Welcome to StillQuill
In the stillness, we begin.
I’m Shannon Studstill—co-founder of Santa Monica Studio and one of the longtime leaders behind the God of War franchise. For over 30 years, I’ve led creative teams, built studios, and navigated the messy, meaningful work of making things that matter.
This space is where I reflect on the people, patterns, and choices that shaped the way I move through work, leadership, and life. These are stories from the inside ~ moments that tested me, mentors who shifted me, and the quiet lessons I carry into every room, every team, every decision.
I call this body of work :
✧ Threads from a Leadership Life ✧
a capture of trust, moments, and meaning across decades of creative leadership.
Here, you’ll find:
• Catalyst Callouts ~ stories of trust, resilience, presence, and growth
• Field-tested insights ~ reflections forged from the real work of creative leadership
• Honest notes on what it takes to guide others with clarity and care
✧ If you’re building something that asks more of you ~ more presence, more trust, more transformation ~ this space is for you. ✧
If this kind of leadership speaks to something you’re building… I hope you’ll stay.
Subscribe if it speaks to you. Reflect when it lands. Share when it matters.
I’m glad you’re here.
This Substack is the home of StillQuill—a storytelling space for Catalysts that transform how we lead and build.
