Giant Thinkers Podcast

Welcome to episode #93. Today's guest is heavily in the tennis world and whether you're a tennis fan or not, this gentleman needs little introduction. He is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of the Mouratoglou Academy and CEO of UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown), which is a revolutionary tennis league aiming to modernise the tennis industry. Our guest today is one of the most recognised figures in tennis, with 10 Grand Slam titles, 2 Gold Medals, and 31 coaching singles titles. He is known for his innovative and disruptive vision. Having started his tennis academy in 1996. He's been coaching and mentoring for more than 25 years, including legends such as Serena Wiliams and rising stars like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Coco Gauff.   He's also consulted for the largest sport media on the planet, published his own books, founded a foundation supporting the future stars of tennis, even featured in a Netflix documentary titled ‘The Playbook', and opened tennis centres in the world's most stunning locations. Affectionately nicknamed the “Mastermind”, our guest is rewriting tennis' legacy in every way possible.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: What we need to look for when hiring a coach What he as a coach looks out for when coaching someone that wants to work with him His view on the 'coachability' of a person How to get the most out of someone when coaching And then we swung the conversation to all things Web 3 and NFT's including his project and involvement in that space.   So if you're someone that's interested in world class practices around coaching, being coached – and, the innovation that's happening with the melding of tennis and Web 3 and NFTs, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, let's dive in. I present to you … the highly strategic, charismatic and results-driven tennis coach ... Patrick Mouratoglou!     More on Patrick can be found via the links below: https://thecoachnft.io https://www.mouratoglou.com https://www.instagram.com/patrickmouratoglou https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mouratoglou-49364132 https://utslive.tv Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Welcome to episode #92. I've really enjoyed releasing these weekly solo episodes throughout this January 2022 in the hope of providing some practical strategic direction and actionable tactics. The start of any year can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the expectations we set on ourselves, one way to manage this is to zoom out with a far broader perspective than our current view point. Which is why this particular episode is so special. I'll be sharing how to use creativity as a tool to make massive impact.   If we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let's get dive in!     More on Ram Castillo can be found via the links below: https://ramcastillo.com https://www.instagram.com/thegiantthinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-castillo-39a39923 https://twitter.com/thegiantthinker https://www.clubhouse.com/@thegiantthinker Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the all-in-one web dev platform specifically for businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives? It's Wix. They're the leading website creation platform that's got all the tools you need to create, manage and grow your brand. Whether you're starting your online business or you've got a side hustle, you can design a site to showcase your brand that'll look great on any device. Join over 200 million people already using Wix's wide range of solutions to enhance their businesses. Like ultra-smart SEO tools designed to get you found on search engines, faster loading times to create outstanding user experiences and payment solutions to help you boost your revenue. Plus, with enterprise grade security built into every site, you know you're in safe hands. You can manage everything from one dashboard on desktop and mobile so you can be available anywhere at any time: in the office, at home or on the go. I encourage you to take a look for yourself. I'm quietly confident, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Head over to Wix.com and create a website you're truly proud of today.  

Welcome to episode #91. I hope you've been enjoying this mini-series of weekly solo episodes from me. Audio-keynotes throughout this January 2022 to give you practical strategic direction and actionable tactics. In this particular episode I'll be sharing how to use the law of singularity to increase effectiveness in your health, wealth and business.   If we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let's get dive in!     More on Ram Castillo can be found via the links below: https://ramcastillo.com https://www.instagram.com/thegiantthinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-castillo-39a39923 https://twitter.com/thegiantthinker https://www.clubhouse.com/@thegiantthinker Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the all-in-one web dev platform specifically for businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives? It's Wix. They're the leading website creation platform that's got all the tools you need to create, manage and grow your brand. Whether you're starting your online business or you've got a side hustle, you can design a site to showcase your brand that'll look great on any device. Join over 200 million people already using Wix's wide range of solutions to enhance their businesses. Like ultra-smart SEO tools designed to get you found on search engines, faster loading times to create outstanding user experiences and payment solutions to help you boost your revenue. Plus, with enterprise grade security built into every site, you know you're in safe hands. You can manage everything from one dashboard on desktop and mobile so you can be available anywhere at any time: in the office, at home or on the go. I encourage you to take a look for yourself. I'm quietly confident, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Head over to Wix.com and create a website you're truly proud of today.

Welcome to episode #90. I hope your 2022 is off to a productive and purposeful start. In this particular episode I'll be sharing how to use design thinking as a problem solving tool.   If we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let's get dive in!     More on Ram Castillo can be found via the links below: https://ramcastillo.com https://www.instagram.com/thegiantthinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-castillo-39a39923 https://twitter.com/thegiantthinker https://www.clubhouse.com/@thegiantthinker Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the all-in-one web dev platform specifically for businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives? It's Wix. They're the leading website creation platform that's got all the tools you need to create, manage and grow your brand. Whether you're starting your online business or you've got a side hustle, you can design a site to showcase your brand that'll look great on any device. Join over 200 million people already using Wix's wide range of solutions to enhance their businesses. Like ultra-smart SEO tools designed to get you found on search engines, faster loading times to create outstanding user experiences and payment solutions to help you boost your revenue. Plus, with enterprise grade security built into every site, you know you're in safe hands. You can manage everything from one dashboard on desktop and mobile so you can be available anywhere at any time: in the office, at home or on the go. I encourage you to take a look for yourself. I'm quietly confident, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Head over to Wix.com and create a website you're truly proud of today.

Welcome to episode #89. Of course, happy new year wherever in the world you're listening! I wanted to release a few solo episodes to kick off 2022. In this particular episode I'll be sharing how to get unstuck in 4 steps.   If we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let's get dive in!     More on Ram Castillo can be found via the links below: https://ramcastillo.com https://www.instagram.com/thegiantthinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-castillo-39a39923 https://twitter.com/thegiantthinker https://www.clubhouse.com/@thegiantthinker Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the all-in-one web dev platform specifically for businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives? It's Wix. They're the leading website creation platform that's got all the tools you need to create, manage and grow your brand. Whether you're starting your online business or you've got a side hustle, you can design a site to showcase your brand that'll look great on any device. Join over 200 million people already using Wix's wide range of solutions to enhance their businesses. Like ultra-smart SEO tools designed to get you found on search engines, faster loading times to create outstanding user experiences and payment solutions to help you boost your revenue. Plus, with enterprise grade security built into every site, you know you're in safe hands. You can manage everything from one dashboard on desktop and mobile so you can be available anywhere at any time: in the office, at home or on the go. I encourage you to take a look for yourself. I'm quietly confident, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Head over to Wix.com and create a website you're truly proud of today.

This is episode #88 – today's guest is the former Global Senior Vice-President of Design and Marketing at Fossil Group. Fossil Group offers its products under its proprietary brands, such as Fossil, Skagen, Misfit, Michele, Relic, and Zodiac; and under the licensed brands, that include Armani Exchange, Diesel, DKNY, Emporio Armani, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Puma, Tory Burch, Skechers and BMW. Now here's an incredible fact, he was actually the first full-time designer hired for Fossil Group in 1987 and continued on for a whopping 30 years.   During his 30-year tenure, the company grew from $5M to $3B in sales. At its apex, he managed a multi-disciplined, creative team of 108, that included capabilities for all brand communications, marketing packaging design, photography, pre-press and web authoring for 4 owned brands and 13 licensed brands.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His secret to longevity Energy drainers and energy givers What makes a brand special and different Non-negotiables when hiring the right person How to get the best out of your team Insights to problem solving and plenty more.   So if you're someone that's interested in self enquiry, self reflection and developing qualities within yourself for longevity as a creative and entrepreneur, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, let's dive in. I present to you … the highly pragmatic, down to earth and kind-hearted … Tim Hale!     More on Tim can be found via the links below: Linkedin.com/in/tim-hale-4090921 Newliferanch.com Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Welcome to episode #87 – today's guest is is widely recognised for her role as a Dragon and Venture Capitalist for 13 seasons on the multi-award-winning TV series, Dragons' Den. She is the General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a $100M venture capital fund focused on helping market, fund and grow entrepreneurs and their companies, in the food and health space. She's launched, operated and managed businesses for 35 years. Her strategies and business savviness are highly sought after, and she has helped businesses succeed from early stage startups, to multi billion corporations. She's also a three-time best-selling author and accomplished public speaker.     To make mention of some of her recognition, voted Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame, the Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, as well as PROFIT and Chatelaine's Top 100 Women Business Owners. She's a Marketing Hall of Legends inductee and a proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award. She's even served as an Honourary Captain in the Royal Canadian Navy. On top of that, she's a mother of four and a grandmother of 5.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to navigate the ups and downs Characteristics of a great entrepreneur How to assess risk How to prove or disprove a market need What world class marketing look like What makes a standout pitch and so much more.   So if you're someone that's interested in reaching hard and reaching high as an entrepreneur, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, let's dive in. I present to you … the courageously transparent, kind and thoughtful … Arlene Dickinson!     More on Arlene can be found via the links below: Instagram.com/arlenedickinson Linkedin.com/in/arlenedickinson ArleneDickinson.com VenturePark.ca Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Welcome to episode #86 – today's guest is an Emmy award-winning designer, director, CEO and Chief Strategist of Blind and the founder of The Futur — an online education platform with the mission of teaching 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love.   He currently serves as the chairman of the board for the SPJA, and as an advisor to Saleshood. He has also served as: advisory board member for AIGA/LA, Emmys Motion & Title Design Peer Group, Otis Board of Governors, Santa Monica College and Woodbury University. He's given talks and conducted workshops on a range of subjects, including: Sales, Negotiations, Value Based Pricing, Mindset, Branding, Graphic & Motion Design, Social Media Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Business Management, and Client Relations.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to bring your personal brand to life How to validate a feasible and viable idea – and a potential audience Objection handling Building confidence as a public speaker and speaking to clients And what scares him most.   So if you're someone that's interested in building, creating and positioning a creative business, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, let's dive in. I present to you … the Loud Introvert with a big mission … Chris Do!     More on Chris can be found via the links below: Instagram.com/thechrisdo Linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo Thefutur.com Blind.com Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal    

