Creative Control
208 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 51 ratingsFast Company's Creative Control is taking a deep dive into the forces that are shaping the creator economy and what it means for its future. As the creator economy continues its rapid expansion, there are issues that deserve a closer look. Topics like who owns what online, where’s the middle class for creators, and what web3 technology will really mean for creators after the hype.
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Episodes
Why copyright law is out of step with dancers in the digital age
March 10, 2022 10:00 - 32 minutesWhen you think about things having a copyright, what probably comes to mind are movies, music, and books—but what about dance moves? Historically, copyrighting choreography favors artists working in more traditional forms like ballet or modern dance, while choreography in videos games, music videos, and social media have remained in copyright law's blindspot. But, as we explore in this episode, hopefully not for much longer.
How NCAA athletes are navigating the Wild West of "NIL" deals
March 03, 2022 11:00 - 26 minutesIn the first episode of Fast Company's new podcast Creative Control, host KC Ifeanyi dives into the tangled history of the NCAA and collegiate athletes being able to earn money from their name, image, and likeness. The new policy has been a long time coming for athletes in the NCAA who can now score brand deals and monetize their social media. But the rules here are still very fragmented. So how are athletes navigating this new era?
Introducing Creative Control
February 24, 2022 10:05 - 1 minuteFast Company's new podcast Creative Control is taking a deep dive into the forces shaping the creator economy, and what it means for its future. Creative Control premieres next week, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss new episodes every Thursday.
CC Flashback: Jackie Aina
February 17, 2022 11:00 - 32 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our very first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with YouTube beauty guru Jackie Aina.
CC Flashback: Wayne Brady
February 10, 2022 11:00 - 56 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our forth season of Creative Conversation in 2021 with legendary actor Wayne Brady.
CC Flashback: Saweetie
February 03, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2020 with viral rapper Saweetie.
CC Flashback: Saweeti
February 03, 2022 11:00 - 39 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2020 with viral rapper Saweeti.
CC Flashback: Paul Scheer
January 27, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with celebrated actor Paul Scheer.
CC Flashback: Paul Sheer
January 27, 2022 11:00 - 40 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with celebrated actor Paul Sheer.
CC Flashback: Carrie Coon
January 20, 2022 10:00 - 39 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with powerhouse actor Carrie Coon.
CC Flashback: David Sedaris
January 13, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with celebrated author David Sedaris.
CC Flashback: Regina Hall
January 06, 2022 11:00 - 34 minutesWe’re gearing up for a brand new podcast on the creator economy! So in the meantime, check out this past interview from our first season of Creative Conversation in 2018 with legendary actor Regina Hall.
A message on what's to come in the new year.
December 30, 2021 10:00 - 1 minuteA message on what's to come in the new year.
New Year's Special - Reflecting on 2021
December 27, 2021 10:00 - 31 minutesToday we have a special holiday episode where KC chatted with World Changing Ideas Host Talib Visram and The New Way We Work Host Kate Davis to reflect on the past year here at Fast Company and to share some of their New Year's resolutions.
How do you define creativity? (Part 3)
December 23, 2021 10:00 - 6 minutesWe have another roundup of the best answers to that all-important question: How do you define creativity? Enjoy!
Tracy Oliver's recipe for comedy gold: Big, brash, and Black
December 16, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutesTracy Oliver has made it a point in her career as a film and TV producer and writer to center her work around Black women—but, most importantly, Black women who are allowed to be more than just savior figures or martyrs of Black trauma. From the box office hit Girls Trip to her latest show Harlem, Tracy creates worlds where Black women can be ridiculous, gross, lighthearted—they can just be human. In our conversation, Tracy explains the importance of basing your work around what you want to s...
Adam McKay on creating comedy in chaos
December 09, 2021 10:00 - 31 minutesHow can you make satire of reality when reality itself is stranger than fiction? And when reality feels flat-out depressing, is anyone in the mood to laugh? It’s what writer and director Adam McKay was thinking about while making Don’t Look Up. Adam’s latest film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as a pair of astronomers who are desperately trying to alert the world that a comet is about to end life on Earth as we know it—“trying” being the operative word here. In our conversation...
Kenny G's creativity starts with trust (and a lot of practice)
December 02, 2021 11:00 - 31 minutesKenny G is one of those artists you love, hate, or just allow to quietly exist in the background of your life, like so much of his smooth jazz has done over his 40-year career. Even if you don't like Kenny G's take on jazz, you can't deny he's an incredibly skilled musician who, even after decades of playing the saxophone, stays in the mindset of a neophyte. In our conversation, Kenny explains how trusting his ideas and a relentless pursuit of perfection fuels his creativity and success.
