The Flame

Starting 2026 With Clear Eyes | The Friday 5

As 2026 begins, many creatives are carrying a mix of optimism, uncertainty, and hard-earned experience into a rapidly changing industry. In this episode of The Friday 5, Bob Raynor explores how creative work is evolving — from learning and skill-building to AI, self-employment, and personal leadership.

This isn’t an episode about predictions or hype. It’s a grounded reflection on how to move forward with clarity, intention, and confidence — without chasing every trend or reinventing yourself overnight.

Bob encourages listeners to reflect honestly on the past year, approach learning thoughtf...

What happens when a mechanical engineer walks away from a “safe” career and follows a creative spark?

In this episode of The Flame, host Bob Raynor speaks with filmmaker and Director of Photography Bert Archer, who shares his journey from engineering at Lockheed Martin to running his own video production studio. Bert opens up about layoffs, career pivots, the role of improv in unlocking creativity, and how problem-solving skills can transfer across industries.

This episode is for anyone navigating career change, creative burnout, or the fear of starting over — and looking for inspiration to keep going...

How Creatives Are Learning Their Way Forward | The Friday 5

In this episode of The Friday 5, Bob Raynor explores how creatives are staying relevant in an industry shaped by layoffs, AI, and constant change. From YouTube tutorials and online courses to mentors, business coaches, and peer communities, this episode breaks down how designers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs are approaching continuous education in real, practical ways.

Bob shares personal experience working with mentors like Rodd Chant, hiring a business coach, and building new skills intentionally, without chasing every new tool or credential.

This is a grounded...

The recent Omnicom layoffs shook the advertising and creative industry, but they also revealed deeper truths about how creative work is evolving. In this episode, Bob Raynor breaks down what these shifts actually mean for creatives, why layoffs don’t reflect your talent, and how AI, experimentation, and new career models are reshaping the landscape.

This is a grounded, supportive 5-minute conversation for anyone feeling uncertain about the future of their creative career.

Topics include:

Job insecurity & emotional resilience

Experimental work as a creative anchor

AI design tools & the ch...

This week on The Friday 5, Bob Raynor explores the surprising relationship between procrastination and the creative brain. Instead of treating procrastination as a flaw, Bob reframes it as a sign of cognitive overload, incubation, and creative exploration.

From the science behind “exploratory delay,” to the power of tiny two-minute actions (“task snacking”), to understanding when procrastination shifts from helpful wandering to harmful avoidance — this episode is a short, honest guide to beating procrastination without beating yourself up.

Perfect for creatives, freelancers, and anyone who ever thought, “Why can’t I just start?”

You’ll learn:

Wh...

In this inspiring Season 2 premiere of The Flame, host Bob Raynor talks with Daniel Ferguson, a Senior Production Artist and Audio Engineer whose career has spanned design, publishing, and audio storytelling. After facing multiple layoffs and taking on the role of caregiver for his mother, Daniel found renewed purpose in preserving his father’s legendary radio archive — the voice of Charlie Tuna.

Together, Bob and Daniel explore creativity in the face of chaos, the emotional toll of job loss, the quiet power of gratitude, and how music can help reignite your creative spark.

🎧 The Flame is a po...

Feeling stuck in a creative rut? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Friday 5, Bob Raynor shares practical, honest reflections on how to break free from stagnation and jumpstart your creative momentum.

From a simple 20-idea exercise, to building a grounding “one list,” to using Newton’s First Law to your advantage, Bob walks through five ways to clear mental clutter, gain traction, and reconnect with your creative energy.

This is a quick but powerful reset for anyone who’s creatively blocked, burned out, between jobs, or simply overwhelmed.

What You’ll Learn: Duration: 00:07:33

How do you stay creative in a world that never stops changing?

In this week’s Friday 5, Bob Raynor shares five ideas on creative agility — from building meaningful brands and experimenting with new tools to reinventing your career and managing your creative value like a pro.

🎧 Listen for:

Why simplicity and clarity beat trend-chasing

How top designers wish AI would actually work

Lessons for reimagining the second half of your career

Turning your skills into financial confidence

A thought experiment and wise words from Bruce Lee

Big creative breakthroughs don’t start with giant leaps—they start with small, intentional moves.

In Episode 2 of The Friday 5, Bob Raynor shares five reflections on how “starting small” can transform your creative life. From 2025’s design trends and side projects to lessons on career reinvention and financial awareness, this short episode delivers big inspiration in just five minutes.

Featuring insights inspired by Andy J. Pizza’s Creative Pep Talk and Farnoosh Torabi’s So Money, Bob reminds creatives and freelancers that authenticity, curiosity, and consistency are what truly fuel success.

