In this episode Rob and Helen explore the world of Domestika, an online learning platform for creatives. Note: We are not affiliated with Domestika, but Rob is addicted to it. * Rob explains what Domestika is and how it works * Helen is addicted to stickers - and may jump in to Domestika to learn more about calligraphy * Rob explains how he sometimes just watches the "materials" video on each Domestika course to geek out on stationery * Rob is building a list of Domestika tutors to interview for the Stationery Freaks podcast * Helen is intrigued by what's on Rob's watch list (see the full list ..read more

In this episode Rob shares his goal setting process using paper and digital tools. Rob explains what makes a good goal, Helen asks lots of questions and Rob shares how to track goals. We cover: Goals should be measurable and timebound An annual review is a positive process Painting a picture of the future and aligning goals is important The why is important Precious little red notebooks Tracking in ToDoist The power of journaling Why not subscribe to the newsletter too ..read more

In this episode we explore the world of Hobonichi Planners. Helen decided that January was a good time to switch productivity, journaling and note-taking systems (it may not have been a wise decision). She chats us through the world of Hobonichi Planners and how she is using them to "force" her to develop the habit of journaling. She also needed mountains of stickers. All the stickers. We also cover Midori notebooks (Helen raves about these), Etsy Hobonichi sticker providers and why productivity systems must be hacked to make them work for you. Rob explores "containers with rules" and explain ..read more

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 3 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into stationery accessories that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - TipEx Mouse - Rob - Firbon A4 paper cutter - Helen - Bookaroo Sticky Tabs - Rob - Rapesco desktop Pencil Sharpener - Helen - Hobonichi Deco Rush Stickers - Rob - Vretti thermal printer (here's the Vretti one I bought but it looks like it's been discontinued) Here's a "memoking" that receives high praise. - Helen also shares her disappointmen ..read more

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 2 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into notebooks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: - Helen - Zen Art B5 Dotted Notebook - Rob - Ottergami A5 notebook - Helen - Atoms to Astronauts notebooks - Rob - A4 Yellow Legal Pads - Helen - Midori Notebook - Rob - Plotter Japan Notebook And an honourable mention (we both assumed the other had it on their list) to the very excellent Mark and Fold Everyday Notebook (And no, we are not sponsored or affiliated ..read more

It's that time of the year again - time for something festive. In this special edition, episode 1 of 4, we offer up some advice and insights into 6 pens/pencils/inks that are on our gift list. Helen shares three and Rob shares three. We cover: Helen - The Stalogy Gel Pen Rob - Sharpie Ultra Fine Helen - Glow in the dark ink (Etsy) Rob - Staedtler Norris School Pencils Helen - Waterman Carene Ink Pen (Fountain Pen) Rob - Waterman Deluxe Ink Pen (Fountain Pen) We make use of affiliate links which means you don't pay any more but we earn a tiny commission that goes to keeping the servers running ..read more

In this episode we chat with Amy Cooper-Wright who is the founder of Mark and Fold, one of our favourite stationery companies. Amy talks business, notebooks, gaps in the market, sustainability and shares her desert island stationery! We chat about: Why start a stationery company Why Amy was influenced when she was younger by making her own books and running a toy post office Why Amy sought out to make the notebook better, not cheaper - and held to her high bar of quality  Why Amy was tired of not being able to find decent notebooks to buy Logistics, designs, challenges Pens, notebooks an ..read more

In this episode we do a lovely interview with Sanne Visser, Technologist, Zentangle and Mandala aficionado and bullet journalling fan. We cover: * The Netherlands, bikes, canals and wonderful old libraries that sell stationery * What Zentangle and Mandala Art is, and why Sanne does it * The notebooks, pens and pencils used * Table cloth colouring * Stoic wisdom books * Cellotape, staples and Hobonichi planners * And Sanne shares the 5 items of stationery she would take with her to a desert island * We also muse whether water bottles and handcream are considered stationery You can find Sanne he ..read more

In this episode we were super inspired by a wonderful YouTube video we watched, called "You're Not Lazy : How to live a chaotically organised life" by YouTuber Elizabeth Filips.  So, given it summed up how we work, or at least how Rob works (that was why Helen sent him the link to the video), we thought we'd deconstruct the video and share stories about how we operate. And of course, although light on stationery talk, how we use stationery to control our own chaos. In the episode we talk about: Stationery Stories: Helen has bought some single use ink pens Rob's been boring and bought s ..read more

In this episode we chat about what stationery we take with us when we travel. Let us know what you take. We cover: Bookaroo notebook carry cases are Helen's new thing. (affiliate Amazon link) Van Neistat's inspiring Rob again - this time to create ToDo lists and organise himself Helen waxes lyrical about some new exercise books Rob turned up to a Mastermind meeting with the worst stationery We then chat about what we take with us to conferences and when travelling with work. - Notebooks - Pens - Pencil cases And we also share two examples of Stationery Freaks we've spotted in the wild - and ..read more