a Craigslist experiment proved the business was viable 

How the METCO program and lived inequities informed her passion for justice and representation 

The personal practice of vision boarding as a tool for clarity, intention, and future-building 

Why honoring her full name, Tariana Veronica Little, is an act of authenticity and legacy 

Building resilience as a first-gen student and entrepreneur and creating pathways for others through scholarships and community storytelling 

The importance of community, collaboration, and not being a “dream killer” in the creative economyWhy supporting someone’s dream—for free—is one of the greatest investments we can make in community

“We didn’t know where we were going, but we trusted ourselves enough to take chances.”

“Nothing becomes real until you put it in front of you or speak it out loud.”

“Killing dreams is very expensive. Supporting dreams, on the other hand, is free.”

Dr. Tariana V. Little is the CEO and co-founder of EmVision Productions, an award-winning Social Impact Storytelling™ agency. A Harvard-trained public health professional, philanthropist, and board member, she blends science, justice, and creativity to help visionary organizations. A proud queer, mixed-race, first-generation college graduate, Tariana channels her lived experience into every project she leads. 

EmVision Productions is an award-winning Social Impact Storytelling™ agency helping visionary organizations to convey their value and values. They are a queer, minority, woman-owned and led small business. In 2025, EmVision was named the Massachusetts Microenterprise of the Year by the Small Business Administration and the Small Business of the Year in Cultural Excellence by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand to explore the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs. Hosted by Mikki Wilson, founder of Dot Connector Consulting. Produced by Randyll Collum for Peabody TV. Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry.

Connect with Dr. Tariana V. Little Business: 

EmVision Productions Website: emvisionproductions.com

Instagram: @emvisionproductions.com

Location: Boston, MA (by appointment)

Episode Overview: Dr. Tatiana V. Little of Emvision Productions

In this powerful episode of Creativity Connects, host Mikki Wilson sits down with Lauren Carter Riley, the creative force behind Glamour Possum and author of "The Wonderful Lady B" series. Lauren shares her remarkable journey from being a classically trained actor navigating the traditional theater world to becoming a successful writer and content creator who found her authentic voice during the pandemic.