Brand designer CJ Cawley joins me to chat about his journey from a difficult childhood and homelessness to building a successful branding studio, why telling your story matters more than ever, and how mental health has shaped both his life and creative career.

We also tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in design today: AI.

Is AI replacing designers? Or is it simply raising the bar for creativity?

Artist, illustrator, and designer Deja Brown joins the Cosmic Sans Podcast to discuss her creative journey, building a recognizable artistic style, and turning personal artwork into collaborations with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, Adidas, Converse, Olipop, and more. 

We dive into the realities of freelancing, pricing creative work, networking, social media, finding your voice as an artist, and how Deja approaches creativity when inspiration runs dry. We also discuss representation in the design industry, the impact of AI on creative careers, and why protecting your creativity is more important than ever. 

Whether you're a designer, illustrator, freelancer, or someone looking to build a creative career, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insights.

• Building a creative career through social media
• Working with brands like Nike, Adobe, Coach, and Adidas
• Freelance pricing and negotiating creative work
• Developing a unique artistic style
• Representation and diversity in design
• Creativity, burnout, and finding inspiration
• AI's impact on artists and designers
• Advice for emerging creatives

Illustrator and creative strategist Orlando Arocena joins Cosmic Sans to discuss building the “Mexifunk” identity, breaking the limits of Adobe Illustrator, and working on franchises like Spider-Man, Terrifier, SpongeBob, Power Rangers, and John Wick.

We also dive into the business side of creativity — licensing, contracts, creative ownership, AI, branding, and why artists need to understand far more than just making great work. 

David Oku’s work is bold, vibrant—and deeply personal.

From facing rejection early in his career to working with brands like Nike and designing for the Vegas Sphere, David shares his journey, his creative process, and his honest thoughts on AI, identity, and the future of art.

Comic artist Dave Baker (TMNT, Star Trek, Godzilla) joins Cosmic Sans to break down the realities of building a career in comics.

We dive into self-publishing vs. working with publishers, why understanding contracts is critical, how social media is changing the game, and the balance between making money and making meaningful work.

Dave also shares honest insights on creative identity, originality, and why artists need to stop playing it safe if they want to stand out.

If you're a designer, illustrator, or creative trying to build something of your own—this one’s for you.

Tom Muller is a creative director who’s worked with Marvel, Disney, Google, and major AAA game studios, but his path wasn’t linear.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Building a career through side projects and connections
• Designing for Marvel’s X-Men
• The reality of creative direction vs. hands-on design
• Why every designer still needs a website
• How AI is impacting the creative industry

If you’re a designer, creative, or just curious how big creative careers are built, this one’s packed.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, Howard Pinsky sits down with personal branding expert, author, and speaker Goldie Chan to unpack what it really takes to build a meaningful presence online — especially as an introvert.

Goldie shares the story behind creating 800 consecutive LinkedIn videos, writing her book Personal Branding for Introverts, and navigating burnout, public speaking, and even a life-changing cancer diagnosis. The conversation dives into the realities of content creation, why consistency beats bursts of effort, and how personal branding can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

They also explore the role of AI in branding, why copying others is bad advice, and how introverts can thrive without pretending to be extroverts.

If you’ve ever struggled with putting yourself out there, growing an audience, or finding your voice online — this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with Toronto-based illustrator and designer, Steven Estrella. We chat about his work with the NBA, the Boston Celtics, moving to another country, staying creative, and a lot more!

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with UI/UX designer, Kate Kassab. We chat about her experience in the crypto space and the challenges it brings, shifting careers, exploring 3D, and much more.

In this episode of the Cosmic Sans Podcast, I sit down with artist and illustrator, Robert Generette III, better known as Rob Zilla. We chat about his focus and dedication to sports illustration, defining his style, working with clients like Nike, NBA, NFL, MLB, and much more.