PODCAST · arts
The Creative Boom Podcast
by Creative Boom
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.
Episodes
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The Spark: Rob Draper on Old-School Electro, Portrait-a-Day and Nike Dreams
In this bonus episode, Katy Cowan and Rob Draper swap the big career questions for something a lot more daft – a quickfire ramble through nostalgia, confessions and very questionable claims to greatness. Rob shares his most controversial creative opinion (talking about it isn't doing it), the...
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Why Starting From Scratch Might Be the Best Thing That Ever Happens to You, with Rob Draper
Lettering artist, designer and University of Worcester fellow Rob Draper joins Katy Cowan to close out the season with a warm, philosophical conversation about starting over and the art of creating something from nothing. Rob opens up about the redundancy that upended his life at 40, the period...
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The Spark: Katy Ennis-Hargreaves on croc hatred, accidental shoplifting and Vivienne Westwood
In the second, faster, slightly more feral half of the recording this week, Katy Ennis-Hargreaves of BOLDISM stays in the chair for The Spark – the rapid-fire round where the questions get cheekier and the answers get more honest. Top of the agenda is her renowned and entirely unrepentant hatred…
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Why Being Yourself Is Your Biggest Creative Advantage, with Katy Ennis-Hargreaves of BOLDISM
Katy Ennis-Hargreaves of design studio BOLDISM joins Katy Cowan for an honest conversation about what happens when you stop watering yourself down and start living as your full self. They dig into imposter syndrome as a driver rather than a hindrance, the years of being told you're "too awkward"…
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The Spark: Malika Favre on Coffee, Dinner Party Dreams and a Cheeky Confession
It's time for the Spark – our weekly bonus episode where we step away from the work and get to know our guest a little better through a round of quick, fun questions. No prep, no warning, no idea what's coming. This week, host Katy Cowan puts Malika Favre on the spot, and the result is exactly…
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Building a Career in Illustration on Your Own Terms, with Malika Favre
Artist and illustrator Malika Favre joins host Katy Cowan for a wide-ranging conversation about building a creative career on your own terms. They talk about why Malika left London after fifteen years for the slower, sunnier rhythm of Barcelona, and the strange guilt of trying to take it easy in…
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The Spark: Jimmy Turrell on Snails, Rave Culture and Creative Chaos
Artist Jimmy Turrell returns for The Spark, where things get a little weirder and a lot more chaotic. This week, we talk about the creative power of curiosity, the music that still puts Jimmy into a flow state, and why some of the best ideas come from getting out into the world and actually…
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Creativity, AI and the Truth About Staying Original, with Jimmy Turrell
Jimmy Turrell joins host Katy Cowan for a sprawling, funny and unexpectedly moving conversation about creativity, working-class roots, growing up in the North East, and staying human in an increasingly artificial world. From childhood adventures that sound straight out of The Goonies to surviving...
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The Spark: James Martin on Pasta, Pet Peeves and a Few Unfiltered Truths
Right, this is where things get a bit more… unhinged. In this bonus episode, Katy and James Martin ditch the big topics and just have a proper chat. It's looser, more playful, and exactly the kind of conversation you'd have if you were sat next to each other at the pub after the mics were meant…
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Personal Branding, Visibility and the Truth No One Tells You, with James Martin
What does "personal branding" actually mean anymore? And do we really need to be visible all the time to build a successful creative career? In this episode, Katy sits down with designer and founder James Martin (Made by James) for a candid, funny and surprisingly deep conversation about the...
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The Spark: Natty Harris on Good Pens, Big Feelings and Pasta Personalities
After a pretty emotional main episode, we ease things up a bit with Natty Harris in this week's Spark. And yes, there's still depth, but there's also plenty of laughs. We get into the creative trends Natty's quietly over (sorry, sans serif lovers), the tiny things that can instantly improve your...
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Grief, Growth and Rebuilding a Creative Life, with Natty Harris
This week, Katy sits down with senior designer Natty Harris for a deeply honest and emotional conversation about grief, loss, and rebuilding your life when everything changes. At the heart of the episode is Natty's brother Thomas, who died suddenly at 24, and the profound impact he had on shaping...
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The Spark: David Airey on Hot Takes, Bad Habits, and Big Life Questions
n this Spark episode, things get a bit looser and a bit more revealing. Katy puts David Airey on the spot with a mix of quick-fire questions, unexpected tangents, and the kind of prompts that lead to surprisingly honest answers. They get into David's most controversial creative opinion, why he's...
