Show Notes: In this episode, we speak with Nancy Soriano, a seasoned editorial leader and brand strategist whose career has spanned media, design, and retail.

We talk about her early days as a stylist, her decade-long run as Editor-in-Chief at Country Living, and how she has navigated major roles at brands like One Kings Lane, West Elm, and now Perigold. Nancy shares what it has been like to shift from storytelling in magazines to crafting editorial content within retail, and how she continues to lead with creativity, even in data-driven environments.

We also touch on her jewelry-making book, her approach to managing creative teams, and why she believes original content, though costly, is still worth the investment.

Show Notes: In this episode, we speak with Kristen Aronsson, founder and creative director of Aperçu, a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that blends fashion, functionality, and strategy. With over 15 years of experience, Kristen has built a career focused on eyewear design and now leads both the creative direction and business development at Aperçu.

She shares how she transitioned from studying art history to industrial design, what drew her to the world of eyewear, and how launching a brand has pushed her to grow beyond design—deepening her understanding of marketing, brand building, and business strategy. Aperçu’s business model centers on partnering with influencers to co-create and promote collections, combining authentic storytelling with a modern, digitally native approach to retail.

Seven years into the brand, Kristen reflects on the challenges of building something from the ground up, staying relevant in a trend-driven industry, and finding space for creativity while running a business.

Show Notes: In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Johannsen Stewart, co-founder of Bellocq Tea Atelier, the celebrated Brooklyn-based tea company known for its exquisite hand-blended teas and deep commitment to quality and ritual. Heidi shares her journey from training at the French Culinary Institute to nearly a decade at Martha Stewart Living, and how those experiences ultimately led her to co-found Bellocq. We explore the inspiration behind the brand, the sensory artistry of tea blending, and the creation of Bellocq’s thoughtfully curated line of teas. Along the way, Heidi reflects on the quiet luxury of tea, the meditative rituals it invites, and the global adventure that continues to shape her work. We also discuss the realities of running and growing a business, and how the ability to adapt, pivot, and thoughtfully diversify has been essential to Bellocq’s continued success and evolution.

Show Notes: IIn this episode, we sit down with Raylene Marasco, founder of Dye-namix, a textile studio that creates custom fabrics for film, fashion, and fine art. Today, her work shows up in everything from The Gilded Age and Severance to runway pieces for Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren. 

We speak with Raylene about how her business has evolved over the years and some of the unique projects that have come her way. She’s collaborated with artists like Louise Bourgeois, worked with The Met on textile conservation, and taken on challenging creative briefs across theater, fashion, and film. Early on, she took a leap into digital printing—a move that helped distinguish her work and expand the possibilities of her studio.

Raylene has built a practice around solving complex visual problems, scaling hand-crafted techniques into production-ready solutions, and staying deeply involved in the work itself. From her studio in Tribeca, she leads a small team that collaborates with some of the biggest names in the industry—all without ever advertising. We speak with her about the business of making, the value of saying yes before you’re ready, and how she turned a practical skill into a creative career that continues to evolve.

Show Notes: In this episode, we sit down with Andy Gray, a seasoned creative director and founder of Transport New York, whose career has taken him from early days in TV graphics to top agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Ogilvy, and VSA. Along the way, he’s also worked in-house at major brands like Cole Haan and Warby Parker & Bonobos, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the client-agency relationship. Andy shares what he’s learned from leading creative teams across industries, and how his diverse experience now fuels the work he does at his own agency—helping brands define and express their authentic identity.

Show Notes: In this episode, we talk with Eve Ashcraft, a color expert and founder of Eve Ashcraft Studio. A RISD-trained painter, Eve has spent over two decades shaping and defining her role of architectural color consultant—a discipline she helped pioneer through her independent practice. She’s collaborated with architects, designers, institutions, and private clients on everything from residential palettes to large-scale public projects. Eve shares stories from her work on New York’s Moynihan Train Hall and a fascinating color assignment for the Art Institute of Chicago, where she developed a palette to surround Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. She talks about navigating a career entirely on her own terms, why she avoids trends, and how color, when used thoughtfully, can quietly transform a space.

Show Notes:In this episode, we sit down with designer and creative director Alex Bates to discuss her career—from growing up in a creatively charged Midwestern household to helping shape influential brands like Martha Stewart Living and West Elm. Alex shares stories of early influences, hands-on learning at Macy’s, and eye-opening trips to Copenhagen that helped define her aesthetic. She reflects on the magic of working at Martha Stewart, the joy of building meaningful, sustainable products, and her passion for spotlighting artisanal craftsmanship through her consultancy, Flint & Kent.

