Sometimes creativity sneaks up on you. You start with a hobby, a side project, or something you do just for fun — and before you know it, people are asking, “Can I pay you for that?”

In this episode of Doodles in the Margins, Jacinta explores what it means to be an “accidental artist.” The kind of creative who didn’t plan to start a business but found themselves in demand because of what they love to make.

You’ll hear a personal story about the first time someone offered to pay Jacinta for her words and how that moment planted the seed for everything that came after.

In this episode, we’ll explore:✨ How to notice when your passion could become something more✨ Why “testing small” helps you grow without pressure✨ How to translate your joy into something valuable for others✨ The power of shifting from “just a hobby” to “a creative service”

This is a gentle guide for anyone standing at the edge of creative possibility — wondering if what you love could also sustain you.

Reflection Prompt:Think back over the last six months. Has anyone asked you to make or do something creative for them? That might be your breadcrumb trail.

Connect with Me:

Remember, if you want to connect with me, check out my page here:https://jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

Ever stared at your long list of creative ideas and thought, “Where do I even begin?” You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into how to plan your creative projects in a way that honors your creative energy, supports your real life, and helps you move your ideas forward. Without feeling boxed in.

Jacinta shares her journey from “magpie ideas” to building a planning system that balances structure with freedom. You’ll learn how to create living roadmaps that shift and grow with you, rather than rigid plans that stifle your creativity.

In this episode, we’ll explore:✨ Why traditional productivity systems often don’t work for creatives✨ The “creative parking lot” method to safely store ideas✨ How to choose one focus project each season✨ How to break your project into short, mid, and long-term timelines✨ Why regular review and reflection keep your ideas alive

Your plans should feel like scaffolding, not a cage… something that supports your growth without trapping you.

If you’re ready to bring more ease, flow, and clarity to your creative process, this episode will help you find your rhythm again.

Connect Me:

Remember, if you want to connect with me, check out my page here:https://jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

Networking doesn’t have to feel like forced small talk or a stack of business cards. For creatives, it’s simply about showing up with curiosity, presence, and authenticity.

In this episode of Doodles in the Margins, Jacinta shares two real-life networking experiences — one at a local book fair in Houston and another at the Women’s Council of Entrepreneurs in Sugarland — and the lessons they taught her about genuine connection.

You’ll also learn four practical tips to make networking feel more natural and less like a chore, including:

* Prepare with clarity — Know what you’re hoping to get from the event.

* Engage with presence — Listen deeply and stay curious.

* Craft your unique service proposition — Share who you are, what you do, and who you do it for.

* Follow up with intention — Those quick notes and messages can turn a meeting into a meaningful connection.

Plus, Jacinta shares a touching story about a simple supermarket encounter that reminds us networking can happen anywhere — even in the checkout line.

If you’ve ever felt nervous or unsure about networking, this episode will help you see it as what it truly is: humans connecting through stories, humor, and shared experiences.

Connect with the Guests & Mentions:

* Women’s Council of Entrepreneurs (WCE): wearewce.com

* Curiosidades de Luna: curiosidadesdeluna.com | Instagram: @curiosidadesdeluna

* Homes with Hana (Hana Hussein): Instagram: @homes.withhana

* Better Than Therapy Books: Instagram: @b.t.t.books

Remember, if you want to connect with me, check out my page here:https://jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

As creatives, we’re never short on ideas—our notebooks, sticky notes, and voice memos prove it. The challenge is finding a structure that protects time for our own creative work, not just everyone else’s priorities.

In this episode, I share the workflow shifts that helped me move from overwhelm to consistency, including:

* Blocking time for your creative work like it’s a client

* Matching tasks to your natural energy rhythms

* Using a weekly framework instead of endless daily lists

* Creating containers for your ideas, with flexibility inside them

This isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about building a rhythm that protects your ideas, makes room for your voice, and helps you go from idea to impact—without burning out.

