Design Yourself

This week we meet the husband wife team behind Forty Third Place, the umbrella under which all of the creative projects and collaborations of Jonaki Sanyal and Blake Sloane live. Woodworking, carpentry, photography and design are among their specialities. (Blake just built beautiful custom desks for Sharon's home office!) Listen to learn the story of how this pair has always prioritized their creative pursuits and how they continue in the work of figuring out what a well-designed life looks like for them. Theirs is an inspiring story of continuous iteration and evolution. And one where family serves as a strong grounding force. This is a great episode for anyone whose ever wondered how to meld their passions and their work into one place. It's also a great case study into how you can throw out the idea of work-life balance and see work-life integration in action.

"That's what our relationship has always been built on: Being able to work together on things." -Jonaki Sanyal

"All of our clients come to us because they seem to be gravitating to the story…I think it is being able to put a face and a whole family to these products." – Blake Sloane

• Rebuilding Exchange (Chicago, IL)

Forty Third Place

insta: fortythirdplace

Meet Clara Muggli-Toyloy, the mom and entrepreneur behind Fuzzy Logic Wool, a brand new company that produces gorgeous, handmade, sustainable clothing and cloth diapers for infants and toddlers. Clara is just starting out with Fuzzy Logic (her Etsy shop launched in late 2016), but she's not new to the world of working for herself. Early in career, she set up her own landscape design company operating in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hear Clara discuss everything from taking small steps to get her business started, what it's like to balance her creative pursuits with life as the mom of two toddlers, and how she recognizes and moves past fear when it shows up. For anyone whose been itching to stop thinking about that passion project and just get started, prepare to be inspired by this remarkable woman.

"I get so depressed thinking how much stuff is out there…that nobody wants…The thought that I could create and make something new not using new materials made me feel good." – Clara Muggli-Toyloy

• Marie Kondo
• Bea Johnson
• Design Yourself episode on getting started

Etsy: FuzzyLogicWool

insta: fuzzylogicwool

Clara Mugli-Toyloy

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." So says Epictetus. In this encore episode Sharon discusses money, money, money. Learn about the difference between operating from a sufficiency ("there is enough") vs. a scarcity ("there isn't enough") mindset and explore the 5 guiding steps to ensure that money isn't what holds you back from going after what you really want. Money ultimately only has the value that we give it; learn how to make sure that your values and your spending are aligned.

• There is a lot of chatter out there on money. Here are some quotes that really struck me as I was doing research into this topic…

"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination." ― Oscar Wilde

"If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to." ― Dorothy Parker

"As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them." ― J.K. Rowling

"This planet has – or rather had – a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movement of small green pieces of paper, which was odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy." ― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction." ― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

"While money can't buy happiness, it certainly lets you choose your own form of misery." ― Groucho Marx

"Don't think money does everything or you are going to end up doing everything for money." ― Voltaire

"A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned" ― Benjamin Franklin

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." ― Epictetus

• Finally, below are the steps I shared that have worked for me and many of my clients to prepare financially for a big personal and/or professional transformation.

Step 1: Get clear on your budget

Step 2: Get clear on your values

Step 3: Notice without judgement how your values align or not with your money habits

Step 4: Establish a new budget (or range) that fully aligns with your values

Step 5: Make small changes every day

• In today's episode, I also reference the "Marie Kondo effect." For those who haven't joined her "tidying" craze, you can learn more here.
• To get more into the distinctions of scarcity vs. sufficiency discussed in the episode, I recommend you check out Lynne Twist's book The Soul of Money. Here's a great quote from early on in this little volume:

"Money itself isn't the problem. Money itself isn't bad or good. Money itself doesn't have power or not have power. It is our interpretation of money, our interaction with it, where the real mischief is and where we find the real opportunity for self discovery and personal transformation."

• Mint (for everyone) and The Wave (for small business owners) are great free budgeting resources to check out. (And there are many more like YNAB!)

Today we meet adventurer-extraordinaire, Aimee Rowe. Learn about how she wended her way from being a humanities major in undergraduate (religious studies with an environmental studies concentration to be specific!) to completing her medical residency today – nearly 15 years later. Aimee's path is filled with many unusual twists and turns from sailing tall ships on both the Atlantic and Pacific, teaching young students about the wilderness in Maine and water conservation along the Mississippi River, and somewhere along the way deciding that she was meant to be a doctor. And then going for it despite all odds. For anyone whose ever wanted to think beyond the conventional way to get things done, this episode is for you.

"You have to not take things personally, which is hard." – Aimee Rowe

• Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze inspired Aimee in her talk on healing
• Learn about the tall ship Aimee worked on after graduating from Kenyon College(where she and Sharon met). She later worked on the Tabor Boy before starting her pre-med studies in San Francisco.
• Here is the article on CSAs in Time Magazine that inspired Aimee to find (and land!) a job farming for a season in Central California
• Here is the farm in Central California where Aimee worked for a season
• Chewonki is the 100-year old environmental education center in Maine where Aimee taught about wildlife
• Yestermorrow is a design/build school in Vermont.
• S.E.A. in Massachusetts is where Aimee studied abroad for a semester
• The book Sharon referenced about life in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina is 1 Dead in the Attic: After Katrina by Chris Rose
• Aimee's famous brownie recipe that she admits to stealing from somebody else and that she may or may not have sent to the medical school that she really wanted to attend

Check out Aimee's bio with Cascades East, where she is currently completing her residency focused on rural family medicine.

And here is Aimee on her "bicycle powered pontoon boat" (that's the "technical term," ahem, according to Sharon) sailing down the Mississippi River. #badass

In today's Design Yourself, we meet Catherine Orr and Elena Rue, the filmmakers and storytellers behind StoryMineMedia. Learn about how they launched a business that defied industry standards, created a unique perspective on how to tell stories that create impact, and pushed themselves to continue growing and learning along the way. This one is for anyone who has a story to tell. (Elena and Catherine would tell you that's you. Yes, YOU!)

"If we are going to do it, we are going to do it." – Catherine Orr

• Elena and Catherine generously offered to share their Story Strategy Guide with Design Yourself listeners
• Independent film Overburden that Catherine and Elena edited and produced (directed by Chad A. Stevens) about coal mining
  • Editor's Note: This film was awarded Honorable Mention from the Nicholas School Environmental Award Jury at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in 2015. Sharon misspoke in her intro saying that Overburden won the main award. The full list of 2015 winner's can be found here.
• The Point Road Studios' story that StoryMine developed (scroll down in post for video)
• Graduate program where Catherine and Elena met and built their journalism foundation
• Brian Storm, Founder and Executive Producer at Media Storm
• Fellow coach and founder of Maley Group, Bethany Dufour
• Check this page out for more information on the visioning retreat that Sharon and Bethany created for StoryMine
• Catherine references the Design Yourself podcast episode on not waiting – here it is

storyminemedia.com

insta: storyminemedia

facebook: StoryMineMedia

twitter: StoryMineMedia

In today's Design Yourself, we meet Ericka Leighton-Spradlin, the artist and entrepreneur behind Continuum, an eclectic bazaar//concept shop in Cincinnati, OH. (This happens to be Sharon's favorite place to shop!) Learn how Ericka created her vision for the space and then followed her instincts to make her dream a reality. From sourcing trips to Japan, an artist commune in Maine, and balancing the demands of a growing business, Ericka' story weaves a beautiful mix of the creative spirit and entrepreneurial mindset.

• Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts
• History of Over the Rhine
• Julia Lipovsky
• DAAP
• White Helmets for Aleppo
• Interview with Grace Bonney on the Young House Love Podcast (interview starts around minute 10):
• Paula Greif ceramics (based in Hudson, NY)

continuumbazaar.com

insta: continuumbazaar

facebook: Continuum Bazaar

Visit Continuum: 1407 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH

Thanks to those listeners who reached out to suggest that I share some Encore episodes while I am out on maternity leave. There will be a few of these episodes – all suggested by listeners – shared in the months ahead, starting with today's throwback. In this encore episode of Design Yourself, Sharon discusses the importance of getting started. Career moves, life adventures, and creative projects can only begin from one place – the one you are in. The theme for today is: Stop waiting + start doing. Listen to hear some Sharon's favorite tips for how to get over the delay game and start getting the job done.

• Eric Smucker of Smucker Farms is the visionary urban farmer and CSA pioneer who said yes to my podcast interview back in 2013. Fingers crossed I can get him on the show now that it exists.

• Here are the Erin Condren planners that my sister and I were using to capture our 2016 goals and intentions. I've had fun using my planner this year, though ultimately think I prefer something a little slimmer and more likely to make it into my purse on a daily basis. (I hate to be weighed down!) I recently picked up one of Appointed's planners for my husband that I'm loving – and not just because he's suddenly using a planner. (Though I'm not complaining about that either…)

• Paul Jarvis is the superfabulous dude who finally kicked me into gear on launching Design Yourself. I love his podcast The Freelancer and his weekly newsletter the Sunday Dispatch. The book of his that I quote from is Everything I Know.

• Registered Creative is the group of web development creatives that helped make this new website (circa Fall 2016) possible. Woot!

• Brené Brown is awesome. Here's her TED talk on The Power of Vulnerability that I referenced. She has several books that I'd recommend, including The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, and her latest release Rising Strong.

• Podcast Like A Boss was the helpful online course that I took right before launching Design Yourself. In addition to learning from Paul Jarvis (who inspired me to take the class), this course offered up insight from Paul's Invisible Office Hourscohost, Jason Zook, as well as the ladies behind the Being Boss podcast, Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson.

There is nothing like a little life adventure to teach. Sharon seized the opportunity to walk the ancient pilgrimage path through Spain, the Camino de Santiago, back in 2012. She hadn't intended to be 6 months pregnant when starting this 500 mile walk, but the Camino - like life - doesn't always follow our plans. Today Sharon shares 5 lessons that have stuck with her since this magical experience that she believes will resonate for pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike.

To celebrate the launch of the new pointroadstudios.com we are doing a special giveaway. Subscribe to join our community by February 15th and you'll be entered into our raffle for a chance to win a limited edition screen print with the phrase there is nothing stopping you.

If you are curious, you can get an inside-the-studio look at the making of this print over on the blog.

1. Be clear on your declarations and requests
2. Take the leap
3. Honor your values
4. The path begins at home
5. There is no end destination

Learn more about the Camino de Santiago over here

This was my trusted guide for planning and then being on the Camino

Hate the feeling of being caged in? Me too. It may seem counterintuitive, but boundaries are a hugely impactful way to open yourself up to greater possibility. In today's episode, Sharon discusses boundary setting using her three maternity leaves as examples for how her boundaries around this special time shape-shifted over time. While this episode will likely peak the interest of anyone preparing for their own maternity leave or supporting someone in this process, Sharon promises the 6 lessons shared on boundary setting extend far beyond this context.

To celebrate the launch of the new pointroadstudios.com we are doing a special giveaway. Subscribe to join our community by February 15th and you'll be entered into our raffle for a chance to win a limited edition screen print with the phrase there is nothing stopping you.

If you are curious, you can get an inside-the-studio look at the making of this print over on the blog.

1. DO set clear boundaries – be as specific as possible; understand what is black and white and where there is some blurry grey
2. Boundaries provide a structure that offers enormous freedom to play and create
3. Boundaries can be stretched and redefined
4. A boundary stretched extensively is no longer a boundary
5. Pick a defined timeline; when in doubt keep it short (K.I.S.)
6. Reflect, evaluate, refine (or redefine)

The First Forty Days has been a major source of inspiration to me as I prepare for this maternity leave

I didn't reference this in the podcast, but I really enjoyed Megan Gilger's take on maternity leave, How I Took Maternity Leave as an Entrepreneur.

We all experience transitions on a regular basis. Sometimes they are big - e.g. getting married, starting a new job, grieving a loss, moving to a new place. Sometimes they are little - e.g. commuting across town to work, finishing writing a proposal, integrating a new member on our team. Transitions often seem like something to rush through as quickly as possible on our way to get from the present to where we want to be. Unfortunately life doesn't usually work this way. We spend the majority of our time in this act of moving from here to there , but we often gloss over this experience unto itself. But it doesn't have to be this way. This week, Sharon is investigating what it means to be in transition. Learn key insights about transitions in general as well as tips for how to move through them effectively.

To celebrate the launch of the new pointroadstudios.com we are doing a special giveaway. Subscribe to join our community by February 15th and you'll be entered into our raffle for a chance to win a limited edition screen print with the phrase there is nothing stopping you.

If you are curious, you can get an inside-the-studio look at the making of this print over on the blog.

A transition is the movement from where you are to a new different place.

Despite the diversity of transitions out there, there are some friendly reminders that will serve us no matter where we are.

• We can't leapfrog transitions
• Transitions are uncomfortable
• Transitions arrive to us in many ways
• Transitions are where life happens

• Be present
• Honor your emotions
• Trace the movement
• Look to inspiring stories
• Be a part of the circle of good
• Keep going, keep going, keep going

"I guess what I'm saying is, let's keep lifting each other up. It's not lost on me that two of the biggest opportunities I've had to break into the next level were given to me by women in positions of power. If I'm ever in that position and you ask me, 'Who?' I'll do my best to say, 'You' too. But in order to get there, you may have to break down the walls of whatever it is that's holding you back first. Ignore the doubt – it's not your friend – and just keep going, keep going, keep going."

– Lauren Graham

Mark Sundeen's book The Unsettlers

Lauren Graham's book Talking As Fast As I Can