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.

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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.