Cover art for podcast Creative Control

Creative Control

192 EpisodesProduced by Fast CompanyWebsite

Fast Company's Creative Control is taking a deep dive into the forces that are shaping the creator economy and what it means for its future. As the creator economy continues its rapid expansion, there are issues that deserve a closer look. Topics like who owns what online, where’s the middle class f… read more

192 Episodes | 2018 - 2024

Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

Fast Company at SXSW and Netflix's 3 Body Problem

March 13th, 2024

59:12

This past weekend, Fast Company hosted a three-day event as part of SXSW in Austin. Yaz moderated a bunch of panels, Josh was producing podcasts, and best-friend-of-the-pod Max Ufberg also moderated a number of panels. …

Supply Ch(AI)n Strategy Session - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP

March 11th, 2024

19:43

How artificial intelligence is shaping the product journeys from procurement to end customers.

Oscar Campaigns & TheRealReal

March 6th, 2024

1:04:22

What is an Oscar campaign? How do studios run them? When does Oscar campaigning start?

We spoke with Allie Carieri to learn all about the work (and the money) that go into creating Oscar campaigns. Carieri creates …

Time for Growth - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP

March 4th, 2024

24:33

In this podcast, leaders in HR and AI reveal what it will take for businesses to get their staff on board.

Inside the chaos at the Bored Ape Yacht Club

February 28th, 2024

55:23

In 2022, The Bored Ape Yacht Club was kind of inescapable on some parts of the internet. People—including a range of celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow …

Super Bowl ads and Stanley cups

February 7th, 2024

58:49

The Super Bowl is set to kick off this Sunday, and we’re taking a look at some of the ads that are already out there. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer joined us to share what he thinks about this year’s …

WWE, Netflix—and the baby-faced rival who wants to body slam them

January 31st, 2024

51:49

Yaz wrote a story about an upstart wrestling league called All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its founder and CEO Tony Khan. ‘Fast Company’ deputy editor David Lidsky joined us to chat about Yaz’s piece on Tony, why he …

Fast Company Podcasts look back on 2023

December 27th, 2023

1:03:30

And that's a wrap on 2023. Join our podcast hosts, Kathleen Davis, KC Ifeanyi, Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen as they look back on this past year. Happy New Year!

Lilly Singh on being intentional when creating new projects

December 13th, 2023

45:26

From YouTube to late night to actor to writer, Lilly Singh has always been a storyteller. In that vein, she started a company called Unicorn Island Productions a few years ago. The company has both a production arm and …

Ideo layoffs and the end of design thinking

November 22nd, 2023

41:51

Ideo is one of the most famous global design agencies in the world. Founded in 1991, it is celebrated for popularizing the modern corporate mantra of 

The SAG-AFTRA strike is over!

November 15th, 2023

49:58

After 118 days, the SAG-AFTRA strike finally came to a close. Fast Company deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel breaks down what happened this past summer with the strike, as well as the overall state of unions at …

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ director Emma Tammi talks about horror innovation

October 25th, 2023

49:48

Halloween season is here! And actor-director-producer Emma Tammi joined us to chat about her upcoming film, Five Nights at Freddy’s, based on the …

How Issa Rae secured success: Create what you’re passionate about

October 18th, 2023

33:30

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae has several businesses under her belt already, and now she has partnered with Gallo to launch her own prosecco line, Viarae. We chatted about her business ventures, and how she …

YouTube’s $14 billion bet on NFL Sunday Ticket

August 30th, 2023

45:50

YouTube paid $14 billion for the rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket. For the next seven years, NFL viewers will be able to watch live football games from their living rooms—on YouTube.

Fast Company senior writer Ainsley …

Barbie's global domination: Exactly how Mattel pulled it off

July 19th, 2023

31:03

The thing about the Barbie movie is that saying those three words together just seems inherently ridiculous. And one of the best things Mattel has …

How Watcher Entertainment is changing the rules of content creation

July 6th, 2023

28:21

Steven Lim used to work at Buzzfeed, cohosting the wildly popular show ‘Worth It.’ But a few years ago, he left to start his own digital studio, …

How TikTok’s Medical Mythbuster exposes racism in healthcare

June 29th, 2023

29:33

Last week, we took a trip to VidCon in Anaheim, California, to meet up with some of the top creators in the industry. Joel Bervell, a fourth-year medical student at Washington State University, rose to fame on TikTok …

How SuperOrdinary links brands and creators to international markets

June 22nd, 2023

35:38

SuperOrdinary launched in 2017 as a way for U.S. brands to reach consumers in China. The company has since expanded to working with creators in other …

What if an AI Elvis sent you a birthday Cameo?

June 15th, 2023

37:03

Founded in 2017, Cameo is a platform that allows people to buy custom messages from celebrities to send to their family and friends. The company has expanded the business and created a viable revenue stream for …

Is AI art innovation or infringement?

June 8th, 2023

41:15

AI art generators such as DALL-E, Midjourney, and Craiyon have gained noticeable attention in the past months. But like so much of what AI touches, there are some big questions that need answers: Who owns the images …

The thin line between borrowing and stealing in fandom

June 1st, 2023

33:17

This is the third of our special series about fandom. To start from the beginning, listen to our episodes from the past two weeks!

