Creative Combat

Pete Raber and Levi Bethune•creativecombat.blackfriday

Arts

A short discussion podcast about staying creative even when your life is crazy. Hosted by Pete Raber and Levi Bethune.

Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 5:54 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

41 - Your God Given Name (It’s an author’s name.)

Okay, first, this may seem to fly in the face of The War of Art’s recommendation of enveloping yourself in a brand so you can put the pressure on. What we’re talking about here is putting the work into the brand rather than putting the word into the portfolio. If it helps you to get work done by wrapping yourself in your brand, then go for it. If it helps to put the pressure on, then do it. But if your goal is to get a certain level of work, and you think creating a brand will do that, you may b...

May 26, 2016•16 min

40 - Selling Out (Wanye’s World is doctrine.)

The difference between having a “patron” and “selling out” is who controls what the art is about. A patron should let you continue making YOUR art for YOU while paying for your lifestyle. Selling out means that you let your patron tells you what art to make, and they pay for your lifestyle. Levi sells out every day because he works with clients. Pete changed style when he found a new company to work at, but that doesn’t mean he sold out. BUT, selling out isn’t bad. As long as you’re not doing so...

May 18, 2016•16 min

39 - Creating At The Speed Of Thought (The Universe is fighting you.)

No filter. It’s a way of discovery. Robert Rodriguez embraced digital filmmaking, not because it was “better” but because he was able to spend less “downtime” between thought and creation. Creating at the speed of thought can speed things up, but it can also help you take more risks and rely on instinct. The ability to create at the speed of thought reduces snags and barriers. Rebel Without A Crew: http://amzn.com/0452271878 Call in with your questions/stories: (510) 426-6228 http://creativecomb...

May 12, 2016•16 min

EXTRASODE: Kole Ross (Anxiety is my engine.)

We interview the venerable Kole Ross and chat about his many podcast projects and how he stays focussed and efficient with so much going on. Kole’s “spark” was allowing himself to believe that he could do the things that he enjoyed consuming. Keep doing it. The motivation isn’t the fear of disappointing people. When you finish one thing, you can’t be sad, you can’t rest, because the next on is coming up. Check out his and (his creative ally) Gary’s work at http://duckfeed.tv Watch Out For Fireba...

May 04, 2016•21 min

38 - Mental Inputs (Toboggle)

Pete’s been listening to podcasts about the thing he’s focussing on right now. He’s filling up his input channel with material that can help him do the things he wants to do. Bandwidth is limited, and if you fill your input channels with slush, then you don’t have room for the cream. It’s one thing to direct the energy, but you need to think about where you’re getting your energy. You get to choose your input. Call in with your questions/stories: (510) 426-6228 http://creativecombat.blackfriday

Apr 27, 2016•15 min

37 - What’s The Deal With Brand? (That’s the game.)

Brand can be defined as a leading indicator of culture. So that means that everyone has a personal brand. Let’s move on. What are others saying about you? Because you don’t really control your brand, the public does. Be passionate about your job or your product, but be careful not to make that task or title your identity. A brand will reflect the truth. Identify the things in you (or your team) that no one else can do (or do the way you do it) and THAT is your brand. Know what you do, and know w...

Apr 20, 2016•17 min

36 - Tools Of The Trade Part 2 (I’ve heard of bad ideas before.)

Maybe this is a part 2 to the episode about capturing ideas. Not sure. We basically just riff on our methods for capturing and keeping ideas. Pete talks about his notebooks. Levi talks about software. And Sharpie pens. Nerds. Basically, we’re saying write things down by hand, but then make sure you have a handy digital copy if you plan on doing something with it. And don’t be afraid of bad ideas. Just get the ideas down. Call in with your questions/stories: (510) 426-6228 http://creativecombat.b...

Apr 13, 2016•16 min

35 - Portfolios (Pixar did Listerine ads.)

Blake called us and asked about portfolios. So, we talked about portfolios and how they are an outward-facing representation of what you’re capable of and what you aspire to. Because it represents you and your personal brand so much, you have to be careful what you put in it, and you have to be careful what kind of work you say “yes” to. Douglas Gautraud: http://www.douglasgautraud.com/ Ben Joyner: http://www.benjoyner.com/ Call in with your questions/stories: (510) 426-6228 http://creativecomba...

Apr 06, 2016•18 min

34 - Social Networks (Creepy pastas.)

The internet, how does that work? It’s up to you to use social media for what you want to use it for. Of course. But in the pursuit of creativity, you need to ask yourself, “what is a distraction?” and then decide what kind of boundaries you want to put around that distraction. Also ask, “what can help me be creative?” and then figure out boundaries to stick to that keep you creative, without being a distraction. You can also use social networks for inspiration, but again, you need to look out f...

Mar 30, 2016•16 min

33 - Being Creatively Creative (Don’t get too creative with your scalpel.)

33 - Being Creatively Creative (Don’t get too creative with your scalpel.) Todd Henry talks about this in his podcast and his books. When you have to create, all the time, how do you stay creative? There’s a high risk of burning yourself out and ending up not being creative, even when you’re expected to be. The grass is always greener where you water it. Todd Henry: http://www.toddhenry.com The Accidental Creative: http://amzn.com/1591846242 Podcasts: http://www.accidentalcreative.com/category/p...

Mar 23, 2016•15 min

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