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Todd Henry

Formerly The Accidental Creative.
Being a creative professional should be the greatest job in the world. You get to solve problems, express yourself, bring something new into the world and you get paid to do it. What's not to love.  Yet every day, creative pros face, tremendous pressure and uncertainty. The temptation is just to play it safe, surrender to distraction and settle for less than your best daily creative is about making sure that's not your story. 

Each episode focuses on a topic relevant to creative pros, like how to come up with ideas under pressure, or how the collaborate when you're overwhelmed, or how to lead your team and help them discover motivation. 

It's time to fall back in love with your work.

Listen to Daily Creative wherever you get your podcasts or subscribe in the Daily Creative app at dailycreative.app.

Daily Creative with Todd Henry

Show Notes: Daily Creative - "So Emotional"

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the profound impact of emotion in our creative processes. We begin with a captivating story about Walt Disney and how his emotional response to rundown amusement parks sparked the creation of Disneyland—revolutionizing family entertainment forever.

We sit down with Greg Hoffman, former Chief Marketing Officer of Nike and author of "Emotion by Design," to delve into the power of creativity and emotion in brand building. Greg shares insights from nearly three decades at Nike, emphasizing that the most successful brands are those that form deep emotional connections with their audiences. He highlights the essential balance between analytical precision and the ineffable qualities of art, urging brands to respect the craft of storytelling rather than just producing content for distribution.

We also dive into a memorable story featuring legendary basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), and how his advice to Nike’s marketing team parallels the creative journey—seeing what others don’t and transforming deep insights into iconic work. Greg discusses fostering a culture of risk-taking and empathy, which is vital in generating innovative and emotionally resonant work.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

Emotional Connection is Key: 1. Emotional responses to everyday problems can lead to groundbreaking solutions and innovations.
Balancing Art and Science: 2. Effective brand building requires a balance between analytical strategies and creative, human-centric storytelling.
Empathy as a Starting Point: 3. Successful creativity often begins with empathy, unpacking layers beyond simple observations to deeply understand the audience's needs.
Encouraging Risk-Taking: 4. Incentivizing risk-taking within your team can lead to more innovative and emotionally engaging outcomes.
Vision Advantage: 5. Developing a unique vision allows creatives to see opportunities others might miss, turning potential failures into compelling successes.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

So Emotional

In this episode, we explore the importance of the narratives we surround ourselves with, as highlighted by our guest, Gabriel Reilich, the head of content and innovation at Upworthy and author of the book Good People. Gabriel discusses the profound effects of uplifting stories and how they can reshape our perceptions and empower us to engage more positively with the world around us.

We discuss George Gerbner's "Mean World Syndrome" theory and its modern-day implications, emphasizing the need to consciously balance our media consumption. Positive stories are not just feel-good content; they can fundamentally alter our outlook, creativity, and leadership.

Join us as we uncover the power of good thinking and positive storytelling to inspire better leadership, creativity, and a kinder world.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

The Power of Humility and Generosity: 1. Dale Schroeder's life teaches us that extraordinary impact comes from focused intention, modest living, and generous actions.
Media Influence on Perception: 2. George Gerbner's theory of "Mean World Syndrome" highlights how media consumption can distort our view of reality and affect our creativity and leadership abilities.
Ripple Effect of Kindness: 3. Positive actions and stories can create far-reaching impacts, benefiting many individuals beyond the initial act.
Mindful Media Consumption: 4. Being intentional about the stories and media we consume can help maintain a more hopeful and accurate perspective of the world.
Everyday Interactions Matter: 5. Seemingly small acts of kindness can have profound effects on others, offering solace and support during challenging times.

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

Good Thinking

In this episode we explore the importance of remaining open to unexpected detours and serendipitous moments in our creative and personal lives.

Our guest, Bernadette Jiwa, a recognized authority on storytelling in business innovation and the author of the book Hunch, offers deep insights into how curiosity, empathy, and imagination are vital traits for spotting transformative opportunities. Jiwa explains the crucial difference between ideas and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of addressing real problems rather than merely generating ideas.

We explore the concept that sometimes our objectives and goals can act as blinders, preventing us from recognizing valuable peripheral discoveries. Jiwa shares practical strategies for developing better awareness and tapping into serendipity, fostering the kind of curiosity and attention that can lead to breakthrough innovations.

Throughout the episode, Jiwa provides examples of how successful entrepreneurs have turned seemingly mundane observations into impactful solutions, reinforcing the value of remaining curious and empathetic in our pursuits.

Key Learnings:

Unexpected Discoveries: 1. Often, the most significant breakthroughs come from being open to accidents and unexpected findings, as demonstrated by Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin.
Curiosity, Empathy, Imagination: 2. These three qualities are common traits among individuals who consistently generate great ideas and can be cultivated by anyone.
Opportunities vs. Ideas: 3. True innovation addresses opportunities (problems begging for solutions) rather than just coming up with ideas.
The Limitation of Objectives: 4. Strict adherence to goals can limit our ability to see valuable opportunities in our surroundings.
The Power of Noticing: 5. Paying attention to the world around us, asking pertinent questions, and listening to our environment can lead to significant insights and innovations.

