Episodios

  • 070: ADHD and Me: Setting Intentions for a Brighter 2026
    Jan 14 2026
    ADHD, Creativity, and Building a Sustainable Life Host Introduction and Credentials

    In this solo episode, Mica McCook, food photographer and host of The Savory Shot, shares her personal journey with a late ADHD diagnosis. Based in Austin, Texas, Mica has built a successful creative career while navigating the unseen challenges of executive dysfunction, time blindness, and burnout. Her experience blends professional insight with lived truth, making this conversation both grounded and deeply human.

    Episode Overview

    This episode explores how ADHD shapes creative work, energy levels, and self perception. Mica opens up about years of blaming herself for burnout, missed deadlines, and mental exhaustion. Through learning about ADHD, she reframes those struggles as neurological rather than personal failures. Listeners hear honest stories about hyperfocus, task paralysis, decision fatigue, and distorted time awareness. The episode also offers practical tools that support neurodivergent brains, including external time cues, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and designing workflows that reduce overwhelm. At its core, this conversation is about releasing productivity shame and building systems that honor how your brain works.

    Call to Action

    Listen to this episode with openness and self honesty. Reflect on where your current systems create harm. Begin identifying supports that reduce mental load and protect creative energy.

    Closing Remarks

    This episode is a reminder that creativity thrives when it is supported with compassion. Your brain is not behind. Sustainable creativity begins when you stop forcing and start designing a life that works with you.

    💬 Join the Conversation and Follow Mica

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h
  • 069: Embracing the Creative Chaos with Ren Fuller
    Dec 26 2025
    Embracing Creative Chaos in Food Photography

    Hey friend, picture this: you're knee-deep in a shoot, sweat dripping, props scattered, and that one shot refuses to cooperate. Sound familiar?

    What if embracing the mess unlocked your most magical work? In this episode of Savory Shot, we dive into building a creative life that fits you perfectly.

    Meet Ren Fuller

    Ren Fuller shines as a food and lifestyle photographer in LA. She photographed the stunning Mi Cocina cookbook in Mexico, trekked to Everest Base Camp, rocks climbs with ease, and raises her little one, whom she calls a professional mess maker. Her film background fuels her storytelling magic in every bright, playful image.

    Episode Highlights

    Ren shares raw stories from her dream shoots, like guerrilla beach sessions with laptops on rocks and stylists shaping sand. Learn to light with heart by studying real sunlight, golden-hour glows, and scene stories. She opens up on tough shots that nearly broke her, saved by team collaboration and bold moves outdoors. Ren empowers us with contract wisdom: demand full upfront advances, share daily proofs, and walk from bad deals. Discover freedom in ditching heavy cameras for vacations, nurturing non-competitive networks, and weaving motherhood into creativity. Her honesty inspires sustainable passion.

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Ren Fuller

    Website:www.renfuller.com

    Instagram:www.instagram.com/ren_fuller Podcast: linktr.ee/photodump.club

    Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/renata-x-fuller

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 9 m
  • 068: From Hustle to Harmony: Finding Passion and Peace with Naomi Smith
    Dec 3 2025
    From Burnout to Brave Boundaries with Naomi Smith

    Have you ever looked at your calendar and thought, “No wonder I feel so tired”?

    What if your creativity is not asking you to do more, but to care more for yourself? In this episode of The Savory Shot, Mika sits down with Naomi Smith, a multi-passionate art director, food stylist, prop stylist, and film director who has built a meaningful creative career with heart, courage, and strong boundaries.

    Meet Naomi Smith

    Naomi started in photography and grew into a sought-after stylist and director, working across commercials, film, and editorial projects. Her path is full of grit, curiosity, and a deep commitment to learning from every experience.

    What You’ll Hear In This Episode

    Naomi shares how years of nonstop hustling led to burnout and how the pandemic became a turning point for her health, mindset, and work habits. She talks about:

    • Learning to say “no” with confidence
    • Using food, rest, and movement to support her body
    • Building a flexible, prepared kit for set life
    • Speaking up, asking better questions, and reflecting after every shoot

    This conversation is a gentle invitation to create a career that feels sustainable, joyful, and aligned.

    ___

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Naomi Smith

    Website:naomismith

    Instagram: @naomismith_

    LinkedIn: @naomismith

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 4 m
  • 067: The Art of Food, Friendship, and Finding Your Flow with Kaitlyn Hale
    Nov 19 2025
    A Creative Life Built Plate by Plate

    Have you ever wondered what your life could feel like if you followed the pull of your creativity with your whole heart? This episode explores that question through a story filled with courage, curiosity, and the power of community.

    A Question to Ground the Soul

    What if finding your voice is less about perfection and more about trusting the places that feel like home to you?

    Meet Kaitlyn Hale

    Our guest, food stylist Kaitlyn Hale, has built a career shaped by art, flavor, intuition, and deep connection. With a background in marketing, a love for studio art, and years of hands-on experience assisting, styling, cooking, and learning, Kaitlyn brings a perspective that is grounded, generous, and richly creative.

    What You’ll Hear in This Episode

    In this conversation, Kaitlyn opens up about finding her creative voice, leaving traditional expectations behind, and building a career that feels aligned with her strengths. She shares how community fuels her growth, how storytelling guides every plate she styles, and how confidence grows when you follow your instincts. You’ll learn how creative friendships, cookbook club gatherings, test shoots, and small leaps of bravery can shape a fulfilling career. This episode is a reminder that the path forward expands when you trust what lights you up.

    ___

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Kaitlyn Hale

    Website:kaitlynmhale

    Instagram: @kaitlynmhale_

    LinkedIn: @kaitlynmhale

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 2 m
  • 066: Cooking Up Dreams with Danielle Campbell: The Real Story Behind Creative Hustle
    Nov 7 2025
    When Passion Starts Feeling Heavy

    Have you ever loved something so deeply that it began to feel like a weight? That moment when your creative spark starts flickering under the pressure to perform?

    In this heartfelt episode of The Savory Shot, host Mica McCook sits down with Danielle Campbell, a Los Angeles–based chef, food stylist, and recipe developer, for an honest conversation about what it really means to live a creative life.

    The Real Story Behind Creative Hustle

    Danielle opens up about her journey from private chef to full-time food stylist, revealing the messy middle that rarely gets talked about. She shares how burnout, financial struggles, and being the “only one” in the room shaped her into the artist she is today. Together, Mica and Danielle explore what it means to find purpose again after exhaustion, how to set healthy boundaries, and why representation behind the camera matters.

    They also dive into the challenges of freelancing, the emotional toll of underpayment, and the growing presence of AI in creative work. Yet beneath it all runs a thread of hope—a reminder that creativity still belongs to those who keep showing up with heart.

    Tune In and Be Inspired

    If you’ve ever wondered whether your dream is still worth chasing, this episode will meet you where you are.

    Listen to “Cooking Up Dreams with Danielle Campbell” wherever you get your podcasts and be reminded that the journey to purpose is always worth taking.

    Meet Danielle Campbell

    In Episode 66 of The Savory Shot, Mica McCook chats with food stylist Danielle Campbell. They dive into the highs and lows of the food industry, overcoming freelance struggles, and the need for diversity. It's an honest talk filled with laughs, real stories, and empowering advice!

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Danielle Campbell

    Website:https://www.danielle-campbell.com/

    Instagram: @daniellecampbellfood LinkedIn: @daniellecampbell

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 9 m
  • 065: Adrian Mueller on Turning Curiosity Into a Creative Superpower
    Jul 30 2025
    Curiosity. Simplicity. The courage to pivot.

    What if those were the keys to unlocking your next big breakthrough?

    What if you didn’t need to have it all figured out? What if all you needed was just a willingness to follow what lights you up?

    These are the powerful themes Adrian Mueller and host Mica McCook unpack in this episode of The Savory Shot.

    Adrian shares how his never-ending curiosity keeps him learning, growing, and evolving in his work. He reminds us that being a student of your craft is a mindset. One that opens doors, builds momentum, and leads to fresh ideas.

    He also dives deep into the art of simplicity, and let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it looks. Adrian explains how creating something clean, focused, and truly beautiful takes serious intention and skill.

    Feeling stuck? Wondering what’s next? This episode will challenge you in the best way. It’ll have you looking around with fresh eyes, asking “What if I tried that?” and “Why not go for it?”

    Whether you're ready for a pivot or simply need a spark to re-ignite your passion, this conversation is your reminder to stay curious, get clear, and keep going.

