Podcast
Creative Pep Talk
Hosted by Andy J. Pizza · EN
A Weekly Podcast Companion for Your Creative Journey
Transform your creative potential into reality by making your creativity a practice. A “creative discipline” can feel like an oxymoron. Creativity is about doing something new. Discipline is about doing something consistently. The aim of this podcast is to help you strike that elusive balance.
Each week, New York Times Bestselling Author Illustrator Andy J. Pizza shares everything he’s learning about building a thriving creative practice. Through solo episodes and interviews with top-tier creatives, Pizza brings you the strategies and stories that you need week in and week out to keep your inner critic at bay, bust through creative blocks and stay creatively pepped to the max!!
Learn more: creativepeptalk.com
Check out the host: andyjpizza.com
110episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
490 - An Unlock of Motivation in the Face of Chaos on Repeat
Jan 29, 202500:28:35Summary readyIf 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.comhttps://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalkSHOW NOTES:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSeverancehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severance_(TV_series)Tim Ferriss 770 with Elizabeth Gilberthttps://tim.blog/2024/09/26/elizabeth-gilbert-2/SPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
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489 - How to Make Your Work More Personal with Comedian Alice Fraser
Jan 22, 202501:12:45Summary readyAndy 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 journeyJoin our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!andyjpizza.substack.comhttps://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalkSHOW NOTES:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comAlice Fraser https://www.alicecomedyfraser.comSPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead 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
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488 - Frozen During Slow Times? How to Activate Self Starter Energy
Jan 15, 202500:37:50Summary readyFreeze 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.comhttps://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalkSHOW NOTES:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLERAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful CollectiveSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY?Institutional Validationhttps://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7275799035351452960TEMI COKER Temi Coker on SubstackTaika Waititi How Being Yourself Can Make You Hilarious | Taika Waititi on FilmmakingSPONSORS:SQUARESPACEHead to Website Builder — Create a Website in Minutes — Squarespace to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKMiroMiro 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
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487 - Apathetic About Goals? Uncover A Different Source of "Infinite" Motivation
Jan 8, 202500:39:05Summary readyIf 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.comhttps://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalkAlbert Camus - Sisyphushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_SisyphusAustin Kleon - Keep Goinghttps://austinkleon.com/keepgoing/Stephen Pressfield - The Artist’s Journeyhttps://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-artists-journey/Uri Shulevitz - Writing With Pictureshttps://www.amazon.com/Writing-Pictures-Write-Illustrate-Childrens/dp/0823059359James P. Carse - Finite and Infinite Gameshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_and_Infinite_GamesSimon Sinek - The Infinite Gamehttps://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/Sufjan Stevenshttps://thecreativeindependent.com/people/sufjan-stevens-on-songwriting-collaboration-and-the-myth-of-the-tortured-artist/Brian McDonaldhttps://writeinvisibleink.comIra Glasshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_GlassColin Rigsbyhttps://www.instagram.com/vesperteen/?hl=enClairo - Charmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charm_(Clairo_album)
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486 - How to Transform Your Frustrations into Fertilizer in 2025
Jan 1, 202500:38:47Summary readyJoin our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!andyjpizza.substack.comhttps://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.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comThe Indie Rock Coloring Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Indie-Rock-Coloring-Book/dp/B008ISI14SModest Mousehttps://www.instagram.com/modestmouse/?hl=en“The Hidden Life of Trees” Illustrated Editionhttps://shop.readbirdiebooks.com/item/AS48k97jmWOOU7NcZAJOUQMegalopolishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalopolis_(film)Julian Glander’s “Boys Go to Jupiter”https://glander.co/filter/tunes/BOYS-GO-TO-JUPITERWHY? - The Well that I Fell Intohttps://whywithaquestionmark.bandcamp.com/album/the-well-i-fell-into SPONSORS:Uncommon GoodsCheck out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal:www.uncommongoods.comMiroMiro 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
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485 - A 3 Question Year-End Reflection to Awaken Your Creative Spirit
Dec 25, 202400:53:40Summary readyPrompts 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
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484 - Creativity vs Discipline: Finding Balance Between these Oppositional Forces with Andy J. Pizza
Dec 18, 202401:36:16Summary ready10 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:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:MiroMiro 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.comSquarespaceHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
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483 - Artist Case Study: The Niche Shortcut with Olivia Rafferty
Dec 11, 202401:15:17Summary readyHow 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/0Syuo0IkP7frpCdRuWJEpphttps://oliviarafferty.bandcamp.com/https://soundcloud.com/oliviaraffertySHOW NOTES:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLERAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful CollectiveSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY?SPONSORS:SquarespaceHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKMiroMiro 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
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482 - The Key Ingredient for Maximizing Discoverability
Dec 4, 202400:38:05Summary readyEpisode 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 PEPTALKSHOW NOTES:Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.coAudio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.coSoundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comMentioned:Seth Godin 'Be Remarkable'Immanuel KantSPONSORS:Uncommon GoodsCheck out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal:www.uncommongoods.comMiroMiro 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
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481- Get Lost and Found in Your Work, With Sarah Walsh
Nov 27, 202401:45:44Summary readyHow 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.---------------SHOW NOTESCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller sophiemiller.coAudio 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 QuoteMentioned:Problemista movie & Julio TorresIllustrated Wildlife TreasuryVampire Weekend and RostamCPT 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 GoodsCheck out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal:http://uncommongoods.comMiroMiro 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.comSquarespaceHead to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
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