Ep 139 Career: The Hard Truth About Creativity’s Role in Business Today (and Yesterday)

This one’s part wake-up call, part battle cry. After too many sleepless nights and too many same-old conversations, Stephen Gates climbs up on the soapbox to call out the hard truth: if you’re shocked by the state of the design industry right now, you haven’t been paying attention. From AI disruption to undervalued creativity to toxic corporate cultures, this episode breaks down the brutal reality creatives are living in—and why we need to stop hoping for change and start building it ourselves.

Stephen shares personal stories, historical receipts, and one hell of a perspective shift to challenge the narrative, reset expectations, and reframe what creative success looks like in 2025 and beyond.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most companies never really valued design—and probably never will
• The moment every designer faces that kills creative trust
• Why AI isn’t the end of creativity—it’s a shift in where the value lives
• What’s really behind career burnout, layoffs, and toxic work
• The dangerous comfort of comfort—and why it’s time to get uncomfortable
• Where bold creatives are finding better work, better clients, and more impact
• How to reframe your mindset, career path, and energy for what’s next

This is not a pity party. It’s a gut check. A rally cry. A reminder that we’ve always had the power—we just have to stop pretending we don’t.

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