Creative Pep Talk

Listen if:

1 - You can’t figure out why you can’t get stuff done.

2 - You sometimes finish things and other times not so much and don’t know why.

3 - You need a fresh method for motivating yourself and following through!

SHOW NOTES:

Interest Based Nervous System
https://neurodivergentinsights.com/working-with-your-interest-based-nervous-system/?srsltid=AfmBOor-o8P_HzyEC6-fOzHpvwaOdz4Q55LbMoQWi7XcnAzmv9NW0jjl

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has going with the flow taken you somewhere you no longer want to be?

Are you sick of waiting for good ideas to show up?

If you need inspiration to regain control of your creativity, this conversation with Emmy-nominated, WGA Award-winning, Peabody Award-winning comedian, writer, cartoonist, and best-selling author Asher Perlman is for you!

SHOW NOTES:

Asher Perlman
https://ashermaxperlman.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for you if:

1 - You are struggling to finish creative projects.

2 - You don’t know where to find ideas.

3 - You are sick of waiting for opportunities to come your way.

4 - You need a fun actionable prompt to define your influences in a new way.

This is a chat with legendary author illustrator Sophie Blackall! Sophie is a 2 time Caldecott Medalist and makes super gorgeous books!

SHOW NOTES:

Sophie Blackall
https://www.sophieblackall.com

Story Rug
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/sophie-blackall/story-rug/9780316535380/?lens=little-brown-books-for-young-readers

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you don’t know what side quest to focus on next…

Or

You feel conflicted about where to channel your energy…

Or

You can’t seem to start or finish your next project…

This episode is for you!

I explore 4 - 6 frameworks for organizing your ideas and selecting which one to take action on.

This is a “CPT UNPLUGGED” episode, which means there’s no music or edits, it’s a yap session exploring where I am at right now and what’s helping me navigate this moment.

Hope it helps you as much as it helped me to record it!

UK MEETUP WHATSAPP CHANNEL:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb8ns6v1NCrdqHbZmk36

UK BOOK EVENT DETAILS:

Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
August 13th
11am AT READ Bookshop
Register: https://to-be-read.co.uk/books/andy-j-pizza-event/

Horbury, Wakefield
August 14th
10am AT Darling Reads
Register: https://darlingreadsbooks.com/products/andy-j-pizza-author-event-ticket-only

London (Richmond)
August 16th
11am AT The Alligator’s Mouth
Register: https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/event-details/mysterious-things-andy-j-pizza-author-illustrator-visit

SHOW NOTES:

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Social Media Driving you crazy?

Do you feel like your creative practice is off balance?

Do you need to rethink your creative strategy or embrace strategic thinking for the first time?

If any of those ring true, this episode is for you!

This episode is me being interviewed by Amelia Hruby on her podcast Off the Grid

Off the Grid is for creatives trying to succeed without social media - and I had such a blast and we talked about so many interesting things I decided to share it here!

We talk about my income streams, what having creative strategy looks like, why bad projects are necessary, and what you need if you’re trying to shift some of your creative strategy off social media.

SHOW NOTES:

Amelia Hruby
https://www.ameliahruby.com
Off the Grid
https://offthegrid.fun/podcast

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for you if:

1 - You feel lost trying to find yourself as a creator

2 - You need some different types of artists to see yourself in

3 - You need a lighthearted chat to help get you out of your funk and seeing new possibilities in your creative path today

This is a chat with Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo of Goodtype about insights from their new book “Follow Your Art: Uncover & Unleash Your Creative Voice”.

SHOW NOTES:

Goodtype
https://goodtype.us/about-us

Follow Your Art Book
https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book

Young Jerks
https://youngjerks.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for you if:

1 - You kind of hate your current life season

2 - You are a neurodivergent creative

3 - You struggle with being present

4 - You always want to skip to the end of a process or goal

This idea was one of the biggest shifts in my life and creative journey, I hope it gives you some peace and motivation for your current stage!

SHOW NOTES:

Joseph Campbell - Hero of A Thousand Faces
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You are sick and tired of waiting for someone else to tell you what to do.

2 - You want to take control of your creative path but struggle with self doubt.

3- You need to learn how to recognize what your ideas look like.

SHOW NOTES:

Halsey Berryman
https://www.halseyberryman.com

Pests & Other Friends by Halsey Berryman
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787999/pests-and-other-friends-by-halsey-berryman/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel like your work is very you-ish?

How do you make creative work that really feels authentic?

What does that even mean!?

Today’s episode is a deep dive conversation and we cover a lot of topics around making authentic work.

We talk about: 

How to strip away the ego and throw off trying to be cool.

Why instagram being kind of over for artists might be a good thing.

Why doing your thing often starts with being part of something bigger than yourself.

Why art and collaboration is a fight and why that’s a good thing

And we touch a bit on ai and why it doesn't matter what it can and cannot do!

Some other ai thoughts I haven’t heard anywhere else!

This is a different type of episode, this time I am being interviewed, on the captain offscript podcast, and I had so much fun that I had to share it with all of you here! Hope you love it.

SHOW NOTES:

CAPTN OFFSCRIPT PODCAST:
https://captnoffscript.com/s02-e30-andy-j-pizza-adhd-self-worth/

ICON 13 ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE $100 OFF:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1808652431109/?discount=ICON13FriendofBoard

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

BUCKLE UP! This episode is CHOCK FULL of powerful insights from bestselling author Cal Newport!

This episode is for you if:

1 - You are overwhelmed by the supposed “AI Art-pocalypse” and why this computer scientist doesn’t believe the hype (most hopeful take I have ever heard btw!).

2 - You are overwhelmed by admin like e-mail and need a different approach.

3 - You are brainsick from screen time and short form video.

4 - You need a mental emotional motivational boost! This will do it!

SHOW NOTES:

Cal Newport
https://calnewport.com

Deep Questions with Cal Newport
https://www.thedeeplife.com/listen/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You struggle to find the joy in your creative practice.

2 - You’re constantly distracted by schemes to fix all your problems.

3 - You get taken out and waste time with feelings of jealous or envy and they make you want to give up.

4 - You need shift gears and reorient yourself for the new creative season you find yourself in today.

SHOW NOTES:

ICON 13 ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE $100 OFF:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1808652431109/?discount=ICON13FriendofBoard

Ira Glass - Taste
https://vimeo.com/85040589

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if you need:

1 - Tactics for escaping overthinking.

2 - More fun in your creative practice.

3 - Insights on how to find your child like passion for creating again.

4 - Something unexpected to spark you!

This is a phenomenal chat with the great Austin Kleon.

The guy is full of creative wisdom and is BACK with another banger of book for creatives.

It’s called “Don’t Call it Art” and it is chock full of stuff to get you making stuff and having fun again doing it!

SHOW NOTES:

ICON 13 ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE $100 OFF:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1808652431109/?discount=ICON13FriendofBoard

Austin Kleon
https://austinkleon.com

Don’t Call It Art by Austin Kleon
https://geni.us/iHeRR

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Most creative people don’t need help being creative. 

You have the ideas. Where you trip up is the executive dysfunction. It’s getting yourself to start, middle, and finish the thing strong. 

In this episode I want to share with you the number 1 things that’s helped me, a creative with MEGA ADHD, transform ideas into 10+ books, projects that lead to work with X-Box, Apple and Nickelodeon and more.

Stick around until the end for our “Creative Call to Adventure” it’s called “Out Block” and it will help you turn your current creative block into a starting block today!

SHOW NOTES:

ICON 13 ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE $100 OFF:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1808652431109/?discount=ICON13FriendofBoard

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Your genius might be hiding in your backyard.

This episode is for you if:

1 - You need to find real people to collaborate with.

2 - You need to cultivate real creative connection in real life.

3 - You need hope of a more human future for creativity.

4 - You want to be inspired by a brilliant creative mind like Hanif!

I had a blast chatting face to face with the local AND worldwide creative legend, MacArthur “genius” grant winner and bestselling author, Hanif Abdurraqib.

SHOW NOTES:

Hanif Abdurraqib
https://www.abdurraqib.com

Living for the City Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/@LivingfortheCityPod

”We Always Have This Year” by Hanif Abdurraqib
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/695817/theres-always-this-year-by-hanif-abdurraqib/

Headshot of Hanif Abdurraqib by Megan Leigh Barnard
https://meganleighbarnard.com

ICON 13 ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE $100 OFF:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1808652431109/?discount=ICON13FriendofBoard

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was initially published without the end of the story and the main point of the episode spelled out! We had one essential portion of this episode missing in the previous edit!! Thank you for those who sent me messages so that I could clear this up. I really love this episode and I am glad we fixed it!

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Listen to this episode if:

1 - You are sick of trying to prove yourself on the internet.

2 - You need to find a way to shift away from pouring all your creativity into your phone.

3 - You need a grounding exercise to help you get more in the present, connect your now to your past self and open up new possibilities for your future!

SHOW NOTES:

Mysterious Things
invisiblethings.co

Angus Fletcher - Primal Intelligence
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

RULA
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental

health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/peptalk #rulapod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You have hit a dead end and need to open up to totally new directions.

2 - You are stuck doing nothing and need a small place to start.

3 - You need to find new guidance from an outside perspective.

This is a chat with musician Hrishikesh Hirway. You may know Hirway from his phenomenal podcast “Song Exploder” or his work as a composer for the film “Companion” or Netflix television series “Everything Sucks!”. Today we discuss the winding journey to his new album “In the Last Hour of Light” which features guests like Iron and Wine and Fenne Lily.
SHOW NOTES:

Hrishikesh Hirway
https://hrishikesh.co
Hrishikesh Hirway - In the Last Hour of Light
https://hrishikesh.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-last-hour-of-light

Song Exploder
https://songexploder.net

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Most of us start making things because on some level it feels good! It feels like a meditation. It brings flow. It helps us process.

But if you ever get serious about your work, you may also accidentally lose all these positives and replace them with negative side effects like pressure, anxiety, and even despair.

If you want to get back to the kind of creative practice that lifts you up instead of triggers you, this episode is for you!

Gemma Correll is a world-renowned illustrator and cartoonist with one of the most personal and practical creative practices that I know of. She has been art journaling way before it was cool, and it’s turned into a cathartic experience that she now shares with the world through her online comics and now her phenomenal graphic memoir “Anxietyland”.

We discuss:

1 - How to access that energy of making just for yourself before you think about anyone else.

2 - The power and pitfalls of mixing creativity with your mental health.

3 - What type of creative community we hope to see evolve in a post-social media-centric world.

SHOW NOTES:

Gemma Correll
https://www.gemmacorrell.com
Anxietyland by Gemma Correll
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Anxietyland/Gemma-Correll/9781668004159

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You have been pretending to be someone else for so long that you have forgotten who you are.

2 - You want to put more of your real self into your work and need help understanding how to do that.

3 - You need some fun and unexpected exercises to get back in touch with what you really care about and who you really are.

Check out the “Right Side Out” Series here: http://andyjpizza.com/rso

SHOW NOTES:

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

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Check out the rest of the “Right Side Out” series on it's own podcast feed here: andyjpizza.com/rso

---

It’s been 2 years since we originally aired this episode.

This is part 1 of our 6 part audio memoir series “Right Side Out”.

On the surface it’s about my journey with ADHD and making peace with being “just like my mom”. But underneath, what it’s really about, is YOU. It’s about how to love yourself enough to get curious about who you are.

If you have had trouble finding your style, voice or sensibility as an artist, it might be because you’ve jumped to making for others too quickly. First and foremost, creative work helps us get our inner world onto the page so that we can get an outside perspective on ourselves. Kind of trippy, right? HAHA. But it’s true.

Listen to this episode:

1 - If you want to remember who you are.

2 - You need tools for putting more of yourself into your work, whether it’s creative work or not!

3 - You are longing for a more gentle, loving and ultimately more productive relationship with yourself.

