Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish
“People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that’s only if it’s done properly.” -- Banksy, Wall & Piece, 2005 In a data-driven world that rewards precision & conformity, we forget that creativity -- in all its forms -- is supposed to be messy & provocative. Each week, two creatives with a combined 6+ decades of experience will remind people of just how inspirational creativity can be. We’ll discuss ideas and creative work in every corner of the universe: The amazing and the awful, the smart and the senseless, the bold and the boring. And we’ll do it all in a manner that’s equal parts thoughtful, irreverent -- and unflinchingly honest (although, let’ be real: we’re not the most reliable narrators, so instead of being aggrieved, remember that this is free). And if we offend you, please remember that our willingness to apologize is directly proportional to the potential of engaging us for paid creative work. About Jeremy & Marc: Jeremy’s greatest achievement was a come-from-behind win in a 400-meter high school relay. Since then, he’s done mainly creative stuff. As Chief Creative Catalyst for 25+ years at one of the world’s largest agencies, Jeremy has worked for or against most any brand you can name, winning enough Plexiglas and metal to build a city’s worth of bus shelters. Next to his track trophy, Jeremy’s most proud of his book aimed at young marketing professionals—The Book We Wish We Had—along with founding the Creative Catalyst Network, a group of more than 200 international creative thinkers, ensuring that every creative challenge is explored through a kaleidoscope of cultures. As one of the PR industry’s most beloved and successful creative forces (oh, for God’s sakes – would it kill you to humor me – just this once???), Marc has created innovative integrated marketing programs for nearly every conceivable category & client, from Audi to Zyrtec. In addition to his innovative brainstorming techniques, strategic planning and role as an “HR-Free Zone,” Marc is currently writing a book on creativity, Seriously Creative, which – let’s be honest here – he’ll never finish. (A “pop-up” version is not entirely out of the question.) A US Army veteran (no — really!) and reformed sports marketer, a diorama of Marc’s work at the Sydney Olympic Games is featured in its own rotunda as part of the Smithsonian’s wing celebrating “PR People Who Work While Everyone Else Attends the Closing Ceremonies.”
Listen on:
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
It happens. That idea you so loved and believed in crashes and burns. How do you handle the embarrassment, the bruised credibility, theshaken confidence? Marc and Jeremy feel your pain and have the creative battles scars to prove it. In the words of Good Will Hunting’s Sean Maguire, “It’s not your fault.”
The duo discuss creative failure, resilience, and how to recover credibility after an idea tanks. They announce the show’s move to video and preview a multi-part interview series with Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, covering his remarkable life, career highs and lows, and lessons about creativity.
The episode blends candid industry stories, practical tips for bouncing back, and reflections on taking risks—offering listeners guidance and encouragement for anyone who presents ideas and faces rejection.
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
In today's episode, Jeremy & Marc reflect on the people who shaped their careers—mentors, bosses, clients, and unexpected influences. Through candid stories about fear, trust, and boldness, they explore how relationships and moments of failure forged their creative approach.
They share lessons from a brilliant but intimidating leader, a renegade mentor who taught them to be daring, a manager who put people first, and a client who enforced discipline. The episode highlights the importance of having a boss who has your back, learning from everyone, and embracing risk to produce original work.
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Hosts Marc and Jeremy share their top picks for three categories of Super Bowl 60 ads: Ugly ones, Irresponsible ones, and delightfully Childish ones. They call out celebrity-packed flops, awkward AI/de-aging work, and wasted big-budget moments, while praising standout spots like Liquid Death, Manscaped, and Redfin.
This episode mixes sharp critiques, business perspective, and honest laughs as the hosts debate which ads landed and which should have spent their money elsewhere.
Give it a listen to find out which brands fumbled, which played it perfectly, and which tossed Hail Mary passes.
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
In this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, we explore the unrelenting pursuit of creativity and the workplace cultures that either celebrate or suffocate it.
In this episode of Ugly, Irresponsible, and Childish, hosts Marc Levy and Jeremy Baka sit down with industry veteran Bob Osmond to discuss leadership, coaching, psychological safety, career transitions, and practical ways agencies can protect creativity while driving results.
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Shut up. No Dancing. Kill the robots. Long live humans. No, this isn’t some dystopian novel. It’s the latest “Ugly, Irresponsible & Childish” episode featuring the straight-talking Dos and Don’t of presentations and sales pitches.
Marc & Jeremy deliver a candid guide to presenting. Drawing on real pitch stories, they explain how to read the room, sell your humanity instead of a hard sell, and choose when to rehearse or improvise.
This episode covers concrete do's and don'ts: know your audience, don’t over-rehearse, invite questions early, use short personal stories to make ideas stick, and above all—shut up and listen.
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Welcome back, listeners! In our long-awaited 2026 debut, Jeremy and Marc return to discuss how fake ideas—empty taglines, celebrity-dependent campaigns, and superficial marketing tactics—undermine true creativity and brand strategy. They share personal stories from agency life, critique examples, and explain why ideas must ladder to the brand, not just a catchy line or influencer.
They also explore how celebrities can boost recall yet overshadow the brand, and tease an upcoming video episode featuring a legendary guest.
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Tuesday Dec 30, 2025
Marc and Jeremy do a 2025 year-end wrap up, along with a 2026 prediction about brands that might just cause some anger issues. Which, strangely enough, is the whole point.
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
In accordance with universal law, Marc and Jeremy share their annual holiday gift-guide ideas, leading not only to some great gift ideas for that special creative someone, but also hallucinogenic exchanges about huffing, Bone Music, QWERTY and The Wizard of Oz.
Below are the links to all the gifts we mentioned. And again, NO — we’re not getting a damn cent!
Thai Herbal Inhaler
Sphere Tix
The Book We Wish We Had
1440.com
Astropad Rock Paper Pencil
Printomatic Full-Color Instant Print Digital Camera
Custom Viewfinder Reel
Qwerkywriter
Bone Music
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Wednesday Dec 03, 2025
Hosts Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy continue part two of their interview with David Gluckman, a forty-year drinks industry veteran who created memorable brands like Bailey's, Sheridan's, The Singleton, and Smirnoff Black.
David shares behind-the-scenes stories about product development, marketing missteps, the value of ownership, how committees can strangle ideas, and practical takes on AI and design tools. He emphasizes the single-minded creative approach—"go for one answer"—and warns against failing expensively.
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
While sipping that Baileys Irish Cream, Smirnoff Black, or Tanqueray Ten this holiday, remember: somebody had to invent those delightful drinks—and his name is David. Author of “That Sh** Will Never Sell,” David Gluckman shares amazing tales of imaginating, formulating, making and marketing of some of the world’s most recognized spirits brands during the Mad-Men era, including the “one” rule that, even today, he never breaks when presenting to clients.
They dig into product invention, when to trust instincts over research, the power of committing to one bold idea, and lessons from a 40‑year global career in making iconic beverages.