The Power of Asking 'Why' in Creative Journeys

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What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Matthew Encinas - Creative director, educator, and the creative force behind content that actually drives connection (not just clicks).

In this episode, Matthew breaks down why most creatives are about to get replaced by AI - and what you can actually do to stay ahead. We dive into how to build a personal brand that can’t be automated, the storytelling tactics that cut through the noise, and the underrated power of creative substance in a world obsessed with speed.

He also shares why he left The Futur to launch his own studio, the mindset shift that helped him evolve past burnout, and the real reason most creators are stuck spinning their wheels.

If you’re ready to evolve as a creator, build a brand with purpose, and stay relevant in the AI era, this episode is for you.

Check out Matthew here:

https://www.instagram.com/matthewencina/

https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@MatthewEncina⁩ 

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:12 - Matthew’s take on A.I. content

3:11 - Having a bias against A.I.

4:37 - You can’t automate substance

7:10 - What the next 6-12 months look like

9:00 - Consuming vs. Creating

10:37 - Seeking out Inspo

12:25 - The two tiers of inspo

13:58 - Where substance comes from

16:42 - What A.I. can never replace

17:42 - The importance of doing hard things

19:36 - How to stand out on social media

20:47 - How to train your brain to do hard things

22:54 - Matthew loves to break dance

25:28 - Taking inspiration from break dancing into design

26:50 - The importance of experiencing real life

28:43 - Design vs. Video process

31:16 - Woodworking

35:03 - The art of being curious

36:36 - How to build confidence as a creative

41:50 - When opportunities stop presenting themselves

45:15 - The process of getting better

47:17 - Ending his first creative business

55:09 - Matthew’s entire creative process

1:01:38 - Biggest takeaways from Chris Do

1:04:22 - The beauty of teaching creativity

1:06:11 - A masterclass in design

1:08:58 - Become a great leader

1:11:58 - What goes into making a keyboard

1:16:34 - Partnering with Grovemade

1:17:42 - How to find the whitespace as a brand

1:22:47 - Why risk a rebrand?

1:25:18 - The Double Diamond Framework

1:28:20 - Developing thick skin as a designer

1:32:15 - Constructive Criticism

1:35:35 - Most people are kind

1:36:39 - Step ya bread up

1:38:48 - The business behind physical products

1:40:13 - Testing prototypes

1:42:37 - How to reverse engineer your ideal customer

1:45:00 - Creating for yourself

1:50:11 - Matthew’s favorite physical products to create

1:59:10 - A job you don’t have to retire from

2:00:47 - Advice to your 18 year old self

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