The Developing Life Podcast

By Davron Bowman | Heather Crank | Tru Adams

The Developing Life Podcast is your go-to destination for creative minds, entrepreneurs, and leaders striving to grow and thrive in today’s ever-evolving world. A collaborative effort lead by Davro

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FAQs about The Developing Life Podcast:

How many episodes does The Developing Life Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.

The Developing Life Podcast episodes:

March 23, 2026Are we Teaching AI the Wrong Things? De Kai on Ethics, Language, and Raising AI
What if AI isn’t just something we use…
but something we’re raising?
In this deeply human conversation, AI pioneer De Kai, one of the minds behind modern machine translation- shares a perspective that reframes everything:
👉 AI isn’t a tool.
👉 It’s a reflection.
👉 And whether we realize it or not… we are its training data.
From a childhood shaped by music, physics, and rebellion, to a career at the forefront of artificial intelligence, De Kai takes us into a moment humanity has never faced before:
A world where the systems shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are watching us, learning from us, every second.
And here’s the part that hits hardest:
If AI is learning how to behave…
then what exactly are we teaching it?
This episode isn’t about fear.
It’s about responsibility.
It’s about how everyday moments. How we speak, what we ignore, what we react to, are quietly shaping the future of intelligence itself.
You’ll walk away questioning:
Are we creating connection… or division?
Are we thinking… or just reacting?
And if AI reflects humanity... what version of humanity are we becoming?
This isn’t just a conversation about technology.
It’s a conversation about who we are—and who we’re becoming.
Because the future of AI…
might actually depend on how human we choose to be.
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h
March 10, 2026Cut, Paste, Collide: Analog Rebellion in a World Racing Towards AI | ft. Scott Clum
In a world racing toward automation, what does it mean to stay human as a creator?
In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast, we sit down with legendary designer Scott Clum—a pioneer of experimental typography, Raygun-era design culture, and one of the creative forces who helped shape visual language across the skateboarding and snowboarding industries.

Scott’s career spans more than four decades of creative exploration, from discovering design through the bold hand-painted packaging of early Hot Wheels toys to becoming a defining voice in counterculture design and creative direction.
But this conversation isn’t just about design history.
It’s about something much bigger.
We explore the tension many creatives feel today as AI, automation, and hyper-efficient digital tools reshape the creative industries.
Scott shares why the human process—messy, tactile, and deeply personal—still matters more than ever, and why creativity isn’t something that can be outsourced to a machine.
Along the way we talk about:
• Why real creativity requires putting skin in the game
• The difference between speed and meaning in modern creative work
• Why many young creatives are searching for authorship and identity again
• How subcultures like skateboarding and snowboarding shaped creative independence
• Why the future of creativity may actually lie in rediscovering analog processes
Scott also shares powerful advice for students and emerging creatives navigating a rapidly changing landscape: bring your whole self into the work, embrace experimentation, and never underestimate the power of persistence.
As he explains, creativity isn’t about perfection.
It’s about exploration.
It’s about communication.
And most importantly—it’s about staying human.
If you’re a creative director, brand leader, artist, entrepreneur, or student wondering what the future of creativity looks like in an AI-driven world, this conversation will resonate deeply.
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 8min
September 01, 2025Creativity, Identity & the Power of Starting Over | ft. Chris Martin
Chris Martin doesn’t sugarcoat what it takes to survive as a modern creative. From the highs of building a design career to the struggles of burnout, identity, and starting over, he opens up in ways you rarely hear on podcasts.
In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast- hosted by Heather Crank- we talk about:
The human side of working in a “make it or break it” industry.
Why leaving projects behind can be the most liberating thing you do.
The importance of curiosity, play, and honesty in staying relevant.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or invisible in your creative journey, this episode is a must-watch.
Check it out:
Chris' Podcast gettingworktowork.com
Chris' Substack chrismartinwrites.substack.com

Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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55min
September 01, 2025From Rolling Stones to Radical Truth: How One Designer Continually Reinvents Himself- and What You Can Learn | ft. Stefan Sagmeister
After designing album covers for icons like the Rolling Stones, Stefan Sagmeister sensed his work growing stale. He took a radical step: shut down his studio for a year—every seven years.
In this Developing Life Podcast episode, Sagmeister explains how that sabbatical transformed his career, leading him away from commercial work and toward a new practice mixing data and art.
We unpack the risks and rewards of micro‑retirements (mini‑sabbaticals Gen Z is searching for) and why letting go of success can unlock deeper meaning.
Continue Your Journey:
Get Stefan’s book Now Is Better and see his data‑driven art
Explore his evolving portfolio and exhibitions → Stefan Sagmeister official site
Connect with Stefan on Linkedin → linkedin.com/in/stefan-sagmeister
🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the Developing Life Podcast. Your support helps us bring you deeper dives with world‑class creatives.
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 11min
August 26, 2025Redesigning Reality: Ryan Summers on Obsession, Vision & the Future of Creative Work
What happens when creativity becomes a way to reimagine how we experience the world?
In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast, Ryan Summers — whose career spans Pacific Rim, Person of Interest, Blizzard, and Warner Brothers — opens up about his journey from chemical engineering to motion design, the lessons of resilience after being laid off, and why obsession, voice, and vision are the true moats for creatives in an age of AI and rapid change.
Together with host Heather Crank, Ryan explores:
How to turn uncertainty into a superpower.
Why input matters more than output for artists.
The aversion to decision-making, and how bold choices fuel growth.
Why curated, human-crafted experiences will always outshine trends.
This episode is about finding your voice in a world that never stops shifting.
Perfect for thoughtful creatives, lifelong learners, and anyone who believes design is more than what we see — it’s what we feel.
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Mentioned in this episode
Ryan's Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrryansummers/
Keys & Curves (Substack) – by Ryan Summers
https://www.keysandcurves.com/

School of Motion – premier motion-design training
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/

ShotDeck – cinematic HD screenshot reference library
https://shotdeck.com/

Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 1min
August 06, 2025Who Are We Now: Design Identity in the Wake of the Algorithm | ft. Petrula Vrontikis
Who Are We Now? Petrula Vrontikis on Design, Identity & Staying Human in the Algorithm Age -
Welcome to one of the most soul-shifting conversations we’ve ever had on the Developing Life Podcast.
What happens to authorship, intuition, and creative power when algorithms shape our every move?
Petrula Vrontikis—renowned educator, speaker, and creative coach—joins us for a powerful and poetic exploration of how designers can reclaim their identity, voice, and humanity in an increasingly automated world.
From teaching at ArtCenter for over 30 years to redefining what it means to thrive as a creative, Petrula shares:
💥 The hidden emotional toll of algorithmic design
💥 Why identity is no longer fixed—and that’s a good thing
💥 Her personal journey to becoming a creative authority
💥 The transformational tension between growth and anxiety
💥 How to rediscover your joy and your confidence
If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise, this episode is your compass.
If you’ve questioned your worth in the face of fast content, this is your permission slip.
If you’re craving honest, real talk about design, life, and meaning—you’ve found your people.
LISTEN NOW
And don’t forget to hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment about what part hit you hardest.
🔗 FOLLOW PETRULA
Website: https://www.rebld.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrulavrontikis

#PetrulaVrontikis #DesignPodcast #CreativeResistance #DevelopingLife #ChrisDo #DesignEducation #HumanCenteredDesign #AlgorithmCulture #CreativeAnxiety #RickRubin #TransformationalTension #DesignWithPurpose #ArtCenter #VoiceNotVolume #RebuildWithPetrula
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 3min
June 28, 2025Make Something Beautiful. Become Someone Brave | ft. Dave Zaboski
What if the future of creativity wasn’t about doing more, but becoming more?
Dave Zaboski—former Disney animator (The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Fantasia 2000), expedition artist, startup founder, and creative philosopher—joins The Developing Life for one of our most powerful episodes to date.
🔹 From painting for the Dalai Lama
🔹 To sketching at 16,500 ft in search of a lost Incan temple
🔹 To developing the Universal Laws of Creativity...
...Dave’s story is a masterclass in aligning imagination, risk, and purpose.
In this conversation we explore:
⚡ The difference between knowledge and wisdom in the age of AI
⚡ Why care is the missing element in artificial intelligence
⚡ The “Socratic Prompting” method that turns AI into a thinking partner—not a crutch
⚡ How to reclaim your narrative when speed and pressure try to define you
⚡ Why creativity isn’t just for artists—but for everyone turning thought into form
This episode is for anyone who’s ready to slow down, go deeper, and step fully into their role as a creator—with courage, clarity, and care.
📩 Invite a friend who’s questioning the future.
🔥 Bookmark this one. You’ll want to come back.
🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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57min
June 03, 2025Designing Freedom: Why Humanity is Your Greatest Advantage in an AI World | ft. Hayley Akins
In this powerfully human episode of the Developing Life Podcast, host Heather Crank sits down with Hayley Akins—motion designer, business coach, and founder of Motion Hatch—to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable creative career in an AI-driven world.
With over 15 years in the motion design industry and deep expertise in freelance coaching, Hayley shares the key systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that have helped hundreds of creatives grow profitable, authentic businesses.
From overcoming imposter syndrome to building scalable processes and cultivating community, this conversation is packed with real-world advice for motion designers navigating a changing industry.
Whether you're a solo freelancer, small studio owner, or transitioning creative looking for more freedom and purpose, this episode offers a human-first roadmap to creative entrepreneurship in the age of automation.
Key Topics Covered:
The evolution from motion designer to creative business leader
Building networks and finding clients in a post-COVID world
Pricing, client communication & positioning as a creative
Sustainable workflows, burnout prevention, and personal routines
How AI is disrupting the industry—and what to do about it
The power of community and in-person connection in a digital world
Perfect for:
Freelance motion designers
Small creative studio owners
Creative entrepreneurs
Creatives interested in business strategy & automation
Anyone building a values-driven, scalable creative career
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h
May 26, 2025Financial Confidence for Creatives: How to Stop Surviving and Start Building | ft. Bayleigh Laster
What if financial literacy was the missing key to unlocking your creativity?
In this heartfelt and high-impact episode of The Developing Life Podcast, we sit down with Bayleigh Laster—licensed occupational therapist turned financial educator—to explore how money mindset shapes our identity, work, and freedom.
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Bayleigh shares her powerful transition from healthcare to financial mentorship after seeing how one medical event could devastate a family. She breaks down emotional barriers, busts myths around the “starving artist,” and teaches why treating yourself as an asset is the most radical creative move you can make.
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We unpack:
✅ Why financial education is missing from our upbringing
✅ How to build an emergency fund with intention
✅ The Rule of 72 (and why it matters)
✅ Real-world strategies to stop reacting and start planning
✅ How shame blocks financial progress—and how to release it
✅ Replacing fear with future-focused clarity
If you’re a creative, freelancer, or independent thinker struggling with financial insecurity, this episode is your permission slip to feel empowered.
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🧠 Your future self will thank you.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Buzzsprout
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#FinancialLiteracy #CreativeEntrepreneur #MoneyMindset #EmergencyFund #BayleighLaster #DevelopingLifePodcast #WealthBuilding #FinancialConfidence #ArtistFinances #FinancialFreedomForCreatives
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 4min
May 19, 2025Unbound: Freedom, Creativity and Conscious Growth | ft. Phillip J. Clayton
Guest: Phillip J. Clayton – Strategic Brand Consultant, Creative Advisor, and Founder of PJC
What does it mean to redefine yourself through design, survive the gates of hell, and emerge with clarity?
In this soul-stirring episode, Davron Bowman sits down with Phillip J. Clayton—renowned brand consultant and creative strategist—to explore the deep intersection of identity, resilience, and brand-building. With over two decades of global experience in advertising, fine arts, and brand development, Phillip opens up about:
🔹 Surviving creative burnout and the five-year evolution that changed everything
🔹 How to build a brand that begins at the moment of real-life experience, not the moment of launch
🔹 The six disciplines Phillip uses daily to strengthen confidence, creativity, and self-trust
🔹 Why boundaries, kindness, and purpose are non-negotiable in modern business
🔹 Navigating trauma, legacy, and the quiet power of choosing meaning over metrics
Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, agency founder, or just navigating your next chapter, this episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, design leadership, and redefining success on your own terms.
Connect with Phillip and follow his journey
https://www.instagram.com/phillipjclayton/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipjclayton
https://phillip-clayton.medium.com/
Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!
Support the show
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION
LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/
WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/

FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS
Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/
Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/
Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/
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#Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast
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1h 10min

FAQs about The Developing Life Podcast:

How many episodes does The Developing Life Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.