The Creative Boom Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

When was the last time you truly listened to someone? Not just wait for your turn to speak, but genuinely hear their story, even if you disagree? This week, on our season finale, we explore the power of listening and embracing diverse perspectives with a guest who's made a career out of connecting with others and having a blast along the way.

American actor, director, and musician Richard Speight, Jr. joins us today. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, and now living in LA, Richard's infectious charm and genuine curiosity have endeared him to fans and colleagues alike. From his roles in Supernatural and Band of Brothers to his work behind the camera and on stage with his band Dick Jr. & The Volunteers, Richard's warmth and wit shine through in everything he does. But it's not just about the roles he plays or the music he makes – it's about the connections he fosters and the joy he brings to every interaction.

We chat more about the importance of building relationships and connecting with people in the creative industry. We'll explore the value of embracing flaws and imperfections in storytelling and art, as well as the impact of social media on self-esteem and the need for authenticity. We'll reflect on how far we've come since the 1970s, the lessons we can learn from past mistakes, and the loss of boredom and its impact on creativity and personal growth. 

We'll also explore the depth of connection and understanding that in-person interactions provide, in contrast to the limitations of being online. And throughout it all, we'll discuss why it’s so important to have a sense of fun and perspective when being creative.

Art and design might feel like everything to you, but has it ever been a matter of life and death? This week, we're joined by Kelly Korzun, an individual for whom creativity has truly been a lifeline.

Kelly is not only an acclaimed artist and the visionary behind METAL & DVST, a vibrant art space that champions the voices of artists worldwide; she's also deeply invested in the nonprofit sector and passionate about education. Her journey through the realms of creativity and her advocacy for the arts as transformative tools are nothing short of inspiring.

Today, we'll take a closer look at a poignant chapter in Kelly's life where art transcended passion and became her lifeline during a critical moment in her youth. Our conversation will highlight the resilience of the human spirit and underscore the powerful role of art in healing and personal growth.

We'll also explore the significance of giving back to the creative community, a mission close to my heart through nearly 15 years at the helm of Creative Boom. Join us as we uncover the profound impact of creativity on our lives and the world around us.

Ever wonder how to make it big in animation when the industry is always on the move? How do you keep your focus and drive when everything around you is shifting so fast?

This week, we explore these important questions with Sean J. Cuttino, an influential figure in animation, illustration, and storytelling. His journey shines a light on what it really takes to stay ahead in a world where the creative landscape and technology never stand still.

The creative force behind J. Cutt Productions, Sean is known for his engaging YouTube content and impressive collaborations with big names like Google, the NFL, Slick Rick and Missy Elliott, showing us how creativity can really make an impact. But he's not just about making waves; he's helping shape how we experience art and design.

In our conversation, we learn how he keeps up with the fast-paced world of animation and design and about his latest passion project, The Storybook Traveling Adventures of Little J. and the Wonder Key. This talk isn't just about his career highs but also about the power of storytelling and how it draws us in.

Sean opens up about the rollercoaster of building a creative career, filled with ups and downs and the learning curve that keeps his work exciting and relevant. From viral animations to the enchanting world of Little J, his story is all about resilience, joy, and the love of creating.

For anyone who's got a thing for design, loves a good story, or is just curious about creative careers, this episode with Sean J. Cuttino is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. It's all about finding your passion, embracing the inevitable challenges, and making those imaginative ideas a reality in a constantly evolving industry.

This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

Dan Silverstone started out as a graphic designer at a "safe" council job before he found the courage to leave and join GRIN, a creative studio in Birmingham. It was there that he developed his creative skills, becoming senior designer and later, art director. Today, he specialises in motion and loves to indulge in lots of side projects via his venture, Pica. In this episode, we chat about growing up in Birmingham, switching careers to do more of what you love, and his love of video games and cyberpunk.

Sophie Amono is a qualified journalist, marketing specialist, and founder of social media agency, Stuffs. Originally from London, she began her career working at Dazed & Confused and The Times, before moving to Glasgow in 2015. In this episode we chat about her journey, the struggles she's faced, about Covid-19 and the lockdown, feminism, and finding her voice. We talk about Black Lives Matter and how we hope the world is changing for the better. Sophie also shares her views on success and how we need to change its meaning, perhaps learning to slow down, too.

Michael C Place is a Yorkshire-born graphic designer, creative director and founder of the successful design studio, Build. Prior to setting up his own business, he famously worked for Trevor Jackson at Bite It! and with Ian Anderson at The Designers Republic in the 1990s. We chat about those early days, the design industry in general and some of his most memorable projects. He also shares lots of wisdom on running a small studio outside of London. This is an honest and humble chat with one of the biggest names in design.

Graphic designers and friends Eve Warren and Anna Wanczyk have recently joined forces to launch the first chapter in Yorkshire of Kerning the Gap, a community founded in 2015 to get more women into leadership roles in the design industry. Eve is currently working at Robot Food in Leeds while Anna has recently set up her own studio. It was great to hear about their different career paths and see how they navigate the usual roller coaster of being a creative professional. We also talk about being women in the creative industries, share stories of what we've encountered, and what we hope to see change.

Known for his bold and innovative typographic artworks, Craig Black is a Scottish-born designer, lettering artist and typographer whose worked tirelessly over the last five years to build his own design studio near Glasgow. Here, he shares some of the secrets to his success, including some helpful ideas to boost productivity, improve mental wellbeing and achieve your goals. This is an eye-opening, utterly honest treat that will leave you feeling energised and ready to take on anything.

Illustrator Ana Jaks creates work that is full of shape, colour, pattern and inclusivity. Originally from the Isle of Man, she went to Falmouth University to study Illustration and then did a Masters in Visual Communications at Bath Spa before graduating in 2015. She's always worked for herself and has so far picked up clients such as Facebook and Nike. I headed down to Bristol in March to meet Ana and chat about freelancing, work/life balance, and why she's spending more time on her hobbies these days.

Award-winning British designer Craig Oldham is behind Office of Craig, the creative studio based in Manchester. He's also written a few books, notably Oh Shit, What Now to support emerging designers. More recently, he's published They Live, a book that celebrates the sci-fi cult movie by John Carpenter. There was much to discuss when I met Craig in Manchester pre-lockdown, including the state of the creative industries, favourite movies, and where he gets his no-nonsense attitude from.