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Ever wonder what’s actually running behind the scenes of a creative business? We’re pulling back the curtain. In this episode, we’re breaking down every tool and platform we use to run Goodtype. From our website and course platform to payroll, bookkeeping, email marketing, and everything in between. We’re keeping it real: what we love, what gives us the sweats (hi, Zapier), and how we built a functional system over time without losing our minds.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Why we use Squarespace for our website
• How ThriveCart, Stripe, and PayPal all work together for course sales
• What we landed on to host our courses and The Kernference
• How we use Notion to manage everything, and our A/B/C priority system
• Our all-day-every-day communication hub
• The Adobe Acrobat Spaces features we’re genuinely nerding out over
• What we use to automate and communicate between our different apps
• Our banking setup
• Our email marketing breakdown
• Using DM automations and scheduling tools
• Podcast recording and hosting faves
• Email inbox management using Shift
• Our honest (and very curious) thoughts on AI workflows

Mentioned in this episode:

• Try Acrobat Spaces! https://goodtype.us/acrobat #ad
• Squarespace
• Kate Christy at Folk Founded
• Nolan Pelletier
• ThriveCart
• Circle
• Our Notion Dashboard Template
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Zapier
• Novo
• Bench
• Gusto
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
• Flodesk
• ManyChat
• Adobe Express
• Metricool
• Riverside

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

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In this episode, we sat down with Tom Foley, Executive Creative Director at Monotype–the biggest type company in the world–for a conversation that went way deeper than we planned (in the best possible way). From his family’s legacy of stonemasons and sign painters to his graduate research on Irish typography, Tom gave us an entirely new lens through which to see typography.

We also dig into the big questions: what actually makes good type, how type trends work (and why they’re so hard to predict), what Monotype’s research reveals, and where variable fonts are actually landing in the world.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• The fascinating origin story of what we now call Irish type
• What makes good type
• Whether design knowledge and historical context make you better or worse at type design
• What Monotype’s research reveals about purchasing habits across generations
• Whether giving users more font choice in apps is actually what people want (or need)
• Type as a deeply human invention–linked to language, identity, and culture

Connect with Tom Foley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_foley_type/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-foley-75062158/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Monotype https://www.monotype.com/
• Monotype’s ReVision Report 2025 https://www.monotype.com/resources/ebook/unlock-report-revision-2025
• Montotype’s Report 2024 https://www.monotype.com/resources/ebook/unlock-report-type-trends-2024
• What the font https://www.myfonts.com/pages/whatthefont
• Brethren Brothers https://www.brethrendesignco.com/

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

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What does it actually look like to run a thriving creative business? One with branding projects, murals, fonts, and a coffee company in the mix?! In this episode, we’re joined by the endlessly curious and wildly productive Adam Vicarel, who is proof that creative experimentation paired with smart systems can take you a long way.

Whether you’re figuring out how to balance creative freedom with financial stability, trying to find the headspace for things that aren’t immediately due, or just wondering if LinkedIn is worth your time, this one’s for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How Adam structures his day using the Pomodoro Technique (and why creatives need structure to be creative)
• The “be everywhere, always” approach to marketing and why it’s really just being authentically top of mind
• How to build passive income streams without overthinking them first
• Font sales, SEO, and why Adam’s “little turd fonts” now pay his mortgage
• Why financial stability is the foundation for creative experimentation
• The $100k conversation: what it actually means and why it looks different for everyone
• Batching content and staying consistent on social media
• Raising rates with confidence: what it signals to clients and why it matters
• Project management and getting ideas out of your head so they stop taking up space

Connect with Adam Vicarel

Website: https://www.adamvicarel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicarelstudios/
Coffee Company: https://www.instagram.com/allclevelandcoffee/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Follow Your Art Book
• Pomodoro Technique
• Brethren Design Co.
• Asana

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

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What happens when a journalist from Venezuela becomes a self-taught designer, typeface foundry founder, and curator of one of the most ambitious graphic design exhibitions in recent memory? You get Lope Gutiérrez-Ruiz, and our conversation with him does not disappoint.

Lope is a partner and project lead at In-House International, a design studio and typeface foundry. He’s also a TED Fellow, a Knight Fellow at Stanford, and the curator behind One Hundred Points.

In this episode, we dig into what it actually looks like to build a creative practice rooted in curiosity and systems–not just style. Lope shares his take on design rules (and whether you should bother learning them) and how his journalism background still shapes every creative decision he makes. We also get into the realities of working with nonprofits, font piracy, and how he pulled off a massive exhibition without taking a sabbatical.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How Lope went from journalist to publisher to self-taught designer and typeface founder
• Why being self-taught may actually be a creative advantage
• His philosophy on design rules, systems, and building a practice around curiosity
• The studio structure at In-House International
• The truth about font piracy and typeface licensing
• How One Hundred Points came to be and why he thinks every designer should participate in an exhibition
• Tips for funding a creative exhibition through sponsorships
• The “Alphabet of Tomorrow” talk at South by Southwest

Connect with Lope

• In-House International: weareinhouse.com
• Instagram: weareinhouse
• One Hundred Points Exhibition: onehundredpoints.org

Mentioned in this episode:

• Run Studio Run https://nopicnicpress.com/shop/run-studio-run
• South by Southwest, “Alphabet of Tomorrow” talk, March 18, 2026 https://schedule.sxsw.com/events/PP1150035
• Follow Your Art by Katie Johnson & Ilana Griffo (book releasing March 17th!) https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book
• Book Launch Event @ Roommate Collective at Springdale General, Austin: March 18th, 5-8pm
• Tactical Guide to Sponsorship PDF

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

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Send a text

“Finding your style” is the number one question we get asked, and the one we’ve asked ourselves for years. In this episode, we’re diving into the real question behind it: what if it’s not about finding a single aesthetic… but about uncovering your creative identity?

We’re celebrating the announcement of our new book, Follow Your Art, and sharing why we wrote it, what you’ll find inside, and how the entire process changed the way we think about style, niching, and creative confidence. We talk about why committing to one aesthetic can feel like a cage, why effortless ideas are often your most authentic ones, and how your “secret sauce” is built from everything.

We also unpack our take on “niching out, not down,” how to write an artist statement that actually feels like you, and how to market your work without feeling gross.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Why “How do I find my style?” might be the wrong question
• The difference between style and creative identity
• Why committing to one aesthetic feels terrifying (and limiting)
• The ice cream shop metaphor that reframes everything
• How to identify your creative “secret sauce”
• Why what feels effortless might actually be your magic
• The role of childhood memories, relationships, and non-art influences in shaping your work
• What “niching out, not down” really means
• What it was like to co-write a book over several years
• Why creative work doesn’t have to feel hard to be valuable
• And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Follow Your Art (our new book!) https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book
• Free audiobook with pre-order https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book
• Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239923273-follow-your-art

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Send a text

Pre-order our book, Follow Your Art! https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book

In this episode, we’re joined by illustrator, designer, and letterer, Lisa McCormick who is celebrating 10 years of full-time freelancing and doing it her way! Lisa shares how she’s built a career working with major brands without being loud online or glued to every social media platform. We talk about why personal projects are often the reason dream clients come knocking, how curiosity and experimentation have shaped her signature style, and why being “quiet” online doesn’t mean being invisible.

We also get real about freelancing and burnout and what it looks like to intentionally design a workday (and life) that actually feels good. From color obsession phases and travel-inspired projects to co-working for mental health, this episode is packed with honest insights for creatives navigating long-term careers.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to show up louder, work longer, or sacrifice yourself to success, this conversation is a reminder that there are many ways to build a fulfilling creative life.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• What 10 years of freelancing has taught Lisa
• Why personal projects are her biggest source of paid client work
• How curiosity and experimentation lead to unexpected opportunities
• Booking major clients without constantly posting or self-promoting
• The difference between growing a following and growing a career
• Finding and developing a signature illustration style
• The realities of art theft, Pinterest virality, and protecting your work
• Why bigger clients often allow more creative freedom
• Building healthier workdays and boundaries, breaks, and balance

Connect with Lisa McCormick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebylisamarie/

Website: https://madebylisamarie.com/

Behance: https://www.behance.net/LisaMcCormick

Mentioned in this episode:

• Chicago Bears
• Marine Layer
• PBS
• Dribbble
• Adobe MAX

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

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Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

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In this episode, we’re joined by illustrator, letterer, and YouTuber Chris Piascik for a wide-ranging conversation about building a creative career without a grid master plan and why showing up consistently can change everything.

Chris shares how a daily challenge that started as a way to reconnect with drawing quietly became the foundation of his entire career. We talk about what it means to play the long game as a creative, how personal work can naturally lead to apid opportunities, and why focusing on making matters more than chasing the perfect strategy.

We also dig into YouTube as a creative outlet and income stream, how Chris balances client work with products and content creation, and the realities of building systems that work with (not against) an ADHD brain. From style evolution and experimentation to shipping physical products and dealing with internet opinions, this episode is packed with honest insights and plenty of laughs.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• How a daily drawing habit shaped Chris’s entire career
• Why personal work and client work can feel like the same thing
• The unexpected path from illustrator to YouTuber
• Creating structure and rules to stay consistent
• What actually helps your style evolve over time
• Why making more work matters more than making “perfect” work
• Building income beyond client projects through products and content
• The realities of running an online shop
• What makes YouTube different from other social platforms
• Letting curiosity, experimentation, and fun lead the way

Connect with Chris Piascik

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispiascik/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-piascik

Website:https://www.chrispiascik.com/

Shop: https://www.chrispiascik.com/shop

Mentioned in this episode:

• Follow Your Art Book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/follow-your-art_9781419776823/
• Skillshare
• Adobe Fresco
• Procreate
• Tom Froese (illustration improv exercises)

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

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Send a text

In this episode, we sit down with designer Josh Jevons to discuss what it actually looks like to build a sustainable creative career without burning out, cold-pitching nonstop, or doing everything yourself.

We also get into real-world outreach strategies, including walking trade shows, pitching without being salesy, and why face-to-face connections still matter. Along the way, we talk packaging, brand strategy, work-life balance, and designing systems that allow you to grow without burning out.

If you’re a designer who wants better clients, better collaboration, and a career that supports your life–not the other way around–this one’s for you.

All that and more when you listen to this episode:

• Making the shift from agency work to independent freelancing
• Why complementary skill sets matter more than hiring “another you”
• Building a flexible, collaborative, creative team
• The role of brand strategy in effective (not just beautiful) design
• Pricing, budgets, and scaling process without cutting value
• What designers don’t learn in school, but learn fast on the job
• Outreach strategies that actually feel human
• How to talk to potential clients without feeling awkward or salesy

Connect with Joshua Jevons

Website: https://www.jevonsdesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuajevons_design/

Yeah Brother’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahbrother.co/

Mentioned in this episode:

• Rochester Institute of Technology https://www.rit.edu/
• Yeah Brother https://yeahbrother.co/
• Adobe MAX https://www.adobe.com/max.html
• AIGA https://www.aiga.org/

Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype

• Goodtype Website
• Goodtype on Instagram
• Goodtype on Youtube

We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it!

Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets!

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the show

Tag us on Instagram @Goodtype

Follow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtype

Learn from Katie and Ilana

Grab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!