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Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice for Surface Designers and Creative Entrepreneurs

Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico: Surface Designer, Creative Career
  • 5.0 (12)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Introducing Two Cranky Creatives, the podcast where two seasoned creative entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of building a creative business. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with being a creative entrepreneur. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

  1. REDUX: The "Draw Every Day" Myth

    NOV 19 • SUBSCRIBER EARLY ACCESS

    REDUX: The "Draw Every Day" Myth

    While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico take on a popular piece of advice that might be doing more harm than good: the idea that you must draw every day to be successful. As two seasoned creatives who’ve found success in their own way, Carrie and Toni break down why this “rule” is more of a myth and how it often pressures artists into unrealistic expectations. They get real about finding a balance between discipline and burnout, exploring how, sometimes, skipping a day (or several) can help your creative flow. If you’re tired of feeling guilt and shame every time you miss a day of drawing, this episode is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: ✅Why the “draw every day” rule isn’t one-size-fits-all. ✅How to build a creative routine that works for you—without the guilt. ✅Real talk on why artistic success isn’t defined by daily output. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, Carrie and Toni share insights to help you make peace with your own unique creative rhythm. About Two Cranky Creatives Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    57 min

  2. NOV 5

    REDUX: When Clients Think We Charge Too Much

    REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that's sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It's frustrating, it's aggravating, and it's a reality that every creative professional faces. Carrie and Toni dive into the common mindset of clients who believe they could "do it themselves" or undervalue the expertise and effort that goes into professional creative work. They share stories of their own experiences, explore why this misconception exists, and offer insights on navigating these uncomfortable conversations while standing firm in your worth. If you've ever felt the sting of someone questioning your rates or struggled with educating clients about the value of what you do, this episode will leave you feeling seen, heard, and ready to defend your prices with confidence (and maybe a little crankiness). In This Episode, You'll Hear About: Why some clients undervalue creative work—and why they're wrong. The emotional labor of educating clients about your expertise. How frustrating it is to be treated like you're greedy when asking for the budget. Strategies for standing firm in your worth as a creative.  Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Carrie and Toni offer a candid look at this all-too-common struggle—and some advice to help you navigate it with grit, grace, and humor. References Mentioned Canva Graphic Artists Guild Handbook Edward Tufte Rapper Vocabulary Infographic (Matthew Daniels)* SCORE * incorrectly attributed to Edward Tufte in the show  Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    1h 4m
  3. REDUX: When Clients Think We Charge Too Much

    NOV 5 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    REDUX: When Clients Think We Charge Too Much

    REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that’s sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It’s frustrating, it’s aggravating, and it’s a reality that every creative professional faces. Carrie and Toni dive into the common mindset of clients who believe they could “do it themselves” or undervalue the expertise and effort that goes into professional creative work. They share stories of their own experiences, explore why this misconception exists, and offer insights on navigating these uncomfortable conversations while standing firm in your worth. If you’ve ever felt the sting of someone questioning your rates or struggled with educating clients about the value of what you do, this episode will leave you feeling seen, heard, and ready to defend your prices with confidence (and maybe a little crankiness). In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: ✅Why some clients undervalue creative work—and why they’re wrong. ✅The emotional labor of educating clients about your expertise. ✅How frustrating it is to be treated like you’re greedy when asking for the budget. ✅Strategies for standing firm in your worth as a creative. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Carrie and Toni offer a candid look at this all-too-common struggle—and some advice to help you navigate it with grit, grace, and humor. NOTE: The Rapper Vocabulary Infographic (Matthew Daniels) was incorrectly attributed to Edward Tufte in the show Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    1h 4m

  4. OCT 22

    REDUX: Stolen Art, Copyright Infringement, and more.

    REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist's blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice, and some much-needed venting. If you've ever felt the sting of seeing your hard work taken without permission—or if you're worried about how to protect your art—this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the frustrating, cranky side of being a creative entrepreneur.  In This Episode, You'll Hear About: Practical steps to protect your work from unauthorized use. Navigating gender norms in these dicey situations as a woman. The emotional toll of dealing with stolen art and how to manage it. Real talk about what you can do to safeguard your designs. Whether you're a seasoned creative or just starting, Carrie and Toni offer a mix of candid advice and encouragement to help you feel empowered—even when someone's trying to steal your shine. DISCLAIMER: Carrie and Toni are not lawyers. Any statements about copyright law are their personal understanding of US copyright law.  References Mentioned Shepherd Ferry Obama Poster US Copyright Office Kindle Direct Publishing Carrie's Cat Butt Illustration US Copyright Office Report on AI   Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    1h 5m
  5. REDUX: Stolen Art, Copyright Infringement, and more.

