Creatives Like Us Podcast - Ep1
In this introductory episode of Creatives Like Us, host Angela Lyons (you may know her as Ange) shares her inspiration for creating a podcast that amplifies the voices of creatives of colour. Drawing from her personal journey as a graphic designer, Angela reflects on feelings of self-doubt during her time at Central Saint Martins and how representation and mentorship shaped her career. The podcast aims to celebrate the highs, lows, and in-betweens of being a creative of colour with conversations that inspire others to pursue their creative dreams and open doors for the next generation.
Angela and series producer Heather discuss the vision behind the podcast: to create a platform that inspires collaboration, shares impactful stories, and addresses challenges in diversity and inclusion within the creative industries. With a focus on community, mentorship, and the theme of “passing it on,” the podcast seeks to influence broader conversations about representation and show that there is space for everyone. This podcast is for anyone who wants to be inspired, supported, and empowered in their creative journey.
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This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email angela@lyonscreative.co.uk
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You are also invited to join us for our in-person event, 'Creatives Like Us', in London, on Thursday 13th Feb 2025 - buy your ticket here.
Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn
The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
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Time Stamp
What inspired the podcast?
Who is this podcast for?
What is the main purpose of Creatives Like Us?
What does 'success' look like for this podcast?
Why do you think conversations about diversity and representation are needed in the creative field today?
What challenges do you think need to be addressed?
How do you hope to influence the broader industry conversations about inclusion?
Has your vison for the podcast changed now you've recorded the episodes?
What do you hope listeners will do after they listen to a podcast?
Are there any dream guests, or topics you would like to do in upcoming episodes?
Transcript
Intro
Hello and welcome to Creatives Like Us, where I speak with creatives of colour, who share journeys and stories and ideas, and how they can inspire and open up avenues in creative industries. I'm your host, graphic designer Angela Lyons, and with the help of my guests, I will bring insightful interviews and compelling stories that can inspire you to think about things differently or shape your next move. Being a creative of colour can bring its challenges - highs and lows and in betweens, but this podcast is about amplifying our voices and celebrating together. So are you ready? Let's get started with Creatives Like Us.
Heather
This is the introduction episode to Creatives Like Us. And I am not usually the host, but today I'm inviting Angela Lyons on, to discuss why she is creating the podcast, Creatives Like Us. So here we are, Creatives Like Us, has officially launched with this episode going out, but we talked about this and thought before we start with the actual episodes, it'd be really good to let listeners know, what are your thoughts behind it, and why you want to do this? So what has inspired you, Ange, to create this podcast, and who is it for and why?
Angela
Thank you for having me, Heather, on my own podcast for a start! I always have to start up with a thank you and give thanks. So thank you. Thank you for you too. The reason I started the podcast is because, bottom line was, when I was at Central Saint Martins, and I've said it in the trailer, I always used to think that I wasn't good enough. I've got in certain places. And I got into Central Saint Martins, and I was really honoured, obviously, to be there. But then I started thinking, oh my god, is it because I'm black, or is it because I'm really good at this? And then that's obviously just started spreading little doubts in my mind, and it's kept with me throughout the years. I'm getting better at realising that it's not just about my insecurities, I suppose, but I am actually good at what I do.
And this podcast really is for anybody that's listening right now who is a creative of colour, that thinks that they're not being heard in certain places, especially our graduates. I know that when I was a graduate, that was a long time ago, there weren't many people out there that looked like me that were doing design or anything in the creative field. The podcast is about talking to people and sharing their experiences, telling people that they're not, that they don't have to be the only ones out there doing a certain career or certain thing in their life of creativity. So it's mainly sort of people with them sort of careers and how they can inspire other people, especially people coming up.
One of my things that I've got on my graphics is the Sankofa birds, and that's a Ghanaian symbol, and the Sankofa bird is actually looking back on itself. And one of the things you have to do, I think, in life too, is look back in history to go forward. So when I'm talking to people on the podcast, I'm looking back at what they've done. A bit like me, I'm looking back at how Central Saint Martins’, how it shaped me. But I'm using that to go forward in my life, and that's what a lot of the guests are doing. They’re on the podcast, talking about their lives, and their creativity, and also what I love is how other people along their paths have inspired them and shaped them. So like the Sankofa bird, you have to look back to go forward.
