From Ideas to Execution: A Creative Workflow w/ Jeffrey Madoff (TPS596)

34 snips

Jan 19, 2026

In this engaging conversation, Jeffrey Madoff, a creative entrepreneur and professor, shares insights from his journey in the creative industry, including producing for top brands like Ralph Lauren. He emphasizes that creativity thrives on curiosity rather than just talent, and introduces practical tools for building a creative workflow. Jeffrey also discusses the importance of breaking projects into manageable steps and the power of delegation in amplifying creative output. Tune in to discover how to turn ideas into tangible results!

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ADVICE

Pick Tools You Will Actually Use

Use simple, intuitive tools you will actually use, like Gmail Tasks and Trello, to keep reminders and projects front of mind.
Avoid tools with steep learning curves that stop you from organizing and executing your creative work.

ANECDOTE

How A Boutique Job Launched A Career

Jeff stumbled into fashion from working in a boutique and a friend's prompt to earn more than bank interest led him to start a clothing company.
He learned business mechanics on the job and applied those lessons later in film and theater production.

INSIGHT

Creativity As Change-Making

Creativity equals a compelling need to bring about change, not a narrow artistic trait.
This definition includes entrepreneurs and anyone who builds solutions with intent to change things.

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How do some people consistently turn raw ideas into real, finished work—while others stay stuck waiting for inspiration to strike? In this encore conversation, Thanh sits down with legendary creative entrepreneur and Parsons professor Jeffrey Madoff to unpack the mindset and structure behind sustainable creativity. From building a fashion company at 22 to producing campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Tiffany, Jeffrey shares how curiosity—not talent alone—has fueled every chapter of his career.

You’ll hear why creativity is less about magic and more about systems, how organizing principles help tame chaos, and why delegation is the secret weapon behind high-level creative output. Whether you’re a founder, maker, or someone with big ideas you haven’t yet shipped, this episode reveals the practical workflow that turns vision into execution—and makes a living from it.

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From Madison storefronts to global campaigns—meet the mind behind the work, Jeffrey Madoff. [01:19]
The surprisingly simple tools Jeffrey relies on to keep creative chaos under control. [01:59]
How a spontaneous leap into fashion launched a career that later pivoted into film and storytelling. [05:56]
A refreshing definition of creativity that expands far beyond artists and into everyday builders. [16:52]
Why waiting for inspiration is a trap—and what actually moves creative projects forward. [23:28]
The organizing principles and delegation strategies that make big creative visions executable. [35:14]
How to price your ideas, validate them in the real world, and prove they’re worth paying for. [42:10]

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