PODCAST · business
The Speak Easy Podcast
by Jen Estill and Karen Stefl — creative studio entrepreneurs, brand and video experts, boss ladies, moms
Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative
Episodes
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Giving Up Control
There's a version of control that makes sense early on when you're building something, establishing standards, or simply the person most capable of getting something done. But leadership and parenting have a way of exposing the limits of that approach. If you're always the one making the decision...
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Case Study: What Your Website Navigation Reveals About You
The hardest part of building a website isn't the technology anymore. It's the gut-wrenching business decisions that need to be resolved before you build page one — and nothing exposes those unresolved decisions faster than trying to agree on a navigation menu. In this case study episode, Jen…
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Repeat Business
Repeat business and referrals are the highest form of flattery in a service-based organization. They signal that you've delivered on your promises, that clients feel genuinely cared for, and that your value extends beyond the deliverable itself. But not all repeat business is created equal, and...
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Style
Most people associate style with aesthetics — a well-curated wardrobe, a distinctive visual identity, a recognizable design signature. But the deeper definition is more interesting and more useful. Style is the accumulation of consistent decisions made over time, across contexts, that signal to…
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Case Study: Giving Season Readiness with Render Studios
Growing a great garden takes more than good intentions. It takes the right plan, the right conditions, and the patience to tend to something through an entire season before you get to enjoy the harvest. Skip the preparation, neglect the nurturing, or try to rush the timeline — and what you get is…
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Profile of an Ideal Client
Great client relationships don't happen by accident — they're built on a specific set of qualities that, when present, free everyone up to do their very best work. And when those qualities are missing, you feel it in every meeting, every revision round, and every deliverable. The difference…
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Closing Chapters
We’ve all been there: so focused on the finish line that we rarely see beyond it. And when we do cross it, we're often so fixed on the achievement that we forget to look back at how far we've actually traveled. This week, we use Jen's closing of her school-aged parenting chapter as a jumping-off...
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Case Study: Making Meaningful Gatherings with Redhead
Most event planning starts in the wrong place. People jump straight to the venue conversation — the space, the date, the catering — and treat purpose as something to figure out later. But purpose isn't decorative. It's the foundation that every other decision should rest on. Before anything else,...
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Leadership’s Hardest Job: Letting Someone Go
When you're an entrepreneur, "it's just business" doesn't ring true. Every decision is personal: why you started your business, the values you protect, and especially the moments when your choices ripple into someone else's life in a significant way. When faced with the process of letting someone...
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When Our Work Goes Beyond Marketing
Marketing has always been more than advertising. The techniques that introduce an idea and help it gain momentum are the same ones used to shift societal behaviors, ignite social movements, and spread misinformation. In this episode, we explore how ideas spread — from top-down Super Bowl…
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Case Study: Story Isn’t Messaging With Render
It's a tale as old as time: a video has decent production values, good lighting, clean execution — but it's underperforming. Why? Because it's packed with brand pillars, bullet points, and approved language but devoid of any actual story. The primary problem is that many marketers treat messaging...
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The Difference Between Fault and Responsibility
Here's a question that reveals everything about how someone leads: when something goes wrong, do they immediately start building a case for why it's not their fault, or do they focus on fixing it? The instinct to protect yourself is natural, but it's also what kills momentum, erodes trust, and...
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The Erosion of Industry Standards
The democratization of creative tools is a good thing — more people have access to production, design, and content creation than ever before. But when that access doesn't come with education, you get shoddy products, miscommunication, and a fundamental erosion of industry standards. In this...
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Case Study: Shitty Logos
Bad logos are everywhere, and they're making everyone's job harder. When you build brand campaigns for clients who didn't use you to develop their brand identity, you encounter a lot of logo problems — and lately, it's come up a lot. In this episode, we break down the most common logo failures…
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Creative Anger as Fuel
There's a lot to be frustrated about in today's world. Between political turmoil, constant injustice, decision fatigue, and a never-ending stream of outrage-inducing notifications, anger has become ambient noise in many of our lives. For creatives who metabolize emotions as part of their process,...
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Outgrowing Your Dreams
We're not startups anymore — we're seasoned professionals who've had the opportunity to achieve a lot of dreams. But here's what nobody tells you: Sometimes you achieve what you thought you wanted and realize it doesn't fit anymore. Success can start to feel like a cage when the dreams that got…
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Case Study: Review by Committee Has Hidden Costs
Collaboration is a powerful creative tool, but it's a terrible feedback methodology. When everyone is in charge of feedback and no one protects the vision, great projects lose their edge — and the process becomes a budget-draining, timeline-exploding mess that waters down your work and pulls you...
