IN THIS EPISODE…

In this episode of Matters of Creative, Jenny chats with professional coach Jen Verharen of Cadence Coaching to discuss the unique vulnerability, challenges, and connectedness that creative teams can experience. Jen shares her expertise on navigating the sometimes emotional nature of creative work, offering tips for building trust, processing feedback, and aligning teams.

Learn about how a culture of curiosity and prioritizing learning over knowledge can foster resilience and creative energy in the workplace. This episode offers actionable insights to help teams connect, grow, and create better for everyone, from creatives and leaders to team culture enthusiasts.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Whether it's in your work, your health, your relationships, your sport, your business or a special project that you desire to evolve, it's part of the human condition to struggle. And wrestle with Resistance. And feel thwarted by Circumstance. It is in this struggle that Jen Verharen thrives. And partners with you to create Clarity, cultivate Courage and help you get out in front of whatever's in your way. Jen's superpower is the ability to uniquely blend the energetic and the strategic to help you get results.

Jen has a BA in Organizational Psychology and Mental Health. She's done Master's work in clinical psychology. She's a certified Health and Wellness Coach, certified Transformational Life Coach and a trained mediator. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a coach, trainer and facilitator. This cred pales in comparison with hundreds and hundreds of hours coaching. Of being present for the struggle. Witnessing breakdowns. Facilitating breakthroughs. And celebrating wins. To her work, Jen brings a powerful belief in the strength of the human spirit. She brings inherited and learned knowledge about the path forward. And she brings the ability to hold a larger vision for you than you may be able to hold for yourself at a given moment.

IN THIS EPISODE…

Maintaining career, personal identity, and family life is an ever-evolving journey filled with challenges and rewards. So, how do parents nurture their careers while supporting their children's growth and maintaining a sense of self?

In today's special episode of Matters of Creative, host Matt brings together a panel of parents from the M team —Garth, Ayanna, Bobbie, and Jenny—to share about their experiences navigating parenthood, personal identity, and professional ambition. Listeners will hear reflections on building confidence in children, finding time for hobbies, and trading the pursuit of balance in for finding your flow.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Garth Oliver | M Agency's Senior Developer

As a developer, Garth is passionate about making fantastic ideas a reality, striving to utilize cutting-edge web technology to give users and clients the best experience possible. With over 10 years of experience working with talented colleagues and a diverse range of clients, Garth is no stranger to facilitating a vision, promoting usability, and executing creative solutions.

When he isn't glued to his computer typing loudly, he enjoys writing and recording music, video gaming, hanging out with his two cats, and running.

Ayanna Pasha | M Agency's Copywriter

Ayanna enjoys the challenge of cutting through the noise with engaging and strategic storytelling. From content strategy to defining your brand's "why," Ayanna helps your brand govern its communication so your message resonates deeply and drives results. When she's not reading, she's usually spending time with family, dominating game boards, or pretending she's a professional pickleball player (emphasis on pretending).

Bobbie Bailey | M Agency's CEO

As the CEO and founder of M Agency, Bobbie creates the high energy that drives businesses forward and inspires her team to achieve greatness together. Since starting M Agency twelve years ago, her full-service marketing agency has helped hundreds of businesses, from Alaska Airlines to Celebrity Cake Studio, catalyze their success through meaningful and results-driven marketing. Bobbie has been able to grow M into an award-winning agency by cultivating a creative and intentional environment where her team's strengths are leveraged to continuously deliver exceptional work. The result of her dedication has allowed her to invest back into the community in multiple ways, such as South Sound 100 Women, a community organization she co-founded that fundraises for local non-profits. When not in the office, you can find her on the tennis courts, with her family, or learning how to fly a plane!

Jenny Ridenour | M Agency's Art Director

With two decades of design and branding experience, Jenny has been the visionary behind many successful brands, businesses, and campaigns. Co-founding her own business and growing it to 7-figure sales within two years gave her the confidence and experience to help other businesses elevate their marketing.

At M Agency, Jenny creates the strategies for all creative, ensuring there is alignment between meaningful visual storytelling and solving complex marketing and branding problems to grow businesses.

An eternal optimist, you can find her dreaming of Pantone colors, petting dogs (any will do), or spending time with her family.

IN THIS EPISODE…

Sustaining a publication brand in our fast-paced, short-form-obsessed media world takes more than just quality content—it demands authenticity and thoughtful adaptability. So, how do creative leaders in the industry stay true to their mission among new technologies and evolving audience needs?

In this episode of Matters of Creative, hosts Bobbie and Matt welcome Josh Dunn, founder and CEO of Premier Media Group, to share his journey as the entrepreneur behind some of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved publications. Josh discusses the "creative DNA" that drives his company, the importance of human-generated storytelling, and how he's leaning into slowing down. Listeners will hear about PMG's evolving AI policy, fostering creativity in a remote work culture, and the importance of authentic connections and high-value experiences.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Josh Dunn is the founder and CEO of Premier Media Group, the creative leadership behind the

building of regional and national media brands like 425 Magazine, South Sound Magazine,

Northwest Travel + Life, South Sound Business, and the new Southwest Travel + Life.

Passionate about building creative media brands within the niches. Since the opening of his business in the week of September 11, 2001, Dunn and his team have been supporting more than 250,000 loyal readers monthly. He excels in building trust in creative marketing, identifying key niches, and helping others succeed with a mission to be a "Breath of Fresh Air" in media.

Dunn has an impressive history of working hard for his team and his community as he serves on

the board for AWB, the University of Washington Milgard School of Business Council. Premier

Media Group has been named a Top Company to work for several times. He is also the founder

of TEDx Tacoma. Dunn has been featured on numerous podcasts and TV shows, like Evening

Magazine, Q13Morning News, KBTC, and HGTV. Additionally, he is a recipient of "40 Under

Forty," and was named as one of Pierce College's "Distinguished Alumni." His persistence,

optimism, and a strong moral compass are guiding influences in his personal and business life.