Wake Up Excited!

Brad Frost

Inspiring conversations with exuberant humans about how to live a creative, fulfilling, and authentic life. Hosted by enthusiasm enthusiast, Brad Frost. We experience a brief moment of truth when we first wake up in the morning. Before the cold shower of reality, our infinite to-do lists, and macro-level woes seize our consciousness. We experience a brief moment of excitement — and this pure moment tells us something important about ourselves. There are people out there who seem to move through life with intention, authenticity, creativity, kindness, and enthusiasm. And they do this despite the deeply inperfect world we inhabit. This podcast is an attempt to learn from these people. Through wide-ranging conversations, Wake Up Excited explores guests' passions, interests, enthusiasms, and philosophy of life.

  1. 1D AGO

    Adaptability, Curiosity, & Creative Breadth with Brendan Dawes

    Brendan Dawes is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer, and technologist. joins me to talk about creativity, curiosity, and what it actually means to thrive as a maker right now — when everything feels like it's being disrupted overnight. Brendan has been combining different inputs with creative outputs for his vast career, so I've been thinking about him a lot as we enter this new creative age. When I saw his name in the credits of the incredible Eno documentary, I screamed and reached out to him immediately. In our conversation, we get into Brendan's "event horizon" theory of creativity (staying at the edge of what you know and don't know), why judgment matters more than skill in a world of generative systems, and what Brian Eno figured out about technology that most designers are still catching up to. (00:00) - Morning Excitement Check (00:11) - What Drives You (02:48) - Living On The Edge Of Your Knowledge (06:12) - Adapting To Change (10:42) - Tools And Modular Thinking (19:12) - AI And Human Judgment (22:44) - From One To Many (29:15) - Humanities And Work (35:27) - The Eno Documentary Story (40:54) - The Collaboration-Community Magic of the Web (43:28) - Say Yes To Opportunities (44:30) - Craft + Time + Judgement + People (45:40) - Designing Successful Collaborations (48:55) - Creative Tension Stories (52:36) - Creative continuity vs "Great Artists Steal" (56:49) - Looking Backwards, Capturing, and Archiving For Future Inspiration (59:24) - A Nonlinear Journey Into a Broad Creative Career (01:04:49) - Leaving The Factory (01:06:30) - Full-Self Creativity (01:08:33) - Vinyl Recommendations (01:12:22) - Where To Follow Brendan Follow Brendan:◉ Website: https://brendandawes.com◉ Instagram: https://instagram.com/@brendandawes◉ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brendandawes.xyzFollow Brad:◉ Website: https://bradfrost.com◉ Newsletter: https://bradfrost.com/newsletter◉ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/bradfrost◉ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bradfrost.com

    1h 14m
  2. 6D AGO

    Design, Creativity, Systems, and Potential in the Agentic Age with Jem Gold

    As we put our course together, I want to have conversations with people who are thinking about things deeply, creatively, and responsibly. That's why it was an absolute pleasure to chat with my long-time internet friend, Jem Gold, technology as a creative medium, the soul of the early web, and the new era of AI-assisted making. 💥 Want to learn how to use AI & Design Systems together to make great digital products? Preorder our AI & Design Systems online course and join our vibrant community here: https://aianddesign.systems/ Topics Covered: ◉The counterculture lineage of the web and why reclaiming it matters now◉ Technology as artistic expression — Jem's concept of the "technology artist"◉ The flow state in music and how it translates to building with technology◉ Should designers code? Why the answer is changing fast◉ Skill-driven development and teaching LLMs how to design (not just what to build)◉ One-shotting beautiful, branded interfaces with minimal input◉ Jem shows off some wonderful one-shotted demos◉ Generative UI as superposition: interfaces that adapt to the person observing them◉ Design systems, Web Components, and building durable foundations for a non-deterministic future◉ AI as a creative process tool — not replacing the music, but clearing the way for it◉ ADHD as a superpower in the agentic era Links & Resources:◉ Jem's newsletter: https://superposition.jem.computer- Support Jem and her work for $8/month; and use code JEMANDBRAD for an annual discount ◉ Jenny Wen's interview on Lenny's Podcast: • The design process is dead. Here's what's ... ◉ The Grid (Jem's AI design startup, ca. 2015) https://thegrid.io/ ◉ Everything Just Gets Built: https://superposition.jem.computer/ev... ◉ I Don't Miss Code https://superposition.jem.computer/i-... ◉ Real-Time UI https://bradfrost.com/blog/post/real-... ◉ "Ghostwriter" by RJD2 drum/synth cover • Ghostwriter by RJD2 -  (00:00) - Chapter 1

    1h 20m
  3. APR 28

    Georgia Lupi on Brain Retraining, and Visual Storytelling with Data

    Georgia Lupi shares what she’s excited to wake up for with us. She recounts getting COVID in 2020, developing worsening long COVID symptoms with reinfections, becoming house- and sometimes bed-bound, and stopping work in 2023 before beginning recovery in early 2024. Lupi and Brad discuss the anxiety and trauma that can persist during physical recovery, the scientific mind-body connection, and how nervous system regulation, brain retraining, and visualization became central to her healing. She describes publishing a New York Times visual op-ed using her symptom data, the messages it sparked, and how a conversation prompted her to commit to brain retraining, leading to slow but meaningful functional return and recent confidence saying she’s fully recovered, alongside an ongoing reintegration into work, creativity, and life. Links: Giorgia Lupi"1,374 Days: My Life With Long Covid" — NYT Visual Op-EdDear DataCaravan PalaceParov StelarKormacDNRS (Dynamic Neural Retraining System)Gupta ProgramPost-Exertional Malaise (PEM)Limbic System / Vagus Nerve / Nervous System RegulationPsychedelic Therapy & Neural RewiringSubway Map as Information DesignMusic NotationChapters: (00:00) - Morning Excitement Check (00:25) - Yoga Team Gratitude (01:18) - Long COVID Journey (02:46) - Trauma And Body Trust (05:38) - Brain Retraining Turning Point (06:18) - NYT Visual Op Ed (08:41) - Feeling Fully Recovered (15:02) - Reintegration After Recovery (17:11) - Returning To Creative Work (19:29) - Presence Priorities And Limits (23:21) - From Darkness To Acceptance (25:57) - Art Data And Experience (28:56) - Art Beyond Words (30:22) - Branding as Narrative (32:28) - Sketching to Think (33:25) - Designing Shared Languages (35:42) - Healing and Tracking (38:16) - Vulnerability and Sharing (39:27) - Dear Data Origins (43:36) - Learning Through Speaking (48:23) - Finding Your Style (52:31) - Obsessions as Projects (56:31) - Electro Swing Picks (57:40) - Where to Follow (58:03) - Closing Reflections

    59 min
  4. APR 21

    Ben Callahan on Building Community, Your Values, and the Power of Connection

    Ben Callahan joins Brad to discuss what’s currently motivating him, from enjoying homemade ham and bean soup in Ohio to a deeper focus on connecting people through curiosity-led facilitation. Ben reflects on a transitional season of life, the importance of personal and organizational values, and how communities work best when they’re allowed to form organically. He describes his annual values exercise, the role of sharing and teaching in web culture, and the need to reintroduce humanity after COVID. The conversation also explores music’s ability to create presence and unity, with recommendations including Chanticleer, Jacob Collier, and Radiohead. Books Get Together — Building CommunityMusic / Artists ChanticleerJacob CollierBobby McFerrinRadioheadWebsites / Communities / Projects ben callahan.com — Ben's home base for everythingThe Question — Weekly open community design systems research projectRedwoods — Ben's new paid community for design systems practitionersSparkbox — Ben's consultancyDesign Downtime — Podcast by Guy Siegall (Ben was a season 1 guest)Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (00:26) - What has Ben waking up excited? (09:37) - Community as Resistance (13:55) - Values and Learning Mode (35:08) - Hardship Resets Trajectory (37:52) - Sharing Culture Of The Web (42:46) - Music Presence And Connection (50:39) - Consciousness Curiosity And Openness (57:02) - Music Recommendations (01:01:00) - Where To Find Ben

