

The Tillage Podcast
Shirlee Fisher
The Tillage Podcast is a space I've created to help you gain clarity on your creative journey. Being a creative entrepreneur comes with its ups and downs, and sometimes it can feel like you're all on your own. I’m passionate about digging deep with you, asking the tough questions, and encouraging action that transforms your creative business and life into something you truly love. In each guest episode, you’ll hear from fellow artists who have shifted their mindsets on their path to success and gain actionable advice and strategies to move forward with purpose. Thanks for listening! 🧡🌿
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 25, 2023 • 32min
35: Unlocking Solutions Through Troubleshooting
In today's episode, I explore the idea of experiencing a creative "flop" and the mindset shifts needed to overcome it. It is natural to feel frustrated and want to give up when a project doesn't go as planned. However, it's important to challenge the limiting beliefs that come with failure and to troubleshoot the situation from a strategic point of view. This episode outlines six components that need to be considered when experiencing a flop. By taking a step back and evaluating what went wrong and why, we can gain valuable insight into our motives and aspirations, and turn our failures into opportunities for growth and future success.
Learn how to turn your original artwork into vector brilliance with Lissie Teehee and her course "Digital Art & Processes." Hop on the waitlist!
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Apr 18, 2023 • 42min
34: Taking Action Before You Are Ready with Liz Brindley
In today's episode, artist, coach, and top Skillshare teacher, Liz Brindley, unpacks the common obstacles that hold back creatives from taking action. She shares the importance of uncovering the layers behind these struggles, which are often tied to vulnerability and doubt. Liz emphasizes taking a slow and sustainable approach to building your business and also highlights how changing your mindset requires consistent effort over time. Lastly, Liz shares the impact that creating courses has made on her life and eliminates obstacles that often hold creatives back from pressing publish.
Learn how to turn your original artwork into vector brilliance with Lissie Teehee and her course "Digital Art & Processes." Hop on the waitlist!
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Apr 11, 2023 • 44min
33: Leading With Inspiration with Sarah Rafferty of Atwater Designs
In today's episode, Sarah Rafferty, a cyanotype artist and owner of Atwater Designs, shares insights on how to stay connected to your "why" and leading with inspiration to drive your creative business forward. She talks about the importance of giving yourself permission to not always be inspired and the role that seasonality plays in her creative process. Sarah also shares how incorporating a morning routine and keeping promises to yourself can set your day up for success. Tune in for valuable takeaways on leading with inspiration and intention in your creative business.
Learn how to manufacture overseas with Rebecca Woolbright and Manufacture:Awesome. Hop on the waitlist today!
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Apr 4, 2023 • 52min
32: Managing the Ebbs and Flows of Creativity with Megan Fowler of Brown Parcel Press
In this episode, Megan Fowler, the owner of Brown Parcel Press, a letterpress and design company, talks about managing the ebbs and flows of creative inspiration and offers six tools to help manage those highs and lows. Megan also speaks on trusting oneself in the creative process and having a balance between passion and need to make a living. This episode is sure to add lots of tools to your toolkit to come back to when you are in a creative rut!
Learn how to manufacture overseas with Rebecca Woolbright and Manufacture:Awesome. Hop on the waitlist today!
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Mar 28, 2023 • 27min
31: Avoiding Absolutes and Entering Into Gratitude
In this episode, we explore the power of language and mindset, and how they affect our ability to find hope and resilience in challenging situations. We discuss six "absolutes" - words like "always" and "never" - and how they can be harmful to our mindset. We also talk about the difference between victim and survivor mentalities, and the importance of cultivating gratitude in our daily lives. Tune in for practical tips on how to catch yourself when using absolutes, reframe your language, and practice gratitude to cultivate hope.
Sign up for Genna Blackburn's FREE Workshop "Path to Portfolio"!
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Mar 21, 2023 • 45min
30: Making Space For All Of Our Feelings with Marabeth Quin
In today's episode, artist, Marabeth Quin, shares her journey of exploring her creative potential as a painter after a successful music career and how art has been a powerful teacher. Marabeth emphasizes the importance of making space for all of our emotions, and shares her own story of working through her emotions and grief over her daughter's stroke. She shares tools that she has personally used to process her emotions and how she has been intentional with the process.
Sign up for Genna Blackburn's FREE Workshop "Path to Portfolio"!
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Mar 14, 2023 • 45min
29: An Open Conversation About Mental Illness with Carrie Cantwell
In this podcast episode, illustrator, surface pattern designer, and educator, Carrie Cantwell, and I have an open conversation about the stigma and assumptions surrounding mental health challenges. This episode aims to provide support and encouragement to those who have experienced mental illness and to destigmatize the conversation around mental health.
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Mar 7, 2023 • 39min
28: 3 Tips to Help with Perseverance
In today's episode, we dive deep into the concept of perseverance and grit and how it can be applied to various areas of our lives, from business to personal growth. We discuss the importance of being grateful for the climb, embracing challenges, and three practical tips to help you persevere through obstacles, including the power of community, practicing to build skill, and knowing your why and having a higher purpose.
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Feb 28, 2023 • 35min
27: Liminal Space with Jenni Wingenroth of Nollie Bean
In today's episode, Jenni, a modern quilter, quilt pattern writer, and owner of Nollie Bean, shares how the concept of "liminal space" has impacted her creative process. Jenni shares how she overcame her doubts and fears while launching her virtual quilting retreat, Quilt Camp, and her tips for managing limiting beliefs in the messy middle. She also shares tools and advice for trusting oneself and dreaming big while planning for the future. This is an uplifting message about the power of growth and transformation in liminal space.
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Feb 21, 2023 • 42min
26: Taking the Leap To Go Full-time with Tanya Brown
In this podcast episode, Tanya Brown, a textile and graphic designer, shares her journey of leaving a secure teaching job in New York City to pursue a full-time career as an artist. She talks about the fear and anxiety associated with leaving a steady job with benefits and pension, and the catalyst for change that led her to take the leap. Tanya emphasizes the importance of facing fear and taking risks, and the preparation and strategic financial planning that went into making the transition.
Get 10% off your Canvas lamp today with Code: Tillage10.
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