DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)‪.‬ Alex Normanton

In conversation with Laser 3.14, a street artist and visual poet, based in Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to shift from a surviving to a thriving mentality, and how his background and personal story have influenced the way he thinks, expresses himself and informs his passion for life.

Creating poetry on the street for over 15 years, Laser 3.14’s name is inseparable from any conversation about Amsterdam and urban art. As the city’s most prolific street artist, he shares his distinctive work of visual poetry both outside amongst the canals of Amsterdam and in many of the city's prestigious galleries. Laser 3.14 is celebrated globally for his bold statements about politics, popular culture & everyday life.

Laser 3.14 has been exhibited in Den Haag Museum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, is part of the Amsterdam Historic Museum permanent collection, and was awarded the PAX Peace Prize for his work towards raising issues of global stability. In addition, he's collaborated with fashion and lifestyle brands including Denham, Nike, Lane Crawford and Tommy Hilfiger.

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)

Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.

Music by Keelan Doyle.    

Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.

Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a

www.thedopa.com

In conversation with Jason Kempen, Creative Director at Qindle, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from sensitivity to sensibility and how to help people become more pragmatic in their creative ideology and approach.

Jason is an experienced Creative Director working in the fields of brand identity, packaging design and art direction. Originally from Cape Town and now living in Amsterdam, he enjoys working intuitively and pragmatically with both global and local clients. Roles at a combination of large network agencies as well as independent studios led him to his current position as Creative Director at Qindle, where Jason and his team design at the intersection of technology, health and food innovation.

From agile FMCG start-ups to international tech giants, his passion is growing brands through original, meaningful and strategic brand design. In his spare time, Jason is a pop-culture addict and avid book-collector with a passion for travel and cooking.

Mentions: Dixon Baxi, Sense and Sensibility, Mr. Darcy

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)  
Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.
Music by Keelan Doyle.    
Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a
www.thedopa.com

In conversation with Katrina Encanto, an Executive Creative Director at 180 Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to shift from secrecy to openness and how to help people share more, be truly authentic, collaborative and more vulnerable with their ideas.

Amsterdam is the latest stop on a journey that has taken Katrina from Manila to Milan, Parma, Bangkok, and London. At 180, she works with a team of over 30 nationalities to offer a fresh perspective for brands all around the world. With this role comes the responsibility of nurturing creative talent, raising the craft of the work, and creating unexpected narratives that resonate with people. She has been a part of building some of the world’s most long-standing brands, such as ‘Dirt is Good’ for Persil / Omo, and also helped challenger brands stand out through a distinctive point of view, as she did with Sloggi. She has also raised awareness for the issues she cares about, such as gender equality with 'Redraw the Balance', which was shared and recreated all over the world. Her work has won accolades of all colours at D&AD, Cannes Lions, Clio, One Show, LIA, and Epica, amongst others. Through this all, she has worked alongside her partner EJ Galang. See their work at katandej.com.

Mentions: Daniel Pink, D&AD, Parasite, Graphis, Communication Arts, Pinterest

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)  
Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.
Music by Keelan Doyle.    
Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a
www.thedopa.com

In conversation with Rod Ben Zeev, Facilitator at THNK School of Creative Leadership, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to pivot from improvisation to storytelling and how to enable people to move away from a ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality.

Rod Ben Zeev has devoted his professional career to telling stories. He's written plays, screenplays, TV shows, performed stand-up comedy, founded a true storytelling night, and performed improvisational theatre all over the globe. He particularly connected with improv because of the spontaneity and the collective discovery. In order to do well you need to adhere to the basic rules: say "Yes And" to any idea, listen deeply, and connect with fellow players. If you can master these skills, you can develop mindsets that can help you be a better storyteller, innovator, and leader.

He designs and delivers innovation and leadership programs for THNK, The Haas School of Business at The University of California Berkeley, the NYPD Leadership Program at John Jay College and Stanford Media X. He has a B.A. in English Literature from Boston University and an M.A. in Cultural Analysis from the University of Amsterdam.

Mentions: Arthur Eron, Mezrab, Google Aristotle, Robert Wolfe, Marshall Gains, Language of the Senses (LOTS).

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)  
Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.
Music by Keelan Doyle.    
Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a
www.thedopa.com

In conversation with Carren O'Keefe, Executive Creative Director at AnalogFolk, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from ego to empathy and how to help people shift to a more down-to-earth operational model. Plus practical tools on how to recognise your own self-saboteur and how to stay humble and grounded.

Carren O’Keefe is the Executive Creative Director of AnalogFolk in Amsterdam, an independent global creative agency that uses digital to make the analog world better. Prior to relocating to AMS in 2020, Carren founded AF’s Portland, OR office and helped oversee creative across the US region. After decades of award-winning work for some of the world’s biggest brands, Carren’s passion and mission is to make this industry, and the world, better than the one she came into. In 2020, after AF received the honour of Campaign’s Global Digital Innovation Agency of the Year, she was a part of the council who created a new north star for the network - be an impactful agency of change for people, brands and society in pursuit of a better world. Her most recent work for Nike is a demonstration of this. The Nike Mind Sets series looks to destigmatize conversations around mental health and help people use movement to positively impact their mental well-being.

Mentions: University of Chicago, NBA, Positive Intelligence and Anthony Burrill.

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)  
Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.
Music by Keelan Doyle.    
Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a
www.thedopa.com

In conversation with Liva Grinberga, Design Director at MediaMonks, Amsterdam. In this episode, we discuss how to navigate from insecurity to empowerment and how to enable people to ‘smash it’ in their daily creative roles. A very informative and inspiring conversation packed full of practical tools, how to step back from 'pixel management' and how to champion people to be the best version of themselves. Plus a lot of infectious laughter.

As a Design Director, Liva works closely with an amazing global team of designers, focusing on delivering best-in-class work through open collaboration that inspires both the clients and the design community alike.

Mentions: Who's Your Momma (She Says), MediaMonks.

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DOPA (The Department of Pro-Activeness)  
Founded, Created and Hosted by Alex Normanton.
Music by Keelan Doyle.    
Don't forget to like, follow, share & subscribe.
Follow us on Instagram @d__o__p__a
www.thedopa.com