Clients From Hell Podcast

By Bryce Bladon

What's Clients From Hell Podcast about?

From one of Tumblr's most popular blogs and straight into your earholes, join Clients From Hell editor Bryce Bladon and a rotating panel of guests. The Clients From Hell podcast is equal parts humorous and helpful as it explores the landscape for creative professionals, providing insights into survival and exploring the future of the self-employed.

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Clients From Hell Podcast episodes:

11.05.2020
From garage band to concert hall for creatives: Brent Weaver on freelancing in the Deep End
The difference between playing in the garage and playing in an arena is one of finding your audience. Sure, you can stay in your garage and have your mom tell you you're great, or you can get out in front...
09.30.2020
Graduate from freelance to consultant with Michael Zipursky of consultingsuccess.com
The difference between a "freelancer" and a "consultant" is very fine. In many ways, it's just a shift in philosophy, but it can yield great dividends because clients view the two very differently. On today's episode, host Kyle Carpenter...
09.15.2020
Never stop starting: Personal Trainer Adam Bradley on how Creatives can stay healthy
Working from home is the new reality, and with it comes a very, VERY sedentary lifestyle. Without having to leave your house to do anything, it's easy to fall out of fitness and into new health problems. Personal trainer Adam...
08.18.2020
Manage yourself, make money: Marcel Petitpas on project management for freelancers!
Whether you're a designer, a programmer, an illustrator, or a writer, if you work for yourself you are on some level a project manager. It can be a full-time job keeping yourself in a full-time job, and chances are you're...
08.04.2020
How creatives can crush crowdfunding: Nalin of Crush Crowdfunding
For many of us, crowdfunding holds a certain magical allure. It's the silver bullet, the golden ticket, the decision that can change EVERYTHING... IF we can get it together to finally put together that dream project. For Nalin Chuapetcharasopon, crowdfunding...
07.14.2020
Order ON the menu: Kai Davis on how to productize service for better pay
If you've ever written a detailed, thoughtful proposal only to have a client glance at it and reject it right away, you know that having to describe the work you do EVERY TIME you do it is exhausting. Kai Davis...
06.30.2020
DO Worry, Be Happy: Ben Lee on maintaining a creative business in pandemic
We're all going through A LOT right now, and it's not always easy to stay on track with your business, or even your creative practice. In this week's episode, host Kyle Carpenter speaks with illustrator and designer Ben Lee about...
06.16.2020
Hard sell your soft skills: Alison Grade of The Freelance Bible
Alison Grade wrote The Freelance Bible because she saw her students develop skills in their field and then take their first, tentative steps towards running their own business... and not know what to do. At all. One of the key...
06.03.2020
Ami Sanyal on how to get your dream gig through your dream mentor
If you're in the habit of combing job postings, you might have come across your dream job, got excited, applied and then... didn't hear back. Nothing. Not one peep. Even though you know in your heart you were the perfect...
05.14.2020
Want great clients? Get social proof! Meg Cumby on the art of client testimonials
You can be great at what you do, but if you can't convince your clients that you are, you're not going to get the jobs you want. That's why getting outstanding testimonials is so important to a freelance business! Testimonial...
04.28.2020
Why now is the time to help: Alison K's guide to freelancing in COVID-19
It's easy to get bogged down in feelings of anxiety and sadness right now, which makes it a perfect time to look outside and see what you can do for others. That's freelance mentor extraordinaire Alison K's strategy, and she...
04.13.2020
What to do RIGHT NOW: Bryce Bladon and Vernon Southward on freelancing in the COVID crisis
COVID-19 has changed EVERYTHING, including the landscape of freelance work in the world. A team of Clients From Hell All Stars (host Kyle Carpenter, former host Bryce Bladon and site owner, Vernon Southward) meet to take stock of what it...
03.06.2020
Do good, get paid: Michael Fraser of Grantcrafty on community and values-based business
We all want to change the world, don't we? We'd like to leave things better than they were without us, but it's so hard to work full-time and still have energy left for "causes." That is, of course, unless you...
02.18.2020
Overcome the starving artist within: Duane Jones of Art Pays Me
You have to suffer for your art. If you truly care about something, you'd do it for free. Great artists aren't recognized in their lifetimes. We've all heard these ideas, and internalized them to some extent. Duane Jones fights back...
02.04.2020
Freelancing around the world: Lynette Adams on house-sitting and work!
The great thing about remote work is you can travel while doing it. Of course, we all know we CAN, but how many of us actually pull up stakes and do it? Lynette Adams is a freelance writer and editor...
01.14.2020
From full-time to freelance, again! The return of Bryce Bladon!
Life is full of changes. One moment you can be a freelancer, the next you can be working full-time for one of the most exciting blockchain projects in the world, and then a freelancer again! ...Okay, that's pretty specific. But...
12.31.2019
How to make movies, freelance style: Wes Anthony of Firehouse Creative
Making movies is hard. You need to be a combination director, camera person, sound designer, project manager and so much more. To do it successfully, you need to be disciplined with your time and your efforts. Wes Anthony of Firehouse...
12.10.2019
The future of freelance is freelance, but will that future work for freelancers?
It will, if we start taking the right steps NOW. Adam Roach and Anya Switzer started LANCE, a freelancing solutions network in Canada in order to start pushing back against the race to the bottom clients want for their freelance...
11.27.2019
Freelance Forgiveness: Mike Tanner and the relationships in our heads
It's a familiar feeling. You overpromised a client on deliverables and got overwhelmed with work, or family stuff came up, or you hit a wall in the project that you just couldn't overcome. You put it off for a day,...
11.12.2019
Work/life balance is bogus: Cami Travis-Groves and the secret to work/life harmony
It's the middle of winter, and a massive tree just crashed down on your house. What do you do? It happened to Cami Travis-Groves, and she knows she did exactly the right thing. She expressed gratitude that nobody was hurt...
10.29.2019
You need a (virtual) assistant: Melissa Smith of the Association of Virtual Assistants
Do you have an assistant? Should you? Look at what you have to do today; how much of it is what you want your job to be, and how much of it is something you hate to do? What if you...
10.09.2019
Business tips from a pro caricature artist: Julia Kelly
Balancing a passion for art and a talent for business isn't always the easiest, but it can be done. Just look at Julia Kelly, who turned a part-time job doing caricature art into a full-time business that paid her more...
09.26.2019
Overwhelmed? Get over it with Emily Leach
It's the 21st Century. Chances are you're feeling overwhelmed right now. If you are, listen to this interview with The Freelance Conference's Emily Leach to find her effective strategies for managing overwhelm! Even better, her tip isn't just "plan better."...
09.03.2019
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Money Conversation: Ilise Benun on discussing budget
Don't you just hate talking about money with clients? Either you're quoting WAY too low, or you're putting out a number that makes you feel like an imposter. Either way, talking budget is a source of incredible anxiety for most...
08.20.2019
Clarity is key: Wes Jones and maintaining awesome client relations
Client relationships break down. It's a bummer, but it happens. But what causes it? Wes Jones has been a project manager both with agencies and as a freelancer to know that things deteriorate when communication isn't clear. That's why he...
08.06.2019
Pay it forward, give it back: Maddy Osman and altruism in freelancing
It's rough out there these days. Sometimes, you have to make your own good. That's what Maddy Osman was thinking when she created a scholarship for freelancers on her own dime. Not as a way to promote her business,...
07.23.2019
Freelance workers unite! The IWW Freelance Journalists' Union and the future of organization
Freelancers everywhere experience the same problems. Deadbeat clients who won't pay their wages. Economic precarity. The knowledge that if you get sick, you might not be able to work enough to pay your bills. There are a lot of opportunities...
07.09.2019
How to grow a freelance community: Julie Cortés of the KC Freelance Exchange
Working freelance can be lonely. That was exactly what Julie Cortés found when she started her freelance copywriting business years ago - so she did something about it. She started what has become the bustling KC Freelance Exchange, a freelancer's...
06.25.2019
Three rules for creating a thriving business: Joe Casabona on success and Game of Thrones
What does it take to create a successful business? Are there any tricks? Are people with great products dark sorcerers, or did they just get lucky? For nearly three years now, Joe Casabona has talked with people who have created...
06.11.2019
How to be yourself, whatever: Rachel Presser on being "The Toad Lady"
We hear constantly that we should "be ourselves" and "be authentic." The only problem is when most people tell us that, they're telling us to be the person they think we are. But that's not what it means to...
06.04.2019
How does he do it? Mike Tanner on productivity and being a work at home dad
Running your own business or freelancing means juggling everything in your life at all times. The hustle is hard, but it gets exponentially harder when you're a parent - especially when you work at home. Mike Tanner began One Red Cat Media...
05.21.2019
Time management is EVERYTHING: Glenn Rogers on avoiding burnout
Are you constantly exhausted? Do you find yourself staring at the computer screen struggling to finish projects that should be easy? Burnout happens when you overcommit, and when you don't keep track of the time you're spending. In today's episode,...
04.30.2019
"Borrow" authority: Michael Greenberg's guide to podcasting your way to SUCCESS
