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