Ugly, Irresponsible, & Childish

Seven out of 10 employees feel guilty about taking time off, with 38% missing a major event in their child’s life because of work-related obligations (an additional 10% say they were even interrupted at a funeral).
The ugly Catch-22 is that employees also believe that a mental health day is no reason to miss work, with almost two-thirds claiming their boss would judge them for that.
When does your life or selfcare take precedence over work? Or does it? If there’s a line, how do we know when it’s crossed and what can we do about it without seeming selfish or weak?
In this week’s episode of Ugly, Irresponsible and Childish, Marc and Jeremy chat with Dr. Jackie Sasloff, a licensed therapist with three decades of helping people navigate the blurry line of work-life balance. They discuss the rise of guilt, anxiety, missed family moments, and why self-care is often neglected.
Dr. Sasloff offers practical guidance — validate feelings, check the facts, use DBT interpersonal skills like "turn the tables," brainstorm real solutions, clarify personal values, and communicate with supervisors to create sustainable boundaries.

Join us for Part II of Jeremy's & Marc's conversation with Rob Poetsch! Rob discuss Taco Bell’s transformation into a lifestyle brand, the role of risk in creative work, and how crisis management influenced campaign approvals.
They share behind-the-scenes stories — including the Taco Bell Hotel and Feed the Beat — explore agency-client tensions, and offer practical advice for building strong, effective partnerships.

Working collaboratively with its agencies, Taco Bell has turned its fans into cult-like followers and its brand into a cultural juggernaut. In this two-part episode of Ugly, Irresponsible and Childish, Marc and Jeremy get former Taco Bell Senior Director of Global Communications Rob Poetsch to dish on the tricks, tips, truths and teachings that make Taco Bell’s creative campaigns impossible to ignore and twice as hard to forget.
 
Listen to Rob's thoughts about how creativity moves from agency ideas to client approval, the business constraints that shape bold campaigns, the role of franchisees, managing controversy, and practical tips for clearer briefs and closer agency-client collaboration.

Do brainstorms work? Do the best ideas happen when you’re sharing and vibing with a group, or when you’re quietly ideating on your own? Marc and Jeremy share opposing views, drawing on their collective experience hosting and participating in more brainstorms than Vegas has bachelor parties.
They explore hybrid approaches — solo ideation plus structured group sessions — practical facilitation tips (prework, anonymous notes, rotating boards), virtual tools like jam boards and ChatGPT, and how to include clients without killing creativity.
Ultimately they conclude neither method is perfect: create safe rooms, set clear expectations, and combine individual thinking with guided group riffing to get better ideas.

Stephen Colbert vs. CBS, Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman, Taylor Swift vs. John Mayor, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Katy Perry...almost everybody has held a grudge at least once in their life. But is that a bad thing? Join Marc and Jeremy as they explore the complicated world of grudges, while casting some shade of their own.
In this engaging episode, the duo explores the power of holding grudges, sharing personal anecdotes and professional experiences that highlight how bitterness and rivalry can both hinder and enhance creative processes.
They candidly discuss their own grudges from their careers, recounting specific incidents where competitive spirit and unresolved resentment spurred them to greater heights or led to regrettable actions. With references to famous rivalries and historical grudges that sparked innovation, Marc and Jeremy probe whether grudges can be a secret weapon in the creative industry.
The hosts also ponder if their professional rivals hold grudges against them, revealing personal introspections and growth. Join them for an emotional rollercoaster filled with humor, honesty, and insight into the complexities of grudges in the world of marketing and beyond.

Without villains there can be no heroes. In this episode of "Ugly and Irresponsible and Childish," marketing industry veterans Jeremy Baka and Marc Levy delve into the art of storytelling and the crucial role of villains within it. They explore the dynamics of creativity, discussing how villains and antagonism can add depth and intrigue to brand narratives. From the intricacies of villainous characters in movies to the more subtle adversaries in brand storytelling, this conversation highlights why every brand needs a villain to truly shine as a hero.
Listen in as Marc and Jeremy give the devils their due, exploring the real and metaphorical villains that turn ordinary stories and campaigns into captivating tales of toil and triumph.

Two senior marketing creatives explore a topic that has caused more debate than Ross and Rachel’s break up. Can you teach creativity? Or is it a gift only manifested by those with tattoos, black-rimmed glasses, and an ego? Your refrigerator might have the answer.
Drawing from personal experiences and listener feedback, the duo discuss the common misconceptions and truths about creativity, emphasizing that it is not an innate talent but a skill that can be cultivated.
They explore how an open and tolerant environment encourages creative expression by sharing insights from industry veterans and leading psychologists. The conversation shifts into practical exercises, highlighting the importance of nurturing a curious mindset and practicing creative habits. As they recount stories of innovation, they highlight the importance of curiosity, openness to new ideas, and the courage to explore the uncharted.
Engage with their candid discussions as they challenge the conventional boundaries that restrict creative growth, offering encouragement and real-world advice to enhance creativity in both professional and personal settings. Join this creative journey and discover how you can unlock your creative potential.

In this episode, Jeremy & Marc dive into the messy, often misunderstood world of creative conflict. We'll explore how creative minds can clash, causing friction not only among themselves but also with account teams, leading to what many perceive as stifling disputes. They'll examine why creative conflict is natural and inevitable, and how it can be harnessed for better creative solutions.
The discussion also highlights the delicate balance of authority between account and creative teams, stressing the importance of keeping discussions collaborative and emphasize that the history of creative conflict at companies like Apple illustrates how differing opinions can ultimately enrich the creative process.

As “Creatives” dominate the world stage, the true marketing heroes sit dutifully off-stage, quietly sifting through data, culture, and conversations to unearth powerful human truths that are the nucleus of every great idea. Marc and Jeremy celebrate Planners—“The First Creatives.” The rare few who understand the difference between an insight and an observation. And roast those who pretend to know the difference…and give us garbage.

From Apple’s “Crush” ad to Bumble’s cheeky celibacy billboard, even the slightest backlash has brands pulling ads faster than Oscar planners pulling a Will Smith invitation. But what constitutes “backlash” from just everyday social media whining? And who decides? Is backlash an important check on unhinged marketing campaigns or an existential threat to creativity? Jeremy and Marc attempt to separate the bullshit from the backlash, undoubtedly sparking some backlash of their own.