Margo is joined by Matt Jacob, a photographer, educator, and former pilot whose journey has taken him from flying private jets to capturing the world’s most compelling human stories through his camera lens. Matt’s work focuses on celebrating cultures and traditions, with a deep commitment to authenticity and respect, particularly when documenting Indigenous communities. Based in Bali, Matt’s love for storytelling extends beyond photography; he also hosts The MOOD Podcast, where he dives into the lives of creatives, exploring their artistic journeys and insights. With a recently released ebook and an upcoming video course, Matt is dedicated to helping others develop their visual storytelling skills while building a meaningful connection with their craft.

Margo and Matt discuss:

• Matt’s transition from commercial pilot to cultural photographer.

• How travel has shaped his artistic vision and personal growth.

• The challenges and ethics of documenting cultures authentically.

• Navigating imposter syndrome and finding creative confidence.

• The role of photography in preserving and celebrating global traditions.

• Matt’s move from Hong Kong to Bali and its impact on his lifestyle and career.

• The creative process behind his new ebook and video course.

Connect with Matt:

www.mattjacobphotography.com

www.instagram.com/mattyj_ay

https://www.youtube.com/@mattyj_ay

Connect with Margo:

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo and Abby are back with the latest and diving into the intersection of creativity, technology, and community in this episode of Creative Current Events. They share surprising insights, like how 35% of leaders feel most creative early Monday mornings, and explore how routines like the "4 AM club" or late-night bursts can impact productivity. They also discuss Blue Sky, an emerging, community-driven alternative to Twitter, and the fascinating rise of AI art (we’re sensing a theme!), including a million-dollar painting created by a humanoid robot.

Lastly, they highlight the value of community in creative work, featuring initiatives like the Foundry (by Margo, herself), a membership program designed to inspire, how to shop mindfully this holiday season, branding with agencies like Outline, and why gifting Steve and Mary Jo Hoffman's books is a must this season.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.fastcompany.com/91227308/the-surprising-time-of-day-youre-most-creative

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/article295604429.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-12/robot-painted-artwork-soethbys-million-dollar-auction/104585102

https://claude.ai

https://gemini.google.com/

https://www.printmag.com/type-tuesday/positype-declares-independence-with-a-refreshed-website-new-typefaces/

https://www.positype.com/

https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/outline-ky-allport-of-the-south-carolina-studio-on-xxx/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200634843-a-season-for-that

https://www.amazon.com/Season-That-Found-Southern-France/dp/0593240286

https://www.amazon.com/STILL-Noticing-Mary-Jo-Hoffman/dp/1580936334/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BMZ1AKZFDR2W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xjtLqEK7CzKM2l-zl3yeLanI1o8KaUW_f6v7vq10V6vwAHA3N06_uB0HqF3NgnuCm73kDgVprJolpL7tLD3lxqAHolkGAgLQAgd2ULsGPxCm_A1AitP3AVS7nqmRWAa6yiKzykBGb5opB-ZZ8OwzEw.4Pr0khKk13_eVTTAWJKo3xJEDqB2gcIth_FgiFPmyfA&dib_tag=se&keywords=still+the+art+of+noticing&qid=1732062346&s=books&sprefix=still+the+art+of+noticing%2Cstripbooks%2C141&sr=1-1

Connect with Abby:

https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/

https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by calligraphy artist and educator Shinah Chang. Shinah spent her life following the "proper" path: attending an Ivy League college, graduating from a prestigious law school, and working tirelessly at a top international law firm. However, after countless uninspiring days and sleepless nights under her desk, she decided to reclaim her life. Shinah left her legal career and explored various creative outlets—knitting, woodworking, drawing, and graphic design—until she fell in love with calligraphy.

Over the past nine years, she built Crooked Calligraphy into a million-dollar business, only to intentionally scale it back to create a simpler, more spacious life. Shinah has collaborated with brands like Disney, Anthropologie, and Johnson & Johnson and taught thousands of students how to master calligraphy and launch their own creative ventures.

In this episode, Margo and Shinah discuss:

• Shinah's journey from corporate law to founding Crooked Calligraphy.

• How burnout shaped her decision to leave a high-powered legal career.

• The structured yet expressive nature of calligraphy as an art form.

• Tools she used to challenge societal expectations and reclaim her joy.

• Her innovative teaching philosophy, which prioritizes strategic creativity over technical perfection.

• The pressures of scaling a creative business and why she chose to simplify.

• The importance of mindfulness, self-kindness, and collaboration in personal and professional growth.

• Lessons on balancing practicality with creativity and the power of authentic connections.

Connect with Shinah:

Website: https://www.crookedcalligraphy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crookedcalligraphy

Free "How to Become a Calligraphy Pro" Workshop: https://crookedcalligraphy.lpages.co/register/

Connect with Margo:

Website: www.windowsillchats.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

The Foundry: https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry