Jenny Hearns (artist, graphic designer) talks with Aaron McCall about creative identity, chronic illness, and what happens when your body hits pause before your mind is ready. They get into creepy-cute aesthetics, the pressure to stay visible, and how she’s learned to make space for rest without losing her spark. It's the classic tale of a ghost, an onion and a perfectly reasonable emotional spiral. Keep up with Jenny Hearns: jennyhearns.com IG: @jennyhearns Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Craig Horky (illustrator, graphic designer) shares his story with Aaron McCall and talks about analog habits, unexpected upheaval, and the tension between making a living and making something that lasts. They cover brush pens, weird gigs, creative grit, and the strange freedom that comes with getting fired. Also, he really loves his cats. Keep up with Craig Horky: craighorky.storenvy.com IG: @craighorky Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Mitch Ermatinger (brewer/founder, Speciation Artisan Ales ) talks with Aaron McCall about building a life around wild beer—then no longer being able to drink it. They get into the art and science behind fermentation, the gut-punch of a celiac diagnosis, designing what he can’t taste, and staying creative inside sharp limitations. It’s about constraint, reinvention, and what it means to keep making things—even when the rules change. Keep up with Mitch Ermatinger: speciationartisanales.com IG: @speciationales Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Rae Lang (artist, Woosah Outfitters & Outside Coffee Co.) talks with Aaron McCall about carving a life that’s slower, wilder, and closer to the woods. They get into Rae’s evolution as an artist and business owner, the decision to close her Grand Rapids shop, raising kids with muddy feet, and how success looks different than it used to. It’s about art, identity, and what it really means to stop outrunning yourself. Keep up with Rae Lang: spreadingthewoosah.com IG: @woosahoutfitters outsidecoffeeco.com IG: @outsidecoffeeco Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Scott Millington (photographer) has always had an eye for real-life moments—and in photography, he found the language to document them. Scott sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about how the camera gave him purpose, community, and a way to show the world as he sees it. From indie wrestling shows to coffee shops and protests, Scott shares what it means to document real life, connect with people, and stay grounded in your perspective. Keep up with Scott Millington: millingtonmedia.com IG: @sapmillington Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Courtney Romero (graphic designer, co-founder of Class ) didn’t set out to co-found a tech company, but when the opportunity came, she ran with it. Courtney shares her story with Aaron McCall about growing up fast, chasing stability, and refusing to play the starving artist game. From agency life to ed tech, she’s made her own rules, learned how to rest, and found unexpected freedom in pole dancing, puzzles, and houseplants. Keep up with Courtney Romero: IG: @thecourtneyromero Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Jon Bailey—photographer, videographer, and co-owner of Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge—joins Aaron McCall for a conversation about reinvention, embracing uncertainty, and the realities of running an independent coffee shop. His path hasn’t been a straight line—from filming skate videos to shooting weddings to finding his place in coffee—but with grit, determination, and a willingness to bet on himself, he’s learned what it means to build something with intention. They discuss the challenges of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and creating a space where people feel like they belong. Keep up with Jon Bailey: lanterncoffee.com IG: @thereal.joncoffee IG: @lanterncoffeebar Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Artist Mike Egan joins Aaron McCall for a conversation about art, death, and building a life on his own terms. Known for his bold, macabre paintings of skeletons, coffins, and religious iconography, his work is unmistakable—equal parts haunting and approachable. Before becoming a full-time artist, Mike worked as an embalmer and funeral director, experiences that shaped his perspective on life and mortality. Keep up with Mike Egan: mikeeganart.com IG: @mikeeganart Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Filmmaker and creative director Jenny Berggren (Wondergold Pictures) joins Aaron McCall for an unfiltered conversation about reinvention, creative freedom, and breaking away from the structures that no longer fit. From growing up making home videos to crafting stories through film and photography, storytelling has always been at the core of who she is. Jenny has torn everything down and rebuilt from the ground up—walking away from a marriage, leaving behind evangelical Christianity, and stepping fully into her queer identity. Now, she’s reclaiming creativity on her own terms. Keep up with Jenny Berggren: wondergoldpictures.com IG: @jenniferaberggren IG: @wondergoldpictures Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Poet, storyteller, and former Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Marcel Fable Price joins Aaron McCall for a raw and deeply honest conversation about creativity, mental health, and the weight of grief. He opens up about loss, the complexity of love and regret, and how storytelling became both a survival tool and a calling. From founding a multimillion-dollar nonprofit to stepping into the deeply personal role of a death doula, Fable shares what it means to hold space for loss, transformation, and truth. Keep up with Marcel Fable Price: marcelfableprice.com IG: @marcelfableprice Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Ahead of Season 5, we're catching up with singer/actor Sabrina Dahlgren (S3 Ep5), graphic designer Jacob Rosenburg (S2 Ep12), and musician Mike Mains (S1 Ep3) to hear what they’ve been up to since they were first on the podcast. Life keeps moving, and we’re here for all the stories about what’s changed and how their lives, creativity, and perspectives have evolved. Season 5 starts hitting on Tuesday, March 11. Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss anything. Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Ahead of Season 5, we're catching up with Lydia VanHoven-Cook (S1 Ep1), Jill Deiters (S1 Ep5), and Edwin Collazo (S4 Ep1) to hear what they’ve been up to since they were first on the podcast. Life keeps moving, and we’re here for all the stories about what’s changed and how their lives, creativity, and perspectives have evolved. Season 5 starts hitting on Tuesday, March 11. Don't forget to follow along so you don't miss anything. Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Bailey Sell (screen printer, graphic designer, Transfigure Print Collective ) shares his story with Aaron McCall and discusses the love/hate relationship between creativity and time, the roles that identity and community play in creativity as well as queer and trans initiatives, and the responsibilities and sacrifices that come with building a brand so close to his heart. Keep up with Bailey Sell: transfigureprintco.com Instagram: @transfigureprintco , @transfigureshop Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Daphna Sebbane (graphic designer, illustrator) joins Aaron McCall to share her story, discussing her multicultural upbringing and creative inspiration rooted in mysticism, tattoo art, and the occult. Daphna opens up about developing her distinct artistic style, prioritizing mental health, and the influence of music and travel on her work and personal growth. Keep up with Daphna Sebbane: daphnasebbane.com Instagram: @daphnasebbane Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…

Sean Cook (wedding photographer) shares his story with Aaron McCall, diving into his struggles and growth with social anxiety, the lengths he goes to capture meaningful images, and how his camera has served as a conduit, a security blanket, and a paycheck. And if you listen closely, you'll hear the sound of two grown men with a friendly, yet petty, rivalry over the heart of their mutual best friend. Keep up with Sean Cook: seancookweddings.com Instagram: @seancookweddings Writer/Producer/Editor/Host: Aaron McCall aaronmccall.net Instagram: @aaron_mccall LinkedIn: Aaron McCall Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer: Joe Matteson themattesons.co Instagram: @joe_dustin Co-Host/Sidekick/Manager: Amber Gray Instagram: @bad_ambellina LinkedIn: Amber Gray Music: "Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches Help Support the Podcast: Buy Merch Make a Donation Follow Bad Idea Social Club: badideasocialclub.com Instagram: @badideasocialclub LinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club…