The NDA Podcast

Join your host & producer, Katie Cadwell & Hatty Wytton, as they reflect on Season 3. With a whole host of new listener stories and opinions, we look back on all the great conversations from the past 10 episodes – and talk about what’s next.Huge thanks to all our guests and contributors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pro bono work. Is it too good to be true? Some view it as a generous donation of our skills. Others as a strategic way to entice new clients. And for those who’ve been burned, believe it’s devaluing the industry.In the last episode of season 3, we’re joined by two industry heavyweights to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of working for free. Legendary Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram, who shares the story of her prolific pro-bono projects for The Public Theatre and other charities – and the importance of a collaborative relationship with creative freedom.While Mirella Arapian, Founder and ECD at MEK, started a studio with the intention of donating their time to pro-bono projects – but the reality was more complex than they realised. Low effort from clients, endless rounds of feedback, scope creep and lackluster creative results. So what is the key to pro bono projects that benefit studios and clients alike? And are we doing a disservice to the industry by giving away our skills for free, even if it is for a good cause.Join us in an honest, authentic conversation about generosity, labour, and where to draw the line.—Netflix documentary: ‘Abstract: The Art of Design’ DAIS 10 year project: https://dais.com.au/passion-project/ten-year-project-2020-2030/The One Percent programme: https://buildingelements.com/theonepercent/Studio Every: https://www.studioevery.com/perspectives/-2-weeks-2-charitiesJonty Sharples article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pro-bono-sucks-everyones-blame-jonty-sharples/The Resourceful Designer article: https://www.resourcefuldesigner.com/navigating-pro-bono-design-work-for-non-profits-and-charities-rd320/—Stories: Jennie Potts, Martin Boath & Andy Cooke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are around 2 million posts published on Linkedin every day. Once a business platform, it has become the home of the ‘professional personal brand’.Creative leaders are fighting in the feed for engagement – chiming in with thought-leadership, hot takes and opinions of the work & world. The pressure to have an online persona (and a following to match) is bigger than ever.This week we’re asking, is building your personal brand a smart business tool, or just a way to chase validation and satiate our egos?Joined by two titans of the feed, Amy Kean (CEO & Creative Director of Good Shout) and Helena Langdon (Freelance Copywriter / Comedy Writer) – we asked them if they believe they’re influencers. We talk about the wins and losses of growing an online following. Fears of being cancelled, trolls, time wasting, and whether they reap the rewards of their investment.A candid conversation about whether the algorithm is really worth your energy.—Statistics: https://www.cognism.com/blog/linkedin-statistics#:~:text=Content%20Impressions:%20LinkedIn%20generates%209,45.Gender article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/22/bro-boost-women-find-linkedin-traffic-drives-if-they-pretend-to-be-men Book: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams AI content: https://originality.ai/blog/ai-content-published-linkedin#Creative Boom article: https://www.creativeboom.com/tips/what-the-heck-is-a-personal-brand-in-2025/Creator economy: https://digiday.com/media/linkedin-emerges-as-a-serious-player-in-the-creator-economy/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/noam-nisand_linkedins-biggest-growth-is-coming-these-activity-7364574631187406848-ysdH/Huge thanks to all our anonymous contributors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The creative industry loves to talk about creatives. But what about the hidden army of people that keep our studios afloat?The split of creative vs ‘non-creative’ roles is around 50/50 – but it’s rare to hear from those behind the scenes. Client services, operations, finance, HR… Seen as the vital cogs to a studio's success, but too often reduced to emails, admin, or budget police.This week, we’re joined by Katie Lyons (Studio Manager at Pentagram) & Anna Victor (Business Lead at Mother Design) to unpack how they define themselves, whether they feel valued, and if they get enough credit.From being ignored in crits, reduced to admin, shielding teams from chaotic clients, impossible budgets, and emotional fallout — they share the invisible labour, the cliche “bad guy” role, and what they wish the industry would do to make them feel welcome.This is a candid conversation about how we can better support, and celebrate, the backbone of the creative industry. —HS Creative