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CAPTN OffScript Podcasts

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CAPTN OffScript

CAPTN OffScript

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CAPTN OffScript (previously The Type Convo) is where bold creatives go unscripted. Hosted by Alen, a type designer and creative founder behind SilverStag Type Foundry, the podcast dives into real, raw conversations with the people behind the work. Designers, founders, illustrators, storytellers, and makers who’ve carved their own paths. No scripts. No filters. No fluff. Just honest talk about creativity, imposter syndrome, reinvention, burnout, breakthroughs, and everything in between. New e ...
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In this episode of CAPTN OffScript, I continue the conversation with James Martin (Made By James), James Barnard, Angela Lyons, and Jennifer Taback to explore how AI is transforming the creative industry. We discuss the difference between generative and assistive AI, the ethics of AI-generated design, and how technology is changing creativity, sust…
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In this Season 2 opener of CAPTN OffScript, I bring together four leading creatives from around the world to explore the current state of design. The industry has shifted dramatically over the past two decades – from the fall of print and the rise of digital platforms to the emergence of AI and the constant pressure of personal branding. This round…
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Fifty episodes. Countless lessons. One unforgettable season. In this special finale of Season One, I look back on the wild, inspiring, and emotional journey that has been The Type Convo. From honest chats and surprising insights to creative breakthroughs and personal stories, this season has been so much more than I ever imagined. I take a moment t…
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This Monday Break(Through) began with a simple late-night conversation that turned into a life philosophy: keep what gives you something back, and gently let go of what doesn’t. In this episode, I’m unpacking what that really means – how we often carry emotional weight out of guilt or habit, how to define what “gives” in your life, and why staying …
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What happens when a simple “no” becomes the launchpad for a whole new mindset? In this episode of The Type Convo, I talk to the brilliant Liz Mosley - designer, educator, podcast host, and Adobe Express Ambassador - about how she turned the fear of rejection into a superpower. We dive into the story behind her 100 Rejections Challenge, why your ‘no…
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We often hear “work hard, play hard” – but what does that actually look like when you’re building a creative career? In this solo episode, I reflect on one simple but powerful idea shared by designer Alex Center: “Take the work seriously, not yourself.” It’s the kind of mindset that separates burnout from brilliance. In this talk, I dive into: • Wh…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I chat with designer, brand builder, and CENTER studio founder Alex Center - whose career journey spans from shaping billion-dollar brands at Coca-Cola (hello, vitaminwater and smartwater) to launching one of today’s most culture-conscious design studios. We dive into what it really means to lead a creative life t…
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What if the key to better creativity wasn’t doing more - but doing less? In this episode of The Monday Break(Through), I dive deep into the real foundations of sustainable creativity: your mental health, physical habits, and the systems you build to protect your energy. From breaking free of hustle culture and burnout to practical ways you can reth…
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Feeling stuck between being a “specialist” and wanting to explore it all? You’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode, I’m unpacking my own journey through years of creative reinvention - from web design, branding, SEO, and templates to finally landing on type design (and even that doesn’t cover it all). This episode is for anyone who’s ever …
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Birthdays can feel like pressure points. We reflect, we compare, we wonder if we’re “on track.” But what if the number doesn’t matter at all? In today’s episode, I’m turning 39 – and instead of looking back with regret or rushing toward future goals, I’m pausing to talk about how age is just a marker, not a deadline. I share thoughts on comparison,…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I sit down with Scott Fuller – the one-man dynamo behind The Studio Temporary and the Instagram handle @studiotemporary. From leaving a mechanical engineering scholarship to launching his own studio from the back of a sign shop, Scott’s journey is all about grit, faith, and the relentless pursuit of iconic design.…
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In this solo episode of Monday Break(Through), I dive into a truth many creatives are quietly struggling with: being a great designer just isn’t enough anymore. From brand strategy to video editing, SEO to motion graphics, designers today are expected to wear every hat in the creative studio—and it’s exhausting. I talk about why the industry shifte…
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In this episode of The Monday Break(Through), I dive into a truth that keeps surfacing in almost every conversation I’ve had with my podcast guests - and in my own life: no one really has it all figured out. Not the viral creatives, not the award-winning designers, not even the people we admire most. Behind every beautiful portfolio and curated Ins…
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What do you do when your wife is watching Downton Abbey, your newborn needs feeding, and your creative spark is burning out? If you’re Ian Barnard—you pick up a “Calligraphy for Dummies” book and unknowingly set yourself on a path that leads to Creative Market bestsellers, fonts spotted in Starbucks, and a global community of lettering lovers. In t…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I share the results of a simple challenge I gave myself last week: break the phone habit. After limiting Instagram to just 30 minutes a day, I quickly realized how much time I was wasting on mindless scrolling - and how little it actually impacted my business or engagement. But the experiment didn’t stop th…
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In this Monday Break(Through), I’m reflecting on a surprising insight I had after reviewing my digital wellbeing stats—I’ve been spending nearly 14 hours a week on my phone, with most of that time lost to mindless scrolling on Instagram. This episode isn’t about blaming tech or going off-grid. It’s about awareness. I talk about what sparked this re…
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In this deeply honest conversation, Harbor Bickmore — the creative force behind That That Type — joins The Type Convo to share his incredible journey from small-town beginnings to building a bold and distinctive design career. We dive into his early days of skating and graphic design, his decision to live without a smartphone, starting That That Ty…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I take you behind the scenes of a major milestone — the launch of my new Type Foundry website. But this isn’t just about celebrating a website going live; it’s about a deeper lesson I’ve learned over years of building creative projects: launch before you feel ready. I share why I decided to publish the site…
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In this unscripted Monday Break(Through), I finally take a leap I’ve avoided since the start of this podcast—recording solo without a script. It’s raw, imperfect, and real. I talk about pushing through fear, showing up even when you’re unsure, and the underestimated power of side projects. From recording in a noisy apartment to learning new skills …
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We live in a world obsessed with the highlight reel — the bestselling book, the viral moment, the overnight success. But what if the real magic is in the volume of work no one ever sees? In this Monday Break(Through), I reflect on a single post by ⁠@mattgottesman⁠ that hit me hard — and how it led me to discover a feed full of wisdom, perspective, …
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In this episode, I’m talking about the one thing that keeps coming up in almost every Type Convo I’ve done so far—the so-called cliché of “loving what you do” and “having fun with it.” It might sound overused, but there’s a reason it keeps showing up. In just a few minutes, I explore why joy, curiosity, and play are often the real secret to creativ…
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In this inspiring and laid-back conversation, I sit down with Tom Cunningham, the founder of Tropical Type, to talk about his seven-year journey from surf-loving freelancer to building one of the most recognizable font foundries on the internet. We explore how Tom’s “fast font” philosophy democratized high-impact typography for everyday designers, …
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In this episode, I talk about something we don’t address enough: creative copying. After Jen Wagner shared a recent example of font theft, I reflected on my own experiences with people releasing work that feels too close to mine—and others, like Sam Parrett or Tropical Type. Copying might feel like a shortcut, but it leads nowhere meaningful. It’s …
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In today’s Monday Break(Through), I’m sharing a simple principle that has shaped my entire creative journey: Build first, perfect later. Whether you’re designing fonts, launching a product, building a website, or creating anything from scratch—waiting for perfection will only slow you down. I’m sharing personal stories from my own path as a type de…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I had the pleasure of chatting with Will Paterson—a logo & brand designer, lettering artist, and YouTube educator with nearly a million followers. 🎙️ We dived deep into: 🔥 The power of backengineering in design – how Will deconstructed work to teach himself design from scratch. 🎨 Why failing more makes you a bette…
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In this episode of Monday Breakthrough, I’m talking about the power of conversations—how they shape careers, relationships, and unexpected opportunities. Inspired by my chat with James Martin on The Type Convo, this is a reminder that every big moment starts with a simple conversation. So, what’s stopping you from starting the convo that could chan…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I reflect on a simple but crucial question: Are you truly in control of your time, or is it slipping away unnoticed? A recent conversation with Martina Flor left me thinking—time is the only resource we all have in equal measure, yet how we spend it defines everything. I dive into the quiet moments when I c…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I’m joined by the incredible Martina Flor—lettering artist, author, mentor, and someone who’s built a life and career through bold moves and quiet dedication. We talk about her journey from Buenos Aires to Berlin, how she found her voice in lettering, and what success really means after 15 years in the industry. M…
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After I shared why I stopped setting New Year’s resolutions in this episode, so many of you reached out asking “Okay, but how do you actually plan your weeks?” So here it is—a full breakdown of how I structure my time running a digital product business. I’m talking about my recurring weekly tasks, how I manage releasing new typefaces, balancing con…
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Effort doesn’t have a price tag, but it changes everything. In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I dive into a powerful mantra from my recent chat with James Martin: the idea that effort is completely free—but also the most valuable thing you can invest. No excuses, no waiting for the perfect moment. Just showing up and putting in the work. If…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I sit down with one of the most influential voices in branding and logo design—James Martin, better known as Made by James. We dive into his incredible journey from struggling with self-doubt to becoming a creative powerhouse behind some of the most recognizable logos in the industry. James opens up about: • The t…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I reflect on a simple yet powerful question that hit me out of nowhere during lunch the other day: Am I in this for love, or am I in it for money? As creatives, we all navigate that balance between passion and practicality, but what happens when one takes over completely? Can creativity survive if it’s only…
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Burnout is something every creative faces at some point, and yet, we rarely talk about how to handle it. It’s not just about working too much—it’s the mental exhaustion of constantly creating, staying relevant, and chasing perfection. In this episode, I share what’s helped me avoid burnout over the years, from stepping back without guilt to finding…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I sit down with Jack Chitty, the designer and creative force behind ChittCo (www.chitt.co). Jack’s journey into design is far from conventional—he started in linguistics and advertising before making the leap into branding and graphic design. We dive into: ✅ How he transitioned into design with no formal education…
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In this Monday Break(Through), I’m diving into a feeling we’ve all faced at some point—imposter syndrome. But what if I told you it’s not a sign of failure, but actually proof that you’re growing? I’ll share my own experiences with self-doubt, from launching new fonts to starting ‘The Type Convo,’ and how those moments of uncertainty weren’t roadbl…
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Tired of setting New Year’s resolutions that fall apart by February? In this episode, I dive into the game-changing concept of The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington. I’ll share how adopting this system helped me go from releasing 20 fonts in 2023 to 41 fonts and updates in 2024—all without working more hours. Learn how to break …
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I’m joined by two incredible creatives who’ve inspired me for years: Adam Vicarel, the mastermind behind Vicarel Studios, and Carly Salzman, an incredibly talented type designer. This was such a special conversation as we dove deep into their journeys, challenges, and creative philosophies. Adam shares his story o…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I talk about the challenges of dealing with change and how embracing it can lead to creativity and growth. Using Instagram’s recent profile design update as an example, I share my thoughts on why stepping out of the familiar and leaning into discomfort can open up new possibilities, whether in design, work,…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I reflect on my decision to step away from designing hand-drawn fonts and what led me to rediscover my passion for them. I share insights from past struggles, lessons learned from my podcast guests, and the exciting announcement of a brand-new hand-drawn font that’s on its way. Join me as I explore what it means t…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I chat with Adam Bosley, better known as Adam the Illustrator. Adam shares his journey from a track scholarship student to becoming a sought-after illustrator and designer who has worked with global brands like Adobe, Nike, and Reebok. We explore his transition into graphic design, how he found his unique style, a…
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In this unplugged episode of Monday Break(Through), I share my personal approach to staying on track when life doesn’t go as planned. From why I’ve ditched New Year’s resolutions to how I embrace the mantra of “do better every day,” this episode dives into the realities of goal-setting, setbacks, and finding growth in small, consistent improvements…
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I recently realized how easy it is to get swept up in the whirlwind of the design world, always striving for the next project, the next deadline. But I've learned that true creativity requires moments of pause, moments of disconnection. In this week's Monday Break(Through), I share my own journey toward prioritizing rest and offer insights I've gat…
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In this episode of The Type Convo Podcast, I sit down with the multi-talented Elliot Jay Stocks—a creative force whose influence spans over two decades in the world of typography and design. From shaping the evolution of web fonts as the Creative Director of Typekit and Adobe Fonts to publishing acclaimed magazines like Eight Faces and Lagom, Ellio…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I’m diving into the truth behind selling digital products—what it really takes to succeed and why the idea of “passive income” is one of the biggest myths out there. From Flash templates to WordPress themes, social media assets, and fonts, I’ve spent over 15 years building a career around creating and selli…
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Get ready for a truly inspiring conversation with Sam Parrett, the creative genius behind Set Sail Studios. Sam’s fonts have shaped the visual identities of iconic brands and projects like Netflix, Spotify, Victoria’s Secret, the FIFA World Cup, and even Katy Perry! In this episode of The Type Convo, we dive deep into Sam’s incredible journey—from …
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Are you struggling with font pairing and feel like it’s more of a headache than it should be? You’re definitely not alone. In this week’s Monday Break(Through), I’m breaking down simple, actionable tips to help you master the art of font pairing—so your typography works for your design, not against it. I’ll share some key principles I’ve learned ov…
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In this Monday Break(Through) episode, I’m challenging the toxic culture of unnecessary critique and self-doubt in the design world. Let’s talk about why kindness—not criticism—creates stronger creative communities and helps you grow as a designer. Whether it’s dealing with social media negativity or shutting down your inner critic, this episode is…
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In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I dive into one of the biggest debates in the design world: the rise of AI. Will it replace designers, or is there a way to stay ahead? Spoiler: The magic of design lies in the human touch—your creativity, perspective, and personal connection to the work. Tune in to hear why AI is a tool, not a threat, and …
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Kick off your week with the very first Monday Break(Through) episode of The Type Convo! In just a few minutes, I share a simple yet powerful idea that’s been resonating with me lately—a message of inspiration for anyone looking to take that first step toward their goals. Tune in for a quick dose of motivation and start your week with purpose!…
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In this episode of The Type Convo, I sit down with the bold and innovative designer Cihan Tamti. Known for his groundbreaking work with brands like Nike, Netflix, and Calvin Klein, Cihan shares his journey from a small design community in Germany to the global stage. We dive into his creative process, how he pushes boundaries in typography, and why…
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