Sketchnote Podcast

In this episode, sketchnoter, graphic recorder, author, and bullet journaling queen, Diana Soriat joins me to talk about her unique path into visual thinking and going full-time as an author, visualizer and teacher.

We talk about how her past professional life gives her a deeper business understanding that helps her graphic recording and sketchnoting — and how her bullet journaling helps her keep a busy work life and active family on track.

You’re going to love this episode!

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Paperlike, a screen protector for the iPad that makes drawing with the Apple Pencil feel like paper.

Paperlike’s Nanodot technology offers the paper-like friction you want with the clearer screen visibility you need. This new surface even improves drawing precision — and reduces arm fatigue. It’s the closest you’ll get to paper on a digital screen. Buy yours today!

https://paperlike.com/sketchnotearmy

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Diana?
• Diana’s origin story
• Benefits of a business understanding for better visualization
• Visualizing is an opportunity for learning!
• Being a generalist open to learning is a great value
• The importance of bullet journaling for Diana
• Daily Plan Bar
• Functional as the foundation of a bullet journal
• Bullet journaling as a foundation for mindfulness
• Diana’s books
• How the sketchnote community supports itself
• What Diana is up to now
• Create your own drawings for keynote visuals
• The importance of a do not do list
• Miracle Morning for Diana
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

• Diana’s Website
• Diana’s Books
• Diana on Twitter
• Diana on Instagram
• Diana on LinkedIn
• Diana on Facebook
• Diana’s Online Classes
• Diana’s Online Shop
• Diana’s review of The Sketchnote Ideabook
• Buy The Sketchnote Ideabook from Diana’s shop
• Daily Plan Bar Video
• Daily Plan Bar
• Helen Colebrook
• Ryder Carroll
• The Bullet Journal
• MITP Verlag
• Tanja Wehr
• Tanja Wehr on Sketchnote Army Podcast Season 7
• Sandra Martin
• Book: Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
• Brandy Agerbeck

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Neuland Markers
• Pentel Pens
• Tombow Pens
• Schminke Watercolors
• Hahnemühle Watercolor Books
• Blackwing Pencils
• Pilot Frixion Pens
• Pure Paper Notebooks
• Roessler A4 Notebook
• Moleskine Bullet Notebook - designed by Diana
• The Sketchnote Ideabook
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Paper by WeTransfer
• Procreate
• Elgato Cam Link 4K

TIPS

1. Better done than perfect!
2. Just Start, get going!
3. Write first, then draw!

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I’m joined by Grant Wright and Paddy Dhanda, the two guys who run the super-popular, monthly online meetup, The Visual Jam.

Hear how their Visual Jam plans changed — from a local meetup in Birmingham England — to a truly international gathering during the pandemic and lockdowns of summer 2020 and beyond.

And don’t forget to check out the link for Visual Jam Xtra on Saturday, April 24th, where I’ll deconstruct my sketchnoting process with you.

Enjoy the episode!

SPONSORED BY

This episode is brought to you by Visual Jam Xtra: Live Sketchnoting Deconstructed with Mike Rohde!

In the first ever Visual Jam Xtra, Mike Rohde joins Grant, Paddy and you to deconstruct the process he follows when he creates real-time sketchnotes. Mike will take a popular speech, listen, pause, sketch and talk through his thought process step by step.

In this 2 hour live session, you will be able to immerse yourself by sketching along with Mike, picking up valuable tips and insights along the way. Learn how Mike prepares his sketchnotes, builds his layouts and how he weaves writing, lettering and drawings together, followed by a Q&A to get your questions answered!

You don’t want to miss this very special Visual Jam Xtra event on Saturday, April 24th, 2021. Sign up today!
Get a better understanding of how to prepare and create sketchnotes yourself by watching and listening to Mike.

• Learn tips and tricks and how Mike integrates them into his sketchnotes.
• Have time to ask questions of Mike about how he worked or challenges you’re facing with your own sketchnotes.
• You will receive a full recording of the live session so you can replay at your own pace.

Reserve your tickets!

