Celebrating Craft

In this episode of Makers of the USA, Kristan Vermeulen sits down with Sarah, the visionary behind Topsl Farm—an 83-acre woodland retreat in Midcoast Maine that redefines what it means to create space for connection, creativity, and rest.

What began as a leap of faith with no formal business plan has evolved into a thriving destination for retreats, gatherings, and meaningful experiences. Sarah shares her journey from the fast-paced world of marketing to building a life rooted in the rhythms of the land, guided by a simple but powerful idea: sometimes the most important work we do starts with slowing down.

Together, they explore the importance of stepping away from hustle culture, reconnecting with nature, and creating intentional space—not just for others, but for ourselves.

This conversation is a reminder that making isn’t always about producing. Sometimes, it’s about pausing long enough to remember why you started.

In this episode, Kristan sits down with Patrick Stone, lead singer of Hairball, to talk about the craft behind performance — not just music, but transformation, confidence, and connection. What starts as a conversation about 80s hair-band culture quickly becomes a deeper discussion about purpose, creativity, and what it means to make people feel something through live music.

In this episode of Makers of the USA, I sit down with Josh Cary, host of The Hidden Entrepreneur, to talk about the stories we hide, the fear that holds us back, and what it really takes to show up as your full self—especially as a creator, entrepreneur, or business leader.

Josh spent decades wearing masks, chasing approval, and ignoring his true potential. Today, he helps leaders and founders uncover the core beliefs that shape their decisions, their businesses, and their lives. Together, we unpack fear, identity, authenticity, and how storytelling—done right—can become one of the most powerful tools in your personal brand and business growth.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, stuck, or unsure of your next step, this episode is for you.