Windowsill Chats

Margo is joined by Sashiko artisan, educator, and storyteller Atsushi Futatsuya for a conversation about creativity, cultural heritage, and the stories carried through handmade work. Born into a family deeply rooted in the Japanese tradition of Sashiko, Atsushi shares his journey from resisting the craft he grew up around to becoming one of its most passionate advocates and teachers. Through his work with Sashi.Co, Sashiko Story, and Upcycle Stitches, he helps people understand that Sashiko is far more than a stitching technique—it is a living cultural practice woven together by history, community, and care.
Margo and Atsushi explore the role of rhythm, repetition, and mindfulness in creative practice, as well as the challenges of preserving cultural traditions in a rapidly changing world. They discuss the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, the responsibility that comes with sharing inherited knowledge, and why stories matter just as much as skills.
Margo and Atsushi discuss:
What Sashiko is and the cultural history behind the traditional Japanese stitching practice

Growing up in a Sashiko family and why Atsushi initially resisted the craft

How the 2011 earthquake in Japan became a turning point in his relationship with his heritage

The importance of sharing cultural traditions so they can continue to evolve and survive

Why rhythm, repetition, and handwork can become powerful forms of mindfulness

The distinction between visible mending and the deeper cultural context of Sashiko

Navigating conversations around cultural appreciation, appropriation, and acknowledgment

The stories, values, and human connections woven into every stitch

How creativity helps us connect with history, identity, and community

Why letting go of control is often an essential part of both stitching and life

Connect with Atsushi:
Website: https://sashikostory.com
Instagram: @sashikostory
Instagram: @upcyclestitches


Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by Lauren Henkin, founder of The Humane Space, a mindfulness and lifelong learning app designed to boost wellbeing and reduce stress by sparking curiosity, wonder, and awe. In this conversation, Lauren shares her journey from architecture and fine art photography to tech founder, and how following her own curiosity led her to create a platform built on the belief that wonder, awe, and lifelong learning are just as essential to our wellbeing as physical health.
Together, they explore the role curiosity plays in creativity, personal growth, and human connection. They discuss how our environments shape the way we think, why many modern systems discourage curious thinking, and what we lose when we outsource our voices and ideas to technology. Lauren also shares the values that guide The Humane Space, including intellectual integrity, collaborative creativity, and a commitment to creating content made by humans, for humans.
Margo and Lauren discuss:
Lauren's unconventional path from architecture and photography to founding The Humane Space
Why curiosity is a lifelong practice that supports wellbeing, creativity, and resilience
How physical and digital spaces can be designed to inspire wonder and exploration
The mission behind The Humane Space and its alternative approach to social media and technology
The role of intellectual integrity, collaboration, and human-made creativity in an AI-driven world
Practical ways to cultivate more awe, wonder, and curiosity in everyday life
Connect with Lauren
The Humane Space App: https://www.thehumane.space/
Lauren Henkin: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhenkin/
 
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by Abby for another edition of Creative Current Events—the series where they unpack the stories, launches, trends, and internet conversations shaping the creative world right now. This episode covers everything from the rise (and critique) of the "beige epidemic" in interiors to unexpected retail collaborations, bold beauty marketing, shifting brand landscapes, and artists doing interesting work outside the algorithm. Along the way, they discuss what these moments reveal about creativity, originality, accessibility, and where culture seems to be headed next.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Beige Epidemic – House Beautiful
https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a71336893/the-next-issue-beige-epidemic/
Colorful interiors and inspiration – The House That Lars Built
https://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/
Jonathan Adler collection at Michaels
https://www.michaels.com/shop/jonathan-adler
Review video of the Jonathan Adler collection
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXkZqF7kvtv/
GIMP's redesign: Photoshop familiarity without the subscription
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/open-source-gimp-reskin-gives-it-a-familiar-photoshop-look-without-the-hefty-fee/
Explore GIMP
https://www.gimp.org/
Create! Magazine – Call for Art Submissions
https://www.createmagazine.co/call-for-art
Garden & Gun Magazine
https://gardenandgun.com/
Cover artist feature – Brian Steely
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYe7ldUx2YO/
The Bitter Southerner
https://bittersoutherner.com/
The Ordinary's skewered beauty marketing approach
https://www.creativereview.co.uk/the-ordinary-markup-marche-pop-up-supermarket-uncommon/
"The Most Valuable Place a Brand Can Be Right Now Isn't Online"
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZzckqEYuM/
Shein acquires Everlane discussion
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfcq7Ik49Y/
The "tone deaf" commencement speech conversation
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYNfbyEP82q/
Wylie Welling × Carhart
https://wyliewelling.com/blogs/journal
Artist & listener spotlight: Renee Reid
https://www.instagram.com/reneereidcreations
Connect with Abby:
https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ajcampkc/
https://www.pinterest.com/ajcampbell/
 
Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by interior designer, mentor, and entrepreneur Rebecca Ward for a conversation about creativity, career pivots, and the impact our homes have on daily life. As the CEO and Principal Designer of Rebecca Ward Design, Rebecca has spent more than 20 years creating contemporary spaces that help families live beautifully and function intentionally. She shares how her love for interiors started in childhood and eventually evolved into a thriving design career and mentorship platform. Margo and Rebecca explore the many paths into interior design, including second-career transitions and turning creative passions into sustainable businesses. They also discuss the psychology behind our environments, the realities of running a design business, and why mentorship and boundaries matter so much for creatives. It's an honest and inspiring conversation about building a creative career that supports both artistry and real life.
Margo and Rebecca discuss:
Rebecca's early creative influences and path into interior design
Why interior design is often a second or third career for creatives
The emotional and psychological impact of our homes
How thoughtful design improves everyday life and wellbeing
The realities of running a successful interior design business
Setting boundaries and managing client expectations
The value of mentorship for aspiring designers
Encouragement for creatives considering a career pivot or side hustle
Connect with Rebecca:
Website: Rebecca Ward Design
Mentorship & Bootcamp: My Design Mentor
Instagram: @rwarddesign
Podcast: Design Curious Podcast
Connect with Margo:
https://www.windowsillchats.com
https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry

Margo is joined by illustrator and children's book artist Natalie Lundeen for a candid conversation about creativity, motherhood, burnout, and redefining what it means to be a "successful" artist. Based in Clearwater, Florida, Natalie specializes in children's books, greeting cards, and licensed artwork, with illustrations spanning indie publishing, Etsy products, and now traditional publishing through Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Her newest books, Dear Mom and Dear Dad, were released this spring.
Natalie shares the winding path that led her from fine art and gallery work into illustration, how becoming a mother completely reshaped her creative process, and the surprising timing of landing a two-book publishing deal just days after deciding to step away from illustration professionally. Margo and Natalie explore the freedom that can come from releasing pressure, the realities of balancing creative work with financial stability, and why having a part-time job outside the art world doesn't make someone any less of an artist. It's an honest and refreshing conversation about building a creative life that actually supports your wellbeing—not just your résumé.
Margo and Natalie discuss:
Natalie's transition from oil painting and gallery work into children's book illustration
How motherhood reshaped both her artistic style and creative priorities
Building early illustration opportunities through Etsy, Instagram, and indie authors
The realities of self-publishing projects, client boundaries, and revision expectations
Landing a traditional publishing deal after deciding to step away from illustration full time
Why returning to part-time cleaning work helped her enjoy art again
Redefining success outside of the "full-time artist" narrative
The importance of flexibility, creative friendships, and sustainable creative cycles
How personal projects and experimentation can open unexpected doors
Why artists shouldn't feel shame around taking outside work to support their creativity
Connect with Natalie:
Website: https://natlundeen.myportfolio.com/
Instagram: @natlundeen
Connect with Margo:
https://www.windowsillchats.com
https://www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
https://www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry