In this episode, the show features an in-depth conversation with a husband-and-wife duo who run a small art and design agency, The Medium. They recount their early days balancing day jobs while freelancing, their humble start in 2003, and how they gradually quit their jobs once they had enough clients. The couple reflects on creative struggles, resourcefulness (like buying and returning a laptop for a presentation), and their gradual hiring of crucial team members, including their first designer and developer. They discuss their evolving approach to client work, the importance of maintaining a balanced work-life environment, and their philosophy on staying small yet impactful. The conversation also delves into their personal creative pursuits outside the business, their philosophies on design education, hiring practices, and the professional dynamics between them. Overall, the episode offers a candid look at the trials, triumphs, and thoughtful decisions that have shaped their business and personal lives in the creative field.

In this episode, the founder of Tactile, a design firm known for crafting professional tools, shares his journey from dreaming of architecture to studying industrial design at RISD. He discusses his early career, including a pivotal internship at Design Continuum and work at startups like Virtual IO. After gaining diverse experiences, he started Tactile, eventually growing it into a 35-person firm. He emphasizes the importance of practical skills, company culture, and fostering long-term client relationships. The founder also highlights different project categories, balancing desirable work with business needs, and adapting to industry trends. The conversation also delves into his leadership style, focusing on employee satisfaction and trust, while acknowledging the challenges of running a mid-sized firm in the 'zone of pain.' The episode offers insights into the evolution of the business, its current state, and aspirations for future growth.

Jonny sits down with Cori and Jason to reminisce about their early days at Tether and their journey since to establishing their own creative studio, their unique working dynamic, client relationships, and business strategies. And just the value of work-life balance and staying personally inspired in the creative industry.

Joined by the fantastic voice of Dave Taylor, and creative force behind OkayBro- we try to understand what it means to be your own leader, how to balance making and being, and healthy ways to define success for ourselves.

Jonny talks with Sean Wolcott about how his design studio is also a personal practice, blending business and culture and to make sure that the audience feels the work he’s putting out into the world.

Tracing the winding career path creatives end up on, how to build studio culture with a small staff of freelancers, and the relationship between you and the environment you create.

Creative principal of the studio Worker Bees and the director for the school of visual concepts, Larry Asher discusses the impact of design education on our region, becoming a creative community center, and where the school is headed next.

Design thinking and the bettering of our work environments.

Building healthy process, doing work that matters, and the transformative nature of stakeholder capitalism.

The importance of process, making sure we give ourselves time to think, and sailing around Vancouver Island.