Creative Pep Talk
072 - Brad Montague
(upbeat music) Hey y'all, just a quick heads up. The episode you're about to listen to is eight to 10 years old. Now, these episodes were intended to be evergreen, and I still believe there's a lot of good information in these early episodes, but I do wanna let you know that some of my ideas have evolved over time. Times have changed since we made these episodes, and ultimately, I'd like to think I've grown a lot as an artist and a human, and that these don't necessarily represent my best work, or the best of the podcast. If you're new around here, I suggest starting with the most recent episode, or at least go back to around 300, and move forward from there. Enjoy the episode. - We had talked, we had gone over the script. - Yeah. - Then I turn the corner, and Grover comes out, and I just broke down in tears. (upbeat music) - Hey everybody, you're listening to the Creative PEP Talk podcast. This show is about commercial art, finding the balance between thriving financially and creative fulfillment. I am your host, Andy J. Miller. Illustration Age is our proud syndicate. You can find this show at illustrationage.com/creativepeptalk on SoundCloud and iTunes. Thank you guys for all the awesome reviews. If you love the show and you wanna help out, nothing matters more than giving reviews on iTunes. That's the number one way the show grows. Thank you guys so much for doing that. If you haven't, please go log into iTunes and give us a review. That would mean so much to me. Thank you. Seriously you, you right here. Stop what you're doing. If you've thought about it a bunch of times, you just haven't done it. Just stop and go review the show on iTunes. I need you. Okay. Also, if you'd like to help the show, we have a new poster that says you are infinite. It's inspired by last week's show. I launched it last week. It's a nice poster designed by yours truly. If you wanna go support the show, go to Andy-j-miller.com/shop and you can go pick up the new Creative Peptalk poster. I'm really excited about it. Thank you guys so much, all of you who have already bought the poster. It means so much to me and the show. You guys are fantastic. Today, on the show, we have Brad Montague. This guy is a creative genius. He is the founder of the Project Kid President. If you don't know Kid President, go check it out in this hilarious online web series of videos so amazing. Brad makes them with his brother-in-law Robbie, who plays Kid President. They're so hilarious. Brad and I talk about all kinds of things. We talk about the creative process. We talk about having advisors, getting in the zone, all this good stuff. Brad originally got onto my radar by backing my Kickstarter project when I was doing that back in the day. And so we talked then. He was doing all kinds of cool projects. And then since then, Kid President launched, went viral. It was so crazy to kind of watch that happen. And I had such a good conversation with him. I hope to have many more in the future. I hope you guys really, really enjoy this. So without further ado, here is Brad Montague. And that was a rhyme. Miro is a collaborative virtual workspace that syncs in real time for you and your team so that you can innovate an idea into an outcome seamlessly. We talk a lot on this show about the idea of how creative research shows that playing with the problem is essential to innovation. Now, when I think of play, I don't think of documents and email. So if your team is often working remote, you need something more dynamic and collaborative. I think that Miro's mind maps and flow charts where team members can edit and play in real time has a lot more capacity for innovation and playing with the problem than traditional ways of collaborating over the internet. Whether you work in innovation, product design, engineering, UX, agile or IT, bring your teams to Miro's revolutionary innovation workspace and be faster from idea to outcome. Go to miro.com to find out how that's M-I-R-O.com. Hey, in case you don't know, we have a monthly live virtual meetup every last Monday of the month with supporters of the show from Patreon and Substack. We have so much fun on these calls and they are the warmest, most encouraging creatives that I have ever met. And we also talk real creative practice stuff. We have authors, illustrators, lettering artists, picture bookmakers, fine artists, musicians and folks that work in video and film as well. And we have people that are just starting out, people super established in their creative careers and everything in between. For the rest of this year, we're gonna chat through our new Journey of the True fan series exploring questions and ways to apply these ideas to your own creative practice so that you can leave 2024 stronger than you came in with more visibility, connection with your audience and sales. Sign up to whichever suits you best at either patreon.com/creativepeptalk or antijpizza.substack.com. And I hope to see you at this month's meetup. - Probably the thing that you and I have most in common is that we're probably most known for our pep talks or are involved in that with the pep talks. I'm a bit, I'm a giant pep talk fan and I realized that for me, the reason why this is the creative pep talk is because the only reason I continue making stuff is 'cause maybe not that I'm super good at making stuff but I'm really good at pep talks, pep talking myself. - Yeah, well, I mean, like you, I write pep talks because I keep pep talks and so we were doing a web series that I created called Kid President and Kid President is my little brother-in-law lives across the street