🎧 Listen for:

2025 creativ...

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In this first episode of The Friday 5, host Bob Raynor dives into the creative power of fear — just in time for Halloween. From launching his own agency after a layoff to embracing AI tools like MidJourney, Bob shares how fear can become the spark that fuels creativity and personal growth.

Discover why Halloween is the most creative holiday on earth, how play leads to innovation, and why facing fe...

In Episode 12 of The Flame, host Bob Raynor talks with Jillian Di Benedetto, an award-winning multidisciplinary designer and creative leader, about navigating the modern job hunt with humor, honesty, and resilience. Jillian shares her journey through 15+ years in advertising, the challenges of remote work, and the broken realities of today’s recruitment processes; from ghosting and ATS filters to ageism and endless interview rounds.

Known for her witty and unfiltered LinkedIn posts, Jillian discusses why authenticity matters more than “Apple vibes,” how humor became her survival tool, and why community support is essential for creatives. She also previe...

Toby Bovingdon blends pharma marketing chops with martial arts discipline to tackle ghost postings, auto-rejections, and imposter syndrome—and shows how to move forward with possibility. Keywords: pharma marketing, senior account director, job search mindset.

After nearly a year out of work, Victoria Krawiec walks through the mindset, portfolio moves, and daily habits that led to her LA role—plus how to protect your confidence through the search.

In this episode of The Flame, host Bob Raynor sits down with Shu Chow to talk about the difficulties of the online job search in 2025.

Why job search feels broken: ghost jobs, algorithmic filters, and unclear expectations. Shu Chow shares ways candidates can navigate—and how hiring teams can rebuild trust.

In this episode of The Flame, host Bob Raynor sits down with Kris Klein—Copywriter, Creative Director, and Content Strategist—to talk candidly about the emotional and professional rollercoaster of being laid off. Kris opens up about the grief, identity loss, and quiet inner battles that come with career disruption, and how he’s using his craft—writing—as a way to process, connect, and begin again.

They discuss the recent article Kris wrote comparing unemployment to a child’s irrational fear of mummies, and how reframing fear, embracing vulnerability, and supporting others can reignite creativity and purpose.

In Episode 7 of The Flame, Bob Raynor chats with Rusty Bargeron, a Senior Business Analyst and passionate illustrator. Rusty shares how he rediscovered his love for art, found creative fulfillment outside of work, and the lessons he’s learned about staying inspired in a practical world.

In Episode 6 of The Flame, Bob Raynor chats with Elissa Mendez-Renk, a pianist and former advertising professional who used the adversity of being laid off as a sign to pursue her passion for music and teaching. Elissa shares her journey of rediscovery, the challenges of starting over, and the lessons she’s learned about creativity, mental health, and staying true to yourself.

In this episode of The Flame, Bob Raynor is joined by Dr. Stephen Stunder, a Licensed Professional Counselor and professor. Together, they explore the impact of job loss on identity, why grieving a career change is essential, and the importance of men's mental health. Tune in for a candid conversation full of insights, practical advice, and reflections on navigating tough career transitions.

In Episode 4 of The Flame, Bob Raynor talks to Maria Kravets—a UI/UX designer and blackbelt kickboxer. Maria opens up about her recent layoff, the challenges of staying motivated, and the importance of empathy in design. Discover how her background in kickboxing has given her resilience, and learn practical advice for navigating career transitions as a creative.

In this episode of The Flame, Bob Raynor chats with Brian Jung, a freelance creative leader with extensive experience in web design, advertising, comic books, and creative direction. Brian opens up about the ups and downs of navigating a volatile job market, the importance of collaboration over competition, and how he keeps his creative passion alive. Tune in for an honest conversation about resilience, creativity, and finding your way as a creative professional.

In Episode 2 of The Flame, Bob Raynor interviews cultural strategist Dan Gould. Dan opens up about betting on himself, taking career risks, and how he keeps his creative spark alive during uncertain times. They discuss the challenges of navigating a non-linear career path, staying productive between projects, and why creating your own content is crucial in today's market. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, creativity, and taking control of your journey.

In Episode 1 of The Flame, host Bob Raynor shares his personal journey through the ups and downs of a creative career, including the challenges of being laid off twice in less than a year. Bob opens up about the shock, fear, and insecurities that followed, and how he found ways to cope through therapy, mentorship, and creative exploration. This episode sets the tone for the series—candid, heartfelt, and all about finding the spark that reignites our passion for creativity. Join Bob as he kicks off this journey of rediscovery.