Creative Pep Talk

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Some people say that creativity is all about perfect timing, but in my experience, the best work comes from those spaces where you lose track of time completely. If TIME has become a brutal master and “staying relevant”, “hitting the cultural zeitgeist”, “keeping up with the times”, “missing your chance” or even “posting at the perfect time” has taken all of the joy out of your practice, this episode is for you! In this episode you will:1 - Identify when you are your most creative self.2 - Uncover what your natural ideas look like when they show up3 - Get homework on how to lose yourself in creative work again today! - - - SHOW NOTES - - - Whole Brain Living by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Living-Anatomy-Characters/dp/1401961983 Chris Martin of Coldplay on Pete Holmes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-martin/id475878118?i=1000534667456&l=ca Brain Pickings https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/07/04/the-artists-way-julia-cameron/ Mason Currey Daily Rituals https://www.masoncurrey.com/daily-rituals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to http://andyjpizza.substack.com to sign up to our newsletter and get the “Passion Mastery Table” download mentioned in this episode. If you feel like you have to do everything but none of it actually works, listen to this. We are in the midst of outrageous chaos and change. The last thing you need to be doing is focusing on what doesn’t matter in your creative practice. In this episode, you will get a tool for organizing your efforts in such a way that you can find clarity in what to focus on and what to let loose. 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 http://sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com 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

Are you in survival mode? Do you feel like something is failing, broken, wrong? In this episode I talk through 3 things that help me when I'm feeling lost on the Creative Journey. Join our next 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 http://sophiemiller.co Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com Mentioned/Referenced: Andy Mineo LOST EP Song 'Clarity' Oak Island tv show 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

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Special edition of Ask Dr. Pizza! Mega creative, long time listener Jen Kwok asks Andy questions around navigating transitions, parenting as a creative, getting stuff done and the key to keep longer projects interesting. 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 Jen Kwok https://www.jenkwok.com 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

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Has an unexpected life event ever derailed your creative journey?  When I reached out to illustrator Rebecca Green to join me on the podcast for the second time, she graciously volunteered to speak about a tragedy she had experienced in recent years, that brought her life to a complete stand still. Join us for a deeply vulnerable and inspiring conversation about this artist’s journey from grief to renewed creativity. Content Warning: this episode contains a conversation around the death of an infant. 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 Rebecca Green https://www.myblankpaper.com  Rebecca’s blog: https://www.myblankpaper.com/blog Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_%26_Lowell Katherine May - Wintering https://katherine-may.co.uk/wintering  Art Brand Alliance https://artbrandalliance.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk Things change fast these days. If I started my creative practice in 2025 I would do things very differently than when I started out over 15 years ago. Tune into this episode to hear the 7 sequential steps I would take if I was starting out today. 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   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

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 Substack or Patreon! andyjpizza.substack.com https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk 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 Chris Piascik https://www.chrispiascik.com https://www.youtube.com/@chris-piascik 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

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-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 Severance https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severance_(TV_series) Tim Ferriss 770 with Elizabeth Gilbert https://tim.blog/2024/09/26/elizabeth-gilbert-2/ 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

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 https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk 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 Alice Fraser https://www.alicecomedyfraser.com 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

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: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY? Institutional Validation https://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7275799035351452960 TEMI COKER Temi Coker on Substack Taika Waititi How Being Yourself Can Make You Hilarious | Taika Waititi on Filmmaking SPONSORS: SQUARESPACE Head to Website Builder — Create a Website in Minutes — Squarespace to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - Miro | The Innovation Workspace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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_Myth_of_Sisyphus Austin Kleon - Keep Going https://austinkleon.com/keepgoing/ Stephen Pressfield - The Artist’s Journey https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-artists-journey/ Uri Shulevitz - Writing With Pictures https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Pictures-Write-Illustrate-Childrens/dp/0823059359 James P. Carse - Finite and Infinite Games https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_and_Infinite_Games Simon Sinek - The Infinite Game https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/ Sufjan Stevens https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/sufjan-stevens-on-songwriting-collaboration-and-the-myth-of-the-tortured-artist/ Brian McDonald https://writeinvisibleink.com Ira Glass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Glass Colin Rigsby https://www.instagram.com/vesperteen/?hl=en Clairo - Charm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charm_(Clairo_album) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.instagram.com/modestmouse/?hl=en “The Hidden Life of Trees” Illustrated Edition https://shop.readbirdiebooks.com/item/AS48k97jmWOOU7NcZAJOUQ Megalopolis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalopolis_(film) Julian Glander’s “Boys Go to Jupiter” https://glander.co/filter/tunes/BOYS-GO-TO-JUPITER WHY? - The Well that I Fell Into https://whywithaquestionmark.bandcamp.com/album/the-well-i-fell-into  SPONSORS: Uncommon Goods Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: www.uncommongoods.com Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - http://miro.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 want to share vs what you want to remain private Behind the scenes and creative journey details that Andy hasn’t shared before! We talk: Podcasting, ADHD and Storytelling. SHOW NOTES: Interview by Katherine May https://katherine-may.co.uk/ 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 SPONSORS: Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - http://miro.com 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 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.oliviarafferty.com/ https://www.instagram.com/olivia_rafferty/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Syuo0IkP7frpCdRuWJEpp https://oliviarafferty.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/oliviarafferty SHOW NOTES: Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLER Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful Collective Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY? SPONSORS: Squarespace Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - Miro | The Innovation Workspace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.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 Mentioned: Seth Godin 'Be Remarkable' Immanuel Kant SPONSORS: Uncommon Goods Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: www.uncommongoods.com Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - Miro | The Innovation Workspace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Conner Jones pendingbeautiful.co  Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? whywithaquestionmark.com   ---Sarah Walsh--- Website: http://www.sarahwalshmakesthings.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwalshmakesthings/ Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tigersheepfriends 'I can be ok even if you're not ok' Teacher Quote Mentioned: Problemista movie & Julio Torres Illustrated Wildlife Treasury Vampire Weekend and Rostam CPT Rostam episode is #311 'Making Comics' book by Lynda Barry 'Bird by Bird' book by Anne Lamott 'Working it Out' Podcast with Mike Birbiglia https://www.birbigs.com/working-it-out-pod ---SPONSORS--- Uncommon Goods Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: http://uncommongoods.com Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly http://miro.com 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

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 ----------------- SHOW NOTES: Web https://katherine-may.co.uk/ 'The Clearing' https://substack.com/@katherinemay Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katherinemay_/ MENTIONS: John Yorke: 'All tales, then, are at some level a journey into the woods to find the missing part of us, to retrieve it and make ourselves whole.' Richard Dawkins 'The Artist's Way' Book Picasso: 'Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working' Julian James- Origin of Consciousnessin the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind Kristin Hersh- The Future of Songwriting Mike Birbiglia podcast 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 SPONSORS: Uncommon Goods Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: http://uncommongoods.com Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly http://miro.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.com SPONSORS: Uncommon Goods Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal: www.uncommongoods.com Miro Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - http://miro.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK 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   Web: https://montagueworkshop.com/hello Brad's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradmontague Kristi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristimontague Kid President: https://www.instagram.com/iamkidpresident Their Books: Fail-a-bration, The Circles All Around Us, The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination Mentioned: James Marshall Books Sister Corita Kent 'Burden of Dreams' documentary 'Adventures of Pete and Pete' tv show 'Son of Rambow' movie Robert Frost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices