Climbing Sideways

About Climbing Sideways

a weird little show where we ask anyone and everyone 'what do you do?' and 'how did you get there?' unapologetically human conversations with all kinds of people about work & life & finding your passion & doing your best to balance it all. no gatekeeping. zero ads. climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Adriana De Cervantes

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jan 2026

Latest episode

10 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Jul 2026

   Ep 13: Flipping the Script

   Welcome to the *final* episode of Climbing Sideways, Season One, lucky number 13! To wrap the season, I decided to answer the questions I’ve been asking folks for the last 12 episodes. You’ll hear my own windy journey and hopefully come to understand a little more about the show & why I love making it. Shout out to Zubin Hensler, my Climbing Sideways collaborator and creative partner for interviewing me. I’ll share a bright spot this week: a few nights ago, I saw the Northern Lights, and it was insanely awe-inspiring. I recorded the intro and outro for this episode from a campground in Canada, and I’m a few weeks into a summer-long road trip with my family. I’ve been reading a ton, hiking a lot, trying all the local beers, perfecting my campground coffee and generally feeling eternally grateful for remote work and the life I get to live. This episode is a special one, so I really hope you enjoy it. If you feel so inclined, you can check my work out at DeCervantesDesign.com (http://decervantesdesign.com) & if you know anyone who needs communication or design support, my books for September and October are partially open. As always, infinite thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show, and for the interview today. Please write us a review or drop us a line at climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com (mailto:climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com). This was the last episode for Season One, but we’ll be back in the Fall with more conversations and some live shows! Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Ep 12: The Book is a Love Letter

   Our guest today is debut independent author, Marissa Germain. Her novel, ‘It’s Always Mango Season,’ is out now. Set in Orlando, Florida, the novel follows Saskia and Paul, who are caught in a will-they-won’t-they. They have a criminal enterprise hot on their heels, and they’re dealing with the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In today’s episode, Marissa shares her journey from a career in foreign aid to going all-in on her writing. The Octavia Butler essay I mention in today’s conversation is called “Positive Obsession” and was originally published in 1989 in Essence magazine under the title “Birth of a Writer.” I especially love this Essence mag connection because Marissa’s book was recently noted in ESSENCE AUTHORS: 15 Books By Black Authors We’re Looking Forward To In May. (https://www.essence.com/shopping/15-books-by-black-may-2026/) You can find Marissa online at marissagermain.com (http://marissagermain.com/) or on Instagram @keepinitgermain (https://www.instagram.com/keepingitgermain/). She’s also here on Substack! So give her a follow: Marissa Germain (https://substack.com/profile/41474522-marissa-germain) As always, infinite thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show. If you’re on Substack, follow us there, climbingsideways.substack.com. And of course, we’re on Instagram and Threads @climbingsidewayspod. Please subscribe, share, and write us a review. And we’ll be back in a couple of weeks with another conversation. Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   10 Jun 2026

   Ep 11: Breaking the Creative Curse

   Our guest today is my friend Sean McIlraith. Sean and I met living on the same hall as college freshmen back in 2009. Sean is an Emmy Award-winning Director & Editor who spent over a decade at SNL. Sean and his brother Ryan are filmmaking partners. Together they’ve cut over 180 pre-taped films during their 7+ seasons at SNL. Their other credits include John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A. (https://www.netflix.com/title/81742123), Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/please-dont-destroy-the-treasure-of-foggy-mountain/95d367f5-06f1-37dd-9c9c-44a8c53faedb), The Eric Andre Show, That’s My Time with David Letterman, and many more. Their long list of work and accolades is too much for this intro, but I highly encourage you to check out their work. Thanks so much for listening to Climbing Sideways. Special shoutout to Sean for making time for this interview with a new baby at home. You can follow Sean on Instagram @seanmcilraith (https://www.instagram.com/seanmcilraith) or check out his website, mcilraithbrothers.com (https://mcilraithbrothers.com/) As always, infinite thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show. Please subscribe, share, and write us a review. And as I mentioned before, I’m working on postcards, so if you want a handwritten note from me, shoot me a DM or send me an email at climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com (mailto:climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com). We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with another conversation. Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   22 May 2026

