Are there really universal laws of creativity? Doesn't that sound too good to be true? In final episode of season one, hosts Todd Henry and Joshua Gott discuss Dave Zaboski's five 'Universal Laws Of Creativity', unpacking powerful insights from the first twelve episodes. They explore the dynamics of feedback and empathy in collaborative environments, the invigorating challenge of early project traction, the strategy behind juggling multiple initiatives, the transformative power of belief in...

Have you ever noticed those water towers, scattered across the horizon, and thought "Hmm... I wonder how those work?" Well, there's actually lot to learn from them about how to manage your life as a creative pro. In this episode, we explore the idea of managing energy instead of time in our creative process. Our guests, Lisa Congdon, Brian Johnson (author of Areté), Tony Schwartz (author of Be Excellent At Anything), and Jeff Karp (author of LIT), share their insights on the importance of...

Are you "flying blind"? It's rare that everything is so clear that you can see exactly what to do. In those situations it's dangerous to just go with your gut. In creative work, you need a few external tools to help you gauge which decision is best. In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore how creators can navigate life's challenges by establishing a personal "instrument panel". We learn key insights from business leaders and high-performance coaches about living a remarkable life. Our...

How do you get the most out of your mind in the moment you need your mind the most? In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the power of the mind and how to maximize its potential in moments of creative need. Todd Henry is joined by guests Andy J. Pizza, Juliet Funt, Charan Ranganath, Dan Doyon, and Tiago Forte to explore the various strategies to leverage the subconscious for creative inspiration. The discussion touches on the concept of incubation, the interplay between the...

A pervasive myth of creativity goes something like this: if it's good, it should feel easy. But that's never been the case... for anyone. The truth is, doing creative work is hard. Sometimes it's like carving marble. In this episode, we explore the challenges of creativity and uncover strategies to overcome mental blocks when facing the daunting task of generating new ideas. From the unconventional approach of famous musicians and physicists to the power of terrible ideas, we invite...

What was the secret weapon that made Star Wars successful? (No, it wasn't the Death Star.) And, which Oscar-winning film's script was almost not even written, if not for some harsh words from a friend? In this episode, we delve into the importance of healthy relationships, radical candor, and effective communication in the creative process. We hear stories of challenging relationships and transformative conversations that led to breakthroughs in creativity and collaboration. We learn about...

Chances are, you're probably not taking enough shots. In this episode, we explore the importance of starting more and letting go of the pressure to finish everything. We discuss how embracing parallel creation and being unafraid to repeat ourselves can lead to brilliant work. We also hear from Becky Blades, Austin Kleon, Andy J. Pizza, and Ozan Varol about the significance of taking action on our ideas without being paralyzed by the fear of public perception. Key Insights: 1. Overthinking can...

If a butterfly flaps its wings in India, will your pizza arrive on time? In this episode, we explore the idea of interconnectedness and the role it plays in our lives and creative work. We delve into how the chaos and randomness of the world influence ideas and decision-making, and some strategies for dealing with the uncertainty. Our guests include Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen (co-CEO's of Gensler and authors of Design For A Radically Changing World), and Brian Klaas (author of Fluke) as we...

What does it feel like, after years of hard work, to have Jimmy Fallon rescue your album from obscurity? And then what do you do when you realize that, for all practical purposes, it really didnt make that much of a difference? In this episode, we explore Thad Cockrell's extraordinary journey in the music industry. Thad's latest album, The Kid, encapsulates his brave decision-making over the years, showcasing his resilience amidst the highs and the lows. From his unexpected "encounter" with...

Why would you drive a perfectly good barge through a perfectly good yacht club? In this episode of Daily Creative, we embark on a journey with Todd Henry and host Joshua Gott as they delve into the rebranding of the podcast from The Accidental Creative to Daily Creative. With the release of Todd's 7th book, The Brave Habit, they explore the deep changes and tough decisions Todd has made in his career, as he confronts the death of the brand he cultivated over 18 years. They discuss the...

Are you white-knuckling a station wagon? Or, is it possible you're just a multi-potentialite and don't know it? In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the theme of paralysis in creativity and decision-making. Featuring insightful interviews with Emily Wapnick and Seth Godin, we uncover lessons about how to get unstuck. We learn about the different work models used by multipotentialites and the benefits of embracing varied interests and pursuits. With a focus on decision-making, the...

How does learning to dunk a basketball help you sell digital ads? And, what if you got rid of titles in your company and just focused instead on tasks? These are just a few of the questions we explore on today's episode. If you want to do brave, creative work, you have to go "all in". But how do you do that when you don't necessarily love the tasks that you have to do all day? On this episode, we explore strategies for overcoming resistance and fully engaging with work. We discuss three...

In this first episode of Daily Creative with Todd Henry, we explore the concept of vision and its role in our work and relationships. We hear from Joshua Gott, a consultant and strategist, and Jonbob Willis, a creative photographer and "mad scientist", who share their experiences of pursuing their passions and visions, despite fear and uncertainty. Through their stories, we discover that discontentment often leads to the birth of a vision, and that having the courage to act in the face of...

On this episode, we say goodbye to The Accidental Creative podcast. After 18 years, the show is morphing into something much, much better. Stick around throughout the episode, because you'll hear: A segment from the FIRST EVER episode of the show!A full episode from 2006! Remember, starting next week the show will reset as Daily Creative with Todd Henry, and all of the old episode will vanish from the feed. They will be accessible only inside of the Daily Creative app. Thank you so much for...

In this episode, we bid farewell to "The Accidental Creative" podcast, which has been the home for my insights and teaching over the past 18 years. The decision to retire the brand was driven by the desire for a name that better encapsulates the show's core message and offerings, as well as a new vision for the podcast's format and content. "The Accidental Creative" will be transformed into a new show called "Daily Creative," focusing on providing story and teaching-driven content centered...

On this episode we sit down with Hal Elrod, author of "The Miracle Morning." We discuss the power of morning rituals and explore the concept of the "Miracle Evening," emphasizing the importance of a purposeful nighttime routine to ensure a rejuvenating sleep and a proactive start to the following day. Hal also shares his personal journey, which includes overcoming a serious car accident and the doubts he faced while writing "The Miracle Morning." **Five Key Learnings from the Episode:** 1....

No matter how talented and driven you are, sooner or later you’re bound to feel stuck. When you’e at a standstill, the worst thing you can do is to keep staring at the problem and digging yourself deeper into a rut. On this episode, Todd Henry shares 25 simple, but effective questions to help you get out of your creative rut and get moving on your work. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In this episode, we bring you a replay of the 2020 thought-provoking conversation with author and researcher Tom Rath, discussing his book "Life's Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World." Rath shares insights about the importance of focusing on contributing to others rather than solely thinking about what we get out of life. He emphasizes the impact of investments in contribution and provides valuable frameworks for identifying and prioritizing how one can best contribute to...

In this episode, we explore the importance of protecting our Idea Factory. Inspired by the Walt Disney business model, we learn that the creative output is at the core of any successful endeavor. Whether you're an entrepreneur or part of an organization, your ability to protect and nurture your Idea Factory directly impacts the value you bring. We discuss practical strategies and insights to help identify and safeguard your own Idea Factory. Key Learnings: 1. The Idea Factory is the heart of...

In this episode, we revisit a 2021 conversation with A/J Jackson, the lead singer of the band Saint Motel and the founder of a new eyewear company called Aview. A/J Jackson is a true creative polymath, with talents in filmmaking, songwriting, record production, and now entrepreneurship. We explore his journey in music and film, his creative process, and how he chooses which projects to pursue. We also discuss the impact of the pandemic on the music industry and the potential for innovation in...

In this episode, we interview Kim Christfort, co-author of the book "The Breakthrough Manifesto: Ten Principles to Spark Transformative Innovation." Kim, who is the chief innovation leader for executive accelerators at Deloitte, shares insights on what holds us back from innovating and how to overcome those barriers. We dive into topics such as the importance of silencing our cynic, the power of stripping away unnecessary complexity, and the role of healthy conflict in driving innovation. Kim...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of risk management for creative pros and leaders with seasoned expert K. Scott Griffith, author of "The Leader's Guide to Risk Management." We discuss the importance of understanding risk, how to spot and manage it effectively, and why risk management is essential for leaders. Griffith shares insights on the types of reliability and the importance of focusing on predictive behavior rather than consequential outcomes. Key learnings from the...

In this episode we re-vist a 2018 chat with highly respected editor Niki Papadopoulos. Niki shares her insights on the role of editing, offering invaluable advice for anyone looking to make an impact with their work. From the importance of finding the core of an idea to strategically building connections, Niki provides a wealth of knowledge. Todd and Niki also discuss the significance of having a point of view that may challenge and even offend some readers, as well as the importance of...

In this episode, we dive into the importance of design with Mauro Porcini, the Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo. Design is often seen as an afterthought or something purely aesthetic, but Mauro explains that true design is a culture of caring. It begins with observing and understanding the needs and desires of people, and then creating solutions that meet those needs. Design is about more than making money, it's about making a real impact on people's lives. Mauro also shares the qualities of...