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who are Grant and Paddy?
• The origin story of Grant and Paddy in visual thinking and The Visual Jam
• The pandemic shift
• International audience and repeat members
• Exploring Visual Jam Xtra sessions
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

• The Visual Jam Meetup
• The Visual Jam on Instagram
• The Visual Jam on Twitter
• The Visual Jam on YouTube
• Grant on Twitter
• Grant on Instagram
• Grant on LinkedIn
• Paddy’s Website
• Peaky Agilist Podcast
• Paddy on Twitter
• Paddy on Instagram
• Paddy on LinkedIn
• IIBA Midlands Chapter
• Birmingham Tech Week Sketchnote by Grant
• Peaky Blinders
• Birmingham, UK
• Visual Jam Xtra
• Krisztina Szerovay - SE08 / EP03

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

Grant’s Tools:

• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Paper by WeTransfer
• Procreate
• IPEVO Document Camera
• Camo Studio
• Neuland Markers
• Tombow dual tip black/grey pen

Paddy’s Tools:

• Brillo Flex Lamp
• Schneider Express Fineliner Pen 0.8
• Eddink Brush Pen
• Neuland Markers
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Procreate
• Kinemaster
• Blank Cards

TIPSGrant’s Tips:

1. Start with a few simpler words, then expand with visuals
2. Form a habit of practice

Paddy’s Tips:

1. Pre draw elements of your sketchnote to reduce pressure
2. Include hand-drawn elements in your slides

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I talk with Ceren Yildirim, an agile coach and avid sketchnoter and visualizer living and working in Turkey.

Listen in as she shares how she integrates sketching and sketchnoting into her agile coaching practice — and how our pandemic lives have made for challenges — but also great opportunities for both our sketchnoting community and for the world.

Enjoy the episode!

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Neuland, the innovative maker of visual thinking tools. Every Neuland product is designed with passion to be durable and sustainable.

Check out their newly redesigned Neuland FineOne® line of water-based, refillable markers:

• The rich, black, permanent Outliner in bullet and brush options
• The crisp, fine lines and rich colors of the Sketch line
• The flowing, variable brushes and colors of the Art line

Save 15% with code neuland@sketchnotearmy-2021 at Neuland.com until May 30th, 2021

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Ceren?
• Ceren’s origin story and path into sketchnoting
• Her work with sketching and visualization with agile teams
• The importance of transparency and incremental work
• What is Ceren excited about?
• Workshops and meetups that have gone online
• Culture changing to adapt to online teaching
• Making friends because of the pandemic
• The challenge of shifting from pencil to pen
• Tools
• Choosing analog or digital based on the job at hand
• The importance of defining your tools and constraints
• The spectrum of tools, from analog to digital
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

• Ceren on Instagram
• Ceren on LinkedIn
• Ceren on Twitter
• Steve Silbert
• Marianne Rady
• Yuri Malishenko
• Eva-Lotta Lamm
• Rob Dimeo
• Rob Dimeo on Sketchnote Army SE01 / EP 02
• Mauro Toselli
• OBS Studio
• mmhmm
• ManyCam
• Ecamm Live
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams

TOOLS

• Moleskine
• Sketchnote Ideabook
• Stabilo Pens
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pens
• Faber-Castell Fineliners
• Neuland Markers
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• PaperLike
• Procreate
• Concepts
• Paper by WeTransfer

TIPS

1. Practice, practice, practice — a lot!
2. Create your own visual library
3. Remember you don’t have to be a great drawer to visualize ideas
4. Adapt your sketchnote patterns to ones you naturally align with

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, hear from Benjamin Felis, a former graffiti artist and punk rocker turned graphic recorder, facilitator, sketchnoter and visual teacher.

Hear how Ben’s early life as a graffiti artist led him into visual thinking and working large canvases, and how his time as a punk rocker helps him go for it every single day.

This is a discussion you’re just going to love!

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by:

Neuland, the innovative maker of visual thinking tools.

Every Neuland product is designed with passion to be durable and sustainable.

Check out their new GraphicWally!

• It’s the first GraphicWall for your home office: elegant in design, portable, easy to attach to any table and expandable!
• It’s the perfect board for anyone who likes to draw. One paper roll provides 82 feet of space for creative ideas.
• It’s ideal for visual thinkers, visual facilitators and graphic recorders.

Save 15% with code neuland@sketchnotearmy-2021 at Neuland.com until May 30th, 2021

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Ben?
• Ben’s origin story: from graffiti artist and punk rocker to graphic recorder and teacher
• Ben’s focus on student confidence
• Watch one, do one, teach one
• Ben’s listening training as an adventure trainer
• The key: a playful, fun, learning atmosphere
• What is Ben excited about?
• Ben’s Neuland GraphicWally experience
• Analog in a digital world
• Embracing constraints and pressure
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Ben’s Website
• Ben on YouTube
• Ben on Instagram
• Ben on Twitter
• Ben’s Online School for Graphic Recording: 40% Off w/ code MIKE40
• „Schmierer“startet durch
• Eva Lotta Lamm
• The Sketchnote Handbook
• Bikablo books at Neuland
• Neuland Graphic Wally
• IFVP: Analog in a Digital World
• Graphic Recording Tutorial 25
• Kelvy Bird’s 4 Levels of Scribing

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Neuland Tools
• Molotow Acrylic Markers
• Neuland Stick- It Cards, large rectangular, 100 sheets, single colors
• Blackbook: 4x6” Pro Art Sketchbook
• A2 Flat Cards 100lb Bright White
• The Sketchnote Ideabook
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Adobe Draw for iPad
• Adobe Fresco for iPad
• Adobe Illustrator for iPad
• Procreate
• Autodesk Sketchbook
• Paper by WeTransfer
• Concepts

TIPS

1. Relax! Who are you doing this work for?
2. Organize your canvas in advance so you can focus in the moment
3. When overwhelmed: set constraints and listen for later relevance

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode of the podcast, hear from Debbie Baff, a PhD Student in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning.

Debbie has found sketchnotes have been instrumental in her academic work. Hear how mind mapping connects to sketchnotes for her and how she uses sketchnotes to better understand complex ideas.

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Neuland, the innovative maker of visual thinking tools. Every Neuland product is designed with passion to be durable and sustainable.

Check out their newly redesigned Neuland FineOne® line of water-based, refillable markers:

• The rich, black, permanent Outliner in bullet and brush options
• The crisp, fine lines and rich colors of the Sketch line
• The flowing, variable brushes and colors of the Art line

Save 15% with code neuland@sketchnotearmy-2021 at Neuland.com until May 30th, 2021

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Debbie?
• Debbie’s origin story and path into sketchnoting
• Mind-mapping influences and connections to sketchnoting
• Two educational paths: art path and idea path?
• Development of thinking and style
• How Debbie integrates sketchnotes into her PhD work
• Heuristic Inquiry + sketchnotes
• Nick Sousanis and visual PhD work’
• What is Debbie excited about?
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Debbie’s Website
• Debbie on Twitter
• Debbie Baff’s Sketchnotes Padlet
• Book: How to Use Your Head by Tony Buzan
• Brian Mathers’ Open Visual Thinkery
• Using Sketchnotes in PhD Research and Academic Practice
• Nick Sousanis
• Book: Unflattening by Nick Sousanis
• Nick’s Comic Studies Minor at San Francisco State University
• Interview with Nick Sousanis on Sketchnote Army Podcast
• Eleanor Beer
• Sketchnote Army Podcast on Self-Care

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Padlet
• Moleskine Hard Cover Art Sketchbook
• Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner
• Tombow Dual Brush Grayscale 6-Pack Set
• Tombow Dual Brush Pink Marker
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Paper by WeTransfer
• Goodnotes
• Procreate

TIPS

1. Use sticky notes to capture ideas before committing
2. Take a photo of the powerpoint for reference
3. Go for it! Your sketchnote might encourage others
4. Build your own icon library

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode of the podcast, I have a great discussion with Martin Haussmann, a visual facilitator, author, trainer and creator of the bikablo® visualization technique.

Martin talks about how he developed his bikablo approach and the ways it has helped thousands of people around the world express themselves visually through training and bikablo visual dictionaries.

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Neuland, the innovative maker of visual thinking tools. Every Neuland product is designed with passion to be durable and sustainable.

Check out their newly redesigned Neuland FineOne® line of water-based, refillable markers:

• The rich, black, permanent Outliner in bullet and brush options
• The crisp, fine lines and rich colors of the Sketch line
• The flowing, variable brushes and colors of the Art line

Save 15% with code neuland@sketchnotearmy-2021 at Neuland.com until May 30th, 2021

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Martin?
• Martin’s origin story: how did bikablo come to be?
• What is it like taking bikablo training?
• How training is like a multiple course meal
• What’s most challenging about online training
• What are online training benefits?
• What is Martin excited about? Visual problem solving!
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Bikablo
• bikablo on Twitter
• bikablo on Instagram
• bikablo on YouTube
• bikablo on LinkedIn
• bikablo on Facebook
• Kommunikationslotsen
• Book: Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam
• Book: Visual Language for the 21st Century by Bob Horn
• Brandy Agerbeck
• David Sibbet
• Dave Gray
• Benjamin Felis
• Martin’s live sketch 1
• Martin’s live sketch 2
• Martin’s live sketch 3

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Neuland Markers
• Neuland Twin One
• Book: Make a World by Ed Emberley
• TableTop FlipChart XL
• Generic A5 notebook as Martin’s extrabrain
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Procreate

TIPS

1. Be systematic in your visualization so you can stay focused
2. Be systematic in your visualization style
3. Be systematic in your visualization strategy

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode hear from Ania Staskiewicz, a sketchnoter, graphic recorder, and visual thinking teacher in Poland. Learn how she made the leap from manager in a government office to full-time visual practitioner, fulfilling her childhood passion of drawing brought a huge energy boost that keeps her going.

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Neuland, the innovative maker of visual thinking tools. Every Neuland product is designed with passion to be durable and sustainable.

Now you can get your own custom printed Neuland Markers! Neuland prints your company’s logo, slogan, URL, or an individual message on markers – even in small batches. These markers are the ideal gift for workshop participants and customers.

Save 15% with code neuland@sketchnotearmy-2021 at Neuland.com until May 30th, 2021

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Ania?
• Ania’s origin story: from government work to visual work
• The enjoyment Ania gets from challenging topics to capture visually
• Ania’s online workshops
• On becoming a full-time graphic recorder and sketchnoting
• The benefits of learning what you love before you go full-time
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Ania’s Website in Polish
• Ania’s Website Translated into English
• Ania on Instagram

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Neuland Markers
• Molotow Markers
• Moleskine Sketchbook
• Canson Sketchbook
• iPad Pro 12.9”
• Apple Pencil
• Procreate

TIPS

1. Draw regularly for 10-15 minutes every day
2. Find sketchnotes you admire, extract ideas and practice them
3. Don’t limit yourself - challenge yourself with tools and papers

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode hear the passion of John Muir Laws, a scientist, teacher and author who helps people forge deeper, more personal connections with nature through keeping illustrated nature journals.

John and I talk about how he entered into nature journaling, the importance of parents encouraging kids to explore their interests, ways sketchnoters and visual thinking can enter into nature journaling, and more.

This is a fantastic interview I know you’re going to love!

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by The Sketchnote Ideabook, the sketchbook designed for sketchnoters.

Equipped with a no-bleed, now show through paper, The Sketchnote Ideabook can take almost any marker or pen you can throw at it.

Save 15% on your entire order of Sketchnote Ideabooks and Autoquill Pen sets at the Airship Store when you use code IDEABOOK15 through April 30th, 2021.

To claim your 15% off visit airship.store today!

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is John?
• How John got into nature journaling
• What is nature journaling?
• Using journaling to slow down and pay attention
• Nature journaling is an invitation to the infinite
• I notice — words, pictures, numbers
• I wonder — what, why, how, when?
• It reminds me of — what else is like this in my experience?
• Creativity is useful connections between seemingly unrelated things
• Observing the world this way opens up your brain to curiosity
• There are infinite opportunities for curious exploration
• Observations can lead to biomimicry innovation
• Noting relationships between observations and things you understand
• John’s Sketchnote Handbook story
• How sketchnoting nature ideas expanded John’s process thinking
• We think we understand, but we’ve only scratched the surface
• The differences between science and mathematics
• You can be part of the process through observation and curiosity
• Human memory is unreliable: visual documentation is critical
• Visualization is a critical thinking tool
• Tools
• Outro

LINKS

• John Muir Laws Website
• John’s Blog Archive - loads of gems in there
• Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference
• John Muir Laws on Twitter
• John Muir Laws on Instagram
• The Nature Journal Club
• John Muir Laws Store
• Book: The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
• Book: The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds
• Book: Sierra Birds: a Hiker’s Guide
• Book: The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Growth Mindset is critical
• Actively, intentionally harness your curiosity - do curiosity
• Prismacolor Col-Erase Non-Photo Blue Pencil No. 20028
• Pentel GraphGear 1000 Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
• Bic Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen
• Strathmore Hardbound Toned Tan Paper Art Journal
• Strathmore Hardbound Mixed Media Gray Paper Art Journal
• John’s Field Sketching Supplies and Naturalist Equipment

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, I have a fun discussion with Ana Reinert, the creator of The Well Appointed Desk.

Pen fanatics will know Ana for her deep knowledge of fountain pens and inks and other pens too. Her Well Appointed Desk covers all kinds of other goodies, like pencils, paper, notebooks, and beautiful objects that make office work more joyful and fun.

In this discussion, I talk with Ana about the origin of her site, the expansion to other authors who specialize in specific areas and more.

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by The Sketchnote Lettering Live Workshop Replay.

This is the year to upgrade your lettering with my 2 hour video replay, where I teach you my signature lettering style showing you how I create letters, tips and tricks, and my lettering philosophy.

Watch as I demonstrate 2-line, 3-line, condensed, extended lettering, script and faux script and handwriting techniques.

This session includes a Q&A portion where I answer student questions and downloadable PDF reference and practice sheets so you can follow along.

Buy this video replay for only $15 at Vimeo.

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Ana?
• The Well Appointed Desk origin story
• The importance of drawing and sketching in design
• Value of structure and hierarchy of sketchnoting
• Something positive: Ana baking banana peanut butter muffins
• Dangerous letterpress equipment
• Tools
• Tips
• Outro

LINKS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• The Well Appointed Desk
• The Well Appointed Desk Shop
• The Well Appointed Desk on Twitter
• The Well Appointed Desk on Instagram
• House of Turquoise
• Pen Addict
• Pencil Revolution
• The Long Tail Concept
• Book: The Long Tail by Chris Anderson
• Vintage Writing Paper Pad
• Ludlow Machine
• Linotype the film

TOOLS

Amazon affiliate links below support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.

• Platinum Carbon Desk Pen
• Uni-ball Signo UM-151 Gel Pen - 0.38 mm - Black
• Prismacolor Col-Erase Blue Pencil
• Prismacolor Col-Erase Red Pencil
• Baron Fig Squire Click
• Caran d'Ache 849 Fountain Pen - Purple Fluorescent (Pink) - Extra Fine Nib
• LAMY Studio Fountain Pen - Imperial Blue - Medium Nib
• Best Micro Gel Pen: Choosing the Right One
• Midori MD Cotton Paper
• Hobonichi Techo with Tomoe River Paper
• Tomoe River Paper
• Midori Traveler’s Notebook
• Fauxdori Traveler’s Notebook on Etsy
• 10.5” iPad Pro
• Procreate
• Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
• Blade Runner

TIPS

1. Stop comparing your work with what others are doing
2. Look outside your space for inspiration
3. If you get stuck - walk away and do the dishes

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

We kick off season 9 with with Lee LeFever, co-founder of Common Craft, the pioneers of the explainer video and author of 2 great books. Lee and I talk about the process they follow at Common Craft, sharing their philosophy as well as tips and tricks.

We also discuss Lee’s two books: The Art of Explanation and his latest book, Big Enough, with discussion about constraints fueling creativity and building a business to suit your life rather than the other way around.

You’re going to love this episode!

SPONSORED BY

This episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by The Sketchnote Lettering Live Workshop Replay.

This is the year to upgrade your lettering with my 2 hour video replay, where I teach you my signature lettering style showing you how I create letters, tips and tricks, and my lettering philosophy.

Watch as I demonstrate 2-line, 3-line, condensed, extended lettering, script and faux script and handwriting techniques.

This session includes a Q&A portion where I answer student questions and downloadable PDF reference and practice sheets so you can follow along.

Buy this video replay for only $15 at Vimeo.

RUNNING ORDER

• Intro: Who is Lee?
• Lee’s origin story with explainer videos
• The value of partnering with others
• How Common Craft operates now
• Valuing clear, interesting, surprising information
• Importance of writing in Lee’s creative process
• Using story to share principles in a clear way
• The Common Craft process
• Book: The Art of Explanation
• How embracing constraints liberates you
• Book: Big Enough
• Quality of life defining success
• The importance of sustainability
• Productivity culture
• How the pandemic changed time perceptions
• Time is the new wealth
• Tools
• Handwriting thank you notes
• 3 tips
• Outro

LINKS

• Lee’s website
• Common Craft Website
• About Common Craft
• Common Craft Membership
• Lee on Twitter
• Lee on Instagram
• Lee on LinkedIn
• Book: The Art of Explanation
• Book: Big Enough
• Disinformation Explainer Video
• Feynman Technique

TOOLS

• Autodesk Sketchbook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Apple Keynote
• Wacom Cintiq
• Blue Yeti Microphone

3 TIPS

1. Think about learning as a semantic tree: focus on the trunk first
2. Writing an explanation is a great way to start: Feynman Technique
3. Explanation is like subjective comedy: know your audience

CREDITS

• Producer: Alec Pulianas
• Theme music: Jon Schiedermayer

SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

To support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Subscribe to the Sketchnote Podcast

You can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.

Support the Podcast

To support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!

Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab.

Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice.

He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick.

Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges.

He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z.

Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work.

Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in.

©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab