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What happens when two brothers decide to stop overthinking it and build a design studio around the kind of work they actually want to make?

In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan and Jeremy Coon of Brethren Design Co., a two-person studio built on trust, contrast, and a shared love of making things that are fun, expressive, and a little chaotic (in the best way). We discuss what it’s really like to work with family, how they naturally fell into different roles, and why embracing each other’s strengths has been key to their success.

We also dig into how they educate clients, move past the “I just need a logo” mindset, and create space for projects that don’t neatly fit into one box, from branding and packaging to fonts, board games, and beyond. Along the way, they share honest insight from quitting their day jobs, navigating LinkedIn as designers, and why doing work you genuinely enjoy tends to attract the right opportunities.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• What it’s like building a studio with your sibling
• How different creative strengths naturally turn into clear business roles
• The chaos vs. structure dynamic and why both are necessary
• When and how they decided to quit their full-time jobs
• Why educating clients is a designer’s responsibility
• How showing process helps clients understand value
• Why they don’t niche themselves into a single category
• How fun, personality-driven work attracts the right clients
• Why they removed pressure from fonts by not tying them to revenue goals
• Cold outreach, long-game visibility, and unexpected referrals
• Designing a full board game and how that opportunity came together
• Letting curiosity lead to new creative directions

Connect with Brethren Design Co.

Website: https://www.brethrendesignco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brethrendesignco/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Chicken and the Wolf
• Sliced Beer
• Four Fathers (Website Design)
• Joe Moore
• Vision Board Kit
• Solid Roots
• Mind the Gap
• Netflix Project

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

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In this episode, we sit down with illustrator, designer, and jill of all trades Marisol Ortega for a conversation that’s equal parts honest, hilarious, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating a creative career.

Marisol talks about leaving full-time work (again!) to return to freelance life, why office-centric culture doesn’t support the way many creatives actually think and work, and how being a parent shaped her career decisions. We dig into the reality of juggling big-name clients, managing energy, working with a rep, and building a sustainable freelance practice that doesn’t drain your soul.

She also walks us through her thriving, but intentionally chill, product shop, what she’s learned from vending at events like Adobe MAX, and why she reins herself in on new product ideas. We also get into plant obsessions, tattoo pain scales, imposter syndrome (yes, she feels it too!), and dreaming bigger with kids' apparel and creative collaborations.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Why Marisol officially returned to full-time freelancing this year
• The challenges of in-office creative roles when you’re a parent
• How kindness and not burning bridges led to years of referral-based work
• What it’s really like working with major brands (Target, Pringles, sports teams & more)
• Navigating freelancers’ “ebb and flow” without relying on social media
• How a creative rep supports her business and workload
• Lessons learned from vending at events and deciding what’s worth investing in
• How imposter syndrome shows up even when you’re thriving
• Why her dream projects now involve kids' apparel and playful design
• The power of experimenting, staying in your lane, and keeping your head down at work
• How plants, cooking, and hobbies outside design help her recharge

Connect with Marisol Ortega

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisol.ortega/

Website: https://www.marisolortega.com/

Shop: https://www.marisolortega.com/shop

Mentioned in this episode:

• Adobe MAX https://www.adobe.com/max.html
• AIGA Seattle https://seattle.aiga.org/
• Renegade Craft https://www.renegadecraft.com/
• Aqui Mercado Events https://www.instagram.com/aquimercado.seattle/
• Aaron Draplin https://www.instagram.com/draplin/
• Yoto Player https://us.yotoplay.com/

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

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In this episode, we’re joined by a very special guest, Rebecca Shostak, co-founder of Flodesk and lifelong designer-turned-entrepreneur. This conversation is packed with insights into how creativity, design thinking, and intentional decision-making can shape not just a project but an entire company. We also go deep into AI, the fears, the opportunities, and what it looks like to use it as a tool that supports creativity rather than replaces it.

Rebbeca shares how she went from designing merch for top artists to identifying a massive gap in the email-marketing world…and eventually building one of the most beloved design-forward platforms in the industry. We talk about the early days, the years of customer feedback that planted the seeds for Flodesk, and what it really took to go from idea to product without outside funding.

We also dig into the emotional and practical realities of creative entrepreneurship: learning to let go of control, hiring before you feel ready, defining roles within your team, and understanding your own strengths as your business grows.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Rebecca’s path from merch designer to co-founding Flodesk
• How growing up around entrepreneurs shaped her mindset
• The importance of validating ideas through honest conversations
• Why intentionality is the foundation of good design
• The shift from being the designer to leading a creative team
• How to hire well and why doing the work yourself first matters
• Creative risks that paid off
• Why AI can’t replace creativity, and what it can free up time for
• How creatives can use email marketing even without a product to sell
• Building thought leadership and connection through email
• The future of work, creativity, and the new wave of tools

Connect with Rebecca Shostak, Co-Founder of Flodesk

Try Flodesk for Free: https://flodesk.com/c/GOODTYPE

Rebecca’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.shostak/

Flodesk’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flodesk/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Flodesk https://flodesk.com/c/GOODTYPE (unlimited plan ends soon!)
• Canva
• WordPress

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

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In this episode, we sit down with Callum from Callum’s Creative Club to explore the twists and turns of balancing freelance design, social media content, and staying true to your values. From landing dream projects with Nike to navigating the wild ride of building an online following, Callum shares the highs, lows, and lessons that come with straddling two creative worlds.

We dig into the reality behind comparison traps, how boundaries keep creativity sustainable, and why building community matters more than chasing algorithms. Callum also opens up about shifting energy toward his newsletter as a healthier, more authentic way to connect with designers and creatives.

If you’ve ever struggled with creative balance, content pressure, or simply wondered how to grow without losing yourself, this episode is for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• The surprising story of landing a dream freelance client right away
• Why working with values-aligned brands makes the biggest difference
• How the pandemic reshaped Callum’s career into content creation
• The double-edged sword of viral growth (and why it’s not always what you think)
• Setting healthy boundaries between online presence and offline life
• The trap of comparison–and how newsletters became a safe creative outlet
• How to keep content authentic while standing out from the crowd
• Why consistency and vulnerability resonate more than perfection
• Choosing between client work, content creation, and education
• The importance of recalibrating your creative career when it drifts

Connect with Callum

Website: https://callumscreativeclub.myflodesk.com/linkinbio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callumscreativeclub/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Callum’s Creative Club Newsletter
• Brick

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

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What does it look like running your own design studio that works with names like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley? In this episode, we sit down with Amber Asay of Nice People to discuss the winding path that led her from scrapbooking experiments and show choirs to launching a successful design agency and a creative podcast.

Amber shares the reality of landing big-name projects (and why you sometimes have to view them as long-term investments), the pros and cons of building a flexible studio model, and how she has learned to adapt her business during challenging times in the industry. (yes, everyone is feeling it, you are not alone!) We also dig into creative experiments, from launching a podcast to Airbnb hosting and the importance of slowing down, setting boundaries, and choosing sustainability over hustle.

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate client pricing, keep your creative spark alive, or find balance between parenting and running a studio, this episode is for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• The inside story of working with high-profile clients
• Pricing challenges: balancing opportunity with sustainability
• Building a flexible “expand and contract” design studio model
• Why overhead isn’t always the dream (and how flexibility keeps you resilient)
• The slowest freelance year: adapting to industry shifts and diversifying income as an artist
• Starting a podcast as a creative side quest and what it really gives back
• How planting “seeds” years ago is still paying off today
• Rethinking social media and marketing when you can’t post every day
• Why slowing down, setting boundaries, and working shorter hours can actually help creativity thrive

Connect with Amber Asay

Website: https://nicepeople.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberasay

Nice People’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicepeople/

Women Designers You Should Know Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-designers-you-should-know/id1741408177

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Kernference https://thekernference.com (use code TYPECAST!)
• Ralph Tyndall Designs https://www.ralphtyndall.com/
• Poosh Project https://nicepeople.com/Poosh
• Prisma Markers

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

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Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

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What happens when two dynamic duos get together to talk about creative business, collaboration, and the messy beauty of figuring it out as you go? In this episode, we sit down with Arabela and Elle of Weekend Creative to explore their journey from meeting in college lighting class to running a thriving commercial photography and education business.

We dive into how they naturally found their roles as photographer/retoucher and art director/producer, why balancing personal projects with client work matters, and the ways they’ve navigated creative overlap in their partnership. They share insights about their evolving relationship with social media–from posting daily to outsourcing content creation, and why they’re now leaning into a more authentic, less-is-more approach.

This conversation goes deep into mental health, redefining productivity, and resisting the pressure to perform for an algorithm constantly. We talk about the slow seasons, the changing online education landscape, and the importance of setting success metrics that prioritize freedom, creativity, and well-being. Plus, you’ll hear practical takeaways for protecting your creative energy and showing up as your truest self.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How two creatives found their perfect balance of roles without a formal plan
• Why personal projects can fuel your client work
• Strategies for setting boundaries with brand vs. personal presence online
• The shifting landscape of online education for creatives
• How to approach slow seasons without losing momentum (or your mind)
• The trap of productivity-based self-worth, and how to reframe it
• Redefining success to align with lifestyle, not just revenue goals
• Practical tips for protecting mental health while running a creative business

Connect with Weekend Creative

Website: weekend-creative.com

Saturday School: saturdayschool.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weekendcreative/

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Kernference https://thekernference.com (use code TYPECAST)
• Adam Vicarel https://www.instagram.com/adamvicarel/
• Dr. Becky https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside/

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send us a text

If LinkedIn isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to growing your creative business... you’re not alone. But in this episode, we’re sharing the surprising results of our 30-day experiment, where we posted on LinkedIn every weekday, and what we learned that blew us away.

From analytics and reach to connection requests and actual leads, we’re breaking down what worked (and what didn’t), how we set up our profiles to attract the right people, and the ripple effects of showing up consistently.

We also talk through the creative strategies behind our best-performing LinkedIn posts, the emotional rollercoaster of watching metrics spike, and how to use tools to make content creation more efficient, without losing your voice. Whether you’re curious about leveraging new platforms or feeling stuck with Instagram, this one’s for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Why we chose LinkedIn for a 30-day content experiment
• What we optimized on our profiles (and why it mattered)
• Full analytics breakdown: impressions, comments, reposts, and reach
• What made one post go semi-viral
• Why bold visuals and strong hooks are everything
• Our top post strategies: relatability, value, and tone
• Using ChatGPT without losing your voice
• What actually came from the experiment: leads, clients, and next steps
• How social platforms can still feel authentic if you lead with intention

Mentioned in this episode:

• Katie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-johnson-659a9b67/
• Ilana’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagriffo/
• Goodtype Studio: https://goodtype.us/studio
• Price with Purpose: https://goodtype.us/price-with-purpose
• The Kernference: https://thekernference.com

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

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We’re joined by the wonderfully optimistic and multi-talented hand lettering artist & muralist, Lisa Quine, someone who has done everything from lettering murals for pro sports teams to designing custom hairbrushes for celebrities (Fergie included). We talk about her unique creative journey, how optimism fuels her freelance career, and how her Cleveland roots helped shape a dream path she never could’ve planned.

We cover the wins, the weird gigs, the tough pricing decisions, and why saying “yes” to unexpected projects early on in our creative career has opened big doors in surprising ways. From creative conferences to lettering projects for celebrities, Lisa’s journey shows how embracing new challenges can shape a fulfilling creative career.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to price your work, balance your values with your income, or explain what it is you actually do, this one’s for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• The creative career that started with late-night lettering lyrics + commission projects
• How saying yes (even to random guest room walls) can lead to celebrity gigs
• How she intentionally stayed local and community-focused
• Murals, monsters, and making art for kids
• Creating art for clients vs. creating art for yourself
• Reframing success as growth, not just followers or fame
• Why mindset and optimism matter in freelance life
• Internships, teamwork, and scaling up without losing your soul
• The emotional rollercoaster of creative pricing
• Teaching, workshops, and why not every gig needs to be “precious”
• Fergie, field hockey, roller skating, and our design-sport alter egos

Connect with our guest: Lisa Quine

Instagram: @lisa_quine

Website

Mentioned in this episode:

• Aveda brush project
• Guardians & Cavaliers mural work
• Hoodzpah
• Elizabeth Goodspeed
• Monique Aimee
• The Monster Project
• Ilana’s Book, Mind Your Business
• LetterWest
• The Kernference
• And a few… su

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!