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
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!
28 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 14min
510 - Remember How to Have Fun and Get Loose, ADHD / Being You, Storytelling, Ignoring the Industry & More with Picture Book Maker Bob Shea
Join Bob Shea, a talented author and illustrator of children's picture books, as he shares his insights on creativity and storytelling. He discusses how ADHD has influenced his creative process, highlighting the importance of fun and authenticity in his work. The conversation delves into the value of playfulness and relaxation in sparking creativity. Bob also reflects on personal experiences with mistakes, growth, and collaboration in the publishing industry, emphasizing the need for self-kindness and community in navigating the creative journey.
15 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 45min
509 - Hack Motivation to Begin AND Finish Well + Unlock Creative Self with These Questions
Feeling creatively stuck? Discover ways to reignite your passion and finish projects strong. The conversation dives into the challenges beginners and seasoned creators face, along with insights on ADHD and personal motivation. Learn about the importance of deadlines and how to find your unique triggers for creativity. Plus, explore the concept of 'dating yourself' for deeper self-discovery as an artist. Celebrate your creative journey while gaining valuable tips to navigate it!
27 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 7min
508 - The Real Magic of Finding Your Creative Voice with Brian Selznick
Join Caldecott-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick, known for his innovative storytelling in 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret', as he dives into the magic of finding your creative voice. He reflects on personal identity, discussing the evolution of queer narratives in literature. Hear about the alchemy of combining text and illustrations in his new book 'Run Away with Me'. Brian emphasizes the importance of reframing challenges and embracing synchronicity in creativity, inspiring listeners to connect authentically with their artistic journeys.
