EPISODE · Apr 2, 2026 · 32 MIN
Print, Passion and a Playlist: Rob Ellison of Tonic Magazine
from Creatives Like Us · host Angela Lyons
This week I'm joined by Rob Ellison, co-founder of Tonic, a stunning long-form print magazine dedicated to the history and culture of drinks. We recorded this one in person at Burnt Faith Distillery in Walthamstow (yes, a brandy distillery inside a former church) and it's one of those conversations that just flows. Rob's creative journey started with a drum kit spotted in the corner of a church in Walsall at age nine. Music brought him to London in the mid-90s and while things didn't go quite to plan, he's still here and now on issue eight of a magazine that's part publication, part coffee table book, part Spotify playlist. We talk about building an indie magazine from scratch, the realities of community and distribution and his dream of taking subscribers on drinks tours across Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe. Rob also shares the people who shaped him along the way, including his wife and creative partner Bonita and a certain TV presenter who now sends him handwritten letters. His advice to his younger self? Stay curious, build your people around you and remember it's a marathon not a sprint. Connect with Rob:InstagramTonic Magazine InstagramLinkedinConnect with BenitaResources & Links: Tonic Magazine – Dive into long-form stories on drinks, culture, and communityBurnt Faith Distillery – Experience the unique distillery space mentioned in the episodeIf you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!Support the showContact InformationThis podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.You can follow and connect here: InstagramLinkedInPodcast websiteInstagram - Creatives Like Us PodcastJoin the mailing listBuy me coffee or a cuppa tea!The opinions of our host and guests are their own.If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a review. *this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.Thanks!
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
This week I'm joined by Rob Ellison, co-founder of Tonic, a stunning long-form print magazine dedicated to the history and culture of drinks. We recorded this one in person at Burnt Faith Distillery in Walthamstow (yes, a brandy distillery inside a former church) and it's one of those conversations that just flows. Rob's creative journey started with a drum kit spotted in the corner of a church in Walsall at age nine. Music brought him to London in the mid-90s and while things didn't go...
Ready to play
Print, Passion and a Playlist: Rob Ellison of Tonic Magazine
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.