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 29, 2025 • 32min
124: Doing More Isn’t the Answer: How Listening and Noticing Leads to True Creative Growth
In today’s episode, we’re exploring why hustling harder doesn’t necessarily bring progress, and why slowing down to notice your energy, creativity, and personal rhythms is the real key to sustainable growth.I’ll share how chasing productivity without true direction left me exhausted, how the power of noticing is changing how I approach my creative practice, and why honoring your natural seasons matters more than forcing a routine. We’ll also talk about practical ways to notice what’s working, what’s draining you, and how to build rhythms that actually support your goals.If you’re tired of feeling burnt out, stuck, or scattered in your creative journey, this conversation will help you reclaim your energy, realign with your vision, and move forward with more clarity and peace.Want more? Listen to Episode 18 with Lissie TeeHee all about planning to the seasons🎉 Mark your calendar The Tillage Village Opens Up May 13th!⭐Get 50% off Flodesk today! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM⭐Sign Up for the NEWSLETTER
Apr 22, 2025 • 31min
123: Why You Might Feel Stuck & How to Rediscover Your Creative Direction
Feeling stuck can bring up so much shame. It can make you feel like you’re doing something wrong or not working hard enough. But more often than not, it’s not laziness that’s holding you back....it's disconnection.In this episode, we explore the real reason so many creatives feel paralyzed in their work. When you lose touch with your vision, it’s easy to slip into burnout, confusion, and chasing what everyone else is doing.I’m sharing how that disconnection shows up, why blindly following advice can steer you off course, and the simple journal prompt that helped me find my way back to clarity.If your work has been feeling foggy or misaligned, this episode will gently guide you back to connect with yourself. 🧡🎉 Mark your calendar The Tillage Village Opens Up May 13th!⭐Get 50% off Flodesk today! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM⭐Sign Up for the NEWSLETTER
Apr 15, 2025 • 18min
122: From The Archives | Nourish Yourself
Come with me and revisit the fourth solo episode I ever created—first aired in November 2022—while I recover from hernia surgery ❤️🩹. In this episode I define "nourishment" and what it means to truly care for ourselves so we can create from wholeness, not depletion. In seasons of overwhelm or exhaustion, this gentle episode is a reminder to honor your pace and refill your own cup. We’ll explore alignment, creative rhythms, and rest that restores. Consider it a soft landing if you’ve been running on empty. 🧡⭐Try out FIVERR today! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM⭐Sign Up for the NEWSLETTER
Apr 8, 2025 • 32min
121: The Hiccups Along the Way: Delays, Doubt & Holding On to the Dream
Creative delays can feel frustrating, isolating, and full of shame—but they’re a normal part of the process. In this episode, we’re talking about the messy middle, the “stop-go” rhythm of creative work, and why your pace doesn’t determine your worth. I share my own slow journey with the creation of The Tillage Magazine and how I’ve learned to trust the timeline. We’ll also make a left turn and explore the setbacks Walt Disney faced when building Disneyland and how even big dreams take time. It's your reminder that if your project is taking longer than expected with hiccups: you’re not behind—you’re becoming. Your dream is still valid, and it’s worth finishing.⭐Get 50% off Flodesk today! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM⭐Sign Up for the NEWSLETTER
Apr 1, 2025 • 36min
120: From The Archives | The Art of Running a "Quiet" Business with Leana Fischer of May We Fly
🌸 Last week of spring break here, and I hope you enjoy an episode that is sure to bring so much alignment in your life and give you a new perspective on success that first aired November 2022. It is so easy to fall into comparison and feel the pressure to gain a massive following while running our creative businesses. In today's episode, Leana of May We Fly, shares her story of discovering who she is and what is “enough” for her. She defines what a running a "quiet" business means to her, what her own version of success is, and how working from a quiet space allows her to be more centered in her art practice.⭐Get 50% off Flodesk today! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM⭐Sign Up for the NEWSLETTER
Mar 25, 2025 • 45min
119: From The Archives | Following Your Hunches to Find Your Sweet Spot with Nicholas Wilton of Art2Life
🌸 It's time for a little spring break here! I hope you enjoy an episode that is near and dear to my heart that first aired in October 2023. In this episode, Nicholas Wilton of Art2Life takes you on a rollercoaster journey from doubt to self-belief, sharing his inspiring story of how art saved his life. Join us as he explores the power of intention, finding your creative sweet spot, and the importance of embracing vulnerability in the artistic journey. This episode is full of takeaways that encourage you to follow your creative hunches and create substantial, impactful work.⭐Get Genna Blackburn’s FREE GUIDE to learn 6 powerful steps that will propel you toward developing your signature style! ☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM
Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
118: How to Learn from Every Project and Remain Teachable
Every creative project—big or small—holds valuable lessons that can elevate your work, but only if you’re paying attention. In this episode, we explore how staying curious, embracing mistakes, and reflecting on the creative process can lead to continuous growth.Through real-life examples, including making better pancakes and Pixar’s evolution in animation, we’ll uncover how each challenge presents an opportunity to refine your skills. You’ll also learn three powerful ways to become more aware of what your work is teaching you—so you can improve faster and with more confidence.If you’re ready to make every project a stepping stone to growth, this episode is for you! 🧡🌿⭐Get 50% OFF Your First Year of Flodesk!☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM
Mar 11, 2025 • 28min
117: Daring to Declare: Why Owning Our Dreams Feels So Hard
Why is it so hard to boldly declare what we truly want? Fear of judgment, doubt, and the desire be seen as humble often keep us silent. But if we don’t claim our dreams and desires, how can we ever pursue them?In this episode, we explore why declaring our dreams feels vulnerable, the difference between saying "I want to be" and "I am," and how visualization can help bring our goals to life. You'll learn why speaking your desires out loud isn’t arrogance—it’s self-trust and the first step toward creating the life you want.If you’re ready to overcome fear, own your ambitions, and take action with confidence, this episode is for you. Can't wait for you to tune in!Get 10% off your Canvas Lamp today with code: Tillage10☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM
Feb 25, 2025 • 31min
116: From Slow Seasons to Overflow: Finding Balance and Knowing When to Say No with Airin O'Callaghan
Creative careers come with seasons—times when work feels slow and uncertain, and others when it feels overwhelming. So how do you navigate both? In this episode, I’m joined by Airin O’Callaghan, a children’s book illustrator, to explore the challenges of building a creative business, from struggling to find work in the early days to learning how to say no when opportunities start flooding in.We’ll discuss how to make the most of slow seasons, when to take on work (even for free), and how to align projects with your long-term vision. Airin shares her journey of perseverance, taking risks, and ultimately reaching a point where she can be selective about the work she takes on. We’ll also dive into embracing balance in different stages of the creative journey. Whether you’re just starting out or figuring out how to juggle too many opportunities, this episode will help you make intentional decisions about your creative career.⭐Get 50% OFF Your First Year of Flodesk!☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM
Feb 18, 2025 • 30min
115:When Life is Different: Navigating Change with Grace
Change is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it easy. Whether it’s a shift in your career, relationships, home, or even the world around you, navigating change can feel unsettling. In this episode, I dive into the discomfort of transitions, why change feels so hard, and how we can move through it with resilience and self-compassion. I share personal stories of major life changes—from career shifts to changes in my business—and explore the emotional weight of change, the power of small anchors, and how even the hardest transitions can bring unexpected goodness.If you’ve ever felt lost in the in-between or struggled to embrace new seasons, this episode is for you. Tune in for insights, encouragement, and practical takeaways to help you reframe change as an opportunity for growth.Get 10% off your Canvas Lamp today with code: Tillage10☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's show notes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM
