Creative Potential

Chris Decker

Welcome to the Creative Potential Podcast - in the face of something new, how do you know if something has Creative Potential? Our creator economy has changed, the way we do business has changed, and the way we create NEEDS TO CHANGE. Join me as I network at a high level with top changemakers and creators in the world of technology, media, politics and religion to uncover the truth about creativity.

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    The Power of Testimony: Turning Fear Into Faith

    In this challenging and introspective episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker is joined by Todd Miechiels, a passionate advocate for story stewardship. The conversation dives deep into a critical question: why do so many Christians hesitate to share their personal stories of faith? Todd unpacks the two primary barriers—pride and fear—that keep believers silent, from the fear of being seen as a hypocrite to the false humility that masks a reluctance to be vulnerable. Together, Chris and Todd explore the transformative paradigm shift of viewing one's platform not as a stage for performance, but as an altar for authentic testimony. This episode is a compelling call to action for individuals and church leaders to embrace the sacred responsibility of stewarding the powerful stories God has written in people's lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Pride and Fear are the Core Barriers: The primary reasons believers don’t share their stories boil down to pride (often disguised as false humility, e.g., "I don't have it all together") and fear (of judgment, ridicule, being called a fraud, or negative career impacts).Your Platform is an Altar: Instead of treating public platforms like social media as a stage for performance, view them as altars. This reframes sharing as an act of authentic, transparent offering to God, designed to point others to Him rather than to yourself.Success Is Obedience: True success isn't measured by worldly metrics like organizational growth or public acclaim but by simple obedience to God's specific calling. Faithfulness to the mission, even a simple one like "keeping an idea alive," is the ultimate goal.Embrace the Role of Story Midwife: The church has a massive opportunity to actively help people "birth" their testimonies. This requires "story midwives" who guide people through the resistance of sharing and "story shepherds" who help shape the narrative with clarity and reverence.Lean Into Discomfort: Conversations about faith and calling are not always comfortable. Leaning into that discomfort, asking yourself why you feel challenged, and then deciding what to do about it is a powerful catalyst for genuine spiritual growth and action.QUOTES “How could I not? How could I not testify to what the Lord has done for me?”“The short answer to your question, it all boils down to pride or fear.”“Success equals obedience and obedience equals success.”“I don't wanna hear what you can't do... Just give us your blessing to do what we can do.”"If I had a chance to go back and redefine success, it would be obedience, plain and simple.""...the testimonies in your lives are what I'm going to use to help bring and lead people to me. And you're sitting on these testimonies. Right, wake up."Connect with Todd Miechiels and continue the conversation on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/miechiels/ Learn more about the mission to help believers share their stories at stewardingstories.com. Topics Discussed 00:00 Introduction: Introducing Todd's Mission to Share Stories 02:10 The Core Problem: Why Don't Christians Share Their Testimonies? 04:30 Unpacking the Barriers: How Pride and Fear Manifest 09:05 A New Perspective: Viewing Your Platform as an Altar 13:45 The Role of a "Story Midwife" and "Story Shepherd" 17:10 Story Stewardship: A Missed Opportunity for the Modern Church 21:30 Todd's Personal Calling: A 15-Year Journey to "Keep the Idea Alive" 25:00 Redefining Success: When Obedience is the Only Metric 29:50 A Challenge to Listeners: Lean into the Discomfort of the Message 33:15 Final Thoughts and How to Connect Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    Counter-Cultural Education in an Age of Widespread Cheating

    In this heartfelt episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker and his wife, Taylor Decker, sit down with the Bryant family—Bobby II, Ava, Bobby III, and Joseph. As a family new to homeschooling, Chris and Taylor seek wisdom from the Bryants, who have successfully navigated their children's entire education from home. The conversation explores the profound benefits of a faith-centered education, from building a strong Christian foundation to the flexibility that allows children to discover and pursue their unique passions like coding, tennis, and content creation. The Bryants also share the inspiration and collaborative process behind their children's book, "Trust in Timothy," which tackles the modern-day temptation of cheating and underscores the eternal value of integrity and hard work. KEY TAKEAWAYS Homeschooling Builds a Strong Foundation: The primary motivation for homeschooling can be to provide an education centered on non-negotiable Christian values, ensuring that children learn to see the world through a biblical lens, a foundation often unavailable in public or even private schools.Flexibility Fuels Individual Passion: A homeschool environment allows for the flexibility to cater to each child's unique learning style and pace. This freedom gives them the time and space to explore interests deeply, turning hobbies like coding or sports into potential career paths and life skills.True Success is Earned, Not Cheated: In an age of instant answers and AI shortcuts, the most valuable success is the one that is earned through hard work and integrity. Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, builds character and leads to a more rewarding sense of accomplishment.Family Collaboration Creates Stronger Bonds: Working on a significant creative project as a family, like writing a book, strengthens relationships. Navigating different opinions and creative styles through discussion and mutual respect fosters a deeper connection and produces a result that reflects the whole family.Putting God First Brings Order to Life: When you prioritize seeking God and His Word above all else (Matthew 6:33), everything else falls into place. This principle applies to parenting, education, and life's challenges, as God opens the right doors and provides the wisdom needed for every situation.QUOTES “If Moses can go to Egypt and free a whole civilization of people, like I think I can figure out how to do numbers and letters.”“When you work hard for something, it's actually more rewarding than if you do it the quick way... you don't really appreciate it as much.”“True success comes when you give your best and you work your hardest, not when it just comes easy to you.”“We need to remember to take it slow and remember the Lord will guide us through, and if we're patient, then we'll eventually get to the success that He truly wants.”"First, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added to you."“If you try to do it your way, then it's just gonna fall apart because we're not perfect, but God is perfect and his way is the best way.”Connect with the Bryant Family: Learn more about their children's book, "Trust in Timothy", which teaches kids the importance of integrity and making the right choices. The first 20 listeners to email chris@creatorspark.com will receive a free copy of the book, courtesy of the podcast! Timecodes 00:00 Introduction: Chris and Taylor Share Their Own Homeschooling Journey 01:45 Welcoming the Bryant Family 03:15 Why We Chose Homeschooling: Building a Christian Foundation 05:30 The Kids' Perspective: Socialization, Flexibility, and Discovering Passions 10:30 Honoring Different Learning Styles 14:10 The Family's Book and the Message of Integrity Over Cheating 17:05 Navigating the Temptation of AI and Easy Answers 20:15 The Rewarding Feeling of Working Hard for Your Success 23:10 The Creative Process: How to Write a Book as a Family 27:45 The Vision for the Future: More Books and Spreading God's Word 32:00 An Offer for Listeners: Get a Free Copy of "Trust in Timothy" 32:30 Final Encouragement: The Power of Putting God First

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    From Poverty to Power: How Steven Dossou Beat Fear and Found Purpose

    In this powerful episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker welcomes Steven Dossou, a speaker and coach whose life story is a profound testament to the power of resilience and faith. Steven shares his incredible journey from extreme poverty in Togo, West Africa, to becoming a top business leader in South Africa, only to lose it all and start again. He breaks down the "three demons" of fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem that hold us back and provides a simple, actionable morning routine to conquer them. This conversation goes beyond motivation, offering a spiritual and practical blueprint for anyone feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or limited, and provides the tools to connect with your Creator and unleash the limitless potential within. KEY TAKEAWAYS Purpose is Found in Service: The path to discovering your God-given talents and achieving true fulfillment is embedded in serving others. When you use your gifts to improve the lives of others, you activate your own purpose and potential.Overcome the Three Inner Demons: The primary internal enemies that prevent growth are fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. These can be defeated through intentional practices like autosuggestion (talking to yourself with purpose) and prayer.Transformation Requires a Daily Routine: A consistent morning routine that addresses the physical (exercise), mental (positive audio/reading), and spiritual (prayer and stillness) is the ultimate tool for building discipline, confidence, and a victor's mindset.You Are the Soil, Your Actions Are the Seeds: Your life is fertile ground. Every positive action, word, and thought is a seed planted within you. By watering these seeds with prayer and consistency, you can cultivate a life of limitless impact, just as one seed holds the potential for a thousand trees.Choose to Be a Victor, Not a Victim: Life will present challenges, but your response is your choice. By building a spiritual and mental armor through daily practice, you can shift from a victim mentality to that of a victor who overcomes any obstacle.QUOTES “Everything you do when you put all yourself in it, when you do it well, somebody is always watching.”“The torture of being in a place or doing... some works of which you are not fulfilled, that torture is far worse than having... millions of dollars in your bank account.”“When you give yourself to others, God... not only gives you more of yourself, but he also shows you the life within.”"Those voices, I called them fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem... and my friend believed that those are the three toughest demons that mankind deal with ever.""God should break me away from the mindset of limitations.""You can either go to life by being a victim or a victor." Connect with Steven Dossou: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-dossou-action-man-3623b5106/ Timecodes 00:00 Introduction: Learning to Talk to Yourself 01:45 Steven's Background and Journey from Togo 03:20 Growing Up with Humility and Hearing the Voice of "More" 05:15 The 18-Month Journey to South Africa and Hitting Rock Bottom 07:00 A Chance Encounter and the Power of Helping Others 09:30 From Selling Vacuums to Leading a $25 Million Team 11:45 When It All Crashed: Losing Everything and Finding a New Path 14:00 Transformation Begins with Listening to the Voice of Go 15:20 The Difference Between the Creator and the Creation 17:00 Nature's Lesson: Your Purpose is to Serve Others 21:00 The Conflict Between Purpose and Survival (Making Money) 25:10 Why Soul Fulfillment is More Important Than Financial Gain 29:00 For Those Who Have "Made It" But Are Still Seeking: The Answer is Service 32:20 Addressing the Inner Roadblocks: Fear, Self-Doubt, and Low Self-Esteem 36:00 The Practical Power of Autosuggestion 42:30 Steven's Three-Part Morning Routine for Lasting Transformation 51:00 The Soil and Seed: A Powerful Analogy for Personal Growth 57:00 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Steven

