Have you ever wanted to create something but felt intimidated by trying a new craft? On this week’s episode I talk with Melissa Schwenk who has dabbled in a variety of creative endeavors. She describes herself as a non-professional crafter, and she’s explored everything from pottery to gardening. We discuss the interconnectedness of creative activi…

We often wish we could make things with a simple snap of our fingers—but it takes a lot of work to create and improve our craft. Mixed Media Artist Amanda Spence joins the show to discuss her journey. She shares how consistent practice and reflection helped her grow as an artist. Topics Covered: Inspired by Nature Balancing Simplicity with Complexi…

Brittney Jackson creates beautiful character illustrations—both original ones and others that you’ll recognize from your favorite franchises (from the office to Star Wars). We discuss fan art, traveling to conventions, why nature inspires, and how we can tackle new challenges, even when they’re intimidating. Topics Covered: Self-Taught Artists Fan …

This is a rebroadcast of Episode 23 with Miller Mark Fischer. New episodes will now release on a monthly basis, with Episode 45 premiering on July 4. Thanks so much for supporting the podcast! Food production has changed drastically over the years, and not always for the better. But is there any hope for returning to the old ways of doing things? T…

My guest this week is Artist Amy MacHale. Over the years she’s been involved in a variety of artistic endeavors, from graphic design to even creating a dress out of paper—but recently her focus has been in painting, both with oil and alcohol ink. She shares the unique process of creating art with moonshine, the joy of creating with other people, an…

My guest this week is Ashley Wellman, an author and owner of the aMUSEd gallery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We talk about what goes into producing a quality book, finding a creative process that works for you, and, of course, the reason behind why she creates. Topics Covered: Writing a Children’s Book Getting “Permission” to be Creative Running an…

My guest this week is Dan Taylor, a Classical Singer who has performed in a wide variety of groups, from Opera Philadelphia to The Crossing, a Grammy award-winning choral group. Together we cover a fun range of topics, from the intricacies of opera singing to tabletop gaming. We also discuss how challenging creative work can be, especially when tha…

Listen to DOOMED DUNE for FREE: www.jontilton.com/signup This week’s guest is Talon David. She’s been passionate about music for her entire life. She shares her story, from growing up in a musical home to winning the Grammy Foundation’s Teens Make Music Contest for her song Deep Snow, which became part of her debut album, Miscellaneous. Talon is al…

Here's a special bonus episode for you: a preview of my short story "Doomed Dune." The full work is available for free to all newsletter subscribers, so if you’d like to hear more, head over to jontilton.com and sign up for my mailing list. I’ll send you an email with download links for both the ebook and audiobook. I hope you enjoy Melina's story.…

Some creatives concentrate on one goal and master a specific craft. But others like to explore the great variety life has to offer. This week’s guest is Brett Rounsaville—he’s done everything from writing screenplays and comic books to designing theme park attractions and creating startups. He shares with us how he chooses which project to pursue n…

Homer, Plato, Cicero, Ancient Greece, Rome, and more—a list of the important people, places, and works from the past could go on forever. But why are these ancient things so important? And when it comes to study them, where do we even start? This week, my guest is Dr. David Noe. He teaches Latin and co-hosts a podcast that covers everything Classic…

In life, we sometimes run into obstacles that require us to learn new skills—often ones that are out of our comfort zone. But not only is pursuing a new challenge a great way to improve your craft, it can be a lot of fun too. Today’s guest is Florist Melissa Heinrichs. She shares how she started her own business and why she’s always looking for new…

Ever feel like an outsider—someone who didn’t belong with everyone else? Illustrator Joe Hox joins the podcast to talk about struggling with work on his family’s farm motivated him to advance his skills as an artist. We also talk about pursuing a variety of styles, finding what you excel at, and why creating something is deeper than simply enjoying…

Ever hear creative advice from someone and you think—but that doesn’t fit my personality at all, so how could I ever make that work? Bill Small hosts a podcast called The Subtle Art of Not Yelling, a show created to explore a different side of marketing. He’s also a musician and business coach. We discuss how his many endeavors all fit together, ho…

New challenges in your craft can show you both the highs and the lows of the creative process. This week I’m joined by Leila Srouji of Tierra Madera Ceramics. We talk about how to deal with burnout and how sometimes a bit of time away from our craft can create a real hunger to get back at it and try new things. We also discuss the process of creati…

Ever have a certain expectation about something, only to discover that you completely misunderstood an essential key element? Photographer Lauren Westra shares her unique journey of starting her career and why embracing the unexpected can be good for you. Topics Discussed Photography and Owning a Wedding Venue Lauren’s Australian Trial by Fire Tack…

