225. Avoid Creative Burnout with Meg Wagler

Jul 29, 2025

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How can you find the magic when you unplug? Illustrator and muralist Meg Wagler joins Michelle to talk about cultivating creativity, balancing digital and analog mediums, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. They discuss the power of curiosity, the value of having non-monetized hobbies, and how Meg’s artist residency in Finland reshaped her approach to rest and creativity. From building an “inspiration bin” to exploring dreamscapes, Meg shares how artists can avoid burnout while creating meaningful, vibrant work. This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of art, life, and the power of slowing down.

Meg Wagler is a visual story teller, illustrator, and creative speaker based in the midwest and known internationally for her vibrant art, thoughtful concepts and dynamic energy. After a career start in graphic design and art direction, Meg left the agency world in 2019 to practice art & illustration. She's worked with brands and organizations around the country painting murals, illustrating campaigns, and building experiences. She recently founded Overlay, Inc., a non profit arts organization hosting a mural and music festival in the midwest. She's got 2 kids, 2 dogs, 5 chickens and 1 very patient partner. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following:

Meg's journey from graphic design to illustration
Defining your artistic style
Interplay between digital and physical mediums
Creating your inspiration bin for fresh ideas
Diversifying your artistic taste
Lessons from her Finland artist residency
What we're capable of when we're at ease
Exploring dreamscapes and immersive art concepts
Reintegrating into daily life after creative sabbaticals
Advice for staying curious and avoiding burnout

---------------------- RESOURCES:

Blog: 2025 Design Trend Predictions

----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Meg and her creative practice, follow her Instagram @MegWagler_Illustration, on Facebook @MegWaglerIllustration and visit her website, MegWagler.co/ ----------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That’s why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what’s working, what’s dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you’re a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at:

----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard