A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Alex Center. 

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Alex Center shares his journey from insecure art student to founder of his eponymous design studio. Growing up in the '90s, he discovered confidence through art classes and developed a relationship with brands that made him feel important. 

After a disillusioning internship at the New York Knicks, he found his calling at Vitamin Water, working alongside marketing legends like Rohan Oza and eventually collaborating with Collins on a major rebrand. The pivotal moment came when Brian Collins refused to validate his decision to start a studio, instead telling him "it needs to come from inside you." 

Seven years later, Center has built 25+ brands from scratch, earning international recognition not by working with the biggest brands, but by creating the brands of the future—challenging the status quo and helping people belong.

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Debbie Millman

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

In this episode of Daring Creativity podcast Debbie Millman shares her transformative journey from a pivotal class with Milton Glaser to becoming one of the most influential voices in creative conversations. 

Through her 20-year podcasting career with Design Matters, ownership of Print Magazine, and leadership of the world's first Masters in Branding program at SVA, Millman reveals the power of writing your future, choosing courage over confidence, and redefining failure as simply giving up on yourself.

The conversation explores her famous 10-year plan exercise that has changed countless lives, the evolution of deep listening skills, and her meticulous research process that unearths hidden gems from guests' histories. Millman discusses navigating different life decades, the involuntary nature of fear, and why AI cannot replace the soul of original creativity. 

She demonstrates how creating your own opportunities—rather than waiting to be chosen—can lead to extraordinary influence and meaningful work that spans decades.

Key Takeaways

• The 10-year plan works: Writing a detailed essay about your future life from waking to sleeping can manifest remarkable changes, but requires genuine commitment and time
• Courage trumps confidence: Confidence only comes from successful repetition of past experiences; courage is what you need to step into the unknown first
• Redefine failure: The only real failure is giving up on yourself—everything else is just losing, which is part of the natural process of growth
• Fear is involuntary: Our reptilian brain creates fear to protect us from uncertainty; we can't eliminate it but can control how we respond to it
• Deep listening is a skill: True listening means following your conversation partner rather than waiting for your turn to talk; preparation enables this flow
• Research creates magic: Spending hours in "wormholes" of research allows you to meet guests wherever they want to go in conversation
• Life stages bring different challenges: Each decade has its focus—twenties for experimentation, thirties for establishment, forties for plateau-breaking, sixties for "if not now, when?"
• Create your own opportunities: Rather than waiting to be invited into the "best band," build your own stage and invite others to join you
• AI can't replace soul: While AI excels at combinatorial creativity and research assistance, original creative work still starts in human brains and hearts
• Longevity builds influence: Staying committed to work for decades allows you to evolve, improve, and eventually lead in ways that short-term thinking cannot achieve

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Thiago Maia

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Brazilian animator and Cookie Studio founder Thiago Maia shares his journey from a creatively free childhood in São Paulo to building a successful animation studio in London, followed by a mental health breakdown that forced him to redefine success.  ~

Growing up surrounded by Japanese culture and his mother's art gallery, Thiago developed a "magician" approach to creativity—saying yes first, then figuring out how to deliver. After moving to the UK with limited English and two suitcases, he worked his way up from serving coffee to running his own studio.

Despite outward success, Thiago experienced severe depression in 2021 that nearly cost him his business and marriage. Through therapy and honest conversations, he learned to prioritize freedom over growth, scaling down his studio to focus on what truly matters. Now divorced but happier, he channels his energy into being the father he wants to be and advocates for mental health awareness in the creative industry.

Key Takeaways

• Say yes, then figure it out: Thiago's "magician" approach involves accepting challenges and learning the skills needed afterward, building confidence through problem-solving
• Freedom trumps growth: Running a larger studio doesn't equal more freedom; sometimes scaling down provides the creative liberty you originally sought
• Mental health isn't weakness: Breaking the "boys don't cry" mentality and seeking therapy can be life-saving for creatives carrying emotional burdens
• Reconnect with existing networks: When rebranding or growing, leveraging established relationships proves more valuable than cold outreach to strangers
• Guide without controlling: As creative parents, providing tools and freedom to explore matters more than imposing predetermined paths on children
• Happiness requires honest self-reflection: Success metrics imposed by others may not align with personal fulfillment; regular self-examination prevents burnout
• Cultural influences shape creativity naturally: Thiago's Japanese-influenced aesthetic emerged organically from childhood experiences rather than strategic business planning
• Language barriers are temporary obstacles: Moving to a new country without fluency creates initial challenges but opens doors to perspectives impossible in your home environment
• Therapy provides structured thinking time: Professional help offers dedicated space for reflection in an otherwise noisy, distraction-filled world
• Purpose can evolve or remain undefined: Not having a clear "why" doesn't invalidate your creative journey; sometimes enjoying the process matters more than destination clarity

