Monday Muse: Kathryn Budig

This week Kathryn Budig is our featured Monday Muse. She is a yoga teacher, author, podcaster and foodie!

1). You have a substantial yoga career, how has your teaching style changed/morphed over the years?

It’s always in flux. I started out obsessed with asana, particularly arm balances, because I came from a regimented ashtanga background. And then I fell in love with backbends and the challenging surrender they evoked. I eventually started teaching more concepts — my aim true philosophy — and now blend my love of storytelling, food, personal philosophies and asana into my teaching.

2).  In your personal practice what if anything has resulted in you having an “ah-ha” moment that you still carry with you onto the mat?

That there is always room to change. It’s easy to get stuck and feel like there’s only one way to success or happiness, and I’ve learned that simply isn’t true. Even though change and stepping outside of the norm can be exhausting and terrifying—it’s worth it.

3). Who inspires you to be your best self?

My wife always challenges me to be better. Seane Corn pushes me to be the best teacher possible, and I find constant inspiration and joy in my dog, Ashi.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

A trip to Santorini. All of my best purchases have been traveling to places because it gives me amazing memories.

5). When you feel your creativity is stalled what do you do?

I try to turn off my phone. I’ve noticed my creativity is dulled by too much scrolling and absent-minded time on my phone/computer. I start seeing more detail and get small patches of inspiration when I do this.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I’ve come to trust that if something doesn’t happen for me, it wasn’t mine to start with. It’s a terrible tonic to swallow, but it’s absolute truth. I always do my best, and know that if I keep true to the intention behind my projects as opposed to the specific results, I’ll always find the right home and audience for my creations.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Focus On What’s Working — because it’s too easy to waste time fixating on the things that hold us back.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

Allowing myself to exist in a land without answers. I always needed to know things were going to be okay and on schedule, and letting go of that grip has allowed me to find solutions and alternate paths when things don’t pan out the way I want.

9). What is your biggest problem, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Allowing myself to exist in a land without answers. Yup, the exact same thing that I’ve most benefited from. Ain’t that always the case?

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

Getting married, the future of our podcast, Free Cookies, and what I’m making for dinner.

11). When does your curiosity create difficulty?

My curiosity only gets me in trouble when it leads to comparison.

Kathryn, thank you so much for your honesty. I love your billboard message, I am going to have to write that one down. Since this interview happened, Kathryn did get married and Seane Corn officiated the ceremony. Congratulations Kathryn and Kate!! Stay tuned, we are working on getting a time together to record a podcast interview soon!

Ciao

Titanium

Monday Muse: Phoebe Sherman

Please join me in welcoming this week’s Monday Muse, Phoebe Sherman. Phoebe is a yoga teacher, an artist and an entrepreneur/creator of Girl Gang Craft. She’s a lady boss working it all! Phoebe is also a guest on an upcoming episode of the Titanium Blonde Talks Podcast.

1). What lead you to create Girl Gang Craft?

Girl Gang Craft was created by accident. I was gathering a group of ladies to put on a craft show at our friend’s Bike Shop / Cafe (Luckyduck Bicycle Cafe) and somehow I ended up making a website and an instagram. The rest is history! We’ve kinda exploded since.

Since then Girl Gang Craft has expanded to so much more than a craft fair. We have a clothing line and an accessory line designed by me. Our uterus line brings in 10% to Planned Parenthood and we have given them over $1200 to this date. We hosts workshops and community events, and help women build their brands. We do logo design and web design and help women run businesses to be the best they can be!

2).  Where do you go to experiment?

I think I don’t experiment enough. I would love to paint more for fun. What keeps me sane though is my yoga practice. I am a Mysore Practitioner, so I get up every morning ( ok maybe 4 mornings) and go to the yoga studio and do my thing. It is a vigorous physical practice. I am also a big sun lover. When I need to reset I just go lay down on my driveway and soak up that afternoon sun. Having time to myself makes me much more creative and focused after.

3).  What do you purposefully leave undone?

My bra clasps when working. heheh jk.

I am learning to leave more things undone! If I have a do to list, I tend to want to get them all checked off as soon as possible. I’m learning it’s ok to pace myself and do a little less.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

My big girl computer!

5). How has your past shaped who you are?

As an avid feminist and artist I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing right now. I even studied feminist studies and art in college! Somehow I’m actually doing something in both fields. As someone who has had a difficult relationship with my body, I am happy to be creating a body positive, feminist community.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I think yoga has taught me that everything is a practice. My business, my relationships, my day to day, we’re all just trying to do the best we can. I have learned to not be so hard on myself, I have learned that this whole life is a practice and all you can do is show up with integrity. I strive to slow down always, the Virgo in me has a hard time with that!

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Fuck Trump! ? That’s all I can think of right now. Or perhaps something more positive. My favorite quote is “Well behaved women rarely make history” -Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. I’ve had a small pin with that on it since I was like in 2nd grade. I think we need to be loud and question everything. We need to deconstruct what we think is fact. We need to strive to be better and speak our truth.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

That I am highly capable and that I am able to manifest anything I can desire. But also with some knowledge that I am able to do these things because of my privilege. There is a meme by @riseupgoodwitch “Maybe you manifested it, maybe it’s white privilege” which is sooo true. I am so so lucky to be where I am today and to center myself to bring in abundance. This  is an absolute direct result of my privilege. That being said, I do believe in my power to create and manifest.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Doing too much!

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

Usually food. Then my to do list. Then food. :)

11). What does approaching a breakthrough feel like?

Breakthroughs seem like a big word. I think of small victories.

I am just content to look back at all I’ve accomplished this past year as a whole. Girl Gang Craft is turning one and we are having our biggest event yet August 12 in Oakland at Classic Cars West with 52 vendors. I am so happy to be able to foster a positive nurturing community. I cannot wait to see what is in store for our next year. We are manifesting events in multiple cities. I can’t wait!

Thank you Phoebe for sharing your wisdom and insight. You can find Phoebe on her websites:

https://www.girlgangcraft.com/ or http://www.phoebesherman.com/

Below are a few of her photos and stay tuned for her interview on the podcast coming soon!

Monday Muse: Brittany Hoogenboom

Please join me in welcoming today's Monday Muse, Brittany.  I met B several years ago on Instagram in some yoga challenge.  So much has changed over the years since we met.  She has embarked on a whole new career path and 9 days ago we got to finally meet in person after talking about it for all this time.  Please join me in welcoming her to the blog today!

1). You have made a big change in your career life recently, what sparked the transformation for you?

The freedom of living my truth and knowing that I am supported not only by my inner being but those around me sparked the transformation. Living my truth has also brought financial freedom and financial wealth in a way that I never imagined. I am more excited about my life than ever before and the fact that I get to spend everyday doing what I do, connecting to source energy, guiding others to do the same, loving life, spreading love, dancing daily, being my own boss, this life is so magical.

2).  What mistake would you make again?

This question is like a paradox. There are no mistake that I would make again because all the mistakes made were divinely planned at the time they were made for growth in that moment. I am transcending my being to align with the highest vibration of myself and if it chooses to have me make a mistake again to learn something over in a new light I receive it by going with the flow.

3). Where do you feel most nurtured?

I feel the most nurtured in my own skin every moment I take a second to reconnect with my breath or dance. When I am smiling and beaming gratitude for all of life.

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

The best purchase I made was Thought Cloud CBD and I fell so much in love with the Cannabis medicine in that form and for the company that I joined their affiliate team!

5). How do you build endurance?

I use affirmations and dance. Life endurance comes from connecting with yourself through gratitude and everytime I move my body to music I give thanks for the fact that my body is able to move in the way that it does and that I am living in this life doing what I am put here to do, to spread Divine Love.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

Like one of my hero’s Anjua Maximo  (@the_electriclife)  said “We fail up.” Failure gives you opportunities to grow! There is no wrong failure! Choose to grow from that space by reaching for the light in a new direction.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

haaa I love this question it was say “I AM A MAGICAL MOTHA FUCKER” because when people would drive by to and see it they would be repeating that affirmation to themselves and fuck has passion in it, with that intention of course.

