"Steal Like an Artist"

Erica and Erin dig into the creative cliché they actually love: “Steal like an artist.” Inspired by Austin Kleon’s book and a long lineage of remix-friendly wisdom, they explore the difference between influence and theft when both humans and AI borrow from what’s come before

If everything’s an echo, what makes something yours?

Resources & Mentions:

Austin Kleon
 → Steal Like an Artist
 → Also by Kleon: Show Your Work, Keep Going
 → Website: austinkleon.com

Julia Cameron
 → The Artist’s Way
 → Known for: Morning Pages, creative recovery tools
→ Website: juliacameronlive.com

Transcript

Steal Like an Artist

Trash Talk — Episode 14 | June 10, 2025

Episode Summary

In this episode, Erica Breuer and Erin Thomas unpack the beloved creative advice “Steal Like an Artist.” They explore its origins, its liberating message for creators, and how AI is challenging the spirit of artistic theft. Together, they draw a sharp line between thoughtful influence and passive plagiarism—and share practical ways to stay in relationship with your inspiration in the age of generative content.

Table of Contents

• Intro
• The Spirit of Creative Theft
• The AI Remix Problem
• Key Takeaways
• Call to Action
• Show Notes & Links

Intro

[00:00:00]
Erica kicks off this episode with a twist—unpacking a cliché she loves instead of one she hates: Steal like an artist. It’s a phrase popularized by Austin Kleon, whose bestselling book of the same name builds on a long lineage of creative wisdom from Picasso to T.S. Eliot. As lifelong creatives, Erica and Erin explore where this advice has shown up in their own lives, and why it still feels like a radical permission slip.

The Spirit of Creative Theft

[00:01:00–00:05:00]
Erin shares how childhood creativity was pure remix—no rules, just joyful experimentation. Erica echoes the sentiment, recalling her early love of mixed media and her time in art school, where she was taught that “everything’s an echo.”

They agree: “Steal like an artist” is not about copying but about honoring and transforming influence. It’s a tool for creators who might feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be original. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the real work is spinning the wheel your way.

“Creativity is an act of remembering—not just originality.” —Erica

The AI Remix Problem

[00:05:00–00:13:00]
But there’s a catch. Erica argues that this advice breaks down in today’s world of algorithmic remix culture. From Tumblr-era reposting to AI-generated content, the internet has turned creative theft into autopilot plagiarism.

Erin points out that the phrase “steal like an artist” implies intimacy and care—qualities that are missing when AI extracts and remixes without context, credit, or consent. It’s not creative theft—it’s digital colonization.

“When a robot steals, it’s just extracting. There’s no reverence, no curiosity.” —Erin

They share personal stories of being copied—by colleagues, strangers, even people close to them—and reflect on how imitation without understanding erases both the creator and the power of the process.

“We’re remixing a thousand voices, but none of them are in the room.” —Erica

Key Takeaways

• Steal like an artist means being in relationship with your influences, not blindly copying.
• AI challenges the spirit of creative theft by flattening nuance and erasing context.
• Plagiarism isn’t progress—it’s a missed opportunity for deeper originality.
• Original work is still possible—but only if we use our own minds, hands, and discernment.
• Creators must install “bumpers” when using AI to stay connected to their own voice.

Four Creative AI Bumpers

Erica shares her four rules for ethical, creative AI use:

1. Be Specific About Use Cases
   Use AI for sorting, analysis, or synthesis—not for final output.
2. Ask It to Act Like a Wild Card
   Prompt it to respond as someone outside your domain for fresh perspective.
3. Use It for Tightening, Not Writing
   Rely on AI for grammar and structure tweaks, not for full content creation.
4. Maintain Manual Control
   Manually apply feedback and edits—don’t let AI override your voice.

“AI can nudge, but we always have to steer.”

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Trash Talk wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review, tell a friend, or share your favorite quote from this episode on social.

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Show Notes & Links

• Follow Erica Breuer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabreuer/
• Follow Erin Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamerinthomas/
• Visit Trash Talk Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2451264