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Meera Lee Patel 

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

What happens when a million-copy bestselling author realizes she can't escape herself? Meera Lee-Patel, creator of the transformative journal "Start Where You Are," takes us inside the messy reality of self-discovery that spawned her life-changing work. ~ From feeling like an outsider in suburban America to building a creative empire from her Brooklyn bedroom, Meera reveals how books became her refuge and ultimately her calling.

In this deeply personal conversation, she opens up about the overwhelming flood of reader messages that followed her success, the imposter syndrome that haunted her for years, and the shocking moment when becoming a mother stripped away everything she thought she knew about herself. You'll discover her surprisingly mathematical approach to creating books that touch souls, why rejection became her greatest teacher, and how she learned that letting go isn't something you do—it's something that happens when you finally accept where you are.

This episode will resonate with anyone who's ever felt stuck between who they were and who they're becoming, offering a roadmap for finding peace in the transition.

Order new book 'Learn to Let Go by Meera Lee Patel here 

Key Takeaways

• Self-discovery requires accepting who you are now rather than constantly seeking external validation or approval from others
• Letting go isn't something you can force—it's a natural byproduct of accepting your current circumstances and reality
• Books and creative work can provide escape, comfort, and connection, especially during feelings of isolation or being different
• Sharing vulnerable creative work opens doors to profound human connection but requires learning to set healthy boundaries
• Imposter syndrome can follow creative success for years until life circumstances (like parenthood) force you to release it
• Mathematical planning and spreadsheet organization can coexist beautifully with creative expression and artistic intuition in book-making
• Rejection can be reframed as opportunity for improvement when you're working on something truly meaningful to you
• Creative children learn by watching parents model entrepreneurial spirit and "just doing it" without waiting for permission
• The writing process clarifies thinking, and clear thinking improves writing—they work hand in hand to refine ideas
• Becoming a parent means mourning the loss of your former self while discovering new aspects of who you can become
• Setting pagination and word limits forces brevity, which strengthens writing by requiring clarity and eliminating unnecessary elements
• True creative fulfillment comes from making work that matters rather than just producing content for commercial success

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Barney Mauleverer from Future of Food

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

Barney Mauleverer embodies a life philosophy of putting yourself in luck's path through curiosity and generalist thinking. 

Rather than following a linear career plan, he embraced chaos and uncertainty in his twenties, taking seemingly random jobs that ultimately built the foundation for entrepreneurial success. His approach centers on listening first - understanding what customers and buyers actually need before developing solutions.

At the core of his philosophy is the belief that entrepreneurs are the true risk-takers who deserve recognition, not the buyers and investors often treated as industry gods. He advocates for open collaboration over competitive secrecy, viewing global challenges like population growth as opportunities for innovation rather than insurmountable problems. ~

His current Future of Food initiative reflects this worldview - creating platforms for entrepreneurs to share knowledge and collectively address industry challenges while championing the next generation of food innovators.

Key Takeaways

• Embrace being a generalist - Multiple interests and skills can be a superpower rather than a weakness in entrepreneurship
• Put yourself in luck's path - Take varied experiences and stay curious about different opportunities to create your own breaks
• Listen before you sell - Understand customer pain points and buyer motivations before developing products or pitches
• Pre-sell the vision - Test market demand with concepts before investing heavily in product development and manufacturing
• Think like your buyer - Consider what success looks like for the person across the table, not just what you want to achieve
• Fail forward strategically - Use disasters and rejections as learning opportunities rather than endpoints
• Build from customer need - Start with solving real problems rather than falling in love with your own product ideas
• Champion the risk-takers - Recognize entrepreneurs as the true drivers of innovation rather than treating buyers and investors as gods
• Collaborate openly - Share knowledge and work together on industry-wide challenges rather than hoarding competitive advantages
• Focus on opportunity over problems - Frame global challenges like population growth and resource constraints as innovation opportunities rather than insurmountable issues

Daring Creativity. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com |  [email protected]

Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFc
Free audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobook
Book bundles  https://novemberuniverse.co.uk

Lux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/  (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)
November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)