Bryan Ferris is the founder and president of Goldfish Code, a firm dedicated to transforming the software development agency space through strategic, impactful, and technology-driven solutions. In our engaging conversation, we explored the nuances of integrating strategy with software development to solve real-world problems. Ferris emphasized the significance of starting with a strategic approach rather than jumping straight into development, stating, "People are not doing it properly because they don't really start with the strategy side of it."

Diving deep into the ethos behind Goldfish Code, Ferris shared his journey from being a tech enthusiast to becoming a seasoned entrepreneur with a penchant for social impact. His philosophy is rooted in understanding and solving the strategic problems businesses face, with software potentially being a part of the solution. "It's more about what problem you need solved and what outcomes you need," Ferris highlighted, underscoring the importance of identifying core issues before considering technological interventions.

A standout aspect of our discussion was the introduction of Goldfish Code's 360-degree consulting approach. This systematic method prioritizes understanding clients' strategic and financial goals, followed by a motivation-driven design process, and culminates in the deployment of tailor-made solutions. Ferris's experience with Impact Wave exemplifies this approach's efficacy, showcasing how a deep dive into the client's mission can lead to innovative, revenue-generating solutions.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ferris shared insights from his extensive travels to 134 countries, revealing how these experiences have profoundly influenced his work, especially in motivation-driven design. "It's really important to look at everyone...as actually a human," he noted, highlighting the importance of considering user motivation in design processes.

Listeners can expect to gain invaluable insights into the intersection of strategy, technology, and human-centered design from this episode. Ferris's journey is a testament to the power of strategic thinking in the tech world and serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs and businesses aiming to make a meaningful impact through software.

Jack Craven is a master of transformation, bringing his rich background as a trial lawyer, CEO, and executive coach to the fore as we discuss the journey to feeling truly alive and becoming an effective leader. With his unique blend of experience and insight into neuroscience and consciousness, Jack shares how overcoming fear and reactivity is key to unlocking our fullest potential. "When we approach things from fear and threat, we are limiting our options. We are not at our optimal position," he explains, highlighting the importance of shifting consciousness to presence.

In this episode, Jack details his approach to coaching, emphasizing the power of reframing our challenges to foster fulfillment and effectiveness. He eloquently illustrates how changing our narrative can dramatically alter our experience: "What we tell ourselves becomes our reality. If you're telling yourself that work is a grind, your work experience will feel like a grind." This idea of reframing is just one of the powerful tools Jack offers to help clients and listeners alike shift from a state of reactivity to one of aliveness.

Jack's personal journey from feeling unfulfilled as a CEO to finding his calling as an executive coach offers a compelling narrative on the courage to change and the impact of passion on our potential. "You cannot imagine your potential until you're doing something that you're really passionate about," Jack reflects, sharing his transition to coaching as a testament to the transformative power of following one's passion.

Listeners will come away with actionable insights on how to cultivate moments of aliveness, create empowering mindsets, and minimize reactivity. Jack's daily practice of choosing thoughts that bring us to life is a practice he hopes to instill in others: "How do I want to feel alive today? What are the things that I need to tell myself if what I tell myself becomes my reality?"

The episode is not just about personal growth; it's a blueprint for leadership. Jack's vision extends to helping leaders navigate their challenges, create a fulfilling work culture, and lead with intention and presence. "One of the things I want people to take away from today is that we control our experience more than we believe we can. Rather than blaming others, take your own ownership," he advises, empowering listeners to take control of their narratives and, ultimately, their lives.

Jack Craven's insights provide a roadmap for anyone looking to lead a more fulfilling, effective, and alive life. Whether you're a seasoned leader or someone seeking to inject more aliveness into your day, this episode offers the tools, stories, and inspiration to make it happen.

Daniel Sabbah and Matt Chanoff, along with Merrick Furst and Mark Wegman, co-authors of "The Heart of Innovation: A Field Guide for Navigating to Authentic Demand," joined us to explore the multifaceted world of innovation, invention, and the transformative power of understanding consumer behavior. In their insightful conversation, they discuss the core concepts from their book, emphasizing the true essence of innovation as not just creating something new but in fundamentally altering behaviors and markets. Daniel succinctly captures this concept, stating, "You can invent anything you want, but unless it fundamentally alters a particular market or a large number of individuals' behavior, it kind of falls flat."

The discussion further delves into the three types of innovation—informative, transformative, and formative—and their impact on businesses from startups to corporate giants. Matt offers a compelling narrative on transformative innovation, highlighting its ability to redefine the identity and strategy of a business, transitioning from, for example, a railroad company to a broader transportation entity. This segment sheds light on the challenges and resistances businesses face in embracing transformative changes, underscoring the importance of addressing these hurdles to achieve genuine innovation. Matt articulates this idea by discussing the resistance to change, saying, "Transformative means instead of filling up the form that you have, it means changing that form, transforming that form."

A significant portion of the dialogue is dedicated to understanding consumer behavior and the concept of authentic demand. Matt brings this to life with the story of a fish finder company, illustrating how a shift in perspective from viewing their product as a mere tool to an entertainment device led to explosive growth. This narrative exemplifies the podcast's core message: innovation is deeply entwined with the ability to perceive and respond to the underlying needs and behaviors of consumers. "It wasn't about whether it was better at finding fish. It was an entertainment device," Matt elucidates, highlighting the transformative insight that spurred the company's growth.

Daniel further enriches the conversation by sharing insights from his extensive career, emphasizing the critical role of listening and empathizing with clients to foster sustainable business growth. He remarks, "I learned that if I wanted to build a sustainable business, a sustainable growth business, I had to not just listen, but I had to understand the behavior that was being put in front of me."

The episode not only explores the theoretical underpinnings of innovation but also provides practical tools and methodologies for identifying and cultivating authentic demand. Through their collaborative work on "The Heart of Innovation" and the establishment of an accelerator at Georgia Tech, Daniel and Matt present a compelling case for a methodical approach to innovation. Their shared experiences and the challenges encountered in both startups and large corporations reveal universal truths about the nature of innovation and the relentless pursuit of meeting the world's deep hunger with deep gladness.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the nuances of innovation, the significance of authentic demand, and the transformative power of empathetic and consumer-centric approaches to business. Daniel and Matt's conversation is a testament to the intricate dance between invention and innovation, and the pivotal role of human behavior in shaping the future of industries.