Best Jen Gale Podcasts (2024)

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Ep 062 Writing a Novel - A Mess in Progress 13:11

15h ago13:11

13:11

Writing a novel is a messy process. Everyone will tell you that. But how messy? What’s it really like behind-the-scenes with a book that is slowly taking shape? This is a messy episode of the podcast. I flopped down on the couch after a long day of writing and just blurted out what was in my head. Go forth if you dare. Make sense of it… Resources m…

1
Gale Zucker, Photographer 44:35

1d ago44:35

44:35

Embrace the potential of your phone’s camera, choose indirect lighting (not a flash) to show texture, and get your knits off the ground—these are just a few pieces of Gale Zucker’s advice for how to take knitting photos you love. Whether she’s shooting in a studio or a barnyard, Gale uses her camera to bring her subjects to life. Gale grew up in a …

1
Emily Lymm, Wool & Palette 58:08

16d ago58:08

58:08

Have you ever opened a book or seen a photograph and thought to yourself, “I have to learn to do that”? When Emily Lymm first fell in love with knitting, she wondered casually if she could turn her passion for fiber arts into a profession. Not seeing many successful pathways to a career in knitting, she continued as a graphic designer. She loved th…

1
Tommye McClure Scanlin, Tapestry Artist 53:56

17d ago53:56

53:56

Tommye McClure Scanlin had a choice. To make the images she wanted to create with weaving, she could either pursue complex forms of weaving that rely on dobby, jacquard, and draw-loom technology—or she could go the other way and place every color and pick by hand using tapestry techniques and a very simple loom. Preferring a drawing pencil to a cal…

1
Ep 061 Off to Market - with our Inner Critic 29:33

23d ago29:33

29:33

‘Hey buddy. Wanna buy a watch?’ Our inner critic can be feral while we’re in the act of creating. But marketing? OMG. That’s next level ugly. In this episode I talk about marketing for creatives. How marketing triggers our inner critic and makes us feel like a crim in a trench coat. I discuss my own challenges with marketing and how I learned to be…

1
Rowland & Chinami Ricketts, Indigo Artists 35:44

1M ago35:44

35:44

Indigo is a unique dyestuff, no less so for being found in so many different plants. Coaxing the blue hue out of green leaves and onto yarn or cloth requires a combination of chemistry and skill that has arisen across the globe. Rowland and Chinami Ricketts each found their own way to indigo in Tokushima, Japan: Rowland was looking for a sustainabl…

1
Spotlight Episode: Brown Sheep Company 51:54

1M ago51:54

51:54

Andrew Wells is the third generation of the iconic American yarn manufacturer Brown Sheep Company. Living near the family business outside Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, he grew up giving tours and sweeping the floors when his parents, Peggy and Robert Wells, ran the business. His grandfather, Harlan Brown, had been a sheep and lamb farmer before deciding…

1
Special Ep 060 - Jen Storer In Conversation with Emily Gale and Nova Weetman 47:58

2M ago47:58

47:58

This wonderful conversation with two authors at the top of their game is a delight. Prepare for an insight into process, friendship and fun from Emily and Nova. Proudly presented by girlandduck.com Links: https://emilygalebooks.com/ https://www.novaweetman.com.au/ https://jenstorer.com/ girlandduck courses and info: https://girlandduck.com/ Books m…

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Kate Gagnon Osborn & Courtney Kelley, Kelbourne Woolens 1:00:21

2M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Working together in a Philadelphia yarn store, Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley learned how to help customers choose the right yarn for a project, welcome in timid new knitters, and create samples to help move yarn out the door. They learned what didn’t work (donut-shaped balls of yarn that hopped off the shelves and tangled, patterns that us…

1
Jess Zafarris, Author & Etymologist 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

If you knit, spin, sew, weave, or follow any crafty pursuit, you will not be surprised that many of our most common metaphors come from textiles. They are interwoven in our vocabulary, and whether you like to spin a yarn from words or fibers, you will recognize many of them. But then there are the words whose textile roots are less obvious: Rocket.…

