Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

Hosted by Jen Davis

Business Entrepreneurship Arts DesignInterviews guests

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Episodes

257

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, founded by Giselle Field of Wander Design Co. and Jen Davis, was founded on the belief that designers need community. We find that the branding world often feels secretive, competitive, and sometimes just plain old confusing. When we realized that our honest, soul-chat-level convos could potentially help other designers, we realized a podcast was only natural! Better: The Brand Designer Podcast was officially born. Giselle passed away during a climbing trip in Peru in summer of 2020. We encourage all listeners of our podcast to listen to our two Celebrating Giselle episodes. Giselle's adventurous, kind, funny, and supportive presence is missed every day—each and every episode that we record is dedicated to her legacy and her vision for this podcast. It is our honor to continue recording episodes in Giselle's memory and we know that she is with us every time we sit down to record. In winter of 2022, we welcomed Esther Knox-Dekoning from Sereth Design as a new co-host. Esther brought an incredible and fresh perspective to the pod—her transition from agency to design studio as well as her love for web design, sustainability, and world change brought new guests, ideas, and amazing episodes to our listeners. She departed the pod in spring 2023 to dedicate more time to her studio's growth, and will be greatly missed! Now, Jen runs the podcast solo and is beyond excited to continue interviewing guests, having interesting conversations, and sharing the behind-the-scenes of running her design studio.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 2052 min

S13 E20: Eat the Donkey: How (and Why) to Choose Discomfort in Your Business with Anthony Reeves

In this week's episode, I talk with brand leader and author Anthony Reeves, who has led the creative teams for major brands like Amazon, Airbnb, Kohler, and more. We talk about his book, Eat the Donkey, what inspired the title, and the idea of making hard short-term choices for long-term success. We also talk about AI and his take on how both small and large companies should be using it while still preserving that human element.Guest Name: Anthony ReevesGuest Website: anthonyreeves.coGuest Linkedin: Connect with AnthonyEat the Donkey Book: Buy on AmazonLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

June 2, 2026Episode 1921 min

S13 E19: What Are Designers Charging for Branding and Web Services?

In this solo episode, I chat about my new mini version of the Minimind (the Mirco Mind) and share what we cover in the 4 month program kicking off in August! I also share real pricing & wins from my Design Minimind Program and what they are charging. They discuss the projects they are booking and what they are charging.Interested in the upcoming Micro Mind (mini 4-month Minimind)? Applications for are now open and live! Apply here00:00 Intro & overview of the mini Minimind program (The Mirco Mind!)07:25: Reading student screenshots | What designers are charging.Links:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

May 29, 2026Episode 1837 min

S13 E18: How to Get Recommended to Potential Clients by AI with Julia Bocchese

In this week’s episode, I have SEO and AI search strategist Julia back on the podcast to talk about how designers can show up in AI search results like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and more. We also discuss how AI search overlaps with traditional SEO, and some practical tips and actionable steps you can take to improve your visibility and increase your chances of showing up in AI-generated search results.Guest Name: Julia BoccheseGuest Website: juliareneeconsulting.comGuest Social: @juliareneeconsultingEpisodes Mentioned:S12E9: Demystifying SEO for Web Designers—SEO Q&A with Julia BoccheseLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

May 12, 2026Episode 1747 min

S13 E17: Calm the Room: Managing Client Fear in Creative Work with Ashton Hauff

In this episode, I chat with Ashton Hauff, brand strategist and co-founder of The Good Kids, a branding agency in North Dakota. Ashton talks about their "Slingshot Method," a three-phase process covering strategy, creative, and rollout, and why having a clear system in place makes such a difference in how projects run. We also get into the DACI model, which helps clarify internal roles and approval processes for clients during the project, plus practical strategies for handling client anxiety and keeping the project experience smooth for everyone involved.Guest Name: Ashton HauffGuest Website: thegoodkids.coResources: thegoodkids.co/category/resourcesGuest Social: @thegoodkids / @ashtonhauffGuest LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashtonhauffPodcasts: The Brand Archive & Brand in MotionLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

May 5, 2026Episode 1635 min

S13 E16: How to Raise Your Prices (and How I've Done It Wrong)

In this solo episode, I'm chatting all about pricing—when it's time to raise your rates, the steps to do it, how to communicate price changes to existing clients, new inquiries, and referrals, and the common mistakes I see designers make along the way, including sharing a few of my own mistakes I have learned from!Also I have an exciting announcement! - The Mini Minimind (The first ever Micromind) will start on Aug 3, 2026 with applications opening June 1, 2026! If you're interested or just have questions about it, send me a DM over on Instagram @hellojunecreative!Timestamps:01:29 - The first Micromind cohort announcement & sharing past student wins12:00 - How to Raise Your Prices Links:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

April 28, 2026Episode 1551 min

S13 E15: Motherhood & Creative Business Q&A with Sydney Walden

In this weeks episode I'm chatting with fellow design business owner and mom of three Sydney of Rouse Design Studio in a fun Q&A style all about motherhood and business, and also how we both live on land and raising animals and what that brings into the mix as well.Guest Name: Sydney Walden (Rouse Design Studio)Guest Website: rousedesignstudio.comGuest Social: @rousedesignstudioLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

April 21, 2026Episode 1424 min

S13 E14: I’ve Stopped Doing These Things in My Design Business

Running a business means you're constantly evolving, and in this solo episode I'm sharing with you guys what that's looked like for me lately, what I've outgrown, what I've let go of, and what's working in this season of business for me and my micro agency model.Also if you're curious to learn more about Scale with Confidence send me a DM on insta @hellojunecreative!Links:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member with Editorial Stick images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

April 14, 2026Episode 1339 min

S13 E13: Pivoting to and Designing for a Faith-Based Niche with Lisa Johnson

In this episode, I chat with Lisa Johnson, brand and web designer and owner of Verve & Concord. We chat about her decision to pivot her business and niche down to work specifically with Catholic and faith-based women in business, what led her there, how it's deepened her client connections, and why choosing a niche that's personally meaningful makes a difference in how you show up and market yourself.Guest Name: Lisa JohnsonGuest Website: verveandconcord.comGuest Social: @verveandconcordGuest Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/verveandconcordLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

March 31, 2026Episode 1239 min

S13 E12: Stock Isn’t Dead—You’re Just Using the Wrong Kind with Tina Loszewska & Jordan Aulin

In this episode, I chat with Tina and Jordan, the founders of Editorial Stock Images (ESI). We talk about why the word "stock" tends to make designers cringe, what's actually possible when stock imagery is done well, and how they built ESI to give creative service providers access to assets that feel emotional, editorial, and real.>> Sign up here for ESI and use code BETTER15 and get 15% off your membership!Guest Name: Tina Loszewska & Jordan AulinGuest Website: editorialstockimages.comGuest Social: @editorialstockimagesLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design,

March 24, 2026Episode 1140 min

S13 E11: How to Offer Art Direction Services with Meghan Svetich

This week’s episode, I chat with Meghan, who works full-time as an art director in New York at a corporate apparel brand while also building her studio, Reine Creative, on the side. We dive into what it really looks like to plan and art direct a photoshoot from concept to execution, and why having strong creative direction behind your visuals matters so much, especially for your website and social media. It was so fun chatting with her and having another past Minimind student on the pod!Guest Name: Meghan SvetichGuest Business: Reine CreativeGuest Website: reinecreative.comGuest Social: @svetiich / @reinecreativeLinks:The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designersDownload my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags:designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design