Creative Pep Talk

Latest Episodes:

518 - The Hope I Found in This Rapidly Changing Creative Landscape Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

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The chaotic changes we are currently experiencing are truly unreal. Tech. Platforms. Politics. Economy. It’s an upheaval. It’s very easy to slip into a full on panic when looking into your creative future. In this episode I want to share something that helped me find hope in this new ever changing landscape, and more than just hope, real creative career growth too!

SHOW NOTES:

Creative Pep Talk on YouTube
YouTube.com/creativepeptalk

Creative Pep Talk on Substack
andyjpizza.substack.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

CPT Presents: The Ghost Frame Podcast Episode 1 "The Endless Hallway" Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Check Out the rest of the Ghost Frame series:
Ghost Frame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ghost-frame/id1814128797

Ghost Frame on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4dpUSAANUNsukVTMbkuEDC?si=1cbe0dba190045c5

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This week we are featuring an episode of the “Ghost Frame” podcast by animator / illustrator / director Sarah Beth Morgan. This 5 part narrative non-fiction series is about the rapid flux in the creative industry and navigating transitions as a creative person.

I think we can all relate and I got so much from the series I wanted to share it with all of you! Hope you love it! Here’s a little more about the series:

“The animation podcast that's… not really about animation. Ghost Frame is a narrative nonfiction podcast exploring the creative industry through storytelling, sound-rich scenes, and personal reflection—all framed by one creator’s career crossroads.”

ALSO Patreon and Substack supporters will have access to a BTS conversation between Sarah Beth and I about the series, so be sure to check that out:
andyjpizza.substack.com
patreon.com/creativepeptalk

SHOW NOTES:

Sarah Beth Morgan
https://www.sarahbethmorgan.com

Ghost Frame on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ghost-frame/id1814128797

Ghost Frame on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4dpUSAANUNsukVTMbkuEDC?si=1cbe0dba190045c5

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

517 - How to Turn Business Pressures into a Fun Creative Project with Yowei Shaw Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

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WHOA! Loved this conversation SO MUCH! There’s so much to go at here and I could have spoke with Yowei for twice as long. Hope to have her back sometime.

Yowei Shaw is an “emotional investigative journalist” and the creator of the really really great “Proxy” podcast.

We talk:

1 How owning the success of failure of your creative project can be really energizing

2 How to see the opportunity in the constraints of your obstacle

3 The tricky line between art and therapy

4 SO MUCH MORE! You’re gonna love it!

SHOW NOTES:

Yowei Shaw
https://www.yoweishaw.com

Proxy Podcast
https://www.proxypodcast.com

Invisibilia Podcast
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

516 - How to Recognize Your Ideas, Juggling Different Roles and More with Cartoonist Grant Snider Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter.

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I used to think I didn’t have ideas. I would hear other artists talk about how an idea presented to them and think “oh that never happens to me, I must not have ideas!”

But over time, I’ve come to realize that ideas present in different ways to everyone. That’s what makes them unique.

In this chat I talk with cartoonist Grant Snider. He has LOADS of great ideas and we get into how to recognize an idea when it comes up. We also talk managing his two roles, one being a cartoonist and the other being a part time orthodontist. This balance actually seems to suit him well and I think there’s a lot to take away from this conversation for all of us juggling lots of things!

SHOW NOTES:

Grant Snider
https://www.grantsnider.com
https://incidentalcomics.substack.com

Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

515 - Want to Quit Social Media? 3 Essential Considerations for Any Creative Practice Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: andyjpizza.substack.com

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Social media has become a very difficult space for artists and lots of folks are looking for other places to share their work.

Before we all bail, there are a few things to consider. This episode identifies 3 essential needs we have been attempting to satisfy with social media, so that we can be clear on what it is we’re leaving and how we may go about finding these things elsewhere if necessary.

SHOW NOTES:

Chief Audience Officer
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-audience-officer/id1534942246

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

514 - Tap Your Mood, Connect to Your Target Audience & Fun and Flow Process Inspo with Eliza Kinkz Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: andyjpizza.substack.com

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You know those people who are SO FREE and CREATIVE that spending time with them just opens you up and makes you want to be more authentic and creative yourself?

Eliza Kinkz is a human like that.

If you need some of that, THIS EPISODE HAS GOT YOU COVERED!

We talk:

PROCESS TIPS: How to keep the FUN, FLOW, and LIFE in your process so that you LOVE IT and your work feels ALIVE! Eliza’s process is SO INSPIRING.

KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE: Eliza has an amazing tactic and story about how she stays connected to her target audience as a kids book creator.

AND SO MUCH MORE! ELIZA IS JUST A HOOT! ENJOY!

SHOW NOTES:
Elizakinkz.com
https://elizakinkz.substack.com
MISTACO

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

513 - Why Creatives Have to Build Habits Differently and How to Do It Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter.

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You know that in order to make progress you have to show up in a disciplined way or have good creative habits, but no matter how hard you try, you always end up throwing in the towel.

If that’s you, listen to this episode! Let’s talk CREATIVE DISCIPLINE!

SHOW NOTES:

Atomic Habits
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

512 - The Science of Realizing Creative Potential with Yale Researcher Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter.

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How does it feel to be on the path to realizing your creative potential? Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD wrote the book on it and has the research to back it up!!

Listen to this episode if you:

Struggle to follow through
Constantly abandon projects
Don’t feel like your portfolio reflects your potential
Need more tenacity and motivation!

SHOW NOTES:

Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD
Website / Book: https://www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com/
Substack newsletter: https://creativitydecision.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zorana-ivcevic-pringle/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/z-i-pringle.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/ZoranaPsych
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoranaIvcevicPringle

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

511 - A Message for Sensitive Creatives Who Are Struggling Right Now Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter.

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Listen to this if you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling to focus and unable to find the fuel you need to show up.

There’s a cliche that says artists are depressive types, and although this isn’t completely unfounded, this disposition creates a powerful opportunity that you may be missing!

SHOW NOTES:

Andre 3000 on Broken Record
https://youtu.be/LjHcHTJ8D5k?si=KLoYwQMotdWJxHQj

Past Lives
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13238346/

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

510 - Remember How to Have Fun and Get Loose, ADHD / Being You, Storytelling, Ignoring the Industry & More with Picture Book Maker Bob Shea Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter.

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This episode is for you if you:

1 - Struggle to be productive like a “normal” human
2 - Want to make your work more YOU
3 - You want to get looser and have more fun in your work
4 - Are interested in storytelling / picture books

THIS WAS A PHENOMENALLY FUN AND INSIGHTFUL CHAT with picture book legend Bob Shea!

SHOW NOTES:

Bob Shea
https://www.bobshea.com

Bearsuit Turtle
https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/bearsuit-turtle-makes-a-friend

Chez Bob
https://www.bobshea.com/books/chez-bob

Lane Smith
https://www.lanesmithbooks.com

Stinky Cheese Man
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stinky_Cheese_Man_and_Other_Fairly_Stupid_Tales

Genesight Medication Testing
https://genesight.com