Life is full of the unexpected. Sometimes life hands us lemons, and we’re not always confident we can make lemonade out of them. But in taking things one step at a time, you might be surprised at the progress you can make. Artist Carly Van Eck joins the show to talk about how some of her life events have influenced her artwork, and why she transiti…

Lenord Robinson has had quite the career in the animation industry. He’s worked on projects like the Lord of the Rings animated film, The Fox and the Hound, The Tigger Movie, The Simpsons, and more. He’s even directed episodes of Animaniacs, Taz Mania, and The Proud Family. And while he’s winding parts of his career down, he’s still very active in …

While we’d all love to make a million dollars on every passion projects that pops into our heads, it’s just not the reality we can expect as creatives. So how do we find balance between doing what we love and crafting something that’s marketable? Artist Joe Willey joins the show to share his thoughts on this topic. We also discuss connecting with c…

Have you ever wanted to try something but felt you didn’t have the expertise to do it? Building a new skill is challenging, but with things like perseverance, community, and time, it can be done. On this episode, video game designer Chera Meredith shares her journey from googling how to make a video game to actually creating one. Her upcoming title…

While most novels are written by a single author, that doesn’t mean the process is absent from other creative voices. Editors are one of the most important collaborators for authors. On this episode I talk with Elizabeth Schaefer, an editor at Penguin Random House. There she works on books for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Star Wars…

Sometimes our best ideas can stem from combining two of our favorite passions. Haleigh DeRocher took her love for reading and her love of art and combined them to create something new and unique. She sells beautiful artwork on her website in a variety of different forms, including prints, t-shirts, and even blankets. She has also illustrated a numb…

On this week’s episode I talk with Jenna Terese, author of Ignite, a novel about a girl with superpowers in a world where superhumans aren’t considered the heroes. Topics Covered: Writing About Superheroes Growing in Your Craft Working with an Editor Growing as an Artist Building Characters Music and Writing Project Inspire and Artistic Variety Tal…

On this week’s episode, sculptor Bonnie Brushwood shares her artistic process with us, from having a conversation with her work to taking advantage of happy accidents. We also discuss the importance of finding beauty in the world, how much an artist should say about their work, and how sculpture can be a therapeutic experience. Topics Covered: Form…

Can working on films still be your dream job after the director throws a chair at you? Does that one guy everyone talks bad about deserve a second chance? Production Designer Courtney Johnson joins the show to share her experiences in the film industry. We also talk about why so many people aspire to work in movies and how what you value in life ca…

Figuring Skating isn’t just a sport, but also a skill that carries with it a unique blend of athletics, beauty, and creativity. My guest Tiffanie Lovett discusses starting to skate at a young age, what keeps her going after years of competition and practice, and how watching her favorite actors inspires her technique. Full podcast transcript Topics…

Food production has changed drastically over the years, and not always for the better. But is there any hope for returning to the old ways of doing things? This week’s guest, Miller Mark Fischer runs Castle Valley Mill — a stone ground mill where he uses machines that are hundreds of years old to produce quality flour, cornmeal, and more. By using …

It’s everyone’s dream to have a job that doesn’t feel like work. But sometimes there are hidden pitfalls that come with that. Our guest Rob Krekel shares with us his love for sound design and talks about how overextending ourselves can take a toll over time. We also discuss his creative process, how Ben Burtt inspired him as a kid, and advice for n…

New Years — a time where we put together our next set of goals, and… all too often promptly forget to make them happen. It can be tough creating new routines to accomplish what we want, but thankfully there are a variety of resources to help us get to where we want to go. On this episode I talk to Author Lia Murati about one of these methods. She’s…

Are patterns in story connected with patterns in music? Is something Plato said relevant to cautioning us about the metaverse? On this episode I chat with Pianist Jeff Dershin about how proper listening can create opportunity to connect with your audience and add extra meaning to your art. We also discuss audience participation, The Hero’s Journey,…

What is the secret to staying relevant in a world that’s always changing? This is one of the many things I had the chance to discuss with Rudy Manning, the Chief Creative Officer at Pastilla. Rudy shares tips for creatives through his personal journey, from studying graphic design to creating campaigns for a wide variety of clients, including LA Pa…

Have you ever found walking around in nature helps with your inspiration? Author Michelle Adshead created her first children’s book about the Appalachian trail, covering everything from the incredible sights to trail edict. We also discuss advice for creatives just starting out, the importance of taking a step back when overwhelmed, and what it’s l…

What mediums come to mind when thinking about good storytelling? Perhaps books, tv shows, movies, and even some video games. But what about a website? This week’s guest, Josh Donnelly believes storytelling is a vital part to good web design. He shares his journey from video production to creating websites and brand logos. We also discuss how to app…

