A Podcast for Creatives

For a brief moment last week, it seemed possible that Twitter was going to die. Like, cease to exist. Gone. Just like that. The vibe on Twitter was dire, friends. Like "last day of school before summer vacation, please sign my yearbook" vibes. While neither of us really believe Twitter is going away, watching the masses write farewell tweets and share where people could find them on other channels...

You're a creative? Lucky you! Must be all fun and games. For some, this is far from the truth. Between needy clients, a lack of support, deadlines, and endless revisions, how are we supposed to find the time for fun? In this episode, Michelle and Steve are inspired by legends Paul McCartney and John Cleese, who remind us that creating space for play is essential to our work. Take a breather, plug...

It's officially Hitchcock season, and we thought it would be fun to revisit this movie-centric episode from last October. There's so much we, as creatives, can learn from filmmakers, and nobody has mastered the art more than Sir Alfred. Make yourself some popcorn and plug in to this spooky re-release. Mentioned in this Episode Dial M for Murder Psycho Vertigo North by Northwest To Catch a Thief Ro...

After indulging in an experimental art project, Michelle wonders if she's had it all wrong. She asks Steve, "what makes art a success?" and they discuss the merits of perfection vs. intrigue. What is your definition of good art? Listen in and share your thoughts. Mentioned in this episode: Michelle's Art Piece Acrylic pouring on TikTok Negronis with Nord Michelle's impromptu Reel Kalyn Brooke And...

Instagram said it was one thing. And everyone else said it was something else. Quite loudly. And wouldn't you know, Instagram backed off its video or bust approach to its content focus. At least for now. This public display of feedback got us thinking about the value of analytics and data in decision-making – specifically, what data doesn't tell us. Can data mislead based on the goal of the interp...

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you love keeping up with social media trends? Lately, it feels like the integrity of our work is being compromised. Instead of leading with vision and strategy to meet our client/customer needs, there is an enormous pressure to keep up— to use the hottest aesthetics, sound bytes, and filters to ensure our work is seen, only to have it fade into obscurity. In this ep...

If you create something, and nobody knows about it, does it still count? Michelle recently learned that her grandmother had a hidden artistic talent, and it sparked a discussion about the merits of creating without an audience in mind. Social media tells us that everything must be shared. But does it really? When was the last time you created something, just for you? Connect with us apodcastforcre...

Success may look good, but it doesn't always feel good. In this edition of Conversations with Creatives, writer and illustrator Emily McDowell gives us an honest look at her journey from Etsy shop owner to stationery industry maven. Through her signature wit and authenticity, she shares the rarely discussed downside of business growth and how she found the courage to walk away.   If you've been st...

You put in the hours, pouring over every detail of the design.  Edit the video to 60 seconds exactly.  Make perfectly sure you nail the aesthetic. Hit publish. And the damn thing flatlines. One of the most frustrating lessons about content is that your audience doesn't care about any of the work *you* put into the project. And while that can be quite a humbling lesson to learn – can it also be fre...

Do you ever feel like you're spending too much time filling out your content calendar, filling it with volume over the most impactful content? Social has never been measured by the volume of content, but for some reason, social teams constantly face this pressure. In this episode, we talk about the pressure we feel and put on ourselves, how we can rise above by knowing our "why", and how to play t...

What if the secret to your success was simply to be yourself? In Episode 075, we're joined by Dan, from Grossy Pelosi, a home cook, and rising internet sensation. Dan shares his journey from cooking alongside his family as a child, working as a creative director, and sharing photos of his home-cooked meals on Instagram, leading to the moment when it all came together, and his brand began to skyroc...

Our annual airing of the grievances episode is here, and this year, we called in the reserves. Join us and our podcast cousins, Keith Stoeckeler , Jonah Ballow and Elliot Gerard  from Heartlent Group and the We need to be doing that Podcast , for a discussion about all the things that annoyed us in 2021. Get your pole out of the crawl space. Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.insta...

The social media space is ever-changing, but lately, it feels as though it has morphed into an unrecognizable state. In this episode, we discuss the challenges we have been facing as creators who want to share our work with the right people. They say it is easier than ever to connect and build meaningful relationships. But is it? Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.instagram.com/pod...

In the four year history of the podcast, you've heard endless mentions of Hitchcock films and our admiration of Alfred Hitchcock's storytelling. If you've wondered where our fascination stems from, or what you might learn from these classic movies, listen to this special conversation about our favorite filmmaker. Watch the video version of this episode here . Mentioned in this episode: Dial M for...

The experience of launching a new creative endeavor can feel lonely and discouraging. There's a reason that so many fail before they get off of the ground. Michelle shares about her newest venture in this episode, leading us to revisit some of our successful and not-so-successful projects. If you're just getting started on something new, this episode will encourage you to keep going. Mentioned in...

Waiting until you've figured it all out is a surefire way to fall behind. The world is moving faster. Society is adapting to celebrate the people who are willing to share their imperfections. Social media platforms are changing their parameters to reflect those behaviors. In this episode, we discuss the shift that has been challenging us to learn as we go. Learn, Learn, Learn, Do, is out. We aren'...

In this episode, we talk about who Michelle's book should be dedicated to, Steve's plunge into HBO Max, and listening to True Crime podcasts in the dark. Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.instagram.com/podforcreatives/ https://twitter.com/PodForCreatives Check out our YouTube show, Commercial Breakdown . 

At one time or another, we've all had these sparks of motivation that propel us in our creative endeavors, helping us to realize a dream or ambition. But what about those moments when the sparks don't come? When it feels like we may never finish the project. We've both dealt with this feeling before and felt we owed it an episode. What we realized might just help you too, if you've been feeling st...

For creative people, today's world offers countless opportunities to showcase our talents. Creative has never been more in demand. But there's a problem. Workplaces can recognize the importance of creativity but have no idea how to foster a creative culture. In fact, sometimes workplaces are the antithesis of the kind of culture creative professionals need in order to spread their wings. In this e...

You never know what you're going to walk into when you open up your social media feed. Who did what now? What's canceled? And how was your last post so wildly misconstrued? Such was the case for Elle Hunt, a journalist who sent a seemingly harmless tweet that led to an internet explosion, thanks to a bump from Twitter's Trending Topics feature. In this episode we explore healthier ways to engage i...

You know that one trend the internet can't stop talking about? The one you absolutely hate? You know the thing. Well, we did an episode on that. Tastes are anything but universal, and despite what seems like a reality where everyone cares about this one thing, there are plenty of people who don't. A confident people who choose to go a different way, because they can. This episode is for those peop...

Nobody is buying what you're selling. They are buying the idea that life will be better by being a part of your brand. Are you making your audience feel like they are a part of something special? In this episode, we talk about the power of tribes, nostalgia, tradition, and how we can better connect with the people who matter. Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.instagram.com/podforc...

Algorithm-driven feeds like Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and many others exist to deliver content that will keep us hooked. Our thumb hovers and scrolls, hovers and scrolls, and the beat goes on. And while this addictive approach has become accepted, it's fair to ask the question: Is this the best possible digital experience for us as users? What if the concept of "the feed" didn't e...

It's in our human nature to make decisions based on the opinions of others. But when voices become too loud, we run the risk of losing our identity and our ability to think for ourselves. In this episode, we chat about tuning into our inner thoughts and finding the confidence to honor our instincts. Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.instagram.com/podforcreatives/ https://twitter.c...

When the episode ends and but we keep rolling… This bonus content is in no way intended to educate or inspire. But we thought you might enjoy a look into a typical conversation between your hosts. This one includes a debate about which of our episodes should be in The Library of Congress, Family Style Meals, and dining at Buckingham Palace. Connect and discuss with us on social: https://www.instag...