    1h 3m
  5. FEB 17

    Mike Rybachuk on Self-Honesty, Resilience, and Spreading Joy

    Brad Frost welcomes Mike Rybachuk, founder of Ukraine-based design education platform The Projector Institute, to discuss living a positive, fulfilling life while Russia’s war impacts Mike’s family, friends, colleagues, and business in Ukraine. From Prague, Mike shares practical, low-cost ways to improve daily life and spread positivity—working outdoors with a hammock and foldable chair, waving to strangers, and intentionally combining work, nature, and social time. They talk about making work fun without diminishing seriousness, prioritizing joy, and avoiding cultures of constant complaining. Mike emphasizes self-honesty, introspection, and personal responsibility, including his five-year commitment to becoming honest with himself, reframing emotions like fear as signals for action, and using simple techniques like counting to three before reacting. He stresses helping others from where you are with what you have, collaborating rather than starting alone, and choosing responsible work that improves the world. Topics discussed: (00:00) - Introduction (01:34) - Support the Podcast: Brad’s Courses + Discount Code (02:20) - Kicking Off in Prague: Why Mike’s Waking Up Excited (03:04) - Starting Skateboarding at 40 (05:20) - Cheap Ways to Upgrade Your Day (08:25) - Why Can’t Work Be Fun? (11:30) - Not Waiting for Retirement to Live (16:11) - Priorities, Joy, and Escaping the “Complaining Communities” Trap (19:56) - Micro-Positivity in Real Life (30:11) - The 5-Year Project: Practicing Self-Honesty (and What It Changes) (37:19) - Subjective vs Objective Thoughts: Letting Go of Stress Triggers (47:51) - Stop Mind-Reading: Ask, Validate, and Communicate Clearly (52:00) - Emotions Aren’t Weakness (58:25) - Stoicism & Philosophy as Tools (01:08:48) - Ukraine’s Resilience on the Ground: Living Life Under Bombs (01:19:45) - Education as Resistance (01:28:00) - Choosing Work That Makes the World Better (01:33:33) - Collaboration Creates Magic (01:38:55) - Where to Find Projector Institute

    1h 43m
  6. Embracing Authenticity and Creativity with Marc Thiele

    12/10/2025

    Embracing Authenticity and Creativity with Marc Thiele

    Marc Thiele is the organizer of the Fantastic Beyond Tellerrand Conference that happens every year in Germany. I just got back from his event in Berlin, and I really feel like Beyond Tellerrand should be on every creative person's bucket list. The show is exceptional and balances practical knowledge with diverse creative inspiration. The curation, care craft, and effort that Marc puts into each show is so abundantly clear, and everyone has a great time as a result. Marc's conference holds a special place in my heart because back in 2013, I introduced Atomic design to the world at Beyond Tellerrand, and Marc is one of the kindest, most authentic and sincere people I know, and it's real privilege to call him a friend. In our conversation, Marc and I talk about the hard work behind creative projects, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, embracing vulnerability and sincerity, continuing to cultivate joy and satisfaction, even for long running creative endeavors. The value of community and relationships, learning from failure and a whole lot more. Topics discussed: (00:00) - Introduction to Wake Up Excited (01:28) - Support Wake Up Excited (02:05) - Introduction to the Conversation (02:13) - Marc Thiele on Event Planning and Motivation (04:34) - The Reality of Social Media and Authenticity (05:05) - Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt (15:35) - The Joy and Challenges of Event Management (29:59) - Reflecting on Success and Authenticity (39:02) - Dealing with Self-Doubt and Finding Motivation (40:07) - The Power of Gratitude and Community (41:20) - Rebuilding Social Connections Post-COVID (42:10) - The Magic of Creativity and Community (46:38) - Curiosity and Creativity Across Mediums (54:08) - Maintaining Relationships in a Digital Age (01:02:02) - Balancing Work and Passion (01:07:46) - Exploring New Music and Breaking Boundaries (01:12:15) - Conclusion and Event Promotion Beyond Tellerrand ConferenceBrad Frost's CoursesKirby CMSHans ZimmerSleep Token12 Foot NinjaMr. Bingo

    1h 14m

About

Inspiring conversations with exuberant humans about how to live a creative, fulfilling, and authentic life. Hosted by enthusiasm enthusiast, Brad Frost. We experience a brief moment of truth when we first wake up in the morning. Before the cold shower of reality, our infinite to-do lists, and macro-level woes seize our consciousness. We experience a brief moment of excitement — and this pure moment tells us something important about ourselves. There are people out there who seem to move through life with intention, authenticity, creativity, kindness, and enthusiasm. And they do this despite the deeply inperfect world we inhabit. This podcast is an attempt to learn from these people. Through wide-ranging conversations, Wake Up Excited explores guests' passions, interests, enthusiasms, and philosophy of life.

You Might Also Like