The Creative Boom Podcast

• The Spark: Pum Lefebure on Rituals, Awkward Beauty and a Unicorn-mermaid Imagination

  In this bonus episode, Pum Lefebure of Design Army opens the studio door and lets us peek at the small rituals that keep her sharp, the mindset that replaces work–life "balance", and the travel habits that refill her creative well. We talk about fear, firsts, and learning new tools the hard way. She shares the single phrase a client used to define Design Army's signature. It's a good one. There's scent, style, and a guilty pleasure that might surprise you. We finish with Pum's question for our next guest. A big what-would-you-do that you'll be answering in your head before the credits roll.

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  30:28

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  30:28
• Pum Lefebure on Yard Sales, Ballets and Building a Dream Design Army

  Pum Lefebure is the cofounder and chief creative officer of Design Army, the award-winning Washington DC studio behind bold campaigns for clients like The Washington Ballet, Bloomingdale's, and Hong Kong Ballet. Known for her clarity of vision, Pum set her sights on fashion, performing arts, and culture from the very beginning, building a portfolio that attracted exactly the clients she wanted. In this conversation, Pum shares how she and her husband Jake turned a yard sale poster into their first break, why every project is a calling card, and how choosing clients with intent can shape the future of your career. We talk about the balance between paid work and passion projects, what it really takes to build a studio with grit and perseverance, and why leadership means being a coach, a cheerleader, and sometimes a plumber. Pum also reflects on staying relevant in an industry shifting at lightning speed, how AI and social media are changing client expectations, and why authenticity and craft still matter more than ever. This conversation is about courage, focus, and carving your own path – and it's packed with practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of their own creative career.

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  53:32

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  53:32
• The Spark: Jeff Staple on Inner Critics, Creative Habits and UFOs

  Jeff Staple is back for The Spark – our quickfire after-hours chat where we dig beneath the surface and have a little fun. In this shorter episode, Jeff opens up about the small rituals that keep him grounded, how to turn jealousy into fuel, and why getting sunlight on your face at 6 a.m. can change your whole day. We talk about his inner critic (which sounds suspiciously like his mum), the smell of childhood baseball gloves, and why Bruce Lee remains his creative hero. There's talk of UFOs, the perfect typeface, and what he'd say if he ever met an alien. It's curious, funny, and full of unexpected wisdom... the perfect companion to Monday's deeper dive. Tune in, share it with a friend, and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a moment of The Spark.

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  23:58

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  23:58
• Jeff Staple on Near-Death Moments, Big Risks and One Sneaker That Changed Everything

  Jeff Staple is a designer, brand strategist and cultural icon who helped turn sneaker culture into a global movement. In this conversation, he opens up about growing up as an only child in New Jersey, how loneliness built his imagination, and how two near-death experiences changed the way he looks at risk, success and creativity. We talk about the making of Nike's Pigeon Dunk, the sneaker that sparked a riot in New York and put Jeff on the map, and what it's like to live with both the blessing and the curse of being known for one career-defining hit. He shares how he turned brands like Brooks, Crocs and Cole Haan into unexpected lifestyle favourites, what he's learned about launching his own creative agency in a competitive industry. It's a rich, funny and surprisingly human conversation about resilience, reinvention and what it really means to stay cool in a world that loves to label you. Expect plenty of sneaker stories, a little philosophy and the reminder that, whatever mountain you're on, this too shall pass.

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  53:00

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  53:00
• The Spark: Ashley Johnson on Impulsive Adventures, Inner Critics and the Joy of Not Knowing

  In this episode of The Spark, Katy welcomes back Ashley Johnson, Head of Brand Narrative at Pentagram in London, for a playful, after-hours chat that reveals a more mischievous side to the celebrated writer and strategist. After their in-depth Creative Boom interview, this follow-up is all about quick-fire questions, impulsive stories and surprising confessions that shine a light on the person behind the craft. Ashley reflects on the moments that keep her on her toes, shares a travel tale that takes an unexpected turn, and drops a few wonderfully awkward nuggets from her younger years. There are laughs, a touch of vulnerability, and plenty of sharp insights about creativity, communication and the quiet power of words. It's warm, witty and just a little unpredictable—the perfect companion piece to her main interview, and a reminder that the best sparks come when you loosen the rules and let the conversation roam

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  17:34

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