The Creative Condition podcast

Ep 285: Is Talent a Lie? Kevin Murphy's story suggests it might just be!

Kevin Murphy taught himself to be an artist. By breaking down the craft into systemic steps, he earned himself a career as an illustrator and artist working with The Rolling Stones, Barnes & Noble, National Geographic, and LucasArts before he started Evolve Artist.
We discuss why the program proves time and time again that talent is a lie, and the story behind it.
Learn more about Evolve Artist here
As ever supported by the show's founding sponsor https://illustrationx.com
Support the Ukrainian Institute here: https://ui.org.ua
Coach with The Creative Condition Founder Ben Tallon now
See Ben's art here

The Creativity Diary: Thinking Differently and Gravedigger's Theory

The Gravedigger's Theory is a term in journalism that refers to the story of Jimmy Breslin, a journalist who, when offered the chance to cover JFK's funeral along with the world's media, chose to interview Clifton Pollard, the man tasked with digging the grave.
Creativity depends on thinking differently, and I reflect on this, and a career made of parts for which I wasn't trained.
Supported by The Creative Condition's founding sponsor, Illustration X. 
Consider supporting the Ukrainian Institute's creative community at https://ui.org.ua
For coaching, more podcasts, and other opportunities, head to https://thecreativecondition.com
For my art: https://bentallon.com
 

Ep 284: Overthinking, anxiety, the brain and creativity with Nikki Emerton

Overthinking can be second nature to creative thinkers. A classic downside to empathy and sensitivity. I've battled with anxiety in recent years, and my overthinking has been out of control. Constant rumination, wild and unmanaged responses to news headlines, and an uncharacteristically gloomy outlook leading to sleepless nights and worry spirals.
I'm slowly getting a handle on it, and I want to help others suffering the same barriers to a calmer, more optimistic basis for their creativity.
Nikki Emerton, a therapist, trainer, and coach, joins me to discuss the brain, the patterns of thought and traps we fall into, and how we can help ourselves break this destructive cycle.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session, or work with me to write your story in the brand new 'The Internal' story coaching program now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

The Creativity Diary Entry 26

In this entry of The Creativity Diary:
Understanding the self over job titles and skills
The need for space to avoid overwhelm and nervous system activation
Stoicism as a tool for managing uncertain times
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)
See the Pit Stop flagship coaching session and an illustrator-specific coaching offer now. Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

Ep 283: A Creativity and Mental Wellbeing Checklist?

Journaling was one of several tools I used to tackle a tough year of anxiety. While reflecting upon a previous entry, I noticed that the list of helpful habits to support my mental well-being was more or less interchangeable with core components of healthy creativity, so I wanted to explore that idea a little more.
I'd love to hear your take on this, so get in touch about it, or anything else at ben@bentallon.com
As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X.
https://www.basedesign.com/about/min-lew
For more creativity resources, including coaching opportunities, reading lists and articles, head to the official The Creative Condition site.
Please consider supporting The Ukrainian Institute, who champion the brave and inspiring Ukrainian creative community during this awful time of war.
 
 

Ep 282: Min Lew, head of Base Design New York on 'lived data' in the creative process

'Lived data' is how Min Lew, head of Base Design in New York City, described intuition. I loved this. Min has quite the story, and she joins me to discuss her work overseeing the creative output and business of Base.
We discuss why moodboards have their place, but often stifle thinking big and differently in the creative process, travel, cultural lessons, the future of branding, and much more in an inspiring conversation with a bona fide creative industry leader.
As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X.
https://www.basedesign.com/about/min-lew
For more creativity resources, including coaching opportunities, reading lists and articles, head to the official The Creative Condition site.
Please consider supporting The Ukrainian Institute, who champion the brave and inspiring Ukrainian creative community during this awful time of war.
 

Ep 281: Fighting for optimism and creativity in times of change!

After a personal and generally challenging year, much has been learned, and the message is strong: we must fight for a baseline of optimism for creativity to thrive!
This will be the final episode of 2025, back to the usual weekly podcasts January 7th.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
As ever supported by Illustration X. See their global range of illustration and animation portfolios at https://illustrationx.com
Help the brave Ukrainian creative community during this horrible time of war at https://ui.org.ua
For all The Creative Condition's creativity resources, head to https://thecreativecondition.com
 

The Creativity Diary Entry 25

In this entry of The Creativity Diary:
Two massively overlooked pillars of creativity and their role in anxiety
Unexected wisdom and electronic tags on the bus
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com (https://thecreativecondition.com/)
See the brand new illustrator-specific coaching offer now Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

Ep 280: Cultural Impact at Scale with Wiedemann Lampe co-founders Benji Wiedemann and Alex Lampe

Wiedemann Lampe uses the beautiful term 'cultureful brands' to describe their work. They work globally, at scale, on entire cities and cultureful institutions.
I joined co-founders Benji Wiedemann and Alex Lampe in London to talk about creating impact at scale, their methods of forging a meaningful brand, and their origin stories, and there's a lot to get through!
 
As ever The Creative Condition podcast is supported by founding sponsor Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Today's guests can be found here: https://wiedemannlampe.com/
If you're looking for some personal creative elevation, work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua

Working Class Voices with Charlotte Bradman

A bonus chat with last week's guest, author and vanlifer Charlotte Bradman in which we discuss the current challenges facing working-class people and stifling their creativity.
In a divided, expensive, technologically obsessed society, it's increasingly hard for those even with moderate incomes to make ends meet, to free up enough psychological safety to create, let alone those living from week to week, day to day.
And because of this, we all miss out on rich points of view and different thinking.
https://www.yellowkitebooks.co.uk/titles/charlotte-bradman/the-happy-nomad/9781399720588/
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.comWork with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua