Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice for Surface Designers and Creative Entrepreneurs

Latest Episodes:

Cranky & Trolled: Managing Online Criticism Without Losing Your Mind w/Liz Kohler Brown Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by the Illustration Bootcamp.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with artist and educator Liz Kohler Brown to talk about an unavoidable hurdle in the creative hustle: trolls. The comments. The drive-by insults. The "helpful" critiques that somehow feel like a gut punch. Together, they unpack how online criticism often reactivates old creative wounds. They also name what's really happening behind the screen: projection from abandoned creative dreams, bots chasing clicks, and the strange social disinhibition that makes people bold in ways they'd never be face-to-face.

But this isn't an episode about spiraling, it's about strategy. Liz, Carrie, and Toni break down practical advice for navigating creative challenges online, from adopting a firm "Block & Delete" policy to redefining social media as a business tool rather than a validation machine. If you're building a creative career in public, this conversation is for you.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

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Liz Kohler Brown… Liz Kohler Brown is an artist and designer who sells her artwork around the world on products like greeting cards, fabric, and wallpaper. She loves helping other creatives around the world learn how to find their style and sell their work inside her membership The Studio.

lizkohlerbrown.com Get the Sell Your Stuff Field Guide

Two Cranky Creatives …Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Illustration Bootcamp

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Cranky and Calculated: Why Forced Authenticity Is Hurting Your Creative Career Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks take on one of the buzziest—and most misunderstood—concepts in the creative hustle: authenticity. Somewhere along the way, "being real" turned into a marketing tactic, where personal stories are packaged as conversion tools and vulnerability is used to close a sale. Toni and Carrie unpack why this trend feels off, how it breeds distrust, and why so many creatives feel pressured to perform relatability rather than actually live it. If you've ever felt the tension between showing up honestly and feeling like you're playing a role online, tune in and buckle up.

But this episode isn't about throwing authenticity out the window—it's about redefining it. Toni and Carrie explore what genuine authenticity actually looks like. The takeaway is grounded, practical advice for navigating creative challenges in a way that protects both your audience and your own integrity.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

Two Cranky Creatives …Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Relentless: Hard Work, Reinvestment, and the Long Game of Building a Business w/George McConnell Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with entrepreneur George McConnell to dismantle one of the most persistent myths in the creative hustle: that there's a magic formula for easy money. You've seen the ads promising huge returns for very little effort, and maybe you've wondered if you're the only one who hasn't cracked the code. George and the Cranks pull back the curtain on what actually builds a sustainable business, the mindset it takes, and the reality of it all. This is creative career advice without the fairy dust.

But this conversation isn't just shattering fantasies; it's about what actually works. This episode is full of real numbers and real truths. The throughline? Navigating creative challenges requires sustained effort, reinvestment, and a mindset built for the long game. If you're serious about building a creative career that lasts, this episode is your loving reminder: there is no shortcut, but there is a strategy.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

George McConnell… George McConnell left the corporate world in 2019 with a vision to build something of his own. What started as a leap of faith turned into multiple million-dollar online businesses and over 800,000 products sold worldwide. By combining AI, automation, and modern marketing strategy, he built scalable systems that work across multiple industries.

Now, he teaches driven entrepreneurs how to stop playing small, build real leverage, and create businesses that give them control over their time and income.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Going Nowhere: The Myth of Creative Challenges as a Career Path w/Mindy Young Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with Mindy Young of Indy Bloom Design to gently—but firmly—debunk one of the most persistent myths in the creative hustle: that design challenges and contests are the key to launching a creative career. Together, they unpack how creative challenges often function as a hamster wheel: producing rushed, unoriginal work, encouraging unpaid spec labor, and fostering a lottery mentality where artists hope one "win" will magically unlock success.

If you're feeling exhausted from the endless pursuit, this episode is permission to stop chasing validation disguised as opportunity, to step away from the noise of endless briefs and trends, and to trust that your most powerful work comes from paying attention to your own instincts. The Cranks and Mindy talk about the quiet confidence that comes from choosing depth over volume, story over sameness, and learning over perfection. This isn't about doing less, it's about doing what actually matters. If you've been waiting for a sign that you're allowed to build your creative career on your own terms, this is it.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

Mindy Young… What began as a creative nap-time painting project turned into Indy Bloom Design™ — a thriving multi-six-figure art brand selling wallpaper and pretty products around the world.

Mindy Young, the artist and owner, now helps artists start and build their own creative business from home when they learn how to get their art off paper and onto products with seamless pattern design.

Mindy specializes in helping artists build unforgettable art brands to stand out in crowded markets. She is entrepreneur and marketing obsessed and thrives in helping others succeed in the art and pattern design industry.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Concerned: Is Print on Demand (POD) Dead? Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks tackle a question quietly echoing through the creative industry: Is print-on-demand dead? What once felt like a revolutionary way for artists to earn passive income has started to look very different. Venture-capital ownership, AI-fueled saturation, and shrinking artist royalties have reshaped the landscape in ways many creatives didn't see coming. Toni and Carrie break down what's happening behind the scenes on major platforms, why earnings have collapsed for many artists, and how business decisions driven by shareholders—not creators—are changing the rules of the game.

But this episode isn't about doom-scrolling through the decline of an industry. It's about navigating creative challenges with clear eyes and practical strategy. The Cranks talk through alternatives that still make sense for a creative career, from privately owned platforms like Fine Art America to marketplaces like Etsy that offer more control over pricing and production. Along the way, they share practical advice for artists trying to evaluate whether POD still deserves a place in their business at all—including the often-ignored step of calculating your real hourly wage. Because sometimes the most powerful move in the creative hustle isn't pushing harder… it's recognizing when the landscape has changed and choosing a smarter path forward.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Undervalued: Why You're Not Charging Enough for Your Art w/Shannon McNab Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with the phenomenal Shannon McNab to spill the tea on one of the juiciest (and frustrating) topics in the creative industry: Pricing your art. They pull back the curtain on why so many designers chronically undercharge, why no one talks numbers, and the myth that loving what you do is payment enough.

Demanding what you're worth isn't about a specific number (though Shannon drops a few hard numbers for us all). Together, the Cranks and Shannon tear down the notion that pricing art is about the product, how being willing to walk away is crucial to effective negotiation, and why the industry itself can often make effective pricing so difficult. This episode is a detailed look behind the curtain of what's driving pricing in the surface design industry.

Notable Resources

Surface Design Industry Survey [WILL LINK TO 2025 SURVEY WHEN AVAILABLE] Graphic Arts Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines Art Brand Alliance Book: Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office

Shannon McNab… Shannon McNab is an American artist living in Dublin, Ireland, who has collaborated with dozens of brands like Papyrus, Cloud9 Fabrics, Design House Greetings, and Pyrex. She is currently an art agent at Jennifer Nelson Artists, where she advocates for her artists daily. When she's not working, she's cooking, cross-stitching, or walking her dog Paisley.

Website: https://www.shannonmcnab.com Instagram: @smcnabstudio

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Self-Employed: Why Every Artist Is an Entrepreneur Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks dig into a truth that makes a lot of artists uncomfortable: the moment you sell your work, you are an entrepreneur—whether you asked for that title or not. They talk about why passion and skill don't sustain a creative career, how focusing only on "making the work" quietly sabotages your creative hustle, and why so many artists struggle with pricing, finances, and burnout. From underestimating annual expenses to ignoring basic business admin until it becomes a crisis, this conversation highlights the creative challenges many artists face but rarely talk about.

But it's not all accounting and balance sheets. Carrie and Toni take a tough-love approach to reframing what professionalism actually looks like for artists. Like how pricing must cover real costs, business admin is non-negotiable, and why charging what you're worth is critical. This episode is your reminder that treating your art like a business isn't the end of your creativity…it's how it survives.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

Cranky and Uncharted: Why There's No Blueprint for Creative Success w/Ali Hooten Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with illustrator and surface designer Ali Hooten to dismantle one of the most persistent myths in the creative world: that there's a single "right" way to build a thriving creative career. From business courses to step-by-step roadmaps, creatives are constantly told that success comes from following someone else's blueprint—and when that blueprint doesn't work for us, we're quick to assume we're the problem.

But the antidote isn't another plan—it's self-awareness. Together, the Cranks and Ali dig into the nervous system side of the creative hustle, exploring how structure, flexibility, sensory triggers, and emotional wiring shape the way each of us works best. They talk about "researching your own experience" (thanks, Bruce Lee), recognizing the signals of dysregulation, and letting go of creative commitments—even profitable ones—when they choke your energy instead of fueling it. If you've ever wondered why someone else's strategy worked beautifully for them but left you spiraling, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a permission slip to build a system that actually fits you.

Ali Hooten…Ali is an illustrator and surface designer who loves to create in a minimal style with cozy and earthy hues. She specifically enjoys designing for children and incorporates outdoor adventure themes inspired by her own family living in the Colorado mountains.

Website: https://www.coitcreative.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coitcreative/

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn, the most trusted platform for podcasters of all sizes. Get your first month free with code TWOCRANKYCREATIVES (affiliate link) at https://signup.libsyn.com/

Cranky Mythbusting: You Don't Need Illustrator to Thrive In Surface Design Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks break out the soapbox (and maybe a tiny megaphone) to challenge one of the most persistent myths in the surface design world: that you have to use Adobe Illustrator to succeed. They speculate about why Illustrator has long reigned as the so-called "industry standard." But Carrie and Toni are here to lovingly—and a little crankily—call B.S. 💥

They dig into what clients actually want (spoiler: it's usually high-res JPEGs), why vectorizing textured art is the equivalent of turning silk into sandpaper, and how free tools like Inkscape or the newly free Affinity Designer hold their own. This episode is a wake-up call wrapped in practical advice, creative career wisdom, and plenty of side-eye at proprietary software lock-in. If you've ever felt boxed in by "the rules" of creative hustle, this one's your permission slip to break out and do things your way.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn, the most trusted platform for podcasters of all sizes. Get your first month free with code TWOCRANKYCREATIVES (affiliate link) at https://signup.libsyn.com/

Cranky and Without a Compass: Real Talk About Building a Surface Design Business w/Elizabeth Silver May 20, 2026

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Illustrators for Hire

CORRECTION: Thank you to Amy Feinburg of Amelia Scarlet Studio, who is a tax litigator, for reaching out. Some of my comments in this episode make it seem like sole proprietors don't need to have a profit motive when they do. She also shared this helpful link. Thank you, Ms. Amy, for keeping us on our toes!!

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks are joined by the illustrious Elizabeth Silver. Together, they crack open one of the most maddening truths of the creative hustle: there is no straight line to success in surface design. Unlike traditional careers with neatly stacked ladders and linear progression, surface design is more like a choose-your-own-adventure book… except all the pages are out of order and someone spilled coffee on the map. 😵‍💫 From licensing to POD to freelance to teaching—new designers face a dizzying number of options, and trying to build them all at once? Cue burnout.

But it's not all doomscrolls and dead ends. The Cranks and Elizabeth get real about what it takes to actually build a creative career that's both sustainable and sane. They share practical advice for focusing on one income stream at a time, why patience is a superpower (spoiler: most full-time designers took years to get there), and how profit—not revenue—is what really keeps you in the game. If you've been caught in the loop of comparison, confusion, and creative fatigue, this episode will feel like a deep, cranky exhale. Come for the validation—stay for the permission to slow down and plant smart seeds.

Notable Resources (some affiliate links included)

Affinity Canva Descript FloDesk Kit.com PaddyPost (lifetime fee) Teachable Teachery (lifetime fee for a limited time)

Elizabeth Silver… Elizabeth Silver is a professional surface pattern designer and a licensed artist for the stationery, gift, and textile markets. With over 20 years in the industry and hundreds of designs in her portfolio, she also teaches newer surface pattern designers how to move past overwhelm and obstacles to create a profitable creative business. She's passionate about keep it real business advice, and moving forward even in a messy way.

Want More Cranky? Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff! Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on Bonfire. Grab yours today!

Thank you to our sponsor!

Illustrators for Hire

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn, the most trusted platform for podcasters of all sizes. Get your first month free with code TWOCRANKYCREATIVES (affiliate link) at https://signup.libsyn.com/