The Collecting Character Podcast: Recent Episodes
Maddy Odom
Collecting Character is a weekly podcast designed to help creative women build passionate, fulfilling, and purposeful lives and careers. Each week I either host a solo show or interview a creator from somewhere in the world, all in the hopes of inspiring their personal journeys. The podcast is for the multi-passionate and curious; the women who want to create a life well-lived filled with genuine moments, meaningful connections, and unique experiences.
For the season finale of the Collecting Character podcast, I have saved a very inspiring conversation with artist, Amy Lauren Hathorn. In this episode we are discussing it all, from Amy's journey to becoming an artist, to her recent collaboration with McGee & Co., and much more. Whether you're an aspiring artist, or really any creative business owner, Amy's experiences and advice are sure to inspire you on your personal journey.
In this episode of the Collecting Character podcast, I am sitting down with messaging expert and copywriter, Kayla Dean of the Literary Co. Kayla works mainly with service providers to help them differentiate themselves in crowded marketplaces through intentional messaging. During our conversation we are talking all about brand messaging and copywriting, from when is a good time to invest in a professional copywriter, to the must-have messaging elements for your brand and business.
If you're looking to make a quick update to your homepage website copy, be sure to grab Kayla's freebie on how to create a homepage headliner that actually converts!
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Homepage Headliner Freebie
Kayla's Website
Kayla's Instagram Page
After a several week hiatus, I am so excited to share my conversation with Sydney Ortega, owner of Simply Placed, a lifestyle and home decor shop in Beverly, Massachusetts. During our interview, Sydney shares the steps she took to opening her shop, from saving money on the side while she worked another job, to finding the perfect location, and so much more.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Simply Placed Website
Simply Placed Instagram
This week I am sitting down with intuition coach, and podcast host, Kaileen Elise. We are talking about all things intuition and how you can begin to connect to your inner knowing. Kaileen gives listeners approachable tips to strengthening your intuition, even if you only have a few minutes to spare everyday.
Here are a few specific topics we discuss:
- What really is intuition?
- Simple ways to begin connecting to and strengthening your intuition
- Is it your mind or your intuition?
- How tuning into your intuition can help you find ease and flow
- How manifestation, meditation, and intuition work together
and so much more
EPISODE RESOURCES
Kaileen’s Free 21-Day Guide
Kaileen’s Website
Kaileen’s Instagram
If you’ve ever wondered why handmade goods usually come with a bigger price tag, then this episode will tell you exactly why. From traveling by tuk tuk to various villages across Latin America in search of naturally colored cotton, to starting a product line with no previous design experience, I was so inspired by Maud’s journey (and I know you will be too!)
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own product line, working with artisans in various countries, or just want to get your daily dose of inspiration, then this is a must-listen to episode. Seriously though…Maud’s journey and the stories of these artisans and weavers could be made into a movie or book (and I hope it will one day!)
EPISODE RESOURCES
Behind the Hill Instagram
Behind the Hill Website
In this episode of Collecting Character, I am talking about all things strategic branding with Ashleigh Keith of the Fourth House Co. This is the longest episode of Collecting Character to date, and too much good information to cut any of it out.
We discussed all things on how to build a strategic brand, so whether you’re a business owner looking to brand (or rebrand) your business, or you’re a designer yourself, you will find so much value in this conversation. Ashleigh breaks down the branding process, telling listeners what to expect when working with a designer, the importance of strategy, and much more.
When I say that this is a must-listen, it really is! Not only does Ashleigh provide listeners with so many good insights, but she is also just such a fun person to talk with.
Be sure to give Ashleigh a follow over on Instagram, and check out her newly relaunched website!
EPISODE RESOURCES:
The Fourth House Co Website
The Fourth House Co on Instagram
2022 is officially in full swing, and I am personally hoping for this year to be full of new adventures, experiences, and hopefully travels! This week I am sitting down with Katy Hoogerwerf, founder of Good Trips Travel, which focuses on conscious tourism and more specifically, on sustainable boutique hotels.
Katy’s experience and knowledge on eco-tourism gives all of us travelers some much needed insights into how we can make our trips, and the world, a better place.
Click below to learn more about Katy and her company, Good Trips.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
GOOD TRIPS WEBSITE
GOOD TRIPS INSTAGRAM
After taking a week off for the holidays, Collecting Character is back with Heidi Fiedler, a writer, editor, and creative coach. During our conversation we’re discussing all things creativity, so I thought this conversation was a perfect one to start off this New Year. Heidi is an expert when it comes to exploring and protecting your creativity, especially when entering busy life seasons/transitions, like motherhood.
If you’re someone who relies on your creativity for your career, or someone who is interested in building upon your creativity, then this is a must-listen to episode. To learn more about Heidi’s work and creative coaching, click the links below.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Heidi’s Website
Heidi’s Instagram
This week I am sitting down with Shana Weisberg of Studio Sensibilité. During our conversation, Shana tells us all about her journey from transitioning from an international technology consultant, to becoming an artist.
We speak about the importance of taking a “pause,” or in other words, a complete step back away from our careers in order to re-evaluate what we’re really passionate about and what we want our lives to look like. Shana discusses how living in France has influenced her “pause” and how “rest” is viewed differently between US and French culture.
