https://simplecast.com Ground and Gratitude How do you design a life that not only grows, but also gives? It’s a question that Lorilee Rager has been asking herself lately. From her upbringing on a rural farm in Kentucky to her career as a designer, entrepreneur, writer and professor, resilience has been essential. Now, Lorilee is determined to build on that foundation, exploring pathways to physical, mental, and spiritual health. There won’t be quick fixes, magic elixirs, or dubious schemes. Instead, you’ll hear plenty of honest conversations, expert advice, and reminders that the key to a healthier life lies within you and you have a choice to design the life you want. Because you are enough. 2021 Lorilee Rager en Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:00:00 +0000 Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:00:12 +0000 https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com Ground and Gratitude https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/b7c98651-0894-48a7-bda1-95632f3f7519/2daec1cc-b7b4-4ce6-afcb-4de74b717d3e/3000x3000/ground-and-gratitude-podcast-thumbnail.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com episodic How do you design a life that not only grows, but also gives? It’s a question that Lorilee Rager has been asking herself lately. From her upbringing on a rural farm in Kentucky to her career as a designer, entrepreneur, writer and professor, resilience has been essential. Now, Lorilee is determined to build on that foundation, exploring pathways to physical, mental, and spiritual health. There won’t be quick fixes, magic elixirs, or dubious schemes. Instead, you’ll hear plenty of honest conversations, expert advice, and reminders that the key to a healthier life lies within you and you have a choice to design the life you want. Because you are enough. Lorilee Rager no https://feeds.simplecast.com/7hRHUZYC health, design, mental health, recovery, lifestyle, wellness, creative, sobriety Lorilee Rager aomcclain@gmail.com 6128822d-92b8-4626-a169-81c4524cd2f2 Coffee Break After a fantastic first season of Ground and Gratitude, Lorilee is taking some time to practice what she preaches: self care, rest, and reflection. From all of us here at Ground and Gratitude, thank you for coming along on this enriching journey of discovery and growth. While we take a break from producing new episodes, please check out Season 1 for many wonderful conversations exploring what it means to be a creative in this world and how to bring all the love, joy, and laughter back to the process of design -- and life too!

Thanks so much for listening. We’ll see you again soon!

]]> Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/season-1-coffee-break-ew0axsyM After a fantastic first season of Ground and Gratitude, Lorilee is taking some time to practice what she preaches: self care, rest, and reflection. From all of us here at Ground and Gratitude, thank you for coming along on this enriching journey of discovery and growth. While we take a break from producing new episodes, please check out Season 1 for many wonderful conversations exploring what it means to be a creative in this world and how to bring all the love, joy, and laughter back to the process of design -- and life too!

Thanks so much for listening. We’ll see you again soon!

]]> Coffee Break Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain 00:02:37 We're stepping out for a coffee break! We're stepping out for a coffee break! groundandgratitude, inspiration, growth, education, creativity, design, sobriety, addiction, self care, interview, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, reflection, passion no bonus 9ec292b6-a916-419f-9567-ba75a220410d Advice on Aging and Acting with Art Conn Lorilee’s close friend and colleague, Art Conn, joins her to discuss his creative journey. Art has worn many hats in his career, from acting and directing theater, to hosting radio and television shows, to working in marketing. He is also well known as the host and emcee for several Clarksville entertainment venues, in addition to being Committee Chairman for the “Best of Clarksville” event for the past 16 years. Currently, Art is a part of Lorilee’s team at Thrive Creative Agency, where he lends his many years of marketing and advertising experience. The pair talk about the origins of his creativity, the resilience it’s bred, and the many lessons of self care learned throughout Art’s adventures as a renaissance man.

Highlights: 

  • On Art’s playlist: “The Joker and The Queen” - Ed Sheeran & Taylor Swift
  • His mother’s influence on his love for creativity
  • Aging and acting
  • His creative transition from acting to directing 
  • The importance of taking care of ourselves
  • Celebrating life and accomplishments in healthy ways
  • Advice for working in creative fields
  • The importance of passion 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

 

Sponsored by 

Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/advice-on-aging-and-acting-with-art-conn-lcFt60sw Lorilee’s close friend and colleague, Art Conn, joins her to discuss his creative journey. Art has worn many hats in his career, from acting and directing theater, to hosting radio and television shows, to working in marketing. He is also well known as the host and emcee for several Clarksville entertainment venues, in addition to being Committee Chairman for the “Best of Clarksville” event for the past 16 years. Currently, Art is a part of Lorilee’s team at Thrive Creative Agency, where he lends his many years of marketing and advertising experience. The pair talk about the origins of his creativity, the resilience it’s bred, and the many lessons of self care learned throughout Art’s adventures as a renaissance man.

Highlights: 

  • On Art’s playlist: “The Joker and The Queen” - Ed Sheeran & Taylor Swift
  • His mother’s influence on his love for creativity
  • Aging and acting
  • His creative transition from acting to directing 
  • The importance of taking care of ourselves
  • Celebrating life and accomplishments in healthy ways
  • Advice for working in creative fields
  • The importance of passion 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

 

Sponsored by 

Her-Bank.com

]]> Advice on Aging and Acting with Art Conn Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake 00:41:46 Lorilee’s close friend and colleague, Art Conn, joins her to discuss his creative journey. Art has worn many hats in his career, from acting and directing theater, to hosting radio and television shows, to working in marketing. He is also well known as the host and emcee for several Clarksville entertainment venues, in addition to being Committee Chairman for the “Best of Clarksville” event for the past 16 years. Currently, Art is a part of Lorilee’s team at Thrive Creative Agency, where he lends his many years of marketing and advertising experience. The pair talk about the origins of his creativity, the resilience it’s bred, and the many lessons of self care learned throughout Art’s adventures as a renaissance man. Lorilee’s close friend and colleague, Art Conn, joins her to discuss his creative journey. Art has worn many hats in his career, from acting and directing theater, to hosting radio and television shows, to working in marketing. He is also well known as the host and emcee for several Clarksville entertainment venues, in addition to being Committee Chairman for the “Best of Clarksville” event for the past 16 years. Currently, Art is a part of Lorilee’s team at Thrive Creative Agency, where he lends his many years of marketing and advertising experience. The pair talk about the origins of his creativity, the resilience it’s bred, and the many lessons of self care learned throughout Art’s adventures as a renaissance man. groundandgratitude, inspiration, education, creativity, design, sobriety, addiction, acting, aging, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, directing, learning, theater, passion no full 20 96435ca9-6fbf-45e7-8f8b-ca82168c3724 Blending Strategy & Design with Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna Lorilee is joined by fellow designer and Vermont College of Fine Arts graduate, Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna. Shruthi is an accomplished creative who draws from many different fields for inspiration in her design aesthetic. Her work is deeply influenced by her interest in anthropology, philosophy, and behavioral psychology, as she strives to create with a human-centric sensibility. In addition to her role as Design Director at Austin, Texas based firm, FÖDA, Shruthi is also an educator, speaker, and researcher, exploring the effects of design on human behavior through her position as a Doctor of Design scholar at North Carolina State University. Shruthi and Lorilee discuss the balancing points between strategy and creativity, the importance of using both sides of our brains, the intrinsic value of listening, and how data can be an essential resource for designers, just as creativity can be equally as valuable for strategic teams.

Highlights: 

  • On Shruthi’s playlist: Silence…and Bollywood music!
  • How she got her start in advertising strategy
  • The importance of synthesizing art and science
  • Bolstering efficiency and efficacy in design by maintaining inclusivity between creative and strategic teams
  • Internal/narcissistic Listening vs. focused listening vs. 360 listening
  • How the psychology of consumption informs the psychology of design and vice versa
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 29 Jun 2022 07:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/shruthi-manjula-balakrishna-DVsZdEHy Lorilee is joined by fellow designer and Vermont College of Fine Arts graduate, Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna. Shruthi is an accomplished creative who draws from many different fields for inspiration in her design aesthetic. Her work is deeply influenced by her interest in anthropology, philosophy, and behavioral psychology, as she strives to create with a human-centric sensibility. In addition to her role as Design Director at Austin, Texas based firm, FÖDA, Shruthi is also an educator, speaker, and researcher, exploring the effects of design on human behavior through her position as a Doctor of Design scholar at North Carolina State University. Shruthi and Lorilee discuss the balancing points between strategy and creativity, the importance of using both sides of our brains, the intrinsic value of listening, and how data can be an essential resource for designers, just as creativity can be equally as valuable for strategic teams.

