The Developing Life Podcast

Creativity, Identity & the Power of Starting Over | ft. Chris Martin

Chris Martin doesn’t sugarcoat what it takes to survive as a modern creative. From the highs of building a design career to the struggles of burnout, identity, and starting over, he opens up in ways you rarely hear on podcasts. In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast- hosted by Heather Crank- we talk about: * The human side of working in a “make it or break it” industry. * Why leaving projects behind can be the most liberating thing you do. * The importance of curiosity, play, and honesty in staying relevant. If you’ve ever felt stuck or invisible in your creative journey, this episode is a must-watch. Check it out: * Chris' Podcast gettingworktowork.com [https://gettingworktowork.com/] * Chris' Substack chrismartinwrites.substack.com [https://chrismartinwrites.substack.com/] Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2295406/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2295406/support] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION * LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/] * WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS * Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ [https://crahmanti.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/] * Tru Adams | truatart.com/ [https://truatart.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/] * Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

From Rolling Stones to Radical Truth: How One Designer Continually Reinvents Himself- and What You Can Learn | ft. Stefan Sagmeister

After designing album covers for icons like the Rolling Stones, Stefan Sagmeister sensed his work growing stale. He took a radical step: shut down his studio for a year—every seven years.  In this Developing Life Podcast episode, Sagmeister explains how that sabbatical transformed his career, leading him away from commercial work and toward a new practice mixing data and art.  We unpack the risks and rewards of micro‑retirements (mini‑sabbaticals Gen Z is searching for) and why letting go of success can unlock deeper meaning.  Continue Your Journey: * Get Stefan’s book Now Is Better and see his data‑driven art Explore his evolving portfolio and exhibitions → Stefan Sagmeister official site [https://sagmeister.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Connect with Stefan on Linkedin → linkedin.com/in/stefan-sagmeister [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-sagmeister-341a9768] 🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the Developing Life Podcast. Your support helps us bring you deeper dives with world‑class creatives. Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2295406/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2295406/support] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION * LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/] * WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS * Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ [https://crahmanti.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/] * Tru Adams | truatart.com/ [https://truatart.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/] * Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

Redesigning Reality: Ryan Summers on Obsession, Vision & the Future of Creative Work

What happens when creativity becomes a way to reimagine how we experience the world? In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast, Ryan Summers — whose career spans Pacific Rim, Person of Interest, Blizzard, and Warner Brothers — opens up about his journey from chemical engineering to motion design, the lessons of resilience after being laid off, and why obsession, voice, and vision are the true moats for creatives in an age of AI and rapid change. Together with host Heather Crank, Ryan explores: * How to turn uncertainty into a superpower. * Why input matters more than output for artists. * The aversion to decision-making, and how bold choices fuel growth. * Why curated, human-crafted experiences will always outshine trends. This episode is about finding your voice in a world that never stops shifting. Perfect for thoughtful creatives, lifelong learners, and anyone who believes design is more than what we see — it’s what we feel. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mentioned in this episode Ryan's Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrryansummers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrryansummers/] Keys & Curves (Substack) – by Ryan Summers https://www.keysandcurves.com/ [https://www.keysandcurves.com/] School of Motion – premier motion-design training https://www.schoolofmotion.com/ [https://www.schoolofmotion.com/] ShotDeck – cinematic HD screenshot reference library https://shotdeck.com/ [https://shotdeck.com/] Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2295406/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2295406/support] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION * LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/] * WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS * Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ [https://crahmanti.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/] * Tru Adams | truatart.com/ [https://truatart.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/] * Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

Who Are We Now: Design Identity in the Wake of the Algorithm | ft. Petrula Vrontikis

Who Are We Now? Petrula Vrontikis on Design, Identity & Staying Human in the Algorithm Age - Welcome to one of the most soul-shifting conversations we’ve ever had on the Developing Life Podcast. What happens to authorship, intuition, and creative power when algorithms shape our every move? Petrula Vrontikis—renowned educator, speaker, and creative coach—joins us for a powerful and poetic exploration of how designers can reclaim their identity, voice, and humanity in an increasingly automated world. From teaching at ArtCenter for over 30 years to redefining what it means to thrive as a creative, Petrula shares: 💥 The hidden emotional toll of algorithmic design 💥 Why identity is no longer fixed—and that’s a good thing 💥 Her personal journey to becoming a creative authority 💥 The transformational tension between growth and anxiety 💥 How to rediscover your joy and your confidence If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise, this episode is your compass. If you’ve questioned your worth in the face of fast content, this is your permission slip. If you’re craving honest, real talk about design, life, and meaning—you’ve found your people. LISTEN NOW And don’t forget to hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment about what part hit you hardest. 🔗 FOLLOW PETRULA Website: https://www.rebld.org/ [https://rebuild.org] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrulavrontikis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrulavrontikis] #PetrulaVrontikis #DesignPodcast #CreativeResistance #DevelopingLife #ChrisDo #DesignEducation #HumanCenteredDesign #AlgorithmCulture #CreativeAnxiety #RickRubin #TransformationalTension #DesignWithPurpose #ArtCenter #VoiceNotVolume #RebuildWithPetrula Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2295406/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2295406/support] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION * LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/] * WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS * Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ [https://crahmanti.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/] * Tru Adams | truatart.com/ [https://truatart.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/] * Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

Make Something Beautiful. Become Someone Brave | ft. Dave Zaboski

What if the future of creativity wasn’t about doing more, but becoming more? Dave Zaboski—former Disney animator (The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Fantasia 2000), expedition artist, startup founder, and creative philosopher—joins The Developing Life for one of our most powerful episodes to date. 🔹 From painting for the Dalai Lama  🔹 To sketching at 16,500 ft in search of a lost Incan temple  🔹 To developing the Universal Laws of Creativity... ...Dave’s story is a masterclass in aligning imagination, risk, and purpose. In this conversation we explore: ⚡ The difference between knowledge and wisdom in the age of AI  ⚡ Why care is the missing element in artificial intelligence ⚡ The “Socratic Prompting” method that turns AI into a thinking partner—not a crutch ⚡ How to reclaim your narrative when speed and pressure try to define you ⚡ Why creativity isn’t just for artists—but for everyone turning thought into form This episode is for anyone who’s ready to slow down, go deeper, and step fully into their role as a creator—with courage, clarity, and care. 📩 Invite a friend who’s questioning the future.  🔥 Bookmark this one. You’ll want to come back. 🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts. Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2295406/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2295406/support] LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATION * LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/ [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/] * WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERS * Heather Crank | crahmanti.com/ [https://crahmanti.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/] * Tru Adams | truatart.com/ [https://truatart.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/] * Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ [https://www.thedevelopinglife.com/] | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast