Windowsill Chats

Margo is joined by artist and joy-maker Kate Smith, the creative force behind Kate Smith Co.™, a brand dedicated to finding "the happy that's already here" in everyday moments. Kate has built a thriving career in greeting cards and art licensing, working with beloved partners in the U.S. and U.K. to create products that make people smile. From early success with her first brand, From Frank, to a full reimagining of her creative path, Kate's journey is filled with bold decisions, reinvention, and a commitment to following what feels joyful. She also spent seven years living and working full-time in an Airstream, a chapter that deeply shaped her artistic voice and philosophy.

Margo and Kate discuss:

• Kate's early beginnings—from advertising to accidentally launching a greeting card line that landed in Target within a year
• The rise of From Frank, her wildly popular first brand inspired by her French bulldog, and what it taught her about licensing, growth, and creativity
• The pivotal decision to sell everything, hit the road in an Airstream, and shift her business fully into licensing
• How travel, imperfection, and "found letters" influenced her signature design style and approach to joyful, approachable art
• Navigating the fear phases of a creative career and learning to make decisions from hope instead of worry
• How she thinks about long-term partnerships in licensing, staying authentic, and evolving her brand without losing its heart
• What reinvention looks like now—new art prints, new mediums, and giving herself permission to embrace being an "artist"

Submit Your Questions for Margo Tantau & Emily McDowell

Connect with Kate:

www.katesmithcompany.com

www.instagram.com/katesmithcompany

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo sits down with Edgeworth Johnstone — a musician, painter, printmaker, and the unconventional creative force behind The Camden Market Free Art Man. With deep roots in the raw and gritty culture of Camden, Edgeworth has built a life around instinct-driven art, spirited collaboration, and connection through creativity.

He shares how a childhood love of music evolved into multiple bands, how discovering painting later unlocked a new artistic identity, and why giving away his work in exchange for stories has become one of his most meaningful projects yet. From working with the Black Ivory art collective to dreaming up a future artist commune in Thailand, Edgeworth reminds us that creativity thrives when we allow it to take us somewhere unexpected. Margo and Edgeworth discuss:

• Camden's role in shaping underground music culture
• The beauty and honesty of demo recordings, cassettes, and physical media
• How falling into painting later in life opened a new world of creative expression
• Joining the Stuckist art movement and experiences with outsider art at Tate Modern
• Collaboration as a life-force: bands, collectives, and finding your people
• The origins and growth of The Camden Market Free Art Man project
• Trading art for connection — and what you learn from strangers
• Unexpected adventures in Thailand and the dream of an artist commune
• Trusting your gut, embracing risk, and following the path that feels alive
• Why imperfection is often the truest mark of creativity

Connect with Edgestone:Website: https://edgeworth.blogInstagram: www.instagram.com/edgeworth.blog Inspired by lately: Ron Throop, Emma Pugmire

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo sits down with artist, writer, and creative director Amy Lohr to talk about the nonlinear, magical, and sometimes messy journey of reclaiming your creative voice. Amy shares how a personal "creative awakening" helped her move through body dysmorphia and social anxiety, and how painting, writing, and photography became tools for healing and deeper self-understanding.

They explore the spiritual and practical sides of creativity—from living off-grid in Hawaii, to writing her book Like the Sun at Midday, to embracing curiosity in all its unexpected forms (yes, including papier-mâché and xylophones). Amy also dives into the power of branding and storytelling, and how she helps entrepreneurs and visionaries express the heart of their work with clarity and soul.

• Amy's personal creative awakening and how it reshaped her life
• Moving through body dysmorphia and social anxiety via self-expression
• Following odd, intuitive creative pulls (like new mediums and playful experiments)
• Her time living off-grid in Hawaii and the spiritual experiences that shaped her artistry
• The influence of mentors—including a counterculture elder with childhood ties to Bobo the gorilla
• Writing Like the Sun at Midday and what it taught her about listening, presence, and surrender
• The real "soft skills" behind creative confidence: courage, slowness, vulnerability, being seen
• How branding and storytelling help creatives express their essence and connect with their audience
• Why your art matters not just for you, but for the world

Connect with Amy: Website: www.amyinfullcolor.comBook: www.likethesunatmidday.com Instagram: @amyinfullcolor

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo sits down with internationally bestselling poet and storyteller Courtney Peppernell. Known for her Pillow Thoughts series and many other beloved poetry collections, Courtney has spent nearly a decade writing about love, healing, and the resilience that carries us through life's hardest moments. Her words have reached millions across the globe, offering comfort and connection through the power of honest storytelling.

