The Creative Condition podcast

Reflections about the opportunity for better creativity and joy in our lives if we learn how to slow down and communicate properly. Covered in this show: Technology's sweet spot Anxiety and mental illness in the information age Creativity and communication As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua Coach with T...

We reach for the destructive object in our pockets without conscious awareness. We know the damage it does to our minds and our souls, but we're too far gone. It keeps us from our peace and our creativity. Are you Gollum? Supported as ever by the founding show sponsor, Illustration X. https://illustrationx.com Support The Ukrainian Institute, fighting for the Ukrainian creative community during a...

Kevin Murphy taught himself to be an artist. By breaking down the craft into systemic steps, he earned himself a career as an illustrator and artist working with The Rolling Stones, Barnes & Noble, National Geographic, and LucasArts before he started Evolve Artist. We discuss why the program proves time and time again that talent is a lie, and the story behind it. Learn more about Evolve Artis...

The Gravedigger's Theory is a term in journalism that refers to the story of Jimmy Breslin, a journalist who, when offered the chance to cover JFK's funeral along with the world's media, chose to interview Clifton Pollard, the man tasked with digging the grave. Creativity depends on thinking differently, and I reflect on this, and a career made of parts for which I wasn't trained. Supported by The...

Overthinking can be second nature to creative thinkers. A classic downside to empathy and sensitivity. I've battled with anxiety in recent years, and my overthinking has been out of control. Constant rumination, wild and unmanaged responses to news headlines, and an uncharacteristically gloomy outlook leading to sleepless nights and worry spirals. I'm slowly getting a handle on it, and I want to h...

In this entry of The Creativity Diary: Understanding the self over job titles and skills The need for space to avoid overwhelm and nervous system activation Stoicism as a tool for managing uncertain times As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at  https://thecreativecondition.com ( http...

Journaling was one of several tools I used to tackle a tough year of anxiety. While reflecting upon a previous entry, I noticed that the list of helpful habits to support my mental well-being was more or less interchangeable with core components of healthy creativity, so I wanted to explore that idea a little more. I'd love to hear your take on this, so get in touch about it, or anything else at b...

'Lived data' is how Min Lew, head of Base Design in New York City, described intuition. I loved this. Min has quite the story, and she joins me to discuss her work overseeing the creative output and business of Base. We discuss why moodboards have their place, but often stifle thinking big and differently in the creative process, travel, cultural lessons, the future of branding, and much more in a...

After a personal and generally challenging year, much has been learned, and the message is strong: we must fight for a baseline of optimism for creativity to thrive! This will be the final episode of 2025, back to the usual weekly podcasts January 7th. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! As ever supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustration and animation portfolios at https...

In this entry of The Creativity Diary: Two massively overlooked pillars of creativity and their role in anxiety Unexected wisdom and electronic tags on the bus As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at  https://thecreativecondition.com ( https://thecreativecondition.com/ ) See the brand...

Wiedemann Lampe uses the beautiful term 'cultureful brands' to describe their work. They work globally, at scale, on entire cities and cultureful institutions. I joined co-founders Benji Wiedemann and Alex Lampe in London to talk about creating impact at scale, their methods of forging a meaningful brand, and their origin stories, and there's a lot to get through!   As ever The Creative Condition...

A bonus chat with last week's guest, author and vanlifer Charlotte Bradman in which we discuss the current challenges facing working-class people and stifling their creativity. In a divided, expensive, technologically obsessed society, it's increasingly hard for those even with moderate incomes to make ends meet, to free up enough psychological safety to create, let alone those living from week to...

Charlotte Bradman had to go through major trauma, including the repossession of her house, before she could truly access her creativity. Now she lives full-time in her converted camper van, and she joins The Creative Condition to share her story. In a cost-of-living crisis, under financial strain and facing much upheaval in our creative industry, designers, artists, writers, and all kinds of creat...

Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Muppets bring light to a dark moment AI me? Time wasted or time well spent? A creative conundrum for all of us A Final Fantasy VII cut scene conjures a rich thought As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativeconditi...

Today, change occurs almost constantly, at a speed never before seen in human history. We are in a technological revolution that some are likening to the advent of agriculture. Incomprehensible news headlines bombard us, and underneath it, we must still find a way to make sense of it and create for a living. Los Angeles and New York-based creative company Sibling Rivalry is a shining example of ad...

As I continue to work on the downside of my high sensitivity to counter anxiety and overthinking, I turn to the Buddhist teachings and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations about impermanence after a sobering visit to my hometown. And of course, apply them to our current moment in the creative industry. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-st...

Few artists or designers transcend the industry when it comes to name recognition, but Anthony Burrill is one of them. His iconic typographic artworks, including 'work hard and be nice to people,' adorn the walls of many far beyond the creative industry, hitting the sweet spot between mass appeal and personal intimacy. I travel to Rye and visit Anthony's studio, which overlooks a stunning wildflow...

Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Optimism returns Where did all the good websites go? Trends v unknown As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com See the brand new illustrator-specific coaching offer now Access creativity resources, i...

Is what you were enough anymore? Do we run for the hills as the machines come for our jobs, or drill even deeper into who we are, what we stand for, and where we were going? I'm joined by artist and illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan to share her story of adapting to life as a new mother, artificial intelligence, and economic unrest. We discuss the fear, the opportunities, and how the hell we begin t...

Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Brain lube Maintaining a multi-faceted business Multiple beanstalks and many Jacks The pain of the past As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a readin...

After 1.5 years of creativity coaching through my one-to-one Pit Stop sessions, it's time to announce a new illustrator-specific offer. With 18 years in the game and over 300 interviews with creative industry and broader thought leaders, I've designed something to help illustrators to take control of their next moves as the market continues to shift. As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supp...

Relationships. Utterly key to our ability to function with optimism, contentment, and creativity. But how much do we take care of them? Relationship with ourselves? Partners, professional or romantic? With society? Psychotherapist Allison Heiliczer joins The Creative Condition for the latest in a series of specific mental health topic episodes as we take a long look into the relationship mirror. W...

It's heavy out there. Cost of living. Mental health. Climate. Extreme division. Capitalist mania. I opened my finances spreadsheet and freaked right out. Anxiety took hold and amplified it out of all proportion. Here are 10 things that got me out of the hole, things that can help you too, dear artist. As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com...

Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Are we all on ref cam? Identity and belonging on the paper round AI agents and primitive idiocy As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list,...

A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I reflect on a nettle sting sustained by reaching for a bag of dog shit, and why it links to Marcus Aurelius. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the...