leaders x design

This week, we’re joined by Alexandra Hunt (@alexandrahuntforcongress): a public health researcher, a girls’ soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer fighting for the 3rd district of Pennsylvania. Oh yeah, she’s also running for Congress on a progressive platform. We discuss the importance of contributing to your community, why universal he...

This week, we talk to Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman), a designer, writer, advocate, and creative force from New York City. She’s also a personal hero to both of us, so excuse the fangirling. We discuss how designers can use their superpower to engage local and national communities, why evolving is the most important thing a person can do, and why we should always shoot our shot.

In this episode, we talk to Missy Madewell, an entrepreneur and badass founder of Twisted Wares (@twistedwares). We talk about the power of curse words in daily life (and the products you use daily), the benefit to running your own company, and trusting your gut. We also hear her story about starting her company with $300, a dream, and one shitty customer.

This week we talk to Nina Zook, a Child Passenger Safety Technician and the woman behind the social media account Sitting Safely (@sitting_safely)--a profile that highlights the importance of car seat safety and what parents and caregivers can do to keep their little ones safely strapped in. We discuss how being a jack of all trades is an asset, overcoming life’s obstacles and restructuring around...

This week we talk to Rachel Feldman, an anthropologist and college professor who specializes in Judaic and Religious studies, and their cultural significance. We discuss Feminism’s place in conservative religions, balancing work and motherhood in a male-dominated field, and Rachel’s upcoming book. We also realize that Krista has a new hero because of her fascination with Rachel's field and specifi...

This week it is our monthly episode where just the two of us chat it up about a specific topic - where we absolutely get sidetracked. In this episode, we talk about how we started working together and where the name Little Red Monkey came from.

This week with talk to Monica Kramer, a self-labeled “Queer Realtor,” and hysterical content creator in Philadelphia (@monicamovesphilly). We discuss the home buying process and tips for first-time buyers, the impact of language, and why being your authentic self is more important now than ever before.

Today we talked to Viki Lester of Forensics and Flowers (@forensicsandflowers) based in London. We discuss finding your creative voice, the positives and negatives of accessibility to artists on the internet, and how affirmations are bringing folks together during this crazy time. Plus, you get to experience my caffeine-fueled rant about the joys of being an American in the design industry.

Laura Victore (@lauravictore) is a Spiritual Embodiment Coach and creative force hailing from just outside Austin, Texas. We talk about the 6 secrets to being a phenomenally sexy woman, the power of having and raising tiny humans, and how to truly tap into your inner force and love yourself. Get ready to feel emotionally validated.

Katie Schecter (@schecibaby) is a musician and feminist powerhouse hailing from Nashville by way of NYC. We talk about advocating for marginalized groups and our responsibility to take up the cause for others, the importance of finding your person and community, and how positivity takes work every damn day.

This week we talk to Safia Abji, an international development consultant and Trauma-Informed Transformation Coach based in Nairobi, Kenya. She works directly with folks who are curious, and truth, freedom, and fulfillment seekers. We discuss the importance of self-love and development, how the universe has no coincidences, and how we all can shift our perceptions and educate ourselves.

In this bonus episode, Allie and Krista talk about their experiences of “Yes Culture.” Spoiler alert, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows in their opinion. Especially so in Krista’s opinion.

This week, we talk to Ericka Chambers, the creative co-founder of Puzzles of Color (@puzzlesofcolor)—The home-made, family-run, company that exploded overnight. We discuss balancing family with starting a business, how representation in the products we experience daily matters (no matter how small the pieces are), and why taking time for self-care is always important.

Anna and Sarah are the creative minds behind Musea Faction (@musaefaction) -- an agency that inspires creativity and authenticity in advertising. We discuss the impact of media on representation and cultural damage, and why authentic diversity and representation matter. We can’t wait for you to hear about their work and how they’re making our world a little bit better, one step at a time. Also, Sa...

This week, we talk to Yvette Wilson (@vettie969), a writer and creative based in Philadelphia, PA. We cover tapping into creativity, the importance of representation in media and advertising, the struggle of BIPOC people to be seen and heard, and the impact of the political climate on culture and media. We’re so excited to bring you her perspective and words of wisdom.

In this episode we speak to Arinna Pongrey (@arinnap) who has worked her way from the ground up as a woman in tech. We talk about how being your own best advocate is essential and how to not forget about the little joys in life that keep us going. Though operations might not be the flashiest job out there, we think this interview has some high-resolution quality.

Lauren Priori (@lpriorijewelry) is a jewelry designer and small business owner in the Philadelphia area. We discuss Lauren’s business growth: she started from a shared workspace and is now expanding to a third studio location, you’ll get some advice on how to just go for it, and as a bonus find out what the staple piece that every woman should have in their jewelry box is.

Rebecca Aronow is an event producer and activist in the Philadelphia area. Their event Feminist Flea (@feminist_flea) creates space for artists marginalized by gender to include women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks, to give them a safe space to shop locally. We talk about the importance of curating a community and being inclusive. We discuss how folks should be empowered to ed...

Today we talk to Steph Littlebird (@artnerdforever), an Indigenous artist who is modernizing the native voice through their art, writing, and activism. We discuss their process of creating a space for their community, the impact of intergenerational trauma in today’s world, and what non-natives can do to support and protect the true history of the land Americans call home.

This week Allie and Krista chat about their experiences with balancing work and personal life, and how sometimes one affects the other. At the end of the day, you are not replaceable to yourself, or those who love you, so take the time you need when you need it. You won’t regret it.

This week we interview Abby Showalter, who tells us everything that we need to know about the organization For The Love of Alex (@for_the_love_of_alex_inc). For The Love of Alex is a non-profit organization that helps low-income families pay for veterinary care for their furry family members. I feel that I can speak for all of us when I say that this is something we can all help support. If you wa...

Jordan Schellinkhout (@jordanlee_design) is an incredibly talented designer and illustrator in Philadelphia, PA, and the creative mind behind Jordan Lee Design. Everything from an adorable doodle on a post-it to brighten your day to awesome branding work, this girl does it all (but you won’t find her on craigslist… we’ll explain later)! We’ll talk about being a designer in-house compared to freela...

Mi Kim is the exceptional owner and chef of Raised Donuts (@raiseddoughnuts) located in the Central District in Seattle, WA. She also has an incredible pup named Noodle (@noodleishungry) who assists in running the show. During this episode, we talk about how Raised Donuts came to be, the importance of learning, and we find out that Krista is clearly missing all of these donuts. So we are going to...

This week, we talked to Julie Anixter (@julieanixter), the Enterprise Design Principal at Throughline (@throughlineinc), past Executive Director of AIGA (@aigadesign), a woman who lives and works with companies and organizations that align with the ideals she wants to see in the world. We discuss the America 250 campaign (@america250_pa) that started in Pennsylvania, Creative Reaction Lab (@crxlab...

Our second episode includes an interview with Renee Gittins (@rikukat), the CEO of Stumbling Cat and the Executive Director of IGDA (@IGDA). She enlightens us about her journey to get to where she is today and how inspiration is, quite literally, all around us within video games and the industry itself.