In this podcast episode, Kelly interviews Juan Bendana, a speaker and author of ‘Confident by Choice.’ They discuss the impact of early experiences on self-esteem, the importance of building a relationship with fear and discomfort, and how confidence is shaped by our experiences rather than innate traits. Juan shares insights on the confidence cycle, the significance of self-efficacy, and the power of small changes in personal transformation. The conversation emphasizes the role of storytelling, play, and self-compassion in learning and growth, culminating in Juan’s personal ‘Yes, And’ moment that sparked his journey of transformation.

“Confidence is a verb.” 

“Most of us speak very harshly to ourselves.” 

“The battle for your mind is a precious one.” 

Kelly connects with Tony Wagner, senior research fellow at the Learning Policy Institute and former codirector of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Change Leadership Group. They discuss his latest book – co-written with Ulrik Juul Christensen: “Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction.” 

“Practice is an essential element of mastery learning.” 

“Time is a poor proxy for learning.” 

“Our young people know their education is failing them.” 

Kelly talks to legendary screenwriter John August (“Big Fish,” “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” who co-hosts the “Scriptnotes” podcast with Craig Mazin (“Chernobyl,” “The Last of Us.”). They have a new book: “Scriptnotes: A Book About Screenwriting and Things That Are interesting to Screenwriters.” 

“Be passionate in agreement. Be dispassionate in disagreement.” 

“As writers, we are emotional chemists.” 

“Every time you sit down and write a screenplay, you’re world-building.” 

Kelly talks to Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop, Louis Henry Mitchell who has written the book: “Qreative Evolution: The Intimate Practice of Creative Fulfillment Through Guided Self-Education.” 

 “Creativity is not limited to one type of creation.” 

“You don’t decide your purpose in life; you discover it.” 

“Confidence can be lost if it isn’t fed through practice.” 

Kelly welcomes Harvard professor Ranjay Gulati back to the podcast to discuss his new book, “How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage.” 

 “Courage is a learned behavior, not an innate one.” 

“Heroes seldom act alone.” 

“Sometimes, frankly, we take confidence too far.” 

Kelly connects with longtime film critic Nick Digilio to talk about his new book “40 Years, 40 Films.” They discuss growing up in Chicago, falling in love with movies, and Nick’s start at WGN Radio on the Roy Leonard Show. Then they dig into some of Nick’s favorite movies, such as Albert Brooks’ “Lost in America” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.”

“My parents didn’t really enforce rules when it came to media consumption.”

“The movies led to reading, which led to more movies.”

“My love wasn’t limited to horror. I adored comedies, too.”

In this engaging conversation, Goldie Chan, a brand and storytelling expert, discusses the nuances of introversion, personal branding, and the dynamics between introverts and extroverts. She shares insights from her new book, ‘Personal Branding for Introverts,’ and emphasizes the importance of networking, small talk, and setting expectations in professional environments. Goldie also draws parallels between historical figures like Cleopatra and modern branding strategies, while encouraging listeners to embrace their unique identities and take risks in their careers.

“Community is essential for introverts.” 

“Introverts often grow up feeling out of place.” 

“Personal branding is not about being someone that you’re not.” 

Kelly talks to Venezuelan-born, Chicago-based photographer Daniel Moreno about his new book of photographs of Chicago’s legendary Holiday Train. 

“To me, the Holiday Train is more than a seasonal spectacle; it’s a train of light.”

“I’ve felt the collective joy of strangers momentarily united by a shared sense of awe.” 

“In the end, the train doesn’t just bring light to the city, it makes winter feel a little less harsh.”

In this conversation, Kelly Leonard interviews Bastion Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solston, about the significance of play in human experience and its implications for business strategy, particularly in gaming. They discuss how gaming can serve as a powerful tool for engagement and marketing, illustrated by Burberry’s innovative approach to integrating their brand into a video game. The discussion also covers the creative development process in gaming, the importance of understanding the audience, and the cultural impact of gaming in relation to sports.

“Video games are the consumer touchpoint of the twenty-first century.” 

“Don’t copy and paste old playbooks.” 

“When people play, their masks come off.” 

Kelly welcomes Caroline Stokes back to the podcast to discuss her new book “Aftershock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate and Societal Collapse.”

“This book is about reprogramming the nervous system of leadership.” 

“Technology offers both promise and paradox.” 

“Virtue signaling has become a form of social currency.”