Podcasts about graphic

With thousands of people having to re-take the DMV written test after a cheating scandal, we decided to take one on the air. The catch: whoever loses has to spend hours alone inside the DMV. How many hours, you say? One hour for every incorrect answer. It came down to two people in the end. There were tantrums, controversies, and a lot of debate on who the loser is. Johnny proved his idiocy is alive and well during Johnny Doesn't Know today when he was asked all Ocean-related questions. A question about how dolphins breathe resulted in Johnny doing a graphic impression of dolphin sex. Ally fell on the treadmill at the fitness center in the building, and it was so bad that a security guard came over to check on her. We are currently on a mission to uncover the surveillance video, with nationwide distribution to follow. Plus another awkward exit interview from another of Jake's first dates. Yes, he had three of them in one week after Ally & Vanessa revamped his dating profile, and they've still received not one THANK YOU!

Cartoonist and author Dylan Meconis joins Dave Kellett to discuss marketing middle-grade webcomics, working with fans who offer to translate your work, and finding the right balance between control and accessibility. They also share practical advice for cartoonists creating an autobiographical avatar — including how simplification, posture, clothing, line quality, and tone can make a character feel unmistakably like you. Topics include: Marketing and monetizing middle-grade webcomics Reaching young readers through parents, newsletters, libraries, and local events Using print editions, zines, and snail-mail clubs to complement online comics Deciding whether to permit fan translations Maintaining quality control with beta readers and creator-hosted translations Balancing copyright concerns with the desire to reach new audiences Designing a cartoon version of yourself for memoir and autobiographical comics You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

In this episode of Creative Becoming, Helen and Elizabeth explore how life's unexpected disruptions can become catalysts for creativity. Elizabeth shares her progress in quieting her inner critic and finding joy in drawing flowers, while Helen reflects on how her graphic art diaries became a lifeline during some of her most challenging experiences.Together they discuss how artists have used uncertainty, chance, and disruption as creative tools, and how adapting to unexpected circumstances can open new pathways for self-expression. The conversation also explores stimming, emotional regulation, and the ways creativity can help us navigate periods of change.In this episode:Creativity through disruption and changeArtists who embrace chance and unpredictabilityHelen's experience of creativity during a long hospital stayFinding creative space while away from homeTurning setbacks into new artistic opportunitiesUnderstanding stimming and emotional regulationResources and LinksHelen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episodeInformation about stimming from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/about-autism/repeated-movements-and-behaviour-stimmingContact: creativebecomingpod@gmail.comSupportIf you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.DisclaimerCreative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

What if you could turn a rough idea, a handful of inspiration images, or even a back-of-the-napkin sketch into a professional design or promotional video—in seconds rather than days?Today's AI design tools can help you create mood boards, photorealistic rooms, 3D objects, architectural visuals, marketing assets, product advertisements, and videos without mastering a long list of complicated creative platforms.The key is to stop treating AI as a one-off image generator. Instead, build repeatable workflows that move from inspiration to finished asset—while dramatically reducing the time, cost, and manual effort involved.In this episode of the Leveraging AI Podcast, Isar Meitis walks through practical AI-powered design workflows that can be applied far beyond interior design.Whether you need visuals for a website, presentation, brochure, proposal, product campaign, architectural project, or social media post, these methods can help you create more options and move from concept to execution faster.In this session, you'll discover:The difference between free 2D-to-3D tools and more detailed paid alternatives.How to move a 3D asset into tools such as SketchUp and create a photorealistic render.How to transform a collection of inspiration images into a professional mood board with ChatGPT.How to preserve a room's layout while changing its furniture, lighting, materials, and atmosphere.How Figma Weave can turn a manual creative process into a repeatable visual workflow.How to place products realistically into new environments with the correct angle, lighting, and shadows.How AI can generate multiple advertising concepts for the same product automatically.How these workflows can support web design, architecture, brochures, proposals, presentations, product marketing, and other business needs.About Leveraging AIThe Ultimate AI Course for Business People: https://multiplai.ai/ai-course/YouTube Full Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Multiplai_AI/Connect with Isar Meitis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isarmeitis/ Join our Live Sessions, AI Hangouts and newsletter: https://services.multiplai.ai/eventsIf you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!

Conrad and I have been to the movies to see the new Supergirl movie, and we've also read the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic it is based on. There are very mild spoilers for film and comic. Please get yourself a copy of the collected edition of Supergirl:Woman of Tomorrow from your local library.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

This week, Brad and Dave talk about the best business model for longform webcomics — and why putting your comic online for free is still the strongest way to build a sustainable career. Also: Kickstarter's late-pledge and pledge-manager tools, the difference between market research and mirror research, and how to keep going when your first posts get nothing but crickets. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Dave's backyard skunk problem may or may not require Super Soakers What's the best business model for longform webcomics? Why fear of theft can stop creators from building an audience Why free-to-read comics remain the best foundation for a comics business “First comes the crowd, then comes the funding” Why readers who enjoy your work online are often first in line to buy the book How delayed access and early-access posts fit into a Patreon strategy Why exclusive side stories can work better than paywalling your main archive Avoiding physical rewards on Patreon and Substack Dave will be at San Diego Comic-Con booth 1228 with free ComicLab pins (use the super-easy mnemonic: 1BAT)  Kickstarter late pledges and Pledge Manager are bringing in real money Why charging shipping closer to fulfillment can be safer Market research vs. mirror research How to estimate Kickstarter shipping more accurately What to do when you start posting online and get “crickets” Why seven posts is not enough time to expect traction Reframing early work as building an archive for future fans Social-media advice for giving readers a reason to engage Why success in comics is a marathon, not a sprint You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Seth and Criss get petty and hear others being petty in the PettyCast. Today they hear UFC Commissioner Dana White criticizing his production staff over putting up the wrong graphic when they showed Shakur Stevenson, Dan Patrick being petty that the WNBA Commissioner no-showed him for an interview, and Patriots fans petty that they think it may be Tom Brady who leaked some "tells" to the Seahawks ahead of the Super Bowl.

Welcome to the Tuesday News Day, where we discuss the latest events in nerd news! SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak?sub_confirmation=1 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/themedialunchbreak.bsky.social Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheMediaLunchBreak Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak Facebook: www.facebook.com/themedialunchbreak Or email us at: TheMediaLunchBreak@gmail.com Listen and review us on iTunes and YouTube Music! The Media Lunch Break on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak Graphic art by: Melinda Filonuk - www.melgraphics.com www.etsy.com/shop/melgraphicscreations Eric Scotolati - https://twitter.com/ericscotolati

John Charles returns to discuss his new magazine about comics. Back Insomniax on Kickstarter and follow John on Instagram and Facebook.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

Brian Walsh was the last of my Lawless guests and he brought along the complete Luke Kirby from Rebellion books. Find Brian on his website and on Instagram.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

New Boise State assistant basketball coach Will Voigt, previously at BYU, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about his new role in Boise. Why? His two children live here and he's built a relationship with head coach Leon Rice. The goal? A more aggressive, attacking, consistent offense. One additional role? International recruiting. GRAPHIC courtesy of Boise State AthleticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Boise State assistant basketball coach Will Voigt, previously at BYU, joins Prater and Ballgame for a conversation about his new role in Boise. Why? His two children live here and he's built a relationship with head coach Leon Rice. The goal? A more aggressive, attacking, consistent offense. One additional role? International recruiting. GRAPHIC courtesy of Boise State AthleticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Kellett returns from his first-ever college reunion with a full heart — and a renewed appreciation for old friends, running jokes, and the occasional listener washing dishes through the cold open. From there, Brad and Dave dig into one of the trickiest parts of writing comics: how much work should the reader have to do to “get” the punchline? Using Brad's motorcycle-jump-over-a-ravine metaphor, they discuss why wider joke “canyons” can create bigger laughs, why shorter jumps can feel merely “technically funny,” and why the best cartoonists learn how to build strong launching ramps while understanding that every reader brings a different landing ramp. Also in this episode: How to show music in a silent medium, why semi-realistic comics should still embrace comics iconography, a quick San Diego Comic-Con update, Bluesky's expanded image carousel, and why obsessing over analytics can become a form of creative procrastination. Topics covered in this episode include: Writing punchlines that require inference from the reader Brad's “motorcycle jumping a ravine” metaphor for humor Why wider joke gaps can produce bigger laughs The difference between “funny” and “technically funny” Why some jokes land for one reader and miss for another How audience literacy, life experience, and context affect comedy Why “it took me a second” can be a feature, not a bug The danger of making every joke too obvious Why memorable comics often take bigger comedic swings Why being someone's “top three cartoonist” matters more than broad mild approval The difference between newspaper-era comics and webcomics-era audience building Dave's San Diego Comic-Con booth update The free ComicLab pin for listeners at Booth 1228 Bluesky expanding post image limits from 4 images to 10 How the new Bluesky carousel can help sequential artists How to communicate piano music in comics Why floating music notes are not “too cartoony” for semi-realistic comics Using established comics iconography instead of reinventing the wheel Why comics can suggest music but rarely reproduce the experience of music How manga and anime use visual language more freely Using musical notation as a visual “spice,” not the whole dish Why analytics can become creative avoidance Whether it matters how quickly a comic reaches its maximum views Why “magic number” thinking can distract from improving the next comic Why creators should spend less time dusting bookcases and more time making better comics What's better? A simple gag or one that requires the audience to think? UPDATE: Comic-Con International booth 1228 Update: Bluesky update... 10 images per post! Indicating music in a realistic comic How long does it take to achieve maximum views? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

A Question to Carry: How do we discern God's gentle nudges when our emotions are loud?What if God's guidance is more often a gentle nudge than a dramatic sign? In this episode, Janell explores how discernment grows through quiet attentiveness, gentle acceptance, and learning to walk at the unhurried pace of love. Discover how God accompanies us—not with pressure, but with presence—as we take one faithful step at a time.

If you've ever struggled with procrastination, burnout, or simply need a little nudge to get started on a project, Helen and Elizabeth are here to help. In this episode, they explore how consistency, structure, and experimentation can transform creative energy into a sustainable practice, and how to stay engaged when you're feeling uninspired or overwhelmed.Together they discuss productivity techniques, creative routines, narrative writing, and the ways art can help us process emotions and communicate experiences. They also share practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism and reconnecting with creativity when motivation is low.In this episode:Using the Pomodoro Technique to tackle daunting projectsUnderstanding the Zeigarnik Effect and unfinished tasksNarrative writing and emotional processingComics and graphic storytelling as communication toolsMoving from academic understanding to personal experienceCreative exercises to quiet your inner criticResources and LinksHelen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episodeThe Pomodoro Technique: https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/Contact: creativebecomingpod@gmail.comSupportIf you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.DisclaimerCreative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

Spencer Lloyd Thomas, the creative mind behind PlayMonkey Games, shares his journey into tabletop game design, the magic of Magic: The Gathering, the transition from investment banking to family-friendly games, and lessons from the industry, including the mistake of exhibiting at Essen. The conversation covers the impact of global competition, inspiration from board game publishers, knowing when a game is ready for publication, the vulnerability of playtesting, and the role of graphic design in board games. The conversation covers the role of graphic designers in board games, connecting with artists and graphic designers, meeting Reiner Knizia at Essen, and the importance of content creators in the board game industry.TakeawaysJourney into tabletop game designThe impact of Magic: The GatheringTransition to family-friendly gamesLessons from the industry and the mistake of exhibiting at Essen Global competition in the board game industry is fiercePlaytesting is a vulnerable but essential part of game development Graphic designers play a crucial role in board gamesConnecting with artists and graphic designers requires transparency and sample commissionsMeeting industry legends like Reiner Kenizia can be surreal and impactfulContent creators play a significant role in building credibility and promoting board gamesChapters00:00 The Journey into Tabletop Game Design05:58 From Investment Banking to Family-Friendly Games16:02 Lessons from the Industry and the Mistake of Exhibiting at Essen21:09 The Impact of Global Competition32:24 The Vulnerability of Playtesting42:25 The Role of Graphic Design in Board Games52:46 Meeting Reiner Kenizia at Essen59:27 The Importance of Content Creators in the Board Game Industry

Giles Richards earns his fifth star on a journey into The Twilight Zone. Conrad, Giles and I discuss the series as a whole, and its relationship to 2000AD Future Shocks and other twisty story strands from British comics. Then we discuss the following episodes in spoilerific detail: Time Enough at Last, Eye of the Beholder, The Invaders, To Serve Man, and Nightmare at 20,000 feet. You have been warned, and listen out for the Space Spinner air horns!Find Conrad at SpaceSpinner20000.com and check out Giles' record label INH Records and on Bandcamp.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

This week, Brad and Dave discuss one of the easiest traps for independent creators to fall into: Outsourcing important business or creative decisions to reader polls. Audience feedback can be useful, but when creators ask readers to steer decisions about Patreon tiers, Kickstarter rewards, publishing strategy, or creative direction, they often get noisy, contradictory advice that can lead them away from their own best judgment. Topics covered in this episode include: Why readers are experts in consumption, not creation The danger of asking your audience to make business decisions for you Brad's cautionary tale from his early days as a newspaper designer Why negative comments carry more psychological weight than positive ones The difference between listening to readers and asking readers to decide Why feedback should be treated as a compass, not a steering wheel How polling readers can create factions and resentment among backers Why creators should rely first on their own instincts, goals, and judgment The value of seeking advice from trusted peers and experienced professionals Why no single expert — including ComicLab — should be treated as the only authority Dave's hierarchy of advice: Heart and mind first, peers and pros second, passive reader feedback third Erika Moen's thoughtful counterpoint about social-media assistants How a social-media assistant can protect creators from harassment, criticism, and burnout The difference between a social-media assistant as a partner versus a replacement Plans and possibilities for future live ComicLab events Dave's San Diego Comic-Con appearance at Booth 1228, including free ComicLab pins for listeners A listener question about “boomer humor” and whether it should be taken as an insult The difference between old-fashioned joke structure and out-of-touch subject matter Why traditional setup-and-punchline comedy still works How Reddit comments often reflect meme culture more than thoughtful criticism When repeated criticism might be worth filtering for a useful grain of truth Why creators should protect their confidence while staying open to thoughtful feedback You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Seth and Sean talk about a power ranking "If You Could Keep Only 3" graphic that popped up that they were offended by as Texans fans. Why doesn't Arian Foster get his due in things like this?

Seth and Sean talk about Brendan Sorsby's camp laying down their proverbial arms to just focus on the 2027 draft, a graphic on social media that irked them as Texans fans, what jumped out from Chandler Rome's piece on how Tatsuya Imai acclimated to life in America, and see what the ITL question of the day is with Reggie and Lopez.

When twin giants storm Olympus, a prophecy reveals that no god nor man can kill them. Artemis has to find room in her heart to forgive Apollo so they can embark on their most dangerous adventure yet – to save the gods. Will Olympus endure? Live from Mount Olympus is produced by the Onassis Foundation. Karen Brooks Hopkins is executive producer. Our series creator and showrunner is Julie Burstein. Live from Mount Olympus is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theatre collective The TEAM. Our directors are Rachel Chavkin, Josiah Davis, Joan Sergay, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant.Our actors are: Eric Berryman (Dionysus, Pan, Zephrys); Ato Blankson-Wood (Apollo); Josiah Davis (Ganymede); Jill Frutkin (Aphrodite); Joanne Hernandez (Daphne); Adrienne Hopkins (Nymph); Caroline Hopkins (Zoe);  Natalie Hopkins (Nymph); Modesto ‘Flako' Jimenez (Otus); Libby King (Athena); Ian Lassiter (Zeus);  Zhailon Levingston (Announcer); Christina Liberus (Artemis); Nehemiah Luckett (Midas); Kimberly Marable (Leto, Fury); Jake Margolin (Orion); Marcel Isaiah Martinez (Hyacinthus); James Harrison Monaco (Marsyas); Xavier Pacheco (Paris, Ephialtes); Kristen Sieh (Python, Fury); Nedra Marie Taylor (Hera); Ching Valdes-Aran (Delos); Daniel Watts (Eros, Silenus)And André De Shields is Hermes (and this season, Eris, goddess of discord!) The TEAM's Producing Director is Emma Orme, and Associate Producer is Diana Khong. We thank the artists and leaders of Epic Theater Ensemble for their continued collaboration! Live from Mount Olympus is written by Nathan Yungerberg with Julie Burstein and Jason Adam Katzenstein. Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Audio editing and sound design by Julie Burstein and David Schulman (E1 and E4). Music and songs composed, arranged and produced by Magdalini Giannikou. Lyrics and vocal production by Malena Marcase. Music performed by Banda Magda. Instrumental music mixed and mastered by Luca Bordonaro. Songs mixed and mastered by Tom Beuchel. Music direction by Magdalini Giannikou and Nehemiah Luckett. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is series humor consultant. Series creative advisors: Dr. Michael Cohen and Richard Nodell. Mandy Boikou is Administrative Director and Sofia Pipa is Program Manager at Onassis USA. Amal Biskin is our production assistant. Live from Mount Olympus was recorded with engineers Roy Hendrickson, Mor Mezrich, Matthew Sullivan, Matthew Soares, Omisha Chaitanya and Elizabeth Scott at The Power Station at Berklee NYC. Press by Grand Communications. Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Live from Mount Olympus is distributed by PRX. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org. 

Welcome to the Tuesday News Day, where we discuss the latest events in nerd news! SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak?sub_confirmation=1 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/themedialunchbreak.bsky.social Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheMediaLunchBreak Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak Facebook: www.facebook.com/themedialunchbreak Or email us at: TheMediaLunchBreak@gmail.com Listen and review us on iTunes and YouTube Music! The Media Lunch Break on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/themedialunchbreak Graphic art by: Melinda Filonuk - www.melgraphics.com www.etsy.com/shop/melgraphicscreations Eric Scotolati - https://twitter.com/ericscotolati

H.W. Brands new book, 'American Patriarch,' turns to the nation's first president, George Washington. Rather than treating Washington as an untouchable icon, Brands explores the ambition, discipline, and restraint that shaped both the man and the new republic.Award-winning historian Rick Atkinson has spent decades bringing pivotal moments in American history to life through richly researched, compelling narrative. His latest book, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777–1780, is the second volume of his acclaimed Revolution Trilogy, chronicling the critical middle years of the American Revolution as George Washington's army struggles to survive and the fight for independence hangs in the balance.

The Lawless adventure continues as Richard Sheaf returns to discuss a huge book about the life and work of Ron Turner. Get your copy on the Telos publishing site, and read more of Richard's writing about Ron Turner on his Boys Adventure Comics blog. You can also view some of the contents of Eric Parker's portfolio there as well.Also, visit the Book Palace for more superb books that Richard has worked on. And look for Justin Marriott's wonderful Battling Britons fanzines which Richard also contributes to. He is a busy man!You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you're the kind of reader who wants heartfelt book recs and a peek behind the curtain of building a reading life worth writing about, this one's for you.Audry Fryer of the Bookish AF Substack joins us to talk about the books she can't stop recommending — from Fredrik Backman's quietly devastating My Friends to the winter read she's still thinking about, The Frozen River. We also get into the joys of audiobooks as genuine self-care, how to ease into romantasy without the overwhelm, and why "millennial mysteries" might be exactly the cozy-but-not-too-cozy genre you've been looking for.

This week, Brad and Dave discuss what happens after a cartoonist achieves the dream: making a living from comics. They explain why success can create its own time-management problems, how to protect the thing that's already working, and why adding books, Kickstarter campaigns, merch, newsletters, or conventions should happen gradually. They also talk about practical systems for numbering webcomic pages, naming files, and keeping longform comics organized over time. Main topics covered Weird convention-reader encounters, including disputed signatures and free-sketch requests What to do when your comic and Patreon are working, but there's no time for anything else Protecting the “engine” of your business before adding new projects Avoiding concentration risk when most income comes from one platform Adding new business layers slowly instead of trying to do everything at once Using small projects, like enamel pins, as manageable learning experiences Why side projects can derail your main comic if you're not careful Finding extra time without wrecking your life or mental health Dave's San Diego Comic-Con booth and the free ComicLab enamel pin How to number pages for longform webcomics The difference between website numbering and book-page numbering Using SEO-friendly titles, focus keyphrases, transcripts, and alt text File-naming conventions for comics, including dates, chapters, pages, and vertical-scroll segments Planning ahead for long-running comics so your numbering system doesn't break later You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Meditative Exercise: The Three Pots Metaphor for Discernment and GrowthHave you ever felt stuck, overlooked, or frustrated by a season that seems to lack visible progress?In this episode of The Heartlifter Way, Janell explores the wisdom of three simple terracotta pots—one empty, one sprouting, and one blooming—and how each stage reveals something essential about spiritual growth, discernment, and becoming.Building on Episodes 13 and 14, you'll discover why discernment is the practice of paying attention to God's invitations and how becoming is what happens as we respond to them over time. Through the lens of The Theology of Gentleness, Janell offers a refreshing perspective: what feels like being stuck may actually be a sacred season of preparation and formation.Because the gardener does not love the bloom more than the seed.And every stage belongs.

We're looking for our next great series! In this episode, Tamara and Casey review Fantasy Romance and Romantasy series, sharing honest insights, critiques, and recommendations based on recent sample reading sessions.If you love discovering new books and want a real behind-the-scenes look at how readers decide what to keep on the list, this conversation is for you.Ep 572Join the newsletter! shelfandscreensociety.riverside.comFind all the essential links in one spot and follow Tamara!Connect with Tamara:Instagram| https://www.instagram.com/shelfaddiction/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@shelfaddictionConnect with Casey:Instagram| https://www.instagram.com/Casey_heartfullofinkTikTok| https://www.tiktok.com/@heartfullofinkCheck out our sponsors and deals!

In this episode, Helen and Elizabeth focus on the first steps of starting a new creative endeavour. Elizabeth shares her search for a creative "cave space", while Helen offers practical advice for sticking with a creative practice when you're still trying to find your groove.Together they explore the role of repetition, routine, and structure in creative work, discussing how frameworks can support creativity rather than restrict it. From graphic diaries and haiku writing to daily habits and artistic rituals, this episode examines how small, consistent actions can help creativity flourish.In this episode:Using SMART goals to focus creative projectsRepetition and pattern-making in artThe work of Yayoi Kusama and Nnena KaluHaiku as a framework for daily reflectionLetting go of perfectionism and self-editingBalancing accountability, routine, and obsessionResources and LinksHelen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/Helen's daily haiku archive: https://arted.online/haiku/The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episodeContact: creativebecomingpod@gmail.comSupportIf you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.DisclaimerCreative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

Graphic designers love logos.We obsess over them.We celebrate them.We tear them apart.And nobody loves judging logos more than designers.But here's the thing...Some of the world's most successful brands have logos designers absolutely hate.Nike.Google.Mastercard.Calendly.And somehow, they're doing just fine.In this episode of The Angry Designer, we unpack why some "bad" logos continue to succeed, why businesses measure logo success differently than designers do, and why the world's best designers spend far less time obsessing over execution than most creatives realize.You'll learn:• Why ugly logos can still be wildly effective• How businesses actually measure branding success• The difference between small and big designer thinkingBecause maybe the question isn't "Is this a good logo?"Maybe the better question is "Why does it work?"Stay Angry our Friends –––––––––––Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3Want to see more?  See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.comJoin in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast

Welcome to Creative Becoming, a podcast for the creative and the curious. If you're ready to swap doomscrolling for doodling, this is the show for you!In this debut episode, hosts Helen and Elizabeth explore the idea of "creative becoming" and how art and storytelling can help us better understand ourselves. Helen shares her experience as a late-diagnosed autistic artist using graphic diaries to navigate identity, while Elizabeth reflects on using creativity to explore a major life milestone.Together they discuss narrative identity, autistic culture, creative practice, and the importance of creating safe spaces where creativity can flourish.In this episode:What "creative becoming" meansGraphic diaries and self-discoveryNarrative identity and storytellingCreativity through an autistic cultural lensCreating spaces that support creative explorationResources and LinksHelen's graphic diary archive: https://arted.online/blog/diaries/Graphic diary template: https://arted.online/toolbox/resource-diary-template/The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/the-10-pillars-revisited-episodeContact: creativebecomingpod@gmail.comSupportIf you are experiencing distress, please contact your GP or a relevant support service in your area.DisclaimerCreative Becoming is connected to Helen Shaddock's practice-based PhD, "Welcome to My Messy World": A practice-based, messy auto-ethnographic artistic exploration into multimedia storytelling as an integral method towards creative becoming.

Dominic gets personal and shares his thoughts on a controversial topic affecting his life. Music - "Dynamic" Prod. by MOONLIGHT Rate & review this podcast and subscribe to stay up to date with every episode drop! Graphic design by Leiha Garcia

What seems like a simple question about exclamation points opens up a much bigger discussion about the power of comics lettering. Brad and Dave talk about punctuation, word balloons, font choices, and the unique grammar of comics — and why cartoonists have tools that prose writers can only dream of. They also share thoughts on staying creative during major disruptions, from studio moves to home renovations. On today's show... Exclamation points in comics: how many is too many? Whether to use one, two, or three exclamation points Why comics grammar differs from prose grammar Using lettering, font size, bolding, and balloon shape instead of extra punctuation When punctuation becomes unnecessary in comics lettering Nate Piekos's The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering Question marks, exclamation points, and the interrobang How punctuation order can affect emotional meaning Writing dialogue for comics: numerals, abbreviations, and natural speech Jim Davis, Garfield, and simplifying comics language Meeting readers where they are through visual storytelling NCS Reuben Awards weekend in Columbus, Ohio Brad and Dave's panel: “Actionable Advice in a Time of Change” Remodeling, moving studios, and creative disruption Setting up a dedicated creative space during chaos Managing the cognitive load of unfinished studio/home projects Why working ahead matters before a move or remodel The danger of putting fun distractions in your studio The temptation of arcade cabinets, pool tables, and other creativity killers You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Dans le monde des comics indépendants, il y a des ouvrages plus ou moins accessibles, sur des thématiques parfois aussi brumeuses que fascinantes. Dans Une petite dose de tremblement, Michael W. Conrad part explorer le monde des rêves dans une intrigue où l'étrange bascule vers l'horreur, où les images dérangeantes s'enchaînent grâce au dessin atypique de Noah Bailey... un livre particulier à bien des égards, que nous avons la chance de pouvoir découvrir cette année dans une belle édition française chez 404 Graphic. Tout récemment, le scénariste Michael W. Conrad était de passage en France, et vous nous connaissez : nous avons pris immédiatement nos micros pour aller lui poser quelques questions !Michael W. Conrad est sur First Print !Le scénariste américain nous a accordé quelques minutes de son précieux temps pour que l'on discute ensemble de son rapport à la bande dessinée, de sa carrière dans le monde ardu des comics et de son approche pour Une Petite Dose de Tremblement ; un entretien où l'on revient aussi sur ce qui rend le rêve aussi fascinant que terrifiant par bien des aspects, et nous espérons que cette discussion vous plaira. Nous remercions Émilie Hurel et Nicolas Beaujouan pour avoir facilité cette interview.Vous pouvez commander Une petite dose de tremblement par ici !Si vous appréciez notre travail alors la meilleure chose que vous puissiez faire pour nous est de le faire savoir ! En partageant l'interview autour de vous, en parlant du podcast à vos potes, à votre libraire, à n'importe qui, en rejoignant notre Discord et en nous soutenant via notre Tipeee ! Merci à toutes et tous de votre écoute et à bientôt pour le prochain podcast !Soutenez First Print - Votre podcast comics (& BD) préféré sur TipeeeHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

