The MOOD Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Truth About Building a Career in Photography - Vanessa Joy E096 Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

She’s built a photography business that spans decades, continents, and platforms — but behind the portfolio is a deeper story.
In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down in person with Vanessa Joy — award-winning wedding photographer, educator, speaker, and creative entrepreneur — for an unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a career that blends art, business, mentorship, and meaning.
We unpack how her relationship with control, creativity, and leadership has evolved — from the early days of flash photography and client chaos to building an ecosystem of retreats, masterminds, and passive income that supports both her family and her students. We talk about the emotional weight of capturing life’s most fragile moments, the quiet value of print in a digital world, and why she’s leaning harder into legacy than ever before.
This is a conversation for the creatives who want to last — not just go viral. For the artists learning to sell without selling out. For the ones building something that still feels like them.
Watch, reflect, and share it with someone building something that matters.
Follow Vanessa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/vanessajoy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessajoy/
Website: https://vanessajoy.com/

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(00:00) Intro
(01:59) Recent Photography Retreats
(04:53) The Role of Photography in Vanessa's Life
(06:21) Managing Client Expectations as a Photographer
(09:52) Photo Insiders vs. Mastermind: What’s the Difference?
(12:18) How a $20K Coaching Investment Changed Her Business
(13:24) How Podcast Interviews Boosted Vanessa’s Brand
(17:42) Overcoming Burnout by Restructuring the Business
(19:28) What Success Looks Like After 20+ Years in Business
(22:16) Staying Visible in the Age of Social Media
(23:10) How to Be Authentic Online
(25:15) The Power of AI and the Authenticity Crisis
(32:47) The Pressure of Photographing Timeless Moments
(35:29) Staying Relevant as a Photographer in The Digital Age
(41:13) Vanessa Approach to Storytelling
(43:17) Why Artists Need to Choose Passion Over Profit
(46:48) Why YouTube and Content Still Matter in 2025
(50:32) Why Vanessa Shares Everything…
(53:48) How to Build a Brand as a Creative

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Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more.

Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus features
https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders

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Why Most Creatives Burn Out While Building a Business - Shane Vitaly, E095 Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

If you're building something and wondering how to do it without losing yourself, or if you're a creative caught between vision and survival, this one is for you.
Joining me today on The MOOD Podcast is Shane Vitaly, the rebellious designer and founder behind Clocks and Colours, Vitaly, and Etah Love. His jewelry brands have built a cult following by rejecting the polished and embracing the raw.
We go back to where it all started—a few dollars left on a student credit line, a solo trip to Bali, and a handful of handmade rings. Shane shares how that moment turned into a creative empire, and why success often comes at the cost of your nervous system.
This conversation digs into what most people never see.
The anxiety of being a CEO.
The risk of turning passion into a product.
The struggle to stay authentic when the business starts demanding more than you can give.
Shane opens up about stepping away from the top seat, reclaiming his creative voice, and why every great brand starts with a clear archetype.

Follow Shane
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanevitaly/
Website: https://www.clocksandcolours.com/

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(00:00) Intro
(02:58) How Shane Got Into Jewelery Design
(05:52) Shane’s Biggest Inspirations
(09:07) Was Formal Education Worth It?
(14:10) Pivoting to Entrepreneurship
(20:14) The Reality of Scaling a Business
(24:44) Shane’s Most Valuable Learning Lessons
(29:18) The Real Impact of AI
(33:47) Managing The Creative Side of Business
(42:36) Finding Purpose in Chaos
(46:48) Balancing Creativity and Business
(51:47) Exploring The Creative Dilemma
(56:33) Shane’s Vision for The Future
(59:49) The Mistakes I Won’t Repeat…
(01:04:51) Dealing with Anxiety

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What Happens When Architecture Meets the Camera? - Stephen Karlisch, E094 Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

"My photographs don't grow up dreaming of being pixels."

What does it mean to make timeless work in a digital world obsessed with speed, algorithms, and saturation?

In this episode, we explore the philosophy and craft behind one of the most respected names in interior and architectural photography.

Stephen Karlisch is a master of interior photography whose refined eye has helped shape the way we experience some of the world’s most beautifully designed spaces. With work featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Veranda, and beyond, Stephen has spent the past two decades translating architectural form into imagery that feels sculptural, soulful, and enduring. Beyond his photography, he’s also an educator and community builder, helping the next generation of photographers grow through craft, connection, and clarity.

In this conversation, we discuss:

The differences between architectural, real estate, and interior photography
Why stylists are often the unsung heroes of publishable imagery
The evolution of the interior photography industry from pre-internet to AI
What it takes to consistently get published in major design magazines
Building emotional mood through light, space, and timing
How to work collaboratively with designers and stylists on set
Why Stephen prioritizes timelessness over trends in his editing style
The value of printing your work—and why most photographers skip it
His definition of creative success after 25 years in the business

Find Stephen's work on his platforms:

Website: www.stephenkarlisch.com
Instagram: @stephen_karlisch_photo

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Website:
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The Performance Trap and Creative Amnesia - Moments of Mood, 2.7 Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

That familiar question we all dread - "So, what do you do?" - is more than small talk. It's a sorting mechanism that triggers our instinct to perform rather than connect. We scramble to sound impressive, to land in the 'interesting' pile, polishing our titles and subtly flexing our achievements. But this performance comes at a cost: the more we perform, the more we forget our authentic voice.

Childhood creativity gives way to adult performance so gradually we barely notice it happening. One day you're drawing in your sketch book; the next you're color-coding spreadsheets and wondering when you last created something not measured by metrics. Creativity gets replaced by correctness, expression by efficiency, and authenticity by applause-seeking. Yet this creativity - this ability to make, imagine, and see possibilities - isn't just for artists. It's a birthright we all possess, not something we achieve, but something we remember.

What if the secret to finding your voice isn't adding more credentials, techniques, or polish? What if it's about stripping away the performance, the masks, the need to impress? When we create from truth instead of performance, something profound shifts. People respond differently - not because we're technically perfect, but because we're genuinely present. In a world drowning in information but starving for imagination, creativity isn't indulgent - it's revolutionary. Because when people reconnect with their creative voice, they don't just make better work, they live more honest lives. They challenge broken systems, speak truth when silence is expected, and imagine possibilities beyond current paradigms. Your creativity isn't lost; it's just buried under expectations and fear. Stop asking what others want to hear and start asking what you actually want to say. The world doesn't need more performance. It needs more of you.

Happy Shooting.

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Searching for Lost Color: Jake Paul White, E093 Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

"I was one of those kids who really struggled at school... creativity was my saviour."

Jake Paul White is a British painter whose earthy, soulful work explores the space between the natural world and the emotional self. Using handmade pigments, natural materials, and a deep inner process, his paintings feel more like memories than objects. In this conversation, Jake opens up about his winding path from design and yoga to full-time artist—reflecting on purpose, perfectionism, healing, and the tension between artistic purity and playing the game of success.

Whether you’re a creative trying to find your voice or someone yearning for deeper meaning in your work, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to slow down and reconnect with what’s real.

What we covered:

How school systems disconnect us from creativity (and how to unlearn that)
The emotional truth behind working with natural pigments
The obsession with originality—and why “unique” doesn’t have to be forced
Creating from intuition vs. creating for success
The sacred role of boredom, slowness, and space in making art
How to hold purity and professionalism in one hand
The difference between making art that’s true and art that performs
Why voice isn’t found—it’s remembered

Find Jake's work on his platforms:

Website: www.jakepaulwhite.com
Instagram: @jake_paul_white

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The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
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How I’d Learn Photography in 2025 (If I Were Starting from Scratch) - Moments of Mood, 2.6 Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of Moments of Mood, and this week I break down how I would actually learn photography if I were starting over today. Not from theory — from experience. I reflect on my own path, critique the broken systems of education, and offer a mindset-first, meaning-driven approach to building your photography from the ground up.

You won’t find a checklist of gear. You’ll find an invitation to slow down, tune in, and start making images that reflect something honest.

***Want to watch the 6-hour FREE photography course video that follows this episode? Yes, that's right, I have given away the first 6 hours of my photography course FREE for you to watch on YouTube!***

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/PZ-ePEf26vA

Some things I touch upon:

Why traditional education fails most creatives
How to build your artistic identity, not just technical skill
The importance of books, long-form learning, and mentorship
What to ignore (gear hype, comparison, validation traps)
What to lean into (honesty, curiosity, community)

If this resonates, I guide photographers through this process every day. Not with a blueprint, a practice. Not a course, a path. If you want to find more, click on the link below under 'Learn With Me' to find out more about my highly tailored and individualized mentorship program.

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The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
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If You Feel Blocked Creatively, This Might Be Why: Ryan Moresby-White, EO92 Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

"If you're not waking up excited about your path, it might be time to ask different questions."

Ryan Moresby-White explores how unresolved childhood wounds shape our creative expression and why healing our nervous system unlocks artistic freedom. His powerful insights reveal why many creatives unconsciously create from a place of protection rather than truth. Whether you’re an artist, a photographer, or someone stuck between your potential and your pain — this episode will speak to the parts of you that long for change.

What we discussed:

The hidden childhood wounds blocking creative expression
Why nervous system regulation is essential for doing meaningful work
The cost of avoiding vulnerability — and how to face it
Reframing masculinity, purpose, and emotional strength for artists today

Find Ryan's work on his platforms:

Instagram: @ryanmoresbywhite
LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/ryan-moresby-white

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Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

The number one reason you can't find your voice as an artist, and how I found mine - Moments of Mood, 2.5 Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of Moments of Mood, I’m sharing my keynote speech from the Global Possibilities Summit, where I spoke on a topic close to my heart: How to Find Your Voice as an Artist.

This is the story of how cancer, depression, and a camera led me to rediscover myself — and how intentionality, presence, and rebellion can turn your art into something truly meaningful.

Whether you’re a photographer, creative entrepreneur, or simply someone searching for purpose, this story will resonate with you.

Let me know your thoughts, and how you might be reclaiming your authentic story, and voice!

Thank you for listening.

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Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

Think You’re Not Ready? This Photographer Says Start Anyway - Mitchell Kanashkevich, E091 Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

"Sometimes the photo is the excuse - the real gift is the connection."

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Mitchell Kanashkevich is a travel and documentary photographer best known for his emotive portraits, vibrant visual storytelling, and deeply immersive work documenting disappearing cultures and sacred traditions. With a career spanning two decades, his images have been featured in top international publications and exhibitions — but it’s his humble, human-first approach to image-making that truly sets him apart. In this conversation, we explore not just where he goes, but how he sees, and why he photographs in the first place.

In this episode, we discuss:

The trip that changed everything
What shaped his early career
Why naïveté can be an asset when photographing people
His evolution from hobbyist to full-time photographer
Navigating commercial needs vs. personal passion
What it means to give back ethically
How to build trust and connection
The role of storytelling, aesthetic depth, and emotional resonance in strong portfolios
Why originality is a myth

Find Mitchell's work on his platforms:

Website: www.mitchellk-photos.com
Education: www.photographic-process.com
Instagram: @mitchellkphotos
Substack: www.mitchellkphotos.substack.com

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Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

From Private Jets to Creative Freedom: My $0 to Studio Life Story - Moments of Mood 2.4 May 27, 2025

Show notes

This is the story of how I walked away from a life that looked perfect on paper to create something that actually felt like mine. It’s not a highlight reel or a 5-step formula — it’s the real journey of becoming a full-time creative from scratch.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who the world expects you to be…If you’ve ever picked up a camera hoping to express something real…If you’re trying to find your voice in a sea of noise…

This episode is for you.

What I share:

The quiet breakdown behind a “dream” career in aviation
How a cancer diagnosis in my 20s changed everything
The real reason I started photography (and why it didn’t work at first)
The trip that shifted everything
Building a creative life from scratch — without a plan
Why photography is about presence, not perfection
The moment I stopped performing and started creating

Whether you’re a hobbyist who’s feeling stuck or a pro still searching for your voice — this isn’t just about photography or any specific artform. It’s about choosing to live a life that feels like yours.

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Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation!

Support the show

The App That Transformed My Art & Mind
https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Website:
https://themoodpodcast.com

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