Honest Media

11/15/2025

Each year in the fall we take a team retreat up to the North Shore of Lake Superior to reset, reflect and reconnect.

Some years we are well planned others have been impromptu. This year we saw a tiny gap in our crazy workload and we shot it.

Getting away from the grind makes you keenly aware that “work” is a funny thing. It is something you need to do it to pay the bills, but it also is something closely tied to your identity, purpose, relationships and is literally one of the things you will do most in your life from a time standpoint. So it is of utmost importance to be intentional with it.

This means to me that cultivating a strong team and running effectively with other humans you have the responsibility to make it more than just a transaction. Read that again.

There are seasons where work can just be work and that is fine, there is a lot to learn in the mundane, but it is important to clear your head and heart - get out in the grandness of raw nature with each other and realign.

Thanks to Starlink we were able to keep things moving in the background, but also disciplined ourselves to smack shut the laptops as soon as we could each morning.

Seasons are changing and the world feels a little crazy, so join us in this challenge: get outside. Get in nature. Contemplate the insane improbability of being alive. Take a deep breath. Now do it again. Move from a mindset of fear-based control to one real gratitude rooted in genuine surrender and trust.

As high achievers it may feel like letting your foot off the gas but the opposite is true, the closer you can get to a calm mind and your authentic self the more powerful/valuable you can be to others. You have permission to take care of yourself and those you love! :)

11/07/2025

This Wednesday was the official launch of Legatum Foundations 4th collaborative philanthropic fund called Resilio Fund. It took place in Dubai at the breathtaking Museum of the Future. Because the future of crisis response is local.

This is why Honest Studios exists - to elevate ideas that are changing the world.

We have been working with Legatum for over a year and we had the honor of naming the fund, architecting the brand identity, producing their vision book, vision video, animation logic video, website, and all that went into their launch event in Dubai at Museum of the Future!

Legatum’s philanthropic work is world-class. Their previous funds are all pioneering global leaders in their respective areas. Now adding Resilio Fund to their portfolio of collaborative funds they have founded is an incredible next step.

It has been an honor to work closely with Legatum and we want to congratulate them on a beautiful, full event and securing well beyond their target in initial funding for the first year. All of this work goes to center local community leaders in times of disaster and crisis.

A more full case study coming soon! For now enjoy a couple photos from the launch event!

LEARN MORE: at resiliofund.com

11/06/2025

Sharing some recent work Honest did helping to produce the look and feel of Freedom Conference w/ Dan Mohler this weekend for 🙌🏼🙏🏼

We love the crew at Everyday and the impact they are having on the Twin Cities and beyond!! 💪🏼 something special is happening in Minneapolis & St Paul!

08/29/2025

Big congratulations to our long time friends and partners .evangelism and on their successful event! With 45,000 people in attendance and the unity of over 700 local partners - people’s lives were touched by the power and love of God!

We are proud to have provided design production for many aspects of this campaign!

We believe that the best story in the world deserves the highest quality design and ex*****on.

We are excited to see what comes next. This generation is hurting and therefore is also HUNGRY for God and for His truth that enables them lead meaningful lives.

We are proud to support groups through Honest all over the country and world that are reaching this generation in a time when it is so badly needed!

08/06/2025

Last year when Legatum Foundation asked us if Honest Studios would partner with them in launching their 4th collaborative global humanitarian fund we were thrilled and honored! It is called the Resilio Fund.

Here is a note from Legatum Foundations President Guy Cave about Resilio Fund:

Legatum has long believed in the power of collaborative philanthropy and the importance of getting resources to communities while respecting their agency and dignity – the Resilio Fund is being set up to embody this in how the world responds to humanitarian crises.

Resilio Fund is the fourth collaborative Fund that Legatum has launched, and it builds on the success of the The END Fund, The Freedom Fund, and Luminos Fund. Resilio Fund’s approach channels grants to local NGOs, which in turn give trust-based micro-grants to grassroots community groups who are already taking action to help their community after a disaster. Resilio Fund champions trust, flexibility, and proximity, and acknowledges the capacity and courage of communities to respond to their own needs, and supports them with the resources to do so effectively.

We at Honest Studios are partnering with Legatum to bring Resilio Fund to market and have facilitated the naming of the fund, developed their core messaging, brand identity and style guide, prospectus book, vision video, animation video, pitch deck, and are supporting their launch at Museum of the Future in Dubai this fall.

More to come on this project soon.

07/29/2025

This year has been a BLUR so much going on and we’ve been so bad about posting! Gonna try to change that.

Major shout out to this legend - David Nanda for his relentless work ethic and dedication.

We don’t glorify the grind for the sake of the grind around here, life is not about being a workaholic, but we know first hand the necessity of delivering with excellence and the drive that requires.

