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 welcome leadership expert and executive coach Ryan Leak, who shares research and tactics from his new book How to Work with Complicated People. Ryan challenges us to recognize that “complicated” is in the eye of the beholder, and often, the growth opportunity in conflict lies with us.

Then, conflict resolution specialist James Kimmel takes us into the neuroscience of revenge. We learn just how a grudge can hijack our brain like a drug—triggering temporary pleasure but lasting destruction. James shares practical, evidence-based steps for breaking the cycle and explains why forgiveness isn’t just a virtue but a neurological “wonder drug” for our own well-being. His new book is called The Science of Revenge.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Jerry Maguire exit or just tired of that one messy team dynamic, this episode will help you turn revenge fantasies into opportunities for learning, integrity, and genuine professional growth.

1. “Complicated” Is Subjective: What you find difficult in a colleague, someone else might find easy—meaning anyone (including ourselves) can be “complicated” to work with.
2. People Over Job Description: Job satisfaction is far more influenced by the people you work with than by the actual work you do.
3. Honest Conversation Heals: Growth and resolution often require stepping into vulnerable, authentic dialogue with colleagues—even if it’s uncomfortable.
4. Revenge Is Addictive—And Costly: Neuroscience shows that seeking revenge lights up our reward centers like an addiction, but leaves us feeling worse and traps us in a cycle of pain.
5. Forgiveness as Self-Healing: Quiet, internal forgiveness—without any big announcements—switches off our brain’s pain and reward loops, empowering us to make clearer, healthier decisions.

Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

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 Pringle, senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the new book, The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action. Zorana shares insights from her 25 years of creativity research, focusing especially on the overlooked emotional aspects of creative work. We discuss why creativity is about continuous, intentional choices—both big and small—that help us make progress, manage our energy, and use our emotions as information.

Together, we unpack actionable strategies to deliberately foster creativity in high-pressure environments, the science behind emotional rhythms and productivity, and how tools like generative AI fit into the evolving landscape of creative work. Zorana also offers a unique perspective on matching your creative tasks to your emotional state and daily energy rhythms.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Intentional Creativity Over Inspiration: Waiting for flashes of inspiration is risky—real creative progress comes from deliberate, systematic practices and choices.
2. Emotions as Informational Tools: Emotions aren’t just happening to us—they’re signals we can decode and use to drive creative action and problem solving.
3. Creative Rhythm Is Personal: Everyone’s daily emotional and energy cycles are different. Understanding and aligning your creative tasks to these rhythms leads to better results.
4. Build Your Creative Infrastructure: Sustainable creativity requires supportive systems—idea capture, regular review, and collaborative feedback structures are essential.
5. AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement: Generative AI can assist with certain creative tasks, but the essential human skill of “problem finding”—asking the right questions—remains at the heart of true creativity.

Get weekly articles to your inbox at BraveFocusedBrilliant.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

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 stories from his storied career at the forefront of global advertising and brand consulting, shedding light on the origins and importance of “brand DNA.” Together, we discuss the key components that make great brands resilient, relevant, and unique, and how nurturing breakthrough ideas means protecting them as they grow.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Optimism Demands Agency and Vision: Real optimism is about having perceived agency and a clear, forward-looking vision, not blind faith. Leaders must provide clarity (not certainty) and communicate how their team fits into the bigger picture.
2. The True Nature of Passion: Passion, at its root, means being willing to endure or suffer for a meaningful outcome. It’s about committing to a vision deeply enough to overcome discomfort or setbacks along the way.
3. Spotting and Nurturing Great Ideas: Breakthrough creative ideas often begin as small, vulnerable seedlings that need protection and nurturing. Organizations need the courage, craftsmanship, and willingness to let ideas grow—even if they’re polarizing at first.
4. Brand DNA Explained: Great brands have a unique “DNA”—a strategic, memorable template outlining their reason for being, core beliefs, promise, customer benefit, and culture. This blueprint ensures long-lasting differentiation and guides consistent brand experiences.
5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Brands erode when they try to please everyone, over-invest in superficial touchpoints, or jump to execution before strategy. Strong brands actively exclude those who don’t share their values and build on a foundation of unwavering beliefs.

Get articles to your inbox each week at BraveFocusedBrilliant.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

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 relatable examples and practical questions, we show how redefining the problem, reconnecting with our deeper why, and shaking up our routines can reignite progress.

Whether you’re leading a team, working solo, or just trying to unlock new ideas, this episode guides you to reflect, reset, and recharge your creative drive — so you can move forward with purpose.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Stuckness Is Normal: Getting stuck is an inevitable part of doing creative, challenging work — but it's not something we have to resign ourselves to.
2. Define the Real Problem: We must continuously clarify not just the project, but the actual problem we're solving. This involves empathy, keen focus, and honest reassessment.
3. Reconnect With Motivation: When we lose sight of why our work matters or get caught in “all what, no why,” motivation drops. Reconnecting tasks to a meaningful purpose is essential.
4. Audit Your Systems: Outdated processes or a constant chase after new systems can drain energy. Refresh your workflow, build supportive relationships, and question limiting assumptions.
5. Progress Over Perfection: Stuckness is often a choice. Diligent effort and a willingness to realign or rethink can break the cycle of stagnation and lead to better results.

Subscribe to articles like this at bravefocusedbrilliant.com.

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 framework to move from information overload to actionable insight: casting a wide net, curating what matters, and ruthlessly eliminating the rest. By asking ourselves key questions—what is this really, why does it matter to me, and what can I create with it—we can ensure that our collections fuel creativity and purposeful work instead of stifling it. Plus, we share tips for establishing regular curation sessions so these ideas don’t gather digital dust.

If you’re ready to stop drowning in information and start producing more focused, meaningful creative work, this episode is for you.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Collecting vs. Curating: Collecting is about amassing information; curating is about making sense of it, connecting ideas, and generating insight.
2. The Three Questions: Always ask, “What is this really?”, “Why does it matter to me?”, and “What can I create with this?” to turn stimulus into creative fuel.
3. Ruthless Elimination: Don’t be afraid to let go of anything that doesn’t serve a clear purpose or add value—quality trumps quantity.
4. Regular Curation is Essential: Scheduling time to review, connect, and synthesize ideas is the difference-maker for ongoing creative productivity.
5. Focus on Impact: It’s not about the size of your information repository, but what you do with it—what you create is what counts.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Get free weekly articles by email to help you do your best work at BraveFocusedBrilliant.com.

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 through strategic conversations.

Get new articles by email each week at BraveFocusedBrilliant.com.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Build Chaos-Proof Rituals: Establish daily routines that provide stability, support creativity, and enhance mental clarity during chaotic times.
2. Ask Transformative Questions: Shift perspective by focusing on opportunity-seeking questions that can turn chaos into creative endeavors.
3. Think Countercyclically: In uncertain times, adopt a contrarian mindset by identifying overlooked opportunities that others may miss.
4. Practice the Art of Solitude: Embrace solitude to foster deep thinking and creative breakthroughs, making it a secret weapon in chaotic environments.
5. Master Managing Up: Develop the skill of managing up by leading strategic conversations, ensuring alignment with your leaders, and providing and receiving feedback effectively.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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 truly matters.

We discuss the art of not caring as a superpower, understanding the importance of timing, and how strategic indifference empowers teams to thrive. Additionally, we explain the paradox of priorities, emphasizing that sometimes, saying no to good things is necessary to achieve great things. The episode closes by asking listeners to identify their most important initiative and consider what they can let slide temporarily to focus on achieving long-term value.

Five key learnings from the episode:

1. Strategic indifference involves deliberately choosing to ignore certain tasks to concentrate on achieving critical objectives.
2. This approach requires courage and a clear vision, often involving letting go of seemingly essential opportunities.
3. Timing and context are crucial in applying strategic indifference effectively; choosing the right moment can yield significant results.
4. Empowering teams through strategic indifference enhances their independence and capability while enabling focused tactical execution.
5. Prioritizing one or two critical challenges can drive immediate progress and pave the way for long-term growth.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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 being a job seeker to a job shopper, a mindset that attracts opportunities rather than chasing them. We explore the importance of focusing on connections during interviews, demonstrating authenticity, and shifting the narrative from telling your story to solving the company's challenges.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. Job shoppers focus on presenting their value, creating opportunities for companies to sell them a position.
2. Effective differentiation is key to catching an employer's attention in today's competitive job market.
3. Avoid autobiography syndrome by focusing on how you can solve the company's needs instead of just sharing your story.
4. Reduce perceived risk for employers by being transparent about your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Approach interviews as conversations, emphasizing connection over perfection.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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 introduces us to her unique approach to courage, highlighting traits such as being "healthily manipulative" to enhance influence and success.

Jenny also explains the idea of "woo with you," a technique to build relationships through empathy and valuing others, while staying rooted in ethical practices. We explore how courage isn't about eliminating fear, but progressing despite it, focusing on subtle yet determined actions that lead to significant change. Jenny emphasizes rejecting imposter syndrome and owning one's strengths proudly. Her book, Wild Courage, encourages readers to pursue their goals with deliberate, courageous steps that defy conventional expectations.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Mediocrity often happens in small increments of settling, driven by fear disguised as wisdom.
2. Wild courage involves taking calculated risks and acting even when fear is present.
3. Influence can be cultivated through empathy and valuing others, embracing a mindset of healthy manipulation.
4. True courage isn't about bravado; it's small, consistent progress toward meaningful goals.
5. Embracing one's strengths and rejecting imposter syndrome is crucial for professional and personal growth.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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 money, influences our professional lives. Our guest, Elizabeth Husserl, author of "The Power of Enough," joins us to unravel the complexities of valuing creative work in a financial market. She offers insights into how personal narratives around money can either empower or hinder our careers and stresses the importance of understanding and re-shaping our relationship with money to match our creative aspirations.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Trust in creative organizations must be a two-way street—team members need to trust leadership, and leadership needs to trust the team.
2. The natural cycles of creative intensity and recovery must be acknowledged to avoid overwhelming team members.
3. Personal relationships with money greatly affect how creative professionals value their work and handle financial matters.
4. Understanding one’s personal money story is crucial for improving financial decision-making and satisfaction in professional endeavors.
5. Separating personal value from monetary value can lead to a healthier, more strategic approach to creative work.

Subscribe to Brave, Focused, Brilliant at BraveFocusedBrilliant.com.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.