“There is so much false urgency I have fallen prey to that I’ve learned about through this business. I don’t want to see other people making those mistakes, especially women,” says Joan Kanner on past challenges in business. Alongside co-host Michelle Bond, they kick off the second season of Proofing Stage. Likening the podcast to a business self-defense course, Michelle and Joan aim to equip female business owners with the necessary knowledge to fend off unexpected or unfair obstacles.

The duo shares their diverse backgrounds and their journey from career frustrations to creating their own ventures: a company driven by karma, a music app, and their crave-able concept, Bottoms Up Bagels (BUB). As they take stock of their first season, they reflect on their growth as queer female founders and the role of the podcast in offering business insights and enhancing their network. They discuss the expansive potential of podcasts and their mission as force multipliers—to be the mentors and coaches they didn’t have.

Today's episode sets the stage for what’s to come in Season 2 and acknowledges the great work of Season 1 producer and contributor, Amanda Schwarz. Michelle and Joan hint at a lineup of diverse guests for the new season and explore the concept of “proofing” across different fields.

Whether you are tuning in to build your business chops or just learn from real people with genuine stories Proofing Stage is set to rise to the occasion.

So, join Michelle and Joan as they:

• Put the "omen" in women
• Give a nod to their best teachers
• Institute a crash course in defensive entrepreneurship
• Preview upcoming guests and topics
• Surprisingly hold back on their use of expletives

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Theme music by Thorn Haze
Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye
Executive Producers, Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Find more at proofingstage.com
Follow us on Instagram and Threads @proofingstage

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Some pods offer a peek behind the curtain. But in today's bonus episode, Michelle and Joan give peeks inside their heads!

Now that they're doing the asking, whose asking acts as examples to emulate?

And, yes, you'll be left asking yourself "wait, who had their own talk show?!"

Some delicious samples from this bonus served up in paper soufflé cups below:

Michelle:
"These are things you maybe you talk about with your friends over a happy hour and you commiserate and then you go on to do something else. But if they're actually, in our case, real barriers to not only us, but lots of other people being able to not only go after their dreams, but have financial wellbeing. So, maybe we should talk about them."

Joan:
"For so many years, if not decades, I did not know I had the right to inquire, to ask people to explain or clarify things, which is a big deal."

Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye
Executive Producers, Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond

Find more at proofingstage.com
Follow us on Instagram and Threads @proofingstage

Join Proofing Stage+ to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes!

See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here.

Guests - Kait Klusewitz (she/her), Muralist/Artist | Caroline Lampinen (she/her), Artist

Bringing art to business and business to art, hosts Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner dive into a vibrant discussion on "Proofing Stage" with two extraordinary creatives. Kait Klusewitz and Caroline Lampinen join the episode to unpack the powerful intersection of creativity and social impact. Celebrated for their engagement with community and social movements—particularly their support for the Black Lives Matter initiative—they share how they've transitioned from “W2” jobs to self-employment and roles that fuse passion and talent with purpose and personal well-being.

The conversation spans the essential tactics for setting both personal and professional boundaries. From navigating client expectations to appropriately valuing their creative output, Kait and Caroline deliver actionable advice not just for artists but for any entrepreneur.

For anyone drawn to entrepreneurship, art, or social advocacy, this episode is a treasure trove of insights on handling the hurdles of small business ownership while using one’s craft to foster community and advocate for change. Tune in to hear Michelle, Joan, and their guests explore the art of running businesses that do more than just succeed—they make a significant impact.

Gems include:

• Sometimes the $$$ just isn’t worth it
• Setting boundaries for yourself, not just others
• Having an art soulmate is (okay) everything
• Burnout can mean you’re not charging enough
• Developing a signature artistic style takes time
• The power of leveraging your industry’s ecosystem
• Resentment isn’t just a River in Egypt!

Links

Connect with Kait Klusewitz:
Kait K Designs, She/Her
@kaitkdesigns
https://www.kaitkdesigns.com/

Connect with Caroline Lampinen,
Artist, Okay Everything, She/Her
@okay_everything
https://okayeverything.com/

More on working with Creatives: S1: EP9, Points for Creativity

“The Capers Song” written and performed by Katie Long

Theme music by Thorn Haze

Additional music: “Downfall” by AlisaBeats (via Pixabay)

Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye

Executive Producers, Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Find more at proofingstage.com
Follow us on Instagram and Threads @proofingstage

Join Proofing Stage+ to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes!

See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here.