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    The Real Difference Between Traditional Business and Love Driven Entrepreneurship with Bernie Youngblood

    In this episode, Chris and Bernie Youngblood explore the intersection of faith, business, and personal well-being. They begin with a passionate discussion about the importance of love and God's plan in everyday life, critiquing how modern corporate environments have excluded artists who bring innovation. The conversation later moves into the domain of personal health, criticizing big food, pharma, and healthcare systems while promoting natural nutrition and holistic living. Finally, they share personal testimonies and Christian beliefs, encouraging listeners to seek a deeper understanding of faith and have open conversations about it. KEY TAKEAWAYS Faith-Driven Business Must Value Creativity: The episode argues that modern corporate environments often stifle innovation by excluding "artists" and creative thinkers. A business guided by faith should instead champion these individuals and integrate principles like love and purpose into its core operations.Question Mainstream Health Systems: A significant portion of the conversation is a critique of "big food," "big pharma," and conventional healthcare. The speakers advocate for skepticism towards these systems and encourage listeners to take personal responsibility for their health.Embrace Natural and Holistic Well-being: As an alternative to mainstream systems, the episode promotes a lifestyle centered on natural nutrition and holistic living. This approach connects physical health directly to one's personal and spiritual life.Live Your Faith Openly: The discussion concludes with a call to action for listeners. It encourages them to move beyond a passive understanding of faith by actively sharing personal testimonies and engaging in open, honest conversations about their Christian beliefs.QUOTES “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son… so that we may have eternal life.”“He lived without sin and He knew that when He faced His death on that cross, the Lamb of God that sacrificed, covered all of your sins.”“It is finished… means that this control that the enemy has of your life, that need to continue to try and earn your salvation, was done. He paid the price for you. Paid in full.”“Love is something you do—without expecting anything in return. Regardless of whether you’re in the mood. Regardless of all the noise and trouble of the world around you.”Connect with Bernie Youngblood across all platforms:" LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernie.youngblood.1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernieyoungblood/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bmyoungblood X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/YoungbloodBM YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bernieyoungblood Timecodes 00:00 The Unlimited Supply of Love 01:03 The Role of Faith in Business and Life 03:42 The Importance of Artists in Innovation 22:21 The Impact of Nutrition and Health Systems 30:10 The Journey of Faith and Understanding 33:41 Misquoting the Bible and Intellectual Honesty 34:21 Jesus Christ: The Source Code and Light 34:58 Signals Jammed: The Importance of Stillness 35:33 Personal Testimonies and Miracles 36:24 The Power of Love and Patience 38:28 Science and Faith: A Harmonious Journey 40:25 Health and Spiritual Warfare 43:54 The Dangers of Fluoride and Tap Water 46:04 Hot Logic: A Microwave Alternative 49:07 God's Plan and Human Worthiness 57:17 The Greatest Love Story: Jesus' Sacrifice 01:02:14 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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    Frank Ziede Shares His SECRET to Clear Messaging

    In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker welcomes Frank Ziede, a seasoned automotive trainer and former actor, to discuss the importance of clarity and consistency in messaging. Frank shares insights from his 22-year career, emphasizing that clarity comes through repeated refinement. They explore topics such as handling imposter syndrome, defining success beyond financial metrics, and the significance of personalization in customer service. Frank also reflects on his journey from an aspiring actor to a renowned trainer and highlights the value of maintaining a servant's heart. The episode touches on the creative process, the impact of leadership, and the necessity of perseverance in honing one's craft. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clarity Requires Consistent Refinement: Frank Ziede emphasizes that clear messaging is achieved through repetition and ongoing improvement.Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: The conversation explores how to face self-doubt and stay grounded in one’s purpose.Success Is More Than Money: Frank challenges the idea that success is solely financial, encouraging a more holistic view of achievement.Personalization Builds Stronger Connections: Tailoring customer service to individual needs makes a lasting impact.From Acting to Training - A Unique Journe: Frank shares his transition from aspiring actor to respected automotive trainer, showing how diverse experiences shape expertise.Lead with a Servant’s Heart: Humility and service are central to effective leadership and personal fulfillment.The Creative Process Takes Perseverance: Crafting excellence—whether in communication or creativity—demands dedication and time.QUOTES "Personalization is not just a customer thing. Personalization is a people thing. It's got the word ‘person’ in there.""Leadership is only hard for good leaders.""Money is a lag indicator. It’s a non-controllable outcome.""You have to find a way to make a living—but don’t give up on that creative muscle.""Creativity is a muscle. Talent is innate, but creativity is something you have to practice.""Know who you are, be honest with who you are—that is the best path.""If a leader hears 'I’m under-skilled for this role' and responds with 'You're fired,' that’s not a leader worth working for."Intent and effort—that’s what turns creativity into something refined."Connect and learn more about Frank Zeide. Timecodes 00:25 Introduction 01:16 Frank's Journe 02:08 Finding Clarity Through Repetition 06:34 Defining Success and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 10:52 The Universe Unfolds as It Should 14:05 Creating Impactful Content 17:08 David Fincher's Creative Mantra 18:15 The Hidden Effort Behind Great Art 19:10 Collaboration and Respect in Creativity 20:22 Leadership and Creativity 23:44 The Pitfalls of Promoting Top Performers 26:02 Self-Awareness in Career Choices 32:27 The Importance of Creativity and Practice 34:42 Final Thoughts and Appreciation

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    Creative Leadership is Art: Are You Ready to Become the Guide You Never Had?

    In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker discusses creative leadership with Vincent Wanga, author of 'The Art of Direction.' The conversation focuses on the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in leadership roles, the need for mentors, and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Wanga emphasizes the necessity of preparing for leadership roles by developing empathy, understanding business metrics, and fostering a culture that creates new leaders. He also highlights the delicate balance of innovation and business objectives, and the significance of a servant leadership mindset. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills in Leadership: Effective leadership requires more than technical skills. Soft skills, like empathy and emotional intelligence, are essential for understanding and motivating teams.The Importance of Mentorship: Mentors play a crucial role in helping leaders grow, offering guidance, support, and insight based on experience.Managing Diverse Teams: Leading teams with different perspectives and backgrounds comes with challenges, but it's also a chance for creative leaders to foster an inclusive and innovative environment.Preparing for Leadership Roles: Aspiring leaders should focus on developing emotional intelligence, understanding business metrics, and cultivating a culture that encourages leadership growth.Balancing Innovation and Business Objectives: Creative leaders must navigate the fine line between pushing for innovation and aligning with business goals to ensure sustainable success.Servant Leadership Mindset: A leader's primary role is to serve their team, providing support, guidance, and resources to enable others to succeed. This mindset encourages collaboration and growth within the organization.QUOTES "It's a complete mindset shift... you really have to learn soft skills, and sometimes you're learning those skills on the job, in a really difficult environment where you're thrown into the fire and have to figure it out.""If you don't have a mentor in your life who's actively preparing you for that, you are probably not going to make that transition very effectively because there's no guide for how to do that.""You are now a business stakeholder. You have to speak in the language of business... then take that information and translate it back to your team."Creativity translates into business outcomes... make sure that you have an eye on their goals and objectives while you're also trying to do great work."Connect and learn more about Vincent Wanga. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga/ Timecodes 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Discussing the New Book: The Art of Direction 02:38 The Path to Creative Leadership 03:43 Balancing Soft Skills and Business Goals 05:15 The Translator Role in Leadership 05:54 The Art vs. Science of Leadership 11:38 Preparing for Leadership 12:17 The Importance of Mentorship 17:05 Leadership is a Calling 23:14 Creating Future Leaders 24:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    Are You Creating from Conviction—or Just Playing It Safe?

    In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker delves into the bravery inherent in artistic expression and the intersection of beauty and practicality with guest Brian Burkhart. The discussion highlights the Japanese art movement Mingei, the courage required to put oneself out there as an artist, and the importance of knowing and acting on one's core beliefs. Brian shares insights from his experience as a ceramic artist and corporate coach, emphasizing the concept of the 'zone of genius' and the value of genuine, heartfelt creation over mass production. Listeners will learn about the impact of one's beliefs on actions and how to identify and pursue their own zone of genius. KEY TAKEAWAYS Artistic Bravery: The conversation highlights the courage required for artistic expression, particularly in sharing one's work with the world.Mingei Movement: The Japanese art movement Mingei, which celebrates the beauty of everyday objects and craftsmanship, is discussed as an example of balancing beauty and practicality.Zone of Genius: Brian Burkhart emphasizes the importance of identifying and working within one's "zone of genius" – a space where creativity flows naturally and authentically.Genuine Creation Over Mass Production: The value of creating with heartfelt intention is stressed, contrasting it with the often impersonal nature of mass production.Core Beliefs: The discussion emphasizes how understanding and acting upon your core beliefs can guide your actions and influence the work you create.Personal Impact: The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their beliefs, discover their zone of genius, and embrace their true creative potential.QUOTES "I believe in elevating people and I think it's way too easy to send a text. It's way too easy to leave a simple email. I like the action of writing with a pen on a card that goes in the U.S. Mail that someone receives in their mailbox. They feel it a lot more.""When you can recognize those patterns, you suddenly now have a game plan, you've got a set of rules that you can easily live by, it becomes way easier to find your path." "Going deep, it can really reveal a lot. It can also be a lot. Like call your therapist sometimes it could get real ugly, but life isn't always a bed of roses." "I love game tape feedback, being able to watch that go through the uncomfortable process of watching yourself do the thing that you want to be better at and just like study yourself. And it's remarkable how hard and simple that is at the same time." "She saw the deeper truth and that was very revealing and it really helped me change how I went into some things."Connect and learn more about Brian Burkhart. https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancburkhart?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Timecodes 00:00 The Bravery of Artists 00:25 Introduction to the Creative Potential Podcast 01:40 Exploring the Mingei Movement 02:51 Balancing Art and Practicality in Business 15:17 The Zone of Genius 20:29 Finding Your Core Beliefs 26:06 The Power of Self-Reflection 28:07 Conclusion and Where to Find More

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    CEO of Fathom Shares How Early Adopters Build Your Brand Before You Do

    In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker interviews Richard White, the founder of Fathom, an app for Zoom calls that records, transcribes, and highlights conversations. Richard shares insights on the importance of using authentic content both internally and externally to build credibility with customers. He emphasizes the power of authentic customer feedback, the role of early adopters, and the benefits of longer-form content. Richard also discusses his experience with content marketing, the effectiveness of using real-time Zoom clips, and the high ROI of podcast interviews for brand building and tribe building. KEY TAKEAWAYS Authentic Content Builds Credibility: Richard White emphasizes the importance of using authentic content both internally and externally to establish credibility with customers.Customer Feedback is Valuable: Authentic customer feedback plays a crucial role in building trust and shaping the brand’s message.Early Adopters Are Key: The role of early adopters is highlighted as crucial for gaining initial traction and credibility.Long-Form Content Pays Off: Richard discusses the value of longer-form content in creating deeper connections and providing more meaningful insights.Real-Time Zoom Clips for Content Marketing: Using real-time clips from Zoom calls is an effective method for content marketing, offering a personal and engaging way to share insights.High ROI of Podcasts: Richard talks about the significant return on investment (ROI) that podcasts can provide, especially for brand and tribe building.QUOTES "What gets me up in the morning is we get a lot of messages every day from people that are really happy that Fathom exists in the world. And that, honestly, that's the currency of filling up my soul cup every day.""It's really important to us that people not only like the product, they actually love the product and they like the team behind the product."On every podcast I go into, I get two, three, four kind of good connections... It's been a really high ROI for a very small amount of time commitment on my part.""We’re in this era where content is gravitating towards this more highly authentic... less polished, less edited five times... people enjoy getting that kind of unvarnished, unfiltered, authentic voice.""You show an engineer someone talking about a problem, so much more impactful than just hearing the great final product.""Sometimes it's a lot easier to start this tribe-building exercise by tapping into existing audiences."Connect and learn more about Richard White. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrwhite/ Timecodes 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Meet Richard White: Founder of Fathom 02:06 The Power of Recorded Conversations 04:47 Using Fathom Internally and Externally 07:05 The Journey and Motivation Behind Fathom’ 10:24 The Importance of Early Adopters 12:38 Content Creation and Authenticity 15:19 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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Welcome to the Creative Potential Podcast - in the face of something new, how do you know if something has Creative Potential? Our creator economy has changed, the way we do business has changed, and the way we create NEEDS TO CHANGE. Join me as I network at a high level with top changemakers and creators in the world of technology, media, politics and religion to uncover the truth about creativity.