Stationery Freaks: A Deep Dive into the Prolific World of Author Jenny Kane (and Her Emotional Support Pencil Case!) In this very special episode Rob and Helen are joined by our very special guest, the incredibly prolific author Jenny Kane. We have briefly mentioned Jenny in the past as she is Helen's writing mentor. In this episode we chat about the astonishing breadth of Jenny's literary career, spanning over two decades and encompassing more than 200 short stories and over 70 books across var...
Jun 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 62
How do two writers, bound by their devotion to beautiful stationery, actually write books? In this episode, Helen and Rob reveal their individual paths, uncovering the shared foundation of paper-based ideation – the noodling, expanding, and connecting that begins on the page with their beloved notebooks. Explore their transition to digital tools (Rob's a touch more intricate!), their editing journeys, and their distinct publishing routes – Helen to her website, Rob primarily through self-publish...
May 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 61
In this episode Helen and Rob talk about whether there was a defining moment, or time, when they became Stationery Freaks. They start with Stationery Stories: Helen has an occasion to break out a new notebook - an Atoms and Astronauts one from Vinted. Rob's been watching too much Parisian Agency on Netflix - so is trying to adopt a Parisian style and coolness with a new Folio packed with a Yellow Legal Pad and a couple of Moleskine Cahiers. Helen introduces the (potentially) new segment of the s...
Apr 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 60
In this episode we explore why we both have huge hoards of unused and partially used notebooks, and what makes us crack open a new notebook. You can find videos, photos and a deeper dive into this topic in the newsletter . In this episode: Helen is still searching for her full collection of mechanical pencils. The Penac Protti goes down well at work, but Rob ends up with pencil all over him at work, and refuses to share his doodles with his work colleagues. Rob describes Helen’s notebook storage...
Mar 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 59
In this episode we chat about all things pencil related. We cover: Why Rob has so many notebooks he cannot move his writing desk Helen's latest Vinted stationery haul - and a surprise pen The lovely folks at Penac sent us some free samples - and they are brilliant How we use pencils and paper for getting unstuck, or in Rob's case, for 99% of his writing Why the non-permanent nature of pencils lends itself to creative thinking Why Rob bought the Rotring 600 pencil but hasn't used it much And much...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 58
In this episode Helen shares how she’s getting on with her Hobonichi system, a year after making the switch from Bullet Journaling. We did an episode on this switch in early 2024 - you can listen to that episode here , where Helen shared why switching over the New Year was a bad idea. And so, a year later, we revisited this topic to hear how Helen is getting on, what’s adapted and whether she still needs a suitcase to carry around her growing sticker collection. I ask Helen about the Hobonichi s...
Dec 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 57
In this episode we chat about why we've been missing for a few months, our stationery purchases and how we're always in pursuit of the perfect structure. You can find images, links and other insights that accompany this podcast on our newsletter - https://stationeryfreaks.substack.com/ We cover, amongst other topics: 1. A YouTube video comment that led Rob to a new pencil purchase 2. Helen talks about her Hobonichi and how she's still loving it - although struggling to find time for buying stick...
Dec 01, 2024•30 min•Ep. 56
In this episode Rob introduces his new productivity system of coloured military-style print out. Rob and Helen ponder why it's hard to find a system that works. And that maybe, they've (well, Rob) has been searching in the wrong place. Maybe, when we try to find a streamlined, slick, frictionless productivity system we're not actually getting much reward. And maybe, just maybe, higher friction system (bullet journaling, Rob's new method, Hobonichi etc) give a more meaningful reward. And maybe ev...
Jul 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 55
In this episode we chat about the magic of whiteboards. We cover: How we used them at work How Helen's daughter uses them for learning and revision How Rob's son uses them for doodling The ephemeral nature of whiteboard content Long running whiteboard content - and why "do not wipe" is important If you'd like to see the images we talk about in this session, head to the newsletter .
Jun 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 54
In this episode Helen and Rob chat about buying stationery hauls from Vinted (other platforms and services are available). We cover: Our surprise at the variety of stationery on vinted The bargains to be had Helen's stationery haul for an upcoming workshop Rob's stationery haul for no reason other than some bargain Moleskines and a notepad with Yorkshire written on the front How Rob makes offers and Helen pays full price What stuff they found on Vinted. Note: We have no affiliation with Vinted -...
May 26, 2024•20 min•Ep. 53
In this episode Rob and Helen explore the world of Domestika, an online learning platform for creatives. Note: We are not affiliated with Domestika, but Rob is addicted to it. * Rob explains what Domestika is and how it works * Helen is addicted to stickers - and may jump in to Domestika to learn more about calligraphy * Rob explains how he sometimes just watches the "materials" video on each Domestika course to geek out on stationery * Rob is building a list of Domestika tutors to interview for...
Apr 02, 2024•24 min•Ep. 52
In this episode Rob shares his goal setting process using paper and digital tools. Rob explains what makes a good goal, Helen asks lots of questions and Rob shares how to track goals. We cover: Goals should be measurable and timebound An annual review is a positive process Painting a picture of the future and aligning goals is important The why is important Precious little red notebooks Tracking in ToDoist The power of journaling Why not subscribe to the newsletter too!...
Feb 11, 2024•34 min•Ep. 51
In this episode we explore the world of Hobonichi Planners. Helen decided that January was a good time to switch productivity, journaling and note-taking systems (it may not have been a wise decision). She chats us through the world of Hobonichi Planners and how she is using them to "force" her to develop the habit of journaling. She also needed mountains of stickers. All the stickers. We also cover Midori notebooks (Helen raves about these), Etsy Hobonichi sticker providers and why productivity...
Jan 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 50
It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 4 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into things we would buy if money were no object. Rob breaks the rules on this one, Helen less so. Listen to the end for a magical and amazing idea we'd love to do, but alas, money IS an object. We cover: - Helen - Smythson Soho Luxury Notebooks . About £170 - £250 - Rob - Parker Bumble Bee - ebay link so may expire. £5000 for a pen! - Helen - Diamine Inkve...
Dec 19, 2023•21 min•Ep. 49
It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 3 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into stationery accessories that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - TipEx Mouse - Rob - Firbon A4 paper cutter - Helen - Bookaroo Sticky Tabs - Rob - Rapesco desktop Pencil Sharpener - Helen - Hobonichi Deco Rush Stickers - Rob - Vretti thermal printer ( here's the Vretti one I bought but it looks like it's be...
Dec 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 48
It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 2 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into notebooks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - Zen Art B5 Dotted Notebook - Rob - Ottergami A5 notebook - Helen - Atoms to Astronauts notebooks - Rob - A4 Yellow Legal Pads - Helen - Midori Notebook - Rob - Plotter Japan Notebook And an honourable mention (we both assumed the other had it on their list...
Dec 12, 2023•28 min•Ep. 47
It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 1 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into 6 pens/pencils/inks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: Helen - The Stalogy Gel Pen Rob - Sharpie Ultra Fine Helen - Glow in the dark ink (Etsy) Rob - Staedtler Norris School Pencils Helen - Waterman Carene Ink Pen (Fountain Pen) Rob - Waterman Deluxe Ink Pen (Fountain Pen) We make use of affiliate links which ...
Dec 10, 2023•17 min•Ep. 46
In this episode we chat with Amy Cooper-Wright who is the founder of Mark and Fold, one of our favourite stationery companies. Amy talks business, notebooks, gaps in the market, sustainability and shares her desert island stationery! We chat about: Why start a stationery company Why Amy was influenced when she was younger by making her own books and running a toy post office Why Amy sought out to make the notebook better, not cheaper - and held to her high bar of quality Why Amy was tired of not...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 45
In this episode we do a lovely interview with Sanne Visser, Technologist, Zentangle and Mandala aficionado and bullet journalling fan. We cover: * The Netherlands, bikes, canals and wonderful old libraries that sell stationery * What Zentangle and Mandala Art is, and why Sanne does it * The notebooks, pens and pencils used * Table cloth colouring * Stoic wisdom books * Cellotape, staples and Hobonichi planners * And Sanne shares the 5 items of stationery she would take with her to a desert islan...
Nov 16, 2023•37 min•Ep. 44
In this episode we discuss Helen's recent retreat to Gladstone Library. The surprising thing about the retreat was that there were no obvious stationery freaks....in a library. Helen explains what Gladstone Library is and the environment Helen talks about her experience at the retreat Helen explains how everyone had laptops, and very few stationery freaks were there Rob talks a little about his retreat 2 years ago Rob remarks that his was like a lads holiday, without the lads Helen explains why ...
Nov 09, 2023•30 min•Ep. 43
In this episode we were super inspired by a wonderful YouTube video we watched, called "You're Not Lazy : How to live a chaotically organised life" by YouTuber Elizabeth Filips. So, given it summed up how we work, or at least how Rob works (that was why Helen sent him the link to the video), we thought we'd deconstruct the video and share stories about how we operate. And of course, although light on stationery talk, how we use stationery to control our own chaos. In the episode we talk about: S...
