

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 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

Feb 11, 2025 • 37min
114: Finding Contentment While Running Your Business Your Way with Brigida Swanson of Yardia
Are you building your business based on what you truly want—or what you think youshould want? In this episode, we explore what it means to run a creative business in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and fulfilling.Artist, Brigida Swanson, shares her journey of stepping away from social media, redefining success, and focusing on what actually works forher business. She opens up about the fears that came with quitting traditional marketing, the unexpected growth that followed, and how trusting herself has led to more clarity and contentment.If you’ve ever questioned whether the way you're running your business is right for you, this episode will encourage you to step back, evaluate what truly fits your life and energy, and give yourself permission to do things differently.⭐Work with Vinyl Disorderfor all of your sticker needs!☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review onRate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's shownotes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM

Feb 4, 2025 • 25min
113: Taking a Creative Break and Finding Your Way Back
Feeling stuck after a creative break? In this episode, I share my journey of stepping away fromThe Tillage Podcast for over two months—why I took a break, the unexpected guilt and self-doubt that followed, and how I finally found my way back. If you’ve ever struggled with taking time off or felt awkward returning to your creative work, this episode will help you navigate the emotions, embrace rest as a vital part of the creative process, and ease back in with confidence. Tune in for insights on creativity, mindset, and the reality of stepping away and coming back.⭐Sign up today for Bonnie Christine’s FREE Workshop, “Your Pattern Design Playbook” happening February 10-19th!☕Buy Me A Coffee and support an episode!⭐Leave a Review onRate This Podcast!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's shownotes and more.⭐Follow along on INSTAGRAM

Nov 12, 2024 • 21min
112: Growing Pains: Embracing Discomfort as a Path to Transformation
In this episode, I share the highs and lows of a challenging year marked by burnout, personal struggles, and difficult choices. From stepping back from running my business full-time and restructuring it entirely, I’ve learned that true growth often requires embracing discomfort. Through moments that felt like breaking points, I’m discovering how these “growing pains” are actually shaping me into a more resilient and better version of myself. Join me as I reflect on how discomfort can be a powerful guide on the path to transformation, and hopefully, inspire you to see your own struggles as essential steps toward 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


