The Crazy One – Details, episodes & analysis
Podcast details
Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.


The Crazy One is an award-winning podcast for creatives, leaders, and anyone who refuses to settle. Hosted by renowned designer and global design leader Stephen Gates, this show delivers unfiltered honesty, actionable insights, and hard-won wisdom to help you grow your creativity, lead with confidence, and build a meaningful career.
With over two decades leading world-class design teams at companies like InVision, Citi, Starwood Hotels, WW, and McCann Erickson, Stephen has built brands and digital experiences for clients including Disney, American Airlines, W Hotels, Verizon, Acura, and more — work that’s earned over 150 international awards and has been featured by Apple in 10 keynotes, 4 commercials, and the Human Interface Guidelines.
Now as the founder of CRZY, an independent strategy and design studio, he’s helping companies find bold new visions for their brands, experiences, and creative futures. Through The Crazy One, he shares everything he’s learned along the way — from integrating behavioral science with human-centered design to navigating imposter syndrome to building a career and creative life on your own terms.
With over 100 episodes and a loyal global audience, The Crazy One has been named:
• Webby Award Honoree for Best Technology Podcast
• #1 Podcast by Inside Design, HOW Design Live, and Springboard
• 5-star rated across every iTunes Store worldwide
This is more than a design podcast. It’s a wake-up call. A masterclass. A real-talk guide for finding your voice, owning your crazy, and changing the game.
No BS. No buzzwords. Just real insights from someone who’s been there.
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Apple Podcasts
🇩🇪 Germany - design
10/06/2026#95🇺🇸 USA - design
27/05/2026#65🇨🇦 Canada - design
26/05/2026#97🇺🇸 USA - design
26/05/2026#94🇨🇦 Canada - design
25/05/2026#85🇺🇸 USA - design
25/05/2026#68🇨🇦 Canada - design
24/05/2026#63🇬🇧 Great Britain - design
24/05/2026#86🇨🇦 Canada - design
23/05/2026#54🇬🇧 Great Britain - design
23/05/2026#77
Spotify
No recent rankings available
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
See all- https://thecrazy1.com/
600 shares
- http://crzydesign.com/
598 shares
- https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
598 shares
- http://www.thecrazy1.com/youtube
2 shares
RSS feed quality and score
Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.
See allScore global : 79%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Ep 129 Keynote: BeMore Festival 2023 - How to build a breakthrough career
Episode 129
lundi 2 octobre 2023 • Duration 56:26
In this powerful episode of The Crazy One podcast, Stephen Gates shares his standout keynote from the 2023 BeMore Festival, the ultimate 24-hour global super conference featuring over 100 top voices in Design, AI, Product Development, and Career Growth. Tune in to discover actionable strategies to build a breakthrough career, from unlocking creative potential to thriving in an evolving industry. Stephen dives deep into essential career growth insights, with advice on navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and positioning yourself for long-term success. Join a journey designed to inspire, educate, and elevate your career to the next level!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 128 Career: How to start your studio or freelance business
Episode 128
lundi 25 septembre 2023 • Duration 47:24
With layoffs and uncertainty affecting creatives everywhere, many are asking: Is it time to go out on my own? In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the critical questions to consider before diving into freelancing, consulting, or launching a business. Drawing from his own experience building a successful studio, Stephen explores essential steps to find clarity on the type of business that’s right for you, navigate challenges, and make informed decisions. Tune in for practical insights, personal reflections, and a roadmap to help you decide if—and how—you should take the leap.
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Back from hiatus
lundi 20 juin 2022 • Duration 10:26
I'm sure you noticed this show went on an unannounced 7-month hiatus. Before I started recording new episodes, I wanted to take a few minutes to explain what happened that made me stop, what kept me from restarting, and why it is coming back now. As always, thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoy the new episodes.
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 34 Methodologies: Design Thinking P2 - Ideation phase
Episode 34
vendredi 31 mars 2017 • Duration 44:41
In the second episode of our three-part crash course on Design Thinking, Stephen Gates guides you through the exciting transition from insights to innovation. Learn how to effectively brainstorm ideas by crafting impactful “How might we” statements and discover the seven essential rules for conducting successful brainstorming sessions. Tune in to unleash your creativity and enhance your team’s problem-solving capabilities as you move forward in the Design Thinking process!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 33 Methodologies: Design Thinking P1 - Overview and Inspiration phase
Episode 33
dimanche 19 mars 2017 • Duration 49:02
In the first episode of our three-part series on Design Thinking, Stephen Gates shares key insights from his journey as an IDEO-certified Design Thinking trainer. Get ready for an engaging overview of the Design Thinking methodology, where you’ll learn about its essential components. This episode dives deep into the Inspiration phase, focusing on the critical processes of research and synthesis that lay the foundation for effective design. Join us to unlock the potential of Design Thinking and start your journey toward innovative problem-solving!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 32 Creativity: How to see opportunities and insights before anyone else
Episode 32
dimanche 26 février 2017 • Duration 37:48
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates emphasizes the importance of recognizing change as a catalyst for disruptive ideas in our ever-evolving world. Discover invaluable lessons in non-traditional disruption drawn from various industries and learn how to combat cognitive biases that can blind you to emerging opportunities. Tune in to gain the insights and tools needed to stay ahead of the curve and harness change for innovative success.
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 31 Listener questions: Setting your salary and showing the value of an in-house team
Episode 31
dimanche 12 février 2017 • Duration 33:49
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates addresses pressing listener questions about navigating salary negotiations and demonstrating the value of an in-house creative team. Learn effective strategies for determining the right salary to ask for based on industry standards and personal worth. Stephen also shares insights on how to effectively showcase the impact of your creative team to your organization, ensuring that your contributions are recognized and valued. Tune in for practical advice that empowers you to advocate for yourself and your team!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 30 In-house design: How to fix broken and dysfunctional in-house creative teams
Episode 30
dimanche 29 janvier 2017 • Duration 50:01
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the paradox of today’s business landscape: while companies crave creativity more than ever, many internal creative teams lack the empowerment and support they need to thrive. Drawing from his extensive experience, Stephen shares actionable insights on how to effectively position, empower, and revitalize in-house teams to meet this growing demand for creativity. Tune in to discover strategies that can transform your creative department into a powerhouse of innovation and success!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 29 Speaking: How to become a great public speaker
Episode 29
samedi 21 janvier 2017 • Duration 49:55
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the art of public speaking, highlighting the key differences between presenting to your team and captivating an audience of strangers. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Stephen shares essential techniques for crafting engaging presentations and offers invaluable tips and tricks to enhance your public speaking skills. Whether you’re preparing for a large conference or a small gathering, tune in to learn how to effectively connect with your audience and deliver your message with confidence!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Ep 28 Career advice: The 6 most important lessons I've learned in my career
Episode 28
dimanche 15 janvier 2017 • Duration 52:17
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates reflects on his journey through the highs and lows of his career, sharing invaluable lessons learned along the way. With the aim of helping you avoid common pitfalls, Stephen dives into six critical areas that can elevate your success and enhance your creativity. Tune in for insights that will empower you to navigate your career with confidence, overcome challenges, and unlock your full creative potential!
SHOW NOTES AND MORE:
https://thecrazy1.com/
WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates
WORK WITH CRZY:
http://crzydesign.com/
FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook









