Bad Idea Social Club

In the conclusion of the season 7 finale, Anna van Schaap (fine artist, tattoo artist, curator) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about building a creative life that refuses to be small. She gets into finding her voice and claiming her space out of passion and defiance, and carving out something different for women and queer folks in an industry with a history of the opposite. They talk about art history, women in art created by women in art, and the cost of going all in on something you were told wasn't for you. It's about volition, visibility, and holding hope and tragedy at the same time.Keep up with Anna van Schaap:annavanschaap.comIG: @theother_twistedsisterIG: @theother_twistedsister_tattoosIG: @theother_twistedsister_photos——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

To kick-off the two-part season 7 finale, Anna van Schaap (fine artist, tattoo artist,  curator) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about building a creative life that refuses to be small. She gets into finding her voice and claiming her space out of passion and defiance, and carving out something different for women and queer folks in an industry with a history of the opposite. They talk about art history, women in art created by women in art, and the cost of going all in on something you were told wasn't for you. It's about volition, visibility, and holding hope and tragedy at the same time.Keep up with Anna van Schaap:annavanschaap.comIG: @theother_twistedsisterIG: @theother_twistedsister_tattoosIG: @theother_twistedsister_photos——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Sara Pulver (illustrator, muralist, Dear Ollie) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about knowing who you are and building something around it. She gets into a lifelong love of tactile, handmade things that eventually turned into markets, a grant, and a stationery shop where she hosts her own work alongside over a hundred vendors with a focus on women and queer creators. They talk about tackling murals, life as a neurodivergent artist, and why the AI crunch might be the best argument yet for going analog. About finding your people, protecting your whimsy, and keeping the whole thing moving.Keep up with Sara Pulver:sarapulver.comIG: @sarapulverdearollie.comIG: @dearollieandco——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Luke Grill (chef, restaurateur, sommelier, 1983 Restaurants) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about what it means to build something people can feel. He gets into cutting his teeth in some of the most demanding kitchens in the country, how dangerous it is to follow the crowd, and why holding his convictions is non-negotiable. They talk about the tension between art and business, building spaces that satisfy more than just hunger, and why the details nobody notices are exactly the ones that matter most.Keep up with Luke Grill:1983restaurants.comIG: 1983restaurantsIG: @obstacleno1IG: @seventysixhollandIG: @publiczeelandIG: @lovejoyholland——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Mark Stein (artist, illustrator) joins Aaron McCall to talk about what it takes to go all in on your work and the cost of pushing too hard. He gets into growing up on cartoons, punk and skate culture, the wake-up calls that changed everything, and why being a lone wolf will only get you so far. They talk about finding creative community, imposter syndrome, getting out from behind your desk, and why if it’s not hard, you’re probably not trying hard enough. This is a conversation about the slow build, the kind that takes until your late 30s to really catch fire, and the kind of stubbornness it takes to keep it burning.Keep up with Mark Stein:steinbydesign.com⁠IG: ⁠@steinbydesign——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

AB (DJ, creative) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about confidence, rejection, and how your sense of self evolves as you move through new experiences. He gets into music as both expression and connection, the push and pull of reading a room while staying true to your own voice, and how failure, fatherhood, and life experience shaped the way he moves through the world. They talk creativity, self-awareness, faith, the creative scene, and how to keep getting better without losing yourself in the process.Keep up with AB:everythingab.comIG: @ab.everywhere——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Joel Hoekstra (cook, musician, owner of Meyer Music) hosts Aaron McCall for dinner as they discuss creativity, instinct, and finding room to breathe inside the things that matter most. He gets into the connection between food and music, how growth comes from pushing beyond structure, and how both create joy, healing, and a real sense of community when they’re done with care. As a music education advocate, he speaks to the importance of access to music and why it matters. They talk about creative freedom, cooking as expression, and the version of yourself that starts to show up when you finally feel at peace.——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

This is Bad Idea Social Club. And yeah, it’s a little bit about the craft… but really, it’s the stories that shape us, as creatives and as people.These are the conversations that usually stay off-mic. They’re raw and without judgement or filters. They’re honest. And they’re exposed.Hosted by graphic designer Aaron McCall with photographer Joe Matteson, find Bad Idea Social Club pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.

Hannah Berry (artist, founder of Lions & Rabbits) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about community, creativity, and the work happening between the cracks. She gets into turning art into real community impact, building something without a clear roadmap, and why creative people are often the ones holding solutions that nobody is listening to yet. They talk about collaboration, economic and community development, the tension between intention and execution, and how slowing down, letting go of control, and trusting the right people changed everything.Keep up with Hanna Berry:lionsandrabbits.comIG: @bananasnhannahsIG: @lionsandrabbits——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Ryan “Ryno” Wasson (brewer, Head of Beverage at Coopersville Brewing) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about beer, endurance, reinvention, and learning how to live inside your own wiring. He gets into brewing as both craft and creative outlet, the discipline it takes to keep refining your work, and how running became a way to process life when everything else felt too loud. They talk about curiosity, criticism, relationships, starting over, and the kind of self-awareness that only shows up after you’ve taken a few hits and kept going.Keep up with Ryan Wasson:IG: @feedtheryno——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Amy Carroll (photographer, artist) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about identity, ego, and the long process of figuring out who you actually are. She gets into building a career that looks good on the outside but feels empty, learning how to create work that people can actually feel, and the shift from chasing attention to chasing something real. They talk about aging, confidence, creative evolution, and what it takes to let go of control long enough to make something honest.Keep up with Amy Carroll:amycarroll.photographyIG: @amycarrollphotography——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Ahead of Season 7 on April 14, Aaron McCall and Joe Matteson sit down to show off the studio space, talk through what’s changing, and shake the rust off a bit. They get into the shift to video, what it’s doing to the energy of the show, how this next chapter already feels different, and why they’re both excited and a little nervous about it. It’s loose, it’s honest, and it’s a quick look at where things are headed and what it took to get here.——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Aaron McCall moderates a Creative Mornings Grand Rapids panel discussion on “Growth,” recorded at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre with more than 200 people in attendance. Joined by Ian Labardee, Bailey Sell, Hannah Berry, and Leigh Ann Cobb, the conversation gets honest about what growth actually looks like once momentum builds—imposter syndrome, uncertainty, shifting priorities, burnout, community, and the small, often invisible changes that shape us over time. Recorded by Green Frog, this episode isn’t about tidy success stories. It’s about showing up, staying curious, and understanding how growth is rarely linear and rarely done alone.Keep up with Creative Mornings GR: creativemornings.com/gr IG: @creativemorningsgrWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron McCall moderates a Creative Mornings Grand Rapids panel discussion on “Growth,” recorded at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre with more than 200 people in attendance. Joined by Ian Labardee, Bailey Sell, Hannah Berry, and Leigh Ann Cobb, the conversation gets honest about what growth actually looks like once momentum builds—imposter syndrome, uncertainty, shifting priorities, burnout, community, and the small, often invisible changes that shape us over time. Recorded by Green Frog, this episode isn’t about tidy success stories. It’s about showing up, staying curious, and understanding how growth is rarely linear and rarely done alone.Keep up with Creative Mornings GR: creativemornings.com/gr IG: @creativemorningsgr——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Courtney Lauer (graphic designer, artist) shares her story with Aaron McCall and talks about survival, control, and the strength it takes to turn pain into something honest. She opens up about surviving and processing trauma, rebuilding identity through creativity, and using art to make sense of the things that don’t have easy answers.Keep up with Courtney Lauer:courtneylauer.me IG: @courtneylauerWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Courtney Lauer (graphic designer, artist) shares her story with Aaron McCall and talks about survival, control, and the strength it takes to turn pain into something honest. She opens up about surviving and processing trauma, rebuilding identity through creativity, and using art to make sense of the things that don’t have easy answers.Keep up with Courtney Lauer:courtneylauer.me IG: @courtneylauer——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Jacob Betts (singer-songwriter, The American Hotel System) joins Aaron McCall to talk about creativity as something to hold onto when life unravels, how grief reshapes how we see purpose, and what it means to rebuild belief in people when everything around you feels painfully divided. He opens up about faith, art, and the defiance it takes to choose hope over cynicism.Keep up with Jacob Betts:americanhotelsystem.com IG: @theamericanhotelsystem IG: @theconcussedcoffeegeekWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacob Betts (singer-songwriter, The American Hotel System) joins Aaron McCall to talk about creativity as something to hold onto when life unravels, how grief reshapes how we see purpose, and what it means to rebuild belief in people when everything around you feels painfully divided. He opens up about faith, art, and the defiance it takes to choose hope over cynicism.Keep up with Jacob Betts:americanhotelsystem.com IG: @theamericanhotelsystem IG: @theconcussedcoffeegeek——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Casey Lambert (independent pro wrestler, marketing director) joins Aaron McCall to talk about life in and out of the ring, how strength and vulnerability feed off each other, and how connection shows up everywhere from the crowd to your opponent, and the relationships that matter most. They dig into storytelling in wrestling, learning how to take a hit and keep showing up, and what it actually looks like to lead with empathy in a world that keeps rewarding the cruelty.Keep up with Casey Lambert:IG: @thereal_djchewyIG: @ppwpowerWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Casey Lambert (independent pro wrestler, marketing director) joins Aaron McCall to talk about life in and out of the ring, how strength and vulnerability feed off each other, and how connection shows up everywhere from the crowd to your opponent, and the relationships that matter most. They dig into storytelling in wrestling, learning how to take a hit and keep showing up, and what it actually looks like to lead with empathy in a world that keeps rewarding the cruelty.Keep up with Casey Lambert:IG: @thereal_djchewyIG: @ppwpower——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Joy Rhine (visual designer, photographer) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about keeping creativity in your life without letting it become your whole identity. She opens up about being people-first in a screen-first industry, why she’d rather build community than chase trends, and how confidence came from doing hard things like running marathons and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro “for fun.” From travel and fitness to design and friendship, Joy proves you can be wildly creative, wildly active, and wildly human at the same time.Keep up with Joy Rhine:joyrhinedesign.com IG: @vikkichosethisusernameWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joy Rhine (visual designer, photographer) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about keeping creativity in your life without letting it become your whole identity. She opens up about being people-first in a screen-first industry, why she’d rather build community than chase trends, and how confidence came from doing hard things like running marathons and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro “for fun.” From travel and fitness to design and friendship, Joy proves you can be wildly creative, wildly active, and wildly human at the same time.Keep up with Joe Rhine:joyrhinedesign.com IG: @vikkichosethisusername——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Mack Garrison (motion designer, co-founder of Dash Studio) joins Aaron McCall to talk about ADHD as both a curse and a creative advantage, building a studio rooted in empathy over ego, and what happens when you decide burnout isn’t a badge of honor. He opens up about the lessons that shaped Dash’s first decade, from mentorship and community to leading with transparency when things get hard and what it means to keep the work moving without sacrificing the humanity behind it.Keep up with Mack Garrison:dashstudio.net IG: @dash_ncWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mack Garrison (motion designer, co-founder of Dash Studio) joins Aaron McCall to talk about ADHD as both a curse and a creative advantage, building a studio rooted in empathy over ego, and what happens when you decide burnout isn’t a badge of honor. He opens up about the lessons that shaped Dash’s first decade, from mentorship and community to leading with transparency when things get hard and what it means to keep the work moving without sacrificing the humanity behind it.Keep up with Mack Garrison:dashstudio.net IG: @dash_nc——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Scott Katsufrakis (founder of Flying House Threads, firefighter) joins Aaron McCall to talk