When it comes to fan creators and making money, copyright law is pretty strict—any …

The dark side of fandom

May 25th, 2023

26:34

This is the second of our special series about fandom. To start from the beginning, listen to last week’s episode!Being part of an active fandom creates close communities, even families, especially for those who haven’t …

Welcome to the (fandom) dance party!

May 18th, 2023

29:45

The Witcher’ TV show might not seem like the most natural inspiration for enthusiastically queer romance writing, but for some fanfic authors, it’s a world rich with creative inspiration. Fanfic writers, especially …

Coming soon: A deep dive into the world of fandom

May 11th, 2023

3:31

Next week, we’ll be back with a special series of episodes about fandom—covering fanfic, fan art, cosplay, and all the passion that goes into building these communities. We’ll also be unpacking the hurdles fan creators …

Is banning Tiktok “un-American?”

May 4th, 2023

35:03

Since the last time we discussed the efforts to ban Tiktok, we’ve been hearing more about future legal challenges to these restrictions and the …

How AI could shape the next 50 years of hip-hop

April 27th, 2023

29:30

This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a genre that’s gone from a niche art form to a cultural and financial powerhouse across the world. …

What do politicians not understand about TikTok?

April 20th, 2023

35:31

As Montana becomes the first state to pass a bill banning TikTok on all personal devices, discussions about why and how to restrict the Chinese-owned …

Navigating the creator economy 2.0

April 13th, 2023

46:31

To jumpstart season 3 with an overview of the creator economy, we’re featuring a roundtable conversation with some experts, recorded a few weeks ago …

Announcing Season 3 of Creative Control!

April 6th, 2023

3:37

Next week, Creative Control is back with Season 3! Some of the topics we’re unpacking this season include the push to ban TikTok, how hip-hop has …

CC Flashback: Brittany Broski live from Fast Company’s Innovation Festival!

March 30th, 2023

26:08

While we’re on break, working on the next season of Creative Control, we’re revisiting this live episode from Fast Company’s Innovation Festival last …

CC Flashback: Emma Chamberlain on taking a coffee break from YouTube

March 23rd, 2023

44:33

In between seasons, we’re taking another listen to this interview with Emma Chamberlain, one of YouTube’s undisputed royalty.

Since starting her channel in 2017, Emma has amassed more than 11 million YouTube subscribers, …

CC Flashback: Should your doctor be an influencer?

March 16th, 2023

43:18

We’re working on the next season of Creative Control. In the meantime, we’re revisiting this still-relevant topic: doctors on platforms like TikTok …

CC Flashback: Why copyright law is out of step with choreographers in the digital age

March 9th, 2023

33:02

While we’re on break, working on the next season of Creative Control, we wanted to revisit this throwback episode about copyright law and dance, and …

CC Flashback: How NCAA athletes are navigating the Wild West of NIL deals

March 2nd, 2023

27:03

We’re taking a little break right now while we work on the next season. We’ll be back soon with new conversations and stories about what’s changing in the creator economy. In the meantime, in honor of March Madness, we …

Why celebrities are choosing equity over endorsements

February 23rd, 2023

33:16

Over the past few years, it seems that celebrities and influencers are increasingly choosing to have their own brand instead of simply endorsing a product. Take Emma Chamberlain, for example. When she was on the …

Making Sh*t Up: Improvisation and the Art of Making Something out of Nothing

February 16th, 2023

44:51

We’re taking a little break while we work on the next season. In the meantime, we’re sharing an improv workshop from Fast Company’s Innovation Festival last year, led by actor, singer, and improvisor extraordinaire …

Monetizing your brand in the creator economy

February 9th, 2023

37:23

We’re taking a little break right now while we work on the next season. But we’ll be back soon with new conversations and stories about what’s changing in the creator economy. In the meantime, we wanted to share a …

How brands should elevate (not exploit) Black creators

February 2nd, 2023

29:57

Last week we talked to some creators about how they’re approaching Black History Month this year. If you haven’t already listened to that episode, please check it out. And for this episode, I’m keeping the conversation …

How Black creators are navigating Black History Month

January 26th, 2023

27:38

Black History Month is almost upon us. It’s a time meant to celebrate Black culture, but as we’ve seen year after year, it’s also a time for racist …

Where are we now after the Facebook Papers?

January 19th, 2023

25:01

Back in the fall of 2021, a whistleblower named Frances Haugen dropped a bombshell. She released what would become known as the Facebook Papers, a …

Is the creator economy dead?

January 12th, 2023

30:18

We’ve discussed where the creator economy is headed this year. And there are general trends that I do think will be important to keep in mind in the short term. But what about the long term? The creator economy is still …

How jazz powerhouse Samara Joy went from a viral video to Grammy nominee

January 5th, 2023

44:48

If you haven’t heard of Samara Joy, I’m about to put you on. Samara is a jazz singer whose buttery vocals have earned her some of the top accolades …

The Fast Company podcast team looks back on 2022

December 29th, 2022

48:04

Kate Davis, KC Ifeanyi, and Amelia Hemphill discuss the biggest stories at Fast Company this past year and share their favorite moments from Fast Company podcasts. Kate highlights The New Way We Work's 4-part miniseries …

Top predictions for the creator economy in 2023

December 22nd, 2022

31:55

It’s been another destabilizing year across the board. But the creator economy has surprisingly held strong—despite a looming recession, increasing pressure from lawmakers to ban TikTok in the U.S., and Elon Musk being …

Unpacking the ‘Black Internet Effect’ with Shavone Charles

December 15th, 2022

36:22

This interview has been a long time coming because Shavone Charles is someone I’ve known for quite a few years now. When I met her, she was the head …

How social media companies should think about paid subscriptions

December 8th, 2022

38:30

You might have noticed that more and more social media platforms are offering paid versions of their services, like Twitter Blue, Snapchat Plus, and Discord Nitro. But what you may not have noticed is that this is …

What Tumblr’s new rules on adult content means for creators

December 1st, 2022

27:27

Back in 2018, Tumblr banned all nudity, which, unsurprisingly, led to a massive dip in page views as well as adult creators being forced off the …

Coming up after Thanksgiving . . .

November 24th, 2022

1:20

We're taking a break this week and wishing everyone a warm holiday! When we come back, we'll be talking about what's changing in content policies at …

If Elon Musk resurrects Vine, can it compete with TikTok?

November 17th, 2022

28:03

A few weeks ago, Elon Musk, Twitter’s new CEO, tweeted a poll asking if he should bring back Vine, the short-form video app Twitter purchased in 2012 …

Will changes at Twitch help or hurt creators' pockets?

November 10th, 2022

34:04

Most creators know they won’t reach the level of getting insanely lucrative brand deals or tens of millions of followers—and that’s perfectly fine. …

How much do you spend on the creators you love?

November 3rd, 2022

33:03

When you think about what you’re already shelling out for on-demand entertainment with Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Apple Music, HBO Max, how do …

Decoding what algospeak means for creators

October 27th, 2022

27:53

We’ve explored how algorithms and content moderation can make some creators feel targeted on social platforms. One way creators are getting around being flagged is through algospeak, e.g. using “unalive” instead of …

Want 52 million followers on TikTok? Adapt and experiment like Michael Le

October 20th, 2022

35:08

If you’re on TikTok, Michael Le has undoubtedly landed on your For You page at some point with his dance videos, which have earned him 52 million …

FROM AWS AND FAST CO WORKS: At the Edge of Innovation: A Conversation with AWS’s Jan Hofmeyr

October 18th, 2022

25:37

In this special podcast episode, hear the latest on what’s taking place in edge computing and hybrid cloud from a top industry executive at AWS. Also …

Welcome to the hilariously bizarre world of Tony Talks

October 13th, 2022

35:56

 You think you know where a skit from Antonio Baldwin (aka Tony Talks) is headed until the punchlines start hitting you in the most unexpected places. It’s the kind of random comedy that forces you to pay attention—and …

Why marginalized creators are feeling invisible online

October 6th, 2022

34:16

A lot of people say success in the creator economy is democratized: You put in the work, stay consistent, and you’ll find your audience and revenue. That may be true for some, but for many marginalized creators success …

Brittany Broski live from Fast Company's Innovation Festival!

September 29th, 2022

28:05

Brittany "Broski" Tomlinson turned her 15 seconds of fame as "the Kombucha girl" meme into a full-fledged career. In this live episode of Fast …

What's On The Horizon For Season 2 of Creative Control

September 22nd, 2022

1:20

Here is a sneak peek of Season 2! Creative Control premieres next week, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss new episodes every …

CC Throwback: How Soman Chainani darker lens creates fairytales

September 15th, 2022

33:58

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Author Jenny Han on the double-edged sword of representation

September 8th, 2022

38:53

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Unpacking composer Nicholas Britell’s unusual creative process

September 1st, 2022

43:24

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

FROM FRESHWORKS AND FAST CO. WORKS: What is the future of the employee experience?

August 25th, 2022

25:27

Every company’s success is tied to its talent - recruiting and retaining the employees needed to deliver high-level customer experiences that support the bottom line. Yet rapid transformation has disrupted many things …

CC Throwback: Lessons on leveling up with Danielle Brooks

August 25th, 2022

34:20

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Monet X Change on the power of Blackness in drag

August 18th, 2022

42:11

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Minding your mental health with Dr. Jess Clemons

August 11th, 2022

41:18

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Ellen Pompeo broke her creative rut and you can too

August 4th, 2022

46:12

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Using brainstorming and improv to boost your creativity

July 28th, 2022

37:17

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: John Cho’s childlike approach to creativity

July 21st, 2022

48:49


We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: Janet Mock on trusting other voices in the room

July 14th, 2022

50:37

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

CC Throwback: How uncertainty and negativity can fuel creativity

July 7th, 2022

48:31

We’re hard at work developing season 2 of Creative Control coming this fall. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback episode to keep your creative …

Creative Control's season one finale

June 23rd, 2022

42:44

Over the past 15 episodes, we covered a lot of ground within the creator economy. For the season one finale, we're revisiting some of these topics with Kaya Yurieff, a reporter with The Information who's also been …

How one woman is getting BIPOC creators a seat at the table

June 16th, 2022

51:26

Last week, we profiled a talent agency working specifically with deaf and disabled creators. This week, we're going even further into the space of marginalized creators with Annelise Campbell. Annelise is the founder of …

This talent agency is making room for deaf and disabled creators

June 9th, 2022

36:38

According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion people around the world are living with a disability. However, it's safe to say that the majority of them still don't feel seen or adequately represented. It’s …

Why inventor Simone Giertz is making products that actually work now

June 2nd, 2022

47:18

One would think an inventor's job should be identifying a problem and building an innovative solution to fix it. Simone Giertz has been great about …

Social media regulation needs to happen—but how?

May 26th, 2022

49:08

Rounding out this 3-episode arc of the current state of social media platforms is the question of government regulation. We know social media …

Inside the push to make social media less addictive

May 19th, 2022

40:12

Does this sound familiar? You open Instagram or TikTok to kill some time, and the next thing you know, your eyes are dried out and your thumb feels like it’s about to fall off. It’s only then you realize how long you’ve …

What we know (and don't) about social media algorithms

May 12th, 2022

41:21

It feels strange to think back to a time when we weren’t so concerned with social media algorithms. For years, we accepted this idea that algorithms were there to serve us more of what we love online. Which is true…to a …

Lilly Singh wants you to be a triangle

May 5th, 2022

34:58

When Lilly Singh started her YouTube channel in 2010, she was all about the hustle, which led to a number of opportunities including acting roles and …

How a Silicon Valley engineer-turned-creator is pushing back against hustle culture

April 21st, 2022

30:39

Last week I discussed burnout with therapist Kati Morton and got into the nuts and bolts of what happens in our brains when we experience burnout and …

Burnout is getting worse—but recovery won't take as long as you think

April 14th, 2022

29:24

Before the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a syndrome in 2019, there was already a mounting wave of high-profile creators speaking out against what they felt as pressure from platforms to …

Emma Chamberlain on taking a coffee break from YouTube

April 7th, 2022

43:34

Since starting her channel in 2017, Emma Chamberlain has amassed more than 11 million YouTube subscribers, in large part because of her wry comedic tone and signature lo-fi editing style. Not being overproduced in both …

Should your doctor be an influencer?

March 31st, 2022

42:44

Doctors are taking to platforms like TikTok and Twitter to make medicine less of a mystery for people—and becoming celebrities along the way. But the ethics here are in a very grey area. We’ve seen how misinformation …

Patreon CEO Jack Conte on the creative middle class

March 24th, 2022

40:53

As the cofounder and CEO of Patreon (and a creator himself), Jack Conte’s whole mission has been helping creators make a stable living. Patreon …

This company is investing $1 billion in your favorite YouTube creators

March 17th, 2022

35:07

Spotter buys YouTubers’s back catalogs in exchange for capital to grow their businesses—and the company recently announced plans to invest $1 billion in creators. CEO Aaron DeBevoise explains who’s getting a cut, the …

Why copyright law is out of step with dancers in the digital age

March 10th, 2022

32:51

When you think about things having a copyright, what probably comes to mind are movies, music, and books—but what about dance moves? Historically, copyrighting choreography favors artists working in more traditional …

How NCAA athletes are navigating the Wild West of "NIL" deals

March 3rd, 2022

26:27

In the first episode of Fast Company's new podcast Creative Control, host KC Ifeanyi dives into the tangled history of the NCAA and collegiate …

Introducing Creative Control

February 24th, 2022

1:20

Fast Company's new podcast Creative Control is taking a deep dive into the forces shaping the creator economy, and what it means for its future. …

CC Flashback: Jackie Aina

February 17th, 2022

32:45

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our very first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with YouTube beauty guru Jackie Aina.

CC Flashback: Wayne Brady

February 10th, 2022

56:57

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our forth season of Creative Conversation in 2021 with legendary actor Wayne Brady.

CC Flashback: Saweetie

February 3rd, 2022

42:00

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2020 with viral rapper Saweetie.

CC Flashback: Paul Scheer

January 27th, 2022

42:35

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative …

CC Flashback: Carrie Coon

January 20th, 2022

39:57

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with powerhouse actor Carrie Coon.

CC Flashback: David Sedaris

January 13th, 2022

36:34

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with celebrated author David Sedaris.

CC Flashback: Regina Hall

January 6th, 2022

34:41

We’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with legendary actor Regina Hall.

New Year's Special - Reflecting on 2021

December 27th, 2021

31:10

Today we have a special holiday episode where KC chatted with World Changing Ideas Host Talib Visram and The New Way We Work Host Kate Davis to …

How do you define creativity? (Part 3)

December 23rd, 2021

6:29

We have another roundup of the best answers to that all-important question: How do you define creativity? Enjoy!

Tracy Oliver's recipe for comedy gold: Big, brash, and Black

December 16th, 2021

29:50

Tracy Oliver has made it a point in her career as a film and TV producer and writer to center her work around Black women—but, most importantly, Black women who are allowed to be more than just savior figures or martyrs …

Adam McKay on creating comedy in chaos

December 9th, 2021

31:50

How can you make satire of reality when reality itself is stranger than fiction? And when reality feels flat-out depressing, is anyone in the mood to laugh? It’s what writer and director Adam McKay was thinking about …

Kenny G's creativity starts with trust (and a lot of practice)

December 2nd, 2021

31:44

Kenny G is one of those artists you love, hate, or just allow to quietly exist in the background of your life, like so much of his smooth jazz has done over his 40-year career. Even if you don't like Kenny G's take on …

How do you define creativity? (Part 2)

November 25th, 2021

5:29

We have another roundup of the best answers to that all-important question: How do you define creativity? Enjoy!

John Cho is simplifying his creativity—and you should too

November 18th, 2021

26:53

John Cho is at a point in his career where he can be intentional with what projects he chooses. And his intention for his latest project was to push …

How to deal with negative emotions in your creative process

November 11th, 2021

27:23

There's little you can do about the inherent stressors in the creative process. But what you can do is learn how to better manage the negative emotions that impede your work flow. In our conversation, Michael Parke, …

Will the real Nick Kroll please stand up?

November 4th, 2021

30:42

Nick Kroll's career has largely been defined by the cavalcade of memorable characters he's created over the years through his comedy specials, The …

Seth Green's zen, and the art of making "Robot Chicken"

October 28th, 2021

31:27

 If you've never wondered about the web of legalities and social landmines Seth Green tumbles through to make Robot Chicken, then he considers his job complete. Since premiering in 2005, Robot Chicken has won 6 Emmys …

How to make boring work feel new again

October 21st, 2021

21:45

Last week, I had Ellen Pompeo on the podcast and the theme of making something old feel new again kept popping up. She's been on Grey's Anatomy for …

Ellen Pompeo is keeping her creativity fresh and intensity in check

October 14th, 2021

25:49

Ellen Pompeo has spent 18 seasons playing Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy—and it's fair to say doing something for that long can either make or break your creativity. For Ellen, it’s been a task of finding new ways …

How author Soman Chainani gets into a creative flow state

October 7th, 2021

4:29

Author Soman Chainani explains his greatest challenge: getting into a creative flow state. Check out this clip cut for time, as well as Soman's full …

Author Soman Chainani's twisted fantasies are revolutionizing YA fiction

September 30th, 2021

31:03

Soman Chainani is a bestselling author who’s on a mission to revamp the young adult space. His wildly popular series The School for Good and Evil and …

Why design is more than you think it is

September 23rd, 2021

23:46

Fast Company recently released Innovation by Design: Creative Ideas That Transform the Way We Live and Work, a book highlighting the people and …

Jeff Daniels explains his controlled free fall into creativity

September 9th, 2021

29:25

One thing is certain: Jeff Daniels has the range. From cutting his teeth in traditional American theater to a wide spread of film and TV roles …

Michael Jai White doesn’t let others box in his creativity—and you shouldn’t either

August 26th, 2021

30:18

It's easy to categorize Michael Jai White as the ripped martial arts action star of SpawnMortal Kombat, and Black Dynamite. But with a career that stretches over 30 years, he's done more than you think—even with the …

Elizabeth Banks and her "quietly revolutionary" creativity

August 12th, 2021

29:50

For Elizabeth Banks, acting was her first passion that really clicked—and she’s certainly had success in that regard with roles in 30 RockThe …

Why collaboration really does matter, according to Joseph Gordon-Levitt

July 29th, 2021

32:47

One of the longstanding principles of creativity has always been collaboration. We hear it all the time how thinking in groups and getting feedback …

How do you define creativity?

July 22nd, 2021

12:21

We have a bonus episode for you this week! At the end of every Creative Conversation, our host Kc Ifeanyi asks his guests the same question: "How do you define creativity?" In this episode, we've compiled some our …

Why hearing "no" was exactly what Amber Riley needed

July 15th, 2021

32:31

We all first fell in love with Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones on Glee. But before her breakout role, she was actually rejected from American Idol,

Danielle Brooks is finding the spotlight as a leading lady

July 1st, 2021

32:06

Danielle Brooks got her big break as Taystee, the lovable leader in Netflix's Orange is the New Black. That character was only meant to appear in a few episodes but wound up becoming the anchor for one of the show’s …

How Danny Elfman is trying to be a less "sh*tty collaborator"

June 17th, 2021

32:26

The celebrated film composer and musician has been trying to be a better collaborator—and 37 years later, he's finally there. In this episode, Danny …

Quinta Brunson on finding creativity past viral moments

June 3rd, 2021

33:40

Quinta Brunson is the perfect example of a creator who was able to turn her 15 minutes of viral fame into a solid career. In 2014, she first gained …

How David Oyelowo personalized his passion project

May 20th, 2021

32:49

David Oyelowo’s pedigree of being a classically trained stage actor has largely translated into his career in film with weighty roles in SelmaThe …

How Julia Michaels pushes past imposter syndrome

May 6th, 2021

32:50

At 19, Julia Michaels entered the music industry as a songwriter for artists including Fifth Harmony, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and many others. …

How author Amy Tan transforms trauma into art

April 22nd, 2021

34:14

The author of critically acclaimed novels including The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God's Wife is known for beautifully unpacking facets of the …

How social media star Zach King builds creative momentum

April 8th, 2021

46:00

Zach King has made a name for himself as a digital illusionist, using seamless editing to create mind-bending videos. He gained popularity on Vine …

Inside the method of Eric Andre’s madness

March 25th, 2021

38:41

No one is doing prank comedy quite like Eric Andre. He got his start in standup but rose to fame/notoriety with Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show, a …

Wayne Brady on giving yourself permission to own your passion

March 11th, 2021

56:02

Wayne Brady is arguably one of the hardest working performers in show business. From Broadway to TV and film and everything in between, Wayne has …

The Russo brothers explain the process of their creative "f*ckery"

February 25th, 2021

43:23

It’s easy to get caught up in the staggering commercial success directors Joe and Anthony Russo have had in the Marvel Cinematic universe. But what’s always worth mentioning are creative swings they’ve taken—not just in …

How rapper Kota the Friend conquered burnout

February 11th, 2021

42:57

 Even without the machine of a major label behind him, Brooklyn rapper Kota the Friend has managed to release three EPs, three mixtapes, and two studio albums in the span of six years, earning him more than 200 Million …

Viggo Mortensen on the art of memory

January 28th, 2021

24:37

Viggo Mortensen has cemented himself as a powerhouse actor in films including A History of ViolenceEastern Promises, and, of course, The Lord of …

How the co-CEOs of Glow Recipe found creativity (and heritage) in skincare

January 14th, 2021

35:27

Since launching their first line of products in 2017, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang’s skincare brand Glow Recipe has been a driving force in the …

How Jermaine Fowler is fighting past pain to find his funny again

December 31st, 2020

48:08

Comedian and actor Jermaine Fowler has found great success in TV and film, most recently starring in Coming 2 America. But personal trauma has kept him away from what started his career in entertainment: stand-up …

LIVE SHOW: The Year That Changed Everything

December 21st, 2020

44:34

On December 16, Fast Company Podcast Network went live on Facebook and Youtube. Creative Conversation host, KC Ifeanyi, was joined by Kate Davis--host of Secrets of the Most Productive People--and Talib Visram--host of …

How supermodel Ashley Graham channels confidence into creativity

December 17th, 2020

43:22

They say "confidence is key," which is true. But in Ashley Graham's case, it's a little more than that: confidence is her brand. From her entrepreneurial endeavors to her career in media with her podcast "Pretty Big …

How choreographer JaQuel Knight's obsession with details defines his career (and saved Beyoncé's "Single Ladies")

December 3rd, 2020

42:59

Choreographer and creative director JaQuel Knight has become to the go-to creative force behind major artists including Britney Spears, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, and yes, Beyoncé. For …

Creativity Equation: Innovation

October 29th, 2020

16:34

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK.

In this episode, we hear from GSK's Chief Scientific Officer and …

How a former software engineer is changing the future of medicine

October 22nd, 2020

31:01

Joel Dudley, chief scientific officer at health startup Tempus and one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in business, has spent the better part …

Creativity Equation: Collective Knowledge

October 15th, 2020

15:48

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK.

In this episode, we hear from Kim Branson, global head of artificial …

Dr. Diana Anderson and Healthcare Architecture

October 8th, 2020

35:42

In this episode Kc speaks with Dr. Diana Anderson as she discusses being a board-certified healthcare architect and the impact of innovative hospital design on treatment. 

Creativity Equation: Collaboration

October 1st, 2020

15:42

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK.

In this episode, we hear from GSK's Chief Scientific Officer and …

How this doctor paved his way into Hollywood (While still practicing medicine.)

September 24th, 2020

32:52

For most people, being a doctor is fulfilling enough of a career. But for Dr. Roshan Sethi, he saw no need to pick a passion, which led him down the …

The First Step: How To Build an Effective Narrative When Building a New Company

August 7th, 2020

17:42

In this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Rene Lammers, Chief Science Officer at PepsiCo, and Erik Roth, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company. They discuss the importance of messaging when building a new …

Viral rapper Saweetie is ready to show you who she really is

July 23rd, 2020

41:14

 Rapper Saweetie’s breakout moment came in 2017 with her cocky freestyle “ICY GRL.” Quelling any notions of being a one-hit-wonder, Saweetie scored another viral hit with 2019’s undeniable song of the summer “My …

Inside the no-sleep hustle of Grammy-winning songwriter The-Dream

July 9th, 2020

47:17

In addition to penning hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, and more, The-Dream has his own prolific R&B career. And he recently …

This ex-Google employee built a better platform for protesting

June 25th, 2020

28:41

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this month, we’ll be spotlighting the creatives and professionals using …

Black Trans Lives Matter, too—and this activist won’t let you forget it

June 18th, 2020

33:10

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this month, we’ll be spotlighting the creatives and professionals using …

The First Step: How Affirm CEO Max Levchin handles risk-taking in launching a new business

June 16th, 2020

19:15

In this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Max Levchin, co-founder and CEO at Affirm and co-founder of PayPal, about how to overcome a fear of failure and embrace risk in bringing forward new ideas. Then Chris …

Dr. Jess, the internet's favorite psychiatrist, has a gameplan for your mental health

June 11th, 2020

39:07

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this month, we’ll be spotlighting the creatives and professionals using …

Janet Mock on how to build your creative credibility

May 28th, 2020

48:11

As if her career doesn’t already speak for itself, Janet Mock is ready to show you what she can really do. From her early days as an editor for People magazine, Mock has used her skills as a storyteller to springboard …

Inside the subversively creative mind of Mark Mothersbaugh

May 14th, 2020

40:08

You may know Mark Mothersbaugh from his days as the frontman for the art-punk band Devo, but his career scoring film, TV shows, and video games stretches over 200 titles including Thor: Ragnarok, Dawson's Creek, …

To All the Boys author Jenny Han on the double-edged sword of creativity and inclusion

April 30th, 2020

37:03

When To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before dropped on Netflix back in 2018, it turned its lead actors into overnight stars, as well as the author who wrote the book the film is based on. Jenny Han had success in the YA …

Alan Yang’s secret to creativity? Push yourself to the point you want to quit

April 16th, 2020

39:59

As a writer, producer, and director, Alan Yang has worked on hit shows including Parks and Rec, The Good Place, Little America, Forever, and Master …

Jessie Reyez has a lot to prove—and you have a lot to learn from her process

April 2nd, 2020

38:01

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez finally released her debut studio album 'Before Love Came to Kill Us'—and how it came together spotlights creative lessons to live by.

Creative Conversation Live in Lagos, Nigeria, with Nollywood star Banky W.

March 5th, 2020

41:55

Creative Conversation headed to Lagos, Nigeria for Social Media Week where host Kc Ifeanyi interviewed R&B and Nollywood star Banky W. live on …

The First Step: How Pizza Hut cooks up collaboration to keep innovating

February 18th, 2020

26:56

On this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Helen Vaid, Global Chief Customer Officer at Pizza Hut, about collaboration and how to build the …

The creative power of blackness and drag, according to Monet X Change

February 13th, 2020

40:11

Since her time on season 10 of Drag Race and winning All-Stars 4, Drag Queen Monet X Change has appeared in national ad campaigns, released a visual album, and got her own talk show—and that's barley her first act. …

A creativity masterclass, with Reginald Hudlin

January 30th, 2020

46:27

Digging into Reginald Hudlin's résumé is like the most inspiring rabbit hole you could possibly tumble down. Most people know Hudlin as the director …

How Nate Berkus stays inspired in a constantly evolving industry

January 16th, 2020

37:46

Nate Berkus' life has always been surrounded by "decorative turmoil", so it's no surprise that he has grown into the superstar interior designer he is today.

In this episode of Creative Conversation, Berkus travels …

How Marques Brownlee uses technology to express his creativity

January 2nd, 2020

33:18

Marques Brownlee has been called "the best technology reviewer on the planet" (by a former VP at Google, no less) and his 10 million YouTube …

How Noah Baumbach made a film about love, through a story about divorce

December 19th, 2019

39:09

Noah Baumbach has been making films for 25 years, but none has caught fire quite like his latest. Marriage Story has been racking up awards nominations in advance of the big ones—the Oscars, where, at the very least, …

The First Step: How Square conquers fear to bring new ideas to life

December 9th, 2019

20:15

The First Step is a custom podcast from Fast Co. Works in partnership with McKinsey and Company. On this episode, Chris dives into how to take an idea and put it in action with Jesse Dorogusker, Hardware Lead at Square. …

How Piera Geraldi gives her audience permission to be creative

December 5th, 2019

42:48

Lots of people work in creative industries, but very few have been able to take their art and pivot to build something more impactful than the art …

How actress Carrie Coon uses fear to fuel her creativity

November 21st, 2019

38:19

Carrie Coon got an unconventionally late start in film and TV at 33, after having long since established herself on the stage. But she's more than …

LIVE! with Mo Rocca at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2019

November 7th, 2019

46:54

Most people consider themselves lucky to be able to craft a career path within one creative industry. Mo Rocca, acclaimed humorist, journalist, and …

This is your brain on improvisation

October 24th, 2019

20:50

It’s no surprise that improvisation is seen as a kind of holy grail for creativity. Whether it’s comedians or musicians, the act of creating …

How to Boost Your Creativity by Changing Your Environment

October 10th, 2019

25:15

When you hit that afternoon slump at your desk, maybe it’s not an issue of getting another cup of coffee—maybe you need to change your environment. Some of the most frustrating roadblocks to creativity can stem from …

How uncertainty can make us more creative

September 26th, 2019

22:43

Creative geniuses make creativity look easy. But in reality, it’s uncomfortable to dive into uncharted territory to build or think of something new. Words like “innovation” and “disruption” get tossed around all the …

