Gesso Girls: Recent Episodes
Erin & Julia
Listen as Julia & Erin navigate the world of art with a mission to inspire others to fearlessly share their work with the world.
Julia, a full-time painter, and Erin, an artist, and advertiser, unite to share their journeys to stay in touch with their creativity and keep it real about the ups and downs of being an artist. We hope to lend our audience some inspiration and confidence along the way.
Today on the podcast Julia shares with you how she became a career artist, and what that journey really looked like - lots of self doubt, repetitive thought cycles, loved ones supporting her, and moments of big courage.
We hope you enjoy!
Today's episode has it all: illness, laughter, adulting, loss, weddings, and off the rails conversation. Please enjoy and remember your imperfections are beautiful.
This episode is dedicated to the one and only Lucie Phillips.
Today you get to be a fly on the wall for Julia & Erin's rebranding meeting - that's right Julia has hired Erin to help her rebrand herself! Erin walks us all through some helpful ways to start this process and resources to turn to if this is a process you are also in need of.
Follow the Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls.
Today we have a fun one! Julia's fiancé, Kirk, joins her on the podcast to discuss his perspective of the creative journey, and Julia asks Kirk what it's really like to have an artist as a partner.
In Today's Episode Julia speaks candidly about her recent growth on instagram, and why she believes it's happening. There are some helpful take aways as well as honest reflections about how truly out of control and random this whole social media thing is! We hope you enjoy.
Please follow Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls
Today on the podcast we have Aurailieus, a St. Petersburg, Florida artist and muralist. This is a conversation all about carving your own path and fearlessly putting your art out into the world.
Please follow Aurailieus on Instagram at @aurailieus_artist
and Subscribe to his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AurailieusArtist
You can find Aurailieus's work on his website: http://www.aurailieus.com/
In this episode Julia & Erin discuss their own experience with receiving feedback and the journey of knowing when to accept it and when to reject it.
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Today is a solo episode with Julia where she discusses feeling lost on her creative journey, and finding her way back to her path.
Follow Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls
Today Julia and Erin discuss how their creative practice reflects what they need more of in their lives. They validate that it's okay to let your creative practice be a place of escape and for your own enjoyment, and that it does not always have to be intended for someone else.
Follow Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls
Today is a solo episode with Julia where she dives into her reasoning for taking a break from working in a series as well as other labels that have felt confining.
Thanks for listening and please consider sharing the show!
Today's pep talk is a boost to your self worth and the value of your art!
As always, thanks for listening and please consider sharing the show with a friend.
@gessogirls on instagram
Today we have on the podcast the incredible Alicia Hale! Alicia is a live wedding painter and she shares her journey to become an event painter and all that she has learned since starting this endeavor. Thank you so much Alicia for sharing all your wisdom! Please go check out Alicia and her beautiful work at the links below:
Website: http://www.aliciaanneart.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aliciaanneart Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aliciaanneart Email: AliciaAnneArtist@gmail.com
Today Julia & Erin discuss a term Julia brought up in last week's episode "developing your own visual language", which is really just a creative way of saying branding... And luckily we have an in house branding expert, Erin!
Follow Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls
Today it's just Julia on the pod and she's talking about a question she gets all the time from fellow artists, to prioritize commission work or to not prioritize commission work?
Follow Gesso Girls on Instagram at @gessogirls
Today on the podcast we have the lovely Anna Romo! Anna was the co-founder of the Chicago Maker's Pop Up Shop in Chicago, as well as the owner of Virtue Alchemy Candle Co. and now is sharing her experience along with co-founder Monica Little through their Facebook Group Product Biz Society.
Anna gives us some wonderful advice on how to take your business to the next level, and the importance of knowing your own worth. If you liked what you heard today and need someone like Anna in your corner, and the fellowship of a growing community of entrepreneurs who get the struggle, consider signing up to the Facebook Group Product Biz Society:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/377500037376992/
And sign up for our FREE Live webinar 5 Steps To Consistent Sales In Your Product Biz on March 16 by using this link: https://bit.ly/5stepstoconsistentsalesggp
Thank you again to Anna for joining us! Be sure to follow her on instagram at @annaromo.biz and be sure to follow Monica Little at @Monicalittle_
Today's episode is definitely a therapy session, so buckle up as Julia & Erin take you ALL over the place. From vulgar viral videos, LEGO Trolls, Vulnerability hangovers, and knowing your limits - this episode has got it all!
Today Julia & Erin interview Braimah Lawal! Braimah is a Chicago based artist with roots in Ghana and Nigeria. He discusses how his identity informs his art and vulnerably opens up about navigating the ups and downs of being an artist.
Please check out Braimah's art at @braimahlawal.art and at https://www.braimahlawalart.com/
Thank you Braimah for joining us today!
Today Julia & Erin recommend that you take a few different approaches to your creative practice and business to find success that lights you up and keeps you going!
We are back! Today we talk about finding a direction for our work in the new year and reflect on the time away away from the podcast including Julia's experience of going viral on instagram and what that was really like.
Last episode of the year! Julia and Erin discuss how resting is hard, the need to keep up on social media never ends, but we don't have to keep giving more of ourselves to get further. Take a break this holiday season and RECEIVE!
Today Julia talks about magic, or magic tricks rather, and how the lessons associated with learning a magic trick apply to making authentic art.
Today Julia & Erin discuss the importance of branching out and finding a creative community. Making friends at any age can be tough, but especially as an adult. So how do we break through and find like minded creatives to bond with?
Today Julia & Erin discuss the inevitable changes in aesthetic that happens as we progress as artists and how an evolution of style is a sign of progress and not a bad thing. Julia & Erin also candidly discuss how they don't understand commission work sometimes! You commission based artists will get it!
Today Julia & Erin have a quick conversation about how they've recognized areas of their lives where they need to be a little more selfish. Both Julia and Erin have recently be in teacher or teacher-like roles and have taken a step back from them in order to focus on and reconnect with themselves. They also discuss the strong feeling of guilt that often drives us to do more for others and less for ourselves, and how leading with guilt will ultimately burn us out.
Should you paint ornaments or other holiday gifts? Perhaps! But listen to Julia's words of caution before doing so, that way you are set up for success and not burn out!
Go check out Kat's work at @kat_liepins_art on instagram and Kat Liepins Art on YouTube and Facebook.
Here are a few helpful tips for Reels and some prompts to consider!
Creative Pep talk episode 333 is also very helpful.
and Steven Mellnor on Instagram.
A rather dramatic episode title, we know, but this recent headline resonated with us. Listen in as we talk about how many are reevaluating their goals and careers. We have both had to quit long-standing side gigs this past month, so we talk through that choice and encourage listeners to also consider what they may need to let go of in order to make space for more of what they love.
Today Julia & Erin talk about their experience, or anticipated experience, with Inktober/Sketchtober. They encourage listens to think about their intended outcome for the 31 day art challenge and to create realistic goals so this community challenge can be what it was always intended to be: fun!
For the official Inktober schedule, check out @inktober on instagram.
Follow us at @gessogirls and be sure to leave a review and share this episode with a friend.
Today Julia & Erin discuss the final part of falling back in love with your art, and that is to share the work and share the love.
Follow us on instagram at @gessogirls
Today Julia & Erin discuss how they have made showing up to their practice easier, and also what hurdles have stood in their way. They also touch on the importance of having fun with this habit and not taking ourselves too seriously, because at the end of the day if it's not fun then why are we doing it???
Be sure to follow Gesso Girls on Instagram @gessogirls
Today's episode is part two of the four part series all about falling back in love with your art.
Follow Gesso Girls on instagram at @gessogirls
This is the start of a 4 part series where Julia and Erin will discuss falling back in love with your process, today's topic is al about falling in love with your process.
If you would like to join Julia's Artist IRL Group please follow this link: https://juliahagenartist.com/artistirlgroup
Follow @gessogirls on instagram
Today Erin & Julia discuss the lies they were told as artists. There are so many misconceptions about being an artists, and the profession itself so they decided to share the lies they have heard or been told in order to disprove them and help other artists see through the deception.
If you are interested in, or know someone who would be interested in Julia's Artist In Real Life Group visit this link to learn more and sign up: https://juliahagenartist.com/artistirlgroup
DM the Gesso Girls at @gessogirls if you have any lies we missed and would like to share!
