State of the Union

Episode 14: Gail Anderson

In this episode, Josh Horton talks with designer, educator, and writer Gail Anderson about building a career that spans decades without losing curiosity or joy. From her early days at the School of Visual Arts to roles at Random House and The Boston Globe, through her influential run at Rolling Stone alongside legendary art director Fred Woodward, Gail’s path is a masterclass in staying committed to the work. They discuss what real mentorship actually looks like, how strong creative teams pursue great ideas without ego, and why critique, storytelling, and collaboration still matter more than any tool. Gail reflects on the late nights, the love of type, and the discipline of protecting a full life outside the studio. They also get into design education in the age of online tutorials, what’s changed for graduates trying to land that first job, and why community remains the foundation of growth. Gail shares what it’s meant to help document design history through books on everything from postage stamps to the impact of Black designers on the field. If you’re trying to build a career that lasts, wondering whether mentorship or school is worth it, or feeling the responsibility to invest in the next generation, this episode is for you. ✊ SUPPORT THE SHOW → creativeworks.co/podcast [http://creativeworks.co/podcast] State of the Union is self-funded and independently produced—these conversations exist for and because of people like you. If this episode resonated, please consider making a small donation to help keep the podcast going and these conversations alive. Sharing the episode also goes a long way. Tag us using #StateOfTheUnionPodcast so others can find it too. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS Gail’s Portfolio: gailycurl.com [http://gailycurl.com] —— CWU Website: creativeworks.co [http://creativeworks.co] CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter [http://creativeworks.co/newsletter] Creative Works WEST '26: creativeworks.co/west [http://creativeworks.co/west] 📖 YOUR STORY Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co [stories@creativeworks.co]. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode. 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT Instagram → @creativeworks [https://www.instagram.com/creativeworks/] Threads → @creativeworks [https://www.threads.com/@creativeworks] LinkedIn → Creative Workers Union [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeworkersunion] 🎙️ PODCAST CREDITS Presented by Creative Workers Union Hosted by Josh Horton Edited by Sydney Gladu Artwork by MUTI  🎧 SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU LISTEN so you don’t miss future episodes.

Episode 13: Dan Lee

In this episode, Josh Horton talks with designer and hand letterer Dan Lee, aka @dandrawnwords, about building a creative life that still looks and feels human. Dan’s work is full of the pencil lines, guides, and imperfections that prove a real person made it, and that honesty is the point. They walk through Dan’s pivot from a chemical engineering degree and a “safe” path at Drexel, to a full-body panic about that future, to brute forcing his way into design and finding his voice through hand lettering. Dan shares how the online lettering community helped him get momentum, why “helpful delusion” can be a real creative skill, and how he eventually ended up in Sheridan, Wyoming, where his work now lives on the walls of his town. They also dig into AI, taste, and mass consumption. Why so much of what we see feels plastic. Why convenience keeps eating real creativity. And why slow, human craft still matters in a world that wants everything instant and average. If you’re trying to pivot out of a “stable” career, burned out by platforms, or hungry to make real work that leaves your community better than you found it, this episode is for you. ✊ SUPPORT THE SHOW → creativeworks.co/podcast [http://creativeworks.co/podcast] State of the Union is self-funded and independently produced—these conversations exist for and because of people like you. If this episode resonated, please consider making a small donation to help keep the podcast going and these conversations alive. Sharing the episode also goes a long way. Tag us using #StateOfTheUnionPodcast so others can find it too. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS Dan’s Instagram: instagram.com/dandrawnwords [http://instagram.com/dandrawnwords] Dan’s Portfolio: destinykid.com [http://destinykid.com] —— CWU Website: creativeworks.co [http://creativeworks.co] CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter [http://creativeworks.co/newsletter] Creative Works WEST '26: creativeworks.co/west [http://creativeworks.co/west] 📖 YOUR STORY Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co [stories@creativeworks.co]. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode. 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT Instagram → @creativeworks [https://www.instagram.com/creativeworks/] Threads → @creativeworks [https://www.threads.com/@creativeworks] LinkedIn → Creative Workers Union [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeworkersunion] 🎙️ PODCAST CREDITS Presented by Creative Workers Union Hosted by Josh Horton Edited by Sydney Gladu Artwork by MUTI  🎧 SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU LISTEN so you don’t miss future episodes.

Episode 12: Tyler Deeb

In this episode, Josh Horton sits down with Tyler Deeb—designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Misc. Goods Co. From a 2012 Kickstarter deck of playing cards to a full-scale brand built on craft, honesty, and restraint, Tyler’s path is a real look at what it takes to build something that lasts. They talk about how Tyler found design late, why self-initiated work mattered in the early internet era, and what happens when a creative gets forced into learning business in real time. Tyler shares the uncomfortable seasons too: taking a job he didn’t want for stability, shedding the need to be perceived a certain way, and learning to make decisions he can live with instead of decisions that win approval. They also get into the emotional reality of entrepreneurship—the swings, the pressure of carrying a team, and the discipline of staying level. Tyler breaks down the principles he keeps coming back to: don’t chase the glory, work hard, and be satisfied. And they zoom out on the state of the industry: AI, social media noise, the loss of genuine online community, and why real-world connection is still the point. If you are trying to build something of your own, if you feel the weight of money and responsibility on your shoulders, or if you just need to hear someone talk honestly about what a creative life actually costs, this one is for you. ✊ SUPPORT THE SHOW → creativeworks.co/podcast [http://creativeworks.co/podcast] State of the Union is self-funded and independently produced—these conversations exist for and because of people like you. If this episode resonated, please consider making a small donation to help keep the podcast going and these conversations alive. Sharing the episode also goes a long way. Tag us using #StateOfTheUnionPodcast so others can find it too. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS Misc. Goods Co.: misc-goods-co.com [http://misc-goods-co.com] —— CWU Website: creativeworks.co [http://creativeworks.co] CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter [http://creativeworks.co/newsletter] Creative Works WEST '26: creativeworks.co/west [http://creativeworks.co/west] 📖 YOUR STORY Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co [stories@creativeworks.co]. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode. 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT Instagram → @creativeworks [https://www.instagram.com/creativeworks/] Threads → @creativeworks [https://www.threads.com/@creativeworks] LinkedIn → Creative Workers Union [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeworkersunion] 🎙️ PODCAST CREDITS Presented by Creative Workers Union Hosted by Josh Horton Edited by Sydney Gladu Artwork by MUTI  🎧 SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU LISTEN so you don’t miss future episodes.

Episode 11: Cymone Wilder

In this episode, Josh Horton talks with Cymone Wilder, designer and lettering artist behind Simon & Moose, about making work that speaks plainly and honestly in a moment that demands it. They talk about navigating creative spaces that still feel exclusionary, why representation at conferences and events matters, and how access, ticket prices, and corporate decision-making quietly shape who gets to participate in creative culture. Cymone shares what it’s like to do politically charged work as a creative, why discomfort is often unavoidable, and how saying the hard thing clearly can be an act of care. They also explore wealth, power, burnout, and the tension between making a living and staying human in systems that often reward silence over conviction. If you’re trying to reconcile your values with your creative work—and wondering how to show up honestly during a complicated time—this episode is for you. ✊ SUPPORT THE SHOW → creativeworks.co/podcast [http://creativeworks.co/podcast] State of the Union is self-funded and independently produced—these conversations exist for and because of people like you. If this episode resonated, please consider making a small donation to help keep the podcast going and these conversations alive. Sharing the episode also goes a long way. Tag us using #StateOfTheUnionPodcast so others can find it too. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS Cymone’s Portfolio: simonandmoose.com [http://simonandmoose.com] —— CWU Website: creativeworks.co [http://creativeworks.co] CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter [http://creativeworks.co/newsletter] Creative Works WEST ’26: creativeworks.co/west [http://creativeworks.co/west] 📖 YOUR STORY Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co [stories@creativeworks.co]. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode. 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT Instagram → @creativeworks [https://www.instagram.com/creativeworks/] Threads → @creativeworks [https://www.threads.com/@creativeworks] LinkedIn → Creative Workers Union [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeworkersunion] 🎙️ PODCAST CREDITS Presented by Creative Workers Union Hosted by Josh Horton Edited by Sydney Gladu Artwork by MUTI  🎧 SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU LISTEN so you don’t miss future episodes.

Episode 10: Nathan Goldman

In this episode, Josh Horton talks with Nathan Goldman, designer, illustrator, and cofounder of DKNG Studios, about what it really takes to build, and sustain, a long-term creative life. Nathan reflects on growing up in an artistic household, finding his creative footing through music and screen printing, and how a high school friendship evolved into a 20-year studio partnership. Together, they unpack how DKNG grew from gig posters and garage print runs into a diversified studio spanning illustration, branding, licensing, retail, and education. They also talk candidly about craft in the age of AI and easy tools, the pressure to become a visible online personality, and why Nathan still believes thoughtful, well-made work can stand out in a noisy industry. If you’re curious how a two-person studio is built, evolves, and stays committed to craft over decades this episode is for you. ✊ SUPPORT THE SHOW → creativeworks.co/podcast [http://creativeworks.co/podcast] State of the Union is self-funded and independently produced—these conversations exist for and because of people like you. If this episode resonated, please consider making a small donation to help keep the podcast going and these conversations alive. Sharing the episode also goes a long way. Tag us using #StateOfTheUnionPodcast so others can find it too. 🔗 RELEVANT LINKS DKNG Studios Website: dkngstudios.com [http://dkngstudios.com] DKNG Studios Process Videos: youtube.com/@DKNGstudio [https://www.youtube.com/@DKNGstudio] —— CWU Website: creativeworks.co [http://creativeworks.co] CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter [http://creativeworks.co/newsletter] Creative Works WEST ’26: creativeworks.co/west [http://creativeworks.co/west] 📖 YOUR STORY Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co [stories@creativeworks.co]. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode. 📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT Instagram → @creativeworks [https://www.instagram.com/creativeworks/] Threads → @creativeworks [https://www.threads.com/@creativeworks] LinkedIn → Creative Workers Union [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeworkersunion] 🎙️ PODCAST CREDITS Presented by Creative Workers Union Hosted by Josh Horton Edited by Sydney Gladu Artwork by MUTI  🎧 SUBSCRIBE WHEREVER YOU LISTEN so you don’t miss future episodes.