Explore every episode of the podcast Creative Slash
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep. 001 - Josh Ariza: Aliens, Jazz, and T-Shirts That Suck | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:37:41 | |
From "just a t-shirt idea" to building a cult-followed brand... meet Josh Ariza, founder of Chomp! Josh has worked with Nike, Disney, Under Armour, and more — but his biggest creative success? A weird, wild, honest apparel brand called Chomp. In this episode, he spills everything: design regrets, internet trolls, how to survive as a solo creator, and why "hard work + luck" is still the real formula. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 003 - Mary Kate McDevitt: Fake IDs, Telephones & Using Art as Your Voice | 06 Aug 2025 | 01:51:39 | |
What if your creativity was the loudest voice in the room? In this episode of the Creative Slash Podcast, Brad and Dustin sit down with illustrator and letterer Mary Kate McDevitt to talk about aliens, simulated realities, and the messy balance between creativity and commentary. From punk shows and fake IDs to organizing art around advocacy, Mary Kate opens up about her journey from skater poser to full-blown creative powerhouse living in a Vermont farmhouse with disco balls and barn concerts. They unpack:
It's real, it's hilarious, it's inspiring, and yes, you’ll probably want to move to Vermont by the end of it. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 002 - Redefining Success: What Creatives Learn Too Late | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:59:26 | |
What We Thought We Wanted: Chasing Creative Goals, Awards, and Freedom In this episode, Brad and Dustin get candid about the career goals they chased in their 20s. They talk about titles, awards, creative recognition, and how those ambitions evolved. You’ll hear stories about near-broke early careers, chasing mimetic desires (thanks, Wanting), the messy pursuit of “success,” and the quiet realization that a Coke tastes the same whether you’re rich or not. They also share how family, burnout, and unexpected wins like Skillshare courses shaped their career paths. Whether you’re just starting out or rethinking what matters, this one’s for anyone navigating the long game of creative life. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 004 - Discovering Joy in Your Work Today, by Pulling From Your Past | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:46:39 | |
Leaning into the Nostalgia of Our Childhood, to Help Us Make Work We Love. In this episode, Brad and Dustin ask: How can pulling inspiration from our childhood help us make work we are excited about today? They share stories of the spaces they grew up spending time in, and how the aesthetics left warm memories that influenced their creative preferences and working styles today. They explore why nostalgia is such a powerful creative tool, how it makes work feel more authentic, and why projects tied to personal meaning are easier to sustain. Which leads them to discussing the fine line between knocking something off, and paying homage. Brad and Dustin also discuss the long-term value of passion projects, even without immediate financial payoff. By weaving in what matters most to you, your work becomes more fulfilling and resilient, hopefully reigniting some passion and uniqueness back into your work. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 005 – Armin Vit: The Voice Behind Brand New on Risk, Critique & Creative Discipline | 20 Aug 2025 | 01:08:16 | |
Armin Vit is the sharp voice behind Brand New, one of the most widely read blogs on corporate and brand identity redesigns. As co-founder of UnderConsideration, alongside his wife Bryony, he’s spent the last two decades shaping how designers talk about design through writing, conferences, and community-building. Now, with their newest venture In-house In-focus, they’re spotlighting the often-overlooked work of in-house creative teams. In this episode, Brad and Dustin go beyond the critiques and keynotes to explore the real Armin: the former “lazy” student who learned to bet on himself, the introvert who cold-emailed Paula Scher, and the guy who applies design thinking to his grocery cart like it’s a case study. You’ll hear about:
If you’ve ever felt the tension between staying safe and standing out, or wondered what it really takes to build a voice in the creative industry, this is the inside story. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 006 - The Real Cost of Undervaluing Yourself | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:58:29 | |
Why is pricing your creative work so damn hard? In this episode, Brad and Dustin get real about one of the messiest parts of being a creative: putting a price on your talent. Dustin shares the view from the other side of the table. What it’s like hiring artists who lowball themselves before he even asks. Meanwhile, Brad opens up about the internal tug-of-war between self-worth and market rates, and the uncomfortable truth that pricing isn’t just about numbers, it’s about identity. They dive into:
Whether you're freelancing, licensing, or negotiating your next client project, this episode will help you rethink how you value your work (and yourself). Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 007 - Aaron Draplin - Insect Souls, Old Action Figures & the Pursuit of Freedom | 03 Sep 2025 | 02:06:45 | |
Aaron Draplin doesn’t mince words. His ideas are as bold and unshakable as his design work. And on this sweltering afternoon in the Pacific Northwest, he was in a rare, reflective mood. From aliens to afterlives in design, Draplin opens up about what comes next after building a massive creative brand, and what it really means to start fresh. In this episode:
If you’re a creative feeling stuck, cynical, or ready for a reset, this one’s for you. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 008 - We Tested These “Genius” Quotes (Some Are Trash) | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:58:40 | |
Have you ever read a quote from someone influential and wondered: “Is this actually good advice or do we just think it is because a famous person said it?” In this episode, we put that question to the test. Dustin presents Brad with a series of well-known quotes, without revealing who said them, and gets his unfiltered take on whether the advice holds up. The results? Surprisingly nuanced. Some quotes offer timeless wisdom. Others only work in very specific contexts. And a few directly contradict each other. From designers to dictators, we explore how much weight we should give to creative advice (and why who said it, and when, changes everything). Stick around as they unpack what makes advice worth following, why context is everything, and how to tell the difference between inspiration and distraction. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep. 009 - Mike Jones - Hot Dog Restaurants, Cheerleading and the Power of Service | 18 Sep 2025 | 01:41:02 | |
Mike Jones joins Dustin and Brad to talk about the realities of building a creative career while staying true to what matters most. From running Creative South to juggling family, side ventures, and health, Mike shares hard-won lessons on intentionality, delegation, and why kindness always pays off. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep.011 - Jen Hood - Celebrity Encounters, Cellos and Keeping Hobbies As Hobbies | 02 Oct 2025 | 01:53:13 | |
In this episode, Jen Hood (of Hoodzpah Design) joins Brad and Dustin to talk about making music in secret, accidentally hugging entire boardrooms, and why creative advice from people like tech bros doesn't always apply. They cover everything from the myth of being self-taught to designing physical products to starting side projects with zero budget. Jen drops hard-won wisdom about navigating creative burnout, building confidence, and staying curious, all while being her hilarious self. Enjoy! Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep.010 - Josh Horton - Dharma Beer, Conspiracies and Prioritizing Story Over Status | 25 Sep 2025 | 01:40:10 | |
In this episode, Josh joins Brad and Dustin to talk about the highs, lows, and existential crises behind running a creative conference today. From calling out “designfluencers” to chasing real, human stories on stage, Josh shares why the best speakers aren’t always the most famous. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep.012 - JP Boneyard - Basketball, Backyard Concerts and How to Build Something Bigger than Yourself | 08 Oct 2025 | 01:57:45 | |
In this episode, JP Boneyard joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a concert series in a backyard shed, patiently emailing your heroes for 10 years straight, and why rejection isn’t scary when you have a sincere motive. They dive into everything from his tumultuous childhood to running massive art collabs like 59 Parks and the Baseline Review. JP shares wild stories about booking legends, getting mistaken for a networker (he’s not), and what it means to actually put artists first. There’s quantum physics, NBA fandom, and a pinch of Dennis Rodman. Enjoy! Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep.013 - Josh Emrich - Star Wars, Twinkie Costumes, and Creating Repeat Clients | 16 Oct 2025 | 01:47:39 | |
In this episode, Josh Emrich joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a thriving design career even without a portfolio, learning the government’s beer label rules when nobody asked him to, and why some of the best creative work happens when no one ever sees it. They dive into everything from Josh’s quiet-kid upbringing to obsessively modeling Star Wars ships with blinking LEDs and trench runs built into his walls. Josh shares stories about mascot disasters, hidden talents, and how he keeps clients around for 13+ years by actually caring about their business, not just the art. There’s childhood embarrassment, designer therapy, and the kind of advice that hits you right in the creative soul. Enjoy! Follow Joh Emrich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emrichoffice/ Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Ep.015 - Marisol Ortega - Plant Babies, Miniature Ceramics, and Embracing the Weird | 30 Oct 2025 | 01:04:36 | |
In this episode, Marisol Ortega joins Brad and Dustin to talk about embracing her cultural identity through bold color, designing for brands like Starbucks and Hallmark, and why she finally stopped toning herself down to fit in. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||
| Episode 014 - Why You're Not Getting Hired | 24 Oct 2025 | 01:02:02 | |
In this episode, Brad and Dustin talk through the frustrating gap between creative talent and actually getting hired. With over 250 applicants for a single RetroSupply role, Dustin shares his frustrations with finding the right hire and why even the most talented creatives are getting passed over. Join the Creative Slash Patreon Want more than just the episode? Join our free Patreon community for: It’s free, fun, and helps keep the podcast ad-free. Join the Creative Slash Community Brad Woodard Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like Nickelodeon, Target, USPS, and NASA. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books. Dustin Lee Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives — from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional. Credits Audio/video editing: Clara Wright | |||