Pet projects are more than hobbies — they’re a lifeline for creativity and connection. In the fast-paced world of deadlines and deliverables, carving out time for passion-driven work can energize teams, spark innovation, and foster camaraderie. These pursuits allow space to experiment, fail, and grow, creating a culture that values more than just productivity.

In this episode, we unpack the importance of pet projects and how they build stronger teams and businesses. Karen shares insights from Render’s creative ventures, while Jen explores how small traditions and shared experiences deepen workplace bonds. We also discuss the decline in generosity and why contributing to culture and community is a collective responsibility. Join us for a conversation that highlights why passion projects are more than just side hustles — they’re essential.

Pet Projects & Why They Matter

This week’s topic is all about appreciation. After all, who do we love more than our clients? Their trust, collaboration, and vision make our work possible, allowing us to take on impactful projects that drive real change. Beyond just delivering services, we’re deeply invested in their success, fostering relationships built on communication and shared goals.

Listen in as we dive into the ripple effect of small business support, how each investment circulates through communities, and why working with bold, mission-driven clients makes our work so fulfilling. From economic development to transformative initiatives, we’ll explore how these partnerships create lasting impact — and why we’re so grateful to be part of the process.

Clients You Can't Help But Love

Many organizations rely on small, overburdened marketing and communications teams, expecting them to do it all and inadvertently setting them up to fail. In this episode, Jen and Karen challenge the traditional hiring model and explore why a fractional or agency-based strategy could be a smarter, more cost-effective solution.

Tune in as we break it down: why the “comms department of one” is never a magic fix; why adding another full-time hire isn’t always the answer; and how leveraging agency expertise can provide more value, creativity, and strategic support. From avoiding burnout to accessing top-tier talent across multiple disciplines, we offer a fresh perspective on rethinking capacity and maximizing marketing impact.

Fighting Words: ‘Fire Your Comms Person’

Whether you’re crafting a brand message, delivering a speech, or simply trying to make an idea stick, the way you tell your story matters. Knowing your audience, embracing personality, and making messages actionable ensures that stories don’t just entertain — they inspire and drive real impact.

Using Gustav Freytag’s classic story arc as a guide, Karen takes us through Render's process for engaging an audience from start to finish. Join us as we dissect how the right storytelling approach can transform communication and leave a meaningful impression.


Case Study: Storytelling Essentials with Render

As entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders, we’re constantly making decisions — about strategies, budgets, and even where to focus our energy. But how often do we pause to ask: "Do I need this, or do I just want it?" In a world filled with tempting new tools, trends, and shiny distractions, knowing the difference can be the key to growth — or the reason we stay stuck.

In this episode, we put that question to the test with a mix of lighthearted and thought-provoking scenarios. From the practical to the absurd, we explore the gray areas of what truly counts as a necessity. Tune in for an entertaining and insightful conversation that just might change how you prioritize what really matters.

Lightning Round: What's Important

No one likes a boss breathing down their neck — but when you're the one in charge, knowing how much oversight is too much can be tricky. In this episode, we dig into the blurry line between healthy control and full-blown micromanagement. From trust issues to outcome-based leadership, we explore how leaders can maintain structure and accountability without disempowering their team.

Drawing on insights from Harvard Business Review's “The Anxious Micromanager,” we look at how anxiety and lack of preparation often fuel micromanaging behaviors — and what you can do instead. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into a management role, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical take on how to lead without smothering.

Read "The Anxious Micromanager" here: https://hbr.org/2023/09/the-anxious-micromanager

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Micromanaging and Control: When To Let Things Go

Every brand has its own unique challenges — but not every brand should be approached the same way. In this episode, Jen shares four brand categories she and her team at Redhead work with most often: corporate, place-based, boutique, and entrepreneurial. From the layers of stakeholder input in corporate branding to the emotional nuance of placemaking, we break down how each type calls for a tailored approach to strategy, voice, and visual identity.

We talk about how understanding your brand’s category can help you choose the right creative partner, avoid costly missteps, and ultimately build something that resonates with the people who matter most — whether that’s leadership, customers, peers, or influencers. Inspired by Redhead’s blog post “The 4 Types of Brands We Build (and Why the Distinction Matters)”, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of brand strategy or rebranding.

For more on this topic, read the blog post here: https://redhead.studio/blog/4-types-brands-we-build-and-why-distinction-matters

What Type of Brand Are You? (And Why the Distinction Matters)

In our latest episode, we talk about why social media ads might not be delivering, when they can be effective (hint: brand-building > promotion), and why it’s critical to stop thinking of social media as your only marketing plan. We also challenge you to consider how you’d communicate your message if social media didn’t exist at all. From Super Bowl spots to smart, scrappy strategies — this one’s full of tough love and practical insight.



It Doesn't Work!

Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. 

We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)

Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative industry face. To create a community where we can support one another and abandon the mantra that we put on a good face and make it look like we have it all together, even when we don't. You can expect honesty, complete vulnerability and even a good laugh.

And cocktails. You can expect cocktails.

Pet Projects & Why They Matter

The Speak Easy Podcast

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