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Andy J. Pizza

A Weekly Podcast Companion for Your Creative Journey

Transform 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.com
Check out the host: andyjpizza.com

Creative Pep Talk

How do you find a creative niche? It's become a Creative Pep Talk classic cliche!

 In this Artist Case Study episode we talk through the creative journey of Scottish Singer-Songwriter, Olivia Rafferty. Olivia is such a great example of an artist who has found a novel way to cut through the noise by stepping out of her industry and dipping into another.

From the creative sparks, to all the confusing conflicting advice, to finding something that works for you and rolling with it.
 
http://www.oliviarafferty.com/
https://www.instagram.com/olivia_rafferty/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Syuo0IkP7frpCdRuWJEpp
https://oliviarafferty.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/oliviarafferty

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLER
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful Collective
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY?

SPONSORS:

Squarespace
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Miro
Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - Miro | The Innovation Workspace
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

483 - Artist Case Study: The Niche Shortcut with Olivia Rafferty

10 Years of the Creative Pep Talk Podcast. Can you believe it? In this episode the tables get turned! Bestselling Author Katherine May interviews Andy J. Pizza about this ten year journey of a creative project.
In this vulnerable behind the scenes chat we cover:

 How to unlock the creative discipline to keep showing up in your creative practice even when you may want to quit sometimes.

Why you might want to include personal / vulnerable information in your work and how to think about what you want to share vs what you want to remain private

Behind the scenes and creative journey details that Andy hasn’t shared before!

We talk: Podcasting, ADHD and Storytelling.

SHOW NOTES:
Interview by Katherine May https://katherine-may.co.uk/
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
SPONSORS:
Miro
Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - http://miro.com

Squarespace
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

484 - Creativity vs Discipline: Finding Balance Between these Oppositional Forces with Andy J. Pizza

Prompts for reflection, intention and hope with Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller.

Step back from the holiday hustle, consider your 2024 year of creativity and look forward into the year to come.
In this fun Christmas Carol themed episode (not too Christmassy so don’t let that put you off!)
we are visited by 3 Ghosts: Past, Present and Future. Each Creative Ghost asks a question and we each answer their prompts.
There are themes of gratitude, growth, presence, inspiration for 2025.
This episode has a downloadable worksheet
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

485 - A 3 Question Year-End Reflection to Awaken Your Creative Spirit

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk
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If you’re struggling to find an exciting vision for your creative future this new year, this episode is for you. This is episode one of “The Grounding Series”. While others may be shooting for the sky this January, we start with the opposite: getting grounded. Let’s tap into what really matters and why we choose to create in the first place. If chasing sales, career or validation has got in the way, this episode will help you root yourself back in the joy of creating again.

This is episode 1 of The Ground Series.

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

The Indie Rock Coloring Book
https://www.amazon.com/Indie-Rock-Coloring-Book/dp/B008ISI14S
Modest Mouse
https://www.instagram.com/modestmouse/?hl=en
“The Hidden Life of Trees” Illustrated Edition
https://shop.readbirdiebooks.com/item/AS48k97jmWOOU7NcZAJOUQ
Megalopolis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalopolis_(film)
Julian Glander’s “Boys Go to Jupiter”
https://glander.co/filter/tunes/BOYS-GO-TO-JUPITER
WHY? - The Well that I Fell Into
https://whywithaquestionmark.bandcamp.com/album/the-well-i-fell-into 

SPONSORS:
Uncommon Goods
Check out Uncommon Goods and use my code PEPTALK for a great deal:
www.uncommongoods.com

Miro
Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - http://miro.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

486 - How to Transform Your Frustrations into Fertilizer in 2025

If you’re struggling to create goals that feel motivating, this episode is for you! Goals have their place, but sometimes we need to tap into a more renewable motivation. In this episode I share a shift that freaking changed the game for me! For real! Hope you get the same boost from this that I did!

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

Albert Camus - Sisyphus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus

Austin Kleon - Keep Going
https://austinkleon.com/keepgoing/

Stephen Pressfield - The Artist’s Journey
https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-artists-journey/

Uri Shulevitz - Writing With Pictures
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Pictures-Write-Illustrate-Childrens/dp/0823059359

James P. Carse - Finite and Infinite Games
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_and_Infinite_Games

Simon Sinek - The Infinite Game
https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/

Sufjan Stevens
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/sufjan-stevens-on-songwriting-collaboration-and-the-myth-of-the-tortured-artist/

Brian McDonald
https://writeinvisibleink.com

Ira Glass
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Glass

Colin Rigsby
https://www.instagram.com/vesperteen/?hl=en

Clairo - Charm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charm_(Clairo_album)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

487 - Apathetic About Goals? Uncover A Different Source of "Infinite" Motivation

Freeze up during slow times? Waiting for a BIG IDEA to get started? Overwhelmed by the blank page? In this episode, we explore how to tap into your effortless creativity and get yourself to start TODAY.

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller SOPHIE MILLER
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones Pending Beautiful Collective
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? WHY?

Institutional Validation
https://www.tiktok.com/@faganchelsea/video/7275799035351452960

TEMI COKER Temi Coker on Substack

Taika Waititi How Being Yourself Can Make You Hilarious | Taika Waititi on Filmmaking

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to Website Builder — Create a Website in Minutes — Squarespace to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK

Miro
Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly - Miro | The Innovation Workspace
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

488 - Frozen During Slow Times? How to Activate Self Starter Energy

Andy sits down to have a joint podcast episode with master storyteller and comedian Alice Fraser for both of their podcasts. 

In this episode we explore:
- Making work that’s more personal and meaningful
- The things to consider when sharing elements of your personal life in your work
- Being a parent when you have a creative practice
- Navigating the different stages of life / the creative journey

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com
Alice Fraser https://www.alicecomedyfraser.com

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

489 - How to Make Your Work More Personal with Comedian Alice Fraser

If you’re struggling to find motivation in the face of bad habits and bad news, this episode is for you. Repeat episodes of burn out, procrastination or lack of progress can wear you down, so if you’re looking for a fresh perspective, check this episode out!

THIS EPISODE IS INSPIRED BY MY LOVE OF THE SHOW SEVERANCE, BUT CONTAINS NO SPOILERS!

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Severance
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severance_(TV_series)
Tim Ferriss 770 with Elizabeth Gilbert
https://tim.blog/2024/09/26/elizabeth-gilbert-2/

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

490 - An Unlock of Motivation in the Face of Chaos on Repeat

What should you focus your creative energy towards right now? It helps to tune into the creative stage you’re currently in. Today on the show we chat with Illustrator Chris Piascik about how he went from a daily drawing practice to shifting gears and focusing on building his YouTube to nearly 100k subscribers.

If you’re feeling out of sync with your creative season or need inspo for reigniting your personal work, this episode is for you!

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Chris Piascik
https://www.chrispiascik.com
https://www.youtube.com/@chris-piascik

SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALK
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

491 - Determining Your Current Creative Stage and Shifting Focus with Illustrator Chris Piascik

Join our January Virtual Pep Rally by supporting on Substack or Patreon!
andyjpizza.substack.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/creativepeptalk

Has an unexpected life event ever derailed your creative journey? 

When I reached out to illustrator Rebecca Green to join me on the podcast for the second time, she graciously volunteered to speak about a tragedy she had experienced in recent years, that brought her life to a complete stand still. Join us for a deeply vulnerable and inspiring conversation about this artist’s journey from grief to renewed creativity.

Content Warning: this episode contains a conversation around the death of an infant.

SHOW NOTES:
Co-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.com

Rebecca Green https://www.myblankpaper.com 
Rebecca’s blog: https://www.myblankpaper.com/blog

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_%26_Lowell
Katherine May - Wintering
https://katherine-may.co.uk/wintering 
Art Brand Alliance
https://artbrandalliance.com 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

493 - Grief, Creativity, and Re-finding Your Magic with Rebecca Green

---
Listen & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-pep-talk/id929743897
TRANSCRIPT
- - -
SHOW NOTES
- - -
NOD Daily Drawing Project
https://www.andyjpizza.com/illustration/new-portfolio-item-1
Strange Dreams - Dream Journal by Andy J. Pizza
https://www.andyjpizza.com/illustration/strange-dreams-journal
Dream Machine by Joshua Jay and Andy J. Pizza
https://www.andyjpizza.com/illustration/dream-machine
- - -
SPONSORS
- - -
SKILLSHARE
There’s nothing better than getting better. Accomplishing growth is extremely satisfying, and online classes from Skillshare make it possible. Learn about illustration, design, photography, productivity, and marketing. With Skillshare’s short classes, you can move your creative journey forward without putting life on hold. So explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/CreativePep where our listeners get a free trial of Premium Membership.
STORYBLOCKS
Video is one of my most effective ways to stand out as a creator online these days - and with Storyblocks you can take your videos to the next level - with Affordable Subscriptions, Unlimited Downloads, and 1M+ Royalty Free Assets - you can level up your content at 
storyblocks.com/CreativePepTalk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

327 - The 6 Types of Personal Projects and How to Know Which Kind to Do NOW

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