Podcast · 54 episodes
The Creative Boom Podcast
by Creative Boom · English
The Creative Boom Podcast is a weekly interview show for designers, illustrators, animators, and creative professionals. Host Katy Cowan talks to artists, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers about the realities of building a creative career – confidence, burnout, money, failure, reinvention, and imposter syndrome – in honest, warm conversations that don't dress anything up. Part of Creative Boom, the independent magazine for the creative community established in 2009.
Latest episodes
The Spark: Rob Draper on Old-School Electro, Portrait-a-Day and Nike DreamsRob Draper discusses creating “something from nothing,” arguing that talking about ideas isn’t doing them, and sharing practical creative habits (pause judgment, keep experimenting).17 Jun 2026 · 31 min
Why Starting From Scratch Might Be the Best Thing That Ever Happens to You, with Rob DraperRob Draper’s “starting from scratch” journey after redundancy, and how to keep creating through uncertainty.14 Jun 2026 · 53 min
The Spark: Katy Ennis-Hargreaves on croc hatred, accidental shoplifting and Vivienne WestwoodKaty Ennis-Hargreaves discusses finding and owning her voice, dressing boldly (including her disdain for crocs and beige “minimalism”), staying focused by turning off notifications, and…10 Jun 2026 · 18 min
All episodes
The Spark: Rob Draper on Old-School Electro, Portrait-a-Day and Nike DreamsRob Draper discusses creating “something from nothing,” arguing that talking about ideas isn’t doing them, and sharing practical creative habits (pause judgment, keep experimenting).17 Jun 2026 · 31 min · 17 chapters
Why Starting From Scratch Might Be the Best Thing That Ever Happens to You, with Rob DraperRob Draper’s “starting from scratch” journey after redundancy, and how to keep creating through uncertainty.14 Jun 2026 · 53 min · 22 chapters
The Spark: Katy Ennis-Hargreaves on croc hatred, accidental shoplifting and Vivienne WestwoodKaty Ennis-Hargreaves discusses finding and owning her voice, dressing boldly (including her disdain for crocs and beige “minimalism”), staying focused by turning off notifications, and…10 Jun 2026 · 18 min · 7 chapters
Why Being Yourself Is Your Biggest Creative Advantage, with Katy Ennis-Hargreaves of BOLDISMKaty Ennis-Hargreaves (Boldism) argues that authenticity and “being yourself” is a creative advantage.7 Jun 2026 · 55 min · 17 chapters
The Spark: Malika Favre on Coffee, Dinner Party Dreams and a Cheeky ConfessionBonus “The Spark” interview with Malika Favre, focused on her coffee ritual, creative “theme tune,” dream dinner party, music/food tastes, and her views on social media vulnerability.3 Jun 2026 · 16 min · 6 chapters
Building a Career in Illustration on Your Own Terms, with Malika FavreMalika Favre discusses building a freelance illustration career “on your own terms,” including refusing client-defined boundaries, protecting her personal voice, and navigating industry shifts.31 May 2026 · 53 min · 22 chapters
The Spark: Jimmy Turrell on Snails, Rave Culture and Creative ChaosJimmy Turrell discusses creative chaos, rave culture/creative background (referenced from his main interview), and how health routines, ethical boundaries, and collage methods shape his work.27 May 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
Creativity, AI and the Truth About Staying Original, with Jimmy TurrellCreativity and staying original in the age of AI, plus how childhood freedom, analog practice, and collaboration shape an illustrator’s work.24 May 2026 · 55 min · 25 chapters
The Spark: James Martin on Pasta, Pet Peeves and a Few Unfiltered TruthsJames Martin discusses creativity and career without “personal branding” or forced “authentic self” talk, using humor to avoid taking oneself too seriously.20 May 2026 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Personal Branding, Visibility and the Truth No One Tells You, with James MartinPersonal branding and visibility for creatives, arguing that “personal branding” is often performative and that lasting reputation comes from evidence, proof, and staying in the game.17 May 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 22 chapters
The Spark: Natty Harris on Good Pens, Big Feelings and Pasta PersonalitiesNatty Harris, a graphic designer in Brazil, discusses creativity and communication in design—resisting bland logo trends, the calming effect of using a great pen, and writing simply without…13 May 2026 · 28 min · 10 chapters
Grief, Growth and Rebuilding a Creative Life, with Natty HarrisGrief as an ongoing process that reshapes identity and creative work; rebuilding a creative life after sudden loss; letting emotions be felt rather than suppressed.10 May 2026 · 48 min · 17 chapters
The Spark: David Airey on Hot Takes, Bad Habits, and Big Life QuestionsDavid Airey (Logo Design Love, 3rd ed.) reflects on 20 years of graphic design as a springboard to life priorities, discipline over passion, self-compassion, and resisting social-media-driven design…6 May 2026 · 45 min · 15 chapters
On 20 Years in Design, Letting Go of 'More', and Why Discipline Beats Passion, with David AireyA conversation with graphic designer/author David Airey about 20 years in design, burnout and pressure, social media’s noise, discipline vs passion, and building a sustainable career.3 May 2026 · 54 min · 26 chapters
The Spark: Liz Seabrook on Matcha, Side Hustles and Being SeenLiz Seabrook discusses matcha fatigue, style confidence in East London, cycling near-miss anger, and creative career strategy.29 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
AI, Beauty Standards and the Death of Realness, with Liz SeabrookAI’s impact on photography and creativity, and how beauty standards (aging, body image, retouching, filters, cosmetic procedures) are being homogenized and intensified; also discusses agency,…26 Apr 2026 · 47 min · 22 chapters
The Spark: Jessie McGuire on Why Fast Isn't Better, Imposter Syndrome and Dinner with Elton JohnJessie McGuire (Thought Matter) discusses why “fast” isn’t always better in design, the cultural pressure behind “cringe culture,” building creative confidence, and her perspective on imposter…22 Apr 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
Imagination, Conviction and Design That Isn't Neutral, with Jessie McGuireImagination and creative conviction in design; design “isn’t neutral” because it shapes behavior and narratives.19 Apr 2026 · 54 min · 19 chapters
The Spark: Adam J. Kurtz on Getting a Dog, Wearing Socks and Letting Go of CoolAdam J. Kurtz discusses creativity without perfection, the value of “good enough,” and practical mindset shifts for work (notably wearing socks).15 Apr 2026 · 29 min · 18 chapters
From New York to 'Now What?': Starting Over on Your Own Terms, with Adam J. KurtzAdam J. Kurtz (Adam JK) discusses leaving New York during COVID, starting over in Honolulu, and redefining success beyond a “New York artist” identity.12 Apr 2026 · 48 min · 17 chapters
The Spark: Aporva Baxi on Music, Movies and Making Things Without OverthinkingA conversation with Aporva Baxi (Dixon Baxi) about creativity without overthinking—how mundane observations, music, film, and quick idea-capture rituals shape his work, plus reflections on AI themes…8 Apr 2026 · 35 min · 18 chapters
Why Taste Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI, with Aporva BaxiAI is accelerating design and branding, but “taste” (a distinct point of view) is the new differentiator.5 Apr 2026 · 45 min · 22 chapters
The Spark: Nicki Sprinz on Tilda Swinton, Imaginary Albums and the Death of 'Follow Your Passion'Nicki Sprinz (Us Too) answers rapid-fire “The Spark” questions about creativity, curiosity, and media habits, including rejecting “follow your passion,” discussing creative constraints, and…1 Apr 2026 · 11 min · 8 chapters
Why Wellness Apps Fail – and How to Fix That, with Nicki Sprinz of ustwoWhy most wellness apps fail after first use, and how “digital coaching” (AI plus human behavioral expertise) can drive real habit change through thoughtful design, meaningful metrics, and ethical…29 Mar 2026 · 51 min · 25 chapters