Creative Pep Talk
Andy J. Pizza
A Weekly Podcast Companion for Your Creative Journey
- 1 hour 7 minutes514 - Tap Your Mood, Connect to Your Target Audience & Fun and Flow Process Inspo with Eliza Kinkz
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You know those people who are SO FREE and CREATIVE that spending time with them just opens you up and makes you want to be more authentic and creative yourself?
Eliza Kinkz is a human like that.
If you need some of that, THIS EPISODE HAS GOT YOU COVERED!
We talk:
PROCESS TIPS: How to keep the FUN, FLOW, and LIFE in your process so that you LOVE IT and your work feels ALIVE! Eliza’s process is SO INSPIRING.
KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE: Eliza has an amazing tactic and story about how she stays connected to her target audience as a kids book creator.
AND SO MUCH MORE! ELIZA IS JUST A HOOT! ENJOY!
SHOW NOTES:
Elizakinkz.com
https://elizakinkz.substack.com
MISTACOCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 July 2025, 4:00 am - 46 minutes 42 seconds513 - Why Creatives Have to Build Habits Differently and How to Do It
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You know that in order to make progress you have to show up in a disciplined way or have good creative habits, but no matter how hard you try, you always end up throwing in the towel.If that’s you, listen to this episode! Let’s talk CREATIVE DISCIPLINE!
SHOW NOTES:
Atomic Habits
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 July 2025, 4:00 am - 1 hour 29 minutes512 - The Science of Realizing Creative Potential with Yale Researcher Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD
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How does it feel to be on the path to realizing your creative potential? Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD wrote the book on it and has the research to back it up!!
Listen to this episode if you:
Struggle to follow through
Constantly abandon projects
Don’t feel like your portfolio reflects your potential
Need more tenacity and motivation!SHOW NOTES:
Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD
Website / Book: https://www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com/
Substack newsletter: https://creativitydecision.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zorana-ivcevic-pringle/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/z-i-pringle.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/ZoranaPsych
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoranaIvcevicPringleCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 July 2025, 4:00 am - 36 minutes 22 seconds511 - A Message for Sensitive Creatives Who Are Struggling Right Now
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Listen to this if you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling to focus and unable to find the fuel you need to show up.
There’s a cliche that says artists are depressive types, and although this isn’t completely unfounded, this disposition creates a powerful opportunity that you may be missing!
SHOW NOTES:
Andre 3000 on Broken Record
https://youtu.be/LjHcHTJ8D5k?si=KLoYwQMotdWJxHQjPast Lives
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13238346/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.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 June 2025, 4:00 am - 1 hour 16 minutes510 - Remember How to Have Fun and Get Loose, ADHD / Being You, Storytelling, Ignoring the Industry & More with Picture Book Maker Bob Shea
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This episode is for you if you:
1 - Struggle to be productive like a “normal” human
2 - Want to make your work more YOU
3 - You want to get looser and have more fun in your work
4 - Are interested in storytelling / picture booksTHIS WAS A PHENOMENALLY FUN AND INSIGHTFUL CHAT with picture book legend Bob Shea!
SHOW NOTES:
Bob Shea
https://www.bobshea.comBearsuit Turtle
https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/bearsuit-turtle-makes-a-friendChez Bob
https://www.bobshea.com/books/chez-bobLane Smith
https://www.lanesmithbooks.comStinky Cheese Man
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stinky_Cheese_Man_and_Other_Fairly_Stupid_TalesGenesight Medication Testing
https://genesight.comCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 June 2025, 4:00 am - 46 minutes 56 seconds509 - Hack Motivation to Begin AND Finish Well + Unlock Creative Self with These Questions
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1 - A beginner trying to make a splash
2 - A seasoned creative who needs to try something new
3 - Stuck and uninspired and lost the love of making stuffWe are all beginners at some point and we become beginners again and again at different aspects of our creative journey repeatedly. With times rapidly changing, this has never been more true. In this Q&A episode of the show, we explore how to begin well, but also, maybe more importantly how to end and finish projects well.
This is a fan favorite type Q&A “Ask Dr. Pizza” episode :)
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.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 June 2025, 4:00 am - 1 hour 8 minutes508 - The Real Magic of Finding Your Creative Voice with Brian Selznick
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How do truly embed yourself into your work?
Today on the show, we have a creative master who has done this at the highest level. In this episode, Caldecott winning author illustrator Brian Selznick joins me to discuss his new book “Run Away with Me”.
We deconstruct the elements that make this book both a quintessential piece of work for Selznick, and also an evolution of his creative voice.
If you want to develop a deeper sense of yourself in the work and find your place amongst the timeline of your creative hero's. This episode is for you!
SHOW NOTES:
Brian Selznick
https://brianselznick.com
https://www.runawaywithmethebook.comMaurice Sendak
https://www.mauricesendak.comA Page is a Door by Remy Charlip
https://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/remy_essay.htmCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 June 2025, 4:00 am - 36 minutes 55 seconds507 - How to Find Your Secret Creative Powers
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Do you feel like the competition is so steep you don’t have a chance? Do you ever look around online and think “why should I even bother? I am not even close to this level of talent!” If so, this episode is for you. Stop trying to be super and tap into your true edge: your secret creative powers! Let’s talk about how to find them!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.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 May 2025, 4:00 am - 38 minutes 7 seconds506 - The Career Defining Breakthrough I Found in Scary Slow Times
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When times are hectic and industries freeze, it can feel like creative progress is impossible. In times like these, rather than bang your head up against the same wall over and over again, you can see this external block as a sign that it’s time to shift your focus and ways of being. In this episode I share one of the most essential breakthroughs in my creative practice that happened during some of the slowest and scariest moments of my creative journey.SHOW NOTES:
Lisa Miller PhD The Awakened Brain
https://www.lisamillerphd.comCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 May 2025, 4:00 am - 1 hour 9 minutes505 - How Demystifying Your Craft can Enhance the Magic with Maggie Smith
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This was an INCREDIBLE CHAT. I left so pepped.
If you are overwhelmed by the blank page, scared to try and fail, or feel the pressure to exist in a vacuum, this episode is for you!
In this episode, Poet Maggie Smith is back with her brilliant new book “Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life”. I LOVED this book and this chat JUST AS MUCH. This episode is CHOCKED FULL of creative insights from Maggie and her new book, you are going to love it!
SHOW NOTES:
Maggie Smith
https://maggiesmithpoet.com/book/dear-writer/Good Bones
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/89897/good-bonesDear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life
https://maggiesmithpoet.com/book/dear-writer/Katherine Fahey
http://www.thecrankiefactory.com/115034631.htmlCo-Writing / Editing: Sophie Miller http://sophiemiller.co
Audio Editing / Sound Design: Conner Jones http://pendingbeautiful.co
Soundtrack / Theme Song: Yoni Wolf / WHY? http://whywithaquestionmark.comSPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 May 2025, 4:00 am - 28 minutes 58 seconds504 - Reduce Overwhelm and Unlock More Creative Work with This
Feeling lost on the creative journey? Download our 7 step Creative Career Path Handbooklet for FREE by signing up to our newsletter here: andyjpizza.substack.com
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Are you overwhelmed pretty much no matter what you do? Are you overwhelmed by long to do lists? Short ones? Complex and simple ones? In this episode I will share a recent shift that has made a big impact on me that resulted in me feeling less overwhelmed and more able to be creatively productive.
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.comJohn Cleese on Creativity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvKeu46jgwo
Cal Newport https://calnewport.com
SPONSORS:
SQUARESPACE
Head to https://www.squarespace.com/PEPTALK to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code PEPTALKLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7 May 2025, 4:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App