Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

In this solo episode, I chat all about how AI has impacted our studio, how we use it, how we see our clients using it (the good & the bad) where we don’t use it, and how we have implemented AI clauses in both our clients and subcontractors contracts.

Links:
The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers - applications open Nov 1st, 2026 for cohort 7!
Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)
Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.
Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*
Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*
Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*
Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*
*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:
Our Free Facebook Community
Our Website
Podcast Instagram
Hello June Creative Instagram
The Design Minimind
Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this week's episode, I talk with Emily, a former Big Four audit manager who's now CFO of Thorne Advisors, the firm she co-leads with Andrea Mason. Together they help business owners get a clearer picture of their cash flow and a smarter approach to taxes. We get into why creative business owners can look profitable on their books but still feel broke, and unpack the cash leaks behind it, like underpricing and scope creep.

Guest Name: Emily Bowie
Guest Website: thorneadvisors.com
Guest Social: @thonreadvisors
Guest Podcast: Prosper and Get Paid
Freebie: 5 Cash Leaks & 5 Missed Tax Deductions

Links:
The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers
Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)
Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.
Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*
Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*
Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*
Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*
*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:
Our Free Facebook Community
Our Website
Podcast Instagram
Hello June Creative Instagram
The Design Minimind
Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

In this week's episode, I chat with Kadie Smith, designer and founder of Drop Cap Design. We talk about why she chose to rebrand after 12 years in business, how she'd been feeling disconnected from her brand, and what it was like being the "client," working with her senior designer through it. We also discuss why communicating clearly with clients matters so much, presenting work and gathering feedback more effectively, and growing into a creative direction role with your team.

Guest Name: Kadie Smith
Guest Website: dropcapdesign.com
Guest Social: @kadie_smith_
Drop Cap Social: @dropcapdesign / @dropcapacademy

Links Mentioned:
See the rebrand of Drop Cap - Watch Behind-The-Brand and use code “BETTER” and watch for FREE being a listener of the podcast!

Links:
The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers
Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)
Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.
Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*
Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*
Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*
Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*
*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:
Our Free Facebook Community
Our Website
Podcast Instagram
Hello June Creative Instagram
The Design Minimind
Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design

In this solo episode, as I'm in my 14th season of the podcast and 8th year in business, I chat about things that have changed since I started in 2019, and share what I would do differently and things I would prioritize sooner if I were starting my creative business today.

Links:
The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers
Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)
Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.
Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*
Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*
Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*
Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*
*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:
Our Free Facebook Community
Our Website
Podcast Instagram
Hello June Creative Instagram
The Design Minimind
Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

Grab Kayla's Website Copy Compendium today and use code BETTERPOD to save $200 on personal or commercial.
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In this episode, I talk with Kayla Dean, website copywriter, messaging strategist, and owner of The Literary Co. We chat about why messaging and positioning are often the missing link for designers who want high-ticket clients, and how strong copy can reduce pricing pushback, attract better-fit leads, and support what your portfolio already proves.

Guest Name: Kayla Dean
Guest Website: theliterary.co
Guest IG: @theliterary.co
Guest Threads: @theliterary.co
Website Copy Compendium: theliterary.co/wcc - Use code BETTERPOD and save $200 on personal or commercial.
Trust Triggers: Get your Free Guide Here

Links:
The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers
Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)
Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.
Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*
Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*
Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*
Get 25% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*
*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:
Our Free Facebook Community
Our Website
Podcast Instagram
Hello June Creative Instagram
The Design Minimind
Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design