Todd Henry
Author
For nearly 20 years, Todd Henry has equipped leaders and creative pros to become the most valuable person in any room.
He is the author of seven books (including The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and Herding Tigers) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks internationally on creativity, productivity, passion for work, and generating brilliant ideas. Todd’s podcast Daily Creative has been downloaded more than 20 million times since 2005.
Over the years, Todd has developed a comprehensive framework that empowers leaders and creative pros to produce brilliant work in healthy teams that make a meaningful difference in the world. Through his keynotes and workshops, he shares practical strategies to help people and teams to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.
116
July 1, 2026
Saying, Wanting, Trying
In this episode, we explore the hidden dynamic that often derails creative professionals and leaders: the gap between what we say, what we actually want, and what we’re really building. We share the story of why some of the best music never makes it to radio, revealing how entire industries (and teams) quietly organize around mediocrity—chasing the safe middle, or as we call it, "the three." Drawing from lessons learned in Nashville’s music scene and patterns we've observed in organizations adop...
Guest: Todd Henry
99
March 10, 2026
Feeling Overwhelmed With Everything? Me too. Here's What to Do Next.
In this episode, we explore what to do when the weight of uncertainty and overwhelm makes it hard to think, create, or move forward. We open with the legendary survival story of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, drawing practical lessons about leadership, adaptability, and creative resilience. When everything spins out of control, it’s not about getting back to what we’ve lost—it’s about reframing the mission and determining the next right move. We dig deep into how overwhelm isn’t ju...
Guest: Todd Henry
96
Feb. 17, 2026
Seeing The Here and Now
In this episode, we explore the rarely recognized power of “seeing the here and now.” Using a memorable scene from Spielberg’s Lincoln as a launchpad, we dig into what it really means to rise to those unique, decisive moments that have the potential to alter the trajectory of our organizations, teams, and lives. While it’s easy (and comfortable) to stick to established plans and long-term strategies, the real challenge—and opportunity—lies in perceiving the pressing realities and fleeting openin...
Guest: Todd Henry
88
Dec. 16, 2025
20 Years In 20 Minutes
This week, we celebrate a major milestone... 20 years of the podcast! The first episode of The Accidental Creative launched in December 2005. While this is episode 88 of the re-branded version, Daily Creative, this is something like episode 1,398 of the podcast. We take a reflective journey back to where it all began, unpacking the origin story of the show and the creative work that continues to shape everything we do. Todd shares the challenges of being a young creative director attemptin...
Guest: Todd Henry
87
Dec. 9, 2025
Daily Creative
In December 2025, we celebrate something special—twenty years of this podcast, which first launched as Accidental Creative in December 2005. We reflect on how starting, even with imperfect beginnings, is an essential part of a creative journey. In this episode, we draw insights from the book Daily Creative, sharing a series of thought-provoking essays designed for creative professionals navigating the end of the year. We explore themes from balance and priorities (Rubber and Glass Balls), beg...
Guest: Todd Henry
86
Dec. 2, 2025
What Are Your Escape Hatches?
In this episode of Daily Creative, Todd Henry explores the subtle ways in which we avoid true commitment to our creative and professional ambitions. Todd discusses the concept of "escape hatches"—the backup plans, excuses, and rationalizations that prevent us from risking real vulnerability and discovering what we’re truly capable of. Drawing from personal stories and practical frameworks, we unpack three common escape hatches that undermine creative and leadership excellence: procrastination an...
Guest: Todd Henry
85
Nov. 18, 2025
5 Questions Every Creative Pro Should Be Asking
In this episode, we take a step back from our typical interview format to reflect on something many creative leaders are feeling right now: a subtle but persistent sense of drift amidst uncertainty. Drawing from recent conversations with leaders worldwide, Todd Henry digs into the changing dynamics of organizations, shifting marketplaces, and the unique challenges and numbness that come with these times. Instead of providing easy answers, Todd shares five uncomfortable—but essential—questions...
Guest: Todd Henry
73
Aug. 26, 2025
Are You A Moment, or a Mountain?
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 le...
Guest: Todd Henry
66
July 8, 2025
Todd Henry Live in Scottsdale, AZ
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...
Guest: Todd Henry