The Digital Junk Drawer

Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.

In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to create systems that flex with your energy instead of forcing you into a “one-size-fits-none” framework. Spoiler alert: you’re not bad at business—you’ve just been trying to use systems that were never designed for you.

We’ll break down my own flexible process, why it works for neurodivergent creatives, and how you can adapt it to support your workflow and capacity.

Why rigid systems and step-by-step frameworks fail creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs

The real reason you’ve abandoned every planner, template, and productivity hack (spoiler: it’s not a discipline issue)

How to create structure that flexes with your energy, brain, and workflow

Simple strategies to reduce overwhelm—like buffer days, batching, and mixing analog with digital tools

How to stop fighting your natural work rhythm and start designing processes you’ll actually use

✨ Inside Ink to Income, we design luxury-level client experiences for creatives who crave flexibility, not hustle. You’ll learn how to create workflows that serve your clients and support your energy. Join the movement: themainstage.ca/inktoincome

What’s one rule in your business that needs to bend (or break)?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.

Send it to a biz bestie. Leave a review. Share it on Threads. Let’s help more creative weirdos build unfuckwithable businesses.

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo. Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that don’t burn them out.

Today we’re diving into the client timeline mess—why it happens, how to fix it, and how to make your client experience feel luxurious as hell without piling more to-dos onto your plate.

Let’s be real: most timelines fall apart because no one’s leading the project, there’s no built-in accountability, and everything feels way too casual. This episode is your step-by-step for turning your process into something that keeps clients engaged, on-track, and coming back for more.

The psychology behind missed deadlines (spoiler: it’s not personal)

How to lead your projects like a high-touch experience clients rave about

Why sending cute reminders isn’t “extra”—it’s essential

How to re-onboard a ghosting client like a boss (and get paid for it)

Tiny upgrades that instantly elevate your client process—without burning out

If your client timelines are slipping through the cracks, Ink to Income will help you fix that. It’s my done-with-you program for creatives who are ready to build premium, sustainable client workflows. Check it out at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

Let’s talk: What’s the biggest chaos-maker in your current workflow?
DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca or find me where the chaos lives (Threads).

Loved this episode? Send it to a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps other weirdos find their way.

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Today’s guest is Kal from Words Hurt Copy—a copywriter with a theater background, a killer newsletter, and a gift for turning brand voice into full-on character development. This convo is for anyone who wants to write more emotionally resonant content and build a business that actually feels like you. Kals a  copywriter whose entire vibe is giving “what if a sassy little theater goblin built your brand?” and I am totally here for it. 

If you’ve ever:
🌀 Felt stuck trying to “sound more like yourself” online
🎭 Wondered why your brand doesn’t feel like anything
📝 Tried to write content that connects and came up short…

Then this episode is for you. Its time to stop following the "rules" and start writing like a character your clients actually want to meet.

✔️ Why your brand voice should be a character (not just a tone)
✔️ The real difference between vibe, voice, and brand identity
✔️ Why “just write like you talk” doesn’t always work
✔️ How to create a brand people actually remember
✔️ Kal’s origin story, A Paris Hilton moment , and newsletter magic
✔️ How brand storytelling builds trust (and books clients faster)

🚀 Inside Ink to Income, we help creative service providers build sustainable workflows and luxury-level client experiences that make your business feel as good as it looks. Learn more and join the waitlist at themainstage.ca/inktoincome.

💬 Let’s Connect: What’s your brand character? DM me on IG or Threads @themainstage.ca and tell me who you’d cast to play your brand in a movie 🎬

🧠 Want more Kal in your life?
→ Follow him on Threads at @wordshurt.copy
→ Subscribe to his chaotic, iconic, emotionally devastating newsletter: SignUp Here!

🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with your biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creative weirdos find us, get free game, and build brands that slap.

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about boundaries—the thing you know you should set but secretly worry will scare clients away. Spoiler: It won’t.

If you’ve ever:

• Answered client emails at 11 PM because you felt bad making them wait
• Said “yes” to scope creep because you didn’t want to seem difficult
• Felt like setting boundaries would make clients leave…

Then this episode is for you.

✔ Why setting boundaries triggers anxiety (and how to push through it)
✔ The sneaky ways bad boundaries lead to more client friction, not less
✔ Simple scripts for enforcing boundaries without sounding like a jerk
✔ How setting limits actually attracts better clients, not fewer clients
✔ One small boundary shift you can make this week to protect your time & sanity

🚀 Need help fixing your client experience so you’re not constantly overworking? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome.

💬 Let’s Talk: What’s the boundary you know you need to set? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca.

🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about systems—the thing you keep saying you’ll set up “when you have time.” But let’s be real: that time will never magically appear.

If you’re running your business on vibes, hope, and a million scattered Google Docs, this is your intervention.

• Why “I don’t have time for systems” is the biggest lie you’re telling yourself
• The hidden cost of running your business without structure (hint: disorganization is robbing you of hours every week)
• How to fix your biggest workflow messes without spending hours setting up complicated tech
• The small system tweaks that will help you work less, earn more, and avoid burnout
• Why setting up systems now makes scaling easier later

Need help fixing your client experience so things don’t fall through the cracks? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

 Let’s Talk: What’s the biggest system struggle in your business? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca

Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about something every freelancer and creative business owner experiences: slow seasons. They suck, but they don’t have to derail your entire year. Instead of hoping your next dry spell magically disappears, I’ll show you how to prepare for it, smooth out your cash flow, and make slow seasons work for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The biggest slow season mistakes most creatives make (and how to avoid them)
📊 How to use past revenue data to predict your slow months
🛠 Why “passive income” isn’t as passive as people claim—but how to build revenue streams that help you stay afloat
💰 The power of retainer clients, pre-selling, and micro-offers to stabilize your income
🚀 How to stay visible in slow seasons—without coming across as desperate
 

👉 Need help getting your pricing right so you’re not undercharging during slow seasons? Check out my Pricing Audit—so you can stop second-guessing your rates and start charging sustainably. Grab yours at themainstage.ca/pricingaudit.

💬 Let’s Talk → Hit me up on Threads @TheMainStage.ca and tell me your worst slow season story—I wanna hear it.

🎙 If this episode hit home, share it with a biz bestie and leave a review!

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about why systems are sexy (yes, I said it) and how to make them work for you. No more forcing yourself into frameworks that aren’t built for your brain. Instead, we’re covering how to design systems that fit your energy, simplify before automating, and stop drowning in a graveyard of unused tools.

If you’re tired of feeling like the problem when a new system doesn’t work, let’s flip the script—because you are not the problem. Your system just needs to fit you.

⚡ Why there’s no such thing as a “perfect” system—and why that’s a good thing.
📉 The biggest mistakes people make when trying to systemize their business.
🔄 How to build workflows that align with your actual energy levels.
💡 The truth about automation (hint: it won’t fix a broken process).
🛠 Why the best system is the one you’ll actually use.

🌐 Check out my website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Join the chaos on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Olivia Su, a web designer who helps service providers create websites that actually work. We’re talkin why so many websites fail to attract clients, how to avoid common mistakes, and what every service provider should have on their homepage. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by building your site or confused about where to start, Olivia’s got the answers. Let’s get into it!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🎨 Why your homepage is the most important part of your website—and how to make it work for you.
💡 The biggest mistakes most service providers make on their websites (and how to fix them).
📢 How clarity and strategy make the difference between a website that converts and one that confuses.
🛠 The best website platforms for DIY-ers vs. those ready to outsource.
🔑 Why even web designers struggle with their own website copy—and what you can learn from it.

🔗 Follow Olivia on Instagram: @ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Check out Olivia’s website: ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Recommended website platforms: Squarespace for beginners, Webflow for more advanced users.

🌐 Website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Hanna from Boundless Copy to talk about something that so many of us struggle with—sounding like ourselves in our business. If you’ve ever stared at your website copy and thought, “Ugh, this doesn’t sound like me at all,” or felt like you had to be more professional to be taken seriously, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down how to develop a brand voice that feels natural, attracts the right clients, and makes you excited to show up online. Let’s get into it!
 

Key Moments:

• [00:01:09] Hanna’s journey from journalist to copywriter and why she ditched newsrooms for brand storytelling.
• [00:04:12] Why social media platforms like Threads can be a game-changer for finding your brand voice.
• [00:07:16] How Hanna helps business owners embrace their unique way of speaking to attract the right clients.
• [00:13:18] A sneak peek into Personality Hire, Hanna’s upcoming program on writing personality-packed website copy.
• [00:17:14] The one tip you need to start making your website copy feel more like you.
• [00:22:08] How to build your Brand Voice Dictionary (yes, it’s a thing, and yes, you need one!).
• [00:29:49] Why comparison is the fastest way to stall your business and what to do instead.

Resources & Mentions:

• Follow Hanna on Instagram & Threads: @BoundlessCopy
• Check out Boundless Copy’s website: boundlesscopy.com
• Get on the waitlist for Personality Hire: boundlesscopy.com/personalityhire
• Learn to build your Brand Voice Dictionary with The Brand Voice Roundup: boundlesscopyshop.com

Connect with Kathleen:

• Website: TheMainStage.ca
• Threads: @TheMainStage.ca
   

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we’re talking about difficult clients—the ones who push boundaries, expect magic without effort, and make you question your entire existence. If you’ve ever felt like you were over-delivering, underappreciated, or just plain drained by a client relationship, let’s unpack that.

I’ll be sharing:

• A personal story about a coaching client who thought “showing up” = instant sales (spoiler: it didn’t).
• How I got stuck redoing her entire launch after she fired her team (fun times).
• The moment I realized it wasn’t me—it was her mindset and lack of preparation.
• The importance of boundaries, clear expectations, and knowing when to say no.

💡 Why difficult clients are not a reflection of your worth.
💡 How to reframe challenging situations so you don’t take on someone else’s stress.
💡 The role of boundaries in protecting your time, energy, and creativity.
💡 How to identify red flags before you get sucked into a chaotic client relationship.
💡 Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones.

Here’s your one small action for today:
Take five minutes to reflect on a time when a client drained your energy. Write down:

1. What you learned from that experience.
2. One boundary you wish you had set.
3. How you’ll handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Your peace is priceless—protect it.

🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Want to stop overbooking and create a business that works for you? Check out my latest resources.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Need behind-the-scenes chaos and unfiltered biz tea? 

Come find me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca.

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology