The Creative Condition podcast

This is the crunched edition of episode 231 for those with less time or patience for my prattling! The full-length episode is also out now. Elinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems. Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and acce...

'Invisible Hands' was a term American writer and professor Joseph Campbell used to describe the sense of flow in the right direction when creating purely, when following our bliss. I've become fascinated by it, and explore the idea in this episode. Logic is often king in our frightened brains, but when we commit to what instinct and the wellspring of our being suggest is right for us, and create a...

Seemingly overnight, Meta, Adobe, and Squarespace, among others, have issued robust terms to users that would see creative industry professionals surrender their work to train Artificial Intelligence models. This is a ramble from a confused illustrator who would rather not hit the big red button on Instagram, and would rather not have to quit Photoshop for the last time. But what does it mean to a...

This week's episode HIGHLIGHTS for those who can't spare the time for the long-form FULL episode. Enjoy! Radio remains a timeless and unique medium in the age of abundant TV and film streaming services. There's an intimacy and a human quality that has seen it endure despite countless technological advances, and it invites the imagination of the listeners in a way no TV broadcast ever could. Footba...

The first in a new series of takeaway episodes in which I distill 5 key takeaway tips about creativity from this week's guest conversation. The full conversation is available now on episode 229, and you can see the video version of this podcast on The Creative Condition Youtube channel. Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here:...

Radio remains a timeless and unique medium in the age of abundant TV and film streaming services. There's an intimacy and a human quality that has seen it endure despite countless technological advances, and it invites the imagination of the listeners in a way no TV broadcast ever could. Football commentary represents arguably the most passionate form of commentary, but what of the creativity of t...

Perfectionism can be extremely damaging to creativity. We live in the age of data, in which the bottom line creates a culture of fear. Here uncertainty is the enemy, and algorithmic creativity is causing a dramatic level rise in the sea of same. In the creative industry, this could be a death sentence, so I spoke to Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, and author of 'Flaw...

Abby Lucas teaches drama and English at secondary/high school level in the midst of a growing mental health crisis. She sees the the positive impact it has on young people, their wellbeing, their communication skills, their learning, and their ability to take control of their lives. But she is only able to teach it within the curriculum for one hour each week. We discuss the tragic educational and...

It took me a long time to acknowledge the shame of being caught shoplifting. At age 13, I stole an Ian Wright football figurine and got caught, earning me a UK-wide ban from Woolworth's department store. It took years to own this one, but when I did, I saw so many lessons in the importance of the shadow self, what such missteps can teach us about our personality, and its value in our creativity. S...

Multidisciplinary artist and designers Abi Everett (Evergooood) and Steph Martin (Stuff) are close friends and regular collaborators. They join me in conversation about the dangers of (conscious or unconscious) gatekeeping, which underpins 'More Than One Seat', their new project created to encourage collaboration, and not the kind of gatekeeping Steph became aware of while working in the advertisi...

I had to explain to my kids why manageable jeopardy is good for them on this morning's nursery run. This tested my understanding and articulation of it. Then I get home and YouTube's algorithm tosses me Jimmy Carr telling Steven Bartlett why risk and living life without too much fear is crucial for young people and their mental health. It all set in motion a train of thought about jeopardy's role...

Stefan Sagmeister - legendary designer and pioneering creator - returns to continue our conversation from episode 199, only this time live on the main stage at OFFF Festival Barcelona. We continue to explore the notion of understanding our minds in order to find an optimistic baseline, from which we can work to resolve our collective problems. The chat took place in front of a live 2000+ audience...

Radim Malinic returns 103 episodes after we talked on episode 119 of the podcast. Now he is back with not one, but two new books: Mindful Creative and Creativity for Sale. The two books are designed to work as a set of two and delve into the way we work, all the way from our evolutionary tendencies, to our perceptions of creativity, the way it functions, and how we can be happy while making money,...

Too many people are downbeat. The heaviness of 24-hour news cycles are locking people's creativity and spirit away in dank, lightless basements. Here are five tips to turn the tide, and find a baseline of excitement and optimism from which to contribute to solutions for the problems that make us feel like the world has gone to sh1t. As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X:...

Today is the release day for 'The Creative Condition' - my 2nd non-fiction book. This time out I chose to publish independently. Here's how, why, what to consider if you want to do this too. Supported by founding sponsor: https://illustrationx.com and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaThe Creative Condition is out now at: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-underst...

Arizona State University professor in psychology Athena Atkipis joins me as her new book 'A Field Guide to the Apocalypse' hits the bookshelves. Athena's smart and fun zombie apocalypse approach to encouraging and supporting us in facing our fears during wild times carves out her beautiful niche in the field of psychology. We discuss why we've always felt like we're on the brink as a species, and,...

The ability to embrace the unknown is the root cause of the historic fear of creativity and maximising expressions of self. Here is a story, a standout example of why the unknown is the only way to reach personal success. The thread. As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.comand the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting th...

At a formative age, Tye Glover was told he'd better look at careers that required physical activity because his brain wasn't up to much. This couldn't have been more wrong. Through his 'neural creative programming' model, Tye helps others join their dots. He explains why patterns are everything, and how we can take control and eliminate the negative loops in our lives to find our optimal way. As e...

Manchester creative agency LOVE Creative Senior Creative Eve Warren joins me in conversation to discuss the damaging trend of excessive job demands for entry-level and junior roles in the arts. We discuss the responsibilities of both industry and education to ensure creativity is not damaged when trying to remain viable in times of economic struggle, and our own experiences and ideas. As ever the...

Community. We saw it rise again during COVID, despite the fact we were all indoors. Yet on the other side of the pandemic, many of us have struggled to return to our former social glories. Positive social relationships are critical to our wellbeing, so I caught up with Daniel Alcorn and Luke Tonge, founders of the fantastic Birmingham Design Festival to talk about why in-person community events an...

The science increasingly points to a very positive link between (responsibly and professionally administered) psilocybin - or 'magic mushrooms' - and mental health. After reading American-Iranian comedian, writer, and actor Negin Farsad's experience on a Jamaican psychedelic retreat, written for AFAR, I talked to both Negin, and CEO/Head-facilitator of Mycomeditations, Justin Townsend about psyche...

Gush Mundae moved to a racially divided UK from Delhi, India and experienced more than his fair share of discrimination and abuse. Through hip hop and street art culture, he found belonging, and would later use £2k of his savings to start Bulletproof, a creative agency that is 25 years old, and now spans 8 countries. We get into Gush's response to the challenges he and his family faced in those ea...

'The Hockney Soldier' is a short story pondering how art and design books are symbolic in bringing us closer to the horrors of war, that can feel removed from our reality. But also, the way creativity bonds us. Supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.comand the Ukrainian Institute. Connect with and champion Ukrainian art and culture now at: https://ui.org.ua/Written, presented, and prod...

Almost two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, I'm joined by Ukrainian illustrator, designer, and design community activist Olha Protasova to talk about creativity in times of war. This episode contains sensitive topics, but I hope you'll stay with us to be inspired by the bravery, resilience, and hope Olha shows. The show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and below are a series of links f...

Simon is missing. The posters are up, and it sets in motion a bout of gross overthinking. A hypothetical thought experiment for the fellow sensitive people. Supported by founding sponsor https://illustrationx.comMusic by Dirty Freud https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8SPresented and written by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com