✨ Mentioned in this episode

* inperennial.com | @inperennial | #inperennial #putitonpaper

* My current weekly planner from Inperennial, inspired by a much-loved Kikki.K layout

* Tools: Descript (for editing), Blue Yeti Microphones (for recording)

📬 Connect with me

* Substack Contact: jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

* LinkedIn: Jacinta Marshall-Crouse

💡 If today’s episode resonated, share it with someone who’s ready to bring their ideas to life.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

LinkedIn often feels like the most corporate beige of social media platforms… all buttoned-up resumes and jargon-filled headlines. But what if it didn’t have to be? What if LinkedIn could actually become a space for you, as a creative, to tell your story, build connections, and attract the right people to your work… without losing your voice?

In this episode of Doodles in the Margins, I share my journey of learning to use LinkedIn not as a static resume, but as a creative tool for visibility and connection. From my early days in the corporate banking world (and feeling like I didn’t fit the suit-and-tie mold) to showing up as my real, eclectic self. I’ll walk you through how authenticity shifted everything for me.

You’ll hear practical tips to help you craft your own digital story and use LinkedIn in a way that feels natural, creative, and true to you.

✨ Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

* Why LinkedIn doesn’t have to feel stiff or salesy

* How to rethink your headline so it reflects who you help and what you bring

* Writing your About section like a story (not a resume/CV)

* Simple, sustainable ways to share content that resonates

* Turning your LinkedIn profile into a landing page for your next step

Whether you’re a business owner, freelancer, or multi-passionate creative, this episode will help you see LinkedIn as more than just a platform for job hunters. It can be a place where your creative heart and strategic mind meet in the middle.

💡 Key takeaway: You don’t have to be perfect to be visible. You just have to be real.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

* Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacintamarshall-crouse/

* Follow Kylie for her “Feel Good Tuesday” posts:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-bonello-5ba88439/

* Learn more about working with me: https://jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

👉 If today’s episode encouraged you to rethink LinkedIn, share it with a fellow creative who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Doodles in the Margins.

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

This week on Doodling in the Margins, we’re talking about that sneaky, persistent voice that tells you you’re not ready yet — even when your work says otherwise.

Yep. We're talking about Imposter Syndrome — and what it means for creatives building businesses, launching offers, or stepping into new roles of visibility and leadership.

You’ll hear:

* Why Imposter Syndrome often shows up when you're on the edge of growth

* How to tell the difference between fear and shame

* The real reason some of us put things off (especially if we've always been the support act)

* Three tools to ground yourself when self-doubt strikes

* Plus: why creativity doesn't expire — and two examples of creatives who bloomed later in life

Quote from the episode:

“You’re standing on the threshold of what’s next — and that feeling of wobbliness? It just means you’re growing into your next level.”

Resources/Links:

* Connect with Jacinta on LinkedIn

* Connect on Substack

* Subscribe to the podcast for weekly episodes on creativity, clarity, and building a business that feels like you.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

Welcome back to Doodles in the Margins — the podcast for creatives building something beautifully their own.This week’s episode is for every “ideas person” who’s ever scribbled on napkins, left voice memos at 2am, or named a Google Doc “I will name this later.”

🔥 In this episode:

A senior designer recently said something that stopped me in my tracks:

“I don’t need more time. I need a better way to catch what’s already in my head.”

And honestly? That hit home. Because many of us aren’t short on ideas… we’re short on systems to catch them.

This episode dives into:

* Why the flood of creativity is both a blessing and a bottleneck

* How to honour your sparks before they burn out

* The origin story of my blue tongue dragon, Theo (he started out as a cranky corporate client)

* Simple ways to capture your best ideas and no fancy software required!

Whether you’re a notebook loyalist or voice memo junkie, you’ll walk away with tools to catch the good stuff and store it for when it counts.

✨ Practical Tips Shared:

1. Choose Your Capture Tool Pick one method — notebook, phone Notes, voice memos, Google Doc, or even a literal idea jar — and commit to it this week. No pressure to act on the ideas. Just catch them.

2. Try a 3-Minute Daily Idea Dump Set a timer, dump everything swirling in your brain — phrases, visuals, half-baked thoughts — with no edits or judgment.

3. Build a ‘Creative Cold Storage’ Not every idea is for now. Create a safe, searchable space to store those “not yet” gems. They’ll be gold when inspiration runs dry.

💬 Let’s Work Together

If you're a creative professional trying to build rhythm and flow in your business (or just craving a better system for your idea storm), that's exactly what I help with as a creative business coach.

We don’t build rigid templates. We build creative ecosystems that honour how your brain works.

✨ You can connect with me via the link below.

🔗 Links + Resources:

* Connect with me!: https://jacintacrousewrites.substack.com/p/contact

* Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacinta_marshall_crouse/

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

Episode 3: The Mid-Year Review

Reconnecting With Purpose, Creativity, and What Comes Next

Hi Creatives!

This week on Doodles in the Margins, we’re taking a breath and taking stock.

One year ago, I made a massive change. I closed my business of nearly eight years, left Australia, and moved to the US to get married. What most people don’t know is that part of the visa process meant I couldn’t earn income.

No clients.

No freelance work.

No side hustles.

What came next surprised me. A deep return to my creative self. Not for content. Not for marketing. Just for me.

Now, a year on, I’m stepping back into business with clarity and intention.

This episode is a pause point. A chance to stop and ask yourself what you really want to create next. It’s not about setting goals or chasing hustle. It’s about listening to your creative voice and letting it lead the way.

You’ll learn:• Why mid-year is the perfect time to reset• A journaling and values exercise to reconnect with what matters• How to write a compass sentence to guide your next six months• My favourite mind map approach for exploring aligned ideas• Gentle prompts to help you reflect on where you’ve been and where you're going

If you’re in a season of change or looking for a creative reset, this episode will meet you right where you are.

Grab a hot drink, a notebook, and let’s Doodle in the Margins together.

📝 Resources:

• Download the Mid-Year Review Worksheet

💬 Connect with Me:

• Instagram• LinkedIn• Or, check out my About Page

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

Episode Description: What if the best business advice didn’t come from a CEO in a suit... but a space princess leading a rebellion?

In this episode of Doodles in the Margins, I share 8 powerful business lessons for creatives—through the lens of my favorite Disney Princess, General Leia Organa.

Whether you're just starting out or pivoting something you've outgrown, this episode will help you lead with more clarity, creativity, and courage—without sacrificing your voice or your values.

Because creativity is leadership. And sometimes? You really do have to blow up the Death Star.

🦋 We talk about:

* Being the main character in your creative business

* Building aligned community (not just an audience)

* Creating structure that supports your magic

* Knowing when it’s time to pivot (or destroy the old model entirely)

👑 For creatives learning to embrace business—and businesses learning to embrace creativity—this one’s for you.

Listen now—and may the Force be with your next bold move.

🔗 Links and ways to connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacintamarshall-crouse/

Thanks for listening to Doodles in the Margins by Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com

For years, I didn’t consider myself “creative”—at least not in the traditional sense.

After all, I worked in a bank. I managed spreadsheets. I ran numbers and built reports.

But as it turns out?That was creative.Because creativity isn’t just painting or poetry—it’s also how we think, solve, adapt, and see the world.

In this episode, we explore:

* What creativity looks like in business settings

* The moments we overlook our own brilliance

* And why redefining creativity changes everything

So go ahead—grab something hot to drink, grab a pen, and let’s doodle in the margins together.

🎧 Prefer video? Watch this episode on YouTube here!Want to connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacintamarshall-crouse/

Thanks for reading Jacinta Marshall-Crouse Writes! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jacintacrousewrites.substack.com