SHOW NOTES:

You can now listen to the whole “Right Side Out” series on its podcast feed here: andyjpizza.com/rso

On Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/right-side-out/id1894328132

And on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/13Z8as20GdLXDifrQVxuyL?si=723da00dfa3048d3

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You’re feeling like you’ve lost the thread and your point of view as a creative.

2 - You’re fed up with consuming so much junk online and need tactics to start consuming better creative stuff that inspires you again.

3 - Need to dive deeper into the science of why your relationship with art can make all the difference to your creative practice and general wellbeing.

This episode features a chat with scientist and science communicator Daisy Fancourt about her new Sunday Times Bestselling book “Art Cure - The Science of How the Arts Save Lives”.

Learn more about Daisy Fancourt here:
https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/44526-daisy-fancourt

Check out “Art Cure” here:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/

SHOW NOTES:

Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250364531/artcure/

Art Cure Events Calendar
https://sbbresearch.org/projects/artcure/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
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Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Listen to this if:

1 - You feel creatively off or can’t find your creative thread at the moment

2 - You’re in a season where you’re not making as much as you want to be

3 - You feel in a low place creatively and need to remember why you care about creating

4 - You feel ill from so much doomscrolling and consuming short form video!

SHOW NOTES:

Cal Newport’s Podcast
https://calnewport.com/podcasts/

Simon Critchley - On Mysticism
https://www.nyrb.com/products/mysticism

Angus Fletcher - Wonderworks
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wonderworks/Angus-Fletcher/9781982135980

Lizzy McAlpine - Drunk, Running
https://youtu.be/Xa8iMI0yRVY?si=De3Uia0x0VkHL-mM

Wolf Children
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140203/

Wolf Children Soundtrack
https://open.spotify.com/album/3vZyva1XWxRbf0wq4MsU8q

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/piranesi-9781635575637/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

Listen if:

1 - All the habit advice doesn’t work you as an emotional creative type

2 - You are tired of fighting yourself to make the changes you want to make

3 - You need an exercise for discovering your deepest held values

If these hit home, this deep dive with author and podcaster Eric Zimmer was made for you!

SHOW NOTES:

Eric Zimmer
https://www.oneyoufeed.net/about-eric-zimmer/

How a Little Becomes a Lot by Eric Zimmer
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-a-little-becomes-a-lot-eric-zimmer?variant=43996638838818

The One You Feed Podcast
https://www.oneyoufeed.net

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You have so many ideas but struggle to realize many of them!

2 - Most productivity advice doesn’t work for you.

3 - You need to feel excited and hopeful again about your creative practice.

SHOW NOTES:

Creative Pep Talk Ep 548 with Jarod K. Anderson
https://www.creativepeptalk.com/draft-episode-for-mar-04-2026545-make-your-life-creative-work-more-rich-with-meaning-with-jarod/

Jim Collins - Jim the Bug
https://www.jimcollins.com/media_topics/TheCurseOfCompetence.html

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
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Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word: invisiblethings.co

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You have had a hard time tapping into your unique creative voice.

2 - You feel disempowered as a creative and feel like you need agents, managers, or talent scouts to succeed.

3 - You need help clearing out the noise in your brain and hearing your creative voice again.

This is a chat with phenomenal author-illustrator Claire Keane! We chat about her new gorgeous picture book “Who Are You” and her visual development art for movies like “Tangled” and “Frozen”.

This was a magical chat and I can’t wait for you to listen!

SHOW NOTES:

Claire Keane
https://www.claireonacloud.com
Claire Keane’s Substack
https://claireonacloud.substack.com
”Who Are You” Picture Book
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779600/who-are-you-by-claire-keane/
Know Yourself Substack Post
https://claireonacloud.substack.com/p/know-yourselfupdated
Hamnet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamnet_(film)
Glen Keane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Keane
Bil Keane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bil_Keane

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
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Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for you if:

1 - You want to figure out how to put your deep personal experiences into your work, but you have never seemed to figure out how to.

2 - You are currently overwhelmed and can’t find the energy or ideas for your creative practice.

3 - You are ruminating on painful things from your life or from the state of the world, and it’s stopping you from taking action.

4 - You feel your best ideas are in the past or escaping you, and you can’t seem to “bottle that lightning” again.

SHOW NOTES:

Bittersweet by Susan Cain
https://susancain.net/book/bittersweet/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word!

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - You need a reminder to feel how vital making personal creative work is to your life.

2 - You are a creative type or neurodivergent person needing an example of how to do lots of things well.

3 - Your soul could use some warmth and grounding!

This chat is with wonderful Poet and Author Jarod K. Anderson AKA The CryptoNaturalist!

SHOW NOTES:

Jarod K. Anderson
https://www.jarodkanderson.com

Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798888/strange-animals-by-jarod-k-anderson/

Cyptonaturalist Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cryptonaturalist/

“Something in the Woods Loves You” by Jarod K. Anderson
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jarod-k-anderson/something-in-the-woods-loves-you/9781643262291/?lens=timber-press

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can join the Creative Pro Talk meetups by supporting the podcast on Substack here: andyjpizza.substack.com or on Patreon here: Patreon.com/creativepeptalk

---

I got it wrong for so long. When I started my creative practice I thought I needed two things: 1 Get Discovered and 2 Make the Sale. I was missing the secret 3rd ingredient. In this episode we explore this secret hidden sauce and how to make it the centerpiece of your creative strategy!

SHOW NOTES:

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

SPONSORS:
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Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word http://invisiblethings.co

---

It is VERY easy to get off balance as a creative person because creativity is a delicate balance of many things. In this episode, we will explore 3 areas that require creative tension and how to diagnose where you may be off and need a pivot.

SHOW NOTES:

Del the Funky Homosapien https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_the_Funky_Homosapien

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

My editor Conner loved this episode, which is always a good sign!

Two reasons to listen to this:

1 - If your work feels stale or a long term project feels stuck, and you have been wondering if you need to switch it up, reboot, or pivot, this episode is for you. We talk a lot about how to navigate this with Zak Rosen, who just did a big rebrand of his podcast.

2 - You are sick and tired of fighting yourself on everything. This is the time of year when New Year’s Resolutions have gone up in flames. If that’s your situation, Zak asks me what thing is “weirdly helpful” to me, and it addresses this frustration head-on!

Hope you love the episode!

SHOW NOTES:

Zak Rosen
https://zakrosen.com/about

Weirdly Helpful
https://weirdlyhelpful.show

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word!

---

This episode is for you if:

1 - The idea of making something often feels scary.

2 - You don’t like your work anymore.

3 - You forgot why this used to be fun.

4 - You want to stand out in your field but don’t know how.

5 - You want an exercise that unlocks the flowy fun feeling part of your creative brain.

SHOW NOTES:

Stranger Things
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Things

Angus Fletcher - Wonderworks / Primal Intelligence
https://www.angusfletcher.co

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Spotify Playlist of WHY? Songs Used on This Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZIE7PHG5I1Ddg1BuVGRzj?si=4x_BzDZjQgqSpoaLXdVACg&pi=h4HsIKG0SP6Kg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book Mysterious Things Here

---

It’s so easy to forget what this is all about. If you need a reminder to embrace imperfection as part of your flavor, and rekindle your drive to just go out and make stuff you love about things you’re interested in, this is your episode!!

Guest Nishant Jain drops a billion good gems here. We talk about his sneaky public drawing practice, his inspiring philosophy around creativity and his new book “Make Sneaky Art”.

I could have talked to Nishant for another hour or more!

This will fuel your creative tank!

SHOW NOTES:

Nishant Jain https://www.sneakyartist.com

Book: Make Sneaky Art https://www.sneakyartist.com/the-book

Kendyll Hillegas http://www.kendyllhillegas.com

Roald Dahl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl

Quentin Blake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Blake

Sneaky Art Podcast - Hosted by Nishant Jain https://www.sneakyartist.com/podcast

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order My New Book “Mysterious Things” and Help Us Spread the Word!

---

Do you have a toxic relationship with goal setting and New Year’s resolutions? Have you already given up this year?!

If so, this episode is for you. In this episode, we will explore the easy and impactful starting place that can help you make this season count for your creative practice.

At the end, I share the “Select Your Seed” Venn diagram exercise for figuring out where to focus your energy and how to kick things off in an easy, deep, holistic way.

SHOW NOTES:

Fresh Start Psychology
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/4000-mondays/202412/fresh-starts-the-psychology-behind-new-year-motivation/amp

Study on Result Goals vs Process Goals
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2116723#abstract

The One Thing https://the1thing.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever heard someone say that making creative work is about having a “point of view”? It sounds right, but what does it mean and how do you find yours?

I can’t think of any creatives that have a more compelling sense of their “point of view” than my guests today. Author Mac Barnett and author-illustrator Jon Klassen have such a strong voice, and I have been longing to have them both on the show for such a long time!!

This is an instant all-timer episode for me. These two legends from the picture book world just knocked it out of the park, and we have an incredible chat exploring how to find your point of view, the artist/audience relationship, storytelling, and so much more.

Buckle up. This mega episode starts off with a bang and just gets better and better all the way til the end! This episode will make for a great companion for a long creative session or long drive!

Hope you love it as much as I did!

SHOW NOTES:

Substack: "Looking at Picture Books"
https://lookingatpicturebooks.substack.com

"Mac B. Spy Kid"
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22Mac+B.+Spy+Kid%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

"The Skull" by Jon Klassen
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725351/the-skull-by-jon-klassen-illustrated-by-jon-klassen/

"Sam and Dave Dig a Hole" by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
https://www.macbarnett.com/sam-dave-dig-a-hole

"Extra Yarn"
https://www.macbarnett.com/extra-yarn

"Where the Wild Things Are"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are

"Goodnight Moon"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight_Moon

"The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Remains_of_the_Day

"Swim in a Pond in the Rain" by George Saunders
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609280/a-swim-in-a-pond-in-the-rain-by-george-saunders/

"Outside Over There" by Maurice Sendak
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_Over_There

"Sam and the Firefly" by P.D. Eastman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_and_the_Firefly

"Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Souls

"Let the Right One In"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_the_Right_One_In_(film)

"Ponyo"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Sunshine_of_the_Spotless_Mind

"Mysterious Things" by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
http://invisiblethings.co

"Making Comics" by Scott McCloud
https://www.scottmccloud.com/makingcomics/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-Order “Mysterious Things”

---

How do you get excited for the New Year when things feel so unstable? How do you get jazzed about planning and goals, when you don’t know what future you’re planning for?

In times like these, I find it more effective to tap into the creative drives you already have, than working towards a future that may or may not come to pass. Tune in to check out the 3 creative drives and figure out which you can employ today to get excited about making creative work again!

SHOW NOTES:

Mysterious Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller
http://invisiblethings.co

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeks

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special HOLIDAY episode featuring the chat I had on Katherine May’s Podcast “The Clearing” where guests explore their ideal real or fantasy retreat. Here’s what Katherine said about the episode:

The ADHD and autistic tendency to rest in motion is fully realised in American author and illustrator Andy J. Pizza’s vision of the ideal retreat. Choosing an extraordinary fictional setting which incorporates an ingenious method of traveling the world, this episode showcases the wonder of a brilliantly creative, neurodivergent brain.

Along the way, and with many fascinating tangents, Andy and Katherine discuss the power of Miyazaki films, their shared love of Fraggle Rock and longing for direction from the universe.

A meticulously thought out and fully realised world that accommodates his own personal experience of ADHD, Andy unveils the most beautifully zany and imaginative dreamscape. An absolute treat.

SHOW NOTES:

Fraggle Rock

Last of the Summer Wine Wiki

The Master and his Emissary book about left and right brain

The Little Prince

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

The Creative Pep Talk Top 5 BEST IDEAS from 2025.

This is a FUN BLITZ through the most essential ideas and tactics from our past year of episodes.

This was exciting and helpful for me to review, and I can’t wait for you to hear this jam packed, end of year episode!
‌

SHOW NOTES:
502 - How to Beat the Analysis Paralysis of "The Right Path"
502 - How to Beat the Analysis Paralysis of "The Right Path"

513 - Why Creatives Have to Build Habits Differently and How to Do It
513 - Why Creatives Have to Build Habits Differently and How to Do It

515 - Want to Quit Social Media? 3 Essential Considerations for Any Creative Practice
515 - Want to Quit Social Media? 3 Essential Considerations for Any Creative Practice

529 - Escape Your Creative Rut with This 5 Part Creative Hygiene Checklist
529 - Escape Your Creative Rut with This 5 Part Creative Hygiene Checklist

532 - THIS is Your Creative Secret Weapon that You’re Ignoring
532 - THIS is Your Creative Secret Weapon that You’re Ignoring

Petey USA on Rainn Wilson’s Soul Boom
Petey USA Leans Into Life

Iain McGilchrist - Master and His Emissary
The Master and His Emissary

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

This was one of my favorite chats!!!

DEEP DIVE with my friend and Filmmaker Seth Worley!

We get into:

1 - Finding the drive to stick to long creative quests, especially when you’re not sure you’re going to reach your goal!

2 - Why to make a proof of concept of your idea and put it out there!

3 - Why the path has to take a long time some times!

4 - A trick for finding your edge among your creative peers!

SHOW NOTES:

Seth Worley
https://sethworley.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

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This is a favorite!

Special edition of ask Dr. Pizza episode! This time the questions come from the hosts of the Grupo de Autoayuda de Dibujo podcast! THE CRUSHED IT!

SHOW NOTES:

Grupo de Autoayuda de Dibujo
https://www.instagram.com/grupodeautoayudadedibujo/
https://www.youtube.com/c/GrupodeAutoayudadeDibujo

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

Who doesn’t want better opportunities?

The key is standing out and having a unique creative offering. But that is much easier said than done, when it feels like EVERYTHING has been DONE!

How do you find your edge?

I have had some client opportunities come may way recently that felt SO perfectly custom tailored for me, and it got me thinking: how did these things fall into my lap?

This episode is what I think helped me position my work in a way that attracted those “perfect fit” opportunities and I hope it helps you do the same!

SHOW NOTES:

Landmark School
https://www.landmarkschool.org

“Standing out: an atypical salience account of creativity” Paper
https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(24)00111-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1364661324001116%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

If you’re used to doing work for clients, it can be tough to then create your own solo project. On the other hand, if you’re only used to doing your own thing, working for a client can feel impossible!

How do you find yourself and your creative voice in the mix of all of this?

This is one of the many topics I dive into on today’s episode with Composer Oli Julian. Oli is the composer for Netflix’s new animated Roald Dahl adaptation of “The Twits”, and has a huge wealth of experience doing music for television for the likes of Sex Education and The Complete Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.

This was a guest from a very different side of the creative industry, hope you enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:

Oli Julian
https://www.olijulian.co.uk

The Twits
https://www.netflix.com/title/81612165

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

FRANNERD RETURNS! Illustrator, Comic Artist and YouTuber Fran Meneses is a long time friend of the show and it’s been 6 years since her last episode!

We dive deep into:

1 - When mental health “gets in the way” of your creative plans and what has seemed to help both of us.

2 - How to think about creative crossroads and let go of things that don’t serve where you want to go and double down on the path you do want to take.

3 - How the pandemic impacted both of our careers and shaped out creative focus moving forward.

This chat was a blast and filled me with so much hope and comfort. Hope it does the same for you!

SHOW NOTES:

Fran Meneses AKA Frannerd
https://www.frannerd.cl
https://www.instagram.com/frannerd/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/c/FranMeneses
https://www.patreon.com/frannerd

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

Like sleep, creativity is something you can’t force. It’s a brain state that you have to slip into. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create the perfect conditions for this state to be more likely to occur. If you have been blocked or in a rut, this episode will give you 5 ways to cultivate your higher creative states and unlock your next favorite piece of work.

