In this raw and honest conversation, host Ian Paget scraps his original plan to delve into a deeply personal and highly relevant topic: the reality of balancing self-employment and new parenthood. Ian is joined by brand identity designer and strategist Danielle Clark, who is seven months into her journey as a new mother. Danielle shares her candid experience navigating the complex world of self-employed maternity pay, the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and the surprising loss of professional confidence she experienced. Ian also opens up about his own challenging journey as a single, self-employed father. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur, especially those in the creative industry, who are planning for or currently navigating the monumental shift of integrating family life with running a business.

In this conversation, Ian Paget and Stef Hamerlinck discuss the evolution of brand building, the integration of AI in branding, and the significance of mascots. Stef shares his journey from graphic design to brand strategy, emphasizing the role of AI in enhancing creativity and efficiency in brand marketing. They explore the process of creating mascots, the importance of character design, and how brands can leverage AI tools to generate engaging content. The discussion highlights the future of branding, where creativity and technology converge to create memorable brand experiences.