Show Notes:

Show Notes: IIn this episode, we sit down with Tucker Fort, Partner and Executive Director at Smart Design, to explore the evolution of his career shaped by curiosity and a commitment to human-centered design. From his early days taking apart gadgets and cleaning a ceramics studio to leading multidisciplinary teams at one of the world’s top design consultancies, Tucker shares how he transitioned from engineering to industrial design—and eventually to the intersection of physical and digital design. He reflects on how his time at Pratt, and learning alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, helped him shift from simply solving problems to asking the right questions. We dive into pivotal moments that reshaped his thinking about innovation, and discuss how designing for people—not just products—has helped keep his work relevant. Tucker also opens up about the challenges and rewards of leading a creative business, nurturing fragile creative environments, and growing a career by staying curious and grounded in purpose.

Show Notes: In this episode, miniature artist and Making It alum Chelsea Andersson shares her creative journey—from studying landscape architecture to finding her true passion in the world of miniatures. Chelsea opens up about the moment she realized her original career path wasn’t the right fit, how a hamster named Martin (pictured in the gallery below) sparked a new direction, and what it was really like to go from being a superfan of Making It to competing on the show.

She also shares how she’s turned her love for all things miniature into a thriving business—selling her creations online and in retail stores, and partnering with major brands like Warby Parker and L’Oreal to design custom animations, pieces and props. Whether you're a fellow maker or dreaming of turning your passion into a career, Chelsea’s story is full of honesty, humor, and heart.

In this episode of A Life Creative, we talk with Jennifer Aronsson, a culinary expert whose career has taken her from top kitchens to influential roles in food media and entrepreneurship. A graduate of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Jennifer trained under renowned chefs like Suzanne Goin and Todd English before becoming Pastry Chef at the historic Upstairs at the Pudding. She later moved into publishing, contributing to San Francisco Magazine and serving as Editorial Director of Food and Entertaining at Martha Stewart Living. Today, she is the co-founder and Culinary Director of the meal kit services Marley Spoon and Dinnerly, as well as the co-founder of Boro 6 Wine Bar, which she runs with her husband, Paul Molakides.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Earle, a seasoned design director and stylist with a career spanning some of the most iconic names in American interiors, including Martha Stewart Living, Ralph Lauren, and Related Companies. From his early days at Raymond Waites, where he was introduced to styling, to serving as Style Director at Martha Stewart Living and overseeing product development for home at Ralph Lauren, Stephen’s career has been defined by reinvention and a deep passion for design. He also shares insights from his time at Related Companies, where he worked closely with Steve Ross on the brand’s creative vision across various high-profile projects.

Throughout our conversation, Stephen reflects on the unexpected twists in his career and discusses the importance of embracing change, trying new things, and staying open to new opportunities in an ever-evolving industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Robbins, founder of Matthew Robbins Design, a premier event planning and design firm specializing in bespoke weddings and special events. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew has contributed to top publications like Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and O Magazine. He’s also the author of Matthew Robbins’ Inspired Weddings and the founder of Invited Journal. Tune in as Matthew shares his creative path and expertise on creating unforgettable celebrations.

In this episode, we explore the themes of memory, time, and artistic transformation through the lens of artist, designer, and curator Jeff Wallace. Jeff began his career in graphic design and later established his successful design firm, Borsa Wallace. A significant moment came in 2012 when he found himself managing the personal belongings of elderly relatives, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic path. Jeff’s story highlights how creativity can shift unexpectedly, blending past experiences into new forms of expression. We hope his story inspires you to welcome change in your own creative endeavors.

In this episode, we explore the creative path of Jodi Levine. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Jodi started her career at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). Her passion and unique vision led her to become the Editor in Chief of Martha Stewart Kids, where she helped shape the magazine’s iconic voice and set new standards for crafting content.

Stephen Kent Johnson

In this laugh-filled episode, we speak with Stephen Kent Johnson, a talented photographer specializing in architecture and interiors. He shares insights into his creative evolution, from his early studies in Graphic Design and English to becoming an influential Art Director at Martha Stewart Living, where his time on set inspired him to pursue photography. Since then, Stephen's work has been featured in renowned publications like Architectural Digest, Dwell, Elle Décor, New York Magazine, and WSJ Magazine.

In our first episode of A Life Creative Podcast — Marcie McGoldrick and Melanio Gomez — introduce themselves, share their creative paths, and discuss why they wanted to start the podcast. They dive into the realities of freelancing, the challenges of making a living in the arts, and the importance of building a supportive creative community.