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PODCAST

The Speak Easy Podcast

Jen Estill and Karen Stefl — creative studio entrepreneurs, brand and video experts, boss ladies, moms

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

business

All Episodes

00:12:02

Pet Projects & Why They Matter

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2025/01/15

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

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00:13:30

Resolutions Done Right

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2025/01/02

It’s a new year, which means culture is telling us it’s time to write resolutions. But hard refreshes aren’t for everyone. (We believe cold turkey is best served as a sandwich after Thanksgiving instead.) For some, however, this can be an ideal time to set intentions and plot paths for growth. So: What’s on the horizon for 2025, and what do we want to put into the universe?This episode, we discuss our own goals and the process of setting thoughtful intentions. The new year should be a season for

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00:20:06

Case Study: Filming Far and Wide with Render Studios

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/12/16

Traveling across the country to collaborate with clients and bring their visions to life through expert storytelling and dynamic production? That’s Render Studios’s bread and butter. That said, coordinating large-scale film projects across multiple locations is a process that goes far beyond capturing great footage alone. From managing remote location scouting and navigating local rules to maintaining a strong network of trusted producers and crew members, the success of any traveling production

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00:13:01

Opportunity is Not a Pie

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/12/03

Have you ever met an entrepreneur who views networking as a solo sport? It’s surprising, especially in the service business world, where relationships are the foundation of success. In this episode, we explore how collaboration and generosity can strengthen your network, your reputation, and ultimately, your opportunities. Sharing a "give first" approach can transform your entrepreneurial journey and demonstrate that opportunity isn’t a zero-sum game.Building community happens one relationship and

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00:16:59

Tall Orders, Quick Turnarounds

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/11/19

There’s an art to navigating tricky projects while maintaining high standards and delivering exceptional service. Whether you're navigating a tight deadline or dealing with evolving client demands, success in these scenarios often comes down to communication and trust.When tasked with a project that’s more of a sprint than a marathon, maintaining clear, consistent team communication saves time, reduces confusion, and minimizes wasted effort. In this episode, we share our strategies for leaning on

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00:16:28

Being an Intentional Mother When You’re an Entrepreneur

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/10/22

A lesson shared by many entrepreneurs and parents is this: Time is limited, and you can’t do everything all the time for everyone. Combine that truth with the knowledge that every stage of your children’s development requires an entirely different playbook of parenting skills, and it's easy to lose sight of any plans you made to intentionally showing up for all of life’s responsibilities.Pulling from our own experiences as mothers and entrepreneurs, this week’s episode explores how focusing on

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00:15:59

Is Your Creative Tank Full?

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/10/09

Creative burnout is something many face. In this episode, we dive into how to recognize the signs and navigate through it. Whether it’s struggling to focus, feeling uninspired, or simply pushing too hard without taking time to recharge, burnout can stop creativity in its tracks. Learning the tell-tale signals that it’s time to step back and refuel not only helps you better look after yourself, but it also stops you from burning energy producing work that’s below your own standards. Whether mixing

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00:20:27

Case Study: MI Children’s Savings Accounts for CEDAM

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/09/25

In our latest case study, we dive into Redhead’s work supporting the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) on marketing for the Michigan Children’s Savings Account Network. The Network, consisting of 17 programs across the state, aims to help students save for their postsecondary education through Children's Savings Accounts (CSAs). Recognizing the marketing capacity challenges faced by program leaders, Redhead developed a comprehensive CSA Program Marketing Toolkit,

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00:13:39

Are You Doing the Task or Solving the Problem?

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/09/10

In this episode, we’re exploring the difference between task-oriented and objective-oriented thinking. Focusing on the task at hand may feel like less mental labor, but it's important to remember that tasks are only one part of addressing a larger challenge. By aligning your work with the larger objective, you'll not only accomplish more but also approach your tasks with greater purpose and ownership.On the flip side, there are risks to focusing solely on tasks, like losing motivation or missing

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00:15:01

What Are Your Growth Options When You Feel Like...

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/08/29

In this episode, we dive into the dilemma of reaching the top and wondering, "Am I done yet?" Spoiler alert: not quite. We explore that feeling of having climbed the career ladder, only to find the horizon still stretching far and wide. When you’ve hit your goals and the view from the top is fantastic, what’s next?We discuss the signs of burnout, the pressure that comes with success, and how to keep moving forward. Whether it's learning something new, mentoring others, or taking on a fresh

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00:22:28

Case Study: Render Video Distribution

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/08/13

When it comes to video marketing, the key to maximizing reach and enhancing brand visibility is starting with a solid distribution strategy. Whether earned, owned, or paid, each channel requires a different approach to craft a video that resonates with a distinct audience.Measuring the effectiveness of these strategies is crucial to ensuring that each video effort achieves its intended impact. In this week’s case study, Karen provides listeners with a peek behind the curtain of video production

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00:17:00

When Should You Not Play by the Rules?

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/07/30

Carving out your own path as a business owner demands a little rule breaking from time to time. Whether it’s a social norm or personal directive, it’s easy for our ways of being to spiral down the rabbit hole from routine to rule to barrier to success. If you find yourself stuck in that place, it’s time to start poking holes in your modus operandi.We’ll be the first to admit this process isn’t easy 一 breaking rules is an exercise in resiliency. Routines can be comforting, but placing the rules

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00:14:48

Marketing *is* a Strategy

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/07/17

Marketing is a lot like starting a garden. It’s all about planting a seed and knowing that with careful planning and attention, you’ll reap the results of your harvest. Even those of us with the furthest thing from a green thumb know that you can’t plant a seed one day, then expect to be able to pluck fully grown fruit from it the next. Organic growth takes time, and just like with gardening, if you only think about your marketing strategy when you want to reap its results, you risk having little to

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00:22:05

Case Study: City of Trenton Rebrand

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/07/02

When helping a municipality identify their brand, it’s not always about resident attraction. Sometimes, it’s about reminding residents of all the various amenities that can be found right outside their front door. Pulling that off is a two-part challenge. First comes the creative work of developing the identity of the brand, then comes the technical work of ensuring the brand’s visual identity and messaging are designed to remain consistent across different uses. In short, there’s a lot to consider

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00:19:49

The Most Important Advisors You Need in Your Life:...

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/06/18

Last episode, we approached the topic of having a team of advisors from a business perspective. Having advisors in your personal life is just as important, but looking at this topic from a personal perspective brings a whole new set of considerations.Owning a business demands having multiple people on your roster to handle different issues, and the same is true for your personal life. Identifying who to turn to for what issues, and knowing the difference between needing solutions and needing to be

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00:19:01

The Most Important Advisors You Need in Your Life:...

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/06/04

For a lot of business owners, it can be hard to let go of the idea that you can do it all. However, as your business grows, there reaches a point where you shouldn’t be doing it all, and instead should be utilizing a team of advisors.In-house or outsourced, having a team of advisors you can turn to is a necessary investment for the health of your business (and your sanity). This could look like hiring an employee who will take on tedious admin tasks you struggle to make time for, or signing a

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00:20:47

Case Study: Origami Rehabilitation

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/05/21

For more than twenty years, Origami Rehabilitation has trusted Render Studios with capturing the stories of those affected by neurological conditions with compassion and nuance. Through this long-standing partnership, Render has mastered carefully navigating the intersection of marketing and human stories, and the ability to find a unique angle year after year to highlight the transformative impact of Origami’s work on their patients and their families.This week, we apply a case study lens to

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00:21:33

Setting Expectations for Employees

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/05/07

Setting expectations for your team is a crucial task. However, in our current work environment where the playbook seems ever-evolving, that process can seem easier said than done. For many business owners in the creative industry, defining these expectations comes with a boatload of questions — what should they encompass? Which expectations are outdated, and which need to be reiterated? How do we strike a balance between flexibility and productivity? This week, we discuss where we find ourselves in

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00:15:12

Why Your Budget Isn’t Big Enough: Advocacy Edition

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/04/24

Tight marketing budgets are a reality for many organizations, including nonprofits and advocacy groups. Clients like these operate with limited resources, yet they play a vital role in addressing societal issues, driving change, and raising awareness about important causes. Oftentimes, when nonprofits and advocacy organizations struggle with ineffective marketing strategies, their biggest hurdle is how they approach marketing, rather than the budget they have to do it.For mission-based

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00:20:26

Case Study: The Michigan Achievement Scholarship for...

The Speak Easy Podcast ·

2024/04/09

What do you do when you want to spread the word about free money for college to quite literally every graduating high school student in the state? A large-scale public awareness campaign with some pretty creative tactics, of course. This episode, we’re diving into a case study on The Michigan Achievement Scholarship campaign — a multi-modal marketing campaign complete with videos, billboards, mailers, social media, and more aimed at spreading the word about postsecondary education funding. The

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