Margo is joined by creative couple Steve and Mary Jo Hoffman for a tender, thought-provoking conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the art of intentional living. In the wake of losing their family home to a fire, Steve and Mary Jo open up about what it means to rebuild—not just a house, but an entire way of living. They share how their individual creative practices continue to evolve, how they support one another through parallel play and creative autonomy, and how loss clarified what truly matters.

About Mary Jo Hoffman:
Mary Jo is an artist and photographer best known for her project STILL, a daily nature photography practice that blossomed into a decade-long blog and the book STILL: The Art of Noticing. Her images and essays capture the quiet beauty of everyday natural objects and invite readers to see the world with fresh eyes. She lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, with her husband Steve and their puggle Jack, who joins her on daily foraging walks.

About Steve Hoffman:
Steve is a James Beard Award–winning writer whose debut memoir, A Season for That, chronicles his family’s relocation to southern France and the unexpected beauty found in ordinary food, people, and rhythms. A tax preparer by day and food writer by heart, Steve’s work has appeared in The Washington Post, Food & Wine, and The Minneapolis Star Tribune. He lives with Mary Jo on Turtle Lake, surrounded by bees, cranes, and creative inspiration.

Margo, Steve, and Mary Jo discuss:

• Navigating loss and rebuilding with intention after the fire that destroyed their home and studios

• How daily creative rituals can ground and guide us through upheaval

• The power of noticing: Mary Jo’s journey with STILL and the discipline of paying attention

• Writing memoir and confronting vulnerability in Steve’s A Season for That

• What it means to live in a “total work of art” and create a life aligned with your values

• How partnership and creativity intertwine without merging

• Embracing slow living, meaningful routines, and the grace found in the everyday

Previous Episodes with Mary Jo & Steve

• Episode 197: "Finding Beauty in Everyday Life: The Power of Creative Practice and the Art of Noticing with Mary Jo Hoffman"

• Episode 209: "A Season for Change: Steve Hoffman on New Perspectives, Culture, and Finding a Sense of Belonging"

Connect with Steve Hoffman:

www.sjrhoffman.com

https://www.instagram.com/sjrhoffman/

Connect with Mary Jo Hoffman:

https://www.instagram.com/maryjohoffman/

STILL: The Art of Noticing

http://eepurl.com/bTvh4n (Newsletter)

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

Margo and Abby catch up on pink taxes, party store shakeups, and grandma hobbies making a comeback in the latest episode of Creative Current Events. This special segment of Windowsill Chats dives into cultural shifts, small business realities, and brand storytelling that’s catching their creative eye. They also explore how big-box stores like Michaels are filling retail voids left by Party City, how hobby shops in the UK are struggling, and what all this means for the crafting world. The conversation also dives into the rising conversation around the Pink Tax and Pink Tariffs—and how these unseen costs hit both consumers and creative entrepreneurs. Plus: a fresh look at niche content creation, a POD platform for artists, why Uniqlo is serving coffee now, and the nostalgic charm of slow, tactile hobbies like embroidery, crochet, and calligraphy.

Articles Mentioned:

Michaels & Party City https://finance.yahoo.com/news/michaels-seeing-void-left-party-133819782.html

HobbyCraft Decline in the UK
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y651327eko

The Pink Tax
https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/taxes/articles/the-pink-tax-costs-women-thousands-of-dollars-over-their-lifetimes

Pink Tariffs on Women’s Clothing
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/business/womens-clothes-pink-tariffs/index.html

eeBoo Founder on Tariffs Impacting Small Businesses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBRplSmhI-8

Canvastry Print-on-Demand Platform
https://www.canvastrywholesale.com/

Grandma Hobbies Are In
https://theeverymom.com/grandma-hobbies/

Uniqlo’s NYC Coffee Shop & Lifestyle Strategy
https://ny.eater.com/2025/3/19/24388687/uniqlo-coffee-open-nyc-cafe-manhattan
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/contents/lifewear-magazine/styling/

Den of Pin (Hyper-niche Community Building)
https://www.instagram.com/den_of_pin/

Yeti Product Storytelling Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSpdnXWlgJg

Huckberry’s Cinematic Product Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtu6Bi-blY

Amy Poehler & Rashida Jones Launch “Good Hang” Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF-p8z_R2q0

Connect with Abby:
https://www.abbyjcampbell.com/
Instagram: @ajcampkc
Pinterest: @ajcampbell

Connect with Margo:
www.windowsillchats.com
www.instagram.com/windowsillchats
www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill
The Foundry at Tantau Studio

Margo is joined by writer, coach, and retreat leader Maria Bowler for a conversation about redefining creativity beyond the limits of productivity. Maria helps creatives transform resistance into clarity and insight, drawing on her background as a magazine editor, creative writing teacher, and holder of a master's degree in religion and the arts from Yale University. Originally from Canada, she now lives with her family in the Driftless region of the U.S., where she continues to explore and teach a more holistic approach to creative living.

Margo and Maria discuss:

• Maria’s creative journey, from childhood passion to overcoming major blocks

• How to redefine resistance as a valuable teacher rather than an obstacle

• The differences between productivity and creativity—and why confusing the two leads to burnout

• Seeing creativity as a collaboration with life, not just a series of tasks

• The impact of perfectionism on creative expression and how to loosen its grip

• Embracing whole-life creativity as part of daily living, not a separate act

• Balancing creative output with essential intake and inspiration

• Giving yourself permission to make mistakes and stay curious

• Practical strategies for reconnecting with creativity during stuck periods

• Highlights from Maria’s new book Making Time: A New Vision for Crafting a Life Beyond Productivity

Connect with Maria:

www.mariabowler.com

www.mariabowler.substack.com

https://www.instagram.com/mariaevbowler

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

@windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

https://www.yourtantaustudio.com/thefoundry