Common Shapes

Podge Thomas is in the middle of a pivot. She’s moving from operations consulting to teaching workshops and courses — all rooted in her frameworks for decolonizing how we learn.In this neurodiverse-affirming episode, we talk about:Why we love Notion & how it’s made us smarterHow Podge grows her audience without social mediaThe importance of moving from ‘not doing the thing’ to just doing the thingClassified ads & relationship marketingHow digital gardening can be a decolonial practiceWays we think about pricing our offerings and choosing our tech tools Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalPodge’s websitePodge’s free email coursePodge’s workshopsRegina AnaejionuAnna Howard: creating a digital garden to end my doomscrolling. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

What if the page was a mirror for the process, rather than the product?In this episode, I share how I weave my projects together through writing.I open the pages of my cross-pollination log, trace the path of how “untitled field project” became my business coaching group Fieldwork, and offer you a journalling prompt for translating from one medium to another.Tune in for a portal into your own metaphors, obsessions, and vortexes of creative imagination.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalA Quilt in a WeekendPollinating Through ProjectsSubscribe to MONDAY MONDAY to join Object Study. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Kening Zhu is an artist, writer, teacher, and creator building worlds on the internet.Her approach to business is a stunning integration of creative practice, intuition, and artistic clarity.I’m thrilled to bring you this conversation where we talk about:Minimalist business ecosystemsWebsites as archives outside of timeAllowing ourselves to be multifacetedHow Kening runs her business without platformsThe pros & cons of paid newslettersSeasonal memberships that support inner rhythmsThe labyrinth as an artist’s pathHow to quit compartmentalizing business and artLetting your artist child grow upMentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalKening’s websiteKening’s newsletterKening’s podcast: Botanical Studies of Internet Magic. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

No offering is forever. But how do we sunset the ones that mean a lot to us and others?In this episode, I share why I’ve decided to close my writing group Landscapes.I talk through reorienting around sustainability, why my tech choices made this shift necessary, losing recurring income, and more.Tune in for a pep talk to help you find your way toward what’s next. Then join me for Prompts, an analog writing newsletter that begins in 2026.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalPrompts. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Jamila Reddy is a writer, meditation guide, ex-entrepreneur, and dear friend.In this episode, we talk about:What it means to be a writerThe capacity it takes to self-publishStepping away from entrepreneurshipSelf-promotion vs self-expressionThe marketing work required to keep a business afloatThe joys (and horrors) of working for othersPaywalls as a way of gathering communityHealthy distraction and self-care that doesn’t feel like laborNew definitions of success Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalJamila’s websiteJamila’s newsletter. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Today’s episode is about the long journey of cultivating consistency in our creative practices.I talk about: the magic of giving up, how to find the right pace, minimum viable actions, tools for building momentum, and places to share your work.This one’s for you if you’ve been circling something important that wants to be released into the world. Or if you’re excited about integrating daily or weekly practices, so they can support your long-term projects.Tune in then get the Into the Broadcast Map, and join me in The Long Arc this weekend.Mentioned in the episode:Into the Broadcast MapCreative Ideation PortalSign up for The Long Arc on 10/4. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Let me take you behind the scenes of mapping fall in my business.You’ll learn the three essential parts of a practice-based earning ecosystem. Plus, I share exactly how I plan my launch calendars to support my financial and energetic needs.Tune in for clarity, camaraderie, and creative cartography.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalAmelia Hruby & Nic AntoinetteSign up for The Long Arc on 10/4Join the joyful waitlists for: Pollinating Your Projects - happening in NovemberOffline Practice - happening in DecemberLandscapes - ongoingQuilt Class - returning in November?Use my link for 50% off your first year of Flodesk. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Today we complete our mini series going over the free Creative Ideation Portal - a guide to help you vision your projects and share them with the world.Tune in to days one and two first. Then join me for today’s conversation about why the world needs your art and how to share it (even if you feel scared).If you’re listening when this comes out, join me and Amelia Hruby at the FREE COMMON SHAPES PARTY on Saturday, September 20th (aka tomorrow!). RSVP here.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalCody’s WorldAmelia Hruby. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Today we continue our mini series going over the free Creative Ideation Portal - a guide to help you vision your projects and share them with the world.Tune in to ‘Day 1 : Our Many Visions’ first. Then join me for today’s exploration of how to make progress (even when you don’t want to work).And if you’re listening when this comes out, join me and Amelia Hruby at the FREE COMMON SHAPES PARTY on Saturday, September 20th. RSVP here.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalCody’s WorldAmelia Hruby. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.

Welcome to a new season of Common Shapes!We’re beginning with a mini series going over the free Creative Ideation Portal - a guide to help you vision your projects and share them with the world.Tune in for daily episodes.Day One : Our Many Visions Day Two : Moving the Needle Forward Day Three : Art as ServiceThen join me and Amelia Hruby at the FREE COMMON SHAPES PARTY on Saturday, September 20th. RSVP here.Mentioned in the episode:Creative Ideation PortalCody’s WorldOff the Grid & Amelia’s bookJess HerreraNicole CloutierLaurel Schwulst. Thanks to Softer Sounds, Saltbreaker, and Jess Herrera for their help making this podcast. If you'd like to support the show, please send it to a friend, leave a 5-star rating & review, and download the Creative Ideation Portal.