When Eris, goddess of discord, crashes the wedding of the mortal Peleus and sea goddess Thetis, she wreaks her usual havoc.  Eris throws a golden apple into the party, which is inscribed “For the goddess who is most fair.” Her mischief sparks a tussle between Athena, Hera and Aphrodite that transforms the entire world. Live from Mount Olympus is produced by the Onassis Foundation. Karen Brooks Hopkins is executive producer. Our series creator and showrunner is Julie Burstein. Live from Mount Olympus is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theatre collective The TEAM. Our directors are Rachel Chavkin, Josiah Davis, Joan Sergay, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant.Our actors are: Eric Berryman (Dionysus, Pan, Zephrys); Ato Blankson-Wood (Apollo); Josiah Davis (Ganymede); Jill Frutkin (Aphrodite); Joanne Hernandez (Daphne); Adrienne Hopkins (Nymph); Caroline Hopkins (Zoe);  Natalie Hopkins (Nymph); Modesto ‘Flako' Jimenez (Ephialtes); Libby King (Athena); Ian Lassiter (Zeus);  Zhailon Levingston (Announcer); Christina Liberus (Artemis); Nehemiah Luckett (Midas); Kimberly Marable (Leto, Fury); Jake Margolin (Orion); Marcel Isaiah Martinez (Hyacinthus); James Harrison Monaco (Marsyas); Xavier Pacheco (Paris, Otus); Kristen Sieh (Python, Fury); Nedra Marie Taylor (Hera); Ching Valdes-Aran (Delos); Daniel Watts (Eros, Silenus)And André De Shields is Hermes (and in this episode, Eris, goddess of discord!) The TEAM's Producing Director is Emma Orme, and Associate Producer is Diana Khong. We thank the artists and leaders of Epic Theater Ensemble for their continued collaboration! Live from Mount Olympus is written by Nathan Yungerberg with Julie Burstein and Jason Adam Katzenstein. Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Audio editing and sound design by Julie Burstein and David Schulman (E1 and E4). Music and songs composed, arranged and produced by Magdalini Giannikou. Lyrics and vocal production by Malena Marcase. Music performed by Banda Magda. Instrumental music mixed and mastered by Luca Bordonaro. Songs mixed and mastered by Tom Beuchel. Music direction by Magdalini Giannikou and Nehemiah Luckett. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is series humor consultant. Series creative advisors: Dr. Michael Cohen and Richard Nodell. Mandy Boikou is Administrative Director and Sofia Pipa is Program Manager at Onassis USA. Amal Biskin is our production assistant. Live from Mount Olympus was recorded with engineers Roy Hendrickson, Mor Mezrich, Matthew Sullivan, Matthew Soares, Omisha Chaitanya and Elizabeth Scott at The Power Station at Berklee NYC. Press by Grand Communications. Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Live from Mount Olympus is distributed by PRX. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org. 

Graphic novelist Vivian Zhou discusses her creative process, influences, and experiences – emphasizing the importance of daydreaming and quiet time for developing stories. Vivian also highlights the value of having an agent to navigate the publishing industry and maintain creative control over her work. The Creative Nova Scotia Awards are presented by Arts Nova Scotia and the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council to celebrate artistic excellence across Mi'kma'ki. Award categories are as follows: Creative Community Impact Prix Grand-Pré Established Artist Emerging Artist Black Artist Indigenous Artist The Portia White Prize Collectively, the awards are worth $75,000! Visit artsns.ca for more information. This series would not be possible without the fantastic production work of Heist and Keke Beatz.

Elyse Kelly joins the show to discuss her meandering journey from childhood Disney fascination to her impactful work in animation and documentary storytelling. She discusses the importance of curiosity, storytelling, balancing passion with practicality, and her thoughts on the future of creative careers amidst technological change.

Giles Wright returns to Lawless and he's brought another eclectic mix of stories from Mega-City One. We discuss some highs and lows in both stories and artwork, and we reflect on some real world parallels with undercover policing.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

In Episode 208 of the Equipping ELLs podcast, Beth Vaucher tackles one of the most widely discussed and most misunderstood concepts in ELL instruction: scaffolding. Every ELL teacher has heard the word, most can name a few strategies, and most genuinely believe they are scaffolding for their students. But when Beth observes teachers using these tools, she consistently finds the same problem — scaffolds are being used inconsistently, without clear purpose, and without any plan to eventually remove them. And when scaffolding never gets phased out, it stops being a scaffold entirely.Beth begins with the definition most teacher training programs get wrong. Scaffolding comes from the construction metaphor — a temporary structure built alongside a building while it is going up. The key word is temporary. The whole point of a scaffold is that it eventually comes down. In teaching, scaffolding is any temporary support that allows a student to access content they cannot access independently yet. That word yet is everything. Scaffolding is always pointed toward independence — always building toward the moment when the support is no longer needed. This is what makes scaffolding fundamentally different from accommodation, which is a permanent adjustment. Both have their place, but treating them as interchangeable is one of the most common mistakes in ELL classrooms — one Beth admits she was guilty of early in her own teaching career.The most common scaffolding mistake, Beth explains, is keeping the same scaffold long after it has stopped helping students grow. She uses sentence frames as the example most teachers will recognize: a teacher introduces frames for writing, students use them, lessons go better, and the teacher keeps using the same frames week after week. Students get comfortable. They rely on them completely. The teacher feels good because language is being produced. But completing a frame is not the same as internalizing a structure. Students can fill in the same sentence frame for six months without ever acquiring the academic language it contains. The scaffold has stopped building — it is only carrying.The fix is gradual release, not sudden removal. Beth walks through the progression: I do it, we do it together, you do it with support, you do it alone. Each step is a little more independent than the last. That progression is what turns a scaffold into real acquisition.The heart of the episode is a walkthrough of five scaffolding strategies that consistently make the biggest difference for ELL students. Sentence frames and sentence starters are the most versatile and highest-impact tools in the toolkit — but their power depends entirely on whether complexity is increasing over time. Beth walks through how to move from a complete frame to a partial frame to a prompt word to a word bank to nothing at all. Graphic organizers make thinking visible and are especially powerful for writing and reading comprehension — Beth recommends picking one organizer to master deeply before introducing others, and phasing out from fully structured to blank to student-created. Visual supports are not decoration — every image in a sheltered classroom should carry meaning, and Beth addresses how to move students toward generating their own visual connections over time. Pre-teaching vocabulary is the most commonly skipped scaffold and the one that makes the single biggest difference — five to eight essential words introduced before the lesson begins, not during and not at the end, with context, visuals, and multiple exposures. And modeling through think-alouds is the most underused scaffold of all, one that costs nothing — doing the task yourself out loud in front of students before asking them to attempt it, including making mistakes visibly so students see that confusion and self-correction are part of the process.Beth closes with the reminder that scaffolding is not one size fits all — the right scaffold always depends on the student's language stage and the specific task. And she leaves teachers with one question to ask before every lesson about every scaffold they plan to use: am I using this because my students need it to access the content right now, or am I using it because it makes the lesson feel smoother and I am not sure what else to do? FREE RESOURCE: DM the word SCAFFOLD to @EquippingELLs on Instagram for the free ELL Scaffolding Strategy Guide — scaffolding strategies organized by proficiency level with examples from Level 1 through Level 5.

Today's show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. • Check it out at https://comiclabshop.com • Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) This week, Dave returns from Alaska Comics Camp — https://minicon.alaskarobotics.com/comics-camp/ — with a glowing review of what he calls one of the most meaningful experiences of his professional life. He explains how the camp blends education, community, mentorship, and artistic growth in a remote setting that forces attendees to disconnect from technology and reconnect with one another. Along the way, Brad and Dave discuss what makes the camp special, the value of peer-to-peer learning, the recent panic over Kickstarter's updated NSFW guidelines, Eisner nominations, and the realities of pursuing recognition in comics. Alaska Comics Camp Alaska Robotics Comics Camp is a four-night creative retreat in the southeast Alaska rainforest for comics pros, visual storytellers, and adjacent creators — writers, game devs, filmmakers, journalists, musicians, and more. You have to apply to attend. It's not a standard “buy a badge and show up” event; accepted campers attend after the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con in Juneau.  Cost: Camp is listed at $800, which includes four nights of lodging, meals, and transportation to/from downtown Juneau. Financial aid is available, and asking for aid does not affect application review.  What to expect: workshops, presentations, peer conversations, campfires, board games, hanging out, and wandering through the woods and nearby ocean beach — basically “a professional development conference for people who don't like conference rooms.”  Comfort level: rustic but not brutal — heated cabins, bunk beds with mattresses, flushing toilets, hot showers, power outlets, meals, snacks, coffee/tea, towels, and comfort items are provided. There's no regular Wi-Fi or cell service at camp, though service is reachable by hike or ride.  How to participate next year: watch the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con / Comics Camp site and their social channels for the next application window. Recent camps have used an application process with deadlines months ahead of the event, so don't wait until spring to start looking. https://minicon.alaskarobotics.com/comics-camp/ Topics Covered A complete tour of Alaska Comics Camp and how it evolved from a small Juneau event into an international gathering of cartoonists School visits, library presentations, the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con, and the camp experience itself Why the lack of cell service is one of the camp's greatest strengths Classes taught by attendees on topics including storytelling, lettering, humor writing, character development, publishing, and business An NSFW-comics discussion that impressed Brad with the camp's openness and professionalism The importance of "Comics Rules" (similar to Chatham House Rules) in creating a safe environment for sharing industry information Real-world discussions of publishing contracts, agents, income, and career sustainability The anonymous income survey that helps attendees understand the wide range of successful cartooning careers Why Alaska Comics Camp has become one of Dave's favorite events in all of comics Stories from ComicLab listeners who attended camp after hearing about it on the podcast Dave's observations about Alaska's landscape, culture, and strong sense of community The tale of a failed camp water pump and Pat Race's MacGyver-level solution involving a distillery, a fire department, and a garden hose The viral misinformation claiming Kickstarter had banned pornography What Kickstarter's updated NSFW guidelines actually said Why Stripe — not Kickstarter — is the real concern for adult-content creators Brad's emergency solo Pro Tips episode explaining the new guidelines How creators can avoid overreacting to social-media panic cycles Listener feedback about what Brad and Dave's voices sound like to non-Americans Congratulations to friends of the show, including Ryan North, Glenn Fleishman, Tony Cliff, and Steve Lieber, on their Eisner nominations A discussion about award submissions, advocacy, and why creators must nominate themselves The realities of comics awards, including Eisners, Ringo Awards, Hugos, Reubens, and Ignatz Awards Whether award nominations come from changing your work — or simply years of steady improvement and persistence You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Artemis is skeptical at first when the giant Orion asks her to be his hunting companion, yet finds that he is delightful company - she's made a friend! Until a jealous Apollo plays a terrible trick that risks destroying his relationship with his sister forever. Live from Mount Olympus is produced by the Onassis Foundation. Karen Brooks Hopkins is executive producer. Our series creator and showrunner is Julie Burstein. Live from Mount Olympus is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theatre collective The TEAM. Our directors are Rachel Chavkin, Josiah Davis, Joan Sergay, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant.Our actors are: Eric Berryman (Dionysus, Pan, Zephrys); Ato Blankson-Wood (Apollo); Josiah Davis (Ganymede); Jill Frutkin (Aphrodite); Joanne Hernandez (Daphne); Adrienne Hopkins (Nymph); Caroline Hopkins (Zoe);  Natalie Hopkins (Nymph); Modesto ‘Flako' Jimenez (Ephialtes); Libby King (Athena); Ian Lassiter (Zeus);  Zhailon Levingston (Announcer); Christina Liberus (Artemis); Nehemiah Luckett (Midas); Kimberly Marable (Leto, Fury); Jake Margolin (Orion); Marcel Isaiah Martinez (Hyacinthus); James Harrison Monaco (Marsyas); Xavier Pacheco (Paris, Otus); Kristen Sieh (Python, Fury); Nedra Marie Taylor (Hera); Ching Valdes-Aran (Delos); Daniel Watts (Eros, Silenus)And André De Shields is Hermes (and this season, Eris, goddess of discord!) The TEAM's Producing Director is Emma Orme, and Associate Producer is Diana Khong. We thank the artists and leaders of Epic Theater Ensemble for their continued collaboration! Live from Mount Olympus is written by Nathan Yungerberg with Julie Burstein and Jason Adam Katzenstein. Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Audio editing and sound design by Julie Burstein and David Schulman (E1 and E4). Music and songs composed, arranged and produced by Magdalini Giannikou. Lyrics and vocal production by Malena Marcase. Music performed by Banda Magda. Instrumental music mixed and mastered by Luca Bordonaro. Songs mixed and mastered by Tom Beuchel. Music direction by Magdalini Giannikou and Nehemiah Luckett. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is series humor consultant. Series creative advisors: Dr. Michael Cohen and Richard Nodell. Mandy Boikou is Administrative Director and Sofia Pipa is Program Manager at Onassis USA. Amal Biskin is our production assistant. Live from Mount Olympus was recorded with engineers Roy Hendrickson, Mor Mezrich, Matthew Sullivan, Matthew Soares, Omisha Chaitanya and Elizabeth Scott at The Power Station at Berklee NYC. Press by Grand Communications. Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Live from Mount Olympus is distributed by PRX. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org. 

What this episode is about Most salespeople are pointed at targets without being taught to think about them. That gap — between knowing who to call and understanding why it matters — is what Peter Cleary and Tom Sterns set out to close with their book Graphic Sales: How to Build a Prospecting Playbook. The book is unusual. It teaches through illustrated comic strips drawn from real sales disasters, using the Aesop's Fables principle: story first, lesson second. The goal isn't to lecture. It's to help salespeople recognise themselves, laugh at the madness, and do the work better. What Marcus, Peter, and Tom cover Ideal Customer Profile as a foundation — not a filter. The ICP chapter opens the book because everything else depends on it. ICP isn't just demographic targeting. It's understanding the four to six data attributes that signal your solution is genuinely right for a specific buyer — and then thinking critically about what those signals mean in context. Why AI won't solve poor prospecting judgement. Tom shares a cautionary story: he built an AI-assisted prospecting tool for a team, fed it the right signals, and watched conversion rates fall. The problem wasn't the data. It was that automating the research broke the reps' critical thinking. They stopped trusting the information because they hadn't processed it themselves. They started dialling without thinking. Conversion rates recovered only when the reps were given time to verify and reason about the signals themselves. Pre-call planning is a non-negotiable. Hundreds of touchpoints go into booking a meeting. Showing up without reviewing the notes, researching the company, and forming a hypothesis is a dereliction of the role — not just poor practice. The post-call debrief most organisations never do. Standardised post-call analysis is almost universally absent. Marcus describes his red-teaming process: everyone hears the call, debriefs individually, and lessons feed directly into the next pre-call plan. It's how losses become assets rather than embarrassments. Multi-threading vs single-contact selling. SDRs are frequently incentivised to book a meeting with one person and move on. The result is account executives walking into rooms they don't understand, recapping conversations the buyer has already had. Tom and Peter describe pod structures where SDRs and AEs share long-term account ownership — so the knowledge doesn't evaporate at handoff. Meeting buyers where they actually are. Marcus introduces a staged buying journey framework — from centre of dissatisfaction through passive and active looking, to deciding — and maps this against persona data. A buyer who started a new role four weeks ago is in a different conversation than one who looks like they're planning their next move. Timing, relevance, and personal value determine whether a rep gets championed internally. Honesty, pipeline integrity, and what managers actually owe their organisations. Tom shares a pipeline audit story where redefining stage criteria caused the pipeline to drop by two-thirds — and the leadership committee was relieved. Peter and Marcus discuss the cultural cost of managers who manage upwards rather than telling the truth to the people who need to act on it. Key quotes from the episode Marcus: "Haste is different from speed. Most people prospect with haste." Tom: "I don't even care about your product in the first week of onboarding. We're going to focus entirely on your buyer's world." Marcus: "Buyers don't hate being sold to. They hate being sold to badly. And more often than not, the problem isn't laziness or stupidity — it's lack of self-awareness." About the book Graphic Sales: How to Build a Prospecting Playbook by Peter Cleary and Tom Sterns. Available at all good bookstores. About The Inquisitor Podcast Hosted by Marcus Cauchi. Produced by Principled Selling. The show examines what commercial dysfunction actually looks like from the inside — and what honest, buyer-centred selling requires.

Should cartoonists hire a social-media manager? Brad and Dave discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing social media and ultimately argue that most creators should handle it themselves. They explain why social media is an extension of a creator's voice, how direct engagement provides invaluable feedback about audience-building and marketing, and why improving your promotional skills makes you a better cartoonist overall. Along the way, they discuss shyness, self-promotion, audience growth, and the dangers of trying to be everywhere at once online. Topics Covered • The ComicLab newsletter and the “Five to Grow On” feature • Whether cartoonists should hire a social-media manager • Why social media is part of a creator's artistic voice • The value of learning promotion instead of outsourcing it • Why creative people often resist marketing and business skills • How marketing skills can improve artistic skills • The dangers of trying to maintain every social-media platform at once • Brad's “2-2-1” approach to social media • Platform-specific posting strategies and why one-size-fits-all promotion fails • Social-media feedback as a tool for improving your work • Shyness and discomfort with self-promotion • The “lipstick on a pig” problem: when promotion can't compensate for weak work • Why making a great comic remains the most important marketing strategy • Dave's upcoming Reddit AMA and his Hugo Award nomination • Using award nominations as promotional opportunities • Hugo Awards promotional support versus other industry awards • BlueSky starter packs and audience growth • Why cartoonists should do more cross-promotion • Whether creators should put award nominations on book covers • How long to keep promoting a completed comic project • Managing inventory and promoting older books • Long-tail sales and evergreen products • Using older books as bonuses, stretch goals, and loss leaders • When it makes sense to retire promotional efforts • Whether different creative projects need separate Patreons, newsletters, Substacks, and social-media accounts • The benefits and drawbacks of splitting projects into separate brands • Cognitive load, burnout, and managing multiple audiences • Using separate platforms to measure the success of different projects • When creators should keep projects under one roof and when they should branch out You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor, takes questions from listeners and talks about the big news in the city, and other issues important to New Yorkers, including trans healthcare, pedestrian safety and childcare. Graphic by WNYC Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An encounter in the forest leads to divine musical powers – and dangerous hubris – for the satyr Marsyas. And Midas, King of Phrygia, discovers that his lust for gold has the power to destroy what he truly loves. Live from Mount Olympus is produced by the Onassis Foundation. Karen Brooks Hopkins is executive producer. Our series creator and showrunner is Julie Burstein. Live from Mount Olympus is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theatre collective The TEAM. Our directors are Rachel Chavkin, Josiah Davis, Joan Sergay, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant.Our actors are: Eric Berryman (Dionysus, Pan, Zephrys); Ato Blankson-Wood (Apollo); Josiah Davis (Ganymede); Jill Frutkin (Aphrodite); Joanne Hernandez (Daphne); Adrienne Hopkins (Nymph); Caroline Hopkins (Zoe);  Natalie Hopkins (Nymph); Modesto ‘Flako' Jimenez (Ephialtes); Libby King (Athena); Ian Lassiter (Zeus);  Zhailon Levingston (Announcer); Christina Liberus (Artemis); Nehemiah Luckett (Midas); Kimberly Marable (Leto, Fury); Jake Margolin (Orion); Marcel Isaiah Martinez (Hyacinthus); James Harrison Monaco (Marsyas); Xavier Pacheco (Paris, Otus); Kristen Sieh (Python, Fury); Nedra Marie Taylor (Hera); Ching Valdes-Aran (Delos); Daniel Watts (Eros, Silenus)And André De Shields is Hermes (and this season, Eris, goddess of discord!) The TEAM's Producing Director is Emma Orme, and Associate Producer is Diana Khong. We thank the artists and leaders of Epic Theater Ensemble for their continued collaboration! Live from Mount Olympus is written by Nathan Yungerberg with Julie Burstein and Jason Adam Katzenstein. Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Audio editing and sound design by Julie Burstein and David Schulman (E1 and E4). Music and songs composed, arranged and produced by Magdalini Giannikou. Lyrics and vocal production by Malena Marcase. Music performed by Banda Magda. Instrumental music mixed and mastered by Luca Bordonaro. Songs mixed and mastered by Tom Beuchel. Music direction by Magdalini Giannikou and Nehemiah Luckett. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is series humor consultant. Series creative advisors: Dr. Michael Cohen and Richard Nodell. Mandy Boikou is Administrative Director and Sofia Pipa is Program Manager at Onassis USA. Amal Biskin is our production assistant. Live from Mount Olympus was recorded with engineers Roy Hendrickson, Mor Mezrich, Matthew Sullivan, Matthew Soares, Omisha Chaitanya and Elizabeth Scott at The Power Station at Berklee NYC. Press by Grand Communications. Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Live from Mount Olympus is distributed by PRX. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org. 

Leila Rahimi and Mark Grote welcomed on Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes for the daily transition segment.