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On 20 Years in Design, Letting Go of 'More', and Why Discipline Beats Passion, with David Airey
Katy sits down with legendary graphic designer and author David Airey to talk about two decades in the industry, but this isn't just a conversation about logos, books, and client work. It quickly becomes something deeper. A reflection on time, family, creativity, and what actually matters when…
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The Spark: Liz Seabrook on Matcha, Side Hustles and Being Seen
Photographer Liz Seabrook is back for The Spark. Slightly subdued, a little chaotic, but still brilliantly honest. What starts as a playful chat about matcha and East London fashion quickly becomes more reflective. There's talk of cycling rage, parachute pants, and the strange freedom of dressing...
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AI, Beauty Standards and the Death of Realness, with Liz Seabrook
What happens when everything starts to look the same? In this episode, Katy sits down with photographer Liz Seabrook to talk about image-making in a world that feels increasingly artificial. From AI-generated campaigns to face-tuned portraits, they explore what's being lost as perfection becomes...
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The Spark: Jessie McGuire on Why Fast Isn't Better, Imposter Syndrome and Dinner with Elton John
essie McGuire returns for The Spark, where things get a little looser and a lot more revealing. She shares what she's tired of seeing in the creative world right now, including the obsession with speed and the pressure to react instantly to everything. It's a thoughtful take on why creativity…
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Imagination, Conviction and Design That Isn't Neutral, with Jessie McGuire
What if design isn't neutral at all? In this episode, Katy sits down with Jessie McGuire, partner at New York design studio Thought Matter, to explore the real power of creativity and why it comes with responsibility. Jessie shares her 10-year story at Thought Matter, working closely with founder...
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The Spark: Adam J. Kurtz on Getting a Dog, Wearing Socks and Letting Go of Cool
n this week's Spark, Adam J. Kurtz gets refreshingly honest about creativity, identity, and letting go of perfection. From why "good enough" is often more than enough, to the surprising power of putting on a pair of socks, Adam shares the small shifts that can make a big difference to your day.…
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From New York to 'Now What?': Starting Over on Your Own Terms, with Adam J. Kurtz
In this week's episode, Katy sits down with artist, author and beautifully honest human Adam J. Kurtz to talk about what happens when you reach the thing you thought you wanted… and realise it's not the whole story. Dialling in from Hawaii, Adam shares how leaving New York forced him to untangle...
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The Spark: Aporva Baxi on Music, Movies and Making Things Without Overthinking
In this week's bonus episode of The Spark, we get to know Aporva Baxi a little better. From photographing shadows and beams of light to whispering ideas into his phone in the supermarket, Aporva shares the small habits that shape his creative life. We chat about music that fuels his thinking…
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Why Taste Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI, with Aporva Baxi
Today's guest is Aporva Baxi, co-founder of DixonBaxi, one of the world's most respected branding agencies. Our host and founding editor Katy Cowan recently spent some time at their London studio, having a proper nosey at how they work. And what stayed with us wasn't just the output, it was the...
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The Spark: Nicki Sprinz on Tilda Swinton, Imaginary Albums and the Death of 'Follow Your Passion'
In this week's Spark, we swap strategy for spontaneity, as Nicki Sprinz, CEO of ustwo, returns for our quick-fire bonus round, where things get a little more personal. We talk dream dinner parties featuring Tilda Swinton and Ann Patchett, why "just follow your passion" might be the worst advice…
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Why Wellness Apps Fail – and How to Fix That, with Nicki Sprinz of ustwo
Most wellness apps fail you. Not because you lack willpower, but because they were never designed around how humans actually change. Season 11 of The Creative Boom Podcast opens with Katy Cowan and Nicki Sprinz, CEO of ustwo – the studio behind Monument Valley – digging into the digital coaching...
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The Spark: Chris Wilson on Confidence, Chaos and Keeping Your Creativity Alive
This bonus episode brings Chris Wilson of Stckmn back for a lighter, looser conversation to round off the season. After a deep, emotional main interview, Katy and Chris shift gears into something playful, candid, and full of spark. Chris answers quick-fire questions about his quirks, his guilty...
