Pessimistic at Best: A Podcast for Complainers, by Complainers

A vintage-style microphone with a metal stand against a black background.

Client: Pessimistic at Best
Produced by: Beatrix Creative Agency
Role: Brand Strategy, Creative Direction, Website Design, Content Strategy, Video Editing

Objective:

Build a podcast brand from scratch and keep it evolving for 5 years. The challenge: create something that feels authentic and unpolished while looking professional enough to stand out in an oversaturated space.

A hand-drawn star doodle.
A hand-drawn star doodle.

Approach:

We handled the core brand work: naming, logo and visual identity, website design and build, format strategy, and content planning. The focus was on building a flexible foundation that could grow and shift without needing constant overhauls.

A cork bulletin board with various photos and notes. The main photo is of a woman with short hair holding a blue vintage phone, labeled "cover art." Five smaller photos with phones are on the left side. There is a note with the text "Pessimistic at best" and a doodle of a face at the top right. Below this, a paper clip holds swatches of five colors. The board also features a section titled "BRAND STRATEGY" with sample text, two font options labeled "Wished" and "Work Sans," and a note with two stars drawn on top.

Evolution:

Phase 1: Brand & Audio Foundation (Years 1-3)

Developed the brand identity and built a custom website. Launched the audio podcast and established promotion through Instagram and newsletter.

Phase 2: Video Expansion & Visual Refresh (Year 3)

Expanded to video production for YouTube. Refreshed the visual identity with updated podcast artwork and branded photography to support the move to video-first content.

Phase 3: Format Development (Years 4-5)

Refined the show structure through testing and iteration. Created the signature segment "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"—a framework that gives episodes direction while keeping conversations spontaneous.

Ongoing: Multi-Platform Strategy

Built a content system across platforms—YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Substack—with consistent publishing schedules and a strategy for repurposing longform episodes into social content.

A hand-drawn star doodle.

Results:

Nearly 15,000 downloads and growing. 34% follower increase this year. 5-star ratings across platforms. Top 10 podcast for 100+ listeners. Five years in and still going—because the foundation was built to last.

A hand-drawn star doodle.