Today Julia & Erin discuss creative leadership, and what makes someone a good leader. They find that it's not always the loudest person in the room or the one with the most experience, it's the creative who is present and listening.
Follow gesso girls and let us know your thoughts on the episode at @gessogirls on instagram
Today Julia talks about how her journey with mental health has lead her to take herself and her art more seriously. She emphasizes how taking your art seriously isn't just an action, it's a perspective shift and sometimes it requires slowing down and pointing yourself in a new direction.
Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? Julia & Erin are too, and figured they can't be the only artist out there who feels this way, so they decided to chat about it.
Follow Gesso Girls on Instagram at @gessogirls
Today Julia & Erin encourage everyone to plan their own artist retreat. This can be an artist staycation, or hit the road and plan an actual trip with creativity as the focus. It's so important to change up our environment and make little moments special in order to spark creativity and inspiration. Also discussed is how to balance finding time to make art among all the summer activities and social plans ramping up!
In today's episode Julia & Erin discuss the perception of how artists "should" make money, and how this perception is holding us back. They encourage artists to consider alternate methods of making money that will strengthen their business and provide more financial freedom. Listen along as Julia & Erin share their personal experience of making money making art, and brainstorm ideas for other artists!
Follow Gesso Girls on Instagram at @gessogirls and don't forget to leave us a review!
Today Julia & Erin discuss being a 5pm artist, the ups and downs and how valid creating with a day job is.
Follow us at @gessogirls on instagram and let us know your thoughts on the show!
Today Julia breaks down her most recent art festival experience and shares why she thinks some vendors have success and other's don't.
Today Erin geeks out about futurism and dadaism. How publicity shaped those forms of art and how today is just the same. Art is more accessible with the world of social media, we are all our own art publicists. Kick back and listen to a mini-history lesson and notice how similar it is to the present day.
Today Julia & Erin take a tangent from their previous episode "Setting Creative Boundaries" to create a whole new episode about the people pleasing artist. In relation to last week's theme, it's so difficult to set boundaries when we are so concerned about the approval of others. It can also be hard to create our best work when we are unable to let go of our tendency to give other's more and abandon ourselves and our personal projects. Julia & Erin get honest about their own people pleasing tendencies and how they show up in their lives and in their art.
Today Julia & Erin discuss setting creative boundaries with loved ones, friends and themselves. If you're the "creative one" in your family or friend group and get unwanted requests for random projects you feel you can't say no to... then this episode is for you! This episode is also for you if you struggle to charge friends and family for your work, and if you are struggling to price your work at the value it deserves.
This week Julia sadly lost her Uncle Chuck to a heart attack. He was a creative mentor of hers and she wanted to share some of the life lessons she learned from him. We hope you have an Uncle Chuck in your life
Today Julia discusses the pros and cons of working in a series and how she has prepared for her upcoming launch (happening tomorrow!). We hope this episode is helpful, and if you have any questions DM us at @gessogirls on Instagram.
You can follow Julia at @juliahagen_art to see her new series launch and visit her website tomorrow (5/20/21) to see all the new work: https://juliahagenartist.com/
In today's episode Julia and Erin talk about different kinds of feedback, the good, the bad and the ugly. Art is one of those things that everyone seems to have an opinion about, so how do we know who to listen to and what to tune out? Julia and Erin talk through their own personal experiences and what they have learned about taking tough feedback.
Today Julia & Erin discuss the extremely normal tendency to copy and riff off other artists we admire. However, they also recognize how this can be a destructive habit that can hinder your creative journey both for the artist being copied and the copier.
In today's episode Julia & Erin talk all about their upcoming projects. For Erin that's launching a clothing line and for Julia it's a new floral series! Both Gesso Girls talk through what goes into all the behind the scenes of this process, but mostly this is a casual conversation between two friends and we hope you find it fun and entertaining!
Today Julia talks through the extremely normal event of when our work doesn't sell right away. She discusses how she has personally reframed this situation for herself, and some helpful ways to move past it.
Today the Gesso Girls discuss Patreon - what it is & how to use it! If you've been considering making a Patreon but haven't been sure if it was right for you, we hope this episode helps. If you have any further questions about the episode or about Patreon, please reach out to us @gessogirls on instagram.
We can't believe it's been nearly 8 months of Gesso Girls and we have yet to record an episode actually talking about gesso! So we decided it was time to fix that, and this week Julia explains what gesso is and how to use it. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to reach out and DM us @gessogirls on Instagram!
In today's episode Julia and Erin discuss how comparison can creep into most artist's psyche and mess with out creative practice and sense of worth. They point towards ways to reframe our urge to compare ourselves rather than trying to eliminate this very human tendency.
Today Julia gives a general overview about Art Festivals. She'll broadly discuss applying for festivals, preparing for festival season, best practices for the day of the festival and more. But there was more info about Art Festivals than Julia could put in one episode, so if you want to dive deeper into this topic, join Julia on Patreon for 3 exclusive podcast episodes and checklists that will prepare you Festivals.
You can join Julia's Patreon here, choose tier "Podcast Junkies": https://www.patreon.com/join/JuliaHagenArt?
Julia's tent discussed in this Episode is from Flourish, and is the Trim Line series: http://www.flourishdisplays.com/trimline_features
Today Julia speak honestly about how overwhelming this past month has been. Though maybe not an inspiring story, we do hope it encourages you to take some things off your plate! Because when you reach a breaking point, somethings gotta give!
Today we have on the podcast the wonderful Jackie Fried! Jackie is a painter and ceramicist living in San Francisco, CA. We talk to her about her journey after art school, how she joined a community gallery, balancing art with other jobs, and turning her art into a career!
You can find Jackie's work at @Jacqueline.fried.art on Instagram and see more on her website: https://jacquelinefried.com/
Today we recorded a different kind of episode... we dug through the archives and found our old high school and college art and then showed our old work to one another for the first time! Both of us cringe, laugh, and learn from these weird and wild art phases. Follow along with the images on our instagram, even more are included in our story @gessogirls.
Happy Monday! Here are a few instagram 'No Nos" for artists. I'm guilty of doing a few of these myself, so no shame! But I do hope you find this helpful, and realize organic growth is the best growth.
Today on the podcast we have Julia's best friend Jennifer Reardon! We chat all about the power of TikTok and why artists NEED to be sharing their work on TikTok ASAP. We also talk about pressure as artists and creatives to please our clients even when it's not realistic, and Jen opens up about how she's handled backlash and criticism online.
Follow Jennifer at @jenneeree and @jenneeree_art, and be sure to check out her podcast Real or Fake!
It pains us that we needed to record an episode about this, but the truth is there are SO many people out there who want to take advantage of artists. Julia relays some of the scams she has seen or fallen victim to in hopes that it will prevent you from doing the same. Please share with us any scamming experiences you have had by DMing us on Instagram at @gessogirls, we may do a part two and share more stories.
Today Julia and Erin discuss creative blocks, and specifically what causes them. We talk a lot about getting "unstuck" but sometimes it's more helpful to look at the root cause first. Shining light on this may help you see more clearly the steps needed to move past the block.
Today Julia shares an awesome tip she received about what link to use in her instagram bio. Have you been making this same mistake too?
In today's episode, Erin kicks-off a working branding session with 4 key branding elements. Have fun with this exercise you're an artist with brilliant ideas. And sometimes we are our own worst branding enemy, why? Because we have so many creative ideas.
Make rules for yourself and hold yourself to them. That means that the graphic elements, copy, and any type of content all must be consistent.
- Define your brand
- What's in a name?
- Tone, Copy
- Fonts, Color Palette
In today's episode Julia & Erin talk all about ways to stay accountable and consistent in your creative practice.
In addition, Julia is starting an Artist Accountability Group for all artists to join, and is giving away a free membership to one lucky winner. To join just follow the link below!
https://juliahagenartist.com/made-to-make-art-blog
The winner will be announced this Friday, Feb. 19th and registration for the group will also open on that day.
Today Julia interviews Erin about how she balances her full time job in advertising with her creative side hustles. They discuss how one creative lifestyle is not better than another, and for some having the creative gig on the side may be the best call for them! For others, the lifestyle of a full time artists makes more sense. It's all about choosing what your priorities and goals are, then weighing the risks.
Also follow Julia's venture, the Artist Accountability group at @ArtistAccountabilityGroup on Instagram and join her live today (2/10/21) on her personal instagram @JuliaHagen_art at 3pm CST to discuss this new group membership and how to cultivate a creative practice that you can stay accountable to.
Today we have on the show the fabulous painter Stephanie Broussard! She is currently completing her MFA at Washington State University, and we talk all about her upcoming thesis show and the beautiful work she is creating.
We dive into the nitty gritty of painting, talking all things color, composition, how she approaches a canvas and of course the beautiful message behind Stephanie's current body of work which is space. Such a relevant topic during this pandemic when everyone's relationship with space and distance has been drastically changed.
Please give Stephanie a follow on Instagram at @ssbroussard, and see her work on her website stephaniebroussard.net
A BIG thank you to Stephanie for coming on the show, we hope to have her back on again soon!
In this week's short form episode, Julia encourages us all to unplug and embrace some moments of silence in our day to day. We all consume so much content just existing. So it's important to take stock of what and how much we are absorbing and notice how it's affecting our creativity.
Julia was inspired by Julia Cameron's new book "The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention" for the episode.
Today Julia talks about the common phrase "If it was easy, everyone would do it", and how her assumption that being a full time artist would be "hard all the time" had kept her from pursuing it. She debunks this sentiment and explains how passion and enthusiasm make everything in life and business 10 times easier!
Today Julia and Erin talk all about the struggle of identifying ourselves as artists on social media. It can often feel like social media puts us artists in a box. There is no wrong way to do social media, but Erin has some great tips from her Marketing and Advertising background to position yourself as a business and a brand if/when you want to get to that stage in your art career. We also discuss how to uphold our individuality as artists while showing our work on social platforms, and setting boundaries that make social media work for us rather than feel like a slave to it.
Today Julia talks about her decision to raise her prices in the new year, and encourages other artists to reassess their pricing frequently as well. Hear all about what went into her decision, and the variables she considered. Artwork is valuable, and artists deserve to be paid fairly for their efforts!
In today's episode, Erin reflects on her 2020, particularly her relationship with art this past year. She breaks it down into 3 takeaways and tells a story about her 2017 that caused her relationship with art to change in 2020. At the end of this episode, she leaves you with a journaling prompt or question to ponder over so you can grow and build something beautiful in 2021.
Today Julia talks about all the New Years hype, and how starting goals on the first Monday of the New Year can feel SO daunting. She wants you to know you aren't behind, you are right where you need to be, and it's just one step at a time. You got this!
In today's Episode Julia reflects on her year, and particularly her journey with taking art full time. She breaks it down into 4 main takeaways, and tells a story that weaves them all together. At the end of the episode she leaves you with a few question to journal on so you can also reflect on your year, and wipe the slate clean for 2021 (we all could benefit from that!). Wishing you all a very happy & healthy holiday season and New Year!
Erin & Julia both give some life updates and discuss the busyness of this time of year. Both confess to a lack of routine at the moment, and encourage us all to be a bit kinder to ourselves as we navigate the holiday rush as creatives and entrepreneurs.
In Today's Episode Julia talks all about her recent ornament release on Black Friday: what went well and what didn't. She's honest about her mistakes, and also reveals some strategies she learned. We hope this episode helps you with some ideas for any of your future launches!
After getting some recent feedback about her signature, Julia breaks down what we should all consider when signing our work. She encourages listeners to take some time to intentionally contemplate what their signature adds to their paintings.
Today's episode we are joined by Gabrielle Egnater, a sculptor living in Detroit, Michigan. Gabbi currently works as the technician in the metal shop and foundry for the College of Creative Studies, all while simultaneously forging her path as an artist. Gabbi describes the art of foundry, how she fell in love with it, and where her passion for metal working has taken her both in her career and in her creative practice.
Gabbi's current work questions the ideal of a monument/memorial/maker with ephemeral objects, home shrines, miniatures, and interactive objects. Her work feels especially relevant in our current political climate, which led to an enlightening conversation around what monuments mean to us in today's world.
This is our first sculptor on the show, and we couldn't have asked for a better guest! Thank you Gabbi!
