Margo is joined by Cassie McDaniel, Head of Design at Medium, where she leads product design, brand, and research. Cassie has also brought her design expertise to companies like Lattice, Webflow, Glitch, and Mozilla Foundation, and she’s passionate about simplifying complex workflows while creating space for more meaningful design. Beyond her professional roles, Cassie is a painter, writer, DIY renovator, and environmental conservation group member—someone who embodies the importance of building a life rich with creativity both in and outside of work.

In this conversation, Cassie and Margo explore what it means to be a well-rounded creative leader, how personal passions fuel professional innovation, and why design belongs at the leadership table. Cassie also gives us a peek behind the curtain at Medium’s evolving design approach, including how her team thinks about content consumption, new UX navigation, and experiments with AI.

Margo and Cassie discuss:

• The case for doing things outside your job and how hobbies unlock new creative potential

• How writing serves as “exercise for the brain” and a counterbalance to a busy design career

• Cassie’s approach to mentorship, including hiring, coaching, and guiding designers at all levels

• A behind-the-scenes look at design at Medium, from flat minimalism to layered storytelling

• How a family legacy of persistence, from chicken farming to dentistry, shaped Cassie’s approach to creativity and leadership

• Lessons from Cassie’s career across Webflow, Glitch, Mozilla, and Medium, and why foundational creative skills translate to digital spaces

• What makes Medium unique as a platform for authentic stories, connection, and community

• The value of saying yes to new opportunities, co-designing with communities, and learning from every experience

• Balancing leadership, writing, and motherhood while still making time for passion projects at home
  
  

Learn more about Cassie here:

• Website: cassiemcdaniel.com

• Medium: cassiebegins.medium.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cassiemc

• Instagram: @cassiebegins
  
  

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Save the date for Medium Day 2025: https://medium.com/blog/save-the-date-for-medium-day-2025-50b1f15de07d

In episode two of this two-part series, Margo continues her conversation with watercolor artist, creative mentor, and founder of Blue Pine Arts, Trupti Karjinni. In part one, Trupti shared her journey from building a thriving art supply and teaching business to experiencing burnout and rebuilding a more aligned, sustainable creative life. Here, the conversation shifts into the how: the mindset, methods, and strategies behind building a soulful teaching business that truly supports artists both creatively and financially.

Margo and Trupti discuss:

• Why “Big Box Mentor” launch advice often fails creative, heart-centered artists.

• Trupti’s Artist’s Launch Blueprint for burnout-free, spacious course launches.

• Building community and creative sovereignty through teaching.

• Navigating the emotions of entrepreneurship as a neurodivergent, heart-led artist.

• How teaching can be the most liberating and profitable step for artists.

• Encouragement for the artist who secretly dreams of teaching but feels overwhelmed.

Connect with Trupti:

Download Trupti’s free ebook Creative Teaching Stories
Blue Pine Arts
Follow Trupti on Instagram
Follow Blue Pine Arts on Instagram
Watch Trupti on YouTube

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by watercolor artist, creative mentor, and founder of Blue Pine Arts, Trupti Karjinni. Since 2017, Trupti has taught over 45,000 students worldwide, guiding them to fall in love with watercolor while building confidence and creative joy. Today, she paints serene landscapes from the Canadian Rockies, creates handcrafted art supplies, and mentors artists who dream of teaching their art through courses, memberships, and retreats.

Together, they unpack Trupti’s journey from burnout to building a soul-aligned creative business that supports both artistic expression and financial freedom.

Margo and Trupti discuss:

• The path from making paints by hand to building Blue Pine Arts.

• Trupti’s transition from teaching on platforms like Skillshare to creating her own courses.

• What caused her creative burnout and how she rebuilt on her own terms.

• Why artists get stuck in hustle-mode (and how to break free).

• The importance of aligning your teaching business with your creative energy.

• How artists can honor both their creativity and financial goals.

Connect with Trupti:

Download Trupti’s free ebook Creative Teaching Stories
Blue Pine Arts
Follow Trupti on Instagram
Follow Blue Pine Arts on Instagram
Watch Trupti on YouTube

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo and Abby are back with another round of Creative Current Events—covering design awards, the state of the creative industry, the role of AI in unexpected places, massive murals, and even Christmas tree tariffs. They share thought-provoking articles, fun finds, and the latest creative headlines worth your attention.

Mentioned in this episode:

• 2025 London Design Award Season 2

• Why You Shouldn't Give Up on the Creative Industry Just Yet

• How AI Infiltrated Perfume

• The Death of Industrial Design and the Era of Dull Electronics

• Tallest Mural in Phoenix – Leila Parnian’s Record-Breaking Work

• Leila Parnian Instagram

• Fewer Fake Firs, Higher Prices: China Tariff Delay Does Little to Save the Holidays

• HBO Logo Flaw Reel

• Sundance Closure

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 artist, designer, and educator helping to lead the modern revival of punch needle rug hooking, Micah Clasper-Torch. Based in Los Angeles, Micah’s work blurs the lines between art, craft, and design, creating one-of-a-kind textile pieces that range from coats and accessories to wall hangings and soft sculpture.