In this conversation, Courtney shares how her creative journey has evolved—from "accidental poet" to global literary voice—and how her newest book, Out of the Ashes, explores rising after trauma, recognizing emotional abuse, and learning what healthy love truly looks like. She and Margo also discuss community, vulnerability, and the whimsical characters (yes, jellyfish!) that make her work so unique.

• How Pillow Thoughts went from Tumblr blog to international bestseller
• Recognizing emotional abuse and reclaiming your voice
• Why vulnerability in storytelling fosters connection and healing
• Building a creative career rooted in authenticity
• The importance of community — online and IRL
• Using anger and grief as catalysts for growth
• The charming characters that have become symbols throughout her books
• What's next: fiction, exciting new projects, and a whole lot of dogs

Connect with Courtney: Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneypeppernell TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@courtneypeppernell Website: www.peppernell.com Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo welcomes internationally acclaimed lettering artist, illustrator, author, and creative mentor Martina Flor to the show. Originally trained as a graphic designer in Argentina, Martina took a leap of faith that led her to Berlin — and eventually to building one of the most recognized lettering studios in the world. Through bold choices, ongoing experimentation, and a belief in the power of claiming your identity, she has carved out a career filled with artistry, entrepreneurship, and community.

Martina opens up about what it really looks like to follow your passion before the world has validated it — from printing "lettering artist" on her business cards long before she had clients, to trusting that the right environment and relationships can transform everything.

• Martina's journey from Argentina to Berlin and how a new environment shaped her career
• The moment she claimed the title "lettering artist" — and the ripple effect it created
• Why community, mentorship, and visibility are essential for creative growth
• How to charge confidently and build a financially sustainable art career
• Key business strategies for finding clients and marketing your work authentically
• The importance of a supportive team behind any thriving creative business
• Balancing commercial work with personal projects and ongoing learning
• Using storytelling to build a magnetic brand that attracts aligned clients
• Navigating transitions and creative risk with curiosity and courage
• Her advice for artists who want to turn passion into profession — without burning out

Connect with Martina: Website: https://www.martinaflor.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinaflor The Golden Secrets of Lettering Book Make It Book

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo sits down with Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum—better known as The Brownstone Boys—a Brooklyn-based couple, award-winning interior designers, and renovation experts known for their ability to breathe new life into historic homes while keeping design fresh, livable, and true to their roots.

What began as a shared passion project to restore their first brownstone quickly became a creative business built on authenticity, approachability, and an unshakable belief in learning by doing. Without formal design training, Barry and Jordan leaned on curiosity, community, and sheer persistence to grow their brand into one of the most trusted names in renovation. Along the way, they've worked with clients like Kerry Washington and Peloton's Anna Greenberg, launched collaborations with brands like Blueprint Lighting, and released their debut book For the Love of Renovating.

Together, they share what it means to build a business (and a life) together, how to stay grounded in your values, and why the most beautiful spaces often come from imperfect beginnings.

Margo, Barry and Jordan discuss:

• How a bike ride through Brooklyn led to a shared dream of restoring a brownstone—and building a creative business from the ground up.
• The early days of The Brownstone Boys and how posting their real-life renovation journey online unexpectedly launched a design career.
• Learning by doing—why neither formal training nor perfectionism are prerequisites for success.
• The power of authenticity on social media and how showing the real moments built their loyal community.
• Finding balance and clarity in a creative partnership—how Barry and Jordan divide roles, communicate, and keep their vision aligned.
• Their signature design philosophy: honoring history while adding a clean, modern touch.
• How playlists and personal stories inspire their design process and make every project feel soulful and lived-in.
• The importance of humility, collaboration, and staying curious in creative work.

Connect with Barry + Jordan: https://thebrownstoneboys.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brownstoneboys/ https://www.tiktok.com/@brownstoneboys https://www.pinterest.com/BrownstoneBoys/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5OJXUbPjR8JqoE099QwUOw

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In Part 3 of the Dawn Dusk series, where Margo explores the creative forces behind the documentary, she sits down with Emmy-winning composer Silas Hite, whose music spans blockbuster films, hit TV shows, museum installations, bestselling video games, and award-winning commercials. With over two decades of experience and an unmatched ability to move between genres, Silas shares how an early love of rhythm and melody grew into a multifaceted career in composing and recording.

They explore how the industry has shifted over the years — from strikes to the rise of AI — and how Silas balances commercial projects with deeply personal creative work. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his collaborative process, translating visual stories into sound, and the joy of creative experimentation.

Margo and Silas discuss:

• Silas' early inspirations and how his musical path evolved from performing to composing
• Navigating major industry shifts and the impact of AI on music creation
• The art of translating visual storytelling into sound, including scoring Dawn Dusk
• Balancing commercial projects with personal artistry and creative fulfillment
• Why being a musical generalist has been key to Silas' success
• Insights into composing for short formats like commercials and TV segments
• The inspiration and creative process behind Chicha Macabre and My Happy Place
• Upcoming projects and how personal work keeps his creativity thriving

Connect with Silas:https://www.silashite.com/ https://www.instagram.com/silas_hite https://soundcloud.com/satincowboy https://www.facebook.com/SilasHiteComposer/

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In Part 2 of a special Dawn Dusk series, Margo sits down with designer and maker Chelli Look, whose story is at the center of the documentary Dawn Dusk. Directed by Jason and Blue Gerber, the film follows Chelli's journey through grief and healing after the devastating loss of her sister to domestic violence.

In this conversation, Chelli shares how creating leather handbags under her brand CHC became both a lifeline and a language for navigating profound loss. She offers her perspective on how the documentary came to be, what it means to create beauty amidst grief, and how creativity continues to shape her work as a designer, advocate, and visual storyteller. Through her story, we're reminded of the resilience found in making and the quiet strength of simply being.

Margo and Chelli discuss:

• How the documentary Dawn Dusk unfolded from Chelli's perspective
• The role of creativity and design in navigating grief and emotional recovery
• Why beauty is a necessity—not a luxury—in the healing process
• How CHC handbags became a vessel for processing and storytelling
• The evolution of Chelli's work as an advocate for domestic violence survivors
• Learning to slow down, be present, and allow healing to unfold over time

Connect with Chelli: https://www.dawnduskfilm.com/trailer https://www.chellilook.com/ www.instagram.com/chelli_look www.instagram.com/dawnduskfilm

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

In this episode of Creative Current Events, Margo and Abby dive into a whirlwind of fascinating stories and fresh perspectives from the worlds of creativity, tech, and everyday life. They chat about the accidental invention of the snow globe and the surprising rise of art fairs hosted in U-Haul trucks — celebrating human resourcefulness and the scrappy side of creativity.

They also dig into AI and authenticity — from lawsuits against media companies accused of data theft, to AI-generated actors in Hollywood, and the ethical gray areas of algorithm-driven platforms like Spotify. Together, Margo and Abby unpack how these developments are reshaping creative industries and what it means to stay human in a data-driven world.

Whether you're a maker, dreamer, or just looking for a new lens on today's creative headlines, this episode proves that inspiration is everywhere — sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Articles Mentioned:

• AI Lawsuits: Japanese Media Giants vs. Perplexity
• AI Actor Sparks Outrage in Hollywood
• Cities & Memory: Global Sound Mapping Project
• The Sphere: Wizard of Oz Experience
• Magnopus: Storytelling Through Immersive Tech
• Banana Republic's Vintage Catalog Revival
• Carhartt x Bethany Yellowtail Collaboration
• Coach's Coffee Shops Connect with Gen Z
• Ugmonk: Intentional Design Meets the Analog To-Do List

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by husband-and-wife directing duo Jason & Blue Gerber, an award-winning team working across films and commercials. Their creative synergy has led them to direct for brands like Walgreens, 7UP, Chipotle, Intelligentsia, and LOEWE, while also producing heartfelt storytelling work for organizations such as The Boys & Girls Clubs, Athletes Unlimited, and Lincoln Park Community Services. Their short film Otis' Dream, about voter suppression, was shared by Oprah as an official Super Soul Sunday short film, and their commercial and nonprofit work has been recognized with industry honors including a Silver Telly Award. Together, Jason & Blue bring both tactful precision and deep feeling into everything they create, evoking imagination and authentic human narratives as one voice.

In this conversation, Margo, Jason, and Blue dive into the power of collaboration, storytelling that heals, and the journey of their new feature documentary, Dawn Dusk.

Margo, Jason & Blue discuss:

• From college pals to co-directors: how their friendship at Columbia College Chicago grew into a collaborative career.
• What it takes to truly direct as a duo—prep, trust, communication, and playing to each other's strengths.
• Choosing projects that center the human spirit, resilience, and creativity.
• How a short five-minute idea evolved into the four-year feature documentary Dawn Dusk, following artist Chelli Look's journey of grief and healing through her leather goods business, CHC.
• The role of composer Silas Hite's score as the "unseen narrator" guiding the emotion of the film.
• Why experimentation, patience, and deep listening are essential for creative work that connects.
• Lessons from navigating both commercial and narrative filmmaking, and how storytelling always comes back to empathy.

Connect with Jason & Blue Website: jasonandblue.com Film Website: dawnduskfilm.com/trailer Instagram: @jasonandblue, @dawnduskfilm

Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.comwww.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry