[LEADERSHIP] Ep. 456 How to Unlock Radical Creativity & Innovation with Duncan Wardle

What if your next big idea wasn’t hiding in logic- but in play, curiosity, and a little absurdity?

This week, Ash is joined by Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, for a wildly inspiring conversation on tapping into your imagination, thinking differently, and leading with curiosity in your work and life.

From serving cappuccinos in London to leading game-changing projects at Disney, Duncan shares the moment Princess Diana, Roger Rabbit, and a creative crisis collided- and forever changed how he approached innovation. Together, Ash and Duncan explore what it takes to lead with wonder, think outside the box, and create space for real breakthroughs

But it doesn’t stop there. Duncan shares his signature strategies from his upcoming book “The Imagination Emporium”, including how to shift from a “no because” to a “yes and” mindset, unlock team creativity, and spark collaboration through diversity and spontaneity. Drawing on insights from companies like Pixar, Microsoft, and Disney, Duncan outlines how leaders and creators can access game-changing ideas starting with asking bold, naive, even “absurd” questions.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in old patterns or craving a fresh approach to innovation, this episode offers powerful tools to think bigger, dream differently, and lead more boldly.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Duncan went from cappuccino runner to Disney executive—and what he learned along the way.

• Why the phrase “yes and” can transform collaboration and creativity.

• How to unlock breakthrough ideas by asking “What if?” and embracing the absurd.

• The power of diverse perspectives and unplanned interactions in fostering innovation.

• What the “naive expert” is and why it’s essential for fresh thinking.

• How to create environments where imagination, curiosity, and big ideas thrive.

• Practical tips from Duncan’s new book The Imagination Emporium to reawaken your creative spark.

Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, artist, or simply curious about your next big idea, this episode will ignite your imagination and reframe how you think about creativity.

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Connect with Duncan Wardle

The Imagination Emporioum Book: https://duncanwardle.com/imagination-emporium-2

Website: https://duncanwardle.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duncanjwardle/

Connect with Ash:

https://www.instagram.com/ashleystahl/

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