In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks tackle a question many artists quietly wrestle with: "Am I still an artist if I'm not making money?" Toni and Carrie break down the cultural pressure that ties artistic identity to income. They discuss why many artists feel ashamed of having non-art jobs and why that stigma ignores the financial reality of building a creative career. If you've ever questioned your legitimacy during lean seasons, this episode offers honest creative career advice and practical perspective for navigating creative challenges.

This conversation isn't about gatekeeping the title of "artist." It's about redefining it. Toni and Carrie discuss how being an artist is a way of seeing and interpreting the world—not a job title or income bracket. The result is a grounded reminder that building a sustainable creative career rarely follows a straight line, and that financial stability can actually support long-term creative freedom.

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Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on ​Bonfire​. Grab yours today!

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

This episode is sponsored by the Illustration Bootcamp.

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with artist and educator Liz Kohler Brown to talk about an unavoidable hurdle in the creative hustle: trolls. The comments. The drive-by insults. The "helpful" critiques that somehow feel like a gut punch. Together, they unpack how online criticism often reactivates old creative wounds. They also name what's really happening behind the screen: projection from abandoned creative dreams, bots chasing clicks, and the strange social disinhibition that makes people bold in ways they'd never be face-to-face.

But this isn't an episode about spiraling, it's about strategy. Liz, Carrie, and Toni break down practical advice for navigating creative challenges online, from adopting a firm "Block & Delete" policy to redefining social media as a business tool rather than a validation machine. If you're building a creative career in public, this conversation is for you.

Want More Cranky?
Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff!
Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on ​Bonfire​. Grab yours today!

Liz Kohler Brown…
Liz Kohler Brown is an artist and designer who sells her artwork around the world on products like greeting cards, fabric, and wallpaper. She loves helping other creatives around the world learn how to find their style and sell their work inside her membership The Studio.

lizkohlerbrown.com
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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.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Illustration Bootcamp

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks take on one of the buzziest—and most misunderstood—concepts in the creative hustle: authenticity. Somewhere along the way, "being real" turned into a marketing tactic, where personal stories are packaged as conversion tools and vulnerability is used to close a sale. Toni and Carrie unpack why this trend feels off, how it breeds distrust, and why so many creatives feel pressured to perform relatability rather than actually live it. If you've ever felt the tension between showing up honestly and feeling like you're playing a role online, tune in and buckle up.

But this episode isn't about throwing authenticity out the window—it's about redefining it. Toni and Carrie explore what genuine authenticity actually looks like. The takeaway is grounded, practical advice for navigating creative challenges in a way that protects both your audience and your own integrity.

Want More Cranky?
Join the Cranky Club on Apple Podcasts to get early access to every episode, completely ad-free. You'll also unlock the full archive — all past episodes, right at your fingertips.

Strut Your Cranky Stuff!
Let the world know you're not just creative, you're cranky too! We recently launched a line of merch on ​Bonfire​. Grab yours today!

Two Cranky Creatives …
Two Cranky Creatives is hosted by Carrie Cantwell and Toni Federico, two experienced art entrepreneurs who reveal the realities of making a living as a creative. Expect honest, unfiltered conversations about the challenges, victories, and everything in between when navigating the art world as a business. Whether you're a fellow creative entrepreneur deep into the hustle or just curious about the grind, join us every other week for candid conversations packed with practical advice that goes beyond the usual sugar-coated tips.

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn. Host your podcast today (affiliate link).