Magic in the Ordinary

Children's Book Illustrator Laurel Long on Fairy Tales, Oil Painting, and the Creative Process

In this episode I sit down with one of my all-time favorite illustrators — Laurel Long. 
Laurel’s website: https://www.laurellong.com/Laurel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurellongart/
A professor in the Art Department at California State University Northridge and the artist behind beloved books including The Magic Nesting Doll, The Lady and the Lion, and The Twelve Days of Christmas, Laurel creates breathtaking fairy tale illustrations by hand in oil. 
We talk about her artistic process, what draws her so deeply to fairy tales, why beauty matters in art, how her writing and illustration inform each other, and what it means for art to be magic in the ordinary. If you love beautiful things, stories, and the creative process — this one is for you. 🎨✨
Timestamps: 0:00 Laurel Long's story 3:50 what does her artistic process look like? 7:54 what draws her to fairy tales 23:50 How is art "magic" in the ordinary? 31:26 Tips for new artists:) 
Connect with JacquelineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerosegold/My YA Zombie Book: https://a.co/d/0i1gnCBbWatch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosegold
Thanks so much for listening! 

Dealing with hate comments, using sensitivity as a strength, & finding your why as a content creator

There can be a lot of pressure when you share something with the world  whether it's a book, a podcast, a social medial post, a song you wrote etc. 
So what happens when we are really sensitive??How do we deal with all the opinions and feedback?
Drop your favorite drink below in the chat and lets spill the tea and have a real conversation about some things I've been thinking about as a sensitive content creator:) 
Wanna check out my little YA zombie novel? https://a.co/d/0aZOk1HAI'd also love to connect on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerosegold/

Over 55 Million Views — with Liam Dieckhoner, a Content Creator Who Goes Viral for Christ

In this episode I sit down with Liam Dieckhoner — a Christian content creator with a massive following across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 
Liam is one of those rare creators who manages to be genuinely funny, boldly faithful, and completely himself all at the same time! We talk about how he found his niche, where he gets his ideas, how he handles haters, why being yourself matter so much, and what it looks like to live life boldly for your faith in the age of social media. 
0:20 Liam's background and entry into social media 6:40 How does he come up with all the ideas? 10:17 "If it's not for Christ, I don't want it." 16:23 How does he deal with hater? 19:52 What is the hardest thing about creating content? And what's the most fun thing about creating 28:04 Why is humor important and why is being yourself even more important? 31:10 How does Liam keep it so real? The same in real life and on camera!33:57 Liam's heroes 38:20 Liam's tips for living boldly
Connect with Liam: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LiamDieckhoner/featuredInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liamdieckhoner/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glorybe.com
Connect with Jacqueline:Jacqueline's Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@jacquelinerosegold Jacqueline's Instagram:   / jacquelinerosegold  Jacqueline's YA Zombie Book: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
Thanks so much for listening! If you haven't already, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with a friend! :D

Ordinary Time

Just a little look at goals... 

She Built a 7-Figure, Values-Driven Brand — Meet Kate Assaraf of DIP Already

DIP Already Website: https://dipalready.com/
In this episode I sit down with Kate Assaraf — CEO and founder of DIP Already, the haircare brand named the #1 brand for curly hair by Oprah, and featured in Allure and Vogue. But this conversation goes so far beyond haircare.
Kate opens up about why so many of us are addicted to fast beauty,  what it is doing to our brains, and how she built a values-driven brand that reached 7 figures without selling out. She believes sustainability should feel like a party everyone is invited to! 
I am SO inspired by Kate and this conversation!  🌊🌿
Timestamps00:20 How to create a haircare brand that catches the attention of Opera, Vogue, Allure, and more! 2:50 Caring for biracial hair and haircare for swimmers - Kate's revolutionary approach! 5:00 Why are so many people addicted to fast beauty? 6:35 How do you reach success with a values drive brand? 8:40 Why Kate supports refill stores - refill stores strengthen communities, provide expertise, and help build human connection. 12:06 The rare beauty of a handwritten website! 12:24 Let's talk about AI and business expenses...19:30 What can we all do to take a role in caring for the planet?  20:30 DIP Haircare supports sustainability through so many meaningful details.22:11 "Part of sustainability is treating your employees like they matter." 22:30 The investments that DIP makes to transform the world - plastic out of the ocean, protecting the great lakes, and transforming small business with OVER 5 MILLION DOLLARS 21:34 "You want sustainability to feel like a party that everyone is invited too." She gets hate from people who prefer division.26:40 Ditch the anger, let's celebrate the wins together and make an even greater impact "I don't want people sent away from sustainability because of the rational they have."30:20 "It's so much cooler to like others and lift them up. It's just a cooler way to be." 30:35 What is Kate's favorite DIP Already Product? 33:20 Its beyond haircare. 33:50 Katie breaks down surfing! 35:56 Advice for entrepreneurs who care about sustainability (this was gold!) 39:37 "You have to let people find sustainability where it makes sense for them." 40:14 "What is the goal?" Let's talk about what can hurt people and the planet.  41:30 How do people get some great DIP Already product and learn more about the company? 42:16 Environmentalism is self-care 42:42 "It's aways more important to invite people in that tell them that they're wrong." 
Shampoo: https://dipalready.com/collections/scalp-nourishing-shampoo-bars-available-in-2-sizesConditioner: https://dipalready.com/collections/salon-level-conditioner-bars-in-2-sizes
Connect with Jacqueline:🌐 https://www.jacquelinelucca.com/📸   / jacquelinerosegold  Buy My Zombie Post-Apocalyptic Novel: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
Thanks so much for watching! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe, like the video, and share it with a friend! :D

From Fame to Faith — Braden Johnson on Finding Real Fulfillment

In this episode I sit down with Braden Johnson — Catholic speaker, content creator, and an incredibly engaging young voice in the Church today. 
Braden grew up doing semi-professional singing, playing competitive basketball, and making videos with famous YouTubers — and then had a powerful conversion in his freshman year of college that changed everything. We talk about why social media is so alluring, the dangers it poses to our hearts, how to grow in virtue while building a platform, what real connection looks like in the digital age, and how young Catholics can actually change the culture. This one is for every young adult who has ever felt like their worth was tied to a screen. 💙
00:10 Braden's Story 6:50 False confidence 13:00 Learning to pray15:45 Why is social media so appealing to us? 21:11 What are the dangerous of social media? 29:00 Weeds and wheat inside the human heart30:30 Looking forward to more in-person events 
Connect with Braden: Braden's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbradenjBraden's Website: https://www.bradenjohnsoncatholicspeaker.com/
Connect with Jacqueline:Jacqueline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerosegold/Jacqueline's YA Zombie Book: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
Thanks so much for listening! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe, like the recording, and share it with a friend! :D

The Japanese Artist Fusing Anime & Sacred Art - Haruhi Aisaka

In this episode I sit down with Haruhi Aisaka — a Catholic artist in Japan whose work is turning heads around the world! 
Haruhi creates a breathtaking fusion of anime illustration and sacred iconography, bringing saints and Scripture to life in a style that is both deeply rooted in tradition and creatively new. We talk about how his style developed, why iconography captivates him, the surprising depth of Catholic culture in Japan, what "Moe Maria" means, how his art is getting major media attention, and what it means when an artist steps aside to let the art speak for itself. I was so very blessed by this conversation, and I hope you are too! 🎨🙏
Timestamps:0:24 How Haruhi developed his style - fusion of anime and sacred art 1:40 Why iconography? 3:44 How does art and faith intersect for Haruhi? 4:35 Haruhi wants something creative and new while being united to sacred traditions5:50 Praying is hard6:40 Mary Magdalene 7:30 What Haruhi's research looks like? 11:30 Otaku culture and Saints17:20 What does Moe Maria mean? 22:34 Unknown Catholic culture in Japan30:18 Where is our mother? 38:30 His art is getting a lot of media attention - why is this art resonating with people so much? 41:50 The death of the artist when interpreting art 43:30 A question I don't normally ask - what are his prayer intentions? 46:00 How can people connect with Haruhi
Connect with Haruhi: Haruhi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haruhiaisakaThe newsletter: https://haruhiaisaka.substack.com/Twitter: https://x.com/HaruhiAisakaGet Merch: https://moemaria.com/Full Linktree: https://linktr.ee/haruhiaisakaart?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=d0f8e09d-a580-4c21-9351-cac494a5b027
Connect with Jacqueline:https://www.jacquelinelucca.com/📸   / jacquelinerosegold  Buy My Zombie Post-Apocalyptic Novel: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
Thanks so much for watching! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe, like the video, and share it with a friend! :D

How to cure a book hangover

Reader life. 
 
Connect with me:🌐 https://www.jacquelinelucca.com/📸   / jacquelinerosegold  Buy My Zombie Post-Apocalyptic Novel: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p

Tress of the Emerald Sea - Book Review

What did you think of Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson?
Connect with me:🌐 https://www.jacquelinelucca.com/📸   / jacquelinerosegold  Buy My Zombie Post-Apocalyptic Novel: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
 

Seeing the human person — A Story of Community ft Mayra Berry

In this episode I sit down with Mayra Berry — a leader in our parish community who helped lead a Lenten Mission project collecting food for people in need. Mayra shares what it looked like to see real suffering up close, and what happened when a community decided to do something about it. 
We talk about walls coming down, isolated people becoming empowered, the details that showed people they were deeply loved, and why living for something beyond yourself changes everything. This conversation moved me deeply. This episode is for anyone who wants to make a difference and be part of the good. ❤️
Timestamps1:13 Mayra saw great suffering in the community2:45 What impact did we have on the community? 5:25 Walls coming down6:30 Isolated to Empowered7:44 Coming together 8:18 Caring about the details 9:30 We are not just loved but DEEPLY loved 14:20 "It is better to give than to receive." 16:30 "You cannot say you love God, if you don't care for the needs of others." 17:55 "The Holy Spirit knows your needs... to the penny." 22: 55 "Love was in the air. It was tangible." 23:58 "We need to live for something beyond us." 24:40 Was there any opposition to the work we did? 26:18 Advice for others who wish to make a difference "There is always a need." 28:12 Knocking on doors, pushing outside the comfort zone 30:30 You have talent. Use it. 31:40 See the human person33:28 The music of unity - harmonize 34:20 How many people die without being a part of something like this? 36:38 Final thoughts ❤️
Thank you @ReflectionsPhotographyandFilm for filming this episode!    / @reflectionsphotographyandfilm  
Connect with Jacqueline:🌐 https://www.jacquelinelucca.com/📸   / jacquelinerosegold  Buy My Zombie Post-Apocalyptic Novel: https://a.co/d/0bjyTC2p
Thanks so much for listening! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend! :D