Arrest All Mimics: The Original Thinking And Creative Innovation Podcast

It's getting harder to cope. The pace, ferocity, and sadly, insanity of modern life are out of control. 24/7 we are exposed to terrifying news, and the subsequent arguments on social media, fear winning out every single time.That's why I write, that's why I draw, that's why I make these podcasts.Creativity is a fundamental pillar of human happiness and that's why I wanted to take the time to mark the release day of Stories for the Apocalypse #1: Notes on the New Normal with some thoughts on its vital role during these bizarre times.I share some personal experiences and a few favourite works that embody the lived experience.The podcast is supported by https://illustrationx.comYou can buy both 'Stories for the Apocalypse #1' and 'A Wolf in Sports Clothing' at https://bentallonwriter.com now. Also on all good e-book retailers.

Creativity happens on a different timeline for each of us. Horror writer Susan Earlam takes us on a winding path from a childhood full of artistic encouragement and everyday creativity, to fine art and teaching art, onto lifestyle blogging, and eventually - though not by chance - onto her wonderful horror writing.Her debut eco-horror novel 'Earthly Bodies' and 'Dark is the Water' are two big, unnerving, and distinct steps into a new phase of her creative career.https://susanearlam.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Water-Susan-Earlam/dp/1838379436https://www.instagram.com/susanearlam/https://twitter.com/SusanEarlamhttps://illustrationx.comhttps://theaoi.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://bentallon.comhttps://instagram.com/bentallonwriter

The cliche is true. Failure is one of our greatest compasses. It is never as simple as a waste of time. Following on from UCLan design conference week 11's talk under the same title, I wanted to share the story of Quenched Music - why it never got going in the way Dirty Freud and I envisioned but proved a valuable gateway to projects, people, ideas, and skills we had no other way of accessing.Get your near misses over at @bentallon on social, and a big thank you to show supporters Illustration X and the AOI.https://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.comhttps://instagram.com/dirtyfreud

Sarah Brown is an incredible vocalist with the likes of Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Roxy Music, Stevie Wonder, Simpl Red, Pink Floyd and many more. Sarah is letting us in on her adoration of Mahalia Jackson, and her upcoming tribute album to the queen of Gospel. It’s an immensely powerful, inspiring, uplifting conversation with an incredible person.We cover rebuilding after emotional trauma and damaging experiences, following feeling and the heart when it comes to creativity, trusting in the self, and power in doing the thing you are passionate about.This show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sarahbrownvocal/?hl=enhttps://linktr.ee/sarahbrownofficialhttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com

A free audiobook version of 'The Elf in the Delph' for listeners of The Creative Condition podcast.A thank you for staying with me despite the sporadic releases of late.This story is available as a limited edition, 100-run illustrated zine at https://bentallonwriter.com/shop now.For the whole story of the zine, see two episodes ago.Written and narrated by Ben TallonEdited by David Woods-Hale

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated or provided space to make a change to our creative professions. Whatever the motivations or reasons, change is a scary word, and something a lot of us struggle to control or understand the nature of.Laura Hope has worked as a wonderful illustrator for a number of years. It wasn't always so. She tells us her fascinating story and explains why she has made the decision to take a job working in an art gallery in order to refocus her energy and skills.Share your own change stories @bentallon on social media. Please do subscribe to and review the Creative Condition Podcast on your chosen platform now.Supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.comhttps://www.laura-hope.com/https://www.instagram.com/_laurahope/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/laurahopeillohttps://bentallon.comhttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop

Starting out in a whole new creative discipline can be a scary experience. When I started writing, it was a form of catharsis. A mental release that triggered a whole unexpected career path.Now as I release my first illustrated fiction zine, I thought it might be useful to share some of the hopes, fears, and learnings of building a new identity. The Elf in the Delph is a balance of my words and pictures, and the path has been a windy one.The rejection and self-doubt never fully goes away, so I wanted to chat about making a limited edition publication.The Elf in the Delph is available at https://bentallonwriter.com/shopThe show is supported by https://illustrationx.com and https://theaoi.com

It's been and continues to be a strange, surreal time of our lives. Creativity is a fundamental part of who we are as humans and moves hand in hand with the way we feel.I'm joined by self-described 'creative wander' brothers Brian and Michael Thibodeau to talk about their unique response to remotely remain close during lockdown/quarantine, which organically resulted in their 'Quarantined Portraits' book.We discuss why it's not about what you didn't or did create during the pandemic, but how you coped, how you stayed in touch and made it through.The show is supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bthibbs.studio/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/michael.thibo/?hl=enhttps://www.blurb.co.uk/b/10650724-quarantined-portraitshttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

Matt Essam built a career he thought was the one for him. When he made it, it didn't feel too good. So he started again and focused on a different set of goals.He wanted well-paid and creatively, emotionally fulfilling work.Today he works with freelancers and small businesses to help them find and attract dream clients. Matt joins me to break down the reasons why so many people end up jaded with their work, believing the old misconception that well-paid work cannot be creatively fulfilling and vice-versa.This one is packed full of golden advice and you can download a free copy of Matt's book, Create and Prosper here: https://www.createandprosper.co/This show is kindly supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comWebsite: ​www.mattessam.co.uk Social handle: @matt_essam Instagram: ​https://www.instagram.com/matt_essam/ Facebook: ​https://www.facebook.com/mattessam/ Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/matt_essam LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/http://bentallon.comhttp://bentall

So often, we create great work, have fresh ideas and know our skill set. But can we express ourselves with confidence, in an effective way that does the work justice?It's an age-old conundrum; one strong skill set balanced out by shortcomings. But does it need to be this way? Sara Coggin, illustrator and language teacher joins me to talk about breaking down misconceptions about confidence and why they are at the root of issues expressing our creativity. We dig into why it's crucial to join the emotional dots and why we have to be sympathetic to our personality.This podcast is kindly supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://saracogg.in/https://www.instagram.com/cogginsketchbook/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/speaklikeyou/?hl=enhttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

With the rise in tuition fees proving a gateway for many people who want to study at degree level, there's a bigger question mark than ever before over whether formal education is essential for a career in the arts.'Where did you study?' is the most interrogation I've ever faced as a freelance illustrator. When it comes to the writing and podcasting side of my work, there was no study, just a passionate interest and the desire to make it happen. Illustrator, designer and photographer Tim Easley did not study at all.He had no real inclination he wanted a career in the arts until a little later than most. When he felt it, he made the decision, in accordance with his personality, to educate himself. He now works across a broad range of clients, industries and disciplines with a distinct illustrative style and beautiful, independent books of hhis photography. Tim joins me to share the whole story, why he chose this unconventional path and why it is crucial to consider the character when naviga

Alan McGee is one of a kind. His tough start in 1970s Glasgow set him up for a tumultuous, glorious and legendary ride at the top of the 1990s and 2000s music scene as the head of Creation Records and the man behind the biggest band in the world at the time, Oasis.Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub and My Bloody Valentine, to name but a few, followed suit.I sit down with Alan as his movie biopic, directed by Nick Moran and written for screen by Irvine Welsh, 'Creation Stories' comes out to dig into what he describes as 'bonkers brave f**k you creativity.This is must listen, packed full of advice about making bold decisions and getting behind them, when they feel right, taking risks and not shying away from controversy when it comes to creativity.The podcast is supported by Illustration X (http://illustrationx.com) and The Association of Illustrators (http://theaoi.com)Creation Stories is out now on Sky Cinema.

The times we live in are tumultuous and challenging. The world is changing. We all need a voice. Good design is not enough to provide one. So how do we make work that matters, which we can deliver with results?ThoughtMatter have built a reputation as a creative agency who not only make thought provoking, meaningful work, addressing issues they care about, but work hard and smart to ensure it hits the spot.I'm joined by managing director Jessie McGuire to discuss her own journey, the evolution of ThoughtMatter and what it takes to break through the noise of modern life.https://www.thoughtmatter.com/https://www.thoughtmatter.com/inbetweenhttps://www.instagram.com/thoughtmatter/https://twitter.com/ThoughtMttrhttp://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.comhttp://illustrationx.comhttp://theaoi.com

When Ben Ryan, one of the most innovative coaches in world sport left his position as England rugby 7s coach, he was all set to take a comfortable role at a sports consultancy company.Then he saw a tweet advertising a vacancy for the national Fiji rugby 7s job. With twenty minutes to accept or decline the role, he listened to his raging instincts and set out on one of the all time great sporting stories, taking them, through countless challenges, to an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.Ben shares the mind-bending story, his valuable insights to human empowerment, tips for adapting to adversity and why it's vital to establish the right conditions for creativity and happiness to flourish in and around us.This episode of the Creative Condition Podcast is supported by Illustration X and the Association of Illustrators. http://illustrationx.com // http://theaoi.comThe Ben Ryan Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ben-ryan-podcast/id1553400216Ben's Sevens Heaven book: https://

The Creative Condition takes over Arrest All Mimics podcast. Here's why and what to expect!Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.com

George Moir's unusual dual roles of musician and animator make for a wonderfully rounded, lo-fi visual and musical world of his own making.He joins me to discuss his unusual roots, playing the piano from the age of 2 and the 800 hours graft he ploughed into his animated videos.It's a brilliant story and a great example of how diverse skill sets can co-exist to forge unique paths.Episode 151 of Arrest All Mimics is supported by Illustration X and the Association of Illustrators.https://www.instagram.com/georgemoirmusic/?hl=enhttp://illustrationx.comhttp://theaoi.com

A free preview of 'What YA MUM Told Me Last Night': the bonus stories audiobook to accompany YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain.A thank you to Arrest All Mimics listeners. YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain paperback is out now at http://bentallonwriter.com/shop and bundle offers on both audiobooks are available now. Full individual e-books and audiobooks are available from all good retailers.

Biscuits is a slab of brilliantly-observed graphic novel full of poignancy, reflection and black comedy from the mind of illustrator and writer Jenny Robins.Charting the interlinking lives of London women, this hand drawn story has everything, so Jenny joins me to share the story, her process and how she balances her role as a teacher with her freelance magic making.The graphic novel is out now on Myriad Editions.Episode 150 of Arrest All Mimics is supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttp://jennyrobins.comhttps://myriadeditions.com/books/biscuits-assorted/http://bentallon.comhttp://bentallonwriter.com

An exclusive 4-story and introductory excerpt from Ben Tallon's new book, YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain.You can grab your copy at http://bentallonwriter.com

Creating design and written content you'd like to share with the world?Ben Tallon's accidental author career kicked off when Champagne and Wax Crayons: Riding the Madness of the Creative Industry happened off the back of an angry freelancer blog rant. It was published via a traditional publishing house.YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain is his 3rd book, a rancid collection of black comedy and observational stories from Britain's cultural underbelly and this time out, he's going indie.Here are some thoughts and experienced ups and downs from each model which will hopefully help you work out which may suit your work, schedule and character more.Head to the bookshop at http://bentallonwriter.com to buy YA MUM now and visit the library section for Ben's bibliography.Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.com