Stationery Freaks

After a few months away — and a very welcome "petition of one" from Stacy in Florida — Rob and Helen are back. Rob has been building a public commonplace: twenty-five years of learning, typed onto index cards (possibly breaking his typewriter in the process) and slowly taking over his studio wall. Helen has been redistributing her notebook collection to a room of grateful authors, which may or may...

In this episode of Stationery Freaks , Rob and Helen dig into the messy, essential world of scrap notes : desk pads, Post-its, legal pads, envelopes, voice memos, and the “grab whatever’s nearby” capture habit. They explore the real question beneath the stationery: what’s the process for turning a quick note into something useful — and what happens when your capture system becomes a pile of open l...

It’s our first Stationery Freaks episode of 2026, and we’re going deep on goal setting, as we usually do for the first cast of the year.  Rob and Helen compare two different approaches to planning the year: outcomes vs lifestyle , goals vs systems , and why the “right” method depends on what helps you keep going (not what looks good on paper). Helen shares her shift toward building routines that p...

It’s the last Stationery Freaks episode before Christmas, and after a slightly chaotic month we’re back with a free-form catch-up full of notebook temptation, planning experiments, and advent calendar joy. Helen reviews two very premium stationery advent calendars — Martha Brook(s) and Tom’s Studio — including what you actually get, which one feels more “decorative vs functional,” and the one item...

In this special on-the-road episode, Rob and Helen meet in person for the first time in almost six years — to celebrate Mark+Fold’s 10-year anniversary at their Brick Lane pop-up. Recorded between a noisy East London bar and the beautifully minimalist Mark+Fold shop, this episode is a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and stationery-fueled creativity. Apologies for some of the audio quality - Londo...

Household stationery isn’t “our precious pens and paper in our study” — it’s the everyday tools that keep a home ticking. We talk freezer-proof labels, kitchen whiteboards, year-at-a-glance calendars we forget to update, junk-drawer essentials, elastic bands vs Velcro ties for cables, and even a full Kanban wall system that helps a building business run.  Plus: Magic Click (a colour-pen system we...

In this episode of Stationery Freaks , Rob and Helen dive into the world of rituals and routines , exploring how our favourite stationery tools (along with time and space) can transform tasks into meaningful, mindful moments. Helen discovers other writers are now using Blackwing pencils in her writing class. Rob spent so little time choosing which notebook to use for a business book he's writing (...

In this episode Rob and Helen dive deep into their latest stationery hauls — from Japanese Sailor pens and Tom’s Studio Wren to Martha Brooks advent calendars and Zebra limited editions. Plus: writing contest success, notebooks you’ll never dare write in (that are ridiculously expensive), and a new digital note-taking tool that’s winning Rob over. Helen refuses to talk about her sticker addiction...

In this episode of the podcast, Rob & Helen chat to Richard Barnard; collage enthusiast and commonplacer.  Have you ever wondered what a Commonplace book is, and what it's used for?  Well, in this episode we explore the origins of the Commonplace book, how Richard uses his, the stationery he uses for it and how he searches through the wealth of insights, observations, quotes and thoughts. Rich...

Join Rob and Helen in this edition of Stationery Freaks as they welcome special guest Frank, from Yokogaki, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of travel journals / notebooks! Frank shares a mini masterclass on exactly what traveler's journals are, how they differ from the typical notebook, and various ways to use them for everything from bullet journaling to light scrapbooking on the go. F...

Stationery Freaks: A Deep Dive into the Prolific World of Author Jenny Kane (and Her Emotional Support Pencil Case!) In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane.  We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor.  In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary caree...

How do two writers, bound by their devotion to beautiful stationery, actually write books? In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks. Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journ...

In this episode Helen and Rob talk about whether there was a defining moment, or time, when they became Stationery Freaks. They start with Stationery Stories: Helen has an occasion to break out a new notebook - an Atoms and Astronauts one from Vinted.  Rob's been watching too much Parisian Agency on Netflix - so is trying to adopt a Parisian style and coolness with a new Folio packed with a Yellow...

In this episode we explore why we both have huge hoards of unused and partially used notebooks, and what makes us crack open a new notebook. You can find videos, photos and a deeper dive into this topic in the newsletter . In this episode: Helen is still searching for her full collection of mechanical pencils.  The Penac Protti goes down well at work, but Rob ends up with pencil all over him at wo...

In this episode we chat about all things pencil related.  We cover: Why Rob has so many notebooks he cannot move his writing desk Helen's latest Vinted stationery haul - and a surprise pen The lovely folks at Penac sent us some free samples - and they are brilliant How we use pencils and paper for getting unstuck, or in Rob's case, for 99% of his writing Why the non-permanent nature of pencils len...

In this episode Helen shares how she’s getting on with her Hobonichi system, a year after making the switch from Bullet Journaling.  We did an episode on this switch in early 2024 - you can listen to that episode here , where Helen shared why switching over the New Year was a bad idea.  And so, a year later, we revisited this topic to hear how Helen is getting on, what’s adapted and whether she st...

In this episode we chat about why we've been missing for a few months, our stationery purchases and how we're always in pursuit of the perfect structure. You can find images, links and other insights that accompany this podcast on our newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/ We cover, amongst other topics: 1. A YouTube video comment that led Rob to a new pencil purchase 2. Helen talks a...

In this episode Rob introduces his new productivity system of coloured military-style print out. Rob and Helen ponder why it's hard to find a system that works. And that maybe, they've (well, Rob) has been searching in the wrong place. Maybe, when we try to find a streamlined, slick, frictionless productivity system we're not actually getting much reward. And maybe, just maybe, higher friction sys...

In this episode we chat about the magic of whiteboards. We cover: How we used them at work How Helen's daughter uses them for learning and revision How Rob's son uses them for doodling The ephemeral nature of whiteboard content Long running whiteboard content - and why "do not wipe" is important If you'd like to see the images we talk about in this session, head to the newsletter .

In this episode Helen and Rob chat about buying stationery hauls from Vinted (other platforms and services are available). We cover: Our surprise at the variety of stationery on vinted The bargains to be had Helen's stationery haul for an upcoming workshop Rob's stationery haul for no reason other than some bargain Moleskines and a notepad with Yorkshire written on the front How Rob makes offers a...

In this episode Rob and Helen explore the world of Domestika, an online learning platform for creatives. Note: We are not affiliated with Domestika, but Rob is addicted to it. * Rob explains what Domestika is and how it works * Helen is addicted to stickers - and may jump in to Domestika to learn more about calligraphy * Rob explains how he sometimes just watches the "materials" video on each Dome...

In this episode Rob shares his goal setting process using paper and digital tools. Rob explains what makes a good goal, Helen asks lots of questions and Rob shares how to track goals. We cover: Goals should be measurable and timebound An annual review is a positive process Painting a picture of the future and aligning goals is important The why is important Precious little red notebooks Tracking i...

In this episode we explore the world of Hobonichi Planners. Helen decided that January was a good time to switch productivity, journaling and note-taking systems (it may not have been a wise decision). She chats us through the world of Hobonichi Planners and how she is using them to "force" her to develop the habit of journaling. She also needed mountains of stickers. All the stickers. We also cov...

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 4 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into things we would buy if money were no object. Rob breaks the rules on this one, Helen less so. Listen to the end for a magical and amazing idea we'd love to do, but alas, money IS an object. We cover: - Helen - Smythson Soho Luxury Notebooks . About £170...

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 3 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into stationery accessories that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - TipEx Mouse - Rob - Firbon A4 paper cutter - Helen - Bookaroo Sticky Tabs - Rob - Rapesco desktop Pencil Sharpener - Helen - Hobonichi Deco Rus...