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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 de...

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 endeavo...

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 refl...

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 a...

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 corpor...

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 "questionologist....

Get full interviews and daily coaching in the Daily Creative app !In this episode we delve into the intricacies of managing the spotlight and thriving within it. Our conversations with Michael Port, Tim Schurrer, and Richard Hytner unfold valuable insights on navigating the pressures of high-stakes situations, finding contentment beyond recognition, and fostering healthy dynamics within creative teams.Michael Port shares his wisdom on overcoming self-absorption and neuroses by focusing on b...

In this episode of Daily Creative , we explore the power of storytelling with guest Neal Foard , a seasoned storyteller with a background in advertising. Neal shares personal anecdotes that showcase the impact and importance of the stories we choose to tell. From moments of kindness and enthusiasm to lessons on being relatable and engaging through storytelling, we delve into the art of crafting narratives to create connections and leave a lasting impression.Get the full 60+ minute interview ...

In this episode, we delve into the pervasive issue of anxiety and its impact on creative work. Liz Bohannon shares her journey from corporate life to launching Sseko Designs in Uganda. She explains how the narrative of being "special" can foster fear and anxiety, leading to a reluctance to take risks.ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman recounts his experiences with panic attacks, including a career-defining on-air mistake, and the strategies he's used to manage anxiety, which h...

In this episode we dive deep into what it means to truly commit to your creative project, featuring stories from our guests, Daniel Troia (award-winning filmmaker of We're All In This Together ), Brent Underwood (author of Ghost Town Living ), and A.J. Jacobs (NY Times author of The Year Of Living Constitutionally ). Daniel shares his unique journey of creating an award-winning film with minimal resources while relying on the kindness of strangers across America. Brent recounts his tale of revit...

We're back with another slate of Daily Creative episodes! In this episode, we delve into the concept of slow productivity—a groundbreaking approach challenging traditional work norms that push us toward constant busyness. Authors Cal Newport , Ryan Holiday , and Marc Zao Sanders join us to dissect why the old factory model doesn't align with human cognitive patterns and propose solutions to counteract pseudo productivity.Newport describes the damaging effects of high-intensity work without v...

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 t...

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 g...

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 conscio...

A pervasive myth of creativity goes something like this: if it's good, it should feeleasy. 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 listener...

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 th...

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. Overthinki...

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 w...

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 catal...

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 epi...

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 d...

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 uncert...