In this episode, Andy Wright and Rio Blake (joining as the new Northern Hemisphere correspondent) sit down with Nick Finney, founder of NB Studio and former Pentagram designer. Nick shares his unconventional journey from working in a bicycle shop and Burton's Menswear to becoming a respected creative leader, while opening up about the realities of running a design agency for 28 years.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Unconventional Path to Design:
Nick reflects on his early struggles with academics, working on a YTS scheme for £25 a week, and his eventual transition to art college. He emphasises how his non-traditional background shaped his perspective and resilience in the creative industry.
The Evolution of Internships and Junior Talent:
The conversation explores how the internship landscape has changed, with Nick defending the value of junior talent while acknowledging the increased competition. He discusses NB Studio's approach to nurturing interns and the importance of treating them as integral team members.
Technology's Impact on Creative Learning:
Nick addresses concerns about remote work and whether essential skills are being passed down to the next generation. He remains optimistic about young creatives' adaptability while acknowledging the social challenges of post-COVID workplace integration.
Mental Health and Leadership:
In a candid discussion, Nick opens up about his 15-year journey with therapy, breaking down stigmas around mental health support for older white males in creative leadership. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental fitness, not just during crises but as ongoing self-care.
The Pressure of Agency Life:
Nick discusses what keeps him up at night (spoiler: it's public speaking, not finances), the challenge of wearing multiple hats as a business owner, and his preference for creative work over administrative tasks.
Introversion in a Networking World:
The episode concludes with advice for introverted creatives on building resilience and authenticity in an industry that often demands self-promotion and networking.
Quotes:
"I'd rather just die of a heart attack while pointing at a mood board."
"Fuck it. Tell everyone, actually get therapy. It's good for you."
"We're all just human beings. We're all just trying to make a living and what we really want is fun from what we do."
"In terms of big ideas... I like to see subversiveness, I like to see people who stretch and play and bend with rules."
Resources & Mentions:
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the realities of creative leadership, the importance of mental health in high-pressure industries, and honest insights into running a design agency in today's challenging market.
In this insightful second half of their conversation, Andy and Rachel share the continuation of Andy's discussion with James Martin, renowned graphic designer and member of the Canva Design Advisory Board. James is celebrated for his commitment to mentoring and supporting emerging designers globally. This episode dives deep into the themes of creative growth, self-development, education, and the evolving landscape of design in the age of AI.
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Key Topics Covered:
- Gaps vs. Gains Mindset:
James shares the importance of focusing on personal and professional gains rather than dwelling on gaps or shortcomings. The discussion references the book The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, emphasising the value of measuring progress by looking back at how far you’ve come.
- Creative Freedom Framework:
James introduces his framework for creative growth, which includes moving through stages of self-sabotage, self-alignment, self-motivation, and ultimately self-reliance. The conversation highlights the cyclical nature of growth and the importance of action in building confidence.
- Education and Industry Readiness:
James and Andy discuss the current gaps in creative education, particularly the lack of real-world preparation for students. They advocate for continuous learning, mentorship, and industry involvement to bridge these gaps.
- Journaling and Reflection:
James talks about the power of daily reflection, journaling three wins each day, and setting intentions for tomorrow as practical tools for maintaining momentum and mental well-being.
- AI and the Future of Design:
The episode explores the impact of AI on creative work, stressing the need for designers to understand foundational principles to get the most out of new technologies. James argues that AI is only as good as the human guiding it and encourages a balanced, intentional approach to its use.
- Burnout and Resilience:
James shares personal strategies for recognising and managing burnout, including the importance of self-awareness, support networks, and realigning with personal vision and goals.
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Notable Quotes:
- “Always measure backwards. Look at where you were a year ago, not just where you want to be.”
- “Creative freedom comes from moving through self-sabotage to self-reliance.”
- “AI is only as good as the human who controls it right now.”
- “Confidence is built through action, not just knowledge.”
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Resources & Mentions:
- The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
- James Martin’s Courses and Tools
- Never Not Creative’s “Asking for a Friend” section for career and mental health support
- Streamtime (podcast partner)
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Connect with James Martin:
- Youtube
- Website
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Listen to Part 1:
If you missed the first half of this conversation, be sure to check out Part 1 for more on James’s journey and insights.
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About Never Not Creative:
Never Not Creative is a community and resource hub for creative professionals, offering programs, content, and support around career development and mental health.
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Thanks for Listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share. For questions or feedback, reach out via our website or social channels.
In this episode, Andy Wright and Rachel Zhang share an interview with James Martin, renowned graphic designer at Lincoln Design Co., creator of MadeByJames and member of the Canva Design Advisory Board. James shares his deeply personal and winding journey—from overcoming childhood trauma and addiction to building a successful design career and becoming a mentor for emerging creatives worldwide.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The Myth of the Perfect Career Path:
James reflects on his non-linear journey, emphasizing that success rarely follows a straight line. He shares how his early struggles, including being kicked out of school and battling addiction, ultimately shaped his resilience and perspective.
- Authenticity in Personal Branding:
The hosts and James discuss the current obsession with "authenticity" in personal branding, critiquing the rise of gurus who promise to teach people how to "be themselves." James argues that true authenticity comes from self-knowledge and self-expression, not self-promotion.
- The Role of Therapy and Self-Work:
James opens up about the impact of therapy and reading (especially the works of Brené Brown) on his personal growth. He highlights the importance of doing the inner work—both when things are tough and when life is going well.
- Advice for Emerging Designers:
The conversation covers the pressures young designers face to have everything figured out. James encourages embracing the twists and turns, focusing on consistency, and not comparing oneself to others’ highlight reels.
- Standing Out in a Crowded Industry:
James shares insights on how to truly stand out—not by following trends or mimicking others, but by being human, vulnerable, and honest about your journey.
- The Impact of Social Media and AI:
James shares how social media has changed the design industry, the temptation to skip foundational work, and the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.
Quotes
- “True authenticity is about self-expression, not self-promotion.”
- “There is no straight line to success—embrace the twists and turns.”
- “Therapy and reading gave me the tools to understand and accept myself.”
- “In a world becoming less human, being human is your superpower.”
Resources & Mentions:
- Streamtime (Podcast partner)
- Brené Brown’s books and talks
*This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the creative industry, seeking inspiration, or looking to understand the real meaning of authenticity in personal branding.*
What happens when an internet sensation decides to take creative control?
In this episode of the Never Not Creative podcast, Rachel and Andy sit down with Lubalin, the musician, content creator, and viral TikTok star known for his hilarious Internet Drama series.Lubalin opens up about his journey—how a fun experiment turned into a massive internet hit, the challenges of being known for one thing, and his evolution into a serious music artist.
We explore the creative struggles of balancing viral fame with artistic ambition, dealing with the highs and lows of social media metrics, and finding ways to stay grounded. Lubalin shares insights on navigating career pivots, embracing change, and maintaining creative integrity. Whether you're a designer, musician, or any kind of creator, this episode is packed with lessons on staying true to your craft while adapting to an ever-changing digital landscape.
🔎 Find Out More About Lubalin
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lubalin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubalin_vibe_emporium/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lubalin
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6lt3CXKfhLXjYl2VFD6vN4Thanks to our sponsor Streamtime - project management software for creative businesses in pursuit of health and happiness.
In this episode of the Never Not Creative podcast, hosts Andy Wright and Rachel Zhang are joined by Paper Moose Co-Founder, Nick Hunter to discuss how to break into the creative industry, emphasizing the importance of internships, personality, and authenticity in applications.
They explore the significance of passion projects, the concept of Ikigai, and the necessity of networking. The conversation also touches on the challenges of entry-level jobs and offers practical tips for new graduates to stay motivated and make their own luck in their careers.
Takeaways
Thanks to Paper Moose and Streamtime for their support. Streamtime is project management software for creative businesses...including Paper Moose!
In this episode of the Never Not Creative Podcast, hosts Andy and Rachel explore the complex topic of determining your worth in the creative industry.
We discuss the challenges creatives face in measuring their value, whether as employees or freelancers. Our conversation touches on different pricing strategies, the importance of balancing passion with commercial viability, and gender dynamics in the workplace.
We also delve into strategies for negotiating pay rises and promotions, including practical tips from negotiation training and insights from Asking For A Friend guest Regina Stroombergen.
The episode is brought to you by our friends atStreamtime and B Corp agency,Paper Moose who shared their home and recording studio!
Andy Wright and Rachel Zhang discuss every creatives dreaded topic – Impostor Syndrome. How to deal with those voices that keep telling us we're not good enough, we don't deserve to be in the room, or that everyone is better than us.
Luckily they source advice from previous Asking For A Friend guests, Maria Devereux (Executive Creative Director and Head of Innovation at Accenture Song), Psychologist, Dr. Aileen Alegado, and Aimee Davies from The Hey Mate Project.
Thanks to our supporters Streamtime, creative business management software for happier, healthier agencies.
Rachel and Andy are discussing the topic of how to deal with bad behaviour from colleagues, managers and even clients.
It's a topic that has been frequently asked in our Asking For A Friend events and so we've brought the learnings and discussions into our latest episode.
Our hosts discuss the excellent advice shared on questions like:
We reference excellent advice and opinion from:
Thanks to our supporter, Streamtime – Project management software for happier, healthier creative businesses. Also to our editor Linley Lai and Community Manager Fong Yu. And to our friends at Paper Moose, who were very kind to share their studio and resources!
Andy and Rachel are back with the still, rather awkward question – How is your mental health?
We delve into questions like, how should we talk about mental health at work, as a leader, as a colleague?
How do we bring up a subject that can sometimes lead to fear of judgement?
Well, fear not, the stigma relating to mental health is improving by the day and we share advice on all of these questions and more by referencing some fantastic Asking For A Friend episodes.
How do I let my team know that I'm stressed or not coping?
How do I deal with a manager that has no empathy?
How do I build up the courage to talk about my mental health with someone at work?
Thanks to Nicky Bryson, Martine Beaumont, Sharon Draper, Kristen Highett and Nick Hunter who all contributed to this episode.
Editing by Linley Lai.
Hosts, Andy Wright and Rachel Zhang.
And thanks to our sponsor Streamtime - project management software for happier, healthier creative businesses.
The Never Not Creative podcast is back after a 2 year hiatus. Joining Andy for this new season is co-host, Rachel Zhang, a digital product designer living in Sydney and with experience working across brands and agencies including Telstra, R/GA, Accenture Song and now her own design consultancy Ro&Co. This first episode of the new season focuses on Burnout. Andy and Rachel pull in some of the best advice that’s been shared by Asking For A Friend guests from over the past 3 years of events. Leaders and experts we refer to in this episode include: - Simon Lee, ECD and Co-Founder of The Hallway - Kimberlee Wells, CEO, TBWA Melbourne - Sabina Read, Psychologist - Jess Lilley, Creative Director, The Open Arms - Ash King, Psychologist - Wez Hawes, ECD, Innocean - Katie Feder, Psychotherapist Questions we cover include: - How to deal with the franticness of deadline after deadline? - Will we ever be able to protect our mental health if we can’t say no to clients? - How do I say no to myself? Listen to the full advice from our guests by clicking the links above. Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe to the podcast on, Spotify, Apple Podcasts Follow us on Instagram Check out snippets of this episode on TikTok. And if you liked it, get in touch and share some feedback, write a review or just check out more at nevernotcreative.org. Thanks to our sponsor Streamtime. Studio management software for happier, healthier creative teams and businesses. And a big thank you to B Corp creative agency, Paper Moose who shared their space and recording equipment for this episode. Thanks also to Linley Lai who’s produced and edited this episode - nice work!
Paul Balfe is no football expert. But he is a male creative who was willing to chat to us about his mental health and his experiences with anxiety. Paul is Creative Director and Founder of Pennybridge Creative, an independent design studio at home on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Paul shares his battle with anxiety as a result of the recent Queensland flooding and the steps he took to improve his mental wellbeing. From hypnotherapist to psychologist, Paul tried a number of different ways to tackle his challenges.
He's gone on to curate an exhibition about creatives' relationship with their own mental health, titled, Welcome to Yourself. Find out more about the exhibition at https://www.nevernotcreative.org/welcome-to-yourself.
Thanks to Streamtime. Project management for healthier creative businesses.
Nasya Kamrat is the Co-Founder of FACULTY, a certified, woman-owned spatial storytelling agency. After experiences working with multi-national agencies owned by the global holding companies, Nasya decided to start something new and do completely the opposite. Nasya is joined by Chief Creative Officer, Aaron Wolfe and both chat to Andy about the positives of building a company that is diverse, equitable and different to the status quo. Nasya also shares how she's gone one step further to co-found Komuna, a co-operative of independent BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ led agencies and leading industry knowledge brokers designed to support the world’s most intrepid brands.
Show Links:
Komuna
FACULTY
Never Not Creative
Thanks to Streamtime for their support of Never Not Creative. Go to Streamtime for project management for healthier, creative businesses.
In our latest episode, Ve Dewey interviews James Routledge, the co-founder of Sanctus. After starting Sanctus, a coaching business to help improve mental wellbeing in workplaces, James has gone on to author the Penguin Business Book, Mental Health at Work. He's always very transparent and honest in his own challenges and shares how practice was the key to opening up and helping people realise that we're all capable of talking about our mental health.
Links:
James' book, Mental Health at Work.
Thanks to Streamtime, project management for healthier creative businesses.
In this episode, Ve and Andy join forces to chat to recent winners of the Deutsche Bank Awards For Creative Entrepreneurs – Jameisha Prescod, founder of You Look Okay To Me, an online space for the chronic illness community and Nahum McLean, founder of African Diaspora Dance Association (ADDA), an organisation that aims to expand the curriculum and training of dance under the African Diaspora.
Jameisha and Nahum share the importance of strong mentorship, community and not letting social norms stand in your way.
Since 1993, through DBACE, Deutsche Bank has overseen the launch of over 220 ventures, helping young visionaries bring their ideas to life as one of the longest running creative enterprise programmes. In 2018, MeWe360 was brought in as a new partner to deliver and help shape the new direction of the programme.
Every year, the DBACE programme provides support to 10 entrepreneurs (5 Winners + 5 bursary business support recipients). All entrepreneurs join MeWe360’s incubator membership to receive tailored 1-2-1 mentoring which looks at aspects of business support depending on the entrepreneurs’ individual needs.
Applications for the 2022 DBACE program are open now. You can apply here.
More about Mewe360
You Look Okay To Me
African Diaspora Dance Association
And thanks to Streamtime
It's our third and final episode of the F Word Mini-Series. David and Ve sit down for an inspirational conversation around failure at an organisational level with the award-winning transformational change leader Eva Applebaum and Global CEO of Butchershop® Global, Trevor Hubbard. Within the episode, we go in-depth discussing failure, what the opposite of failure is (clarity), key leadership attributes, and what failure for women in a work environment means.
Eva Appelbaum – Butchershop – The Clarity Project
Thanks to Streamtime for their support.
More at nevernotcreative.org
In our second episode, David and Ve sit down with Alina Mendoza Lopez, currently an intern at Dragon Rouge London, and Max Ottignon, co-founder of the London based agency Ragged Edge to discuss failure at the individual level. Within the episode Max and Alina discuss their experience of failure: Alina discussed her relationship with failure in university whilst Max elucidates early career experiences with failure as well as his current experiences running Ragged Edge.
Thanks to Streamtime. Project and studio management for healthier creative businesses.
More at Nevernotcreative.org
Based on the “The F word”, our latest mini-series focuses on "Failure." This first episode with Never Not Creative Co-creator, Ve Dewey and David Beare, Executive Creative Director of Dragon Rouge, come together to discuss what we mean by failure. Their discussion lays the foundation for future episodes exploring what failure is and what counts as small or large failures and how we deal with them on a daily basis.
Stay tuned for more in episodes 2 and 3 coming soon.
More about David – More about Ve
Thanks to Streamtime for their support - project management software for healthier creative businesses.
The final episode of our Creativity and Football mini-series rounds out with The Hallway's ECD Simon Lee. Simon has lived experience with the ups and downs of mental health, but has also been working closely with mental health charity, Gotcha4Life for the last 3 years. The result of this work is the quite excellent Boys Do Cry campaign – a clever take on The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry" from 1979. It's a powerful piece bringing together 30 men from all walks of life to unite in tackling the stigma of mental health – especially relating to men.
Andy and Simon discuss the rules of masculinity, the stiff upper lip and the power and relief that comes from opening up.
You can find out more about the campaign at: Boys Do Cry.
Thanks to Endel.io for background music. Check them out for one month free.
Support from Streamtime always appreciated and for joining us on the fight for a healthier creative industry.
Check out what's happening at Never Not Creative and last chance to take the empathy survey.
In the 4th episode of our Creativity & Football mini-series we head to Switzerland with renowned lettering artist Stefan Kunz.
Stefan is an internet phenomenon, entrepreneur and educator who is passionate about sharing his gift to inspire others.
But his quest for excellence and always doing how best isn’t free from the challenges of struggling to get out of bed, becoming bereft of ideas on how to excel further and everything in between.
Stefan shares his coping mechanisms and how his willingness to be realistic about what his ‘best’ is on any particular day, helps him through.
Find out more about Stefan and sign up for his courses at https://stefankunz.com.
Thanks to Endel for their support… Focus, relax, and sleep through the power of sound. The Endel app creates AI-powered sounds designed to support your everyday life. Backed by science, and enjoyed by millions worldwide. Endel is powered by its patented core AI technology. It takes inputs like location, environment, and heart rate, to create the optimal personalized soundscape. This happens on the fly and allows Endel to reconnect your state with your natural circadian rhythm.
Get a free 1-month subscription for the NNC Community here
And Streamtime… always on the mission of creating healthier creative businesses and helping create a healthier creative industry. Find out more at Streamtime.net.
It's the 3rd episode of our Creativity & Football mini-series. Craig Elimeliah is an award-winning ECD at VMLY&R in New York. A native New-Yorker he gets his football analogies from the oval shaped ball rather than the circular one. A couple of months ago, Craig wrote a brave post on Linkedin sharing his experiences with many years of mental heath ups and downs. It's not easy to suddenly go from zero to a hundred in the transparency and vulnerability stakes, but Craig has taken it in his stride and now understands his own mental health in order to pull the right levers at the right time. He's also excited by the change our industry is destined to make with a new generation of talent and leaders who won't stand for the toxicity and culture of the past that has burnt out far too many of us.
Need help with your mental health?
Find out more about Craig.
Craig's interview with David Sable for New York Festivals.
Thanks to Endel.io - the AI-powered wellness app that helps you focus, relax, and sleep better through the power of sound. Created by artists, proved by science.
And thanks to Streamtime. Project management software for healthier creative businesses.
More at Nevernotcreative.org