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.c...
Ep 272: Filmograph. The LA-based film titles and full service design studio let us into their minds
Aaron Draper, 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 trendsFilmograph's originsThe importance of time offChanging plans in the service of the creativeJuggling acts and the art of staying creative across many projectsAs ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https...
The Creativity Diary Entry 19: Golden hour comfort, learning through humour, burning bridges and gallows humour
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 271: The importance of partners. Who are yours? Who helped you to this point? Why it matters.
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 creativityTypes of partnersThe different ways they nourish usThe difference between long-term, momentary, disparate, and imaginary partnersAs ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by...
The Creativity Diary Entry 18: Three nice things after a bad night's sleep, A tiny assault on my peace, and telling an authentic story
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 270: ANXIETY! Psychologist Wendy Dignan on taking control of our thoughts for creativity's sake
The world is heavy. It always was. But today, we're slammed by a constant wall of white noise, and the vast majority of what we're told is negative.
Anxiety is heightened perhaps more than ever before as a by-product of our hyper-connected digital way of life.
Too many people spend their days exhausted and locked in a state of fear. It's damaging our ability to create, to feel hopeful, optimistic, and curious.
Every one of us lives with anxiety. It is an evolutionary alarm system to help keep us safe. We are also...
The Creativity Diary Entry 17: ABOLISH THE PARASITE CLASS
A responsive instalment of The Creativity Diary as I drive under a motorway bridge and struggle to get past the graffiti message painted on it.
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 269: PJ Richardson, Laundry co-founder on playing in the chaos of agency creativity
PJ Richardson discovered graffiti. It brought him fulfilment when chaos was present in his early life.
The chaos hasn't gone away; it has only changed shape and form. We discuss his journey from painting walls to leading a Los Angeles-based motion and design studio, what today's chaos looks like, and how he finds the space to create great art within it in the commercial world.
We discuss:
Trauma and resilienceAbandon mindset when all else seems lostThe need to create 'sandboxes' and 'playgrounds' to avoid stifling creativity with procedure and protocol.Laundry's conception and evolution.<...The Creativity Diary Entry 16: Porn mag reflection, parenting lessons about elements, the perfect nap
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 268: BURNOUT! Emily Heird breaks down what it is, what it's not, and what steps you can take to get better
As awareness of both the shiny clock towers and the most hidden caves of mental health grows, it's become increasingly common to self- or misdiagnose.
'Burnout' can be tossed around too lightly. I've done it myself. I came to understand what I felt was overwhelm.
I'm joined by Cognitive Performance Strategist and burnout coach Emily Herird to discuss a condition intertwined with the crazed pace of our 21st century lives. She explains what burnout is, what it's not, and what steps we can take to avoid it, or get better.
We discuss:
Wh...Brew Brain Dump 8: Is the word 'creativity' a part of the problem?
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 interrogate the word creativity to see if it's doing my ambitions to see it better understood more harm than good.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books, a...
The Creativity Diary Entry 15: Outraged by silly outrage, the things you do so naturally we overlook them, people stuck on the side of the road,
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 267: Jamhot co-founder Graeme McGowan on the creative industry landscape in the latest revolution
Was there ever a good time to start a business?
Jamhot and I both entered the creative industry during the financial crash of 2008. Do we now look back and make a distorted comparison to the insanity of today? Or do we recognise that there was never a good time to throw ourselves into this creative life?
We discuss:
Storytelling and survivingReceiving reckless emailsBeing open to changeLunch clubs and the need for in-person community for optimal creativityNot forming ideas from assumptionsBalancing rest and productivityhttps://thisisjamhot.com/
As ever, The Creative Condition...
Brew Brain Dump 7: The missing piece of a dream job!
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 share my Eureka! moment as I recognised a big lacking part of my dream job puzzle, and ask you to assess yours.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including...
The Creativity Diary Entry 14: AI mania, a moment under the station stairs, and lessons from a doctor
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 266: RECLAIM THE THRONE! Why regaining ownership of our minds begins with our arses
Reclaim the Throne is The Creative Condition’s campaign to recognise the need for a downtime revolution.
The resistance to the big tech coup of our minds starts with our arses.
From there, we will reclaim the bus stop, the park bench, the underground train, the taxi, waiting rooms, receptions, and the good old walk from A to B.
These clutches of two, five, and ten-minute windows add up to a valuable, regular chunk of time to spend on something better than the algorithm sludge we’ve been pumping into our brains for too lon...
Ep 265: Choosing to be Creative with Zorana Pringle, Yale University Centre for Emotional Intelligence Senior Research Scientist
In 2025 the perception of creativity is still rooted in artistic talent. There are assumptions that our passions are already in us, waiting to be activated, and people continue to quit at the first hurdle when it comes to creating.
I'm joined by Zorana Pringle, the Yale University Centre for Emotional Intelligence Senior Research Scientist and author of The Creativity Choice in which she challenges these damaging misunderstandings.
We discuss creativity as a choice, something available to us all, and the differences between those who do and those who don't in a deep conversation!
A...
Brew Brain Dump 6: Cowboys and Illustrators? And some thoughts on the productivity trap
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 explore shared themes between the Yellowstone cowboys and illustrators and challenge the productivity trap.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https...
The Creativity Diary Entry 13: Learnings from a lollipop lady, a cheap watch and me, a burst ball and productivity conditioning
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at...
Ep 264: Jessica Hische and Timothy Goodman on the PERSONAL in work live at Paradiso
Personal. Work. Personal work. What does any of it mean, and is there a rule about how personal work needs to be, or whether work and personal are best separate?
Of course not! In creativity, there are no rules.
I had the delight of chairing a conversation about all this between lettering artist and author Jessica Hische, and artist Timothy Goodman live at the inaugural Paradiso festival in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, and you can hear it now.
A huge thank you to the co-founders of Paradiso Héctor Ayuso and Marko Pfann for...
Brew Brain Dump 5: What Timothy Goodman said to me about the emotion in his art
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 something Timothy Goodman said to me in Mexico about emotion in our art and the trappings of disciplines.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books, a...
The Creativity Diary Entry 12: Existential night panics, reverting to beginner's fear, the joy of straight shooters
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Brew Brain Dump 4: Natalie's garden and the importance of environment and cathartic creativity
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 listen into the soothing environment that is my neighbour's garden, and consider the importance of catharsis and our environments for creativity.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books...
Ep 263: Tala Schlossberg on why being nice and making art is an act of counter culture in a turbulent world
Within minutes of meeting artist Tala Schlossberg ahead of our discussion panel with photographer Owen Harvey at the inaugural Paradiso in Mérida, Mexico, we were into the deep stuff.
Tala is a visual artist known primarily for her fantastic animation work, but a pure artist in every sense.
We covered human connection during the discussion panel, but there was so much more to be said. So, we caught up a few weeks later and got into the ongoing battle to stay mentally balanced, as a sensitive person, in a turbulent world.
Do we...
Brew Brain Dump 3: Thoughts on fear and unpredictability in creative work, and what can help
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, thoughts on what's changed after two tough freelancing years and a slightly better start to this year. Talking creative self-efficacy, unpredictability, joy in the unknown, and the need to be out having conversations around passions, attuned with our environment.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition...
The Creativity Diary Entry 11: Sharing a life through art, little houses of Mérida, and designing a career
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Brew Brain Dump 2: Creative self efficacy and personal enrichment
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, creative self-efficacy and enrichment for sustainable creativity.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community...
Brew Brain Dump 1: Is the Steven Bartlett Deepfake the beginning of the end of the internet? Tala Schlossberg's rest, Wilding and the local council
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, deepfake Steveb Bartlett and the beginning of the end of the internet, Tala Rae Schlossberg, local wilding, council emails, and getting back to tribal enrichment.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach
Access creativity resources including books...
Ep 262: These changing times! Jennifer Murtell, VP of Innovation and Strategy at Marks gets deep
Our cultures and societies are changing at a rate we were not designed to adapt to or comprehend. Our minds can rage from wild optimism to pessimism and nihilism 100s of times a day.
What does this mean for creativity, art, and design?
