Shows
A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 30 | The Power of Home Cooking with Author and Founder of Mad Hungry, Lucinda Scala QuinnShow Notes: With Thanksgiving just around the corner it is especially timely to chat with Lucinda Scala Quinn, Author and Founder of Mad Hungry. Melanio and Lucinda share the heritage-inspired dishes that are on their holiday tables and reminisce about their time working at Martha Stewart Living. Lucinda has a storied career in food, starting from her high-school days onward and has now published 8 books including the 3 in the Mad Hungry series and her latest book published in 2025 titled Mother Sauce. She’s a vocal advocate for how good food cooked at home really does bring...
2025-11-181h 03A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 29 | Under the Surface with Decoupage Designer and Entrepreneur John DerianThis year John Derian celebrates 30 years of his eponymous boutique and antiques shop on 2nd Street in New York City's East Village neighborhood. His path took him from a creatively inspired childhood in Massachusetts to New York City as an adult where he built a design and retail business from scratch. He's known for finding antique illustrations and extending their life and enjoyment by applying them on glass objects through the craft of decoupage. The John Derian retail shop (in NYC and Provincetown MA) showcases a thoughtful mix of handcrafted home goods from artisan suppliers alongside his dec...
2025-11-0443 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 28 | A Return to Conceptual Art with Artist Julia WachtelJulia Wachtel is a conceptual artist who thrived in the New York City art scene of the 1980’s among contemporaries like Robert Gober, Jeff Koons and Cindy Sherman. Her art looks at the interplay of advertising and other commercial media in everyday life and speaks to her interest in consumer and political culture.Julia has a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College, studied at the School of Visual Arts and did independent study at the Whitney Museum of American Art.Her work is in the collections of NYC’s Museum of Modern Art, the Whi...
2025-10-2856 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 27 | Botanical Impressions with Photographer Ngoc Minh NgoNgoc Minh Ngo is a photographer whose poetic eye captures the quiet beauty of the natural world. Known for her evocative images of flowers, gardens, and interiors, Ngoc’s work reveals the harmony between art and nature. Born in Vietnam and based in New York City, she has authored several acclaimed books including Bringing Nature Home, In Bloom, and in 2025 Roses in the Garden. Ngoc models a sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things, which, over time led her to her professional photography career. She’s traveled the globe capturing images for stories appearing in Mar...
2025-10-2159 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 26 | High Style with Interior Designer Rebecca RobertsonStylist, author, and interior designer Rebecca Robertson shares the story of how she developed an appreciation for antiques and collectibles at a young age and a lifelong interest in designing sets that has been a throughline in her career. She's led a very 'NYC' professional life working on film production, as a talent coordinator for the likes of Snoop Dogg, as a stylist at Martha Stewart Living, as a wine shop owner, and these days as an interior designer for model high rise apartments. In the midst of it all she's had a family and co-authored a book titled "Co...
2025-10-1440 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 25 | Uncommon Threads with Stephanie Housley, founder of Coral & TuskStephanie Housley is the founder, designer, and creative force behind Coral & Tusk, an embroidered textile brand celebrated for its whimsical, nature-inspired home goods. Born and raised in the Ohio Valley, Stephanie studied textile design at RISD and spent fifteen years working as an interior textile designer in New York City before turning her passion project into a full-time business. In 2007, working from a small Brooklyn apartment with a single embroidery machine, she launched Coral & Tusk. Over time, her hand-drawn illustrations became the foundation for embroidered pieces that blend storytelling, craftsmanship, and texture. Now based in Wyoming with he...
2025-10-0752 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 24 | Cultivating Landscapes with Garden Designer Jon CarloftisJon Carloftis grew up in rural Kentucky with parents that fostered a deep understanding and appreciation for nature and gardening. His educational pursuits further informed his creative aesthetic. Eventually, through life's twists and turns he ended up designing rooftop and terrace gardens in New York City, building a unique business from the ground up, often catering to wealthy and celebrity clients. Today, Jon lives and thrives professionally as a designer, author and speaker based in Lexington KY.For more about Jon and links to his web-site and social media visit www.alifecreativepod.comVisit us on...
2025-09-3052 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 23 | Wedding Style with Hospitality, with Megan Pflug, Interior Designer & Boutique Wedding Venue OwnerMegan Pflug talks about her years at Martha Stewart Living, her early role at One King’s Lane where she developed her interiors practice, and the decision to take on a run-down Catskills motor lodge. That project became the Woodhouse Lodge, now a distinctive wedding venue shaped by Megan and her husband’s aesthetic, persistence, and hands-on problem solving. For more about Megan and links to her web-sites and social media visit www.alifecreativepod.com.Visit us on Instagram (and follow us too!) @alifecreative
2025-09-2342 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 22 | Representing with Christine Lavigne, Founder of Home AgencyChristine Lavigne, Founder of Home Agency, a talent representation company, shares her various experiences that led her to establishing her own business. She explains what talent agents do, and some best practices for how creatives seeking representation should present themselves to prospective agents. Home Agency has offices in New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Seoul and represents photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists among other creatives.To see more about Christine visit www.alifecreativepod.comVisit us on Instagram @alifecreative
2025-09-1651 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 21 | Reflecting on the First 20 Episodes with Melanio, Marcie & ChrisThis mini episode marks a milestone — 20 episodes! We take a moment to reflect on what has resonated most with us so far, share a few behind-the-scenes updates, and highlight some of the other projects we’ve been working on. Our producer, Chris Kangas, joins us to give a peek behind the scenes of making the podcast. And finally, we take a moment to thank our guests, our sponsor Rowenta, and our music creator Pierce McIntyre.
2025-09-0929 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 20 | Designing a Heritage Brand & Restructuring for Growth with Kevin Seitz and Rob van Wyen, Founders of SeitzIn this episode, we talk with Rob Van Wyen and Kevin Seitz, the team behind the furniture brand Seitz. We discuss how their complementary skills shaped the company, why they paused to focus on the operational side, and how they’re approaching their re-launch while continuing to work full-time. The conversation also covers their upcoming Monocle residency, working with skilled Swiss makers, and their commitment to creating long-lasting pieces in a culture that often favors disposable design.Visit www.alifecreativepod.com to see more of Kevin and Rob's work.Follow us @alifecreative on...
2025-08-2659 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 19 | Constructive Dialogues with David Mann, AIA Principal at MR Architecture + DecorIn this episode we sit down with David Mann, founding principal of MR Architecture + Decor, to explore his path from an early fascination with buildings as a child to building a successful career in architecture and design. David reflects on his education at Pratt and the formative experiences in his early career, the leap to starting his own practice, and how MR Architecture + Decor has evolved over the years. He shares why he resists defining his aesthetic too narrowly, the collaborative process he embraces with clients, and what it takes to make retail spaces both personal and globally resonant.
2025-08-1952 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 18 | Curating and Collecting with Fritz Karch, Stylist and CollectorIn this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of collecting with Fritz Karch — a true renaissance man. From his early start as a passionate collector to his longtime role as Editorial Director of Collecting at Martha Stewart Living, Fritz shares his unique perspective on styling, antiques, and curating meaningful objects. We explore his background in styling, co-authoring Collected: Living With The Things You Love, his longtime running of his vintage shop, and collaborating with MR Architecture. Join us for an inspiring conversation about creativity, collecting, and living with the things you love.Visit www.alifecreativepod.com to...
2025-08-121h 02A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 17 | Editorializing E-Commerce with Nancy Soriano, Head of Perigold's Editorial and PartnershipsIn this episode, we speak with Nancy Soriano, a seasoned editorial leader and brand strategist whose career has spanned media, design, and retail.We talk about her early days as a stylist, her decade-long run as Editor-in-Chief at Country Living, and how she has navigated major roles at brands like One Kings Lane, West Elm, and now Perigold. Nancy shares what it has been like to shift from storytelling in magazines to crafting editorial content within retail, and how she continues to lead with creativity, even in data-driven environments.We also touch on her jewelry-making...
2025-07-2956 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 16 | Framing Vision with Kristen Aronsson, Creative Director and Founder of Aperçu EyewearIn this episode, we speak with Kristen Aronsson, founder and creative director of Aperçu, a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that blends fashion, functionality, and strategy. With over 15 years of experience, Kristen has built a career focused on eyewear design and now leads both the creative direction and business development at Aperçu.She shares how she transitioned from studying art history to industrial design, what drew her to the world of eyewear, and how launching a brand has pushed her to grow beyond design—deepening her understanding of marketing, brand building, and business strategy. Aperçu’s busines...
2025-07-221h 00A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 15 | Getting the Tea with Heidi Johannsen Stewart co-founder of Bellocq In this episode, we sit down with Heidi Johannsen Stewart, co-founder of Bellocq Tea Atelier, the celebrated Brooklyn-based tea company known for its exquisite hand-blended teas and deep commitment to quality and ritual. Heidi shares her journey from training at the French Culinary Institute to nearly a decade at Martha Stewart Living, and how those experiences ultimately led her to co-found Bellocq. We explore the inspiration behind the brand, the sensory artistry of tea blending, and the creation of Bellocq’s thoughtfully curated line of teas. Along the way, Heidi reflects on the quiet luxury of tea, the...
2025-07-1559 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 14 | Dyeing for a Living, with Raylene Marasco, Textile Designer and Founder of DyenamixIn this episode, we sit down with Raylene Marasco, founder of Dye-namix, a textile studio that creates custom fabrics for film, fashion, and fine art. Today, her work shows up in everything from The Gilded Age and Severance to runway pieces for Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren. We speak with Raylene about how her business has evolved over the years and some of the unique projects that have come her way. She’s collaborated with artists like Louise Bourgeois, worked with The Met on textile conservation, and taken on challenging creative briefs across theater, fashion, and film. Ear...
2025-07-081h 01A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 13 | Transporting Brands with Andy Gray, Founder and Executive Creative Director at Transport In this episode, we sit down with Andy Gray, a seasoned creative director and founder of Transport New York, whose career has taken him from early days in TV graphics to top agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Ogilvy, and VSA. Along the way, he has worked in-house at major brands like Cole Haan, Warby Parker & Bonobos, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the client-agency relationship. Andy shares what he’s learned from leading creative teams across industries, and how his diverse experience now fuels the work he does at his own agency—helping brands define and e...
2025-06-2443 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 12 | All About Eve, The Fundamentals of Color with Eve Ashcraft, Color ConsultantIn 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 Grand...
2025-06-1759 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 11 | The DNA of Designing for Brands with Alex Bates, Creative Director and Founder of Flint & KentIn 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.For more about Alex visit www.alifecreativepod.comFo...
2025-06-1057 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 10 | An Artfully Built Business with Joelle Hoverson, Artist and Founder of Purl SohoIn this episode, we sit down with Joelle Hoverson, founder of Purl Soho, to talk about how her background as a painter led her to build one of the most beloved knitting and craft brands in the country. Joelle shares how she went from studying painting at the San Francisco Art Institute and earning her MFA at Yale to freelancing for Martha Stewart Living, where a new passion for knitting took root. We discuss how, in 2002, she opened a small yarn shop in SoHo with no formal business training—teaching herself everything from supply sourcing to financial planning, with th...
2025-06-0358 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 9 | Human-Centered Design with Tucker Fort, Industrial Designer, Partner & Executive Director at Smart DesignIn 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 multi-disciplinary 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 a...
2025-05-2752 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 8 | Making It Miniature with Content Creator & Miniaturist Chelsea AnderssonIn this episode, miniature artist and NBC's 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 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 part...
2025-05-2055 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 7 | Mixing It Up with Jennifer Aaronson, Head of Brand & Global Culinary Director at Marley SpoonIn 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...
2025-05-1354 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 6 | The Man Without A Plan with Design Director & Stylist Stephen EarleWhat’s it really like to work with icons like Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren, and NYC's Hudson Yards developer Steve Ross? In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Earle, an accomplished design director and stylist, whose career has taken him from the early days of home lifestyle branding to the creative helm of some of its most recognized names.Stephen shares the story of how he got his start with Raymond Waites, stumbled into the prop styling profession, and eventually found himself shaping the visual language of Martha Stewart Living and leading product development fo...
2025-05-0642 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 5 | Making a Scene with Event Planner, Author and Designer Matthew RobbinsIn 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.To see some of Matthew's creations and links to his site visit www.alifecreativepod.com or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alifecreative?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
2025-04-2945 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 4 | The Art of Deconstruction with Artist Jeff WallaceIn 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.For show notes an...
2025-04-2251 minA Life Creative PodcastEpisode 3 | Child's Play with Jodi Levine, Kid's Content CreatorIn 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. Whether it’s crafting with recycled items, everyday supermarket finds, or unexpected materials, Jodi’s approach to crafting is about seeing potential in the most unlikely places.Visit www.alifecreativepod.com to see some of...
2025-04-1541 min
A Life Creative PodcastEpisode 2 | The Switch: Changing Focus with Photographer Stephen Kent JohnsonHow does a graphic designer turned Martha Stewart Living art director make the leap to becoming a sought-after interiors photographer? Stephen Kent Johnson, a BYU art school grad, shares his story and how he ended up photographing iconic home interiors featured in magazines like Dwell and World of Interiors. We talk career pivots, skill building, and the lessons learned along the way. Join us for an inspiring chat with our hilarious friend Stephen. Visit the show web-site at www.alifecreativepod.com to see some of Stephen's work, as well as links to his site and social media.
2025-04-0847 min
A Life Creative PodcastIntroducing A Life Creative Podcast, a new show hosted by Marcie McGoldrick and Melanio GomezIn this inaugural episode, Martha Stewart alums Marcie McGoldrick and Melanio Gomez take us behind the scenes of their creative paths—from art school to carving pumpkins at 3 a.m. for Martha Stewart Living. They share how they built careers in ceramics, and interiors styling, and why they launched this brand-new weekly show. Each episode, they sit down with inspiring creatives from all disciplines to explore A life Creative.
2025-03-3031 min