23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives

What happens when the drive to create starts draining your life force? In this powerful episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives, Dr. Karen Fiorello, educator, yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and community leader, reveals the hidden cost of creative ambition and how to reclaim your energy without losing your edge. We talk about why wellness is often treated like a luxury, how creatives can p...

Balancing business, parenting, and mental health is challenging, and prioritizing your mental well-being is essential for your success and happiness. In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , we talk with licensed therapist Nicole McNelis about burnout, guilt, setting boundaries, and managing the mental load that comes with being both a parent and an entrepreneur. This is an honest...

Creatives often feel overwhelmed by late nights, racing thoughts, client deadlines, kids, and the pressure to 'keep going,' making sleep difficult. In this episode, sleep expert and behavior analyst Michelle Kreuzer acknowledges these everyday struggles and explains how they affect our work, health, and emotions. Michelle explains the difference between true insomnia and simple sleep deprivation,...

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Thato and Naomi break down the truth about burnout. Most creatives don't burn out because of work; they burn out because they work without boundaries. This highlights how much their well-being matters and can help you feel seen and supported. Together, they talk through real-life examples of setting schedules, protecting family time, handli...

This episode was recorded live at Art Means Business , a networking event inside the Wilmington International Film Festival. Thato and Naomi sit down with filmmakers and educators to discuss creativity, filmmaking, opportunities, and the power of genuine connections. Guests include • Gordon Delgorino , founder of the Wilmington International Film Festival, shares the vision behind bringing an inte...

Kate Braunstein joins hosts Thato and Naomi to share her journey from dance major to professional broadcaster. She discusses not just overcoming nerves and learning the craft of radio, but also the personal growth and confidence she built behind the microphone. Kate opens up about her early mistakes, mentors who shaped her path, and how networking helped her land opportunities with ABC and KGW. We...

Filmmaker and CEO of Crystal Fox Films, Mike Fox, joins Thato and Naomi Joy Dadson to talk about storytelling, networking, and building a sustainable creative business. He shares insights from his journey into film, the role of family in his creative process, and the future of filmmaking with AI.

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Thato and Naomi sit down with artist Rebecca Rutstein, whose work is a unique blend of fine art, geology, and marine science, and has left a lasting impact on public installations, oceanographic collaborations, and museum collections worldwide. Rebecca shares how she built a career blending fine art with geology and marine science, the prac...

Thato and Naomi, two successful professionals in the modeling industry, share their unique journey of how they met at a modeling shoot and leveraged creative networking to build their careers. They will guide you on how to connect with photographers, directors, makeup artists, and fellow creatives, and how to build a reputation that opens doors. You'll also hear: Why authentic connections matter m...

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Thato and Naomi welcome back networking expert Chris Gittings for an exhilarating exploration into how creatives can unlock the full potential of LinkedIn. It's not just a résumé, but a powerful tool for fundamental growth, and we're here to show you how. We talk about: Why creatives avoid LinkedIn (and why they shouldn’t) How to make your...

In this impactful episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Bethany Williams, event strategist and co-leader of Wolf of Broad Street, candidly discusses the practical steps to build community through networking. She shares actionable advice on how to make people feel seen at events, the importance of maintaining authenticity online, and the specific strategies women in the creative industr...

In this episode, Thato and Naomi delve into the practical aspects of online networking for creatives. They stress the importance of a strong LinkedIn presence and the strategic use of Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, providing actionable ways to make an impact and get noticed. They discuss how creatives can transform their online portfolios into potent tools for attracting clients, why visibility...

Katie Taylor, founder of Savvy Custom Swag , shares how she built a seven-figure business from the ground up, starting as a single mom with no roadmap, hustle, faith, and the power of networking. In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Katie breaks down how she used vendor events, personal branding, and community relationships to grow her product-based business into a national su...

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives, we sit down with host, speaker, and all-around creative force NanaKofi Dadson, who also happens to be Thato’s younger brother. From red carpets to youth events with the NBA and high-profile moments at TMZ, Nana shares how networking across, staying ready, and leading with humility helped shape his unconventional career path as a professional...

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Thato and Naomi, two seasoned creatives, delve into the intricate dynamics of creative collaboration. They draw from their own experiences, sharing candid lessons, real-life anecdotes, and practical advice to empower you in fostering stronger creative partnerships. You’ll learn: How a wedding collaboration led to discovering Aftershoot Why...

Insurance may not sound glamorous, but it could be your business's lifeline. In this episode, we sit with commercial insurance broker Don Blizzard to break down the coverage every creative entrepreneur should know about. From protecting your gear and reputation to guarding against lawsuits and cyberattacks, Don explains how the right policy, found with the help of a good broker, can mean the diffe...

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , we sit down with Josh Butcher, founder of Wolf of Broad Street , to explore how he transformed small networking mixers into Philly’s go-to real estate events. Josh shares his journey from magazine publisher to event strategist, diving deep into how authenticity, niche focus, and creative partnerships fuel his success. This episode is packed...

Sometimes, all it takes is one connection to change the course of your entire career. In this inspiring episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives , Thato and Naomi Dadson explain how one chance referral sparked a full-blown photography and videography business. They share the behind-the-scenes journey of going from zero clients and old gear to working with real estate agencies, building wedd...

What happens when you’ve had 23 jobs before 30? It was a transformative journey for Ashley to learn how to build a business out of relationships, not résumés. In this episode, Ashley shares her powerful journey from being a celebrity assistant to founding her company as the first “Networking Concierge.” She generously shares practical gems on how creatives and introverts can network purposefully,...

Discover the inspiring journey of Chris Gittings, the founder of Cogent Connections. He shares his remarkable transformation from a self-described introvert, initially fearful of rejection, to his current role as a leading connector and event host for professionals. Uncover the key to successful networking as we explore the concept that real networking is not about transactions, but about building...

In this premiere episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives, hosts Thato and Naomi Joy Dadson dive deep into what networking truly means for photographers, videographers, musicians, and aspiring creatives. Thato and Naomi draw from their photography, music, and media production journeys to illustrate how authentic relationships, not follower counts, fuel long-term creative success. They share...

🎧 Welcome to 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives — the podcast for photographers, videographers, and creative entrepreneurs ready to grow their brand, expand their network, and take their creative journey to the next level. In this short trailer, hosts Thato and Naomi Joy Dadson introduce the heart behind the show and what you can expect from each episode: inspiring conversations with real creat...