Operations: https://www.henrystewartconferences.com/creative-operationsInside Out Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-future-of-in-house-creative-leadership/id1747200978The Industry Club: https://www.theindustryclub.co.uk/trainingHuge thanks to all our anonymous stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To partner or not to partner?83% of our listeners say they want a business partner. But the reality? It’s complicated. You spend more time with your co-founder than you do your family. How do you choose the right person to go into business with? Handle conflict when creativity clashes with cash? And what is it like for the teams caught in the middle of founder tension?In this episode, we unpack the partnership recipe: why most billion-dollar startups are built by teams, why solo founders are more likely to survive, and why partnerships fail more often than we like to admit. Joined by two brilliant creative duos – veteran partners Matt Baxter & Dom Bailey (Baxter & Bailey) and a new relationship, Gemma Ballinger & Johanna Drewe (Output)From two-person dream teams to three-way creative standoffs, married co-founders to messy breakups – this is a frank, unfiltered conversation about building (and breaking) business relationships.—Partnership stats: https://startersreview.com/solo-or-sidekick-weighing-the-pros-and-cons-of-business-partnerships/https://www.equidam.com/the-case-for-solo-founders/Creative Counsel with Brittany Ratelle Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-start-and-fix-your-business-partnerships-with/id1314211690?i=1000585724842Co-founders Lab: https://cofounderslab.com/Partnership Agreement: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/partnership-agreement-guidanceStories: James KapeHuge thank you for all the anonymous stories in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the episode you’ve been asking for — and the one we were nervous to record.When we asked our listeners if they’d experienced burnout, 97% said yes. Nearly a quarter have been signed off work. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a sign of an industry that’s ignoring the primary reason for losing their workforce.In this episode, we talk honestly about what burnout really looks like: physical symptoms, loneliness, losing creativity, and forgetting your purpose. Joined by two guests with lived experience, James Horwitz (Founder of Two Times Elliott) & Rebecca Price (Previous Senior Brand Manager at Monotype) and a whole host of anonymous listener submissions. We’re unpacking how burnout happens, how it affects business, whose responsibility it is, and why so many people feel unable to speak up.If you’ve ever been on the burnout scale, this episode is for you. Content note: this episode includes discussion of panic attacks and mental health struggles.—Jackie Ivy TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nunvox1QqVsMental health burnout report: https://euc7zxtct58.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/16142505/Mental-Health-UK_The-Burnout-Report-2025.pdfEmmi Salonen ‘The Creative Wellbeing handbook’: https://www.creativeecosystem.org/bookNHS burnout resources: https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/newcastle-occupational-health-service/information-for-staff/covid-support-materials/managing-occupational-burnout/Stories: Megan Fry, Chris WilsonHuge thank you for all the anonymous stories in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many disabled creatives have you worked with?27% of the EU population has a disability. By the time we all reach 65, half of us will be disabled. But the creative industry? Surprise, surprise, that number drops to just 12%.We went on a mission to find out why — and ask some of the questions we’re all afraid to. Like, how do I approach someone to find out about their disability? What words can’t I use? Will it get me cancelled? Is my studio accessible? What does that actually look like?And most importantly, what more can we be doing?To answer all our questions, we’re joined by Paul Hewitt (Executive Creative Director at That Lot) and Julie Seal (Founder & CCO Republic of Imagination) in a candid conversation about their experiences being disabled creatives.— Stats: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/disability-eu-facts-figures/https://advertisingallin.co.uk/ (The stat included in the episode was based on the 2021 census, there has since been new data released which has seen a rise from 9% to 12%)https://creativeaccess.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/01/disability-report-28th-nov.pdfRyan Hudson-Peralta: https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2022/01/19/ryan-hudson-peralta-designing-with-a-disabilityGeorgia Lupi: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/14/opinion/my-life-with-long-covid.htmlCreative Equals: https://www.creativeequals.org/disabledcreativesSCOPE: https://www.scope.org.uk/ Stories: Opal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our freelance listeners are furious – and maybe they have a right to be.Cancelled bookings. Late payments. Chaotic onboarding. Loneliness. But with nearly half of the creative industry being self-employed and studios relying on freelancers to bolster their teams, what’s going wrong?This week, we talk to two experts in all things freelance. Sadia Noor, Creative Partner at Small World shares what it’s like to run an entirely freelance model. Matthew Knight, Chief Freelance Officer at The Independency Co. discusses the issues his community encounters time and time again.They discuss the benefits of hiring freelance talent, the biggest frustrations, and what we need to do to help change the way the industry looks after its largest talent pool.— Stats: https://www.leapers.co/research/2024/#chapter-headlineshttps://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/03/report-finds-creative-freelancers-hit-by-loss-of-work-late-pay-and-rise-of-ai/#https://www.thedoers.co.uk/blog/are-freelancers-more-productive-than-employeesLeapers: https://www.leapers.co/ Freelancing support: https://www.freelancing.support/resources/guide-to/dealing-with-late-payments/at-a-glance/WithJack: https://withjack.co.uk/South West Freelancers: Kerry WheelerStories: Sam Edwards / Tarn / Ellen / Chris Greenwood / Miltos Bottis / Jack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the rise in conversations around ‘working mums’, we wondered, why don’t we call fathers ‘working dads’?As we strive for equal parenting, Dads are picking up more of the mental, emotional and physical load of raising children. Juggling being hands-on both at home and in the studio. All with less parental leave, less support and less opportunity to share how they’re coping.Our two guests are fathers of children, teenagers and creative teams, Ali Ozden (Universal Favourite) & Jamie Ellul (Supple Studio)We asked them how becoming Designer Dads has impacted their careers, creativity and mental health (and if they want their children to follow in their footsteps)–Stats: https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/70-of-dads-who-didnt-take-their-full-paternity-leave-entitlement-had-to-cut-it-short-due-to-cost/https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/familiesandthelabourmarketengland/2019https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/why-we-are-campaigning-for-6-weeks-paid-paternity-leave/Dadwell & Co: https://dadwell.co/Fathercraft: https://fathercraft.com/fathers-ed/Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/Calm: https://www.thecalmzone.net/Andys Man Club: https://andysmanclub.co.uk/groups/Tommys: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/dads-and-partners/looking-after-your-mental-health-after-baby-bornStories: Samuel / Lee Davies / Jack Trotman / Sam / Adam Ding–The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is a fact that multicultural teams outperform homogeneous ones.But roughly 9% of the design industry is made up of people in minority groups, whereas the wider workforce is 17%. And that’s not factoring in how many of those are in junior positions.So why are we taking so long to catch up?Our guests in this episode think there’s too much talk, and not enough action. So join us, Andy Khatouli & Priyjah Paramasivam as we ask them –How they’re perceived in studios and whether they feel the need to mask their authentic selves?What it’s like being the only voice in the room calling things out, or being pushed into the role of ’spokesperson’ for diversity?And ultimately, what is our industry missing out on by not welcoming different cultures with open arms.–There are some brilliant orgs really doing the work to rebalance our industry. Make sure you check them out.Stats: https://www.cipd.org/uk/about/news/managing-multicultural-teams/Andy’s article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/other-0-andrew-khatouli-7sqkc/Ahmed Abokor’s article: https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/ahmed-abokor-on-being-a-black-creative-in-a-homogenous-industry-opinion-240620Samar Maakaroun intervew: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/typography-expression-language-identity-dad-jury-president-samar-grnde/ POCC: https://www.instagram.com/wearepocc/?hl=enOtherbox: https://otherbox.co/Stories: Kay / Agata Gray / Sibin –The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with Season Three.Debating and debunking all the biggest secrets in the creative industry. Joined by leaders from all the best design and advertising agencies, we'll be talking about the issues usually kept under NDA – and hearing from our listeners with anonymous stories, to really hear what's going on in our studios.Tune in every Wednesday.–The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host & producer, Katie Cadwell & Hatty Wytton, as they reflect on Season 2. With a whole host of new listener stories and opinions, we look back on all the great conversations from the past 10 episodes – and talk about what’s next.Huge thanks to all our guests and contributors.—————Comments from: Pearse O’Halloran / @pearseohalloranMirella Arapian / @mek.studioMike Andrews / @mandrews.studioVictoria Mackintosh Algy Batten / @algybattenSonia Uznadze /@sonia.uzEmile Chen / @spottedbyemMark Adams / @markadamspictures Sophie Bowyer / @sophierbowyer_creative Natassia Swulinska / @swulinstaIsaac / @isaacnnz Kim Majkut / @kimmajkut Graham Wood / @grahamwood7 Hannah Gander / @gander.hannah Design Business Council / @designbusinesscouncilJamie Samman / @jamiesammanMaisie Benson / @_maisiebensonSarah Grech / @grechsarLucy Hobbs / @lucykhobbsHB Thompson David Nichols   Ben Mottershead / @_studiobnd_ Ash Schofield / ash_schoRachel Lewis / rachel.lewis.designRoy Murphy / @g3nr8Laura Shepherd / @ls528Adnaan Narot / @loveandmoney.agency Alister Shapley / @alistershapleyprint Eve Warren / eveawarrenJames Horwitz / @twotimeselliottTim Perry / @timperryconsultingMentions: https://cleancreatives.org/ / @clean_creativeshttps://withjack.co.uk/ / @_withjack https://www.nevernotcreative.org/never-not-finishing-school / @nvrnotcreative https://www.itsnicethat.com/authors/katie-cadwell / @itsnicethatRefs: Clean Creatives on the Edelman Trust Barometer: https://cleancreatives.org/news/edelman-trust-barometer-fact-checkRichard Prince lawsuit - ​​https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/arts/design/richard-prince-copyright-lawsuit.htmlAndy Warhol lawsuit - https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/warhol-foundation-settles-lawsuit-lynn-goldsmith-prince-series-1234700191/Anthropic AI lawsuit - https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/anthropic-asks-court-to-prune-universal-lawsuit-to-focus-court-battle-on-whether-it-is-fair-use-to-train-ai-using-copyrighted-works/Arts and Crafts movement - https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/arts-and-crafts-an-introduction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

83% of NDA followers have pitched for a project.Widely debated and often condemned, pitching for creative work is still rife. In an economic climate that gives clients more power than ever, we’re seeing a steady return to speculative work to win projects. We want to get to the bottom of it, talking to Leo Porto & Felipe Rocha (Porto Rocha), who have publicly declared their anti-pitching stance, and Toby Wilkinson (AUFI), who is privy to more studio pitch decks than most, working closely with brands to help them find the right agency partner.We also invite the clients in — with anonymous stories from their point of view, we try to unpack who really benefits from the ambiguity of the ‘pitching’ process.Asking questions like… Why do clients need pitches to choose partners? Do creative teams enjoy working on them? Is the condensed process devaluing creativity? Does it create inequity in the industry? How can we change that?And, let's be honest, does everyone have a project they would throw their morals away for?Credits —Small print: British Design Association resources - https://www.dba.org.uk/members-area/resources/?keyword=free+pitchAUFI guides - https://aufi.com/insights/good-agency-relationshipPaul Woods, How to do great work without being an arsehole - https://www.amazon.com/Great-Work-Without-Being-Asshole/dp/1786273918Mentions: No free pitches - https://nofreepitches.com/Stories: Rita Juárez / Jenny PowellSponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who has the best ideas – humans or robots?The topic on everyone’s feeds. AI is snowballing faster than anyone can keep up with, with billions of dollars being invested, new models appearing everyday, and a plethora of opinions to boot.But, how does this relate to the creative industry? Some are embracing it, others fear it, and some feel underwhelmed by it. In today’s episode, we want to understand its role in our process.Joined by our guests Pip Bingemann (Co-founder of springboards.ai) & Jess Macintyre (Co-founder of Mac+Moore) we discuss whether it’s homogenising creativity. How it impacts those at the start of their career. Whether it adds or subtracts value from creatives. Who we’re trusting to build the models – and to what extent it’s perpetuating the worst parts of society.A great summary conversation about AI and creativity – a good place to start if you’re unsure how it can benefit your practice. But remember, use responsibly.Credits —Small print:Midjourney - https://discord.com/invite/midjourneyRunway - https://runwayml.com/Not Content - https://www.notcontent.ai/Monika - https://m-o-n-i-k-a.com/Paige - https://air.inc/paigeIt’s Nice That, Shades of Intelligence https://www.itsnicethat.com/shades-of-intelligenceMarcus Byrne, 101 prompt secretshttps://marcusbyrne.gumroad.com/l/101promptsecretsbookMentions:Zoe Scaman, Strategy in the era of AIhttps://zoescaman.substack.com/p/strategy-in-the-era-of-aiOrlaith Wood, Why AI is the kick up the arse copywriters need https://www.creativereview.co.uk/ai-copywriting-reed-words/Stories: Jack Wimmer (Monika) / Engy Elboreini (@engythedesigner) Sponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the agency model as we know it dying out? Big office spaces, permanent teams, mandatory in-person working, rigid processes and hierarchies — all symbols of the traditional creative studios that have been pillars of the industry for decades.But the pandemic accelerated the rise of the small agency. Those working in a nimble way, remote from anywhere in the world, with bespoke freelance teams built for each project.So, which one is better? Together with Ayo Fagbemi (Explorers Club) & Andy Cooke (Creative Director) we discuss how the different models impact creativity, hiring talent and building a culture — and what clients are looking for; if they want to be seen with the latest ‘underdog agency’ or have the kudos of working with one of the legends.It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story. We try to guess who will come out on top. And ask if the established agencies don’t adapt, are they destined for extinction?Credits —Small print:Dan Salkey (Small World), Hub and spoke creative agencieshttps://www.contagious.com/news-and-views/hub-and-spoke-creative-agencies-why-this-time-its-differentStephanie McCarty, Here’s my beef with ad agencieshttps://www.adweek.com/agencies/cmo-ad-agency-model-broken/Comprehensive flexibilityhttps://hbr.org/2023/08/the-radical-promise-of-truly-flexible-workMentions: Collins New York CoffeehouseStories: Naomi Dacosta (NDC Creative) / Dylan Young (Koto)Sponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the industry taboos – ageing.Joined by two creatives proudly in ‘mid-life’, Michael Johnson (Johnson Banks) & Jane Evans (Visible Inc.) we’re asking all the questions no one else dares.Hearing the statistics on age diversity in the industry, it’s obvious there are empty seats where older creatives should be. To figure out why that is, we discuss how ageing is perceived. And how these outdated views of ageing are impacting our agency diversity.We talk about clients, and whether they care about the age of their partners. Do they want energised young scrappy upstarts, or mature teams with a proven track record? We hypothesise why there’s a big drop off, as our guests reflect on where their peers are now. Asking them when they were doing their best work, and if their creativity is as fierce now as it was in their 20s. And what next? Talking about how to ‘be relevant’ in an ever-changing landscape, and what retirement looks like for this generation.Ultimately, our guests believe that mid-life creatives are a huge untapped resource, ready to help us access the largest consumer group. So if that’s true, where are they? And why isn’t anyone harnessing their power?Credits —Small print: Invisible to Invaluable: Unleashing the Power of Mid-Life Women, Jane EvansVisible Start - https://visiblestart.com/Olivia Stubbings ‘The Late Radicals’ for the IPA Excellence Diploma in Brands -https://ipa.co.uk/knowledge/ipa-blog/the-late-radicalsMentions: Vera Wang / JR Tolkein / Barabara Beskind / Anne RothensteinStories: Brett Allan / Belinda HubbalSponsored by Lucky Dipluckydip.studioGet in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we want to understand what it’s like for juniors entering the creative industry. We’re asking who’s responsible for their success, and if we might be failing them.We talk to DINES (STUDIO BLUP) & Ellen Ling (LINGO) about whether the expectations we’re placing on our newest creatives are unrealistic. Can we really expect them to be multi-disciplined? What about having side hustles, or knowing what their creative passions are? Job role descriptions seem to be asking for all that and more. We learn that juniors are feeling undervalued, overworked, and underpaid — as though their development is the last on the priority list. We also discuss veteran creatives’ experiences working with young talent. Some think juniors are having an easier time today, and others feel they are coming out of universities less prepared for agency life than ever before. Ultimately, we unpack if we, both as individuals and the industry at large, support the next generation. Are we expecting too much? Do we secretly want them to have the same (traumatic) initiation as some of us did?Or is the fact they’re raising the bar better for us all?Credits —Small print: Blup Academy - https://studioblup.com/academy/Somerset House, ‘Upgrade Yourself’ - https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/inclusive-talent-engagement/upgrade-yourself-creative-industry-placements-participantsShillington - https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/uk/Mentions: Mother / Dixon Baxi / Havas / Wolff Olins / New Blood / D&ADStories: Jenny Potts / Hello Katy StudioSponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time, NDA is coming to you live from Birmingham Design Festival. Host Katie Cadwell sits down with Christopher Doyle (CD&Co) and Elise Santangelo-Rous to demystify culture in creative agencies. Alongside the BDF audience, they explore how culture shapes the intangible yet essential energy within a studio, influencing everything from employee satisfaction to client relationships.We put them on the stage, and on the spot. We discuss if it’s possible to cultivate culture when it’s so difficult to define, and how integral business leaders are in setting the studio tone. We chat about toxic culture – why it can turn sour, and whether there’s any way to save it. And we ask some tricky questions; does culture impact the standard of creative work? Can a nurturing workplace be compatible with a high performance one? And when it comes to building your teams, is ‘culture fit’ really outdated & irrelevant? A brilliant conversation where we discover that culture needs a lot more than ping-pong tables & Friday beers.Credits —Small print: BBC ‘Office culture is dead’ - https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240229-office-culture-is-deadDare to Lead Podcast ‘How toxic cultures are driving the great resignation’ -https://brenebrown.com/podcast/how-toxic-work-cultures-are-driving-the-great-resignation/It’s Nice That’s ‘Top Creative Company’ awards - https://topcreativecompanies.com/A huge thank you to Dan & Luke from Birmingham Design Festival for inviting us, and to Lánre for the tech support.Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the harsh realities that new parents, especially mothers, face in the creative industry. From announcing your pregnancy to the daunting return post-baby and beyond — what effect does parenthood have on your career, your creativity, and how you navigate your professional life?Guests Rachel Allison, Founder of Axe + Saw, and Laura Randall, Creative Director, share their personal experiences of motherhood. Telling candid stories about how their careers have changed since starting a family. Alongside their tales, we hear from listeners who have experienced discrimination at the hands of the creative industry.We try to uncover what contributes to the stigma mothers face in the industry. Asking tough questions like, how do you stay relevant after taking maternity leave? Do your peers feel slighted when you have to leave for the school run? Is it bad for business? And do you really come back at 100%?This episode is an eye-opening conversation unpacking why so many mothers choose to leave our industry entirely, and what we can all do to start to change that.Credits —Stories: Emma Watson / Amy Gettings / Halley Anne Kennedy / Mary Vertfulo Mentions: Lucy WernerSmall print: Creative Equals https://www.creativeequals.org/blog/the-30-women-trailblazing-in-creative-right-nowExplained: Why women are paid less https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8dLUxBfsUPeanut app https://www.peanut-app.io/Invisible Mother’s campaign https://invisible-mothers.peanut-app.io/Pregnant Then Screwed https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/Study https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/1-in-61-pregnant-women-say-their-boss-insinuated-they-should-have-an-abortion/The Good Return https://bima.co.uk/the-good-return/Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re tackling the epidemic of copying in the creative industry. Whether you’re the copied or the copier, originality is a constant battle for creatives. We’re exploring the emotional and practical impacts of being ripped off. Malika Favre, globally renowned French artist, is arguably one of the most copied creatives of the past decade. She shares her journey from anger to legal action, and how it has impacted her business. Lifting the lid on what it looks like (and can cost) to go after copycats.Tyler Hendy, design lead at New Commercial Arts and creative on the recently controversial Nationwide rebrand, recounts how the industry responded to his work. Sharing learnings from that experience, both in his creative process and how work is presented online.Ultimately, we try to unpick how to best defend your ideas and your style, and if the elusive search for originality is achievable. Credits —Stories: Rita Juárez / Louise Lockhart @theprintedpeanut Mentions: Mot3l / M&S / Daren Thomas Magee @fakefunwow Small print: The Red Hand Files - https://www.theredhandfiles.com/originality-hard-to-obtain/AOI resources - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/AOI ‘Keep your copyright campaign - https://theaoi.com/campaigning/campaigns/consultations-blocks-2/keep-your-copyright/Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.