outside is Magic

In this episode, I sit down with Naohmi Monroe and Ginger Boyd, co-founders of Amiga Studio, to discuss creativity, collaboration, and the lessons learned from building a values-led business. We explore the early sparks that shaped their creative paths, the leap from freelance and full-time into starting their own studio, and the trust that keeps their partnership firm. We also delve into the real...

In this episode, I talk with illustrator and designer Casey Robertson about the long road to finding your creative voice. Casey shares how skateboarding, Thrasher magazine, and the pandemic all shaped his unique style—and why he's less interested in chasing trends and more interested in making honest work. We get into creative burnout, pricing your work, dealing with clients, and why the real...

Gritchelle Fallesgon is a Portland-based photographer with a background in graphic design and roots in punk and DIY culture. In this episode of outside is Magic, we talk about what it takes to leave the safe path, how to rebuild your creative identity, and the power of showing up fully as yourself. We get into her transition from designer to photographer, navigating burnout, finding her voice in a...

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Briggs, designer, creative director, and one of the minds behind some of the most impactful work in cycling, music, and identity design. We talk about how punk and DIY ethics shaped his creative foundation, how he approaches big design challenges, and why doing good work leads to more good work. Tom shares lessons from designing for Specialized, building a stud...

In this episode, I sit down with Ron Lewis, a musician, rider, and route builder, to talk about the creative process, burnout, music, and the quiet lessons that come from spending time outside. Ron shares how he approaches life like a trail: one turn at a time, guided by feeling and intuition. We dive into how storytelling shows up in his design work, the role music plays in shaping perspective, a...

In this episode of outside is Magic, I talk with creative director Anya Miller about her path from architecture to brand storytelling and how sometimes the most honest career moves start with asking yourself what actually feels good to make. We dig into how Anya found clarity by mapping the parts of her work that lit her up (and the ones that drained her), how she made the leap into brand strategy...

Gabriel Amadeus Tiller builds things that matter—trails, systems, communities. We talk about slow creative work, staying grounded, and building with care. From the Oregon Timber Trail to burnout, bikepacking, and mapping with meaning, this one’s packed with insight. Guest Links https://orogenesiscollective.org/ https://www.instagram.com/gabrielamadeus/ o utside is Magic is hosted by Christopher Sa...

In this episode of outside Is Magic, I talk with painter and craftsman Lucas Strain, founder of Sparkle Factory and lead painter at Allied Cycle Works. We dive into his journey from a rough childhood to becoming one of the most respected custom bike painters in the country. Lucas shares how mentorship shaped his path, how nature informs his color choices, and why he sees himself more as a craftsma...

In the first episode of outside is Magic , I sit down with Portland-based frame builder Ira Ryan—founder of Ira Ryan Cycles. We talk about what it means to build something with your hands, the balance between creativity and responsibility, and the lifelong process of becoming a good human. Ira opens up about his journey from bike messenger to master craftsman, how he stays inspired, and why living...