As entrepreneurs, we are often so focused on finding solutions that we forget what matters most: the problem itself. And maybe we avoid the problem because we are afraid to fail, but as today’s guest eloquently explains, failure is the only true route to success! For today’s conversation, we are joined by the co-founder of Waze and serial entrepreneur, Uri Levine. Uri has just written a new book, Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution, which is a practical guide for entrepreneurs on how to endure the rollercoaster of failure – faster and with more fun! Our chat explores the importance of prioritizing and documenting the problem, moving beyond mere conversation and toward building conviction, how falling in love with a problem will help you stay on mission and persevere through failure, and how to find the balance between experimentation and having a clear, focused path. Uri shares why failure is an absolute necessity and how failing faster is always better, before coaching established brands through the ins and outs of disruptions. To end, we discuss whether it’s better to solve a problem for yourself or others or both, and the extremely passionate and knowledgeable Uri Levine shows us how innovators, enthusiastic amateurs, early adopters, the early majority, and first-time users influence how you solve your organizational problems. Key Points From This Episode:Introducing the very passionate serial entrepreneur, Uri Levine. When Uri first realized that the problem is more important than the solution. His process for documenting problems, and when he first started making these notes. How he approaches people about a particular problem. Moving beyond conversation to build conviction. Being elected: falling in love with a problem to endure through failure; staying on mission.  Threading the needle between experimentation and maintaining focus. Why failure is necessary for success, and how it helps to fail faster. The innovation dilemma: coaching established brands through disruptions. When to invest in a disrupter versus when to become one yourself.  Solving a problem for yourself versus solving it for someone else. Organizational problems: how solving them may become your competitive advantage.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Uri Levine Uri Levine on LinkedInUri Levine on XUri Levine on YouTube Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution WazeDaniel H. Pink David Ogilvie on LinkedIn Quit Thinking in Bets Sir James Dyson Stephan WozniakJeremy Utley 

In this captivating episode, we are joined by a true visionary and creative mind, Kevin Kelly, co-founder of the iconic WIRED Magazine. Kevin’s new book, Excellent Advice for Living, serves as the foundation for the conversation, as we unpack the intricacies of the creative process and innovation. Kevin draws on his professional experience and walks us through the notion of embracing a multitude of bad ideas as a pathway to uncovering true gems of creativity. We uncover essential takeaways from the book, like the power of habits over inspiration and the art of setting ambitious goals. We also discuss the multifaceted nature of imagination, the benefits of embracing imperfection, what sparks creativity, and how to reach your full potential during the creative process. Kevin also shares his perspectives on AI-generated art, how he leverages AI for his creative goals, and the limitations of text-prompted creations. Tune in to discover profound insights as we delve into the art of idea generation, iteration, and the beauty of embracing imperfection on the journey to creative excellence!Key Points From This Episode:The value of generating numerous bad ideas to uncover true creativity.Embracing iteration and the iterative creative process.Nurturing the initial creative phase by defying judgment.Normalizing the exploration of bad ideas as a catalyst for innovation.Building the muscle of imagination and why it is essential to creativity.Balancing deadlines with the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement.Continuously learning even after creative projects are complete.Kevin shares the creative habits that he practices on a daily basis.The role of observation and perception in sparking creativity.He reveals his approach to creative collaborations.Insights into the integration of AI tools into the creative process.Making the problem itself essential to the problem-solving process.Creating content for an audience of one.Advice for adopting fresh perspectives and approaches.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly on XKevin Kelly on InstagramKevin Kelly on FacebookKevin Kelly on YouTubeWIREDExcellent Advice for LivingArt and FearCreativity, Inc.PixarMidjourneyDALL-E 2Vanishing AsiaSeeds of ContemplationA Writer’s TimeProcreateThe Long Now FoundationMarcus HollingerJeremy Utley Reach RecordsPortrait Coffee

Former CEO at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, Ed Catmull, shares insights on the creative process, the objectivity problem in filmmaking, feedback, and the importance of learning. Anecdotes from beloved movies like Zootopia, Finding Nemo, and Monsters University are included. Great lessons for leaders in any field.

Stanford Adjunct Professor Jeremy Utley explores the counter-intuitive tactics that world-class innovators and entrepreneurs employ to break through. He's learned that while innovation is part art (paint) – it's also part science (pipette) – and treats the subject with both the rigor and the wonder that it deserves. Season 1 shined a spotlight on female founders; season 2 celebrated black creators; Season 3 guests include WIRED co-founder Kevin Kelly, Harvard Business School Professor Linda Hill, CEO of Google X Astro Teller, start-up coach Liz Tran, Seth Godin, journalist Jennifer Wallace, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull, and more.

Effective creators talk about the need for monotonous, mindless tasks that allow us to fertilize our creative fields. Embracing our weirdness breeds room for our creativity to flow, new ideas to be formed, and connections to be made. We’re back here with our good friend Ato Essandoh for the first-ever round two of a Paint and Pipette interview. Tuning in, listeners will hear from Ato on how he practices for new roles, translating practice into performance, why going slow is crucial in learning new things, the importance of play — especially in discovery, allowing yourself to embrace your inner weird, and so much more. Join this insightful conversation as we learn together publicly!Key Points From This Episode:What has happened in Ato’s life since the last time he was on the podcast.Ato shares insight on how to practice words, so they roll off the tongue.He shares insight on how to translate practice into performance.How Ato learned to “go slow”: the running journey.How Ato is orienting himself for play in his new role.He shares an example of discovery through play.What running does for Ato and why it’s his favorite new activity.The importance of allowing yourself to be your own weirdness.Ato shares the weird thing that “works for him.”Someone who has inspired Ato to embrace his inner weird. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ato Essandoh on TwitterAto Essandoh on InstagramJeremy Utley Marcus Hollinger

Temporary fixes are one thing; solutions are another altogether. Today, we are joined by a particularly inspiring guest, Demi Samande, to discuss the manufacturing problem in Nigeria and her goal to solve it. In this episode, we learn about Nigeria’s fascinating manufacturing history, what can be attributed to the import-production imbalance in the country, and the undeniable raw talent and entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian people. Demi introduces herself as the Future of Manufacturing in Nigeria, and after our conversation with her, we have no doubts that she is just that. Demi shares her awe-inspiring journey from architecture to furniture manufacturing and restoration, to her mission to solve Nigeria’s manufacturing issues. Tune in to discover the true role and responsibility of a manufacturer, as well as Demi’s sound advice for fending off the fear of failure!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing Demi Samande, the future of manufacturing in Nigeria.Nigeria’s interesting manufacturing history.What Demi attributes to the import-production imbalance in Nigeria.Demi’s journey from architecture to furniture manufacturing and restoration.Demi’s instinct for reverse engineering.How Demi fends off the fear of failure.Going back to the drawing board rather than accepting defeat.What fueled Demi to shift her focus to solving Nigeria’s manufacturing problem.The role and responsibility of a manufacturer.The innate entrepreneurial spirit Demi recognizes in Nigerians.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Demi SamandeDemi Samande on LinkedInDemi Samande on InstagramDemi Samande on TwitterJeremy UtleyMarcus Hollinger

Today’s guest believes strongly that we can't just survive anymore, we've got to thrive. In this episode, we are joined by Minda Harts, blogger, best-selling author, and the 2020 Linkedin Top Voice For Equity In The Workplace. Minda recently published her third book You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls Guide to Finding Your Voice and explains what it means to ‘take one’s space’. She explains why she feels that Black and Brown girls especially need to hear this message, why she felt she needed to shift her focus from adults to teens, and how her experiences as a teen made her want to address this topic. Tuning in you’ll learn about Minda’s writing process, why she chose to conduct roundtables in preparation for this book, how she learned the writing craft, and how she came to see herself as an artist. To hear how Minda overcame self-doubt when told that there was no audience for her book, her top go-to hacks for finding fresh inspiration, and many profound insights from this inspirational person, tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:Why Minda Harts decided to write a book for young people and how this is different from writing for adultsWhat it means to ‘take one’s space' and why Black and Brown girls need to have that exhortation in particular. How Minda’s own experience as a teen made her want to focus on this topic. What inspired Minda to conduct roundtables in preparation for writing this book.How Minda learned the writing craft and came to see herself as an artist. Why she aimed for a conversational style with her writing. The specific moment when Minda realized that she was an artist.What it was like to be told that there was no audience for her book and why she persevered anyway. How she used a blog to find her voice as a writer and how she knew it was resonating with people. Thoughts on the value of posting consistently and how to come up with ideas. How her habits have changed and how she finds fresh inspiration and new material.Thoughts on self-doubt, how Minda overcame it, and why she sticks to her recipe. How she is overcoming the learning curve to adapt her material for different formats and finding ways to stay relevant. Minda’s recent epiphany on the difference between survival tools and tools to thrive.Minda’s go-to hacks, tips, or tricks for fresh inspiration. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Minda Harts You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls Guide to Finding Your VoiceThe Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the TableRight Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace Jeremy Utley Marcus Hollinger

