Creatives Like Us

In this episode Angela is joined by Ashwin Chacko, also known as Wacko Chacko – a positively playful, award-winning illustrator, author and motivational speaker based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 
Ashwin shares the journey from drawing as a five-year-old in India to building a full-time illustration career in Ireland, and everything in between — advertising, art direction, freelance pivots and a very intentional leap of faith in 2019. 
Ashwin opens up about his path from graphic designer and art director to full-time illustrator, and the moment in 2020 that gave him the clarity to define his purpose and develop the signature style he's known for today. He also shares the story behind his brand new publishing house Bad Book Press and their debut picture book Moon Moon Can't Sleep, as well as why he started The Fruitful Life podcast and what he hopes listeners take away from it. He's honest about 2025 being one of the toughest financial years of his career and what kept him moving forward — and he closes with the advice he'd give his teenage self.

Find Ashwin at:
You can find is work here: www.whackochacko.com 
Or follow him on social media www.instagram.com/whackochacko 
Twitter: @whackochacko 
Youtube: @ashwinchacko 
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This podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.
Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.
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The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
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*this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.
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"My art is a form of social commentary" – Kazvare Made It
In this episode, Angela Lyons interviews illustrator and writer Kazare about her creative journey and social commentary through art. They discuss the importance of black representation in art, navigating social media and future projects.
Kazvare is a writer, illustrator and graphic designer who is forging a name for herself with her often ‘sassy sketches and searing satire’ (GRAZIA). She has also been listed as an ‘inspirational woman’ by Forbes. 
Her work has been featured in VOGUE (UK and Japan) and she has also collaborated with major brands such as Adidas and Facebook and held a pop-up exhibition at the Tate Modern. 
Her brand, Kazvare Made It, is home to striking stationery, homeware and accessories. Kazvare Made It combines cultural references and influences in a way that is bold, colourful and with a huge dash of playfulness. Kazvare Made It’s stockists include Selfridges, Oliver Bonas and Scribbler.
Kazvare released Stay Woke, Kids! with Canongate in 2021. Stay Woke, Kids! is an illustrated children’s book for adults, covering topics such as white privilege, toxic masculinity and racism. It employs humour, rhymes and illustrations to convey big ideas in a digestible way.
Kazvare's upcoming exhibition: 
More details and tickets here
Connect with Kazvare:
Website: https://kazvaremadeit.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kazvaremadeit/

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!
Support the show
Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.
Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.
You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list
Buy me coffee or a cuppa tea!
The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a review. 
*this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.
Thanks!

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!
Support the show
Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.
Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.
You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list
Buy me coffee or a cuppa tea!
The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a review. 
*this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.
Thanks!

Join Angela Lyons as she reflects on the lessons learned and highlights from season two of the Creatives Like Us podcast, celebrating creativity and community.
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As we wrap up season two of Creatives Like Us, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've been on together. Throughout this season, we’ve explored various topics related to creativity, confidence and community. Today, I’ll share some highlights and insights that have resonated deeply with me and many of you.
If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!
Support the show
Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.
Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.
You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list
Buy me coffee or a cuppa tea!
The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a review. 
*this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.
Thanks!

This week I'm joined by Rob Ellison, co-founder of Tonic, a stunning long-form print magazine dedicated to the history and culture of drinks. We recorded this one in person at Burnt Faith Distillery in Walthamstow (yes, a brandy distillery inside a former church) and it's one of those conversations that just flows. 
Rob's creative journey started with a drum kit spotted in the corner of a church in Walsall at age nine. Music brought him to London in the mid-90s and while things didn't go quite to plan, he's still here and now on issue eight of a magazine that's part publication, part coffee table book, part Spotify playlist. 
We talk about building an indie magazine from scratch, the realities of community and distribution and his dream of taking subscribers on drinks tours across Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe. Rob also shares the people who shaped him along the way, including his wife and creative partner Bonita and a certain TV presenter who now sends him handwritten letters. 
His advice to his younger self? Stay curious, build your people around you and remember it's a marathon not a sprint. 
Connect with Rob:
Instagram
Tonic Magazine Instagram
Linkedin
Connect with Benita
Resources & Links: 
Tonic Magazine – Dive into long-form stories on drinks, culture, and community
Burnt Faith Distillery – Experience the unique distillery space mentioned in the episode
If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!
Support the show
Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by award-winning graphic designer Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please contact Angela here.
Are you creating your own podcast? My set up is easy as I record on Riverside. You can check it out here.
You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list
Buy me coffee or a cuppa tea!
The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a review. 
*this may contain an affiliate link - I only promote things I use and believe in.
Thanks!