Episode 80: Lucky By Design – Show Notes Is luck really just random, or can we engineer it? In this episode, we explore how “luck” is often the result of preparation, pattern recognition, and a deep understanding of hidden systems that shape opportunity. Drawing from the unlikely success story of Gary Dahl’s Pet Rock and the groundbreaking research of Wharton economist Judd Kessler and his new book Lucky By Design , we dig into the ways luck is built, not found. Judd Kessler introduces his frame...
Oct 14, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 80
How do we keep our creative edge—and ourselves—intact while navigating constant demands, distractions, and emotional turbulence? In this episode, we explore two distinct yet overlapping paths to real impact and creative resilience. We first sit down with Robert Glazer, best-selling author of The Compass Within , who demystifies the role of core values as more than just aspirational words—they’re non-negotiable principles that serve as a compass for decision making, relationships, and leadership....
Oct 07, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 79
How often do our teams, family members, or collaborators end up misunderstanding each other even when we think we’re being perfectly clear? In this episode, we dive into the high cost of miscommunication and what it takes to become a “super communicator” in a noisy, divided world. We’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg, whose new book “Supercommunicators” unlocks why our conversations so often miss the mark—and offers a toolkit for breaking through confusion and buildin...
Sep 30, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 78
In this episode, we explore the exhilarating—and sometimes terrifying—landscape of disruption with innovation expert Scott Anthony, author of Epic Disruptions . Together, we examine the rapid shifts happening across every industry and what it takes not just to survive, but to lead through change with courage and creativity. We discuss why disruption is as much about human behavior as it is about technology, and highlight the critical missteps leaders make when they listen only to their best cust...
Sep 23, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Why does so much around us feel "vaguely familiar"? In this episode, we dive deep into the creative malaise of our overstimulated world—where endless scrolling, constant content, and a deluge of data make everything seem slightly derivative and uninspiring. We unpack the concept of “vague familiarity” and examine why our passion for novelty is constantly dulled by today’s information overload. To help us cut through the noise, we’re joined by Andrew Robertson, chairman of BBDO and author of The ...
Sep 16, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 76
In this episode, we explore what it takes to sustain creative leadership—not just for the next launch, but through the marathon of a meaningful career. We sit down with serial entrepreneur and author Chris Ducker to dig deep into his philosophy from his new book, "The Long Haul Leader," where he shares battle-tested frameworks for combating burnout and resisting the relentless drive of hustle culture. We reflect on how our culture glorifies quick wins and non-stop hustle at the expense of our he...
Sep 09, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 75
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive deep into the concept of doubt as a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and effective leadership. We explore a real-world story where doubt reshaped a project and led to a superior outcome, challenging our culture’s bias toward certainty and snap answers. Our guest, Dr. Bobby Parmar, author of Radical Doubt and professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, unpacks the neuroscience and psychology behind how we process uncertainty—...
Sep 02, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 74
In this solo episode, we explore a profound question: Are we building our professional lives around fleeting moments, or are we becoming mountains—steady, enduring, and impactful over the long term? We reflect on the contrast between “moment makers” who chase applause and “mountain builders” who quietly cultivate trust, skill, and lasting influence through steady practices. We examine the cultural obsession with moments of sudden attention and why anchoring our identity or work to them can lead ...
Aug 26, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Why does time feel so slippery, especially for creative pros? In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of “time anxiety”—that restless sense that we’re running out of time or not spending our hours on what really matters. We’re joined by Chris Guillebeau, author of the book Time Anxiety , who brings a fresh lens to how we experience time, how our anxieties about it span past, present, and future—and why productivity hacks alone will never be enough. We dig into the difference between optimizin...
Aug 19, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Episode E71 – Distancing In this episode, we dive into one of creativity and leadership’s most overlooked superpowers: the ability to distance ourselves from our own immediate experience. We explore why our best work rarely happens by accident—it’s a result of disciplined, intentional decisions made from a broader perspective. We sit down with former nuclear submarine commander and bestselling author L. David Marquet , whose latest book, Distancing , unpacks the science and practice of decision-...
Aug 12, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 71
In this episode, we explore the idea that “cover bands don’t change the world”—and what it really takes to move from remixing the familiar to truly original creative work. We discuss why so many creative professionals feel stuck in safe, derivative cycles, and how our obsession with mimicking proven formulas can prevent us from breaking new ground. We’re joined by Phil White—co-author of The Creative’s Mind —who shares stories of extraordinary creatives who managed to defy their circumstances, r...
Aug 05, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 70
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the hidden forces that can derail even the most talented and well-intentioned leaders: blind spots. We explore why self-awareness isn’t just about knowing our weaknesses, but also understanding how our biggest strengths—if left unchecked—can turn into liabilities. We’re joined by Marty Dubin , executive coach, former CEO, clinical psychologist, and author of the new book Blindspotting . Marty shares his framework for uncovering blind spots across s...
Jul 29, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dig into the origins and unexpected global impact of the “like button” with business thinker and strategist Martin Reeves, co-author of Like: The Button That Changed the World . Together, we uncover not just the technical and historical story behind one of the internet’s most recognizable icons, but also how something so small has fundamentally rewired our ideas about validation, success, identity, and creativity. We explore the messy, iterative invention pr...
Jul 22, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 68
In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to be human in today’s workplace. We push back against the efficiency-obsessed culture and explore how bringing more humanity, joy, and intention into work leads to better results and more meaningful lives. First, we’re joined by Bree Groff , author of Today Was Fun! and consultant and expert in organizational transformation. Bree breaks down why work doesn’t have to be drudgery and makes a compelling case for infusing fun and playfulness i...
Jul 15, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Summer's in full swing, our routines are upside down, and creative disciplines are as vital as ever. In this special episode, we share Todd Henry's live talk from Scottsdale, Arizona, exploring the heart of creative work and what it really takes to thrive as a “create on demand” professional. Todd unpacks why producing brilliant work isn’t as simple as following steps 1-2-3, and why most of the real magic happens in the messy space in between. He also discusses the hidden forces that sabotage ou...
Jul 08, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 66
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the heart of what it means to be a purposeful leader—both in our creative work and our lives. We explore how easy it is to drift away from our core motivations as we advance in our careers, and what it really takes to stay anchored to what matters most. We’re joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, the only Fortune 500 CEO to have led two companies on different continents and author of Leading To Thrive , and Eric Liedtke, former brand president at Adidas and c...
Jul 01, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 65
In this episode of Daily Creative, we sit down with Jesse Cole , the founder of the Savannah Bananas—a phenomenon that's redefining what it means to have fun at a baseball game. We share Jesse’s incredible journey from feeling uninspired in a “dream job” to igniting a revolution in sports entertainment. Bored with the traditional, slow-moving experience of baseball, Jesse asked the pivotal question: “How could we make this fun every time?” We explore how Jesse leaned into bold ideas, ditched the...
Jun 17, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In this episode, we dive into how complexity creeps into our systems—whether in software, organizations, or personal leadership. We start by looking at the evolution of Microsoft Word as a case study of feature creep and unintended consequences, asking why more options can end up stifling creativity. We’re joined by Robert Siegel , Stanford lecturer and author of The Systems Leader , who unpacks why today is a uniquely chaotic time for leaders. He explores the cross-pressures leaders face—from b...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 63
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dig into the concept of “lean learning”—the art of cutting through information overload to focus on what matters and take action that truly moves us forward. We kick off with an intriguing story about the Jefferson Memorial’s restoration, showing how asking the right questions unlocks smarter solutions. Joining us is Pat Flynn, entrepreneur and author of Lean Learning , who shares insights from his journey from aspiring architect to online business leader an...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Ever fantasized about sending a scorched-earth resignation email or confronting that “complicated” colleague head-on? In this episode, we explore the messy realities and hidden costs of revenge in the workplace—and uncover healthier, more powerful strategies for navigating conflict and difficult people. We kick off with a viral real-life resignation email—an employee’s “digital declaration of war”—and ask: Is revenge ever the right answer, or just a tempting fantasy? To help us dig deeper, we we...
May 28, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 61
In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to choose creativity, rather than simply waiting for inspiration to strike. We open with the fascinating origin story of Photoshop—how a grad student’s simple problem-solving evolved, through deliberate choices and refinement, into a revolutionary creative tool. This story sets the stage for this episode’s exploration of how intentional actions, not just spontaneous bursts, drive meaningful creative outcomes. We’re joined by Zorana Ivcevic ...
May 13, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 60
In this episode, we dive deep into why optimism is far more than just wishful thinking—it's a practical, essential quality for doing brave, creative work and leading others with clarity. We explore how maintaining optimistic vision, especially in uncertain times, can drive teams forward and inspire decisive action. We also welcome special guest Peter Wilken, branding expert and author of Dim Sum Strategy and The Ten Commandments to Build a Strong Brand and Steer Your Ship By . Peter shares stori...
May 06, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 59
In this episode, we dig deep into the experience of “stuckness” that every creative pro and leader faces when tackling hard problems. We challenge the typical advice of “just push through,” and instead reveal the true root causes behind creative block. Also, we explore why simply grinding it out doesn’t always work and how a more mindful approach can help us regain momentum. We unpack three main reasons why we often get stuck: lack of definition, loss of motivation, and outdated systems. Through...
Apr 29, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 58
In today’s episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the crucial distinction between being a collector and a curator in the digital age. With endless streams of information bombarding us daily, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hoarding inspiration—saving articles, quotes, and ideas without ever transforming them into something meaningful. We explore how true creativity is about making the complicated simple and turning endless noise into valuable insight. We walk through a practical, three-step ...
Apr 22, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 57
In this episode, we dive into managing uncertainty with Todd Henry and special guest Melody Wilding. We share insights on thriving in uncertain times, including building chaos-proof rituals, asking transformative questions, and thinking countercyclically. We also highlight Melody Wilding's expertise from her latest book Managing Up , which is about how to get what you want from those in charge. Melody shares how creative professionals can align with their managers and navigate workplace dynamics...
Apr 15, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 56
In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the concept of "Strategic Indifference," a powerful approach to leadership and creativity. We share insights on how Steve Jobs exemplified this concept when he returned to Apple in 1997 and made bold decisions that transformed the company. The episode explores the difference between prioritization and strategic indifference, highlighting the courage it takes to purposely ignore certain tasks, even when they appear important, to concentrate on what...
Apr 08, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In this episode of Daily Creative, we discuss how to make yourself stand out in a competitive job market by reversing the traditional job search approach. We highlight the inspiring story of Nina Mufleh , who broke through the job market noise with her innovative product listing resume, showcasing the exact qualities employers seek: creativity, problem-solving, and calculated risk-taking. Madeline Mann, our guest and author of the book Reverse the Search , shares insights on transitioning from b...
Apr 01, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In this episode of Daily Creative we are joined by Jenny Wood , author of Wild Courage and former executive at Google. We delve into the concept of mediocrity and how many bright creatives can inadvertently settle for less due to fear and external pressures. Jenny shares her transformative subway moment that led her to embrace "wild courage" and how she has applied this principle to various aspects of her life and work. We discuss the importance of taking action despite fears, and Jenny introduc...
Mar 25, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the essential dynamics of trust within creative organizations and our personal relationship with money. We start with a discussion on how trust is foundational in the creative process, emphasizing the significance of a reciprocal relationship between team members and leadership. When trust erodes, it can lead to workplace inefficiencies and cause talented individuals to leave. We then explore how our internal trust, particularly in the context of m...
Mar 18, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In this episode of Daily Creative, we share insights from my recent (grueling, yet rewarding) speaking tour across the United States, where I delivered nine keynote presentations in just 14 days. My travel provided me with valuable lessons and inspiration, captured as quick sketches and observations in my notebook. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to discuss two powerful moments from my recent travels that challenged my thinking and revealed profound insights about creativity and leadership. ...
Mar 11, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 51
