The Creative Boom Podcast

Creative Boom
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The Creative Boom Podcast is a weekly interview show for designers, illustrators, animators, and creative professionals. Host Katy Cowan talks to artists, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers about the realities of building a creative career – confidence, burnout, money, failure, reinvention, and imposter syndrome – in honest, warm conversations that don't dress anything up. Part of Creative Boom, the independent magazine for the creative community established in 2009.

  1. AI, Beauty Standards and the Death of Realness, with Liz Seabrook

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    AI, Beauty Standards and the Death of Realness, with Liz Seabrook

    What happens when everything starts to look the same? In this episode, Katy sits down with photographer Liz Seabrook to talk about image-making in a world that feels increasingly artificial. From AI-generated campaigns to face-tuned portraits, they explore what's being lost as perfection becomes the default. They begin with AI, because it's impossible not to. But the conversation quickly moves into something deeper. The strange overlap between technology and beauty standards, and how both are pushing us towards a kind of visual sameness that feels unsettling. Liz shares what she's seeing behind the scenes as a working photographer: Clients arriving with AI-generated mockups; expectations shaped before a shoot has even begun, and a growing disconnect between the people making the work and the outcome. There's also an honest conversation about how we see ourselves and why so many people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. How years of filters, retouching and social media have quietly shifted our idea of what's normal. And the subtle pressure to look a certain way, even when we think we're immune to it. Katy reflects on her own recent experience stepping back in front of the lens. The vulnerability of it. The surprise of seeing yourself through someone else's eyes. And the reminder that behind every great image is a team of skilled creatives working together to make something real. They also touch on what's happening across the wider industry. The rise of AI in creative workflows, the loss of entry-level roles, and the increasing demand for more content, faster, often for the same budgets. It paints a picture of an industry in flux, trying to keep up with technology that's moving faster than anyone can regulate. And yet, there's still optimism. Liz leaves us with a simple but powerful thought. To be creative is to be optimistic. Because why make anything at all if you don't believe it might be seen, felt or make a difference? A timely conversation about authenticity, pressure and where creativity goes next.

    47 min
  2. The Spark: Jessie McGuire on Why Fast Isn't Better, Imposter Syndrome and Dinner with Elton John

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    The Spark: Jessie McGuire on Why Fast Isn't Better, Imposter Syndrome and Dinner with Elton John

    essie McGuire returns for The Spark, where things get a little looser and a lot more revealing. She shares what she's tired of seeing in the creative world right now, including the obsession with speed and the pressure to react instantly to everything. It's a thoughtful take on why creativity needs time and space to breathe. There's a brilliant moment on imposter syndrome, too. Jessie challenges the idea entirely, arguing that it's often something placed on people from the outside rather than something we truly feel within ourselves. It's a refreshing and empowering perspective. The conversation drifts into social media, cringe culture and the pressure to present a perfect life. Jessie talks about the importance of stepping away from screens and reconnecting with your own thoughts, your own pace and your own voice. We also get a glimpse into her personal side. From her love of notebooks and stickers to her dream dinner party with Elton John and Bad Bunny, it's full of charm and personality. And then there's a genuinely touching moment. Asked what she'd do with $150, Jessie chooses to spend it on a meal with her mum. Simple, heartfelt and a reminder of what really matters. She leaves us with a question for the next guest that lingers long after the episode ends. What do you want to be remembered for?

    24 min
  3. Imagination, Conviction and Design That Isn't Neutral, with Jessie McGuire

    19 ABR

    Imagination, Conviction and Design That Isn't Neutral, with Jessie McGuire

    What if design isn't neutral at all? In this episode, Katy sits down with Jessie McGuire, partner at New York design studio Thought Matter, to explore the real power of creativity and why it comes with responsibility. Jessie shares her 10-year story at Thought Matter, working closely with founder Tom Jaffe to shape a studio built on experimentation, curiosity and big ideas. From those early days to recently winning the prestigious National Design Award, this is a conversation about commitment, belief and staying the course, even when the path isn't always clear. They talk about imagination as more than a creative spark. It's a tool for shaping culture, influencing behaviour and questioning power. Jessie explains why she firmly believes design is never neutral and how every decision we make as creatives affects the world around us. There's also an honest look at the past decade. From the shock of the 2016 election to the stillness of the pandemic, Jessie reflects on how those moments forced her and her team to pause, rethink and reconnect with what really matters. That shift led to more purposeful work, deeper questions and a stronger sense of direction. Katy and Jessie explore what it means to do work that matters, how to support emerging designers, and why the industry needs more openness and collaboration. They also touch on the importance of discomfort and why pushing through uncertainty is often where the most meaningful work happens. Jessie's perspective is grounded, thoughtful and quietly powerful. This is a chat about backing yourself, trusting your ideas and recognising that creativity isn't just about making things look good; it's about making things count.

