The Creative Condition podcast

By Ben TallonArts Design

The Creative Condition podcast episodes

October 15, 2025 Ep 276: This Uncertain Moment with Claudine O'Sullivan, artist and illustrator
Is what you were enough anymore? Do we run for the hills as the machines come for our jobs, or drill even deeper into who we are, what we stand for, and where we were going?
I'm joined by artist and illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan to share her story of adapting to life as a new mother, artificial intelligence, and economic unrest.
We discuss the fear, the opportunities, and how the hell we begin to choose our direction in fast-changing times, no matter whether you're an illustrator, graphic designer, animator, creative director, or anything across the arts.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
1 hr 21 min
October 08, 2025The Creativity Diary Entry 21: Priming the mind, business maintenance, beanstalks and hooligans, and rose tinted glasses
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
Brain lube
Maintaining a multi-faceted business
Multiple beanstalks and many Jacks
The pain of the past
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
18 min
October 01, 2025 Ep 275: Coaching for Illustrators announcement
After 1.5 years of creativity coaching through my one-to-one Pit Stop sessions, it's time to announce a new illustrator-specific offer.
With 18 years in the game and over 300 interviews with creative industry and broader thought leaders, I've designed something to help illustrators to take control of their next moves as the market continues to shift.
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
20 min
September 24, 2025Ep 274: A Long Look into the Relationship Mirror with psychotherapist Allison Heiliczer
Relationships. Utterly key to our ability to function with optimism, contentment, and creativity. But how much do we take care of them? Relationship with ourselves? Partners, professional or romantic? With society?
Psychotherapist Allison Heiliczer joins The Creative Condition for the latest in a series of specific mental health topic episodes as we take a long look into the relationship mirror.
We cover:
Chaotic brains
Finding the right tribe for these brains
Negative identities
The finding time myth
Loneliness and isolation
The control illusion
You can find out more about Allison at https://rethinkthecouch.com
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
1 hr 9 min
September 17, 2025 Ep 273: 10 Things That Pulled Me Out of an Anxiety Spiral
It's heavy out there. Cost of living. Mental health. Climate. Extreme division. Capitalist mania.
I opened my finances spreadsheet and freaked right out. Anxiety took hold and amplified it out of all proportion.
Here are 10 things that got me out of the hole, things that can help you too, dear artist.
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
46 min
September 10, 2025The Creativity Diary Entry 20: Are we all on ref cam? Newspaper identity, and lost between the primitive past and robot future
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
Are we all on ref cam?
Identity and belonging on the paper round
AI agents and primitive idiocy
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
19 min
September 08, 2025 Brew Brain Dump 8: A story about a nettle sting while reaching for a bag of dog shit, and why it links to Marcus Aurelius
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage).
Today, join me as I reflect on a nettle sting sustained by reaching for a bag of dog shit, and why it links to Marcus Aurelius.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
14 min
September 03, 2025Ep 272: Filmograph. The LA-based film titles and full service design studio let us into their minds
Aaron Becker, Seth Kleinberg, and Troy James Miller from Los Angeles-based Filmograph join me to take us inside their brilliant studio.
Their output is insane and inspiring, from The Penguin to Mission Impossible via Aquaman, a visit to their portfolio is a must for any serious film fan.
We cover:
The importance of respect for the concept over trends
Filmograph's origins
The importance of time off
Changing plans in the service of the creative
Juggling acts and the art of staying creative across many projects
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
1 hr 31 min
August 27, 2025The Creativity Diary Entry 19: Golden hour comfort, learning through humour, burning bridges and gallows humour
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
Golden hour comfort
Learning through humour
Burning bridges
Gallows humour
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com

Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
14 min
August 20, 2025Ep 271: The importance of partners. Who are yours? Who helped you to this point? Why it matters.
After reading a beautiful piece of writing about Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke's football strike partnership in 1999 by Matt Dickinson, I was reminded of the vital importance of our creative partners in life.
To help you recognise and value yours, I work through some that spring to mind in my life, how they vary, and why they matter for our creativity.
I dig into:
Why partners matter for our creativity
Types of partners
The different ways they nourish us
The difference between long-term, momentary, disparate, and imaginary partners
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
52 min

About The Creative Condition podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to 'The Creative Condition' podcast: a show to help you thrive in creative industry careers, tell your greatest story, and lead a fulfilling life on your terms. Creativity coach, illustrator, and author Ben Tallon and his many guests help you navigate an increasingly automated world with human creativity.