1
Masey Kaplan & Jen Simonic, Loose Ends Project 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

When Jen Simonic and Masey Kaplan’s friend lost her mother, she had the challenge of going through her mother’s things while grieving her loss. Among her posessions was something almost every crafter has at least one of: a work in progress. Jen and Masey had each finished projects for bereaved family members before, but neither of them could take o…

1
Ep 059 Pitching Pep Talk 16:48

4M ago16:48

16:48

Pitching Pep Talk Pitching, submitting, throwing your hat in the ring? You are AMAZING! As creatives it’s super important that we keep recognising and acknowledging our courage. KidLitVic is well underway and it’s got me thinking about vulnerability and how much of our identity can be caught up in our creativity and our creative pursuits. Let’s sup…

1
Eileen Lee: From Quilts to Jeans to Painted Warps (classic) 42:52

3M ago42:52

42:52

A career professional at Levi Strauss & Company, Eileen Lee learned about dyeing, weaving, and sewing on an international scale: giant factories full of loud looms weaving 2/2 twill, pattern pieces cut out of four-foot-high stacks of cloth, and no possibility of adding a tuck here or a dart there without retooling. During her years in the industry,…

1
Lilly Marsh, Custom Weaver 55:22

3M ago55:22

55:22

Lilly Marsh creates blankets, shawls, and other cloth, almost exclusively from local wool. Working closely with farmers and the nearby Battenkill Fiber Mill, she gets to know not only her neighbors but the fibers they grow: the surprisingly lovely wool from East Friesian sheep raised to produce milk, the springy Dorset crosses that are popular in t…

1
Annie MacHale, Inkle Artist 53:55

5M ago53:55

53:55

The call of complexity draws some weavers to more shafts, more structures, more hand-manipulated techniques. For Annie MacHale, refining the techniques and celebrating the artistry of very simple bands has been a lifelong fascination. Starting when she first picked up a shuttle and inkle loom in her teens, Annie has worked in wool, cotton, and hemp…

1
[184] How to be more activist with Clover Hogan 1:05:39

4M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Hello and welcome to episode 184, and as it turns out, the last episode of the Sustainable(ish) podcast! I wanted to try and get to 200, and I’m annoyed not even to be ending on a nice round number like 185, but often in life things aren’t tied up in a nice neat bow. Long term listeners will know that at times the podcast has been very stop start, …

1
Alissa Allen, Mycopigments 54:31

5M ago54:31

54:31

“Rule number one: Never drink the dye bath.” Indigo and cochineal may be the most widely recognized natural dyes for many fiber artists, and there’s little temptation of sampling an indigo vat or pot of ground insects. But a simmering kettle of dye mushrooms or lichens? That might smell delicious, but if you’re in a class with Alissa Allen, it’s no…

1
[183] Climate Comms that Lead to Action with Frank Holleman from Fork Ranger 1:05:23

5M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

In the spirit of London buses, ie nothing for ages and then two come along in close succession, this week’s episode is another foodie one, hot on the heels of Episode 180 - Food and climate change without the hot air with Professor Sarah Bridle. I’m chatting to Frank Holleman who is the co-founder of Fork Ranger, a platform and app that aims to hel…

1
[182] The Climate and Nature Bill (and how to make your voice heard in a crucial election year) with Zero Hour 1:00:15

5M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

One of the things that frustrates many people, is a lack of action from governments around the world to protect nature and mitigate the worst impacts of the a warming and rapidly changing climate. The UK government was one of the first to come up with a Net Zero target back in 2019, and declared a ‘climate emergency’ that same year. However the pro…

1
Sally Fox, Colored Cotton Breeder 57:41

5M ago57:41

57:41

In a period when agriculture moved toward chemicals, genetic engineering, and monoculture, Sally Fox decided to explore what could happen if she collaborated with nature instead of fighting it. With an academic background in entomology, she studied ways to minimize the amount of pesticides needed to grow crops, and the more she saw the effects of t…

