Creative Control

Will the real Nick Kroll please stand up?

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Kroll's career has largely been defined by the cavalcade of memorable characters he's created over the years through his comedy specials, The Kr...

Seth Green's zen, and the art of making "Robot Chicken"

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 If you've never wondered about the web of legalities and social landmines Seth Green tumbles through to make Robot Chicken, then he considers his jo...

How to make boring work feel new again

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, I had Ellen Pompeo on the podcast and the theme of making something old feel new again kept popping up. She's been on Grey's Anatomy for 18...

Ellen Pompeo is keeping her creativity fresh and intensity in check

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen Pompeo has spent 18 seasons playing Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy—and it's fair to say doing something for that long can either make ...

How author Soman Chainani gets into a creative flow state

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Soman Chainani explains his greatest challenge: getting into a creative flow state. Check out this clip cut for time, as well as Soman's full e...

Author Soman Chainani's twisted fantasies are revolutionizing YA fiction

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Soman Chainani is a bestselling author who’s on a mission to revamp the young adult space. His wildly popular series The School for Good and Evil ...

Why design is more than you think it is

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fast Company recently released Innovation by Design: Creative Ideas That Transform the Way We Live and Work, a book highlighting the people and comp...

Jeff Daniels explains his controlled free fall into creativity

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One thing is certain: Jeff Daniels has the range. From cutting his teeth in traditional American theater to a wide spread of film and TV roles includi...

Michael Jai White doesn’t let others box in his creativity—and you shouldn’t either

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to categorize Michael Jai White as the ripped martial arts action star of Spawn, Mortal Kombat, and Black Dynamite. But with a career tha...

Elizabeth Banks and her "quietly revolutionary" creativity

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For Elizabeth Banks, acting was her first passion that really clicked—and she’s certainly had success in that regard with roles in 30 Rock, The ...

Why collaboration really does matter, according to Joseph Gordon-Levitt

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One of the longstanding principles of creativity has always been collaboration. We hear it all the time how thinking in groups and getting feedback fr...

How do you define creativity?

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have a bonus episode for you this week! At the end of every Creative Conversation, our host Kc Ifeanyi asks his guests the same question: "How do y...

Why hearing "no" was exactly what Amber Riley needed

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all first fell in love with Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones on Glee. But before her breakout role, she was actually rejected from American Idol, w...

Danielle Brooks is finding the spotlight as a leading lady

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Brooks got her big break as Taystee, the lovable leader in Netflix's Orange is the New Black. That character was only meant to appear in a f...

How Danny Elfman is trying to be a less "sh*tty collaborator"

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The celebrated film composer and musician has been trying to be a better collaborator—and 37 years later, he's finally there. In this episode, Danny...

Quinta Brunson on finding creativity past viral moments

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Quinta Brunson is the perfect example of a creator who was able to turn her 15 minutes of viral fame into a solid career. In 2014, she first gained in...

How David Oyelowo personalized his passion project

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Oyelowo’s pedigree of being a classically trained stage actor has largely translated into his career in film with weighty roles in Selma, Th...

How Julia Michaels pushes past imposter syndrome

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At 19, Julia Michaels entered the music industry as a songwriter for artists including Fifth Harmony, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and many others. Bu...

How author Amy Tan transforms trauma into art

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The author of critically acclaimed novels including The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God's Wife is known for beautifully unpacking facets of the ...

How social media star Zach King builds creative momentum

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Zach King has made a name for himself as a digital illusionist, using seamless editing to create mind-bending videos. He gained popularity on Vine and...

Inside the method of Eric Andre’s madness

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No one is doing prank comedy quite like Eric Andre. He got his start in standup but rose to fame/notoriety with Adult Swim's The Eric Andre Show, a p...

Wayne Brady on giving yourself permission to own your passion

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wayne Brady is arguably one of the hardest working performers in show business. From Broadway to TV and film and everything in between, Wayne has done...

The Russo brothers explain the process of their creative "f*ckery"

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to get caught up in the staggering commercial success directors Joe and Anthony Russo have had in the Marvel Cinematic universe. But what’...

How rapper Kota the Friend conquered burnout

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 Even without the machine of a major label behind him, Brooklyn rapper Kota the Friend has managed to release three EPs, three mixtapes, and two stud...

Viggo Mortensen on the art of memory

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Viggo Mortensen has cemented himself as a powerhouse actor in films including A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, and, of course, The Lord of ...

How the co-CEOs of Glow Recipe found creativity (and heritage) in skincare

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Since launching their first line of products in 2017, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang’s skincare brand Glow Recipe has been a driving force in the Kor...

How Jermaine Fowler is fighting past pain to find his funny again

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian and actor Jermaine Fowler has found great success in TV and film, most recently starring in Coming 2 America. But personal trauma has kept h...

LIVE SHOW: The Year That Changed Everything

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On December 16, Fast Company Podcast Network went live on Facebook and Youtube. Creative Conversation host, KC Ifeanyi, was joined by Kate Davis--host...

