Erin & Tam sit down with Meredith and Robin of Bam Bird Boutique, two friends-turned-founders who transformed their shared love of mahjong into a beautifully creative tile company. We talk about the leap from hobby to business, how they bring modern design to a traditional game, and the intentional ways they protect the joy of play in the middle of it all. www.bambirdboutique.com @bambirdboutique
Tam shares how leaning into cozy gaming, especially Animal Crossing, became her nighttime ritual for relaxing, unplugging, and breaking the doom-scroll trap. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
Between the chaos of mom life and the chase for balance, movement can easily lose its joy. Erin & Tam are joined by Mallory Ruth, Founder of The Energy Up Collective, to explore how movement can become a nourishing hobby that grounds you, connects you, and helps you care for your future self with intention. Links: @malloryruthfit www.malloryruth.com @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
It’s not about quitting your phone, it’s about choosing what really restores you. Erin & Tam talk about the pull of late night scrolling, the guilt that comes with it, and how simple, hands-on hobbies can bring more presence and peace into your days. Tips on stepping back from screens and starting a new hobby @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
From the never-ending “shoulds” to the pressure to be everything to everyone, mom guilt runs deep. Erin & Tam explore where those expectations come from, why they hit millennial moms especially hard, and how reclaiming creative hobbies can help us find ourselves again. This isn’t about fixing everything overnight, it’s about making space for small moments of play, rest, and self-discovery in everyday life. Article - How to move past ‘mom guilt’ in a world that thrives on it @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
Sometimes the smallest stitches tell the biggest stories. Erin & Tam talk with Ashleigh-Ellan Kavanagh, a historian and writer who explores how knitting and embroidery have long been tools of identity, joy, and even resistance. From suffragette banners to slow stitching, they uncover how soft things, like yarn and care, can hold serious strength. Threads: @ashleighellan
What starts as a nostalgic thrift trip turns into a cozy hobby comeback. Tam shares her favorite finds, the story behind her sewing caddy restoration, and how secondhand shopping became a surprisingly playful form of self-care. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
Why does one ball of yarn turn into 200? Why does a casual jog become marathon training? Erin & Tam unpack Anne Helen Petersen’s idea of Millennial Hobby Energy and how our hobbies can quickly spiral from small joys into all-consuming projects. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com https://annehelen.substack.com/p/what-is-millennial-hobby-energy
Do all hobbies have to become side hustles? In this episode, Erin & Tam explore the cultural pressures millennial moms feel to monetize every creative outlet. From financial realities to social media comparisons, they unpack why the urge is so strong and how to check in with yourself before turning play into profit, so your hobbies stay a source of joy, not just another hustle. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
After her New Heights interview, Taylor Swift had us nodding along when she shared about reclaiming hobbies and seeing her time as “expensive.” In this episode, Erin & Tam reflect on what her words mean for millennial moms navigating family, work, and self-care and how hobbies can be the key to finding joy, balance, and even cross-generational community in life’s busiest seasons. #theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
In this episode, Erin & Tam sit down with Jamie Shrum, a mom who left behind corporate burnout to follow her plant-loving soul. From Southern California roots to Midwest winters, her journey led her to create SoCal Soul, a plant and gift shop designed to spark joy, build community, and remind us that hobbies can heal. Together we explore how stepping away from corporate life changed the way she shows up at home, whether her passion for plants still feels like a hobby, and why creating space for community has been just as important as growing the plants themselves. Links: www.socal-soul.com https://www.facebook.com/socalsoulplants @socalsoulplants
Tam takes on baking a pavlova for her latest hobby experiment. The verdict? Just “okay.” Not a new passion, not a total flop. Just a sweet reminder that trying something new doesn’t have to be life-changing to count as self-care. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
Social media has changed the way we hobby, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. In this episode, we ask: Can we still create just for ourselves? From the rise of content creation to the beauty of private creativity, we’ll explore how to reclaim our hobbies and rediscover the joy of making, playing, and creating without pressure to share. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
What if self-care could be as simple as smelling a candle, kneading bread, or listening to nature sounds? In this episode, Erin & Tam unpack sensory play for adults and why it matters for nervous system regulation. You’ll learn how different senses can help reduce overwhelm and bring joy without the pressure to produce or perform. Perfect for hobby dabblers and moms who need a quick, grounding reset. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
In this episode, Devan, the newest member of the Art of Hobbyness Team, shares her story of transitioning from full-time teacher to full-time stay-at-home mom. She opens up about the identity shift and the tug-of-war between giving everything to others and saving something for herself. We talk about how hobbies became a lifeline, and why prioritizing self-care matters in every season of life.
Ever joined a hobby group hoping to feel more like yourself only to feel more behind than ever? In this episode, Tam shares the story of her first book club after becoming a new mom, why she felt “behind”, and how she eventually found a version of book club that supports her season of life. It’s a conversation about self-compassion, growth, and how the right hobby space can meet you where you are. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
We're back for Season 2 of the The Art of Hobbyness! This week , Erin & Tam revisit the heart of the show: why hobbying is more than a pastime, it's a powerful antidote to burnout culture, especially for millennial moms. In this season kickoff, we're talking about what it means to slow down on purpose, how "doing nothing" can be the most restorative hobby of all, and why joy doesn't have to be earned. @theartofhobbyness artofhobbyness.com
If you’ve ever struggled to put yourself on the list, this one’s for you. In our Season 1 finale, Erin & Tam reflect on how The Art of Hobbyness has become more than a podcast—it’s been a practice ground for re-training ourselves (and hopefully you!) to see self-care as something that’s allowed, doable, and even joyful. Through hobbies big and small, we’re learning that millennial moms don’t need to earn rest, creativity, or play—they just need space to remember who they are. Thank you for growing with us. Season 2 is on the way, but for now: take the permission and run with it. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
Hobbies aren’t a “waste of time”, they’re how we remember who we are. In this episode, Erin & Tam dive into the powerful connection between hobbies and healing. Whether you’re in burnout, boredom, or just missing you, this conversation is a gentle reminder that healing doesn’t have to be heavy, it can look like paint, paper, plants, or play. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com
You don’t need to stick with one hobby to be “serious” about self-care. In this episode, Erin & Tam talk about trying, quitting, dabbling, and circling back to hobbies. Because joy counts, even if the project’s half-finished. @theartofhobbyness www.artofhobbyness.com