   Three Part-Time Jobs in a Trench Coat

   I’m thrilled to say that this is the TENTH episode of Climbing Sideways. I found out recently that 90% of shows do not make it this far! So I’m giving us a pat on the back for this milestone. A note to share today, we have made the decision to *wrap* season one with episode #13. I would love to hear from anyone what they liked about Season One, and what they might like to see in Season Two! Ok, back to regularly scheduled programming… Our guest today is my badass friend Cait Maher. Cait is a hairstylist, a quilter and seamstress, and an enthusiastic motorcycle adventurer. I am constantly inspired by Cait, and I think you will be too. Make sure you follow Cait on Instagram @caitmadethat (https://www.instagram.com/caitmadethat/), and you should also follow her quilting journey @caitmade_shop (https://www.instagram.com/caitmade_shop/) now that she’s got a long-arm quilting machine in her home! ALSO!! To celebrate this milestone, Cait and I are collaborating to give away a quilt! The top is something that I made about 9 years ago. Cait is going to put her own spin on it and finish it for our lucky winner. To be entered, make sure you’re subscribed to our Substack, or go comment on giveaway post on Instagram. As always, many thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show. And of course, you can find us on Instagram and Threads @climbingsidewayspod. Please subscribe, share, and write us a review. I’m also working on postcards, so if you want a handwritten note from me, send me a DM or an email climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com (mailto:climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com) We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with another conversation. Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   8 May 2026

   Big Swirling Vortex of Choose Your Next Adventure

   Our guest today is Anna Przy. Anna is a comedian and content creator who you probably know for her incredible backyard videos, reminding you that it’s totally ok to not be ok and yelling her catchphrase, “Keep It Up, Cutie!” She’s the author of a not-quite self-help book, the host of a weekday webshow called ‘Permission Slip with Anna Przy,’ she guides international trips for her community, and she just wrapped up a comedy tour. Anna really does *all* the things, and our conversation was so much fun! Anna’s ‘Big Dumb Crybaby’ comedy tour has wrapped, but I definitely encourage you to follow her on Instagram @akprzy (https://www.instagram.com/akprzy/) buy her book, join her Patreon, or sign up for one of her trips! You can find all the information on her website akprzy.com (http://www.akprzy.com) If you’re on Substack, follow us there, climbingsideways.substack.com. And of course, we’re on Instagram and Threads @climbingsidewayspod (https://www.instagram.com/climbingsidewayspod/). Since our show is brand new and ad-free, please subscribe, share, and write us a review. I’m also working on postcards, so if you want a handwritten note from me, send me a DM or an email climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com (mailto:climbingsidewayspod@gmail.com) We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with another conversation. Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Ep 08: From Craft Kid to Graphic Designer

   Our guest today is Maeve Spears. Maeve is a public relations professional who is also pursuing her M.A. at DePaul University’s School of Design. After a decade of communication work, Maeve decided to head back to school and pursue her passion for art & design. By day, she works as a PR Manager at Puttshack, a tech-infused mini golf concept, and in the evenings, she’s tackling schoolwork and freelance graphic design. Thanks so much for listening to Climbing Sideways. If you’re on Substack, follow us there, climbingsideways.substack.com. And of course, we’re on Instagram and Threads @climbingsidewayspod. You can find Maeve online at maevekspears.com (https://maevekspears.com/) or on Instagram @maker.maeve (https://www.instagram.com/maker.maeve/) As always, many thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show. Since our show is brand new and ad-free, please subscribe, share, and write us a review. Those reviews really matter! We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with another conversation. Thanks so much. Byeeeeeee. Mentioned in today’s episode: Puttshack (https://www.puttshack.com/) Likeable Badass by Alison Fragale (https://alisonfragale.com/book/) Ilona Maher Doesn’t Entertain Imposter Syndrome (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hBntZGgaZls) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   10 Apr 2026

   Ep 07: Music Making

   I am so very excited to share that our guest today is the incredibly talented Zubin Hensler. Zubin writes, records, mixes, and performs music. He also works on media across the radio, podcast, and film spectrum, contributing with sound design, mixing, editing, and original music. Including on this very show. You can find Zubin online at zubinhensler.com (https://zubinhensler.com/) or on Instagram @zubinhensler (https://www.instagram.com/zubinhensler) Check out Half Waif at halfwaif.com (https://halfwaif.com/) And, because there were so many other great artists mentioned in this episode, I put together a playlist! Here’s the Spotify link: CS EP 07 Playlist (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69h80uzPq4mBfmn9qqvzHq?si=2c79dde30dba469d) AND in case you’re curious to learn more about the Seattle Middle School band experience Zubin talks about, he says this video is a pretty accurate summary!Robert Knatt Leaves Lasting Legacy at Washington Middle School (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl2LIjg1qs4) Our unrelated bright spot today… the video of Artemis II astronauts calling to mission control and requesting that a lunar bright spot be named after Carroll Wiseman, the late wife of mission commander Reid Wiseman. Learn more in this NPR Article (https://www.npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-s1-5776440/artemis-moon-crater-carroll-wiseman) As always, but especially today, many thanks to Zubin Hensler for all the mixing and original music for the show. If you’re enjoying the podcast, we’d be eternally grateful if you leave us a review. Thanks so much & we’ll be back in a few weeks with another conversation! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   1 Apr 2026

   APRIL FOOLS

   Because we all deserve as much whimsy as possible, here’s a silly little April Fools episode starring Gabriel and Lucas De Cervantes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   27 Mar 2026

   Ep 05: Optimism Behind the Lens

   In today's episode, you'll hear my conversation with my friend and fellow Pratt grad, Arturo Olmos. Arturo is a Mexican-American director and photographer based in Texas, working on assignments and projects worldwide. Today's episode is a touch longer than our other ones have been, but I thought you guys deserved to hear all the stories. If you're on Substack, follow us there, climbingsideways.substack.com (http://climbingsideways.substack.com). And of course, we're on Instagram and threads @climbingsidewayspod (https://www.instagram.com/climbingsidewayspod) Arturo's work can be found at arturoolmos.com (http://arturoolmos.com). You can find See Food Studio online at seefoodstudio.com (http://seefoodstudio.com), and you can check out 72 Performance's newly revealed Anwar motorcycle at 72performanceusa.com (http://72performanceusa.com). or on Instagram @72PerformanceUSA (https://www.instagram.com/72PerformanceUSA) Shout out to Zubin Hensler, who does all the mixing and original music for the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    13 Mar 2026

    Ep 04: There is Only Life

    In today's episode, you'll hear my conversation with my friend and colleague, Meredith Clinton. Meredith is a writer, artist and activist. She also gets credit for coming up with the name Climbing Sideways! This interview was such a joy. We talk about building a career in copywriting, but also recovering from burnout, lifelong learning, and meeting celebrities in Manhattan salons. Also, I go on a tangent about air in sandwiches, and if you haven’t seen the viral moment I reference, here’s a link to the reel! The Secret to a Perfect Sandwich is Air (https://www.instagram.com/reels/C9xsex_JKLc/) If you're on Substack, follow us there, climbingsideways.substack.com (http://climbingsideways.substack.com). And of course, we're on Instagram and threads @climbingsidewayspod. And Meredith's website is meredithclinton.com (http://meredithclinton.com). Thank you so, so much to Zubin Hensler, who does all of the mixing and original music for the show. We'll be back in a couple weeks with another conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    27 Feb 2026