How supermodel Ashley Graham channels confidence into creativity

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

They say "confidence is key," which is true. But in Ashley Graham's case, it's a little more than that: confidence is her brand. From her entrepreneur...

How choreographer JaQuel Knight's obsession with details defines his career (and saved Beyoncé's "Single Ladies")

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Choreographer and creative director JaQuel Knight has become to the go-to creative force behind major artists including Britney Spears, Shakira, Jenni...

Creativity Equation: Innovation

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK. In this episode, we hear from GSK's Chief Scientific Officer and Presi...

How a former software engineer is changing the future of medicine

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Dudley, chief scientific officer at health startup Tempus and one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in business, has spent the better part o...

Creativity Equation: Collective Knowledge

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK. In this episode, we hear from Kim Branson, global head of artificial i...

Dr. Diana Anderson and Healthcare Architecture

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Kc speaks with Dr. Diana Anderson as she discusses being a board-certified healthcare architect and the impact of innovative hospital ...

Creativity Equation: Collaboration

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK. In this episode, we hear from GSK's Chief Scientific Officer and Presi...

How this doctor paved his way into Hollywood (While still practicing medicine.)

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For most people, being a doctor is fulfilling enough of a career. But for Dr. Roshan Sethi, he saw no need to pick a passion, which led him down the p...

The First Step: How To Build an Effective Narrative When Building a New Company

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Rene Lammers, Chief Science Officer at PepsiCo, and Erik Roth, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company....

Viral rapper Saweetie is ready to show you who she really is

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Rapper Saweetie’s breakout moment came in 2017 with her cocky freestyle “ICY GRL.” Quelling any notions of being a one-hit-wonder, Saweetie sc...

Inside the no-sleep hustle of Grammy-winning songwriter The-Dream

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In addition to penning hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, and more, The-Dream has his own prolific R&B career. And he recently enr...

This ex-Google employee built a better platform for protesting

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this...

Black Trans Lives Matter, too—and this activist won’t let you forget it

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this...

The First Step: How Affirm CEO Max Levchin handles risk-taking in launching a new business

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Max Levchin, co-founder and CEO at Affirm and co-founder of PayPal, about how to overcome a fear of fa...

Dr. Jess, the internet's favorite psychiatrist, has a gameplan for your mental health

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Creative Conversation is doing special three-part series covering specific issues within the ongoing protests for racial equality. Every Thursday this...

Janet Mock on how to build your creative credibility

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As if her career doesn’t already speak for itself, Janet Mock is ready to show you what she can really do. From her early days as an editor for Peop...

Inside the subversively creative mind of Mark Mothersbaugh

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You may know Mark Mothersbaugh from his days as the frontman for the art-punk band Devo, but his career scoring film, TV shows, and video games stretc...

To All the Boys author Jenny Han on the double-edged sword of creativity and inclusion

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before dropped on Netflix back in 2018, it turned its lead actors into overnight stars, as well as the author who wr...

Alan Yang’s secret to creativity? Push yourself to the point you want to quit

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a writer, producer, and director, Alan Yang has worked on hit shows including Parks and Rec, The Good Place, Little America, Forever, and Master of...

Jessie Reyez has a lot to prove—and you have a lot to learn from her process

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez finally released her debut studio album 'Before Love Came to Kill Us'—and how it came together spotl...

Creative Conversation Live in Lagos, Nigeria, with Nollywood star Banky W.

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Creative Conversation headed to Lagos, Nigeria for Social Media Week where host Kc Ifeanyi interviewed R&B and Nollywood star Banky W. live on stage. ...

The First Step: How Pizza Hut cooks up collaboration to keep innovating

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Helen Vaid, Global Chief Customer Officer at Pizza Hut, about collaboration and how to build the right...

The creative power of blackness and drag, according to Monet X Change

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Since her time on season 10 of Drag Race and winning All-Stars 4, Drag Queen Monet X Change has appeared in national ad campaigns, released a visual a...

A creativity masterclass, with Reginald Hudlin

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Digging into Reginald Hudlin's résumé is like the most inspiring rabbit hole you could possibly tumble down. Most people know Hudlin as the director...

How Nate Berkus stays inspired in a constantly evolving industry

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nate Berkus' life has always been surrounded by "decorative turmoil", so it's no surprise that he has grown into the superstar interior designer he is...

How Marques Brownlee uses technology to express his creativity

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Marques Brownlee has been called "the best technology reviewer on the planet" (by a former VP at Google, no less) and his 10 million YouTube subscribe...

How Noah Baumbach made a film about love, through a story about divorce

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Baumbach has been making films for 25 years, but none has caught fire quite like his latest. Marriage Story has been racking up awards nomination...

The First Step: How Square conquers fear to bring new ideas to life

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The First Step is a custom podcast from Fast Co. Works in partnership with McKinsey and Company. On this episode, Chris dives into how to take an idea...

How Piera Geraldi gives her audience permission to be creative

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of people work in creative industries, but very few have been able to take their art and pivot to build something more impactful than the art its...

How actress Carrie Coon uses fear to fuel her creativity

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Carrie Coon got an unconventionally late start in film and TV at 33, after having long since established herself on the stage. But she's more than mad...

LIVE! with Mo Rocca at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2019

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most people consider themselves lucky to be able to craft a career path within one creative industry. Mo Rocca, acclaimed humorist, journalist, and ac...

This is your brain on improvisation

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s no surprise that improvisation is seen as a kind of holy grail for creativity. Whether it’s comedians or musicians, the act of creating somet...

How to Boost Your Creativity by Changing Your Environment

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you hit that afternoon slump at your desk, maybe it’s not an issue of getting another cup of coffee—maybe you need to change your environment...

How uncertainty can make us more creative

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Creative geniuses make creativity look easy. But in reality, it’s uncomfortable to dive into uncharted territory to build or think of something new....

This is the best time to brainstorm

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We all know brainstorming is an essential part of the creative process, but what do you do when your mind is too foggy to welcome the storm? Brain fog...

Introducing Season Three of Creative Conversation

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As an editor and writer for Fast Company magazine, Kc Ifeanyi covers some of the most creative minds in film, television, business and beyond. In this...

Camille Yorrick, EVP of creative content at RCA Records

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Any creative content from RCA's roster of artists goes through Camille Yorrick. From music videos to visuals and more, Yorrick has helped shaped the c...

Jean Elie, actor and producer

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jean Elie got his big break playing Issa Rae's younger brother Ahmal on HBO's Insecure. Although landing on a hit show can lead to other more high-pro...

Paul Scheer, actor and comedian

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Scheer's résumé is a dizzying display of creative output: when he's not acting in shows like Black Monday, Veep, or Fresh Off the Boat, he's bu...

Jemaine Clement, actor and musician

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Give Jemaine Clement a platform, and he'll spin it into something comical. The New Zealander is best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Fligh...

LIVE with Tarell Alvin McCraney, Phylicia Rashad, and OWN president Tina Perry at the Fast Company Grill

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Greetings from the 9th annual Fast Company Grill! We had some amazing panel discussions down in Austin, but this one in particular was a personal favo...

Sasha Velour, drag queen

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For Sasha Velour, all roads led to drag. Being a Fulbright scholar, Vassar grad, graphic artist, and illustrator, were all primers for the trailblazin...

E.G. Daily, actor and singer

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is pretty much going to be a love letter to all the 80s and 90s kids out there. You probably know E.G. Daily best as the voice of Tommy P...

Nicholas Britell, film composer

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nicholas Britell has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after composers--and for good reason. His scores for films including Moonlight, The Big S...

Amanda Seales, comedian and actor

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you think your multi-hyphenate status is challenging, let’s run down Amanda Seales’ resume real quick. Amanda is a creative powerhouse—and mo...

Roy Wood Jr, comedian

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It would seem that Roy Wood Jr. is vying for the title of the busiest comic is show business. In addition to being a correspondent for "The Daily Show...

Killer Mike, rapper and activist

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Killer Mike has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. Whether he’s stumping for politicians or calling out racial inequality, the outspoke...

LIVE with Larry Wilmore

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

KC sits down with comedian, writer, and producer Larry Wilmore for a very special and very live episode of Creative Conversation, straight from the Fa...

Tracey Ullman, actor

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jackie Aina, YouTube beauty guru

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Long before “diversity” was a buzzword for beauty brands, Jackie was championing dark-skinned women and men who never saw themselves represented i...

with director Roman Coppola

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As the son of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Roman's career seemed on track to follow directly in his father's footsteps--but that hasn't b...

with fashion director and designer Nicola Formichetti

12 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From Lady Gaga's famous meat dress to spearheading the creative vision of Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo to starting his own label Nicopanda, Nicola Formi...

with actor Regina Hall

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We all know and love Regina Hall from her comedic work in films like "Girls Trip" or "Scary Movie." But for her latest role in the indie dramedy "Supp...

with photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield

15 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Excess. Greed. Addiction. The American Dream isn’t what it used to be—and Lauren Greenfield’s new doc “Generation Wealth” takes a closer loo...

with filmmaker Terence Nance

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tumble into the mind of visionary filmmaker Terence Nance, whose new HBO show, “Random Acts of Flyness,” is like nothing you’ve seen before—gu...

with composer Max Richter

18 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What makes Max Richter unique is that his creativity is matched only by his ambition, which lends a sense fearlessness to his work that, hopefully, wi...

with showrunners Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The creative tag team behind Netflix's "GLOW" is the definition of work spouse goals. In this episode, Flahive and Mensch explain how they've fine-tun...

with author David Sedaris

13 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Where you just see a slice of pizza on the ground, David Sedaris sees an essay in the making.

Introducing Fast Company’s Creative Conversation podcast

01 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Join Fast Company editor KC Ifeanyi for in-depth explorations on the creative process with some of the most innovative thinkers across film, TV, music...