In this episode, Israa Nasir breaks down the toxic side of productivity and how it’s sabotaging your success. We unpack why the relentless drive for perfection leads to burnout, how social media fuels unhealthy comparisons, and why redefining productivity can help you reclaim your well-being.

Some highlights we cover:

• How toxic productivity keeps you stuck and unhappy.
• Practical ways to replace overwork with sustainable habits.
• Why an abundance mindset is the antidote to burnout.

Enjoy!

In this episode, Keith Ferrazzi returns to talk about his new book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship, challenging the common myths around solo leadership. Known for his transformative ideas on collaboration, Keith discusses why success is truly a team effort and how leaders today need to harness the power of their teams. We dive into his insights on bold leadership, hybrid work dynamics, and the art of teamship.

Some highlights we explore:

• Moving from solo leadership to collaborative teamship

• Creating a culture of candid feedback and courage

• Integrating asynchronous tools to improve team dynamics

• Why celebration and gratitude are essential for high-performing teams

Enjoy!

In this episode, Austin Kleon dives into the concept of "creative discomfort" and how pushing outside our comfort zones drives authentic, impactful art. Austin, a bestselling author known for Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going, shares his unique take on creativity as a process of problem-solving, subtraction, and friction. Together, we explore how the right amount of tension—whether in tools, routines, or mindsets—can spark the kind of genuine work that truly resonates.

We discuss the unexpected benefits of friction, whether it’s the rough feel of a pencil on paper, a challenging creative prompt, or even an intentional lack of convenience in day-to-day routines. Austin shares his journey back to writing books after a long hiatus and the unique way he keeps his process challenging by setting up creative “problems” for himself. From learning to ride a bike in his forties to adopting analog tools to enhance creative tension, Austin’s approach is a refreshing reminder that the best work often comes not from ease but from intentional, creative struggle.

Some highlights we explore:

• Comfort Work vs. Risk Work: Austin defines “comfort work” as creative tasks that feel safe and familiar, contrasted with “risk work” that pushes growth—like his switch to paid newsletters and return to book writing.
• The Power of Subtraction: By removing familiar tools or elements, Austin intentionally creates discomfort, a process he calls “discomfort by subtraction,” to spark fresh ideas and perspective.
• Friction as Fuel: Austin discusses how the right “friction” in tools, like rough pencil textures, gives essential feedback, enhancing his work's depth and authenticity.
• Constraint and Freedom: Using the metaphor of guitar strings, he explains how balancing freedom and constraint creates the ideal “tension” to unlock true creative potential.

Enjoy!