The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods

Latest Episodes:

Inside Women Create: Susan Harold on Creativity, Purpose & The Art of Coming Full Circle Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

What if the path you're meant for… is the one you return to? In this episode, Susan Harold shares how decades in publishing led her back to a role that feels both unexpected—and exactly right.

In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with Susan Harold—Editor-in-Chief of Where Women Create and What Women Create, and author of the stunning coffee table book The Art of the Studio.

With over 30 years in magazine publishing, circulation, and editorial leadership, Susan has spent her career shaping creative storytelling and championing the maker community. In this conversation, we explore what it looks like to return to a role that feels both unexpected and deeply aligned—and how every chapter of your life prepares you for the one you're stepping into now.

Together, we talk about: ✨ The full-circle journey back to purpose and leadership ✨ Why true motivation begins from within ✨ How to quiet the noise and listen to your inner voice ✨ The power of storytelling, publishing, and creative platforms for women ✨ Building a meaningful career in the creative industry

Susan also shares the heart behind her book The Art of the Studio, a passion project celebrating the beauty, intention, and inspiration found in creative spaces—and the stories behind the artists who inhabit them.

This episode is for the creative woman who feels a pull toward something more… who is learning to trust her voice, honor her journey, and step fully into what she's meant to create.

🎧 If you've ever wondered whether you're on the right path—this conversation will remind you that you are.

New in 2025, The Women Create Shop, https://www.womencreateshop.com, a curated marketplace where each collection is a reflection of its maker — inspired by tradition, shaped by imagination, and crafted with care.

Susan Harold: With over three decades in magazine publishing spanning circulation, content creation, and editing, Susan Harold has spent her career at the heart of creative storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Where Women Create and What Women Create, she continues to champion the maker community. Susan is also the author of The Art of the Studio, the premiere coffee table book from Women Create. This debut is a true passion project, uniting her professional expertise with her lifelong appreciation for design, photography, and the intentional beauty of interiors.

Fun Facts: Spending time at the beach is one of my favorite ways to relax. I love books, Pilates, travel, all things fashion, and spending time as a family with my husband and 2 grown sons. I have always been obsessed with magazines. After a brief, four-hour realization that my first post-grad role wasn't the right fit, I pivoted quickly and accepted a Marketing Assistant position at a magazine distributor. This was the true starting point of my career.

Website https://womencreate.com Facebook Where Women Create Instagram WHERE & WHAT Women Create (@wherewomencreate) • Instagram profile

Color, Calling, and Courage: Casey Alvarez on Faith, Creativity, and Building a Life Through Art Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

What if your creativity wasn't just a talent—but a calling?

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with artist Casey Alvarez, a Missouri-based painter, entrepreneur, and former Christian counselor who has built a thriving creative business rooted in faith, color, and purpose.

From painting large European-style armoires on her farm in the Ozarks to shipping her work to 46 states, Casey shares how she transformed her love of creativity into a meaningful and sustainable career.

But this conversation goes deeper than art.

Casey opens up about: • How her background in counseling became her unexpected superpower in mentoring other women • The role faith plays in her creative process and decision-making • What it really takes to build a creative business from "the middle of nowhere" • Why storytelling—even through painted furniture—creates connection and impact • How color, nature, and farm life continue to inspire her work

Through honesty, warmth, and wisdom, Casey reminds us that creativity isn't just about what we make—it's about how we live, lead, and serve.

This episode is for artists, creatives, and women who feel called to something more—and are ready to express it boldly.

✨ If you've ever wondered how to turn your creative passion into a business, or how to trust your voice and your vision, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Website CaseyAlvarezArt - Etsy Facebook Paint with Casey Instagram Paint with Casey (@paintwithcasey) • Instagram profile YouTube Paint with Casey

The Courage to Be Seen: ShenShen210 on Graffiti, Faith, and the Power of Vulnerability Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

What if your greatest creative superpower wasn't talent—but vulnerability?

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods, Dionne sits down with groundbreaking portrait artist ShenShen210 for a conversation that moves from freight trains and graffiti culture to faith, purpose, and the courage to fully embody who you were created to be.

Growing up in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Shen began painting at just 15 years old—eventually becoming known as one of the first female freight train graffiti artists on the West Coast. At a time when the street art world was overwhelmingly male, she carved out her own place with spray paint, bold color, and fearless expression.

Her artistic path has taken her from painting graffiti on trains and large-scale wall murals to prestigious exhibitions, live stage painting, and portrait commissions for notable figures including Clint Eastwood, William H. Macy, and Tim Tebow.

But Shen's journey started in humble and creative ways—painting T-shirts at Six Flags and growing up in a family she describes as "rebels," collectors, and storytellers who inspired curiosity and appreciation for beautiful objects long before it was trendy.

Today, Shen's work blends aerosol techniques with mixed media portraiture, capturing the emotion and spirit of her subjects in ways that feel raw, honest, and deeply human.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dionne and Shen explore:

• Why Shen believes vulnerability is her true artistic superpower • What it was like to break barriers as a female graffiti artist in the 1980s • How scripture—especially Epistle to the Ephesians 2:10—shaped her understanding that we are created to create • Painting live on stage during a recent event with Tim Tebow • Why faith and creativity are deeply intertwined in her life and art

Shen also reflects on a powerful quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that has guided her creative courage:

"Do not be timid or squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment."

Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Shen continues to exhibit internationally, paint murals, and create powerful portrait work while using her art as a way to share faith, beauty, and redemption.

Her message is clear: We were created to create—and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply show up as ourselves.

Upcoming Events: Square Foot Show, Painting Live Onstage with Tim Tebow this fall, and hosting ongoing curated exhibits at The Factory in Franklin, TN.

Fun Facts: Our family is know as the "J Team"

Crashed a party in NYC where Steven Tyler sang Happy Birthday to Tommy Hillfiger's brother for his 50th

Website :ShenStudio: The Sacred Urban Art of :ShenShen210: Facebook ShenShen210 Instagram :ShenShen210: (@shenshen210) • Instagram profile YouTube :ShenShen210:

Email: jodistyle@gmail.com

Grow with Integrity: Why Every Creative Needs a Strategic Guide with Erin Schlarb Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

What happens when calm strategy meets courageous vision?

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with Erin Schlarb, founder of Hemlock Strategy and Design and the strategic guide behind many of Dionne's most successful launches, websites, and digital expansions.

Erin works as more than a website designer — she is a thoughtful partner to creatives, artists, and small business owners who want clarity, integrity, and confidence in their digital presence. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, she serves with intention, helping clients understand what actually matters for growth.

Together, Dionne and Erin discuss:

Why asking for help is a leadership move, not a weakness
How trust and integrity shape sustainable business growth
What it means to serve instead of simply "sell"
Translating complicated tech into empowering strategy
The quiet confidence behind being a strategic partner
Elevating your business without losing yourself

Erin shares how she built Hemlock Strategy & Design from a place of curiosity and care — and why she believes technology should feel empowering, not intimidating.

Known for her calm, curious approach, Erin has helped countless creatives feel more confident navigating websites, SEO, digital marketing tools, and strategic planning. Her work is rooted in genuine connection, thoughtful guidance, and elevating the people behind the brand.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by tech… If you've questioned whether you're ready for support… If you long for a strategic partner who truly sees you…

This conversation will feel like permission.

To learn more about Erin's website reviews and strategy sessions, visit: 👉 hemlockstrategy.com

Website Hemlock Strategy and Design › Small Business Website Design Facebook Hemlock Strategy and Design | Fairlawn OH Instagram Hemlock Strategy and Design (@hemlockstrategy) • Instagram profile LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemlockstrategy/

A Creative Life by Design: Motivation, Lists & Letting Go with Michelle Allen Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with Michelle Allen, the artist and creative force behind the globally recognized brand Allen Designs, for a heartfelt conversation about building a creative life by design.

From the unexpected way cat clocks changed her life and career, to her love of list-making, bike riding, and creative structure, Michelle shares how motivation evolves over time—and what it really looks like to let go when burnout creeps in. Together, Dionne and Michelle explore the tension between discipline and play, productivity and rest, and how honoring your own rhythms can lead to more meaningful, sustainable creativity.

Michelle reflects on decades of creative entrepreneurship, teaching, and fine art, offering wisdom on staying curious, embracing imperfection, and continuing to grow—even when motivation feels distant. This episode is a reminder that creativity doesn't have to be forced; it can be shaped gently, intentionally, and with joy.

If you're a creative navigating burnout, craving clarity, or reimagining what's next, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and inspired to keep going.

In this episode, we talk about:

Motivation through different seasons of life
Burnout and the permission to let go
Why lists bring freedom (not pressure)
Building creative momentum without overworking
Finding inspiration in everyday rituals
Designing a creative life that actually fits you

About the Guest: Michelle Allen is a Tucson-based artist and founder of Allen Designs, known for her joyful, expressive functional art and iconic designs that celebrate beauty in imperfection. Her work has been featured at juried art fairs, wholesale markets, and in homes around the world. In addition to her commercial success, Michelle is deeply committed to teaching, painting, and inspiring others to live more creatively.

Connect with Michelle: Website: michelleallenart.com Instagram: @michelleallenart YouTube: Michelle Allen Art

New episodes of The Motivatarian Exchange are released every couple of weeks, featuring honest conversations with creatives about motivation, creativity, and connected growth.

💙 If this episode resonates, be sure to subscribe and share it with a creative friend who needs a little encouragement today.

From Dreaming to Doing: Andie Hamilton on Motivation, Color & Becoming an Artist Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with Dallas-based abstract artist and photographer Andie Hamilton, the creative force behind Andie in Color.

As a young girl, Andie dreamed of becoming a photographer and fashion designer. Today, she is fully embracing every layer of her creative life—using bold color, expressive abstraction, and intuitive storytelling to shift spaces, spark emotion, and encourage women to be seen.

In this honest and motivating conversation, Dionne and Andie talk about the journey from imagining a creative life to actively living one. Andie shares how motivation has evolved for her over time, how trusting creativity changed her path, and what it looks like to integrate every skill, interest, and season into becoming the artist she is today.

Together, they explore:

The transition from dreaming to doing in a creative life
How color can change not just a space, but a mindset
Staying motivated through uncertainty, pivots, and growth
Letting go of old expectations to embrace creative identity
Why becoming an artist is often about permission, not perfection

Andie's story is a reminder that motivation isn't always loud or linear—it's often found by showing up, trusting intuition, and allowing yourself to grow into the work over time. This episode is especially resonant for creative women who once held big dreams and are now learning how to honor them fully.

Whether you're an artist, photographer, creative entrepreneur, or someone rediscovering your creative voice, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and a gentle push toward becoming who you've always imagined.

🩵 Fun fact: Andie once failed art class in high school—proof that creative paths don't always start with permission, but they often lead exactly where they're meant to.

Website Andie In Color Facebook Facebook Instagram Andie Hamilton (@andieincolor) • Instagram profile

Email: andiehamilton@mac.com

Painting Identity, Intuition & the Courage to Become with Artist Michele Rogers Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods is joined by Saskatchewan-based artist Michele Rogers, whose powerful portrait work honors Indigenous First Nations women and reflects her Métis heritage through stories of strength, memory, and generational resilience.

Michele's paintings give visual voice to grandmothers, granddaughters, and female warriors—women whose lives and legacies shape cultural identity. Her work is deeply intuitive and emotionally layered, rooted in storytelling rather than surface aesthetics. Through her art, Michele explores what it means to remember, to honor, and to create from lived experience.

In this conversation, Dionne and Michele explore:

How cultural heritage informs creative identity
Painting as a form of remembrance and resistance
The responsibility and reverence of telling women's stories through portraiture
Finding confidence, leadership, and voice through the creative process
Encouraging others to step into creativity without fear of outcome

Michele shares reflections from her journey as a lifelong entrepreneur, community artist, and educator—from large-scale window installations in her hometown to teaching paint parties designed to build confidence and curiosity. She also speaks about recent career milestones, including award-winning work, gallery exhibitions, and her participation in The Art of Becoming, a documentary series exploring the evolution of creative women.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and consider how art can carry history, identity, and truth—especially for women navigating creativity, leadership, and becoming at every stage of life.

🩵 Michele Rogers is a contributor to The Turquoise Iris Journal and a featured artist in The Art of Becoming.

Michele is currently participating in a gallery exhibition, with another major show scheduled for early 2026. Her work and creative journey were also featured in a prestigious artist magazine (Fall 2025) and highlighted in a documentary exploring her path to art, identity, and empowerment. In addition to her studio practice, Michele was invited to speak as one of three panelists at the WESK (Women Entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan) event, where she shared insights on creativity, entrepreneurship, and artistic leadership.

Upcoming Events

• Artist Meet & Greet — Fierce The Spare Room Gallery, Cut Knife, Saskatchewan December 12

• "A Grandmother's Love" — Solo Exhibition Queen Elizabeth II Art Gallery at Government House Regina, Saskatchewan March 28 – June 28, 2026

Fun Fact

Michele once traveled to Peru to help film a documentary highlighting the vital roles women play in a village along the Amazon River. During the experience, she slept among some of the largest black, hairy spiders she had ever seen—each one nearly the size of her palm. An unforgettable reminder of courage, curiosity, and immersion in the unknown.

Email: michelerogersart@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michelerogersart/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michelerogersart/

Website - https://www.peekinmywindow.com/

Get Messy, Get Free: Mixed Media Artist Jenny Grant on Courageous Creativity Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, host Dionne Woods sits down with Swedish mixed media artist Jenny Grant, whose imaginative art and creative philosophy celebrate the magic found in the mess.

Known for her layered, tactile, and intuitive painting style, Jenny empowers artists around the world to embrace imperfection, trust the process, and rediscover the pure joy of creating. Once a physicist specializing in Optronics, she traded formulas for freedom — turning her lifelong curiosity into a thriving creative career built on courage and play.

Through her global Café Flow – The Art Club membership, her beloved Book of Flow online art journaling course, and in-person mixed media art retreats across Europe and the U.S., Jenny inspires thousands to paint bravely and let go of perfectionism.

Together, Dionne and Jenny explore how creative flow begins when you show up and get messy — finding beauty in every imperfect layer, meaning in movement, and confidence in the act of doing.

👉🏻A must-listen for artists, creatives, and makers ready to reignite their inspiration, overcome creative blocks, and paint with freedom, joy, and courage.

Website Jenny Grant Art Mixed Media Artist Facebook Jenny Grant - Mixed Media Art Instagram ▪️ Jenny Grant Art▪️ (@flowbyjenny) YouTube FlowByJenny - Jenny Grant Art

Email: jenny@flowbyjenny.com

Uncovering the Work We're Meant to Do with Juliette Crane Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, host Dionne Woods sits down with Juliette Crane, a full-time artist, author, and founder of The School of Happy Painting. Known for her whimsical abstract portraits, layered mixed-media techniques, and signature owls, Juliette has spent more than 15 years helping artists paint fearlessly and reconnect with joy in their creative process.

After losing her job in 2009, Juliette rediscovered her purpose through painting — blending abstract and figurative elements to explore storytelling, emotion, and the beauty of imperfection. Her intuitive art style and online painting courses have inspired thousands of creatives around the world to trust themselves, embrace their unique artistic voice, and uncover the work they're truly meant to do.

From her light-filled studio surrounded by nature, Juliette continues to expand her creative practice through painting, writing, gallery partnerships, and teaching. She also shares new inspiration in her newsletter, 7 Weeks of Creative Celebrations, and is launching her own creative community on Substack this December.

💙 In this episode, you'll learn:

How to find your artistic voice and paint fearlessly
Why layering, imperfection, and play unlock creative freedom
How to stay motivated as a full-time artist
Tips for building a meaningful art practice and community

✨ Connect with Juliette Crane: Website: JulietteCrane.com Instagram: @juliettecrane YouTube: Juliette Crane

The One-of-a-Kind Creative: How BJ Massa Turns Pressure into Artful Possibility Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with multi-disciplinary artist and Turquoise Iris Journal curator BJ Massa of Junk'd Up — a one-of-a-kind creative whose imagination knows no limits.

Known for her surrealist face art, whimsical furniture, and intricate assemblage pieces crafted from vintage finds, BJ has spent a lifetime transforming forgotten objects into storytelling art. But as she reveals, motivation doesn't always come easily...it's something she builds.

Dionne and BJ unpack the truth about self-motivation, creative discipline, and the surprising power of parameters. BJ shares how deadlines fuel her creativity, why she thrives within structure, and how her deep love of history, nostalgia, and all things vintage infuses every brushstroke and assemblage she creates.

A conversation for every artist who's ever felt stuck, searching for the spark to keep creating — and proof that motivation can be made, not just found.

More about BJ:

BJ is a multi-disciplinary artist working in the Indianapolis area. She is known for her surrealist face art, her assemblage work and her fanciful painted furniture. BJ injects whimsy into her work and isn't afraid of bold color. She is a curator for The Turquoise Iris Journal.

Fun Facts: BJ was a flight attendant for two years after graduating from Indiana University affording her the opportunity to travel the world.

Website Junk'd Up Home Facebook Junk'd Up Instagram Junk'd Up/ Maker, Thrifter, Creator (@junkdup) YouTube Junk'd Up

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