Breaking into the creative side of sports isn’t easy—but Katie Quinlan made it possible.

Katie, a graphic designer for the Detroit Lions and former student-athlete at Michigan State University, joins me to talk about her journey from college athletics to professional sports design. She shares what it’s really like to navigate mentorship, networking, and creativity in the fast-paced world of the NFL, and the unique challenges and opportunities for women in sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How her athletic background shaped her approach to design
• The role mentorship and networking play in building a career
• Staying creative and inspired outside of work
• Building genuine relationships and pitching ideas that matter

Katie’s story is full of insight, honesty, and encouragement—and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

Pursuing a creative career often means stepping into the unknown—but with curiosity, community, and courage, the journey becomes something special.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Ashton Masek, an experiential designer and former muralist, to dive into how creative paths evolve and what it really takes to grow through the process. From navigating social media perceptions to finding purpose through community, Ashton and Cass open up about the lessons they’ve learned along the way—both in art and in life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How staying curious and open to new experiences leads to growth.
• Why community and relationships are key to sustaining creativity.
• How social media’s curated nature can shape (and sometimes distort) creative identity.
• The resilience and adaptability needed to pursue a creative career.
• How personal growth often comes through discomfort and challenge.
• The importance of authenticity and balance in creative work.
• Practical ways to approach creative problem-solving.
• How passion can fuel both your personal and professional success.

Cass and Ashton get real about creative pivots, identity shifts, and the process of learning to embrace change. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or simply someone navigating a creative calling, this episode is full of honest reflections and encouragement to keep growing—no matter where you are on the journey.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

From working in stadium operations in college to becoming an NFL photographer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chris Kim shares how he turned his passion for sports photography into a full-time career.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Chris to unpack his journey from sports management major to capturing some of the NFL’s most exciting moments. From training camp chaos to draft day excitement, Chris shares the behind-the-scenes reality of sports photography that goes far beyond the games.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How Chris turned internships and early experiences at the University of Florida into a career with the Jaguars.
• Why community engagement, corporate partnerships, and day-to-day management are a huge part of sports photography.
• Practical strategies for building a strong, versatile portfolio that showcases creativity and adaptability.
• How to balance team expectations, work-life demands, and personal hobbies for long-term sustainability.
• The realities of game day—quick editing, tagging, and sharing content for social media.
• Insights on passion, adaptability, and the importance of remembering “every photo you take is important.”

Chris also gets real about the misconceptions of sports photography, the lessons learned from unexpected moments on draft day, and why finding hobbies outside of work is crucial for maintaining perspective.

Whether you’re pursuing sports photography, creative media, or just looking for insights into building a meaningful career, this conversation is full of encouragement, actionable advice, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn