The Creative Rising

We continue our two-part series on the battle of beliefs. This time we are talking with artist and activist Fabian Williams, aka Occasional Superstar, about his experience in the ad world, how he became a full-time artist, and his work to promote justice which led him to take on the NFL.

• For more on Fabian Williams visit: www.occasionalsuperstar.com/
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Intermission music & editing by Michael Engelking 
• Have an idea for an episode? Leave us a comment on iTunes and let us know! 
• For more on The Creative Rising visit: www.theCreativeRising.com

What do you do when asked to help a client that you don't believe in or, worse yet, fundamentally disagree with? You can certainly take the money and run (those bills aren't going to pay themselves) or stand firm on your moral high ground. Saying no is easier said than done and in this episode, host Blake Howard talks courage and convictions with Julia Zeltser, creative director and co-founder of the social impact design firm Hyperakt. 

• For more on Julia Zeltser visit: www.hyperakt.com
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Intermission music & edit by Michael Engelking 
• Have an idea for an episode? Leave us a comment on iTunes and let us know. 

In any career, becoming a leader is often seen as the next step, but going from maker to manager in the creative field can be a tricky transition. In this episode, Blake Howard interviews author and thought leader Todd Henry, whose recent book “Herding Tigers” investigates what it means to be the advocate creatives want and the leader they need. From earning trust and developing decision-makers to nixing gossip and navigating conflict, Todd and Blake dig into the challenges creative leaders face.

• For more on Todd Henry visit: www.toddhenry.com
• Buy his book "Herding Tigers" here: www.toddhenry.com/herdingtigers
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Additional Music & Edit by Michael Engelking 
• Have an idea for an episode? Leave us a comment and let us know! 

There's a high risk of tension when one creative critiques the work of another. Fortunately, it's possible for feedback to make us better instead of bitter. In this episode we hear from Armin Vit, leading design critic and co-founder of Brand New. He shares his experiences with diversifying an industry niche, pushing back against comment culture and turning fear of failure into creative fuel.

• For more on Armin Vit visit: https://underconsideration.com
• Visit the Brand New blog: https://underconsideration.com/brandnew
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Additional Music & Edit by Michael Engelking 
• Have an idea for an episode? Let us know by visiting: www.thecreativerising.com

How do you keep evolving a recognizable style that's in high demand? In this episode we sit down with designer Brian Steely, whose monoline work has distinguished clients ranging from Nike to the national parks. We discuss what it means to set boundaries, battle impostor syndrome, and refresh your craft while embracing your distinctive voice.

• For more on Brian Steely visit his website: www.steelyworks.com
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Recorded live at Constellations: www.constellations.community
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Edited by Michael Engelking 
• For more on The Creative Rising visit our website: www.thecreativerising.com

Wether small set backs or devastating defeats, we all experience loss of some kind. In this episode, painter Dr. Fahamu Pecou, talks about what to do when life falls apart and you desperately need to restart. 

He knows loss all to well. In 2018, Fahamu experienced a crushing fire at his studio, losing years of work, supplies, and irreplaceable relics. We learn about his resiliency to bounce back and more on the art of the restart. 

• For more on Fahamu visit his website: www.fahamupecouart.com/
• Special thanks to Matchstic: www.matchstic.com
• Recorded live at Constellations: www.constellations.community
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard
• Edited by Michael Engelking 
• For more on The Creative Rising visit our website: www.thecreativerising.com

This season on The Creative Rising, we’re going to probe the boundaries of breakthrough and learn what’s required to make it to the other side of adversity. We’ll learn from some incredible creative leaders, who’ll share their insight on specific topics like bouncing back after losing it all, finding your voice, making scary career leaps, and fighting for what you believe in. We’ll explore the art of giving (and receiving) an unsolicited opinion and creating a creative culture, and we’ll hear a few stories on well-known artists getting their big break. This season is sure to bolster your bravery, and kicks off on May 28. Be sure to catch every episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit: TheCreativeRising.com

Edited by Michael Engelking
Produced and hosted by Blake Howard
Special thanks to Matchstic

Staying fresh and full of ideas as a creative professional can be difficult. In the final episode of Season 1, we talk to street poet and artist BlackCatTips to learn how he explores the unknown, odd, and uncomfortable in the pursuit of staying lively with ideas.

For more on BlackCatTips, visit www.blackcattips.com 

• Special thanks to Matchstic, a brand identity house
• Recorded live at Constellations Studio
• Episode edited by Wes Blankenship
• Music by Josh Garmon
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard

Job aspirations, decisions and questions can haunt us. We quietly wonder, am I in the right place? Am I being paid fairly? Is my title right? Is it time for me to make a change? In this episode of The Creative Rising, we talk to marketing guru, speaker, and author Chris Coleman to get her sage advice on a successful creative career.

*Audio quality note: This is a recorded phone call and the sound quality isn't as great as we would want. I hope you can overlook that fact and instead hear the real gold in the conversation. It's well worth it.

• Special thanks to Matchstic, a brand identity house
• Recorded live at Constellations Studio
• Episode edited by Wes Blankenship
• Music by Josh Garmon
• Hosted and produced by Blake Howard

You’re washed up. Done for. All the good ideas are gone and the pressure is on to deliver. What does it look like to get unstuck? In this episode we talk to musician, storyteller and educator, OkCello,  to learn about his creative process and learning from our own emotions to breakthrough.

Listen to more OkCello here.

Special thanks to Constellations Studio and Matchstic, a brand identity house. Edited by Wes Blankenship, hosted and produced by Blake Howard, and music by Josh Garmon