creative entrepreneurship at the edge of whimsy and weight. They dig into building a Disney-inspired, punk-leaning apparel brand while working life-and-death shifts, the pressure of being “the face” on camera, and the mental health work behind staying steady. They touch on the role of community, the discipline it takes to keep quality high, and finding ways for a brand built on castles and monsters to also do real-world good. It’s about craft, perspective, and the strange balance of survival and play.Keep up with Scott Katsufrakus: flyinghousethreads.com IG: @glyinghousethreadsWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Katsufrakis (founder of Flying House Threads, firefighter) joins Aaron McCall to talk creative entrepreneurship at the edge of whimsy and weight. They dig into building a Disney-inspired, punk-leaning apparel brand while working life-and-death shifts, the pressure of being “the face” on camera, and the mental health work behind staying steady. They touch on the role of community, the discipline it takes to keep quality high, and finding ways for a brand built on castles and monsters to also do real-world good. It’s about craft, perspective, and the strange balance of survival and play.Keep up with Scott Katsufrakus: flyinghousethreads.com IG: @glyinghousethreads——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Taylor Matteson (painter, experimenter) shares her story with Aaron McCall and discusses following creativity wherever it leads: painting, sculpture, and adding teeth to thrifted objects. She opens up about growing up shy in a loud, creative household and learning to embrace the unapologetically weird. From finding confidence through experimenting in her 20s to building a deep connection with animals in her work, Taylor leans fully into the strange energy that makes her art unmistakably hers.Keep up with Taylor Matteson:IG: @taylorjewelldrawsWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Matteson (painter, experimenter) shares her story with Aaron McCall and discusses following creativity wherever it leads: painting, sculpture, and adding teeth to thrifted objects. She opens up about growing up shy in a loud, creative household and learning to embrace the unapologetically weird. From finding confidence through experimenting in her 20s to building a deep connection with animals in her work, Taylor leans fully into the strange energy that makes her art unmistakably hers.Keep up with Taylor Matteson:IG: @taylorjewelldraws——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Ray Ann Barker (painter, photographer, model, content creator) talks with Aaron McCall about anxiety as the root of her creativity, finding ground through photography and abstract painting, and how turning perfectionism on its head opened new doors. She opens up about modeling in her 30s, navigating motherhood, and creating space for community over competition in creativity.Keep up with Ray Anne Barker:rayannebarker.comIG: @rayannebarkerIG: @rayanne.paintsWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ray Ann Barker (painter, photographer, model, content creator) talks with Aaron McCall about anxiety as the root of her creativity, finding ground through photography and abstract painting, and how turning perfectionism on its head opened new doors. She opens up about modeling in her 30s, navigating motherhood, and creating space for community over competition in creativity.Keep up with Ray Anne Barker:rayannebarker.comIG: @rayannebarkerIG: @rayanne.paints——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Colin Russell (artist, muralist, Ghost Town) talks with Aaron McCall about moving from years in coffee to a life in art, stumbling into murals, and building a world in black and white. His work is bold, playful, and unsettling all at once—creepy cartoons that have made their way from Grand Rapids to Japan. Colin opens up about freelancing, anxiety, and what happens when the thing that used to be your outlet becomes the thing you depend on.Keep up with Colin Russell:ghosttownart.comIG: @ghosttowndrawsWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Colin Russell (artist, muralist, Ghost Town) talks with Aaron McCall about moving from years in coffee to a life in art, stumbling into murals, and building a world in black and white. His work is bold, playful, and unsettling all at once—creepy cartoons that have made their way from Grand Rapids to Japan. Colin opens up about freelancing, anxiety, and what happens when the thing that used to be your outlet becomes the thing you depend on.Keep up with Colin Russell:ghosttownart.comIG: @ghosttowndraws——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

To kick off Season 6, Virginia Anzengruber (comedian, filmmaker, writer) joins Aaron McCall for a conversation about grief, comedy, and what it takes to keep creating when life gets heavy. She talks about loss, writing scripts that hold both humor and heartbreak, the grind of freelancing across film and TV, and the uneasy balance between survival and art.Keep up with Virginia Anzengruber:IG: @virginiaanzengruberTickets for “An Evening with Jim O’Heir” hosted by Virginia Anzengruber:https://grcmc.org/event/an-evening-with-jim-o-heir/1135Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To kick off Season 6, Virginia Anzengruber (comedian, filmmaker, writer) joins Aaron McCall for a conversation about grief, comedy, and what it takes to keep creating when life gets heavy. She talks about loss, writing scripts that hold both humor and heartbreak, the grind of freelancing across film and TV, and the uneasy balance between survival and art.Keep up with Virginia Anzengruber:IG: @virginiaanzengruberTickets for “An Evening with Jim O’Heir” hosted by Virginia Anzengruber:https://grcmc.org/event/an-evening-with-jim-o-heir/1135——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

This time, we’re talking about the mess of being online. From LiveJournal drama to influencer marketing and the existential weight of Instagram captions, we dig into what makes social media feel necessary, fake, addictive, useful, and totally exhausting. We ask big questions about authenticity, attention, and the line between art and content. When the algorithm is hungry, we keep feeding it pieces of ourselves.Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, we’re talking about the mess of being online. From LiveJournal drama to influencer marketing and the existential weight of Instagram captions, we dig into what makes social media feel necessary, fake, addictive, useful, and totally exhausting. We ask big questions about authenticity, attention, and the line between art and content. When the algorithm is hungry, we keep feeding it pieces of ourselves.——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

This time, it’s just the three of us—Aaron, Joe, and Amber. No guest, no plan, just vibes and a theme: starting over. From lost files and ruined shoots to quitting jobs and creative resets, we get into the mess and momentum of starting fresh—when it’s your choice, and when it’s not. Technically, a bonus episode. Structurally, unsound—a freefall.Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, it’s just the three of us—Aaron, Joe, and Amber. No guest, no plan, just vibes and a theme: starting over. From lost files and ruined shoots to quitting jobs and creative resets, we get into the mess and momentum of starting fresh—when it’s your choice, and when it’s not. Technically, a bonus episode. Structurally, unsound—a freefall.——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Jenny Hearns (artist, graphic designer) talks with Aaron McCall about creative identity, chronic illness, and what happens when your body hits pause before your mind is ready. They get into creepy-cute aesthetics, the pressure to stay visible, and how she’s learned to make space for rest without losing her spark. It's the classic tale of a ghost, an onion and a perfectly reasonable emotional spiral.Keep up with Jenny Hearns:jennyhearns.comIG: @jennyhearnsWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Hearns (artist, graphic designer) talks with Aaron McCall about creative identity, chronic illness, and what happens when your body hits pause before your mind is ready. They get into creepy-cute aesthetics, the pressure to stay visible, and how she’s learned to make space for rest without losing her spark. It's the classic tale of a ghost, an onion and a perfectly reasonable emotional spiral.Keep up with Jenny Hearns:jennyhearns.comIG: @jennyhearns——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Craig Horky (illustrator, graphic designer) shares his story with Aaron McCall and talks about analog habits, unexpected upheaval, and the tension between making a living and making something that lasts. They cover brush pens, weird gigs, creative grit, and the strange freedom that comes with getting fired. Also, he really loves his cats.Keep up with Craig Horky:craighorky.storenvy.comIG: @craighorkyWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Horky (illustrator, graphic designer) shares his story with Aaron McCall and talks about analog habits, unexpected upheaval, and the tension between making a living and making something that lasts. They cover brush pens, weird gigs, creative grit, and the strange freedom that comes with getting fired. Also, he really loves his cats.Keep up with Craig Horky:craighorky.storenvy.comIG: @craighorky——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Mitch Ermatinger (brewer/founder, Speciation Artisan Ales) talks with Aaron McCall about building a life around wild beer—then no longer being able to drink it. They get into the art and science behind fermentation, the gut-punch of a celiac diagnosis, designing what he can’t taste, and staying creative inside sharp limitations. It’s about constraint, reinvention, and