Daily Creative with Todd Henry

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 uncertainty and fear can lead to remarkable outcomes. The episode challenges us to consider what we might do if fear had no power over us and failure was an option, encouraging us to embrace brave action and creative courage in our lives and work.

Todd Henry's new book The Brave Habit releases on January 23!

Key Learnings:

1. Discontentment can be the catalyst for developing a vision for the future, as it prompts us to consider what could be better in our lives and work.

2. Acting bravely and pursuing our visions often involves stepping into the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and taking risks.

3. When pursuing a vision, it's important to focus on what we are moving toward, rather than what we are trying to escape.

4. Permission is not needed to pursue our ideas and passion projects. We should not be afraid to try new things and take risks, even if failure is a possibility.

5. Embracing creative courage and acting boldly in the face of fear and uncertainty can lead to unexpected and meaningful outcomes.

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

Learn more about Joshua Gott at JoshuaGott.com

Learn more about Jonbob Willis at Jonbob.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

 Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.

On this episode, we say goodbye to The Accidental Creative podcast. After 18 years, the show is morphing into something much, much better.

Stick around throughout the episode, because you'll hear:

• A segment from the FIRST EVER episode of the show!
• A full episode from 2006!

Remember, starting next week the show will reset as Daily Creative with Todd Henry, and all of the old episode will vanish from the feed. They will be accessible only inside of the Daily Creative app.

Thank you so much for listening for these past 18 years! Now, on the the next.

In this episode, we bid farewell to "The Accidental Creative" podcast, which has been the home for my insights and teaching over the past 18 years.

The decision to retire the brand was driven by the desire for a name that better encapsulates the show's core message and offerings, as well as a new vision for the podcast's format and content.

"The Accidental Creative" will be transformed into a new show called "Daily Creative," focusing on providing story and teaching-driven content centered around themes relevant to creativity, problem-solving, and effective leadership. The podcast will no longer be ad-supported and will seek to be listener-supported. Additionally, a new Daily Creative app will be introduced, offering subscribers access to bonus materials, insights, courses, and more.

If you've been a fan of "The Accidental Creative," be sure to play the first episode of "Daily Creative" upon its release to ensure proper subscription and visibility. Additionally, access to the back episodes of "The Accidental Creative" will only be available until January 1, 2024.

Finally, the change marks a significant shift for the show after almost two decades, and we are grateful for the listeners who have been part of this journey. We invite you to share your thoughts and feedback as we embark on this new chapter with "Daily Creative."

Key learnings from the episode:

1. The decision to retire "The Accidental Creative" and introduce "Daily Creative" was driven by the need for a brand that more accurately reflects the podcast's core message.

2. "Daily Creative" will feature story and teaching-driven content around timely themes to provide value to the audience.

3. The show will shift from being ad-supported to being listener-supported and will introduce the Daily Creative app, offering subscribers access to additional content and materials.

4. Listeners are encouraged to play the first episode of "Daily Creative" upon release and to access back episodes of "The Accidental Creative" before January 1, 2024.

5. The shift marks a new phase for the podcast, and your feedback and engagement are highly valued as the show continues to evolve.

Mentioned in this episode:

Please support our sponsors:

Notion: Notion.com/accidental

In this episode, we bring you a replay of the 2020 thought-provoking conversation with author and researcher Tom Rath, discussing his book "Life's Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World." Rath shares insights about the importance of focusing on contributing to others rather than solely thinking about what we get out of life. He emphasizes the impact of investments in contribution and provides valuable frameworks for identifying and prioritizing how one can best contribute to the world and the teams they are a part of.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. Rath highlights the importance of focusing on what we put back into life, emphasizing the positive influence on others as the primary goal.

2. He shares that finding tasks one enjoys is less satisfying than discovering outcomes that are worth suffering for if necessary.

3. Rath introduces three categories of contributions: create, relate, and operate, aimed at helping individuals identify their unique strengths and areas of impact within a team or organization.

4. The discussion delves into the fluid and situational nature of contributions, stressing the importance of aligning personal motivations and values with the needs of the community or organization.

5. Rath offers practical advice for individuals to start identifying their contributions, encouraging mapping out one's strengths and motivations and considering what the world needs in order to make a meaningful impact.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe

In this episode, we explore the importance of protecting our Idea Factory. Inspired by the Walt Disney business model, we learn that the creative output is at the core of any successful endeavor. Whether you're an entrepreneur or part of an organization, your ability to protect and nurture your Idea Factory directly impacts the value you bring. We discuss practical strategies and insights to help identify and safeguard your own Idea Factory.

Key Learnings:

1. The Idea Factory is the heart of creative output and value creation.

2. Capturing and nurturing ideas through dedicated time and intentional inputs is crucial.

3. Building an effective creative process involves managing time, focus, and energy.

4. Investing time in generating ideas for specific problems enhances problem-solving abilities.

5. Allowing for focused non-ping time and pruning nonessential activities contributes to effective creativity.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe.

