The Art and Life Podcast

The conversation explores Lavi Daniel’s artistic philosophy, life journey, and views on creativity, consciousness, and the purpose of art. The discussion ranges from practical artistic advice to deep philosophical reflections on awareness, intuition, and the interconnected nature of reality. Daniel emphasizes that art is not primarily about technique or intellectual concepts but about awareness, s...

What happens when you stop trying to formulate creativity and start trusting your instincts instead? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with Lynn Abate Johnson  @lajbiz  to talk about breaking free from rigid creative formulas. Lynn shares her journey from following prescribed systems to developing what she calls an "un-marketing" approac...

What if the secret to selling art wasn’t about building funnels or following someone else’s script—but about becoming *more* of yourself? In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success*, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with artist and storyteller Ryan Stover to talk about how chasing someone else’s sales strategy nearly took the soul out of his art—and how he got it back. From cook...

What happens when you grow up in a world where dancing, drawing—even joy—are forbidden? In this powerful episode, muralist Andrea Solorzano opens up about her journey from a restrictive upbringing to reclaiming her voice through art. With honesty, heart, and a little fairy magic, Andrea shares how she transformed her inner darkness into color, connection, and purpose. We explore: The emotional and...

What happens when an artist trades ego for insight? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success , muralist and educator Mural Joe (Joe Cornelius) opens up about more than just paint and technique—he shares the inner architecture of a creative life. Joe and host Taylor Gallegos dive deep into color theory, emotional resilience, and the patterns that drive Joe’s wildly popular You...

🎨 The pod is back, baby! In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success*, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with muralist Hanna Daly to talk about going viral—for the wrong reasons—and what happened next. When a client failed to pay her for a mural, Hanna shared a 10-second video of herself painting over their logo. That post exploded, bringing unexpected attention, legal threats, a...

In this episode I Interview Lynx DeMuth.  Lynx is a musician, a producer, a mentor, and more.  They work and live in Portland, OR.  In this episode we talk about the development of Lynx as an artist, music, music production, feeling at home in oneself, sobriety, and so much more. You can connect with Lynx on Spotify at Lynx Demote, on IG @lynxdemuth, and online at lynxdemuth.com .

In this episode I Interview Bob Matatall.  Bob is an Urban Planner, an avid traveler, and the long time best friend of my Step Dad Chris Belting. In this episode we talk about the joys of slow travel, art and design, surviving cancer, and so much more.

In this episode I Interview Ruben Rojas.  Ruben is an Artist, an Entrepreneur, a Podcaster, a Husband, a Father, and more.  He works and lives in Los Angeles, CA, out of his art studio where this interview took place.  In this episode we talk about Art, Style, the business of art, the experience of making a podcast, and so much more.

In this episode I Interview Samantha Tradelius.  Samantha is an entrepreneur, the founder of Sparkle Foundation, Sparklebiz, a mother, and a husband.  In this episode we talk about Samantha’s transition from business to non-profit, her foundation that’s helping women and mother, the ripple effect of positive action and much more. You can find and follow Samantha on her website at samanthatradelius...

In this episode I Interview Billy Arana (Along with my guest hosts Haylee, Kelsey, Cyndie, and Moe LaCroix).  Billy is the owner/operator/guide of North Pacific Adventure in Mendocino County, California.  In this episode we talk guiding, fishing, environmental awareness, the cooking of the freshest catch, and much more. You can find and follow Billy on IG @north_pacific_adventure, and online at np...

In this episode I Interview Marius Lehene.  Marius is an Artist, and Art Professor at Colorado State University.  He’s Romanian born, living and working in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Also, he was my art professor for 5 semesters, including my study abroad trip to Tuscany, Italy.  In this episode we talk about dualities and intersections of place and space, Art and Academia, Art a...

In this episode I interview Gretchen Leggitt.  Gretchen is a Muralist who graduated with a BFA from Colorado State University (That’s where we met), is currently living and working out of Bellingham, WA, where she has put up the largest mural in the state of Washington.  In this episode we talk about the development of one’s unique personal style, the artistic wonder of Tuscany...

