The Creative Mindset

I&CO
The Creative Mindset

I&CO founding partner Rei Inamoto speaks with the world’s leading practitioners of creativity from industries such as art, design, architecture, cuisine, and much more, to offer a glimpse into the minds of what it takes to build a successful career. In each episode, these creative luminaries share their beginnings, intimate moments of success and failure, and pieces of advice for work and life. ◆Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reiinamoto/ ◆Twitter https://twitter.com/reiinamoto

  1. Algorithms vs. Authenticity in Content Creation - E52

    FEB 13

    Algorithms vs. Authenticity in Content Creation - E52

    The importance of personality and sharing well-researched knowledge outweighs the value of viral content. In this second part of Rei’s talk with trichologist and content creator Angela Onuoha, we hear about her daily routine, the strategic choices behind her content creation, and how she balances authenticity with platform algorithms. Angela breaks down her structured yet flexible schedule, emphasizing the importance of planning and adaptability in a fast-paced digital world. The conversation offers unique insights on maintaining authenticity, the challenges of content creation on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and her aspirations for the future, using her expertise to demystify hair care science. Angela is the most established and well-known trichologist and Cosmetic Chemist within the creator space. Her advocation for diversity has made her a true force for good within the beauty industry. Angela isn’t just an influencer, she is an educator who is leading input into efficacious formulations and the importance of ingredients. She is working with the globe’s leading hair care brands, advising on product diversity and launching new innovations through her own channels. As a half Nigerian, half Dutch woman who has unfortunately experienced racism first-hand, Angela has been on a journey of self-acceptance, and is on a mission to empower and inspire others.  If you’re interested in exploring how brands create cultural influence, join Rei and global brand executive Ana Andjelic on their new podcast “Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture”. Every two weeks, Ana and Rei talk about brands that made a dent in culture - through their product, aesthetics, content, business model, or technology - and unpack how they did it. Timestamps: 0:03 A Day in the Life of a Content Creator 3:52 Balancing Content Creation and Audience Engagement Across Platforms 8:21 Uniqueness in Simplifying Science and Personal Interaction 10:06 Balancing Content Quality and Algorithm Challenges in Content Creation 15:10 Angela Onuoha's Ambitions in Brand Collaboration and Offline Presence 16:51 The Importance of Truth Over Image in Social Media Episode References:Angela Onuoha | InstagramHitmakers Podcast | YouTubeHitmakers Podcast | Apple PodcastsHitmakers Podcast | SpotifyRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min

  2. FEB 6

    From Law School Dropout to Creative Hair Influencer - E51

    Perfect jobs are not something you find, but something you create for yourself. Rei talks with Angela Onuoha, a pioneering trichologist and content creator from Amsterdam, to unpack her unique journey into the creator economy. Angela shares how her cultural background and personal experiences with hair care led her to a path she never anticipated—becoming an influential voice in the trichology community. The conversation delves into the evolution of the creator economy and its substantial impact on culture and business today. Angela is the most established and well-known trichologist and Cosmetic Chemist within the creator space. Her advocation for diversity has made her a true force for good within the beauty industry. Angela isn’t just an influencer, she is an educator who is leading input into efficacious formulations and the importance of ingredients. She is working with the globe’s leading hair care brands, advising on product diversity and launching new innovations through her own channels. As a half Nigerian, half Dutch woman who has unfortunately experienced racism first-hand, Angela has been on a journey of self-acceptance, and is on a mission to empower and inspire others.  If you’re interested in exploring how brands create cultural influence, join Rei and global brand executive Ana Andjelic on their new podcast “Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture”. Every two weeks, the two co-hosts talk about brands that made a dent in culture - through their product, aesthetics, content, business model, or technology - and unpack how they did it. Timestamps:0:03 Exploring Trichology and the Creator Economy with Angela Onuoha1:55 Cultural Influences and Career Challenges in Angela's Journey5:14 From Retail Management to Creative Exploration and Teaching11:21 From Hair Tutorials to Trichology: A Journey of Discovery19:01 Angela Onuoha's Journey to Becoming a Full-Time Content Creator28:53 Angela Onuoha's Journey From Law Student to Trichologist Creator32:43 Creating Your Perfect Job and Embracing Career Evolution34:09 Announcing the Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture Podcast Episode References:Angela Onuoha | InstagramHitmakers Podcast | YouTubeHitmakers Podcast | Apple PodcastsHitmakers Podcast | SpotifyRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    35 min
  3. Bonus Track: Lightning Questions with Kevin Bethune - E50