from us and we and I have always just played around making nerf movies, making things with Legos and then we made one where he's pretending to be president and it began to connect with people and we had some success, we made about 13 videos and then we were sort of wrapping up 'cause it was after an election and I thought, this has been as big as it could get. I'm ready to get back to making something else and I made this little video as a pep talk to the world from Kid President and this was just at the heart of it, was just letting people know that it's okay to keep going we want you to keep going, keep doing like all these things we've talked about in the past 13 videos, just keep that up and that was kind of like our swan song I was just gonna wrap it up and go and then it became a runaway train where like now over 30 million people watched and shared that and I mean it's hard to process even now what that is, what that looks like. - How do you stay motivated and how did you stay motivated before that kind of success? - Yeah, well, you know, it's funny you mentioned it, I have back here in my office a metronome and it is a gift from a friend. I mentioned that I was just feeling out of whack and just needed to get a better schedule, a better life and dude mailed me this metronome and said praying you find your rhythm and it was the best, the absolute best gift because it's like, okay, that's it. I just need to find my rhythm and if every life is a song then it's gotta be on rhythm and so yeah, I'd love to make stuff but I also, I can't just constantly be having output, output, like there has to be some sort of inspiration and there has to be some sort of nourishment that comes in to remind you, I do love music and I love film and I love art and so that's been very important and I'd like to remember kind of the heartbeat behind all this is that we really care about kids and care about like helping shape how they see things and helping understand them and listen better and do all that and so as I explore that like, I mean before you were, we had interacted before even starting all the kid president projects and I had, I was working with a special needs baseball team at the time, we did an album of music and just did some different projects that were sort of in that same theme of being around children and that and the definition of success at that time was not 30 million views, it was just hey, let's explore this, let's see this is gonna affect a little batch of kids and that's the most important thing and so for me that's just remembering why and what I really care about and what it is that it really does keep me going and so that's led to, led to kid president was just was not like an intentional thing like I'm gonna make this and millions of people are gonna see it, that became, I don't wanna call it icing on the cake, it wasn't the cake like we already had icing on the cake, we were already enjoying the cake, we were just having fun making it - We're having a great time eating tons of cake, it was a cake party, yeah - Awesome, it was a cake party but then all these people showed up and said we like this cake, we want more - So you made bigger cakes - Let's just keep going with the cake analogy, I don't know how far can we take it, ah - Pretty good, pretty cake, you know - Yeah, there was everybody was included, it was great yeah, well, it was great (upbeat music) - I'm just infinitely jealous of you for the rest of your life and you've beat me, you've met Grover, it's fine, I give up - It's all about - I'm jealous of myself - Oh my gosh - When I knew, I mean, I'd met the, the puppeteer, we had talked, we had gone over the script. - Yeah. - And then I turned the corner and Grover comes out and I just broke down in tears, it wasn't like - I could almost cry right now. - It wasn't like a kid who goes and sees Santa and it's all built up, like oh no, no, no and then they just freak out, it was just, I was side swiped by all the emotions of what that show meant to me and these characters and how real they are and just deep seeded inspiration that that was to what I do and so we were working with them and then with them was this older lady who had been with Sesame Street since the beginning and so, you know, I was like, let's don't even film, let's just like talk to her all day, like I want to pick her brain. So I was just like, just such a, I was, you know, like completely nagging her all day, like, so what was he like to be with Jim Henson and what did he eat for breakfast? Like, being ridiculous and but one of the great things she was so excited to talk about those days and that someone was interested and she was telling me these great, great stories and one of the things she said, she was like, you know, Jim liked to read, Jim Henson liked to read and he give books to people and there's this book he gave, he gave me and he gave several other people, it's called The Gift and I was like, oh, what is that? And then so she wrote it down and handed it in and it was really eye opening to read that because the whole idea was about creativity as a gift. - Who's that guy, that book? - This is an updated printing of Louis Hyde. - Right. - And she was saying that that idea was so central to what he did and how he wanted everyone to work. - Yes. - That what we're making are little gifts to people. - Yeah. - And this is not just so we can have, you know, this is fun and there's great joy in it, but this is, these are gifts and I began to, that struck me, you know, I cried seeing Grover because Grover wasn't for them, like, he was for me. - Yeah. - He was just present to children of the world. - Yeah. - And so that's become, okay, how can I do the same thing? How can I, you know, make something that is full of love, full of joy, full of hope and it's a present? Like here, this is for you. And so we've actually, I'm not great at it yet. I'm trying to read. But when I think about making these little videos, I think of them as little gifts to the people. And I wanna, and I wanna, in the same way, you think about presenting someone with a gift. Here, I made this. - Yeah. - And I made this for you and in hopes that it emboldens you in some way to be your best self or lifts you up that reminds you that life's great. - Yeah. - Reminds you what it is to be a person. And those are big lofty ideals, but I think that that's what gets me excited about making. - Yeah. - And so anyway, that was big thinking of what you're creating as a gift. And I think, when I think back to some of the things that we've made that connected the most, it was in that spirit that they were made. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - You talk a lot about this in your talk. And I just wanted to see from your perspective, what is taking a chance me or why is that so important to you? - Yeah, like, is it Jeff or Giff? - I go with Jeff, but to each their own, I mean, you know, that's part of my value system. I just, you know, I don't want to divide your audience here. - I think it's a divisive thing, actually. - It is, well, anyway, there's one of those G-I-F that is of, it's a little girl who is all dressed up to sing, and she goes out on stage. I think it's one of those, it's like one of those shows where they hit the X of America. It's got dark, America, yeah. - So this little girl's all dulled up and she goes out on stage and she does her dance and then everybody hits the X and then she just starts crying. And that, that to me, has been my creative life. - Yeah, yeah. - Of being like, "Hey, guys, I've got this great song "and dance." - Yeah. - Oh, you both like it? - No, thank you. - And I just, like, I seriously, that resonates with me so deeply. That fear that I'm gonna, like, joyfully enter the world and then aggressively be smacked down. And yet, that's a super common thing. And it even goes back to childhood of being afraid to speak or say an idea and that people will laugh at you or someone will say something. And so recently, I've been thinking a lot about this and I actually wrote a little poem that is two wizards, two young wizards. - That's called, "Don't Hydromagic." - Right, that's a lot of things that, you know, grown men do, stuff like that. You know, and I only tease you about that because I find myself, you know, yesterday, I made a nice little turtle with a rainbow shell. And when I finished doing it, I thought, "This is the thing that grown men do." Yeah, I was like, (laughing) - Well, I'm super nervous. - I was super nervous to speak at this event. There were all these people with the dogs that I read and videos with more views than a mind and people who can talk good. And I was gonna have to go on stage. And then I just remembered all those things of, you know, everybody has something of value to share. What is it? What is my magic? What is that? And so I wrote it and drew a little wizard and wrote like, "Don't hydromagic." And I shared that with people. And it connected in a way that I didn't expect. And even like this past week, several fourth grade classrooms were using the poem. And having kids actually write, "What is your magic and why are you afraid to share it?" - That's awesome. - And it broke down because kids were sharing. Like, you know, I can sing really good, but I'm afraid people will laugh at me. And over and over, I was afraid of people speaking, ill of what they shared with people. And so I think though, what we all need is to share what we have and to respect what other people are sharing, especially when it's honest and heartfelt. Because, man, I think about the things that really speak to me, inspire me, that make me get excited to write. It's because someone had the guts to actually put their heart on a piece of paper and share it. And so, yeah, so it's just do it. Just do it because other people need it. (upbeat music) - How do you, how do you invigorate yourself to believe what you're doing is matters? How do you keep in touch with them? - Well, for one thing, I don't know. - Well, for one thing, I have been really, really, I'm really thankful I have a cabinet, like a president has a cabinet. - Yeah, yeah. - I have a group of people. - Well, you've got a kid president. You know, you've got to have a cabinet. - Yeah, and I started this several years before, 'cause I heard this guy talking about, you know, needing people, and then I'm very third grade in how I make my friends, or it's like, you be my friend, you're my friend, you're my best friend. And I had to go to them and just say, will you be on my cabinet? - Yes. - And they're like, what? But they were the cool, they were, you know, if I'm gonna ask them to be on my cabinet, they're people who understand that I'm gonna say something weird, like, we feel my cabinet, and they'll accept that. - Yeah. - But I asked people who are older, wiser, and don't thoroughly depress me, who are grown into the be the kinds of dads, or artists, or mothers, or people that I'm like, you know, they've got something figured out, and I need to learn from them. So I just thoroughly sought those people out, and then was very clear, I desperately need your help. And so having that has really, really, really been invaluable. - That's actually a giant takeaway, and it's something that I like that you have a word for it, because I've been kind of encouraging a similar thing, and it's that I definitely have those people in my life. I love that you also have this. The first qualification is how they respond to being asked to be on the cabinet, if it's a bad response to that word even, then they're out, that they're out. - Yeah, I think I'm very intentional about cultivating a few friends and a few mentors that when I'm feeling like I suck, this doesn't matter, no one cares. And just a phone call even can be a game changer. And I think, yeah, getting yourself outside of yourself and that can be really helpful, definitely. - They definitely remind me in the successes that in the failures, that those things are not truly what matters, that they know my heart and that the work is a reflection of my heart. And sometimes I nail it and sometimes I don't. - Yeah. - But they're always pointing me back to the heart of it all. - Right. - And reminding me, no, no, you are a father. You are a creative soul. You are more than what you make. You are this person. And so it reminds you to not lose that source, to not lose who you are in the process. - Yeah. - Which, you know, that began to happen the more and more this, 'cause I'd had so much failure, so much failure, but it was still happy. - Yeah. - I had failure failure failure failure and then suddenly 30 plus million people are watching the things I'm making. And that without those people, I know for certain I would be in a ditch somewhere. I would not have made it. - Yes. - 'Cause the attention, the level of stress, the level of other opinions of people saying, "No, no, no, kid, president's this or this, this." And you're gonna do this. And I'm like, man, this is not really of interest. That's not a reflection of who we are. (upbeat music) - It's holiday shopping time, y'all. It's time to freak out! - Ah! - Not, because "Uncommon Goods" is here to make it easy. Listen, all I did was click the "For Her" section on this site and I instantly saw five things that I could get, Sophie, don't tell her, but I'm thinking either the National Park sweaters, the tea advent calendar. There's also just below that little bubble tea kit for my oldest. And then I saw one of these, you know, the retro little viewfinder orange real viewer things, but you can make it your own photos. Okay, it might not make sense. Just, you have to go check it out yourself. Here's the thing. I have seriously never seen so many good options for gifts online in one place and unlike lots of other convenient options, shopping "Uncommon Goods" actually supports small businesses. To get 15% off your next gift, go to uncommongoods.com/peptalk. That's uncommongoods.com/peptalk for 15% off. Don't miss out on this limited time offer "Uncommon Goods." We're all out of the ordinary. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) Hits and likes and views and all that stuff. I do think they can be helpful as something that informs, it's good ways of getting feedback about, you know, what people are responding to and what people aren't responding to. But it's definitely not the ultimate metric. Like, there's so much about like, so much out of your control, so much not to do with your, how you're performing. How do you, how else do you know when what you're doing is working? Well, it can be heartbreaking when you pour your heart out. You make something that you're so proud of and you're like, this is a masterpiece. And then you post that out, you share that with the world. And then you see your son, who's two and a half stumble on a YouTube video of people opening eggs. (laughing) And it has three times the views. (laughing) That's humbling. And you're just like, they're just opening eggs. They're just, have you seen these? It's just this whole, there's a whole culture online of people just opening toys. It's just one shot of hands opening toys and dudes mesmerize the whole time, like, oh man. So in those days, I'm like, okay, I'm done. I'm not gonna like cry over what I'm making or like pour my soul out. I'm just gonna open toys and film it and make a lot of money and get a lot of attention. And then I'm reminded that's not why I do this. And I don't want a lot of money and a lot of attention. I wanna help people. And so like, we've actually changed the way we even look at our YouTube views. So used to, it was just like, 'cause I didn't have a lot of experience with YouTube before this and so I was like, you get lots of views and they're like points. And whoever gets the most points wins. - I'm on the internet and everybody's happy. And that's not the truth. And now like, we look at watch time. We look at different metrics. Within that, we're like, you know, was this a successful, you know, did this resonate with people in a way that they wanted to share it and gift it to other people? Was this something that they stayed with, you know? And so there's that side of it. But then there's sort of the other side of behind the scenes of this used to just be me and Robbie. And we just made these videos together. And now it's me and Robbie. All, like usually it's just all, but then there's other people in our orbit. You know, my wife is more involved than ever and some of the artwork and I have some close friends who help me with some editing and when I'm in a pinch. And we have our good friends that sold pancake and so now more than ever, it's about the people who were in day to day and making sure that we're all connected and on the same page and inspiring each other, challenging each other and open and having those discussions. 'Cause for too long, I felt like I was on an island and I was looking for like making these big videos and getting the, and it was wearing me down, tearing me up and what I really want is to work and make things with people that I love and there's nothing better than that. - Have you? - And go ahead. - Yeah, so for me a successful day is I made some things I'm proud of with people who I truly love and that's a good day, that's a good day. Did I get to hug and play with my son while I was making this and my, our whole family's involved. It's a family project and so that's what that's success. - So has, you know, like I said, I think it's good to be in tune with metrics and getting feedback and allowing that to help you understand what's working and all that's good. But has-- - It can consume you. - It can consume you. - It can consume you. And I think even on a small level, even the, even my students that have 13 Instagram likes and then the next day they post something and it's three and now, you know, it's totally so, but I know from my own personal experience that although it's good to gather that information, think through all of that, help it, you know, see it as, to some degree, some kind of critique has that type of thinking ever negatively affected you going and creating new things. - Absolutely, absolutely. Like, I mean, I can pinpoint several moments where I was so paralyzed with fear, so overcome by numbers and stress that was totally self-imposed, that left me to where I was not making something that was from my soul, but it was just trying to fill in the blanks, doing homework. When art becomes homework in a way where you're just like, well, the teacher will like this and the audience will respond with this and okay, did I do this check mark? I mean, we even have this, there's all this research people are doing on what, you know, what's the type of content that audiences are craving and all that? And there has been like, well, okay, I've got to survive this and I'm so tired and we've been doing all this and I got to turn around a video, okay, you know, did I meet all these criteria? And then you put it out and, you know, a video with eggs does better. It's one of the eggs and that's not a healthy way to work. There's a great balance in going to this place of creation and then also looking at the metrics and seeing, you know, is this really connecting with our audience? What is our goal and are we meeting that goal? Back to Henson, there's a book, Make Money, Make Art, that is about this process. - Dude, I'm getting ready to write a book, basically with that title. Maybe I don't need to write a book. - No, no, no, you absolutely need to. - This act actually, the podcast is, the mantra of the podcast is make money, make great art, I didn't even know that. - Oh yeah, yeah, great. - No, it is maybe a small book, I don't know. - It's funny, no. - You can totally delete this from the podcast, so. - No, that's, I need to go check that out, man. That's actually really exciting. - He had this really great thing where it's a gift where he was 100% artists and 100% businessman. - Oh my gosh, this is my story. - My dad is a Fortune 500 accountant, okay? My mom is kind of, I mean, I'm not gonna go there, it's kind of a sad story, but like a tragic artist in a lot of ways, and so I, my DNA on a cellular level is this competing, you know, opposite polarity. And so, man, I resonate with that. I'm gonna have to go check this out. You're gonna give me like a giant reading list by the time this podcast is over. - Well, that's good, so this are my favorite podcast where I walk away, and I'm like, I gotta read this. - Yes, but that, I think that there's two, those two ideas can coexist and can be of benefit to you and to the world when you can hit that rhythm of really creating from the heart, and then also it connecting with the world in a way that they respond, but I have truly learned that just because something is good does not mean that everyone will reciprocate and celebrate it. - Yes. - Sometimes people will tear it apart, sometimes people will ignore it. It will not always be met with the kind of response you hope, and you see this in Instagram photos that people will do. You see this in really great short films. Some of my friends are some of the greatest animators in the world in creating these videos. Another friend is making beautiful documentaries, some of the best work I may have ever seen. It's like Terence Malin, like level, beauty, and depth, and one of the comments on the video is, "Meh." (laughing) - Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. - I drew a, I did a comic that I posted, that was, it's this giant monster, this little child who says, "Here, I made this for you. "I poured my heart out, take it." And then the monster eats it and goes, "Mom, mom's on." That was great, give me more. (laughing) 'Cause I gave you everything I had. (laughing) And then the monster then eats the child, burp. And then like, did this response, that was okay. - Oh my gosh, and that's the internet? - That is the internet, yeah. - Internet is a monster. (upbeat music) - Here's someone who has been a part of a, two of the probably biggest qualifiers of what people see as successful in our modern day. I would say you've done both of the top two. Number one is being a part of a big viral thing, and number two is hanging out with Beyonce. So you've done both of those things. Those are probably the two qualifiers for success in our world. You can cut your life in half, but before that kind of bigger success. And you can probably see that the things that matter were there on both sides to some degree. And so what does that look like to you now? - Yeah, I mean, it changes daily as well. I think about it. But I will say now having lived through it and survived, - Yeah. - It was almost like I needed that so I could get over it. So I could realize I don't need that. - Yes. - So I could realize that's not why I do this. That's not what we do, why we even, just this past year we were able to work with some of the bigger names than we've ever had. And it was, they were nice and fun. It's not been like, I'm not cynical about Hollywood, not cynical about those things. It's really just more, okay, we did that. And that was fun, but really what was exciting was meeting all those kids on book tour and hearing them and those fresh ideas. And to know that has been really refreshing. And so I've got lots and lots of other stories and things that I want to do and make and tell. And the odds are, who knows if it'll, those two will lead to the White House or lead to Beyonce or Tom Hanks or whoever. And I'm prepared now to understand that it's not about that sort of attention. It's not about that, it's about the actual process and it's about the people that will be affected along the way. - Yeah, behind the scenes and in front of the scenes. - I think that there's an old proverb that says that wise people learn from their mistakes and even wiser people learn from the mistakes of others. And I think most of us won't meet Beyonce, but I think that's why I wanted to ask you that because I think there's this, especially in the art world, there's so much, I feel like you can just sense that so many people that their goal is going viral. And I get the sense, I haven't been really a part of that, but I feel like I've been around enough people to know that they say the same thing as that having gone through it, the best part of it is just to be able to put that feeling of wanting that aside to be like, okay, that's great and that's cool and I don't want to downplay it at all because I like something great and all this exciting, it's amazing. - Yeah, the thing that is great, there is this level of validation that comes when you receive an invitation from the White House, but that's an honor. These are sorts of, and so we've not dismissed any of this, but we've also had to, even in, 'cause at the center of this is a child who I don't want to teach him that this is the moment. This is a moment in a story that is our lives that we're telling and you won't always be a kid, you won't always be a president, we're gonna always be a family that loves and tries to make things that are an act of love. And so this is just, these are our little moments along our journey that don't necessarily define us. They just, our experiences, we've got to be part of it. (upbeat music) - Well, that's it. I want to thank Brad for coming on the show and bringing such amazing creative wisdom. I'm sure you took away tons of brilliance. Brad, you are awesome. You are doing things in the world that matter that are changing things. You make the internet such a better place. And anytime I need to cheer someone up or lighten up the mood, you are the go-to guy. So I always share your videos in my time of need. Thank you so much, Brad. I really appreciate it. Thank you all so much for listening. Hope this episode helps you find clarity and strategy for your creative career. Thanks to Yoni Wolf and the band Y for our theme music. Thanks to our proud syndicate, Illustration Age. Thanks to the music from the free music archive.org. Today, we featured many songs from the album 95LCO2 by the band Minus. I really enjoyed all of that good tunage. If you love the show and it's helped you in any way, would you consider reviewing it on iTunes? This is the number one way we grow the show. If you thought, I'm gonna review the show after I listened to this episode, earlier this episode, now it's the show's over. So go try to go actually fulfill your destiny and review the show. Thank you guys so much for doing that. That means so much to me. If you wanna help even more, you can financially support the show at patreon.com/creativepeptalk. Thanks guys for that. You guys are the lifeblood of the show. Thank you so much. Thanks for listening. Creative success is all about staying motivated and dedicated. So do whatever it takes to stay peped up. I will talk to you all very soon. (upbeat music) - Hey y'all, one more quick thing. Earlier this year, I rebuilt my website using Squarespace's new fluid engine and I was so pumped about how it turned out that I have been really thrilled to find as many ways to partner with them and tell you about what they can do and bring you discounts as possible. With social media going haywire, I think having a site that feels as unique as your creative work is essential to building trust with your target audience or your clients. I have had several clients point out how cohesive and fresh my site looks lately. And if you wanna check that out and what I was able to do without any code, check out AndyJPizza.com. If you wanna test it out, go to squarespace.com/peptalk to test it out yourself. And when you're ready to launch, use promo code PEPTALK for 10% off your first purchase. Thanks Squarespace for supporting the show and for supporting creative people. (gentle music) - I did consider Barney a friend and he's still a friend to this day. - The idea of Barney is something that I want to live up to. You know, I love you, you love me. I call it the purple mantra. - Barney taught me how to be a man. - Generation Barney, a podcast about the media we loved as kids and how it shapes us. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. (upbeat music)