Heather
Yeah, I've listened to some of the podcasts, I've sat in some of them that have been recorded as well, and just hearing the successes, the challenges, the thought processes, the people that have inspired - I think everybody's in for a really nice ride with this podcast. So I know your vision is to help others, to open doors and to show that there is space for everyone. But what is the main purpose of Creatives Like Us? How would you describe that?
Angela
I think you've got it pretty much covered in one of those spaces, like all of those places. It is about opening doors and it is about people listening in and passing it on. I think one of the things… It's funny, because when I was trying to come up with names for the podcast, it is about a collaboration, talking to other people. Of course, it's going to be in guest interviews. It might be me sometimes just talking, but it is about the opportunity of passing it on to the next generation, and also passing it on to others that pretty much might be my age, but might be in a certain world that they think, Oh, I can't do that anymore, but you can do it. And it is about passing it on. And going back to thinking of the names. I had loads of names that I was trying to think of the podcast, and one of them was ‘Pass It On’, and I actually looked it up, and I actually couldn't use that, so I couldn't use ‘Pass It On’. But the theme of pass it on is about the podcast. It’s about passing it on. If somebody listens to it, pass it on to somebody else, and you never know how that inspires them.
Again, one of the themes that kept on recurring through the podcast, and one of the questions that I asked is, how other people have shaped people? I know that in my life, I've gotten to certain places, because somebody might have said, ‘Oh, have you tried that, or have you done this?’ And I think that's what I'd really love the podcast to be, that it would be about passing it on and sharing stories and inspiring people to either make that change, or just think about things a little bit differently in their careers.
Heather
I think you do that beautifully though, in terms of, you do create community just around you, and you're involved in lots of communities, but you kind of embody what community is, I think, and you feel that in the episodes that you've recorded, that that has been created on a further level.
Angela
Yeah, a podcast is also about inspiring others too. So I don't want it to be just about activism. I want it to be about opening doors. I want it to be about conversation and inspiring people through conversations.
Heather
Yeah, and with small steps of positivity, change can happen can’t it? With different perspectives.
Angela
Yeah exactly, it’s small steps. And the thing is, with this podcast, it is small steps. I'm starting out. I've never done a podcast before. I've been interviewed on podcasts before, so it's all small steps. It's funny actually, I went to the Black Business Show last year, and Stephen Bartlett was there, and he was talking about his podcast. And obviously everyone knows Stephen Bartlett. One of the things that he said was that he started in his bedroom. He literally started, like, he sent it out to his mate after he recorded it. It was like, I just uploaded it on his phone or something, and sent it to his mate. His mate was like, ‘Yeah, that's a bit rubbish. But keep going, it will get better’. And he did, and look at him now. But if I can help one person through this podcast, and that changes their outlook on things and inspires them in a certain way, gosh, Isn't that an amazing thing?
Heather
I was going to ask you what success looks like. Is that what success looks like for you with this podcast? Is that what it would be that you evoke change, even just for one person?
Angela
Yeah, if it was one person, that's amazing. If it's 10, even better, if it's like more than that, it'd be fantastic. And again, I think what I'd really love is if people share it and if they enjoyed it, to share it and tell people about it and just spread the word. So that'd be a success for me. Yeah.
Heather
Yeah, I’m sure we'll get more than that. We had our marketing chat this morning, so you’ll have more listeners than that!
So it is important, I know, to talk about challenges and what people have maybe had to overcome. So why do you think conversations about diversity and representation in the creative field are needed today?
Angela
I think it's really important. I think there needs to be more people of colour, and people speaking and talking out about things. And I think a lot of the people that I've spoken to, yeah, they are doing their thing within their business, and they might be on social media, showing some things about what they are, but I think we need to see more of it, I don't think there's enough of it.
If you look at podcasters out there, and again, they're not going back to metrics and wanting to be number one, but if you look at the diversity and podcasts out there, there's not much. When you look at it globally, there isn't. And I think that if people see someone that looks like them on one of those, those tabs, or on those little square graphics that you have, you think, Oh, I might what's that about? I'll have a listen in. I actually met someone in the summer holidays, a young student, and I'm actually talking to her now for her degree, and she's doing graphic design and marketing, and she said that when she started that she wanted to listen to some people of colour in her industry, or the industry that she was going into and the degree, and she said she couldn't find anything through podcast. She loves podcasts, and she couldn't find anyone. And I was like, Oh my gosh. So that was another reason why it inspired me to do this cast, to say that there are people that look like you out there, or sound like you, and just to go for it.
Another thing why I think it's really important, that, especially after George Floyd, there was a mass influx of businesses wanting to support black businesses, and they wanted to invest their money, and that's great and everything, and people being aware of these things. But I've spoken to other creatives out there, especially black ones and people of colour, and they've noticed that has slowed down the interests a lot, in people investing in black businesses. It's quite hard to get funding, and it's even harder if you're a woman. So can you imagine, like we're right down the scale like if anyone wanted to invest in us, and that goes the same with getting a job too. So I think that diversity - I've actually talked to someone in the podcast, somebody that's involved in diversity (I can't wait for people to listen to that too). And again, it's not just about being black, it's about everything around inclusion.
Heather
And what challenges do you think need to be addressed? You're touching on it, but do you think there's any other challenges that need to be addressed?
Angela
I think, yeah, I’ve touched on it a little bit just there. But I think people giving companies, especially bigger companies and organisations, giving small organisation, with, a black focus, more of a space, and more this is this one, right?
I've known a couple of people that are actually in diversity and inclusion, right? They actually go into companies and they sell their service to those companies, or they'll pitch those companies and those companies, like FTSE 100 companies, they'll turn around and say, Oh, my God, that's so great. That's so wonderful. That's great. Then we're like, Can you do it for free? And, oh, I just always get shocked when I hear this, and I say to them, but that's your living, that's your job. And they're like, Yeah, but they do value it, but they don't value a monetary value. I just get so baffled by that. I always say to people, would you say to us, Oh, hi, I'm gonna just take this because I want it. I think it'd be really good for me, and not pay for it. You can't do that. And the companies, there are big organisations that are doing that. So if anyone in those big organisations is hearing this, pay the people in diversity, it's ridiculous, and they deliver programs that can also change people's outlooks and people's views, and I just don't understand why they don't value that.
And I think the biggest overall arching thing in all of this, is that I get so sad that we actually need this, but we have to create these spaces. I also listen to a podcast called Black Women Working, and they had an event last year that I attended, and it was one of their big episodes, and they had a party for it. One of the things that I came away from that evening was like, I feel quite happy and also quite sad, because it's like, why do we have to have a podcast like this? But then I was, oh my gosh, are other women and other people that have had faults like me or thinking I'm not worthy, or I'm not good enough for this, but I know I am, and then people put me down because of my colour of my skin, and that's ridiculous. I just get so upset by this. It's like, Why can't people just be nice?
Heather
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's that feeling of swimming upstream all the time, isn't it? That things you know, the tide can sometimes feel against you can’t it?
Angela
Yeah, yeah.
Heather
But we are touching on this, but we're just going to go a little bit deeper on that. So with the podcast? How do you hope that will influence the broader industry conversations about inclusion?
Angela
Again, if it's passed on to the right people, I'd be absolutely amazed if I get podcast guests that have a big audience. It gets into the right ear holes, or if they're watching on YouTube or whatever. And if they can make a change somewhere in their business, to try and do it, especially for a person of colour, because it is, it is 10 times harder. It really is. And I know it's easy for me to say, it literally rolls off the tongue, and I say that, but it freaking really is. Because I remember my son started secondary school, I said to him, you know, you're going to have to work 10 times harder because, like, you are going to be the black boy in the classroom, you know? And again, I hate saying that, but I had to. Especially in the UK!
Heather
Yeah, what I hope can happen is the education part of things as well, to reach all audiences and get people to go, Oh, I didn't realise that. When people are sitting in their bubble and how they see life - it’s to penetrate that little thing and say, look at this, think about this. Yeah, and shame on those companies thinking they can just get things for free. And the crazy thing is, valuing your talent always will make you money in the long run.
Angela
Exactly!
Heather
Anyway, I think it's amazing what you are doing. And I know it's I know it's going to be really positive, and I know it will change the direction of some people listening, especially young people coming up and through into the industry. I'm quite excited about that prospect as well, that you're actually going to be inspiring and encouraging.
Angela
I hope so, yeah! I'm actually thinking about a series of just graduates and talking to them. I've got a couple lined up, so I know they'll be graduating this summer, so I can't wait to talk to them and see what their visions are and their hopes are, and if they've listened to the podcast and everyone's inspired them in a certain way. So yeah, and one lady I'm talking to, I've invited her to the event, Creatives Like Us, in February next month - it's February the 13th, and it's the same theme obviously for the podcast, and it's going to be a workshop for black creatives, people of colour. And I've asked a graduate, I met her at an event actually, and I said, please come, because I think you'll really like it, and you'll meet some other creatives there, and we can network. She's an animator, filmmaker, and I loved her work, so she's going to come, and I've invited her on the podcast when she finishes her MA.
Heather
Yeah, and just think about all those people you're going to be bringing together. There's going to be people that meet in that room, that by meeting together, that's going to change their future. There could be collaborations. There could be other projects coming out of this. And that stems from you wanting to put that positivity and that opportunity into the world. I think that's incredible. Well done.
Angela
Oh, thank you. And well done to Ayo Abbas, yeah, She's my partner in this so, yeah, I'm gonna, I'm gonna be interviewing Ayo. She's got an amazing podcast, so she'll be teaching me a few things, I'm sure.
Heather
And speaking of which, you have recorded eight episodes to date. So you do have the podcast pretty much in the bag, really. But what I'm really interested to know is that you had a vision, an inspiration, of what you wanted the podcast to be, but now your interviews are done. Has that changed? Or what's the recurring themes?
Angela
Do you know what's really inspired me is, again, obviously, it’s about their stories, but what's really inspired me is how other people have helped them. And it's just like we forget to tell that part of our story when we're working again in our bubbles, and we've, you know, and then some of them have gone, oh yeah, I remember that person. I think they've gone really back in their memory and really thought about them. And I just think that's so wonderful. And even one person I was talking to said, Oh, I might contact them. So it's just to say thank you. And I just thought, Oh, wow. It's just that's really cool. Again, about love and positivity, and just Yeah, that's one of the things that has inspired me the most.
Heather
And just thinking about your guests, have any made you question or rethink your own views about creativity or representation?
Angela
Yeah. I went to Ghana in January last year, so that was a long time ago, and I came back and I thought, I really want to get involved with more black communities. It'd been in the back of my head, but I never really, actually made a, what's the word, a forceful decision to do it. And I actually looked out and I found some that I really wanted to be part of, and they are creative industries, and there's one slack group called ‘Where all the black designers’, and I'm part of that. And there's a group called ‘Do it now now’ - they have regular co-working sessions like once a month, and they have, like, lots of things online, and there's various other places that I just wanted to be. There's a group called ‘Join the table’. And I look at these women, and men actually, in the groups, and I think, gosh, they're loads of creative people out there, and they look like me, and that really inspires me. So it's changed my outlook on, it's not just me. There are people out there that are creatives and doing their thing, and I just really wanted to be involved in more of those groups. So that's changed my outlook, should I say.
My creativity? Interestingly enough, my business is carrying on as usual, and this podcast is part of it now?
Heather
And we were discussing this earlier, that you are creating a movement.
