
The Futur with Chris Do
The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
Latest episodes

Mar 22, 2023 • 1h 22min
233 - From BBQ to Branding — with Phyllis Strawder
Phyllis Strawder, a certified brand strategist and life coach known as the Ghetto Country Brandmother®, shares her unique journey from running a barbecue restaurant to empowering solopreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in branding, revealing her personal anecdotes about embracing her 'ghetto country' roots. Phyllis discusses the challenges of navigating cultural identity and the art of 'two-word branding' to connect with others. Her insights also touch on mentoring youth entrepreneurs and the delicate balance between self-protection and vulnerability.

33 snips
Mar 15, 2023 • 57min
232 - There is wisdom in learning — with Kevin Finn
Kevin Finn, an internationally recognized branding designer and TEDx speaker, shares insights on transforming businesses into impactful brands. He discusses the crucial distinction between a business and a brand, emphasizing societal perception. Kevin also explores the importance of genuine client partnerships and effective communication in shaping brand identity. Personal stories about loss and empowerment illustrate how language can motivate action and build confidence. Listeners gain valuable questions to redefine their branding approach and navigate today's corporate landscape.

19 snips
Mar 8, 2023 • 44min
231 - Knowing when to quit (Part 2)
Discover the transformative power of following your passion, as one renowned author shares their journey from medicine to writing. The discussion highlights the importance of finding joy in work while balancing personal well-being with professional success. Listeners learn about the emotional challenges of deciding when to quit or persist and the necessity of aligning personal joy with market realities. Insightful stories reveal that strategic quitting can lead to a more fulfilling life, emphasizing self-care and integrity in pursuing goals.

41 snips
Mar 1, 2023 • 1h
230 - Knowing when to quit (Part 1)
Nidhi Tewari, a therapist focused on mental health, joins the conversation to explore the complex decision of when to quit versus when to persevere. She discusses the balance between toxic hustle and meaningful commitment, urging listeners to redefine their own success metrics after burnout. The dialogue delves into personal growth, emphasizing creativity and connection over external validation. Ultimately, it reflects on the importance of pursuing passions while being open to moving on when necessary.

45 snips
Feb 22, 2023 • 1h
229 - Don’t trade time for money — with Paco de Leon
Paco de Leon, author of "Finance for the People" and founder of Hell Yeah Bookkeeping, empowers creatives with financial wisdom. They dive into the shift from scarcity to growth mindset, urging artists to redefine their relationship with money. Paco shares insights on value-based pricing, encouraging independence from traditional hourly rates. The discussion touches on the emotional aspects of financial management, emphasizing the importance of regular financial check-ins and the need for better financial literacy among creative professionals.

6 snips
Feb 15, 2023 • 49min
228 - Boredom is the key to creativity (Part 2)
Boredom is often misunderstood as laziness, but it can be a catalyst for creativity. The discussion explores the connection between boredom and productivity, encouraging moments of stillness for personal growth. It highlights the need to embrace intentional downtime and separate self-worth from constant achievement. By challenging societal norms around productivity, boredom can spark valuable insights and creative breakthroughs. Personal anecdotes underscore the delicate balance between reflection and the pressures of a busy lifestyle.

24 snips
Feb 8, 2023 • 59min
227 - Boredom is the key to creativity (Part 1)
Mo Ismail, a business owner focused on scaling his team, joins for a deep dive into creativity and productivity. They discuss how boredom fuels innovative thinking and the danger of busywork that fills schedules without adding value. Chris shares management strategies like time audits and effective delegation to enhance team output. The conversation also touches on asserting personal boundaries and the importance of fostering a culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. Embracing idleness may just be the secret ingredient to elevate one's business.

22 snips
Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 6min
226 - How affiliate marketing works — with Jacob Cass
Jacob Cass, founder of the branding agency JustCreative, shares his expertise in affiliate marketing and SEO. He emphasizes the importance of search over social media for lasting business success, encouraging bloggers to harness affiliate marketing for client attraction. Jacob explains strategies for creating authoritative content that Google loves and discusses the comparative benefits of active versus passive income. He also highlights the potential of affiliate marketing during events like Black Friday, calling for transparency and genuine product recommendations.

29 snips
Jan 25, 2023 • 1h 26min
225 - Energy is everything — with Simon Ong
In this engaging discussion, Simon Ong, a personal development entrepreneur and author of 'Energize', dives into the transformative power of energy management. He emphasizes that productivity transcends mere time efficiency; without energy, results falter. Simon shares practical strategies like planning ahead and prioritizing rest. He highlights the importance of maintaining gratitude and positive energy, particularly amidst challenges, and reflects on balancing personal goals with the demands of life, reminding us all to be our own Chief Energy Officer.

Jan 18, 2023 • 45min
224 - Feelings are unreliable (Part 2) — with Chris Do
Nidhi Tewari, a therapist specializing in emotions and decision-making, and Mo Ismail, a mindfulness practitioner, dive deep into the intricate dance between feelings and choices. They discuss the necessity of embracing a full emotional spectrum, emphasizing that both positive and negative feelings enhance self-awareness. The duo unpacks the tension between data and intuition in decisions, particularly for entrepreneurs, encouraging listeners to find a balance. Ultimately, they argue for the importance of processing emotions to achieve clarity and better decision-making.
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