The Creative Condition podcast
Welcome to 'The Creative Condition' podcast: an ongoing exploration of human creativity to help you navigate an increasingly automated world with your story and soul. The show is hosted by creativity coach, Founder of The Creative Condition, author and illustrator Ben Tallon. Creativity is an often misunderstood pillar of human happiness, something far bigger than artistic talent and crucial for fulfilling lives and careers. But in a data and efficiency-obsessed world, self-awareness, story and soul are more important than ever.
Featuring exclusive interviews with experts and thought leaders, including illustrators, designers, artists, founders, rock stars, sensitivity experts, musicians, emergency service workers, Olympic gold medal winners, comedians, microbiologists, photographers, fighters, and many others. Supported by founding sponsor Illustration X, Paradiso Institute the Ukrainian Institute.
For more creativity resources or coaching opportunities with Ben, head to The Creative Condition official website.
If you wish to support the show's cause of elevating creativity in our societies, please consider telling a friend about the show and rating, reviewing, or subscribing wherever you get your podcasts!
Episodes

Jul 17, 2024
Jul 17, 2024
1 hr 10 min
Andrew Miles Davis is a digital dinosaur - he was here, learning, seeing, mastering the social media game before most of us had even heard the cough and screech of a dial-up connection attempt.But he's not extinct, far from it. He's an expert and trains the world's leading businesses to stay current in an ever-changing arena.Now he joins a floundering illustrator and author to paint us a picture of the current digital and social media landscape so we can make better decisions to enable our creativity in the places we'd most love to use it.We get into algorithms, AI, stories, authenticity, the basics and ever-presents of digital marketing, and why it took us 8 years to finally make this chat happen.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaAndrew's superb podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/in-a-i-nutshell/id1707611102Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmdavis/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jul 11, 2024
Jul 11, 2024
34 min
A highlights edition of episode 75 of The Creative Condition (Arrest All Mimics at the time).Sir John Hegarty, one of the most imaginative, innovative minds the creative industry has ever welcomed, provides advice and insights into the power of creativity that have grown more relevant since we recorded this conversation.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024Sir John's new course: https://www.businessofcreativity.com/and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jul 10, 2024
Jul 10, 2024
35 min
How a sequence of unforeseen events including an illustration commission for The Guardian newspaper, an AI and creativity discussion panel, and a live podcast at D&AD New Blood Festival came together to renew much of my confidence in human creativity despite the rise of the machine.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/03/zadie-smith-on-hope-trepidation-and-rebirth-after-14-years-of-the-toriesHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jul 4, 2024
Jul 4, 2024
7 min
What we learned about creativity from Brandon Consultants’ founder Richard Taylor:Roots grow deep. Origin stories matter. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to innovateConsidered candour saves everyone time and frees up creativityHelping the human in front of you sets the foundations for great workIf someone works hard and is good at what they do, get out of the wayThe full episode 232 in long and highlights form is out now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jul 3, 2024
Jul 3, 2024
1 hr 19 min
The highlights episode is also available now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jul 3, 2024
Jul 3, 2024
41 min
The full length episode is also available now!Richard Taylor has spent over 30 years in the design industry, working across branding, visual identity, packaging, and much more. For the past 12 or so years, he'd headed Brandon:"In a chaotic world, great brands can be ignored. We’re here to help.We switch brands on by understanding how they connect with people. Some call it research; we call it rigorous naivety. Exploring without arrogance or assumption to build a genuine picture of the real world.So we can unearth insights that help awaken brand potential."Richard shares his learnings, observations, beliefs, and evidence of achievements in commercial creativity.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.brandon-consultants.com/aboutHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jun 27, 2024
Jun 27, 2024
7 min
What we learned about creativity from UNICEF's Office of Innovation's Elinor Samuelsson.Nature’s systems run through everything – adopt them!Boredom is an abundant source of creativity, imagination, and understanding ourselvesStudying and observing our feelings enables us to own them for a happier lifeEnabling true creativity requires great organisation and preparationLanguage can cast spells!AI is still evil, but there are beautiful uses of itElinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jun 26, 2024
Jun 26, 2024
41 min
This is the crunched edition of episode 231 for those with less time or patience for my prattling! The full-length episode is also out now.Elinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jun 26, 2024
Jun 26, 2024
1 hr 26 min
(The highlights of this episode are also out now, for those with less time or patience to listen to my waffling!)Elinor Samuelsson lets us inside the work of UNICEF's Office of Innovation, which uses imagination, innovation, invention, and play to create across complex global systems.Language barriers, cultural differences, lack of technology, missing ambition, and access to vital services are just a few of the challenges that form puzzle-like project briefs for Elinor and her team when they seek to establish the children most in need of support. Creativity, design, and innovative systems can help to transform layered and ubiquitous information into directions to make a huge difference, and Elinor takes us through how this all works.This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring example of why creativity must take its rightful place in global education systems when we face myriad challenges to our way of life.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://www.unicef.org/innovation/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4

Jun 19, 2024
Jun 19, 2024
27 min
'Invisible Hands' was a term American writer and professor Joseph Campbell used to describe the sense of flow in the right direction when creating purely, when following our bliss.I've become fascinated by it, and explore the idea in this episode. Logic is often king in our frightened brains, but when we commit to what instinct and the wellspring of our being suggest is right for us, and create accordingly, it's amazing how doors open, and people who can help us emerge in our lives.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uahttps://mkgeeknight.co.uk/Hosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://baycroftpublishing.wixsite.com/baycrofthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28rwnz18j4









