Podcast & YouTube Creators: Using Canva & AI to Design High-Impact Visuals

Get ready to level up your podcast and YouTube visuals using Canva and AI tricks that actually work.

Canva + AI: Design High-Impact Podcast & YouTube Visuals (No Design Skills Needed)
Creating eye-catching thumbnails, banners, and podcast covers is one of the biggest growth levers for creators in 2026—but most people either overcomplicate it or get stuck staring at a blank screen.
In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to combine Canva with AI tools (like ChatGPT and other LLMs) to design professional, scroll-stopping visuals—fast.
We’ll walk through real workflows you can use immediately to create:

• YouTube thumbnails that drive clicks
• Channel banners that communicate your brand instantly
• Podcast covers that stand out on mobile

You’ll see exactly how to:

• Use AI to generate design concepts, hooks, and layout ideas
• Turn rough ideas into polished graphics inside Canva
• Avoid common mistakes that make thumbnails and covers easy to ignore
• Create designs optimized for both humans and algorithm-driven discovery

Whether you’re just starting your podcast or YouTube channel—or looking to improve performance—this session will give you practical, repeatable systems you can use every time you publish.
Who should attend:

• Podcasters
• YouTube creators
• Small business owners using content for marketing
• Anyone who wants better-looking visuals without hiring a designer

Walk away with templates, prompts, and a clear process you can reuse for every episode or video.

About Us:

Melissa Cooke is the founder of Wabi Sabi Wonder and manager of the Podcast & YouTube Creators Facebook group. A seasoned world traveler who has explored over 100 countries and every U.S. state, she built a successful brand creating content that inspires confident storytelling. Melissa now helps creators translate their ideas into compelling visual content using tools like Canva and AI. Known for her practical, approachable style, she teaches podcasters and YouTubers how to design eye-catching covers that stand out, connect with audiences, and strengthen their brand—no design background required.

Maggie Aloia Rohr is a marketing and communications leader with 20+ years of experience building brands, content engines, and growth strategies across corporate and agency environments. She specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling storytelling—and now helps creators do the same using AI. With hands-on experience running YouTube channels and designing in Canva, Maggie brings a practical, real-world approach to AI-driven branding that creators can apply immediately.

Sonia Satra is an entrepreneur, wellness expert, and a former soap opera star who helps creators and business owners build clarity, confidence, and sustainability. A community builder and video presentation skills coach, Sonia brings a creator-centered perspective to podcasting. She focuses on audience connection, creator mindset, consistency, and building podcasts that align with long-term business and personal goals.

Elizabeth Gearhart Ph.D. is the founder of Gear Media Studios, a podcast production studio and consulting firm. She is a podcast and radio show host, podcast marketing consultant, speaker, and Chief Marketing Officer at Gearhart Law. With a Ph.D. research background, Elizabeth specializes in translating complex technology—including artificial intelligence—into clear, actionable strategies for creators and businesses.