Oct 22, 2023•37 min•Ep. 42
In this episode we chat about what stationery we take with us when we travel. Let us know what you take. We cover: Bookaroo notebook carry cases are Helen's new thing. (affiliate Amazon link) Van Neistat's inspiring Rob again - this time to create ToDo lists and organise himself Helen waxes lyrical about some new exercise books Rob turned up to a Mastermind meeting with the worst stationery We then chat about what we take with us to conferences and when travelling with work. - Notebooks - Pens -...
Oct 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 41
In today’s episode we chat about why we revert to lists when we’re overwhelmed - as well as some stationery stories Stationery Stories The man who stuck post-it notes to his tie - Helen recalls the story of a man who used this process to get things done. Rob's using Helen's post-it notes Teachers using iPads to stick post-it notes to Rob has sent the Remarkable2 back - and bought a typewriter Main Topic - Lists when overwhelmed We chat about lists, what we use them for and why we revert to them ...
Sep 22, 2023•35 min•Ep. 40
In this episode we talk about what's happening to us - as we find digital tooling becoming more important in our stationery world. We talk about the Remarkable 2, Moleskine balance and how we are still stationery freaks! And Rob is retooling his knowledge management and Helen learned nothing about herself, despite sticker journaling for a few weeks. We cover: Woolsthorpe manor, where Isaac Newton saw the apple fall - and the fact you can buy pens made from the very tree that Newton saw the apple...
Aug 31, 2023•40 min•Ep. 39
In this episode we discuss habits and how we define them and track them using both digital and analogue tracking and documenting. We share our own perspectives of how we develop habits. * Helen has bought all of the stickers in the whole world (possibly) * Rob is trying to build the habit of not buying anymore notebooks for a while - and instead, using up the mountain of notepads he has * Rob has regained the love of Yellow Legal Pads * Helen spends her life trying to make herself better using s...
Aug 17, 2023•31 min•Ep. 38
In this episode we interview Maria Van Le of LeVan Books. Maria makes her own beautiful notebooks - of which Helen has purchased a few. They are exquisite, hand made and use some top notch material. In this episode: Helen talks about her 6 ink pens - and decides she needs more (or not). Maria talks about her passion for glass ink pens, water colour painting and using her own books Maria explains how she started making books for her daughter and her friends, before making them for other people Ma...
Jul 16, 2023•37 min•Ep. 37
In this episode Rob and Helen share some of their stationery disasters as well as ramble chat about stationery, including, but not limited to, Helen has a new LeVan notebooks Helen Callaghan Writing Challenges - check out this previous podcast featuring Helen Callaghan Stationery Care Packages - Helen sends some beautiful gifts, perfectly wrapped. Rob sends a package with a terrible index card in it. Rob uses his Bella Beso planners. Helen explains to a new team member that she doesn’t use digit...
May 12, 2023•25 min•Ep. 36
In the first podcast of the year, (I know, we're slack), Helen and Rob chat about recent stationery finds, purchases and goodies. Helen geeks out with a colleague who loves Fountain Pens - and is an expert on paper quality. They head to Gilbert House Pens to spend money. Helen buys a feather resin pen. Brad Herrington from Gilbert House Pens is helpful and guides Helen to the right pen. Helen is now obsessed with inks, especially after we had Urban Hafner on the show. Helen is now using shimmer ...
Apr 03, 2023•36 min•Ep. 35
We were VERY excited when fellow Stationery Freak and founder of Fountain Pen Companion, Urban Hafner, joined us on the podcast. Urban is a software developer, fountain pen aficionado, host of two podcasts (one of which is about stationery), bullet journal user and fan of nice stationery. In this episode we chat about: Fountain pens, inks and why Urban created The Fountain Pen Companion tool Japanese pencils Learning handwriting and calligraphy Why Urban throws away his journals once he's finish...
Dec 13, 2022•35 min•Ep. 34
In this episode Rob and Helen share the 5 items of stationery they would take with them to a Desert Island. What would you take? Let us know on Instagram - @stationeryfreaksuk In this episode: Helen is obsessed with Rob’s A3 learning management system - a video of the system is here on Rob’s YouTube channel. Rob talks about his new (old) Waterman Fountain Pen Rob bends the rules of the game Helen forgets a pencil sharpener Helen’s 5 items: A Mark and Fold desktop scratchpad (part of the statione...
Dec 01, 2022•28 min•Ep. 33
