Episodes

What should you focus your creative energy towards right now? It helps to tune into the creative stage you’re currently in. Today on the show we chat with Illustrator Chris Piascik about how he went from a daily drawing practice to shifting gears and focusing on building his YouTube to nearly 100k subscribers. If you’re feeling out of sync with your creative season or need inspo for reigniting your personal work, this episode is for you! Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substa...

If you’re struggling to find motivation in the face of bad habits and bad news, this episode is for you. Repeat episodes of burn out, procrastination or lack of progress can wear you down, so if you’re looking for a fresh perspective, check this episode out! THIS EPISODE IS INSPIRED BY MY LOVE OF THE SHOW SEVERANCE, BUT CONTAINS NO SPOILERS! Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk SHOW NOTES: Co-Wr...

Andy sits down to have a joint podcast episode with master storyteller and comedian Alice Fraser for both of their podcasts. In this episode we explore: - Making work that’s more personal and meaningful - The things to consider when sharing elements of your personal life in your work - Being a parent when you have a creative practice - Navigating the different stages of life / the creative journey Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com ht...

Freeze up during slow times? Waiting for a BIG IDEA to get started? Overwhelmed by the blank page? In this episode, we explore how to tap into your effortless creativity and get yourself to start TODAY. Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLER Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful Collective Soundtrack / Theme Song:...

If you’re struggling to create goals that feel motivating, this episode is for you! Goals have their place, but sometimes we need to tap into a more renewable motivation. In this episode I share a shift that freaking changed the game for me! For real! Hope you get the same boost from this that I did! Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Albert Camus - Sisyphus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_M...

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk --- If you’re struggling to find an exciting vision for your creative future this new year, this episode is for you. This is episode one of “The Grounding Series”. While others may be shooting for the sky this January, we start with the opposite: getting grounded. Let’s tap into what really matters and why we choose to create in the first place. If chasing sales, career or validation has got in the way, this episode will help you root yourself back in the joy of creating again. This is episode 1 of The Ground Series. SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com The Indie Rock Coloring Book https://www.amazon.com/Indie-Rock-Coloring-Book/dp/B008ISI14S Modest Mouse https://www.instag…

Prompts for reflection, intention and hope with Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller. Step back from the holiday hustle, consider your 2024 year of creativity and look forward into the year to come. In this fun Christmas Carol themed episode (not too Christmassy so don’t let that put you off!) we are visited by 3 Ghosts: Past, Present and Future. Each Creative Ghost asks a question and we each answer their prompts. There are themes of gratitude, growth, presence, inspiration for 2025. This episode has a downloadable worksheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Years of the Creative Pep Talk Podcast. Can you believe it? In this episode the tables get turned! Bestselling Author Katherine May interviews Andy J. Pizza about this ten year journey of a creative project. In this vulnerable behind the scenes chat we cover: How to unlock the creative discipline to keep showing up in your creative practice even when you may want to quit sometimes. Why you might want to include personal / vulnerable information in your work and how to think about what you wan...

How do you find a creative niche? It's become a Creative Pep Talk classic cliche! In this Artist Case Study episode we talk through the creative journey of Scottish Singer-Songwriter, Olivia Rafferty. Olivia is such a great example of an artist who has found a novel way to cut through the noise by stepping out of her industry and dipping into another. From the creative sparks, to all the confusing conflicting advice, to finding something that works for you and rolling with it. http://www.oliviar...

Episode 4/4 of The Journey of The True Fan Series How do you find an audience for your work? Does it feel like you're sat quietly with your fishing rod, just waiting patiently for something to bite? Have you really considered what you're hoping to catch and how best to get its attention? In this episode we explore the DISCOVERY of the 3 part plan: Discovery, Trust and Sell. We get into the essential purpose of your website too! This episode is in partnership with Squarespace! Head to https://www...

How can you take ownership of your creativity and quit waiting for someone to tell you what to do and how to do it? In this episode we discuss staying true to your younger self, taking charge of your path, leaning into that unicorn energy and holding onto the goofiness. Collaborative art by Andy J Pizza and Sarah Walsh. See instagram post for all phases of this collab from sketch to final. --------------- SHOW NOTES Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design...

Sometimes the most simple act of presence can lead us from exhaustion, to recovery and back onto the path towards inspiration. Katherine May, author of The Electricity of Every Living Thing and Wintering joins us to talk about the inspiration behind her newest book Enchantment. In this episode we discuss the fog, the magic, the journey, and how we can nudge ourselves and others forward by: Reconnecting to a child-like sense of awe and wonder Trusting what comes natural Leaving a post-it note ---...

This is episode 3 of 4 in our Journey of The True Fan Series What’s the difference between a band whose music you love and a band t-shirt you’re proud to wear in public? In this episode we discuss a make-or-break element that is easy-to-miss. This piece transforms casual consumers into active ambassadors of your creative work, and yet it’s something most of us don’t think much about. We get into the essential purpose of your website too! This episode is in partnership with Squarespace! Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com This Jungian Life - Zombies https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-jungian-life/id1376929139?i=1000584041549 Ryan Holiday - Perrenial Seller https://perennialseller.co…

What if your art was an invitation rather than a gift? What if this was an invite to a party that celebrated failures? A FAIL-A-BRATION!? What happens when we share our wins AND losses, happy accidents AND miserable mishaps? In this fun and inspiring chat with Brad and Kristi Montague, we discuss the origins and inspiration behind their newest picture book 'FAIL-A-BRATION' and how an idea generously shared, can spark a movement. SQUARESPACE Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10%...

When working on a project, do you carefully plot or fly by the seat of your pants? How do you switch gears between different projects or even different mediums? This episode is a conversation with Michael Dante DiMartino, the writer, producer and co-creator of the animated series 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' and 'Legend of Korra'. We discuss flipping genres, working on a variety of projects at a once, and finding the balance between dreaming big and getting the job done. SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing ...

How many people do you need to connect with to financially make or break your creative career? 1? 10? 100? 1000? In this episode we explore how you can figure out what it is that you're selling, so that trying to keep the lights on doesn't take all your creative energy. Part 2/4 of the Journey of the True Fan Series. Part 1 is episode 473 of Creative Pep Talk SQUARESPACE Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK SHOW...

Why do we tell stories? What is my story? How and where do I even start? This episode is a conversation with award-winning screenwriter, director and author Brian McDonald about the why, what and how of telling stories. We dive deep into the process of finding substance, building structure and connecting with others. ---------------- Show Notes ---------------- Brian McDonald https://writeinvisibleink.com/ https://www.instagram.com/writeinvisibleink/ Books https://writeinvisibleink.com/#books Invisible Ink Land of the Dead Previous episode with Brian: http://creativepeptalk.com/326 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

How to step by step your way to a big goal, glide around obstacles and combine multiple mediums/passions into your masterpiece. This episode is an interview with 3D artist Julian Glander. We discuss his new full length animated feature film and the journey he took to get there. SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? whywithaquestionmark.com Julian Glander https://glan...

Episode 1 of the 'Journey of the True Fan' Series

When approaching creative projects- how do you express yourself, challenge yourself and be true to yourself? This episode is an interview with Grammy nominated musician Gallant. From the relatable moment when he snapped, to the joyful moment it all clicked, Gallant walks us through his creative process from intuitive mood-boards to finding the flow. Stick to the end for a fresh take on creating mood-boards to inspire your projects. Gallant Links https://gallant.lnk.to/Zinc Follow on Instagram: h...

How do you create something both accessible and innovative? What do you draw inspiration from to make authentic and meaningful work? In this episode- animator, illustrator and author Sanjay Patel tells us about his life-changing journey back to his upbringing, we discuss his deep-dive into the well of inspiration he found and how it all came together into a playful preschool show. ------- SHOW NOTES: Writing / Host: Andy J. Pizza Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.co Audio Editing ...

Do you have a box of treasured momentos, a drawer of unfinished artwork or a notebook of ideas you never quite started and definitely didn't finish? Author and illustrator Carson Ellis tells us how she uncovered a forgotten journal from her 20s and how it informed an entire series of work, with a little help along the way from some other past projects. This interview is creative inspiration for how to tell stories using pictures, capture nostalgia and perhaps even create art today as a time caps...

It’s difficult to know where to focus your creative energy. If you don’t know whether you should be learning a new skill, diving deep into a new project or marketing something you’ve already done, this episode is for you! -------- SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? whywithaquestionmark.com Dan Harmon, Story Circle https://boords.com/blog/storytelling-101-the-dan-h...

This episode is for you if: -You keep giving up -You violently swing your focus from money-making, to never mixing money and creativity ever again -You need a method for staying true to your creative core and not getting swept away by all the shiny objects SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? whywithaquestionmark.com Lisa Miller PhD - The Awakened Brain https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608347/the-awakened-brain-by-lisa-miller-phd/ Jill Bolte Taylor PhD - Whole Brain Living https://www.drjilltaylor.com/whole-brain-living/ Joseph Campbell - The Hero with a Thousand Faces https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/314324/the-hero-with-a-thousand-faces-by-joseph-campbell/ Carl Jung - The Tension of Opposites https://www.amazon.com/Man-His-Symbols-Carl-Jung/dp/0440351839 Christopher Nolan - Inception https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/ The Matrix https…