Two Cranky Creatives

Two Cranky Creatives

Join Two Cranky Creatives, hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico. We are two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

Episodes

July 16, 2025 34 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Xhico of Studio Xhico. Together, they tackle a crucial yet often overlooked issue in the surface design industry: cultural appropriation. They delve into the fine line between inspiration and appropriation, exploring what it means to find your authentic creative voice while respecting cultural boundaries.

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Julia Barry of UpRoot Design Studio. Together, they dive deep into the societal devaluation of art. From ...

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Mandy Corcoran of Amanda Grace Design. Together, they unpack the ins and outs of pitching schedules in art licensing and explain why working smarter and crankier matters. You'll also hear why small companies might be your licensing sweet spot over those intimidating big-box stores.

In This Episode...

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Cat Coquillette. Together, they tackle the controversial “T-word” in the creative industry—trends. Is trend-chasing selling out? Can you still be considered an artist if your work aligns with market demands? Spoiler: Yes, and yes!

This week, we’re embracing the cranky side of being a surface desig...

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico are joined by Janine Vangool of UPPERCASE Magazine. They tackle the myths and realities of creative confidence. Forget what you’ve heard about “imposter syndrome”—it’s time to ditch the labels and start owning your power.

They share their insights on why confidence isn’t something you’re born with but something...

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May 14, 2025 49 mins
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NOTE: We had some technical issues near the end of the show with echoes and feedback. Apologies in advance.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Mable Tan joins hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico to tackle one of the most soul-crushing topics for creatives: rejection. Whether it’s a politely worded email or radio silence after submitting your a...

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April 23, 2025 54 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle creatives' complicated relationship with social media. From its highly curated content to the frustration of navigating platforms they can’t control, they get real about why social media can drive even the most patient artists to crankiness.

They share personal stories of social media crankiness and offe...

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April 9, 2025 57 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico take on a popular piece of advice that might be doing more harm than good: the idea that you must draw every day to be successful. As two seasoned creatives who’ve found success in their own way, Carrie and Toni break down why this “rule” is more of a myth and how it often pressures artists into unrealistic expectations.

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In this episode, Carrie and Toni are joined by Stacie Dale of Surface Design News to dive deep into the world of surface design classes. They explore how these courses can create sky-high expectations, leaving emerging artists overwhelmed, defeated, and downright cranky. If you’ve ever taken a class that promised you the moon only to deliver a handful of unrealistic goals, you’re not alone.

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico tackle a topic that’s sure to resonate with every artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur: clients who think your work is overpriced. It’s frustrating, it’s aggravating, and it’s a reality that every creative professional faces.

Carrie and Toni dive into the common mindset of clients who believe they could ...

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February 26, 2025 49 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico explore the frustrating, confusing, and often hurtful experience of being ghosted. Whether it’s a client, collaborator, or contact who suddenly stops responding, being ghosted can feel like a betrayal. But Carrie and Toni are here to remind you—it’s not personal.

They share their perspectives on why being ghost...

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In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dig into the risks of relying on third-party platforms to showcase and sell your art. From sudden algorithm changes to entire platforms shutting down, creatives often find themselves at the mercy of corporate decisions beyond their control. So, what can you do about it...

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February 12, 2025 54 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax joins hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico to tackle one of the most dreaded topics for creatives: taxes. Taxes can be a minefield, especially for artists and entrepreneurs who aren’t exactly thrilled by accounting. Hannah breaks down the essentials, sharing real experiences and guidance to help fellow artists approach their taxes without a...

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January 29, 2025 65 mins

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico dive into a topic that makes every artist’s blood boil: stolen artwork. From discovering your designs on unauthorized products to navigating the complicated world of copyright, they share personal stories, practical advice, and some much-needed venting.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of seeing your hard work ...

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January 15, 2025 51 mins

In this debut episode of Two Cranky Creatives, co-hosts Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico get real about why they started this podcast. If you’ve ever listened to creative industry podcasts and felt like everything was a bit too sugarcoated, you’re not alone.

Carrie and Toni are frustrated by the abundance of "polite" conversations about pursuing a creative career. So, they created Two Cran...

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November 30, 2024 2 mins

Join Two Cranky Creatives, hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico. We are two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us for candid conversations t...

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