    Ep 03: It All Starts With Community

    Today’s guest is Donnalie Jamnah, who goes by DJ. They are an educator, technologist, and storyteller who enjoys working at the intersection of abolitionist education and socio-technical design. They are a Black queer mother, community leader, and activist. They are one of my closest friends, and truly a positive force in this world. Links to DJ’s work SOCIALS Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/talespinningdj/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/talespinningdj.bsky.social) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@donnaliejamnah) SUGGESTIONS & RESOURCES AI Accountability Classroom Toolkit (https://pulitzercenter.org/builder/lesson/ai-accountability-classroom-toolkits) Framework for Defining Your Creative Boundaries for Tech (https://www.canva.com/design/DAGOn5p_Ht4/5yr3cU238jK5GUynx2e95g/view?utm_content=DAGOn5p_Ht4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h2c9942fc7f#1) Reading News Like a Futurist (https://www.canva.com/design/DAGMM2r9T04/N8ejH80ocdQ5JdK4AFWHHg/view?utm_content=DAGMM2r9T04&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h37c929be34) Four Components of a Healthy Classroom (https://www.canva.com/design/DAEvA6eTgeM/BLX7vkznTq1K4c7-2gNWNw/view?utm_content=DAEvA6eTgeM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9b55f01127) PULITZER CENTER https://pulitzercenter.org/people/donnalie-jamnah (https://pulitzercenter.org/people/donnalie-jamnah) https://1619education.org/ (https://1619education.org/) APOLLO STORIES FELLOW Apollo Stories Fellow (https://stories.apollotheater.org/fellows/donnalie-jamnah/) Student’s AI Bill of Rights (https://stories.apollotheater.org/projects/the-renaissance-mixtape/lessons/a-students-ai-bill-of-rights/) Defining Cultural Ancestry (https://stories.apollotheater.org/projects/the-renaissance-mixtape/lessons/defining-cultural-ancestry/) Cultural Ancestry Mapping (https://stories.apollotheater.org/projects/the-renaissance-mixtape/lessons/cultural-ancestry-mapping/) Considerations for Creating with AI (https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_m4QMM8s/5_cfEJVyQ1vjMyMT-qPVrw/view?utm_content=DAF_m4QMM8s&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=he37b850ff5#1) BLACK NERDS CREATE YouTube: YouTube Archive (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaqRRk_WXjxW-775AnBSVJQ) Collective: BNC Collective (https://blacknerdscreate.com/bnc-collective/) The BNC Collective is a group of nerds, content creators, and community cultivators. As Black nerds who create, we not only build content under the helm of BNC, but pursue our own nerdy and creative projects outside of the BNC umbrella. NPR’s All Things Considered – The magic of being a Black nerd in Black History Month (https://www.npr.org/2023/02/02/1153936578/the-magic-of-being-a-black-nerd-in-black-history-month) (02 Feb 2023) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    13 Feb 2026

    For the Love of Puerto Rico

    Today’s guest is Annette Toro. Annette is a dear dear friend of mine. Our friendship is grounded in some shared life experiences and a deep love of all things cozy and whimsical. Annette is the Communications Director and a Spanish teacher at Spanish With Kerry, a company that guides learners of Puerto Rican Spanish through the mental and emotional roadblocks of language learning, inspiring them to find resilience, community, and joy in the process. In today’s episode, Annette shares her work experience and the intricacies and challenges of working while inhabiting a disabled body. You can find Annette’s company Spanish with Kerry online at spanishwithkerry.com (http://spanishwithkerry.com) Or on Instagram @SpanishwithKerry They have courses, one-on-one consultations, lessons, and a monthly subscription that gives you access to their learning community. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    30 Jan 2026

    Birding Babes & Metaphorical Mountains

    Thanks so much for listening to Climbing Sideways You can find us on Instagram @ClimbingSidewaysPod And you can find Lindsay and Beachy Birder Adventures on there too, @BeachyBirder Lindsay and I also encourage you to check out Wild Bird Research Group where we volunteer together. On IG @wildbirdresearch Or online at wildbirdresearch.org (http://wildbirdresearch.org) Thank you so so much to Zubin Hensler who did all of the mixing and original music that you heard today. And a big shout out to Matilda Luk for design support. This podcast is totally free but since we’re brand new please subscribe, share, follow, like us on IG, tell your friends about us, let us know if you want to be interviewed, let us know whether or not you liked today’s episode, and we’ll be back in a couple weeks with another conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

14. 

    29 Jan 2026

    Sneak Peek Promo!

    A brief listen to my conversation with Lindsay McNamara of Beachy Birder Adventures. Full episode drops tomorrow, January 30th! Follow us on Instagram ClimbingSidewaysPod (https://www.instagram.com/climbingsidewayspod) and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climbingsideways.substack.com (https://climbingsideways.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Climbing Sideways

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.