5 Podcasts For Freelance Creatives
From educational to hilarious to deliciously cringeworthy, I’m sharing a handful of my favorite creative podcasts that have made my life as a freelancer, artist & multidisciplinary stylist more inspiring and less scary.
Banner Illustration: Limonata Creative
Whether you're a stylist, a freelance creative, or creative small business owner there’s a good chance that at some point you’ve felt isolated and had to overcome obstacles on your own without the support of colleagues. You might ask yourself questions like; “Is this client worth taking”? Or “How should I respond when XYZ happens on set”? Or “How do I increase my rates without losing clients?” While I’ve had success networking with other stylists, I’ve also found that listening to podcasts geared towards creative professionals can be super informative, healing, and also entertaining! I’ve curated a short list of podcasts that have helped me the most and will no doubt help you too!
1. Per Our Last Email
with Weekend Creative
Hosts Elle Mitchell and Arabela Espinoza bring their fun loving sass to every episode of Per Our Last Email. Their weekly hour+ long format features a cocktail recipe followed by guest interviews with creative, freelance professionals. Guests are urged to share not only their creative journey, but also tell some of their most bizarre, funny and/or horror stories from working in their field. I laugh my 🍑 off during every episode! The stories shared by all are deliciously cringeworthy, hilarious + fill me with SO much joy!
This show truly empowers me + so many others to DO BETTER & BE SMARTER. It’s honestly one of the main reasons why I decided to launch the Stylist Contract Template this year! Like myself, Arabela + Elle are HUGE advocates of using contracts when working in the photo industry; it was through listening to them advocate for contracts that made me realize I wanted to step up + help other stylists do the same!
I was also fortunate enough to be a featured guest on Per Your Last Email this year! Episode 101 titled, “The Plot Thickens ft. Giulietta Pinna of Limonata Creative”. In this episode, I dive into some pretty nitty, gritty details about how I found my way into the world of styling + some pretty bizarre experiences that have come along with it. Hope you can take a listen!
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
This talented photography and art director duo run their own small business Weekend Creative out of the San Francisco Bay area. They specialize in creative brand direction, photography and stop motion that showcases their signature vibrant and playful aesthetic.
LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM:
2. Photo Dump
with photographers Ren Fuller and Jennifer Chong
Longtime friends working behind the lens, Ren + Jen (like my rhyme game here?!? ;) LOL), give a behind the scenes look into all things within the photography industry. Whether its fielding inquiries, setting rates, deciding on whether to work with an agent, or diving into the world of cookbook photoshoots, Photo Dump has quickly become THE photography podcast resource! While this podcast was only recently launched, it is chock full of information. Even for someone, like myself, that’s been in the photo biz for 6 years now, I have learned so much already. We’re so excited to see how Photo Dump will evolve as time passes!
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Talented photographers Ren Fuller and Jennifer Chong hail from different backgrounds but now they run in the same circles. In fact while they often compete for the same jobs, that hasn’t kept them from remaining close friends and confidants. Both ladies are LA-based and while they started in different creative fields (Ren in film and Jennifer in Graphic Design) they now specialize in food photography. On top of that, they’re both outdoorsy, world travelers. Just hearing these soothing boss babes’ voices gives me motivation to WORK IT.
LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM:
3. More Than One Thing
with Athena Calderone of Eyeswoon
A professional, buttoned-up listen that spotlights globally known creatives and designers who have achieved success by following non-traditional career paths. The host and guests alike are dubbed ‘multi-hyphenates’; all responding to the question “what do you do for a living?” with the answer “More Than One Thing.” Guests often open up about challenges and triumphs that they’ve encountered by becoming multidisciplinary artists while achieving monumental success.
As an art director-prop stylist-set designer who studied advertising, fine art management, worked in the blue-chip art world in NYC and held a stint as a wine sommelier, I can completely relate to many of the guests who feel like they just don’t fit into a neat little box. Hearing their stories gives me confidence to continue following what I love even if it’s not a straight line.
ABOUT THE HOST:
A self described multi-hyphenate herself, Athena Calderone is an interior designer, a culinary storyteller, and creative director who published two books; the award winning Cook Beautiful and most recently Live Beautiful. She started her career as a young mother who poured her creative endeavors into designing her own living space in Brooklyn, NY and hosting dinner parties for her friends. Her friends encouraged her to apply her discerning eye and design talents beyond her home and that’s how her incredible blog Eyeswoon started - she’s thrived ever since. I’m also an avid fan of Athena’s Instagram feed, and can often be found ogling the beauty on it!
LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM:
4. Studio 78
with Nache’ Snow
The 5-Star podcast Studio 78 features female entrepreneurs in the creative field who inspire other career women by talking about their own experiences, on and off the job. As a podcaster, Youtuber and author of The Life Cleanse Journal Nache’ is an inspiring, natural entrepreneur herself. While she loves to talk all things business and wellness, she’s also thrives on sharing her organizational and productivity hacks to help women grow their creative businesses.
Fun Fact: Back in 2018 I was fortunate enough to be a featured guest on Nache’s podcast! (Episode 65. How To Build A Portfolio and Determine Your Pricing Structure). In this throwback episode, I discussed in detail how I started Limonata and began a portfolio by networking and collaborating with local creatives. When this was recorded, Limonata was still in its infancy. I was still offering event design services, had just started styling full-time, and my prop collection, now known as the prop house Prop Up Shop, was only a few shelves crammed in our Baltimore rowhouse basement. BUT the information shared is still very relevant to a new entrepreneur. Give it a listen and start digging into the nearly 150 other episodes for continual motivation!
ABOUT THE HOST:
Nache’ Snow is a DC based multi-talented entrepreneur who has worked as a graphic designer, web designer, manager, college professor, author, and counting. Whether it’s her podcast, a skillshare class or a piece of digital artwork she’s made; her creative energy is positively contagious.
LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM:
5. The Chairish Podcast
with Michael Boodro
Ever hear of the online art & home furnishings company Chairish? This is their podcast (aptly titled The Chairish Podcast) which focuses on the world of interior design and all the neighboring fields that overlap - including styling!
As an interior stylist, I’m often working alongside Interior Designers; helping to make their interior shoots come alive to their fullest, brightest and most elevated potential. All to allow the designer’s personality shine, to set their work apart from their competitors, attract their ideal clients and even get their work featured in editorial publications.
I love tuning in to this podcast to understand the industry better - learning about interior trends, aesthetics, growth strategies and hearing from some of the most respected designers in the industry. Knowing your clients and understanding the language they speak is something that can give you a boost of confidence when you’re communicating. The topics, while interior design focused, are broad enough that they can apply to many other creatives. Grab a seat and enjoy!
ABOUT THE HOST:
A long time editor, journalist and insider within the interior design world; Michael Boodro has had stints at magazine heavy hitters like Vogue, Elle Decor, New York Times Mag, Martha Stewart Living, etc. With such a background he’s able to ask all the right questions and coax out great behind the scenes stories from his inspiring and entertaining, guests.
LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM:
Honorable Mentions:
Goal Digger with Jenna Kutcher - Living up to its name Goal Digger is a podcast about setting personal and business goals and following through to achieving success. Self made host and photographer, Jenna Kutcher , has surpassed 7 figures while building a loyal listening audience and leveraging all the latest and greatest digital marketing tools. She can come off a little bit as sale-sy but if you get past that, you’ll undoubtedly find a wealth of knowledge on how to sustain and grow a business beyond instagram - I know I have by listening!
Don’t Keep Your Day Job with Cathy Heller - Draw empowerment and inspiration from a diverse list of guests who have all overcome hurdles to achieve personal and professional success. While it’s important to learn from peers within your own field, it can be just as valuable to hear from those who have achieved success from all walks of life. The Podcast title “Don’t Keep Your Day Job” really hits home with me as that’s exactly what lead me to start Limonata. In addition, the host, Cathy, is one of the most genuine, loving and spiritually open-hearted hosts I listen to. I often dub her podcast my ‘creative commute therapy’.
A Well Designed Business with LuAnn Nigara - Rated the No. 1 interior design business podcast by Apple with over 800 episodes, A Well Designed Business focuses less on design tips and more on business practices. LuAnn who runs her own interior design and window treatment practice was an early adapter to the podcast medium and in doing so has built an amazing list of interviews and topics. If you’re dealing with a specific business issue there’s a good chance if you search the podcast’s archives you will find an episode that touches on it and hopefully the discussion will point you towards a resolution!
Share Your Go-To Podcasts For Creatives!
While I’ve listened to many podcasts, these are just the ones that have resinated the most. If you have favorite’s or suggestions that aren’t listed here please share them in the comments section below. Just like you, I love discovering new content and finding inspirational resources!
Sending much love and inspiration!
Giulietta
