Ghost Boss: Stories About the Freelance Afterlife

In this conversation, Eva and Danielle explore networking dynamics, specifically focusing on the differences between extroverts and introverts. They share personal experiences and discuss strategies for initiating conversations, as well as the importance of being authentic in networking situations. Overall, the conversation highlights the value of connection and communication in social settings. B...

In this episode, Danielle and Eva discuss the world of scams that target freelancers, sharing personal experiences and insights on how to recognize red flags. They focus on a specific scam involving a supposed client, highlighting the importance of digital literacy and community awareness in preventing such fraud. The conversation emphasizes the emotional and financial impact of scams on individua...

In this episode, Danielle and Eva discuss their birthday experiences, sharing both their recent celebrations and future plans. They talk about the various challenges involved in organizing these events, from coordinating schedules to managing expectations, all while emphasizing the importance of self-care during the festivities. The conversation also includes lighter, humorous moments that highlig...

Grab the tissues because this may be our most emotional episode ever. In this conversation, Danielle and Eva explore the complexities of navigating grief as solopreneurs. They discuss personal experiences with loss, the emotional toll it takes, and the importance of setting boundaries while managing professional responsibilities. The conversation highlights the differences between grieving in a co...

This week, Eva and Danielle explore various themes surrounding self-love, design, and the importance of avoiding burnout in creative professions. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with creative projects, while emphasizing the significance of passion in their work. The discussion also touches on the balance between precision and creativity in design, the joy of artistic expressi...

In this conversation, Eva and Danielle share their excitement for the Super Bowl, particularly focusing on the commercials and the emotional impact of advertising. They discuss the importance of memorable design in advertisements, highlighting how evoking emotions can create lasting impressions. Their conversation also covers their experiences judging advertising competitions and the cultural diff...

The Ghost Bosses are back after an extended holiday break! In this episode, Eva and Danielle share personal updates and discuss the challenges of January, which they affectionately refer to as the “holiday bounce back”—the transition back to work after the holidays. They talk about New Year’s goals, personal growth, career achievements and the importance of maintaining skills in a competitive job...

In this episode, Eva and Danielle reflect on their year of podcasting with Ghost Boss while continuing to build their freelancing careers. They discuss their personal growth, the evolution of their goals as designers and business owners, and the importance of staying present in the moment. The duo shares insights from their experiences, the changes they have embraced in their work and life, and th...

In this episode of Ghost Boss , the hosts return with some hot takes on some popular end-of-the-year trends. They start by discussing the phenomenon of Spotify Wrapped, followed by their thoughts on the Pantone Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse. The hosts explore the implications of this color choice, its versatility, and the mixed reactions it has elicited from the public. Spoiler alert: you may ap...

In this episode, Eva and Danielle reflect on their Thanksgiving experiences, blending humor with insights into family dynamics and personal milestones. They discuss the challenges of navigating the holiday season while balancing work and family life, offering practical tips for managing expectations and reducing stress. Key strategies include simplifying traditions, prioritizing effectively, and u...

In this two-part conversation, Danielle and Eva interview Shawn Rourk, the Founder / Creative Director of Runnels & Rourk and the Co-Founder of Humanoid Games, the creator of IDENTECO . They reflect on their college experiences at the University of South Carolina and the evolving fields of journalism and design. They discuss the importance of storytelling in their work and how design education...

In this two-part conversation, Danielle and Eva interview Shawn Rourk, the Founder / Creative Director of Runnels & Rourk and the Co-Founder of Humanoid Games, the creator of IDENTECO . They reflect on their college experiences at the University of South Carolina and the evolving fields of journalism and design. They discuss the importance of storytelling in their work and how design education...

This is the official Ghost Boss Halloween Recap episode, plus some freelance talk. In this conversation, Eva and Danielle reflect on their Halloween experiences, discussing community involvement and the overwhelming number of trick-or-treaters. They discuss the challenges of ghosting in freelance work, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on handling potential clients who go silent after initia...

Time for Part 2 of our interview with Heather Price, President of Client Engagement & Marketing at Chernoff Newman! Heather shares her impressive career journey, reflecting on her path from being a UNC J-School student to agency leadership. They also discuss how Heather inspired Danielle’s career when she entered motherhood while navigating the advertising industry. Plus, they share advice for...

This week on Ghost Boss, we’re excited to welcome Heather Price, President of Client Engagement & Marketing at Chernoff Newman - and one of Danielle’s former bosses before becoming a freelancer! Heather shares her impressive career journey, reflecting on her path from being a UNC J-School student to agency leadership. They also discuss how Heather inspired Danielle’s career when she entered mo...

In this two-part episode, the Ghost Bosses interview Meena Khalili, Associate Professor of Design and Interaction at the University of South Carolina and the creator of @thedrawndaily on Instagram. Listen to Meena’s insights about her journey as a designer and educator, the importance of balancing academic theory with real-world application, turning your passion into a profession, and much more! F...

In this two-part episode, the Ghost Bosses interview Meena Khalili, Associate Professor of Design and Interaction at the University of South Carolina, and the creator of @thedrawndaily on Instagram. Listen to Meena’s insights about her journey as a designer and educator, the importance of balancing academic theory with real-world application, turning your passion into a profession, and much more!...

In this episode, the Ghost Bosses share their chaotic mornings – touching on stress, creativity and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. The conversation transitions into spooky season, where they share work-related horror stories their listeners submitted. They dive into various design nightmares, discussing the pitfalls of communication and the importance of proofreading....

In this episode, Eva and Danielle discuss finding clients as freelancers. They explore the power of networking, professional organizations, and tapping into connections with former colleagues to grow your client base. The duo highlights the importance of maintaining relationships and not burning bridges, offering insights on how events and event planning can lead to unexpected opportunities. While...

In this episode, Eva and Danielle dive deep into the unpredictable world of creativity, exploring freelancers' challenges when motivation is hard to find. They discuss the paradox of needing a sense of urgency to ignite their creative spark and the importance of intentionally creating space for those "capital C" creative projects. From working in bustling coffee shops to finding inspiration in unl...

In their conversation, Eva and Danielle talk about the ebb and flow of freelance work throughout the year. Danielle shares her experience of intentionally slowing down during the summer. And Eva reflects on the constant busyness of her work. They also discuss the challenges of measuring productivity in a creative industry and diversifying their client portfolios. The conversation ends with a remin...

We're back, Ghosties!! After taking a summer break, Eva and Danielle have returned with personal updates and new goals for Season 2 of the Ghost Boss podcast. Danielle reflects on her first year as a business owner and how she embraced a slower summer pace. Meanwhile, Eva shares about her busy schedule and rediscovering her passion for painting. They discuss the challenges of balancing their time,...

The hosts of Ghost Boss: Stories About the Freelance Afterlife reflect on their journey in the season finale, discussing their break, bonus episodes, and the evolution of the podcast. They share insights on imposter syndrome, technical challenges, and the impact of their episodes. Take a listen and find out what to expect for Season 2! Enjoy your summer, Ghosties! Be part of the conversation – fol...

In this conversation, the Ghost Bosses discuss design mistakes they've made in their careers, such as using a skinny rule line causing printing issues, choosing a spot varnish that was not visible on the printed piece, and creating a roll fold that was too large for printing. They also dive into UX mistakes, emphasizing the importance of considering mobile design, testing designs on different devi...

In this conversation, Eva and Danielle discuss their favorite projects and the importance of functional design. The Ghost Bosses also discuss their personal preferences for advertising campaigns, branding projects, and UX design projects. They conclude with a very memorable "WTF" story about Danielle's first paid design job. Episode Takeaways Functional design can be just as important as aesthetic...