01/13/2025

We are excited to announce David Nanda as our new Creative Director at Honest Studios! 🙌🏼🔥 David has been a pillar on our team and going into 2025 we are thrilled to have his creative leadership in full force!

“I have personally been working with David since 2014 and have seen in him the character, tenacity, passion, commitment, taste and discernment necessary to represent Honest Studios and serve as our Creative Director.”
- Jeremy Bardwell, Co-Founder & CEO

Here are some words from David about this new season for him:

Creative direction has become my life’s fascination. I could argue creativity is one of the most underestimated and undervalued aspects of life—not just in business, or branding, but as a part of the human experience. Becoming a Creative Director was a dream of mine since I first fell in love with branding almost 10 years ago. I’ve only become more and more fascinated by the influence of creativity each year since. I’ve studied it officially and have built my career around it, but my love for creativity is deepend most of all when I’m not supposed to be working. Occupying my mind daily—constantly critiquing, constantly inspired, screen-shotting and concepting—whether film or fashion—music, photography, color, typography, poetry, strategy, beauty, emotion, balance—the fusion, collision and harmony of artforms of all kinds I am hooked on the endlessness of what’s possible.

I believe a part of my purpose is to explore this endlessness. To better understand and capture its power and influence, and to use it to activate and inspire. I believe art and creativity is God’s gift to humanity as a means to change the world. Honored to be a part of the incredible story of Honest Studios. I’ve been shaped by this community. The past 5 years Honest has allowed me to live out my calling to create, build brands, support and activate those who are changing the world. It truly feels like the start of a new season, I can’t wait to see what we get to create.

Join us in celebrating David and this new season for Honest!

12/26/2024

As we reflect on 2024, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you—our friends, clients, and partners. This incredible journey is only possible because of the trust, collaboration, and the relationships we share with each of you.

This Christmas, we hope you find time to reflect on what matters most: faith, family, friends, and the blessings of this season of new birth and hope for redemption.

12/23/2024

A Well-Designed Holiday Party & Market in collaboration with .annex.mpls was a beautiful evening full of connection, community, laughter, shopping local and of course it was capped off with a classic Minnesota meat raffle!

Mega shout out to all our curated local vendors:
candles




company
objects

12/05/2024

IT’S CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME!! 🎄🙌🏼

You’re invited to join us for “A Well-Designed Holiday Party” at 7pm, Friday, December 13th at in their event space called .annex.mpls 👏🏼 the theme of “Well-Designed” came from the fact that we are an agency that loves design, and the Scout Workshop crew, many of them are architects, interior designers, and creative people by trade. So combining the party with 17 local well-designed vendors is a celebration of our shared passion for good design. 👌🏼

All info and tickets at the link in bio! DM us for a big discount code. We want everyone who wants to come to be able to! 💪🏼💪🏼

We have had some legendary Christmas Parties over the years and last year we couldn’t have one. BUT, this year WE’RE BACK!

Join us the evening of Friday Dec 13th for a night of celebration, food, Christmas cocktails, connection and cheer. Plus early access to all 17 of our well-designed vendors! THEY WILL ALL BE THERE. 🙌🏼🎉

This years party is in collaboration with in their event space called .annex.mpls it is a beautiful space with an incredible community.

Tickets are available at the link in bio!

DM us for a huge discount code available only to our Honest community!! We just want people to be there but to also cover the expense for food and drinks. 😅

MARK YOUR CALENDARS and tell your friends! We are so happy to be able to come back together this year.

Warmly, The Honest Team

11/22/2024

**5 NEW WELL-DESIGNED VENDORS** added today!

We are thrilled by the momentum behind A Well-Designed Holiday Party & Market! Now with 15 curated local vendors for you to explore - and more being added!

Our Well-Designed Vendors:

Onyx Candles .candles
Kabomelette
Cardigan Donuts
Jena Holliday - A Spoonful of Faith
Artifacts of Joy
Sound Woven Goods
Happy Monday & Co .company
Ashtyn Sibinski Art
Inch Objects .objects
Lucille’s Bottle Shop
Isadore Nuts
Pansy Floral
Moth & Scythe
B Friendly Cocktails
Summer Snow Studio

A Well-Designed Holiday is a TWO DAY event - A Holiday Party & A Holiday Market.

Friday Evening 6-10 The HOLIDAY PARTY with delicious food, seasonal cocktails, giveaways and more. It will be an evening to remember! Come Celebrate with us and get early access to the vendors. TICKETS are $25 which includes your food and drinks! LINK IN BIO.

Saturday All- Day 10am-6pm The HOLIDAY MARKET. The market is FREE and open to the public! Come and shop all our well designed local vendors and grab seasonal coffee, donuts, and food at our food truck. INFO AT LINK IN BIO.

We hope to see you there. With much love and well wishes. The Annex & Honest Studios Teams.

11/22/2024