Leadership in creative fields asks more of us than strategy and schedules. It requires emotional intelligence, boundary-setting, and the ability to build environments where ideas— and people— can grow. The best leaders in design, advertising, and creative direction are those who keep learning, listening, and staying open.
Below, we’ve gathered a short list of podcasts that support that kind of leadership. They explore the realities of leading creative teams with nuance and humility — from the practical to the philosophical.
1. Design Better — by Aarron Walter & Eli Woolery
Formerly part of InVision, this podcast has found new life as an independent project by its original hosts. It features thoughtful conversations with design leaders from places like Dropbox, IDEO, and Figma. The focus remains on creative process, leadership, and the evolving role of design in business. Ideal for anyone managing people in UX, product, or brand environments.
Recommended episode: “Julie Zhuo: The Making of a Manager”
2. The Creative Condition — by Ben Tallon
This one leans more personal and psychological. British illustrator Ben Tallon talks with guests across the creative industries about the conditions that support— or stifle— creativity. Particularly good for leaders thinking about mental health and emotional environments in the studio.
Recommended episode: “The Invisible Load of Creative Work”
3. Call to Action — by Giles Edwards
From the advertising world, this podcast is sharp and occasionally irreverent. It features agency founders and creative directors discussing the industry without euphemism. Strong perspective on hiring, pitching, and surviving creative pressure without losing your ethics.
Recommended episode: “Vikki Ross on Voice and Vulnerability”
4. Coaching for Leaders — by Dave Stachowiak
Not creative-industry specific, but incredibly valuable. This is essentially a free leadership course in podcast form. Thoughtful, calm, and deeply researched— it’s a helpful listen for anyone managing people for the first time, or trying to rebuild a team culture after burnout.
Recommended episode: “How to Build Psychological Safety”
5. Teamistry — by Atlassian
This podcast focuses on how teams work— not just how they succeed, but how they collaborate, recover from failure, and grow. Episodes highlight real-world case studies from teams across industries, including creative, tech, and nonprofit spaces. It’s well-produced, with storytelling that balances human insight and organizational learning. A good listen for anyone responsible for team culture or cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Recommended episode: “How Pixar Made Remote Work Work”
None of these podcasts will give you a perfect template for leadership— and that’s the point. Creative leadership is a practice, not a personality. It’s something you build over time, by listening, reflecting, and asking better questions.
Let us know what you’re listening to— or if you’d like help building a leadership learning plan for your team.
