unproductive by daydreamers

Daydreamers

(un)productive by daydreamers is a weekly chat where we pick the brains of creatives, entrepreneurs, thinkers and tinkerers, all who have approached life differently. Together, we’re redefining how we spend our “free” time in a world that’s hyper-focused on efficiency at the expense of well, everything else. We’ll dig into the habits, mindsets and experiences of some of the most creative minds in the world today so we can all spend a little less time scrolling - and a little more time, dreaming.

  1. SEASON 1 FINALE: What does it really mean to be unproductive?

    07/31/2020

    SEASON 1 FINALE: What does it really mean to be unproductive?

    Katina and Dupi, Daydreamers' co-founders and your hosts of this podcast, wrap up Season 1 with a deep conversation about what it really means to be "unproductive". They reflect on the themes, similarities, and differences across all of their guests in Season 1  - as well as share some never-before-heard conversations and observations. Katina and Dupi also give a preview for what Season 2 will be about, and how we can all find creativity more often in our everyday.  Have ideas, comments or guest recommendations for Season 2? Email us at hello@daydreamerspace.com and follow us at @daydreamerspace to stay in the know. As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Check out what we’re about at daydreamerspace.com.

    42 min
  2. Dominique Crenn: 3 Michelin-Star Chef Who Is Making The Restaurant Industry More Human

    07/24/2020

    Dominique Crenn: 3 Michelin-Star Chef Who Is Making The Restaurant Industry More Human

    Dominique Crenn is a human-being, first and always. And, even though she has created a life that is speckled with achievements - from becoming the first (and only) woman to earn three Michelin Stars for her first restaurant, Atelier Crenn, to being named the Best Chef in the World by the James Beard Foundation - she has continued to stay guided by her curiosity instead. From a young age, Dominique bent the rules for good; growing up as an adopted child in France, she was given the freedom to tap into her creativity. And, that creativity drove her seemingly risky decisions: move across the world to San Francisco, convince a world-renowned chef to work with you (without any formal culinary training might we add), and open an 18-course restaurant with poetry instead of menus.  But, through it all Dominique hasn’t let the rules or awards or growth sway her away from her personal mission: help people reconnect to their roots, become more conscious of their choices, and treat our planet (and each other) with kindness. This chat is for anyone who feels like they have a burning passion within them to change the world - and is ready to bend the rules a little bit to do so. Some stuff we also cover: How Dominique’s childhood in Brittany, France impacted her view of the world - and connection to local food, nature + farmers Dominique’s definition of creativity, and how she uses her memories to inspire creativity in others Exactly where Dominique looks for creative inspiration (and hint: it’s not at the farmer’s market) How Dominique hires people for her team - and it has nothing to do with what’s listed on their resume The thought process behind incorporating poetry into each of the 18 courses at her 3 Michelin Star restaurant, Atelier Crenn Dominique’s vision for a sustainable future that requires every single human to make conscious choices Resources you might want to check out: Dominique’s Instagram: @dominiquecrenn Dominique’s Book: Rebel Chef: In Search of What Matters Atelier Crenn’s Website: Atelier Crenn As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Check out what we’re about at daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 13m
  3. Benjamin Witte (of Recess): Creative Startup Founder Who Canned A Feeling

    07/17/2020

    Benjamin Witte (of Recess): Creative Startup Founder Who Canned A Feeling

    Benjamin Witte is a creative entrepreneur, and founder of Recess, the CBD-infused sparkling water brand whose mission is much bigger than selling drinks; it’s to help people feel more calm, cool and collected. You might know them from their Instagram feed, which has a cult-like following and rocketed to success only two years after launch. But, our chat with Ben isn’t just about taking Recess from a tiny idea to a full-fledged company with no prior knowledge of the CBD or CPG industries (although we do dive into some behind-the-scenes strategy around their creative marketing decisions). We’ll dissect Ben’s childhood and early career - when he knew he was a creative entrepreneur at heart, but was constantly being told he was “unmanageable” - and exactly what he did about it. This conversation is for any budding entrepreneur, or human, really, who feels like they never necessarily “fit in” any of their normal jobs, but didn’t know what path to take. Ben shows us how being an outsider could be your greatest superpower. Some stuff we also cover: What Ben’s early career in San Francisco’s startup scene taught him about starting a company - and why no one knows what they’re doing Ben’s “wrong turns” in his career, and how they led him to test out a bunch of different business ideas before starting Recess How Recess was built on a brand and a mission that’s much bigger than selling one product - and why it’s important to think big as an entrepreneur What creativity means to Ben, and how he applies this risk-taking mindset to Recess’ marketing strategy, his hiring decisions and growth plan for years to come Why being an outsider to any industry can be your superpower - and how to think about starting a company that aligns with your mission Resources you might want to check out: Recess’ Instagram: @takearecess Website: Takearecess.com As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. We just launched our first product. Take a peek + get on the waitlist to snag your own at: daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 8m
  4. Liz Plank: Award-winning Journalist + Podcaster Who Is Shifting How We View Gender