SHOW NOTES:

Master and His Emissary by Ian McGilchrist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Master_and_His_Emissary

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/

Cultivating Life Force by Phil Stutz
https://www.thetoolsbook.com/blog/practices-to-build-your-life-force

Christoph Niemann - Good Not Great Talk
https://vimeo.com/130898948

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

We cover a LOT in this episode. If you want some PEP but you’re not sure exactly what it is you need, we probably cover it in this episode! We explore:

When the reality of creating isn’t what we thought it would be.

How to find your flow when things got stale.

Escaping the voices that tell you to hide.

Finding that “magic thread” on your creative path again.

Creative Habits!

How to keep your taste fresh over a lifetime!

SHOW NOTES:

Jake Martin - Guest Host:
https://www.instagram.com/stanky.art/
https://stankyart.substack.com/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

AEROPRESS
Check out Aeropress and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: https://aeropress.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay pepped ALL NEXT YEAR with our 2026 Calendar: creativepeptalk.etsy.com

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Visual journaling can unlock your creativity, but it can also enhance your life. If you are struggling to tune into your everyday life and find inspiration there, this is the episode for you!

Samantha Dion Baker has written the book on this! Well 3 books on this!! So much goodness in this episode!

SHOW NOTES:

Samantha Dion Baker
https://www.sdionbaker.com
https://samanthadionbaker.substack.com

Draw Your Adventures
https://www.sdionbaker.com/books

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

Find your niche. Stand out from the competition. Find your unique selling point.

Easier said than done. Right? In this episode we explore where your creative edge might be hiding and how to strategically think about your place within the creative markets you find yourself in.

SHOW NOTES:

Get the Creative Career Path Handbook by signing up to the newsletter: andyjpizza.substack.com

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

Do you feel like the stuff you’re putting out is white noise in an already noisy world?

In this episode we explore what you need to cut through and connect with the hearts of your potential fans.

SHOW NOTES
Study: “Seeing your life story as a Hero's Journey increases meaning in life”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36972106/

The Awakened Brain
https://www.lisamillerphd.com

Primal Intelligence
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740110/primal-intelligence-by-angus-fletcher/

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

Does this sound familiar? You find a new thing. You’re certain this is THE thing. It all makes sense! You get started with tons of energy… but then you hit a wall. It all feels wrong. You bail. Find a new thing and the loop starts all over.

If you can relate. This episode is for you!!!

Stick until the end for a checklist that can help you decide whether to stick to the path or give up the thing you’re currently working on!

SHOW NOTES:

Eustress the Good Stress
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/be-the-sun-not-the-salt/202408/eustress-the-good-stress

Eustress vs Distress
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eustress-vs-distress

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
https://www.aaspa.org/products/flow-the-psychology-of-optimal-experience

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

This episode contains three small things that made a huge difference in my creative practice!

Tune in if you know you need a creative boost, but you’re not EXACTLY sure what it is you need because this is like THREE mini episodes in ONE.

SHOW NOTES:

Strengthsfinder Assessment:
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter: http://andyjpizza.substack.com

---

If you’re a creative type, you probably don’t quite fit into the systems you were born into. This can be VERY DIFFICULT. There’s a lot of pressure for folks like us to beat ourselves up into a shape that fits society.

In this episode, I want to share the number 1 thing that changed my life as a creative person, and resources that can help you adopt this shift too!!

SHOW NOTES:
Right Side Out Series
andyjpizza.com/rso

No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz, PhD
https://ifs-institute.com/nobadparts

Good Inside by Dr. Becky
https://www.goodinside.com/book/
Simulacra and Simulation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulacra_and_Simulation

Producer / Editor: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing a new podcast from Campside Media called Origin Stories, about the creative process and the craft of writing and reporting. Each episode drills down on a single work. What inspired it? How was it created, and why? What kind of challenges and hurdles cropped up along the way? And above all, what can the rest of us learn from the guest’s creative process? 

In this episode, Matt talks to Dan Taberski about his podcast “Hysterical,” which centers on a strange illness that afflicted a group of girls in the New York town of LeRoy. Dan discusses his reporting and outlining approach and the importance of treating subjects (and their stories) with care and respect. You can listen to more episodes of Origin Stories at https://link.mgln.ai/creativepeptalk

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices