Unconventional Leaders

A listener recently asked how I personally apply creative constraints in my short-form content. Here is my answer along with a lesson from Project Runway.

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Creative lesson from Project Runway
• The specific constraints I use in my Reels 
• How you can use constraints to make better content

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• How to Beat Overwhelm (Secrets from Creative Professionals) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XlIIYf61ZI
• Make Better Short From Videos by Doing THIS | Bea Chu |‪ Episode 37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omfyhAGVmtY&t=2s
• How to Produce Better Content as a One-Man Show | George Sidiropoulos | Episode 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBRZHeyFHo&t=17s
• Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | ‪Brendan Kane‬ | Episode 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiC8GU_ycmw&t=129s
• Overcoming BURNOUT and Finding the HEART of the Story | Filmmaker ‪Carlos Andres Cuervo‬ | Episode 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AA_xw0M3ic&t=1830s

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/82

When Ken Pozek started his YouTube channel, he wasn’t trying to build a media company, he was just looking for new ways to get leads. But after posting 100 videos in 100 days, everything changed…

Now, Pozek Group is a full-scale, media-powered real estate business, closing millions in sales and shaping the future of Orlando’s market. But Ken’s success wasn’t just about making more content, it was about telling better stories, leveraging analytics, and staying in the game when there was no immediate ROI. In this conversation, you’ll hear not only his tactical strategy for growing social channels but also his mindset on pushing the envelope and truly being unconventional.

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Scaling content without losing creativity and how he developed his editing and visual storytelling style
• What he learned from facing “a million no’s” before getting a yes (including how he landed a video inside Shaquille O’Neal’s mansion)
• Why some content works—and some flops plus his Monday morning review process for analyzing performance

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

CONNECT WITH KEN POZEK:

• Website: https://www.pozek.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenpozek/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kenpozek

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/81

Putting your art out into the world can feel like you are standing in front of everyone you know completely butt naked. In this episode, we explore why taking risks feels so vulnerable and how to move past the fear of being seen.

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4v-uRjowKg&t=35s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhB1oT_MGag&t=1069s

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How ego can block opportunities
• Overcoming fear by focusing on mission
• Why your work isn’t meant for everyone

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/80

Have you ever been told that in order to succeed, you need to pick one lane and narrow your focus?

Meet Natasha Pearl Hansen. She’s a touring comedian and startup founder who is successfully embracing two worlds unapologetically. From launching her own tech company to navigating the business side of entertainment, she has always been intentional about creating her own path. Pretty unconventional, hmm?

In this conversation, Natasha shares how she manages relationships and networking, stays productive without burning out, and makes smart decisions about which opportunities to pursue. She also talks about the moment she turned her canceled wedding into a comedy special, her approach to producing shows, and what it really means to build a portfolio-style career.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to maintain relationships and build your network (even when you are super busy)
• How to make strategic moves: Knowing when to say “yes” and when to say “no.”
• How to create a “portfolio career” (balancing entrepreneurship with a creative career)

CONNECT WITH NATASHA PEARL HANSEN:

• Website: nphcomedy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nphcomedy/
• Hustle and Chill: https://hustleandchillwithnph.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/79

Feeling Overwhelmed by Too Many Ideas? Try This Trick Used by Professional Creatives

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How innovation thrives within structure
• Why setting rules can actually make you more creative
• How to use structure to grow your platform

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | ‪@BrendanKane‬
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiC8GU_ycmw&t=129s
• How to Produce Better Content as a One-Man Show | George Sidiropoulos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBRZHeyFHo&t=17s
• The Creative Process of Adam Rose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTsYFUMx5oU&t=2s

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/78

A year ago, I started watching a ton of celebrity interviews, hoping to understand how actors, directors, and producers built successful careers in such an oversaturated industry. What I didn’t expect, though, was to be captivated by the person interviewing them all.

Today, I connected with Jenelle Riley, an Emmy-winning journalist, playwright, and editor at Variety. She started out in Oregon with no industry connections but built her career through her brilliant writing and natural ability to connect with people.

Today Jenelle shares with us how to become an exceptional interviewer, from research and preparation to making a real connection with A-list guests. Whether you're aspiring to be a professional storyteller or just need some encouragement, you'll love this conversation with Jenelle Riley.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Putting yourself out there while building organic relationships
• Asking better questions, getting guests to open up, and knowing when to go off-script
• How to stay present and grounded in any conversation

CONNECT WITH JENELLE RILEY: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenelleriley/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/77

Putting yourself out there—sharing your content, your ideas, your voice—can feel terrifying.

Over the past several years, I’ve interviewed over 1,000 people across different shows, and when it comes to confidence, three conversations stand out the most.

Each of these ideas is unique, but my hope is that one of them will be exactly what you need to push past fear and take action on what you know you're called to do.

🎥 WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/heatherparady

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcAws9Byss
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRhWvciRCUc&t=71s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRiKFGs7pck

• Stop waiting to feel confident. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite—discipline is.
• Confidence isn’t about the absence of insecurity. It’s about how you move through challenges and come out stronger.
• Leverage an alter ego. Stepping into a character can help you show up with more confidence.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask 
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/76

If you've ever felt like you're on the sidelines, cheering for others while knowing deep down you're holding yourself back—this episode is for you.

I sat down with Rivky Gross, a somatic and subconscious-based practitioner, to explore the concept of the shadow artist—a term from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. A shadow artist feels the pull to create but hesitates due to fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt.

As Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Suppressing creativity can manifest as perfectionism, anxiety, or a deep sense of unworthiness. Many creatives fear being misunderstood or judged, keeping them from sharing their work. But the world needs more creators who dare to be fully themselves. If you’ve been holding back, consider this your permission to create and share unapologetically.

SIGN UP FOR THE SHADOW ARTIST OUR WORKSHOP HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/shadowartistworkshop

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• What it means to be a shadow artist—and how to know if you are one.
• How unexpressed creativity can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of visibility.
• The role of shadow work in reclaiming your creative power.
• Why creative expression matters—even if it’s not loud or profitable.
• Actionable steps to move from the sidelines into full creative freedom.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

CONNECT WITH RIVKY:

• Website: https://www.rivky-gross.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivkygross/ 

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/75

How can you tell a BIG Story in Less Time? Here are three tips from experts.

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to break down big ideas using the “watermelon” method
• Why limiting your options will help you find the heart of the story
• How to start your story to get to the point faster

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• How to Make More SPACE in Your Life for Creativity & Impact | Tyler Moore @tidydad | Episode 71
• Overcoming BURNOUT and Finding the HEART of the Story | Filmmaker @CarlosAndresCuervo | Episode 27
• Matthew Dicks: How to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of Storyworthy

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady 

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ 
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/74

Introverts, did you know you have a competitive advantage—not just as a creative, but even in your business? Today, I connected with Margaret Soraya, an award-winning Scottish photographer, fine artist, and creative thought leader (and just an amazing human).

Proud to embrace her introversion, she spends a lot of time alone, sometimes weeks unplugged, yet still manages to sell out her creative retreats—sometimes within minutes of being listed—and leads an engaged, loyal online community.

Running a business doesn’t have to look just one way. Sometimes, we forget that we co-create our lives. If you feel trapped or pressured to be someone you’re not in order to “make it,” Margaret’s story is for you. As she beautifully says, “The more you get to know yourself, the better your work is.”

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/73

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The competitive advantage of being introverted
• How self-awareness drives creativity and business
• How she sells out retreats fast and builds an engaged online community

Connect with Margaret Soraya: https://margaretsoraya.com/ 

Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/