Life as an Instagram Grid with Caren Libby

In this episode, I have the joy of interviewing the incomparable Caren Libby, a wildly talented photographer, visual storyteller, content creator, and digital marketing guru, and the founder of Image Media Creative Studio. We explore her journey from capturing images as a young mom to growing the creative company she loves. We also chat about what it’s like to view life as an Instagram grid and creativity as the best therapy. In the process, we delve into the power of visualizing what makes you successful, collaborating creatively with others, and leveraging mindset to achieve your vision and dreams.

Enjoy Caren’s interview right here by clicking on the Play button above. Go on! You know you want to. ?

The Backstory

Oh, my! Where to begin when introducing a guest who has profoundly influenced your life and work — now, that’s a great question. The first words that come to mind when describing Caren Libby are warm, loving, creative, talented, and generous of spirit. Rounding out the top ten are smart, curious, insightful, engaging, and courageous. Caren and I met at Medici MediaSpace (Saint Louis) in late 2017.

Her son Brian Lunt had been one of Medici’s founders, and I was drawn immediately to her passion as a gifted webmaster, photographer, and digital marketing expert. Over time, she became my webmaster, branding and digital marketing consultant, trusted advisor, and dear friend.

Standing about 5’3” with inquisitive eyes and a radiant smile, Caren has a penchant for staying behind the camera. She is keenly observant and unafraid of taking creative risks, and her body of work is a tour de force. When she walked into the studio for our interview, I was surprisingly nervous and crazy with excitement. I could hardly believe I was interviewing one of my favorite people in the world.

The Interview

So many reasons exist for loving this thoughtful, engaging interview. We learn how Caren started her career as a photographer, then morphed from photographer to visual storyteller. She talks about the power of visual storytelling, the ways that Instagram has influenced her vision and work, and the value of clearly envisioning what success looks like for those of us who are committed to following our dreams. We also chat about the role of mindset to tap into our power, pivotal moments in her life and career, the power of collaboration (and helping hands along the way), and how she has overcome some of the most challenging times in her life. If you’re looking for inspiration and excellent insights into navigating your dreams, this interview is made just for you.

Fun Facts

  • Founder of Image Media, LLC, a company that provides branding, photography, and digital marketing services
  • Passionate about creative, visual storytelling and content creation
  • Host of fun, fabulous photo adventures
  • Creator of photographic art
  • Author, Pizzazz Works
  • Contributing Author, Bright Spots: Motivation and Inspiration to Light Your Path in a Changing World

Cool Links

CarenLibby.com – Caren’s engaging website

PhotographybyCarenLibby.com – Where you can enjoy Caren’s photography

Caren’s LinkedIn page

Image Media’s Facebook page

Caren’s Instagram page

Caren’s Flickr albums

Quotes by Caren Libby

“Creative activity is the best therapy in the world.”

“When times get tough, finding the strength and power within is the best medicine.”

“Live in the present so you can support the person you will be in the future.”

“Each day is an extraordinary experience that we can’t take for granted.”

Balancing Acts and Wobble Boards with Mich Hancock

Today, my guest is Mich Hancock, the vibrant CEO of 100th Monkey, inspiring co-founder of TEDxStLouis, and host of the fun, fabulous MichMash Podcast. Mich is also a sought-after speaker and workshop/ seminar leader who teaches organizations and associations to TED-ify their presentations. In this episode, we take a deep dive into her inspirations, the role curiosity plays in her life and work, and the value of finding great mentors to grow and scale a business. We also talk about the merits of regularly exercising our intuition, gut feelings, and spidey sense, and her insightful advice for stepping into the unknown.

You can listen here by clicking on the Play arrow above. Just do it!

The Backstory

Whenever Mich Hancock walks into a room, you immediately sense a tangible change in the air. With her beautiful smile and incredible warmth and grace, she’s like a gentle, ocean breeze on a quiet beach. With her petite frame, colorful scarves, and fanciful sneakers, you just know something great is about to happen. And it does! Once she begins to speak, you quickly learn she’s also dynamite in a small package.

Mich and I first crossed paths in 2017 at Medici MediaSpace, a place she lovingly calls her home away from home. There, other Medici members and I regularly benefitted from her thoughtful feedback and suggestions during the weekly strategy sessions, which happily continue to this day. In 2018, Mich graciously invited me to be her guest on MichMash, where we chatted about celebrating life after 50 and my new digital publication, Boomalally Magazine. Then, in 2021, my world radically expanded when I joined Mich and the TEDxStLouis family as a speaking coach. What an amazing community and experience. I was hooked!

The Interview

What I love most about this delightful interview with Mich is that we talk about not one, but THREE dreams she is turning into reality. (I know!!! Crazy, but true!) You’re going to love her powerful, upbeat stories about the sparks behind 100th Monkey and TEDxStLouis, the crazy ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, and the potential that “holy crap moments” and epic fails can play in our personal and professional growth. You’ll also thoroughly enjoy hearing Mich talk about the ways curiosity and intuition inform how she navigates in life and business, and her excellent advice for new entrepreneurs and stepping into the known. No matter whether you’re an aspiring, emerging, or established entrepreneur who wants to follow your passion, Mich Hancock’s open, honest, and practical advice is solid gold!

Fun Facts about Mich

  • Founder and CEO, 100th Monkey, a wildly successful digital marketing company
  • Co-founder and license holder, TEDxStLouis – brings TED Talk experiences to Saint Louis (yes, that TED!)
  • Host, MichMash Podcast
  • Ambassador, Medici MediaSpace
  • Speaker, workshop, and seminar presenter that helps organizations and associations TED-ify their presentations
  • Passionate champion of kindness
  • Her real-life hero: Micki Hancock

 Cool Links

100th Monkey – Mich’s digital marketing company

MichMash – Mich’s delightful podcast

TEDxStLouis – Mich’s passion

Mich’s inspiring interview in Medium about 5 ways to make the internet a kinder place

Mich’s LinkedIn page

Mich’s Facebook page

Medici MediaSpace

Quotes by Mich Hancock

“Fire. Ready. Aim.”

“Be a positive force in the world every day.”

Scroll to Top