Épisodes

  • When Feedback Hurts (and When to Ignore It)

    When Feedback Hurts (and When to Ignore It)
    May 7 2026
    What happens when feedback stops being helpful and starts feeling personal? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay explore the complicated reality of receiving feedback as a creative, a leader, and a public-facing builder. From formative critiques in design school to unsolicited opinions from strangers online, this is a grounded conversation about what it actually feels like to put your work into the world and have it reflected back through other people’s perspectives. Steph reflects on her time at Parsons, where her work was dissected by industry names like Michael Kors, and how that early exposure to high-level critique shaped her ability to separate useful feedback from emotional noise. Jay brings in the leadership side of the conversation, breaking down what it means to give feedback responsibly when other people are building what you’ve asked them to create. Together, they unpack the difference between critique that sharpens your work and criticism that reveals more about the person giving it than the work itself. They also talk about the emotional side of visibility, from reading feedback third-hand to the unexpected sting of something as small as a friend unsubscribing from an email list. This episode also explores: Why early critique from top-tier professionals can build long-term resilience How to tell the difference between constructive feedback and disguised opinion Why third-party criticism often lands harder than direct conversation What it means to lead creatively without shutting people down The responsibility that comes with giving feedback as a leader The “man in the arena” idea and who actually earns the right to critique your work Dave Grutman’s philosophy of “taking it personal” and what that unlocks A closing reflection on whether your work would change if no one else’s opinion existed Follow & Connect with the Show!Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcastFollow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Steph’s brand: Have Some Fun TodayThis show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min
  • The Psychology of Creativity: How Ideas Actually Work (and What It Takes to Build Them)

    The Psychology of Creativity: How Ideas Actually Work (and What It Takes to Build Them)
    Apr 30 2026
    What does it really mean to be creative, and what does it actually take to turn an idea into something real? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay dive into the psychology of creativity, from where ideas come from to what happens after inspiration hits. This is an honest, layered conversation about instinct, execution, and the often-overlooked gap between being creative and building something sustainable. They reflect on how creativity showed up early in their lives, from first-grade daydreaming to feeling “different”, and how those instincts evolved into real-world pursuits. But this episode goes beyond inspiration. It gets into the reality of bringing ideas to life: the mistakes, the money lost, the pressure, and the lessons learned the hard way. Jay shares how he started a tennis racket stringing business before the age of 20 with zero experience, while Steph opens up about walking into Bendel’s with hand-sewn dresses, landing a major moment with Brooke Shields, and still having to figure out the business side behind the scenes. They talk candidly about undervaluing your work, navigating creative blocks, and why not every idea needs to become a business. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing what to build—and what to keep as a passion. This episode also explores: Why daydreaming might be your greatest creative tool Letting ideas “come through you” vs. forcing them The difference between creativity and business acumen Pricing, marketing mistakes, and lessons from ~$100K in losses Creative intuition and recognizing “the tap on the shoulder” Fear of success and self-sabotage The importance of environment and the people around you How to move through creative blocks and actually execute Books & References Mentioned: The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron Stutz (Netflix) – Jonah Hill & Dr. Phil Stutz New Crits artist talks (NYC) Artist Cam Roone (Whitney Biennial) Follow & Connect with the Show! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcast Follow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Steph’s brand: Have Some Fun Today This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & intro: the psychology of creativity 0:18 – Were we always creative? Growing up “different” 1:27 – Steph’s first-grade daydreaming & Sister Alisan 2:46 – Jay’s first day of school: kicking and screaming 4:14 – Daydreaming as a superpower: visualization vs. fantasy 6:57 – Rick Rubin & letting ideas come through you 14:49 – Steph’s painting In Your Dreams 22:29 – The Artist’s Way & creative process 25:41 – The origin of Have Some Fun Today 28:19 – Deadlines, pressure & creativity 32:01 – The idea Steph almost ignored 35:23 – Protecting your creativity 44:02 – Fear of success & self-sabotage 52:38 – The “snapshot” trap (Stutz) 57:16 – Creating with purpose 1:02:49 – Creative blocks & how to move through them 1:07:27 – Environment: stimulation vs. stillness 1:16:57 – Takeaway exercise 1:22:01 – Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 min
  • Turning Your Idea Into a Business (Without Losing Money)

    Turning Your Idea Into a Business (Without Losing Money)
    Apr 23 2026
    In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay, the conversation turns to something a lot of creatives run into but don’t always talk about honestly, what it actually takes to turn an idea into a real business. Steph and Jay share their own paths, and where things didn’t go as planned. Jay talks about starting a tennis racket stringing business before he was 20, with zero business experience, and learning everything the hard way. Steph reflects on walking into Bendel’s with hand-sewn dresses, landing a major moment with Brooke Shields, and still having to figure out how to actually build something sustainable behind the scenes. They get into the gap between being creative and being business-savvy, and why those are two completely different skill sets. There’s a real conversation around pricing, including the costly mistakes that led to a combined ~$100K lost in bad marketing decisions, and why so many creatives undervalue their work early on. They also challenge the idea that everyone should start a business. Sometimes the better move is keeping something as a hobby, and knowing the difference can save a lot of time, money, and stress. The episode breaks down how to recognize when something has real potential versus when it’s being forced into something it’s not. A big theme throughout is the importance of who you surround yourself with. The right people don’t just support you, they help you see your blind spots and make better decisions faster. If you’re a creative, founder, or someone sitting on an idea you’ve been trying to turn into something bigger, this episode offers a more grounded, honest look at what that actually requires. Share your thoughts in the comments. Are you building something right now, or still figuring out what it could be? Follow & Connect with the Show!Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcastFollow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Chapters 0:00 - Opening 0:39 — Intro: From Idea to Income 3:19 — Steph's path: college, art school & early ambitions 3:43 — Jay's story: building a business before age 20 19:58 — Product vs. service businesses — finding the right fit 34:12 — How to price your work 38:06 — Financial mistakes & marketing scams 42:22 — Advice for creatives: balancing passion with business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • Can AI Help or Hurt Creativity? Using AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Crutch

    Can AI Help or Hurt Creativity? Using AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Crutch
    Apr 16 2026
    In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay, we get into AI and creativity, what it actually means for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to make something original right now. There’s a lot of noise around AI, but this conversation breaks down where it’s genuinely useful and where it starts to interfere with the creative process. Steph shares how she’s integrated tools like ChatGPT and Claude into her workflow as a painter and designer, not to create the art itself, but to support everything around it. From writing applications to documenting her work and communicating her vision more clearly, AI has become a backend tool that helps her stay focused on what actually matters: the creative. Jay brings a decade of experience in the AI space and explains how people are really using it right now, from agents to custom-built assistants, and why most people are barely scratching the surface. He also gets into prompting, where people go wrong, and how to actually use these tools in a way that saves time instead of creating more noise. Together, they explore the difference between using AI as a crutch versus a collaborator, why solopreneurs need to be paying attention, and the bigger questions around ethics, copyright, and ownership in a world where technology is moving fast. They also make the case that the real advantage isn’t AI alone, it’s the combination of human perspective and AI execution. If you’re a creative, founder, or someone trying to figure out how AI fits into your workflow without losing your voice, this episode gives you a grounded, practical way to think about it. Share your thoughts in the comments — are you using AI right now, or still figuring it out? Follow & Connect with the Show! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcast Follow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Follow Pickles & Pasta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picklesandpastapdocast/ Follow Pickles & Pasta on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578277108234 This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min
  • Burnout vs. Boredom: How to Spot Misalignment & Reclaim Your Energy

    Burnout vs. Boredom: How to Spot Misalignment & Reclaim Your Energy
    Apr 9 2026
    In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph and Jay, we break down burnout, what it really is and what it’s not. We separate true burnout from boredom, depression, frustration, and plain exhaustion, and talk about why so many entrepreneurs misdiagnose what they’re feeling. Steph opens up about her five-year “slow burn” while building Have Some Fun Today. What started as a creative dream turned into nonstop inventory management, shrinking margins, marketing pressure, and wearing every hat in the business. When COVID shut down her planned QVC launch, the cracks got wider. Jay shares his own story of hitting a wall while running multiple tennis businesses and the hard decision to step away before the burnout consumed him. Together, they explore misalignment as the real root of burnout, why high performers ignore the warning signs, and how to reset before it’s too late. Steph shares how spiritual practice, art workshops, and recommitting to her creative career helped her recover and rebuild with clarity. If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader feeling drained, stuck, or disconnected from your work, this episode will help you identify burnout and take practical steps toward recovery. Share your burnout story in the comments and let us know how you handled it. Follow, Watch, & Connect with the Show! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcast Follow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and Produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnerships inquires, please contact Shane Thornton at shane@rainbowcreative.co CHAPTERS 00:00 What Burnout Really Means 01:44 Steph’s Slow Burn Story 04:54 Jay’s Wall Hit Burnout 00:00 Burnout vs Being Drained 10:37 Misalignment and Evolving Goals 13:04 Warning Signs and Frustration 16:15 COVID and Momentum Shifts 18:53 How to Heal and Pivot 20:55 Reigniting Creativity Through Art 22:15 Wearing Too Many Hats 24:59 Money Versus Alignment 26:51 Spotting Burnout Signals 32:06 Wisdom From Past Clients 34:11 Overthinking And Burnout 38:11 Avoiding The Spiral 39:34 Share Your Burnout Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 min
  • Pickles & Pasta EP35 - Mindset, Momentum & Mental Loops

    Pickles & Pasta EP35 - Mindset, Momentum & Mental Loops
    Apr 1 2026
    Pickles & Pasta EP35 - Momentum, Pauses & Staying the Course In Episode 35 of Pickles and Pasta, Jay and Steph dig into the reality of momentum, how it starts, how it builds, and what happens when life suddenly interrupts it. They talk about the energy that comes with stepping into a new year with fresh ideas, clear goals, and real movement, but also how outside events, delays, illness, and unexpected setbacks can throw even the best plans off course. Steph shares how she has been navigating that in real time across multiple creative projects, and why she has learned not to see every pause as a failure. Sometimes the slowdown is actually useful. Sometimes it gives you space to refine the idea, expand the vision, or see a better path forward. Jay builds on that from the strategy side, exploring the difference between losing momentum and simply being redirected. Together, they reflect on persistence, preparation, and the belief required to keep going when things are not unfolding on your timeline. The conversation becomes a broader look at resilience, faith in your path, and the importance of knowing when a delay is not a dead end. They close with a fun rapid fire on where they would go to eat if they could jump on a plane right now, where creative ideas show up, and what gives them clarity outside of work. Topics Covered: Momentum and why it matters What to do when life interrupts your flow The difference between a pause and a setback Persistence, patience, and staying with the long game How outside events can affect creative and business momentum Why delays can sometimes improve the outcome Trusting your direction even when timing shifts Rapid fire: creativity, travel cravings, and clarity Momentum is powerful, but knowing how to move through the pause is what keeps you in the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min
  • Pickles & Pasta EP34 - Mindset, Momentum & Mental Loops

    Pickles & Pasta EP34 - Mindset, Momentum & Mental Loops
    Mar 25 2026
    Episode 34 - Mindset, Momentum & Mental Loops In Episode 34 of Pickles and Pasta, Jay and Steph begin by reflecting on the close of Steph’s solo show and what it feels like to wrap something meaningful with a sense of peace, pride, and readiness for what comes next. From there, the conversation turns to mindset, how the way we think shapes the way we work, create, and move through daily life. Steph shares a mindfulness idea that reframed things for her in a powerful way: maybe it is not just a negativity problem, maybe it is an algorithm problem in the brain. That sparks a deeper conversation about overthinking, mental loops, gratitude, and the importance of consciously shifting your focus toward thoughts that energize rather than drain you. Jay builds on that by connecting mindset to repetition, prayer, meditation, concentration, and the habits that help people stay grounded. Together, they explore how our inner dialogue affects confidence, creativity, and emotional resilience, especially when life and work feel heavy. They also reflect on manifestation, discipline, the value of practice, and why small mental shifts can change the way we experience everything. The episode closes with a playful rapid fire on AI, adventure, and the things they would and would not want technology to do for them. Topics Covered: Closing a chapter and moving on with peace Why mindset matters in work and life Overthinking, mental loops, and “algorithm” thinking Mindfulness, gratitude, and shifting your focus The connection between repetition, belief, and momentum How inner dialogue affects creativity and resilience Rapid fire: AI, adventure, and personal preferences Your mindset shapes more than your mood, it shapes your energy, your work, and the way you move through the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min
  • Pickles & Pasta EP33 - Patience, Perspective & Playing the Long Game

    Pickles & Pasta EP33 - Patience, Perspective & Playing the Long Game
    Mar 18 2026
    Episode 33 - Patience, Perspective & Playing the Long Game In Episode 33 of Pickles and Pasta, Jay and Steph ease in with playful back and forth about their intros, getting ready to go out, and the little rhythms that make up life together before shifting into a much deeper conversation about persistence, creativity, and what it really means to stay with something. The heart of the episode is about the strategy of not giving up. Steph reflects on building projects in an uncertain world, explaining how she approaches new ideas, slower momentum, and the patience it takes to keep going when things are not moving as quickly as expected. For her, it is never about forcing results overnight. It is about trusting the long game, staying ready, and believing that the alignment will come. Jay expands on that by talking about entrepreneurship, setbacks, delays, curveballs, and the deeper mindset required to keep building. Together, they explore the difference between simple stubbornness and true perseverance, the kind rooted in vision, purpose, and a belief that the path is still worth walking. They also reflect on what it means to live creatively, how ideas keep arriving at all hours, and why the journey itself is often the real reward. The episode closes with a funny and affectionate rapid fire round about seasonal changes, what they do not miss when seasons shift, and what they are most looking forward to this spring. Topics Covered: Creative resilience and not giving up Staying committed in uncertain times Patience, timing, and the long game Why some projects move slowly Trusting your path as an entrepreneur Stubbornness vs perseverance The journey, not just the outcome Rapid fire: spring shifts and what they’re looking forward to Keep going, trust the timing, and remember that sometimes the real win is staying with the path long enough to see it open up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min