The Dadsigner Podcast

In a world where creativity meets parenting, the Dadsigner podcast brings insightful conversations to the forefront. Host Michael Smith welcomes Blake Barnes, a talented designer and family man, to discuss the intersection of his professional life and personal experiences. Together, they explore the challenges and joys of parenthood, the creative process, and the exciting world of mascot design. B...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith sits down with Ernie Zielsdorf, also known online as Lightning and Arrows. Together, they explore Ernie’s unique artistic journey, his creative process, and how he integrates his family into his passion for design. Ernie grew up in Ventura, California, and now resides near Hume Lake, surrounded by the beauty of the Sequoias. He oversees...

In the latest episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith sits down with Tyshaun Taylor, a talented graphic designer and dedicated father. As they delve into the intricacies of design and parenting, Tyshaun shares valuable insights into his unique creative processes and the challenges of juggling family life with a demanding career. Meet Tyshaun Taylor Tyshaun Taylor hails from Connecticu...

In a world where creativity often intertwines with personal life, graphic designer Nick Miner shares his journey of balancing work and family on the Dadsigner Podcast. Join us as we explore his innovative projects, unique client gifts, and the importance of staying connected with clients throughout the year. Nick Miner is a graphic designer based in Denham Springs, South Louisiana, where he runs a...

In the latest episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith sits down with Brandon Triola, a creative entrepreneur and author, to explore the intersection of parenting, creativity, and the challenges posed by AI. Their conversation dives deep into the life of a dad designer, the inspiration behind Brandon’s new book, and the importance of creative expression in today’s world. The Life of a...

In the world of design and creativity, having the right tools can make all the difference. In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith sat down with Joey Cofone, the founder of Baron Fig , to discuss the intersection of parenting and creativity, as well as the importance of effective tools for enhancing our thinking. This episode delves into their enlightening conversation, offeri...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Warren Davis III, a creative director and agency owner who runs his studio alongside his wife. Warren shares stories from standout projects in his career, what it’s really like working with your spouse, and how fatherhood has reshaped his perspective on patience, success, and time. It’s an honest conversation about the challe...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith welcomes Sam Vogel, a brand and web designer from Montana, who shares his journey into freelancing, the creative process behind his projects, and the balance between work and family life. Sam discusses his experiences with various clients, including a donut shop and a craft brewery, and emphasizes the importance of creating a cohesive br...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Brian Athey, a creative director and freelancer, about his journey in design, parenting, and work-life balance. Brian shares insights on managing family life with three kids, the importance of quality time, and the innovative Skylight Calendar that helps keep family schedules organized. He discusses his creative process, the...

In this episode of the Dadsigner Podcast, host Michael Smith welcomes guest Doc Reed. They discuss their initial connection through Instagram and the challenges of networking at events. The conversation highlights the importance of personal connections and overcoming social barriers. Doc shares insights into his creative journey, including his work on the Netflix documentary ‘Pez Outlaw’ and the i...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Adam Grayson, a senior brand designer at Acorns and a freelance designer. Adam shares insights about balancing family life with a demanding career, the importance of teaching children about financial literacy, and how personal experiences shape his creative work. He discusses his journey in illustrating children’s books, his h...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Brad Bishop, a seasoned designer and entrepreneur. Brad shares his journey from working in large agencies to starting his own design studio, Torch Creative, and reflects on the challenges and joys of balancing family life while making that change as his daughter entered Kindergarten. Torch Creative has had experience working w...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Brad Stoneking, the founder of Piedmont Brand Company and artist at Dead Tooth . Brad shares insights into his journey as a graphic designer, from rock bands to the corporate world and out again. He discusses the challenges and joys of parenting, his creative outlet through Dead Tooth, and how he navigates the business side of...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Jimmy Bryant, the founder of Atomic Child, an outdoor brand that features his unique designs. They discuss Jimmy's journey into fatherhood, the evolution of his business, and the balance between being a designer and running a business. Jimmy shares insights on the importance of networking, the joys and challenges of parenting...

Have you ever came to a realization of why you really do something. Something that won’t make you money, won’t bring you fame, and won’t change the world. That’s where I’ve gotten a year into making this podcast. I’ve toyed with monetization, I’ve dreamed of “going big”, and now I’ve come to terms with what’s ahead… Intentional connection. Don’t worry this is not a goodbye, I’ve got guests recorde...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith reunites with former guests Mike Meulstee and Dan Cash for a roundtable discussion. They share life updates, including personal and professional changes, and delve into their recent projects. The conversation explores the tools they use for design, the impact of AI on the industry, and memorable guests from the podcast. They also touch o...

In this special 50th episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith is interviewed by his wife, Lindsay. They discuss the origins of the Dadsigner brand, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the insights gained from interviewing 49 dads. Michael shares his joys and trials of podcasting, his personal style, and the influence of his upbringing on his entrepreneurial journey. T...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Ethan Manning, a creative director at Rare Design. They discuss Ethan's life in Haysburg, Mississippi, his family dynamics, and the challenges of parenting. Ethan shares his career journey, including his experiences with NASCAR and the Doosan Bears, emphasizing the importance of branding and community. He reflects on the joys...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews designer Rocky Roark, who shares his journey in the design industry, his experiences as a father, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Rocky discusses his recent 30-day brand challenge, the insights he gained from it, and the importance of engaging with his community through content creation. He reflects on th...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews designer Dan Bradley, who shares his journey from creating MySpace banners to focusing on brand identity in the fitness industry. Dan discusses the balance between his freelance work and family life, the challenges of learning new design tools, and the importance of being present as a parent. He reflects on personal growth thr...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Kameron Davis, a freelancer and father, about his journey from mechanical engineering to design. Kameron shares his experiences as a dad, the importance of being present for his family, and how creativity plays a crucial role in both his professional and personal life. They discuss the evolution of Kameron's podcasting journe...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with Paul Douglas, a freelance visual identity designer based in London. Paul shares his journey of balancing freelance work with being a stay-at-home dad, discussing how he finds clients, manages his time, and stays inspired. He highlights the importance of authenticity in client relationships and shares insights into his creativ...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith talks with Tyler Fonville, a creative professional at Keurig Dr. Pepper. Tyler shares his journey from a young artist influenced by his father's work in photography to becoming a versatile designer. He discusses the challenges and joys of balancing his creative career with family life, including the unique names of his children and the m...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith speaks with graphic designer Jon Richards about his journey as a freelancer, his passion for food and drink design, and the importance of community among parents. Jon shares insights on how his children have influenced his work and values, particularly in sustainability and ethical food choices. The conversation also touches on the chall...

In this episode of the Dadsigner podcast, host Michael Smith interviews Seth Richardson, a remote employee at ActiveCampaign and a father of three. They discuss Seth's career journey from graphic design to product design, the integration of AI in design processes, and the importance of work-life balance as a remote worker. Seth shares valuable parenting insights, including the concept of a 'first...