The Unmistakable Creative Podcast
Srinivas Rao
Timeless Practical Wisdom For Living a Meaningful LifeInspiring stories and practical advice from creatives, entrepreneurs, change-makers, misfits, and rebels to help you become successful on your own terms Our listeners say, “If TEDTalks met Oprah you’d have the Unmistakable Creative.” Eliminate the feeling of being stuck in your life, blocked in your creativity, and discover higher levels of meaning and purpose in your life and career. Listen to deeply personal, insightful, and thought-provoking stories from the world’s leading thinkers and doers including best-selling authors, artists, peak performance psychologists, happiness researchers, entrepreneurs, startup founders, artists, venture capitalists, and even former bank robbers. Former guests have included Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Justine Musk, Scott Adams, Rob Bell, David Heinemeier Hansson, Elle Luna, Jordan Harbinger Brett Mckay, and Simon Sinek.Join The Unmistakable CollectiveThe Unmistakable Collective is a monthly membership for writers, bloggers, podcasters, and content creators that gives you access to workshops, AMA's, and accountability from other like-minded peers to help you accomplish any creative goals! Click here to become a member.Connect with Us On Social Twitter: @unmistakableceoInstagram: @unmistkablecreative Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 10min
Andrew Bustamante: Inside the Mind of a Spy — Tradecraft, Trust, and the Cost of Secrecy
In a captivating discussion, Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA operative and founder of Everyday Spy, shares insights on the world of espionage. He delves into the nuances of spycraft, revealing how trust and empathy are critical for influence. Bustamante contrasts military discipline with personal freedom and explains the isolation faced by operatives. He highlights the CIA's recruitment of morally flexible candidates and the psychological toll of a life shrouded in secrecy. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of reading people, turning spy skills into everyday applications.
12 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 56min
Chris Fussell: Systems, Mindset, and Leading at the Edge
Chris Fussell, a former Navy SEAL and leadership strategist, shares insights from his experience in elite teams. He delves into how systems thinking and decentralized decision-making can reshape organizations. Listeners learn about mindset lessons from SEAL training, including overcoming fear and making rapid decisions. Fussell emphasizes the importance of shared consciousness and emotional outlets for leaders. His perspective combines tactical and strategic thinking, offering valuable strategies for leading under pressure and fostering trust within teams.
Nov 4, 2025 • 53min
Carlos Adell: From Drug Dealer to Industrial Engineer to Finding True Success Through Strategic Environment Design
Carlos Adell, a former industrial engineer turned entrepreneur, shares his remarkable journey from a small Spanish town to drug dealing and near-death experiences. He discusses how he juggled multiple identities and the powerful lesson that who you surround yourself with shapes your life. After quitting his corporate job post-heart scare, he moved to Australia to reinvent himself, applying lessons from his past to design a fulfilling life. Adell emphasizes the importance of deliberate environment design and genuine happiness as his evolving definition of success.
Oct 31, 2025 • 46min
Alison Shcraeger: The Economics of Risk and What a Las Vegas Brothel Taught Me About Uncertainty
In this engaging conversation, economist Alison Schrager dives into the economics of risk, drawing from her unique experiences studying sex workers in Las Vegas. She explains how most people misunderstand probabilities and highlights the power of natural frequencies for better decision-making. Alison argues that past data can be misleading and discusses the emotional biases that affect our risk assessments. She also touches on career choices and how diverse experiences can lead to richer opportunities. Get ready to rethink how you approach uncertainty!
Oct 30, 2025 • 52min
John Epstein: Testing Acast Sync and Update Functionality
David Epstein, an acclaimed author and science journalist, dives into fascinating insights from his book *Range*. He shares how diverse experiences can shape career success and why early specialization may not be the best path for everyone. Epstein discusses the impact of context on life choices and lessons learned from running that apply to writing. He also explores the benefits of diverse skills in athletes and advocates for education reform that promotes active learning over compliance, emphasizing the unique advantages of nonlinear career paths.
Oct 29, 2025 • 50min
Akshay Nanavati: Finding Bliss Through Suffering, Silence, and the Edge of Human Endurance
Akshay Nanavati, a former Marine and extreme adventurer, dives deep into the transformative power of suffering. He shares his journey from struggling with PTSD and addiction to finding purpose through physical challenges like dragging sleds in Antarctica. Akshay discusses the paradox of finding peace in chaos, the significance of darkness retreats, and using guilt as motivation. Through compelling stories, he emphasizes that pain can be a powerful catalyst for change and explains how to discern when to push forward or retreat for safety.
Oct 21, 2025 • 57min
David Brooks: Seeing People Deeply in a World of Shallow Interactions
In this insightful conversation, David Brooks, a New York Times columnist and bestselling author, delves into the art of truly knowing others amid today's distractions. He shares personal stories of growth through trauma and divorce, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in relationships. Brooks introduces concepts like 'illuminators' who foster connection and the idea of 'accompaniment' in human presence. He argues that genuine connections surpass AI capabilities and critiques social media's impact on authentic interaction.
Oct 20, 2025 • 57min
Damon Centola: Why Change Spreads from the Edges—Not the Influencers
Damon Centola, a sociologist and author known for his research on social networks, challenges the notion that change is driven by influencers. He argues that real transformation emanates from peripheral clusters in networks. Discussing examples from social movements like Black Lives Matter, he emphasizes that weak ties and trusted connections play crucial roles in shaping behavior. Centola highlights the limitations of virality and presents actionable strategies for fostering substantial change by focusing on collective intelligence and network dynamics.
Oct 19, 2025 • 52min
Jennifer Wallace: Raising Resilient Kids in a Culture That Says They're Never Enough
Jennifer Wallace, a journalist, researcher, and mother of three, explores the toxic impact of achievement culture on children in her book *Never Enough*. In this engaging conversation, she discusses the effects of social comparison and perfectionism on mental health. Wallace advocates for redefining success through the lens of 'mattering' and shares practical strategies for parents to foster resilience. She also touches on the role of adult mental health in supporting kids and the dangers of tying self-worth to achievements in our competitive society.
Oct 18, 2025 • 1h 6min
Laura Huang: Creating an Edge in a World That Won’t Hand You One
In this enlightening discussion, Laura Huang, a Harvard Business School professor and author of *Edge*, reveals how to transform disadvantages into advantages. She shares her journey from an immigrant background to a successful academic, emphasizing the importance of reshaping perceptions. Laura introduces her four-part EDGE framework to help individuals flip bias and navigate privilege. She also discusses the myth of meritocracy, using the inspiring story of Dave's Killer Bread to illustrate second chances and the value of owning your narrative.
