Creative Slash

Dave Arcade creates art that prompts viewers to pause and examine the landscape. It's the kind of work that invites repeated visits, revealing fresh details, small stories, and references to pop culture each time, all complemented by expertly executed craftsmanship.  In this episode, we get an unusually honest look at how those worlds come together: from obsessing over the concept to over-eng...

What do world-class logo design, Junior Olympic table tennis, and a mythical quest for the perfect Boo-Berry cereal have in common? Only Scott Fuller could tie them all together and somehow make it all practical, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt. In this episode, branding expert Scott Fuller lets us into his world: how he turns every client into a friend for life, why he’ll only trust barbers...

In this episode, we sit down with lettering artist and illustrator Jason Carne. From haunted Airbnbs to growing up in a funeral home, we cover a lot of ground.  We also dig into how style and priorities shift over a 20-year creative career. Here’s what we get into: How to survive as a freelancer for the long haul. Yes, the feast-or-famine cycle is real. But Jason’s picked up a few tricks along the...

In this episode, Brad and Dustin delve into the true meaning of risk and why most creatives have it completely wrong. From quitting safe jobs to launching businesses with no guarantees, they unpack what actually makes something risky.  Brad shares the story of nearly getting knocked out of the game after a big risk went sideways, while Dustin breaks down how false safety in traditional jobs can qu...

In this episode, Marisol Ortega joins Brad and Dustin to talk about embracing her cultural identity through bold color, designing for brands like Starbucks and Hallmark, and why she finally stopped toning herself down to fit in. They cover everything from her early days hustling Craigslist gigs to turning her home into a plant-filled, Pepto-pink creative sanctuary. Marisol shares how meeting other...

In this episode, Brad and Dustin talk through the frustrating gap between creative talent and actually getting hired. With over 250 applicants for a single RetroSupply role, Dustin shares his frustrations with finding the right hire and why even the most talented creatives are getting passed over. They break down real portfolio mistakes, the myth of “just being good,” and why a little bit of smart...

In this episode, Josh Emrich joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a thriving design career even without a portfolio, learning the government’s beer label rules when nobody asked him to, and why some of the best creative work happens when no one ever sees it.  They dive into everything from Josh’s quiet-kid upbringing to obsessively modeling Star Wars ships with blinking LEDs and trench run...

In this episode, JP Boneyard joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a concert series in a backyard shed, patiently emailing your heroes for 10 years straight, and why rejection isn’t scary when you have a sincere motive.  They dive into everything from his tumultuous childhood to running massive art collabs like 59 Parks and the Baseline Review. JP shares wild stories about booking legends,...

In this episode, Jen Hood (of Hoodzpah Design) joins Brad and Dustin to talk about making music in secret, accidentally hugging entire boardrooms, and why creative advice from people like tech bros doesn't always apply.  They cover everything from the myth of being self-taught to designing physical products to starting side projects with zero budget.  Jen drops hard-won wisdom about navigatin...

In this episode, Josh joins Brad and Dustin to talk about the highs, lows, and existential crises behind running a creative conference today. From calling out “designfluencers” to chasing real, human stories on stage, Josh shares why the best speakers aren’t always the most famous. But don't worry, they also dive into important things like UFO conspiracies, wild Memphis experiences, and why p...

Mike Jones joins Dustin and Brad to talk about the realities of building a creative career while staying true to what matters most. From running Creative South to juggling family, side ventures, and health, Mike shares hard-won lessons on intentionality, delegation, and why kindness always pays off. This conversation isn’t about chasing likes or clout, it’s about learning to let go, be present, an...

Have you ever read a quote from someone influential and wondered: “Is this actually good advice or do we just think it is because a famous person said it?” In this episode, we put that question to the test. Dustin presents Brad with a series of well-known quotes, without revealing who said them, and gets his unfiltered take on whether the advice holds up.  The results? Surprisingly nuanced.  Some...

Aaron Draplin doesn’t mince words. His ideas are as bold and unshakable as his design work.  And on this sweltering afternoon in the Pacific Northwest, he was in a rare, reflective mood. From aliens to afterlives in design, Draplin opens up about what comes next after building a massive creative brand, and what it really means to start fresh. In this episode: The cosmic link between bugs, belief,...

Why is pricing your creative work so damn hard? In this episode, Brad and Dustin get real about one of the messiest parts of being a creative: putting a price on your talent.  Dustin shares the view from the other side of the table. What it’s like hiring artists who lowball themselves before he even asks.  Meanwhile, Brad opens up about the internal tug-of-war between self-worth and market rates,...

Armin Vit is the sharp voice behind Brand New , one of the most widely read blogs on corporate and brand identity redesigns. As co-founder of UnderConsideration , alongside his wife Bryony, he’s spent the last two decades shaping how designers talk about design through writing, conferences, and community-building.  Now, with their newest venture In-house In-focus , they’re spotlighting the often-o...

Leaning into the Nostalgia of Our Childhood, to Help Us Make Work We Love. In this episode, Brad and Dustin ask: How can pulling inspiration from our childhood help us make work we are excited about today?   They share stories of the spaces they grew up spending time in, and how the aesthetics left warm memories that influenced their creative preferences and working styles today.  They explore why...

What if your creativity was the loudest voice in the room?  In this episode of the Creative Slash Podcast, Brad and Dustin sit down with illustrator and letterer Mary Kate McDevitt to talk about aliens, simulated realities, and the messy balance between creativity and commentary.  From punk shows and fake IDs to organizing art around advocacy, Mary Kate opens up about her journey from skater poser...

What We Thought We Wanted: Chasing Creative Goals, Awards, and Freedom In this episode, Brad and Dustin get candid about the career goals they chased in their 20s. They talk about titles, awards, creative recognition, and how those ambitions evolved.  You’ll hear stories about near-broke early careers, chasing mimetic desires (thanks, Wanting), the messy pursuit of “success,” and the quiet realiza...

From "just a t-shirt idea" to building a cult-followed brand... meet Josh Ariza, founder of Chomp! Josh has worked with Nike, Disney, Under Armour, and more — but his biggest creative success?  A weird, wild, honest apparel brand called Chomp. In this episode, he spills everything: design regrets, internet trolls, how to survive as a solo creator, and why "hard work + luck" is...