From Twitter to Ramps & Resilience: Haraldur Thorleifsson on Building with Kindness

In this episode of the Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan chats with Haraldur 'Halli' Thorleifsson – designer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and now podcaster – about what it really means to lead with kindness. Halli opens up about the personal challenges that shaped his outlook, from losing his mother to living with muscular dystrophy. He talks candidly about how pain, addiction and loss have fuelled both his creativity and his compassion. Katy explores his journey from building Ueno, the celebrated design agency later sold to Twitter, to founding Ramp Up Reykjavik, a project that built thousands of wheelchair ramps across Iceland and beyond. Their conversation ranges from the thrill of creative success and the burnout that follows, to why giving back is not just an act of generosity but a way to survive. Halli reflects on the importance of purpose, his belief in resilience as a daily choice, and how friendships and small rituals help him navigate life. It's a moving episode about finding meaning, challenging yourself, and embracing kindness as a superpower in both work and life.

We're back with a brand-new season of The Spark, Creative Boom's bonus episode that gets under the skin of each week's guest. Host Katy Cowan is joined once again by Paul Benney – co-founder of Jockey Slut, Bugged Out! and the biannual magazine Disco Pogo. In this episode, Paul reveals the discipline he secretly wishes he was good at, admits who has sparked a little creative envy, and shares the small rituals that make his days brighter. He talks about the scents that instantly take him back to childhood, the historical figure he'd love to swap lives with, and the one thing he wishes he could believe in. From emojis to dream dinner guests, it's a playful and candid conversation that lets us see another side to one of electronic music's most enduring publishers.

Kicking off the new season of The Creative Boom Podcast, host Katy Cowan sits down with Paul Benney – co-founder of the cult dance magazine Jockey Slut, the legendary club night Bugged Out! and, today, the beautifully crafted biannual Disco Pogo. Paul looks back at the golden days of music magazines and club culture in the '90s, sharing stories of launching a fanzine on a shoestring, running sell-out nights that booked Daft Punk, and building a magazine that captured the spirit of electronic music. He also talks candidly about burnout, the collapse of Jockey Slut, and what it took to start again. With Disco Pogo, Paul has found a way to honour the past while creating something fresh for today – a print magazine rooted in authenticity, community, and the stories behind the music. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention and keeping the magic alive in a changing industry.

Are you just as curious about the people behind the work as you are about the work itself? The Creative Boom Podcast goes beyond the portfolio to uncover what really drives creative minds. Join host Katy Cowan for warm, candid conversations with fascinating guests – from celebrated names like Paula Scher, Gail Anderson, and Stefan Sagmeister to emerging talents making waves in their own unique ways. Every Monday, you’ll hear honest stories of personal breakthroughs, creative frustrations, and the messy, human side of making things. Then stick around for The Spark, a fun bonus episode every Thursday where each week’s guest answers unexpected questions and reveals the quirks you don’t always hear in a regular interview. Whether you’re after a deep, inspiring chat or a playful behind-the-scenes peek, The Creative Boom Podcast has you covered. Subscribe now and join the conversation.

In this bonus episode of The Spark, Koto CEO and founder James Greenfield returns for a lighter, weirder, and more wonderfully random chat. From his most controversial creative opinion (spoiler: it involves Apple) to dreams featuring Mr Bingo demanding to be called 'The Way', nothing is off-limits. We chat about parenting, drum and bass, the strange comfort of Marcus Aurelius audiobooks, and the surprisingly joyful art of reading mean internet comments. James also reveals the creative outlet he's rubbish at (but would love to master), the most embarrassing pitch moment of his career, and the one thing he wishes Apple TV would sort out immediately. This one's for the curious, the creative, and anyone who's ever planted a hydrangea in the shade and called it therapy. And that's Season Nine wrapped up. It's been an absolute blast. We've loved every minute. Thank you to all our guests for joining us on the show, and a big thank you to the School of Communication Arts for making this season possible. We'll be back in the autumn with fresh guests, new and exciting themes, and more fun and games. Until then, have a great summer.

For the final episode of Season Nine, we're joined by James Greenfield, founder and CEO of Koto, the global brand agency celebrating its 10th anniversary. James reflects on a decade of building one of the most talked-about studios in the industry, from humble beginnings and "recycling problems" to global offices, high-profile clients like Amazon, and a team that now numbers over 180. We explore how Koto evolved from a scrappy underdog into a creative heavyweight and how James has managed to maintain a startup mentality, champion a people-first culture, and fiercely protect creative standards as the business scaled. He also shares why independence is having a moment, how AI is creating a flood of "automated slop", and why great creativity matters more than ever. Elsewhere, we touch on the emotional moments behind launching Koto, the leadership lessons learned, and how staying close to the team (and away from perfectionism) keeps the company grounded. There's also time for thoughts on social media fatigue, what makes a strong agency-client relationship, and why—despite a love of good work—he's only raised his voice three times in a decade. We wrap with some honest wisdom: whether you're running a studio or thinking about starting one, James offers no-nonsense advice on what it really takes. This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.

In this joyful bonus episode of The Spark, Katy Cowan and Fiona McGarva let their hair down after the main show, diving into the quirky, honest and oddly profound bits that make us who we are. From early mornings in silk gowns (or just pyjamas) to the emotional support cuddly toy that's seen it all, we explore the rituals, irrational comforts and unlikely talents that fuel creativity. Fiona reveals why she gets dressed up for phone calls, how she's surprisingly skilled at matching pairs, and why her funeral will feature a gospel choir and a rocket. We also cover the freedom that comes with age, the power of dressing for yourself, and the joy of not being brilliant at everything. Plus, the imaginary stage show we never knew we needed: Mystic Fiona at Shangri-La. Come for the giggles, stay for the insight – and find out what she'd be doing if PR hadn't worked out (hint: solving crimes on the book tour circuit à la Jessica Fletcher). This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.

In this episode of The Creative Boom Podcast, Katy Cowan is joined by Fiona McGarva, founder of Sundae Communications and longtime collaborator with Shangri-La at Glastonbury Festival. They explore how Fiona and the team have completely reimagined how they communicate with audiences—ditching traditional social media announcements in favour of handmade risograph posters, seed packets, and direct, analogue experiences that celebrate slowness and real-world connection. Fiona shares how Shangri-La's new theme, 'The Wilding', is more than just a creative direction—it's a complete reset, inviting us all to consider how we share stories, connect with people, and move away from platforms we don't truly own. The conversation is a refreshing and empowering reminder that creativity can flourish in new ways, especially when we embrace age, messiness, and the freedom to do things differently. Together, Katy and Fiona reflect on their careers in PR, the shifts they've seen across media and design, and the joy of doing things on your own terms. Expect nostalgia, a few Pedro Pascal tangents, and plenty of wisdom on everything from personal growth to rediscovering magic in our work and lives. This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.

In this bonus episode, The Spark, our founding editor Katy Cowan reunites with Kenny Gravillis for a more playful, off-the-cuff chat that lifts the lid on the personality behind the creative powerhouse. With the serious stuff out of the way, it's time to talk rules, rituals and ridiculous snacks. Kenny shares the one design rule he tries not to break (but sometimes does) and how his relationship with creativity has evolved from being a perfectionist to embracing a more open, collaborative approach with his team. There's also a loving tribute to St. Lucia, where he escapes to reset and recharge; a flashback to his pool hustling days in the Bronx; and an unexpected comfort found in a dog named Hero, who really needs to stop biting people's feet. We also hear about his favourite funeral song, the word he never wants to hear again (bandwidth), and the oversized bag of Fruit Pastilles that didn't survive the first half of Mission Impossible. And yes, there's a Tom Cruise story... because, of course, there is. This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.

He branded the Oscars. Designed the iconic Ready to Die album cover. Created film campaigns for Inglourious Basterds, West Side Story, Dune and more. In this episode, our founding editor Katy Cowan chats with creative director Kenny Gravillis, the East London-born designer who's helped shape the visual language of contemporary film. The founder of Gravillis Inc., Kenny shares how he went from designing panty shield ads to working at Def Jam by age 21, and later building a studio in LA that now works with the biggest names in Hollywood. He reflects on meeting Spielberg, working with Spike Lee, and why staying humble (and kind) has been his secret weapon. They also talk about the challenges of breaking into a closed industry, navigating the shift from music to film, and why AI won’t replace the nuance of human-made art anytime soon. Oh, and the time Christoph Waltz thought he'd been cut from Inglourious Basterds because Kenny didn't give him a poster. This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.