The Developing Life Podcast

Hosted by Davron Bowman | Heather Crank | Tru Adams

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Jun 2026

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The Developing Life Podcast is your go-to destination for creative minds, entrepreneurs, and leaders striving to grow and thrive in today’s ever-evolving world. A collaborative effort lead by Davron Bowman, Heather Crank and Tru Adams- each episode dives deep into the intersection of creativity, community, and strategy, offering actionable insights and inspiring stories from industry experts, visionaries, and innovators. 🎙️ What You’ll Gain: Proven strategies to elevate your creative and professional journey Insights into building community and fostering collaboration Practical advice for turning passion into purpose and profit Real stories of overcoming challenges, scaling success, and staying inspired From navigating the complexities of running a business to exploring the transformative power of human connection in the age of AI, The Developing Life brings you honest conversations, thought-provoking ideas, and the tools you need to unlock your full potential. 🔑 Who It’s For: Creatives seeking clarity and growth Entrepreneurs looking for actionable business strategies Community leaders and collaborators who value connection Anyone passionate about blending creativity, commerce, and purpose Join us and discover how to build a life—and a career—that inspires, connects, and creates lasting impact.

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48 recent

June 5, 2026Episode 453 min

The Art AI Can't Make: Matt Wood on "Brand Tattooing" & Surviving 27 Years Most Creatives Couldn't

While the creative industry races to hand everything over to AI, Matt has quietly built the one thing a machine can't replicate: art so human, so specific to who you are, that clients say "I've never seen myself like this." He calls it brand tattooing — and in this episode, he explains exactly how it works.Matt has survived the dot-com crash, and the pandemic as an independent creative — and he's convinced the AI era is "only inevitable if you allow it to be." This is a conversation about creative survival, refusing to follow the expected path, and why the messy, imperfect spark inside a human being will always beat a prompt.In this episode, host Heather Crank sits down with Matt to explore:Why he makes clients answer two interviews — and why the second one starts with "tell me a story that's going to make me cry"The childhood escape route that turned a latchkey kid into a working artist by age 13His take on the "AI slop" backlash and the coming "rubber band effect"The Gen X creative community he's building to weather what's nextMatt is famously hard to find. For the next hour, he's right here.🎧 The Developing Life Podcast — conversations on building a creative life that survives trends, technology, and the pressure to conform.#MattWood #CreativeCareer #AIvsHumanCreativity #Illustration #BrandTattooing #GenXCreatives #CreativeEntrepreneur #TheDevelopingLifeSuggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

May 11, 2026Episode 348 min

Integration, Courage, and the Quiet Revolution of Being Fully Yourself | ft. Tess Posner

In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast- Host Heather Crank and special guest Tess Posner sit honestly with the questions almost no one in this conversation is willing to hold at once:• What does it actually mean to build human-centered AI right now• Why the "doomer vs. accelerationist" frame is failing us — and what the messy middle requires • The artist backlash, the Silicon Valley euphoria, and the cognitive dissonance most of us are quietly carrying • Why Tess is hesitant to use AI in her own songwriting, even as she advises on its future • Music as alchemy — how songwriting metabolizes the chaos of this moment into something usableIf you've ever felt the pull to be more than one thing — or worried that you'll lose something essential as AI seeps into every part of life — this conversation is a map drawn by someone who's been walking it for years.Follow Tess: https://resonancesalon.com/ • Substack: Resonance by Tess Posner • Music on Spotify under Tess Posner Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

March 23, 2026Episode 259 min

Are we Teaching AI the Wrong Things? De Kai on Ethics, Language, and Raising AI

What if AI isn’t just something we use…but something we’re raising?In this deeply human conversation, AI pioneer De Kai, one of the minds behind modern machine translation- shares a perspective that reframes everything:👉 AI isn’t a tool. 👉 It’s a reflection. 👉 And whether we realize it or not… we are its training data.From a childhood shaped by music, physics, and rebellion, to a career at the forefront of artificial intelligence, De Kai takes us into a moment humanity has never faced before:A world where the systems shaping our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are watching us, learning from us, every second.And here’s the part that hits hardest:If AI is learning how to behave…then what exactly are we teaching it?This episode isn’t about fear.It’s about responsibility.It’s about how everyday moments. How we speak, what we ignore, what we react to, are quietly shaping the future of intelligence itself.You’ll walk away questioning: Are we creating connection… or division? Are we thinking… or just reacting? And if AI reflects humanity... what version of humanity are we becoming? This isn’t just a conversation about technology. It’s a conversation about who we are—and who we’re becoming.Because the future of AI… might actually depend on how human we choose to be.Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

