
The Creative Condition podcast
Welcome to 'The Creative Condition' podcast: an ongoing exploration of human creativity to help you understand and maximise yours.The show is hosted by creativity coach, Founder of The Creative Condition, and The New York Times, Adidas, and Premier League 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. Featuring exclusive interviews with experts and thought leaders, including illustrators, rock stars, artists, sensitivity experts, designers, emergency service workers, Olympic gold medal winners, comedians, microbiologists, photographers, fighters, and many others.Supported by founding sponsor illustrationx.comAlso supported by the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.ua
Latest episodes

Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 21min
Ep 246: The New Yorker staff writer and author of 'Filterworld' Kyle Chayka on the death of creativity by algorithm
The New Yorker staff writer and author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture Kyla Chayka details the trajectory of the internet from human-curated and cultivated passions to algorithmic conformity and sameness. Please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! And please, TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SHOW!To see the information on the group and individual coaching opportunities, head here!https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/filterworld-how-algorithms-flattened-culture-kyle-chayka/7590771?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATYRIbzEOHSkWygTXQLp1-4481W38CRKQgqujFc2CFvagFMdNih4T7gaAjw2EALw_wcBand the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Oct 9, 2024 • 42min
HIGHLIGHTS: Episode 246 with The New Yorker staff writer Kyla Chayka
The full length episode is also available now!The New Yorker staff writer and author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture Kyla Chayka details the trajectory of the internet from human-curated and cultivated passions to algorithmic conformity and sameness.Please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! And please, TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SHOW!To see the information on the group and individual coaching opportunities, head here!https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/filterworld-how-algorithms-flattened-culture-kyle-chayka/7590771?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATYRIbzEOHSkWygTXQLp1-4481W38CRKQgqujFc2CFvagFMdNih4T7gaAjw2EALw_wcBand the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Oct 2, 2024 • 37min
Ep 245: Creating your vision. How visualising your creative utopia can create forward motion and flow
Creating a vision on paper helped me to make sense of a very scattered brain and regain some momentarily displaced passions, so I wanted to share the exercise with you.I was shocked at how many needs, hopes, and fears I brought to the surface during this exercise from The Creative Condition coaching program.Why have a vision? How fantastic can it be? And what about real-world constraints?I'd love to see yours, so share at hello@bentallon.com or on Linkedin or Instagram and we can discuss it!Please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to the show!To see the information on the group and individual coaching opportunities, head here!https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 26, 2024 • 13min
What we learned about creativity from: Mentor and artist Joanna Henly
Here are the key takeaway learnings about creativity from:After many years working as a full-time illustrator as Miss Led, Joanna Henly has grown. Returning to the show for the 3rd time, Joanna reflects on her 5 years helping others as a mentor, balancing it with her art practice, and the personal understanding and acceptance it's required.We get into sensitivity, the importance of 'white space' to think, process, and develop relationships with all things key to optimal creativity.Joanna moved from London to Lisbon to find more of that white space and time to think, and she details that change, and why that uncertainty is necessary.https://www.joannahenly.co.uk/https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 25, 2024 • 40min
HIGHLIGHTS of: Joanna Henly on change, understanding the self to help others, and balancing mentoring with her art
(The full-length edition of this show is also out now)After many years working as a full-time illustrator as Miss Led, Joanna Henly has grown. Returning to the show for the 3rd time, Joanna reflects on her 5 years helping others as a mentor, balancing it with her art practice, and the personal understanding and acceptance it's required.We get into sensitivity, the importance of 'white space' to think, process, and develop relationships with all things key to optimal creativity.Joanna moved from London to Lisbon to find more of that white space and time to think, and she details that change, and why that uncertainty is necessary.https://www.joannahenly.co.uk/https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 33min
Ep 244: Joanna Henly on change, understanding the self to help others, and balancing mentoring with her art
(The highlights edition of this episode is also out now)After many years working as a full-time illustrator as Miss Led, Joanna Henly has grown. Returning to the show for the 3rd time, Joanna reflects on her 5 years helping others as a mentor, balancing it with her art practice, and the personal understanding and acceptance it's required.We get into sensitivity, the importance of 'white space' to think, process, and develop relationships with all things key to optimal creativity.Joanna moved from London to Lisbon to find more of that white space and time to think, and she details that change, and why that uncertainty is necessary.https://www.joannahenly.co.uk/https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 19, 2024 • 14min
What we learned about creativity from: Professor Carlos Moreno
The full-length and highlights editions of episode 243 are also out now!What we learned about creativity from:Professor Carlos Moreno, a specialist in the intelligent control of complex systems joins me to discuss the urgency to rethink the design of urban infrastructure in the face of the climate crisis among other collective problems.Author and pioneer of The 15-minute City, Carlos is a huge proponent of humancentric design, putting communities, creativity, and collective voices over capitalism-led planning.He explains his vision, why we have become so disconnected, and disaffected, and the role of the automotive industry in breaking up neighbourhoods, leading to marginalisation and inequality.One of the world's great minds brings some fantastic possibilities to The Creative Condition.https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-15-minute-city-a-solution-to-saving-our-time-and-our-planet-carlos-moreno/7627781https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAARSRwcBlT7inbfERe9iTxLLGhSfmB4TDCM&keywords=carlos%20moreno&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=dc31c44b-e817-4f25-93bd-68dd31a3568e&sid=h0O&spellCorrectionEnabled=falsehttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 30min
Ep 243: Designing creative, community & human first cities with Professor Carlos Moreno
The highlights episode is also out now!Professor Carlos Moreno, a specialist in the intelligent control of complex systems joins me to discuss the urgency to rethink the design of urban infrastructure in the face of the climate crisis among other collective problems.Author and pioneer of The 15-minute City, Carlos is a huge proponent of humancentric design, putting communities, creativity, and collective voices over capitalism-led planning.He explains his vision, why we have become so disconnected, and disaffected, and the role of the automotive industry in breaking up neighbourhoods, leading to marginalisation and inequality.One of the world's great minds brings some fantastic possibilities to The Creative Condition.https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-15-minute-city-a-solution-to-saving-our-time-and-our-planet-carlos-moreno/7627781https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAARSRwcBlT7inbfERe9iTxLLGhSfmB4TDCM&keywords=carlos%20moreno&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=dc31c44b-e817-4f25-93bd-68dd31a3568e&sid=h0O&spellCorrectionEnabled=falsehttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 18, 2024 • 44min
HIGHLIGHTS of: designing creative, community & human first cities with Professor Carlos Moreno
The full-length episode is also out now!Professor Carlos Moreno, a specialist in the intelligent control of complex systems joins me to discuss the urgency to rethink the design of urban infrastructure in the face of the climate crisis among other collective problems.Author and pioneer of The 15-minute City, Carlos is a huge proponent of humancentric design, putting communities, creativity, and collective voices over capitalism-led planning.He explains his vision, why we have become so disconnected, and disaffected, and the role of the automotive industry in breaking up neighbourhoods, leading to marginalisation and inequality.One of the world's great minds brings some fantastic possibilities to The Creative Condition.https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-15-minute-city-a-solution-to-saving-our-time-and-our-planet-carlos-moreno/7627781https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAAARSRwcBlT7inbfERe9iTxLLGhSfmB4TDCM&keywords=carlos%20moreno&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=dc31c44b-e817-4f25-93bd-68dd31a3568e&sid=h0O&spellCorrectionEnabled=falsehttps://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition

Sep 12, 2024 • 11min
What we learned about creativity from: Incoming TBWA Global CEO Erin Riley
You can listen to both the highlights and full-length episode with Erin now!There's a lot of fear out there. Pitching. Testing. Neurotesting. Data power. Nobody wants to fail and so nobody succeeds in the way those big, juicy, swaggering advertising campaigns can when the right balance of idea, risk, and attention to detail is struck.Erin Riley is moving up from U.S. CEO of TBWA/Chiat/Day, one of the world's biggest advertising agencies, to Global CEO of TBWA and we sit down right after the news to discuss why she wants to fight for creativity, to break through the algorithmic flattening of culture, and cultivate working environments that encourage risk and bold ideas.Erin worked client side under advertising legend Sir John Hegarty (Episode 75 for John), before taking a series of promotions. We get into her background, why her parents' encouragement to find her voice and build her identity was crucial, and what a CEO must do in a company with over 11,000 employees, trading on creativity.https://www.TBWA.com/https://bentallonwriter.com/shop for The Creative Condition book and the brand new 'Anatomy of Creativity' map.Sponsored as ever by https://illustrationx.com who have a superb new quarterly illustration trends report here: https://www.illustrationx.com/uk/news/5992/trendx_-_april_2024and the Ukrainian Institute https://ui.org.uaHosted by Ben Tallon https://bentallon.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tallon-a822a725/https://www.youtube.com/@_TheCreativeCondition
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.