Angela
There's a movement happening! And I was like, oh, yeah, I suppose it is. I've got the event, we've got the podcast. And by the way, the podcast came first, and then the event came afterwards, and then we couldn't think of a name, Ayo and I were trying to think of a name for the event. And I was like, I'm just calling it the same name as my podcast. It's around the same theme, it's about networking, it's about collaboration, it's about inspiration. So let's call it the same name!
Heather
And you're going to have a whole resource ready for them as well at the event, with the podcast… It’s almost as if you planned it!
Angela
Yeah, exactly. And you know what else is in the planning actually Heather? I've got the name Creatives Like Us, trademarked for the podcast section.
Heather
Oh amazing!
Angela
I really believe in this, and I really want it to succeed.
Heather
That's good. My thoughts, what I think this could go into, I don't know if you want to talk about that or not, but I think there's legs to this!
Angela
Yeah, we can talk about it. Let's talk about it. It could be a movement. What happens with movements? You inspire people, you get more people on board. You turn it into a bigger thing, and then an even bigger thing. Who knows? It could be, as you said, (Heather's been giving me ideas), It could be another event. It could be a workshop, inspiring graduates. It could be a magazine. What else did you say Heather? you said…
Heather
I actually think there's mentorship going on here. I think it should be a foundation, a foundation getting started. I think, yeah, and with that, all of that equals community. You can officially start the community once you feel that that's there, which would be amazing, yeah.
Angela
And again, it's coming back to the Sankofa birds, like going back in history to pass the story forward, and the history is people that have careers and they're doing well in their careers. Why not take on somebody that they can help mentor, show them the ropes, especially within a creative industry, where with black and being black, it's so hard to get your foot in certain doors. Imagine if there was an actress or comedian. *Hi, Judi Love, would love you to come to my podcast* that she took on somebody on board that was wanting to be in TV, and maybe could be a runner in that TV, and she could mentor them, that sort of thing. And can you imagine having a movement where we could set these things up?
Heather
Yeah, marry people together.
Angela
Marry people together.
Heather
The other thing I believe in as well, is the intergenerational education, and learnings that you can do, I think, surround yourself with all ages, all people, all genders. Surround yourself with…
Angela
Great people, good people. Yeah, doesn't matter what shape, size, what you look like, just as long as you've got good people around you. That is one of the most important things in life.
Heather
Yeah because your baseline is your baseline, and it can only ever be that. Nobody's grown up the way you've grown up. By being around lots of different people, then you get a different perspective, and that helps you understand your baseline and how you can make change, doesn't it?
Angela
Your eyes open up, and you get introduced to certain things, different things, different people, exactly, exactly that. I love that.
Heather
We were talking about that before, when we were getting ready for this, and we were talking about where the genius of creativity lies. And, yeah, if you surround yourself with exactly the same people that think like you, where are you going to go?
Angela
Yeah, exactly.
Heather
Apart from agreeing with each other? You know?
Angela
Yeah, exactly. I agree. I agree too. I agree too. You're amazing. You're amazing. That's great.
Heather
We're making no change!
Angela
If I could just interject it here, the one thing about being creative is you see things everywhere, everywhere around you. And I was showing you what I'd written on the back of a Nando's paper bag that I found. I had my dinner, and I found the paper bag, and I was listening to this podcast at the same time. And the person, the podcaster, was talking about creativity, and he said, Let's break that word down. And it's actually a podcast around meditation. And so break creativity down into the word creative, and then bring it down into create. And the Latin word for create is creātus, and creātus is to bring into being. I just thought to bring into being, and that's what we're doing here, and that's how I hope that other people can also do the same.
Heather
Yeah, we’re going to get some t-shirts made now, Creatives Like Us, and then that bottom bit as a tagline.
Angela
Heather, please stop giving me lots of ideas, because I've only so many hours of the day!
Heather
And stress balls…mouse mats…my brain’s just gone off on one!
Angela
I love it. Let's get some T-shirts printed! I'm gonna get some for the podcast!
