Here's an important reminder: you'll never feel ready to start. But you've got to do it anyway. And the operative word there is "do."

Just start.

This episode is the kick in the ass you need. Too often we get bogged down in the dreaming, the research, and the preparing - without the DOING. Feel me on this? It's a common excuse that most of use…that we just need a little more planning… Wrong.

This is not to say that planning isn't necessary, just that it shouldn't be the crutch that prevents you from executing. And for most it is. Let's change that.

If you've ever felt stuck - or heck - you're feeling stuck now, this episode is for you. We talk about the right balance between the planning and executing in a way that will get the results you want.

In this week's episode, we're revisiting a powerful conversation that originally aired back in 2015 — one that feels even more relevant today. Brené Brown joined me to talk about courage, connection, and what it really means to find true belonging in a divided world. Her insights on creativity, loneliness, and the power of standing alone have only become more urgent as we navigate today's culture of comparison and noise.

Since our original conversation, Brené has continued to expand this body of work through her bestselling books — including Atlas of the Heart and Dare to Lead — and her podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. She remains one of the most trusted and transformative voices on leadership, belonging, and vulnerability in the modern era.

Whether you're hearing Brené for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, this episode is a reminder that belonging isn't something we negotiate with the world — it's something we carry within us. It's about having the courage to stand alone, create from your truth, and use your art to help others feel seen and connected.

Some highlights we explore:

• Why true belonging starts within — and how creatives can hold space for both solitude and connection.
• How art transforms loneliness into shared humanity and despair into hope.
• The four practices of true belonging — from speaking truth to BS (with civility) to holding hands with strangers.
• Why every creative must be willing to be misunderstood and stand alone in the wilderness.
• How boundaries and self-worth protect your creative energy and integrity.

This conversation reminds us that the path to connection begins with courage — the courage to show up, tell the truth, and make something real. As Brené says: "Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don't belong… because you will always find it."

Enjoy the revisit!

If you've ever found yourself hesitating to start a project because it didn't feel "portfolio-worthy," this one's for you. I've fallen into that trap more times than I'd like to admit — obsessing over whether something I'm making is polished enough to represent me. The irony? That mindset kills the very creativity that fills a portfolio in the first place.

Somewhere along the way, we started treating our portfolios like prisons instead of playgrounds. We only want to show our "best work," so we start *only* making work we think will fit that box. Every idea gets judged before it's even born. That's not curation — that's fear dressed up as professionalism.

Here's the shift:
Separate creation from curation.

When you're creating, you're exploring. You're playing. You're trying things that might fail — and that's where originality lives. When you're curating, you're editing. You're selecting what best represents your voice *after* you've made a lot of things. These are two different modes, and mixing them up is where people get stuck.

Let yourself make a mess. Create hundreds of sketches, photos, prototypes, or drafts that no one will ever see. Then, later, curate like a maniac. The discipline is in the separation — not in perfection.

Some of the best gigs of my career came from "throwaway" experiments — the projects I almost didn't share because they weren't polished enough. Those experiments showed curiosity and risk-taking. Clients and collaborators see that energy and think, *I want that.*

You don't need every piece of work to land in your portfolio. You just need to make enough to find the pieces that truly speak for you.

• The portfolio trap: how obsessing over "shareable" work limits your creativity
• Separate creation and curation: freedom in process, discipline in presentation
• Messy work = momentum: why experimentation builds better portfolios
• Play over perfection: creativity thrives when the stakes are low

The big idea?
Your portfolio should reflect your growth — not restrict it. Make more. Edit later. The only "wrong" project is the one you were too afraid to start.

I’m back with a little reflection that’s been brewing for a while—one that hits right at the heart of what it means to be a creator right now. Lately, the number one question in my inbox (and probably yours too) goes something like this: “What happens to creativity now that AI can do so much?”

If that question sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We’ve seen this movie before. Back in 2006, I wrote a post responding to photographers who were terrified that point-and-shoot cameras would “steal” their jobs. Fast forward to today, and we’re hearing the same fear—just swap “AI” for “amateurs with a camera.”

For a trip down memory lane, check out that original post, “Don’t Worry, Just Focus. Please.” — it’s wild how the same conversation echoes through time. Different tools, same creative truth.

Here’s the thing: every new tool feels like a threat at first. Digital cameras. Instagram. Smartphones. Now AI. Each time, a slice of the market shifts. The low-end work gets automated or absorbed by cheaper, faster tools. But the top quartile—the creators who bring taste, originality, and human nuance—don’t vanish. They adapt, evolve, and expand what’s possible.

If you’re worried about being replaced, you’re probably looking at the wrong part of the playing field. The real creative edge has just moved—it’s waiting for you to catch up.

• History repeats: from point-and-shoot cameras to AI, every leap in tech stirs the same fear—and the same opportunity
• Stay out of the bottom tier: low-margin work gets eaten first; creativity built on depth, taste, and expertise always finds demand
• Leverage the tools: don’t compete with the machine—learn to wield it to multiply your output and sharpen your ideas
• Mindset as the real skill: the belief that you can evolve is what keeps you in the game when the rules change

The big idea?
Your creative advantage isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. The tools may change, but what makes your work matter has always been the same: curiosity, courage, and a willingness to play with what’s next. AI isn’t the end of creativity. It’s an invitation to a new chapter. So pick up the tools, experiment, and move with the edge—because that’s where the real art happens.

In this week's episode, we're revisiting a powerful conversation that aired back in 2021 — one that's just as relevant today as it was then. Mel Robbins has continued to inspire millions with her practical, science-backed approach to behavior change and personal growth. Since our last chat, she's released a brand-new bestseller, The Let Them Theory, which builds beautifully on the ideas we explored together in this earlier episode.

Whether you're new to Mel's work or a longtime fan, this replay captures timeless insights into managing anxiety, regulating your nervous system, and finding your creative flow — lessons that feel even more essential in today's fast-paced, always-on world.

Mel is a global thought leader, an international bestselling author of The High 5 Habit and The 5 Second Rule, and one of the most trusted voices in personal development. Her TEDx talk, "How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over", has reached over 30 million viewers worldwide.

In this conversation, we explore how anxiety and overwhelm affect creativity and productivity — and how small, consistent actions can help you reset your nervous system, quiet fear, and get back to meaningful work.
Some highlights we explore:

• Why understanding your nervous system is key to unlocking focus and creativity.
• Mel's practical tools for beating overwhelm and reigniting motivation when you're stuck.
• How The High 5 Habit laid the groundwork for her new philosophy in The Let Them Theory.
• Simple daily practices — from mindfulness to micro-goals — that build momentum and self-trust.
• Why now might be the best time ever to create, even when the world feels uncertain.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn't come from control — it comes from courage, consistency, and letting go. If you've been navigating stress, self-doubt, or creative fatigue, Mel's wisdom will help you reset and reimagine what's possible.

Enjoy the revisit!

I'm writing you today from the south of France, where I've been taking a little breather before a busy fall. This episode is a reflection on some of the most popular questions that came up around the launch of Never Play It Safe. In the particular lies the universal — and the questions from our community reflect challenges so many of us face.

Matt asked about starting a coaching/consulting side hustle. My answer? Don't try to solve everything from the couch. Start small. Run tiny experiments. Serve people by solving the problems you've already solved for yourself.
From there, Dylan jumped in with a question about making a film project with a comedian friend. We dug into what it means to treat creative collaborations like real businesses — agreements, responsibilities, financing, and the all-important element of play.

• Side hustles that stick: why solving your own past problems makes you a better coach or consultant
• Tiny experiments: the fastest way to test ideas and get real data instead of planning forever
• Collaboration as play: how operating agreements and clear roles keep partnerships fun instead of frustrating
• Burnout recovery: why rediscovering play is the antidote to grazing through work like a cow instead of hunting like a lion

The big idea? The best way forward isn't overthinking — it's showing up, experimenting, and rediscovering play in the process.

At the height of my career—awards, startups, celebrity collabs—my wife stopped me cold with one question: “How much is enough?”
I didn’t have an answer. From the outside, life looked perfect. But inside, I was chasing “more” without knowing why.

The culture around us says: keep climbing, keep grinding, keep stacking. But more for the sake of more eventually costs you—your health, your relationships, even your sense of self. Without defining what “enough” looks like, ambition becomes a treadmill you can’t step off.

Here’s the twist: constraints aren’t limitations, they’re freedom.
When you know what’s enough—whether that’s money, recognition, or time—you can stop running in every direction and start building the life you actually want.

• The trap of “more”: why unchecked ambition always demands a bigger price
• Defining enough: how boundaries create focus, energy, and freedom
• Hustle vs. challenge: the difference between busy work and meaningful growth

The big idea? If you don’t define your “enough,” the world will do it for you—and you probably won’t like the result. Ask the question. Write it down. Revisit it often. That’s how you turn ambition into a compass instead of a trap.

If social media feels heavier than it used to, you’re not imagining it. Infinite feeds, algorithm whiplash, and the pressure to post “one more thing” can drain the very creativity we’re trying to share. Here’s the shift: treat social media like a stage you step onto with intent—not a sofa you collapse into by default.

A stage has purpose: you arrive prepared, you deliver, you connect, you step off. A sofa invites scrolling, numbing, and losing track of the most precious resource you own—your attention. When you design systems that honor the stage, you get 90% of the upside with a fraction of the noise.

Create before you consume. Get your ideas out of your head and into the world first. Then study the landscape with clear eyes: What worked? What didn’t? What can you improve next rep?

• Systems resist their systems: your schedule, not the algorithm, sets when and how you show up
• Frameworks, not feeds: reusable prompts and formats that make creation repeatable
• Stagecraft: show up to present, connect, and move the ball forward—then step off

The big idea?
Social platforms are powerful—when they serve your purpose. Use them as a stage: step on with intention, deliver your best, connect with your people, and step off before the sofa starts calling your name. For the full playbook—including how to set boundaries that stick—check out this week’s episode of the show.