With a background in fashion design from both The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the Politecnico di Milano in Italy, Micah weaves together her love of fine art, heritage craft, and wearable design. In 2019 she became a certified Oxford Punch Needle Instructor and, in 2020, launched Punch Needle World, an online community, shop, and educational platform dedicated to uplifting the craft and its history. Her debut book, Punch Needle Fashion (Quadrille, June 2025), brings punch needle into the world of contemporary fashion with 15 original projects and a beautifully photographed exploration of the medium.

Margo and Micah discuss:

• Micah’s journey from fashion design to punch needle leadership

• The revival of punch needle and its fascinating history

• How tailoring and handmade construction shape her work

• The inspiration behind Punch Needle Fashion and what sets it apart

• Building creative community through Punch Needle World

• Tips for beginners (including her go-to needle size!)

• Embracing the blur between art, craft, and fashion

Connect with Micah

https://www.micahclasper-torch.com/

https://www.punchneedleworld.com/

https://www.instagram.com/claspertorch

https://www.instagram.com/punchneedle.world
Punch Needle Fashion Book - https://tinyurl.com/mrx5rmez

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

What if color could completely change the way you see the world? This week Margo is joined by Ana Bianchi—artist, designer, illustrator, and now the author of Color Curious, her vibrant new book with Chronicle Books. Ana’s lifelong love of color has taken her from children’s books to ceramics to joyful, intuitive “color harvesting” everywhere from gardens to street markets. Her work spans disciplines, but the throughline is always color—how it inspires, connects, and transforms.

Part visual diary, part creative toolkit, Color Curious is packed with gorgeous photography, illustration, patterns, paintings, ceramics, and colorful bakes. Alongside the images, Ana weaves in her deep curiosity for art history, world cultures, and creative ideas, making it a true celebration of the colorful threads running through everyday life.

Margo and Ana discuss:

• How to train your “color eye” in everyday life

• Why curiosity is the root of creative confidence

• Fun, approachable ways to experiment with color (even if you don’t consider yourself an artist)

• How she’s turning decades of creative experience into resources like her Color Curious Substack and theCONSULTORY—her creative “ask me anything” help desk for artists and makers

Pre-order bonus: Everyone who preorders Color Curious and emails a copy of their receipt to colorcuriousbook@gmail.com or DMs it to Ana on Instagram @AnaLovesColor will receive a link for a private art class with her via Zoom on September 19th.

Connect with Ana:
Website: AnaLovesColor.com
Instagram: @AnaLovesColor | @AnaBakesColor
Pre-order the book: Color Curious
TheConsultory: AnaLovesColor.com/theconsultory

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

Margo is joined by illustrator, surface designer, educator, and art business mentor Vanessa Stoilova—better known online as Art Business with Ness. Since 2015, Vanessa has navigated the creative industry from mobile games to picture book illustration to surface design, and now shares her hard-earned insights with thousands of aspiring artists through her courses, YouTube channel, and mentorship programs.

Vanessa has a knack for making the business side of art feel approachable, actionable, and even exciting. In this conversation, she and Margo dig into how to position yourself for real opportunities, land clients without waiting to “be discovered,” and build a sustainable creative career.

They discuss:

• Building a client-ready portfolio before you get hired

• What actually works when pitching yourself (and why Instagram isn’t enough)

• Why niching down doesn’t limit you—it frees you

• Creating her own online art business summit with 20+ teachers

• How to stop overthinking and start making moves toward your goals
  
  

Links & Resources:

• Free 3-day training: Your First Step to Illustration Clients

• YouTube: Art Business with Ness

Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by color-obsessed illustrator and joyful creative spirit, Andrea Campos. Known to many as the talent behind Drea’s Doodles, Andrea shares her unconventional journey from a decade-long career in marketing to becoming a full-time visual artist and New York Times bestselling illustrator. What started as a personal art challenge during the pandemic turned into an extraordinary pivot—leading to illustrating a bilingual children’s book co-authored by none other than Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon.

Margo and Andrea talk about the magic of starting before you’re ready, the power of creative challenges, and how community can shift your entire trajectory. Andrea shares on embracing her playful voice, navigating imposter syndrome, and showing up authentically as a first-generation Mexican American artist.

Margo and Andrea discuss:

• Andrea’s path from corporate marketing to full-time creative work

• How an art challenge sparked a major publishing opportunity

• Embracing a joyful, playful art style despite industry expectations

• Building creative confidence and community on Instagram

• Illustrating Con Pollo and being featured on The Tonight Show

• The value of representation and storytelling through a bilingual lens

• Using art to invite empathy and spark connection

• Her upcoming solo book project and the character that inspired it

• The importance of creative “side quests” and making art just for fun

Connect with Andrea:
https://instagram.com/dreasdoodles

dreasdoodles.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@dreasdoodles

Tips for Kids Books!

https://dreasdoodles.substack.com/p/new-to-kidlit-here-are-my-favorite

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry