The Creative Condition podcast

Matt Essam built a career he thought was the one for him. When he made it, it didn't feel too good. So he started again and focused on a different set of goals.He wanted well-paid and creatively, emotionally fulfilling work.Today he works with freelancers and small businesses to help them find and attract dream clients. Matt joins me to break down the reasons why so many people end up jaded with their work, believing the old misconception that well-paid work cannot be creatively fulfilling and vice-versa.This one is packed full of golden advice and you can download a free copy of Matt's book, Create and Prosper here: https://www.createandprosper.co/This show is kindly supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comWebsite: ​www.mattessam.co.uk Social handle: @matt_essam Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/matt_essam/ Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/mattessam/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/matt_essam LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/http://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

So often, we create great work, have fresh ideas and know our skill set. But can we express ourselves with confidence, in an effective way that does the work justice?It's an age-old conundrum; one strong skill set balanced out by shortcomings. But does it need to be this way? Sara Coggin, illustrator and language teacher joins me to talk about breaking down misconceptions about confidence and why they are at the root of issues expressing our creativity. We dig into why it's crucial to join the emotional dots and why we have to be sympathetic to our personality.This podcast is kindly supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://saracogg.in/https://www.instagram.com/cogginsketchbook/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/speaklikeyou/?hl=enhttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

With the rise in tuition fees proving a gateway for many people who want to study at degree level, there's a bigger question mark than ever before over whether formal education is essential for a career in the arts.'Where did you study?' is the most interrogation I've ever faced as a freelance illustrator. When it comes to the writing and podcasting side of my work, there was no study, just a passionate interest and the desire to make it happen. Illustrator, designer and photographer Tim Easley did not study at all.He had no real inclination he wanted a career in the arts until a little later than most. When he felt it, he made the decision, in accordance with his personality, to educate himself. He now works across a broad range of clients, industries and disciplines with a distinct illustrative style and beautiful, independent books of hhis photography. Tim joins me to share the whole story, why he chose this unconventional path and why it is crucial to consider the character when navigating our own way through the often confusing arts.Available now on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher Podcasts and Google Podcasts.Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://timeasley.com/https://twitter.com/timeasleyhttps://www.instagram.com/timeasley/http://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

Alan McGee is one of a kind. His tough start in 1970s Glasgow set him up for a tumultuous, glorious and legendary ride at the top of the 1990s and 2000s music scene as the head of Creation Records and the man behind the biggest band in the world at the time, Oasis.Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub and My Bloody Valentine, to name but a few, followed suit.I sit down with Alan as his movie biopic, directed by Nick Moran and written for screen by Irvine Welsh, 'Creation Stories' comes out to dig into what he describes as 'bonkers brave f**k you creativity.This is must listen, packed full of advice about making bold decisions and getting behind them, when they feel right, taking risks and not shying away from controversy when it comes to creativity.The podcast is supported by Illustration X (http://illustrationx.com) and The Association of Illustrators (http://theaoi.com)Creation Stories is out now on Sky Cinema.

The times we live in are tumultuous and challenging. The world is changing. We all need a voice. Good design is not enough to provide one. So how do we make work that matters, which we can deliver with results?ThoughtMatter have built a reputation as a creative agency who not only make thought provoking, meaningful work, addressing issues they care about, but work hard and smart to ensure it hits the spot.I'm joined by managing director Jessie McGuire to discuss her own journey, the evolution of ThoughtMatter and what it takes to break through the noise of modern life.https://www.thoughtmatter.com/https://www.thoughtmatter.com/inbetweenhttps://www.instagram.com/thoughtmatter/https://twitter.com/ThoughtMttrhttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.comhttp://illustrationx.comhttp://theaoi.com

When Ben Ryan, one of the most innovative coaches in world sport left his position as England rugby 7s coach, he was all set to take a comfortable role at a sports consultancy company.Then he saw a tweet advertising a vacancy for the national Fiji rugby 7s job. With twenty minutes to accept or decline the role, he listened to his raging instincts and set out on one of the all time great sporting stories, taking them, through countless challenges, to an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.Ben shares the mind-bending story, his valuable insights to human empowerment, tips for adapting to adversity and why it's vital to establish the right conditions for creativity and happiness to flourish in and around us.This episode of the Creative Condition Podcast is supported by Illustration X and the Association of Illustrators. http://illustrationx.com // http://theaoi.comThe Ben Ryan Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ben-ryan-podcast/id1553400216Ben's Sevens Heaven book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39102941-sevens-heavenhttps://www.instagram.com/benryan7s/https://twitter.com/benjaminryanhttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

The Creative Condition takes over Arrest All Mimics podcast. Here's why and what to expect!Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.com

George Moir's unusual dual roles of musician and animator make for a wonderfully rounded, lo-fi visual and musical world of his own making.He joins me to discuss his unusual roots, playing the piano from the age of 2 and the 800 hours graft he ploughed into his animated videos.It's a brilliant story and a great example of how diverse skill sets can co-exist to forge unique paths.Episode 151 of Arrest All Mimics is supported by Illustration X and the Association of Illustrators.https://www.instagram.com/georgemoirmusic/?hl=enhttp://illustrationx.comhttp://theaoi.com

A free preview of 'What YA MUM Told Me Last Night': the bonus stories audiobook to accompany YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain.A thank you to Arrest All Mimics listeners. YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain paperback is out now at http://bentallonwriter.com/shop and bundle offers on both audiobooks are available now. Full individual e-books and audiobooks are available from all good retailers.

Biscuits is a slab of brilliantly-observed graphic novel full of poignancy, reflection and black comedy from the mind of illustrator and writer Jenny Robins.Charting the interlinking lives of London women, this hand drawn story has everything, so Jenny joins me to share the story, her process and how she balances her role as a teacher with her freelance magic making.The graphic novel is out now on Myriad Editions.Episode 150 of Arrest All Mimics is supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttp://jennyrobins.comhttps://myriadeditions.com/books/biscuits-assorted/http://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com