This week, we’re joined by the lovely and wonderfully talented Peggy Dean from The Pigeon Letters. Peggy is an incredible illustrator, calligrapher, and educator. She loves teaching her community and regularly produces fantastic content to help her fellow creatives. So without further ado, let’s get into the show!

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Show Notes for This Episode:

[1:00] The gang welcomes Peggy to the show.
[1:45] Peggy gives us a little breakdown on herself and her brand.
[2:00] A passion for learning, creating and giving back.
[3:10] Tom asks Peggy to share a little about her explosion of popularity.
[4:00] Offering human connection in the digital age.
[5:30] The no shame game.
[6:00] Challenges, building relationships, and sharing interests builds a community.
[7:00] Playing, sharing and engaging.
[8:00] From Skillshare Challenge to The Today Show.
[9:00] Publishers regret turning Peggy down.
[10:00] Tom is blown away by Peggy’s story.
[11:10] Getting over perfection and straight to publishing.
[12:00] Simplify your video classes.
[13:00] Why Peggy avoids doing multiple takes and why it works with the audience.
[14:30] Dustin brings up a great point about shifting one’s focus.
[15:00] What is it that Peggy is doing that her audience loves so much?
[16:00] Peggy shares what her audience has admitted to her.
[17:00] Don’t be afraid to segue.
[18:00] Everyone’s style is different.
[19:00] Everyone is at a different point on his or her journey.
[20:00] Dealing with negative comments.
[21:00] From comments on her teeth, to demands to wear a bra. Peggy’s seen it all.
[22:00] The gang have some ASMR fun.
[23:00] Peggy shares a favorite meme.
[25:00] Negative comments revisited.
[26:00] At the end of the day, remember why you started.
[27:00] Peggy only gives herself 10 minutes in the AM and PM for social media.
[28:00] Encourage others always.
[29:25] Ilana Griffo posts a piece that spoke to Peggy. Creation over Consumption.
[30:20] Inspiration overload.
[31:00] Peggy shares a crushing email from an industry friend.
[32:00] The hurt felt when you’re told you are copying another.
[33:00] Peggy deletes Instagram from her phone.
[34:00] Pulling oneself out of the game to regain focus.
[35:00] Over inspiration.
[36:10] What’s most personal is most universal.
[37:40] Learning and trying new things.
[38:00] Understanding that when you start anew it will take time.
[39:00] Peggy explains trying Gouache and teaching it.
[40:00] Listening to her audience, Peggy starts learning watercolor.
[41:10] Tom’s takeaway from this episode is “Jump in with both feet!”
[42:10] You can find Peggy here online!
[43:00] And that’s a wrap!

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“A must for every creative freelancer (or those aspiring to freelance). Thank you for being so… honest! Such a wealth of information from people I admire who have ‘been there and done that’. Listening to the podcast every week feels like I’m among friends. Can’t wait for more episodes!”AG_GD