Hey friends, Chase here.

If you've ever found yourself hesitating to start a project because it didn't feel "portfolio-worthy," this one's for you. I've fallen into that trap more times than I'd like to admit — obsessing over whether something I'm making is polished enough to represent me. The irony? That mindset kills the very creativity that fills a portfolio in the first place.

The Portfolio Trap

Somewhere along the way, we started treating our portfolios like prisons instead of playgrounds. We only want to show our "best work," so we start *only* making work we think will fit that box. Every idea gets judged before it's even born. That's not curation — that's fear dressed up as professionalism.

Here's the shift: Separate creation from curation.

Create Wildly. Curate Ruthlessly.

When you're creating, you're exploring. You're playing. You're trying things that might fail — and that's where originality lives. When you're curating, you're editing. You're selecting what best represents your voice *after* you've made a lot of things. These are two different modes, and mixing them up is where people get stuck.

Let yourself make a mess. Create hundreds of sketches, photos, prototypes, or drafts that no one will ever see. Then, later, curate like a maniac. The discipline is in the separation — not in perfection.

Why the Messy Stuff Matters

Some of the best gigs of my career came from "throwaway" experiments — the projects I almost didn't share because they weren't polished enough. Those experiments showed curiosity and risk-taking. Clients and collaborators see that energy and think, *I want that.*

You don't need every piece of work to land in your portfolio. You just need to make enough to find the pieces that truly speak for you.

Here's what we get into in the episode:

• The portfolio trap: how obsessing over "shareable" work limits your creativity
• Separate creation and curation: freedom in process, discipline in presentation
• Messy work = momentum: why experimentation builds better portfolios
• Play over perfection: creativity thrives when the stakes are low

The big idea? Your portfolio should reflect your growth — not restrict it. Make more. Edit later. The only "wrong" project is the one you were too afraid to start.

Until next time—stay curious, stay playful, and keep creating.

Hey friends, Chase here.

I'm back with a little reflection that's been brewing for a while—one that hits right at the heart of what it means to be a creator right now. Lately, the number one question in my inbox (and probably yours too) goes something like this: "What happens to creativity now that AI can do so much?"

If that question sounds familiar, you're not alone. We've seen this movie before. Back in 2006, I wrote a post responding to photographers who were terrified that point-and-shoot cameras would "steal" their jobs. Fast forward to today, and we're hearing the same fear—just swap "AI" for "amateurs with a camera."

For a trip down memory lane, check out that original post, "Don't Worry, Just Focus. Please." — it's wild how the same conversation echoes through time. Different tools, same creative truth.

The Creative Edge Isn't Vanishing — It's Moving.

Here's the thing: every new tool feels like a threat at first. Digital cameras. Instagram. Smartphones. Now AI. Each time, a slice of the market shifts. The low-end work gets automated or absorbed by cheaper, faster tools. But the top quartile—the creators who bring taste, originality, and human nuance—don't vanish. They adapt, evolve, and expand what's possible.

If you're worried about being replaced, you're probably looking at the wrong part of the playing field. The real creative edge has just moved—it's waiting for you to catch up.

Here's what we get into in this episode:

• History repeats: from point-and-shoot cameras to AI, every leap in tech stirs the same fear—and the same opportunity
• Stay out of the bottom tier: low-margin work gets eaten first; creativity built on depth, taste, and expertise always finds demand
• Leverage the tools: don't compete with the machine—learn to wield it to multiply your output and sharpen your ideas
• Mindset as the real skill: the belief that you can evolve is what keeps you in the game when the rules change

The big idea? Your creative advantage isn't disappearing—it's evolving. The tools may change, but what makes your work matter has always been the same: curiosity, courage, and a willingness to play with what's next. AI isn't the end of creativity. It's an invitation to a new chapter. So pick up the tools, experiment, and move with the edge—because that's where the real art happens.

Until next time—stay curious, stay evolving, and keep creating.

In this week's episode, we're revisiting a powerful conversation that aired back in 2021 — one that's just as relevant today as it was then. Mel Robbins has continued to inspire millions with her practical, science-backed approach to behavior change and personal growth. Since our last chat, she's released a brand-new bestseller, The Let Them Theory, which builds beautifully on the ideas we explored together in this earlier episode.

Whether you're new to Mel's work or a longtime fan, this replay captures timeless insights into managing anxiety, regulating your nervous system, and finding your creative flow — lessons that feel even more essential in today's fast-paced, always-on world.

Mel is a global thought leader, an international bestselling author of The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule, and one of the most trusted voices in personal development. Her TEDx talk, "How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over", has reached over 30 million viewers worldwide.

In this conversation, we explore how anxiety and overwhelm affect creativity and productivity — and how small, consistent actions can help you reset your nervous system, quiet fear, and get back to meaningful work. Some highlights we explore:

• Why understanding your nervous system is key to unlocking focus and creativity.
• Mel's practical tools for beating overwhelm and reigniting motivation when you're stuck.
• How The High 5 Habit laid the groundwork for her new philosophy in The Let Them Theory.
• Simple daily practices — from mindfulness to micro-goals — that build momentum and self-trust.
• Why now might be the best time ever to create, even when the world feels uncertain.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn't come from control — it comes from courage, consistency, and letting go. If you've been navigating stress, self-doubt, or creative fatigue, Mel's wisdom will help you reset and reimagine what's possible.

Enjoy the revisit!

Hey friends, Chase here.

I'm writing you today from the south of France, where I've been taking a little breather before a busy fall. This episode is a reflection on some of the most popular questions that came up around the launch of Never Play It Safe. In the particular lies the universal — and the questions from our community reflect challenges so many of us face.

Burnout, Side Hustles & Tiny Experiments

Matt asked about starting a coaching/consulting side hustle. My answer? Don't try to solve everything from the couch. Start small. Run tiny experiments. Serve people by solving the problems you've already solved for yourself. From there, Dylan jumped in with a question about making a film project with a comedian friend. We dug into what it means to treat creative collaborations like real businesses — agreements, responsibilities, financing, and the all-important element of play.

Here's what we get into in the episode:

• Side hustles that stick: why solving your own past problems makes you a better coach or consultant
• Tiny experiments: the fastest way to test ideas and get real data instead of planning forever
• Collaboration as play: how operating agreements and clear roles keep partnerships fun instead of frustrating
• Burnout recovery: why rediscovering play is the antidote to grazing through work like a cow instead of hunting like a lion

The big idea? The best way forward isn't overthinking — it's showing up, experimenting, and rediscovering play in the process.

Until next time—stay playful, stay curious, and keep creating.

Hey friends, Chase here.

At the height of my career—awards, startups, celebrity collabs—my wife stopped me cold with one question: "How much is enough?" I didn't have an answer. From the outside, life looked perfect. But inside, I was chasing "more" without knowing why.

The Illusion of More

The culture around us says: keep climbing, keep grinding, keep stacking. But more for the sake of more eventually costs you—your health, your relationships, even your sense of self. Without defining what "enough" looks like, ambition becomes a treadmill you can't step off.

Why Constraints Set You Free

Here's the twist: constraints aren't limitations, they're freedom. When you know what's enough—whether that's money, recognition, or time—you can stop running in every direction and start building the life you actually want.

Here's what we get into in the episode:

• The trap of "more": why unchecked ambition always demands a bigger price
• Defining enough: how boundaries create focus, energy, and freedom
• Hustle vs. challenge: the difference between busy work and meaningful growth

The big idea? If you don't define your "enough," the world will do it for you—and you probably won't like the result. Ask the question. Write it down. Revisit it often. That's how you turn ambition into a compass instead of a trap.

Until next time—stay intentional, stay clear, and keep creating.

Hey friends, Chase here.

If social media feels heavier than it used to, you're not imagining it. Infinite feeds, algorithm whiplash, and the pressure to post "one more thing" can drain the very creativity we're trying to share. Here's the shift: treat social media like a stage you step onto with intent—not a sofa you collapse into by default.

Social Media as a Stage, Not a Sofa

A stage has purpose: you arrive prepared, you deliver, you connect, you step off. A sofa invites scrolling, numbing, and losing track of the most precious resource you own—your attention. When you design systems that honor the stage, you get 90% of the upside with a fraction of the noise.

Create before you consume. Get your ideas out of your head and into the world first. Then study the landscape with clear eyes: What worked? What didn't? What can you improve next rep?

Here's what we get into:

• Systems resist their systems: your schedule, not the algorithm, sets when and how you show up
• Frameworks, not feeds: reusable prompts and formats that make creation repeatable
• Stagecraft: show up to present, connect, and move the ball forward—then step off

The big idea? Social platforms are powerful—when they serve your purpose. Use them as a stage: step on with intention, deliver your best, connect with your people, and step off before the sofa starts calling your name. For the full playbook—including how to set boundaries that stick—check out this week's episode of the show.

Until next time—stay intentional, stay bold, and keep creating.

Hey friends, Chase here.

If you're feeling anxious about money right now, you're not alone. Shrinking budgets, AI headlines, and general chaos have a lot of us questioning our value. The default move? Grab the nearest paycheck. But here's the truth: trading your dreams for short-term security is the fastest way to kill the life you actually want.

Don't trade your dreams for security.

Paying the bills matters—we've all been there. I waited tables in the early days of my photography career just to get by. But that was never the goal. The real goal was building a life with freedom at its core. Because freedom is what fuels creativity. It's what lets you chase the projects, the art, and the opportunities that light you up.

Your future self is begging you not to settle. Fear says play it safe. Freedom says create. Every time you choose freedom—whether that's carving out an hour to shoot, write, or build—you're moving closer to the life you want.

Here's what we get into:

• Why chasing paychecks without purpose keeps you stuck
• How designing for freedom fuels creativity (and opportunity)
• What Paris taught me about building a framework for creative living
• Why clarity + momentum are the secret weapons for designing your life
• How to balance short-term security with long-term vision

The big idea? Money matters. Security matters. But if you sacrifice your vision just to feel safe, you'll never build the life you know you're capable of living. Freedom isn't something you wait for—it's something you design, one intentional choice at a time.

Until next time—stay free, stay bold, and keep creating.

Hey friends, Chase here.

I'm writing this from the beach, staring at the ocean, and I've got one big reminder for you today: You are your future.

Sure, AI is everywhere. New tools pop up daily. You've probably seen the tweets: "Anyone can type a prompt and become a world-class designer, writer, photographer." Sounds nice. But let's be real—that's not how this works.

You make the work. Not the tools.

AI is powerful. No doubt. But it's still just a tool. A $10,000 camera won't make you Ansel Adams. And a shiny new AI app won't magically give you taste, vision, or experience. Those come from the reps—from showing up, failing, refining, and creating again.

So if you've spent years honing your craft, here's the truth: You're at an advantage. Your taste, scars, and hard-won skills can't be downloaded. And no AI prompt can replicate them.

Here's what we get into:

• Why your creative vision is the differentiator that separates pros from amateurs
• How fluency in your craft helps you direct tools (instead of guessing with them)
• Why every new tool—from Photoshop to AI—is just another layer on the same creative job
• How to flip the "AI makes me obsolete" narrative into fuel for your next chapter
• Why your fundamentals—taste, style, voice—matter more now than ever

The big idea? The tool is the least important part of the work. You don't need to become a "prompt engineer." You just need to keep showing up as the creative badass you already are—one who adapts, experiments, and leads with vision.

Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and above all—make work only you can make.

In this episode, Jim Murphy shares how training your mind for inner excellence leads to peace, confidence, and extraordinary performance. Jim is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Performance Coach to some of the best athletes and leaders in the world. He began his career as a professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization, later coaching with the Texas Rangers and the South African Olympic baseball team. Jim has worked with world champion golfers, FedEx Cup champions, and world #1's — and most of his clients experience the best year of their careers in their first year with him. In addition to coaching professional athletes and executives, he leads Inner Excellence retreats worldwide and serves as president of the Inner Excellence Freedom Project, dedicated to alleviating spiritual and physical poverty.

We dig into Jim's remarkable story — from giving away half his possessions and heading into the desert to discovering the principles that became his life's work. Along the way, he unpacks how courage, presence, and letting go of the past are key to unlocking human potential. Whether you're an athlete, a business leader, or just someone who wants more peace and confidence in your life, this conversation will expand what you believe is possible.

Some highlights we explore:

• The moment AJ Brown was filmed reading Inter Excellence during every NFL playoff game, including the Super Bowl.
• Why Jim says "selfless is fearless" — and how the greatest need of the human heart is unconditional love.
• The BFF formula: belief, focus, and freedom — and why courage is the most common trait of high performers.
• The four daily goals of inner excellence: learn and grow, be present, gratitude, and focus on what you can control.

Enjoy!

Hey friends, Chase here.

If AI has you wondering whether your work will still matter—you're not alone. The pace of change is dizzying. New tools drop daily. "Good enough" work is getting automated before you can even refresh your feed. But here's the good news: This is not the end. It's the beginning—if you choose it. The future belongs to those who lean into what machines can't replicate: your taste, your story, your weirdness, your voice. In this episode, I unpack what it takes to stand out right now—not by running from the tech, but by using it while building a body of work that's unmistakably yours.

Will your work still matter when everyone else is using AI to create?

It's a real question. And let's be honest—it's one a lot of us are quietly asking. Every day, new tools make it easier (and faster) to generate content, art, writing, music—you name it. The machines are learning. Fast. So where does that leave you? At an advantage—if you bring your point of view to the table. Because here's the truth: AI can copy the output. But it can't copy you—your soul, your story, your weirdness, your taste. The things that made you a creative person in the first place. That's where the opportunity lives.

Here's what we get into:

• Why your point of view is your ultimate differentiator
• How to make your portfolio future-proof (and unmistakably yours)
• The shift from pressing buttons to telling stories
• Why taste, style, and voice matter more than ever
• How to make work that's irreplaceable—not just impressive

The big idea? Anyone can generate something. But only you can create something with heart, with history, with soul. This isn't about fearing the future. It's about shaping it—on your terms. Use the tools, yes. But lead with your voice, your vision, your humanity. Trim the generic. Amplify the real. Build a body of work that says something no AI ever could: "This is me."

Until next time—stay human, and keep creating.