
untalented
untalented by UNKNOWN is a bi-weekly podcast where we give the unheard humans, who power our creative industries, a voice.
Latest episodes

Apr 16, 2025 • 55min
71: The End of the Beginning: 10 Lessons from 70 Untalented Conversations
Reflecting on three years and 70 conversations, the hosts share their top ten lessons learned from a diverse array of creative leaders. They discuss the growth mindset's role in innovation and the challenges of balancing creativity with commercial demands. The importance of brand awareness in leadership, and reevaluating agency value in competitive markets, are highlighted. They also address the need for supportive workplace cultures in family planning and the power of evolving perspectives in fostering inclusivity and inspiration for future talent.

Apr 2, 2025 • 42min
70: Fail Fast, Learn Faster | The Design Philosophy of Diego Zaks
In this episode of Untalented, we sit down with Diego Zaks, VP of Design at Ramp, to break down the myths of corporate innovation. Why do most companies claim to embrace failure but actually punish it? How can speed, iteration, and a true commitment to learning lead to better design and smarter product decisions?
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Mar 18, 2025 • 57min
69: Selling Your Soul To Advertising | A Look Into A CCO’s Journey | Omid Amidi
In this episode of Untalented, we sit down with Omid Amidi, the Chief Creative Officer of McKinney, to talk about his unconventional journey from a mutual funds assistant to an award-winning creative powerhouse. From launching his career with a YoungGuns win to shaping iconic campaigns like Share a Coke, Omid shares insights on what it takes to cut through industry white noise, why relatability is overrated, and how creativity should challenge rather than conform.
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Jan 21, 2025 • 43min
68: Growth Strategy Insights with Arif Mansuri
Welcome back to another episode of the Untalented Podcast.
In this episode, we sit down with Arif Mansuri. Arif has worked at the most reputable businesses on the planet, the likes of JPMorgan, Metalab, Huge and so on. He has held pivotal roles at leading companies, contributing significantly to advancements in technology and innovation. Join us as we delve into Arif's journey, exploring his experiences, challenges, and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Tune in for valuable insights on career growth, strategic thinking, and leadership in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
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10 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 6min
67: Successful Business Model Change with Caroline Johnson - the journey from Service to Value
Caroline Johnson, Co-Founder of The Business Model Company, specializes in transforming business models for creative agencies. She dives into the pitfalls of the 'all-you-can-eat buffet' service model and advocates for a shift towards value-driven strategies. Caroline emphasizes the blend of creativity with commercial thinking to foster innovation. She also discusses the importance of leadership commitment in embracing change and offers practical insights on client engagement and rethinking pricing to enhance agency value.

Nov 21, 2024 • 52min
66: The pros and cons of a fully REMOTE design studio - After Hours
Welcome Back to another episode of the Untalented Podcast.
This episode we are joined by After Hours, a design studio launched by the wonderful Jasmine Gallagher and Shy Trutwein.
We discuss how it all works, the positive impact it has on creative, the non negotiables to making it successful, and how it’s the best thing for their clients.
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Nov 14, 2024 • 51min
65: Alex Grieve: from researcher to Global CCO at BBH.
Welcome back to another episode of the Untalented Podcast. In this episode we talk to Global CCO of BBH, Alex Grieve.
Alex is one of the most awarded creatives and creative leaders in the world. He’s won everything from Black Pencils to Cannes Grand Prixs. But also built and facilitated environments for some of the most talented creatives to prosper and make their best work.
This episode is filled with buckets of wisdom and fascinating insight. Insights into what’s it’s like running successful departments and where creatives may/could go wrong when taking the step up to leadership level.
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Nov 5, 2024 • 50min
64: What the hell is going on? With Ollie & Sean
Welcome back to another episode of the Untalented Podcast. Today is a Boys only podcast, Ollie and Sean the two usual hosts dive into some interesting topics.
Sean and Ollie talk about the 10 insights Ollie has picked up from his anonymous group called Good CEOs.
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Nov 2, 2024 • 59min
63: Strategy, Periods, Diversity & Future of advertising
Welcome back to another episode of the Untalented Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Sophie Lewis, a brand strategy expert with a track record of driving business growth through the power of brand insight. Sophie excels at helping brands understand their role in culture and creating clear, jargon-free strategies that resonate with both teams and audiences. From simplifying complex business challenges to crafting briefs that inspire, Sophie’s work with top brands like Starbucks, American Express, and Heinz Beanz has led to impactful, measurable results. Tune in as we dive into her approach to creating brand strategies that truly make a difference.
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Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 2min
62: From Receptionist to Executive - Rachel West
In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating journey of Rachel West, Executive Director at Buck. From her beginnings as a studio manager to her rise through the creative ranks, Rachel shares insights on navigating career shifts, building confidence, and leading with empathy. We explore the importance of self-belief, the non-linear path of creative careers, and the power of determination in overcoming challenges.
Rachel reflects on her unique experiences, including multiple sabbaticals, transitioning between roles at major agencies, and the lessons learned along the way. She also discusses the intricacies of managing global teams and how deeply personal experiences, like her family’s background in therapy, have shaped her leadership style.
We touch on her thoughts on the evolving landscape of creative industries, the role of trust in client relationships, and why listening and understanding people on a human level is key to success. Rachel also shares her perspectives on burnout, balancing work-life dynamics, and the significance of finding value beyond just work.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with humor, humility, and valuable takeaways for anyone looking to make an impact in the creative world.
🎧Listen Here: linktr.ee/untalentedbyunknown
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Keywords:
Creative Leadership
Career Transitions
Rachel, Executive Director at Buck
Creative Industries
Empathy in Leadership
Global Team Management
Non-linear Career Path
Creative Confidence
Work-life Balance
Creative Recruitment
Trust in Client Relationships
Creative Determination
Overcoming Career Challenges
Creative Sabaticals
Managing Creative Teams
Creative Burnout
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