    07/10/2020

    Liz Plank: Award-winning Journalist + Podcaster Who Is Shifting How We View Gender

    Liz Plank is a perspective shifter - she has spent her entire career (and life!) dedicated to asking the difficult-but-curious questions that shift the narrative of both big societal belief systems - and personal ones. Liz is also an award-winning journalist, former Executive Producer of several critically acclaimed shows on Vox Media, and author of her latest book For The Love Of Men: A New Vision For Mindful Masculinity. In our chat with Liz, we learn about her creative process of asking the right questions from the inside out. Liz walks us through many examples of her own narrative shifting - like, how she navigated “sticking out” in her Master’s Program at Oxford, and turning that unique storytelling ability into her greatest creative gift (and in turn, a successful career in media). We not only discuss Liz’s personal journey - but her behavioral research that informed the outcomes in her book, For The Love Of Men. around gender roles and societal beliefs of what we’re allowed to do. We specifically share the impact that gender roles can have on our ability to be creative - and what we can do to tap into our humanness instead. This conversation is for anyone who is ready to break some barriers, shift conversations - in their own head or their communities - and tap into their creativity no matter what you’re “supposed” to be doing. Some stuff we also cover: How Liz navigated the negative feedback in her institutional studies - and was able to stay true to herself What Liz does to prepare for sharing her most vulnerable, authentic self as a media personality - and how she stays sane when people don’t agree. The most fascinating social experiment of our time (Quarantine) and why we have the power to learn from it What it’s like to write a book - how Liz’s own experience felt like therapy The difference between masculine and feminine energy, especially as it relates to creativity Why men are pushed away from creative endeavors from a young age - and how we can shift that paradigm Resources you might want to check out: Book: For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity Social media: @feministabulous Website: lizplank.com As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Get on the waitlist to meet us IRL at: daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 15m
  5. Justin Bettman: Prolific Photographer Who Takes Pictures First + Asks Questions Later

    07/03/2020

    Justin Bettman: Prolific Photographer Who Takes Pictures First + Asks Questions Later

    Justin Bettman is a prolific photographer who still approaches life and work with a punk-rock view. Even though Justin has worked with some of the most well-known celebrities and brands in the world (think: everyone from Daniel Radcliff to Spotify), he is constantly living by the motto: do first, ask questions later. But, Justin didn’t seamlessly move from There to Here, as you’ll hear in our chat today. Like many of our guests so far, Justin continues to push his own boundaries and definition of creativity - whether it was during his first job at Ogilvy, the top-tier advertising agency - where he started in a rotational business program and somehow figured out his way to become an in-house photographer, or when he started #SetinTheStreet - a now-viral, international art project that simply started as a way to have fun with photography without having access to a fancy set or props. This conversation is for anyone who feels like they have a creative spark within them, but feels too constrained by what they “should” be doing (like Elle Luna explained last episode). For our photography buffs - Justin shares the exact ways he prepares and thinks about a photoshoot. And for the rest of us, he dives deep into something extremely important: the mindset he’s cultivated to help him get from There to Here -without letting money, resources or excuses hold him back. Some stuff we also cover: Justin’s exact process of experimenting with photography - both as a craft and a business - starting in high school The step-by-step approach Justin took to move from a business role to becoming in-house photography at Ogilvy How Justin created #SetInTheStreet - a viral, international art project - from idea phase to working with the NYC Times Square Art Alliance Why you don’t need a huge budget or professional equipment to  get started on any creative project Exactly how Justin prepares and completes post-production for his large-scale photoshoots How to keep experimenting with your craft and keep a beginner’s mind Resources you might want to check out: Social media: @justinbettman Website: justinbettman.com As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Get on the waitlist to meet us IRL at: daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 3m
  6. Craig Hatkoff: Investor (+ Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder) Who Decided To Color Outside The Lines

    06/26/2020

    Craig Hatkoff: Investor (+ Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder) Who Decided To Color Outside The Lines

    Craig Hatkoff is a disrupter at heart. His accolades span many arenas - Craig is a prolific real estate investor, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, best-selling children’s book author, philanthropist, expert on innovation - and the list could go on. But most importantly, Craig has been able to craft a life filled with creativity, passion and storytelling by collecting as many “dots” of experiences as he could - and connecting them looking backwards. We especially love this conversation with Craig, because he not only shares stories of his own deeply interesting life experiences, but also tactical tools we all can use to develop our own life bucket list. He walks us through how to disrupt the status quo both within big institutions - like investment banking and film festivals - and spaces that don’t even exist yet, like writing children’s books about dealing with trauma and loss. Each step of the way, Craig has managed to fit in without losing his ability to stand out. Join us for an energizing conversation about disrupting the status quo from within, not being afraid to experiment, and the real reason why you need to collect as many “dots” as possible (hint: it even has its own mathematical equation!). Some stuff we also cover: Exactly how Craig went from being a real estate investor for twenty years to writing a children’s book (and why no one tells you how to get published) The inspiration behind the Tribeca Film Festival and why it’s not like every other fancy festival in the world How to organize your free time in order to develop as many creative ideas as possible Why it’s extremely important for your brain to do stuff that’s not related to your “core competency” (i.e. that book club isn’t a waste of time) Resources you might want to check out: Social media: @craighatkoff Website: tribecafilmfestival.com As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Get on the waitlist to meet us IRL at: daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 20m
  7. Elle Luna: Tech Designer-Turned-Artist Who Followed Her Dreams (Literally)

    06/19/2020

    Elle Luna: Tech Designer-Turned-Artist Who Followed Her Dreams (Literally)

    Elle Luna found herself at a crossroads: one between continuing to collect life’s “Shoulds” or finally following her “Must.” As an artist at her core, Elle lived her early life collecting trophies and thinking practically. Since she was a kid, Elle wanted to be a lawyer and did nearly everything she could to get there - until the world forced her in another direction. Elle is now a best-selling author, speaker, painter, and expert on finding your passion. She started her career as a designer at major San Francisco startups, like Uber, Medium, and Mailbox in their early days. But, she kept having this recurring dream of a white room - one where she felt fully at peace - which was so different from her normal life, she knew something had to change. So, after following her (literal) dream, she discovered that her “Must” had been hiding under her nose all along - and she didn’t need a fancy job title at another Silicon Valley startup to find it. Elle wrote her observations in a Medium post, “The Crossroads of Should and Must” that went viral and landed her a book deal all about discovering your passion. Elle’s journey is a continuous demonstration that tuning in to your Must, your creative passions, is a beautiful unfolding. This conversation with Elle is for anyone who finds themselves at a crossroads, battling against the stories about what the world tells them they should be - instead of what they really want to be doing. We dive deep into the ways that all us humans keep ourselves in a prison, far away from a creative, passionless life - but most importantly, how we can chisel away at those beliefs in order to craft a life that we love. Join us for a grounding conversation about finding your passion, removing your Shoulds, and tapping into your innate creative mind to heal. Some stuff we also cover: How we’ve all internalized stories of what is “good” and “bad” - like what it means to be an artist (cue: no health insurance) - and how we can shift them The physiological impact of following your Must, and in turn, staying stuck to your Shoulds The prison of time - and how we can begin to undo the systemic layers of “shoulds” The regimented steps that Elle took in order to buy herself “time” to explore her creativity Simple-but-important creative exercises that could help you heal and give you clues towards developing your passion Resources you might want to check out: Book(s):  The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion ; Your Story Is Your Power: Free Your Feminine Voice Other projects: #The100DayProject Social media: @elleluna Website: ellaluna.com As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Get on the waitlist to meet us IRL at: daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 13m
  8. Jemel McWilliams: Lizzo's Choreographer Who Uses His Moves To Change The World

    06/12/2020

    Jemel McWilliams: Lizzo's Choreographer Who Uses His Moves To Change The World

    Jemel McWilliams is a self-proclaimed ‘Journey Man’. But, even though he’s tried his hand at all types of creative (and not-so-creative) endeavors, he never lost that spark. And now, as a highly-regarded artistic director and choreographer for artists such as Lizzo, Janelle Monae, John Legend, Alicia Keys and others, Jemel understands something that his younger self may not have: being different - being yourself - is the coolest thing you could do. Jemel has spent over ten years in the entertainment industry - moving through every single phase of the process from backup dancer to artistic director. And, now that he is calling the shots, he’s been a major visionary in creating cultural movements through his work. Jemel crafted Janelle Monae’s historic performance at the 2020 Oscar’s (making it not so white) and bringing together Lizzo’s Big Grrrls crew. No matter what type of creative project he’s working on, Jemel is consistently bringing together all body types, colors, experience levels to the table - no matter how long they’ve been left out of the conversation. Join us for a conversation that’s equally energizing and grounding - and one that’s deeply needed in our world right now. Some stuff we also cover: Jemel’s exact creative process as an artistic director and lead choreographer when working with major artists like Lizzo and Janelle Monae (hint: it’s more spiritual than you might think) Jemel’s thoughts on “popcorn careers” and the importance of moving through each stage of the process over going viral Why it’s extremely important to find your community and how that relates to your ability to find creative fulfillment The way that Jemel thinks about creating major cultural movements through dance and entertainment - and how he doesn’t get lost in the comments section Resources you might want to check out: Social media: @Jemelmcwilliams Website: https://www.jemelmcwilliams.com/ As always, this podcast is sponsored by: Daydreamers. At Daydreamers, we’re redefining how we all spend our free time and making space for adults to build creative hobbies. Get on the waitlist to find out what tricks we have up our sleeves (hint: we’re launching something major soon): daydreamerspace.com.

    1h 18m
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(un)productive by daydreamers is a weekly chat where we pick the brains of creatives, entrepreneurs, thinkers and tinkerers, all who have approached life differently. Together, we’re redefining how we spend our “free” time in a world that’s hyper-focused on efficiency at the expense of well, everything else. We’ll dig into the habits, mindsets and experiences of some of the most creative minds in the world today so we can all spend a little less time scrolling - and a little more time, dreaming.

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  • Creator
    Daydreamers
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Daydreamers