The Creative Condition podcast

Ben Tallon

Welcome to 'The Creative Condition' podcast: an ongoing exploration of human creativity to help you navigate an increasingly automated world with your story and soul. The show is hosted by creativity coach, Founder of The Creative Condition, author and illustrator Ben Tallon. Creativity is an often misunderstood pillar of human happiness, something far bigger than artistic talent and crucial for fulfilling lives and careers. But in a data and efficiency-obsessed world, self-awareness, story and soul are more important than ever.

Featuring exclusive interviews with experts and thought leaders, including illustrators, designers, artists, founders, rock stars, sensitivity experts, musicians, emergency service workers, Olympic gold medal winners, comedians, microbiologists, photographers, fighters, and many others. Supported by founding sponsor Illustration X, Paradiso Institute the Ukrainian Institute.

For more creativity resources or coaching opportunities with Ben, head to The Creative Condition official website.

If you wish to support the show's cause of elevating creativity in our societies, please consider telling a friend about the show and rating, reviewing, or subscribing wherever you get your podcasts!

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424 episodes
Updated July 29
Explicit

Episodes424

Newest first

Jul 23, 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Ep 269: PJ Richardson, Laundry co-founder on playing in the chaos of agency creativity
PJ Richardson discovered graffiti. It brought him fulfilment when chaos was present in his early life. The chaos hasn't gone away; it has only changed shape and form. We discuss his journey from painting walls to leading a Los Angeles-based motion and design studio, what today's chaos looks like, and how he finds the space to create great art within it in the commercial world. We discuss: Trauma and resilience Abandon mindset when all else seems lost The need to create 'sandboxes' and 'playgrounds' to avoid stifling creativity with procedure and protocol. Laundry's conception and evolution. https://www.laundry.studio/ As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jul 16, 2025 · 14 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 16: Porn mag reflection, parenting lessons about elements, the perfect nap
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': The perfect nap Porn magazine reflections and the importance of accepting our roots and creativity context Parenting lessons and humans encountering their element As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jul 9, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Ep 268: BURNOUT! Emily Heird breaks down what it is, what it’s not, and what steps you can take to get better
As awareness of both the shiny clock towers and the most hidden caves of mental health grows, it's become increasingly common to self- or misdiagnose. 'Burnout' can be tossed around too lightly. I've done it myself. I came to understand what I felt was overwhelm. I'm joined by Cognitive Performance Strategist and burnout coach Emily Herird to discuss a condition intertwined with the crazed pace of our 21st century lives. She explains what burnout is, what it's not, and what steps we can take to avoid it, or get better. We discuss: What burnout feels like What it's not Why people. burn out How people can recover, or begin creating space for rest and nourishing activities The role of modern life and the ubiquity of technology Common mistakes people make leading to burnout https://vantageviewcoaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-heird/ As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jul 7, 2025 · 9 min
Brew Brain Dump 8: Is the word ’creativity’ a part of the problem?
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I interrogate the word creativity to see if it's doing my ambitions to see it better understood more harm than good. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jul 2, 2025 · 12 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 15: Outraged by silly outrage, the things you do so naturally we overlook them, people stuck on the side of the road,
Covered in this instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Outraged by outrage The people on the roadside A simple comment reminds me of something key about creativity As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 25, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Ep 267: Jamhot co-founder Graeme McGowan on the creative industry landscape in the latest revolution
Was there ever a good time to start a business? Jamhot and I both entered the creative industry during the financial crash of 2008. Do we now look back and make a distorted comparison to the insanity of today? Or do we recognise that there was never a good time to throw ourselves into this creative life? We discuss: Storytelling and surviving Receiving reckless emails Being open to change Lunch clubs and the need for in-person community for optimal creativity Not forming ideas from assumptions Balancing rest and productivity https://thisisjamhot.com/ As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 19, 2025 · 14 min
Brew Brain Dump 7: The missing piece of a dream job!
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I share my Eureka! moment as I recognised a big lacking part of my dream job puzzle, and ask you to assess yours. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 18, 2025 · 20 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 14: AI mania, a moment under the station stairs, and lessons from a doctor
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': AI and the need for mental healthcare A moment of connection under the station stairs Lessons from a doctor The joys of getting lost As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 11, 2025 · 19 min
Ep 266: RECLAIM THE THRONE! Why regaining ownership of our minds begins with our arses
Reclaim the Throne is The Creative Condition’s campaign to recognise the need for a downtime revolution. The resistance to the big tech coup of our minds starts with our arses. From there, we will reclaim the bus stop, the park bench, the underground train, the taxi, waiting rooms, receptions, and the good old walk from A to B. These clutches of two, five, and ten-minute windows add up to a valuable, regular chunk of time to spend on something better than the algorithm sludge we’ve been pumping into our brains for too long. I hope you’ll join the cause and report back with news of your own glorious anointment. https://www.thecreativecondition.com/throne As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 4, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep 265: Choosing to be Creative with Zorana Pringle, Yale University Centre for Emotional Intelligence Senior Research Scientist
In 2025 the perception of creativity is still rooted in artistic talent. There are assumptions that our passions are already in us, waiting to be activated, and people continue to quit at the first hurdle when it comes to creating. I'm joined by Zorana Pringle, the Yale University Centre for Emotional Intelligence Senior Research Scientist and author of The Creativity Choice in which she challenges these damaging misunderstandings. We discuss creativity as a choice, something available to us all, and the differences between those who do and those who don't in a deep conversation! As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Today's guest, Zorana Pringle is here https://www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com/ Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Jun 2, 2025 · 13 min
Brew Brain Dump 6: Cowboys and Illustrators? And some thoughts on the productivity trap
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I explore shared themes between the Yellowstone cowboys and illustrators and challenge the productivity trap. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 28, 2025 · 18 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 13: Learnings from a lollipop lady, a cheap watch and me, a burst ball and productivity conditioning
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Learnings from a lollipop lady A burst basketball and productivity guilt as a learned behaviour My beautiful cheap watch and proud identity An unexpected meeting with the local council As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 21, 2025 · 37 min
Ep 264: Jessica Hische and Timothy Goodman on the PERSONAL in work live at Paradiso
Personal. Work. Personal work. What does any of it mean, and is there a rule about how personal work needs to be, or whether work and personal are best separate? Of course not! In creativity, there are no rules. I had the delight of chairing a conversation about all this between lettering artist and author Jessica Hische, and artist Timothy Goodman live at the inaugural Paradiso festival in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, and you can hear it now. A huge thank you to the co-founders of Paradiso Héctor Ayuso and Marko Pfann for their efforts, and the permission to share this conversation with The Creative Condition listeners. Check out their 2026 lineup and get your tickets here. As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Today's guests, Tala's can be seen here: https://jessicahische.is/ https://www.tgoodman.com/ Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 19, 2025 · 10 min
Brew Brain Dump 5: What Timothy Goodman said to me about the emotion in his art
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I reflect on something Timothy Goodman said to me in Mexico about emotion in our art and the trappings of disciplines. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 14, 2025 · 13 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 12: Existential night panics, reverting to beginner’s fear, the joy of straight shooters
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Existential night panics Reverting to beginner's fear The joy of straight shooters Reappraising my relationship with social media and people As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 12, 2025 · 12 min
Brew Brain Dump 4: Natalie’s garden and the importance of environment and cathartic creativity
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, join me as I listen into the soothing environment that is my neighbour's garden, and consider the importance of catharsis and our environments for creativity. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 7, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep 263: Tala Schlossberg on why being nice and making art is an act of counter culture in a turbulent world
Within minutes of meeting artist Tala Schlossberg ahead of our discussion panel with photographer Owen Harvey at the inaugural Paradiso in Mérida, Mexico, we were into the deep stuff. Tala is a visual artist known primarily for her fantastic animation work, but a pure artist in every sense. We covered human connection during the discussion panel, but there was so much more to be said. So, we caught up a few weeks later and got into the ongoing battle to stay mentally balanced, as a sensitive person, in a turbulent world. Do we live at a time when it's a radical act of counterculture to be genuinely nice to people and make art? As ever, The Creative Condition podcast is supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Today's guest, Tala's world is here: https://www.talaschlossberg.com/ Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
May 1, 2025 · 12 min
Brew Brain Dump 3: Thoughts on fear and unpredictability in creative work, and what can help
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, thoughts on what's changed after two tough freelancing years and a slightly better start to this year. Talking creative self-efficacy, unpredictability, joy in the unknown, and the need to be out having conversations around passions, attuned with our environment. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Apr 30, 2025 · 24 min
The Creativity Diary Entry 11: Sharing a life through art, little houses of Mérida, and designing a career
Covered in this week's instalment of 'The Creativity Diary': Designing a career Little houses in Mérida, Mexico My love of teaching creativity Sharing a life through art As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session now at https://thecreativecondition.com Access creativity resources, including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua
Apr 28, 2025 · 10 min
Brew Brain Dump 2: Creative self efficacy and personal enrichment
A moment with The Creative Condition founder Ben Tallon as he shares creativity-led thoughts, insights, lessons, feelings, and observations for the duration of one brew (hot beverage). Today, creative self-efficacy and enrichment for sustainable creativity. As ever supported by Illustration X https://illustrationx.com Work with me through the 'PIT STOP' one-stop creativity foundational coaching session or my 'The Creative Condition' workshop now at https://thecreativecondition.com/coach Access creativity resources including books, a reading list, and 300+ podcasts at https://thecreativecondition.com Help the Ukrainian Institute's brave creative community during a horrific time of war at https://ui.org.ua