The Crazy One

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the invisible scripts and societal expectations that often control our lives and careers, shaping who we think we need to be and what we believe we should achieve. These ingrained narratives can lead to burnout, imposter syndrome, guilt, and self-doubt when we feel pressured to conform. Stephen unpacks where these limiting beliefs come fr...

The Amazing Design People list was created as a worldwide, community-led talent base to help those creatives who have recently been laid off or furloughed. It started as a simple Google sheet, but thanks to Felix Lee and James Baduor it has grown into a site where you can get listed if you are looking for work, apply for 100+ current job openings and get feedback on your portfolio or resume from a...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates uncovers the 8 powerful characteristics shared by the most successful creatives and leaders he’s coached. These traits set high achievers apart, fueling their sustained success and growth throughout their careers. Stephen dives into each characteristic, revealing how you can adopt and develop them to elevate your own career and creative j...

In this impactful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the tough topic of layoffs and furloughs—experiences that can be both anxiety-inducing and life-changing. Having faced it twice himself, Stephen shares the practical steps and emotional strategies you need to navigate this challenging time. From essential resources to actionable advice on using setbacks as a springboard for career...

Thanks to all this time at home The Crazy One is now on YouTube with the most popular episodes, tutorials, keynotes, interviews, live streams, favorite videos, and more. Subscribe now! SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: http://www.thecrazy1.com/youtube FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , Facebook  Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTEN...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the impact of constant change on our careers, personal lives, and overall well-being. Change often brings stress, anxiety, and fear that can hold us back, but how we view and respond to it can significantly shape our health, happiness, and success. Stephen explores why we struggle with change, reassures us that these feelings are normal,...

I wanted to quickly share a few insights and perspectives that I've been sharing with friends, co-workers, leaders and other creatives to try and help in these unprecedented times. I hope it helps. FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , Facebook  Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WO...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates recaps his new Crazy One Conversation series, where he spoke with 60 creatives from 10 countries and 20 U.S. cities to explore the realities of Design Imposter Syndrome. Stephen breaks down the fundamentals of Design Imposter Syndrome, uncovers the key factors driving its rise, and shares top insights, advice, and resources from these powerful conve...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the art and science of crafting a portfolio that truly stands out. Your portfolio is not only a reflection of your brand but also your first impression on potential employers and clients. Stephen dives into the latest trends shaping portfolio design, covers the essential components you need, and shares expert tips on building compelling...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the surprising connection between boredom and creativity. Over the past 25 years, creativity has been on the decline, and Stephen believes that constant engagement and technology are at fault, robbing us of the essential moments of boredom that fuel original ideas. Tune in to learn why boredom is a critical ingredient for...

In this empowering episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the critical role a strong support system plays in overcoming career challenges. From battling insecurity to facing compassion fatigue, Stephen explores why support often dwindles as our careers advance and shares insights into the 4 key elements of an effective support system. Tune in to learn practical strategies for building...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles one of the toughest challenges in creativity: navigating difficult personalities that can derail, debate, or even kill great ideas. Creativity’s subjective nature makes it vulnerable to criticism, and working with challenging people can make or break your success. Stephen explores the 4 common personality types you encounter in the workplace...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates unpacks the critical differences between design and creativity—two terms often used interchangeably but with distinct meanings that can greatly impact your career, team, and influence within your company. Stephen dives into how design and creativity are commonly misunderstood, why defining each is essential, and how recognizing these diff...

In this powerful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into one of the biggest frustrations in any career: feeling stuck and unable to get promoted. Stephen takes you behind the scenes of the promotion process, revealing common obstacles and why typical strategies often fall short. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on advancing your career, discover why your current approach might not b...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the growing challenge of finding and hiring top creative talent in today’s competitive job market. With record-low unemployment, skyrocketing demand for creative skills, and an expanding role for design, securing great talent is tougher than ever. Stephen shares key insights from the latest Design Trends Report he co-authored, exp...

In this essential episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores why trust is the cornerstone of creativity, teamwork, and effective leadership—and why it’s often misunderstood or overlooked in most organizations. Stephen breaks down the various types of trust, explains where trust matters most, and shares practical ways to assess and strengthen it within your team. Tune in to discover powerful...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates challenges common misconceptions about introverts in the workplace, breaking down why introverted leaders and teammates bring unique and valuable strengths to their roles. Stephen sheds light on the experiences of introverts, offers tips for collaborating effectively with them, and shares practical advice for introverts to gain more support and unde...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the complex relationship between creativity and insecurity, exploring how our unique life experiences shape both our creative processes and our self-doubt. Since no two creative journeys are alike, finding others who truly understand our struggles can feel impossible. Stephen uncovers the root causes of common creative insecuri...

In this essential episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the art of giving and receiving feedback—a crucial element that can make or break the creative process. While feedback has the power to elevate ideas, poor feedback often frustrates creatives and hinders progress. Stephen dives into what makes feedback effective, the common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable strategies for provi...

In this crucial episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the rising trend of ethical design and why it’s essential for today’s creatives. Though ethics might not seem like the most thrilling topic, it’s rapidly becoming a vital part of the design landscape. Stephen uses two compelling examples to illustrate the importance of ethical design and shares 5 actionable steps to elevate your d...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates goes beyond the basics of leadership to help you assess and elevate your leadership style. Discover concrete methods for measuring your leadership maturity, identifying your unique leadership persona, and understanding the 4 key communication styles that drive effective leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, tune in for a...

In this special replay of his main stage keynote from HOW Design Live 2019, Stephen Gates shares powerful insights gained from his work at InVision, packed with transformative lessons for creative professionals. Stephen uncovers three universal truths that impact us all and reveals six actionable strategies to elevate your career, improve your company culture, and create a meaningful impact in you...

In this dynamic episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates shares an inspiring panel discussion on innovation with two influential voices in the field—best-selling author Greg Larkin and former IDEO leader, now Managing Director of Expa, Sina Mossayeb. Together, they dive into the complex relationship between companies’ desire for innovation and their fear of the very change required to achieve it....

In this empowering episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the elusive nature of confidence—how it’s often faked, easily lost, and frequently undermined by imposter syndrome, especially in the creative field. Confidence is essential for creativity, leadership, and personal happiness, so understanding what erodes it and how to restore it is crucial. Stephen breaks down the common fears th...

In this engaging Q&A episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles listener questions covering key topics for designers and leaders alike. Discover what design operations really involves as a discipline, get practical advice for designers aspiring to launch their own startup, and learn how companies can make their purpose authentic rather than just a marketing gimmick. Stephen also shares i...