Best Giuseppe Castellano Podcasts (2025)

1
Genevieve Bormes 44:15

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4h ago44:15

44:15

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Genevieve Bormes, Deputy Covers Editor for The New Yorker, about how she oversees the magazine’s covers; what real and scary questions artists ask themselves; what lesson all creatives need to learn and relearn; and more. Genevieve’s email address at The New Yorker is genevieve_bormes(at)newyorker.com. Artists mentioned…

1
Michael Maslin 1:12:21

7d ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author and long-time New Yorker cartoonist, Michael Maslin, about the reasons why Michael chronicles the history of cartooning; what differentiates a cartoonist and an illustrator; what “being there” means for cartoonists… and illustrators; and more. To learn more about Michael and Inkspill, visit michaelmaslin.com. Art…

1
Mary Ann Naples 47:51

14d ago47:51

47:51

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Mary Ann Naples, the COO & Publisher of Publishers Marketplace, about what it means (and why it’s hard) for publishers to sell books to book-sellers; what value PM brings to the publishing community; what advice all creatives should follow, if they want to be a publishing or published professional; and more. To learn mo…

1
Brian Selznick 58:28

21d ago58:28

58:28

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Brian Selznick, about Brian’s approach to illustration; what’s wrong about the “tap into your inner child” advice for writers; why you should only compare yourself to yourself; and more. To learn more about Brian, visit brianselznick.com. Artists mentioned in this episode …

1
The Bancroft Brothers 1:22:48

28d ago1:22:48

1:22:48

Giuseppe Castellano talks to The Bancroft Brothers about how they approach character design; which lesser-known animation greats deserve more love; what it means to animate from the heart; and more. Listen to The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast at bancroftbros.libsyn.com, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Artists mentioned in this episode inc…

1
Nicholas Kole 1:04:19

1M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and character designer, Nicholas Kole, about how being stubbornly buoyant has helped his creative career; what “feeling” has to do with character design; why artists might want to follow the 80/20 rule; and more. To learn more about Nicholas, visit nicholaskole.art. Artists mentioned in this episode include:…

1
Sol Cotti 55:18

1M ago55:18

55:18

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Sol Cotti, about how a little shamelessness can go a long way in establishing an illustration practice; why illustrators should generate ideas without using generative AI; why now is the time for illustrators to share their work; and more. To learn more about Sol, visit solcotti.com. Artists m…

1
Marc Burckhardt 42:49

2M ago42:49

42:49

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist and illustrator, Marc Burckhardt, about “real opportunities” for illustrators; how Generative AI is a degradation of the making and perception of art; what “talent” really is among creatives; and more. To learn more about Marc, visit marcburckhardt.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: C.F. Payne, Anita…

1
Jessie Kanelos Weiner 39:02

2M ago39:02

39:02

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and educator, Jessie Kanelos Weiner, about the healing properties of watercolor; what it means, with respect to mental health, to be “the movement”; what three words all creatives need to hear; and more. To learn more about Jessie and her book, Thinking in Watercolor, visit jessiekanelosweiner.net. …

1
Lori Steel 56:04

2M ago56:04

56:04

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Lori Steel, Literary Agent and Founder of SteelWorks Literary, about launching a literary agency amid concerns (from some) surrounding the health of the children’s book industry; what she looks for in a children’s book creator; what Henry David Thoreau can teach illustrators; and more. To learn more about Steelworks Lit…

1
Charly Palmer 47:45

2M ago47:45

47:45

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, fine artist, and dreamer, Charly Palmer, about why he focuses on doing better, and on putting love out into the world; why artists should work on their relationship with their art; why he thinks there’s no such thing as a self-taught artist; and more. To learn more about Charly, visit charlypa…

1
Arabelle Liepold 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Arabelle Liepold, Executive Director of The Society of Illustrators, about the past, present, and future of the Society; why illustrators should consider becoming members; what the Society can be for… society; and more. To learn more about the Society, visit societyillustrators.org. Artists mentioned in this episode inc…

1
Edward Gorey 1:11:12

3M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the folks behind The Edward Gorey House (as well as other Gorey fanatics and aficionados) about the life, work, and house of Edward Gorey. The first half of this episode was recorded at Gorey’s 100th birthday gala, which was held at The Mansion at Ocean Edge in Brewster, Massachusetts. Special thanks go to The Edward Go…

1
Sarah Gonzales 40:25

3M ago40:25

40:25

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Sarah Gonzales, about what the Ezra Jack Keats Award brought to her creative practice; why using traditional media and digital media is not an either/or proposition; what piece of very good advice she has taped to her wall; and more. To learn more about Sarah, visit sgonzalesart.com. Artists m…

1
Emily Flake 35:34

3M ago35:34

35:34

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, writer, and comic, Emily Flake, about her work as a staff artist for The New Yorker; what “rejection” is and isn’t for illustrators (and comics); what it means to burden our work with the weight the world; and more. To learn more about Emily, visit emilyflake.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: J…

1
Bob Staake 54:05

4M ago54:05

54:05

Giuseppe Castellano talks to one of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, Bob Staake, about how his creative approach aligns and differs between editorial and children’s book illustration; why children’s books shouldn’t have messages or morals, but rather truths or shares; what having a 50-year illustration career comes down to; and more. To lea…

1
Michael Dante DiMartino 58:58

4M ago58:58

58:58

Giuseppe Castellano talks to writer, producer, and co-creator of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, Michael Dante DiMartino, about the challenges he faced in self-publishing his young adult novel, Both Here and Gone; how he weaves emotions like grief, depression, and anger into appealing stories for a young audience…

1
Skylar Smith 45:49

4M ago45:49

45:49

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Skylar Smith, Professor of Liberal Arts at the Ringling College of Art and Design, about why there’s no time like the present to start learning about illustration history; whether an illustration is fully complete without the interpretation of an audience; what Generative AI and a lawsuit by Albrecht Dürer have in commo…

1
Leslie Mechanic 48:17

4M ago48:17

48:17

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Leslie Mechanic, art director at Simon & Schuster, about what catches her eye in an illustrator’s portfolio; why saying “it’s a competitive market” isn’t the most accurate take on the illustration industry; what all illustrators should know about the art director/illustrator relationship; and more. To learn more about L…

1
Asia Orlando 45:16

4M ago45:16

45:16

Giuseppe Castellano talks to visual artist and illustrator, Asia Orlando, about why she turned away from interior design and architecture to become an illustrator; how one can leverage their past experiences, good and bad, to help define their present; why persistence really is the key to an illustration practice; and more. To learn more about Asia…

1
Brett Bean 48:37

5M ago48:37

48:37

Giuseppe Castellano talks to comic book artist, character designer, and author, Brett Bean, about why Brett wishes he had his own book on drawing when he was starting out; why adjectives and verbs come before nouns with character design; what it means to keep your goals and dreams in your own hands; and more. To learn more about Brett, visit brettb…

1
Dan Chudzinski 51:40

5M ago51:40

51:40

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Dan Chudzinski, Director of Curation and Exhibitions at The Mazza Museum, about what being a curator literally and occupationally means; why artists should make art, not excuses; what the masters’ fingerprints and clothing can teach us; and more. To learn more about Dan and the Mazza Museum, visit mazzamuseum.org. Artis…

1
Chris Haughton 1:16:11

5M ago1:16:11

1:16:11

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Chris Haughton, about the unfortunate difference between information and fact; what oral culture’s four R’s are, and why they matter for children‘s book creators; what advice Aristotle has for illustrators, and more. To learn more about Chris and his book, The History of Information…

1
Paul O. Zelinsky 1:03:52

5M ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Paul O. Zelinsky, about what his former Yale professor, Maurice Sendak, thought about social media; why he’s aways wondering at point he can get away with not being good enough; where illustrators can find validation (hint: it’s not in an award); and more. To learn more about Paul, v…

1
Christopher Denise 55:39

6M ago55:39

55:39

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning, New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Christopher Denise, about why “show, don’t tell” is advice children’s book creators should avoid; how an anthropomorphized animal can look more like a mascot, and why that’s bad; how no illustrator working today knows, entirely, what they’re do…

