The Crazy One
The Crazy One is an award-winning podcast for creatives, leaders, and anyone who refuses to settle. Hosted by renowned designer and global design leader Stephen Gates, this show delivers unfiltered honesty, actionable insights, and hard-won wisdom to help you grow your creativity, lead with confidence, and build a meaningful career.
With over two decades leading world-class design teams at companies like InVision, Citi, Starwood Hotels, WW, and McCann Erickson, Stephen has built brands and digital experiences for clients including Disney, American Airlines, W Hotels, Verizon, Acura, and more — work that’s earned over 150 international awards and has been featured by Apple in 10 keynotes, 4 commercials, and the Human Interface Guidelines.
Now as the founder of CRZY, an independent strategy and design studio, he’s helping companies find bold new visions for their brands, experiences, and creative futures. Through The Crazy One, he shares everything he’s learned along the way — from integrating behavioral science with human-centered design to navigating imposter syndrome to building a career and creative life on your own terms.
With over 100 episodes and a loyal global audience, The Crazy One has been named:
• Webby Award Honoree for Best Technology Podcast
• #1 Podcast by Inside Design, HOW Design Live, and Springboard
• 5-star rated across every iTunes Store worldwide
This is more than a design podcast. It’s a wake-up call. A masterclass. A real-talk guide for finding your voice, owning your crazy, and changing the game.
No BS. No buzzwords. Just real insights from someone who’s been there.
- Update frequency
- every 17 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 147
- Years Active
- 2016 - 2025
Ep 86 Career: How to make peace with yourself to improve your creativity.
In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the complex relationship between creativity and insecurity, exploring how our unique life experiences shape both our creative pro…
Ep 85 Creativity: How to get and give better creative feedback
In this essential episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the art of giving and receiving feedback—a crucial element that can make or break the creative process. While feedback has the po…
Ep 84 Design: The need for ethical design
In this crucial episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the rising trend of ethical design and why it’s essential for today’s creatives. Though ethics might not seem like the most thrillin…
Ep 83 Leadership: Your leadership maturity level, persona and communication style
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates goes beyond the basics of leadership to help you assess and elevate your leadership style. Discover concrete methods for measuring your leadership matu…
Ep 82 Conference talk: ’The Future is Creative’ keynote from HOW Design Live 2019
In this special replay of his main stage keynote from HOW Design Live 2019, Stephen Gates shares powerful insights gained from his work at InVision, packed with transformative lessons for creative pr…
Ep 81 Keynote: ‘Why innovation is rarely authorized’ panel from HOW Design 2019
In this dynamic episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates shares an inspiring panel discussion on innovation with two influential voices in the field—best-selling author Greg Larkin and former IDEO lea…
Ep 80 Emotional intelligence: How to find and restore your confidence
In this empowering episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the elusive nature of confidence—how it’s often faked, easily lost, and frequently undermined by imposter syndrome, especially in t…
Ep 79 Listener questions: Design operations, start-ups, company “purpose", your career and building a team.
In this engaging Q&A episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles listener questions covering key topics for designers and leaders alike. Discover what design operations really involves as a disci…
Ep 78 Teamwork: How improv can make your team more creative
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the powerful lessons that improvisational comedy can teach us about enhancing creativity, spontaneity, and collaboration in our work. Improv i…
Ep 77 Keynote: ‘Building an In-House Design Powerhouse’ keynote from SXSW 2019
In this popular replay from SXSW 2019, The Crazy One podcast features Stephen Gates’ sold-out keynote, “Building an In-House Design Powerhouse.” As companies increasingly recognize the value of creat…
Ep 76 Creativity: Why cognitive bias is the real problem with your work.
In this insightful episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates delves into the six key cognitive biases that often create recurring challenges in the workplace, impacting team dynamics, client relationsh…
Ep 75 Career: How to survive corporate politics with grace and integrity
In this essential episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the challenging world of office politics—a common workplace hurdle that can derail careers and block great work. Stephen dives into t…
Ep 74 Methodologies: Design Thinking isn't bullsh*t. The way you apply it is.
In this revealing episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates addresses the rising frustration and criticism around Design Thinking and Design Sprints—methods that have been transformative in his own car…
Ep 73 Listener questions: Design leadership, office environments, design authority. conflict and sharing.
In this engaging episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates answers listener questions on essential career and team-building topics. Learn how to make the leap from design lead to design executive, crea…
Ep 72 Leadership: How to create REAL innovation
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates demystifies the overused yet elusive concept of innovation, breaking down why so many companies and teams fall short in making it a reality. Discover t…
Ep 71 Career: How to become a digital product designer
In this highly requested episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the top question he receives: how to transition from a marketing, branding, or advertising role into digital and product desig…
Ep 70 Emotional intelligence: Understanding and improving your emotional intelligence
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the essential role of emotional intelligence in leading creative teams effectively. Discover the five key components of emotional intelligen…
Ep 69 Creativity: How to fight imposter syndrome
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives deep into the hidden struggle many successful creatives face: design imposter syndrome. This phenomenon leaves talented professionals doubting th…
Ep 68 Career: What's the equation for doing great work?
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the key elements that form the foundation of a successful and fulfilling career. From mastering your craft to embracing originality, creati…
Ep 67 Creativity: How to give better design feedback
In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the essential art of giving effective feedback—a crucial skill for anyone in a creative, collaborative environment, whether leading a team or …