This is the best time to brainstorm

September 12th, 2019

18:07

We all know brainstorming is an essential part of the creative process, but what do you do when your mind is too foggy to welcome the storm? Brain fog, brain farts, mental fatigue...call it what you will, it can be a …

Introducing Season Three of Creative Conversation

September 5th, 2019

1:32

As an editor and writer for Fast Company magazine, Kc Ifeanyi covers some of the most creative minds in film, television, business and beyond. In this podcast, he unpacks the most frustrating parts of the creative …

Camille Yorrick, EVP of creative content at RCA Records

May 2nd, 2019

33:41

Any creative content from RCA's roster of artists goes through Camille Yorrick. From music videos to visuals and more, Yorrick has helped shaped the creative visions of everyone from Pink to Childish Gambino. The …

Jean Elie, actor and producer

April 17th, 2019

29:28

Jean Elie got his big break playing Issa Rae's younger brother Ahmal on HBO's Insecure. Although landing on a hit show can lead to other more …

Paul Scheer, actor and comedian

April 3rd, 2019

39:48

Paul Scheer's résumé is a dizzying display of creative output: when he's not acting in shows like Black Monday, Veep, or Fresh Off the Boat, he's …

Jemaine Clement, actor and musician

March 20th, 2019

20:37

Give Jemaine Clement a platform, and he'll spin it into something comical. The New Zealander is best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords but his work in comedy stretches across radio, …

LIVE with Tarell Alvin McCraney, Phylicia Rashad, and OWN president Tina Perry at the Fast Company Grill

March 13th, 2019

37:31

Greetings from the 9th annual Fast Company Grill! We had some amazing panel discussions down in Austin, but this one in particular was a personal …

Sasha Velour, drag queen

March 6th, 2019

37:23

For Sasha Velour, all roads led to drag. Being a Fulbright scholar, Vassar grad, graphic artist, and illustrator, were all primers for the …

E.G. Daily, actor and singer

February 27th, 2019

41:31

This episode is pretty much going to be a love letter to all the 80s and 90s kids out there. You probably know E.G. Daily best as the voice of Tommy Pickles in Rugrats, Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, or as Pee-wee …

Nicholas Britell, film composer

February 13th, 2019

38:33

Nicholas Britell has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after composers--and for good reason. His scores for films including Moonlight, The Big …

Amanda Seales, comedian and actor

February 6th, 2019

37:47

If you think your multi-hyphenate status is challenging, let’s run down Amanda Seales’ resume real quick. Amanda is a creative powerhouse—and more …

Roy Wood Jr, comedian

January 30th, 2019

32:53

It would seem that Roy Wood Jr. is vying for the title of the busiest comic is show business. In addition to being a correspondent for "The Daily …

Killer Mike, rapper and activist

January 23rd, 2019

28:53

Killer Mike has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. Whether he’s stumping for politicians or calling out racial inequality, the outspoken …

LIVE with Larry Wilmore

November 7th, 2018

45:35

KC sits down with comedian, writer, and producer Larry Wilmore for a very special and very live episode of Creative Conversation, straight from the Fast Company Innovation Festival.

Jackie Aina, YouTube beauty guru

October 10th, 2018

29:34

Long before “diversity” was a buzzword for beauty brands, Jackie was championing dark-skinned women and men who never saw themselves represented in the makeup industry.

with director Roman Coppola

September 26th, 2018

29:42

As the son of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Roman's career seemed on track to follow directly in his father's footsteps--but that hasn't …

with fashion director and designer Nicola Formichetti

September 12th, 2018

30:44

From Lady Gaga's famous meat dress to spearheading the creative vision of Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo to starting his own label Nicopanda, Nicola …

with actor Regina Hall

August 29th, 2018

32:01

We all know and love Regina Hall from her comedic work in films like "Girls Trip" or "Scary Movie." But for her latest role in the indie dramedy …

with photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield

August 15th, 2018

23:57

Excess. Greed. Addiction. The American Dream isn’t what it used to be—and Lauren Greenfield’s new doc “Generation Wealth” takes a closer look to find out why.

with filmmaker Terence Nance

August 1st, 2018

29:54

Tumble into the mind of visionary filmmaker Terence Nance, whose new HBO show, “Random Acts of Flyness,” is like nothing you’ve seen before—guaranteed.

with composer Max Richter

July 18th, 2018

34:00

What makes Max Richter unique is that his creativity is matched only by his ambition, which lends a sense fearlessness to his work that, hopefully, …

with showrunners Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch

June 27th, 2018

28:54

The creative tag team behind Netflix's "GLOW" is the definition of work spouse goals. In this episode, Flahive and Mensch explain how they've …

with author David Sedaris

June 13th, 2018

33:27

Where you just see a slice of pizza on the ground, David Sedaris sees an essay in the making.

Introducing Fast Company’s Creative Conversation podcast

June 1st, 2018

1:46

Join Fast Company editor KC Ifeanyi for in-depth explorations on the creative process with some of the most innovative thinkers across film, TV, music, and beyond.

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