Why is it important to find new ways to create and where do we find inspiration to try new things? This is one of the many topics I covered with this week’s guest, Composer Eimi Tanaka We also discuss Eimi’s jazz background and its influence on her work, her process for developing themes, and the contrast between composing for television and creati…

No matter how far we’ve come, there’s always new avenues to learn and grow. This week’s guest is historical fiction author Liz Tolsma. She shares how her passion and love for learning pushes her to constantly improve her craft. We also discuss how to choose what to write next, which time periods count as historical fiction, and her personal connect…

Relationships with family and friends are one of the most meaningful things in our lives. So it’s natural that our art finds inspiration in them. This week’s guest Felicia Manning shares how family stories led her into the film industry and how they inspired her first screenplay. We also discuss creating projects with limitations, balancing family …

Have you ever stepped back and wondered how you got to where you are today? This week’s guest Amanda Gearhart shares her unique journey from child birth educator to starting her own baking business. We also discuss the beauty in baking with family, how non-traditional career paths are becoming more acceptable, tips for new creatives, and more. Full…

Are there crossroads between two completely different art forms? After you listen to my discussion with Painter Evan Harrington I think you’ll find that there certainly is. We discover many similarities between our creative approaches -even though our work is incredibly different. We also discuss his interest in aviation, the benefits to following …

Leaving an old path behind and starting a new one can be intimidating. But the truth is when we turn the page, we’re not starting from zero. We take with us everything we’ve learned so far. This week’s guest Eliana Morin shares her experience with this concept in growing as an artist. Eliana is a Storyboard Artist and Revisionist working in the ani…

The internet age has given everyone more opportunity, including endless ways to overload ourselves with increased workloads, endless distraction, and busy minds — it can all be overwhelming to navigate. This week’s guest, Author K.A. Emmons, shares her approach to maintaining a balanced life while running her business online. Kate recently released…

All of us creatives run into issues while making our art. There might be time constraints on a project, an issue with the sound system, or a new venue we’re not quite used to. There are typically infinite ways to go about solving these problems, but I’d argue that your work will be much better off if you can find a creative approach to solving that…

Many creatives brush up against a common roadblock — the dreaded impostor syndrome — a feeling that they're unworthy to contribute their creativity to the world, a feeling that they are “lesser” artists. This is just one of many topics I had a chance to discuss with this week's guest, singer Nicole Johnson. We had a great conversation about two dif…

How integral is art to our lives? Why must we create with purpose? Artist Elaine Tolsma Harlow joins the show to discuss the importance of process, her battle with leukemia, collaborating with the audience, and much more. Full Transcript and Selected Art Samples Links: Elaine’s Website: www.etharlow.com Elaine’s Instagram: @etharlowart View Elaine’…

Designer and Writer Megan McCullough joins the show. You’ve already seen her work in at least one place – the Cause of Craft podcast artwork! That’s right, Megan is the talent behind the logo and branding for the show. We discuss why she started doing design work, how collaboration sharpens your skills, and the similarities and differences between …

Author and Artist Effie Joe Stock joins the show to discuss the value in pursing multiple art forms, using computer-generated fictional languages, the difference between writing and hand-crafted arts, and the process of wood-burning and soap-making. When I first conceptualized the podcast, I had to make a decision — would I concentrate my interview…

Author Frazier Alexander joins the podcast to discuss myths from a Christian perspective, his handwritten manuscripts, the influence of Tolkien and Lewis, and what goes into creating an immersive fantasy map. See a full list of timestamped topics and transcript below. Links: Frazier’s Website: www.frazieralexander.com The Lost King: Amazon | Frazie…

Cinematographer Cailin Yatsko joins the show to discuss her journey into filmmaking, the perks of learning on the job, and how collaboration can teach you something about yourself. Timestamps and full transcript below. Links: Cailin’s website: www.cailinyatsko.com Cailin’s Instagram: @cailinyatsko Bicephaly Pictures: www.bicephalypictures.com Bicep…

In this premiere episode, author M.C. Beeler joins the podcast to discuss what it’s like to dedicate nine years to a project, the benefits of self-publishing, and why it feels so good to have someone read your work. Timestamps and full transcript included below. Links: M.C. Beeler’s Website: www.margaretcbeeler.com M.C. Beeler’s Instagram: @margare…

I’m excited to introduce you to Cause of Craft, a podcast about exploring the mysteries of creativity. Every week I’ll interview a different creator about their craft, from writers and painters to musicians and culinary artists. While each discussion will vary quite a bit, we’ll always aim to dive into the reasons why artists create and how their l…

“Collecting penises is like collecting anything. You can never stop, you can never catch up, you can always get a new one, a better one.” -Siguróur Hjartarson The Icelandic Phallological Museum is exactly what it sounds like- a museum about penises. But there's more to this weird story than just dicks. Actually, there isn't. It's just a bunch of di…