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

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 & Mentions

Mark+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 Moments

00:00 — 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