Creative Pep Talk
Andy J. Pizza
A Weekly Podcast Companion for Your Creative JourneyTransform your creative potential into reality by making your creativity a practice. A “creative discipline” can feel like an oxymoron. Creativity is about doing something new. Discipline is about doing something consistently. The aim of this podcast is to help you strike that elusive balance. Each week, New York Times Bestselling Author Illustrator Andy J. Pizza shares everything he’s learning about building a thriving creative practice. Through solo episodes and interviews with top-tier creatives, Pizza brings you the strategies and stories that you need week in and week out to keep your inner critic at bay, bust through creative blocks and stay creatively pepped to the max!!Learn more: creativepeptalk.comCheck out the host: andyjpizza.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 38min
519 - Access Imagination and Intuition that Ai Can’t Touch with Angus Fletcher PhD
Angus Fletcher, an expert in story and neuroscience with a PhD from Yale, discusses accessing deeper levels of creativity through his concept of 'Primal Intelligence.' He emphasizes how human intuition and narrative thought can outshine AI’s capabilities. The conversation covers the challenges of storytelling, the importance of personal narratives, and critiques traditional education for stifling curiosity. Listeners are encouraged to engage in real-time exercises to enhance their creativity and embrace the complexities of art in an AI-driven world.
Aug 20, 2025 • 37min
518 - The Hope I Found in This Rapidly Changing Creative Landscape
Feeling overwhelmed by rapid changes in the creative world? Discover personal insights that transform panic into hope. The conversation emphasizes the power of handmade artistry and live performances in an evolving landscape. Listeners are encouraged to embrace new experiences and adapt their craft, drawing parallels to local pizza variations. The shift from social media platforms lends itself to emotional acceptance and deeper engagement with creativity. Gain tools for resilience and inspiration to navigate your unique artistic journey.
Aug 13, 2025 • 49min
CPT Presents: The Ghost Frame Podcast Episode 1 "The Endless Hallway"
In this engaging discussion, Sarah Beth Morgan, an animator and the creator of the Ghost Frame podcast, along with Kruthi Hindupur, a former aerospace PhD turned animation technical director, and Alec Cummings, a wine director who once animated, delve into the emotional rollercoaster of creative careers. They tackle the challenges of navigating unexpected career transitions, the impact of tech changes on the industry, and how personal happiness became a focal point during the pandemic. The journey from isolation to community is particularly enlightening.
Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 11min
517 - How to Turn Business Pressures into a Fun Creative Project with Yowei Shaw
Yowei Shaw, an emotional investigative journalist and creator of the acclaimed Proxy podcast, shares her insights on turning business pressures into creative fuel. She discusses the energizing power of owning both successes and failures in creative projects. Yowei highlights the significance of constraints as opportunities for storytelling and explores the delicate balance between art and therapy. The conversation also touches on nurturing dedicated audiences and the playful side of creativity, making this a must-listen for anyone navigating their artistic journey.
15 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h
516 - How to Recognize Your Ideas, Juggling Different Roles and More with Cartoonist Grant Snider
Grant Snider, a talented cartoonist and part-time orthodontist, shares his journey of balancing dual careers. He emphasizes that creative ideas manifest differently for everyone and discusses how to recognize and nurture them. Snider reflects on the importance of sketchbook practice and the interplay between creative discipline and spontaneity. He also highlights personal anecdotes about navigating the complexities of creativity while managing practical responsibilities. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone struggling to juggle multiple passions.
12 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 36min
515 - Want to Quit Social Media? 3 Essential Considerations for Any Creative Practice
Feeling overwhelmed by social media? The discussion sheds light on three essential needs that creatives often seek to fulfill through these platforms. Learn about the vital links between creativity and business, encouraging ethical marketing strategies. Discover the importance of connecting with your ideal audience and exploring alternative platforms like Substack. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and taking strategic actions in your creative journey. Get ready to rethink your social media strategy!
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 5min
514 - Tap Your Mood, Connect to Your Target Audience & Fun and Flow Process Inspo with Eliza Kinkz
Eliza Kinkz, a playful picture book artist and author of 'Miss Taco,' brings infectious creativity and joy to the conversation. She shares inspiring process tips to keep the fun and flow alive in your artistic journey. Kinkz reveals her unique strategies for connecting with her young audience, emphasizing the importance of authentic experiences in children's literature. With anecdotes that highlight humor's role in storytelling, she inspires artists to embrace playfulness, making creativity both engaging and fulfilling.
10 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 45min
513 - Why Creatives Have to Build Habits Differently and How to Do It
Feeling lost on your creative journey? Explore the challenges of building habits uniquely suited for creatives, where novelty and joy reign supreme. Discover how personal engagement transforms habit formation, and learn to embrace flexibility over rigidity in your routines. With anecdotes about running and coffee, see how adapting habits can spark motivation. The host shares their journey as a bestselling author, highlighting the importance of community and gratitude on the road to a fulfilling creative career.
69 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 27min
512 - The Science of Realizing Creative Potential with Yale Researcher Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD
Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD, a senior research scientist at Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence, discusses how to harness your creative potential. She emphasizes the importance of transitioning from ideas to execution and how a growth mindset can help overcome fears of failure. Zorana also explores the emotional dualities of creativity and how understanding emotions can enhance your creative process. Tips on balancing work, family, and personal projects, as well as breaking through initial creative limits, provide valuable insights for aspiring artists.
18 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 34min
511 - A Message for Sensitive Creatives Who Are Struggling Right Now
Feeling overwhelmed as a creative? This episode delivers a heartfelt message for sensitive artists seeking to reignite their spark. It explores the unique challenges of navigating both pain and beauty in the creative process. Listeners are encouraged to embrace their sensitivity and find balance through self-care and reflection. Discover the power of connecting with the creative community and how engaging with films can inspire and rejuvenate your artistic spirit. Dive in for practical strategies to reclaim your creativity!
