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Have you ever wondered what secrets drive the most profound, successful, famous, and unique creatives?
Then the Creative Slash podcast is for you. We dig deep to discover the high-leverage concepts, philosophies, tools, weird obsessions, and quiet daily routines that fuel their success—the stuff that rarely gets talked about publicly.
You'll get an inside look at what really drives the world's greatest graphic designers, illustrators, and artists through in-depth interviews with creatives who've achieved both creative and financial success.
Hosted by Brad Woodard (bravethewoods.com) and Dustin Lee (retrosupply.co), each episode feels like you're hanging out with us after hours, having the kind of conversations that happen when the work day is done.
You'll walk away with fresh inspiration, new ideas, and practical advice you can actually use in both your creative work and personal life.
26 Episodes
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This might be the most vulnerable episode we’ve done. If you’ve ever felt like you’re a strange mix of interests… and haven’t figured out how they’re supposed to fit together — this one’s for you. After 25 interviews, we realized something The real pattern in creative careers isn’t in portfolios. It’s in the weird stuff. So in this episode, it’s just us. We dig into our own obsessions. Magic tricks, antique hunting, grade-school nostalgia, expensive tools, and self-doubt. Then connect the dot...
We sat down with Nathan Yoder and, somehow, the chat immediately swerved past tools and trend-talk into the good stuff: craft, philosophy, faith, and how to make work you actually care about in a world that keeps yelling “faster.” Nathan’s an analog-first illustrator, but the real takeaway isn’t how he works, it’s why. He’s thought hard about what matters, what he wants to put into the world, and how to stay honest inside that… even while tech (and now AI) keeps rearranging the furniture. In ...
This episode caught me off guard. Travis Robertson has done things that are, honestly, a little intimidating. Not just successful creative intimidating but hey-I-watched-you-in-movies-as-a-kid intimidating. The kind of stuff that makes you wonder if you’re qualified to be in the room. So yeah, I was a little nervous. But less than a minute after meeting him, it felt like talking to an old buddy. And as we talked the cool stuff he's done Travis kept talking about how he just… tried thing...
Katie Kirk makes work that feels bright, generous, and deeply human. As one half of Eight Hour Day, she’s spent her career building a studio known for warmth, clarity, and work that quietly holds up over time. In this episode, we get an unusually grounded look at what it actually takes to sustain a small independent design studio. Katie talks candidly about how her relationship to creativity has changed, how life pressure reshapes the work, and why staying small was always the point. Here’s s...
It’s a new year, and Brad and Dustin are taking inventory of their apps. In this no-fluff episode, they go deep into the creative, business, and life tools that actually made a difference in their workflows (and headspace) last year. From Adobe staples to surprise MVPs like CapCut and Headspace, they break down which apps earned their spot, which ones got the axe, and why some are just too good to quit. Expect real talk on controversial design tools, email marketing platforms, productivity st...
In this episode, Dustin Lee and Brad Woodard run an honest “advice audit” on the most popular guidance floating around the creative and digital creator world. We hit on ideas from people like Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Robert Greene, Alex Hormozi and other modern thought leaders. They sort through what’s genuinely useful, what’s overhyped, and what sounds inspiring but falls apart in real life when you’re juggling clients, deadlines, and a creative business. Along the way, they tran...
In this special holiday episode, co-hosts Dustin Lee and Brad Woodard sit down one-on-one to unpack the emotional chaos creatives face during the holiday season. From the thrill of hitting year-end sales goals to the creeping guilt of slowing down, they dig into the weird tension between hustle and rest. They talk goal-setting, holiday burnout, managing the “I should be working” voice in your head, and how to actually enjoy the quiet season without self-sabotage. If you’ve ever felt tor...
Dave Arcade creates art that prompts viewers to pause and examine the landscape. It's the kind of work that invites repeated visits, revealing fresh details, small stories, and references to pop culture each time, all complemented by expertly executed craftsmanship. In this episode, we get an unusually honest look at how those worlds come together: from obsessing over the concept to over-engineering (and then pulling back) to self-doubt. And, finally, the satisfaction of turning ambitio...
What do world-class logo design, Junior Olympic table tennis, and a mythical quest for the perfect Boo-Berry cereal have in common? Only Scott Fuller could tie them all together and somehow make it all practical, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt. In this episode, branding expert Scott Fuller lets us into his world: how he turns every client into a friend for life, why he’ll only trust barbers with beards “ten times better than his,”. We also get into the secret sauce behind how Scott ins...
In this episode, we sit down with lettering artist and illustrator Jason Carne. From haunted Airbnbs to growing up in a funeral home, we cover a lot of ground. We also dig into how style and priorities shift over a 20-year creative career. Here’s what we get into: How to survive as a freelancer for the long haul. Yes, the feast-or-famine cycle is real. But Jason’s picked up a few tricks along the way.How to deal with horrible clients. One of Jason’s early clients requested Nazi art. Hea...
In this episode, Brad and Dustin delve into the true meaning of risk and why most creatives have it completely wrong. From quitting safe jobs to launching businesses with no guarantees, they unpack what actually makes something risky. Brad shares the story of nearly getting knocked out of the game after a big risk went sideways, while Dustin breaks down how false safety in traditional jobs can quietly wreck your career. Stick around as they talk about risk mitigation, building a creativ...
In this episode, Marisol Ortega joins Brad and Dustin to talk about embracing her cultural identity through bold color, designing for brands like Starbucks and Hallmark, and why she finally stopped toning herself down to fit in. They cover everything from her early days hustling Craigslist gigs to turning her home into a plant-filled, Pepto-pink creative sanctuary. Marisol shares how meeting other Mexican designers in the industry gave her permission to be herself. It’s a fun, honest conver...
In this episode, Brad and Dustin talk through the frustrating gap between creative talent and actually getting hired. With over 250 applicants for a single RetroSupply role, Dustin shares his frustrations with finding the right hire and why even the most talented creatives are getting passed over. They break down real portfolio mistakes, the myth of “just being good,” and why a little bit of smart free work can set you apart in a crowded field. Stick around as they unpack what hiring manage...
In this episode, Josh Emrich joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a thriving design career even without a portfolio, learning the government’s beer label rules when nobody asked him to, and why some of the best creative work happens when no one ever sees it. They dive into everything from Josh’s quiet-kid upbringing to obsessively modeling Star Wars ships with blinking LEDs and trench runs built into his walls. Josh shares stories about mascot disasters, hidden talents, and how ...
In this episode, JP Boneyard joins Brad and Dustin to talk about building a concert series in a backyard shed, patiently emailing your heroes for 10 years straight, and why rejection isn’t scary when you have a sincere motive. They dive into everything from his tumultuous childhood to running massive art collabs like 59 Parks and the Baseline Review. JP shares wild stories about booking legends, getting mistaken for a networker (he’s not), and what it means to actually put artists first...
In this episode, Jen Hood (of Hoodzpah Design) joins Brad and Dustin to talk about making music in secret, accidentally hugging entire boardrooms, and why creative advice from people like tech bros doesn't always apply. They cover everything from the myth of being self-taught to designing physical products to starting side projects with zero budget. Jen drops hard-won wisdom about navigating creative burnout, building confidence, and staying curious, all while being her hilarious ...
In this episode, Josh joins Brad and Dustin to talk about the highs, lows, and existential crises behind running a creative conference today. From calling out “designfluencers” to chasing real, human stories on stage, Josh shares why the best speakers aren’t always the most famous. But don't worry, they also dive into important things like UFO conspiracies, wild Memphis experiences, and why post-pandemic creatives are craving connection, but not always showing up for it. Funny, honest, and f...
Mike Jones joins Dustin and Brad to talk about the realities of building a creative career while staying true to what matters most. From running Creative South to juggling family, side ventures, and health, Mike shares hard-won lessons on intentionality, delegation, and why kindness always pays off. This conversation isn’t about chasing likes or clout, it’s about learning to let go, be present, and build work and relationships that actually last. Packed with stories, laughter, and wisdom, it...
Have you ever read a quote from someone influential and wondered: “Is this actually good advice or do we just think it is because a famous person said it?” In this episode, we put that question to the test. Dustin presents Brad with a series of well-known quotes, without revealing who said them, and gets his unfiltered take on whether the advice holds up. The results? Surprisingly nuanced. Some quotes offer timeless wisdom. Others only work in very specific contexts. And a few dir...
Aaron Draplin doesn’t mince words. His ideas are as bold and unshakable as his design work. And on this sweltering afternoon in the Pacific Northwest, he was in a rare, reflective mood. From aliens to afterlives in design, Draplin opens up about what comes next after building a massive creative brand, and what it really means to start fresh. In this episode: The cosmic link between bugs, belief, and being a good humanWhat five months of dish shifts in Alaska taught him about freedomWhy ...
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