

Anything And Everything
Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff
Dan Sullivan, Founder and President of Strategic Coach®, and Jeffrey Madoff, Founder and CEO of Madoff Productions, find it really easy to talk about anything and everything. In their conversations, whether they agree or not, there’s a mutual respect, a love of exploration, and a shared belief in the importance of context. Dan and Jeff’s shared interest in entrepreneurship, value creation, technology, and branding will undoubtedly lead to fascinating discussions on all of these topics and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 16, 2024 • 1h 1min
Why Everything Is Created Backward
Jeffrey and Dan discuss Dan’s latest book and explore how technological advancements like AI are often perceived as revolutionary, yet are actually extensions of historical innovations. This episode challenges conventional wisdom about creativity and offers a fresh perspective on how we can harness our past experiences to fuel future success.In This Episode:Although we perceive every new technological advancement, like AI, as a game changer, innovations are merely continuations of humanity's long history of tool making, dating back to the first caveman who used a rock as a weapon.The term “artificial intelligence” suggests something that is both man-made and potentially phony, but what does intelligence actually mean, and how does AI fit into that definition? The language we use to describe our creative process can significantly impact how we approach and execute our ideas.Viewing creativity as "putting stuff together in a new way" (as Steve Jobs described it) encourages us to find novel connections between existing concepts.Some of the most creative people in the world drew from past experiences and knowledge to create something new.Confidence in creative pursuits often comes from within rather than requiring external validation. This internal assurance allows us to tackle new challenges without being paralyzed by potential failure.Diverse experiences, even seemingly unrelated ones like parenting and filmmaking, can inform and enrich our creative work in unexpected ways.Embracing a mindset of continual learning, rather than focusing solely on winning or losing, can lead to greater creative growth and resilience.To put this all into practice, Dan introduces his new thinking tool, The Triple Play™, which connects three seemingly unrelated experiences, leading to new insights and creative breakthroughs.Resources: Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®Everything Is Created Backward by Dan SullivanThe Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language by Steven PinkerBook: Connections by James Burke The Power of Film

Jun 25, 2024 • 47min
Mastering An Entrepreneurial Mindset With Thinking Tools And Coaching
Explore the world of thinking tools for entrepreneurs with over 240 trademarks, the origin of Unique Ability®, and the difference between strategy, process, and methodology. Discover the motivations driving personal and professional endeavors beyond just money.

May 28, 2024 • 46min
Casting Not Hiring
Discover how entrepreneurs can build a high-performing team through theatrical casting, emphasizing teamwork and alignment with the organization's mission. Learn about selecting individuals based on attitudes and behaviors, fostering a culture of respect, and the importance of personality, experience, trust, and relationships in hiring and partnerships.

May 14, 2024 • 56min
Bridging The Creative-Business Divide
Jeffrey and Dan dive deep into creativity, innovation, and the intricate dance between good business and exciting innovation. Inspired by Dan's quarterly book, Everything Is Created Backward, they discuss how integrating existing technologies and ideas to create something entirely new can completely disrupt the market and lead to record-breaking profit. In This Episode: There’s a permanent tension between creative people and organizational people (business executives).Most creative people are not good organizational people.Creatives are focused on innovation, while executives are focused on finances and risk aversion—and furthering their careers.This approach often stifles innovation.Creatives are also subject to immediate public scrutiny. Their work is usually under the critical eye of audiences and critics.Executives, by contrast, are evaluated based on stock market performance and long-term organizational success. Their reviews are reflected in corporate outcomes.Successful partnerships, like that of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, showcase how creative and organizational individuals can collaborate effectively to create engaging content.In order to bridge the gap, creatives need to better package their ideas to highlight the business potential to financially-minded decision makers.Businesses, on the other hand, need to be more open to creative, potentially risky ideas that could pay off big time.Recognizing your core business focus is what drives long-term success.Major business innovations often come from combining three existing components in a new way rather than from creating something entirely new from scratch.Large companies sometimes buy promising start-ups, not to integrate their innovation, but to shut down potential future competition. Resources: Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff

Apr 23, 2024 • 55min
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome And The Psychology Of Success
Dan and Jeffrey reveal the psychological complexities behind why some people feel like frauds despite their achievements, and how self-doubt can be a significant hurdle for entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever had the nagging suspicion you were fooling everybody into thinking you’re more competent than you are, this episode is for you.In This Episode: Jeffrey and Dan define imposter syndrome and discuss how common it is among entrepreneurs and other successful individuals.Most entrepreneurs will struggle to recognize their own journey of self-creation.Jeffrey and Dan explore the role of ambition and self-measurement in perpetuating imposter syndrome, distinguishing between internal growth driven by ambition and external validation sought through imitation.They also share the importance of cultivating self-confidence over self-esteem, emphasizing the need to embrace your past achievements as stepping stones toward a healthier mindset.Drawing from personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, they offer a refreshing perspective on navigating imposter syndrome and overcoming societal pressures fueled by social media. Resources: More about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 6min
The Magic Of Creativity And Courage In Storytelling
Dive into the essence of timeless movie storytelling with Jeffrey and Dan as they discuss the magic and allure of classic narratives. Explore the courage and commitment required in crafting compelling characters and captivating stories. Discover the impact of casting choices on a film's legacy and the influence of Canada in the industry. Reflect on the challenges of creativity, balancing artistry with profit, and the unpredictable nature of crafting timeless tales.

Mar 13, 2024 • 55min
How Your Audience Makes You Great
While a great many things are different than they were, there are certain principles and ideals that people are always striving for. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explain what’s changed since they were kids, and share some new tricks and strategies they use to achieve their goals. In This Episode: Decades of live experience create an ease of performance and an ability to create on the spot. Having fewer choices meant you ended up paying attention to something instead of flicking through the channels. When you’re in front of a live audience and it's not going well, you’ve got to be agile enough to both take the hits and be able to come back on top and recover. Your strongest permanent impressions are made when you’re young. It’s hard for a fan to get really attached to a team when any player can suddenly be gone. Being an entrepreneur is a life sentence. An entrepreneur’s career can last as long as they want it to. A lot of companies end up losing the pride of the family mission. Quality is the smartest business plan. Resources: Learn more about Dan Sullivan and Strategic CoachJeffrey Madoff’s production company Madoff ProductionsCreative Careers by Jeffrey MadoffThinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan

Feb 13, 2024 • 1h 5min
How Customers And Clients Can Be Sure You’re Authentic
While customers and clients don’t need to know what goes on behind the scenes of an organization, they will know if there’s a lack of consistency between a company’s “front stage” and “backstage.” Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff delve into the reasons why there can’t be a gap between how a business operates internally and how it operates externally, and how an entrepreneur can foster a high level of dedication from their clients and team members through their behavior. In This Episode: A sign of a company’s consistency is how long team members stay. If you’re being yourself in the way you grow your business, it suggests your front stage and backstage are consistent with each other. Your Unique Ability is something you cannot not do. Strategic Coach team members are expected to increasingly only do what they love doing. A backstage isn’t just an event; it’s the day-to-day behaviors in a business. Consistency in behavior from a company doesn’t mean that everybody working there is the same. You shouldn’t treat your best client any differently than you treat your newest employee. There are entrepreneurs who are very famous but who have no growth potential. You can be fantastically bright, talented, and successful in one area of activity, and a complete idiot when you're delving into another area. If you have consistency between your front stage and your backstage, you don’t have to worry about people seeing your backstage. A personal brand is your reputation. Resources:Article: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn’t Show On The Front Stage Unique Ability® Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® Jeffrey Madoff’s production company is Madoff Productions Creative Careers by Jeffrey Madoff

Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 3min
How To Commit Completely To Your Passion
Jeffrey and Dan discuss the importance of following your passion and share their experiences and challenges in pursuing creative entrepreneurial careers. They discuss the 4 C's Formula® and the concept of Impostor Syndrome. They also explore the consequences of not following your passion and the benefits of being yourself. The podcast covers topics such as finding fulfillment, confronting fear, career identity, cryptocurrency, and the motivational power of revenge.

Dec 12, 2023 • 56min
“No” Is A Complete Sentence
The power of saying no and the valuable lessons it holds for entrepreneurs. Making decisions based on time, energy, and priorities. Overcoming the fear of missing out. Gratitude when declining opportunities. Knowing your core values for easier decision-making. Saying no isn't a personal rejection. The importance of solid yes or no answers. Kathy Ireland and Steve Jobs' lessons on saying no. Saying no helps establish priorities, set boundaries, and gain clarity. The impact of Shakespeare's work and authenticity. Personal preferences, introspection, and critical thinking. The evolution of ideas and the timelessness of comedy. Setting boundaries and aligning opportunities with core values. Productivity, growth, and anticipation for an upcoming announcement.