1
[181] The Party Kit Network (ripples in action!) with Isabel Mack 58:36

5M ago58:36

58:36

This week’s episode feels a little bit liking coming full circle on an episode from nearly 5 years ago! If you’re a long-time listener, and have an excellent memory, you might remember, way back in 2019, I interviewed the wonderful Tillie Mabbutt who runs Frome Eco Party Kit, renting out a party kit of reusable plates, cups and bowls to avoid the w…

1
Spotlight Episode: Yarn Barn of Kansas 59:37

6M ago59:37

59:37

When Susan Bateman first opened Yarn Barn of Kansas in 1971, a woman starting a small business couldn’t get a credit card in her own name. Weavers like her had a hard time finding yarns, tools, and other supplies, some of which were only available from overseas, and she thought there must be an opportunity to bring fiber artists more of what they n…

1
[180] Food and Climate Change without the Hot Air with Sarah Bridle 57:53

5M ago57:53

57:53

In this week's episode I'm chatting to Sarah Bridle, who is possibly our first Professor on the podcast! Professor Sarah Bridle is Chair in Food, Climate and Society at the University of York, researching environmental impacts of the food system and potential impacts of the environment on food availability. She is also the author of Food and Climat…

1
Rebecca Mezoff (classic) 38:00

5M ago38:00

38:00

There may be no other type of textile that is more art and craft at the same time than tapestry weaving. Tapestry allows the weaver to create images with simple tools, but the skills and materials in tapestry are generally hard-wearing. You might find a tapestry on the floor as a rug as often as on a wall as a piece of art. Rebecca Mezoff became a …

1
[179] Climate Comedy with Stuart Goldsmith 54:22

5M ago54:22

54:22

In this week's episode I'm chatting to comedian Stuart Goldsmith. I'm a bit of a comedy fan, so I listen to Stuart's podcast, the Comedian's Comedian where he interviews other comedians about their work and he seems to pretty much be BFFs with everyone on the comedy circuit. It might seem a bit random to be interviewing a comedian on the podcast, b…

1
[178] Small but mighty projects (and how to fund them!) with Misha Dhanak from Spacehive 1:11:28

6M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

In this week's episode I'm chatting to Misha Dhanak, CEO of Spacehive, the home of community fundraising. We're probably all familiar with the concept of crowdfunding and may have even funded products and projects on platforms like Kickstarter. Well Spacehive is a similar concept, it's a crowdfunding platform, but it's for community projects - so o…

1
Hannah Thiessen Howard, Slow Knitting 56:11

6M ago56:11

56:11

For Hannah Thiessen Howard, slow knitting isn’t about the speed of making stitches or finishing projects. Swift and leisurely knitters alike can embrace the purpose and experience of knitting and how it connects crafter to community. Selecting materials, choosing projects, and approaching your work with an open mind all contribute to a meaningful k…

1
Ep 058 Risky Business 13:59

7M ago13:59

13:59

Being a fictional character is risky business. Or it should be. Are your characters in enough danger, under enough pressure or stress, threatened in some way? This can be tricky for children’s authors. The impulse is to protect our characters, keep them safe and, gawd forbid, sensible… But that’s the death knell to drama and storytelling. Happily e…

1
Keisha Cameron, High Hog Farm 49:26

7M ago49:26

49:26

Although she grew up in the freezing winters of New York, Keisha Cameron and her husband decided to move their young family to a peri-urban spot outside Atlanta, Georgia, to set down roots and rebuild their connection to the land. They began with raising what their family needed for food and other daily necessities, but over the past decade, High H…

1
Ep 057 100 Coffee Cups 26:26

7M ago26:26

26:26

Today I’m chatting about creativity boundaries. At some point it helps to rein in your interests and focus. Drill down, as Elizabeth Gilbert would say. This year, 2024, is my Year of Acrylics. First boundary done and dusted, thank you very much. Next boundary. I’ve taken it even further and, as we speak, I am painting 100 coffee cups. Yes, indeedy.…

