The NDA Podcast

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.

Matthew Knight, founder of The Independency, focuses on improving freelancer-employer relationships, while Sadia Noor, a creative partner at Small World, runs a fully freelance creative team. Together, they explore the frustrations freelancers face, including canceled projects and late payments. They discuss the importance of treating freelancers as integral team members and the need for better communication. The duo also highlights the significance of community support for mental well-being and ways to empower freelancers in their creative endeavors.

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.

Max Ottignon, co-founder of Ragged Edge, shares his experience managing a creative business during tumultuous times. Caterina Bianchini, co-founder of Studio Nari, discusses the financial hurdles small studios face. Together, they explore the struggles of pricing strategies and the impact of shrinking budgets on creative work. The duo emphasizes the need for transparency, adaptability, and clear client communication while navigating economic uncertainties. Their insights paint a revealing picture of the creative landscape amidst rising costs and evolving client expectations.

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.