Daring Creativity. Daring Forever.

Bonus Episode: "Set clear expectations to avoid problems later."

Host: Radim Malinic
Guest (highlighted from main episode): Alison Black, Managing Director of Studio Craig Black
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This bonus episode takes a reflective, behind-the-scenes look at key lessons from Radim Malinic’s recent interview with Alison Black, who transitioned from working as a mental health nurse in a prison to running a thriving creative business. The discussion zeroes in on how Alison's unique experience navigating difficult conversations and high-stress environments has become her superpower in managing a creative studio. Radim distills standout moments from the main interview, exploring themes of compassion, setting expectations, resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and the responsibility of creative leadership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Art of Giving Bad News with Compassion

• Alison’s Prison Nursing Skills: Alison recounts learning to deliver “bad news” in a way that’s kind but clear—a skill she didn’t realize was rare until a coworker pointed it out in the prison context.
  • Quote:

    "Ali, you are so good at giving bad news. That's what she [Kirsty] and I thought, okay, that's a really interesting skill to have."
    — Alison Black [00:46]

• Transferring Skills to Creative Business: The ability to communicate difficult truths (e.g., telling clients their turnaround times are unrealistic) is reframed as a competitive advantage.
  • Quote:

    "If you want the quality of what we want to give you, then it's going to take just a little bit longer...but I'm afraid that what you're asking for isn't going to be achievable."
    — Alison Black [00:46]

• Host Analysis: Radim frames this as a lesson creatives need—learning to say "no" or deliver tough feedback with clarity and empathy instead of falling prey to people-pleasing.
  • Quote:

    "We say yes to so many things we should say no to. We avoid difficult conversations about timelines, budgets, and unrealistic expectations... We're not always honest. We are people pleasers."
    — Radim Malinic [01:38]

2. Perspective on Stress in Creative Work

• Stress in Context: Alison discusses how her previous experience helps her put creative industry stress in perspective.
  • Quote:

    "When reality is the perspective of what life can be like for other people. Their problems are so much bigger than that... Craig will stop me if I get a wee bit stressed or anxious... He'll say, but listen, Ali, did anyone die? And it's such, it's such a good point."
    — Alison Black [03:24]

• Host Reflection: Radim highlights the value of recalibrating what constitutes a 'real problem' in light of Alison’s medical background. Stress in creativity is real but not life-or-death, and caring is good.
  • Memorable Analogy:

    "Even the best surgeon can't take out their own appendix... sometimes the nervous system takes over and we get overwhelmed."
    — Radim Malinic [04:25]

3. Imposter Syndrome and Collaboration in the Family Business

• Self-Doubt in Stepping Up: Alison describes her reluctance to join her partner, Craig, in the family business out of fear she might hold him back, despite their shared vision and her deep investment.
  • Quote:

    "I probably felt as though he needed someone better than me to make sure he was going to succeed... But anyway, we sat down, we had this conversation, and he said, I want you to be the person that comes on board to help me."
    — Alison Black [06:43]

• Host Analysis: Radim points to how imposter syndrome can disguise itself as humility or concern for others, holding back capable people from taking opportunities.
  • Quote:

    "This is exactly how imposter syndrome operates and it's almost insidious... making inaction seem noble rather than self sabotaging."
    — Radim Malinic [07:23]

• Industry Support: Alison felt supported by messages from peers, highlighting how stepping into new roles often comes with a sense of “outsiderness” until you belong simply by showing up and participating.

4. Balancing Creative Confidence and Client Expectations

• Daring to Suggest Alternatives: Alison admires Craig's willingness to suggest ideas outside the brief, even when it makes her nervous—a contrast to her tendency to play it safe by doing exactly as asked.
  • Quote:

    "Craig's really good at suggesting ideas that aren't even in the brief... Sometimes I'm on the call going, oh, Craig, that's not what they've asked for. You know, just, they've asked for this, so just let's do what they're asking for. But Craig's probably got a confidence in himself that brands really like."
    — Alison Black [09:06]

• Host’s Take: Radim frames this as a courageous, expert approach that elevates projects—offering clients not just what they want, but what they need.
  • Quote:

    "The project will either happen to you or you will happen with the project, if that makes any sense... It's that tension between playing it safe or pushing for excellence."
    — Radim Malinic [09:52]

  • Main message:

    "If you're truly an expert in your field, you have a responsibility to guide clients towards better solutions, even when it means gracefully pushing back on their initial brief. That's not arrogance, it's professional integrity."
    — Radim Malinic [10:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:46] Alison Black:
  "Ali, you are so good at giving bad news."
• [03:24] Alison Black:
  "Craig will stop me if I get a wee bit stressed... He'll say, but listen, Ali, did anyone die?"
• [04:25] Radim Malinic:
  "Even the best surgeon can't take out their own appendix."
• [07:23] Radim Malinic:
  "This is exactly how imposter syndrome operates and it's almost insidious... making inaction seem noble rather than self sabotaging."
• [09:06] Alison Black:
  "Craig's really good at suggesting ideas that aren't even in the brief... Craig's probably got a confidence in himself that brands really like."
• [10:49] Radim Malinic:
  "If you're truly an expert in your field, you have a responsibility to guide clients towards better solutions, even when it means gracefully pushing back on their initial brief. That's not arrogance, it's professional integrity."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:46 – Delivering bad news with compassion: Alison discusses her skill learned in prison
• 03:24 – Stress and perspective: Real-life stakes versus creative industry stress
• 06:43 – Imposter syndrome and joining the family business
• 09:06 – The creative tension: Sticking to the brief vs. daring innovation
• 10:49 – Creative responsibility to guide clients, not just serve them

Tone

Friendly, thoughtful, compassionate, and candid—mixing humor with vulnerability and practical advice, true to the spirit of Radim Malinic’s Daring Creativity podcast.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a powerful meditation on the importance of clear communication, resilience, and compassion—both within ourselves and in our client relationships. Alison Black’s journey illustrates how experiential skills, including those gained in unlikely places, can become invaluable assets in creative leadership. Radim urges listeners to dare to be honest, to challenge clients when it serves the work, and to trust that sometimes our perceived weaknesses or outsider status are precisely our hidden strengths.