The Type Convo - podcast cover

The Type Convo

SilverStag Type Foundry
The Type Convo is a podcast that dives into the world of typography, design, and creative journeys. Each episode brings you behind the scenes with top designers and type experts who share insights, challenges, and inspiration from their work. Hosted by SilverStag Type Foundry, this series is perfect for creatives eager to learn from the industry’s most innovative minds. Join us for real conversations that go beyond the surface of design.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

50. Season Finale: Thank You, See You Soon

Fifty episodes. Countless lessons. One unforgettable season. In this special finale of Season One, I look back on the wild, inspiring, and emotional journey that has been The Type Convo . From honest chats and surprising insights to creative breakthroughs and personal stories, this season has been so much more than I ever imagined. I take a moment to thank every guest by name – from Liz Mosley and Alex Center to James Martin, Martina Flor, and so many more – each one left their mark and helped s...

Jul 03, 20256 minEp. 50

49. The Monday Break(Through) 032 - Keep What Gives, Let Go of What Doesn’t

This Monday Break(Through) began with a simple late-night conversation that turned into a life philosophy: keep what gives you something back, and gently let go of what doesn’t. In this episode, I’m unpacking what that really means – how we often carry emotional weight out of guilt or habit, how to define what “gives” in your life, and why staying too long in draining spaces costs more than we think. You’ll hear about my own quiet process of letting go, how to rethink your emotional economy, and...

Jun 30, 20257 minEp. 49

48. From Fear to Front Stage: A Real Life with Liz Mosley

What happens when a simple “no” becomes the launchpad for a whole new mindset? In this episode of The Type Convo, I talk to the brilliant Liz Mosley - designer, educator, podcast host, and Adobe Express Ambassador - about how she turned the fear of rejection into a superpower. We dive into the story behind her 100 Rejections Challenge, why your ‘no’ is often more powerful than your ‘yes,’ and how she balances big-stage keynotes with bathtime arguments at home. We also talk about saying no to the...

Jun 25, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 48

47. The Monday Break(Through) 031 - Work Like a Pro, Laugh Like a Kid

We often hear “work hard, play hard” – but what does that actually look like when you’re building a creative career? In this solo episode, I reflect on one simple but powerful idea shared by designer Alex Center: “Take the work seriously, not yourself.” It’s the kind of mindset that separates burnout from brilliance. In this talk, I dive into: • Why obsessing over excellence doesn’t mean losing your sense of humor • How to build a reputation without becoming rigid • The freedom that comes from l...

Jun 23, 20255 minEp. 47

46. Take the Work Seriously, Not Yourself: Lessons from Alex Center

In this episode of The Type Convo , I chat with designer, brand builder, and CENTER studio founder Alex Center - whose career journey spans from shaping billion-dollar brands at Coca-Cola (hello, vitaminwater and smartwater) to launching one of today’s most culture-conscious design studios. We dive into what it really means to lead a creative life that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and fun. Alex opens up about mental and physical well-being, the emotional cost of doing meaningful work, and why leav...

Jun 17, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 46

45. The Monday Break(Through) 030 - The Healthiest Designer in the Room Is Doing Less, Not More

What if the key to better creativity wasn’t doing more - but doing less? In this episode of The Monday Break(Through), I dive deep into the real foundations of sustainable creativity: your mental health, physical habits, and the systems you build to protect your energy. From breaking free of hustle culture and burnout to practical ways you can rethink your workspace, your schedule, and your relationship with productivity - this is your designer wellbeing blueprint. I’ll talk about: • Why burnout...

Jun 16, 202510 minEp. 45

44. The Monday Break(Through) 029 - Labels Are for Folders, Not Designers

Feeling stuck between being a “specialist” and wanting to explore it all? You’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode, I’m unpacking my own journey through years of creative reinvention - from web design, branding, SEO, and templates to finally landing on type design (and even that doesn’t cover it all). This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt lost in their creative identity, unsure what to call themselves, or afraid they’ll never “find their niche.” We’re talking about the beauty of ev...

Jun 09, 20257 minEp. 44

43. The Monday Break(Through) 028 - Turning 39 and Letting Go of the Timeline Trap

Birthdays can feel like pressure points. We reflect, we compare, we wonder if we’re “on track.” But what if the number doesn’t matter at all? In today’s episode, I’m turning 39 – and instead of looking back with regret or rushing toward future goals, I’m pausing to talk about how age is just a marker, not a deadline. I share thoughts on comparison, late blooms, quiet confidence, and why your best years might still be ahead of you. If you’ve ever felt behind, too old, or stuck in someone else’s t...

Jun 02, 20258 minEp. 43

42. Why ‘Iconic’ Is More Than a Buzzword – Scott Fuller Gets Real on Timeless Design

In this episode of The Type Convo , I sit down with Scott Fuller – the one-man dynamo behind The Studio Temporary and the Instagram handle @studiotemporary . From leaving a mechanical engineering scholarship to launching his own studio from the back of a sign shop, Scott’s journey is all about grit, faith, and the relentless pursuit of iconic design. We talk about: The moment he nearly gave up on art – and what pulled him back His analog-first process using Field Notes and Sharpies What “iconic”...

May 28, 202556 minEp. 42

41. The Monday Break(Through) 027 - Why Being a Great Designer Just Isn’t Enough Anymore

In this solo episode of Monday Break(Through), I dive into a truth many creatives are quietly struggling with: being a great designer just isn’t enough anymore. From brand strategy to video editing, SEO to motion graphics, designers today are expected to wear every hat in the creative studio—and it’s exhausting. I talk about why the industry shifted, what that means for your career, and most importantly, how you can stay relevant without losing yourself in the process. The answer isn’t “do more”...

May 26, 20256 minEp. 41

40. The Monday Break(Through) 026 - Everyone’s Just Figuring It Out (Even the Pros)

In this episode of The Monday Break(Through) , I dive into a truth that keeps surfacing in almost every conversation I’ve had with my podcast guests - and in my own life: no one really has it all figured out. Not the viral creatives, not the award-winning designers, not even the people we admire most. Behind every beautiful portfolio and curated Instagram feed are moments of doubt, unfinished work, and quiet confusion. From Ian Barnard to Carly Salzman to Adam Bosley and Will Paterson, every gue...

May 19, 20259 minEp. 40

39. Obsessed with Letters: Ian Barnard on Mastery, Mistakes & Making Fonts

What do you do when your wife is watching Downton Abbey, your newborn needs feeding, and your creative spark is burning out? If you’re Ian Barnard—you pick up a “Calligraphy for Dummies” book and unknowingly set yourself on a path that leads to Creative Market bestsellers, fonts spotted in Starbucks, and a global community of lettering lovers. In this episode, Ian shares how his journey from a local graphic designer to an international lettering artist wasn’t driven by trends or flashy success—b...

May 15, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 39

38. The Monday Break(Through) 025 - Mindful Minutes - How I Took Back My Time From Instagram and Email

In this episode of Monday Break(Through) , I share the results of a simple challenge I gave myself last week: break the phone habit. After limiting Instagram to just 30 minutes a day, I quickly realized how much time I was wasting on mindless scrolling - and how little it actually impacted my business or engagement. But the experiment didn’t stop there. It led me to uncover another sneaky time-waster: constantly checking emails out of habit, not necessity. So I’m taking action - and maybe this e...

May 12, 20256 minEp. 38

37. The Monday Break(Through) 024 - The Cost of Cat Videos

In this Monday Break(Through), I’m reflecting on a surprising insight I had after reviewing my digital wellbeing stats—I’ve been spending nearly 14 hours a week on my phone, with most of that time lost to mindless scrolling on Instagram. This episode isn’t about blaming tech or going off-grid. It’s about awareness. I talk about what sparked this realization (a powerful interview with Harbor), how small habits add up, and why our attention is our most valuable resource as creatives and entreprene...

May 05, 20259 minEp. 37

36. Designing Dreams: Harbor Bickmore on Life, Type, and Courage

In this deeply honest conversation, Harbor Bickmore — the creative force behind That That Type — joins The Type Convo to share his incredible journey from small-town beginnings to building a bold and distinctive design career. We dive into his early days of skating and graphic design, his decision to live without a smartphone, starting That That Type, preparing to launch Vanilla Type, and his bold philosophy about life, creativity, and self-worth. Harbor talks candidly about why he left a ‘dream...