Go follow Gabbi on instagram at @gabbifinn or visit her website: http://www.gabrielleegnater.com/
It's a busy and also strange time of year with the global pandemic weighing heavy on many this holiday season. For many the holidays are a bright light in these darker times, but lets be honest this year has been an uphill battle. We all deserve to take a day off and truly listen to our own needs. As creatives it's imperative we recharge in order to produce our best work and to avoid burning out. This is a reminder to take a break, you have more than earned it.
This week is all about F-Arting, AKA failed art. Childish humor aside, in this episode we discuss how making bad art is necessary part of a thriving creative practice. We talk through some of our big art fails, and what we've learned from these experiences. In fact, we find gratitude for the failures and point out how they've paved the way for some of our current successes. We hope everyone can find some gratitude for the ups and downs of this creative journey, and that you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Today Erin guides listeners through a gratitude meditation directed at their creative practices. Appreciating aspects of creating art that we often take for granted, and encouraging everyone to allow thankfulness into the studio this week.
The truth is we've all experienced "burn out" in some way, shape or form. Julia & Erin discuss preventative measures you can take to lessen the effects of "burning out" and/or avoid it all together particularly when it comes to your creative practice.
Today Julia breaks down some of the basics about creating a successful commission experience for both you and your client. Commissions are ALL about communication, and Julia explains how to create that clear line of communication throughout each step of the process.
What do you all know about fine leathers? Well you're about to learn a bit from the mastermind behind Iron Rivet, Kai Huggins. We discuss how Kai got into this unique practice, and how he got his business off the ground. Perhaps most importantly, Kai explains the fuel behind everything he does: curiosity!
Encouraging you all to trade you canvas in for something new this week, maybe it's leaves, maybe it's a pumpkin or a gourd? Who knows! Get outside the box and make something different for the FUN of it - that's an order from the Gesso Girls.
The Holidays are around the corner, and we all don't need another reason for 2020 to be stressful. So the Gesso Girls break down some ways to effectively and efficiently sell art during the holidays. These includes marketing tips, attracting new customers, ways to combat shipping expenses, packaging and more!
In this episode, Julia asks listeners to create some sort of creative prompt to reinvigorate their practice. Julia made her own Sketchtober calendar this year, and is so far loving the freedom she has to just explore within these prompts. So we encourage you to have fun, get loose and share your prompt or whatever you create with us on social!
If interested Julia's Sketchtober challenge, you can subscribe to her Patreon to get the full calendar: https://www.patreon.com/JuliaHagenArt
In this Episode, Julia tells a story about her not-so-motivating college commencement speech...Both Erin & Julia then talk about how they have dealt with the whole "starving artist" mentality that seems to be pushed on artists far too often!
Welcome to the new bite-sized Gesso Girls episodes! Starting this week Julia and Erin will be releasing short and to the point tips, tricks, advice and encouragement to start your week off right. But don't worry, their longer episodes aren't going anywhere! Today, Julia talks about some advice she got from her brother who has a career in sales. While artists most likely aren't making cold calls, Julia discusses the importance of developing metrics to stay motivated and drive sales.
Today we talk with Kat Liepins, an artist and YouTuber tackling everything from drawing, painting, sculpting, and murals! Listen as we talk about developing a style, changing courses, diversifying your income as an artist, and even halloween costumes!
YouTube & Facebook: Kat Liepins Art , IG: @kat_liepins_art
Julia & Erin discuss common excuses that get in an artist’s way of creating, and how to confront these barriers in order to excuse-proof your routine.
In the beginning of the show Julia reads some responses from their Instagram post asking artists “why do you make art?”. Thank you to the following artists for your great response!
@braimah.tayo
@thepaintedwalrus
@lizzyc_designs
@fiorenza_art
@artistsbennett
@michellekwee
Erin & Julia discuss how difficult it can be to get started, and share how discovering the "why" behind your creative practice can bring the focus back on the art itself rather than the overwhelming notion of starting something new. In other words, putting the art back in start!
Diving right into the topic nobody can escape; COVID. Erin and Julia discuss how their relationship with art has shifted during this time, as well as the world at large.
Julia, a full-time painter, and Erin, an artist, and advertiser, unite to share their journeys to stay in touch with their creativity and keep it real about the ups and downs of being an artist. We hope to lend our audience some inspiration and confidence along the way.