Windowsill Chats

• Life Advice from the Departed: Finding Meaning, Humor, and Humanity with Mary McGreevy

  This week on Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by Mary McGreevy, the creative mind behind the viral TikTok account Tips From Dead People. What began as a curious, ironic hobby—reading obituaries for life advice—has blossomed into a meaningful exploration of what it means to live well. With a background in public policy and a penchant for heartfelt storytelling, Mary has built a community around the simple idea that there’s wisdom in the words left behind. Margo and Mary explore how obituaries—whether poignant, irreverent, funny, or achingly honest—reveal what really matters at the end of the day. They talk about how quirks, flaws, and tiny joys shape the legacies we leave behind, why zigzagging through careers and passions can be more fulfilling than following a set path, and how embracing our humanity—mess and all—creates space for connection. Mary and Margo discuss: The beginnings of Tips From Dead People and how it evolved from a personal hobby into a viral phenomenon Why traditional career advice like “find your passion” can be misleading How reading obituaries illuminates the richness of so-called “ordinary” lives The value of quirks, humor, and imperfections in shaping how we’re remembered Shifting our definition of success from accolades to meaningful details Creating inclusive spaces built on shared humanity Why being a generalist in life and career can be a strength, not a weakness What obituaries can teach us about writing (and rewriting) our own life stories How weird, one-off ideas often turn out to be the most impactful The healing, grounding power of stories—especially those from unexpected places Connect with Mary: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople IG: https://www.instagram.com/tipsfromdeadpeople/ Substack: https://substack.com/@tipsfromdeadpeople   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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• Creative Current Events: Michaels’ Takeover, the Loneliest Color, and Traits of the Creative Mind

  Margo and Abby are back and diving into mosaic mania, bold color trends, and major shakeups in the creative world in this episode of Creative Current Events, a special segment of Windowsill Chats. This curious and timely conversation covers everything from headline-making news to the creative tools and trends shaping what’s next. They unpack the big story of Michaels acquiring Joann Fabrics and what it could mean for artists, crafters, and small-town makers alike. They also explore the surprising team-up between Disney and Universal in a lawsuit against MidJourney that could reshape the future of AI-generated art, along with the rise of biophilic design, the comeback of mosaics, and Sherwin-Williams’ new “loneliest” color.   Articles Mentioned: Michaels acquires Joann Fabrics Disney & Universal sue MidJourney over AI use Ariadne AI toolkit for arts education Top wall art trends for 2025 Biophilic design and color drenching Sherwin-Williams: The Loneliest Color Pantone Color of the Year in review Why mosaics are having a moment Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring in 108 gigapixels Extreme mold threatening museum collections 12 traits of creative people Traits that will define next-gen creative leaders Meta used my book for AI training... and I didn’t mind Find artist calls and open submissions Artwork Archive: Call for Entry My Friends by Hisham Matar James Clear’s 3-2-1 Thursdays Connect with Abby: https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/ https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/   Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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  46:20
• Painting Boldly, Living Brightly: Carolyn Gavin on Art, Travel, and Teaching

  Carolyn Gavin returns to Windowsill Chats for a joy-filled conversation about painting, purpose, and the evolution of her creative life. Based in Toronto by way of South Africa, Carolyn is a painter, illustrator, designer, and teacher known for her joyful use of color and pattern across mediums from watercolor to acrylic. She’s also the principal designer for Ecojot, her family’s eco-friendly stationery brand, and a beloved teacher to students around the world. In this episode, Carolyn shares the winding path of her creative journey—from childhood painting sessions to licensing her artwork for textiles and books, designing products, and leading retreats in beautiful locations. She opens up about the meditative power of painting, how travel and nature influence her process, and what it means to show up again and again for your art with playful curiosity.   Margo and Carolyn Discuss: Transitioning from advertising to co-founding Ecojot, a sustainable stationery brand How travel and living across cultures shaped her creative perspective Embracing bold, joyful color and large-scale experimentation The meditative power of painting as daily grounding Overcoming creative ruts and finding flow again Her playful balance between structure and spontaneity in art-making Translating flowers, landscapes, and real-world inspiration into distinctive work Building community through teaching—both online and at global retreats Advice for artists pursuing teaching, licensing, and product-based careers Navigating the business of art while maintaining personal joy and family life The ongoing importance of learning, evolving, and being inspired by others Connect with Carolyn: www.carolyngavin.com www.instagram.com/carolynj https://www.facebook.com/carolynjennygavin https://ca.pinterest.com/carolyn_gavin/_saved/ https://www.threads.com/@carolynj   Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/ https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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  47:09
• The Inner Voice of a Creative: Rebuilding, Reflecting, and Reimagining with Tina Backman

  Margo is joined by Swedish designer, illustrator, and educator Tina Backman for an inspiring conversation about creativity, self-discovery, and the winding path of a creative life. From a shy childhood filled with drawing, journaling, and music, Tina shares how creativity became her truest language—and how that expression evolved into an international career in design, education, and branding. Margo and Tina explore the realities of navigating a creative career: the pressure to pursue “practical” paths, the challenges of freelance life, and the courage it takes to follow your inner voice. Tina also opens up about rebuilding her creative presence after losing her Instagram account, the magic of physical creative spaces, and why gathering with other women has been essential to her journey. It’s a rich, vulnerable, and empowering episode filled with lessons on resilience, reinvention, and reclaiming creative joy.   Topics discussed by Margo and Tina: Using creativity as a safe space and communication tool in childhood The tension between societal expectations and following an artistic path Tina’s experiences studying in the UK vs. Sweden—and how that shaped her work Transitioning from international freelance work to teaching design How to recognize when a project isn’t the right fit (and why that matters) Why Tina created her own studio—and how it reignited her inspiration The importance of community and local creative gatherings for women Balancing creative work with full-time roles, like branding for a Swedish municipality Tips for presenting creative ideas in a way that resonates with clients Honoring your past creative work, even when life gets busy Connect with Tina: https://tinabackman.se/ https://www.instagram.com/tinabackmandesignstudio/   Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/ https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

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  57:31
• Empathy, Strategy, and Soul: The Art of Creative Leadership with Vince Wanga

  In this episode of Windowsill Chats, Margo is joined by the brilliant and multifaceted Vincent Wanga—an international design thought leader, award-winning creative executive, keynote speaker, and author of The Art of Direction. With a career spanning two decades, Vince has not only built brands but built pathways for creatives to rise into leadership, blending vision, empathy, and business acumen. Margo and Vince dive deep into the rarely talked about pivot from doing creative work to leading it—unpacking the realities behind creative direction and what it truly takes to thrive in high-impact leadership roles.   Margo and Vince discuss: What creative directors actually do—and why no one talks about it The soft skills that define strong leadership (spoiler: empathy leads the pack) Navigating the blurred line between creativity and strategy How to lead with integrity and inspiration in fast-paced, tech-forward industries Vince’s personal journey from designer to executive at a billion-dollar startup The importance of mentorship and representation in creative leadership How creatives can stay grounded in their artistry while scaling their careers Actionable tips from The Art of Direction for moving beyond individual contributor roles Why AI won’t replace the creative soul—but how we do need to adapt   Whether you’re a designer, artist, or creative professional wondering what’s next, this conversation will equip you with clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of purpose.   Connect with Vince: https://www.vincentwanga.com Book: The Art of Direction  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga   Connect with Margo: https://www.tantaustudio.com https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats/ https://www.patreon.com/c/inthewindowsill https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry  

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