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PODCAST

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice for Surface Designers and Creative Entrepreneurs

Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico: Surface Designer, Creative Career

In Two Cranky Creatives, two seasoned creative entrepreneurs, Carrie & Toni, pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of building a creative business. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with being a creative entrepreneur. Whether you"re a fellow creative or just curious about the creative hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

arts visual arts

All Episodes

46:01

Cranky About “Bad” Art with Melissa Johnson

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/07/30

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni are joined by Melissa Johnson. Together, they dig into the frustrating yet all-too-familiar challenge of executing the vision you’ve imagined in your head. It’s a topic every creative can relate to … that gnawing feeling when what you produce doesn’t match the image in your mind. Carrie, Melissa, and Toni explore the patience, practice, and self-compassion needed to close that gap while sharing strategies to help you navigate the journey. From

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34:44

The Cranky Creatives Talk Cultural Inspiration vs....

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/07/16

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Xhico of Studio Xhico. Together, they tackle a crucial yet often overlooked issue in the surface design industry: cultural appropriation. They delve into the fine line between inspiration and appropriation, exploring what it means to find your authentic creative voice while respecting cultural boundaries. They also share practical advice on responsibly using cultural references in your work and offer

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50:25

Art Is Everywhere, So Why Are We Cranky? with Julia...

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/07/02

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Julia Barry of UpRoot Design Studio. Together, they dive deep into the societal devaluation of art. From the paintings on your walls to the designs on your favorite coffee mug, art is everywhere—so why is it so often dismissed as “non-essential”? They examine the barriers to collecting art, how classist norms influence accessibility, and challenge the arbitrary systems deciding which art is “good.” Most

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46:37

Cranky and Ahead of the Curve w/Mandy Corcoran

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/06/18

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Mandy Corcoran of Amanda Grace Design. Together, they unpack the ins and outs of pitching schedules in art licensing and explain why working smarter and crankier matters. You'll also hear why small companies might be your licensing sweet spot over those intimidating big-box stores. In This Episode, You'll Hear About: Why you should be designing one season ahead to stay relevant and competitive The

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57:11

Cranky, Creative, and Trendy w/Cat Coquillette

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/06/04

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Cat Coquillette. Together, they tackle the controversial “T-word” in the creative industry—trends. Is trend-chasing selling out? Can you still be considered an artist if your work aligns with market demands? Spoiler: Yes, and yes! This week, we’re embracing the cranky side of being a surface designer in a commercial world. Carrie, Cat, and Toni explore how surface design is, by nature, commercial and why

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45:43

A Cranky Guide to Creative Confidence w/Janine Vangool

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/05/21

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Janine Vangool of UPPERCASE Magazine. They tackle the myths and realities of creative confidence. Forget what you’ve heard about “imposter syndrome”—it’s time to ditch the labels and start owning your power. They share their insights on why confidence isn’t something you’re born with but something you build by doing, how to embrace action as your superpower, and why removing self-imposed labels can unlock

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49:32

Tariff Tantrums & Cranky Comebacks

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/05/14

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47:50

A Cranky Creatives Guide to Facing Rejection w/Mable Tan

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/05/07

NOTE: We had some technical issues near the end of the show with echoes and feedback. Apologies in advance. In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Mable Tan joins hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico to tackle one of the most soul-crushing topics for creatives: rejection. Whether it’s a politely worded email or radio silence after submitting your art, rejection is inevitable—and it can happen at any stage of your creative career! Mable, Carrie, and Toni share personal experiences with

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54:38

Social Media Makes Us Cranky as Hell

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/04/23

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle creatives' complicated relationship with social media. From its highly curated content to the frustration of navigating platforms they can’t control, they get real about why social media can drive even the most patient artists to crankiness. They share personal stories of social media crankiness and offer practical tips for using these platforms without losing your mind—or your creative spark. If you’ve ever felt

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57:15

Cranky Mythbusting: Draw Every Day

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/04/09

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico take on a popular piece of advice that might be doing more harm than good: the idea that you must draw every day to be successful. As two seasoned creatives who’ve found success in their own way, Carrie and Toni break down why this “rule” is more of a myth and how it often pressures artists into unrealistic expectations. They get real about finding a balance between discipline and burnout, exploring how, sometimes,

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55:03

Cranky About Unrealistic Expectations w/Stacie Dale

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/03/26

In this episode, Carrie and Toni are joined by Stacie Dale of Surface Design News to dive deep into the world of surface design classes. They explore how these courses can create sky-high expectations, leaving emerging artists overwhelmed, defeated, and downright cranky. If you’ve ever taken a class that promised you the moon only to deliver a handful of unrealistic goals, you’re not alone. Carrie, Stacie, and Toni share real-life insights into why a surface design career isn’t a one-size-fits-all

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01:04:05

Cranky Creatives Don’t Work for Exposure

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/03/12

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that’s sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It’s frustrating, it’s aggravating, and it’s a reality that every creative professional faces. Carrie and Toni dive into the common mindset of clients who believe they could “do it themselves” or undervalue the expertise and effort that goes into professional creative work. They share

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49:00

Ghosted and Cranky

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/02/26

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico explore the frustrating, confusing, and often hurtful experience of being ghosted. Whether it’s a client, collaborator, or contact who suddenly stops responding, being ghosted can feel like a betrayal. But Carrie and Toni are here to remind you—it’s not personal. They share their perspectives on why being ghosted happens, how it can sometimes be a blessing in disguise, and ways to manage your response. If you’ve ever

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01:10:12

The Cranks Dish on OPP (Other People's Platforms)

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/02/19

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dig into the risks of relying on third-party platforms to showcase and sell your art. From sudden algorithm changes to entire platforms shutting down, creatives often find themselves at the mercy of corporate decisions beyond their control. So, what can you do about it? Carrie and Toni share practical strategies for managing these risks, making informed choices about where to share your work, and ensuring your creative

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54:39

Taxes Make us Cranky AF w/Hannah Cole

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/02/12

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax joins hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico to tackle one of the most dreaded topics for creatives: taxes. Taxes can be a minefield, especially for artists and entrepreneurs who aren’t exactly thrilled by accounting. Hannah breaks down the essentials, sharing real experiences and guidance to help fellow artists approach their taxes without a meltdown. From dealing with self-employment taxes to figuring out quarterly taxes, they

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01:05:14

Cranky and Copied

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/01/29

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist’s blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice, and some much-needed venting. If you’ve ever felt the sting of seeing your hard work taken without permission—or if you’re worried about how to protect your art—this episode is packed with

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51:23

Why We Are Cranky

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2025/01/15

In this debut episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico get real about why they started this podcast. If you’ve ever listened to creative industry podcasts and felt like everything was a bit too sugarcoated, you’re not alone. Carrie and Toni are frustrated by the abundance of "polite" conversations about pursuing a creative career. So, they created Two Cranky Creatives to fill that gap. In this episode, they share their personal experiences of navigating the

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02:35

Teaser

Two Cranky Creatives: Real Talk & Practical Advice... ·

2024/12/01

Join Two Cranky Creatives, hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico. We are two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

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