I recently had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Matt Stagliano on the Generator Podcast, and I have to say, it was one of the most honest, energizing conversations I’ve had in a long time. If you’re someone who’s growing a creative business and craving more alignment between your work and your life, this episode is for you.

Matt and I talked about what it really means to build a business with purpose. As a family photographer based in Seattle, I’ve spent the last decade not just capturing heartfelt portraits, but also helping photographers create lives they love, lives that are fulfilling, profitable, and sustainable. In this episode, we go far beyond the lens and dive into what it looks like to design a business around intention instead of hustle.

What We Covered in the Generator Podcast

We started with one of my favorite topics, the power of emotional storytelling in photography. In a saturated market, your ability to connect with your subject and evoke feeling is what truly sets you apart. Matt and I unpacked how focusing on real connection has shaped my work, and how it can shape yours, too.

But we didn’t stop there. We got into some real strategy talk:

• Why I believe your email list is more valuable than your entire social media following
• How I use AI in my business without compromising my authenticity
• The mindset shifts that helped me move from “hustle mode” to building a business that actually supports my life

Matt also asked some incredible questions about self-awareness, burnout, and the myth of doing it all. We talked about the power of building community over chasing competition, and how designing a “big” life doesn’t have to mean working more hours, it’s about working with purpose.

Why This Episode Matters

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for years, I truly believe this conversation will leave you feeling empowered. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind, unsure how to scale, or like you’re sacrificing too much of your personal life for your business… this episode is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Generator Podcast here, or watch it here, and let me know what resonates most with you.

And thank you again to Matt for creating space for such an honest and meaningful conversation. I hope it serves you as much as it lit me up.