Esther O’Callaghan | The System Is Broken — Let’s Build What Comes Next
From free school meals to reshaping the future of work through Hundo, Esther O’Callaghan has spent her life creating opportunities for young people the system overlooks. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Esther dive deep into the failures of traditional education and what needs to change — fast.They explore the disappearing entry-level job, why CVs no longer serve talent or employers, and how we might design a fairer, more future-fit system for Gen Z. Esther also shares lessons from building careers platforms, working on Coldplay’s climate strategy, and disrupting from inside and out.If you care about young people, equity, or the future of education — this one’s essential.
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Jake Gumbleton | From Sketch to Screen: Thriving in Gaming, Animation and Creative Tech
From art school to animation studios and freelance art direction, Jake Gumbleton has spent decades navigating the evolving edge of creative tech. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Jake explore what it means to build a sustainable creative career in an industry facing rapid change.They talk about breaking into games and animation, how AI is reshaping creative workflows, and why foundational skills like drawing, collaboration, and critical thinking still matter — maybe more than ever.If you care about visual creativity, adapting to change, or helping the next generation thrive in uncertain times — this one’s for you.
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Tanya Russell | Making It Real: Apprenticeship, Artistic Grit & Founding the Art Academy
In this episode, Rob Pepper speaks with sculptor and Art Academy founder Tanya Russell about the power of apprenticeship learning, why professional skills—not talent—are often the biggest barrier for young artists, and how she built one of the UK’s most distinctive art schools from scratch. From childhood in her parents’ sculpture studio to running her own successful foundry in rural Wales, Tanya shares candid insights into the creative process, sustaining an art career, and why ‘wonder’ might be the most important quality any artist can have.Essential listening for educators, emerging creatives, and anyone interested in how real-world skills and creative confidence intersect.
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Tim Gledstone | Designing with Purpose: Architecture, Apprenticeships & the Power of Place
From the Millennium Gallery to Chelsea Barracks and the rooftops of Brixton, architect Tim Gledstone has spent decades shaping how we live, work, and create. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Tim unpack what it takes to build places — and practices — that are human, sustainable, and future-ready.They explore how architecture education must evolve, why apprenticeships are making a comeback, and how new tools like AI can amplify old-school craft. Plus: why sketching still matters, how to build a multi-skilled creative team, and what it really means to design with care.If you care about cities, making with purpose, or how creatives can help reshape the built environment — this one’s for you.
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Ryan Nishimoto | Who owns the future? Copyright, AI and Creative Power
From Warhol lawsuits to Disney takedowns, this episode dives deep into the legal grey zones of authorship in the age of AI.Rob Pepper is joined by Ryan Nishimoto, a US-trained IP litigator and advisor to major tech clients, for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, copyright, and control. They unpack what really counts as ‘original’ today, how artists can protect their work, and why enforcement still favours the powerful.Ryan breaks down the legal implications of training data, fair use, and derivative works with clarity, empathy, and a dash of humour — offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the legal world is scrambling to keep up with generative AI. Plus: how to future-proof your creativity, why curiosity is a superpower, and what a 95-year-old’s AI prompts can teach us all.This episode is essential listening for anyone making, teaching, or navigating creative work in a time of accelerating change.To continue the conversation join us here at http://creat3d.substack.com
Where the future of creativity and technology takes shape.
Hosted by artist and educator Rob Pepper, CreatED explores the people and ideas redefining art, design, fashion, music, film and more — with a focus on the rise of creative tech. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with artists, founders and thinkers working at the intersection of creativity, technology, education and culture.
Whether you're a student, creative professional or just curious, CreatED is your backstage pass to how the future gets made.
New episodes weekly.
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