Highlights: 

  • On Shruthi’s playlist: Silence…and Bollywood music!
  • How she got her start in advertising strategy
  • The importance of synthesizing art and science
  • Bolstering efficiency and efficacy in design by maintaining inclusivity between creative and strategic teams
  • Internal/narcissistic Listening vs. focused listening vs. 360 listening
  • How the psychology of consumption informs the psychology of design and vice versa
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Blending Strategy & Design with Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager 00:52:37 Lorilee is joined by fellow designer and VCFA graduate, Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna. Shruthi is an accomplished creative who draws from many different fields for inspiration in her design aesthetic. Lorilee is joined by fellow designer and VCFA graduate, Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna. Shruthi is an accomplished creative who draws from many different fields for inspiration in her design aesthetic. groundandgratitude, qualitative, education, creativity, design, sobriety, therapy, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, strategy, quantitative, consumption, behavioral psychology, listening no full 19 e8372257-0ac4-4ed8-9a0e-2d5664f9a575 Finding Your Light with Susan Bryant In this episode, Lorilee connects with her friend and former professor, Susan Bryant. The two met in Susan’s class at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee where she taught analog photography for 37 years. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibits across the country, and she has been the recipient of several distinguished artistic fellowships throughout her career. Though she retired from full time teaching in 2019, Susan continues to instruct online and in-person photography workshops, while also maintaining a robust and active studio practice. She and Lorilee discuss the nature and value of creativity in different phases of their lives, as well as their intertwined paths to recovery. 

Highlights: 

  • On Susan’s playlist: ‘I Am Light’ by India.Arie
  • Susan’s early love for painting and photography 
  • Analog art versus digital art in the pursuit of play and discovery
  • Her Light Catchers workshops
  • Their respective and overlapping journeys toward sobriety
  • Using therapy to break down the walls that we build
  • Susan’s ‘third act,’ now that’s she’s sober  
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Susan Bryant, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/creativity-and-sobriety-with-susan-bryant-3gF8S3ib In this episode, Lorilee connects with her friend and former professor, Susan Bryant. The two met in Susan’s class at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee where she taught analog photography for 37 years. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibits across the country, and she has been the recipient of several distinguished artistic fellowships throughout her career. Though she retired from full time teaching in 2019, Susan continues to instruct online and in-person photography workshops, while also maintaining a robust and active studio practice. She and Lorilee discuss the nature and value of creativity in different phases of their lives, as well as their intertwined paths to recovery. 

Highlights: 

  • On Susan’s playlist: ‘I Am Light’ by India.Arie
  • Susan’s early love for painting and photography 
  • Analog art versus digital art in the pursuit of play and discovery
  • Her Light Catchers workshops
  • Their respective and overlapping journeys toward sobriety
  • Using therapy to break down the walls that we build
  • Susan’s ‘third act,’ now that’s she’s sober  
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Finding Your Light with Susan Bryant Susan Bryant, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager 00:46:47 In this episode, Lorilee connects with her friend and former professor, Susan Bryant. She and Lorilee discuss the nature and value of creativity in different phases of their lives, as well as their intertwined paths to recovery. In this episode, Lorilee connects with her friend and former professor, Susan Bryant. She and Lorilee discuss the nature and value of creativity in different phases of their lives, as well as their intertwined paths to recovery. intimacy, groundandgratitude, education, creativity, design, tennessee, sobriety, therapy, self care, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, photography, learning no full 18 fe3934e1-bbb3-4681-87de-fa2939b4e5b7 Singer-Songwriter Lauren Morrow on Performing and Personal Growth Lauren Morrow is an acclaimed Nashville-based songwriter and performer. Her music is unique, blending genres like rock and classic-country with her adept storytelling skills and expressive voice. Like Lorilee, Lauren has come to embrace and draw on her own background to create from the heart. With this approach, her individual experience has resonated with people from many walks of life. Lauren joins Lorilee for a personal conversation about what drives her as a creative, why she takes risks in her art, and how she pushes through negativity and self-doubt to make incredible music.

Highlights: 

  • On Lauren’s playlist: “It’s About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  • Lauren’s creative roots
  • Using performance as a vehicle for growth
  • Why she tells her own story through music
  • Pushing through negative self-talk
  • Embracing good things
  • How the personal can speak to universal truths
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 1 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lauren Morrow, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/lauren-morrow-on-performance-and-her-personal-journey-ZE3GUyXT Lauren Morrow is an acclaimed Nashville-based songwriter and performer. Her music is unique, blending genres like rock and classic-country with her adept storytelling skills and expressive voice. Like Lorilee, Lauren has come to embrace and draw on her own background to create from the heart. With this approach, her individual experience has resonated with people from many walks of life. Lauren joins Lorilee for a personal conversation about what drives her as a creative, why she takes risks in her art, and how she pushes through negativity and self-doubt to make incredible music.

Highlights: 

  • On Lauren’s playlist: “It’s About Damn Time” by Lizzo
  • Lauren’s creative roots
  • Using performance as a vehicle for growth
  • Why she tells her own story through music
  • Pushing through negative self-talk
  • Embracing good things
  • How the personal can speak to universal truths
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Singer-Songwriter Lauren Morrow on Performing and Personal Growth Lauren Morrow, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake 00:52:19 Lauren Morrow is an acclaimed Nashville-based songwriter and performer. Her music is unique, blending genres like rock and classic-country with her adept storytelling skills and expressive voice. Lauren Morrow is an acclaimed Nashville-based songwriter and performer. Her music is unique, blending genres like rock and classic-country with her adept storytelling skills and expressive voice. country, creative, art, groundandgratitude, performance, education, music, curiosity, design, sobriety, rock, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, nashville, storytelling, entrepreneur no full 17 185677e8-b841-46f2-8afd-486f15c0153b Special: Crisis of Charisma Anticipating needs, sidestepping disruptions, and maintaining stability are all vital skills when you’re running a creative, client-facing business; however, they can also come with a dark side. When left unchecked, this kind of conflict avoidance can spiral into repression and denial of one’s own truth. In this special episode, Lorilee unpacks her peacemaking tendencies in an effort to understand their roots and embrace the messy, muddy, middle of real, authentic life.

“Crisis of Charisma” is an excerpt from ‘Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist’, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

 

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 25 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/special-crisis-of-charisma-_ch9Qa6h Anticipating needs, sidestepping disruptions, and maintaining stability are all vital skills when you’re running a creative, client-facing business; however, they can also come with a dark side. When left unchecked, this kind of conflict avoidance can spiral into repression and denial of one’s own truth. In this special episode, Lorilee unpacks her peacemaking tendencies in an effort to understand their roots and embrace the messy, muddy, middle of real, authentic life.