How do you define creativity? (Part 2)
November 25, 2021 10:00 - 5 minutesWe have another roundup of the best answers to that all-important question: How do you define creativity? Enjoy!
John Cho is simplifying his creativity—and you should too
November 18, 2021 11:00 - 26 minutesJohn Cho is at a point in his career where he can be intentional with what projects he chooses. And his intention for his latest project was to push himself like no other role has done before. John stars as Spike Spiegel in Netflix's adaptation of the beloved anime Cowboy Bebop—and the role took him to the brink of both his creativity and his body. In our conversation, John explains the clarity he found while nursing an on-set injury, the acting advice that changed his perspective, and how he...
How to deal with negative emotions in your creative process
November 11, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutesThere's little you can do about the inherent stressors in the creative process. But what you can do is learn how to better manage the negative emotions that impede your work flow. In our conversation, Michael Parke, assistant professor of management at the Wharton School, gives key strategies for how we can all better recognize and handle stress to become better creatives and leaders.
Will the real Nick Kroll please stand up?
November 04, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutesNick Kroll's career has largely been defined by the cavalcade of memorable characters he's created over the years through his comedy specials, The Kroll Show, and of course his hit Netflix show Big Mouth. While Nick is exceptionally good at slipping into an array voices and personas, he’s pushing himself to step in front of those characters to reveal more of himself—and that's proving to be his greatest creative challenge to date. In our conversation, Nick unpacks how he’s tackling that chall...
Seth Green's zen, and the art of making "Robot Chicken"
October 28, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutesIf you've never wondered about the web of legalities and social landmines Seth Green tumbles through to make Robot Chicken, then he considers his job complete. Since premiering in 2005, Robot Chicken has won 6 Emmys and a die-hard following that's kept the show around for 11 seasons. But creating jokes around popular pop culture characters adds a legal filter to his creativity. On top of that, as the social and political landscapes have become increasingly thorny, Seth is contending with wha...
How to make boring work feel new again
October 21, 2021 10:00 - 21 minutesLast week, I had Ellen Pompeo on the podcast and the theme of making something old feel new again kept popping up. She's been on Grey's Anatomy for 18 seasons, so who could blame her? I came across research from Ed O'Brien, associate professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and figured he was the perfect person to help us figure out how to find new ways of tackling something we think is too familiar or boring.
Ellen Pompeo is keeping her creativity fresh and intensity in check
October 14, 2021 09:00 - 25 minutesEllen Pompeo has spent 18 seasons playing Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy—and it's fair to say doing something for that long can either make or break your creativity. For Ellen, it’s been a task of finding new ways to keep Grey’s relevant to audiences, as well as exploring new ventures outside of acting such as her new podcast Tell Me. In our conversation, Ellen explains how she keeps her creativity fresh, her struggles with being a perfectionist, and with maybe being a little bit too out...
How author Soman Chainani gets into a creative flow state
October 07, 2021 09:00 - 4 minutesAuthor Soman Chainani explains his greatest challenge: getting into a creative flow state. Check out this clip cut for time, as well as Soman's full episode from last week!
Author Soman Chainani's twisted fantasies are revolutionizing YA fiction
September 30, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutesSoman Chainani is a bestselling author who’s on a mission to revamp the young adult space. His wildly popular series The School for Good and Evil and his latest novel Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales subvert conventional fairy tales for something darker and more complex. Soman isn’t looking to create the sanitized world of Walt Disney. He wants to bring back the real lessons embedded in Grimm’s fairy tales but with a modern twist. In this episode, Soman explains his alt-Walt vision and why ...
Why design is more than you think it is
September 23, 2021 09:00 - 23 minutesFast Company recently released Innovation by Design: Creative Ideas That Transform the Way We Live and Work, a book highlighting the people and companies at the forefront of impactful design. In this episode, Fast Company design editor Suzanne LaBarre shares her top stories from the book and how the events of last year gave this project a sense of urgency.
Jeff Daniels explains his controlled free fall into creativity
September 09, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutesOne thing is certain: Jeff Daniels has the range. From cutting his teeth in traditional American theater to a wide spread of film and TV roles including The Purple Rose of Cairo, Speed, Dumb and Dumber, The Newsroom, 101 Dalmatians, and Godless, Daniels has an air of creative fearlessness about him. But it's not about just jumping off the ledge. It’s recognizing your blindspots in your craft, doing the work to improve, and then when the opportunity to stretch yourself comes up, not shying awa...
