We recently had the chance to connect with Aaron McCall and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
Okay, yeah. Let’s start there. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started experiencing anxiety—like, real body-shaking, tearful, chaotic, end-of-the-world anxiety. And I think deep down, it probably comes from a place of people-pleasing and constantly trying to prove to myself and others that I belong in the creative space. And the fucked up part is, I know I belong. But to be honest, I don’t know exactly where it comes from—I just throw some medication at it and hope for the best. But sometimes, that’s not enough. And I think to achieve relief, I have to face things head-on. I need to talk about it. I need to get in there and go through some shit. It’s been a few years since I’ve been in therapy. My guy had to take time off to deal with his own stuff, and I just never went back. I think that’s what I’m avoiding—doing the work on myself. The hill just feels so steep. But it’s kind of a double-edged sword because when I’m in those anxious places, the darker places, I belive my artwork weighs more. So I’m apprehensive to “fix” things. Maybe anxiety is the cost of the art.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aaron McCall, and I’m a graphic designer, independent artist, and host of the Bad Idea Social Club podcast—an interview-style podcast about creativity, life, and the stories that make us who we are as creatives and as people. I’ve been working in design for almost 20 years, building brands, making messes, and leaning into things that feel honest and human. My work in art and design usually lives somewhere between emotional processing and an inside joke.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Nobody tells me who to be. That’s not up to anyone else. But with age and experience, I’ve learned a lot about myself—and yeah, looking back, there are things I regret. There are moments I’m not proud of, things I wish I could take back. That’s part of it. You can’t rewrite the past, but you can be honest about it and show up differently moving forward. I try to live each day a little more self-aware, a little more compassionate, and hopefully a little less of an asshole than I was the day before.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Now, I’m having the best year of my career—firing on all cylinders, feeling creative, making work I’m proud of, actually living comfortably, and even paying off some debt. But it hasn’t all been wins. I quit my job almost six years ago, and I’ve had my share of bad months, financial stress, and moments of doubt. And that’s hard. It was hard on my self-worth, hard on my mental health, and hard on my marriage. I can’t tell you how many times I thought, “That’s it. You’re done. Time to go get a real job.” But I’ve worked too damn hard to get here—and I’m not a pushover.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The Bad Idea Social Club podcast, for sure. Right now, it’s not a lucrative thing—it’s a passion project. And I share that passion with two of my best friends and co-hosts, Joe Matteson and Amber Gray. As of this interview, we’re over two years and 60 episodes in, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be satisfied with where it’s at. Maybe that’s part of loving something—you always see where it could go next. But even in its current form, it’s done more for me than I could have ever expected. It’s introduced me to incredible people, sparked friendships, and created a sense of community I didn’t know I needed. Between the podcast and my artwork, I’ve found a place where I actually feel like I belong—and that’s worth committing to, no matter how long it takes.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I don’t know if there’s one specific story. I just hope I made people laugh. I hope I made them feel seen, or understood, or just a little lighter, even if only for a minute. And if something I said or made helped someone feel more like themselves, that’s more than enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aaronmccall.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_mccall
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-mccall/
- Other: Bad Idea Social Club:
Website: https://badideasocialclub.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badideasocialclub/
Image Credits
Joe Matteson, The Mattesons Studio
