Episodes
-
Too many people are downbeat. The heaviness of 24-hour news cycles are locking people's creativity and spirit away in dank, lightless basements.
Here are five tips to turn the tide, and find a baseline of excitement and optimism from which to contribute to solutions for the problems that make us feel like the world has gone to sh1t.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: ui.org.ua/
The Creative Condition book is available to pre-order now at: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release
For the ebook version: https://shorturl.at/bkBDE
https://bentallon.com -
Today is the release day for 'The Creative Condition' - my 2nd non-fiction book.
This time out I chose to publish independently. Here's how, why, what to consider if you want to do this too.
Supported by founding sponsor: https://illustrationx.com and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.ua
The Creative Condition is out now at:
https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release -
Missing episodes?
-
Arizona State University professor in psychology Athena Atkipis joins me as her new book 'A Field Guide to the Apocalypse' hits the bookshelves.
Athena's smart and fun zombie apocalypse approach to encouraging and supporting us in facing our fears during wild times carves out her beautiful niche in the field of psychology.
We discuss why we've always felt like we're on the brink as a species, and, whether the worst happens, or a pipe simply bursts and floods your house, preparing for greater resilience in wild times can be fun, exciting, and a great route to happiness and optimal creativity.
It's also publication day for 'The Creative Condition' book tomorrow, April 11th!
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: ui.org.ua/
https://www.athenaaktipis.org/
Athena's book: https://shorturl.at/tIOQX
The Creative Condition book is available to pre-order now at: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release
https://bentallon.com -
The ability to embrace the unknown is the root cause of the historic fear of creativity and maximising expressions of self.
Here is a story, a standout example of why the unknown is the only way to reach personal success.
The thread.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: ui.org.ua/
https://www.offf.barcelona/
https://www.phaidon.com/store/design/now-is-better-9781838666965/
https://www.instagram.com/olha_protasova_illustration/
The Creative Condition book is available to pre-order now at: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release
https://bentallon.com -
At a formative age, Tye Glover was told he'd better look at careers that required physical activity because his brain wasn't up to much. This couldn't have been more wrong. Through his 'neural creative programming' model, Tye helps others join their dots. He explains why patterns are everything, and how we can take control and eliminate the negative loops in our lives to find our optimal way.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: ui.org.ua/
https://thinkdifferentnation.com
The Creative Condition book is available to pre-order now at: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release
https://bentallon.com -
Manchester creative agency LOVE Creative Senior Creative Eve Warren joins me in conversation to discuss the damaging trend of excessive job demands for entry-level and junior roles in the arts.
We discuss the responsibilities of both industry and education to ensure creativity is not damaged when trying to remain viable in times of economic struggle, and our own experiences and ideas.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: ui.org.ua/
https://www.lovecreative.com/
The original thread by Eve:
https://twitter.com/EveWarren1/status/1755510907671618026
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eve-warren-96474985_is-the-gap-between-university-and-junior-activity-7161308148144726016-W4lH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
bentallon.com
The Creative Condition book pre-order: www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-cr…-11th-release -
Community. We saw it rise again during COVID, despite the fact we were all indoors. Yet on the other side of the pandemic, many of us have struggled to return to our former social glories.
Positive social relationships are critical to our wellbeing, so I caught up with Daniel Alcorn and Luke Tonge, founders of the fantastic Birmingham Design Festival to talk about why in-person community events and the relationships they tend to spark are so critical in the creative process.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: https://ui.org.ua/
https://birminghamdesignfestival.org.uk/
https://birminghamdesign.shop/
https://bentallon.com
The Creative Condition book pre-order: https://www.bentallonwriter.com/shop/p/the-creative-condition-understanding-and-embracing-human-creativity-signed-paperback-pre-order-april-11th-release -
The science increasingly points to a very positive link between (responsibly and professionally administered) psilocybin - or 'magic mushrooms' - and mental health.
After reading American-Iranian comedian, writer, and actor Negin Farsad's experience on a Jamaican psychedelic retreat, written for AFAR, I talked to both Negin, and CEO/Head-facilitator of Mycomeditations, Justin Townsend about psychedelics, mental health, and creativity.
This is a warm, deep, intriguing insight into the world of fungi and the human experience, which touches upon Jungian depth psychology, the default mode network, and the things that hold us back from our optimal creativity.
As ever the show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. You can help a wonderful organisation by supporting the Ukrainian creative community as they struggle to keep making during the horrific war: https://ui.org.ua/
http://neginfarsad.com/
https://www.instagram.com/neginfarsad/
https://www.mycomeditations.com/ -
Gush Mundae moved to a racially divided UK from Delhi, India and experienced more than his fair share of discrimination and abuse. Through hip hop and street art culture, he found belonging, and would later use £2k of his savings to start Bulletproof, a creative agency that is 25 years old, and now spans 8 countries.
We get into Gush's response to the challenges he and his family faced in those early years, the power of art, the values he continues to run Bulletproof on today, and his desire to contribute to positive changes in education.
The show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
Hosted by Ben Tallon: https://bentallon.com
https://www.wearebulletproof.com/about/
Support the Ukrainian creative community: https://ui.org.ua/en/mission-2/ -
'The Hockney Soldier' is a short story pondering how art and design books are symbolic in bringing us closer to the horrors of war, that can feel removed from our reality. But also, the way creativity bonds us.
Supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
and the Ukrainian Institute. Connect with and champion Ukrainian art and culture now at: https://ui.org.ua/
Written, presented, and produced by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.com and https://bentallonwriter.com
Music by Dirty Freud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8S -
Almost two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, I'm joined by Ukrainian illustrator, designer, and design community activist Olha Protasova to talk about creativity in times of war.
This episode contains sensitive topics, but I hope you'll stay with us to be inspired by the bravery, resilience, and hope Olha shows.
The show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and below are a series of links from Olha, via which you can help the Ukrainian cause:
Olha's insta:
https://www.instagram.com/olha_protasova_illustration
Projector school:
https://prjctr.com/ (Ukrainian)
Yurko Gutsulyak:
https://gutsulyak.studio
Mykola Kovalenko:
https://mykolakovalenko.eu
A book about Trident, downloadable:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SD7nyGHyxo0JCnAw7gcS8BZ8eCEhq2Tr/view?usp=drivesdk
(Language is Ukrainian, but the content is amazing)
Meaning of trident:
https://www.weareukraine.info/special/what-does-the-ukrainian-coat-of-arms-mean/
Few articles about Ukrainian illustrators:
https://ukraine.ua/stories/ukrainian-illustrators/
https://theaoi.com/2022/05/13/drawing-strength-in-conversation-with-ukrainian-illustrators/
Big article about type design and designers:
https://eugenesadko.medium.com/21st-century-ukrainian-society-and-fonts-c61f6152ff19#:~:text=Among%20these%20type%20designers%20who,Lukian%20Turetsky%2C%20and%20Bohdan%20Hdal.
https://bentallon.com
https://bentallonwriter.com -
Simon is missing. The posters are up, and it sets in motion a bout of gross overthinking. A hypothetical thought experiment for the fellow sensitive people.
Supported by founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com
Music by Dirty Freud https://open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8S
Presented and written by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.com
https://bentallonwriter.com -
Washington DC-based artist and all-round creative human Chris Pyrate reflects on the role of early travels to New Mexico and LA, challenges for young people growing up in Washington DC, and why being an artist is a way of life, and not merely a profession.
His big brand collaborations with the Washinton Wizards and Nike are secondary to a bigger philosophy.
We get deep into all of it with a man vastly wiser than his years.
The show is supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
https://ahumanfly.squarespace.com/
bentallon.com
bentallonwriter.com -
Sarah Boris is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer at the top of her game. We discuss the challenges of change in early years, along with the upsides, her early career roles designing for The Barbican and Phaidon, and her current art and design studio practice.
The challenges of staying disciplined, but not overworking are covered, as well as activism, and what Sarah refers to as 'the care bear phase' in which she needs to create bright, happy work to decompress from heavy subject matter.
A fascinating glimpse of the mind and ways of one of the most dynamic creators in the game.
https://www.instagram.com/sarahboris_ldn/?hl=en
The show is supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
https://bentallon.com
https://bentallonwriter.com -
The human mind is not equipped to cope with the information overload we all experience in out western lifestyles. We burn out and stagger through our lives paying bills, consuming, neglecting, and misunderstanding our creativity to the detriment of our happiness and fulfillment.
In 1993 Tom Hodkinson founded 'Idler' magazine - a publication dedicated to calling for a slower, more wholesome way of life, questioning the earn and spend ethic.
Tom joins me to discuss most of modern life, with special attention paid to creativity and idling.
The show is supported by Illustration X: https://illustrationx.com
https://idler.co.uk
https://bentallon.com
https://bentallonwriter.com -
The first in a series of audience question-focused episodes of the podcast. This one is from designer Steve Cardwell, wondering about the validity of a portfolio comprised of personal work when starting afresh, or changing direction in an arts career.
Any further responses to the question, questions for future episodes, or opinions on the question-based format are most welcome!
Supported by Illustration X, who represent the best of global illustrators and animators at https://illustrationx.com
Hosted by Ben Tallon, https://bentallon.com
The Creative Condition book will be out in March 2024
https://defaultica.com/ -
In 2018 I met Murugiah for episode 102 of The Creative Condition Podcast. He had results, and he was freelancing successfully as an illustrator and artist, but there was a fragility about him. The earliest seeds of his current, flourishing art style were starting to flower, but they were mere dots in the soil.
In 2020, on 'Cabin Cast 5', bright green buds had emerged, and spots of colour were trying to push out.
Now as we stare down both barrels of 2024, he returns and things are in full bloom. And yet, he says he's been talking utter h0rseshit this entire time. I disagree, and we get deep into how it all feels, why we can never truly feel satisfied, and how we go about juggling all the parts of a freelance career in the creative industry.
Please consider subscribing and reviewing The Creative Condition podcast on your preferred platform.
The show is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X. Indulge yourself in their global range of artists, illustrators, and animators now at https://illustrationx.com
Hosted and produced by Ben Tallon. Https://bentallon.com
Today's guest can be found at: https://murugiah.com/
https://bentallonwriter.com
https://instagram.com/bentallon -
Designit is home to 700+ designers, analysts, brainstormers, creators, doers, dreamers, explorers, geeks, leaders, learners, lovers, mamas, papas, renegades, strategists, marketers, tree-huggers, visionaries, question-askers with diverse expertise and perspectives working together to solve complex problems.
I'm joined by their head of design and creative in the Americas, Christine Pizzo as we get into large-scale design for positive change, design leadership, motorcycles, and the role of tech in our lives in the 21st century.
As ever, the show is supported by the founding sponsor, illustration and animation agency, and b-corp Illustration X. illustrationx.com
https://www.designit.com/about
bentallon.com
bentallonwriter.com
Music by Dirty Freud:
open.spotify.com/artist/2c5NcXidirDDqL3sc3vW8S - Show more