I'm joined by the VP of Innovation and Strategy at Marks, Jennifer Murtell, fresh off the fantastic work with female healthcare brand MUSA, with an entirely female team. She recently wrote a piece on the topic for The Drum on 'Why we need women designing for women'.
We get deep i...
Ep 261: DESIGNING A CAREER! Taking charge of your creativity
Simon Dixon, co-founder of DixonBaxi posted about the importance of designing your own career to avoid someone shaping it in an ill-fitting way.
It blew my mind, succinctly capturing so many universal creativity truths and bringing about a personal revelation that through my coaching, this is exactly what I'm helping my clients to do.
But what does it mean, and why is it so vital to career and life fulfillment?
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session n...
Ep 260: A conversation with a video game art director. Oddbug Studio's Martin Reimann
I don't know much about video games, but the medium intrigues me, so I'm joined by Oddbug Studio's art director and environment artist Martin Reimann fresh off the hugely successful launch of Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter.
I throw a lot of naive questions Martin's way about the role of a video game art director, the origins of both Oddbug and Tails of Iron, and we get into many aspects of creativity, passion, and the trials and tribulations of managing the mind in the creative process.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com...
The Creativity Diary Entry 10: AI Rage, loss of balance, and Tala Schlossberg's comment on beauty
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
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://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
For Tala...
Ep 259: Discussing deep listening and creativity with doctor, researcher, and author, Rageshri Dhairyawan
In our 1000mph lives, it's so hard to listen and be heard, but deep listening is a critical part of the creative process. Being heard makes for unity, healthy relationships, and human value.
I'm joined by the author of the brilliant Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing, Rageshri Dhairyawan. Rageshri felt unheard while suffering extreme endometriosis pain, which planted the seed of the idea that became the book. She wanted to use her position and experience as a doctor, researcher, and consultant in HIV and sexual health medicine to call for better doctor - patient relationships and c...
The Creativity Diary Entry 9: Paradiso Festival, cenotes swim meets, a found book, and the joy of being lost
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
The Creativity Diary Entry 8: The insurmountables, Looney Tunes villains, humour, and managing our 'heels'.
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 258: WE NEED YOUR ART! Author and creativity coach Amie McNee on art as a pillar of humanity
Amie McNee is the founder of 'Inspired Collective', where she supports people in becoming their inner artist. Her new book We Need Your Art! Stop Messing Around and Make Something is out on Penguin Books, and she joins The Creative Condition to share her story.
Amie is a huge advocate for artistic expression as a missing pillar of understanding in the human condition, and her work to challenge this tragic oversight is awesome.
We trade viewpoints and stories and marvel over what's possible in a society where creativity is better understood and embraced.
As...
The Creativity Diary Entry 7: Losing Ken Garland, a time-slip in Preston, and storytelling obsession
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
AI: The opportunity and the threat with LOVE founder Dave Palmer
A bonus shot following the full interview with LOVE founder Dave Palmer in which he offers balanced thoughts on the opportunity and the threat posed by artificial intelligence.
Hear our full conversation on episode 257.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Ep 257: LOVE Creative founder Dave Palmer shares decades of creative industry experience
LOVE is a 80+ strong agency that specialises in delivering diverse, but complementary design-led solutions for global brands across brand strategy and design, identity design, packaging design, spaces, comms, immersive and activations.
Its founder, Dave Palmer shares not just the story of LOVE's evolution since its 2001 roots, but a lifetime of leading with creativity, the humanity, the chaos, and the euphoria of it all.
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave...
The Creativity Diary Entry 6: Chinese space bras, fear of a word, and innovation in outdoor drinking
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary':
As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com
Get your 1/3 off 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational audit now at https://thecreativecondition.com
Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time...
Ep 256: Pogus Caesar. The creativity behind the camera!
Pogus Caesar is a national treasure.
His many projects as a photographer, director, artist, and archivist transcend language and defy perfectionism in the way great art should.
The sheer humanity and honesty in his images spoke to me, and I needed to hear his story.
Those iconic images from the 1985 Handsworth riots fired me up through my love of activism through artistic expression. His images of cross-cultural friendships are profound, and we discuss his early experiences of moving from St Kitts to Birmingham in 1953, and his early cultural affections.
Pogus is ca...
