Best Bemore Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 141 Design: A bigger strategy behind Apple’s Liquid Glass? 14:12

Play Pause

3M ago14:12

14:12

Stephen finally breaks the seal on AI — not with a prompt tutorial or workflow breakdown (he’s got a YouTube video for that), but with a deeper dive into the real conversation: how AI is shaking the creative industry to its core. From WWDC buzz to Liquid Glass backlash, this one’s not about UI drama — it’s about system strategy. Stephen unpacks App…

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Ep 140 Keynote: 'Bet on Yourself" BeMore Festival 2025 57:05

5M ago57:05

57:05

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates shares the lessons learned from his journey of leaving corporate America to start his own agency. With over 20 years of experience across industries, Stephen dives deep into the tough decisions that led him to bet on himself. He talks about embracing the fear of failure, navigating imposter syndrome, …

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Ep 139 Career: The Hard Truth About Creativity’s Role in Business Today (and Yesterday) 17:22

5M ago17:22

17:22

This one’s part wake-up call, part battle cry. After too many sleepless nights and too many same-old conversations, Stephen Gates climbs up on the soapbox to call out the hard truth: if you’re shocked by the state of the design industry right now, you haven’t been paying attention. From AI disruption to undervalued creativity to toxic corporate cul…

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Ep 138 Creativity: AI Isn’t the Enemy. Complacency Is. 19:26

6M ago19:26

19:26

The AI hype train is moving fast—and it’s already crashing into our creative industry. In this episode, Stephen finally wades into the AI conversation, not to break down tools or workflows (you’ll find that on his YouTube), but to unpack the bigger picture. What’s really at stake for creatives? How do we separate innovation from imitation? And what…

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Ep 137 Career: The Pros and Cons of Going Out on Your Own 23:31

6M ago23:31

23:31

After decades inside the system—agencies, in-house, and everything in between—Stephen Gates made the leap. No roadmap. No safety net. Just a decision to bet on himself. Three years later, he’s pulling back the curtain on the truth behind the leap: the real risks, the unexpected wins, and the power in finally doing work that feels like yours. This e…

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Ep 136 Career: Overcoming Fear and Insecurity: Why You Need a Plan, Not the Answers 11:03

8M ago11:03

11:03

You’re stuck. Spinning in circles. Overthinking every move. Sound familiar? In this episode, Stephen breaks down the single most powerful piece of advice he gives to creatives, leaders, and anyone facing a moment of uncertainty: you don’t need the answer—you need a plan. When the road ahead feels overwhelming, this mindset shift can change everythi…

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Ep 135 Career: The Hidden Problem of ‘Experience-ism’ in Creative Careers 10:23

8M ago10:23

10:23

When the stakes are high—new job, big idea, career leap—most of us freeze. We stall, waiting for the “right” moment, the perfect answer, the foolproof plan. But in this episode, Stephen shares the raw truth behind what holds us back—and the simple mindset shift that sets real leaders apart. It’s the advice he gives in almost every mentoring session…

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Ep 134 Career: Tough Love for Your Portfolio: Stand Out or Stay Stuck 34:52

10M ago34:52

34:52

Most portfolios don’t get rejected for lack of talent. They get rejected because they’re saying the wrong things — or nothing at all. In this episode, Stephen pulls back the curtain on how hiring managers actually review portfolios, what they’re looking for, and why most creatives are missing the mark. Whether you’re in the middle of a job search, …

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Ep 133 Career: How to get laid off 18:10

11M ago18:10

18:10

Let’s be real — layoffs suck. Whether you saw it coming or it hit you out of nowhere, it’s personal, painful, and way too common in today’s industry. In this episode, Stephen breaks down everything he’s learned from being laid off three times — the red flags, the aftermath, and how to turn the pain into power. No BS, no sugarcoating — just real adv…

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Ep 132 Career: Navigating the Mess: Insights into the 2024 Job Market 15:23

11M ago15:23

15:23

Let’s be honest—this industry is a mess right now. Layoffs are everywhere, leadership roles are disappearing, and even the best of the best are struggling to get a callback. In this episode, Stephen Gates tackles one of the most asked (and most urgent) questions from mentoring sessions: What’s really going on with the creative job market—and how do…

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Ep 130: Ending the hiatus. Is this thing still on? 9:16

11M ago9:16

9:16

After a year-long silence, The Crazy One is back — but not the same. In this raw return, Stephen opens up about the real reasons behind the show’s hiatus, the toll of being laid off (again), and how starting his own studio forced a reckoning with his past, his voice, and the burnout hidden behind the mic. It’s not just a comeback — it’s a reset. Th…

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Ep 131 Career: What's stopping you from going out on your own?!? 14:37