1
Lisa Maltby 52:45

6M ago52:45

52:45

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and designer, Lisa Maltby, about why freelance creatives should know the difference between constant and consistent; how illustrators, designers, and other creatives, can negotiate fees with clients; why the only artist, the only person, you should be comparing yourself to is yourself; and more. To learn mor…

1
Frank Cammuso 48:03

6M ago48:03

48:03

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, cartoonist, and educator, Frank Cammuso, about Frank’s approach to pacing with panels, and why it’s one of the most beautiful things about comics; how Steve Ditko does not get the credit he rightfully deserves; what you can learn from a good tomato sauce recipe about making comics; and more. To learn more about …

1
Jules Feiffer 46:02

6M ago46:02

46:02

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Jules Feiffer, about the early years of his life and career; how Maurice Sendak and William Steig changed his approach to illustration; why failure is not to be feared; and more. Find Feiffer’s latest book, Amazing Grapes, at you favorite bookstore or library. Artists mentioned in this…

1
Peter Brown 53:44

7M ago53:44

53:44

Giuseppe Castellano talks to #1 New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Peter Brown, about what it’s like getting “The Caldecott Call”; how an illustrator can struggle with knowing if their illustration is good and done; why Roz from The Wild Robot is more than a wild robot; and more. To learn more about Peter, visit peterbrownstudio.co…

1
Cale Atkinson 1:07:38

7M ago1:07:38

1:07:38

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Cale Atkinson, about how to properly pitch book dummies; what to make of the fracturing social media landscape; how book creators can navigate a career in children’s publishing; and more. To learn more about Cale, visit cale.ca. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Pascal Campion, Lynn Avri…

1
Oriana Leckert 47:19

7M ago47:19

47:19

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, about the steps creators should take to start their Kickstarter journey—including one crucial one; how self-publishing differs from traditional publishing; what work needs to be done to publish through Kickstarter; and more. To learn more about Oriana, visit oriana-leck…

1
Tracy Shaw 55:42

7M ago55:42

55:42

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tracy Shaw, Art Director for Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, about how the world of picture books is more than lollipops and rainbows; what her art department’s policy is on Generative AI; she answers questions from podcast patrons about emails, styles, palettes; and more. You can find Tracy on LinkedIn. If you f…

1
Jess Lomax 1:00:36

7M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jess Lomax, co-founder and director of Inkling Illustration Agency, about what special ingredient was needed to form her agency; how there’s nothing magical about generative AI; what she looks for in illustration portfolios—beyond variety and consistency; and more. To learn more about Jess and Inkling Illustration Agenc…

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Victoria Jamieson 47:03

8M ago47:03

47:03

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Newbery Honor-winning illustrator and author, Victoria Jamieson, about why quite a few publishing professionals know what a “doodly doo” is; what a graphic novel can be, and how it really is a lot of work; what perfection has to do with art; and more. To learn more about Victoria, visit victoriajamieson.com. Artists men…

1
Noa Denmon 1:15:28

8M ago1:15:28

1:15:28

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Noa Denmon, about how an artist’s traditional or digital tools don’t make the artist; what it’s like to get “the Caldecott call”; why it’s important for creatives to spend time not creating; and more. To learn more about Noa, visit noadenmon.com. Artists mentioned in this episode inc…

1
Katie Kordesh 51:19

8M ago51:19

51:19

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Katie Kordesh, about what creatives still need to do after “getting” a literary agent (and signing book deals); how social media can be an effective promotional tool; why achieving a work/life balance may not be all it’s cracked up to be; and more. To learn more about Katie, visit katiekordesh.co…

1
Robin Preiss Glasser 1:09:55

8M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times bestselling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, about how she worked with Jane O’Connor on Fancy Nancy (and how close Nancy came to a horrible death); what “the buzz” is, and why artists should not listen to it; what art can do and be in times of hardship and pain; and more. To learn more about Robin, visi…

1
Brian Biggs 1:34:20

9M ago1:34:20

1:34:20

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, designer, and educator, Brian Biggs, about how reinvention can play a part in one’s creative life; what it means to be a victim of your own success; whether or not creative types need to be inspired (if inspiration even exists); and more. Learn more about Brian at brianbiggs.com. Artists mentioned i…

1
Sarah Walsh 1:15:34

9M ago1:15:34

1:15:34

Giuseppe Castellano talks to maker of books & illustrated goods, Sarah Walsh, about what separates expectation from visualization; why running your own shop as a creative is a good idea, despite its ups and downs; why artists should get out of their own head when they’re making art; and more. To learn more about Sarah, visit sarahwalshmakesthings.c…

1
Andrew Leung 1:15:01

9M ago1:15:01

1:15:01

Giuseppe Castellano talks to concept artist, designer, and filmmaker, Drew Leung, about what storytelling has to do with concept art; what the key difference is between GenAI and actual concept artists; why it’s important for any artist to remember why they wanted to be an artist to begin with; and more. To learn more about Drew, visit anihaus.com.…

1
Tim Jacobus 56:26

9M ago56:26

56:26

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tim Jacobus, the original illustrator for Goosebumps, about why no one working on Goosebumps thought it would last past the first few books; how the making of the Goosebumps covers is an art director’s nightmare; what it means for illustrators, and writers, to finish what they start; and more. Learn more about Tim at ja…

1
Katty Huertas 39:31

10M ago39:31

39:31

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist, illustrator, and art director, Katty Huertas, about what she looks for in illustrators (hint: it’s not “being the best”); what simple portfolio advice illustrators should follow; why any creative might want to look into being a “polyteche”; and more. To learn more about Katty, visit kattyhuertas.com. Websites Ka…

1
Orlando Arocena (or, Mexifunk) 1:00:24

10M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-award-winning artist, Orlando Arocena (also known as Mexifunk) about how illustrators can avoid betraying their own creative vision; whether or not “fulfillment” is something artwork should provide its artist; how illustrators can find clients; and more. You can find Orlando on Instagram. If you find value in this…

1
Joe Cepeda 50:06

10M ago50:06

50:06

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Joe Cepeda, about how Joe took the scenic route to starting his illustration career; what clogs and filters get in the way of one’s creativity; why he’s not that into looking at other illustrators for inspiration; and more. Learn more about Joe by visiting joecepeda.com. If you find…

1
Antonia Weaver Atkins 38:59

10M ago38:59

38:59

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Weaver Atkins, educator and daughter of the great Robert Weaver, about what it was like growing up with her outside-of-the-box father; what “The Weave” didn’t like about being a commercial artist; what advice she thinks her father would share for illustrators today; and more. Learn more about Robert Weaver at li…

1
Kate Kunac-Tabinor 38:38

11M ago38:38

38:38

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Kunac-Tabinor, Creative Director at Oxford University Press, about what part illustrators play in OUP’s diverse body of work; why creatives should avoid working in isolation; what simple career advice illustrators should follow; and more. Kate can be found on LinkedIn. If you find value in this podcast, you can sup…

1
Kathryn Humphries 32:58

11M ago32:58

32:58

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kathryn Humphries, Art Director at Harper’s Magazine, about how she finds, keeps track of, and works with illustrators; why AI images are not gracing the pages of Harper’s; what it means to use “unexpected” color palettes; and more. Kathryn can be found on Instagram. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Shepard Fa…

1
Katie Kalupson 1:02:07

11M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Katie Kalupson, Associate Art Director at TIME, about how transitioning from designer to art director requires personal growth; how intention separates AI-generated imagery from actual illustration; why the best thing an illustrator can do is to lean into themselves; and more. To learn more about Katie, visit katiekalup…

1
Michael Mrak 50:40

11M ago50:40

50:40

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Michael Mrak, Creative Director for Scientific American, about how often (and where) he looks for illustrators; why he chooses not to not use AI for SciAm’s illustration needs; why the need for good, smart, human-made illustration isn’t going away anytime soon; and more. Michael can be found on LinkedIn. Artists mention…

1
Chris Van Dusen 44:12

11M ago44:12

44:12

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Chris Van Dusen, about the pros and cons of using gouache—and why spittle is a problem; why calling an illustrator’s work “old-fashioned” is not a productive critique; how children’s book writers can spend their time if they want to rhyme; and more. To learn more about Chris, visit chrisvandusen.…