    OCT 22 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    REDUX: Stolen Art, Copyright Infringement, and more.

    REDUX! While Carrie and I record season 2, we're bringing this much requested episode back...In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist’s blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice, and some much-needed venting. If you’ve ever felt the sting of seeing your hard work taken without permission—or if you’re worried about how to protect your art—this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the frustrating, cranky side of being a creative entrepreneur. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: ✅Practical steps to protect your work from unauthorized use. ✅Navigating gender norms in these dicey situations as a woman. ✅The emotional toll of dealing with stolen art and how to manage it. ✅Real talk about what you can do to safeguard your designs. Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just starting, Carrie and Toni offer a mix of candid advice and encouragement to help you feel empowered—even when someone’s trying to steal your shine. DISCLAIMER: Carrie and Toni are not lawyers. Any statements about copyright law are their personal understanding of US copyright law. Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    1h 5m

  6. OCT 8

    Cranky and FOMO-Free: Confronting Hustle Culture

    In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni tackle the relentless pressure to always be creating. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind because you're not churning out work at lightning speed—trust us, you're not alone. Social media, hustle culture, and the myth of the "always-on" artist can make it feel like you're failing if you're not constantly producing. But here's the truth: It's okay to step back, take a break, and ignore the noise. Your creative journey is yours alone—no algorithm gets to dictate it. In This Episode, You'll Hear About: 🎨 The overwhelming pressure to produce and why it's okay to slow down. ❌ Why you don't have to jump on every challenge or contest (seriously, you can say no). 🗣️ How to tune out the FOMO and stay true to your artistic voice. ⚡ Practical ways to create on your own terms—without the burnout. The art world will keep spinning whether you post today or not. What matters most is making work that feels authentic to you. So, let's get cranky and reclaim our creative freedom! Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    48 min
  7. Cranky and FOMO-Free: Confronting Hustle Culture

    OCT 8 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Cranky and FOMO-Free: Confronting Hustle Culture

    In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni tackle the relentless pressure to always be creating. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind because you’re not churning out work at lightning speed—trust us, you’re not alone. Social media, hustle culture, and the myth of the "always-on" artist can make it feel like you're failing if you're not constantly producing. But here’s the truth: It’s okay to step back, take a break, and ignore the noise. Your creative journey is yours alone—no algorithm gets to dictate it. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: 🎨 The overwhelming pressure to produce and why it’s okay to slow down. ❌ Why you don’t have to jump on every challenge or contest (seriously, you can say no). 🗣️ How to tune out the FOMO and stay true to your artistic voice. ⚡ Practical ways to create on your own terms—without the burnout. The art world will keep spinning whether you post today or not. What matters most is making work that feels authentic to you. So, let’s get cranky and reclaim our creative freedom! Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    48 min

  8. SEP 24

    Chronically Cranky: Managing chronic illness while building a creative career

    In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni get real about what it's like to build a creative business while managing a chronic illness. Spoiler: It's tough—but it's doable, and there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Society loves to glorify perfection and hustle culture, but let's be honest—being human is messy. Whether you choose to disclose your condition or not is your decision, and no one else gets a say. The most important thing? Giving yourself grace. In This Episode, You'll Hear About: 🧠 Why perfection is overrated—and why you don't owe it to anyone. 🤐 The pros and cons of disclosing your chronic illness in professional spaces. 💡 Strategies for managing energy, boundaries, and expectations in your business. 💖 The importance of self-compassion and working with your body, not against it. Running a creative business is hard enough. Doing it while managing a chronic illness? That's next-level resilience. Tune in for an honest, judgment-free conversation about finding success on your terms. Notable Mentions Spoon Theory for Managing Chronic Illness   Two Cranky Creatives … Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

    50 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Introducing Two Cranky Creatives, the podcast where two seasoned creative entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of building a creative business. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with being a creative entrepreneur. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

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