“Crisis of Charisma” is an excerpt from ‘Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist’, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

 

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Special: Crisis of Charisma Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager 00:21:16 Anticipating needs, sidestepping disruptions, and maintaining stability are all vital skills when you’re running a creative, client-facing business; however, they can also come with a dark side. When left unchecked, this kind of conflict avoidance can spiral into repression and denial of one’s own truth. In this special episode, Lorilee unpacks her peacemaking tendencies in an effort to understand their roots and embrace the messy, muddy, middle of real, authentic life. Anticipating needs, sidestepping disruptions, and maintaining stability are all vital skills when you’re running a creative, client-facing business; however, they can also come with a dark side. When left unchecked, this kind of conflict avoidance can spiral into repression and denial of one’s own truth. In this special episode, Lorilee unpacks her peacemaking tendencies in an effort to understand their roots and embrace the messy, muddy, middle of real, authentic life. creative, art, groundandgratitude, education, curiosity, design, sobriety, enneagram, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, entrepreneur no bonus 008b8b7f-c184-4c41-991e-e9beaa92cf18 Kirbee Miller on Passion and Purpose Entrepreneur Kirbee Miller joins Lorilee to discuss how she navigates life as a creative, caregiver, partner, and founder. Kirbee runs Nashville-based lifestyle brand KiNiMi Kitchen, where she channels her culinary expertise and love of cooking to foster community and connection. She also holds degrees in biology and chemistry as well as a Masters in healthcare informatics. The two connect over their respective paths toward authentic self-discovery -- and how those journeys are rarely linear!

Highlights: 

  • On Kirbee’s playlist: “I Am Light” - India.Arie 
  • Kirbee’s path from healthcare to launching her own brand
  • Food as a powerful connector of people
  • Finding the safety to just be human
  • Embracing the nonlinear journey
  • Her relationship with gratitude
  • Finding balance in life 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

 

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 11 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kirbee Miller, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/passion-and-purpose-with-kirbee-miller-gFt02jRU Entrepreneur Kirbee Miller joins Lorilee to discuss how she navigates life as a creative, caregiver, partner, and founder. Kirbee runs Nashville-based lifestyle brand KiNiMi Kitchen, where she channels her culinary expertise and love of cooking to foster community and connection. She also holds degrees in biology and chemistry as well as a Masters in healthcare informatics. The two connect over their respective paths toward authentic self-discovery -- and how those journeys are rarely linear!

Highlights: 

  • On Kirbee’s playlist: “I Am Light” - India.Arie 
  • Kirbee’s path from healthcare to launching her own brand
  • Food as a powerful connector of people
  • Finding the safety to just be human
  • Embracing the nonlinear journey
  • Her relationship with gratitude
  • Finding balance in life 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

 

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Kirbee Miller on Passion and Purpose Kirbee Miller, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake 00:55:25 Entrepreneur Kirbee Miller joins Lorilee to discuss how she navigates life as a creative, caregiver, partner, and founder. Kirbee runs Nashville-based lifestyle brand KiNiMi Kitchen, where she channels her culinary expertise and love of cooking to foster community and connection. She also holds degrees in biology and chemistry as well as a Masters in healthcare informatics. The two connect over their respective paths toward authentic self-discovery -- and how those journeys are rarely linear! Entrepreneur Kirbee Miller joins Lorilee to discuss how she navigates life as a creative, caregiver, partner, and founder. Kirbee runs Nashville-based lifestyle brand KiNiMi Kitchen, where she channels her culinary expertise and love of cooking to foster community and connection. She also holds degrees in biology and chemistry as well as a Masters in healthcare informatics. The two connect over their respective paths toward authentic self-discovery -- and how those journeys are rarely linear! creative, groundandgratitude, education, kinimi, curiosity, design, food, sobriety, self care, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, nashville, entrepreneur no full 16 ece63509-762a-48c7-b698-4e35efc85aea Curiosity in Life and Design with Marielena Andre Lorilee is joined by Marielena André -- a multimedia designer and educator living in New Jersey. She is an accomplished artist with expertise in textile, fashion, graphic and sustainable design, as well as  product development. Marielena and Lorilee discuss the fundamental curiosity that has fueled their respective journeys in creativity and education, as well as the importance of experimenting, failing, reinventing, and reapplying ourselves as we grow and develop our lives. 

Highlights: 

  • On Marielena’s playlist: Instrumental piano, Afrobeat, Brazilian music, Yo-Yo Ma, and SILENCE!
  • Working with her hands and playing with materials from a young age
  • The beauty and importance of reinvention
  • The power of curiosity and discovery
  • How pivotal failure can be in the process of honing our education and craft
  • Boundaries of skin, both physical and virtual
  • Recognizing and synthesizing the different versions of ourselves
  • How Marielena decided to move in a new direction with her career
  • Our intuition’s role in telling us it’s time for change
  • Crystalizing our priorities when our lives are busy 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

 

Sponsored by 

Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 27 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Marielena Andre, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/curiosity-in-life-and-design-with-marielena-andre-dfFOttTV Lorilee is joined by Marielena André -- a multimedia designer and educator living in New Jersey. She is an accomplished artist with expertise in textile, fashion, graphic and sustainable design, as well as  product development. Marielena and Lorilee discuss the fundamental curiosity that has fueled their respective journeys in creativity and education, as well as the importance of experimenting, failing, reinventing, and reapplying ourselves as we grow and develop our lives. 

Highlights: 

  • On Marielena’s playlist: Instrumental piano, Afrobeat, Brazilian music, Yo-Yo Ma, and SILENCE!
  • Working with her hands and playing with materials from a young age
  • The beauty and importance of reinvention
  • The power of curiosity and discovery
  • How pivotal failure can be in the process of honing our education and craft
  • Boundaries of skin, both physical and virtual
  • Recognizing and synthesizing the different versions of ourselves
  • How Marielena decided to move in a new direction with her career
  • Our intuition’s role in telling us it’s time for change
  • Crystalizing our priorities when our lives are busy 
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

 

Sponsored by 

Her-Bank.com

]]> Curiosity in Life and Design with Marielena Andre Marielena Andre, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain 00:50:43 Lorilee is joined by Marielena André -- a multimedia designer and educator living in New Jersey. She is an accomplished artist with expertise in textile, fashion, graphic and sustainable design, as well as  product development. Marielena and Lorilee discuss the fundamental curiosity that has fueled their respective journeys in creativity and education, as well as the importance of experimenting, failing, reinventing, and reapplying ourselves as we grow and develop our lives. Lorilee is joined by Marielena André -- a multimedia designer and educator living in New Jersey. She is an accomplished artist with expertise in textile, fashion, graphic and sustainable design, as well as  product development. Marielena and Lorilee discuss the fundamental curiosity that has fueled their respective journeys in creativity and education, as well as the importance of experimenting, failing, reinventing, and reapplying ourselves as we grow and develop our lives. creative, groundandgratitude, taktile, vcfa, education, curiosity, design, sobriety, reinvention, self care, grad school, interview, herbank, mfa, recovery, podcast, gratitude, learning, textile graphic design no full 15 15a48471-fe35-46f8-a724-f4d554ebf5e0 Getting Real About Depression with Laura Watkins Lorilee sits down with Laura Watkins -- entrepreneur, licensed cosmetologist, mom, and owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. Laura and Lorilee discuss their respective journeys with mental health and what it truly means to practice self care, especially when we’re struggling. Laura shares her personal experience with depression and the many treatments she tried to address her mental health. She emphasizes how essential it is to have a dialogue about mental illness with our friends, families, and loved ones so that everybody experiencing difficulty knows that they’re not alone.

Highlights: 

  • On Laura’s playlist: The Chicks
  • Giving ourselves grace and allowing our brains time and space to rest
  • How do we know if we’re depressed?
  • Rewriting the stigmas and negative narratives we’ve been taught about mental health
  • The power of sharing our stories
  • Working and parenting with depression
  • The brain/gut connection
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:26:30 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Laura Watkins, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/real-talk-about-mental-health-and-depression-with-laura-watkins-nCZGQdKB Lorilee sits down with Laura Watkins -- entrepreneur, licensed cosmetologist, mom, and owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. Laura and Lorilee discuss their respective journeys with mental health and what it truly means to practice self care, especially when we’re struggling. Laura shares her personal experience with depression and the many treatments she tried to address her mental health. She emphasizes how essential it is to have a dialogue about mental illness with our friends, families, and loved ones so that everybody experiencing difficulty knows that they’re not alone.

Highlights: 

  • On Laura’s playlist: The Chicks
  • Giving ourselves grace and allowing our brains time and space to rest
  • How do we know if we’re depressed?
  • Rewriting the stigmas and negative narratives we’ve been taught about mental health
  • The power of sharing our stories
  • Working and parenting with depression
  • The brain/gut connection
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Getting Real About Depression with Laura Watkins Laura Watkins, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain 00:49:04 Lorilee sits down with Laura Watkins -- entrepreneur, licensed cosmetologist, mom, and owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. Laura and Lorilee discuss their respective journeys with mental health and what it truly means to practice self care, especially when we’re struggling. Lorilee sits down with Laura Watkins -- entrepreneur, licensed cosmetologist, mom, and owner of Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky. Laura and Lorilee discuss their respective journeys with mental health and what it truly means to practice self care, especially when we’re struggling. trauma, nami, mental health, groundandgratitude, depression, tms, counseling, sobriety, ect, therapy, self care, parenting, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, healing yes full 14 d5797f56-d4ed-4367-bb4b-5acd45ec5a01 “Where Do I Even Start?” Discovering Therapy on Your Own Terms with Janet and Brianna Velazquez Lorilee is joined by mother and daughter duo Janet and Brianna Velazquez. Janet and Brianna are both licensed mental health professionals whose goal is to help their clients uncover their true potential and lead lives that are worth celebrating. Brianna is a Licensed Professional Counselor MHSP and Janet is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. The three discuss the many benefits of therapy as well as the misconceptions and roadblocks that can inhibit getting started on a path to self-discovery and growth.

Highlights: 

  • On the Velazquez’s playlist:
    • “One Less Day” by Rob Thomas
    • Kehlani
  • Uncovering our true potential
  • Understanding EMDR
  • Pursuing a life that is authentic and meaningful
  • Permission and perfectionism
  • Deciding to start therapy
  • How therapy can help with conflict resolution
  • What professional help can offer us
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Brianna Velazquez, Janet Velazquez, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/exploring-therapy-with-janet-and-brianna-valezquez-HSaShQEc Lorilee is joined by mother and daughter duo Janet and Brianna Velazquez. Janet and Brianna are both licensed mental health professionals whose goal is to help their clients uncover their true potential and lead lives that are worth celebrating. Brianna is a Licensed Professional Counselor MHSP and Janet is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. The three discuss the many benefits of therapy as well as the misconceptions and roadblocks that can inhibit getting started on a path to self-discovery and growth.

Highlights: 

  • On the Velazquez’s playlist:
    • “One Less Day” by Rob Thomas
    • Kehlani
  • Uncovering our true potential
  • Understanding EMDR
  • Pursuing a life that is authentic and meaningful
  • Permission and perfectionism
  • Deciding to start therapy
  • How therapy can help with conflict resolution
  • What professional help can offer us
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> “Where Do I Even Start?” Discovering Therapy on Your Own Terms with Janet and Brianna Velazquez Brianna Velazquez, Janet Velazquez, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain 00:47:07 Lorilee is joined by mother and daughter duo Janet and Brianna Velazquez. Janet and Brianna are both licensed mental health professionals whose goal is to help their clients uncover their true potential and lead lives that are worth celebrating. Lorilee is joined by mother and daughter duo Janet and Brianna Velazquez. Janet and Brianna are both licensed mental health professionals whose goal is to help their clients uncover their true potential and lead lives that are worth celebrating. trauma, mental health, groundandgratitude, emdr, counseling, sobriety, therapy, self care, interview, herbank, recovery, podcast, gratitude, conflict resolution, healing no full 13 154eec30-650c-43a6-8b33-93cbfc533657 Ziddi Msangi on Sense of Place and Human Centered Design Ziddi Msangi is a Tanzanian-born educator and designer. His early experience of moving to California as a child informs his current awareness and interest in history, power and place. Lorilee and Ziddi sit down to discuss the common threads between their distinct backgrounds and how their senses of place have shaped who they are and their approach to design. They also dig into the innovative philosophy behind human centered design.

Highlights: 

  • On Ziddi’s playlist: King Sunny Ade
  • Understanding sense of place and one’s “origin story”
  • Living as an insider and an outsider in different spaces
  • Embracing where you are
  • Human centered design
  • Explaining liminal space
  • Ziddi’s study of East African textiles as communication systems
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts  🎧

OR on Spotify or Apple

]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Ziddi Msangi) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/human-centered-design-with-ziddi-msangi-e3njgwYS Ziddi Msangi is a Tanzanian-born educator and designer. His early experience of moving to California as a child informs his current awareness and interest in history, power and place. Lorilee and Ziddi sit down to discuss the common threads between their distinct backgrounds and how their senses of place have shaped who they are and their approach to design. They also dig into the innovative philosophy behind human centered design.

Highlights: 

  • On Ziddi’s playlist: King Sunny Ade
  • Understanding sense of place and one’s “origin story”
  • Living as an insider and an outsider in different spaces
  • Embracing where you are
  • Human centered design
  • Explaining liminal space
  • Ziddi’s study of East African textiles as communication systems
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts  🎧

OR on Spotify or Apple

]]> Ziddi Msangi on Sense of Place and Human Centered Design Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Ziddi Msangi 00:50:15 Ziddi Msangi is a Tanzanian-born educator and designer. His early experience of moving to California as a child informs his current awareness and interest in history, power and place. Lorilee and Ziddi sit down to discuss the common threads between their distinct backgrounds and how their senses of place have shaped who they are and their approach to design. They also dig into the innovative philosophy behind human centered design. Ziddi Msangi is a Tanzanian-born educator and designer. His early experience of moving to California as a child informs his current awareness and interest in history, power and place. Lorilee and Ziddi sit down to discuss the common threads between their distinct backgrounds and how their senses of place have shaped who they are and their approach to design. They also dig into the innovative philosophy behind human centered design. sense of place, liminal space, groundandgratitude, education, human centered design, design, interview, herbank, communication, podcast, gratitude no full 12 f4fef053-c32e-413b-9ade-e6765b8b474a Special: The Membership What forces shape who we are on our respective journeys? Wendell Berry’s 2004 novel Hannah Coulter portrays one woman’s experience with her rural Kentucky farming community referred to as “The Membership.” Drawing on Berry’s description, Lorilee shares the role that her own “Membership” played in her life; the people who came together to support each other and their farmland. Not only did this group define her childhood, but they also influenced her approach to running her design business today.

“The Membership” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Wed, 9 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/special-the-membership-iZiqs3dt What forces shape who we are on our respective journeys? Wendell Berry’s 2004 novel Hannah Coulter portrays one woman’s experience with her rural Kentucky farming community referred to as “The Membership.” Drawing on Berry’s description, Lorilee shares the role that her own “Membership” played in her life; the people who came together to support each other and their farmland. Not only did this group define her childhood, but they also influenced her approach to running her design business today.

“The Membership” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Special: The Membership Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake 00:17:31 What forces shape who we are on our respective journeys? Wendell Berry’s 2004 novel Hannah Coulter portrays one woman’s experience with her rural Kentucky farming community referred to as “The Membership.” Drawing on Berry’s description, Lorilee shares the role that her own “Membership” played in her life; the people who came together to support each other and their farmland. Not only did this group define her What forces shape who we are on our respective journeys? Wendell Berry’s 2004 novel Hannah Coulter portrays one woman’s experience with her rural Kentucky farming community referred to as “The Membership.” Drawing on Berry’s description, Lorilee shares the role that her own “Membership” played in her life; the people who came together to support each other and their farmland. Not only did this group define her ground & gratitude, trauma, mindfulness, joy, health, intention, meditation, community, safe spaces, rituals, podcast, sanctuary, optimism, healing, self-care no bonus 322a0607-839e-46e8-a5db-1764b1d08d98 Understanding Anxiety with Cathy Boone-Black Stress is a normal part of life; we all experience it in useful and un-useful ways. Sometimes it can manifest in uncomfortable and even painful physical reactions. Understanding the physical and mental expressions of these feelings can help us gain control, let go, and live healthier lives. Lorilee shares her own experiences with panic attacks and is joined by one of the people who helped her to alleviate her symptoms, Cathy Boone-Black. Cathy specializes in reducing stress and anxiety through therapeutic methods like hypnosis and reflexology.

Highlights: 

  • On Cathy’s playlist: “Dear Younger Me” by Mercy Me
  • Defining anxiety and stress and the differences between the two
  • Understanding physical manifestations of stress
  • Common roots of anxiety
  • How methods like hypnosis can reroute neural pathways
  • How our reactions can stem from our wounded inner child
  • Understanding why we do what we do
  • Our subconscious mind’s impact on our feelings
  • Finding freedom through knowledge of self and mindfulness
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 2 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/cathy-boone-black-fVZvSkDf Stress is a normal part of life; we all experience it in useful and un-useful ways. Sometimes it can manifest in uncomfortable and even painful physical reactions. Understanding the physical and mental expressions of these feelings can help us gain control, let go, and live healthier lives. Lorilee shares her own experiences with panic attacks and is joined by one of the people who helped her to alleviate her symptoms, Cathy Boone-Black. Cathy specializes in reducing stress and anxiety through therapeutic methods like hypnosis and reflexology.

Highlights: 

  • On Cathy’s playlist: “Dear Younger Me” by Mercy Me
  • Defining anxiety and stress and the differences between the two
  • Understanding physical manifestations of stress
  • Common roots of anxiety
  • How methods like hypnosis can reroute neural pathways
  • How our reactions can stem from our wounded inner child
  • Understanding why we do what we do
  • Our subconscious mind’s impact on our feelings
  • Finding freedom through knowledge of self and mindfulness
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Understanding Anxiety with Cathy Boone-Black Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager 00:54:12 Stress is a normal part of life; we all experience it in useful and un-useful ways. Sometimes it can manifest in uncomfortable and even painful physical reactions. Understanding the physical and mental expressions of these feelings can help us gain control, let go, and live healthier lives. Lorilee shares her own experiences with panic attacks and is joined by one of the people who helped her to alleviate her symptoms, Cathy Boone-Black. Cathy specializes in reducing stress and anxiety through therapeutic methods like hypnosis and reflexology. Stress is a normal part of life; we all experience it in useful and un-useful ways. Sometimes it can manifest in uncomfortable and even painful physical reactions. Understanding the physical and mental expressions of these feelings can help us gain control, let go, and live healthier lives. Lorilee shares her own experiences with panic attacks and is joined by one of the people who helped her to alleviate her symptoms, Cathy Boone-Black. Cathy specializes in reducing stress and anxiety through therapeutic methods like hypnosis and reflexology. anxiety, groundandgratitude, interview, herbank, podcast, gratitude yes full 11 54b6a566-dc43-4f5e-b0d4-f6049ca42580 Michael Janda, Award-Winning Creative Director, on the Business of Design Lorilee sits down with one of her mentors, Michael Janda, to talk shop; specifically, the business of being a designer. Michael is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for high-profile brands, including Disney, Google, Warner Bros., National Geographic and many others. Michael sold Riser in 2015 and now spends his time speaking, developing books, courses, and social media content to help creatives level-up and navigate their careers. He is the author of Burn Your Portfolio and The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.

Michael and Lorilee discuss what it takes to run a successful design operation; from managing client relationships to utilizing data and balancing work and life.

Highlights: 

  • On Michael’s playlist: movie soundtracks, beats, and more
  • The impetus behind Burn Your Portfolio
  • His career journey -- from copy store to successful agency
  • Why self-education is key to career development
  • Using data to take control of your business
  • What they don’t teach you in design school
  • The importance of cultivating relationships
  • Balancing work and life
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Michael Janda, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-janda-MnPu2NYK Lorilee sits down with one of her mentors, Michael Janda, to talk shop; specifically, the business of being a designer. Michael is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for high-profile brands, including Disney, Google, Warner Bros., National Geographic and many others. Michael sold Riser in 2015 and now spends his time speaking, developing books, courses, and social media content to help creatives level-up and navigate their careers. He is the author of Burn Your Portfolio and The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.

Michael and Lorilee discuss what it takes to run a successful design operation; from managing client relationships to utilizing data and balancing work and life.

Highlights: 

  • On Michael’s playlist: movie soundtracks, beats, and more
  • The impetus behind Burn Your Portfolio
  • His career journey -- from copy store to successful agency
  • Why self-education is key to career development
  • Using data to take control of your business
  • What they don’t teach you in design school
  • The importance of cultivating relationships
  • Balancing work and life
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Michael Janda, Award-Winning Creative Director, on the Business of Design Michael Janda, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain 00:56:40 Lorilee sits down with one of her mentors, Michael Janda, to talk shop; specifically, the business of being a designer. Michael is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. Lorilee sits down with one of her mentors, Michael Janda, to talk shop; specifically, the business of being a designer. Michael is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. art school, creative, groundandgratitude, graphic designer, design, business, interview, herbank, mfa, freelance gratitude, designer, entrepreneur no full 10 55a7a586-9df0-4a31-a25d-c756d9812796 Tackling Toxic Positivity with Starr Cliff “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”- Brene Brown.

Look on the bright side! Good vibes only. Think happy thoughts! Don’t worry.

While these phrases may seem helpful, they can all be examples of toxic positivity. Instead of offering hope, toxic positivity can actually stifle and dismiss very real experiences and emotions. Lorilee is joined by her good friend Starr Cliff to unpack why many of us respond to difficult situations with toxic positivity. The two explore alternative ways we can truly show up and offer help when people around us are suffering.

Highlights: 

  • On Starr’s playlist: “Your’n” - Tyler Childers
  • What is toxic positivity?
  • Why people tend to react to conflict with toxic positivity
  • The danger of numbing our emotions and rejecting negativity
  • How to embrace the whole human experience...
  • And show up for the people you love
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 2 Feb 2022 09:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Starr Cliff, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/tackling-toxic-positivity-with-starr-cliff-DGmApslh “We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.”- Brene Brown.

Look on the bright side! Good vibes only. Think happy thoughts! Don’t worry.

While these phrases may seem helpful, they can all be examples of toxic positivity. Instead of offering hope, toxic positivity can actually stifle and dismiss very real experiences and emotions. Lorilee is joined by her good friend Starr Cliff to unpack why many of us respond to difficult situations with toxic positivity. The two explore alternative ways we can truly show up and offer help when people around us are suffering.

Highlights: 

  • On Starr’s playlist: “Your’n” - Tyler Childers
  • What is toxic positivity?
  • Why people tend to react to conflict with toxic positivity
  • The danger of numbing our emotions and rejecting negativity
  • How to embrace the whole human experience...
  • And show up for the people you love
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Tackling Toxic Positivity with Starr Cliff Starr Cliff, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager 00:47:10 Look on the bright side! Good vibes only. Think happy thoughts! Don’t worry. While these phrases may seem helpful, they can all be examples of toxic positivity. Instead of offering hope, toxic positivity can actually stifle and dismiss very real experiences and emotions. Lorilee is joined by her good friend Starr Cliff to unpack why many of us respond to difficult situations with toxic positivity. The two explore alternative ways we can truly show up and offer help when people around us are suffering. Look on the bright side! Good vibes only. Think happy thoughts! Don’t worry. While these phrases may seem helpful, they can all be examples of toxic positivity. Instead of offering hope, toxic positivity can actually stifle and dismiss very real experiences and emotions. Lorilee is joined by her good friend Starr Cliff to unpack why many of us respond to difficult situations with toxic positivity. The two explore alternative ways we can truly show up and offer help when people around us are suffering. creative, trauma, toxic positivity, joy, groundandgratitude, design, interview, herbank, podcast, gratitude, designer, optimism, healing no full 9 9d77d285-1a96-42fe-b87c-c89a1350be91 Balancing Time and Teaching Design with Ryan Slone Fellow designer and VCFA graduate Ryan Slone joins Lorilee on the podcast. Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at University of Arkansas’ School of Art. He shares his creative journey, from his childhood in Arkansas to designing for notable clients in Brooklyn. The two discuss the differences (and similarities) between agency and academic life and how grad school shaped their approaches. Today, Ryan’s research focuses on social-advocacy poster design, and his award-winning work has been featured internationally.

Highlights: 

  • On Ryan’s playlist: “Moon” - Kanye West
  • His creative trajectory
  • Being a young designer at renowned design firm Pentagram
  • Why he left agency life to teach
  • Parallels between client work and the classroom
  • Balancing work and life
  • Recapturing the fun in making
  • Communicating complex social issues through design
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 19 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Ryan Slone, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/balancing-time-and-teaching-design-with-ryan-slone-zyp7zjtf Fellow designer and VCFA graduate Ryan Slone joins Lorilee on the podcast. Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at University of Arkansas’ School of Art. He shares his creative journey, from his childhood in Arkansas to designing for notable clients in Brooklyn. The two discuss the differences (and similarities) between agency and academic life and how grad school shaped their approaches. Today, Ryan’s research focuses on social-advocacy poster design, and his award-winning work has been featured internationally.

Highlights: 

  • On Ryan’s playlist: “Moon” - Kanye West
  • His creative trajectory
  • Being a young designer at renowned design firm Pentagram
  • Why he left agency life to teach
  • Parallels between client work and the classroom
  • Balancing work and life
  • Recapturing the fun in making
  • Communicating complex social issues through design
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Balancing Time and Teaching Design with Ryan Slone Ryan Slone, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake 01:01:28 Fellow designer and VCFA graduate Ryan Slone joins Lorilee on the podcast. Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at University of Arkansas’ School of Art. He shares his creative journey, from his childhood in Arkansas to designing for notable clients in Brooklyn. The two discuss the differences (and similarities) between agency and academic life and how grad school shaped their approaches. Today, Ryan’s research focuses on social-advocacy poster design, and his award-winning work has been featured internationally. Fellow designer and VCFA graduate Ryan Slone joins Lorilee on the podcast. Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at University of Arkansas’ School of Art. He shares his creative journey, from his childhood in Arkansas to designing for notable clients in Brooklyn. The two discuss the differences (and similarities) between agency and academic life and how grad school shaped their approaches. Today, Ryan’s research focuses on social-advocacy poster design, and his award-winning work has been featured internationally. teaching, creative, groundandgratitude, education, design, socialjustice, interview, herbank, mfa, podcast, gratitude, designer yes full 8 f2a21e20-c0ea-4f8e-a91b-84e798af994d Special: Side Hustle Hangover It’s a cycle you may have found yourself in: you make a lofty New Year’s resolution or two, become discouraged by a lack of progress and ultimately abandon the whole thing by mid-January, feeling defeated. If so, you’re not alone. In this special episode, Lorilee shares why she let go of yearly resolutions altogether and learned to take sustainable, simple steps toward her own self-care through rituals like breathing, mediation, and writing. The things we tend to each day will grow and flourish, so which seeds will you choose to cultivate?

“Side Hustle Hangover” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/special-side-hustle-hangover-orZcVgQg It’s a cycle you may have found yourself in: you make a lofty New Year’s resolution or two, become discouraged by a lack of progress and ultimately abandon the whole thing by mid-January, feeling defeated. If so, you’re not alone. In this special episode, Lorilee shares why she let go of yearly resolutions altogether and learned to take sustainable, simple steps toward her own self-care through rituals like breathing, mediation, and writing. The things we tend to each day will grow and flourish, so which seeds will you choose to cultivate?

“Side Hustle Hangover” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Special: Side Hustle Hangover Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager 00:29:22 It’s a cycle you may have found yourself in: you make a lofty New Year’s resolution or two, become discouraged by a lack of progress and ultimately abandon the whole thing by mid-January, feeling defeated. If so, you’re not alone. It’s a cycle you may have found yourself in: you make a lofty New Year’s resolution or two, become discouraged by a lack of progress and ultimately abandon the whole thing by mid-January, feeling defeated. If so, you’re not alone. ground & gratitude, trauma, 2022, mindfulness, joy, health, resolutions, intention, meditation, rituals, podcast, new year’s, optimism, healing, self-care no bonus 9ac5bb23-7841-4750-a4b8-f1e0db26d3a7 Shame Free Eating with Julie Satterfeal Julie Satterfeal is a registered dietician, author, speaker, podcast host, and coach helping people to develop a shame-free relationship with food. Julie is a weight inclusive, anti-diet dietician with an empathetic, thoughtful approach. She joins Lorilee on the podcast to discuss her important philosophy, why dieting doesn’t work, and what authentic nutrition actually looks like.

Highlights: 

  • On Julie’s playlist: “Crowded Table” - The Highwomen
  • Why Julie focuses on relationships with food rather than weight loss
  • Understanding intuitive eating
  • Anti-fat bias and diet culture
  • What it means to eat shame-free
  • Learning to love and respect your body (and yourself)
  • Challenging perceptions of ideal beauty
  • Debunking diet myths like BMI
  • Taking small, sustainable steps toward shame-free eating
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Wed, 5 Jan 2022 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/shame-free-eating-with-julie-satterfeal-uaG_VAQf Julie Satterfeal is a registered dietician, author, speaker, podcast host, and coach helping people to develop a shame-free relationship with food. Julie is a weight inclusive, anti-diet dietician with an empathetic, thoughtful approach. She joins Lorilee on the podcast to discuss her important philosophy, why dieting doesn’t work, and what authentic nutrition actually looks like.

Highlights: 

  • On Julie’s playlist: “Crowded Table” - The Highwomen
  • Why Julie focuses on relationships with food rather than weight loss
  • Understanding intuitive eating
  • Anti-fat bias and diet culture
  • What it means to eat shame-free
  • Learning to love and respect your body (and yourself)
  • Challenging perceptions of ideal beauty
  • Debunking diet myths like BMI
  • Taking small, sustainable steps toward shame-free eating
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Shame Free Eating with Julie Satterfeal Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Lorilee Rager 00:45:57 Julie Satterfeal is a registered dietician, author, speaker, podcast host, and coach helping people to develop a shame-free relationship with food. Julie is a weight inclusive, anti-diet dietician with an empathetic, thoughtful approach. She joins Lorilee on the podcast to discuss her important philosophy, why dieting doesn’t work, and what authentic nutrition actually looks like. Julie Satterfeal is a registered dietician, author, speaker, podcast host, and coach helping people to develop a shame-free relationship with food. Julie is a weight inclusive, anti-diet dietician with an empathetic, thoughtful approach. She joins Lorilee on the podcast to discuss her important philosophy, why dieting doesn’t work, and what authentic nutrition actually looks like. intuitive eating, health, shame free eating, nutrition, anti-diet, boundaries, conversation, diet, anti-fat bias, gratitude, wellness, healing, diet culture no full 7 a064cea1-35e6-49c7-8759-7e7018b07e4a Imposter Syndrome and Self Care with Britney Campbell Britney Campbell is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at Legends Bank, where she has played an important role in launching Her Bank, a Legends brand that celebrates, honors, and supports women. Britney is a gifted communicator and community-builder, and she sits down with Lorilee to share her personal experiences with confronting imposter syndrome, building self-confidence, and practicing self care. The two also discuss why it’s so meaningful to meet women wherever they are when it comes to banking and financial conversations.

Highlights:

  • On Britney’s playlist: Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, India Arie and more (check out Her Playlist)
  • Setting healthy boundaries personally and professionally
  • Understanding and navigating imposter syndrome
  • Practicing self-care (beyond bubble baths and champagne)
  • Why showing up for yourself can empower you to truly show up for others
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2021 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/imposter-syndrome-and-self-care-with-britney-camobell-7HOYBy0s Britney Campbell is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at Legends Bank, where she has played an important role in launching Her Bank, a Legends brand that celebrates, honors, and supports women. Britney is a gifted communicator and community-builder, and she sits down with Lorilee to share her personal experiences with confronting imposter syndrome, building self-confidence, and practicing self care. The two also discuss why it’s so meaningful to meet women wherever they are when it comes to banking and financial conversations.

Highlights:

  • On Britney’s playlist: Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, India Arie and more (check out Her Playlist)
  • Setting healthy boundaries personally and professionally
  • Understanding and navigating imposter syndrome
  • Practicing self-care (beyond bubble baths and champagne)
  • Why showing up for yourself can empower you to truly show up for others
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Imposter Syndrome and Self Care with Britney Campbell Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake 00:48:06 Britney Campbell is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at Legends Bank, where she has played an important role in launching Her Bank, a Legends brand that celebrates, honors, and supports women. Britney Campbell is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at Legends Bank, where she has played an important role in launching Her Bank, a Legends brand that celebrates, honors, and supports women. women, self confidence, entrepreneurship, banking, imposter syndrome, community, boundaries, self care, finance no full 6 a7554e53-0abe-4d1d-bbb9-50a1414f80f8 Resilience and Rural Life with Dawayne Kirkman Lorilee sits down with longtime friend Dawayne Kirkman to talk all about resilience, family, their shared rural upbringing, and much more. Dawayne is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark State College where he works with students to overcome challenges and find success. His role has given him insight into the incredible power of mentorship and why it’s so important to “pay it forward.”

Highlights:

  • On Dawayne’s playlist: “All I Want for Christmas is You” - Mariah Carey
  • Owning where you come from
  • Witnessing alcoholism as a child
  • The power of forgiveness
  • How Dawayne found peace and healing for himself
  • Bringing purpose and passion into work
  • The importance of mentorship
  • Positive affirmations and being the best version of yourself
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 8 Dec 2021 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Dawayne Kirkman, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/resilience-and-rural-life-zGGlSTjl Lorilee sits down with longtime friend Dawayne Kirkman to talk all about resilience, family, their shared rural upbringing, and much more. Dawayne is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark State College where he works with students to overcome challenges and find success. His role has given him insight into the incredible power of mentorship and why it’s so important to “pay it forward.”

Highlights:

  • On Dawayne’s playlist: “All I Want for Christmas is You” - Mariah Carey
  • Owning where you come from
  • Witnessing alcoholism as a child
  • The power of forgiveness
  • How Dawayne found peace and healing for himself
  • Bringing purpose and passion into work
  • The importance of mentorship
  • Positive affirmations and being the best version of yourself
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Resilience and Rural Life with Dawayne Kirkman Dawayne Kirkman, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain 00:49:41 Lorilee sits down with longtime friend Dawayne Kirkman to talk all about resilience, family, their shared rural upbringing, and much more. Dawayne is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark State College where he works with students to overcome challenges and find success. His role has given him insight into the incredible power of mentorship and why it’s so important to “pay it forward.” Lorilee sits down with longtime friend Dawayne Kirkman to talk all about resilience, family, their shared rural upbringing, and much more. Dawayne is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark State College where he works with students to overcome challenges and find success. His role has given him insight into the incredible power of mentorship and why it’s so important to “pay it forward.” mental health, christmas, depression, alcoholism, holidays, resilience, sobriety, mentorship, family, recovery, forgiveness, gratitude, healing no full 5 231a06f6-59d2-4cdb-b870-ffb691181d4f Holiday Special: Rural Route One In this special episode, Lorilee shares personal reflections on her childhood in Kentucky, detailing rich memories of Thanksgiving on Long Vue Farms and the safe spaces she created for herself as a young person. It was these sanctuaries -- under the dining room table or out in the garden --  that created the conditions for healing and true gratitude, but somewhere along the way, Lorilee lost touch with this grounding practice, leading her to ask a question many of us still grapple with; where is my safe space today?

“Rural Route One” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Thu, 25 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/rural-route-one-M92JMGxt In this special episode, Lorilee shares personal reflections on her childhood in Kentucky, detailing rich memories of Thanksgiving on Long Vue Farms and the safe spaces she created for herself as a young person. It was these sanctuaries -- under the dining room table or out in the garden --  that created the conditions for healing and true gratitude, but somewhere along the way, Lorilee lost touch with this grounding practice, leading her to ask a question many of us still grapple with; where is my safe space today?

“Rural Route One” is an excerpt from Cultivator and Creator: An autoethnographic study understanding the addicted artist, which you can read in full at lorileerager.com.

]]> Holiday Special: Rural Route One Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Kelly Drake 00:26:22 In this special episode, Lorilee shares personal reflections on her childhood in Kentucky, detailing rich memories of Thanksgiving on Long Vue Farms and the safe spaces she created for herself as a young person. In this special episode, Lorilee shares personal reflections on her childhood in Kentucky, detailing rich memories of Thanksgiving on Long Vue Farms and the safe spaces she created for herself as a young person. work life balance, resilience, design, addiction, thanksgiving, safe space, recovery, gratitude, healing, kentucky no bonus 2040391e-04ac-4670-a721-1e295f02ef64 Anxiety and Alcohol Free Living with Samantha Perkins Writer and speaker Samantha Perkins joins Lorilee to discuss her journey to living an alcohol-free life. They explore the link between alcohol and anxiety, and share their own experiences with sobriety and the pressures and stigmas that surround drinking culture.

Samantha is the author of Alive AF: One Anxious Mom’s Journey to Becoming Alcohol Free and speaks about the impact that alcohol had on her life and mental health. 

Highlights:

  • On Samantha’s playlist: “Rhythm Nation” - Janet Jackson
  • How stereotypical portrayals of drinkers affect our own perceptions of alcoholism
  • The connection between anxiety and alcohol
  • Coping with childbirth, parenthood, and exhaustion
  • Making happy hour any hour and living alcohol free
  • Handling the holidays without alcohol
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Wed, 24 Nov 2021 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Samantha Perkins) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/alcohol-free-living-yEAXzOFh Writer and speaker Samantha Perkins joins Lorilee to discuss her journey to living an alcohol-free life. They explore the link between alcohol and anxiety, and share their own experiences with sobriety and the pressures and stigmas that surround drinking culture.

Samantha is the author of Alive AF: One Anxious Mom’s Journey to Becoming Alcohol Free and speaks about the impact that alcohol had on her life and mental health. 

Highlights:

  • On Samantha’s playlist: “Rhythm Nation” - Janet Jackson
  • How stereotypical portrayals of drinkers affect our own perceptions of alcoholism
  • The connection between anxiety and alcohol
  • Coping with childbirth, parenthood, and exhaustion
  • Making happy hour any hour and living alcohol free
  • Handling the holidays without alcohol
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Anxiety and Alcohol Free Living with Samantha Perkins Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain, Samantha Perkins 00:48:19 Writer and speaker Samantha Perkins joins Lorilee to discuss her journey to living an alcohol-free life. They explore the link between alcohol and anxiety, and share their own experiences with sobriety and the pressures and stigmas that surround drinking culture. Writer and speaker Samantha Perkins joins Lorilee to discuss her journey to living an alcohol-free life. They explore the link between alcohol and anxiety, and share their own experiences with sobriety and the pressures and stigmas that surround drinking culture. anxiety, alcoholfree, depression, alcoholism, holidays, stress, sobriety, parenting, thanksgiving, recovery, parenthood, sober curious, gratitude, motherhood no full 4 8ec90d2c-5b7b-431a-8536-d3608b882e14 Diving Deep Into Therapy with Will Messer Clinical Social Worker Will Messer joins Lorilee to talk about all things therapy. The two get into some of the different approaches out there, how to ask for help, and what healing looks like -- all in the name of living a life full of joy, clarity, and peace. Will has extensive experience working with individuals and couples. He is a Certified EFT Therapist, Certified Enneagram Trainer and Coach, and level one AEDP Therapist based in Tennessee.

Highlights:

  • On Will’s playlist: “One of a Kind” - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Juan de Marcos González
  • Cultivating safe spaces
  • Connecting with a therapist and understanding why we seek to heal
  • Types of therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • The importance of connecting with and listening to yourself
  • Embracing joy and gratitude
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:34:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/diving-deep-into-therapy-with-will-messer-QX1_vdIM Clinical Social Worker Will Messer joins Lorilee to talk about all things therapy. The two get into some of the different approaches out there, how to ask for help, and what healing looks like -- all in the name of living a life full of joy, clarity, and peace. Will has extensive experience working with individuals and couples. He is a Certified EFT Therapist, Certified Enneagram Trainer and Coach, and level one AEDP Therapist based in Tennessee.

Highlights:

  • On Will’s playlist: “One of a Kind” - Lin-Manuel Miranda, Juan de Marcos González
  • Cultivating safe spaces
  • Connecting with a therapist and understanding why we seek to heal
  • Types of therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • The importance of connecting with and listening to yourself
  • Embracing joy and gratitude
  • One tool for our G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Her-Bank.com

]]> Diving Deep Into Therapy with Will Messer Anna McClain, Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager 00:51:43 Clinical Social Worker Will Messer joins Lorilee to talk about all things therapy. The two get into some of the different approaches out there, how to ask for help, and what healing looks like -- all in the name of living a life full of joy, clarity, and peace. Clinical Social Worker Will Messer joins Lorilee to talk about all things therapy. The two get into some of the different approaches out there, how to ask for help, and what healing looks like -- all in the name of living a life full of joy, clarity, and peace. mindfulness, joy, enneagram, therapy, psychotherapy, gratitude no full 3 f61b126a-38e5-4f65-9fa8-6f7f9e4422c4 Stories of Self Efficacy with Dr. Anne Wall Dr. Anne Wall (a.k.a. Dr. Sweetie) joins Lorilee to explore the power of preparation and self-efficacy. Anne is a longtime educator who has taught at various levels; from elementary school up through higher education in undergraduate and graduate programs. She recently retired as a professor at Austin Peay State University. Anne shares stories from her own life about how she built the confidence and skills to excel in her career and beyond.

Highlights:

  • On Anne’s playlist: Frank Sinatra
  • Defining self-efficacy
  • Self-learning and experimenting with new tools and technology
  • Combatting procrastination by taking small steps
  • How to do the “next right thing”
  • One tool for the G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:30:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Anne Wall) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/stories-of-self-efficacy-with-dr-anne-wall-k2DFfpSV Dr. Anne Wall (a.k.a. Dr. Sweetie) joins Lorilee to explore the power of preparation and self-efficacy. Anne is a longtime educator who has taught at various levels; from elementary school up through higher education in undergraduate and graduate programs. She recently retired as a professor at Austin Peay State University. Anne shares stories from her own life about how she built the confidence and skills to excel in her career and beyond.

Highlights:

  • On Anne’s playlist: Frank Sinatra
  • Defining self-efficacy
  • Self-learning and experimenting with new tools and technology
  • Combatting procrastination by taking small steps
  • How to do the “next right thing”
  • One tool for the G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Stories of Self Efficacy with Dr. Anne Wall Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Anne Wall 00:52:11 Dr. Anne Wall joins Lorilee to explore the power of preparation and self-efficacy. She shares anecdotes and insights from her own life about how she built the confidence and skills to excel in her career and beyond. Dr. Anne Wall joins Lorilee to explore the power of preparation and self-efficacy. She shares anecdotes and insights from her own life about how she built the confidence and skills to excel in her career and beyond. teaching, technology, education, self efficacy, morning pages, gratitude, mosaic no full 2 a809de81-5302-422f-ab55-41bf064472b1 Writing and Rituals with Natalia Ilyin Welcome to the very first episode of Ground & Gratitude, a new podcast from designer and entrepreneur Lorilee Rager.

To kick things off, Natalia Ilyin joins Lorilee on the show to discuss routines; the rituals that keep us grounded, calm the mind, and make space for creative ideas to thrive. Whether it’s pouring yourself a cup of tea or sitting down to write morning pages, even small routines can lead to transformation.

Natalia is a Professor of Design, Design History and Criticism at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and is also Founding Faculty of the MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Natalia is an author who recently published her third book, Writing for the Design Mind.

Highlights:

  • On Natalia’s playlist: “How Lucky” by John Prine
  • Breaking destructive cycles and turning bad habits into positive routines
  • The power of storytelling
  • Letting go of perfection and the academic, omnipotent voice
  • Writing your truth
  • ...and dealing with conflict
  • One tool for the G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Wed, 13 Oct 2021 10:15:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Natalia Ilyin) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/natalia-ilyin-xBij5SXH Welcome to the very first episode of Ground & Gratitude, a new podcast from designer and entrepreneur Lorilee Rager.

To kick things off, Natalia Ilyin joins Lorilee on the show to discuss routines; the rituals that keep us grounded, calm the mind, and make space for creative ideas to thrive. Whether it’s pouring yourself a cup of tea or sitting down to write morning pages, even small routines can lead to transformation.

Natalia is a Professor of Design, Design History and Criticism at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and is also Founding Faculty of the MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Natalia is an author who recently published her third book, Writing for the Design Mind.

Highlights:

  • On Natalia’s playlist: “How Lucky” by John Prine
  • Breaking destructive cycles and turning bad habits into positive routines
  • The power of storytelling
  • Letting go of perfection and the academic, omnipotent voice
  • Writing your truth
  • ...and dealing with conflict
  • One tool for the G&G toolbox

Mentioned in this episode:

]]> Writing and Rituals with Natalia Ilyin Lorilee Rager, Kelly Drake, Anna McClain, Natalia Ilyin 00:48:16 Natalia Ilyin joins Lorilee on the show to discuss routines; the rituals that keep us grounded, calm the mind, and make space for creative ideas to thrive. Natalia Ilyin joins Lorilee on the show to discuss routines; the rituals that keep us grounded, calm the mind, and make space for creative ideas to thrive. creative, ritual, writing, lifestyle, morning pages, routine, designer, storytelling no full 1 7eacbd05-2c35-4f93-92a5-8da97a27b129 Welcome to Ground and Gratitude Welcome to Ground and Gratitude, a new podcast from Lorilee Rager. Lorilee is sitting down with experts, friends, and even the neighbor next door to talk about what it means to live a truly healthy life. How do we grow and better our lives -- and the lives of those around us? Tune in every other Wednesday to find out.

Visit our website to learn more, or follow Lorilee on Instagram.

]]> Wed, 29 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000 aomcclain@gmail.com (Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain) https://ground-and-gratitude.simplecast.com/episodes/trailer-11wa31uL Welcome to Ground and Gratitude, a new podcast from Lorilee Rager. Lorilee is sitting down with experts, friends, and even the neighbor next door to talk about what it means to live a truly healthy life. How do we grow and better our lives -- and the lives of those around us? Tune in every other Wednesday to find out.

Visit our website to learn more, or follow Lorilee on Instagram.

]]> Welcome to Ground and Gratitude Kelly Drake, Lorilee Rager, Anna McClain 00:02:27 Ground and Gratitude is a new podcast from Lorilee Rager. Tune in on 10/13 to hear the very first episode! Ground and Gratitude is a new podcast from Lorilee Rager. Tune in on 10/13 to hear the very first episode! creative, mental health, health, art, writing, lifestyle, creativity, design, sobriety, recovery yes trailer