what it means to keep making things—even when the rules change.Keep up with Mitch Ermatinger:speciationartisanales.comIG: @speciationalesWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mitch Ermatinger (brewer/founder, Speciation Artisan Ales) talks with Aaron McCall about building a life around wild beer—then no longer being able to drink it. They get into the art and science behind fermentation, the gut-punch of a celiac diagnosis, designing what he can’t taste, and staying creative inside sharp limitations. It’s about constraint, reinvention, and what it means to keep making things—even when the rules change.Keep up with Mitch Ermatinger:speciationartisanales.comIG: @speciationales——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Rae Lang (artist, Woosah Outfitters & Outside Coffee Co.) talks with Aaron McCall about carving a life that’s slower, wilder, and closer to the woods. They get into Rae’s evolution as an artist and business owner, the decision to close her Grand Rapids shop, raising kids with muddy feet, and how success looks different than it used to. It’s about art, identity, and what it really means to stop outrunning yourself.Keep up with Rae Lang:spreadingthewoosah.comIG: @woosahoutfittersoutsidecoffeeco.comIG: @outsidecoffeecoWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rae Lang (artist, Woosah Outfitters & Outside Coffee Co.) talks with Aaron McCall about carving a life that’s slower, wilder, and closer to the woods. They get into Rae’s evolution as an artist and business owner, the decision to close her Grand Rapids shop, raising kids with muddy feet, and how success looks different than it used to. It’s about art, identity, and what it really means to stop outrunning yourself.Keep up with Rae Lang:spreadingthewoosah.comIG: @woosahoutfittersoutsidecoffeeco.comIG: @outsidecoffeeco——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Scott Millington (photographer) has always had an eye for real-life moments—and in photography, he found the language to document them. Scott sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about how the camera gave him purpose, community, and a way to show the world as he sees it. From indie wrestling shows to coffee shops and protests, Scott shares what it means to document real life, connect with people, and stay grounded in your perspective.Keep up with Scott Millington:millingtonmedia.comIG: @sapmillingtonWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Millington (photographer) has always had an eye for real-life moments—and in photography, he found the language to document them. Scott sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about how the camera gave him purpose, community, and a way to show the world as he sees it. From indie wrestling shows to coffee shops and protests, Scott shares what it means to document real life, connect with people, and stay grounded in your perspective.Keep up with Scott Millington:millingtonmedia.comIG: @sapmillington——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub

Courtney Romero (graphic designer, co-founder of Class) didn’t set out to co-found a tech company, but when the opportunity came, she ran with it. Courtney shares her story with Aaron McCall about growing up fast, chasing stability, and refusing to play the starving artist game. From agency life to ed tech, she’s made her own rules, learned how to rest, and found unexpected freedom in pole dancing, puzzles, and houseplants. Keep up with Courtney Romero:IG: @thecourtneyromeroWriter/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netInstagram: @aaron_mccallLinkedIn: Aaron McCallCo-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coInstagram: @joe_dustinCo-Host/Sidekick/Manager:Amber GrayInstagram: @bad_ambellinaLinkedIn: Amber GrayMusic:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The BranchesHelp Support the Podcast:Buy MerchMake a DonationFollow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comInstagram: @badideasocialclubLinkedIn: Bad Idea Social Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Courtney Romero (graphic designer, co-founder of Class) didn’t set out to co-found a tech company, but when the opportunity came, she ran with it. Courtney shares her story with Aaron McCall about growing up fast, chasing stability, and refusing to play the starving artist game. From agency life to ed tech, she’s made her own rules, learned how to rest, and found unexpected freedom in pole dancing, puzzles, and houseplants. Keep up with Courtney Romero:IG: @thecourtneyromero——This episode is supported by:Creative Mornings Grand RapidsMerchants & Makers——Writer/Producer/Editor/Host:Aaron McCallaaronmccall.netIG: @aaron_mccall——Co-Host/Sidekick/Photographer:Joe Mattesonthemattesons.coIG: @joe_dustin——Music:"Noises" by Mike Mains & The Branches——Support the Podcast:Buy Merch——Follow Bad Idea Social Club:badideasocialclub.comIG: @badideasocialclub