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

It would take me years to write all of that but one thing that has truly transformed my life is the understanding of how the law of attraction words in EVERY area of life. From money to getting your kids to listen! The Universal Law of Attractions is POWERFUL and I don’t think many people realize how powerful it truly is. I live my life like a vision board and I am grateful to be able to do so because I am attracting all that I want in my life in the name of Divine Love.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

My biggest challenge is continuing to align with my truth and keep my boundaries and create the life I want through my words and actions in my marriage because my husband doesn’t put as much conscious energy into his life so I keep reminding myself to listen to my heart, to listen to my intuition, to transmute and create from the law of attraction even if he doesn’t choose so. I AM mastering it and I continue to create all that I seek and want in my life and all that is seeking me at the highest vibrations. I trust in my higher self and occasionally I catch myself letting his worries pull me out of that vibration and I have to talk myself back into a alignment.

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

On my mind right now is growing my business by expanding the 4 week coaching/mentorship session because this is the most exciting thing in my life right now and I am excited to have more and more people join me! I get to go visit one of my best friends, Christina (@Christina_Sutra) who I have met on instagram. I literally booked my ticket as I was answering these questions. Weaving my dreams into reality. I am excited to continue to weave my dreams into reality. I am excited to guide millions and millions of people to self love and connecting with their highest truth to live their truth, and I am excited to become a young millionaire while doing so.

11). When are you the most observant?

When I taking a deep breathe and in a space of gratitude

Brittany, thank you so much for sharing with us!!  Stay tuned Brittany will be on an upcoming podcast episode soon!!

XO

Titanium

Monday Muse: Anjua Maximo

Please join me in welcoming this month's Muse, Anjua.  Anjua, is a Life Coach, Speaker, Entrepreneur and a Mama.  I love her thoughts around what balance looks like for her, check out her interview for her wisdom.  

1). What lead you to create your physical fitness center? 

When I first began as sensual dance instructor in LA I knew that some day I wanted a place of my own. Little did I know that the vision would come to fruition in Cleveland, Ohio.  At the heart of it, having a studio meant a chance to create a space where people felt a part of something very cool but not exclusive. The studio was to act as haven for those people seeking community, good music and good vibes. By hiring both instructors and a front of house team that were aligned with our values of community, personal growth, fun – to name a few – we also knew they would also impact our guests. Then the guests would hopefully take that impact through out their day with them. The power of energy transfer between humans is what I like to think of it as.

2).  When are you most observant?

Not sure. I feel like I’m observant most of the time. I feel things deeply; I am in gratitude over the tiniest details and moments that are beautiful to me. I naturally have always been inquisitive and wonder how things, people work.

3).  What role can silence play in a conversation?

I have a little thing I write on a paper and eventually taught myself to remember when I first began coaching others, which is W.A.I.T. – Why Am I Talking? Many of us are waiting for out turn to speak and it’s actually in the active listening that you get the most information about what is ACTUALLY being said/felt by the other person. 

4). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

My gray tulle skirt for under $30 on Amazon. Always loved tulle skirts J

5). When have your instincts led you astray?

Never, it’s only when I don’t follow that I find it’s always lead me astray. Your instincts may lead you to a decision that is challenging or even difficult but I don’t believe it will lead you astray.

6). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I’ve learned that failure is not a dirty word. It can be tough, painful even but with a different mindset it can be the very thing that can actually lead you to your success eventually. I’ve learned to work with failure by accepting that it will be part of almost every experience where risk is involved. I came to use those failures as education. Why didn’t it work? What can be done differently next time? What do I need to come to terms with and let go of? What do I need to stand my ground on? So you use it all to learn and grow from. I also learned to let go of one of the biggest fears around failure, which is, what will others think. Well usually the people who had the most to say about my failures were not out there taking risks of their own, so I learned to not listen to that set. To borrow loosely from Brene Brown; if you’re not in the arena slaying with me please shut the fuck up.

7). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Compassion

Empathy

Love

Why would you accept anything less? Why would you give anything less?

8). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

That balance does not exist in the way we’ve come to believe it’s supposed to. I no longer see it as everyday being a success if every quadrant of my life got what it needed. It’s just not possible to achieve that daily and because of that many of us feel like we’re failing all the time at balance. What I’ve come to realize is that balance is going to be a little different everyday. Sometimes my kids will need my attention and I’m ok with that meaning that I may have to miss an event at work. Vice versa, some days my kids have learned mom and dad will be working a lot that day so they won’t get as much of our attention. But they have come to trust that they will get it ten fold when I am focused on them. It’s a give and take daily but if all the most important parties involved are enrolled in your process then it gives them an opportunity to support you in the ways you truly need to make it all work.

9). What is your biggest challenge, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

Currently it’s committing to more sleep. It really makes a huge difference and it’s just a matter of my breaking a few habits I am holding on to.

10). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

Taking care of my business, helping it grow to the next level.

Making sure my kids have a fun summer off their screens as much as possible.

Getting comfortable with not knowing exactly what my next steps are beyond GrooveRyde.

11). What does approaching a breakthrough feel like?

Collapsing

Falling down

Breaking down

Letting go, standing up, and stepping into your truth.  

Thank you Anjua for sharing your truth and wisdom.  You can her on Instagram:  @the_electriclife.

Monday Muse: Eleanor Macnair

This month we welcome Eleanor Macnair to the Monday Muse interview series.  She is an artist who uses PlayDoh to recreate photographs.  Yes the PlayDoh of your youth used to create photographs, which she photographs and then tears apart to start all over again.  I can't remember how I found her, but I was drawn to her use of the medium and her skill at recreating the works of art.  When I contacted her about potentially being a part of this interview series, she kindly agreed to participate.  She has her work in galleries all over the world and lives in England.  I hope you enjoy reading her interview and I hope to convince her to be a guest on the podcast to dive a little deeper.   

1). How did your journey to re-create photos with Playdoh start and what was your inspiration?

Strangely it all started at a photographic pub quiz in the summer of 2013. The quiz was run by artists MacDonaldStrand – and one of the rounds was to remake a photograph in Play-Doh. So I really borrowed their idea, but they don’t seem to mind! There followed a chain of events which lead to me experimenting by posting a few images on tumblr which quickly proved popular. It’s never been an intentional art project but more of an experiment – although I never thought it would go this far. One book and nearly 6 solo exhibitions later I’m still not sure where it will end.

2). How many containers of Playdoh do you go through in a year?

After I have shot the models I take them apart and reuse the play-doh. The practical reason for this is play-doh does not last for long out of the jar – I usually have about 24 hours maximum to work on a model before the edges crack and dry and they start to fall apart. I like the idea of the models being ephemeral and disposable – a sideways comment on our disposable, throwaway age. The result of re-using the play-doh means that I don’t get through too many pots – apart from white play-doh as the colours can bleed into each other and so the white needs to be refreshed every so often. I think in all I have about 300 pots. Some of them I have been reusing since the start of the project.

3). When you feel your creativity is lacking or unfocused, what do you do?

Each model takes around 7 hours and then the time to shoot afterwards, so it’s quite a feat of concentration. I usually find the most difficult thing is to decide which image to do. I always allocate the time to the project and then just make myself sit down and do it – so there is personal discipline involved. I like to listen to podcasts as I model as it helps to keep my mind focused.

4). How has failure, or apparent failure set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

I’m never fully happy with the finished images but I always (or nearly always!) post the models on my Instagram and my blog anyway. I think it’s important to show where you go wrong as well as the times when you nail it. People get scared to experiment and feel that they can only project a perfect image online – I think it’s more interesting to show both sides.

5). If you could have a billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?

Perhaps ‘Do as you would be done by’. My parents were never religious but I remember my mum told me at a young age that she kind of believed in this saying, and it’s stuck with me.

6). What is your biggest problem, stumbling block or issue in your daily life?

Not enough hours in the day and not enough hours for sleep.

7). Who inspires you to be your best self?

Everyone! Friends, people I read about in books, see on the street. I think being open to many different ways of living and being and realizing that none is necessarily right or wrong – just finding what works for you.

8). What would you be doing right now if money wasn’t part of the equation?

I would probably move to the countryside, travel more and spend all day making play-doh models! My income is currently from freelance work combined with play-doh print sales – so I’d like to give up the other freelance work. But then again, I think that grafting is good for you. I suppose I try not to fantasize about having lots of money because it would make me unhappy with what I’m lucky enough to already have.

9). What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I’ve done ballet from a very young age and I’m not sure if it’s absurd or not but it’s something that if I no longer do it I feel like a part of me is missing. I love the physicality of it.

10). What three things are foremost in your mind right now?

I’m due to have a baby in June so that is pretty forefront in my mind right now… and international politics aside I’m wondering what play-doh model to make next and what to make for dinner.. So nothing at all profound!  

Thank you Eleanor for sharing a glimpse into your process.  As for your answer to question #10, I can assure that having a baby is a most profound experience, I wish you all the best.

XO

Titanium

Monday Muse: Joy

Welcome to my brand new feature, Monday Muse.  I am reaching out to wonderful women I have met over the years in various spaces to ask them to share a bit of their lives with all of you.  They inspire me for various reasons and many of them will, I hope agree to be on the podcast.  This week I am kicking off this series with Joy Kruse, who is a wonderful and talented and prolific jewelry artist.  I found her Wild Prairie Silver website many years ago and a couple of years ago found her on Instagram and have been following her ever since.  I chose this photo to not only feature her gorgeous work but to show you her artists hands.  As a jewelry designer myself I understand all too well the black fingernails and hands, the chipped nails and the sometimes scrapes etc as you work your craft.  The ring on her index finger is the one I found on her website years ago and used an inspiration to create my own version in Precious Metal Clay.  Joy's talents far exceed mine and I get so inspired and awed by her work.  She works in mixed metals but I love her silver most of all and I am a total ring and bracelet fanatic.  She graciously shared her secrets about the leather and silver bracelet on her wrist.  When I reached out to her, she graciously agreed to answer some interview questions about not just her creative life, but the rest of her life as well.  You will find at the bottom of the interview all of the links to her website as well as her Instagram.  Thank you Joy and I am excited to celebrate you as our first Monday Muse!

1). Who or what drew you to designing and creating jewelry? 

~ I was an art student  my first year in college. Everyone was so good I knew that I could never make it but at that time I had only been exposed to 2 dimensional art… drawing and painting… I changed my major to Nursing. After a few years of being an RN I helped a friend make some jewelry for a wedding and then made the jewelry for my own wedding. I was hooked. That was it… I just never knew and was never exposed to metals before then. 

2). Who inspires you to be your best self?

~ My husband does. He really believes in me more than anyone else and ‘over’ believes in me. He’s my biggest fan. I have to try and live up to his praise. He’s awesome. 

3). What is the best purchase you have made in recent memory?

~ Some fossilized Mammoth Bone that was covered in dirt from some fella from Alaska who was also covered in dirt. Bought diamonds on the same day and plan on them going together. It was a great day. 

4). When you feel your creativity is unfocused what do you do?

~ I have so many ideas and drawings and sketches that I don’t often feel uncreative, but you cannot force a design that is not coming together. It has got to flow. So, when something just will not budge and it is stuck in creative limbo I make parts…. I make the parts to chain, clasps, chain, mechanical parts. 

5). How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?  Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

~ Not every piece is a master piece and it’s all a learning experience. Over the years I have found that even mistakes are a learning opportunity. You can’t expect to work a lifetime and not screw up. You can’t expect that every single thing you creative make is going to be awesome. However all of these mistakes or failures or disappointing days lead to something awesome. You revamp it, re-think it, re-do it, or remember what you did that was not working and head in another direction. The only failure is not trying again. 

6). If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why? ~ Now I am wondering why I don’t have a gigantic billboard? I mean, they are everywhere, so why not? I would have on it WildPrairieSilver.com with a picture of a gorgeous natural looking lady, smiling away, wearing jewelry that is making her smile from ear to ear :) :) :) 

7). In the last five years, what new belief, behavior or habit has most improved your life?

~ In the last five years I was able to quit being an RN. I can completely focus on my business and my family. I can work a 40 hour work week (or more) and have a day off. 

8). What is your biggest problem, issue or stumbling block in your daily life?

~ Just the juggling act of wearing a zillion hats. I’m such a small business but a busy business that I feel like I am an IT pro, a tax hack, a internet web page designer, an accountant, a purchaser, a marketing guru, a photographer, a secretary, a customer service agent, a designer, a janitor, a logistics package tracker and then I am a Jeweler… and a mom and wife when the work day is done. 

9). What three things are foremost on your mind right now?

~My family (taking my son to visit a college tomorrow & my daughter had a minor foot surgery today), three custom rings, and some turquoise I missed out on that I hope is still around for me to purchase

10). What would you be doing right now if money wasn’t part of the equation?

~I would be doing exactly what I am doing. 

Thank you Joy for sharing your wisdom, your art and the beauty you bring to world.  I look forward to having you on the podcast soon!

Look for another Monday Muse next month when I will be featuring an artist who's medium is something from my childhood.

XO

Titanium