Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish

Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy use memorable movie scenes and quotes to pull practical lessons for creative work and business. They explore risk-taking, clarity, courage, problem-solving, and how to sell ideas using examples from films like Animal House, Toy Story, Apollo 13, Jaws, 12 Angry Men, Dead Poets Society, and Glengarry Glen Ross. Through candid conversation and real-world anecdotes, the episode shows how cinematic moments can inspire better decision-making, stronger teams, and bolder creative choices.

On this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, hosts Marc Levy and Jeremy Baka talk with Howard Pulchin about the messy, rewarding overlap between creativity and public service. They dig into Howard’s front-row role in the Dove Real Beauty work, the ongoing fights over creative credit, and the career shift that led him to run for and win a local office in Northwest Connecticut. The conversation moves from practical campaign lessons—positive messaging, persistence, and grassroots organizing—to bigger industry critiques about who gets to be called "creative" and the limits of agency structures. Takeaways center on putting people first, fostering intergenerational curiosity, and using creative skills to build community and meaningful change.

In this one-year anniversary episode the hosts reflect on 40 past shows, revisit major brand backlash stories (American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret, Cracker Barrel), and debate whether those controversies were overblown. They discuss mentorship—offering to take on protégés—and share candid guest conversations about client-agency honesty and crisis management. The episode closes with a wide-ranging talk on AI’s rapid rise and what it means for the future of creativity and careers.

Hosts Jeremy and Marc interview Elizabeth Heaton, a former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer, about reading thousands of applications and what makes students stand out. They explore the difference between being well-rounded and well-lopsided, when creativity helps or hurts, and memorable do’s and don’ts from the admissions table. The episode also tackles modern concerns—parent involvement, AI in essays and admissions, and the rising pressure on students to turn college into a job pipeline—offering practical advice: be authentic, use creativity with purpose, and look beyond brand names for the right fit.

Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy riff on agency life, award season absurdities, and the Cannes Lions scandal that revealed AI-manipulated entries. They debate the value of awards, the challenges judges face, and how new Cannes integrity rules seek to curb deception. Between personal stories and industry anecdotes, they question whether awards actually measure creativity or effectiveness, consider AI’s role as a creative partner, and wonder if these new standards can restore trust.

Greetings, creative warriors! In this episode, Marc & Jeremy welcome brand strategist Nancy Martira to explore her unique, original system for guiding mid-to-senior professionals how to think like brand strategists to stand out in a crowded, dehumanized job market. Nancy explains her ‘moment, impact, edge’ framework for crafting memorable positioning, translating it into LinkedIn headlines, resumes, and networking pitches, and offers practical advice on storytelling, confidence, and reclaiming human connection during a job search.

Hosts Jeremy and Marc unpack the messy realities of creative credit in agencies—from brainstorm dynamics and idea theft to the junior/senior power plays that shape who gets recognized. They share real anecdotes, psychological reasons ideas get lost, practical tips for protecting and sharing credit (individual ideation, follow-up notes, and leadership that gives credit away), and when it’s time to move on from a toxic culture.

This week, our two intrepid hosts sit down with Paul Walker, founder of Crisis Command, to discuss how AI is reshaping crisis management, the balance between human judgment and automation, and the tactics organizations need to stay aligned under pressure. They explore Crisis Command's workflow, real-world case examples, industry-specific applications, and the limits of AI — emphasizing empathy, institutional values, and the continued need for experienced human decision-makers.

Hosts Marc and Jeremy unpack creative control in entertainment and marketing, sparked by the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni dispute. They discuss how differing visions, committee influence, and leadership decisions shape— and sometimes sabotage—creative work. Through personal stories and industry examples, they share practical approaches to protect creative vision: early buy-in, staged sharing of work, treating leadership like clients, and balancing surprise with clarity to avoid last-minute compromises.

In this episode Jeremy, Marc, and guest Kristen Lisanti unpack the ‘drama triangle’—victim, villain, hero—and show leaders how to replace reactivity with three practical practices: co‑creating, challenging, and coaching. Drawing on agency stories and neuroscience-informed culture work, they explain how small leadership shifts can turn survival cultures into creative, high‑performing ecosystems. Listeners will learn red flags to watch for, how to hold tough conversations without falling into blame, and where to start when change must come from the top.