Stationery Freaks

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 2 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into notebooks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - Zen Art B5 Dotted Notebook - Rob - Ottergami A5 notebook - Helen - Atoms to Astronauts notebooks - Rob - A4 Yellow Legal Pads - Helen - Midori Notebook - Ro...

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 1 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into 6 pens/pencils/inks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: Helen - The Stalogy Gel Pen Rob - Sharpie Ultra Fine Helen - Glow in the dark ink (Etsy) Rob - Staedtler Norris School Pencils Helen - Waterman Carene Ink P...

In this episode we chat with Amy Cooper-Wright who is the founder of Mark and Fold, one of our favourite stationery companies. Amy talks business, notebooks, gaps in the market, sustainability and shares her desert island stationery! We chat about: Why start a stationery company Why Amy was influenced when she was younger by making her own books and running a toy post office Why Amy sought out to...

In this episode we do a lovely interview with Sanne Visser, Technologist, Zentangle and Mandala aficionado and bullet journalling fan. We cover: * The Netherlands, bikes, canals and wonderful old libraries that sell stationery * What Zentangle and Mandala Art is, and why Sanne does it * The notebooks, pens and pencils used * Table cloth colouring * Stoic wisdom books * Cellotape, staples and Hobon...

In this episode we discuss Helen's recent retreat to Gladstone Library. The surprising thing about the retreat was that there were no obvious stationery freaks....in a library. Helen explains what Gladstone Library is and the environment Helen talks about her experience at the retreat Helen explains how everyone had laptops, and very few stationery freaks were there Rob talks a little about his re...

In this episode we were super inspired by a wonderful YouTube video we watched, called "You're Not Lazy : How to live a chaotically organised life" by YouTuber Elizabeth Filips.  So, given it summed up how we work, or at least how Rob works (that was why Helen sent him the link to the video), we thought we'd deconstruct the video and share stories about how we operate. And of course, although ligh...

In this episode we chat about what stationery we take with us when we travel. Let us know what you take. We cover: Bookaroo notebook carry cases are Helen's new thing. (affiliate Amazon link) Van Neistat's inspiring Rob again - this time to create ToDo lists and organise himself Helen waxes lyrical about some new exercise books Rob turned up to a Mastermind meeting with the worst stationery We the...

In today’s episode we chat about why we revert to lists when we’re overwhelmed - as well as some stationery stories Stationery Stories The man who stuck post-it notes to his tie - Helen recalls the story of a man who used this process to get things done. Rob's using Helen's post-it notes Teachers using iPads to stick post-it notes to Rob has sent the Remarkable2 back - and bought a typewriter Main...

In this episode we talk about what's happening to us - as we find digital tooling becoming more important in our stationery world. We talk about the Remarkable 2, Moleskine balance and how we are still stationery freaks! And Rob is retooling his knowledge management and Helen learned nothing about herself, despite sticker journaling for a few weeks. We cover: Woolsthorpe manor, where Isaac Newton...

In this episode we discuss habits and how we define them and track them using both digital and analogue tracking and documenting. We share our own perspectives of how we develop habits. * Helen has bought all of the stickers in the whole world (possibly) * Rob is trying to build the habit of not buying anymore notebooks for a while - and instead, using up the mountain of notepads he has * Rob has...

In this episode we interview Maria Van Le of LeVan Books.  Maria makes her own beautiful notebooks - of which Helen has purchased a few. They are exquisite, hand made and use some top notch material. In this episode: Helen talks about her 6 ink pens - and decides she needs more (or not). Maria talks about her passion for glass ink pens, water colour painting and using her own books Maria explains...

In this episode Rob and Helen share some of their stationery disasters as well as ramble chat about stationery, including, but not limited to, Helen has a new LeVan notebooks Helen Callaghan Writing Challenges - check out this previous podcast featuring Helen Callaghan Stationery Care Packages - Helen sends some beautiful gifts, perfectly wrapped. Rob sends a package with a terrible index card in...

In the first podcast of the year, (I know, we're slack), Helen and Rob chat about recent stationery finds, purchases and goodies.  Helen geeks out with a colleague who loves Fountain Pens - and is an expert on paper quality. They head to Gilbert House Pens to spend money.  Helen buys a feather resin pen.  Brad Herrington from Gilbert House Pens is helpful and guides Helen to the right pen.  Helen...

We were VERY excited when fellow Stationery Freak and founder of Fountain Pen Companion, Urban Hafner, joined us on the podcast. Urban is a software developer, fountain pen aficionado, host of two podcasts (one of which is about stationery), bullet journal user and fan of nice stationery. In this episode we chat about: Fountain pens, inks and why Urban created The Fountain Pen Companion tool Japan...

In this episode Rob and Helen share the 5 items of stationery they would take with them to a Desert Island. What would you take? Let us know on Instagram - @stationeryfreaksuk In this episode: Helen is obsessed with Rob’s A3 learning management system - a video of the system is here on Rob’s YouTube channel. Rob talks about his new (old) Waterman Fountain Pen Rob bends the rules of the game Helen...

How excited were we when, Sunday Times Best Selling psychological thriller author, Helen Callaghan agreed to be on the podcast? Helen is a stationery freak, so we dug into her process of writing, typewriters, book soundtracks, choosing colours for books, Moleskines, writing retreats and more.  It was a real joy and we’re sure you’ll be inspired and motivated and learn a lot about the world of writ...

In this episode: We jump into the topic of career development with a three dimensional approach created by Rob, which consists of: DISC Strengths Happiness Rob explains why he prints out loads of selfies using his new Thermal Printer from Vretti Helen is obsessed with stickers from Spooky Yeti If you’re interested in the Trinity here are some recommended surveys (Stationery Freaks has no responsib...

In this episode: We explain what mind maps are, how they work and what we use them for. For more details on different mind maps we recommend this post . We also introduce our new newsletter ! Helen introduces her new learning of choice - Arabic. And how she is using brush pens and a new notebook for it. Rob steals Helen stationery. Video of that here. Rob talks about his new Academic planner that...

In this episode: We explain, with poorly formed excuses, why we've been absent for 6 months We talk about consistency, notebooks, etsy and Helen's addiction to stickers We talk about notebook usage, whiteboards for bi-annual planning, bulletjournaling and A5 mind mapping Rob talks about his countryside productivity retreat Helen talks about colours, pens, mood Helen's cat makes an appearance And R...

In today's episode we cover: * How to pre-empt failure * How Helen thinks through what could go wrong * Why Rob looks at everything as an experiment - and therefore failures are data for moving forward * Why resilience is essential * The old stoic approach of setting a target but not being wedded to the outcome The challenge -> Subscribe to the podcast as next year we have some cracking content...

In today's episode we cover: * Habit stacking and what it is * Chaining habits together * Forcing your environment to support your habits * Picking one existing habit and building on it * Avoiding leaving gaps between habits * Doing just 15 minutes of habits * How Helen did a PHD is procrastination * Talking to your inner 8 year old * How Helen uses her Bullet Journal to track habits The challenge...

In today's episode we cover: * How we track goals once they are in progress * Rob shares how he tracks his videos using a Mark and Fold notebook * Helen shares how she relies on the enthusiasm at the beginning of starting a goal to drive habits * Rob talks about his Fridge of Accountability * Helen shares how she uses her Bullet Journal for tracking goals The challenge -> We forgot to set one t...

In today's episode we cover: * How we got interested in minimalism * Courtney Carver's project 333 * The Minimalists - Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus * Stationery Freak -> Someone who tells themselves they can walk past a stationery shop without going in, but they cannot * How lockdowns have stopped impulse buying from stationery stores * Helen's Etsy habit * Maria Kondo * Sort you...

In today's episode we cover: * How to turn goals into action * Triggers that trip your brain into breaking it's subconscious routines * Habits are awesome as you don't have to think about them * Can you replace a bad habit with a good one? * Can a certain place trigger habits? * Is the theory of 21 days habit building correct?  * Traumatic moments help with building habits (anyone ever forget thei...

In today's episode we cover: * How to break a goal out into smaller parts, such as milestones or mini sub-goals * Start small - what's the first step or next step * Copy and learn from someone else * Rob shares how he writes a book! * Is there a period of preparation before starting a goal? * And is this preparation a form of procrastination * Make the most of the initial enthusiasm to make progre...