    JAN 30

    Bonus Track: Lightning Questions with Kevin Bethune - E50

    Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back Kevin Bethune for a fun round of lightning questions. Kevin Bethune is the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life, a think tank that delivers design & innovation services using a human-centered approach. He's also the best-selling author of Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation (The MIT Press) released in March 2022. His second book, Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction (The MIT Press), will be coming out February 4, 2025. Kevin's background spans engineering, business and design in equal proportion over his 25+ year career, positioning him to help brands deliver meaningful innovations to enrich people's lives. His work represents creative problem-solving that brings multidisciplinary teams together to see the future through an open aperture, and a deep industrial design approach to inform and influence desirable, feasible and business-viable design outcomes. Episode References:Kevin Bethune | Kevin's 2nd book NONLINEAR is available for pre-order Kevin Bethune | Online Portfoliodreams • design + life | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    5 min
  4. The Power of Being the Unique “Other” - E49

    JAN 23

    The Power of Being the Unique “Other” - E49

    Understanding yourself is key to tapping into emotional intelligence. Rei continues his dialogue with Kevin Bethune, renowned design executive and author, to hear about his experiences as a minority in corporate America and examine the oscillating focus on diversity and inclusion in corporate culture. This episode delves deep into Kevin's personal journey and highlights his strategies for overcoming the feeling of the "other." As a Black professional in fields like engineering, design, and consulting, Kevin shares candid stories about navigating bias and finding strength in his individuality.  Kevin Bethune is the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life, a think tank that delivers design & innovation services using a human-centered approach. He's also the best-selling author of Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation (The MIT Press) released in March 2022. His second book, Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction (The MIT Press), will be coming out February 4, 2025. Kevin's background spans engineering, business and design in equal proportion over his 25+ year career, positioning him to help brands deliver meaningful innovations to enrich people's lives. His work represents creative problem-solving that brings multidisciplinary teams together to see the future through an open aperture, and a deep industrial design approach to inform and influence desirable, feasible and business-viable design outcomes. Timestamps: 0:03 Challenges and Resilience of Minorities in Corporate America 7:27 The Pendulum of Social Equity and Inclusion Awareness 12:05 Building Diverse Teams Through Social Media and Innovation 16:50 Empowering Diverse Voices in Multidisciplinary Innovation Teams 23:17 Emotional Intelligence and Overcoming Challenges as a Minority Episode References:Kevin Bethune | Kevin's 2nd book NONLINEAR is available for pre-order Kevin Bethune | Online Portfoliodreams • design + life | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min
  5. A Nonlinear Approach to Navigating Design and a Meaningful Career - E48

    JAN 9

    A Nonlinear Approach to Navigating Design and a Meaningful Career - E48

    Curiosity and grit combine to become an unwavering conviction. Rei talks with Kevin Bethune, renowned design executive and author, to uncover how his unique career path has informed his approach to design thinking and innovation. Kevin shares his journey from an early career in engineering and business to discovering his passion for design—an unexpected yet coherent sequence that prepared him to help brands innovate meaningfully. The conversation explores how curiosity and resilience have driven Kevin’s professional transitions from engineering at Westinghouse to business planning at Nike, then to a creative transformation through an industrial design program.  Kevin Bethune is the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life, a think tank that delivers design & innovation services using a human-centered approach. He's also the best-selling author of Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation (The MIT Press) released in March 2022. His second book, Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction (The MIT Press), will be coming out February 4, 2025. Kevin's background spans engineering, business and design in equal proportion over his 25+ year career, positioning him to help brands deliver meaningful innovations to enrich people's lives. His work represents creative problem-solving that brings multidisciplinary teams together to see the future through an open aperture, and a deep industrial design approach to inform and influence desirable, feasible and business-viable design outcomes. Timestamps:0:03 Kevin Bethune's Journey Through Engineering, Business, and Design7:03 Rigorous Engineering Challenges in Nuclear Plant Projects12:34 Kevin Bethune's Journey from Engineering to Nike's Innovation Team18:22 Kevin Bethune's Journey from Nike to Design Innovation27:28 Takeaway Episode References:Kevin Bethune | Kevin's 2nd book NONLINEAR is available for pre-order Kevin Bethune | Online Portfoliodreams • design + life | Corporate SiteRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min
  6. The Intersection: Rethinking Rebranding - V6

