You Can't Lose!

Joe and Richard unpack why creative work, and life, is more about steady contact than home runs. They explore the art of doing less but better, resisting the urge to please everyone, and finding meaning in risk, friction, and imperfection.

In this episode, Richard joins fresh off his Second Harvest retreat in Spain to talk about the myth of constant creativity, Joe talks about the beauty of the “average Thursday,” and Richard speaks to why resistance is the doorway to real growth. We trade stories about chasing the thrill of deadline chaos, the grind versus the high of agency life, and the trap of mistaking busyness for progress. Richard breaks down how Second Harvest helps people confront fear, embrace stillness, and integrate deep reflection into daily life, not just during a retreat, but back home amid kids, clients, and chaos. It’s a conversation about cycles of work and rest, the illusion of endless optimization, and learning to find meaning in the 80% of life that’s not the highlight reel.

Richard and Joe dive into the power of hospitality as a vital skill, emphasizing the art of anticipating guests' needs. They discuss how thoughtfulness can lead to profound experiences, recalling how unexpected delights can elevate events. The hosts weigh the pros and cons of intimate gatherings versus larger parties, highlighting the importance of personal connections in a post-COVID world. They also explore how genuine messaging and memorable moments can transform both events and client relationships.

Richard and Devon launched Second Harvest in Austria successfully and he's here to spill a ton of behind the scenes details, insights into the event, deeper dives into the unique philosophy behind Second Harvest, how it went, and where it goes from here. This is a must-listen if you've followed this event at all along the way! https://www.secondharvest.co/

In this episode, Joe and Richard explore the difference between community and alliance: “An alliance is going someplace… it has direction.” They trade time-travel hypotheticals, reflect on the problem-solving joy of The Martian and The Last of Us, and debate whether their businesses are behaving like nouns or verbs. “Do something with this,” Joe insists, as they revisit lessons from the Philadelphia Experiment. Along the way, they ask: what if your lease is your marketing strategy?

In this lively chat, Anthony Colangelo, partner at Pine Works and host of the space podcast Main Engine Cut Off, shares his dual journey as an iOS developer and passionate space podcaster. He recounts the origin of MECO, driven by the desire for authentic space analysis post-Falcon 9 landing. Anthony emphasizes the power of genuine content over algorithmic growth and reflects on the evolution of his shows, including the shift to Off-Nominal's live format. A true testament to balancing career, family, and creative passion!

Richard and Joe break down their conversation with Chris & Aaron Quinn, more details about agency acquisitions, private equity vs venture capital, and they spill the beans about The Philadelphia Experiment April 9-11.

Aaron and Chris Quinn, co-founders of eHouse, share their insights on navigating the world of e-commerce and acquisitions. They discuss the strategic pivot to Shopify, the challenges of scaling a remote team, and the emotional complexities of selling their agency. The brothers highlight the importance of team retention during transitions, their values-driven approach to change management, and how community support guided their journey. They also reflect on why certain acquisition offers were passed on and the current state of eHouse post-acquisition.

Duolingo stirred up a LinkedIn frenzy by changing UX job titles to Product Experience Design. Hosts debate the importance of job titles and how they shape personal identity. They explore the evolution of UX and discuss how advocating for change can sometimes hinder progress. Instead of clinging to titles, they suggest focusing on delivering value and collaborating effectively. The conversation wraps with insights on unblocking organizational challenges to achieve quick results, emphasizing practicality over credit.

Discover how embedding 'brown M&M' clauses can reveal client attention. Learn about the TNT approach, where simple actions like rapid follow-ups can dramatically boost your success. The hosts tackle the pitfalls of a 'Waiting Super Hard' sales strategy, highlighting that you miss every shot you don’t take. They also share insights on how a redesign of a client's website often signals trouble. Plus, their humorous take on agency life brings comic strip ideas to the forefront.