Content strategy is key for establishing your authority in the market. If your clients know you're the expert on what you do, they'll be happy to pay you to solve their problems. But how do you establish yourself as...
04.16.2019
Don't sell service, sell STRATEGY: Annabelle King's tips for great pitching
When pitching your work, most creative freelancers sell their skills or their services. However, the key to landing big clients is to show that you're an indispensable part of their team by selling strategy. Anabelle King realized this over years of...
04.02.2019
How to find your "Helen": Alison Knott and recognizing your ideal client
The key to success in freelancing is realizing how to find the right clients - the people who are not only great to work with, but actually have money to pay you. Alison Knott is a web consultant who mentors creatives, and she...
03.19.2019
Dare to DREAM: Ami Sanyal and how to pitch value-based pricing.
Value-based pricing is the holy grail of freelancing. It's how you make a lot of money by showing your clients that you can give them results. It's also not easy to make the switch to this pricing structure! Returning guest...
03.06.2019
Break the Creative's Curse with Todd Brison!
What's keeping YOU from being creative? Discipline? Scheduling? Good old fashioned "writer's block"? Todd Brison has made a name for himself by tackling these problems head-on and discovering how to make the most of your muse. In his extremely popular posts on Medium...
02.20.2019
Don't be Just Another Freelancer. Instead, listen to Kaylee White!
If you want to succeed as a freelancer, you can't compete for scraps. That's the message that Kaylee White of Kaylee Writes puts forth in her new book, How Not to Be Just Another Freelancer, but how do you find the GOOD clients...
02.05.2019
Want to succeed? Look in the mirror: Stephen Warley and life skills as business skills
Stephen Warley of Life Skills That Matter believes that the key to being happy and successful is knowing yourself. Unfortunately, self-reflection is typically the LAST thing on most of our to-do lists! On today's episode, Stephen talks to Kyle...
01.22.2019
Why there are NO clients from Hell: Rachel Gertz and managing people!
At her company Louder Than Ten, Rachel Gertz teaches people how to manage projects; that means getting people on board, on task, and on message in a hurry. She firmly believes that there is no such thing as a...
01.08.2019
Make the most of your day at work and play: Josh Hoffman and time management!
It's 2019 and that means you've at least thought about having a New Year's resolution! How does working more efficiently and freeing up two of your hours a day strike you? Josh Hoffman is a productivity expert who talks Kyle through his...
12.11.2018
Clients From Hell: Origins
Today's episode is with none other than Vernon Southward, the owner and operator of (gasp!) Clients From Hell itself! Kyle tries not to offend his boss as they chat about Vernon's beginnings as a freelancer and the path that led...
10.30.2018
The birth of a font: Alanna Munro and Tofino Pro
As a freelancer, life comes at you fast; that's why it's a good idea to create a product to generate a passive income stream for those little unexpected changes. Kyle talks with designer Alanna Munro about how she created her typeface, Tofino...
08.01.2018
Biography of a business: Ami Sanyal and the stages of success
Whew! It's been a bit. We're back with the return of Ami Sanyal, a freelance photographer who recently upgraded his business to a full marketing and branding agency. This week, Kyle chats with Ami about how he's developed his...
06.12.2018
Matt Inglot on how to grow your business with RECURRING clients
Matt Inglot's Tilted Pixel is a thriving web design business that Matt runs all by himself. That wasn't always the case - he used to run a small agency that took WAY too much of his time until he figured...
05.23.2018
United we stand: Caitlin Pearce and the Freelancer's Union
The Freelancer's Union is a non-profit that is dedicated to advocating for freelancers and solopreneurs everywhere, and Caitlin Pearce is its new executive director. She joins Kyle on todays episode to talk about the issues facing freelancers today, why so many people...
05.08.2018
Do what you love, get paid; passion, exploitation, and Heidi Weinberg
Heidi Weinberg, AKA Sew Heidi, loves what she does. She's built a career as a freelance fashion designer, imagining and then making clothes that people LOVE to wear. However, she is also aware that there is a dark side to...
04.24.2018
How to grow a business: from farm to freelance with Sarah Taber
Plants are easy to take care of. If you feed them the right things and give them the right amount of water, they absolutely will grow and thrive. People, and by extension businesses, can be more tricky. Agricultural consultant Sarah...
04.10.2018
Surviving self employment: Jeanne Yocum!
Working for yourself presents a number of rewards but it also presents hurdles. Jeanne Yocum's new book, The Self Employment Survival Guide draws on her thirty years of experience working for herself and lays down the rules you need to live...
03.28.2018
How to future proof your career: Olga Mizrahi and the gig economy!
Today's guest Olga Mizrahi is a designer, a career keynote speaker, and recently, an expert and published author on the gig economy! The gig economy is absolutely the future, and while it represents enormous possibilities, there are also dangers. Olga chats...

What's Clients From Hell Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Clients From Hell Podcast episodes:

From garage band to concert hall for creatives: Brent Weaver on freelancing in the Deep End

Graduate from freelance to consultant with Michael Zipursky of consultingsuccess.com

Never stop starting: Personal Trainer Adam Bradley on how Creatives can stay healthy

Manage yourself, make money: Marcel Petitpas on project management for freelancers!

How creatives can crush crowdfunding: Nalin of Crush Crowdfunding

Order ON the menu: Kai Davis on how to productize service for better pay

DO Worry, Be Happy: Ben Lee on maintaining a creative business in pandemic

Hard sell your soft skills: Alison Grade of The Freelance Bible

Ami Sanyal on how to get your dream gig through your dream mentor

Want great clients? Get social proof! Meg Cumby on the art of client testimonials

Why now is the time to help: Alison K's guide to freelancing in COVID-19

What to do RIGHT NOW: Bryce Bladon and Vernon Southward on freelancing in the COVID crisis

Do good, get paid: Michael Fraser of Grantcrafty on community and values-based business

Overcome the starving artist within: Duane Jones of Art Pays Me

Freelancing around the world: Lynette Adams on house-sitting and work!

From full-time to freelance, again! The return of Bryce Bladon!

How to make movies, freelance style: Wes Anthony of Firehouse Creative

The future of freelance is freelance, but will that future work for freelancers?

Freelance Forgiveness: Mike Tanner and the relationships in our heads

Work/life balance is bogus: Cami Travis-Groves and the secret to work/life harmony

You need a (virtual) assistant: Melissa Smith of the Association of Virtual Assistants

Business tips from a pro caricature artist: Julia Kelly

Overwhelmed? Get over it with Emily Leach

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Money Conversation: Ilise Benun on discussing budget

Clarity is key: Wes Jones and maintaining awesome client relations

Pay it forward, give it back: Maddy Osman and altruism in freelancing

Freelance workers unite! The IWW Freelance Journalists' Union and the future of organization

How to grow a freelance community: Julie Cortés of the KC Freelance Exchange

Three rules for creating a thriving business: Joe Casabona on success and Game of Thrones

How to be yourself, whatever: Rachel Presser on being "The Toad Lady"

How does he do it? Mike Tanner on productivity and being a work at home dad

Time management is EVERYTHING: Glenn Rogers on avoiding burnout

"Borrow" authority: Michael Greenberg's guide to podcasting your way to SUCCESS

Don't sell service, sell STRATEGY: Annabelle King's tips for great pitching

How to find your "Helen": Alison Knott and recognizing your ideal client

Dare to DREAM: Ami Sanyal and how to pitch value-based pricing.

Break the Creative's Curse with Todd Brison!

Don't be Just Another Freelancer. Instead, listen to Kaylee White!

Want to succeed? Look in the mirror: Stephen Warley and life skills as business skills

Why there are NO clients from Hell: Rachel Gertz and managing people!

Make the most of your day at work and play: Josh Hoffman and time management!

Clients From Hell: Origins

The birth of a font: Alanna Munro and Tofino Pro

Biography of a business: Ami Sanyal and the stages of success

Matt Inglot on how to grow your business with RECURRING clients

United we stand: Caitlin Pearce and the Freelancer's Union

Do what you love, get paid; passion, exploitation, and Heidi Weinberg

How to grow a business: from farm to freelance with Sarah Taber

Surviving self employment: Jeanne Yocum!

How to future proof your career: Olga Mizrahi and the gig economy!