Blur + Grain
Blur and Grain is a podcast for creatives and dreamers who live in the beautiful, messy middle of building something real. Hosted by Sara Ascencio, we dive into raw conversations about creativity, marketing, and chasing what sets your soul on fire. No fluff, no filters — just honest stories, real strategies, and the encouragement you didn’t know you needed.
Episodes
10 episodes
S1 | E10 - Season 1 Finale: The Friendship Lore & How We Got Here
In the Season 1 finale of Blur & Grain, I’m joined by my friend Eunice for a casual, unfiltered conversation to close out the season. We talk through the full friendship lore — how we met, the awkward seasons, the fallout, the reco...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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55:55
S1 | EP9 - TikTok vs. Instagram: Who Really Wins for Creators?
TikTok is doing more than entertaining — it’s rewriting how creators and brands make money. Unlike Instagram’s ad-first model, TikTok has built monetization directly into the platform with TikTok Shop, creator showcases, and live selling. In th...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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37:19
S1 | E8 - Jacob Salguero on Building a Creative Agency, Serving Churches, and Standing Out as a Creator
In this episode of Blur and Grain, I’m joined by Jacob Salguero - a creative director, agency owner, and Christian speaker who creates impactful content for churches and online audiences. Jacob shares his journey from freelancin...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:12:38
S1 | E7 — Digital Marketing Deep Dive: Why Posting on Social Media Isn’t a Marketing Plan
In this episode, I’m breaking down a major misconception in today’s digital world: that posting on social media equals digital marketing. Spoiler alert — it doesn’t. I dive into what real digital marketing actually looks like and why the most e...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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35:43
S1 | E6 – The Business of Influence: Behind the Brand Deals with Influencer Marketing Director Esmeralda Castro
In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Esmeralda, a powerhouse in the world of influencer marketing and the director at a leading agency based in Houston. We dive into what it really takes to run influencer campaigns, work with talen...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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46:02
S1 | E5- Staying True: The Hardest and Best Thing in Creativity: A Raw Conversation on Authenticity
In this episode, I open up about what it really means to stay authentic in your creative journey and share a story of a moment that lead me to realize the importance in staying true to what speaks to me. From the pressure to conform to the fear...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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36:04
S1 | E4 - Alexandra Osteen on Creativity in Music, Worship + Songwriting
In this episode of Blur and Grain, I sit down with my friend Alexandra — a talented worship leader and creative team leader — to talk all things creativity, worship, and songwriting.We dive into:Her journey into music and worshi...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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47:43
S1 | E3 - How to Start Your Creative Business (Photo, Video, Design, Content Creator): A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
Ready to start your journey as a creative but don’t know where to begin? In this episode, I break down practical steps to start as a content creator, photographer, videographer, or creative entrepreneur — even if you're starting from zer...
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36:31
S1 | E2 - Shoot, Grow, Repeat: Shaider Divina on Building a Multidisciplinary Creative Career
In this episode of Blur and Grain, I sit down with multidisciplinary creative Shaider Divina to talk about the real journey behind the work. From shooting major productions to finding your signature tone, we unpack what it takes to grow as a ph...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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56:38
S1 | E1 - Welcome to Blur and Grain – My Story!
In this very first episode of Blur and Grain, I’m letting you in on my story. From my first steps into photography and starting a business, to navigating the world of marketing in ministry and business, I share how creativity became mo...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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25:58