Michael Jai White doesn’t let others box in his creativity—and you shouldn’t either
August 26, 2021 09:40 - 30 minutesIt's easy to categorize Michael Jai White as the ripped martial arts action star of Spawn, Mortal Kombat, and Black Dynamite. But with a career that stretches over 30 years, he's done more than you think—even with the shackles of being typecast and, let's be frank, racism in the entertainment industry. Let Michael tell it, though, and all of that has led him to where he's at now with his own production company Jaigantic Studios where he’s making the projects he's always wanted to make. In thi...
Elizabeth Banks and her "quietly revolutionary" creativity
August 12, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutesFor Elizabeth Banks, acting was her first passion that really clicked—and she’s certainly had success in that regard with roles in 30 Rock, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The Hunger Games franchise. But over the years, Elizabeth has proven she’s just as talented at creating new opportunities for herself in producing (Shrill), directing (Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie's Angels, Cocaine Bear), entrepreneurship (co-owner of Archer Roose wines), and now podcasting. In this episode, Elizabeth talks about o...
Why collaboration really does matter, according to Joseph Gordon-Levitt
July 29, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutesOne of the longstanding principles of creativity has always been collaboration. We hear it all the time how thinking in groups and getting feedback from others is essential to the creative process. But how many of us actually do it on a regular basis? Actor and director Joseph Gordon-Levitt would like to remind us all that we should be collaborating more often--and he has some ideas on how to do just that. In this episode, Joseph details how the collaborative process brings out his best work,...
How do you define creativity?
July 22, 2021 09:00 - 12 minutesWe have a bonus episode for you this week! At the end of every Creative Conversation, our host Kc Ifeanyi asks his guests the same question: "How do you define creativity?" In this episode, we've compiled some our favorite answers from this season. Hopefully, these can give you a quick creative boost. Enjoy!
Why hearing "no" was exactly what Amber Riley needed
July 15, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutesWe all first fell in love with Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones on Glee. But before her breakout role, she was actually rejected from American Idol, which almost made her quit singing altogether. With her mirrorball-winning run on Dancing with the Stars; her roles in TV, film, and Broadway; and her own original recorded music, it’s hard to imagine the entertainment industry without a powerhouse like Amber—but it really almost never was. In this episode, Amber explains how she pushed past that in...
Danielle Brooks is finding the spotlight as a leading lady
July 01, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutesDanielle Brooks got her big break as Taystee, the lovable leader in Netflix's Orange is the New Black. That character was only meant to appear in a few episodes but wound up becoming the anchor for one of the show’s most poignant story arcs. But it shouldn’t be a surprise that Danielle’s talents stretched a bit part into a featured role. She’s always had leading lady potential—and she’s proving just that with her starring role as gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in Lifetime's biopic Robin Robert...
How Danny Elfman is trying to be a less "sh*tty collaborator"
June 17, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutesThe celebrated film composer and musician has been trying to be a better collaborator—and 37 years later, he's finally there. In this episode, Danny explains his breakthrough in collaboration with his latest solo album Big Mess, the best advice he's ever gotten from none other than Helena Bonham Carter, and he revisits some of his most well-loved film scores of his career.
Quinta Brunson on finding creativity past viral moments
June 03, 2021 14:00 - 33 minutesQuinta Brunson is the perfect example of a creator who was able to turn her 15 minutes of viral fame into a solid career. In 2014, she first gained internet fame with her Instagram skit about a girl who's never been on a nice date. That exposure led to an opportunity to producer content for BuzzFeed. And from there, Quinta has been building her career with even bigger opportunities including HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, the upcoming ABC comedy Abbott Elementary that she created and stars i...
How David Oyelowo personalized his passion project
May 20, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutesDavid Oyelowo’s pedigree of being a classically trained stage actor has largely translated into his career in film with weighty roles in Selma, The Butler, Nightingale, and etc. So when the opportunity to make his directorial debut with the kid-centric fantasy The Water Man came about, his fear was double-fold: stepping behind the camera for his first major film and going left of what people have come to expect from him as a "serious" actor. In this episode, David explains how his extensive a...
How Julia Michaels pushes past imposter syndrome
May 06, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutesAt 19, Julia Michaels entered the music industry as a songwriter for artists including Fifth Harmony, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and many others. But she didn't dare step into the booth herself until she wrote her 2017 hit "Issues," which she felt was too personal to give to anyone else. Three EPs later (and jumping over hurdles of self-doubt), Julia has finally dropped her debut studio album, Not In Chronological Order. And it seems fitting that Julia, now 27, released her first full-lengt...
How author Amy Tan transforms trauma into art
April 22, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutesThe author of critically acclaimed novels including The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God's Wife is known for beautifully unpacking facets of the Chinese immigrant experience, the complexities of family dynamics, and the trauma that often fuels it. In this episode, Amy breaks down her relationship between trauma and creativity, what she learned from being in a rock band, and the challenges of making something personal universal.
How social media star Zach King builds creative momentum
April 08, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutesZach King has made a name for himself as a digital illusionist, using seamless editing to create mind-bending videos. He gained popularity on Vine and has translated his brand of "magic" to TikTok where he's one of the platform's most followed creators. It's easy to get caught up in the wow factor of Zach's tricks, but what's truly impressive is how he seems to never run out of new ideas, which, apparently is a fear he's been working on overcoming. In our conversation, Zach explains how he ke...
Inside the method of Eric Andre’s madness
March 25, 2021 09:00 - 38 minutesNo one is doing prank comedy quite like Eric Andre. He got his start in standup but rose to fame/notoriety with Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show, a psychedelic sendup of late night talk shows where celebrity guests and everyday people on the street are at the mercy of his frenetic whims. It’s hard to tell sometimes, but beneath all the chaos of Andre’s physical comedy and pranks, there’s a craft he’s honed for five seasons of his show and that he’s applied to his Netflix film Bad Trip. In thi...
Wayne Brady on giving yourself permission to own your passion
March 11, 2021 10:00 - 56 minutesWayne Brady is arguably one of the hardest working performers in show business. From Broadway to TV and film and everything in between, Wayne has done it all—and often simultaneously. In this episode, Wayne explains how he gave himself permission to pursue all of his passions (and why he refuses to pick just one), how he actually does it all without crashing and burning, and the number one thing to remember in unlocking your creative potential.
The Russo brothers explain the process of their creative "f*ckery"
February 25, 2021 10:00 - 43 minutesIt’s easy to get caught up in the staggering commercial success directors Joe and Anthony Russo have had in the Marvel Cinematic universe. But what’s always worth mentioning are creative swings they’ve taken—not just in the MCU but throughout their entire career in TV and film. In this episode, the Russo brothers explain what's at the root of their creative "fuckery," their dynamic as a directing duo, how they're using their massive platform to elevate overlooked stories, and the career chang...
How rapper Kota the Friend conquered burnout
February 11, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutesEven without the machine of a major label behind him, Brooklyn rapper Kota the Friend has managed to release three EPs, three mixtapes, and two studio albums in the span of six years, earning him more than 200 Million global streams and co-signs from everyone from LaKeith Stanfield and Lupita Nyong’o, to SZA and Erykah Badu. Kota is even dropping another studio album as well as a joint album with producer Statik Selektah in the coming months. So how does he get it all done while keeping his ...
Viggo Mortensen on the art of memory
January 28, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutesViggo Mortensen has cemented himself as a powerhouse actor in films including A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, and, of course, The Lord of the Rings trilogy. And now he's stepping behind the camera with his directorial debut "Falling," a beautifully fractured portrait of a complex father/son relationship. In our conversation, Viggo explains his late-stage career pivot and why memory can be such a powerful creative tool.
How the co-CEOs of Glow Recipe found creativity (and heritage) in skincare
January 14, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutesSince launching their first line of products in 2017, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang’s skincare brand Glow Recipe has been a driving force in the Korean beauty wave, particularly in the US—and it’s not hard to see why. From their colorful packaging to alluring scents, Glow Recipe’s products are designed to be a multi-sensory experience, and, at times, a method of storytelling into Korean culture. In this episode, Lee and Change dive into their philosophy of “skintertainment" and the learning c...
How Jermaine Fowler is fighting past pain to find his funny again
December 31, 2020 10:00 - 48 minutesComedian and actor Jermaine Fowler has found great success in TV and film, most recently starring in Coming 2 America. But personal trauma has kept him away from what started his career in entertainment: stand-up comedy. In our conversation, Jermaine explains how he's channeling grief into art (specifically, an upcoming Showtime event he’s calling "hilariously dark and funny as shit"); how he moves past rejection; and what he's learned from working with greats like Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Gol...
LIVE SHOW: The Year That Changed Everything
December 21, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutesOn December 16, Fast Company Podcast Network went live on Facebook and Youtube. Creative Conversation host, KC Ifeanyi, was joined by Kate Davis--host of Secrets of the Most Productive People--and Talib Visram--host of Fast Break--to talk about 2020.
How supermodel Ashley Graham channels confidence into creativity
December 17, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutesThey say "confidence is key," which is true. But in Ashley Graham's case, it's a little more than that: confidence is her brand. From her entrepreneurial endeavors to her career in media with her podcast "Pretty Big Deal," confidence is at the root of everything she does and her main source of creative inspiration. In our conversation, Ashley explains how she found (and maintains) her confidence and what it's done for her creativity.