What if your creative career wasn’t about climbing a ladder, but about building leverage?

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Murray to unpack what it really means to be a Creative Athlete in today’s shifting industry. We talk about why the traditional creative path feels shakier than ever, how creators quietly rewrote the rules, and why mid-level creatives can no longer rely on titles, agencies, or permission to move forward.

Jason breaks down the mindset shift from being a task-doer to a strategic operator, how to think beyond execution, and why treating yourself like a client is no longer optional. We dig into creative independence, ownership, and how to identify the real value you bring to the table, beyond your portfolio.

If you’re a designer, art director, or creative who feels capable but capped, this episode will challenge how you think about your career, your skills, and your next move, and give you practical ways to start building a career that adapts, compounds, and stays yours.

https://www.instagram.com/jason_swet/

It’s that time of year again, and your two favorite design elves, Mikelle and Nick, are back with a sleigh full of wildly good gift ideas for creatives. In this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, we’re pulling out the deep cuts, the clever upgrades, and the treats that’ll make any designer’s heart grow three sizes.

From retro tech nostalgia to productivity lifesavers to “I definitely deserve this” splurges, we run through our full 2025 wishlist, why each item made the cut, and who on your studio team deserves one too. Expect laughs, unexpected gems, and maybe one or two confessions about our online shopping habits.

Whether you need the perfect gift for a designer friend, your favorite creative colleague, or just yourself because you nailed that last deadline, we’ve got you covered.

Grab the cocoa, hit play, and bookmark everything. Your cart is about to get dangerously full.

• Another Studio Stencils

  https://www.another-studio.com/collections/stencils

• Atari Gamestation Go

  https://atari.com/products/atari-gamestation-go?srsltid=AfmBOoq6M9OB6HIj2csHeLtCdAUkcaHgyzaousJwIM1n1mPAgQD3WEB_

• LEGO Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. Set (21357)

  https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/disney-pixar-luxo-jr-21357

• A6 Memobottle

  https://www.memobottle.us/products/a6-memobottle

• Manta Sleep Mask Sound (New Gen)

  https://mantasleep.com/products/manta-sleep-mask-sound-new-gen

• PocketDrum 2 Plus by Aeroband

  https://www.aeroband.net/products/pocketdrum2-plus

• MacLock Retro Computer Clock

  https://theawesomer.com/maclock-retro-computer-clock/789827/

• Oakywood Magnetic Cable Organizer

  https://oakywood.shop/products/magnetic-cable-organizer?_gl=115mp605_upMQ.._gs*NQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbrQ2uGmkQMV1V8IBB0TajqyEAEYASAEEgLw1PD_BwE

• Better With Rhythm

  https://www.betterwithrhythm.com

• The Magic Patio

  https://www.themagicpatio.com

• Draplin Design Co. Posters

  https://www.draplin.com/merch/posters

• Kintsugi Reborn (Handcrafted Goods)

  https://www.etsy.com/shop/KintsugiReborn

• Imogene and Willie, Graphic Content Collection

  https://imogeneandwillie.com/collections/graphic-content

• Teenage Engineering Audio & Synth Gear

  https://teenage.engineering/products/audio-and-synthesizers

• Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators

  https://teenage.engineering/store/pocket-operators

What really happens when you hit the ten year mark in your creative career? In this episode, Nick is joined by three powerhouse designers who have each carved out their own lane in the industry, all with a decade of experience under their belts. Say hello to illustrator and licensing pro Maggie Enterrios, branding and merch designer Enon Avital, and creative director and product maker Dan Lee.

Together they unpack the real lessons a long term creative career teaches you, including the early mistakes that shaped them, the surprising wins that kept them going, and the mindset shifts that turned fear into momentum. They dig into client work, licensing, merch, side hustles that became main hustles, and how each path builds a different kind of resilience.

Listeners will walk away with practical guidance on launching products with confidence, navigating slow seasons, protecting your creative identity, knowing when to evolve your business, and building something that lasts longer than a trend cycle.

If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to stay in this industry for ten years, this is your hotline moment.

Dan Lee: https://www.instagram.com/dandrawnwords/

Maggie Enterrios: https://www.instagram.com/littlepatterns/
Enon Avital: https://www.instagram.com/e_known/