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Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish

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Rating
★★★★★
4.9
from
8 reviews
This podcast has
42 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2025/06/11
Latest episode
2026/07/10
Average duration
59 min.
Release period
9 days

Description

“People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that’s only if it’s done properly.” -- Banksy, Wall & Piece, 2005 In a data-driven world that rewards precision & conformity, we forget that creativity -- in all its forms -- is supposed to be messy & provocative. Each week, two creatives with a combined 6+ decades of experience will remind people of just how inspirational creativity can be. We’ll discuss ideas and creative work in every corner of the universe: The amazing and the awful, the smart and the senseless, the bold and the boring. And we’ll do it all in a manner that’s equal parts thoughtful, irreverent -- and unflinchingly honest (although, let’ be real: we’re not the most reliable narrators, so instead of being aggrieved, remember that this is free). And if we offend you, please remember that our willingness to apologize is directly proportional to the potential of engaging us for paid creative work. About Jeremy & Marc: Jeremy’s greatest achievement was a come-from-behind win in a 400-meter high school relay. Since then, he’s done mainly creative stuff. As Chief Creative Catalyst for 25+ years at one of the world’s largest agencies, Jeremy has worked for or against most any brand you can name, winning enough Plexiglas and metal to build a city’s worth of bus shelters. Next to his track trophy, Jeremy’s most proud of his book aimed at young marketing professionals—The Book We Wish We Had—along with founding the Creative Catalyst Network, a group of more than 200 international creative thinkers, ensuring that every creative challenge is explored through a kaleidoscope of cultures. As one of the PR industry’s most beloved and successful creative forces (oh, for God’s sakes – would it kill you to humor me – just this once???), Marc has created innovative integrated marketing programs for nearly every conceivable category & client, from Audi to Zyrtec. In addition to his innovative brainstorming techniques, strategic planning and role as an “HR-Free Zone,” Marc is currently writing a book on creativity, Seriously Creative, which – let’s be honest here – he’ll never finish. (A “pop-up” version is not entirely out of the question.) A US Army veteran (no — really!) and reformed sports marketer, a diorama of Marc’s work at the Sydney Olympic Games is featured in its own rotunda as part of the Smithsonian’s wing celebrating “PR People Who Work While Everyone Else Attends the Closing Ceremonies.”

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish podcast


Stupid, Futile & Brilliant: Movie Lessons for Creative Risk-Taking
2026/07/10
Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy use memorable movie scenes and quotes to pull practical lessons for creative work and business. They explore risk-taking, clarity, courage, problem-solving, and how to sell ideas using examples from films like Animal House, Toy Story, Apollo 13, Jaws, 12 Angry Men, Dead Poets Society, and Glengarry Glen Ross. Through candid conversation and real-world anecdotes, the episode shows how cinematic moments can inspire better decision-making, stronger teams, and bolder creative choices.
From Dove to Democracy: A Creative's Unexpected Pivot to Local Politics
2026/07/02
On this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, hosts Marc Levy and Jeremy Baka talk with Howard Pulchin about the messy, rewarding overlap between creativity and public service. They dig into Howard’s front-row role in the Dove Real Beauty work, the ongoing fights over creative credit, and the career shift that led him to run for and win a local office in Northwest Connecticut. The conversation moves from practical campaign lessons—positive messaging, persistence, and grassroots organizing—to bigger industry critiques about who gets to be called "creative" and the limits of agency structures. Takeaways center on putting people first, fostering intergenerational curiosity, and using creative skills to build community and meaningful change.
One-Year Anniversary Gala! Backlash, Mentors, and the AI Ticking Clock
2026/06/25
In this one-year anniversary episode the hosts reflect on 40 past shows, revisit major brand backlash stories (American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret, Cracker Barrel), and debate whether those controversies were overblown. They discuss mentorship—offering to take on protégés—and share candid guest conversations about client-agency honesty and crisis management. The episode closes with a wide-ranging talk on AI’s rapid rise and what it means for the future of creativity and careers.
Secrets of College Applications Revealed! Inside Ivy League Admissions
2026/06/18
Hosts Jeremy and Marc interview Elizabeth Heaton, a former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer, about reading thousands of applications and what makes students stand out. They explore the difference between being well-rounded and well-lopsided, when creativity helps or hurts, and memorable do’s and don’ts from the admissions table. The episode also tackles modern concerns—parent involvement, AI in essays and admissions, and the rising pressure on students to turn college into a job pipeline—offering practical advice: be authentic, use creativity with purpose, and look beyond brand names for the right fit.
Cannes, Cheating & AI: The Awards Machine Exposed
2026/06/12
Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy riff on agency life, award season absurdities, and the Cannes Lions scandal that revealed AI-manipulated entries. They debate the value of awards, the challenges judges face, and how new Cannes integrity rules seek to curb deception. Between personal stories and industry anecdotes, they question whether awards actually measure creativity or effectiveness, consider AI’s role as a creative partner, and wonder if these new standards can restore trust.
Job Hunting Like a Brand Strategist: Turning Your Story Into Career Gold
2026/06/03
Greetings, creative warriors! In this episode, Marc & Jeremy welcome brand strategist Nancy Martira to explore her unique, original system for guiding mid-to-senior professionals how to think like brand strategists to stand out in a crowded, dehumanized job market. Nancy explains her ‘moment, impact, edge’ framework for crafting memorable positioning, translating it into LinkedIn headlines, resumes, and networking pitches, and offers practical advice on storytelling, confidence, and reclaiming human connection during a job search.
Who Gets the Credit? The Hidden Politics of Creative Ideas
2026/05/26
Hosts Jeremy and Marc unpack the messy realities of creative credit in agencies—from brainstorm dynamics and idea theft to the junior/senior power plays that shape who gets recognized. They share real anecdotes, psychological reasons ideas get lost, practical tips for protecting and sharing credit (individual ideation, follow-up notes, and leadership that gives credit away), and when it’s time to move on from a toxic culture.
Crisis, Creativity & AI: Inside the Command Center
2026/05/14
This week, our two intrepid hosts sit down with Paul Walker, founder of Crisis Command, to discuss how AI is reshaping crisis management, the balance between human judgment and automation, and the tactics organizations need to stay aligned under pressure. They explore Crisis Command's workflow, real-world case examples, industry-specific applications, and the limits of AI — emphasizing empathy, institutional values, and the continued need for experienced human decision-makers.
Who Owns the Vision? Creative Control, Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni
2026/05/08
Hosts Marc and Jeremy unpack creative control in entertainment and marketing, sparked by the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni dispute. They discuss how differing visions, committee influence, and leadership decisions shape— and sometimes sabotage—creative work. Through personal stories and industry examples, they share practical approaches to protect creative vision: early buy-in, staged sharing of work, treating leadership like clients, and balancing surprise with clarity to avoid last-minute compromises.
Escape the Drama Triangle: How Leaders Transform Reactive Cultures
2026/04/29
In this episode Jeremy, Marc, and guest Kristen Lisanti unpack the ‘drama triangle’—victim, villain, hero—and show leaders how to replace reactivity with three practical practices: co‑creating, challenging, and coaching. Drawing on agency stories and neuroscience-informed culture work, they explain how small leadership shifts can turn survival cultures into creative, high‑performing ecosystems. Listeners will learn red flags to watch for, how to hold tough conversations without falling into blame, and where to start when change must come from the top.
When Procurement Kills Creativity: Agencies Under Siege
2026/04/23
Hosts Jeremy & Marc unpack the damaging rise of procurement in marketing — from unpaid agency pitches and re-bids to opaque fee battles and stolen ideas. They share firsthand stories about lost accounts, the pressure to cut creative work to fit budgets, and practical ideas for how agencies might respond. Listen to them connect all this back to terrorism. Prepare for head-shaking moments and a lot of whining. Fun!!!
Blinding Light: Joe Eszterhas on Cancer, Faith, and Reinvention
2026/04/16
Concluding their run with Joe Eszterhas, Marc and Jeremy sit down with and discuss Joe's more recent work, sudden throat cancer diagnosis, risky surgery, and a long recovery. Joe reflects on the role of his wife Naomi and a renewed faith, his anti-smoking campaign, the return to writing, and the hard-won lessons for creatives: write the work in your heart and never give up.
When a Screenplay Became Evidence: Joe Eszterhas, Music Box, and a Family Secret
2026/04/07
In Part 4 of the Joe Eszterhas sessions, the Hollywood screenwriter behind Music Box recounts how his film about Hungarian warcrimes unexpectedly echoed his own family history when his father became the target of a U.S. investigation. The conversation traces the shock of discovery, the collapse of their relationship, and the moral and emotional fallout. Hosts Jeremy & Marc frame the story around creativity, risk, and the personal costs of art, closing with a look ahead to Joe’s later cancer battle and spiritual renewal.
Fighting Directors, Producers, Critics and Super Agents! Joe Eszterhas on the Fights, Flops, and Fortunes Behind Hollywood Hits
2026/04/07
Joe Eszterhas joins hosts Marc  and Jeremy to revisit the defining Hollywood moments of his career — from mentorship under Norman Jewison and hard-fought battles with Sylvester Stallone to the controversy, criticism, and commercial highs and lows that shaped his work. Tune in for candid stories about creative clashes, the power dynamics of agents like Michael Ovitz, moral ambiguity in storytelling, and the personal choices that ultimately led Joe away from Hollywood and back to a different life.
From My Lai to Hollywood: Joe Eszterhas on Truth, Consequence, and Creativity
2026/03/19
On today's episode, Jeremy & Marc continue their conversation with Hollywood legend Joe Eszterhas as he recounts breaking the My Lai photos, his rise at Rolling Stone, and his leap into films. Joe discusses creative risks, clashes with studios and stars, the ‘twisted little man’ in his work, and notorious unproduced scripts like Sacred Cows. Joe's topics include Vietnam, Rocky Balboa, Hunter S. Thompson and more. Jeremy & Marc also tease a future episode about a family secret and Joe’s battle with stage-four throat cancer, promising a deeper, more personal conversation next time.

Podcast reviews

Read Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish podcast reviews


4.9 out of 5
8 reviews
★★★★★
StoriesFromTheRoad 2025/12/10
The podcast you can’t get enough of!
Hilarious, honest, raw conversations with the industry’s greatest minds. Jeremy and Marc have found a way to give practical insights while leaving you...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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