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

Hunch

In this episode, we explore the nature of taking a stand.

Our guest, Dr. Sunita Sah (author of Defy), a professor at Cornell University and an organizational psychologist, joins us to delve deep into the concept of defiance. Dr. Sah proposes a new definition of defiance—acting in alignment with your true values when there is pressure to do otherwise. She reveals insights from her research that suggests most of us are conditioned from an early age to comply and how this conditioning affects our ability to act on our values.

We also discuss the five stages of defiance that individuals go through as they act according to their principles. Dr. Sah emphasizes the importance of explicitly knowing and writing down our values to ensure that our actions align with them. 

Key Learnings:

Defiance Redefined 1. : Defiance is not about rebellion but about acting in alignment with your true values, despite external pressures.
Conditioned Compliance 2. : From a young age, we are conditioned to comply and this affects our ability to act in alignment with our values.
Insinuation Anxiety 3. : We often hesitate to speak up or correct others because we fear insinuating that they are wrong or unethical.
Stages of Defiance 4. : The five stages—tension, acknowledgment, escalation, threat of non-compliance, and act of defiance—help us understand the process of standing up to pressure.
Value Clarity 5. : Knowing and explicitly writing down our values can help reduce stress and align our actions with our principles.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, and more at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

Defy

In today's episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the subtle yet powerful dynamics that can undermine our creative potential. Imagine you're driving down a familiar road, and your car begins to pull to one side, requiring constant correction just to stay on track. This metaphor perfectly encapsulates how certain hidden forces can slowly erode our creative output and lead us astray from our best work. These stealthy saboteurs are what we call the "Assassins of Creativity".

We'll explore how these assassins—Dissonance, Fear, and Expectation Escalation—work quietly behind the scenes to hinder our productivity and innovation. Through a recent keynote from Todd Henry, we break down these assassins and provide actionable insights on how to counteract them. From aligning tactics with strategy and purpose, to taking calculated risks in the face of fear, and managing expectations to maintain creative white space, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on sustaining creative excellence.

Five Key Learnings from this Episode:

Dissonance 1. - A gap between what we are doing and why we are doing it can create tension and zap our creative energy.
Fear 2. - When the perceived consequences of failure outweigh the perceived benefits of success, it prevents us from taking necessary creative risks.
Expectation Escalation 3. - Constantly increasing expectations can squeeze out the white space needed for creativity and innovation.
Unnecessary Complexity 4. - Overcomplicating problems can introduce dissonance and hinder a creative team's progress.
Opacity Phenomenon 5. - A lack of clear reasoning behind tasks can lead to dissonance and reduced engagement from creative professionals.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

Assassins

In today’s episode, we welcome Adam Galinsky, social psychologist, leadership expert, and author of the book "Inspire." Galinsky discusses the concept of the "leader amplification effect" and describes his visionary-exemplar-mentor (VEM) model of inspiring leadership. Through both Abouleish’s journey and Galinsky’s insights, we explore what makes leaders truly inspiring and how their influence can create lasting change within communities and organizations.

Key Learnings:

Holistic Vision 1. : Ibrahim Abouleish's vision transcended mere agricultural development, focusing on creating an integrated community that combined sustainable farming, education, and cultural growth.
Leader Amplification Effect 2. : Adam Galinsky's concept emphasizes that when leaders are under the spotlight, even their smallest actions or comments are amplified, thus affecting their followers more profoundly.
Visionary-Exemplar-Mentor (VEM) Model 3. : Galinsky identifies three essential qualities of inspiring leaders: visionary thinking, exemplary action, and transformative mentorship. These traits universally define inspiring vs. infuriating leadership.
Practical Demonstration 4. : Abouleish's hands-on approach, working alongside his team to demonstrate the possibility of transforming desert land, earned him credibility and motivated others to join his mission.
Empowering Others 5. : Effective mentorship involves empowering, elevating, and empathizing with others. Leaders who share credit and foster a sense of responsibility and growth in their team members help build a thriving and motivated community.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

Inspire

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Fred Cox, a former NFL kicker for the Minnesota Vikings, who transitioned from the football field to becoming the inventor of the Nerf football. His story showcases how innovation can emerge from unexpected places and how outsiders with fresh perspectives often lead to groundbreaking changes.

We are also joined by Kim Christfort, chief innovation leader and national managing director at the Deloitte Greenhouse Experience and co-author of The Breakthrough Manifesto. She discusses the concepts of overcoming resistance to change, distinguishing between critical thinking and cynicism, and fostering innovation by maintaining a beginner’s mindset. Kim enlightens us on dealing with internal and external skepticism, optimizing team dynamics to promote innovation, and leveraging the language of your organization to advocate for new ideas.

Key Learnings:

Outsider Innovation:

Fred Cox’s journey from NFL kicker to the inventor of the Nerf football exemplifies how fresh perspectives can lead to groundbreaking innovations.

Critical Thinking vs. Cynicism:

Critical thinking involves asking provocative questions and seeking truth, while cynicism is a toxic presence that shuts down new ideas.

Beginner’s Mindset:

Adopting a beginner’s mindset helps strip away preconceived notions and encourages openness to new possibilities, crucial for fostering innovation.

Dealing with Skepticism:

Logical explanations and creating structured environments for discussion can help mitigate the impact of skepticism and keep innovation efforts on track.

Leveraging Organizational Language:

Framing innovation opportunities in the language of the company (e.g., ROI, culture) can make them more convincing and increase the likelihood of buy-in.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

Outsiders

In this episode, we delve into the powerful concept of incremental improvement, using the inspiring example of one writer's simple but effective writing routine. We're joined via a 2016 interview by Dan Harris, author of "10% Happier," as he shares his transformative journey from a skeptic of meditation to an advocate, following a live panic attack that stemmed from mounting stress and self-medication. Harris discusses how meditation provided him with mindfulness—an essential tool that enhances focus, reduces reactivity, and promotes calmness.

We explore how mindfulness practices can profoundly impact decision-making, creativity, and leadership. By being mindful, we can navigate life's challenges more wisely, transforming how we respond to stress at work and in personal relationships. Dan offers practical advice on starting a meditation practice, emphasizing the importance of consistency, even if it begins with just five to ten minutes daily. 

Five key learnings from the episode:

The Power of Routine 1. : Maya Angelou's disciplined daily writing practice demonstrates how small, consistent actions compound over time into substantial creative work.
Mindfulness Benefits 2. : Meditation can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and rewire the brain, leading to improved focus and calmness.
Mindfulness in Decision Making 3. : Practicing mindfulness helps break unproductive thought patterns, enabling better decision-making and creativity in challenging situations.
Consistent Practice 4. : Starting with just five to ten minutes of meditation daily can yield significant benefits; consistency is crucial to maintaining mindfulness.
Grace in Practice 5. : The key to sustaining creative and personal practices is granting oneself grace and understanding that starting again is part of the process.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

10% Better?

In this episode we delve into the concept of adopting a brave mindset in our daily lives, drawing inspiration from Todd Henry's book "The Brave Habit." 

Throughout the episode, we discuss the significance of choosing which narratives to respond to in defining our identities. We emphasize that bravery is not synonymous with bravado; rather, bravery involves self-sacrificial actions that pursue visions outside of oneself. We further explore how acts of bravery can influence those around us, encouraging others to recognize and follow their path to courage.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

Bravery vs. Bravado: 1. Bravery is about self-sacrifice and pursuing visions beyond oneself, while bravado is often mere posturing.
Choosing Your Narrative: 2. Our true names are not what we're given at birth, but the identities we choose by our responses to life's challenges.
Influencing Others: 3. When we act bravely, we inspire and call out bravery in others, raising the collective standard.
Bravery in Discomfort: 4. Embracing discomfort for the greater good is a key aspect of living bravely.
Individual Impact: 5. While we may not change the world, we are called to transform the world around us by leading bravely.

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

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more

Brave New World

Chances are, you're probably not taking enough shots.

In this episode, we explore the importance of starting more and letting go of the pressure to finish everything. We discuss how embracing parallel creation and being unafraid to repeat ourselves can lead to brilliant work. We also hear from Becky Blades, Austin Kleon, Andy J. Pizza, and Ozan Varol about the significance of taking action on our ideas without being paralyzed by the fear of public perception.

Key Insights:

1. Overthinking can hinder creativity, so it's important to move from imagination to action swiftly.

2. Embracing the process of starting multiple ideas can help identify the ones worth persevering for.

3. Pay attention to the ideas that won't leave you alone, as they may be the keepers.

4. Life is more of a jungle gym than a ladder; sometimes the road ahead only becomes clear as you take each step.

5. Taking action on the ideas that resonate with you is crucial, as the world often lights the path ahead only a few steps at a time.

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

Bambino (replay)

In this episode we revisit Todd's powerful talk delivered at Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville, TN for the Story Conference. Todd discusses the importance of shunning comfort zones, overcoming fear, and identifying your productive passion to ensure we empty ourselves of our best work by the end of our lives.

He also delves into practical questions to help you discover your own productive passion and emphasizes the importance of fighting the right creative battles. With engaging anecdotes and suggestions, this episode is a call to action: define your principles, take bold steps, and strive to put your best work into the world, ensuring you live and ultimately, die empty.

Key Learnings:

Embrace Innovation Despite Resistance: 1. New and dangerous ideas often face strong opposition, but persevering is key to bringing transformative work into the world.
Avoid the Comfort Trap: 2. External validation can lead to complacency. Strive to continuously challenge yourself and push beyond your comfort zone.
Overcome Fear: 3. Fear often disguises itself as wisdom, preventing action. Recognize and confront your fears to unlock new opportunities.
Identify Your Productive Passion: 4. Discover what you're willing to suffer for—this dedicated pursuit helps navigate the forces of comfort and fear.
Live Purposefully to Die Empty: 5. Ensure you don't take your best work to the grave. Live each day with intention, contributing your unique gifts to the world.

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

Why Productive Passion Is Your Advantage (keynote)

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