Jodi Krangle

905 836 5444

Jodi@VoiceoversAndVocals.com

work life balance

My Interview With Clara Lehmann & Jonathan Lacocque of Coat Of Arms Post

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It was a true pleasure to talk with Clara and Jonathan about their creative process, how they work together as a creative couple and find time to figure out their work / life balance.

I’ve spoken about Lullaby Theories in a previous podcast but they’re also working on other projects such as Born In A Ballroom, titles for South by Southwest & videos for WebMD.  More information on what they’ve done in the past and what they’re currently working on can be found on their Coat Of Arms website.

I have no doubt they’ll continue to create stellar video work for both clients and themselves in the future.

I think you’ll find this conversation particularly inspiring if you’re a creative that’s pulled in a lot of different directions. Listening to how the two of them handle their busy lives and keep their critical inner voices from sabotaging them, was definitely helpful to hear.

Thanks for listening!

This episode was very skillfully made to sound beautiful by the talented Humberto Franco.

BIOS:

Clara Lehmann:
Clara wrote the award-winning documentary, A Perfect Soldier and co-directed and wrote the short-animated film, Death Loves Life. She’s directing & producing Lullaby Theories, an animated series that teaches kids about scientific theories and a feature length documentary called Born In A Ballroom. Clara works with clients like Google, Fox, Nickelodeon, The Onion and WebMD. She has three Excellence in Title Design nominations at South by Southwest, a gold and a silver Cannes Lion, and a Webby Nomination.

Jonathan Lacocque:
Jonathan has past experience at post studios, agencies, and broadcasting companies. His clients include PBS, Verizon, Jaguar Land Rover, Marriott, and Warner Brother Records. He produced & edited the award-winning film, A Perfect Soldier and continues to balance his commercial work with documentary and narrative filmmaking. He’s produced and edited multiple feature films and shorts / and continues to explore his passion for original stories with Coat of Arms’ Lullaby Theories series, and the documentary film, Born in a Ballroom. Past awards include an Emmy for editing, several Tellys, and multiple film festival awards.

Are We Too Busy?

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      Are We Too Busy? - Jodi Krangle - voiceoversandvocals.com

We’re always so BUSY.

Ok.  I know that’s a pretty general statement.  And it might have a lot to do with the fact that I live in North America. There are places in the world that are much more relaxed about their days than we are here.  I get it.

But I’ve been noticing around me that there’s a lot of emphasis on being “efficient” with our time.  On getting the most done with what little time we seem to have to do it.   There are lots of reasons for this, of course.  The industrial revolution made “efficiency” the thing.

But jobs are changing … and attitudes about “work” are changing a lot more slowly.  Everyone’s after a “side hustle”.  The “gig economy” seems to be the new buzzword.  And sure – turning something we love into a career that makes us money, is definitely helpful to our well-being and self-worth.  But what happens when you take this idea too far?

What happens when doing what you love, becomes a chore?  What do you do to just ENJOY yourself, then?

This is entirely my own opinion – and I’ll own it.

We’ve forgotten how to just relax.

I understand that we all need to make money to put a roof over our heads and food on the table.  I think it’s admirable that there’s a whole movement out there helping people find a good work-life balance outside of a regular 9-5.

It’s also true that things like access to quality education and healthcare, and a whole host of other things make it easier for some to do this than others.  But can we each find maybe a half hour a day to just do nothing?  What’s wrong with a little “me” time?

There’s a reason every airline tells parents to put their own mask on first during a crisis.  You’re no good to anyone else if you’re not taking care of yourself first.  I don’t mean that in a selfish way.  In fact, it’s the exact OPPOSITE of selfishness.  If you’re content with yourself, you can spread that feeling to others around you – whether it’s family, friends or complete strangers.  And that makes the world a better place.  At least around you.

So what can you do to have a little peace in your life, even for just a little bit?  Take a walk or go for a run, read a good book, meditate, listen to music and just close your eyes, even settle in on the couch and chill with something on Netflix that takes your mind off of things.  When you give your brain some time to just relax, it’s amazing what might occur to you.

And don’t feel guilty.  You’re allowed some time for yourself.  It’ll make you an easier person to be around.  It’ll help you discover things about yourself that will help you relate to other people better.

Personally, I’m an introvert.  So if I don’t have that time alone?  I start to go a little bonkers.  But there are others that get their energy from being around other people.  Nothing wrong with that.  Find the way you replenish, and cater to it.

Peace is often associated with quiet.  But it doesn’t have to be.

Find your peace – wherever that happens to be – and even if it’s only for a few minutes a day – you’ll be better able to handle all the “busy-ness” that life hands you.

Stillness might not be quite what you’re after (or your style), but have a listen to this TedTalk by Pico Iyer and see if it helps you find a few moments out of every day to just …be.  One of his more insightful quotes in this talk is: “If I really want to change my life, I might best begin by changing my mind.”