Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success
"Making It" is a podcast about how artists and creatives turn their passion into a profession.
Hosted by San Diego-based muralist Taylor Gallegos, each episode features honest conversations with working creatives about how they built careers doing what they love.
On this podcast, “making it” doesn’t mean going viral, cashing out, or becoming a household name.
It means finding alignment between who you are, what you create, and how you live.
No hype, no formulas—just real talk, practical advice, and inspiration for anyone trying to "make it" as an artist.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 86 minutes
- Episodes
- 113
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
How PAIN Becomes Your Creative Power — Lavi Daniel
In a profound conversation with Lavi Daniel, we explore how creative expression can transform pain into art. This lifelong artist shares his journey of turning life's struggles into meaningful work t…
Stop Forcing Creativity Into Systems — Lynn Abate Johnson
What happens when you stop trying to formulate creativity and start trusting your instincts instead? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, host Taylor Gallegos sits down wit…
You DON'T Have to SELL OUT to SELL ART: Ryan Stover
What if the secret to selling art wasn’t about building funnels or following someone else’s script—but about becoming *more* of yourself?
In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Succes…
From Oppression to Expression: Becoming the Artist You Were Never Allowed to Be
What happens when you grow up in a world where dancing, drawing—even joy—are forbidden? In this powerful episode, muralist Andrea Solorzano opens up about her journey from a restrictive upbringing to…
Trading EGO for INSIGHT: Mural Joe on Art, Emotion & Purpose
What happens when an artist trades ego for insight? In this episode of Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success, muralist and educator Mural Joe (Joe Cornelius) opens up about more than just paint…
BURNED by a Client, Backed by the Internet — and Still Choosing Joy: Hanna Daly
🎨 The pod is back, baby! In this episode of *Making It: REAL Stories of Creative Success*, host Taylor Gallegos sits down with muralist Hanna Daly to talk about going viral—for the wrong reasons—and …
No. 107 - Lynx DeMuth
In this episode I Interview Lynx DeMuth. Lynx is a musician, a producer, a mentor, and more. They work and live in Portland, OR. In this episode we talk about the development of Lynx as an artist,…
No. 106 - Bob Matatall
In this episode I Interview Bob Matatall. Bob is an Urban Planner, an avid traveler, and the long time best friend of my Step Dad Chris Belting. In this episode we talk about the joys of slow travel…
No. 105 - Ruben Rojas
In this episode I Interview Ruben Rojas. Ruben is an Artist, an Entrepreneur, a Podcaster, a Husband, a Father, and more. He works and lives in Los Angeles, CA, out of his art studio where this int…
No. 104 - Samantha Tradelius
In this episode I Interview Samantha Tradelius. Samantha is an entrepreneur, the founder of Sparkle Foundation, Sparklebiz, a mother, and a husband. In this episode we talk about Samantha’s transit…
No. 103 - Billy Arana
In this episode I Interview Billy Arana (Along with my guest hosts Haylee, Kelsey, Cyndie, and Moe LaCroix). Billy is the owner/operator/guide of North Pacific Adventure in Mendocino County, Califor…
No. 102 - Marius Lehene
In this episode I Interview Marius Lehene. Marius is an Artist, and Art Professor at Colorado State University. He’s Romanian born, living and working in Fort Collins, Colorado. Also, he was my ar…
No. 101 - Gretchen Leggitt
In this episode I interview Gretchen Leggitt. Gretchen is a Muralist who graduated with a BFA from Colorado State University (That’s where we met), is currently living and working out of Bellingham,…
No. 100 - Season Finale - Taylor Gallegos
In this episode Ryan Stover (Episode 76) guest hosts the Art and Life podcast and interviews me, Taylor Gallegos. I started this concept a few years back for the Season Finale and we’re running with…
No. 99 - Hadley Stover
In this episode I Interview Hadley Stover. Hadley is a 7 year old (almost 8) creative human being from Fort Collins, Colorado. Hadley is the daughter of Ryan Stover from Episode 76. In this episod…
No. 98 - Okori Puryear
In this episode I Interview Okori Puryear. Okori is a Technical Systems Designer, has a background in geographic data science, and has a degree in Environmental Systems Science from Stanford Univers…
No. 97 - Lisa Ray
In this episode I Interview Lisa Ray. Lisa is an award-winning actress, author, philanthropist and long-term art collector. Lisa has enjoyed a multifaceted career in the entertainment arts beginning…
No. 96 - Keesa Johnson
In this episode I Interview Keesa Johnson. Keesa is a Creative Systems Designer, with a Masters in Integrated Design from the University of Michigan. In this episode we talk about creativity in des…
No. 95 - Joey Cofone
In this episode I Interview Joey Cofone. Joey is Founder & CEO of Baronfig, he's an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, and now author of his new book "The Laws of Creativity." His work has been …
No. 94 - Megan Johannson
In this episode I interview Megan Johannsen. Megan is an artist living and working in Los Angeles, California. Megan is also a dear friend of mine, we first met on our mutual study abroad trip in C…