
Hosted by Emma Cortes Ellendt · EN
The Creative Edition Podcast empowers creatives to discover, grow, and own their brand. The Creative Edition (formerly known as the Content Creatives Podcast) is hosted by Seattle content creator Emma Cortes Ellendt (@emmasedition). She shares influencer tips and lessons she's learned navigating the influencer world. Emma dives into the tools and strategies to execute content creation for social media channels and to build your online community. She also invites guests, both in and outside the influencer industry to discuss their perspectives on the creator economy. Emma also talks about recognizing and asking for your value as a content creator. Emma also shares what it's like being casted for influencer marketing campaigns as well as sales, business, and marketing best practices for creators.

In this episode, OG Instagram artist and creator Elise Swopes (on the app since 2011) takes us from her scrappy start—buying an iPhone 4 off Craigslist to her work today as a Senior Adobe Express Evangelist and full-time creative. Elise helped pioneer mobile photography when people still doubted it was “real art,” then turned early momentum into global brand work (yes, including a 2019 Instagram takeover for Jada Pinkett Smith in the Maldives), community initiatives like Sunrise Art Club and Night On The Yard, and a career focused on creativity, impact, and mental wellness.We dig into:Start vs. now: how a college dropout with no gear built a sustainable creative business, learned to say no, and defined success beyond algorithms.Signature style: surreal cityscapes, nature mash-ups, and the beloved giraffe motif—and how audience feedback shaped her visual language.Adobe in her workflow: growing up on Illustrator and Photoshop, animating with After Effects, podcasting with Audition, cutting with Premiere Pro, everyday color + catalog in Lightroom Mobile, and why Photoshop on iPhone (free!) and Adobe Express (brand kits, quick actions, Clip Maker for auto-highlights) are now staples. She also shares how Firefly’s commercially safe generative AI lets her test surreal concepts before building them.Creator longevity: diversify revenue, treat yourself like a business, protect your boundaries, and build community—the constant through every platform shift.Mindset & wellbeing: meditation streaks, new running goals, and stepping away to live life so the ideas return stronger.If you need a push to start with what you have—or permission to double down on what’s working—this conversation is exactly what you need.Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

As AI influencers gain traction, many creators are wondering: Where do we fit into the future of brand partnerships and content creation? In this episode, I'm breaking down how human influencers can stay competitive—and even thrive—as AI avatars and virtual creators become more common.You’ll learn:Why relatability, storytelling, and real-life experience will always win over algorithmsHow to focus on building community—not just an audienceThe importance of becoming a story-driven creator (not just a product promoter)Why your personal brand is your biggest differentiatorWhether you’re a full-time creator or just getting started, this episode will give you actionable strategies to stay human, stay relevant, and stay in demand.Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

Are you tired of feeling like you have to post every single day to grow on social media? In this episode of the Creative Edition Podcast, we’re diving into why quality over quantity is the winning strategy for creators in 2025—and how you can elevate your content without burning out.You’ll learn how to identify your best-performing content using data, harness AI and automation tools like Grammarly, CapCut, and ChatGPT to streamline your creation process, and balance high-production flagship content with everyday, authentic posts.Whether you’re a content creator, influencer, or small business owner, this episode will give you actionable tips to create smarter, not harder, and build sustainable growth on social media.Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

In today’s conversation, we’re going to be chatting about how to optimize your content for AI Search. If you grew up in the blogging era like I did, you’re probably familiar with or have heard the term search engine optimization. Today, Google isn’t the only search engine anymore. People are using TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to search for, find answers, recommendations, and plan trips, among other things. And with ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s Gemini, AI tools are able to pull in relevant content across not just Google, but all these social media platforms. In today’s episode, we’re talking about how AI search is transforming content discovery—and what you, as a creator, need to do to stay visible in this new landscape.If you’re wondering how this applies to creators and influencers today, AI search will impact your reach and visibility. Creators who optimize each piece of content on the platforms they’re on will reach their relevant audiences. Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

In this week's episode, I'm sharing my 3-day adventure in Portland, Oregon. I partnered wth Travel Oregon to share their Golden Bookmark campaign with the Little Free Library. I had so much fun visiting the city's vibrant independent bookstores, cafes, iconic Portland landmarks, and delicious eateries!Day 1 in Portland was packed. I kicked it off with stops at Taylor Street Kitchen for fresh-baked goodies. I went to four boostores on my first day: Grand Gesture Bookstore, Kinokuniya's, and Powell's City of Books, the world's largest independent bookstore. I ended the day at Always Here Bookstore and dinner at French cuisine at L'Échelle.On Day 2, I started the day at Prince Coffee, grabbed flavored pastries at Twisted Croissant, and ate a Vietnamese brunch at Memoire Ca Phe. I visted the International Rose Test Garden and Portland Japanese Garden for the first tim. I also stopped by tosoak in panoramic city views from the historic Pittock Mansion, and sample bold Filipino fusion dishes from the Makulit food truck. Day 3 - I started the day with breakfast sandwiches from Fried Egg I'm in Love and coffee at Never Coffee. I stopped by the Portland Art Museum and shopped local at the bustling Portland Saturday Market along the scenic Willamette River.Tune in to discover the best of Portland's culture, cuisine, and community, and find inspiration for your own Pacific Northwest adventures!Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

If you’ve ever linked products in your YouTube description box, get ready for the next evolution in creator monetization. In this 8-minute solo episode, I’m breaking down YouTube Shopping—YouTube’s built-in shopping feature that allows creators to tag products directly in their videos.You’ll learn: 🛍️ What YouTube Shopping is and how it works 📲 Who qualifies to use the feature 📈 Why it matters for creators and the future of social commerce 💡 How brands like Target, Sephora, and Walmart are already part of the programWith 250,000+ creators enrolled and YouTube Shorts reaching over 70 billion daily views, this is a trend creators and marketers can’t ignore.Whether you’re a content creator, UGC strategist, or brand manager, tune in to learn how YouTube is reshaping how we shop—and how we earn—on social.—🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you tune into the Creative Edition Podcast #CreatorEconomy #YouTubeShopping #InfluencerMarketing #SocialCommerceFollow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

In this episode, I’m taking you along on the first half of my 9-day adventure through Peru with Intrepid Travel. From the bustling streets of Lima to the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu, I’m sharing what it was really like to experience this unforgettable trip.We start in Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital, exploring Chinatown and the historic Plaza de Armas. Then, we head to Cusco—the former Inca capital—where I quickly fall in love with its cobblestone streets, colorful markets, and mountain views (plus some tips for navigating the 11,000-foot altitude).Next up is the Sacred Valley. I share highlights like feeding alpacas at Manos de la Comunidad, visiting the ancient Pisac ruins, enjoying a meal with local Andean women, and supporting single mothers through a social enterprise café in Urubamba.And of course—Machu Picchu. I give a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, from the early morning bus ride to the awe-inspiring ruins perched high in the Andes.Whether you're dreaming of visiting Peru or curious about what it’s like to travel with Intrepid, this episode is packed with practical travel tips, personal reflections, and inspiration to explore this incredible part of the world.🎧 Tune in and get ready to add Peru to your bucket list!Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.

Sharing how work/brand partnerships have been going, putting Braxton in daycare full-time, and more!Follow us on Instagram: @creativeeditionpodcast Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmasedition | Pinterest: @emmaseditionAnd sign up for our email newsletter.