Heather
Event! QR code in the back for the podcast…
Angela The Latin Creatos to bring into being! There we go, I’m going to tell Ayo that later!
Heather
That is a mic drop moment, right?
Angela
Thank you so much.Thank you Nando's for the paper bag too. You know like years ago when people used to say, I had an idea on a beer mat. I had an idea on a packet of a Nando’s bag!
Heather
And thank the designer for leaving the white space so you could actually write your ideas - that white space gave more creativity. So we are coming to like the looking ahead part. What do you hope listeners will do after they listen to a podcast? What do you want their actions to be?
Angela
I'd love it if they after each episode of a guest, even this one, if they want to, they'd love it if they could share it. That'd be amazing. In their communities, on their socials, or within their friends, their families, wherever. But for the guests, I'd say, to give them a following, again, advocacy. I'd love it if people could go follow them, if they could collaborate with them maybe? You never know, anything around connecting with them.
Heather
Now you mentioned Judi Love earlier. So are there any dream guests, or topics you would like to do in upcoming episodes? Let's put this out into the universe and see what the universe brings back!
Angela
Say hi Judi Love! I love Judi Love because she's so down to earth, and so just so much fun. And I love watching her on TV, and she just makes me laugh. I love watching shows on her Instagram profile, because I'm like, she has no heirs and graces. She's just like, regular, normal, and even though she looks, when she goes on TV, she's beautiful. but I love it on her Instagram, which just keeps it real.
Another guest, oh my gosh. Do you know what, should I dare say it? Michelle Obama?
Heather
Say it louder!
Angela
Michelle Obama! Can you hear me? I think she's a great advocate again for young people and young women coming up. Oh, my God, I just put another one, Hi Oprah!
Heather
Go for it, go for it!
Angela/Heather
Oh don’t, I'll just be like, oh Hi… just an episode of swooning.
Angela
Are you gonna talk?
Heather
No, just gonna giggle.
Angela
Yeah. I'll just giggle. Yeah. It would be great to interview actually. He was brought up in East London, I believe. So it'd be great to talk to. Yeah. Okay, so we've got Judi Love, yeah, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba, yeah.
Heather
There we are. That's in the universe. Go on universe, do your thing!
Angela
That's interesting, because I do actually ask on the podcast if there's anyone you could work with, or want to work with, or what's the dream for the future - manifest. So thanks for asking me, Heather!
Heather
So before we wrap up. I'm going to also do what you do to your guests for a wee bit of fun. We're going to do the quick fire round, which you do at the end of every episode, right? And I need it to be quick fire, right? Okay, here we go. Oh, I’ll do like on Gladiators, three, two, one…
Crisps or chocolate?
Angela
Chocolate
Heather
Forest or beach?
Angela
Beach
Heather
Book or Kindle?
Angela
Book
Heather
Reggae or Soul?
Angela
Ooh la la, reggae!
Heather
Patty or sandwich?
Angela
Oh….patty sandwich?! Oh a patty.
Heather
I thought you’d have known! I thought you’d know what your preferences were!
Angela
I suppose it’s what happens on the mood of the day?
Heather
With a hangover? Without a hangover?
Angela
Exactly because if it’s a hangover I’ll be saying bacon sarnie all the way!
Heather
Ang, I think after this little conversation, we know exactly why you are making this podcast, Creative Like Us. And I just want to thank you again for bringing me into the project, and letting me come along this journey with you, and I hope that I do you proud, and I am excited to see what evolves from this acorn of an idea.
Angela
Oh, brilliant. Thank you, and thank you for all your support and all your ideas. And I can't wait for this, to see what happens, see where we go with this.
Let me start by giving thanks. Thank you for tuning in to Creatives Like Us. I hope you enjoyed this episode and found it thought provoking, inspiring and entertaining. If you did, it would absolutely make my day if you could share, subscribe, rate, review, wherever you get your podcast from. Also, if you have a question or a comment, I'd love to hear from you, all the ways to connect are in the notes, until next time, keep being creative like us.