EP. 16 — Start With a Blank Page: Carl Napolitano on Creativity, Collaboration and Resilience скачать в хорошем качестве

EP. 16 — Start With a Blank Page: Carl Napolitano on Creativity, Collaboration and Resilience

In this episode of The Flame, I’m joined by Carl Napolitano, a Creative Director with nearly two decades of experience in pharmaceutical advertising. Carl shares his journey into pharma, why creativity actually thrives within constraints, and how starting with a blank page still fuels his passion for the work. We also dig into the realities of today’s job market for senior creatives — navigating layoffs, recruiter ghosting, LinkedIn’s evolution, and the emotional toll of being on the other side of hiring after years in leadership. Throughout the conversation, Carl offers a steady, hard-earned perspective on resilience, collaboration, and creative confidence, reminding listeners that rejection is part of the craft, not a reflection of their value. Topics we cover: • Why pharma advertising is “working inside a box” and why that can spark better ideas • The joy of starting with a blank page and building meaning from complexity • How layoffs and rejection impact creative identity • The loss of human connection in recruiting and hiring • Why collaboration, not ego, makes great creative work • Advice for creatives navigating uncertainty and long job searches Carl leaves listeners with a simple but powerful reminder: “Don’t take it personally. It’s part of the industry.” CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:48 Carl's Journey into Pharma Advertising 05:23 The Creative Process in Pharma 09:51 The Impact of Pharma Work 12:16 Working with Teams and Collaboration 13:30 The Shift to Remote Work 17:08 Navigating the Job Market and Layoffs 20:03 The Role of LinkedIn in Job Searching 24:22 The Changing Dynamics of Recruitment 26:25 The Impact of Layoffs on Creative Confidence 27:42 Building Resilience in the Creative Industry 31:30 Shifts in the Advertising Landscape 34:49 Client Perspectives and Budget Constraints 39:45 Navigating the Pharma Creative Space 41:39 The Future of Freelancing and Small Agencies 44:35 Advice for Creatives Facing Challenges RESOURCES & LINKS • Guest LinkedIn:   / carlnapolitano   • The Flame website: https://www.theflamepod.com/ • Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1iuYbVA... • Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... FIND YOUR FLAME If this helped you, please subscribe and share it with a friend who’s navigating a creative career change.