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What Marketers Wish Producers Knew
There's often an invisible divide between the agency world and the video production world — not because people don't respect each other's expertise, but because they don't always understand the full scope of what the other side is managing. Marketers aren't just asking for a video; they're asking...
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Q5 Thinking
Q5 isn't an official quarter on any calendar, but it might be the most important one for business owners. It's the strategic reset period — the time you invest in thinking about your business from a higher vantage point rather than getting lost in the day-to-day grind. We credit this concept to...
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Case Study: Campaign Launch Strategy with Redhead
You can have all the creative brilliance in the world, but without the right framework to support it, your campaign risks falling flat or never reaching the people it's meant to move. In this episode, Jen walks through the essential elements every successful campaign needs before launch. Drawing...
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The 2% Rule
In this episode, we break down what the 2% looks like in our respective crafts and why it matters more than you might think. This extra effort is often what differentiates premium work and justifies premium pricing — it's the invisible layer that turns "thanks" into "wow." We explore how to…
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When Your Clients Want to Phone It In
There's a special kind of frustration that comes when you realize you're working harder on someone else's project than they are. The meetings where they're distracted, the feedback that arrives three weeks late, the sudden flood of opinions after months of silence — these aren't just annoying...
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Case Study: Making the Most of a Production Team with Render Studios
When you're working with an expert production team, you should expect them to ask you hard questions — particularly upfront in the planning stages. Those difficult questions aren't obstacles; they're what lead to a better final product. But knowing what to look for in a production partner and how...
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Get Out of Your Zip Code
In a creative slump? Hit the road - seriously. New places and new experiences stimulate your brain. They expose you to different ways of thinking, new cultures, and alternative approaches to solving problems. In this episode, we dig into why it's important to leave your zip code, both for…
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Book Clubs and Other Life Hacks
Think about how different perspectives create magic. The best friend groups, book clubs, and communities outside of work aren’t just “life hacks” or productivity tools — but what they offer is far more powerful. They support you, balance you, and push you to grow. The real value of…
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Case Study: Building Brand Awareness with Redhead
If you've ever wondered whether investing in brand awareness is actually worth it, this episode is for you. We dig into why brand awareness gets dismissed as too "soft" to measure, how to actually track it in meaningful ways, and why prioritizing it can transform your marketing results. The…
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Get Selective With Your Social Media Strategy
Sometimes the best lessons come from losing something you thought you needed. When Karen lost her Facebook page and realized it wasn't the end of the world, it sparked a bigger conversation about how we approach social media strategy. The truth is, most of us are maintaining profiles on platforms...
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How We Prioritize Our Day
If you’re like us, some days your desk looks like a command center. Other days, it looks like a scrap pile of to-do lists, personal reminders, and ideas in progress. The reality is, most of us don't have a perfect system for prioritization — and that's especially true when we're overwhelmed…
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Case Study: Video Marketing Trends with Render
Video marketing isn't what it used to be — and that's both exciting and overwhelming. Between short-form content, interactive features, immersive experiences, and personalized feeds, the landscape is evolving at breakneck speed. But here's the thing: tracking video trends isn't about keeping up...
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The Difference Between Affordable and Cheap
Every business has budget constraints, but here's what we've learned: cheap and affordable aren't the same thing. Cheap is about paying as little as possible; affordable is about getting the most value for the right price. One leaves you wanting more, the other leaves you satisfied with smart...
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The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions
We've all seen internet trolls who jump straight to outrage without understanding the full story. But here's the uncomfortable truth: We all do this sometimes. In our everyday work and relationships, we jump to conclusions, assign motives, or make decisions based on half the story. It's human...
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Case Study: Brand Marketing with Redhead
Brand marketing vs. performance marketing. It's not about picking sides — it's about understanding the dance. Performance marketing drives the clicks and the sales, but brand marketing? That's the reason anyone cares in the first place. Here's what most people miss: these two approaches work…
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Quick, Send the Heads-Up Email
Here's what we know: People don't like surprises, especially unpleasant ones, and when information is missing, they'll fill in the gaps — rarely with generous assumptions. We break down why proactive communication with clients, your team, and even in your personal life feels harder than it should...
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The Bad and the Ugly
If you've ever felt like you need to have it all together before you can lead effectively, this episode is for you. No judgment here — we've all been there! In this candid conversation, we're sharing our own messy truths, from Jen's permanently grimy oven and abandoned Christmas card habit to...
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Why Ongoing Budgets Beat One-Off Projects
If you’ve ever launched a website or video and walked away, this one’s for you. No worries, we’re not judging! It’s a common trap to fall into, and when you ignore it, it quickly becomes a pain to update. But in today’s world, where your brand story is always in motion, marketing needs to be...
