We’re again, and this time you’ll be able to truly see us, too! Season 10 of The Inventive Growth Podcast launches on Monday 13 October and it is our most formidable but. Each single episode recorded on video for the primary time, a superb lineup of design legends and business pioneers, and a partnership that feels prefer it was at all times meant to be.
Sure, James Cropper, Britain’s solely working paper mill and an organization that is been championing creativity since 1845, is our headline sponsor for season 10. And actually? We could not be extra thrilled.
In any case, it is a firm that lives and breathes creativity, employs individuals who genuinely care about what they create, and believes that collaboration makes all the pieces higher. Sound acquainted? It ought to. As a result of that is precisely what we’re about at Inventive Growth.
A stacked season
Let’s speak about who we have now lined up. As a result of I will not lie, this season is stacked.
We kick issues off with Paul Benney, co-founder of cult clubbing journal Jockey Slut and legendary membership night time Bugged Out. Now the co-founder of Disco Pogo, a brand new dance journal, Paul is a key voice in rave tradition and the continued revival of impartial print. When you lived by way of the ’90s membership scene (or want you had), this dialog will transport you.
Then, in no specific order, there’s Ashley Johnson, head of name narrative at Pentagram London. When you’ve ever puzzled how the world’s most prestigious design consultancy crafts the tales behind iconic manufacturers, Ashley is your lady. Her strategy to narrative technique is nothing in need of sensible, and this dialog digs deep into how nice manufacturers are constructed on nice storytelling.
Subsequent, we sit down with Zoë Thompson, a designer and zine-maker who champions impartial publishing with infectious enthusiasm. This was my first correct in-person, in-studio recording in London, and actually? It was a lot enjoyable. Zoë celebrates print tradition and DIY creativity with such real ardour which you could’t assist however get swept up in it. When you’ve ever thought of making a zine or puzzled why impartial publishing issues greater than ever, it’s worthwhile to hear this.
We additionally chat to Emily Penny, model strategist and author, about the place studios are going unsuitable with their model messaging. As a result of let’s get actual: most of them sound precisely the identical. Emily explains why that occurs and, extra importantly, tips on how to cease it. When you run a studio or work in a single, this episode may simply change the way you speak about yourselves.
Then there’s Claire Blyth, who brings a long time of inventive comms experience to the desk. As a PR powerhouse, she’s helped companies keep seen and related in an more and more noisy, AI-driven world. Claire’s insights into what truly works in inventive PR proper now are gold mud. Belief me on this one.
Paul Benney

Zoë Thompson

Claire Blyth

Emily Penny
Extra huge names within the combine
Brian Collins, legendary designer and founding father of COLLINS, graces us together with his presence, huge concepts, and splendidly playful philosophy on creativity. Brian’s recognized for daring model work that makes you cease and suppose, however what actually shines by way of on this dialog is his cheeky aspect. You may get to see the human behind the legend, and imagine me, it is totally pleasant.
There’s Haraldur Thorleifsson (everybody calls him Halli), who shares his outstanding story as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former Twitter worker who turned an unlikely advocate for accessibility and kindness in tech and design. Halli’s journey is extraordinary, his perspective is refreshing, and his dedication to creating the business higher for all is genuinely inspiring.
One other spotlight is my chat with Jeff Staple, the legendary New York designer and streetwear pioneer who based Staple Pigeon and helped outline sneaker and avenue tradition. We mentioned his new inventive company, Reed Artwork Division, which has had fairly the profitable 12 months in enterprise. Jeff’s affect on modern design can’t be overstated, and listening to him replicate on constructing one thing new after a long time on the high is solely fascinating.

Haraldur Thorleifsson

Ashley Johnson

Brian Collins
Studios, methods and daring strikes
We’re not carried out but! Matt Baxter of Baxter and Bailey studio fame joins us to debate The Design Laundry, while Pum Lefebure from Design Military shares precisely tips on how to design your dream inventive profession and discover your superb purchasers.
Pum’s story is all about braveness, grit, ardour, and realizing precisely the place you need to go. She knew from the beginning that she needed purchasers within the vogue, performing arts, and tradition industries. Her laser focus and willingness to tackle pro-bono tasks helped Design Military win The Washington Ballet when the company was simply beginning out, paving the best way for the company to choose and select its dream purchasers.
After that, Pleasure Nazzari, founding father of DNCO, brings her strategic brilliance to the dialog, while Stu Watson, founding father of NOMAD (and husband of Marina Willer), rounds out our stellar lineup with eager insights from the coalface of up to date branding. Phew!
Each single one in all these conversations was recorded on video, marking a major evolution for the podcast. You can watch on our YouTube channel or hear wherever you get your podcasts.

Illustration by Jane Bowyer
However don’t fret: it is the identical candid, considerate conversations you have come to count on. Simply with the added dimension of seeing the laughter, the pauses, the moments the place somebody’s eyes mild up as they keep in mind a narrative.
Further episodes
Oh, and here is one other factor. Our weekly bonus episode, The Spark, is again and higher than ever. So for those who cherished the format we launched final season, you are in for a deal with.
Every Thursday, we launch these brief, enjoyable additions the place visitors choose eight questions starting from the absurd to the deeply significant. There’s additionally the pleasant rolling theme the place every visitor poses a query for the subsequent visitor, creating an sudden thread all through the season.
These audio-only episodes provide you with an opportunity to know our visitors past the same old dialog. The questions is likely to be daft, they is likely to be profound, however they’re at all times revealing. Take into account it your inspiration increase as we strategy the weekend.
Season 10 runs from 13 October by way of to January, and sure, we’re hoping to incorporate our regular Christmas particular, the place we invite former podcast visitors to return and have some festive enjoyable. (Particulars to be confirmed, however watch this area.)
What makes Season 10 particular
What strikes me most about this season is the way it represents all the pieces Inventive Growth stands for. Actual conversations with actual folks about actual inventive lives. No bullshit. No pretence. Simply sincere dialogue concerning the challenges we face, the triumphs we rejoice, and the teachings we have discovered alongside the best way.
The Inventive Growth Podcast has at all times been about one easy factor: uncovering the inventive life. I host these conversations as a result of I am genuinely interested by how folks construct fulfilling, sustainable inventive careers. Not the spotlight reel; the entire messy, difficult, sometimes wonderful actuality.
It actually seems like we have constructed one thing reasonably particular over the previous few years. Since 2020, we have created an area the place sincere dialog is valued over polished efficiency. The place vulnerability is seen as power. The place saying “I do not know” or “I struggled” is simply as essential as sharing your successes.
And now, with James Cropper’s assist, we will maintain doing precisely that.
Subscribe and be a part of us
Season 10 of The Inventive Growth Podcast is right here for you, wherever you get your podcasts. Whether or not you are commuting, working in your studio, strolling the canine, or simply want some firm while doing the washing up, we’ll be there. Sharing tales. Asking questions. Attempting to make sense of this unusual, great factor we do for a dwelling.
Thanks to James Cropper for believing in what we’re constructing. Thanks to each visitor who’s given their time, honesty, and knowledge. And thanks to everybody who listens, shares, and helps this podcast. You are the rationale we maintain going.
Now, lets get began?