reneelynncreative@gmail.com

Behind the Creative Curtain

Behind the Creative Curtain, is a podcast hosted by me. On the show, I invite guests to pull back the curtain through honest conversations as we explore their passions and professions.

This is a podcast for fellow creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning more about what goes on behind the scenes of creative work across a wide range of industries.

Find us and give us a follow on your favorite podcast platform.

11: The Power of Authentic Storytelling in Business

SummaryIn this thoughtful conversation, Randy Smith, founder of Oathic, shares insights on the importance of storytelling in branding, misconceptions surrounding brand strategy, and the transformative power of rebranding. He emphasizes the need for presence and mindfulness in entrepreneurship, illustrating his points with personal anecdotes and client success stories. The discussion highlights the importance of mindfulness in business, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique narratives and find balance in our digital world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

10: The Evolving Journey of Behind the Creative Curtain

In the latest episode of the Behind the Creative Curtain podcast, host Renee Garcia opens up about the challenges and transformations going on behind the scenes for the show. With a heartfelt message, she shares her journey of navigating creative endeavors while also providing insights into the world of creativity and self-worth. Join her to explore the essence of this podcast and the importance of celebrating the creative community.About your hostRenee Garcia runs a brand design studio rooted in Portland, OR called Renee Lynn Creative. Through the studio, she crafts memorable brands for people devoted to planting positive change. She loves spending time outside and connecting with people in the community. Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-lynn-garcia/ Subscribe to RLC Roots to be the first to hear about new episodes.View samples of my branding work on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/reneelynncreative/ This is a public episode. If you would like to

09: Center Stage with Purpose

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Ashwin Chacko, art director turned children’s book illustrator and founder of Bad Book Press publishing house. From commercial illustration to launching Northern Ireland’s first dedicated children’s picture book publisher, Ashwin reveals how faith, purpose, and strategic patience built his creative empire.What starts as a discussion about finding your creative purpose quickly evolves into a masterclass on art direction, publishing, and building sustainable creative businesses. Ashwin opens up about his 10-year journey from graphic designer to full-time illustrator, sharing how the 2020 lockdown forced him to discover his “why” and pivot toward children’s book illustration. Renee explores the business side of creative freelancing, while Damion discovers the complexities of print production and screen printing techniques.Creative Business & Career Topics:* How to transition from art dire

08: Backend Magic You Never See

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Backend development powers everything you do online, but most people have no idea how it actually works. Adam Sparks, software architect and founder of Sparkstone, breaks down the complex systems that run behind every app, website, and digital service—plus why understanding them is crucial for your digital freedom.What starts as an explanation of basic programming concepts quickly evolves into a deep dive on software architecture, data ownership, and building truly independent digital infrastructure. Adam walks through his journey from middle school coding competitions to architecting enterprise-level 3D visualizations that required massive GPU clusters just to render in browsers. Renee explores the creative aspects of software development, while Damion discovers the invisible complexity that makes every website function.Backend Development Topics Explored:* What software architects actually do and how to get there (9:39)* The middle school programming competition that started it

07: The Hidden World of Print

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Most designers have no idea what happens to their files after hitting "export." Malia Ross works in pre-press, so she sees exactly where things go wrong—and right. This multi-job creative hustler works print production by day and cannabis motion graphics by night, giving her unique insight into both sides of the design process. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

06: Between Acts

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

In this hosts-only episode, Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe pull back the curtain on their own creative journeys and business realities. No guest this time—just two creatives getting real about the messy, complicated, and often hilarious side of running creative businesses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

05: Beyond the Camera

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as we sit down with Eliana Mendez, creative director and photographer behind Human-Centric Media, for an authentic conversation about creativity, community, and the irreplaceable power of human connection in an increasingly digital world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rlcroots.substack.com

04: The Art of Pivoting

Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Angela Ellison, intuitive business coach and animal communicator, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and the courage to keep pivoting until you find your true calling.What starts as a discussion about Angela’s transition from teaching quickly evolves into a masterclass on listening to your intuition in business. Angela opens up about her winding journey from middle school educator to entrepreneur, sharing how she’s navigated multiple business iterations—from product photography to systems strategy—before discovering her gift for supporting sensitive entrepreneurs. Renee brings her perspective on the challenges of niching down as a creative, while Damion explores how following childhood interests and curiosities can guide career decisions.Key Topics Explored:* Navigating “the messy middle” of entrepreneurship and creative careers* How to recognize when it&rsqu

03: Finding Your Voice

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Description:Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe for an insightful conversation about one of the biggest challenges creatives face: maintaining an authentic voice while building a consistent brand across multiple platforms and spaces.In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the art of alignment—not just visual consistency, but staying true to yourself whether you’re speaking at an event, posting on social media, or writing copy for your website. Renee shares how she learned that clear, authentic messaging is what actually drives business success, while Damion opens up about his unique approach to content creation that honors his personal preferences (spoiler: he’s figured out how to build a brand without showing his face on camera).Key Topics* Why authentic self-expression trumps “proper” corporate speak every time* How to adapt your brand voice for different platforms without losing yourself* The evolution of social media and why so much content feels

02: Breaking Through Creative Ruts, Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected

Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe

Description:Join hosts Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe as they sit down with Andrew Gibbs, VP of Operations at Soldier Fit, for a candid conversation about creativity, inspiration, and pushing through those inevitable creative blocks we all face.Andrew opens up about feeling like a “suffocated creative” while working in the fitness industry, sharing his unique approach to content creation and how he finds inspiration in the everyday moments of his workouts. Renee, CEO of Renee Lynn Creative, brings her perspective on how stepping away from projects and connecting with nature helps her push through blocks, while Damion explores his process of diving deep into foundations—from typography to jungle music—as a way to break through creative barriers.Takeaways* The anatomy of creative ruts (yes, we use the constipation analogy)* How movement and mental breaks can unlock creativity* The difference between consuming content for development vs. pleasure* Why intention matte

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Renee Lynn Creative partners with heart-led businesses and organizations to align their brand with their mission, so they can grow sustainably.

Currently rooted in Portland, OR, working with changemakers everywhere.

I acknowledge I work on land belonging to the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Stl'pulmsh (Cowlitz), Clackamas, Cascades, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; people of the Pacific Northwest and all their descendants both past and present.

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© 2026 Renee Lynn Creative LLC | Pictures of Renee taken by Riza from Steeza Shots.

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