Micha Powell is an Olympian, public speaker, model and producer. In our conversation and through the power of story, Micha helps us understand the emotional rollercoaster of elite-level competition as a track and field athlete. You’ll also hear about Micha’s podcast, People Behind the Performance, and why she felt compelled to create it. You’ll hear Micha talk about her incredible Mom, her thoughts on the link between creativity and athletics, and… you’ll hear Diana cry (in the best way possible).

Talk Paper Scissors

Storytelling and Athletics with Micha Powell

In this Olympic-themed episode, designer and illustrator, Paul Twa, generously shares his knowledge about the history of the design of the Olympic Games and the ways it  mirrors graphic design trends, techniques and tools at-large. Controversial Olympic emblems, incredible pictogram systems and a deconstruction of the Beijing 2022 Olympic design are all discussed. We also look ahead to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games and Paul shares his thoughts on democratization of design.

Olympic Design Systems with Paul Twa

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet woodworker, Babette the Builder, who shares how she fell into woodworking by accident, the way resourcefulness is an important skill in creative work and her belief that sometimes formal education and training dampens creativity. Babette’s experiences intersect with Katherine (determination in creativity) and Diana (spontaneity of her process), coming full circle back to the very first episode, 077: Intersection Primer.

Intersection: Babette the Builder, Woodworker

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet watercolour artist, Katherine Klimitas, who shares the unique process she uses to paint, the way she manages her time to pursue both artistic projects and graphic design work, and the great story of how she came to work for Rod Stewart on a project. Katherine’s experiences intersect with Erin (entering a flow state) and Babette (determination in creativity).

Intersection: Katherine Klimitas, Watercolour Artist

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet digital paper artist, Erin Sass, who shares the way she uses the app Procreate to add layers and texture to create realistic digital paper creations, how her future will ideally include a blend of engineering and design, as well as learn the subject matter that fuels her. Erin’s experiences intersect with Kate (creating work that’s meaningful) and Katherine (entering a flow state). 

Intersection: Erin Sass, Digital Paper Artist

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet LEGO artist, Kate Hunter, who shares how she entered into the world of LEGO, the ways she reimagines her favourite famous art pieces in LEGO mosaic and how she’s paving the way for future female art and LEGO enthusiasts to follow their passions and never settle. Kate’s experiences intersect with Sarah Dennis (the power of play) and Erin (creating work that’s meaningful). 

Intersection: Kate Hunter, LEGO Artist

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet photographer, Sarah Wright, who discusses the name of her business (Yes and Studio) that also encapsulates her creative philosophy, the power of constraint in breeding creativity and her proclamation of the deep love she feels for Post-it Notes. Sarah Wright’s experiences intersect with Lillian (the joy of creative control) and Sarah Dennis (balancing creative callings). 

Intersection: Sarah Wright, Photographer

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet paper cut artist, Sarah Dennis, who reveals how she creates her paper cut masterpieces by focusing on negative space, the ways that she works with simple tools and simple materials to make extraordinary creations, as well as the importance of setting time goals in creative work. Sarah Dennis’ experiences intersect with Sarah Wright (balancing creative callings) and Kate (the power of play). 

Intersection: Sarah Dennis, Paper Cut Artist

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet filmmaker, Lillian Chan, who discusses her creative work for children and adults alike, her non-linear creative process and the deep appreciation she feels when she experiences moments of solitude to create. Lillian’s experiences intersect with Alison (research as part of the creative process) and Sarah Wright (the joy of creative control). 

Intersection: Lillian Chan, Filmmaker

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet tattoo artist, Alison Zou, who shares how she entered into the tattoo industry, the technicalities of fine-line tattooing and what her own, personal tattoos mean to her. Alison’s experiences intersect with Sana (storytelling through art) and Lillian (research as part of the creative process). 

Intersection: Alison Zou, Tattoo Artist

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet bridal henna artist, Sana Riyazali Merchant, who discusses the ways in which history and culture influence her work, the interesting challenges associated with drawing on hands as canvases and how her medium (henna paste) is uniquely tricky to work with. Sana’s experiences intersect with Keight (traditional meets modern) and Alison (storytelling through art). 

Intersection: Sana Riyazali Merchant, Bridal Henna

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet portrait artist, Keight MacLean, who discusses how she fell into her work by accident and through lots of experimentation, the ways living abroad immersed in art for a year continues to impact her professional work, as well as how and why she never experiences creative block. Keight’s experiences intersect with Shen (setting boundaries in creative work) and Sana (traditional meets modern). 

Intersection: Keight MacLean, Portraiture

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet textile designer, Caroline Duffy, who discusses the textile design industry, how her involvement in an artistic community is life-giving and the joys and challenges of working for oneself. Caroline’s experiences intersect with Sareka (bright colours bring joy) and Shen (the importance of immersion in nature). 

Intersection: Caroline Duffy, Textile Designer

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet animator, Shen Ramu, who discusses how she continues to refine and redefine her style, how she keeps herself inspired and the tools she uses to create her work. Shen’s experiences intersect with Caroline (the importance of immersion in nature) and Keight (setting boundaries in creative work). 

Intersection: Shen Ramu, Animator

Intersection is a series exploring the creative practices of 17 diverse female artists and discovering the ways in which their experiences intersect.In this episode, you will meet abstract painter, Sareka Unique, who discusses the inspiration present all around her, the way her current mood dictates her final product, how she knows when a piece is complete and the special community she’s created for other artists online. Sareka’s experiences intersect with Billi-Rose (creating safe spaces through art) and Caroline (bright colours bring joy).

Intersection: Sareka Unique, Abstract Painter

Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. In each episode Diana aims to answer many age-old, deep philosophical questions such as: Where the heck did Comic Sans originate? Why do the majority of printed books have blank pages at the end? What is the world's ugliest colour? What does a sassy three-year-old have to say about the visible colour spectrum? Ready to have some fun? Let's talk paper scissors.

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Talk Paper Scissors

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