Chronically Cranky: Managing chronic illness while building a creative career

Chronically Cranky

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni get real about what it’s like to build a creative business while managing a chronic illness. Spoiler: It’s tough—but it’s doable, and there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Society loves to glorify perfection and hustle culture, but let’s be honest—being human is messy. Whether you choose to disclose your condition or not is your decision, and no one else gets a say. The most important thing? Giving yourself grace.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

🧠 Why perfection is overrated—and why you don’t owe it to anyone.
🤐 The pros and cons of disclosing your chronic illness in professional spaces.
💡 Strategies for managing energy, boundaries, and expectations in your business.
💖 The importance of self-compassion and working with your body, not against it.

Running a creative business is hard enough. Doing it while managing a chronic illness? That’s next-level resilience. Tune in for an honest, judgment-free conversation about finding success on your terms.

Notable Mentions

Spoon Theory for Managing Chronic Illness

 

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, 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 every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.