What’s the real cost of internet fame? In this episode, Chris and Jodie Cook break down the hidden pressures of building a big online audience—relentless DMs, parasocial fans, and the constant demand for time and attention. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, use automation to manage inbox overload, and price coaching calls in a way that protects your energy while increasing client results. Jodie also shares the challenges of authenticity online, the perks (and pitfalls) of recognition, and why ...
Sep 06, 2025•53 min
From Atlanta studios to Hollywood sets to inventing new technology, Troy Plota has built a career on persistence and reinvention. In this conversation with Chris Do, he shares how he went from organizing model books to shooting celebrities, the $35K day that changed everything, and the app that transformed still photos into living motion. But the story doesn’t stop there. Troy opens up about clients who refused to pay, platforms that exploited his work, and why he believes DAOs could finally giv...
Sep 04, 2025•48 min
In this episode, Chris Do reunites with Allan Dib, bestselling author of The One Page Marketing Plan and Lean Marketing, to break down timeless marketing truths in a noisy AI-driven world. Using his playful “wedding episode” framework—something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue—Allan shares why fundamentals never go out of style, how AI is an Iron Man suit (not a replacement), why creativity and identity are the ultimate differentiators, and how to use simple human touches t...
Aug 30, 2025•46 min
Register for AdobeMax using the code FUTUR25 for $400 off a full pass. See you there! In this episode, Chris Do sits down with designer, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur Stan Nwaeze to unpack the story of how he built himself—from growing up with scarcity in Nigeria to crafting a career rooted in vision, values, and relentless curiosity. Stan traces his path from teaching himself HTML and design, to shifting into branding and UI/UX, and finally to discovering filmmaking as the medium tha...
Aug 28, 2025•37 min
Why do we care so much about what other people think? In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Chris Do and Jodie Cook unpack the roots of identity, judgment, and self-worth. From school systems that condition conformity, to the subtle ways parents shape our sense of pride and achievement, Chris and Jodie explore how external validation can quietly dictate our happiness. They discuss the difference between praise and gratitude, the trap of living for weekends, and how to cultivate the ...
Aug 23, 2025•53 min
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with CPA, creator, and entrepreneur Hector Garcia to unpack how he’s blended accounting, content, and community into a career that defies categories. From building his bookkeeping firm out of Florida to becoming one of the most influential voices in the QuickBooks world, Hector shares how documenting his learning journey on YouTube turned into a thriving practice, new ventures, and over 300,000 subscribers. He opens up about selling his firm, founding a softwa...
Aug 21, 2025•53 min
What if your brand could capture attention like a Hollywood blockbuster? In this episode of The Futur Podcast , Chris Do sits down with Greg Logan —founder of Narrativity and author of Creating a Blockbuster Brand —to unpack how the world’s most successful movies can teach us how to tell unforgettable brand stories. Greg explains why the Hero’s Journey works every time, how to define your brand’s quest , and why storytelling—not facts—drives human decision-making. He also shares his four-day pro...
Aug 16, 2025•52 min
Register for AdobeMax using the code FUTUR25 for $400 off a full pass. See you there! In this episode, Chris Do sits down with brand strategist and storyteller Sun Yi to unpack the truth behind internet personas, the realities of creative entrepreneurship, and how storytelling unlocks influence. From building his agency out of a New York apartment (and sleeping in the office) to helping others reframe their own narratives, Sun shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career—including how his w...
Aug 14, 2025•50 min
In this episode, I sit down with Jodie Cook—entrepreneur, author, and powerlifter—for an unfiltered conversation on building an agency that fits the life you want to live. From rabbits, deer, and elephants to whales and dolphins, we unpack how to categorize clients, know which ones to pursue, and why chasing the wrong type can leave your business overrun, exhausted, or stuck. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (1:46) What Are Deer Clients (3:29) Cost of Too Many Smalls (5:04) Landing Big Brand Whales (6:3...
Aug 09, 2025•41 min
In this analog-meets-now episode, Chris sits down with legendary publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett and visionary designer Chris Ashworth to revisit the bold, rebellious energy of the 90s print scene—and why it still matters in today’s algorithmic world. From their game-changing days at Ray Gun to their latest creative collaborations, the trio unpacks how embracing imperfection, trusting your eye, and responding to constraints can unlock true creative breakthroughs. They explore the tension between ...
Aug 07, 2025•31 min
We all know we should tell better stories—but how do you do it when you’re creating business content, not writing a novel? In this solo episode, Chris Do breaks down the YOU + POV framework for storytelling, showing creators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders how to share stories that make their content unforgettable. If you’ve ever felt like your content blends into the noise, this episode will teach you how to share stories that connect—and why they’ll make your brand stand out. Timestamps (0...
Aug 02, 2025•14 min
In this episode, Chris sits down with legendary CEO and leadership thinker Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld for a deep dive into the hidden engine behind long-term success: energy. From running global companies like Siemens and Alcoa to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Klaus shares why burnout is not a badge of honor—and how purpose, mindset, and daily habits are the real levers of performance. This conversation is a masterclass on managing your inner game so you can lead with clarity, stamina, and ...
Jul 31, 2025•53 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A Ever feel like you're doing your team's work for them? In this episode, Chris Do reveals the powerful leadership philosophy of “intentional incompetence”—a counterintuitive but highly effective way to empower creative teams, avoid burnout, and build real autonomy. You’ll learn why micromanagement kills creativity, how ...
Jul 26, 2025•5 min
A college dropout, Jennie Smythe had no backup plan — but she had one moment of clarity: she wasn’t going to follow the path others expected. She was going to build her own. By her early 40s, while grieving the loss of her father and newly diagnosed with breast cancer, she had built an award-winning digital marketing firm - Girlilla Marketing. In this conversation, Jennie shares how she turned crisis into clarity, and what it really looks like to start over with nothing. If you feel behind, unqu...
Jul 24, 2025•46 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this playful and provocative episode, Chris reunites with Jodie Cook—entrepreneur, author and athlete — for a conversation about standing out, staying human, and showing up as your full self in a world ruled by conformity and AI. They explore the cultural pressure to "be normal," the rise of copy-paste personal bran...
Jul 19, 2025•32 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A Scope creep isn't just a budget problem — it’s a boundary problem. And most creatives don’t realize they’re inviting it in. In this short, sharp episode, Chris Do breaks down the psychology of scope creep, why it happens, and how to protect your time, energy, and client relationships without feeling like the bad guy. Y...
Jul 17, 2025•7 min
We want to hear from you.If you’ve been enjoying the show, we’d love your input. It only takes a minute to answer our listener survey, and your feedback really helps us improve the podcast: https://forms.gle/6j5GLzwK6GQF7Hzx7 In this episode, Chris sits down with Oscar Höglund—Co-Founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound—for an inside look at the mindset, strategy, and resilience it takes to build a billion-dollar business at the intersection of music, media, and tech. From cold-starting a music licensi...
Jul 10, 2025•45 min
We want to hear from you.If you’ve been enjoying the show, we’d love your input. It only takes a minute to answer our listener survey, and your feedback really helps us improve the podcast: https://forms.gle/6j5GLzwK6GQF7Hzx7 In this episode, I sit down again with Jodie Cook—entrepreneur, author, and strategist—for a raw, honest unpacking of privilege, entrepreneurship, and power in the AI age. From debating the “fairness” of the system to calling out the real enemy of progress, we dissect the n...
Jul 05, 2025•40 min
We want to hear from you.If you’ve been enjoying the show, we’d love your input. It only takes a minute to answer our listener survey, and your feedback really helps us improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb6AltIruAF2Ut0I3b-6XmdAeO0TNNJP_SlRGOo11syj4Uhw/formResponse In this episode, Chris sits down with conflict resolution specialist and psychologist Simon Goode for a masterclass on how to stay calm under pressure, handle conflict with confidence, and navigate tough co...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 23 min
We want to hear from you.If you’ve been enjoying the show, we’d love your input. It only takes a minute to answer our listener survey, and your feedback really helps us improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb6AltIruAF2Ut0I3b-6XmdAeO0TNNJP_SlRGOo11syj4Uhw/formResponse In this episode, Chris sits down with Rich Webster—designer, agency owner, and creator of How To Work Less—for a candid and hilarious conversation on carving your own path in business without becoming a par...
Jun 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min
We want to hear from you.If you’ve been enjoying the show, we’d love your input. It only takes a minute to answer our listener survey, and your feedback really helps us improve the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb6AltIruAF2Ut0I3b-6XmdAeO0TNNJP_SlRGOo11syj4Uhw/formResponse In this episode, Chris sits down with Brian Miller—former professional magician turned speaker, TEDx coach, and founder of a message design firm for experts—for a rigorous and thought-provoking conversation...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 15 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, Chris sits down once again with Jodie Cook—entrepreneur, writer, and powerlifter—for a raw and insightful conversation about what it really means to show up as yourself. From hiding her strength to owning it, Jodie shares her journey of stepping into visibility, embracing discomfort, and building a bra...
Jun 21, 2025•45 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, I dive into the concept of personal brand misalignment—when people perceive you differently than you see yourself. But what if that perception is actually working in your favor? I share how small, intentional changes in style and presentation can shape the way people see you, often before you even anno...
Jun 19, 2025•5 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, I sit down with Robert Brunner — the design mind behind Beats by Dre, former Apple design director, and founder of Ammunition — to unpack what it really takes to build enduring, emotional, and market-shifting products. We explore the tension between risk and restraint, the power of story in industrial ...
Jun 14, 2025•50 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A Closing a client isn’t about luck—it’s about process. In this episode, I break down why sales cycles vary depending on project size, client needs, and how well you handle the budget conversation. Many creatives avoid discussing money upfront, leading to wasted time and ghosting. I share why transparency is key, how to ...
Jun 12, 2025•7 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, I sit down with Matt Lakajev — sales strategist, lead gen expert, and creator of Seven Figure Creators—to dismantle the myths about content, branding, and cold outreach. Matt reveals why most creators are stuck posting into the void, and how a tiny, targeted LinkedIn presence can outperform big audienc...
Jun 07, 2025•1 hr
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, I sit down with Jodie Cook—entrepreneur, writer, and brand strategist—to dive deep into the real meaning of personal branding in the age of digital identity. From dismantling societal boxes to embracing your law of least effort, Jodie shares how she built influence without following anyone else’s templ...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A We’re back with part two of my conversation with Brendan Kane, and this time, we’re putting formats into action. We go deep into what the social media algorithms actually care about (hint: it’s not boosting or shadowbanning), why going viral isn't the goal—but meaningful impact is—and how to make even the “boring” stuf...
May 31, 2025•39 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this episode, I sit down with Brendan Kane—strategist, speaker, and author of Hook Point —to talk about what really drives social media success. Spoiler alert: it's not hacks, trends, or frequency. Brendan breaks down why storytelling beats every algorithm trick in the book and how creators can find sustainable, rep...
May 29, 2025•43 min
We want to hear from you. If you're open to a quick chat with our producer or any of the other options, it only takes a few seconds to sign up: https://forms.gle/Enzzpq5FCVQKbHV9A In this gripping Part 2 episode, Chris Do goes deep with Simon Squibb on the business model that powers his viral mission of giving away money to strangers. But this isn’t charity—it’s strategy. Simon unpacks how he built a profitable, self-sustaining content engine that funds dreams, spreads hope, and disrupts the tra...
May 24, 2025•1 hr 10 min
