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Fuel your creative fire with these hidden audio gems, which offer practical advice, inspiration and fresh perspectives to inspire the modern professional.
With so much white noise online these days, finding genuine inspiration can be a challenge. And, well, that’s one of the reasons people like podcasts so much.
A restful and upbeat alternative to doomscrolling, a great podcast enables you to turn periods you might otherwise consider “dead time” (commuting, doing household chores, going for a walk) into an opportunity for professional development and creative rejuvenation.
But with so many dull and pointless podcasts out there, the problem is finding the diamonds in the rough. So, to help you out, we’ve unearthed some hidden gems you may not have heard of.
All of these podcasts offer authentic conversations, authority, expertise and nuanced perspectives that mass-market productions sometimes lack. More fundamentally, they create intimate spaces where listeners can connect with creators who understand their challenges, aspirations and the day-to-day realities of creative work.
Each show on this list offers something unique. But what unites them is that they make you see your work differently and remind you why you fell in love with creativity in the first place.
Building Your Brand
Building Your Brand is presented by Liz Mosley, a graphic designer with over 15 years of experience in branding for small businesses. In her informative and thoughtful podcast, she delivers practical advice with a warmth that raises it above more formal business podcasts.
That’s partly because Liz has a fantastic ability to demystify complex branding principles into actionable steps. Through conversational interviews, she gets the right people to share their own journeys and give practical advice. The overall feel is one of community and support for listeners navigating similar paths.
Over time, this show has grown from Liz’s self-described “extrovert who loves chatting” experiment into a cornerstone resource for creative business owners. Topics covered include everything from creating memorable logos and developing brand voice to implementing effective social media strategies and attracting your ideal clients.
- Host: Liz Mosley
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
Thoughts on Illustration
For illustrators seeking technical insights and emotional support, Tom Froese’s bi-weekly podcast offers a refreshingly honest look at the professional landscape. Rather than glossy success stories, Tom presents a complex and complete picture of creative life, celebrating victories while acknowledging struggles, self-doubt, and the commercial realities of artistic work.
What makes this podcast particularly valuable is Tom’s willingness to share his own experiences as an award-winning illustrator and educator. In doing so, he discusses everything from negotiating client contracts and pricing strategies to overcoming creative blocks and developing distinctive personal styles. This sense of full transparency creates a sense of camaraderie that’s especially valuable for freelance illustrators.
- Host: Tom Froese
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
The Creative Boom Podcast
You’re reading this article on Creative Boom, so the chances are you’ll enjoy our own Creative Boom Podcast. Our editor, Katy Cowan, takes the reins as host and chats with graphic designers, illustrators, animators, and entrepreneurs about their creative careers and life in general.
What’s unique about this show is that Katy’s conversations go deep and, with unflinching honesty, into the full spectrum of creative existence. Her guests openly discuss everything from confidence issues and burnout to financial concerns and client relationships. It all feels like a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by corporate speak and where people often feel like they’re on their “best behaviour”.
In contrast, the Creative Boom podcast is a refreshingly authentic space where listeners can feel understood rather than isolated in their struggles. It’s a comforting reminder that the complexities of creative careers are a shared experience we can all participate in, even if we work independently from home.
- Host: Katy Cowan
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
My Life in Design
With over 25 years of experience working with design agencies and creative teams, Clare Blyth brings unparalleled industry knowledge to her interviews with design luminaries.
My Life in Design traces the complete arc of creative careers—from early inspirations and education to career milestones and current philosophies—and, in the process, builds up a valuable collection of oral histories that contextualise the evolution of contemporary design.
What really makes this podcast exceptional is Blyth’s ability to guide conversations beyond portfolio highlights to reveal the pivotal decisions, unexpected challenges and philosophical evolutions that shaped her guests’ approaches.
Past guests include industry icons like Pentagram’s Paula Scher, Brian Collins of COLLINS, and D&AD president Jack Renwick, offering listeners access to wisdom typically reserved for private mentorship.
- Host: Clare Blyth
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
The Illustration Department Podcast
Hosted by Giuseppe Castellano, a veteran art director with extensive publishing experience, The Illustration Department Podcast offers an intriguing look behind the curtain of the world of professional illustration. But what really sets it apart is its focus on the business mechanics and industry relationships that determine an illustrator’s success.
In each episode, Tom conducts in-depth interviews with illustrators, agents, art directors and industry insiders, creating a comprehensive educational resource for visual storytellers. Together, they explore topics such as portfolio development, submission strategies, contract negotiations, and the shifting marketplace dynamics affecting illustrators. Most crucially, Tom’s informed questioning extracts specific, actionable advice rather than general platitudes.
For illustrators serious about developing sustainable careers, this podcast offers invaluable insights into how art-buying decisions are made and how to position yourself effectively within a competitive industry. The candid discussions about rejection, revision processes and professional resilience make it particularly valuable for those early in their career.
- Host: Giuseppe Castellano
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
Everything Is Alive
Everything Is Alive is the most unusual podcast on this list. This unscripted interview show features conversations with inanimate objects portrayed by talented improvisers. The idea is to transform everyday things—from a can of cola to a lamppost—into fully realised characters with unique worldviews, desires and existential concerns.
Sounds weird, right? Well, yes, it definitely is. But these exchanges, simultaneously humorous and profound, demonstrate the power of empathetic imagination in creating compelling narratives. While the premise may be whimsical, the execution reveals sophisticated storytelling principles applicable across creative disciplines.
In short, for creative professionals seeking to break out of conventional thinking patterns, Everything Is Alive offers a masterclass in perspective-shifting, character development and finding extraordinary stories in seemingly mundane subjects.
- Host: Ian Chillag
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
Song Exploder
Song Exploder elevates the “creative process” interview to an art form. By inviting musicians to deconstruct their compositions track by track, host Hrishikesh Hirway creates intimate portraits of how creative works evolve from initial inspiration to finished product. Interestingly, the show’s meticulous editing removes Hrishikesh’s questions, creating seamless narratives focused entirely on the artist’s journey.
Even if you’re not that interested in music, this podcast’s detailed examination of artistic decision-making means it’s invaluable for creatives across disciplines. Each episode reveals a little more about how constraints shape creativity, how collaboration transforms initial concepts, and how seemingly minor choices profoundly impact final works. Featured artists range from Fleetwood Mac and Metallica to Billie Eilish and Yo-Yo Ma, all offering diverse approaches to creative problem-solving.
- Host: Hrishikesh Hirway
- Listen on Spotify
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
The Memory Palace
The Memory Palace transforms historical storytelling into transcendent audio. Host Nate DiMeo crafts short, poetic narratives about overlooked moments and figures from the past, pairing meticulous research with evocative soundscapes to create immersive emotional experiences.
Best of all, Nate has a remarkable ability to distill complex historical moments into concentrated emotional narratives. Each episode, which typically lasts between five and twenty minutes, demonstrates how selective detail, pacing, and tonal control can create more impact than exhaustive explanation.
For creative professionals working in any storytelling medium, then, The Memory Palace offers invaluable lessons in creating emotional resonance, finding fresh angles on familiar subjects, and respecting an audience’s intelligence.
- Host: Nate DiMeo
Listen on Spotify - Listen on Apple Podcasts
