logo
episode-header-image
About this episode

What happens to your creative career when life hits hard? Graphic designers are taught how to build brands, craft visuals, and make things look amazing. But no one teaches us how to survive when life punches us in the face.

Whether it’s grief, family emergencies, burnout, or just life being a complete dumpster fire, most creatives are one bad week away from total collapse, and they don’t even know it.

In this raw solo episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, Massimo shares a brutally honest, deeply personal episode about the sudden loss of his father—and how that moment tested everything he built. What could’ve been a career killer became the ultimate stress test.

Learn how to bulletproof your design career with real systems, client boundaries, team structure, and backup plans—whether you run an agency, freelance solo, or work in-house. This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s about freedom.

From agency owners to freelancers to in-house Graphic Designers, this episode is a wake-up call. If you don’t have an emergency plan in place, your career is a ticking time bomb.

We’re breaking down how to:

  • Build systems that actually protect you
  • Train clients and teams to thrive without you
  • Stop being the damn bottleneck in your own life

No fluff. No sugarcoating. Just raw, real talk from someone who's living it.

By the end of this episode, you’ll either start building your emergency plan, or realize you’re already playing with fire.

Stay Angry our Friends
–––––––––––
Join Anger Management for Designers Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/mr4bb4j3
Want to see more?
See uncut episodes on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/theangrydesigner
Read our blog posts on our website TheAngryDesigner.com
Join in the conversation on our Instagram Instagram.com/TheAngryDesignerPodcast

Up next
Oct 7
Fiverr Replacing Graphic Designers with AI and WHY Real Design Still Wins!
Fiverr just fired 30% of its staff and announced it’s becoming an “AI-first company.” On paper, it sounds innovative. In reality, it’s poetic justice. The platform that devalued design and turned creativity into a $5 commodity just found a faster, cheaper replacement of its own b ... Show More
36m 40s
Oct 2
James Barnard on Turning Graphic Design Tutorials Into Authority
Most Graphic Designers think the way to get noticed is by chasing likes, posting tutorials, or following design formulas. But James Barnard has lived both sides...the viral design influencer and the working designer. And he’s here to tell you the hard truth: clout doesn’t pay you ... Show More
48m 26s
Sep 30
Graphic Design Careers Are Under Attack. Here’s How to Survive
Graphic design is only projected to grow 3% over the next decade. AI is churning out logos in seconds. Bootcamps and Canva “designers” are flooding the industry. If you think that means graphic design is dead, you’re missing the bigger problem. The real threat isn’t AI or oversup ... Show More
39m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
127 | How to Handle Unexpected Problems in Interior Design Without Losing Money or Feeling Stressed
What happens when things don’t go as planned in your design projects?A contractor gets sick, a supplier raises prices, or a hidden problem adds unexpected costs—these surprises can cause major stress and financial loss.Uncertainty is inevitable, but with the right preparation, yo ... Show More
23m 40s
Sep 30
The Courage to Create with Jeremy Slagle | EP 180
What does it really take to show up confidently as a designer?In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, I’m talking with Jeremy Slagle, the founder of Slagle Design. With decades of experience, Jeremy shares what it means to have the courage to create, how he bu ... Show More
35m 6s
Mar 2024
100 Strategies to Grow Your Design Business with Chris Do
It's a milestone worth celebrating! The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast is proud to announce its 100th episode! Over the past 100 episodes, we've had the privilege of hosting some of the sharpest minds in the creative industry. Our guests have shared their experiences ... Show More
1h 5m
Sep 1
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Freedom Through People | EP650
End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework In this bold episode of Business of Architecture, host Enoch Sears sits down with serial entrepreneur and black belt Adam Marburger. From hitting personal rock ... Show More
49m 19s
Mar 2024
97 Building Your Design Agency Dream Team
In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast, we talk about expanding your design business and building your dream team. From feeling swamped with administrative tasks to struggling to attract top-notch clients, we've all been there. If you've heard my other ... Show More
32m 37s
Jul 2024
75. What do you do when the going gets tough?
What do you actually do when the going gets tough? In today’s episode we’re getting really vulnerable. I’m going to walk you through some difficult things I’ve been going through recently and how I’m navigating each of them. Reflecting on everything in the last month made me real ... Show More
24m 11s
Apr 2025
157 What Separates $3K Designers from $10K+ Designers
Most designers stay stuck at $3K projects because they’re pricing wrong, targeting the wrong clients, and positioning themselves as just another freelancer. The difference between a $3K designer and a $10K designer isn’t design skills. It’s how they run their business. In this ep ... Show More
22m 17s
Aug 29
How To Be a Successful Entrepreneur, Scott’s Early Career Advice, and How Do I Balance Talent With Passion?
Scott shares career advice in this “Best Of” episode, covering the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting a business, how to stand out as a new hire, and whether you should really follow your passion. He talks about why timing matters more than ideas in entrepreneurshi ... Show More
19m 7s
Feb 2025
125\\ No Design Experience? Creative Ways to Build Your Interior Design Portfolio and Get Hired
"How can I show what I can do if no one gives me a chance?" This is a question I often hear from young designers struggling to find paid internships or get clients to take a chance on them. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and can leave you feeling stuck. You know you have the pas ... Show More
13m 47s
Sep 1
134- Part 4: Let's Talk Profit Strategies, Follow the Profits, Not all Projects are Sexy
Send us a textWelcome to the grand finale of our four-part Profitable Design Series with Laura Thornton!In this essential episode, Laura helps you shift from just designing beautiful spaces to designing a truly profitable business. Learn why reviewing your numbers regularly is mo ... Show More
13m 1s