    12/26/2024

    The Intersection: Rethinking Rebranding - V6

    If you’re considering rebranding, don’t start with your logo, colors, or fonts. Look within. As read by AI. The Intersection is Rei’s weekly newsletter, exploring what the future holds at the intersection of creativity and technology. Subscribe to The Intersection to receive his latest editions directly in your inbox. Episode References:Rethinking Rebranding | ArticleRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    9 min
  7. Bonus Track: Lightning Questions with Tim Allen - E47

    12/19/2024

    Bonus Track: Lightning Questions with Tim Allen - E47

    Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back Tim Allen for a fun round of lightning questions. Tim Allen was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business for 2017. He leads the global Design & Research team at Instacart, centered on belonging and connection. His focus on fueling human potential is key to building products and cultures that inspire people to do their best work. Prior to Instacart, Tim led Airbnb’s global Design team, Microsoft's Experiences & Devices design practice and Amazon's Product Design Studio as Executive Creative Director leading the experience design for Alexa, FireTV, and Kindle products. Tim also shaped the vision for Experience Design at R/GA, whose Nike work established the future of connected experiences for brands. Through innovative work with Adobe, Red Hat, and IBM, Tim holds seven patents related to software design, ranging from chat interface modeling to mobile device synchronization. Episode References:Tim Allen | LinkedInRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    6 min
  8. Airbnb's Playbook for Surviving the Pandemic - E46

    12/12/2024

    Airbnb's Playbook for Surviving the Pandemic - E46

    How did Airbnb make a pandemic turnaround? Rei continues his conversation with Tim Allen, VP of Design at Instacart, to shed light on strategic design approaches that helped Airbnb adapt its business model amidst COVID-10 travel restrictions. Tim shares insights into collaborative problem-solving with Airbnb's CEO, Brian Chesky, demonstrating the significant role of design as a lifeline for the company's resilience. The discussion includes Airbnb's innovative strategies, such as offering accommodations to healthcare workers and enhancing the host onboarding process, underscoring the transformative power of design in business recovery and growth. The conversation also touches on his current role at Instacart, emphasizing how a creative mindset can harmonize with technical proficiency to drive impactful solutions. Tim Allen was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business for 2017. He leads the global Design & Research team at Instacart, centered on belonging and connection. His focus on fueling human potential is key to building products and cultures that inspire people to do their best work. Prior to Instacart, Tim led Airbnb’s global Design team, Microsoft's Experiences & Devices design practice and Amazon's Product Design Studio as Executive Creative Director leading the experience design for Alexa, FireTV, and Kindle products. Tim also shaped the vision for Experience Design at R/GA, whose Nike work established the future of connected experiences for brands. Through innovative work with Adobe, Red Hat, and IBM, Tim holds seven patents related to software design, ranging from chat interface modeling to mobile device synchronization. Timestamps:0:03 Airbnb's Pandemic Turnaround Led by Design Thinking3:31 Airbnb's Pandemic Pivot: Reinventing Hosting and Guest Experiences7:32 The Flywheel of Compassion in Design9:36 Design's Impact on Innovation and Cultural Shifts in Companies16:44 Three Takeaways Episode References:Tim Allen | LinkedInRei Inamoto | InstagramRei Inamoto | XI&CO | Corporate Site See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    27 min
See All (60)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

I&CO founding partner Rei Inamoto speaks with the world’s leading practitioners of creativity from industries such as art, design, architecture, cuisine, and much more, to offer a glimpse into the minds of what it takes to build a successful career. In each episode, these creative luminaries share their beginnings, intimate moments of success and failure, and pieces of advice for work and life. ◆Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reiinamoto/ ◆Twitter https://twitter.com/reiinamoto

Information

  • Creator
    I&CO
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © I&CO
  • Show Website
    The Creative Mindset

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada