Daily Creative with Todd Henry Todd Henry

In this episode we dive deep into what it means to truly commit to your creative project, featuring stories from our guests, Daniel Troia (award-winning filmmaker of We're All In This Together), Brent Underwood (author of Ghost Town Living), and A.J. Jacobs (NY Times author of The Year Of Living Constitutionally). Daniel shares his unique journey of creating an award-winning film with minimal resources while relying on the kindness of strangers across America. Brent recounts his tale of revitalizing an abandoned mining town, investing all his resources despite numerous setbacks, including a devastating fire and the pandemic. And, A.J. Jacobs brings his usual blend of humor and wisdom to our discussion, elaborating on how he brings the lessons of his long-arc creative experiments to the world.
Here are five key lessons from the episode:
1. Pursuit of Passion Projects: Each guest highlights the personal fulfillment derived from pursuing their unique passion projects. Daniel Troia's filmmaking journey, Brent Underwood's revitalization of Cerro Gordo, and A.J. Jacobs' immersive experiments demonstrate the depths of commitment and the personal satisfaction it can bring.
2. Understanding Costs and Setting Boundaries: The experiences of Brent Underwood and A.J. Jacobs shed light on the importance of being aware of the sacrifices involved in chasing ambitious goals. They both stress the necessity of setting healthy boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability in their pursuits.
3. Value of Experiential Learning: Both Daniel Troia and A.J. Jacobs emphasize learning by doing. Whether it’s learning filmmaking on the go or experimenting with living by historical documents, these experiences provide unique insights and foster a deeper understanding of their subjects.

4. Impact of Deep Engagement: A.J. Jacobs’ approach to his projects, such as adopting the tools and methods from the 18th century, illustrates how immersive experiences can lead to profound reflections and unexpected revelations, proving the value of engaging deeply with one’s work.

5. Community and Support: Across the narratives, there’s a recurring theme of the role of community and supportive relationships. Whether it's the strangers who aided Daniel Troia on his journey or the need for people who can offer honest feedback as mentioned by Brent Underwood, the support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of intense, passion-driven projects.
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
Mentioned in this episode
Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

We're back with another slate of Daily Creative episodes! In this episode, we delve into the concept of slow productivity—a groundbreaking approach challenging traditional work norms that push us toward constant busyness. Authors Cal Newport, Ryan Holiday, and Marc Zao Sanders join us to dissect why the old factory model doesn't align with human cognitive patterns and propose solutions to counteract pseudo productivity.
Newport describes the damaging effects of high-intensity work without variation and shares insights on how modern work culture overburdens us through excessive pseudo productivity. Holiday talks about the personal and financial benefits of scaling back and creating more space for meaningful work, while Sanders introduces the concept of "time boxing" as a method to manage and complete tasks effectively.
Five Key Learnings:
Mismatch of Work Pace and Human Nature: Traditional continuous high-intensity work does not suit human cognitive behavior, which requires varied intensity and rest.Consequences of Pseudo Productivity: The inability to measure knowledge work effectively has led managers to prioritize visible activity, inadvertently promoting an unhealthy work culture.Importance of Workload Management: Effective workload management and making workload visible within organizations can help in better prioritization and lessen stress.Benefits of Doing Less: Focusing on fewer tasks at a time can lead to better quality outcomes, making the work more valuable.Time Boxing Over Time Blocking: Time blocking falls short without completion; time boxing focuses on finishing tasks within a set timeframe to maintain productivity and momentum.
Listen to full interviews, and get access to daily episodes, guides, and more in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.
Mentioned in this episode:
Mentioned in this episode
Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

Are there really universal laws of creativity? Doesn't that sound too good to be true?
In final episode of season one, hosts Todd Henry and Joshua Gott discuss Dave Zaboski's five 'Universal Laws Of Creativity', unpacking powerful insights from the first twelve episodes. They explore the dynamics of feedback and empathy in collaborative environments, the invigorating challenge of early project traction, the strategy behind juggling multiple initiatives, the transformative power of belief in the creative process, and the courage it takes to invite others into your work.
Here are some key insights:
1. Feedback is a dish best served with care.
Navigating the fine line between directness and consideration is crucial when giving feedback. Todd Henry's candid confession about his sometimes over-aggressive approach to challenging ideas hints at the nuanced dance of pushing for improvement without bruising spirits.
How can you ensure that your feedback builds up rather than tears down?
2. Empathy without action leads to creative stagnation.
Ruinous empathy can silently sabotage the best of teams, as the episode's conversation reveals. Over-caring without confronting issues may seem harmless but often results in a loss of trust and stunted growth. Instead, fostering a culture where challenges are met head-on, albeit with a human touch, can fuel a more vibrant and productive creative process.
Is your empathy is empowering others or enabling a fear of conflict.
3. The first step of creation is belief in the vision.
A core message delivered by Dave Zaboski is the indispensable power of belief for igniting the creative spark. The session revisits moments when embracing a vision was the impetus for remarkable collaborations and projects. From the drawing boards of iconic films to the birth of a podcast season, belief is the secret sauce that enables creators to dream and venture beyond the ordinary.
What creative vision are you pursuing?
4. Risk is the price of admission for a chance to dance with success.
Thad Cockrell's tale of a $99 album and the musician's gamble of mortgaging his house underlines a truth discussed in our episode: pivotal breaks often come at the heels of risk-filled decisions. Linking this concept to the 'Band of Brothers' metaphor echoes the idea that freedom to create is intertwined with the bravery to confront possible losses.
What risk might you need to take in order to make your idea happen?
5. Completion is a marathon, not a sprint.
The hardest part is not starting, but finishing — this sentiment is echoed throughout the episode, particularly in the context of managing one's energy and resolve. As creators, seeing a project through to its conclusion, especially when novelty wanes and the grind sets in, distinguishes the successful from those who fall short.
What does "finishing" mean in your current work?
As always, you can hear the full interview with Dave Zaboski and receive daily episodes and prompts 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

Have you ever noticed those water towers, scattered across the horizon, and thought "Hmm... I wonder how those work?" Well, there's actually lot to learn from them about how to manage your life as a creative pro.
In this episode, we explore the idea of managing energy instead of time in our creative process. Our guests, Lisa Congdon, Brian Johnson (author of Areté), Tony Schwartz (author of Be Excellent At Anything), and Jeff Karp (author of LIT), share their insights on the importance of understanding the creative process as a journey with highs and lows. We explore the link between physical and creative energy, emphasizing the significance of managing energy effectively to achieve peak performance in our work.
The episode covers essential strategies for managing energy, including the concept of activation energy, the impact of deep work and intermittent renewal, and the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their energy requirements. It also delves into the power of micro-progress, the negative effects of multitasking, and the value of starting each day with the most important task.
Key learnings:
1. Managing energy is crucial for achieving peak performance in creative work.
2. Prioritizing the most important task at the start of the day can significantly impact productivity.
3. Working in increments and avoiding multitasking can lead to higher quality work.
4. Small victories and low activation energy goals can contribute to overall energy management and motivation.
5. Recognizing the link between physical and creative energy is essential for sustained optimal performance.
Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Are you "flying blind"? It's rare that everything is so clear that you can see exactly what to do. In those situations it's dangerous to just go with your gut. In creative work, you need a few external tools to help you gauge which decision is best.
In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore how creators can navigate life's challenges by establishing a personal "instrument panel". We learn key insights from business leaders and high-performance coaches about living a remarkable life. Our guests include Guy Kawasaki (author of Think Remarkable), Christiana Smith Shi and Grace Puma (authors of Career Forward), and Jason Jaggard and Joseph Barkley (authors of Beyond High Performance).
Key Learnings:
1. Maintain perspective: Understand that situations are never as good or as bad as they seem, and use the attitude indicator to stay balanced.
2. Plant many seeds: Continuously sow opportunities and remain open to countless possibilities, regardless of the outcomes.
3. Embrace being underestimated: Actively pursue roles or projects where others may underestimate you, as it can lead to standing out and rising to the top.
4. Beware of benevolent stagnation: Don't get too comfortable in your success; actively seek change and new challenges to keep growing.
5. Choose an optimistic vision: Instead of creating a pessimistic view of the future, opt for an optimistic perspective and believe in the possibility of success.
Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

How do you get the most out of your mind in the moment you need your mind the most?
In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the power of the mind and how to maximize its potential in moments of creative need. Todd Henry is joined by guests Andy J. Pizza, Juliet Funt, Charan Ranganath, Dan Doyon, and Tiago Forte to explore the various strategies to leverage the subconscious for creative inspiration. The discussion touches on the concept of incubation, the interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind, the importance of a healthy mental diet, the impact of repetition on memory and idea recall, and the development of a "second brain" to store and organize ideas for easy access.
Key learnings from this episode:
1. Giving our minds space and time for incubation is crucial for inspiring creative insights.
2. The subconscious mind requires a healthy mental diet of high-quality stimuli to fuel the creative process effectively.
3. Repetition and organization of ideas through tools like the second brain method can help improve memory retention and idea recall.
4. Diversifying sources of information and experiences can prevent the mind from becoming narrow in its range of memories and ideas.
5. External systems like a second brain can lighten the cognitive load and provide easy access to a wealth of amassed ideas.
Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app
Mentioned in this episode:
We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!
We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series.

To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.

If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.