Creative Pep Talk

Andy J. Pizza -- New York Times bestselling illustrator and the kind of guy who radiates creative energy even through your earbuds -- has built Creative Pep Talk into one of the most beloved resources for working artists. With nearly 550 episodes and a 4.8 rating from almost 2,000 reviewers, the audience clearly agrees. The show toggles between solo pep talks and interviews with accomplished creatives, and both formats work. In his solo episodes, Pizza breaks down the mental game of creative work: beating your inner critic, pushing through blocks, and finding that sweet spot between innovation and consistency. He has a talent for making big abstract ideas feel actionable. In the interview episodes, he brings on artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who share real stories about how they built their careers -- not the highlight reel, but the actual messy process. Pizza's delivery is energetic without being exhausting. He sounds like a smart friend who happens to have thought deeply about why creative careers are so uniquely challenging. The show leans heavily into illustration and design, but the insights translate to any creative field. New episodes drop weekly, and most run about 30-50 minutes. If you're a creative professional who occasionally needs someone to remind you that the struggle is normal and the work is worth it, this podcast delivers that consistently without being preachy about it.