<p>In this special on-the-road episode, Rob and Helen meet <em>in person</em> for the first time in almost six years — to celebrate <strong>Mark+Fold’s 10-year anniversary</strong> at their Brick Lane pop-up.</p><p> Recorded between a noisy East London bar and the beautifully minimalist Mark+Fold shop, this episode is a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and stationery-fueled creativity.</p><p>Apologies for some of the audio quality - London doesn't have many quiet bars and restuarants!</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul><li>The <strong>Stationery Freaks origin story</strong> — how a shared love of pens and notebooks sparked a 7-year podcast</li><li>Why Mark+Fold’s aesthetic hits so deeply for creatives</li><li>How notebooks help ideas become real — from novels to meetings to films</li><li>What Helen did <em>and didn’t</em> buy (and what Rob tried to encourage…)</li></ul><p>Plus two brilliant spontaneous mini-interviews:</p><ul><li><strong>Terri</strong>, a writer whose tiny handwriting and Bangkok-sourced micro-nib pens inspired us both</li><li><strong>Vicky</strong>, a second-generation bookbinder behind the stitching of Mark+Fold’s planners and notebooks</li></ul><p>It’s a celebration of longevity — Mark+Fold’s 10 years, Stationery Freaks’ 7 years — and the creative habits, tools, and people that keep us all moving from <strong>idea → creation</strong>.</p><p><strong>Links &amp; Mentions</strong></p><ul><li>Mark+Fold Pop-Up Shop – Open until 25th November 2025 - Find the store at 228 Brick Lane, London, E2 7EE</li><li>Mark+Fold Monthly Planners &amp; Notebooks</li><li>Choosing Keeping (London stationery shop)</li><li>Blackwing Pencils</li><li>Hobonichi Techo &amp; A6 notebooks</li><li>Oxford Notebooks &amp; Yellow Legal Pads</li></ul><p><strong>Key Moments</strong></p><p><strong>00:00 —</strong> Meeting in person for the first time in years<br> <strong>03:10 —</strong> Why Mark+Fold’s design philosophy resonates<br> <strong>07:40 —</strong> How the Stationery Freaks podcast began<br> <strong>14:00 —</strong> Why we record even when the audio is imperfect<br> <strong>18:30 —</strong> What we learned from early listeners &amp; global analytics<br> <strong>22:50 —</strong> Interview with Terry (writer + micro-nib pen enthusiast)<br> <strong>30:40 —</strong> Interview with Vicky (bookbinder who sews Mark+Fold’s planners)<br> <strong>38:00 —</strong> Live from the shop floor — Helen “lightly shopping”<br> <strong>46:00 —</strong> Reflections on creativity, tools, and 10 years of making things</p>

Stationery Freaks

Rob Lambert & Helen Lisowski

Live From Brick Lane: Mark+Fold’s 10th Anniversary & The Stationery Freaks Origin Story

NOV 14, 202530 MIN
Stationery Freaks

Live From Brick Lane: Mark+Fold’s 10th Anniversary & The Stationery Freaks Origin Story

NOV 14, 202530 MIN

Description

In this special on-the-road episode, Rob and Helen meet in person for the first time in almost six years — to celebrate Mark+Fold’s 10-year anniversary at their Brick Lane pop-up. Recorded between a noisy East London bar and the beautifully minimalist Mark+Fold shop, this episode is a blend of celebration, nostalgia, and stationery-fueled creativity.Apologies for some of the audio quality - London doesn't have many quiet bars and restuarants!You’ll hear:The Stationery Freaks origin story — how a shared love of pens and notebooks sparked a 7-year podcastWhy Mark+Fold’s aesthetic hits so deeply for creativesHow notebooks help ideas become real — from novels to meetings to filmsWhat Helen did and didn’t buy (and what Rob tried to encourage…)Plus two brilliant spontaneous mini-interviews:Terri, a writer whose tiny handwriting and Bangkok-sourced micro-nib pens inspired us bothVicky, a second-generation bookbinder behind the stitching of Mark+Fold’s planners and notebooksIt’s a celebration of longevity — Mark+Fold’s 10 years, Stationery Freaks’ 7 years — and the creative habits, tools, and people that keep us all moving from idea → creation.Links & MentionsMark+Fold Pop-Up Shop – Open until 25th November 2025 - Find the store at 228 Brick Lane, London, E2 7EEMark+Fold Monthly Planners & NotebooksChoosing Keeping (London stationery shop)Blackwing PencilsHobonichi Techo & A6 notebooksOxford Notebooks & Yellow Legal PadsKey Moments00:00 — Meeting in person for the first time in years 03:10 — Why Mark+Fold’s design philosophy resonates 07:40 — How the Stationery Freaks podcast began 14:00 — Why we record even when the audio is imperfect 18:30 — What we learned from early listeners & global analytics 22:50 — Interview with Terry (writer + micro-nib pen enthusiast) 30:40 — Interview with Vicky (bookbinder who sews Mark+Fold’s planners) 38:00 — Live from the shop floor — Helen “lightly shopping” 46:00 — Reflections on creativity, tools, and 10 years of making things