Creative Confessions

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Isted, marketing expert and founder of HI Communications to talk all about how you can make Instagram content less overwhelming. We talk all about promoting your creative business online and how you can take the pressure off and find small pockets of time to make imperfect content. The Creative Confession ® we're discussing: “I never know what to post on socia...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jess Goldsmith, illustrator, author and founder of Women Of Type and Chick Of All Trade to talk all about whether niching down as a creative is the right choice. Jess has worked with big name brands and been on stages all over the world by doing one thing; being herself. The Creative Confession ® we're discussing: “I really want to work with everyone but to get high...

In this episode, I’m joined by Briony Davis to talk all about making a positive impact using your creative skills. Briony is the founder of a program called Branding For Impact which makes brand identities accessible for small, women-led businesses, while donating money to PCOS awareness. The Creative Confession ® we're discussing: “I gave up my graphic design biz because it felt I was encoura...

In this episode, I’m joined by Trent Duffy, founder of Duffy Design Co to talk all about promoting yourself on social media. For the first time on the podcast, Duffy has come on to discuss his own confession of what it means when content 'performs well'. The Creative Confession ® we're discussing: “I have found that some of my worst performing posts on social media were the ones that l...

In this episode, I’m joined by Morgan Hastie, also known as The Logo Lassie, a Scottish designer and university graphic design student to talk all about balancing freelancing and student life. Morgan and I talk all about what it's like balancing freelancing with brands all over the world and getting her degree. The Creative Confession ® we're discussing: "I’m a student and I want to b...

In this episode, I’m joined by Vickie Moore-Gourd; designer at Design Some Moore to talk all about free co-working sessions for designers and creatives who want to connect and make friends with others in the industry. Vickie and I talk all about what it takes to run an unpaid community, why we feel creatives need spaces like this, and what it takes to start your own. The Creative Confession ® we&#...

In this episode, I’m joined by Gareth Robertson; designer at Gr-aphic Studio to talk all about his recent experience with completing a 100 day design challenge. After getting a confession from a creative who said they started a 100 day design challenge and gave up after 1 week, we talk about what it’s like to keep pushing and complete a challenge like this Gareth and I talk all about accountabilit...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jess and Rachel, the duo behind Studio Morii to talk all things business partnerships, friendship, and honesty. After getting a confession from a creative who said starting a business with a friend feels scarier than going solo, we dig into what it’s actually like to build a brand with your best friend. We chat about keeping communication open, navigating finances to...

In this episode, I'm exploring an anonymous confession about using AI in creative work through a community-driven discussion. I collected anonymous responses that represent a range of viewpoints, highlighting the conversations happening in the creative community. DISCLAIMER: This episode aims to create understanding and encourage a conversation rather than shame. Even though all responses couldn't...

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different. Recently, I sent out a newsletter about how I noticed designers Googling each other’s clients to “check if the projects are real.” I didn’t expect much. But then… my inbox exploded. Turns out, people have thoughts . Some agreed with me. Some challenged me. So in today’s episode, I’m reading out a bunch of those anonymous replies and reacting...

In this episode, I’m joined by designer James Barnard to talk about pricing transparency. After reading a confession from a creative who said listing their prices might have scared off all their leads, we talk about why this advice doesn’t work for everyone. We also get into how to communicate your value without putting numbers on your site as well as some of James' tips for social media conte...

This week I’m joined by Jenn from Stankin Good Design to talk all about the pressure to perform on social media, designing for visibility instead of value, and the real cost of chasing validation from other designers instead of your actual clients. Together we unpack: How to spot when you’re designing for the algorithm, not your audience Whether trends are helping or hurting your creativity The di...

This year, I invited six incredible designers to reflect on their 2024 journeys. In this special end-of-year episode, they get real about their biggest wins, their hardest fails, the advice they’d give to new designers, and their creative confessions. This is a raw, honest look at the ups and downs of life as a creative. Whether you’re starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, these stori...

Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? ⁠⁠ ⁠ Submit your Creative Confession here ⁠ ⁠⁠ Follow Robin on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Podcast Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠⁠ Get The Newsletter, Templates & Design Freebies ⁠⁠ here ⁠⁠ Enjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!

It’s the Halloween Special 👻 This week, I’m joined by Craig Reid; Scottish designer, art school student, and certified chaotic good for a Halloween episode full of creative horror stories and designer confessions that’ll make your blood run cold . We read through anonymous creative confessions™ from real designers who confessed everything from designing logos in Photoshop and skipping contracts…...

I'm chatting with Kristy Campbell , founder of Pink Pony Creative , to talk about how embracing your unique style and personality can transform your business. We're talking all about the challenges and rewards of going all in on what makes you stand out, from creating a team to leveraging a unique name to building a brand that people can’t forget. The Creative Confession ™ we're discus...

Today I was joined by Liz Mosley to talk all about rejection in your business. Liz created her 'Rejection Challenge', a fun challenge allowing her to reach out for more opportunities than she normally would and embracing rejection as a normal part of running a business. Today's Creative Confession ™ : "I saw a TikTok of a designer going into their local stores to market their grap...

Today I'm joined by Morgan of The Logo Lassie and we're talking about the use of AI in design work, mostly for creating mockups and product visualisations. We explore the pros and cons of using AI-generated content and share the importance of transparency and disclosure when presenting this work to clients. The Creative Confession ™ we're discussing: "I want to use more AI in my w...

In this episode, I’m joined by Frankie Harry to talk honestly about loneliness in freelance design, building real community, and finding your rhythm as a creative. After getting two confessions about how isolating this industry can feel, we dig into practical ways to meet people offline and document your journey. The Creative Confession(s)™ we're discussing: ✷ “Being a self-employed designer f...

In this episode, I’m joined by CJ Cawley, designer, content creator, and all-round creative to talk about anxiety, authenticity, and showing up online even when it’s uncomfortable. After getting a handful of confessions from creatives struggling with social media confidence, we dive deep into what it really feels like to put yourself out there. From overthinking how you look or sound, to the press...

In this episode, I’m joined by CK , the designer behind CzarCreates , to talk about balancing creative careers with traditional ones, transferable skills, and finding your way into design from unexpected paths. After getting a confession from a creative studying psychology who feels torn between their degree and pursuing design, we dig into what it’s really like to build a creative business while...

DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 on...