From cloning a gene to investigate cardiovascular genetic disorders to becoming the youngest precinct judge for the state of North Carolina to founding a massively successful boutique travel company, Zim Flores (nee Ugochukwu) is a force to be reckoned with! Join us today as we dive into Zim’s past, present and future. We start the discussion with the achievement that she feels most proud of (the answer will surprise you!), and the breakthrough that she had when she sold Travel Noire. We dive into the challenge of separating yourself from your business as an entrepreneur, and why the Travel Noire experience was founded on the idea of creating tension. Zim also tells us how she came to appreciate tension during travel, and she shares some of the successes and failures in her career. As a woman of God, we learn how His Plan saved Zim in terms of timing, and how she is incorporating her faith in her next venture. We wrap up with why it's so key to take a break from creating, and how Zim is using this time to be present. So, for all this and so much more, press "Play" now!Key Points From This Episode:Why cloning a gene is the achievement Zim is most proud of!The breakthrough that selling Travel Noire lead Zim to. How Zim came to terms with letting go of a company that she founded her identity on.Why tension is something to strive for.What led Zim to appreciate tension, and how she engineered it as part of the Travel Noire experience. A few examples of tension successes and failures. Letting go of your company: why leaving was a blessing in disguise. How Zim came to terms with God’s plan for her, and the wonder of the timing. Taking time out from creating, and Zim’s advice on being present. Zim’s latest adventures: from Glory Road to Morning Assembly, and what’s to come!Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Zim Flores on LinkedInZim FloresTravel NoireReach RecordsPortrait CoffeeStanford d.schoolJeremy Utley Marcus Hollinger

It may sometimes feel that in order to 'make it' in a certain field, we have to get very serious and lose some of the fun along the way. Our guest on the show today, is here to remind us why play and maintaining a novice's wonder and innocence, are some of the most important parts of creativity and craft. Ato Essandoh is someone who has carved out an exciting and varied life in creative spaces; working primarily as an actor, Ato has not allowed a successful and demanding career to withhold him from pursuing passion projects and his own curiosity. In today's chat he explains how he allows space to explore things that light him up, and the lessons he has taken from some of the best creative minds about play. He also talks about the value of letting go, and why collaboration is the essence of what he does. This inspiring conversation had too much to be contained in just one episode, and we promise we will have Ato back for a follow-up chat, exploring more of his amazing mind. For now, dive in with us and hear what our guest had to say!Key Points From This Episode:The array of work that Ato does and how he accidentally fell in love with acting! Ato's motivations for creativity and what passion projects add to his life. Lessons in framing and reveals that Ato has learned along the way. Finding playfulness with professionals; Ato's perspectives on the best in the business.How generosity and togetherness figure into Ato's artistic philosophy. The first steps that Ato takes when it comes to instilling play in a scene.Ato's thoughts on pursuing ideas and why practice is so important to this.  The influence of Ato's family on his mission statement; how he turned this into a life of creativity. Designing a life based on what you truly love and want to try!The long path of being a novice and the time it so often takes to experience success that is seen.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ato Essandoh on TwitterMartin ScorseseJane CampionThe Power of The DogBobby CannavaleQuentin TarantinoThe Second CityKelly Leonard Pietro ProcacciniNatalie PortmanMeryl StreepKobe BryantDirk NowitzkiThe Perfect ShotMrBeastReach RecordsPortrait CoffeeStanford d.schoolJeremy Utley Marcus Hollinger

Not many people have the guts to say that one plus one can equal 11, but for Brandon Middleton, the world has always looked a little different. Brandon has an amazing story, which he shares on today's show and we are truly lucky to be able to bring you this inspiring conversation with such a powerful individual. In our chat, we chart the history of Brandon's ascent, looking back at his work as a golf caddy, the speech impediment he had as a child, and how Brandon leveraged all of his circumstances and opportunities to continue to grow and succeed. Brandon is a true multi-hyphenate; thinker, leader, father, developer, bassist, rapper, advocate, and investor are some of the ways you might describe him, and he has so much wisdom and insight at the intersection of all of these spheres! We talk about bringing all of these areas of life into synergy and using what Brandon calls intentional congruence to get to that next level in whatever you do. He also underlines the importance of humility, why it's necessary to get uncomfortable, and his ongoing commitment to help broaden the horizons of young people. So to hear it all, and share in some of this abundant inspiration, listen in!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to Brandon and his wide array of talents, interests, and identities! Brandon's early experiences in New York City and sleeping outside Yankee Stadium.Internships and first jobs; the decision to work at Cisco over Morgan Stanley.A commitment to life design and how Brandon approached his goals like a portfolio. The important conversations that Brandon started to gain access to in order to level up. Approaches to connecting over cultural divides; how Brandon focused on this at a young age.  How Brandon turned his childhood stutter into a means for empathy and understanding. Brandon drops bars; that rap that he wrote for Cisco! The strategic moves that Brandon is making in multiple directions at once. Tips from Brandon about bringing more congruence into our professional lives. How Brandon stays grounded with so much fluctuation and expansion!The continual quest for learning and some recommendations from our guest to keep growing.   Brandon's professional portfolio right now; teaching, crypto, community work, and more.   A look at Brandon's game development history and the popularity of Tic Tac Toe 10.Where does hacking fit into Brandon's life these days?How to connect with Brandon online across different platforms.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Brandon Middleton on LinkedInBrandon Middleton on InstagramBrandon Middleton on TwitterCiscoMorgan StanleyWILLWill SmithJada PinkettStreetCode AcademySilicon Valley Education FoundationJeremy Utley Stanford d.schoolMarcus HollingerReach RecordsPortrait Coffee