Mike and Kristen Make It - Art, Love, Beer, Podcasts and Truths Behind Creative Survival

Mike and Kristen are the Hosts of the Make it Podcast

Episode 115 - Summarized by Buzzsprout Cohost AI

In a world where digital content creation has become increasingly competitive, artists, musicians, and podcasters alike are navigating the challenging landscape of making a living through their creative endeavours. The Afternoon Pint recently welcomed Mike Ryan and Kristen Herrington, the creative duo behind the newly rebranded "Make It" podcast (formerly "Mike and Kristen"), to discuss their journey in the creative industry.

The conversation centered around a significant shift in their podcast approach. After completing 159 episodes of their original show, they decided not to abandon their project but rather to recalibrate and rebrand. This transition wasn't about stepping away from podcasting but involved doubling their behind-the-scenes efforts to create something more focused and intentional. Their experience at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin proved instrumental in this evolution, where they learned about the importance of "niching down" – focusing on a specific area rather than covering a wide range of topics.

A particularly insightful portion of the conversation addressed the modern necessity of adopting video content. Despite their resistance to this format – preferring the intimate audio-only experience where listeners can simply relax with a drink and engage with the conversation – they acknowledged the industry shift toward visual content. "For whatever reason, people like to see our faces," Kristen noted. This reluctant embrace of video formats highlights the ongoing tension many creators face: balancing authentic creative vision with market demands.

The discussion took a profound turn when examining the economics of creative life in 2025. Both Mike and Kristen were refreshingly candid about the financial struggles that come with being full-time artists. "The finances have always been hard and I don't know if I will ever find peace with that," Kristen admitted. This raw honesty about the economic realities of creative work resonated deeply, especially in the current economic climate where, as they noted, "people are not spending luxury dollars on buying artwork – they're buying a bag of carrots."

Beyond their podcast, Kristen shared the remarkable story of Togetherland, her art gallery housed in an old church hall. The space was transformed into a community hub during a time of crisis when wildfires forced evacuations in their area. What began as a temporary shelter became a thriving creative center featuring art exhibitions, live music performances, and open mic nights. Mike described how these open mic sessions have empowered first-time performers, including one woman who initially sat in her car for two hours, too nervous to enter, but now performs weekly.

The conversation also explored the shifting landscape of music distribution, with Mike reflecting on how the industry has transformed. "Nowadays, every single day, there's 120,000 songs released on Spotify," he remarked, illustrating the overwhelming competition creators face. The traditional pathways to "making it" in music have disappeared, requiring artists to forge their own routes to sustainability.

Perhaps most valuable was their discussion of what "making it" truly means. For Mike, despite his band's success and recognition, there remains a perpetual sense that he hasn't "made it" yet – a sentiment many creators can relate to. This led to a thoughtful conversation about measuring success not by downloads or monetary gains, but by the meaningful connections and experiences their creative work facilitates.

The episode concluded with powerful advice for creative living: don't worry what others think of your art, and, surprisingly, "buy a good mattress" – a reminder that self-care fundamentals underpin creative sustainability. In a world obsessed with metrics and visibility, this conversation offered a refreshing perspective on finding purpose and meaning in creative pursuits, even when the path to financial stability remains uncertain.