Behind the Creative Curtain

Renee Garcia

Welcome to Behind the Creative Curtain, a podcast hosted by Renee Garcia. On the show, I invite guests to pull back the curtain through honest conversations as we explore their passions and professions. rlcroots.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 11: The Power of Authentic Storytelling in Business

    5D AGO

    11: The Power of Authentic Storytelling in Business

    Summary In this thoughtful conversation, Randy Smith, founder of Oathic, shares insights on the importance of storytelling in branding, misconceptions surrounding brand strategy, and the transformative power of rebranding. He emphasizes the need for presence and mindfulness in entrepreneurship, illustrating his points with personal anecdotes and client success stories. The discussion highlights the importance of mindfulness in business, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique narratives and find balance in our digital world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    55 min
  2. 10: The Evolving Journey of Behind the Creative Curtain

    12/05/2025

    10: The Evolving Journey of Behind the Creative Curtain

    In the latest episode of the Behind the Creative Curtain podcast, host Renee Garcia opens up about the challenges and transformations going on behind the scenes for the show. With a heartfelt message, she shares her journey of navigating creative endeavors while also providing insights into the world of creativity and self-worth. Join her to explore the essence of this podcast and the importance of celebrating the creative community. About your host Renee Garcia runs a brand design studio rooted in Portland, OR called Renee Lynn Creative. Through the studio, she crafts memorable brands for people devoted to planting positive change. She loves spending time outside and connecting with people in the community. Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-lynn-garcia/ Subscribe to RLC Roots to be the first to hear about new episodes. View samples of my branding work on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/reneelynncreative/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    16 min

  3. 09/03/2025

    09: Center Stage with Purpose

    Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Ashwin Chacko, art director turned children’s book illustrator and founder of Bad Book Press publishing house. From commercial illustration to launching Northern Ireland’s first dedicated children’s picture book publisher, Ashwin reveals how faith, purpose, and strategic patience built his creative empire. What starts as a discussion about finding your creative purpose quickly evolves into a masterclass on art direction, publishing, and building sustainable creative businesses. Ashwin opens up about his 10-year journey from graphic designer to full-time illustrator, sharing how the 2020 lockdown forced him to discover his “why” and pivot toward children’s book illustration. Renee explores the business side of creative freelancing, while Damion discovers the complexities of print production and screen printing techniques. Creative Business & Career Topics: * How to transition from art director to freelance illustrator (10:57) * The 10-year creative evolution cycle across multiple disciplines (1:00:01) * Building your illustration style around personal purpose (20:55) * Starting a children’s book publishing house from scratch (48:30) * Why scope of work documents prevent client disasters (38:34) * Art direction secrets: managing teams and creative vision (31:02) Children’s Book & Publishing Insights: * Writing picture books: 500-word limits and brutal editing (50:51) * Character development vs. story-first approaches (52:17) * Self-publishing strategies that attract traditional publishers (13:40) * Screen printing vs. DTG for book merchandise (25:57) Art Direction & Client Management: * Why clients always choose the “safe” option (34:43) * Managing photographer and illustrator teams (32:06) * The art of giving creative freedom within constraints (33:29) * Communication strategies that prevent scope creep (38:57) Going Behind the Curtain: This episode reveals the spiritual and strategic foundations behind successful creative careers. We witness Ashwin’s faith-driven approach to art, his honest advice about separating self-worth from creative output, and his ambitious vision for Bad Book Press. The conversation covers everything from screen printing techniques and DTG quality differences to the psychological aspects of creative growth, plus practical business advice for anyone building a creative career. Whether you’re an illustrator considering children’s books, someone transitioning from corporate creative roles, or any creative professional seeking purpose-driven business strategies, this episode provides both spiritual guidance and practical frameworks for building sustainable creative careers. Connect with Ashwin: * Website: https://whackochacko.com/about/ * YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/ashwinchacko * Social: @whackochacko (Instagram, X) * LinkedIn: Ashwin Chacko Perfect for: Art directors, children’s book illustrators, creative entrepreneurs, freelancers building client businesses, anyone interested in publishing, and creatives seeking purpose-driven career strategies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    1h 7m
  4. 08: Backend Magic You Never See

    08/27/2025

    08: Backend Magic You Never See

    Backend development powers everything you do online, but most people have no idea how it actually works. Adam Sparks, software architect and founder of Sparkstone, breaks down the complex systems that run behind every app, website, and digital service—plus why understanding them is crucial for your digital freedom. What starts as an explanation of basic programming concepts quickly evolves into a deep dive on software architecture, data ownership, and building truly independent digital infrastructure. Adam walks through his journey from middle school coding competitions to architecting enterprise-level 3D visualizations that required massive GPU clusters just to render in browsers. Renee explores the creative aspects of software development, while Damion discovers the invisible complexity that makes every website function. Backend Development Topics Explored: * What software architects actually do and how to get there (9:39) * The middle school programming competition that started it all (12:22) * UI vs UX: creating buttons vs. knowing where to put them (19:10) * HTML vs. real programming languages: the heated debate (37:51) * Everything that happens behind the screen that users never see (42:02) Digital Freedom & Architecture: * How federated networks could free your data from corporate control (55:07) * The truth about digital “ownership” vs. licensing your content (23:33) * Building your own media server with Jellyfin (26:52) * Why Signal’s encryption protects even Signal from reading your messages (59:29) * How Truth Social runs on Mastodon’s open-source code (1:02:28) Technical Deep Dives: * Kubernetes clusters running in basements explained (42:11) * 3D visualization that cost tens of thousands per month in GPU costs (53:57) * Why Chrome crashes after 20 gigs of memory (52:15) * The “Federate the Masses” open source project breakdown (55:07) Going Behind the Curtain: This episode reveals the staggering technical complexity hidden behind simple user interactions. We witness Adam’s passion for digital ownership and privacy, his three-screen setup that makes instant fact-checking possible, and his ambitious vision for a decentralized internet where users control their own data. The conversation takes fascinating detours through Arthur theme songs, the ethics of digital piracy, and why Portland libraries offer 100 free prints daily. Most revealing is Adam’s honest admission about what keeps him up at night: either avoiding current events or obsessing over the next technical challenge in his federation project. Whether you’re curious about what software architects actually do, concerned about digital privacy and corporate data control, or want to understand the invisible complexity that makes your favorite apps work, this episode offers insider knowledge that will change how you think about technology. Connect with Adam: * Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sparkstonepdx * Liveframe: a free, photo sharing app for events * Sparkstone website Perfect for: Developers interested in software architecture concepts, anyone curious about backend systems. Or people concerned about digital privacy and data ownership, and those wanting to understand the infrastructure that powers modern applications. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    1h 15m
  5. 07: The Hidden World of Print

    08/20/2025

    07: The Hidden World of Print

    Most designers have no idea what happens to their files after hitting "export." Malia Ross works in pre-press, so she sees exactly where things go wrong—and right. This multi-job creative hustler works print production by day and cannabis motion graphics by night, giving her unique insight into both sides of the design process. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    1h 18m

  6. 08/14/2025

    06: Between Acts

    In this hosts-only episode, Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe pull back the curtain on their own creative journeys and business realities. No guest this time—just two creatives getting real about the messy, complicated, and often hilarious side of running creative businesses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    1h 11m
  7. 05: Beyond the Camera

    08/06/2025

    05: Beyond the Camera

    Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as we sit down with Eliana Mendez, creative director and photographer behind Human-Centric Media, for an authentic conversation about creativity, community, and the irreplaceable power of human connection in an increasingly digital world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    1h 4m
  8. 04: The Art of Pivoting

    07/23/2025

    04: The Art of Pivoting

    Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Angela Ellison, intuitive business coach and animal communicator, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the courage to keep pivoting until you find your true calling. What starts as a discussion about Angela’s transition from teaching quickly evolves into a masterclass on listening to your intuition in business. Angela opens up about her winding journey from middle school educator to entrepreneur, sharing how she’s navigated multiple business iterations—from product photography to systems strategy—before discovering her gift for supporting sensitive entrepreneurs. Renee brings her perspective on the challenges of niching down as a creative, while Damion explores how following childhood interests and curiosities can guide career decisions. Key Topics Explored: * Navigating “the messy middle” of entrepreneurship and creative careers * How to recognize when it’s time to pivot (and trusting those subtle nudges) * Building sustainable businesses that honor your natural energy rhythms * The marketing burnout that signals it’s time for change * Discovering unexpected gifts through life’s challenges (hello, animal communication!) * Why tuning into yourself matters more than following business formulas * Creating courses and offerings that reflect your whole self * The power of support systems in sustaining creative work Behind the Scenes: This episode truly pulls back the creative curtain to reveal the authentic moments that shape a creative’s journey. We witness Angela’s real-time reflection on her business evolution, Damion’s admission that his dream involves making chairs in Norway while running a radio station, and the touching story of how losing her cat Chewy revealed Angela’s unexpected gift as an animal communicator. The conversation gets delightfully sidetracked by the great “niche” vs “neesh” pronunciation debate, and we get to hear Angela read a genuine testimonial from a recent course participant—complete with her excitement about finally creating something that truly resonates. Perhaps most revealing is Renee’s realization about manifesting her ice cream brand project after simply mentioning the dream in episode one, showing how putting creative intentions into the world can create unexpected opportunities. Whether you’re a creative professional feeling stuck in your current iteration or a sensitive entrepreneur looking for a gentler approach to business building, this episode offers practical insights on honoring your whole self while creating sustainable income. Connect with Angela: * Website: https://www.angelaellison.com * Substack * Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/angelaecreative/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-ellison-creative * Explore the Mini-Course for Sustainable Business Growth Perfect for: Sensitive entrepreneurs, creatives navigating career transitions, anyone who’s ever felt like they’re standing outside looking in at work they admire, and those seeking a more holistic approach to business building. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    52 min
  9. 03: Finding Your Voice

    07/16/2025

    03: Finding Your Voice

    Description: Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe for an insightful conversation about one of the biggest challenges creatives face: maintaining an authentic voice while building a consistent brand across multiple platforms and spaces. In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the art of alignment—not just visual consistency, but staying true to yourself whether you’re speaking at an event, posting on social media, or writing copy for your website. Renee shares how she learned that clear, authentic messaging is what actually drives business success, while Damion opens up about his unique approach to content creation that honors his personal preferences (spoiler: he’s figured out how to build a brand without showing his face on camera). Key Topics * Why authentic self-expression trumps “proper” corporate speak every time * How to adapt your brand voice for different platforms without losing yourself * The evolution of social media and why so much content feels monotonous * Creative strategies for standing out in oversaturated markets * The importance of creating for yourself first, then finding your audience * Why perfectionism kills more creative projects than failure ever could The Creative Challenge: Renee puts Damion on the spot to commit to releasing one piece of content before their next recording—a perfect example of how accountability can push us past our creative blocks. Whether you’re struggling with the dreaded elevator pitch, trying to figure out your brand colors, or just need a push to finally release that project you’ve been perfecting forever, this episode offers practical advice wrapped in an honest conversation about the realities of creative entrepreneurship. Perfect for: Entrepreneurs building personal brands, creatives struggling with consistency, and anyone who’s ever held back from sharing their work because it wasn’t “perfect” yet. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    44 min
  10. 02: Breaking Through Creative Ruts, Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected

    07/09/2025

    02: Breaking Through Creative Ruts, Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected

    Description: Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Andrew Gibbs, VP of Operations at Soldier Fit, for a candid conversation about creativity, inspiration, and pushing through those inevitable creative blocks we all face. Andrew opens up about feeling like a “suffocated creative” while working in the fitness industry, sharing his unique approach to content creation and how he finds inspiration in the everyday moments of his workouts. Renee, CEO of Renee Lynn Creative, brings her perspective on how stepping away from projects and connecting with nature helps her push through blocks, while Damion explores his process of diving deep into foundations—from typography to jungle music—as a way to break through creative barriers. Takeaways * The anatomy of creative ruts (yes, we use the constipation analogy) * How movement and mental breaks can unlock creativity * The difference between consuming content for development vs. pleasure * Why intention matters more than following trends * Finding creativity within seemingly mundane work * The importance of curiosity and asking questions over seeking quick answers * How authentic self-expression attracts the right audience Behind the Scenes: The conversation takes fascinating detours through podcast culture, hustle mentality, the value of silence, and why sometimes the best inspiration comes from simply being curious about the world around you—revealing the unscripted moments that happen when creatives truly connect. Whether you’re a traditional creative professional or someone discovering creativity within your day job, this episode offers practical insights on staying inspired, pushing through blocks, and embracing the creative potential that exists in every role. Perfect for: Anyone who’s ever felt stuck creatively, professionals exploring their artistic side, and those interested in the intersection of creativity and business. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    57 min

  11. 06/27/2025

    01: The Creatives Behind the Curtain

    Description: Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they pull back the curtain on their own creative journeys in this introductory episode. Get to know the people behind the podcast as they share their stories, struggles, and passions. Takeaways * The reality of creative freelancing and client relationships * How AI is changing the design landscape * The importance of claiming your expertise and setting boundaries * Why small businesses deserve our support * Building sustainable creative careers without selling out Meet Renee: The CEO behind Renee Lynn Creative, a design studio specializing in branding and illustration for purpose-driven founders. In this episode Renee shares why she started the podcast; to spotlight undervalued creatives and help them own their expertise. From her passion for sustainability and conservation to her dream of working with ice cream brands, discover what drives this multi-faceted creative entrepreneur. Meet Damion: An audio engineer who started out dreaming of being the next Pharrell Williams, Damion has evolved from music production to post-production work, podcast editing, and DJing. He opens up about the challenges of freelancing, undervaluing his skills, and his current mission to build his own personal brand through a radio station project. Plus, hear about his idea of DJing at all the national parks! Whether you’re a seasoned creative professional or just starting your artistic journey, this candid conversation offers insights into the real world of creative work—from the struggles with perfectionism to the joy of finding your creative community. Perfect for: Freelancers, designers, audio engineers, small business owners, and anyone curious about the creative process behind the brands and content they love. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

    53 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Welcome to Behind the Creative Curtain, a podcast hosted by Renee Garcia. On the show, I invite guests to pull back the curtain through honest conversations as we explore their passions and professions. rlcroots.substack.com

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