A Podcast for Creatives

The stigmas of entrepreneurship and being a millennial are well known, but the smart ones don't let them stand in the way. In our latest episode, we're joined by Tyler Narducci, a social media strategist and owner/founder of Sobe Viral. Tyler shares some of the less-conventional strategies he used to leave the 9-to-5 world and start his own company, including the important role that mindset has pl...

The easiest way to start is to forget all the best practices, processes and procedures, and just do the thing, the actual activity, the unique part of what makes a writer a writer, a photographer a photographer, and an interior decorator an interior decorator in the first place. In Episode 36, we talk about some of our recent passion projects and why having one can keep you motivated, and help you...

Cutting through a noisy world and ensuring your message is embraced isn't easy today. With attention spans shrinking, brevity and clarity are vital – but is that all? In episode 35, we discuss this and also wonder if long-form content still has a place in communication today.

In this episode, Michelle and Steve discuss how our creative work will be remembered by future generations. What are the qualities that leave an impact, and what causes others to become easily forgotten?   They also consider the role that social media plays in both preserving memories and destroying them.   Through personal stories and memories about loved ones who have passed, they define how tru...

Today, more than ever before, audiences and consumers are looking to connect with stories they can truly believe in, and the documentary film industry has cashed in on that. There are lessons we can learn. In this episode, we break down some of the storytelling strategies of the most successful documentaries out there today and how creators can adopt these methods for their own use.

Most brands are doing it all wrong, as anyone who has worked in the digital industry over the last twenty years, knows from experience. In this episode, Michelle and Steve are joined by Adam Pierno, marketing strategist and author of Underthink it and Specific.   Through an engaging discussion, Adam gives his insights on how to strengthen your marketing efforts, identifies which brands are doing i...

He's fascinated with brand positioning, particularly with design and packaging- how it works, how it looks and how it's said. In this episode, Michelle and Steve are joined by Keith Stoeckeler, VP/Group Director, Digital at MKTG.   Keith goes in depth on the evolution of the digital strategist, what happens when brands get too close to the content, and, of course, #AirportLiving.   This conversati...

We all have that person on social media who we follow, respect, get motivated by, aspire to be – but when it comes to reaching out to them, for some reason, we hesitate.   Why would she respond to me? Will I sound stupid? He'll probably never even see it.   STOP (STOP EMOJI)   Whether it's someone who works for a brand you love or someone who has the career of your dreams, you want to talk with th...

If you've watched either Fyre Festival documentary, you know how big of a failure the project was. But with failure comes lessons. In this episode, we break down the unregulated power of macro influencers, the danger of ego in marketing and (gasp!) why the consumer might be as guilty as the festival organizers.

Good photos are about more than what you see on the surface. They tell a story. And in a digital world, dominated by storytelling, it's vital to incorporate engaging photography in your content strategy. In this episode, Michelle and Steve are joined by Bri Lewerke, a digital media and marketing strategist for SportsEngine. Bri shares her knowledge of the power of photography in digital and the va...

The term "thought leadership" is thrown around a lot these days, and while, yes, we're using it in the title of this episode, it often appears that people think you have to be some sort of prophet or hold multiple advanced degrees to be a thought leader.   Well that's simply not true. You know what you're talking about. You work hard. You study trends. So, why not help others and share your expert...

It's the holiday season people! Whether you're looking for the perfect book for that special creative in your life, or just want to unwind after another hectic year with a good read, this episode will stuff your stocking with great book recommendations that you'll want to add to your list.

According to a recent study conducted by Buffer, the number of people using Instagram Stories is 400 million people (and counting). With such an extensive reach comes the opportunity to use our creativity to impact our audiences in profound ways.   In this episode, Michelle and Steve discuss Buffer's findings and how we can better use Instagram Stories to leverage our brands, including the new app...

In this bonus episode, Michelle and Steve discuss the origins of Friendsgiving, as well as reminisce about their holiday traditions and favorite foods. Before they head off to celebrate, they wrap up with a fun round of Thanksgiving history trivia.

Working remotely used to be taboo in professional circles. After all, how could you be productive if you're not in the office? Well, that outdated way of thinking has changed. With WiFi becoming more ubiquitous and collaboration skyrocketing, the ability to work from a variety of places is now an advantage. Coffee shops are even being designed to be more photogenic, because, they know we need to s...

Do you know who your superfans are? These are the people who are 100 percent, no doubt about it, in love with your brand. While we know they're out there, sometimes it's easy to overlook just how much your brand means to them. Your work is making an impact on people and they're responding by reaching out with DMs, tweets, or Likes. Are you paying close attention to that? To authentically be able t...

So, you've been hearing about the power of branding.   Maybe you read a blog recently that mentioned "brand".   Or, perhaps your boss or client is asking you to invest in brand identity and create a digital brand presence.   The only thing is, you aren't quite sure where to go from here. And you know what? That's fairly common in business today. People confuse the words brand and branding quite of...

It's the very first "Ask Us Anything" episode! We often receive lots of great questions and comments from listeners, but those questions don't always require a full podcast to answer. So we decided, in recognition of our 20th episode, we would turn our show over to our listeners and answer your burning professional (and personal!) questions. Enjoy, and let us know what you think!

We're all incredibly grateful to be working in a creative industry, but it can be tricky to stay enthusiastic and inspired all the time. Is there a worse feeling as a creative than staring at a blank document and not knowing what the project needs? In this episode, we explore the frustrations of creative block. It's something we all suffer from. It's annoying, but there are many steps you can take...

Do you avoid change or run to it? The one constant thing in life is change, but that doesn't mean we get used to it or fully embrace it, though.  Whether you look forward to a change or dread it, the fact is change triggers powerful effects, both physically, mentally and emotionally.  In this episode, Michelle and Steve talk about how they've dealt with change (not always well), strategies for und...

The behaviors and patterns of people play a more significant role in our creative work than we may even realize. In this episode, Michelle and Steve are joined by Kim Lear (founder of Inlay Insights), an expert in generational studies and the future of the workplace. In this enlightening conversation, Kim shares her knowledge of cultural trends, human behavior and the impact that different generat...

There is no greater emotional bond than shared experiences, and thanks to the internet, we are able to revisit some of our fondest and sweetest memories, on demand. Whether it be through a YouTube video or a song, we can be transported back to simpler times, to remember who we were with, and to share those old stories with new people in our lives.   In this episode, Michelle and Steve reflect back...

At the heart of any community is support and creatives are no different. Episode 15 redefines what community is and how online and social have changed everything about it. In this episode, Michelle and Steve share what their own communities have meant to their professional growth, and discuss how communities can help push our limits, provide support, breed new ideas, hold us accountable and more.

Love sharing this episode with you! Episode 14 is raw and deeply personal. We all go through challenging times in life, and those difficult moments don't go away when you have to go to work. Handling grief, and, as a result, stress at work – and how you go about taking care of yourself in the aftermath, is an art form. In this episode, we touch upon this issue, and a few more lighthearted themes,...