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From Trauma to Triumph with Chris Wilson: Creativity, Resilience & the Courage to Keep Going
This final episode of the season closes on a note that feels right for a new year. Honest. Hopeful. A little raw and full of heart. Chris Wilson, the multi-disciplinary force behind Glasgow’s one-man studio Stckmn, joins Katy for a conversation about surviving life's sharpest edges and still...
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The Spark: Joy Nazzari on Fish and Chips, Street Art Dreams and Friday Studio Nostalgia
Joy Nazzari of DNCO is back for The Spark, and this time we're keeping things short, sharp and delightfully unhinged. In this bonus episode, she opens up about the creative hill she'll die on, the medium she secretly wishes she could master, and the project that left her thinking, oh god… this is...
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Building Belonging: Joy Nazzari on 20 Years of DNCO, Saying No and Staying Sane
DNCO just turned 20, and founder Joy Nazzari is not done yet. In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Joy joins Katy to talk honestly about building a place brand studio from two slightly rebellious thirty-somethings with no clients, to a 33-strong team working on cities and even a whole US...
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The Spark: Matt Baxter on Mistakes, Motörhead and the Magic of Play-Doh
We're back with the wonderful Matt Baxter of Baxter & Bailey for The Spark, our fun bonus episode with each week's guest. We talk about orange hats, forgotten skills, and the power of liking what you do. There's nostalgia, karaoke, and a bit of Play-Doh. Matt shares what he wishes he were good…
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Matt Baxter on What The Design Laundry Reveals About Creatives
Designer, writer and hat connoisseur Matt Baxter of Baxter & Bailey joins us on The Creative Boom Podcast this week to talk about imperfection, community, and the creative life. Matt's been in the game for three decades – from Trickett & Webb and 300million to co-founding his Brighton studio with...
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The Spark: Pum Lefebure on Rituals, Awkward Beauty and a Unicorn-mermaid Imagination
In this bonus episode, Pum Lefebure of Design Army opens the studio door and lets us peek at the small rituals that keep her sharp, the mindset that replaces work–life "balance", and the travel habits that refill her creative well. We talk about fear, firsts, and learning new tools the hard way....
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Pum Lefebure on Yard Sales, Ballets and Building a Dream Design Army
Pum Lefebure is the cofounder and chief creative officer of Design Army, the award-winning Washington DC studio behind bold campaigns for clients like The Washington Ballet, Bloomingdale's, and Hong Kong Ballet. Known for her clarity of vision, Pum set her sights on fashion, performing arts, and...
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The Spark: Jeff Staple on Inner Critics, Creative Habits and UFOs
Jeff Staple is back for The Spark – our quickfire after-hours chat where we dig beneath the surface and have a little fun. In this shorter episode, Jeff opens up about the small rituals that keep him grounded, how to turn jealousy into fuel, and why getting sunlight on your face at 6 a.m. can...
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Jeff Staple on Near-Death Moments, Big Risks and One Sneaker That Changed Everything
Jeff Staple is a designer, brand strategist and cultural icon who helped turn sneaker culture into a global movement. In this conversation, he opens up about growing up as an only child in New Jersey, how loneliness built his imagination, and how two near-death experiences changed the way he…
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The Spark: Ashley Johnson on Impulsive Adventures, Inner Critics and the Joy of Not Knowing
In this episode of The Spark, Katy welcomes back Ashley Johnson, Head of Brand Narrative at Pentagram in London, for a playful, after-hours chat that reveals a more mischievous side to the celebrated writer and strategist. After their in-depth Creative Boom interview, this follow-up is all about...
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Ashley Johnson on Breaking Into Pentagram, Owning Your Voice and Leading with Bravery
n this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy chats with Ashley Johnson, Head of Brand Narrative at Pentagram in London, about the winding path that took her from Canadian TV journalism to one of the world's most respected design studios. Ashley shares how early experiences with online...
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The Spark: Zoë Thompson on Turning Creative Jealousy into Fuel and Dancing Your Way to Big Ideas
In this playful bonus of The Spark, Katy Cowan welcomes back Zoë Thompson, founder of Sweet Thang and proud zine entrepreneur, for a quick-fire round of joy-filled questions. After sharing her creative journey in Monday's episode, Zoë returns to talk about creative jealousy and how she reframes…
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Zoë Thompson on the Power of Zines and Keeping Print Alive
For The Creative Boom Podcast this week, Katy Cowan chats with Zoë Thompson, the founder of Sweet Thang, an independent arts and literary zine that champions black creatives around the world. Zoë launched the publication when she was just 18, driven by a love of magazines and a desire to create a...
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The Spark: Emily Penny on Kate Winslet, Fairies and Deputy Penny
We're back with another instalment of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. This time, host Katy Cowan is joined by Emily Penny – brand strategist, writer and founder of Be Colourful. In this after-show, Emily reveals the actress she's convinced...
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Emily Penny on the Secrets Behind Standing Out as a Design Studio
In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan chats with Emily Penny – brand strategist, writer and founder of Be Colourful – about why so many design studios blend into the crowd, and the secrets to finally breaking free. Emily shares findings from her new report, Fully Saturated…
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The Spark: Claire Blyth on Madonna, Magpies and the Hacienda
We're back with another instalment of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. This time, host Katy Cowan is joined by Claire Blyth, founder of Red Setter and a passionate advocate for design PR. In this light-hearted after-show, Claire shares the...
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Claire Blyth on Why PR Still Matters in the Age of AI
In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan chats with Claire Blyth, founder of Red Setter, the PR agency championing design. Claire reflects on how the industry has transformed since she started out – from mornings spent clipping newspapers to today's reality of AI search and...
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The Spark: Brian Collins on Poetry, Playfulness and the Perfect Cookie
We're back with another instalment of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. This time, host Katy Cowan is joined by Brian Collins – legendary designer and co-founder of COLLINS. In this playful after-show, Brian reveals the piece of creative…
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Brian Collins on Fighting Second Dragons, the Power of Orange Ties and the Future of Creativity
In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan sits down with Brian Collins – the legendary co-founder of COLLINS, the design company behind work for Spotify, Dropbox and Mailchimp – for a conversation that's part masterclass, part storytelling, and entirely unforgettable. Brian reveals...
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The Spark: Haraldur Thorleifsson on Impulsive Adventures, Inner Critics & Dream Guests
We're back with another instalment of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. Host Katy Cowan is joined this time by Haraldur 'Halli' Thorleifsson – designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of Ramp Up Reykjavik. In this playful after-show,...
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From Twitter to Ramps & Resilience: Haraldur Thorleifsson on Building with Kindness
In this episode of the Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan chats with Haraldur 'Halli' Thorleifsson – designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and now podcaster – about what it really means to lead with kindness. Halli opens up about the personal challenges that shaped his outlook, from losing his...
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The Spark: Paul Benney on Creative Envy, Childhood Freedom & a Dream Dinner with Tony Wilson
We're back with a brand-new season of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. Host Katy Cowan is joined once again by Paul Benney – co-founder of Jockey Slut, Bugged Out! and the biannual magazine Disco Pogo. In this episode, Paul reveals the...
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From Rave Culture to Print Revival: Paul Benney on Jockey Sl*t, Bugged Out! & Disco Pogo
Kicking off the new season of The Creative Boom Podcast, host Katy Cowan sits down with Paul Benney – co-founder of the cult dance magazine Jockey Slut, the legendary club night Bugged Out! and, today, the beautifully crafted biannual Disco Pogo. Paul looks back at the golden days of music...
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The Creative Boom Podcast Trailer
Are you just as curious about the people behind the work as you are about the work itself? The Creative Boom Podcast goes beyond the portfolio to uncover what really drives creative minds. Join host Katy Cowan for warm, candid conversations with fascinating guests – from celebrated names like…
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The Spark: James Greenfield of Koto on Apple Rants, Mr Bingo Dreams & Pitch Mishaps
In this bonus episode of The Spark, Koto CEO and founder James Greenfield returns for a lighter, weirder, and more wonderfully random chat. From his most controversial creative opinion (spoiler: it involves Apple) to dreams featuring Mr Bingo demanding to be called 'The Way', nothing is…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Creative Boom
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Creative Boom Podcast have?
The Creative Boom Podcast currently has 217 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Creative Boom Podcast about?
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...
How often does The Creative Boom Podcast release new episodes?
The Creative Boom Podcast publishes regularly with 217 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Creative Boom Podcast?
You can listen to The Creative Boom Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Creative Boom Podcast?
The Creative Boom Podcast is created and hosted by Creative Boom.
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