Ghost Boss: Stories About the Freelance Afterlife

Hosted by Eva Foussat and Danielle Salley

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May 2026

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About the show

Eva Foussat and Danielle Salley are graphic designers who decided to jump into freelancing full-time at the midpoint of their careers, or as they call it, the freelance afterlife. Listen to their podcast as they share stories about freelancing and what it feels like to be a “Ghost Boss.”

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60 recent

May 19, 202638 min

Freelancer Hot Takes for the Summer

Season 3 is officially wrapping up and we’re ending things the only way we know how: freelancer hot takes, honest advice, creative confessions and a little chaos. In this finale episode, Danielle puts Eva in the hot seat for a rapid-fire conversation about freelancing, burnout, summer work plans, creative judgment, ignored advice and the biggest red flags for people who probably shouldn’t become freelancers. We also reflect on some of our favorite conversations from this season, talk about what we want this summer to feel like and share what we’re manifesting for Ghost Boss in Season 4 🔮 Thank you for spending Season 3 with us, Ghosties 💜 We’ll be back this fall with more conversations, more guests and more freelance afterlife chaos. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it genuinely helps more Ghosties find the show and support the podcast as we head into Season 4!

May 5, 202643 min

When Friendships Turn Into Referrals (ft. Lynn Luc)

This week, we’re joined by Columbia-based photographer and social media freelancer Lynn Luc, who built her business in a way most people don’t talk about — through friendships, community and simply showing up for people. From getting paid in bottles of wine to running a thriving creative business, Lynn shares how her network naturally became her biggest source of referrals. We get into what it actually looks like to grow through relationships, how to set boundaries when your clients are also your friends and why not every opportunity is yours to take. We also talk about: Balancing or not balancing multiple creative services Knowing your capacity and sticking to it Referrals vs. traditional marketing Why community matters more than strategy The reality of wearing every hat as a freelancer If you’ve ever felt like you’re forcing your marketing or wondering why referrals aren’t coming your way, this episode might just change how you think about growing your business. 💬 Enjoying the podcast? Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode and, if you haven’t already, we’d love for you to leave a review. It helps more people discover Ghost Boss and we seriously appreciate the support 🖤

April 21, 202628 min

Freelancers: Booked, Busy & Burning Out

In this episode, we’re booked, busy, and burning out. We’re both in one of those seasons where the work just keeps coming, new clients, ongoing projects, agency chaos, and while that should feel like success, it also feels like overwhelm. We talk about: Saying yes to everything and how that catches up to you Managing multiple clients without losing your mind Navigating the chaos of agency workflows, delays, and miscommunication Imposter syndrome when tools and expectations shift Why taking time off as a freelancer feels like punishment The honest truth that we do not have a perfect system for balancing any of this This is a real, unfiltered conversation about what it looks like to be fully booked and still feel like you are barely keeping up. If you have ever thought, "I wanted more clients, so why am I this stressed?" you are not alone. We do not have all the answers, but we are figuring it out in real time. — 🎙️ Got advice? Please send help 📩 Have guest or topic ideas for next season? We would love to hear from you

March 31, 202652 min

Built and Backed by Behavior ft. Dean Browell

What if the secret to better marketing… is just paying attention to what people actually do? In this episode, we’re joined by Dean Browell, Chief Behavior Officer of Feedback, to talk about what happens when you stop guessing and start studying real behavior. From being told his research approach didn’t matter to building a company rooted in digital anthropology, Dean breaks down why “social listening” isn’t enough—and what most marketers are still missing. We get into: How Feedback was built by challenging the status quo Why real behavior matters more than trends or assumptions The shift from big agencies to specialized experts What clients actually want (and what they don’t trust anymore) And the major evolution happening at Feedback 👀 (a GHOST BOSS EXCLUSIVE) Plus: agency chaos, freelancer realities, and a few moments that probably should’ve been cut—but we kept anyway. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review —it helps more ghosties find the show 👻

March 17, 202646 min

How Busy Women Find Their Balance

March is birthday month for Danielle and Eva, so the Ghost Boss hosts kick off the episode reflecting on their birthdays, plans and another year around the sun. What starts with daylight saving time rage, birthday trips, martinis and tarot cards quickly turns into a real conversation about burnout, boundaries and how women are managing life behind the scenes. Eva and Danielle talk about protecting your time, honoring different life circumstances, learning how to show up with more empathy and why “we’re all busy” is never the whole story. It’s funny, honest, a little unhinged and full of the kind of real talk working women rarely get to have out loud.

March 3, 202641 min

Confessions of a Creative Judge

It’s award season, which means creatives are submitting their best work and somebody has to sit in the judge’s chair and decide what deserves a trophy. In this episode, Danielle and Eva pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to judge creative and advertising competitions. They talk about what they love, what quietly tests their patience and the simple gut check questions that separate good from unforgettable. Danielle shares what it’s like to win with a self-promo project as a solopreneur and Eva talks about an entry that hit so hard it earned special judge recognition. Subscribe for more episodes, and if you enjoyed this one, leave a review so more Ghosties can find the show.

February 17, 202639 min

Design Your Portfolio: Niche vs. Versatile

This week, Danielle and Eva tackle a question every creative runs into: Should your portfolio be super specific or should you show range? They unpack why “everything looks the same” could hurt you, even if the work is good, when a signature style does make sense, and how flexibility in tools, workflow and collaboration can be the thing that keeps you booked. They also get real about personal branding struggles, matching client energy in meetings and why being transparent about what you do and don’t offer builds trust fast. Be part of the conversation: Follow us @ghostbosspodcast on Instagram!

February 3, 202641 min

From Girls Trips to Work Trips

Work trip or girls trip, why does travel feel so different when you’re a solopreneur? In this episode, Eva and Danielle discuss two distinct getaways: Danielle’s spooky California adventure aboard the Queen Mary and Eva’s whirlwind Oklahoma City trip to judge the American Advertising Awards. They talk travel logistics, weather surprises and the laptop-on-a-trip dilemma. They also share the unexpected moments that make travel memorable, from ghostly vibes to new connections and a fresh perspective once you’re back home.

December 23, 202532 min

Design Hot Takes for the Holidays (Part 2)

In Part 2 of their holiday special, Danielle and Eva turn inward, reflecting on a year shaped by growth, grit and community. From professional milestones and speaking engagements to deeply personal moments involving family, flexibility and navigating life’s unexpected challenges, the hosts share candid stories that go beyond design hot takes. They discuss the importance of representation, the power of creative projects and how community support has played a role in both their personal and professional evolution. With humor, honesty and heart, this episode wraps up the holiday series by celebrating progress, resilience and the messy, meaningful moments that define a creative life. As the year comes to a close, the podcast will be taking a break for the holidays. Danielle and Eva will be back with new episodes in January.

December 9, 202525 min

Design Hot Takes for the Holidays (Part 1)

In this festive first installment of our holiday special, Danielle and Eva share their hottest seasonal takes—starting with Pantone’s newly announced Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer. From first impressions to what this choice could mean for design and branding, the hosts break it all down with their signature mix of honesty and humor. They also unwrap the annual cultural storm that is Spotify Wrapped, exploring how brands tap into the trend and why listeners obsess over their data-driven year-in-review. Packed with stories, laughs, and sharp creative insight, this episode sets the tone for a two-part holiday celebration.