The Chatty Freelancer

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Apr 2026

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About the show

The Chatty Freelancer podcast is an honest space for anyone who wants to know all about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the freelancing and creative world! Hosted by me, Chloe Marie, a digital designer, movie lover & pie enthusiast who LOVES to overshare! 😉 Join me and my guests as we dive into captivating stories, discuss juicy hot topics, relive relatable failures and spill all about our journeys in the creative industry so far. I can't promise that there won't be tangents and some swearing, but what I can promise is unscripted honesty, some good laughs and buckets if inspiration!! Follow me: Instagram @thechattyfreelancer Linkedin Chloe Marie Doyle www.thechattyfreelancer.com

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54 recent

April 19, 202635 min

Contracts, Rates & Personal Branding | The Chatty Freelancer x Scottish Creative Network

After my 10 things I hate about freelancing talk, I sat down with Scottish Creative Network's Greig and Ross to tackle the questions that didn't make it onto the night. In amongst our comical nonsense we get into biggest freelance failures, how to actually figure out your rates, the importance of personal branding as a freelancer, and why showing up as yourself online is one of the most powerful decisions you can make. This is Part 2 of the SCN two-part special. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet go on, give it a listen! 🎟️ Fancy coming to a Scottish Creative Network night? Links to their socials and tickets are below. The next event is on May 20th at the Social Hub, Glasgow — I will most likely be there, so come say hello! https://www.instagram.com/scottishcreativenetwork/

April 19, 202635 min

10 Things I Hate About Freelancing (Live at Scottish Creative Network) | The Chatty Freelancer

Back in August 2025, I took the stage at Scottish Creative Network to deliver a talk that was slightly chaotic, mildly poetic, and brutally honest. From scarcity mindset and saying yes to the wrong clients, to the constant battle of defending your rates and feeling undervalued as a creative, I spill all in the 10 things I hate about freelancing. Spoiler: I doesn't actually hate freelancing. Not even a little bit. Not even at all. This is Part 1 of a two-part Scottish Creative Network special — catch the Q&A chat with Greig and Ross in Part 2. 🎟️ Fancy coming to a Scottish Creative Network night? Links to their socials and tickets are below. The next event is on May 20th at the Social Hub, Glasgow — I will most likely be there, so come say hello! https://www.instagram.com/scottishcreativenetwork/

November 28, 202548 min

Graduate Special: Part 2 | Job Hunting & AI

In part 2 of the graduate special I’m joined by three brilliant digital design grads — Mark, Megan and Craig — for a convo that's definitely the grad-to-industry pep talk you didn’t know you needed.We chat about the projects that lit them up, the ones that tested their sanity, and the magic of being given the freedom to “make whatever the f*ck you want.” From prop-making and posters to 1950's pizza boxes. But we also get real about the tough stuff. Job hunting. Rejection. The existential crisis of seeing “junior role — 2 years experience.” The looming presence of AI and what it means for new designers.  Through humour and honesty they talk about resilience, finding your niche, saying yes more often, networking without making it weird, and figuring out where you want to show up in the creative world — online, IRL, or somewhere in between. We even squeeze in the very important questions: favourite movies, the great brown-sauce-versus-gravy debate, and which pie reigns supreme. (It gets heated. 🥧) Whether you’re a design student, a recent grad trying to find your feet — this episode is here to leave you feeling inspired, encouraged, and maybe even a tiny bit more optimistic about whatever comes next. And if you're an industry professional, consider this your insider look at what new designers are facing right now. 😉 Follow MeganFollow CraigFollow Mark

November 28, 202559 min

Graduate Special: Part 1 | Life After Uni & Honest Industry Chat

In part 1 of the graduate special I’m joined by three awesome digital design grads — Josh, Yasmin, and Vince — for a conversation that’s equal parts honest, hilarious, and a proper inside look at life after graduating. All three made the leap back into education in their late twenties, only to discover a community that felt instantly like home.  Vince spills on his surprising pivot from UX/UI to filmmaking — all thanks to a super supportive supervisor — while Yasmin chats through the reality of freelancing alongside part-time work and what it actually takes to make that balance work. 👏 We dive into the not-so-glam side of life after graduation too: the job hunt grind, the resilience it demands, and why networking is basically your new best mate. Through plenty of laughs and totally relatable moments, this episode pulls back the curtain on what stepping into the creative world really looks like. 🙌 Whether you’re knee-deep in design studies or already working in the field, expect to walk away feeling seen, inspired, and a little more confident in your own unique creative journey!Follow YasminFollow JoshFollow Vince

June 7, 202427 min

Graduate Series | Luke Ashton

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Luke Ashton, a creative whose passion for design and problem solving really radiates from his reflections on University. Not to mention his movie choice is pretty stellar!Listen in and be sure to connect with Luke on Linkedin to check out his amazing work!

June 7, 202440 min

Graduate Series | Naomi Hannah & Stella Riddell

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Naomi and Stella! From alphabetic motion graphics to typography zines, these two are amazing designers in their own right! A love for comic sans, a fear of cats and an unearthed obsession for rock collecting are also among the topics of conversation... don't ask, just listen. Listen in and be sure to connect with Naomi and Stella on Linkedin to check out their amazing work!

June 7, 202424 min

Graduate Series | Michael Mcguigan

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Michael Mcguigan, a designer who through his university in experience has transformed his approach to design, built incredible friendships and and found his love for UI&UX!Listen in and be sure to connect with Michael on Linkedin to check out his amazing work!

June 7, 202424 min

Graduate Series | Mirin Thomson

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Mirin Thomson, a confident young designer who absolutely loves everything typography and enjoys a wee boogie to get the creative juices flowing.Listen in and be sure check out Mirin's amazing work!

June 3, 202421 min

Graduate Series | Gregour Short

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Gregour Short, a designer who isn't afraid of direct feedback and whose university highlight was going to barcelona for the OFF festivalListen in and be sure to connect with Gregour on Linkedin to check out his amazing work!

June 3, 202426 min

Graduate Series | Luke Allen

Welcome to the graduate series of the chatty freelancer podcast, a special series where I give recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian university a chance to let their personalities shine as they embark into the creative industries!In this episode I am joined by Luke Allen, a talented and empathetic designer whose hidden talent is being able to play base guitar. Listen in and be sure to connect with Luke on Linkedin to check out his amazing work!