In this bonus episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks dig into a recent controversy shaking up the online art education space—and yeah, it's messy. What started as a critical course review and a broader critique of the creative course boom quickly escalated into backlash, raising bigger questions about who should be teaching, what qualifies as expertise, and why dissenting voices seem to get shouted down. Toni and Carrie unpack the tension between experience and education, the pressure of the creative hustle pushing artists toward teaching as a primary income stream, and the uncomfortable reality that not all courses are created by people with real-world "receipts." If you've ever felt unsure about investing in a course—or quietly skeptical about who's leading them—you're not alone. This conversation is a grounded look at how to protect your time, money, and creative energy.

Articles
Rachel Taylor
Aruba Mahmood

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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.

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Cranky and Cautious: How Creatives Can Spot Scams Before They Spiral

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sound the alarm on a growing (and increasingly sophisticated) wave of scams targeting creatives at every stage of their careers. From the all-too-familiar Instagram "Do you take commissions?" DM, to eerie wrong-number texts that spiral into "pig butchering" schemes, to fake scouts and collectors sliding into your inbox with suspiciously vague offers, Carrie and Toni break down how these traps work, and why they're designed to exploit your creative hustle, optimism, and exhaustion.

But this isn't a panic episode—it's a grounding one. Carrie and Toni talk about how scammers prey on the pressure, isolation, and hope baked into the creative hustle, and how slowing down is often the most powerful response. They offer creative career advice rooted in healthy skepticism, reminding listeners that real opportunities can withstand questions, pauses, and verification. This is your reminder that protecting your time, work, and energy isn't paranoid, it's professional.

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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, the most trusted platform for podcasters of all sizes. Get your first month free with code TWOCRANKYCREATIVES (affiliate link) at https://signup.libsyn.com/

This episode is sponsored by Surface Design News and Brooke Mackie Designs

In this episode of Two Cranky Creatives, the Cranks sit down with artist and entrepreneur, Stacie Bloomfield, to talk about a sneaky kind of burnout—the kind that shows up not when you're failing, but when you're "succeeding." You know the one: where the business is thriving, the accolades are rolling in, and yet… something just feels off. Together, we dig into the existential weirdness of realizing the thing you built might no longer be the thing you want to do.

Stacie, Carrie, and Toni explore how easy it is to become a prisoner of your own progress, and how "play" becomes a distant memory when every creative act is tied to output, profit, or performance. It's a brutally honest, beautifully reflective convo about identity, change, and the scary freedom of planning for your second (or third!) creative act. If you've ever felt the low-key horror of outgrowing your own dream, this episode will feel like a deep, cranky exhale. Come for the vulnerability—stay for the permission to pivot.

Stacie Bloomfield…
Stacie Bloomfield is an illustrator, author, and founder of Gingiber, a multi–seven-figure art brand based in Springdale, Arkansas. With over 16 years of experience, she's helped more than 4,000 creatives build sustainable, profitable businesses through her signature course Leverage Your Art. Stacie is also the author of Give Yourself Margin and the upcoming The Artist's Side Hustle, releasing November 18, 2025. Through her teaching, art, and writing, Stacie empowers artists to turn their creativity into thriving businesses and lives filled with more margin and joy.

StacieBloomfield.com/sidehustlebook
StacieBloomfield.com
LeverageYourArt.com
Gingiber.com

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.

Thank you to our sponsor!

This podcast is hosted by Libsyn, the most trusted platform for podcasters of all sizes. Get your first month free with code TWOCRANKYCREATIVES (affiliate link) at https://signup.libsyn.com/