In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni tackle the relentless pressure to always be creating. If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind because you’re not churning out work at lightning speed—trust us, you’re not alone.

Social media, hustle culture, and the myth of the "always-on" artist can make it feel like you're failing if you're not constantly producing. But here’s the truth: It’s okay to step back, take a break, and ignore the noise. Your creative journey is yours alone—no algorithm gets to dictate it.

🎨 The overwhelming pressure to produce and why it’s okay to slow down.
❌ Why you don’t have to jump on every challenge or contest (seriously, you can say no).
🗣️ How to tune out the FOMO and stay true to your artistic voice.
⚡ Practical ways to create on your own terms—without the burnout.

The art world will keep spinning whether you post today or not. What matters most is making work that feels authentic to you. So, let’s get cranky and reclaim our creative freedom!

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

Chronically Cranky

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni get real about what it’s like to build a creative business while managing a chronic illness. Spoiler: It’s tough—but it’s doable, and there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Society loves to glorify perfection and hustle culture, but let’s be honest—being human is messy. Whether you choose to disclose your condition or not is your decision, and no one else gets a say. The most important thing? Giving yourself grace.

🧠 Why perfection is overrated—and why you don’t owe it to anyone.
🤐 The pros and cons of disclosing your chronic illness in professional spaces.
💡 Strategies for managing energy, boundaries, and expectations in your business.
💖 The importance of self-compassion and working with your body, not against it.

Running a creative business is hard enough. Doing it while managing a chronic illness? That’s next-level resilience. Tune in for an honest, judgment-free conversation about finding success on your terms.

Notable Mentions

Spoon Theory for Managing Chronic Illness

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, Carrie and Toni break down the sneaky language lurking in contracts that could cost you big time. They’ve seen some doozies. Whether you're licensing artwork or signing a freelance agreement, knowing what to look for (and what to push back on) is everything.

Contracts are NOT set in stone, no matter how official they look. Carrie and Toni share some of the most common red flags, sneaky clauses, and real-world lessons they learned the hard way.

🔎 Why your gut instinct about a contract is probably right.
✍️ The importance of having a second set of eyes (a lawyer, a friend, or even AI).
⚠️ Common traps like rights grabs, vague payment terms, and sneaky exclusivity clauses.
💡 How to confidently negotiate better terms—yes, even you can do it!

Contracts don’t have to be scary, but they do need your full attention. Tune in and arm yourself with the knowledge to protect your work, your money, and your creative career.

Notable Mentions

Michael Sheridan Template Library

SCORE

Legal Shield for Business

Two Cranky Creatives …

Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell & Toni Federico, two seasoned art entrepreneurs who pull back the curtain on the highs and lows of making a living as a creative. Expect unfiltered, real talk about the challenges, victories, and everything in between that comes with navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative or just curious about the hustle, join us every other week for candid conversations that go beyond the usual sugar-coated advice.