11M ago14:37

14:37

After 13 months away, the mic is back on—and we’re starting exactly where too many of us are stuck. In this raw and real return, Stephen unpacks the one conversation that’s been rising to the surface in every mentoring session, DMs, and late-night career spirals: Should I start my own thing? But the real question hiding underneath? Why can’t I bet …

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Ep 129 Keynote: BeMore Festival 2023 - How to build a breakthrough career 56:26

2y ago56:26

56:26

In this powerful episode of The Crazy One podcast, Stephen Gates shares his standout keynote from the 2023 BeMore Festival, the ultimate 24-hour global super conference featuring over 100 top voices in Design, AI, Product Development, and Career Growth. Tune in to discover actionable strategies to build a breakthrough career, from unlocking creativ…

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Ep 128 Career: How to start your studio or freelance business 47:24

2y ago47:24

47:24

After a long break, Stephen Gates is back with a powerful episode unpacking what it really takes to go out on your own—whether that means freelancing, consulting, or launching your own studio. Recorded from a new home, a new city, and a new chapter, this episode pulls back the curtain on the real decisions behind building CRZY and why fulfillment—n…

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Ep 127 Career: How to navigate and succeed in the era of defensive employment 45:35

3y ago45:35

45:35

In today’s career landscape, achieving success means taking on more responsibilities and adopting a proactive mindset—a shift Stephen Gates calls the “new era of defensive employment.” In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen unpacks what’s driving this shift, how it impacts your career and leadership style, and the steps you need to thrive in thi…

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Ep 126 Career: Understanding the 2022 job market, a shift is coming 49:39

3y ago49:39

49:39

As the job market shifts from a fierce competition for talent to widespread layoffs and uncertainty, the creative industry faces both unprecedented challenges and new opportunities. In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down what’s fueling these changes in 2022, the major industry shifts he predicts in the coming years, and how the…

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Ep 125 Value of Design P3: Showing the value and impact of design 36:57

3y ago36:57

36:57

In the final episode of this 3-part series, Stephen Gates reveals actionable steps to help your team and organization truly appreciate the value of design. This episode of The Crazy One dives deep into how to conduct impactful design reviews, create a positive feedback culture, and use metrics and case studies to measure design’s influence. Whether…

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Ep 124 Value of Design P2: Creating demand for design 35:18

3y ago35:18

35:18

In this powerful second installment of the 3-part series, Stephen Gates dives deep into strategies for elevating design’s role within your team and company. In this episode of The Crazy One, he reveals how to create demand for design by building an effective action plan and implementing three key methodologies that position your team as essential c…

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Ep 123 Value of Design P1: Understanding the power and stigma of the word 'Design' 35:15

3y ago35:15

35:15

In the kickoff to this insightful 3-part series, Stephen Gates breaks down essential steps to help your team and company fully appreciate the value of design. In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen explores how to shift perceptions of design from a “claim of ownership” to a powerful, strategic process. He dives into the importance of distinguish…

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Ep 122 Career: How to decide if you should quit your job (or get a promotion) 40:57

3y ago40:57

40:57

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the challenging crossroads of career decisions, whether you’re aiming for a promotion or considering a job change. Both scenarios require clarity, self-reflection, and a strategic approach, and sometimes the biggest obstacle is recognizing your own blind spots. Stephen shares a stra…

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Ep 121 Design Thinking: The U.S. Army can teach you a lot about Design Thinking 45:55

3y ago45:55

45:55

In this unique episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into an unexpected source of inspiration for Design Thinking—the US Army’s Design Methodology. After exploring how the Army approaches problem-solving and strategy, Stephen shares the basics of this powerful methodology, highlighting its unique strengths and how it can enhance traditional…

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Ep 120 Career: Don't apply for your next job (and what to do instead) 41:33

3+ y ago41:33

41:33

In this eye-opening episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates reveals why traditional job applications only have a 5% success rate—and why it’s time for a new approach to landing your next role. Backed by 2022 job market data, Stephen shares insights into why the current hiring process fails both candidates and companies, and outlines an innovative s…

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Back from hiatus 10:26

3+ y ago10:26

10:26

I'm sure you noticed this show went on an unannounced 7-month hiatus. Before I started recording new episodes, I wanted to take a few minutes to explain what happened that made me stop, what kept me from restarting, and why it is coming back now. As always, thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoy the new episodes. FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitte…

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Ep 119 Teamwork: How to become a great meeting and workshop facilitator 44:55

4y ago44:55

44:55

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the art of facilitation—a crucial yet often overlooked skill that transforms meetings and workshops into spaces where everyone can contribute meaningfully. Stephen breaks down what it takes to be a great facilitator, debunking the myth that you need to be an extrovert and sharing practical …

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Ep 118 Teamwork: The best remote team building activities 45:05

4y ago45:05

45:05

In this essential episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the top challenges of remote work—unplugging, loneliness, and collaboration—and shares why building trust, teamwork, and vulnerability is crucial to remote team success. Stephen dives into the importance of intentional remote team building and shares some of his favorite activities t…

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Ep 117 Teamwork: Understanding your team's cognitive and emotional culture 54:17

4y ago54:17

54:17

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates uncovers the deeper layers of company culture beyond team-building events and office perks. He explains how culture is truly shaped by the daily behaviors of every employee—from executives to interns—and how these dynamics have a profound effect on creativity and innovation. Stephen breaks …

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Ep 116 Creativity: Understanding the new imposter syndrome triggers from remote work 47:17

4y ago47:17

47:17

In this timely episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into how the pandemic has reshaped our experiences with imposter syndrome in a remote work world. He explores three key factors unique to remote work that have intensified imposter syndrome, examines how these changes impact the five types of imposter syndrome, and provides actionable str…

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Ep 115 Leadership: How to write an effective and unbiased job description 37:11

4+ y ago37:11

37:11

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles one of the biggest sources of imposter syndrome: job descriptions. He dives into the common pitfalls of traditional job descriptions, explores how bias sneaks into the hiring process, and shares actionable tips to create clear, inclusive, and effective job postings. Stephen goes bey…

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Ep 114 Career: Overcoming fear and self-doubt 41:51

4+ y ago41:51

41:51

The pandemic has grown and magnified many people's fears and imposter syndrome. We have all been forced into a huge amount of change in a short amount of time, and those new and old fears are starting to manifest in bad ways for a lot of people and companies. In this episode, we will look at why fear and self-doubt grow in people, leaders, and comp…

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Ep 113 Career: Understanding the 2021 job market 35:48

4+ y ago35:48

35:48

In this timely episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the unexpected changes and fresh opportunities shaping the 2021 job market. As companies adapt and creative talent seeks new roles, Stephen dives into the key trends driving this evolution and provides actionable tips to help you leverage these shifts, no matter your experience level. …

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Ep 112 #ShareTheMicNow: The Power of Youth in Redesigning Systems by Antionette Carroll 53:49

4+ y ago53:49

53:49

In the fifth episode of the #ShareTheMicNow series on The Crazy One, Antionette Carroll leads an inspiring conversation on “The Power of Youth in Redesigning Systems.” Joined by dynamic voices Connie Flores, Nora Lidia, Robert Beckles, and Quinton Ward, this episode delves into how young leaders are reimagining and transforming systems for a more e…

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Ep 111 #ShareTheMicNow: Dismantling White Supremacy in Design by Antionette Carroll 48:54

4+ y ago48:54

48:54

In the fourth #ShareTheMicNow episode on The Crazy One, Antionette Carroll leads an impactful conversation with David Clifford, founder of Design School X and Liberatory Design, and Timothy Bardlavens, co-founder of &Design and Product Design Manager at Facebook. Together, they explore the urgent need to dismantle white supremacy within the design …

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Ep 110 Creativity: 'Metallica’s rock ‘n roll insights on creativity and leadership’ from HOW Design Live 2020 50:59

5y ago50:59

50:59

In this rare and insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates interviews Marc Reiter, the creative force behind Metallica’s legendary projects for over 25 years. As Metallica’s “Chief Creative Guy” and head of Blackened Recordings, Marc shares invaluable lessons on originality, collaboration, and leading iconic creative teams. Together, they …

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Ep 109 Creativity: ’Hope is not a strategy’ keynote from HOW Design Live 2020 48:17

5y ago48:17

48:17

In this powerful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates shares his main stage keynote from HOW Design Live 2020, following up on his acclaimed 2019 talk. Stephen dives deep into the hidden “debt” we all carry—beliefs and barriers that limit our potential—and how these shape our perspectives and impact our careers. Tune in to discover actionable in…

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Ep 108 Memorial: The life and lessons of my father, David Gates 40:16

5y ago40:16

40:16

In this deeply personal episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates honors the life and legacy of his father, who was not only his dad but also his first boss, mentor, and a creative director who profoundly shaped Stephen’s own career and creative journey. Following his father’s sudden passing on October 5th, 2020, Stephen shares stories that illuminat…

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Ep 107 Career: How to outsmart the broken recruiting system 37:38

5y ago37:38

37:38

In this game-changing episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the common roadblocks of job hunting—frustration, self-doubt, and the struggle to stand out in today’s hiring process. Stephen breaks down the underlying issues that hold you back and shares fresh strategies to overcome these obstacles, helping you “short circuit” the traditio…

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Ep 106 Career: How to build a personal brand people will love to hate 45:31

5y ago45:31

45:31

In this must-listen episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the critical importance of building a standout personal brand in today’s competitive landscape. He explores why so many resumes, portfolios, and personal brands fail to make an impact, blending into the crowd instead of setting individuals apart. Stephen breaks down the key element…

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Ep 105 Career: How to negotiate salary and job offers 34:58

5y ago34:58

34:58

In this eye-opening episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the essential skills of salary negotiation, a step that most professionals overlook in both new and existing roles. Stephen shares why understanding your value, asking the right questions, and confidently negotiating are key to shaping your career and securing your financial fu…

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Ep 104 #ShareTheMicNow: Working in Tech While Black Part 1 by Jackie Velasquez Ross, Dorcie Lovinsky, and Christian Clark 36:48

5y ago36:48

36:48

In the third #ShareTheMicNow episode on The Crazy One, Jackie Velasquez Ross (Senior Recruiter), Dorcie Lovinsky (Engineering Manager), and Christian Clark (Strategic Renewals Manager) open up about their personal journeys, challenges, and aspirations as Black professionals in the tech industry. Through candid stories and insights, they shed light …

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Ep 103 Leadership: Why creating organization and cultural change is so hard 32:22

5y ago32:22

32:22

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the challenges of driving meaningful change in a time when people, teams, companies, and entire cultures are facing unprecedented transformation. Stephen explores the key obstacles that block organizational and cultural change and shares actionable strategies for overcoming them, empowering…

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Ep 102 #ShareTheMicNow: I Dare You to Care by Sylvia Baffour 27:23

5y ago27:23

27:23

In this powerful #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One, Sylvia Baffour delves into the importance of emotional intelligence in our professional and personal lives. She explores how to approach work with empathy, build deeper awareness, and leave a positive “emotional aftertaste” with everyone you interact with. Tune in to gain insights on cultiv…

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Ep 101 #ShareTheMicNow: Maurice Cherry and Debbie Millman in conversation 1:00:06

5y ago1:00:06

1:00:06

In the inaugural #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates presents an intimate, unfiltered conversation between design legends Maurice Cherry and Debbie Millman. Together, they explore the current state of the world, the evolving landscape of the design industry, the role of major design organizations, and their personal journeys wit…

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Joining #ShareTheMicNow 10:35

5+ y ago10:35

10:35

Today, more than ever, it is NECESSARY that we all join #ShareTheMicNow to create unifying actions centered around Black, Brown, Indigenous and/or LGBTQ+ lives, stories, and calls to action. I wanted to create this short episode to talk about why I will be joining the movement, what you can expect in the next few episodes, and what I would like to …

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Ep 100 Career: Rejecting your life's invisible scripts 43:08

5+ y ago43:08

43:08

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the invisible scripts and societal expectations that often control our lives and careers, shaping who we think we need to be and what we believe we should achieve. These ingrained narratives can lead to burnout, imposter syndrome, guilt, and self-doubt when we feel pressured to conform. Ste…

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Amazing Design People List: Find a job, a mentor, and some hope. 3:25

5+ y ago3:25

3:25

The Amazing Design People list was created as a worldwide, community-led talent base to help those creatives who have recently been laid off or furloughed. It started as a simple Google sheet, but thanks to Felix Lee and James Baduor it has grown into a site where you can get listed if you are looking for work, apply for 100+ current job openings a…

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Ep 99 Career: The 8 habits of successful people 42:02

5+ y ago42:02

42:02

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates uncovers the 8 powerful characteristics shared by the most successful creatives and leaders he’s coached. These traits set high achievers apart, fueling their sustained success and growth throughout their careers. Stephen dives into each characteristic, revealing how you can adopt and devel…

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Ep 98 Career: What to do if you get laid off 29:42

5+ y ago29:42

29:42

In this impactful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the tough topic of layoffs and furloughs—experiences that can be both anxiety-inducing and life-changing. Having faced it twice himself, Stephen shares the practical steps and emotional strategies you need to navigate this challenging time. From essential resources to actionable advi…

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The Crazy One is now on YouTube 2:07

5+ y ago2:07

2:07

Thanks to all this time at home The Crazy One is now on YouTube with the most popular episodes, tutorials, keynotes, interviews, live streams, favorite videos, and more. Subscribe now! SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: http://www.thecrazy1.com/youtube FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Send us a text SHOW NOTES AND MO…

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How I'm finding hope in these difficult times. 21:26

5+ y ago21:26

21:26

I wanted to quickly share a few insights and perspectives that I've been sharing with friends, co-workers, leaders and other creatives to try and help in these unprecedented times. I hope it helps. FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Send us a text SHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: h…

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Ep 97 Career: How to deal with change. 35:20

5+ y ago35:20

35:20

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the impact of constant change on our careers, personal lives, and overall well-being. Change often brings stress, anxiety, and fear that can hold us back, but how we view and respond to it can significantly shape our health, happiness, and success. Stephen explores why we struggle with chan…