Episodes

In this powerful third appearance, bestselling author and decision strategist Annie Duke dismantles the myth that grit is always good — and makes the case for why strategic quitting is essential for success. Drawing from cognitive science, personal experience, and examples like Muhammad Ali, Dave Chappelle, and Stuart Butterfield (Slack), Duke illustrates how our obsession with persistence blinds us to opportunity costs, sunk cost fallacies, and identity traps.From failed startups to toxic jobs ...

Psychologist Anders Ericsson, the originator of the concept of deliberate practice, shares the foundational principles behind how experts are made—not born. Drawing on decades of empirical research, he explains how world-class performance emerges through structured effort, targeted feedback, and the development of mental models over time.Ericsson challenges myths around innate talent and demystifies the so-called 10,000-hour rule, emphasizing that quality and focus matter far more than raw repet...

In this episode, Salim Ismail — founding executive director of Singularity University and author of *Exponential Organizations* — maps out what it takes to adapt, lead, and build in a world defined by accelerating change.He unpacks the frameworks behind exponential growth, the future of learning, and the architecture of modern organizations. But this isn’t just about scale — it’s about the inner transformation required to lead in chaotic environments. Salim discusses his own evolution, the impor...

In this conversation, neuroscientist and author Dr. Mithu Storoni breaks down how we can optimize the way we work by aligning our brain’s natural rhythms with our daily routines. Drawing from her book Hyper-Efficient, she explores the relationship between attention, motivation, and cognitive fatigue — and why the modern workplace is designed to break them all.We unpack the brain’s "gear system" for mental performance, the impact of AI on knowledge work, and the difference between passive and act...

Dennis Xu, co-founder of Mem, unpacks the future of personal knowledge and how it’s being reshaped by networked thinking, cognitive design, and human-centered AI. Drawing on his Stanford background, founder journey, and product philosophy, Dennis challenges the folder-based paradigms of information management — replacing them with malleable, graph-based systems that mirror how the human brain actually works. The conversation spans topics like information retrieval, product-market fit, second bra...

Cognitive scientist Gloria Mark explains why modern knowledge work sabotages attention — and how to fight back. Drawing from her decades of research, she breaks down internal vs. external distraction, meta-awareness, cognitive rhythms, and the misunderstood nature of flow states. This episode delivers practical insights for reclaiming agency over your focus in a digital world designed to fragment it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonkhe Ahrens shares how traditional approaches to knowledge — highlighting, tagging, collecting — fail to support actual thinking. Drawing from Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten method, Ahrens explains why insight isn’t something you plan for, but something you engineer into existence by connecting information deliberately over time. The conversation explores permanent notes, structured workflows, the failure of linear planning, and why writing is thinking — not a result of thinking. With over a th...

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Kevin Surace breaks down how AI is reshaping the future of work — not by eliminating jobs, but by replacing repetitive tasks and redefining what humans are actually needed for. He explains why productivity, not headcount, will determine company growth in a labor-constrained world. Drawing from decades of applied AI experience, Surace outlines the evolution of tools like spreadsheets and calculators as previews of what’s coming next. The conversation dives into the need for adaptability, the real...

Discover Paul Millerd's journey through experiments, travels, and lessons learned, as he pieces together a set of principles to guide him from unfulfilled to the good life.

Join us as we sit down with music industry insider, Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch. Discover her unique perspective on navigating identity change and get an insider's tour of the industry.

Join Manisha Thakor on The Unmistakable Creative Podcast as she reveals the secret to finding your 'enough' in 'Money Zen'. Discover a fresh approach to financial health and emotional wealth.

Aaron Dignan is using software to help scale new ways of working and expedite the decision making process of organizations. Discover the possibilities for transformation in the workplace and realize how we can use software like Murmur to work smarter.

Drew Plotkin recounts his adventures, from death row to Hollywood, in this raw and honest account of success, failure, and finding the strength to always get back up.

Drawing on insights from his book Picking Presidents, which examines the qualities that make for successful leaders, Mukunda provides a fascinating analysis of filtered and unfiltered presidents alike.

Learn how to tap into surprising and valuable ideas on demand and fill the creative pipeline with breakthrough ideas.

We have apps telling us who we should date, what music to listen to and which route to take to work, but no algorithm or AI can tell us who we should marry, where we should live or at what age we should have children.

Camille Virginia presents a refreshing and influential solution to the conundrum of digital connection. That is- meeting offline and in the real world. Not only does Camille explain the power of offline connection but she also provides a handbook that will help you fast track your way to building a fulfilling and thriving connection with anyone. Subscribe for ad-free interviews and bonus episodes https://plus.acast.com/s/the-unmistakable-creative-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Welcome to an inspiring episode of Unmistakable Creative, featuring the brilliant Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned coach and author, as we explore the path to unlocking greatness by embracing challenges. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of working on hard things and how it leads to personal and professional growth. Stanier shares his profound insights on the importance of tackling difficult tasks to unleash one's true potential. This episode is not just about productivity tip...

Madeleine Dore shares her insights on dismantling comparison, aspirational routines, and unrealistic expectations, encouraging listeners to find their own way to navigate the never-ending list of things to do.

Tim Klein breaks down an evidence-based decision-making framework designed to help you make life's biggest decisions. Learn how to navigate the modern education system and ever-changing world of careers to find your purpose.

Mike shares his insights on how to heal relationships with parents, drawing on his experience reconciling with his father during a cross-country road trip.

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Unmistakable Creative, where we delve into the mind's intricacies with our esteemed guest, Ethan Kross. A renowned psychologist and author, Ethan Kross, is a leading expert in controlling the inner voice that often leads us astray. In this episode, titled 'Ethan Kross | How to Deal With The Voice in Your Head,' we explore the science behind self-talk and how it influences our emotions and decisions. Ethan Kross shares his profound insights on how we ca...

Dr. Frederic Bahnson wants to teach you how to take the guesswork out of decision making so that you can unlock a power better than destiny: the power of choice.