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Color: Why Hue Matters in Marketing, Design & Video
Color isn’t just a finishing touch — it’s a strategic tool that influences perception, emotion, and behavior. In marketing and branding, it’s one of the first things people notice and one of the most powerful ways to communicate without saying a word. But great color doesn’t happen by accident.…
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It Doesn't Work!
In our latest episode, we talk about why social media ads might not be delivering, when they can be effective (hint: brand-building > promotion), and why it’s critical to stop thinking of social media as your only marketing plan. We also challenge you to consider how you’d communicate your…
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What Type of Brand Are You? (And Why the Distinction Matters)
Every brand has its own unique challenges — but not every brand should be approached the same way. In this episode, Jen shares four brand categories she and her team at Redhead work with most often: corporate, place-based, boutique, and entrepreneurial. From the layers of stakeholder input in...
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Micromanaging and Control: When To Let Things Go
No one likes a boss breathing down their neck — but when you're the one in charge, knowing how much oversight is too much can be tricky. In this episode, we dig into the blurry line between healthy control and full-blown micromanagement. From trust issues to outcome-based leadership, we explore…
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Lightning Round: What's Important
As entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders, we’re constantly making decisions — about strategies, budgets, and even where to focus our energy. But how often do we pause to ask: "Do I need this, or do I just want it?" In a world filled with tempting new tools, trends, and shiny…
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Case Study: Storytelling Essentials with Render
Whether you’re crafting a brand message, delivering a speech, or simply trying to make an idea stick, the way you tell your story matters. Knowing your audience, embracing personality, and making messages actionable ensures that stories don’t just entertain — they inspire and drive real impact....
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Fighting Words: ‘Fire Your Comms Person’
Many organizations rely on small, overburdened marketing and communications teams, expecting them to do it all and inadvertently setting them up to fail. In this episode, Jen and Karen challenge the traditional hiring model and explore why a fractional or agency-based strategy could be a smarter,...
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Clients You Can't Help But Love
This week’s topic is all about appreciation. After all, who do we love more than our clients? Their trust, collaboration, and vision make our work possible, allowing us to take on impactful projects that drive real change. Beyond just delivering services, we’re deeply invested in their success,...
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Case Study: Redhead's 25th Anniversary
In this episode, Jen and Karen reflect on Redhead's 25-year path of growth and reinvention, from its beginnings as a small freelance graphic design business to a powerhouse of strategic brand consulting. They explore how the company has evolved while staying true to its core belief: that a…
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Pet Projects & Why They Matter
Pet projects are more than hobbies — they’re a lifeline for creativity and connection. In the fast-paced world of deadlines and deliverables, carving out time for passion-driven work can energize teams, spark innovation, and foster camaraderie. These pursuits allow space to experiment, fail, and...
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Resolutions Done Right
It’s a new year, which means culture is telling us it’s time to write resolutions. But hard refreshes aren’t for everyone. (We believe cold turkey is best served as a sandwich after Thanksgiving instead.) For some, however, this can be an ideal time to set intentions and plot paths for growth.…
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Case Study: Filming Far and Wide with Render Studios
Traveling across the country to collaborate with clients and bring their visions to life through expert storytelling and dynamic production? That’s Render Studios’s bread and butter. That said, coordinating large-scale film projects across multiple locations is a process that goes far beyond...
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Opportunity is Not a Pie
Have you ever met an entrepreneur who views networking as a solo sport? It’s surprising, especially in the service business world, where relationships are the foundation of success. In this episode, we explore how collaboration and generosity can strengthen your network, your reputation, and...
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Tall Orders, Quick Turnarounds
There’s an art to navigating tricky projects while maintaining high standards and delivering exceptional service. Whether you're navigating a tight deadline or dealing with evolving client demands, success in these scenarios often comes down to communication and trust. When tasked with a project...
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Being an Intentional Mother When You’re an Entrepreneur
A lesson shared by many entrepreneurs and parents is this: Time is limited, and you can’t do everything all the time for everyone. Combine that truth with the knowledge that every stage of your children’s development requires an entirely different playbook of parenting skills, and it's easy to…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative
HOSTED BY
Jen Estill and Karen Stefl — creative studio entrepreneurs, brand and video experts, boss ladies, moms
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Speak Easy Podcast have?
The Speak Easy Podcast currently has 258 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Speak Easy Podcast about?
Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a...
How often does The Speak Easy Podcast release new episodes?
The Speak Easy Podcast publishes regularly with 258 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Speak Easy Podcast?
You can listen to The Speak Easy Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Speak Easy Podcast?
The Speak Easy Podcast is created and hosted by Jen Estill and Karen Stefl — creative studio entrepreneurs, brand and video experts, boss ladies, moms.
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