    54 min
  4. The Spark: Adam J. Kurtz on Getting a Dog, Wearing Socks and Letting Go of Cool

    15 ABR ·  CONTENIDO EXTRA

    The Spark: Adam J. Kurtz on Getting a Dog, Wearing Socks and Letting Go of Cool

    n this week's Spark, Adam J. Kurtz gets refreshingly honest about creativity, identity, and letting go of perfection. From why "good enough" is often more than enough, to the surprising power of putting on a pair of socks, Adam shares the small shifts that can make a big difference to your day. He reflects on trusting your instincts, embracing imperfection, and why chasing "cool" might be the very thing holding you back. There's humour, a bit of chaos, and some genuinely thoughtful moments along the way, including a simple question about what you'd do with $150 that reveals more than you might expect about priorities, creativity, and how we choose to live. It's a short one, but it might just stay with you.

    29 min
  5. From New York to 'Now What?': Starting Over on Your Own Terms, with Adam J. Kurtz

    12 ABR

    From New York to 'Now What?': Starting Over on Your Own Terms, with Adam J. Kurtz

    In this week's episode, Katy sits down with artist, author and beautifully honest human Adam J. Kurtz to talk about what happens when you reach the thing you thought you wanted… and realise it's not the whole story. Dialling in from Hawaii, Adam shares how leaving New York forced him to untangle his identity from his work, his city, and the version of success he'd been chasing for years. What followed wasn't a dramatic reinvention, but something quieter and more meaningful—a shift towards simplicity, honesty, and figuring things out in real time. They talk about burnout, creative cycles, and the uncomfortable question so many of us are sitting with right now: what next? Adam reflects on how his work has evolved alongside his life, moving from hopeful striving to something more grounded, self-aware, and forgiving. There's also a glimpse into his upcoming book, Now What?, a project shaped by uncertainty, growth, and the reality that none of us ever really have it all figured out. It's a conversation about letting go of perfection, embracing change, and finding a version of success that actually feels good to live with. Funny, candid, and quietly reassuring, you'll realise that you're allowed to change your mind, path, and pace... no matter where you are right now.

    48 min
  6. The Spark: Aporva Baxi on Music, Movies and Making Things Without Overthinking

    8 ABR ·  CONTENIDO EXTRA

    The Spark: Aporva Baxi on Music, Movies and Making Things Without Overthinking

    In this week's bonus episode of The Spark, we get to know Aporva Baxi a little better. From photographing shadows and beams of light to whispering ideas into his phone in the supermarket, Aporva shares the small habits that shape his creative life. We chat about music that fuels his thinking (hello Aphex Twin), the films that have stayed with him (Kubrick, of course), and why noticing the everyday might be the most important creative skill of all. There's also talk of creative heroes, strange rituals, and the kind of dinner party that would properly stretch your mind. Yes, it's a lighter, more personal conversation. But as always, there's plenty in there to take away.

    35 min
  7. Why Taste Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI, with Aporva Baxi

    5 ABR

    Why Taste Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI, with Aporva Baxi

    Today's guest is Aporva Baxi, co-founder of DixonBaxi, one of the world's most respected branding agencies. Our host and founding editor Katy Cowan recently spent some time at their London studio, having a proper nosey at how they work. And what stayed with us wasn't just the output, it was the thinking behind it. The curiosity, energy, and that constant push to evolve. So in this episode, we get into all of it. AI, of course. The pace of change. And this idea that keeps coming up right now… that when everyone has access to the same tools, what really sets you apart is your taste. We talk about the risk of everything starting to look the same. Why originality still matters. And how to hold onto your voice when the world is moving this fast. It's a big conversation. But, as we've come to expect from Aporva, it's also an optimistic one. It's about possibility and making things. About not waiting around for permission. So if you've been feeling a bit unsure about where you fit into all of this, this one might just give you a boost.

    45 min
  8. The Spark: Nicki Sprinz on Tilda Swinton, Imaginary Albums and the Death of 'Follow Your Passion'

    1 ABR ·  CONTENIDO EXTRA

    The Spark: Nicki Sprinz on Tilda Swinton, Imaginary Albums and the Death of 'Follow Your Passion'

    In this week's Spark, we swap strategy for spontaneity, as Nicki Sprinz, CEO of ustwo, returns for our quick-fire bonus round, where things get a little more personal. We talk dream dinner parties featuring Tilda Swinton and Ann Patchett, why "just follow your passion" might be the worst advice in the creative industry, and what she's currently curious about in a world obsessed with short-form everything. Nicki shares her most controversial creative opinion, the one trend she's quietly over, and the small change that instantly improves her workday. There's also ambient electronic music, imaginary album titles and a question for the next guest. It's thoughtful. It's playful. And it reveals more of the human behind the CEO title. If you enjoyed Monday's episode, this is where you'll get to know Nicki a little better.

    11 min
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The Creative Boom Podcast is a weekly interview show for designers, illustrators, animators, and creative professionals. Host Katy Cowan talks to artists, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers about the realities of building a creative career – confidence, burnout, money, failure, reinvention, and imposter syndrome – in honest, warm conversations that don't dress anything up. Part of Creative Boom, the independent magazine for the creative community established in 2009.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Creative Boom
  • Años en activo
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodios
    202
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Derechos de autor
    © 2026 Creative Boom
  • Sitio web del podcast
    The Creative Boom Podcast
  • Proveedor

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