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
Oct 17, 2025 • 47min
Emily Fletcher: The Science and Simplicity of Unlocking Human Potential Through Meditation
Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation and former Broadway performer, shares her transformative journey from the stage to meditation. She discusses how meditation enhances performance and mental resilience, debunking the myth that it’s only for monks. Emily introduces the Ziva Technique, designed for busy lives, emphasizing its benefits for high performers. Personal stories of resilience, including experiences during 9/11 and in Moscow, highlight her insights on control and happiness. Join her as she demystifies stress relief and unveils practical meditation strategies for everyday life.
Oct 6, 2025 • 50min
Courtney Harding: Building the Future of Human Connection Through XR, Education, and Digital Agency
Courtney Harding, founder of Friends with Holograms and a leader in spatial computing, shares her insights on the transformative power of VR and AR. She discusses how immersive tech can reshape education and facilitate social connections, particularly for marginalized communities. Challenging dystopian fears, she advocates for inclusive design and thoughtful regulation. Courtney explores VR's potential to enhance empathy, improve learning outcomes, and create new job opportunities in the metaverse, emphasizing the need for community-driven innovation.
6 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 52min
Daniel Lieberman: Dopamine, Desire, and Why Enough is Never Enough
Dr. Daniel Lieberman, psychiatrist and author of *The Molecule of More*, dives into the neuroscience of dopamine and its impact on our desires. He reveals how our cravings for the unattainable can lead to dissatisfaction and impulsive decisions. Lieberman contrasts infatuation with true love, examines why people cheat, and discusses how drugs hijack our dopamine systems. He also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and offers strategies like dopamine detox to cultivate genuine satisfaction and balance in our lives.
31 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
Annie Duke: Why Knowing When to Quit Is a Superpower
Annie Duke, a bestselling author and decision strategist, explores the art of strategic quitting in her latest conversation. She dismantles the popular belief that grit is always virtuous, using examples from icons like Muhammad Ali and Dave Chappelle. Duke discusses how our fixation on persistence often blinds us to real opportunities and pitfalls. She introduces practical tools like turnaround times and kill criteria to guide better decision-making. Ultimately, she emphasizes that knowing when to walk away is a crucial skill for future success.
Sep 29, 2025 • 46min
The Science of Mastery: Anders Ericsson on Deliberate Practice
Anders Ericsson, a psychologist renowned for his groundbreaking work on deliberate practice, dives deep into the science of mastery. He highlights how expert performance is cultivated through structured efforts rather than innate talent, challenging the infamous 10,000-hour rule. Ericsson shares insights on applying deliberate practice across fields like writing and interviewing, stressing the importance of quality and focused training. He also discusses the vital role of teachers and strategies to optimize practice, making this a treasure trove for anyone aiming for excellence.
Sep 22, 2025 • 58min
The Operating System of Transformation: Salim Ismail on Exponential Thinking, Leadership, and Inner Engineering
Salim Ismail, founding executive director of Singularity University and author of *Exponential Organizations*, dives into the intricacies of leadership in a rapidly changing world. He explores the frameworks behind exponential growth and the essential inner transformations leaders must undergo. Salim highlights tools like NLP and flow-state techniques that can reshape our personal and organizational dynamics. He also discusses the importance of creating edge startups and adapting education to keep pace with skill demands, encouraging listeners to think big and act boldly.
Sep 17, 2025 • 47min
Dennis Xu: Designing Tools That Think Like We Do
Dennis Xu, co-founder of Mem and Stanford alumnus, explores the future of personal knowledge with an innovative approach to cognitive design. He shares insights on transforming traditional information management into fluid, brain-like systems. The conversation dives into the philosophical underpinnings of knowledge work, emphasizing the importance of radical agency and creative autonomy. Dennis highlights how Mem serves as a powerful infrastructure for knowledge workers, blending technology with human cognition to manage complexity effectively.
19 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 52min
The Science of Focus: Gloria Mark on Attention Rhythms, Flow Myths, and Digital Control
In this engaging discussion, cognitive scientist Gloria Mark reveals how digital distractions undermine our attention. She differentiates between internal and external distractions and highlights the importance of meta-awareness. Mark dispels myths surrounding flow states and shares insights on how to navigate focus in today's fast-paced world. She emphasizes the power of intentional breaks and understanding personal attention rhythms to enhance productivity. Listeners gain practical strategies for regaining control over their focus in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.
22 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 46min
Sonkhe Ahrens: Building a Thinking System That Generates Insight, Not Noise
Sonkhe Ahrens, author of 'How to Take Smart Notes', champions the Zettelkasten method for effective learning and knowledge management. He argues that traditional note-taking fails to foster genuine thinking. Ahrens emphasizes the importance of connecting information deliberately over time to engineer insights. The conversation also covers the need for flexible education that encourages creativity, personalizing productivity workflows, and the power of bidirectional links in note-taking. Listeners are inspired to rethink their approach to learning and writing.
19 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
Kevin Surace — Building Smarter, Leading Better, and Adapting to AI
Kevin Surace, an expert on applied AI and its impact on the workforce, discusses how AI isn't eliminating jobs but reshaping them. He emphasizes that productivity will define company growth in a world constrained by labor. Surace shares insights on the evolution of tools that have prepared us for this change, highlighting the need for adaptability among knowledge workers. He also dives into how AI democratizes creativity while creating competition, stressing that curiosity and specialized skills will be essential for future success.
