255 | creative routines, squishy hearts, "rejection as protection", Inner Teenagers, and dating with Mari Andrew, writer and illustrator

My favorite thing about being a person is noticing serendipities. I’m often rushing or too focused on my plans to be present enough to see them. But every once in a while I slow down, let go of my plans, and insecurities, and am present enough to notice some sweetest of in humanity. To me today’s guest writer and illustrator Mari Andrew is an expert of this. She’s a present observer of her world, which is impressive in and of itself but then she has an impressive talent to take her keen observations and translate them into moving, specific yet relatable art. She’s a dynamic, warm, and articulate person artist who is oh so wise. Fittingly enough, we met serendipitously in our neighborhood in January—I told her how much her work meant to me and she agreed to do the podcast. In this conversation, we covered “rejection as protection”, her creative routines, money in NYC, feeling vulnerable and raw during times like breakups, transitions, and those make the ground fertile for growth, her specific way of practicing gratitude, and her useful body image advice.

Notes from the Show:

-Mari Andrew on The Web | Instagram

- Enneagram Four

-Breakups This American Life podcast : "It’s the most universal thing but every breakup feels so specific, it feels like the first time it’s ever happened."

-Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell album

-“There are so many things I want to do, but I end up doing not much.” - Celine, Before Sunset movie

-“What is meant for you will not pass you.” - Rumi

Mari's Tips

-Committing to doing one thing every day: follow what you like doing and see what sticks. Consistency is what grows an audience!

-Mari's Morning Routine: start the day with a GRATITUDE LIST! It's more helpful to write what makes me smile the day before.

-Mari on rejection: it’s for the best! if someone’s not pumped about you they don’t deserve you.

-Beauty changes and goes away but charm is forever.

-journaling at least once per week

-Coming up with a “look” when she travels helps with her personal style.

Mari's Favorite TV Show: Golden Girls

Mari's Favorite Film: Before Sunset (2nd one)

Mari's Favorite Book: The Letters of John Keats to His Family and Friends by John Keats and Sidney Colvin

Favorite Places in NYC: Joe's Pizza / Blackseed Bagels/ Tokio Seven Vintage Clothes / 3 Jewels Yoga / Third Rail Coffee / Angel's Share Cocktail Bar / Immigrant Bar

-Story of Mari's bull tattoo

-Interview with the yoga instructor whose class we met at

Likes & Learns:

-Mindfulness / savoring work when working rest when resting. Mari does this well my friend in France Camille does this well. I want to get better at this.

-Body FEELING TECHNIQUE: Yes. Feel your whole body and notice the most dominant sensation. Put your attention gently on it, until it dissipates. Rinse and repeat until you feel better.

Superiority Burger in NYC and their cookbook

-Jessica Murnane's Know Your Endo course and use code LETITOUT

All original music composed by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs

Album art by Zoie Harman

Cool Things to Check-Out:

-My journaling class with Bluprint is now live and I am so excited to share it with you guys!

-We are re-launching my podcasting course Let A Podcast Out starting April 1st. Click here to take the mini tour of the class and sign up for the course today!