The Creative Condition podcast
Welcome to 'The Creative Condition' podcast: an ongoing exploration of human creativity to help you understand and maximise yours. The show is hosted by creativity coach, Founder of The Creative Condition, and The New York Times, Adidas, and Premier League 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. Featuring exclusive interviews with experts and thought leaders, including illustrators, rock stars, artists, sensitivity experts, designers, emergency service workers, Olympic gold medal winners, comedians, microbiologists, photographers, fighters, and many others.Supported by founding sponsor illustrationx.com. Also supported by the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.ua
Episodes
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
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/)
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 sp...
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 t...
Charlotte Bradman had to go through major trauma, including the repossession of her house, before she could truly access her creativity.
Now she lives full-time in her converted camper van, and she joins The Creative Condition to share her story.
In a cost-of-living crisis, under financial strain and facing much upheaval in our creative industry, designers, artists, writers, and all kinds of creators are struggling to make ends mee...
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
- Muppets bring light to a dark moment
- AI me?
- Time wasted or time well spent? A creative conundrum for all of us
- A Final Fantasy VII cut scene conjures a rich thought
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
Access creativit...
Today, change occurs almost constantly, at a speed never before seen in human history. We are in a technological revolution that some are likening to the advent of agriculture. Incomprehensible news headlines bombard us, and underneath it, we must still find a way to make sense of it and create for a living.
Los Angeles and New York-based creative company Sibling Rivalry is a shining example of adaptation and flexibility in this ne...
As I continue to work on the downside of my high sensitivity to counter anxiety and overthinking, I turn to the Buddhist teachings and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations about impermanence after a sobering visit to my hometown.
And of course, apply them to our current moment in the creative industry.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coachin...
Few artists or designers transcend the industry when it comes to name recognition, but Anthony Burrill is one of them. His iconic typographic artworks, including 'work hard and be nice to people,' adorn the walls of many far beyond the creative industry, hitting the sweet spot between mass appeal and personal intimacy.
I travel to Rye and visit Anthony's studio, which overlooks a stunning wildflower meadow created with his lovely w...
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
- Optimism returns
- Where did all the good websites go?
- Trends v unknown
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
See the brand new illustrator-specific coaching offer now
Access creativity resources, including books, a rea...
Is what you were enough anymore? Do we run for the hills as the machines come for our jobs, or drill even deeper into who we are, what we stand for, and where we were going?
I'm joined by artist and illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan to share her story of adapting to life as a new mother, artificial intelligence, and economic unrest.
We discuss the fear, the opportunities, and how the hell we begin to choose our direction in fast-chan...
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
- Brain lube
- Maintaining a multi-faceted business
- Multiple beanstalks and many Jacks
- The pain of the past
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
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podca...
After 1.5 years of creativity coaching through my one-to-one Pit Stop sessions, it's time to announce a new illustrator-specific offer.
With 18 years in the game and over 300 interviews with creative industry and broader thought leaders, I've designed something to help illustrators to take control of their next moves as the market continues to shift.
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://ill...
Relationships. Utterly key to our ability to function with optimism, contentment, and creativity. But how much do we take care of them? Relationship with ourselves? Partners, professional or romantic? With society?
Psychotherapist Allison Heiliczer joins The Creative Condition for the latest in a series of specific mental health topic episodes as we take a long look into the relationship mirror.
We cover:
- Chaotic brains
- Finding...
It's heavy out there. Cost of living. Mental health. Climate. Extreme division. Capitalist mania.
I opened my finances spreadsheet and freaked right out. Anxiety took hold and amplified it out of all proportion.
Here are 10 things that got me out of the hole, things that can help you too, dear artist.
As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP'...
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
- Are we all on ref cam?
- Identity and belonging on the paper round
- AI agents and primitive idiocy
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
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at h...
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage).
Today, join me as I reflect on a nettle sting sustained by reaching for a bag of dog shit, and why it links to Marcus Aurelius.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity fou...
Aaron Becker, Seth Kleinberg, and Troy James Miller from Los Angeles-based Filmograph join me to take us inside their brilliant studio.
Their output is insane and inspiring, from The Penguin to Mission Impossible via Aquaman, a visit to their portfolio is a must for any serious film fan.
We cover:
- The importance of respect for the concept over trends
- Filmograph's origins
- The importance of time off
- Changing plans in the service ...
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
- Golden hour comfort
- Learning through humour
- Burning bridges
- Gallows humour
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
Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativeco...
After reading a beautiful piece of writing about Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke's football strike partnership in 1999 by Matt Dickinson, I was reminded of the vital importance of our creative partners in life.
To help you recognise and value yours, I work through some that spring to mind in my life, how they vary, and why they matter for our creativity.
I dig into:
- Why partners matter for our creativity
- Types of partners
- The differ...
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