In this episode, we revisit a 2021 conversation with A/J Jackson, the lead singer of the band Saint Motel and the founder of a new eyewear company called Aview. A/J Jackson is a true creative polymath, with talents in filmmaking, songwriting, record production, and now entrepreneurship. We explore his journey in music and film, his creative process, and how he chooses which projects to pursue. We also discuss the impact of the pandemic on the music industry and the potential for innovation in live events. A/J shares insights on his new venture, Aview, which offers interchangeable frame and lens sunglasses. Throughout the episode, we gain valuable advice for young creative professionals, emphasizing the importance of finding your unique voice and staying true to it.

Key Learnings:

1. Shake up your creative process to stay fresh and tap into new ideas.

2. Create the things you want to experience yourself, rather than chasing trends.

3. The pandemic has brought about lasting changes in the music industry, such as the integration of live streaming options for concerts.

4. Avue's interchangeable frame and lens sunglasses offer a convenient solution for those who wear prescription glasses.

5. Find your own unique voice and drum on it as hard as you can for maximum impact and resonance.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe

In this episode, we interview Kim Christfort, co-author of the book "The Breakthrough Manifesto: Ten Principles to Spark Transformative Innovation." Kim, who is the chief innovation leader for executive accelerators at Deloitte, shares insights on what holds us back from innovating and how to overcome those barriers. We dive into topics such as the importance of silencing our cynic, the power of stripping away unnecessary complexity, and the role of healthy conflict in driving innovation. Kim provides practical advice for leaders facing challenges in fostering innovation within their organizations.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Silencing our cynic: While critical thinking is important, cynicism can be toxic and hinder innovation. It's crucial to differentiate between the two and be open to new possibilities.

2. Stripping away complexity: Adopting a beginner's mindset and shedding layers of assumptions and beliefs can help us see things with a fresh perspective.

3. Healthy conflict: Encouraging constructive disagreements and fostering an environment where differing viewpoints can be shared openly is essential for driving innovation.

4. Don't play nice: Leaders should prioritize effectiveness over being liked and be willing to have difficult conversations to challenge ideas and move forward.

5. Overcoming organizational barriers: Understanding the language and values of the company and framing innovation opportunities in a way that resonates with the organization can increase the chances of being heard.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of risk management for creative pros and leaders with seasoned expert K. Scott Griffith, author of "The Leader's Guide to Risk Management." We discuss the importance of understanding risk, how to spot and manage it effectively, and why risk management is essential for leaders. Griffith shares insights on the types of reliability and the importance of focusing on predictive behavior rather than consequential outcomes.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. Risk is inherent in everything we do, and managing it effectively is essential for success.

2. Successful leaders are often risk-takers, but it's important to be smart and calculated in taking risks.

3. Understanding the nature of risk and distinguishing between real risk and artificially escalated perception is crucial.

4. Focusing on system reliability, human behavior, and organizational culture in that order is vital for effective risk management.

5. Building a trusted environment for employees to report risks and working collaboratively to assess and address them can lead to positive behavioral changes and resilience.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe

In this episode we re-vist a 2018 chat with highly respected editor Niki Papadopoulos. Niki shares her insights on the role of editing, offering invaluable advice for anyone looking to make an impact with their work. From the importance of finding the core of an idea to strategically building connections, Niki provides a wealth of knowledge. Todd and Niki also discuss the significance of having a point of view that may challenge and even offend some readers, as well as the importance of sharing and testing work in front of an audience.

Key Learnings from this Episode:

1. Make your product have impact, not just for the sake of making it.

2. Write as if you are speaking directly to one person who needs the advice.

3. Strategically build connections with people in your industry based on shared interests.

4. Consider the target audience and their relationship with your kind of product when developing an idea.

5. Share and test your work in front of an audience to overcome the fear of rejection and improve consistently.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of design with Mauro Porcini, the Chief Design Officer at PepsiCo. Design is often seen as an afterthought or something purely aesthetic, but Mauro explains that true design is a culture of caring. It begins with observing and understanding the needs and desires of people, and then creating solutions that meet those needs. Design is about more than making money, it's about making a real impact on people's lives. Mauro also shares the qualities of organizations that attract and retain talented designers, including traits like kindness, curiosity, and optimism. Join us for this insightful conversation on the power of design and its impact on leadership.

Mauro's new book is called Good Design Is For Everyone.

Key Learnings from this episode:

1. Design is not just about aesthetics, it's about understanding and meeting the needs of people.

2. True design begins with observation and caring about what people need and want.

3. Kindness, curiosity, and optimism are key qualities that attract and retain talented designers.

4. Design is a competitive advantage for companies of all sizes.

5. Organizations that prioritize design create a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Get three quick ideas to start your week off right. Subscribe to 3 Things at ToddHenry.com/subscribe