In this episode we revisit Todd's powerful talk delivered at Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville, TN for the Story Conference. Todd discusses the importance of shunning comfort zones, overcoming fear, and identifying your productive passion to ensure we empty ourselves of our best work by the end of our lives. He also delves into practical questions to help you discover your own productive passion and emphasizes the importance of fighting the right creative battles. With engaging...

In this episode, we reflect on the importance of vulnerability and kindness in fostering meaningful relationships, both personal and professional. Our guest, James Rhee, author of Red Helicopter, recounts an impactful kindergarten experience that taught him the value of goodwill and sharing. He likens the power of kindness to the magical world of "Harold in the Purple Crayon," emphasizing our ability to create goodwill through our actions. We then delve into a conversation with Eric Barker,...

In today's episode, we dive deep into the intriguing world of perception and communication. It all begins with a story about how a seemingly simple movie night turned into a revelation about differing perspectives. We explore how our interpretations of the same events can vary widely, reflecting our own stories and lenses. Joining us is Tamsen Webster, a message designer with 25 years of experience in marketing and messaging. She shares insights from her new book Say What They Can't Unhear,...

In this episode, we explore the stories of two remarkable individuals who took bold steps to seize opportunities in their lives, despite facing incredible challenges. First, we hear from Trey Sheneman, a marketing consultant and a father whose son, Bear, was born with a unique birth defect that severely impacted his hearing. Trey shares the heartwarming journey of how watching Wheel of Fortune became a therapeutic ritual for Bear and led Trey to audition for the game show. Against the odds,...

In this episode, we are joined by renowned author and strategist Seth Godin, who shares invaluable insights into understanding and developing effective strategies. We delve into the concept of elegant versus inelegant strategies, with Seth providing compelling examples of how simple, effective solutions can resolve complex problems. He also discusses the critical distinction between strategy and tactics, and highlights the dangers of ignoring systemic inertia while pushing for change. Key...

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore a quote from Richard Rohr: "A mouse in a mansion does not need to take lessons in humility." This imagery of a mouse confidently navigating a grand space leads us into a profound discussion on humility, self-awareness, and authentic leadership. We reflect on the importance of striking a balance between confidence and humility, highlighting how true confidence stems from self-awareness rather than ego. By understanding our own worth and...

In this thought-provoking episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the concept of safety, its potential illusions, and how it impacts creativity. Chase Jarvis (author of Never Play It Safe) shares his personal journey from a budding second-grade entrepreneur, whose creative ventures were effectively shut down by a well-meaning teacher, to becoming a globally celebrated commercial photographer, director, author, and founder of CreativeLive. He underscores the notion that the best experiences...

What if failure isn't just something to be tolerated and learned from, but actually something to be designed for? In this episode, we delve into an unconventional approach to success through the lens of failure.  We are joined by Manu Kapur, a learning scientist and author of the book "Productive Failure." Manu believes that failure should not just be something we learn from when it happens, but something we should design for deliberately. This proactive stance on failure can accelerate...

In this episode, we explore the significance of understanding your audience. Mike DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender, emphasizes the importance of creating content that respects and enlightens the audience, rather than just entertaining them.  We delve into Mike’s career journey from his art school days to his innovative work in animation and his venture into novel writing. DiMartino shares the creative process behind his novel Both Here and Gone, offering profound insights...

In today's episode of Daily Creative, our guest, Ted Raad, co-founder of Trend Companies, shares his unique journey into the world of social media influence. Originally a bystander in his wife's budding influencer career, Ted was thrust into the business when they realized the power of staying authentic. Together, they built a company centered on maintaining integrity and growing trust with their audience. We discuss the difference between true influence and mere attention-seeking,...

In today's episode, we dive into the motivations of creative pros. Through an engaging discussion with our guest Molly Fletcher, author of Dynamic Drive, we explore the deeper motivations that sustain long-term success in any field. Molly, a former sports agent, provides insights from her own experiences with high achievers, highlighting how true fulfillment stems from a purpose-driven life. Key Learnings: 1. Even the most successful journeys begin with vulnerability and uncertainty. 2....

In this episode of Daily Creative, we are joined by Mark Matson, an advisor, wealth manager, and author of Experiencing The American Dream, who has a fascinating personal story. Mark discusses how his father’s mindset shift from a scarcity mentality to one of creating value for others significantly influenced his own life and career. He highlights how our psychology around money can either limit or enhance our creative potential. We delve into the intricate relationship between money and...

In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the concept of generosity and how it can transform our professional and personal lives. Our guest, Mo Bunnell, author of the new book Give to Grow and founder of Bunnell Idea Group, joins us to discuss the distinction between doing the work and winning the work. Mo shares his insights on how being strategically generous can create raving fans and forge lasting professional relationships. We also explore practical strategies for infusing...

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...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and what it means to be human in a technological age with our guest, Andy Crouch. We discuss the defining features of technology and how it impacts our ability to be persons in the world. Andy explains the difference between tools and devices, and how devices replace human effort and skill, leading to expanded capabilities but diminished burden. We delve into the hidden bargain of technology, where "you no longer have to"...

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...

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...

In today's episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the fascinating world of games and their impact on our creativity, leadership, and everyday life. Neuroscientist and physicist Kelly Clancy, author of "Playing with Reality," shares profound insights into how games have shaped our world and our thinking. Kelly reveals how play is hardwired into our biology and explores its crucial role in learning, social development, and strategic thinking. She provides vivid examples from tech leaders and...

In this episode, we discuss why just having a good idea is not enough. Joined by Wes Kao, a brand strategist and co-founder of Maven, we explore why merely having good ideas won't lead to their adoption, and how to effectively communicate and implement those ideas to achieve success. Wes shares her personal story of learning the difference between insights and actionable suggestions early in her career, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility and advocating for one's ideas. We...

In today's episode, we explore the concept of how the sense of time affects our mindset with guest Oliver Burkeman, author of the book "4000 Weeks". We delve into several traps that creative professionals often fall into due to this awareness of limited time, such as procrastination, the efficiency trap, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Burkeman offers strategies to counter these tendencies, including embracing the joy of missing out (JOMO) and focusing on fewer but more meaningful...

Why do talented, capable people fail to ask the questions that they know they should ask? In this episode, our guest, Jeff Wetzler, author of the book Ask, shares why capable individuals often struggle to learn from others. Throughout the conversation, we explore Jeff's five-part ASK framework, designed to systemize effective questioning and enrich our understanding of those around us. We learn that choosing curiosity, making it safe, asking quality questions, listening to learn, and...

In this episode, we investigate the necessity of working in harmony with our environment and our own resource constraints. We are joined by Laura Mae Martin, Google's productivity expert and author of Uptime, who shares invaluable insights on productivity, efficiency, and creative flow. Laura recounts her journey at Google, where she transitioned from a sales role to coaching executives and developing productivity strategies from scratch. In a world teeming with tools and technologies, she...

Get full interviews, tools, and daily coaching at DailyCreative.app. Are teams inherently more, or less productive than individuals? And, is there a way to structure teamwork so that it's less cumbersome? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Philo Farnsworth, the farm boy who revolutionized the world with the invention of electronic television. Despite his humble beginnings and the lack of formal education, Farnsworth's vision and determination enabled him to outpace...

Get full interviews and daily episodes in the Daily Creative app. In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the fascinating world of questioning and its impact on creativity and problem-solving. We start with a story from the 1980s about A&W Restaurants’ third-pound burger blunder, highlighting the importance of asking the right questions. We then welcome Warren Berger, the author of "A More Beautiful Question," who shares his journey from a newspaper journalist to a...