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Artwork for Bad Idea Social Club

Bad Idea Social Club

Aaron McCall
Creativity
Mental Health
Grand Rapids
Art
Photography
Anxiety
Graphic Design
Social Media
Wedding Photography
Personal Growth
Poetry
Burnout
Social Connection
Motherhood
Creative Process
Coffee Industry
Grief
Human Interaction
Authenticity
Freelancing

Bad Idea Social Club is an independent podcast of stories, insights, and creative foolery. Hosted by graphic designer Aaron McCall with photographer Joe Matteson, the show brings honest, unfiltered conversations with creatives about the work, the mess, and everything that comes with it. This is a space where honesty meets the beautifully unhinged parts of creativity, process, struggle, joy, mental... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes83Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryArtsSociety & CultureDesign

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Artwork for Bad Idea Social Club

Latest Episodes

In the conclusion of the season 7 finale, Anna van Schaap (fine artist, tattoo artist, curator) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about building a creative life that refuses to be small. She gets into finding her voice and claiming her space out of... more

To kick-off the two-part season 7 finale, Anna van Schaap (fine artist, tattoo artist,  curator) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about building a creative life that refuses to be small. She gets into finding her voice and claiming her space out o... more

Sara Pulver (illustrator, muralist, Dear Ollie) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about knowing who you are and building something around it. She gets into a lifelong love of tactile, handmade things that eventually turned into markets, a grant, an... more

Luke Grill (chef, restaurateur, sommelier, 1983 Restaurants) sits down with Aaron McCall to talk about what it means to build something people can feel. He gets into cutting his teeth in some of the most demanding kitchens in the country, how dangero... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Anna van Schaap
Artist, tattooer, curator, photographer
Detroit-based artist
Episode: Anna van Schaap: Hope and Tragedy // Part 1
Sara Pulver
Illustrator, muralist, owner of Dear Ollie & Co
Dear Ollie & Co
Episode: Sara Pulver: Chaos and Whimsy
Luke Grill
Chef, sommelier, and restaurateur behind 1983 Restaurants (including Public, Lovejoy, Obstacle No. 1, 76)
1983 Restaurants
Episode: Luke Grill: Every Damn Detail
Mark Stein
Illustrator and graphic designer, Stein by Design
Stein by Design
Episode: Mark Stein: If It Kills Me
Adrian Butler
DJ, multi-project creator, uses AB as stage name
Episode: AB: Make Them Move
Joel Hoekstra
Co-owner of Meyer Music in Grand Rapids; educator and music advocate
Meyer Music
Episode: Joel Hoekstra: Bite and Sound
Ryan Wasson
Head brewer at Coopersville Brewing Company
Coopersville Brewing Company
Episode: Ryan Wasson: Another Round
Amy Carroll
Photographer, painter, and artist
Independent artist
Episode: Amy Carroll: The Problem
Ian Labardee
Principal Design Director at Mighty
Mighty
Episode: Creative Mornings GR: Growth is a Team Sport

Hosts

Aaron McCall
Host of the show; graphic designer by trade; central figure in the series' design-forward, authentic conversation style
Joe Matteson
Co-host of the show; photographer by trade; participates in long-form, candid conversations with guests
Amber Gray
Co-host; contributes to show with design and creative direction perspectives

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • My favorite new podcast

    Love their voices and how easy it is to listen to. Then you get hit with the deep questions and content . The question style is genius and they are mega likable. If you are a creator of any sort I def recommend giving it a listen .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Artist Jeff Bertrand
    United Statesa year ago
  • Safe Space for Creatives

    The best interviews are conversations, and Aaron is a 10/10 people person, these are seamless. If you want to feel inspired to do what you love, listen to BISC to hear from others who are in the middle of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LucianaGoose
    United Statesa year ago
  • A must

    Love the energy and creative flow. It’s a must listen. Super engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndiRichard
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such a natural, funny, honest listen!

    I first listened to this podcast when my friend Sabrina was on and it was such a delightful listen! Conversation was easy and flowed naturally. It was funny, but I also felt down to earth and real! There was a lot that I related to, there’s a lot that I learned, and a lot I appreciated! Looking forward to listening to more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S Hayn
    United Statesa year ago
  • Entertaining and inspirational

    I’ve never listened to a podcast that feels so naturally like a real conversation, in the best way. Very inviting and welcoming atmosphere created by the hosts, great banter, and thought provoking explorations of the creative process and mental health.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    poko toko
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts create a welcoming, conversational vibe with deep, honest questions.
Listeners praise vulnerability and practical takeaways for creatives.
Sound and guest quality consistently described as engaging and inspiring.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#88
Spain/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ray Anne Barker: Noise and Stillness
Q: What role does community and collaboration play in your growth as an artist?
She emphasizes sharing space with other women artists, lifting each other up, and shifting from competitive dynamics to supportive collaboration, which helped shape a collective exhibition and broadened the audience for diverse artists.
Ray Anne Barker: Noise and Stillness
Q: So how did you move from painting as a personal outlet to exhibiting your work and running a studio space?
She describes treating art as a structured, deadline-driven process—turning a personal practice into a public, show-ready body of work by setting series goals, securing venues, and building a support network to keep momentum even with family responsibilities.
Mack Garrison: Everything in Motion
Q: What was a pivotal moment that reshaped the company culture?
A burnout crisis following a successful conference led to a renewed commitment to HR, structure, and weekly check-ins, plus trialing a four-day work week and mental health days to protect staff well-being.
Mack Garrison: Everything in Motion
Q: What is Dash Studio's core philosophy in dealing with clients and team?
A people-first culture anchored in community and collaboration, where great work comes from strong relationships, empathy, and being a reliable problem-solver for clients.
Mack Garrison: Everything in Motion
Q: How did ADHD influence Mack's career and approach to design?
ADHD provided a constant influx of ideas and a drive to explore many disciplines, ultimately steering him toward motion design and entrepreneurship as a natural fit. It also fed his energy for building diverse skills and a problem-solving mindset.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Idea Social Club

What is Bad Idea Social Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show centered on the realities of creative work, blending practical career insights with candid, personal storytelling. Hosts explore design, music, photography, food, and entrepreneurship through long-form conversations with artists who chase sustainable craft, authenticity, and community. Episodes frequently thread together studio practice, leadership, mental health, and the tensions between art and commerce, often anchored in a strong regional identity and independent-scene ethos. A standout throughline is building creative lives that prioritize people, process, and meaningful impact over pure trend-chasing, with plenty of humor and vulnerability along the way.

Listeners likely get practical lessons on branding, project management, co... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Bad Idea Social Club?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bad Idea Social Club:

1. SmartLess
2. Pod Save America
3. Today, Explained
4. Hidden Brain
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Bad Idea Social Club are there?

Bad Idea Social Club launched 3 years ago and published 83 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Bad Idea Social Club?

Recent guests on Bad Idea Social Club include:

1. Anna van Schaap
2. Sara Pulver
3. Luke Grill
4. Mark Stein
5. Adrian Butler
6. Joel Hoekstra
7. Ryan Wasson
8. Amy Carroll

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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