With both Brad and Dave nominated for awards this year, the guys spiral into a surprisingly deep conversation about awards, marketing, ego, and whether creators should plaster “award nominee” stickers all over their books. Later, they tackle a listener question about using 3D models, digital sets, and reference material in comics production — leading to a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how both creators actually build comics pages in tools like Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop. Along the way, they discuss why imperfections matter in cartooning, how typography affects visual storytelling, and why “cheating” is often just another word for “working smarter.” Today's Show Should you put an award nomination on a book cover? UPDATE: Hugo Award voter packet "WSFS Membership"  Using sets and other pre-made background materials  UPDATE: Patreon Quips is now available on desktop You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Shining Apollo may be the god of music, healing and the sun - but he's definitely not the god of love.  His sister Artemis urges Apollo to learn from his mistakes.Live from Mount Olympus is produced by the Onassis Foundation. Karen Brooks Hopkins is executive producer. Our series creator and showrunner is Julie Burstein. Live from Mount Olympus is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theatre collective The TEAM. Our directors are Rachel Chavkin, Josiah Davis, Joan Sergay, and Keenan Tyler Oliphant.Our actors are: Eric Berryman (Dionysus, Pan, Zephrys); Ato Blankson-Wood (Apollo); Josiah Davis (Ganymede); Jill Frutkin (Aphrodite); Joanne Hernandez (Daphne); Adrienne Hopkins (Nymph); Caroline Hopkins (Zoe);  Natalie Hopkins (Nymph); Modesto ‘Flako' Jimenez (Ephialtes); Libby King (Athena); Ian Lassiter (Zeus);  Zhailon Levingston (Announcer); Christina Liberus (Artemis); Nehemiah Luckett (Midas); Kimberly Marable (Leto, Fury); Jake Margolin (Orion); Marcel Isaiah Martinez (Hyacinthus); James Harrison Monaco (Marsyas); Xavier Pacheco (Paris, Otus); Kristen Sieh (Python, Fury); Nedra Marie Taylor (Hera); Ching Valdes-Aran (Delos); Daniel Watts (Eros, Silenus)And André De Shields is Hermes (and this season, Eris, goddess of discord!) The TEAM's Producing Director is Emma Orme, and Associate Producer is Diana Khong. We thank the artists and leaders of Epic Theater Ensemble for their continued collaboration! Live from Mount Olympus is written by Nathan Yungerberg with Julie Burstein and Jason Adam Katzenstein. Audio production and mix by John Melillo. Audio editing and sound design by Julie Burstein and David Schulman (E1 and E4). Music and songs composed, arranged and produced by Magdalini Giannikou. Lyrics and vocal production by Malena Marcase. Music performed by Banda Magda. Instrumental music mixed and mastered by Luca Bordonaro. Songs mixed and mastered by Tom Beuchel. Music direction by Magdalini Giannikou and Nehemiah Luckett. Jason Adam Katzenstein created our illustrations and is series humor consultant. Series creative advisors: Dr. Michael Cohen and Richard Nodell. Mandy Boikou is Administrative Director and Sofia Pipa is Program Manager at Onassis USA. Amal Biskin is our production assistant. Live from Mount Olympus was recorded with engineers Roy Hendrickson, Mor Mezrich, Matthew Sullivan, Matthew Soares, Omisha Chaitanya and Elizabeth Scott at The Power Station at Berklee NYC. Press by Grand Communications. Graphic design by Onassis Creative Studio. Live from Mount Olympus is distributed by PRX. Since 1975, the Onassis Foundation has been dedicated to culture, community, and education, with projects that can effectively inspire social change and justice across borders. Learn more at www.onassis.org. 

BUY TICKETS TO DOPEY SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: https://buytickets.at/thedopeyfoundation/2216905 Join Patreon For Cheap Tickets and much more: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast Long Summary Notes: Dave opens the Dopey Total Replay by revisiting Episode 27, “Detox Withdrawal,” one of the earliest foundational episodes of Dopey. He explains how the episode introduced both graphic designer Ryan — creator of the iconic nodding Dopey logo — and Todd Curry, Dave's longtime using buddy who would later die in 2018, just weeks before Chris. Dave reflects on Chris's original idea for a “Dopey Stories” book made up of listener submissions and stories from the show. He talks about failed attempts to pitch the project to publishers and wonders whether self-publishing a Dopey book on Amazon might finally make sense. He invites listeners to resend their best stories to dopeypodcast@gmail.com. Disclaimer: I think I called Spanish People Stupid - but it was meant totally with love. Dave then shifts into a recap of Music on the Mountain in Vermont, where he attended with Linda and the kids. He talks about seeing Anders Osborne, Daniel Donato, Jackie Greene, Karina Rykman, Eggy, Lamp, and others. Susan celebrates her eighth birthday and hilariously insists on introducing bands onstage after Dave lets her introduce Karina Rykman. Dave admits Susan might actually be a better MC than him. Dave promotes the upcoming Dopey Short Film Festival at the SVA Theater, mentioning Mountainside as a possible title sponsor and joking about Katz's desserts and Othello cookies potentially being involved. He reads Patreon and Spotify comments reacting to the previous replay episode, including discussion of Rush, Basketball Diaries, Knicks playoff hopes, bread basket addiction, and people missing Chris. Dave goes on multiple tangents about bread, fitness, the Knicks, and Cleveland versus Detroit. The replay itself begins with Chris and Dave just starting to record when Todd randomly calls in. Todd immediately launches into a story about getting arrested while allegedly trying to buy weed in a housing project. Chris and Dave immediately question the story while Todd insists he was only trying to buy marijuana. The conversation spirals into stories about community service, Delancey Street cleanup duty, reverse discrimination jokes, airport profiling, Todd's history with Dave, and their years selling drugs together. Chris openly campaigns for Todd to become a recurring Dopey guest while Dave resists because Todd is still actively using heroin and weed. Graphic designer Ryan joins the conversation and explains why he loved Dopey from the beginning — because it wasn't a traditional recovery podcast. He says recovery shows felt too church-like, while Dopey mixed active addiction stories with recovery in a way that could actually reach addicts. Todd and Dave argue about whether active users should appear on Dopey. Ryan attempts to sober coach Todd live on the air, asking him what heroin does for him emotionally. Todd admits heroin covers feelings of loneliness, insecurity, and self-hatred. He describes failed relationships, yoga classes, women, and using heroin to cope with emotional pain. Ryan explains the basics of abstinence and recovery while Todd half-jokes and half-confesses his inability to stop using. Chris mostly eggs the entire thing on while enjoying the chaos. The episode shifts into stories about Mountainside and the infamous “Phase Four” extended-care house. Ryan explains how he entered treatment planning only to save money for heroin afterward, but somehow ended up getting sober instead. Dave admits he originally thought Ryan would never stay sober, while Dave himself eventually relapsed despite appearing more serious about recovery at the time. Ryan tells wild detox stories involving escaping treatment during withdrawal, trading a $2,500 laptop for heroin bundles, walking through snowstorms, and eventually landing at Mountainside. The group discusses relapse, sobriety, AA sponsorship disasters, yoga, heroin addiction, and the randomness of getting sober. The episode eventually devolves into jokes about Dave's disgusting toenail, Instagram photos, podcast structure, and arguments about whether episodes should be one hour long. Chris insists on ending every episode with “Good So Bad,” while Dave complains nobody wants long podcasts — ironic considering modern Dopey episodes often run three hours. Back in present-day narration, Dave reflects emotionally on hearing Todd and Chris together again. He reveals that Todd eventually appeared on Dopey multiple times, including once when he left mid-recording to go downstairs and shoot heroin before returning to finish the episode high. Dave closes by talking about Ryan's later recovery work at Berkshire Transition Network and how foundational he was to early Dopey. He reflects on the pain, foreshadowing, and innocence captured in the episode before ending with “Good So Bad” and a tribute to Chris and Todd. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.