Episode 29 – Ghosting, Mixed Signals, and People Who Actually Show Up

In Episode 29 of Pickles and Pasta, Jay and Steph are back in New York with winter reflections, snow-day observations, and the oddly emotional “will we get one more storm?” debate.

Then they get into something they’ve both been running into lately: ghosting, especially in business and creative circles. Jay breaks down why disappearing without a word is frustrating and unnecessary, while Steph explains why we often fixate on people who pull away. Ego, the need for closure, and the urge to win back someone’s attention all play a role.

From there, the conversation expands into mixed signals and energy, those moments when someone seems supportive one day and distant the next. They talk about how tension in communities can quietly grow, including the way identity and politics can shape how people categorize each other, and why maturity and mutual respect matter more than ever.

They close by flipping the lens toward the positive: the people who consistently show up, and how Steph is embracing a new, evolving community through her art workshops and creative work. The episode wraps with a Fashion Week themed rapid fire on dressing for the weather, where fashion is headed, and the fashion eras they’d love to bring back, including Jay’s hilarious robe and cloak fantasy.

Topics Covered:

• Ghosting in creative/business relationships
• Closure, ego, and “future FOMO”
• Mixed signals, reading energy, and social tension
• Identity/politics shaping community dynamics
• Choosing self-respect and focusing on real support
• Building new community through creativity (art workshops)
• Rapid fire: Fashion Week edition

If someone disappears, let them, and put your energy into the people who show up, support you, and make your world bigger.

Episode 28 – Creative Energy, Client Work, and Finding Your Groove

In this week’s episode of Pickles and Pasta, Jay and Steph start with some classic winter banter, from Miami “cold” to the relief of longer daylight after a never-ending January. Then they shift into a thoughtful conversation about different types of creativity and why creating “from the soul” feels fundamentally different than creating within client constraints, budgets, and practical parameters.

They unpack the difference between being an artist versus being a creative-for-hire, and how Steph is navigating a new in-between space: making paintings that still use her artistry but are also product-driven (built to meet a need in the marketplace). Jay reflects on how money, time, and materials quietly change the creative process, and how emotional bandwidth (family stress, world stress, exhaustion) can deeply affect whether the creative mind can “access the work.”

They also share a practical takeaway for business owners: choosing the right clients is an art, and protecting peace of mind matters as much as the paycheck. The episode wraps with a light rapid-fire round (seasonal cravings, condiments, and the surprisingly enjoyable doctor visits), plus a warm sign-off to keep you cozy wherever you’re listening.

Topics Covered:

• How and why creatives work differently
• Artist vs designer vs creative entrepreneur
• Product-driven work vs personal art
• How emotional overload blocks creativity
• Balancing care for loved ones with creative focus
• The importance of choosing the right clients
• Rapid fire: seasonal favorites, condiments, and favorite doctors

Wherever you are, stay warm, enjoy the longer light, and we’ll see you next week. Same bat time, same bat channel.

Episode 27 - Expression, Identity, & Choosing Care

January has felt unusually heavy, and Steph and Jay open up about what it’s like to live and create in a world that feels emotionally maxed out.

They talk about how politics has bled into business, art, and personal platforms, creating pressure to speak, stay silent, or choose sides. Steph shares why she’s long avoided political messaging through Have Some Fun Today, and why that boundary is becoming harder to hold. Jay reflects on tone-deaf branding, public backlash, and how quickly discourse turns reactive.

The conversation widens into the role of creatives during unstable times, how artists absorb the emotional climate and translate it into work, often without trying to persuade or polarize. They explore authenticity, compassion, curiosity, and the idea that standing for humanity doesn’t require taking a side.

They close with a lighthearted rapid-fire snow-day segment covering winter comforts, food, and cozy watch picks.

Topics Covered:

• Why January felt emotionally heavy
• Politics and business pressure to choose sides
• Neutrality vs speaking up in a “tone-deaf” era
• Social media backlash over mild statements
• Trigger culture and heightened reactions
• The role and weight of creatives today
• Spiritual grounding amid noise and confusion
• Supporting artists without preaching
• Rapid Fire: winter ice cream, snow-day comfort food, cozy watch picks

Wherever you land on the issues, this episode is a reminder: we all deserve to be heard, and it costs nothing to listen.