The Chatty Freelancer

Juls from The Honest Designer Diaries and I have a habit of sitting in the car talking for ages whenever we meet up, usually after one of us has offered the other a lift home. We always end up saying we should have recorded the conversation, so this time we actually did. So we've set ourselves some big audacious goals we want to reach in the next few months and sharing our progress in this bonus s...

What if we started to design WITH people and not just FOR them? My last guest of this series, Finni Porter, does exactly that and has one of the most interesting design journeys I've come across! A participatory spatial designer and founder of Josafinni Studios, Finni joins me for a chat about creative play and why designing for underrepresented groups matters so much. We go right back to the mome...

Jade Paynter is an amazing example of how creative work is a worldwide business, and you can literally make it anywhere! A motion designer and one of the most inspiring ladies out there, Jade joins me for a chat about the realities of moving across the globe as a freelancer. It takes real courage to uproot your whole life and your freelance business at the same time, and Jade doesn't shy away from...

Scott Gordon is a pure great example of how no matter where you are in your career, you can always decide to change where you are headed. From being a full-time secondary school teacher for 15 years to now a brand designer and founder of Pure Good Graphics, Scott joins me for a chat about career pivots, creative courage, and why sometimes you just need to do it before you are ready. We chat about...

Morgan Hastie, aka the Logo Lassie, is proof that it's never too early to start making your mark in the creative industry. An award-winning, packaging designer and illustrator, Morgan joins me for a chat about the power of social media, consistency, and balancing building your brand, all while being a student. We look back with fresh eyes at her journey as a design student, chat about taking on bi...

Nancy Heley is the perfect example of being your authentic self and what can happen if you just follow your interests. A freelance editorial and print designer who founded her own magazine, Nancy joins me for a chat about taking creative risks, her love of print, and what can happen when you embrace what you love and turn an idea into a reality. We chat about her beginnings and the importance of f...

Fraser Robertson is one of those people who makes you want to go and create something immediately after speaking to him! An illustrator, designer and all-round ray of sunshine, Fraser joins me for a chat about queer design, creative identity, and why personality might just be your biggest advantage as a freelancer. We chat about his slightly unconventional journey into the creative industry (inclu...

Hiya Pal! Welcome BACK to The Chatty Freelancer podcast!  We took a bit of a hiatus from a full series to reimagine and rethink what this podcast is and that is exactly what we've done.  So for this series, I have brought together some of Scotland's amazing creative minds to produce something that is really, truly, incredibly special. In this series, we are traveling to different locatio...

After my 10 things I hate about freelancing talk, I sat down with Scottish Creative Network's Greig and Ross to tackle the questions that didn't make it onto the night. In amongst our comical nonsense we get into biggest freelance failures, how to actually figure out your rates, the importance of personal branding as a freelancer, and why showing up as yourself online is one of the most powerful d...

Back in August 2025, I took the stage at Scottish Creative Network to deliver a talk that was slightly chaotic, mildly poetic, and brutally honest. From scarcity mindset and saying yes to the wrong clients, to the constant battle of defending your rates and feeling undervalued as a creative, I spill all in the 10 things I hate about freelancing. Spoiler: I doesn't actually hate freelancing. Not ev...

In part 2 of the graduate special I’m joined by three brilliant digital design grads — Mark, Megan and Craig — for a convo that's  definitely the grad-to-industry pep talk you didn’t know you needed. We chat about the projects that lit them up, the ones that tested their sanity, and the magic of being given the freedom to “make whatever the f*ck you want.” From prop-making and posters to 1950...

In part 1 of the graduate special I’m joined by three awesome digital design grads — Josh, Yasmin, and Vince — for a conversation that’s equal parts honest, hilarious,  and a proper inside look at life after graduating. All three made the leap back into education in their late twenties, only to discover a community that felt instantly like home.  Vince spills on his surprising pivot from...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Mirin Thomson, a confident young designer who absolutely loves everything typography and enjoys a wee boogie to get the creative juice...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Michael Mcguigan, a designer who through his university in experience has transformed his approach to design, built incredible friends...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Naomi and Stella! From alphabetic motion graphics to typography zines, these two are amazing designers in their own right!  A love for...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Luke Ashton, a creative whose passion for design and problem solving really radiates from his reflections on University. Not to mentio...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Cameron Hunter, a big team player who loves collaborating with his fellow designers, bad jokes and the lord of the rings trilogy. List...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by David Dymock, a keen UX & UI designer who is incredibly passionate about working in the BSL space and is partial to the odd romcom...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Luke Allen, a talented and empathetic designer whose hidden talent is being able to play base guitar. Listen in and be sure to connect...

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent  graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries! In this episode I am joined by Gregour Short, a designer who isn't afraid of direct feedback and whose university highlight was going to barcelona for the OFF f...

In today's LAST guest episode of series 3 I am joined by Freelance business owner and Linkedin Wizard, Adam Faulkner! 😎 Adam is a freelance is the founder of CreativeAF, a video production business that creates content in house teams can’t! However it doesn’t stop there for Adam, he is also on a mission to help the new wave of freelancers turn their expertise into success. He is doing exactl...

Today I am joined by the fabulous Frankie Tortora, a freelance graphic designer and the brains behind Doing it For the Kids! ❤️  In this episode I get to hear first hand what it's like to be a freelance parent as Frankie  shares her journey and how it led to the creation of a thriving online community and award winning podcast! 🎙  We explore that realities of freelance parenting, from hectic...

Today on the podcast I am joined by Daisey Cooke for a conversation that may just be the pep talk you need! Daisey is a freelance marketing and social media manager who has years of experience working in-house and in agency with some of the UK’s biggest brands. But in 2021, Daisey decided to take the leap and set up her own freelance business DC digital where she helps businesses clear the social...

Join me today as I sit down with the creative minds behind Unknown Errors, Ophelia and Yexa, for a candid conversation on the twists and turns of organising creative events. Unknown errors is a creative event that embraces failing and what comes next. From panel talks to art exhibitions, it is a platform that is providing the Glasgow creative community with an opportunity to open up about the anxi...

Join me in as I welcome the extremely talented Chris Wilson, the self proclaimed polyamorous designer and founder of one man studio STCKMN! In this episode Chris sits in the hot seat to share with us shocking tales and invaulable insights from his 18 years of experience in the industry. From securing your first design client to the sobering reality of unpaid invoices and legal battles, this conver...