This week, Amanda brings together two wonderfully creative humans who also happen to be parents: writer and teacher Tim Manley, and artist and educator Stephanie Krauss. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay connected to your creative self while raising kids, navigating technology, and trying to be a decent human in this messy world… this conversation will feel like a deep, relieving exhale. The three talk about parenting, boundaries, doodling during Zoom calls, creative identity, technology’s grip on us, and the wildly surprising ways children end up becoming our own tour guides in life. And yes — Stephanie doodles through the entire episode (with Amanda’s full blessing), and she shares how doodling actually helps her listen better. We love a neurodivergent-friendly recording space. Whether you’re raising kids, raising creative work, or just raising yourself through another day — there’s a lot of heart, humor, and honesty here.

Topics:

• The creative worlds behind Tim and Stephanie — including rocket-ship bedrooms and walls full of doodles
• How each of them approached becoming a parent (and how different their stories are)
• The fear many creatives have about losing themselves after having kids
• The surprising ways children change (and expand) our creativity
• Why doodling is a powerful focus tool — not a distraction
• The complexities of screen time, technology, and media literacy
• Why adults struggle with technology just as much as kids
• The importance of “doing whatever works” when the world feels heavy
• How to put your own oxygen mask on first
• Tiny, doable micro-practices to replenish yourself
• Letting yourself be weird, honest, and creatively alive in everyday spaces — even beige cubicles

Episode Resources:

• Who Does She Think She Is? Documentary

Resources:

• Mighty Forces
• Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn
• Follow Amanda on Instagram

Mighty Forces is produced by Amanda Hirsch and Heart Centered Podcasting. The music of Mighty Forces was written and performed by Jordan Hirsch, aka my wonderful husband.