Unthinkable with Jay Acunzo

Tim Urban writes a blog about ... well ... lots of stuff. Understanding ourselves and our relationship to each other and the world, maybe? From making friends to exploring space, cultural and societal forces to neuroscience breakthroughs ... all packaged as brilliant, entertaining, and sarcastic essays. Tim Urban has written about it all. But like any exceptional project or career, Tim's is not one that reveals any singular secret to success. In fact, it just might be the millions of...

Fundamentally, Unthinkable is a podcast about creativity -- creativity at work, creativity used to enact change, and creativity as a form of practice, improvement, and exploration. For several years, the show focused on one problem, one source of frustration: our obsession with best practices, and all the problems that causes. So we set out to change how we all see the work. Now, we're embarking on a new adventure -- to change how we see ourselves. Let's stop acting like experts and start...

How does your intent for your work change your results? If your goal is to build something big, does that increase the odds of succeeding? Why, then, do so many stories about huge successes start out the same way: with a shrug, and a quick, "I just wanted to brew some beer." ? Today, we explore the story of The Alchemist, makers of the industry sensation, Heady Topper. And we hear about a brutal setback they didn’t control, and how they rebounded stronger than ever -- -- -- If you like...

Plus, a story about a legendary warrior's ship, and mind-bender about what makes this podcast THIS podcast -- or any podcast, or shirt, or pizza, or book... --- If you like these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: - Get my weekly email for podcasters exploring what it might take for you to create your audience's FAVORITE show: marketingshowrunners.com/subscribe - Inquire about my keynote speaking (including virtual talks that have been better-produced than webinars, much like...

Plus, a story about pizza, and a new show format we're trying as we re-launch Unthinkable during a rather odd and trying time in the global conscience. --- If you like these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my keynote speaking (including virtual talks that have been better-produced than webinars, much like this podcast) for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas each week on creativity, finding your...

In the meantime, if you'd like to join me, fellow makers and marketers, and some special guests to get re-inspired to make stuff, join us every Tuesday, 1:30pm Eastern, for the 1-Star Club. It's on Instagram Live: instagram.com/jacunzo It's all about creative catharsis and community, deconstructing the creative process, and hanging out with special guests and friends. Stay tuned for future episodes of Unthinkable, stop by the IG Live on Tuesdays, 1:30 Eastern, or say hi on Twitter...

Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon, has some firm beliefs about making stuff on the internet -- namely, that the economics simply don't reward great, quality, resonant, service-minded creators. Thus, the sensationalism and clickbait and algorithm-gamers win out. But that trend is changing, with Jack's company helping lead the charge. This episode goes deep inside some rather cathartic ideas for creators. Enjoy! --- If you like these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my...

Gibi can't use her real name publicly, at least not anymore. Yet her work on YouTube is her calling, it's her everything. Despite the harassment and public criticism for what might ultimately be something rather mundane and sometimes rather wonderful, Gibi persists. Why? And what is the project that most embodies this double-edged sword of her work? She takes us inside its making. Whether you love video, or just love makin' stuff, there's something in this episode for all creators. If you...

This is the story of a company which, by today's typical business standards and best practices, shouldn't exist. They're the perfect example of why there is no ONE right way in this work we do. We visit them live and in-person and discover some rather surprising things. --- If you enjoy these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my keynote speaking for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas on creativity,...

The podcast 3 Books was selected by Apple Podcasts as a top show in 2018. Neil's journey is audacious and enjoyable: A search for the 1,000 most transformative books in the world. You may have heard interviews before with the likes of Judy Blume, Seth Godin, Malcolm Gladwell, or David Sedaris ... but not like this. Neil keeps it weird, while also making something wonderful and differentiated, all without a big budget. --- If you enjoy these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: -...

We all wish we had the wide open creative field -- total creative freedom. It turns out, however, that creative freedom doesn't work. It may not even exist. Today, two stories about constraints, creativity, and the surprising outcomes of embracing limitations. If you enjoy these stories, there are a few ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my keynote speaking for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas on creativity, finding your...

Joanna Wiebe never meant to quit her job and start her business, Copyhackers. In fact, she quit Intuit by accident. Blame the boss, or the wine, or the way Outlook was configured. But don't blame fate. In fact, THANK fate, if you believe in such things, because without Joanna leaving her job all those years ago, thousands of aspiring writers would be worse-off ... and thousands of pages of great writing teaching writing may not exist. If you enjoy these stories, there are a few ways to go...

Today, a classic episode from the Unthinkable archives about Erik Devaney, a writer and content marketer, who goes deep inside the emotions and the amusing tale of carving the white whale. Find Erik's Medium article, referenced in the story, right here. If you enjoy these stories, there are 3 ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my keynote speaking for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas on creativity, finding your voice, and...

A bonus, behind-the-scenes episode originally aired on the popular podcast, The Learning Leader Show. --- Ryan's book, Welcome to Management, is now available on Amazon. You can find his podcast, The Learning Leader Show, on Apple and everywhere you podcast. --- If you enjoyed this episode, there are a few ways to go deeper with my work: - Inquire about my keynote speaking for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas on...

3 Clips is the official podcast of my company, Marketing Showrunners. MSR serves marketers who want to find and share their voice, make a difference, and shift the culture of their industries. We believe the best vehicle for doing this is called a show, so we want to help marketers make their audience's favorite shows. In this episode, we deconstruct an episode of Radiolab called "Memory and Forgetting." If you enjoy these stories, here are a few ways to go deeper: - Subscribe to 3 Clips...

Today, a classic episode from the Unthinkable archives about InVision, a software company that made a feature film seem less risky than writing more How-To blog posts. If you enjoy these stories, there are 3 ways to go deeper: - Inquire about my keynote speaking for your next event or company meeting at jayacunzo.com - Subscribe to my blog to get a few short ideas on creativity, finding your voice, and questioning best practices: bit.ly/acunzosub - Support what I do by purchasing a copy...

"I Made It" is the podcast I'm creating together with Podia, which sells tools for creators who run their own businesses, helping them sell things like courses, digital downloads, and membership/paid subscription. In this episode, world-class photographer and the CEO of CreativeLive Chase Jarvis deconstructs a favorite project: his book, Creative Calling. Subscribe to the I Made It feed separately wherever you podcast, or join the newsletter for the show at podia.com/podcast To work with...

Today, the second of two new original podcasts I've been working on: 3 Clips, the official podcast of Marketing Showrunners. SUBSCRIBE TO 3 CLIPS WHEREVER YOU LISTEN Apple. Overcast. Spotify. Stitcher. On 3 Clips, we make sense of great podcasts, a few little pieces at a time. In this episode, the debut episode of the show, we profile one of marketing's most under-appreciated yet stellar podcasts, talking to the hosts to dig up some hidden creative techniques and ideas. ABOUT...

Announcing the launch of a brand new podcast I'm hosting and writing, "I Made It," the official show of Podia. You can subscribe wherever you listen, but also join our exclusive community at podia.com/podcast -- you'll get exclusive content + invites to join me and Podia CMO Len Markidan on live video calls, discussing creativity, the various creative types of work we all do, and creator businesses. Enjoy the show!

Today, a reinvented type of episode sharing 5 quick concepts that can help transform your work (or, yanno ... do a little good here and there at least?) -- -- -- HELPFUL LINKS: Book Jay to speak: jayacunzo.com Read Marketing Showrunners, the media company Jay founded to help cover and advance the practice of brands making original series: READ or SUBSCRIBE FREE