From Rave Culture to Print Revival: Paul Benney on Jockey Sl*t, Bugged Out! & Disco Pogo
Kicking off the new season of The Creative Boom Podcast, host Katy Cowan sits down with Paul Benney – co-founder of the cult dance magazine Jockey Slut, the legendary club night Bugged Out! and, today, the beautifully crafted biannual Disco Pogo.
Paul looks back at the golden days of music magazines and club culture in the '90s, sharing stories of launching a fanzine on a shoestring, running sell-out nights that booked Daft Punk, and building a magazine that captured the spirit of electronic music.
He also talks candidly about burnout, the collapse of Jockey Slut, and what it took to start again. With Disco Pogo, Paul has found a way to honour the past while creating something fresh for today – a print magazine rooted in authenticity, community, and the stories behind the music. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention and keeping the magic alive in a changing industry.
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The Creative Boom Podcast Trailer
Are you just as curious about the people behind the work as you are about the work itself? The Creative Boom Podcast goes beyond the portfolio to uncover what really drives creative minds.
Join host Katy Cowan for warm, candid conversations with fascinating guests – from celebrated names like Paula Scher, Gail Anderson, and Stefan Sagmeister to emerging talents making waves in their own unique ways.
Every Monday, you’ll hear honest stories of personal breakthroughs, creative frustrations, and the messy, human side of making things. Then stick around for The Spark, a fun bonus episode every Thursday where each week’s guest answers unexpected questions and reveals the quirks you don’t always hear in a regular interview.
Whether you’re after a deep, inspiring chat or a playful behind-the-scenes peek, The Creative Boom Podcast has you covered. Subscribe now and join the conversation.
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The Spark: James Greenfield of Koto on Apple Rants, Mr Bingo Dreams & Pitch Mishaps
In this bonus episode of The Spark, Koto CEO and founder James Greenfield returns for a lighter, weirder, and more wonderfully random chat. From his most controversial creative opinion (spoiler: it involves Apple) to dreams featuring Mr Bingo demanding to be called 'The Way', nothing is off-limits.
We chat about parenting, drum and bass, the strange comfort of Marcus Aurelius audiobooks, and the surprisingly joyful art of reading mean internet comments. James also reveals the creative outlet he's rubbish at (but would love to master), the most embarrassing pitch moment of his career, and the one thing he wishes Apple TV would sort out immediately.
This one's for the curious, the creative, and anyone who's ever planted a hydrangea in the shade and called it therapy.
And that's Season Nine wrapped up. It's been an absolute blast. We've loved every minute. Thank you to all our guests for joining us on the show, and a big thank you to the School of Communication Arts for making this season possible.
We'll be back in the autumn with fresh guests, new and exciting themes, and more fun and games. Until then, have a great summer.
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10 Years of Koto: James Greenfield on Leadership, Growth & Grit
For the final episode of Season Nine, we're joined by James Greenfield, founder and CEO of Koto, the global brand agency celebrating its 10th anniversary.
James reflects on a decade of building one of the most talked-about studios in the industry, from humble beginnings and "recycling problems" to global offices, high-profile clients like Amazon, and a team that now numbers over 180.
We explore how Koto evolved from a scrappy underdog into a creative heavyweight and how James has managed to maintain a startup mentality, champion a people-first culture, and fiercely protect creative standards as the business scaled. He also shares why independence is having a moment, how AI is creating a flood of "automated slop", and why great creativity matters more than ever.
Elsewhere, we touch on the emotional moments behind launching Koto, the leadership lessons learned, and how staying close to the team (and away from perfectionism) keeps the company grounded. There's also time for thoughts on social media fatigue, what makes a strong agency-client relationship, and why—despite a love of good work—he's only raised his voice three times in a decade.
We wrap with some honest wisdom: whether you're running a studio or thinking about starting one, James offers no-nonsense advice on what it really takes.
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
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The Spark: Fiona McGarva on Rituals, Rockets & Reinvention
In this joyful bonus episode of The Spark, Katy Cowan and Fiona McGarva let their hair down after the main show, diving into the quirky, honest and oddly profound bits that make us who we are.
From early mornings in silk gowns (or just pyjamas) to the emotional support cuddly toy that's seen it all, we explore the rituals, irrational comforts and unlikely talents that fuel creativity.
Fiona reveals why she gets dressed up for phone calls, how she's surprisingly skilled at matching pairs, and why her funeral will feature a gospel choir and a rocket.
We also cover the freedom that comes with age, the power of dressing for yourself, and the joy of not being brilliant at everything. Plus, the imaginary stage show we never knew we needed: Mystic Fiona at Shangri-La. Come for the giggles, stay for the insight – and find out what she'd be doing if PR hadn't worked out (hint: solving crimes on the book tour circuit à la Jessica Fletcher).
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
Join host Katy Cowan on The Creative Boom Podcast, where candid conversations with fellow creatives explore the real stories behind our careers—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether you're a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, marketer or creative entrepreneur, this show brings warmth, humour, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of the creative journey.
We tackle everything from confidence to burnout, offering advice and inspiration for building a fulfilling, sustainable career while not shying away from the tougher topics. Expect fun, honesty, and plenty of takeaways to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
The Creative Boom Podcast is part of Creative Boom, a magazine that has been a leading platform for the creative community since 2009. Discover more at www.creativeboom.com.
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