At the end of our conversation, Shana gives some must-listen to tips on when and if you should turn your passions into a career, and how she decided to turn her side-hustle art business, into her full time job. If you’re a creative, or someone who is looking to branch into a new career path, or just feeling a little lost as to your career, Shana has so much insightful information to share with you during this episode.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Shana’s Website
Shana’s Instagram
This week’s episode is with McKenzie Valenta, a mindset coach for entrepreneurs and creatives. She helps service based entrepreneurs learn to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship through mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and cognitive techniques.
“Mindfulness” seems to be such a buzz word nowadays, but during our conversation McKenzie breaks down what mindfulness really means, and how we can begin to incorporate it into our daily lives.
We also talk about how prioritizing rest can be somewhat of a challenge, especially in the world of entrepreneurship. McKenzie gives helpful tips and insights on how you can lose the guilt that sometimes comes with rest, and the benefits that come with incorporating mindfulness into daily life.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a more joyful, aligned life (or business!) Also, be sure to give McKenzie a follow for regular tips and tricks on easing stress/anxiety, upleveling your mindset, and so much more!
EPISODE RESOURCES
McKenzie’s Instagram
In today's episode I am sitting down with Bria Lear to discuss all things Human Design. Bria helps rising leaders leverage their energetic gifts, elevate impact, and leave the hustle behind. Her mission is to help you replace the stress, burnout, and overwhelm with joy, ease, and flow by using Human Design. Human Design can be such a confusing topic to explore on your own, which is why Bria broke down all of the must-know basics to get you started. During this conversation we're talking about the foundation of Human Design: Strategy, Type, and Authority, as well as how you can begin using it to change your own life and business.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Bria's Instagram
Bria's Freebie
When you think about internship programs, you most likely picture a college student or recent graduate, and while a lot of us did partake in internships while in school, what about later in our lives and careers? Internships are a way for us to gain new skills, learn if we like a career path or not, and most importantly, learn about ourselves. In a nutshell, they’re learning opportunities, but why are they so often “reserved” for students?
This past summer I took an internship writing for an interior design magazine. I was in a weird place in my business and I wasn’t really sure what I wanted my next step to be, so I decided to apply for an internship (and luckily got it!) Some people may be wondering, “why would you get an internship if you’re a business owner? Isn’t that essentially starting from the bottom?” During the episode I talk about why I took an internship, how it has helped me gain new skills and expertise, and why we all could benefit from an internship program.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
My Instagram: @maddyodom
On this episode of the Collecting Character podcast, I sit down with female farmer, Brit McCoy. Brit is the owner and founder of Homestead Wisconsin. She shares her farm through community events, guest stays, and an online farm store. She is also the author of Created to Graze, a phenomenal read all about her journey to becoming a farmer, and what life looks like on the farm. In this episode, we cover a lot of topics Brit discusses in her book, from how she became a farmer, to the importance of knowing where your food comes from, and so much more. Brit also answers the hard, but necessary, questions on how your food actually ends up on your plate.
This is an important episode for anyone to listen to. Our country has been consumed by "fast food culture" for many years now, and it's the farmers, like Brit, who are paving a better, more humane, and sustainable way for food to get on all of our plates.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
BRIT'S WEBSITE
BRIT'S INSTAGRAM
BRIT'S BOOK: CREATED TO GRAZE
For the very first episode of the Collecting Character podcast, I thought it made sense to tell everyone a little bit more about myself and why I decided to start this podcast. From moving to Paris at the age of 19 for university, to starting (and technically "failing") my first business, and navigating an unexpected pregnancy, I try to squeeze in as much of my life story into this thirty minute episode! Now that I've shared some things about me, I would love to learn something about you too. Please follow me over on Instagram @maddyodom and tell me something about yourself!
On this episode of Collecting Character, I sit down with local Austin clothing designer and maker, Jean Jones. During our conversation, we talk about so many different topics that will resonate with those who are building creative businesses, and more specifically those who are makers. Jean tells us about her personal journey, from starting as an apprentice, to moving abroad with her family, and growing a business that feels good for her.
Jean is known for her timeless, handmade designs, and the word “handmade” is something that is a core theme throughout her clothing brand. We talk about the importance and value that comes from creating things from hand, and why it is so meaningful in the world we live in today.
While there are so many expert insights and advice in this conversation, my favorite takeaway is how Jean has built a creative business that is sustainable for her. She didn’t copy someone else’s model, she truly built a business and brand that felt good to her and aligned with her seasons of life.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Jean Jones Instagram
Jean Jones Website
For my very first interview, I am speaking with Casey James, Founder of Thryve and host of the Thryving Mother Podcast. In the episode we are talking all about both the joys and challenges that come with navigating motherhood and career/business. We speak about "mom guilt," staying present in each moment, and so much more. Casey has so many valuable insights when it comes to motherhood and career. If you're a mother who's balancing both, or are a career focused woman who is thinking about starting a family, this episode is for you.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Casey's Instagram
Casey's Website
This show is for the curious creatives and multi-passionate entrepreneurs; the people who are always searching for knowledge, and are interested in genuinely connecting with themselves, others, and the world around them. If you’re ready to be inspired, start living your life more intentionally, and grow a business that is truly authentic to you, then please tune in to learn more about Collecting Character.