    Meet Adrian Mueller

    In Episode 065 of The Savory Shot, we sit down with Adrian Mueller, a commercial photographer and tabletop director based in New York by way of Switzerland. With a career that started after walking away from a life of professional soccer, Adrian brings a thoughtful, humble approach to his work that’s rooted in his belief that “beauty lives in simplicity.”

    What You’ll Learn in This Conversation

    Adrian shares how curiosity helped him pivot his life, how simplicity shapes his creative process, and why your style is your niche. He opens up about collaboration, communication, and staying grounded in an industry that often pushes noise over meaning.

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/adrian-mueller-photographer/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Adrian Mueller

    Website:https://www.fabrik-studios.com/

    Instagram: @mueller.adrian LinkedIn:/in/adrianmueller

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    53 m
  • 064: Building Standard Affair: How Kira Corbin Designed Her Next Chapter
    Jul 9 2025
    Are You Allowed to Outgrow Your Own Dream?

    What if the thing you once wanted more than anything suddenly stops feeling like enough? It’s a question so many of us quietly carry, especially when we’ve built our lives around the dream. The business. The title. The identity. So… what now?

    Meet Kira Corbin: Stylist, Creative, and Founder of Standard Affair

    In this episode of The Savory Shot, I sat down with Kira Corbin, an incredible prop and interiors stylist with over 13 years of experience working with names like Bon Appétit, Food Network, and Pendleton. After running a beautiful retail shop and styling countless sets, Kira chose to walk away from something she loved—so she could make space for what was next. She’s now the founder of Standard Affair, a homewares brand built from her soul out.

    What You’ll Hear in This Episode

    We talked about why it’s okay to evolve, even after you’ve “made it.” Kira shared how she learned to rest without guilt, what it means to invest in yourself, and how starting over doesn’t mean you’re lost—it means you’re listening. Her story is a reminder that clarity comes not from hustling harder, but from slowing down and asking better questions.

    Listen In and Let It Land

    If you’ve ever felt stuck in a life that once felt exciting, this conversation is for you. Tune into The Savory Shot and be reminded: growth is never failure.

    Your permission slip to begin again is here.

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/kira-corbin-prop-stylist/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Kira Corbin

    Website:https://www.kiracorbin.com/ Standard Affairs Website: https://standardaffair.com/

    Instagram: @kiracorbin Standard Affairs Instagram: @standardaffair LinkedIn: @kira-corbin

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 10 m
  • 063: Unlock LinkedIn Magic with Jeff Brown’s Inspiring Success Tips
    Mar 5 2025

    Are you ready to unlock a world of opportunities and take your creative business to new heights?

    Join us as we explore the power of LinkedIn with the insightful Jeff Brown, a photography business mentor, bestselling author, and former Royal Navy photographer. With four successful businesses under his belt, Jeff now helps photographers worldwide build standout brands. Specializing in mindset, branding, and LinkedIn strategy, Jeff’s mission is to help photographers become the go-to experts in their niche.

    The Power of LinkedIn

    In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for professionals across all industries. But it can be so much more than just a platform for job searching. LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for building relationships, establishing thought leadership, and growing your business.

    Jeff Brown’s Expertise

    Jeff shares his expertise on how to leverage LinkedIn to achieve your business goals. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong personal brand, creating valuable content, and engaging with your network.

    Key takeaways from this episode:

    • The importance of mindset and goal setting
    • How to create a captivating LinkedIn profile
    • Strategies for building relationships and generating leads
    • The power of LinkedIn newsletters
    • Common mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn

    Ready to transform your LinkedIn presence and unlock new opportunities? Delve further into Jeff’s insights by listening to the full episode. And don’t forget to check out his latest book, “The Photographer’s Missing LinkedIn.”

    LinkedIn is a goldmine of opportunities for photographers and other creative professionals. By following Jeff’s advice, you can leverage this platform to build a thriving business and achieve your dreams.

    💬 Join the Conversation

    Savory Shot Shownote: https://micamccook.com/guests/

    Website: https://micamccook.com/podcast

    Instagram: www.instragram.com/mica.mccook

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesavoryshotpodcast

    📣 Follow Jeff Brown

    Website:https://thephotographersmentor.com/

    Facebook: @focusonmarketing LinkedIn: @thephotographersmentor

    Would you like to be a guest on the show? Fill out the guest form, and we'll be in touch soon.

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    1 h y 8 m