1
Justin Squizzero, The Burroughs Garret 42:08

7M ago42:08

42:08

Justin Squizzero loves exploring the frontiers of technology, seeing how he can tune a piece of equipment to produce a complex textile. The technology that fascinates him reached its peak before the 20th century. Weaving on an old loom doesn’t mean trying to turn back time, though—it means choosing the most refined technology to create the handwove…

1
Special Ep 056 - Jen Storer In Conversation with Neridah McMullin 1:13:25

7M ago1:13:25

1:13:25

In this gorgeous conversation, our first for 2024, Jen and Neridah discuss Neridah's childhood, careers and her path to becoming a much loved author of children's books. About Neridah Neridah loves history and true stories. An author of eight books for children, Neridah is also an award winning short story writer and poet. Her latest picture book, …

1
Ep 055 Morning Pages 16:18

8M ago16:18

16:18

Do you do Morning Pages? Do I do Morning Pages? Sometimes. I used to do them religiously. Like, for years… In this ep I chat about my history with ‘the pages’, the impact they’ve had on my creativity and my life and how the pages can help you, too. Books mentioned: The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon ► About Jen…

1
Kaffe Fassett, Artist & Color Master 30:00

8M ago30:00

30:00

Kaffe Fassett doesn’t play favorites in his work—he doesn’t have a favorite medium, and he definitely doesn’t have a favorite color. What he has is a powerful delight in combining the simple elements of color, line, and image, and a passion for helping other people share in that joy. For someone whose career is inextricably linked to stitching, his…

1
Ep 054 Word of the Year and Effortless Being 16:18

8M ago16:18

16:18

As we head into the big adventure that is 2024, it can be helpful to select a word of the year to inspire, energise or even challenge you. Your word companion can act as your muse. Your word might inspire art and journal prompts or encourage you to make longed for changes. It might even challenge you to find your courage or to live and create more …

1
Stephany Wilkes, Shearer, Wool Classer & Author 50:42

8M ago50:42

50:42

Between the sheep in the field and the lovely yarn in your hands lies the complex network of the wool industry. Fiber must be scoured, spun, and maybe dyed, and it all starts with shearing. Attending a Fibershed symposium in 2012, Stephany Wilkes was surprised to learn that one of the barriers to local fiber production was a lack of trained shearer…

1
Lisa Chamoff, Indie Untangled 56:42

9M ago56:42

56:42

What do you get when a crafter who loves colorful hand-dyed yarns (and hates stalking shop updates) crosses paths with a fresh, new yarn producer? Like many of her knitter friends in 2013, Lisa Chamoff was enchanted by the artful and expressive work of the independent dyers whose skeins were cropping up around the yarn world. Shoppers found new fav…

1
[177] The power of your vote – with William Eccles from The Commitment 1:07:16

8M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

In this week's episode I'm chatting to William Eccles from The Commitment. The Commitment is a campaign asking us to commit to voting for a healthy planet. You do this by heading to their website, hitting the "make the commitment" button, and ticking the box that says “ I commit to vote only for politicians who work for urgent action on the climate…

1
Ep 053 Final Thoughts for '23 32:40

9M ago32:40

32:40

Final thoughts for 2023, dear listener. I’ll be back in 24, for sure. (I like that rhyme!) Three things that might be of interest to you in this ep (another ep inspired by a lovely Duck Pond member). My favourite book on spirituality and why. My favourite book on creativity and why. The oracle decks I use in my Full Moon readings in the Duck Pond. …

1
Spotlight Episode: Suri Network 50:44

9M ago50:44

50:44

[Sponsored Content] If you’ve been weaving, knitting, or playing with fiber for long—or if you’ve passed some fiber animals in a field—you probably think you know what an alpaca looks like: a fluffy creature with a long neck and spade-shaped ears. But you may not know that there’s a different kind of alpaca, one whose coat grows in long, silky ring…

1
[176] Badvertising – with Leo Murray 1:10:15

9M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

Advertising. It's all around us. Persuading us to buy stuff we didn't know we wanted, telling us how much happier/more popular/better our lives will be with the latest/newest whatever it is. Most of think that we're immune to it, but studies show just how insidious and manipulative it is, and how it influences our brains at a deep level. Which perh…

1
Ep 052 Rambling Writer: Arts Funding 20:00

9M ago20:00

20:00

Let me tell you a little story about the time I got a substantial Australia Council grant (so exciting!) but didn’t write the book (so frustrating!) and how that felt and how that evolved and how I finally, years later, have figured out how to write said book. Ramblings about patience, perseverance and passion, today, dear author. ► About Jen & Gir…

1
[175] Climate play – with Lucy Hawthorne 1:04:59

9M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Climate and play might not be two things that we naturally put together. And even less so, climate and 'playfulness'. Climate change is a huge, overwhelming, complext issue and i couldn't be more important. So we need to take this seriously and absolutely need to be bringing our best game, there's no room for messing around, right? Maybe not! I lov…

1
Sarah Neubert, Fiber Art & Radical Repair 44:31

9M ago44:31

44:31

The scale of Sarah Neubert’s work varies from miniature to monumental, from small pieces such as earrings to room-sized installations. She dreams of creating entire woven environments that are sensory and tactile, like cocoons or sanctuaries of fiber. Working on a large scale allows her to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of her art. …

1
Ep 051 Tense About Tense? 16:52

9M ago16:52

16:52

You’d be surprised how many developing (and established) authors trip when it comes to tense. But never fear. Gaining confidence in your ‘weaker’ areas just takes practice and self-awareness. The art of tweaking, rewriting and self-editing can be learned and honed over time. Hang in there, dear author, keep doing the verk, keep asking questions and…

1
[174] Climate action help (and hand holding!)for schools – with Jo Pettifer from Let’s Go Zero 1:04:29

9M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

This week we're talking schools and climate action! I'm chatting to Jo Pettifer who part of a growing team of Climate Action Advisors from climate charity Let's Go Zero, which is working to help schools in the UK to take climate action, with the ambitious goal of becoming carbon zero by 2030. Jo shares in our chat that apparently around 45% of UK h…

1
Jane Cooper, The Lost Flock 1:13:51

10M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

The picture of a flock of primitive-breed sheep, the last of their kind, living on an island off the northeast coast of Scotland, has a certain romance to it. Plenty of knitters, spinners, fiber artists, and citizens of the modern world might idly dream of living on such an island and tending such a flock. With no background as a farmer and only a …

1
[173] Digital footprints and carbon fingerprints – with Matt and Will from Carbon Fingerprint 1:13:05

9M ago1:13:05

1:13:05

This week we’re diving into all things digital with Matt and Will from an organisation called Carbon Fingerprint. For many of us, the planetary impact of our online lives maybe isn’t something that we give much thought to – the cloud is this ethereal thing that none of us quite understand, and I personally can’t even begin to get my head around how…

1
[172] The forgotten joy of sharing – with Rebecca Heaps from Tentshare 1:13:46

9M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

"If you own a tent you can be a member of Tentshare. If you don't own a tent, you can be a member of Tentshare." Love this quote from Rebecca Heaps, founder of Tentshare -'the Air BnB for tents'! On the surface, camping feels like a pretty eco-friendly option for a cheaper holiday. And it is. However it does involved quite a lot of 'stuff' - the te…

1
Ep 050 When It’s All Too Much 21:47

10M ago21:47

21:47

Every now and then I receive a letter that’s frank and raw but oh so common. What happens when you feel fed up with striving? When the dream to become a published/successful author has taken its toll on you and your family? If you’re questioning your choices, wondering if it’s all worth it, our 50th episode might be the balm you need. This is not a…

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Jen Gale Podcasts

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