The Terrible Creative

We all start by imitating. That’s human. But somewhere along the line, many of us stopped making work we love — and started making work that just looks like it belongs to someone else. In this episode, Patrick tells the strange, slightly heartbreaking story of Klarbinnax-7, an alien who crash-lands in California and becomes a crude copy of a workshop guru named Brad. Through this fictional tale (t...

this episode is a love letter to color. Not just as an aesthetic choice—but as psychology, science, culture, and storytelling. We start with a fictional moment on a busy New York City street, then dive into a 5-minute crash course on color theory (Bill Nye style), unpack cultural associations across time and geography, and land on practical ways to use color intentionally in your work. Whether you...

This one’s personal. In this episode, Patrick shares the story of a full-blown burnout that ended behind a dumpster — and why it didn’t start there. We talk about what burnout really looks like (spoiler: it’s not just being tired), how the body reacts to prolonged stress, and how that quiet voice telling you you’ve “lost it” might just be your nervous system waving a white flag. With insight from...

This week’s episode isn’t about trends, trolls, or gear. It’s about something quieter — the part of you that refuses to give up, even when the work feels impossible. We explore the idea of creative resistance, the myth of “falling behind,” and why showing up (even in small ways) is its own kind of creative power. There’s a story about trees, Biosphere 2, and why life’s “wind” might be shaping you...

You’re not missing a magic lens. There’s no course, preset pack, or algorithm trick that’s secretly holding you back. The truth is less glamorous — but way more powerful. In this episode, Patrick peels back the myth of overnight success and calls out the industry’s obsession with shortcuts. Through stories from world-class kitchens, overlooked jazz clubs, and forgotten film sets, he explores why c...

In this raw and unflinching episode, Patrick explores the psychology behind creative self-doubt and why your inner critic might be the biggest obstacle to your growth. Drawing from neuroscience research and brutally honest personal stories, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truths about self-criticism that most creative podcasts won't touch. Warning: This episode contains frank discussions ab...

Patrick calls out the toxic gatekeeping culture that's suffocating creativity in photography — and offers a better way forward for anyone tired of comment-section warriors and gear snobs who've confused being an asshole with having standards. Episode Summary From unsolicited critique bros to insecure middle-aged men treating Instagram like academic journals, photography has a gatekeeping problem....

Welcome to the first episode of The Terrible Photographer — a podcast for working photographers and creative humans who are done with fake positivity, influencer bullshit, and pretending they have it all figured out. Episode Summary Patrick shares the brutal Clubhouse critique that sparked this entire podcast, explores why "terrible" might be the most important phase of your creative development,...

This is The Terrible Creative. A show about what it actually costs to make things for a living. The tension between the privilege of doing work you love and the frustration of an industry that keeps moving the floor. The patterns, the irritants, and the internal questions creatives aren't supposed to ask in public. Hosted by Patrick Fore, commercial photographer based in San Diego. If your identit...