In this episode Ryan Stover (Episode 76) guest hosts the Art and Life podcast and interviews me, Taylor Gallegos.  I started this concept a few years back for the Season Finale and we’re running with it.  In this episode we talk about my artistic process, my tips for success, philosophy about the future, and so much more. You can connect with Ryan on Youtube @uncomplication and on IG @th...

In this episode I Interview Hadley Stover.  Hadley is a 7 year old (almost 8) creative human being from Fort Collins, Colorado.  Hadley is the daughter of Ryan Stover from Episode 76.  In this episode we talk about creativity from a kid’s perspective, Hadley’s drawings, imaginary friends, and so much more. You can connect with Hadley on her (and Ryan’s) Podcast on Spotify called “Th...

In this episode I Interview Okori Puryear.  Okori is a Technical Systems Designer, has a background in geographic data science, and has a degree in Environmental Systems Science from Stanford University.  In this episode we talk about creativity in the dimension of data, the concept of finding creative solutions to contemporary problems, Art on the Playa, and so much more. Okori suggests...

In this episode I Interview Lisa Ray.  Lisa is an award-winning actress, author, philanthropist and long-term art collector. Lisa has enjoyed a multifaceted career in the entertainment arts beginning in India in 1991 and spanning multiple countries and straddling film (Oscar nominated ‘Water’) television (‘Top Chef Canada’, International Emmy nominated ‘4 More Shots Please’) modeling, activis...

In this episode I Interview Keesa Johnson.  Keesa is a Creative Systems Designer, with a Masters in Integrated Design from the University of Michigan.  In this episode we talk about creativity in designing complex social systems, the concept of a Wicked Problem, equity in the food system, and so much more. You can connect with Keesa on LinkedIn, and on IG @equityandaccess

In this episode I Interview Joey Cofone.  Joey is Founder & CEO of Baronfig, he's an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, and now author of his new book "The Laws of Creativity."  His work has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, New York Magazine, Bon Appetit, Quartz, Mashable, Gizmodo, and Print, among others.  In this episode we talk about creativity as a concept, the c...

In this episode I interview Megan Johannsen.  Megan is an artist living and working in Los Angeles, California.  Megan is also a dear friend of mine, we first met on our mutual study abroad trip in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy, and we’ve been art buddies ever since.  In this episode we talk about Megan’s work, her process, her interest in materials, her philosophy, and so much more....

In this episode I have Diane Hullet back.  Her original episode was No. 74, definitely check that one out.   Diane is based in Boulder, Colorado.  Diane is an End of Life Educator, she leads the Best Life Best Death courses (which I took and loved), and a long time friend.  In this episode we talk about her progression through the last year and a half since we last spoke, her e...

For this episode I interview Kelan Daniel.  Kelan is a farmer, an artist, a philosopher, and the founder of Wavelength Farm in Mendocino California.  In this episode we talk about farming, regenerative farming practices, the benefits of local, mental health and community, and more. You can connect with Kelan on Instagram @wavelengthfarm, their website at wavelengthfarm.com, at one of the Wavelengt...

For this episode I interview Colin Barreno.  Colin is a Lawyer, dancer, philosopher, and uncle in San Francisco, California.  In this episode we talk about the art of a Law practice, the meandering nature of life, cliches, the various realities of the space time continuum, and more.

For this episode I interview Janne Robinson.  Janne is a poet, columnist, bushwalker and animal activist originally from Whitehorse, Canada, currently living and creating in Southern California.  In this episode we talk about the creative process, success and challenge, Feminism today, and more. You can connect with Janne online on her website at JanneRobinson.com, and on Instagram @jann...

For this episode I interview Guillaume Levy-Lambert.  Guillaume is a Conceptual Artist and Co-Founder of Art Porters Gallery in Singapore.  He’s from near Paris, France living and working in Singapore.  In this episode we talk about Guillaume’s amazing story concerning a Roy Lichtenstein painting, divine providence, the essence of artists and art itself, and more. You can connect wi...