In this episode, Josh Horton sits down with Brandon Rike—creative director and designer known for shaping the visual world of bands and musicians across genres. Over the last two decades, Brandon has worked with artists like Twenty One Pilots, Skrillex, Thirty Seconds To Mars, The Smashing Pumpkins, Blink-182, and Underoath, building a career that’s as prolific as it is honest.
Together, they talk candidly about what it means to be a creative in real time—what “arriving” actually looks like, and what happens after you get there. Brandon opens up about the long road from playing in a Tooth & Nail band, to cranking out merch for half the music industry, to building an agency that grew too complex, and eventually stripping everything back to a simple, sustainable practice serving only the artists he cares deeply about.
They explore ego, expertise, burnout, humility, parenting, creative uncertainty, and the courage it takes to keep evolving when everyone expects you to stay the same.
If you’ve ever chased a milestone, hit it, and still felt restless—or wondered what career longevity really looks like—this episode is for you.
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🎙️ Podcast Credits
Presented by Creative Workers Union
Hosted by Josh Horton
Edited by Sydney Gladu
Artwork by MUTI
🔗 Relevant Links
Brandon’s Portfolio: brandonrike.com
Brandon on Instagram: instagram.com/brandonrike
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CWU Website: creativeworks.co
CWU Newsletter: creativeworks.co/newsletter
📖 Your Story
Got a story about your creative life—a win, a struggle, a breakthrough, or just a moment that captures what it’s like right now? 📩 Email us at stories@creativeworks.co. Include your name and location—we may feature it in a future episode.
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