Apr 29, 202556 minEp. 36

35. The Monday Break(Through) 023 - Launch Before You’re Ready

In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I take you behind the scenes of a major milestone — the launch of my new Type Foundry website. But this isn’t just about celebrating a website going live; it’s about a deeper lesson I’ve learned over years of building creative projects: launch before you feel ready. I share why I decided to publish the site even though it wasn’t finished — with missing product uploads, unfinished mobile layouts, and without a polished freebie section or newsletter signup...

Apr 28, 202513 minEp. 35

34. The Monday Break(Through) 022 - Feel the Fear. Start Anyway.

In this unscripted Monday Break(Through), I finally take a leap I’ve avoided since the start of this podcast—recording solo without a script. It’s raw, imperfect, and real. I talk about pushing through fear, showing up even when you’re unsure, and the underestimated power of side projects. From recording in a noisy apartment to learning new skills outside of font design, this episode is a love letter to doing the thing—even when it’s scary. Plus, I share a major lesson from ⁠Elliot Jay Stocks⁠ a...

Apr 28, 202511 minEp. 34

33. The Monday Break(Through) 021 - How Many Tries Does It Take to Make a Masterpiece?

We live in a world obsessed with the highlight reel — the bestselling book, the viral moment, the overnight success. But what if the real magic is in the volume of work no one ever sees? In this Monday Break(Through), I reflect on a single post by ⁠@mattgottesman⁠ that hit me hard — and how it led me to discover a feed full of wisdom, perspective, and quiet truth. From Frank Sinatra’s 1,300 songs to Picasso’s 150,000 artworks, this episode is about the unseen effort behind every masterpiece… and...

Apr 28, 20256 minEp. 33

32. The Monday Break(Through) 020 - The Clichés That Actually Matter

In this episode, I’m talking about the one thing that keeps coming up in almost every Type Convo I’ve done so far—the so-called cliché of “loving what you do” and “having fun with it.” It might sound overused, but there’s a reason it keeps showing up. In just a few minutes, I explore why joy, curiosity, and play are often the real secret to creative longevity. A soft reminder to bring the fun back into your work—especially when things start to feel heavy.

Apr 07, 20253 minEp. 32

31. From Surf Life to Type Boss: Creative Hustle & Font Fame w/ Tom Cunningham

In this inspiring and laid-back conversation, I sit down with Tom Cunningham, the founder of Tropical Type , to talk about his seven-year journey from surf-loving freelancer to building one of the most recognizable font foundries on the internet. We explore how Tom’s “fast font” philosophy democratized high-impact typography for everyday designers, why he ditched clients for creative freedom, and how he stays grounded in a rapidly evolving design world. Tom shares personal stories about launchin...

Apr 04, 202559 minEp. 31

30. The Monday Break(Through) 019 - Copying Won’t Take You There

In this episode, I talk about something we don’t address enough: creative copying. After Jen Wagner shared a recent example of font theft, I reflected on my own experiences with people releasing work that feels too close to mine—and others, like Sam Parrett or Tropical Type. Copying might feel like a shortcut, but it leads nowhere meaningful. It’s not just unfair to the original creator—it’s empty. True success comes from putting in the work, finding your voice, and staying honest with your proc...

Mar 31, 20255 minEp. 30

29. The Monday Break(Through) 018 - Build First, Perfect Later

In today’s Monday Break(Through), I’m sharing a simple principle that has shaped my entire creative journey: Build first, perfect later . Whether you’re designing fonts, launching a product, building a website, or creating anything from scratch—waiting for perfection will only slow you down. I’m sharing personal stories from my own path as a type designer, lessons from guests on The Type Convo , and a gentle push to get your work out there, even if it’s not “ready.” If you’ve been stuck in plann...

Mar 24, 20255 minEp. 29

28. The Art Of Learning by Doing w/ WILL PATERSON

In this episode of The Type Convo , I had the pleasure of chatting with Will Paterson —a logo & brand designer, lettering artist, and YouTube educator with nearly a million followers. 🎙️ We dived deep into: 🔥 The power of backengineering in design – how Will deconstructed work to teach himself design from scratch. 🎨 Why failing more makes you a better designer – embracing mistakes as part of the process. 💡 The art of branding & typography – why Will creates fonts for clients and how ...

Mar 19, 202548 minEp. 28

27. The Monday Break(Through) 017 - One Conversation Can Change Everything

In this episode of Monday Breakthrough , I’m talking about the power of conversations —how they shape careers, relationships, and unexpected opportunities. Inspired by my chat with James Martin on The Type Convo , this is a reminder that every big moment starts with a simple conversation. So, what’s stopping you from starting the convo that could change everything? This week, I challenge you to reach out, speak up, and open doors—because the best things in life don’t happen in silence. 🎙️ Liste...

Mar 17, 20253 minEp. 27

26. The Monday Break(Through) 016 - Time Is Running—Are You in Control?

In this episode of Monday Break(Through), I reflect on a simple but crucial question: Are you truly in control of your time, or is it slipping away unnoticed? A recent conversation with Martina Flor left me thinking—time is the only resource we all have in equal measure, yet how we spend it defines everything. I dive into the quiet moments when I catch myself asking, ‘Is this really the best use of my time?’—not in a productivity-obsessed way, but in a deeper, more intentional sense. Are we inve...

Mar 10, 20253 minEp. 26

25. Legacy Written in Letters – The Art Of Making It w/ Martina Flor

In this episode of The Type Convo , I’m joined by the incredible Martina Flor—lettering artist, author, mentor, and someone who’s built a life and career through bold moves and quiet dedication. We talk about her journey from Buenos Aires to Berlin, how she found her voice in lettering, and what success really means after 15 years in the industry. Martina opens up about the power of side projects, the beauty of sharing your work (before it’s perfect), and why asking for help might be the smartes...

Mar 07, 202557 minEp. 25

24. The Monday Break(Through) 015 - Behind the Scenes of My Weekly Workflow

After I shared why I stopped setting New Year’s resolutions in this episode , so many of you reached out asking “Okay, but how do you actually plan your weeks?” So here it is—a full breakdown of how I structure my time running a digital product business. I’m talking about my recurring weekly tasks, how I manage releasing new typefaces, balancing content, podcasts, client work, emails… and how I stay focused on one big goal every 12 weeks without getting totally overwhelmed. If you’re running a c...

Mar 03, 20254 minEp. 24

23. The Monday Break(Through) 014 - No Luck, No Shortcut, No Problem!

Effort doesn’t have a price tag, but it changes everything. In this episode of Monday Break(Through) , I dive into a powerful mantra from my recent chat with James Martin: the idea that effort is completely free—but also the most valuable thing you can invest. No excuses, no waiting for the perfect moment. Just showing up and putting in the work. If you’ve been overthinking, hesitating, or waiting for the right conditions , this one’s for you.

Feb 24, 20253 minEp. 23

22. “EFFORT IS FREE” – The Unfiltered Design Talk w/ James Martin

In this episode of The Type Convo , I sit down with one of the most influential voices in branding and logo design— James Martin , better known as Made by James . We dive into his incredible journey from struggling with self-doubt to becoming a creative powerhouse behind some of the most recognizable logos in the industry. James opens up about: • The truth behind his 20+ years in the design world • Navigating impostor syndrome and finding his voice • Why he left Adobe for Affinity and joined the...

Feb 19, 202557 minEp. 22

21. The Monday Break(Through) 013 - Are You in It for Love?

In this episode of Monday Break(Through) , I reflect on a simple yet powerful question that hit me out of nowhere during lunch the other day: Am I in this for love, or am I in it for money? As creatives, we all navigate that balance between passion and practicality, but what happens when one takes over completely? Can creativity survive if it’s only about the paycheck? And if it’s fueled purely by love, will the money eventually come? I dive into this cliché—but undeniable truth—that loving what...

Feb 17, 20253 minEp. 21
Hosted on Transistor
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android