This Podcast Needs A Name

Lee Allentuck

This Podcast Needs a Name is a conversation series that explores one of life’s biggest truths: everyone can be creative — even if they don’t think they are. Hosted by Lee Allentuck, longtime brand strategist, toy and game creator, and former creative leader at LEGO and Hasbro, who has worked with iconic brands like T-Mobile, Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and more, the show brings together two guests from completely different creative worlds for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of creativity. This is not another stiff “expert interview” show.It’s a playful, thoughtful, and occasionally vulnerable look at how real creative people think, work, struggle, and grow — and what the rest of us can learn from their stories. What We Talk AboutChildhood sparks and the early moments that shaped who we becameCreative habits, rituals, and the role of curiosityThe magic of collaboration — and the chaosThe surprising overlap between wildly different creative fieldsHow creators handle doubt, burnout, and imposter syndromeThe messy mistakes and unexpected accidents that led to breakthroughsWhat inspires creative people today… and what scares themHow anyone (yes, anyone) can build a more creative lifeWhy This Podcast Is DifferentCreativity isn’t limited to people who draw, write, or perform. Creativity lives in how we parent, problem-solve, break rules, make decisions, take risks, and connect with others. By bringing together two guests who normally wouldn’t sit on the same stage, we spark conversations that don’t sound like anything else. They compare notes, challenge each other, riff, debate, and discover common ground in real time. It’s part creativity masterclass, part therapy session, part comedy, and part late-night campfire conversation. Who This Podcast Is ForPeople who want to feel more creative in their everyday livesCreatives who want to refill their inspiration tankProfessionals who want to innovate and think differentlyAnyone who has ever quietly wondered, “Am I actually creative?”Fans of podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, SmartLess, Ten Percent Happier, and Design MattersWhat You’ll Take AwayBy the end of each episode, you’ll walk away with: A new way of thinking about creativityPermission to explore your own ideasPractical inspiration you can use right nowA reminder that even the most accomplished creators feel stuck or insecure sometimesAnd maybe… a belief that you’re more creative than you realizedWhether you’re looking for insight, inspiration, community, or just a smart, entertaining conversation with incredibly creative people, you’re in the right place. 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com Welcome to This Podcast Needs a Name — the podcast so creative, we couldn't even think of a name.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    From Foam to Felt with Fraggle Rock's Kanja Chen and Hat Restorer La Touche (Ep 2)

    Creativity doesn’t start with talent — it starts with curiosity, commitment, and courage. In this episode of This Podcast Needs a Name, host Lee Allentuck sits down with Kanja Chen — writer, producer, and puppeteer on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock — and La Touche, a cultural brand strategist and renown British hat restorer who has helped restore and reimagine some of the world’s most iconic hatmakers. From foam and felt to culture and identity, this conversation explores how raw materials become meaningful work — and how creativity shows up differently for everyone. Together, they unpack origin stories, confidence vs. competence, creative blocks, and why going deep into craft matters more than chasing inspiration. This is a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about creativity as a practice, not a personality trait — and about making the invisible visible through commitment to the work. KEY TAKEAWAYSCreativity is innate — but often unlearned as we grow olderCommitment to craft matters more than early talentConfidence without competence doesn’t lastInspiration often comes from outside your categoryMeaning emerges when imagination meets intention👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com Why ListenWhether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. Chapters00:00 The Origin Stories07:23 Finding Inspiration14:09 The Creative Process19:12 Embracing Imagination25:33 Cultural Tradition and Creativity33:25 Mentorship and Corporate Culture39:23 Absurd Ideas and Confidence

    43 min
  2. JAN 27

    Draft Ugly, Edit Beautifully- Disney's Matt Conover & Music Composer/Producer Philip Sheppard (Ep 1)

    Draft Ugly, Edit Beautifully- Disney's Matt Conover & Music Composer/Producer Philip Sheppard (Ep 1) Creativity isn’t clean. It’s messy, uncertain, and full of bad first drafts—and that’s exactly the point. In this episode of This Podcast Needs A Name, host Lee Allentuck sits down with Matt Conover, a Disney Live Entertainment producer, and Philip Sheppard, an award-winning composer, producer, and cellist, for an honest, unscripted conversation about how creative work actually gets made. Not the polished highlight reel—but the real process behind creativity in entertainment, music, design, and leadership. Together, we talk about imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, why creative constraints often lead to better ideas, and why the mindset of “draft ugly, edit beautifully” isn’t just advice—it’s a survival skill for anyone doing meaningful work. This isn’t a conversation about waiting for confidence or chasing perfection. It’s about learning how to keep creating, collaborating, and moving forward—even when things feel unfinished or uncomfortable. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your creative ability, or wondered whether you’re doing it “right,” this episode is a reminder that the mess is the work—and often where the magic lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS:Creativity and the real creative process (not the polished version)Imposter syndrome in creative leadership and high-performance rolesHow constraints fuel creativity in entertainment, music, and designWhy the first draft is supposed to be bad—and why that’s liberatingThe role of subtraction and restraint in making better creative workDaily creative practices to stay inspired without burning outWhy immersive experiences and emotional connection matter more than spectacle👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com Why ListenWhether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. Chapters00:00 The Journey of Creativity08:35 Empowering Creativity16:11 Creating Lasting Memories27:02 Immersive Experiences32:24 Daily Creative Practice

    54 min
  3. 12/29/2025

    This Podcast Needs a Name: Why Creativity, Curiosity & Play Matter More Than Ever (Ep. 0)

    Welcome to This Podcast Needs a Name, hosted by Lee Allentuck — a podcast about creativity, curiosity, and play, told through honest conversations between people who shouldn’t have much in common… but do. In this short manifesto-style Episode 0, Lee shares why this podcast exists, how the format works, and what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes. Drawing from his career working at the intersection of creativity, play, and innovationwith global brands, educators, scientists, and makers, Lee explores the surprising patterns that show up again and again across creative lives. Each episode brings two guests from different worlds together — scientists and artists, designers and educators, inventors and communicators — to talk openly about creativity. Not as a buzzword, but as a lived experience. The fear. The doubt. The curiosity. The constraints. The play. And the quiet persistence it takes to keep showing up. You’ll hear conversations about: Creativity at NASA and beyondWhy play is essential to serious workImposter syndrome and self-doubtCreativity under constraintsCuriosity as a daily practice, not a personality traitThere are no hacks, no formulas, and no guru takes — just thoughtful, human conversations and ideas you can take with you into your own work, life, and creative practice. If you create, problem-solve, teach, design, communicate, parent, or have ever thought “I’m not as creative as I used to be” — this podcast is for you. Because creativity isn’t something you lose.You just get busy. 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com Why ListenWhether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do.

    4 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This Podcast Needs a Name is a conversation series that explores one of life’s biggest truths: everyone can be creative — even if they don’t think they are. Hosted by Lee Allentuck, longtime brand strategist, toy and game creator, and former creative leader at LEGO and Hasbro, who has worked with iconic brands like T-Mobile, Disney, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, and more, the show brings together two guests from completely different creative worlds for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of creativity. This is not another stiff “expert interview” show.It’s a playful, thoughtful, and occasionally vulnerable look at how real creative people think, work, struggle, and grow — and what the rest of us can learn from their stories. What We Talk AboutChildhood sparks and the early moments that shaped who we becameCreative habits, rituals, and the role of curiosityThe magic of collaboration — and the chaosThe surprising overlap between wildly different creative fieldsHow creators handle doubt, burnout, and imposter syndromeThe messy mistakes and unexpected accidents that led to breakthroughsWhat inspires creative people today… and what scares themHow anyone (yes, anyone) can build a more creative lifeWhy This Podcast Is DifferentCreativity isn’t limited to people who draw, write, or perform. Creativity lives in how we parent, problem-solve, break rules, make decisions, take risks, and connect with others. By bringing together two guests who normally wouldn’t sit on the same stage, we spark conversations that don’t sound like anything else. They compare notes, challenge each other, riff, debate, and discover common ground in real time. It’s part creativity masterclass, part therapy session, part comedy, and part late-night campfire conversation. Who This Podcast Is ForPeople who want to feel more creative in their everyday livesCreatives who want to refill their inspiration tankProfessionals who want to innovate and think differentlyAnyone who has ever quietly wondered, “Am I actually creative?”Fans of podcasts like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, SmartLess, Ten Percent Happier, and Design MattersWhat You’ll Take AwayBy the end of each episode, you’ll walk away with: A new way of thinking about creativityPermission to explore your own ideasPractical inspiration you can use right nowA reminder that even the most accomplished creators feel stuck or insecure sometimesAnd maybe… a belief that you’re more creative than you realizedWhether you’re looking for insight, inspiration, community, or just a smart, entertaining conversation with incredibly creative people, you’re in the right place. 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com Welcome to This Podcast Needs a Name — the podcast so creative, we couldn't even think of a name.