March 10, 2026Episode 11 hr 7 min

Cut, Paste, Collide: Analog Rebellion in a World Racing Towards AI | ft. Scott Clum

In a world racing toward automation, what does it mean to stay human as a creator?In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast, we sit down with legendary designer Scott Clum—a pioneer of experimental typography, Raygun-era design culture, and one of the creative forces who helped shape visual language across the skateboarding and snowboarding industries. Scott’s career spans more than four decades of creative exploration, from discovering design through the bold hand-painted packaging of early Hot Wheels toys to becoming a defining voice in counterculture design and creative direction. But this conversation isn’t just about design history.It’s about something much bigger.We explore the tension many creatives feel today as AI, automation, and hyper-efficient digital tools reshape the creative industries. Scott shares why the human process—messy, tactile, and deeply personal—still matters more than ever, and why creativity isn’t something that can be outsourced to a machine.Along the way we talk about:• Why real creativity requires putting skin in the game • The difference between speed and meaning in modern creative work • Why many young creatives are searching for authorship and identity again • How subcultures like skateboarding and snowboarding shaped creative independence • Why the future of creativity may actually lie in rediscovering analog processesScott also shares powerful advice for students and emerging creatives navigating a rapidly changing landscape: bring your whole self into the work, embrace experimentation, and never underestimate the power of persistence.As he explains, creativity isn’t about perfection.It’s about exploration.It’s about communication.And most importantly—it’s about staying human.If you’re a creative director, brand leader, artist, entrepreneur, or student wondering what the future of creativity looks like in an AI-driven world, this conversation will resonate deeply.Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

September 1, 2025Episode 4354 min

Creativity, Identity & the Power of Starting Over | ft. Chris Martin

Chris Martin doesn’t sugarcoat what it takes to survive as a modern creative. From the highs of building a design career to the struggles of burnout, identity, and starting over, he opens up in ways you rarely hear on podcasts.In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast- hosted by Heather Crank- we talk about:The human side of working in a “make it or break it” industry.Why leaving projects behind can be the most liberating thing you do.The importance of curiosity, play, and honesty in staying relevant.If you’ve ever felt stuck or invisible in your creative journey, this episode is a must-watch.Check it out:Chris' Podcast gettingworktowork.comChris' Substack chrismartinwrites.substack.comSuggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

September 1, 2025Episode 421 hr 10 min

From Rolling Stones to Radical Truth: How One Designer Continually Reinvents Himself- and What You Can Learn | ft. Stefan Sagmeister

After designing album covers for icons like the Rolling Stones, Stefan Sagmeister sensed his work growing stale. He took a radical step: shut down his studio for a year—every seven years. In this Developing Life Podcast episode, Sagmeister explains how that sabbatical transformed his career, leading him away from commercial work and toward a new practice mixing data and art. We unpack the risks and rewards of micro‑retirements (mini‑sabbaticals Gen Z is searching for) and why letting go of success can unlock deeper meaning. Continue Your Journey:Get Stefan’s book Now Is Better and see his data‑driven artExplore his evolving portfolio and exhibitions → Stefan Sagmeister official siteConnect with Stefan on Linkedin → linkedin.com/in/stefan-sagmeister🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the Developing Life Podcast. Your support helps us bring you deeper dives with world‑class creatives.Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

August 26, 2025Episode 411 hr 0 min

Redesigning Reality: Ryan Summers on Obsession, Vision & the Future of Creative Work

What happens when creativity becomes a way to reimagine how we experience the world?In this episode of The Developing Life Podcast, Ryan Summers — whose career spans Pacific Rim, Person of Interest, Blizzard, and Warner Brothers — opens up about his journey from chemical engineering to motion design, the lessons of resilience after being laid off, and why obsession, voice, and vision are the true moats for creatives in an age of AI and rapid change.Together with host Heather Crank, Ryan explores:How to turn uncertainty into a superpower.Why input matters more than output for artists.The aversion to decision-making, and how bold choices fuel growth.Why curated, human-crafted experiences will always outshine trends.This episode is about finding your voice in a world that never stops shifting.Perfect for thoughtful creatives, lifelong learners, and anyone who believes design is more than what we see — it’s what we feel.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mentioned in this episodeRyan's Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrryansummers/Keys & Curves (Substack) – by Ryan Summershttps://www.keysandcurves.com/School of Motion – premier motion-design traininghttps://www.schoolofmotion.com/ShotDeck – cinematic HD screenshot reference libraryhttps://shotdeck.com/Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

August 6, 2025Episode 401 hr 2 min

Who Are We Now: Design Identity in the Wake of the Algorithm | ft. Petrula Vrontikis

Who Are We Now? Petrula Vrontikis on Design, Identity & Staying Human in the Algorithm Age -Welcome to one of the most soul-shifting conversations we’ve ever had on the Developing Life Podcast.What happens to authorship, intuition, and creative power when algorithms shape our every move?Petrula Vrontikis—renowned educator, speaker, and creative coach—joins us for a powerful and poetic exploration of how designers can reclaim their identity, voice, and humanity in an increasingly automated world.From teaching at ArtCenter for over 30 years to redefining what it means to thrive as a creative, Petrula shares:💥 The hidden emotional toll of algorithmic design💥 Why identity is no longer fixed—and that’s a good thing💥 Her personal journey to becoming a creative authority💥 The transformational tension between growth and anxiety 💥 How to rediscover your joy and your confidenceIf you’ve ever felt lost in the noise, this episode is your compass.If you’ve questioned your worth in the face of fast content, this is your permission slip.If you’re craving honest, real talk about design, life, and meaning—you’ve found your people.LISTEN NOW And don’t forget to hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment about what part hit you hardest.🔗 FOLLOW PETRULAWebsite: https://www.rebld.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrulavrontikis#PetrulaVrontikis #DesignPodcast #CreativeResistance #DevelopingLife #ChrisDo #DesignEducation #HumanCenteredDesign #AlgorithmCulture #CreativeAnxiety #RickRubin #TransformationalTension #DesignWithPurpose #ArtCenter #VoiceNotVolume #RebuildWithPetrulaSuggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

June 28, 2025Episode 3956 min

Make Something Beautiful. Become Someone Brave | ft. Dave Zaboski

What if the future of creativity wasn’t about doing more, but becoming more?Dave Zaboski—former Disney animator (The Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Fantasia 2000), expedition artist, startup founder, and creative philosopher—joins The Developing Life for one of our most powerful episodes to date.🔹 From painting for the Dalai Lama 🔹 To sketching at 16,500 ft in search of a lost Incan temple 🔹 To developing the Universal Laws of Creativity......Dave’s story is a masterclass in aligning imagination, risk, and purpose.In this conversation we explore:⚡ The difference between knowledge and wisdom in the age of AI ⚡ Why care is the missing element in artificial intelligence ⚡ The “Socratic Prompting” method that turns AI into a thinking partner—not a crutch ⚡ How to reclaim your narrative when speed and pressure try to define you ⚡ Why creativity isn’t just for artists—but for everyone turning thought into formThis episode is for anyone who’s ready to slow down, go deeper, and step fully into their role as a creator—with courage, clarity, and care.📩 Invite a friend who’s questioning the future. 🔥 Bookmark this one. You’ll want to come back.🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.Suggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast

June 3, 2025Episode 3859 min

Designing Freedom: Why Humanity is Your Greatest Advantage in an AI World | ft. Hayley Akins

In this powerfully human episode of the Developing Life Podcast, host Heather Crank sits down with Hayley Akins—motion designer, business coach, and founder of Motion Hatch—to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable creative career in an AI-driven world.With over 15 years in the motion design industry and deep expertise in freelance coaching, Hayley shares the key systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that have helped hundreds of creatives grow profitable, authentic businesses. From overcoming imposter syndrome to building scalable processes and cultivating community, this conversation is packed with real-world advice for motion designers navigating a changing industry.Whether you're a solo freelancer, small studio owner, or transitioning creative looking for more freedom and purpose, this episode offers a human-first roadmap to creative entrepreneurship in the age of automation.Key Topics Covered:The evolution from motion designer to creative business leaderBuilding networks and finding clients in a post-COVID worldPricing, client communication & positioning as a creativeSustainable workflows, burnout prevention, and personal routinesHow AI is disrupting the industry—and what to do about itThe power of community and in-person connection in a digital worldPerfect for:Freelance motion designersSmall creative studio ownersCreative entrepreneursCreatives interested in business strategy & automationAnyone building a values-driven, scalable creative careerSuggest topics, guests, show your love or tell us how we can improve!Support the showLEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPING TEAM AND CONTINUE THE CREATIVE CONVERSATIONLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/groups/14310677/WEBSITE: thedevelopinglife.com/FOLLOW TEAM MEMBERSHeather Crank | crahmanti.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/Tru Adams | truatart.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/tru-adams/Davron Bowman | thedevelopinglife.com/ | www.linkedin.com/in/davron-bowman/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Design #Creativity #Technology #AIinDesign #HumanConnection #CreativeBusiness #HumanStories #Podcast