Creative Confessions
Robin Son | Brands By Robin 23 episodes Sep 25, 2026
Creative Confessions is a podcast that collects and shares anonymous confessions from creatives. It aims to normalize the ups and downs of freelancing by giving people a space to speak honestly about their experiences. Listeners are invited to submit their own anonymous confessions through the show's website. The podcast also connects with its audience on Instagram and through Brands By Robin.
Episodes
"I Struggle with Designing My Own Brand" with Alex Dove
In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Dove, designer and founder of Dove Branding Co to talk all about her experience with rebranding her own business. As designers we know designing for ourselves is one of the hardest tasks. In this episode, Alex and Robin chat all about the struggles and tips for branding yourself.The Anonymous Creative Confession® we're discussing: "Am I the only one tha
“I Worry I’m Too Old for a Design Career” with Julie Christie-Clark
In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Christie-Clark, designer and founder of The Honest Designer Diaries podcast to talk all about her experience throughout her career as a designer. She shares everything from graduating and getting her first junior design role in the late 90s to now as a content creator and brand design mentor. The Anonymous Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I worry I a
"I don't share my work because I fear failure" - With Jack Chitty
In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Chitty, brand designer and founder of Chittco to talk all about his experience with pursuing a creative career even when you’re scared to. We talk about Jack’s life changing medical emergency that pushed him to go for what he really wants in life.The Anonymous Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I've tried to start a design and illustration page at two diffe
"I never know what to post on social media" - Confessions With Hannah Isted
In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Isted, marketing expert and founder of HI Communications to talk all about how you can make Instagram content less overwhelming. We talk all about promoting your creative business online and how you can take the pressure off and find small pockets of time to make imperfect content.The Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I never know what to post on social
"I don't want to niche down in my creative business" - Confessions With Jess Goldsmith
In this episode, I’m joined by Jess Goldsmith, illustrator, author and founder of Women Of Type and Chick Of All Trade to talk all about whether niching down as a creative is the right choice. Jess has worked with big name brands and been on stages all over the world by doing one thing; being herself.The Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I really want to work with everyone but to get high ti
"I felt like branding was encouraging consumerism" - with Briony Davis
In this episode, I’m joined by Briony Davis to talk all about making a positive impact using your creative skills. Briony is the founder of a program called Branding For Impact which makes brand identities accessible for small, women-led businesses, while donating money to PCOS awareness.The Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I gave up my graphic design biz because it felt I was encouraging c
"My worst performing posts bring me my biggest clients" - with Trent Duffy
In this episode, I’m joined by Trent Duffy, founder of Duffy Design Co to talk all about promoting yourself on social media. For the first time on the podcast, Duffy has come on to discuss his own confession of what it means when content 'performs well'.The Creative Confession® we're discussing: “I have found that some of my worst performing posts on social media were the ones that landed me my bi
"I'm a design student & I have no idea where to start" - with Morgan Hastie
In this episode, I’m joined by Morgan Hastie, also known as The Logo Lassie, a Scottish designer and university graphic design student to talk all about balancing freelancing and student life.Morgan and I talk all about what it's like balancing freelancing with brands all over the world and getting her degree.The Creative Confession® we're discussing: "I’m a student and I want to build my own busi
"There's hardly any free design communities!" with Vickie Moore-Gourd
In this episode, I’m joined by Vickie Moore-Gourd; designer at Design Some Moore to talk all about free co-working sessions for designers and creatives who want to connect and make friends with others in the industry.Vickie and I talk all about what it takes to run an unpaid community, why we feel creatives need spaces like this, and what it takes to start your own.The Creative Confession® we're d
"I started a 100 day design challenge & gave up" with Gareth Robertson
In this episode, I’m joined by Gareth Robertson; designer at Gr-aphic Studio to talk all about his recent experience with completing a 100 day design challenge.After getting a confession from a creative who said they started a 100 day design challenge and gave up after 1 week, we talk about what it’s like to keep pushing and complete a challenge like thisGareth and I talk all about accountability,
"I'm nervous about starting a business with a friend" - With Jess & Rach of StudioMorii
In this episode, I’m joined by Jess and Rachel, the duo behind Studio Morii to talk all things business partnerships, friendship, and honesty. After getting a confession from a creative who said starting a business with a friend feels scarier than going solo, we dig into what it’s actually like to build a brand with your best friend.We chat about keeping communication open, navigating finances tog
Designers Are Googling Each Other’s Clients? | Community Reaction Episode
In this episode, I’m doing something a little different.Recently, I sent out a newsletter about how I noticed designers Googling each other’s clients to “check if the projects are real.” I didn’t expect much. But then… my inbox exploded.Turns out, people have thoughts. Some agreed with me. Some challenged me. So in today’s episode, I’m reading out a bunch of those anonymous replies and reacting to
"I put my prices on my website & lost all my leads" - With James Barnard
In this episode, I’m joined by designer James Barnard to talk about pricing transparency. After reading a confession from a creative who said listing their prices might have scared off all their leads, we talk about why this advice doesn’t work for everyone. We also get into how to communicate your value without putting numbers on your site as well as some of James' tips for social media content.
"Social media has ruined design work" - with Jenn Stank
This week I’m joined by Jenn from Stankin Good Design to talk all about the pressure to perform on social media, designing for visibility instead of value, and the real cost of chasing validation from other designers instead of your actual clients.Together we unpack:How to spot when you’re designing for the algorithm, not your audienceWhether trends are helping or hurting your creativityThe differ
6 Designers Get Real About 2024: Wins, Fails, Lessons & Confessions
This year, I invited six incredible designers to reflect on their 2024 journeys. In this special end-of-year episode, they get real about their biggest wins, their hardest fails, the advice they’d give to new designers, and their creative confessions.This is a raw, honest look at the ups and downs of life as a creative. Whether you’re starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, these storie
Sharing My Confessions as a Brand Designer
Ready to share your story, opinions or those questions you feel like you can’t ask? Submit your Creative Confession hereFollow Robin on InstagramhereFollow the Podcast InstagramhereGet The Newsletter, Templates & Design FreebieshereEnjoying the podcast? Please drop a quick review! It helps more creatives find it!
Reading The Scariest Confessions of Designers with Craig Reid
It’s the Halloween Special 👻This week, I’m joined by Craig Reid; Scottish designer, art school student, and certified chaotic good for a Halloween episode full of creative horror stories and designer confessions that’ll make your blood run cold. We read through anonymous creative confessions™ from real designers who confessed everything from designing logos in Photoshop and skipping contracts… to
"I'm scared people won't take my design business seriously" - with Kristy Campbell
I'm chatting with Kristy Campbell, founder of Pink Pony Creative, to talk about how embracing your unique style and personality can transform your business. We're talking all about the challenges and rewards of going all in on what makes you stand out, from creating a team to leveraging a unique name to building a brand that people can’t forget. The Creative Confession™ we're discussing: “I have h
"I'm worried potential clients will laugh at me" - with Liz Mosley
Today I was joined by Liz Mosley to talk all about rejection in your business. Liz created her 'Rejection Challenge', a fun challenge allowing her to reach out for more opportunities than she normally would and embracing rejection as a normal part of running a business. Today's Creative Confession™: "I saw a TikTok of a designer going into their local stores to market their graphic design services
"Being a self-employed designer is so lonely" - with Frankie Harry
In this episode, I’m joined by Frankie Harry to talk honestly about loneliness in freelance design, building real community, and finding your rhythm as a creative.After getting two confessions about how isolating this industry can feel, we dig into practical ways to meet people offline and document your journey.The Creative Confession(s)™ we're discussing: ✷ “Being a self-employed designer full ti
"My anxiety stops me from getting in front of the camera" - with CJ Cawley
In this episode, I’m joined by CJ Cawley, designer, content creator, and all-round creative to talk about anxiety, authenticity, and showing up online even when it’s uncomfortable. After getting a handful of confessions from creatives struggling with social media confidence, we dive deep into what it really feels like to put yourself out there. From overthinking how you look or sound, to the press
"Should I ditch my corporate degree for design?" With CzarCreates
In this episode, I’m joined by CK, the designer behind CzarCreates, to talk about balancing creative careers with traditional ones, transferable skills, and finding your way into design from unexpected paths.After getting a confession from a creative studying psychology who feels torn between their degree and pursuing design, we dig into what it’s really like to build a creative business while wor
Things Designers Need to Hear - Q+A
DISCLAIMER: This episode is from before Brand Your Brain became a confession-based podcast. At this time, the podcast was more about answering listener questions and sharing my own freelance journey. As of July 2024 and onwards, the podcast now shares anonymous confessions sent in by listeners to show the real, unfiltered side of freelancing. If that’s what you’re here for, start from July 2024 on
Recommended
TED Business
Ranger Bill | Old Time Radio Adventure & Family Drama
زن بودن
Christmas Old Time Radio
The Adventures of Superman | Old Time Radio
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Medicine with Meaning
Homemaking with Jesus | Weekly Devotionals, Biblical Application, Simple Living, Home Management, Healthy Relationships
Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Podcast
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