Welcome to episode #85 – today's guest is an Australian brand designer and branding icon, responsible for the development of many of Australia's leading identities including Qantas, Woolworths, Virgin Australia, Rebel, Taronga Zoo, Caltex, P&O Cruises, Foxtel and hundreds more. In 1982, he pioneered the concept of combining brand, brand strategy and product development.     Some of the topics we spoke about include: What life was like as a designer in the Netherlands in the 70s before bouncing to NZ then migrating to Sydney, Australia How he scored his first client which was Qantas His biggest learnings after reimagining, repositioning and redesigning some of the world's most iconic brands And the harsh reality of being a leader, a business owner and a designer that's always striving for better.   So if you're someone that's interested in lifting the hood and hearing the heart, mind and wisdom of an Australian branding and identity pioneer, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, without further ado. I present to you … the Insightful, intelligent and modest … Hans Hulsbosch!     More on Hans can be found via the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-hulsbosch-8426bb21 Hulsbosch.com.au Instagram.com/hulsbosch_brand_design Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants, this is episode #84 – today's guest is an Australian Comedian, Writer, TV and movie Actor – and Dancing With The Stars Australia – 2020 winner. Winning the mirrorball trophy and $50,000 for her charity, the Safe Steps Family Violence and Support Centre. She is in fact the first Comedian I've interviewed on the show. And has brought so much joy and laughter to millions of households.   She won the Best Supporting Actress at the AACTA awards (The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) for her role as Dolly Faraday in the acclaimed ABC1 drama ‘The Beautiful Lie'. She's also starred in the award-winning TV series ‘Laid', Logie Award winning drama ‘Offspring' and in all five seasons of Working Dog's show ‘Utopia', for which she won another AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy in 2015. Comedy audiences would also know her from her appearances on Spicks and Specks, The Project and is a regular on the hilarious show; ‘Have You Been Paying Attention?' one of my favourites. Internationally, she's been a guest on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Chelsea Lately and The Rob Brydon Show. In 2016 she also co-created, co-wrote and starred in the smash hit comedy Rosehaven with Luke McGregor, for which she won the 2017 award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy at the AACTAs, has been nominated twice for Most Popular Actress at the Logies, as well as two nominations for her writing at the AWGIEs (Australian Writers Guild). Season five of Rosehaven by the way, is out now – definitely give it a watch, it is brilliant.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How she grew up, including her big break Her creative writing process How she manages the different hats (on and off the stage) And very candidly and vulnerably, shares some of her experiences with anxiety, depression and all things mental health and wellness from her vantage point..   So if you're someone that's interested in unpacking the journey of a high-performing, multi-faceted creative professional, in a way that might help you forge your own creative identity – and want to listen to something both funny and real, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, on with the show. I present to you … the quick-witted, courageous and insanely talented ... Celia Pacquola!     More on Celia can be found via the links below: https://www.instagram.com/celia_pacquola https://twitter.com/celiapacquola Celia on IMDB Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Hey Giants, welcome to episode #83. If this is the first time you're tuning in, thank you so very much for being here! This podcast explores the decision-making of people who have been exposed and have proven experience at a world-class level of specialisation. It is my deep belief that Giant living requires giant thinking and if you resonate with that, you might enjoy the portfolio of guests we've had on the show, from Kelly Slater, to multiple Shark Tank Investors, to Gold Medalist Olympians, to Musicians, Designers, Creatives, Founders and leaders of all types – for organisations such as Nike, Deloitte, VISA, Squarespace, Wordpress, CreativeLive, Vaynermedia and even The White House.   Now for those that have been a long-time, dedicated listener, firstly, I'd like to apologise for the radio-silence. I took a year off the podcast ‘grid'. Straight up. Without any announcement, I just needed a break. Which, in hindsight, I definitely could have managed, communicated and planned better. But this ... ‘time' – gave me the space to untangle and to recalibrate. It gave me a new set of eyes and a new vantage point. It helped me refine what's important; who I want to serve and how best (for now) to do it. I want to serve entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether you're a designer or in the creative industry, or not – it doesn't matter. What matters is, you have a vision for a better world through your contribution, through your product, through your service. And I want to give you access to people, places, tools and knowledge to help you cut the guesswork, see the blind spots and succeed faster. So on that note, regarding this Giant Thinkers Podcast, it'll now be 8 curated episodes per year. An 8-episode season will run from October to November each year and my intention is for it to be of the highest quality. In storytelling, in thinking, in diversity, in vulnerability and in practicality. To kick things off, for 2021 season 7, this episode is a solo piece. I recently delivered and recorded this talk for Breakfast With Champions – A club on Clubhouse which is a voice-based social app. And the keynote style talk I delivered was on ‘Wealth Wisdom Wellbeing'. My position was that being rich doesn't necessarily mean being wealthy. Being wealthy could mean acquiring internal treasures for external change. That wealth accumulation is in the overcoming. So if you're someone that's interested in hearing about my very personal journey and the 7 x key tips for attaining my version of true wealth, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note from me, if we aren't connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let's get stuck in. I present to you … me – enjoy!!     More on Ram Castillo can be found via the links below: https://ramcastillo.com https://www.instagram.com/thegiantthinker https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-castillo-39a39923 https://twitter.com/thegiantthinker https://www.clubhouse.com/@thegiantthinker Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It's the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It's a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Welcome to episode #82 if this is the first time you’re tuning in, thank you so very much for being here, my name is Ram Castillo and this podcast explores the decision-making of people who have been exposed and are experienced in a particular expertise or specialisation. It is my deep belief that Giant living requires giant thinking and if you resonate with that, you might enjoy the portfolio of guests we’ve had on the show, from Kelly Slater, to Shark Tank Investors, to Olympians, to Musicians, to Designers / Creatives and leaders of all types.Now, today’s guest is a food technologist and the Co-founder & Managing Director of Twisted Healthy Treats. A company that started back in 2009. Twisted are obsessed with creating Australia's best tasting frozen desserts that are actually good for you. All their products are made from natural ingredients and are all Australian made and 100% Aussie owned. Her background is in large scale Project Management within the Financial Services industry, but always dreamed of having her own company ever since she was a child.Fast forward 10 years, she is a mum of 3, Twisted now manufacture and sell take home tubs, multipacks and single serve cups to over 5000 outlets across Australia — including a national distribution deal with Woolworths and more recently Costco Australia and Coles Supermarkets.They are also the ONLY 'ice cream style' product that is approved for sale in School Canteens by the Australian Government — 2 million Australian school kids enjoy Twisted yoghurt in their lunch break. Some of the topics we spoke about include:What to consider when entering the frozen dessert categoryHow to set yourself apart from the many health food brands availableThe journey of how long it can take from ideation to first product in market – and the testing, iteration and validation involvedPricing decisions and cost structuresProcesses, prioritisation, managing and a whole heap more. So if you’re someone that has some seriously giant aspirations – and are interested in the fusion of product innovation, food and running a business, then this episode is for you.Now a quick note from me, if we aren’t connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let’s get stuck in.I present to you a woman that I very much admire and look up to … the warm-hearted, brave and resilient ... Cass Spies!  More on Cass can be found via the links below:https://www.instagram.com/cassspieshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mrstwistedhttps://www.twistedhealthytreats.com.auhttps://www.instagram.com/twistedhealthytreatshttps://www.facebook.com/TwistedHealthyTreats Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.  Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress?It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier.It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed.It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Hey Giants, welcome to episode #81. Especially if this is the first time you’re tuning in – I appreciate you giving this show a listen. We have two guests today in one interview, it’s a double whammy! They are both co-hosts of a business podcast titled Biz Buds …   One of them is the Founder and CEO at Design Cuts, the highest-rated online marketplace for designers. Design Cuts helps their community of 550,000 members save money off the best digital resources to help their regular creative projects. He is also a podcaster of two shows (the other besides Biz Buds is titled The Honest Designers Show – and he loves mentoring fellow creatives to help them master their marketing.  The other guest is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for clients including Disney, Google, Warner Bros., Fox, NBC, ABC, National Geographic and many other high-profile brands. He sold his agency in 2015 and now spends his time speaking, developing books, courses, and social media content to help creatives level-up. He is the author of a very popular book called “Burn Your Portfolio” and latest ... “The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.”   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to design a business that’s geared to succeed Market penetration exploration and hypothesis validation How to niche a business Navigating effort vs outcome when it comes to revenue generating activities and plenty more.   So if you’re someone that’s interested in designing a business successfully, that puts people at the heart by solving real customer needs, but you’re not 100% sure where to start, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note from me, if we aren’t connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker.   Alright, let’s get stuck in. I present to you … the entrepreneurial A-team ... Michael Janda and Tom Ross!       More on Tom and Michael can be found via the links below: https://www.instagram.com/tomrossmedia https://www.instagram.com/morejanda https://www.designcuts.com https://tomross.co http://michaeljanda.com http://bizbudspodcast.com Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants, this is episode #80. Our guest today is a very successful Entrepreneur, specialising in the education space, having started and run 9 businesses, one of which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. His primary business is Success Resources. It’s the world's largest education seminar company. With over $1billion in sales through his businesses, he is considered an expert in the touring space having run more than 1400 events in the last 17 years. Hosting thought leaders such as Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Grant Cardone, Jay Shetty, Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Sir Richard Branson and many more.     Success Resources have staged and marketed world class events in the fields of management and leadership, sales and marketing, personal development and wealth creation to over 10 million participants in regions including: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, UK, Spain, Germany, South Africa, Italy, India, US and Canada.    Some of the topics we spoke about include: How he builds long-term partnerships with world-class thought leaders like Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk and Grant Cardone His non-traditional strategic approach when acquiring customers (of what he defines as an ‘unorthodox approach’ – that it’s not for everyone) How he pursues new market verticals and expands to other regions How to move from transactional relationships to transformational relationships And all things scaling related.   So if you’re someone that’s interested in joint venture deals, partnerships and relationships – in the world of business and brand collaboration, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note from me, if we aren’t connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let’s get stuck in. I present to you … the business building juggernaut ... Michael Lane!       More on Michael Lane can be found via the links below: https://www.instagram.com/itsmichaellane https://au.linkedin.com/in/itsmichaellane https://success-resources.com.au http://innovatordiaries.com/english/expert-in-touring-business-live-events-michael-lane https://infinitygroupaustralia.com.au   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants, welcome to episode #79. Our guest today is at the forefront of making coaching an everyday leadership behaviour. He’s the author of The Coaching Habit ... the best-selling coaching book of this century with over 700,000 copies sold and over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. His new book, The Advice Trap, focuses on what it takes to stay curious a little bit longer and tame your Advice Monster. In 2019, he was named the #1 thought leader in coaching, and was shortlisted for the coaching prize by Thinkers50, the “Oscars of management”. He is also the founder of Box of Crayons; a learning and development company that helps organisations transform from advice driven to curiosity-led.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to shift from advice-driven to curiosity-led The importance of staying in a state of ‘unknowingness’ just a little bit longer How to tame our ‘Advice Monster’ How people can influence their organisations culture And his recommended ‘what’ based questions (there’s a bunch that he shares and they are powerful – you’ll be able to use them right away)   So if you’re someone that’s interested in being more coach-like, and putting curiosity at the heart of how you communicate, behave and lead, with a connectedness to business outcomes and individual growth, then this episode is for you. Now a quick note from me, if we aren’t connected yet on Instagram, I invite you to follow me on my handle @TheGiantThinker as I share daily posts and stories on helping decision-makers, business owners and leaders get unstuck lightning fast through human-centred design methodologies, creative strategies and personal experiences. Send me a DM I’d love to hear from you! You can find me on my handle @TheGiantThinker. Alright, let’s get stuck in. I present to you … the highly-energetic, compelling and hyper-practical ... Michael Bungay Stanier!       More on Michael Bungay Stanier can be found via the links below:   https://www.instagram.com/mbs_works https://linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier https://boxofcrayons.com https://www.facebook.com/boxofcrayons.biz/ https://twitter.com/boxofcrayons Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Hello Giants, this is episode number #78. I have been on a little hiatus, took a personal break and intentionally slowed down to reflect and re-assess – on what was most important to me at this time, weighing up priorities, exploring where I wanted to make the most impact. These are thoughts that once you unpack, can turn into a 1000 person party in your head. If you’ve ever asked yourself the question “where might my time and energy make the most impact and difference in the world?” it can be incredibly confronting – however, when you create the space … when you truly switch off and go inwards, when you dance and sit in that discomfort, meaningful dialogue does emerge. Pair that with insights, support and guidance from trusted peers, mentors and loved ones, greater clarity is within reach. Speaking of fear, overcoming the uncomfortable, being brave and courageous, today’s guest is known for her presence in Artistic Cycling.   As of releasing this episode, she’s currently 25 going on 26 years old. She was a competitive athlete in Artistic Cycling between the years 2000-2020 (that’s right, she started when she was about 6 years old) and in 2010 (by the age of 16 onwards) was a member of the German national team. Her greatest achievements in the sport have been the silver medal in 3 different occasions at the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships in 2016, 2017 and 2019 as well as winning the European Championship, twice – one in 2012 and the other in 2018. In February this year, 2020 she retired from the competition side of the sport, to focus on three areas; performing in shows, studying her Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, and exposing Artistic Cycling through her Instagram platform (where she currently has over 370,000 followers) – you’ve got to take a look at her content yourself, it’s jaw dropping. Some of the topics we spoke about include: How she’s been able to sustain great interest in such a specific craft Her relationship with fear and her response to fear How her practice, training and risk mitigation looks like The technical, mental, physical and creative aspects of the sport, and plenty more.   So if you’re someone that’s curious about designing a life towards peak performance and performing, then this episode is right up your alley. A little side-note: something was up with my side of the mic that I only found out after the recording which caused a little bit of subtle static in moments. I apologise in advance for that, as it’s the first time I’ve encountered it and not the quality anyone should be listening to. I’m pretty devastated by this. That said, I learnt something new from the experience; in this case, the application software I was recording on needed to be updated. A small tip there for other podcasters to not make the same mistake I did! Okay let’s do this. I present to you … the all-smiling, all-cycling, world-class athlete … Viola Brand!     More on Viola Brand can be found via the links below: Violalovescycling.com Instagram: @Violalovescycling Ellen Welcomes World-Renowned Artistic Cyclist Viola Brand Facebook.com/violalovescycling   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants welcome to episode #77 — a special, second solo Q&A episode with yours truly to kick start 2020. Questions submitted by you the listeners. I’ve curated the top 7 based on the most similar questions asked, and also the ones I felt would be the most widely useful or applicable.   To help you skip to the answer most relevant to you, as I know many of you are time poor, I’ll list all the questions out below.   The seven questions I’ve answered in order are: Q1. Brittany:Do you truly believe in the industry of graphic design that it’s all about who you know not what you know? Q2. Carlos:How do you manage different personalities in a design team successfully, the good and the bad? Q3. Jessica:How to overcome anxiety in a creative process when you start to develop your business or when you talk to clients, and to be confident in whatever you are doing? Q4. Joy Phala:Social media marketing related … I use LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to market my services ... and I’ll usually post pictures of completed projects. Now, that remains a very small pool of content to pull from. When I don’t have completed projects, what else would you like to see, as a potential customer or as a potential employer … What else would you like to see on my pages that would increase likability and build trust and eventually lead to a sale? Q5. Keturah:What are the best tips, tricks and advice you have for getting new clients within the design industry? Q6. Richard:What do you do as a designer when you have a set of goals, but to reach them you need some amount of resources and you don’t have those resources. What do you do in the meantime? What do you do to attain those goals? Q7. Simona:In your line of work, you’re constantly pushing the boundaries on design and on business, and I’m sure there are things that you’re not always 100% confident in – so could you talk us through your thought process on how to overcome those fears and how to get past them?   So they are the 7 questions I’ve attempted to answer. By all means take it with a grain of salt. It’s my two cents and subjective at the end of the day. But I do hope it’s helpful and if you’d like me to do more of these, let me know on Instagram via a DM to my handle: TheGiantThinker   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.   Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants, this is episode #76! Today’s guest is an enormous inspiration. She’s the Founder and Creative Director of kikki.K, the award winning, global Swedish design and stationery business that offers stylish gifts, seasonal collections, stationery (of course) and functional organising tools – all to inspire and empower people to live their best life. Currently, kikki.K has 102 stores, they are stocked in another 250, and sold online in over 147 countries worldwide..     Needless to say the growth of this brand is staggeringly impressive. What makes it so, is how kikki.K all started. Our guest wrote on a piece of paper – all her dreams at 3am one morning when she couldn’t sleep, she was 22 years old. That was the seed. And in this episode we uncover the entire origin story, which is a testament to the power of staying true to our own dreams. Speaking of, since she emigrated to Australia from Sweden a couple of decades ago, it’s been her ambition to spread the power of dreaming big to the masses. So much so, she has set herself a target to inspire one hundred and one million people to write down three specific dreams, and to go chase after them. Some of the topics we spoke about include: Where she gets her inspiration to create the products that she releases What factors have influenced her level of scale Her self-care practices, including her 5am “holy hour” What she’s learnt from being coached 1:1 by Robin Sharma. So if you’re someone who also has big, bold ambitions but don’t know where to start, or perhaps there’s a voice inside you, nudging you that there’s something lacking, then this episode will be right up your alley. I present to you … the endless dreamer and powerhouse doer … Kristina Karlsson!     More on Kristina Karlsson and kikki.K can be found via the links below: Kikki-k.com LinkedIn: Kristina Karlsson kikki.K’s Facebook Page Twitter: @kikkiK Instagram: @kikki.k Instagram: @kristinakikkik Your Dream Life Starts Here Axel Karlsson’s YouTube Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Hello Giants, Ram here. This is episode #75! I’m so excited to introduce to you a creative thought leader who I’ve not only admired for the past decade, but is someone I’ve learned a lot from in the space of living bravely and creating boldly. He is a Designer, Author and Teacher, his philosophy is to “begin before your ready”. It’s helped him work for global brands like Adobe, MailChimp, Time, Moet & Chandon and The City of New York. To him, braveness is the key to creativity – and we unpack a lot of that in the interview.   His work has been exhibited twice at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and is represented in permanent museum collections worldwide including the Louvre in Paris. Awards to his name include an Emmy, a gold and silver medal from the Art Directors Club, and a Grand Prix from the Brno Biennale. It’s now his mission to teach people like you and I how to illuminate our individual gifts in order to find clarity and purpose. Some of the topics we spoke about include: What to do when you’re in a creative slump Ways to address any fears that hold you back How to be your unapologetic self And the need for more people to push and challenge. So if you’re in a creative block, or looking to amplify what you’ve created, then this is for you – as we uncover what it takes to live a creative and fulfilling life. I present to you … the wildly creative, thought-provoking and experimental… James Victore!     More on James Victore can be found via the links below: JamesVictore.com Twitter: @JamesVictore Instagram: @JamesVictore Feck Perfuction Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants, this is episode #74! We’ve got a good friend of mine on the show. He and I live halfway across the world from each other. He’s based in New York, I’m in Sydney. We did this interview in LA. I’d describe him as an incredibly dedicated, super talented young gun. Currently aged 25, he’s already been a Creative for Gary Vaynerchuk, for Gary’s personal brand and numerous VaynerMedia projects. He worked side-by-side with Gary for over 3 years – specialising in videography, editing, art direction and design.     This year however, he received acceptance into the highly sought-after 2019 Adobe Creative Residency program. It’s an enormously rare opportunity. Allowing him to spend a year, full-time on a personal creative project, while sharing his experience and process with the entire global creative community. We unpack his journey to date, which is a testament to the power of going all in on your passion. Including how he landed his dream job with Gary, his humble beginnings, and what he’s up to now. Some of the topics we spoke about include: The one item he can’t travel without Practical advice on having mentors around you like Gary Vee The tactics he practises to overcome imposter syndrome How the Adobe Creative Residency program defines creative success, and plenty more. So if you’re unsure where to take your career, or if you’re facing a creative block, then this is for you – as we uncover what it takes to go after your creative pursuits. I present to you … the always moving, hyper-curious, creative storyteller … Tyler Babin!     More on Tyler Babin can be found via the links below: TylerBabin.comThe Adobe Creative ResidencyGaryVaynerchuk.comLinkedIn: Tyler BabinTwitter: @Tyler_BabinInstagram: @babinYouTube: @babin Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal    

Giants, this is episode #73! Today we have the CEO of BridgeClimb Sydney, which is the #1 ranked experience in Australia. To date, over 4 million people from more than 140 countries have climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge since 1998, including Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman and Jamie Oliver. Previously, our guest was the CEO of Scenic World Blue Mountains where he served a 10-year tenure.   His formal studies include a Bachelor's degree in Business, Management and Marketing – plus a Master’s in Information and Communication Sciences – both at Ball State University, Indiana. He is a man of many layers, including being a servant leader that specialises in creating world-class cultures and building exceptional iconic experiences. He believes the heart of all business is people and that his role is to create a space where people can be the best version of themselves. One of the things that really got me was when he said that “in order to truly know and lead a person you have to know their pain”. Personally, the conversation we had reminded me that – excelling in our careers and reaching ambitious goals, takes a tonne of inner-work – and requires showing up with an open heart and open mind when working with others. Some of the topics we spoke about include: The most unexpected thing that’s happened on the bridge during a climb Setting up people in your company to be the best version of themselves What ‘building exceptional iconic experiences’ means to him What servant leadership is, and what we can learn from it.   So if you’d like to improve your leadership skills, or hear answers to some of the bigger questions, then this is for you – as we uncover what makes an empathic, courageous leader. I present to you … the high-climbing, multi-layered, truth-seeker … Chris Zumwalt!     More on Chris can be found via the links below: LinkedIn: Chris Zumwalt BridgeClimb Sydney Scenic World Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF Stocksy discount code. Use the code: GIANTTHINKERS20 Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy

Welcome to episode #72! Today’s guest is a household name. She’s a 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist and 5 time World Record Holder. She’s even been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. When she was a full-time competitor, her rigorous training involved over 5 hours a day, 6 days a week, swimming 3,000 km a year – so we have front row seats to hearing from an elite athlete about physical fitness and mental toughness.Now as a retired athlete, she dedicates her time in entrepreneurship, mentorship, speaking engagements and supporting other swimmers through her courses and programs. Some of the topics we spoke about include: Her top 5 vegan ingredient staples Her self-talk prior to big races like the 2008 Beijing Olympics Tools and systems that kept her accountable for high-level training Her tips for breathing, strokes and leg kicks for non-confident swimmers — and we chat about plenty more.   So if you’re interested in having the mindset of a pro athlete and keen to implement that into your career — or your own brand or business, then this is for you, as we uncover what it takes to succeed like an Olympic Champion.   I present to you … the super friendly, humble and determined … Stephanie Rice!     More on Stephanie can be found via the links below: StephanieRice.com.au Stephanie’s Swim Squad Programs LinkedIn: Stephanie Rice Stephanie’s Facebook Page Twitter: @ItsStephRice Instagram: @itsstephrice Stephanie’s LinkedIn Article The Art of Wellness Magical Mentoring   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF Stocksy discount code. Use the code: GIANTTHINKERS20 Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy

Today, we have someone super special. He’s been a top 4 contestant on MasterChef Australia’s Season 7 (in 2015 – where at the time he was only 20 years old) and he’s the Co-Founder of multiple family-run restaurants – including KOI Dessert Bar & Dining and Monkey’s Corner. He’s often been referred to as Sydney’s "dessert king" but his abilities span well beyond sweets and into the savoury. He’s been featured multiple times in the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Good Food, News.com.au and Vogue Australia. If you’ve ever tried his creations you’ll feel his passion for taking people on a journey through taste, texture and visual theatre.   A part of his story I’m excited for you all to hear is his humble beginnings which isn’t widely known or told. He emigrated from Indonesia to Sydney with his family when he was just 4 years old. The food and restaurant empire actually started in their family garage where his mother started operations with only $300 to support them. Through his story you’ll see why he’s a firm believer in keeping a firm grip of your dreams.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His top 3 dishes under $30 His advice for those looking to audition for MasterChef What makes a successful family-run business Practical business tips he’s learned along the way And his creative process   So if you’re thinking about running a creative business, or just love cooking and quality food, then this is for you. I present to you … the always moving, hardworking, creative visionary … Reynold Poernomo!     More on Reynold can be found via the links below: KOIDessertBar.com.au MonkeysCorner.com.au Reynold’s Facebook Page Reynold’s LinkedIn Instagram: @reynoldpoer   Links to some of Reynold’s favourite places to eat in Sydney: Mr Crackles Ichibandori Gumshara   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF Stocksy discount code. Use the code: GIANTTHINKERS20 Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy

Giants, this is episode #70! Today I’m joined by one of the world’s top Graphic Designers; specialising in branding and logo design. Our guest has had over 15 years design experience, has spoken at TEDx, been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and has been awarded LinkedIn’s exclusive “Best of 2017” for graphic design. With over 50 million views across his popular design blog, JUST Creative – which doubles as his award-winning graphic design and branding firm. Our guest has also worked across the globe – in New York, Sweden, Sydney and has travelled to 86 countries.     His portfolio includes clients such as Disney, Nintendo, Coca-Cola, Jerry Seinfeld and hundreds more. Graduating from The University of Newcastle, Australia, with a Bachelor of Visual Communication; for him design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as educating other fellow designers to build on theirs.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: Introvert-proof ways to network How to grow and generate passive income through blogging How he financially sustained travelling for three years with his wife What the future looks like for brand and logo design   So if you’re thinking about becoming a graphic designer, or looking at how to best position yourself in the marketplace, then this is for you – as we uncover what it takes to put yourself out there. I present to you … the curious, humble and dedicated … Jacob Cass!     More on Jacob can be found via the links below: JustCreative.com JustGlobetrotting.com LinkedIn: Jacob Cass Jacob’s Facebook Page Twitter: @justcreative Instagram: @justcreative Jacob’s Dribble Jacob’s YouTube Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF Stocksy discount code. Use the code: GIANTTHINKERS20 Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy

Giants, this is episode #69! Our guest is the Founder of Boost Juice & Retail Zoo – the parent company of Boost Juice, as well as Salsa’s Fresh Mex, CIBO Espresso and Betty’s Burgers. She’s also an Australian Shark Tank Investor, Author and mother of four children.     It all started with her vision of getting more fruit and veggies in people’s diet and – loving life along the way – which is now a reality, with over 2 million smoothies and juices sold every month. Boost Juice has more outlets in more countries than any other juice bar in the world. She also has a long list of awards to her name including BRW naming her one of fifteen people that changed the way Australia does business in the last 35 years. In total, her businesses span across over 650 stores worldwide, so it’s no surprise that as a Shark Tank investor, she can quickly pinpoint the difference between a good business – versus a great one. Part of her unique philosophy is that it’s not necessarily about “being better” – rather, it’s about “being different”. Some of the topics we spoke about include: Her epic “go-to” concoction that she makes each morning What she learnt from backpacking for over seven years The sacrifices involved when starting a business Having an ‘always learning’ appetite and mindset And the ‘BBQ Test’ she uses to inform and grow her business.   So if you’re looking to learn from a powerhouse businesswoman, who’s worn all the hats, has weathered many storms and has more proof in the pudding than most entrepreneurs I’ve ever met, then this is for you. I present to you … the opportunistic, out-of-the-box thinking, power mum and business giant … Janine Allis!     More on Janine can be found via the links below: JanineAllis.com.au BoostJuice.com.au RetailZoo.com.au LinkedIn: JanineAllis Twitter: @Janineboost Instagram: @Janine_Allis The Accidental Entrepreneur Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF Stocksy discount code. Use the code: GIANTTHINKERS20 Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy

Giants, Ram Castillo here. This is episode #68! Today’s guest is a Canadian businessman, author and TV personality from Shark Tank USA. He co-founded the technology firm SoftKey – which was later acquired for more than $4 billion dollars. He has since launched O’Leary Funds (an investment fund company), O’Leary Fine Wines – and a best-selling book series on financial literacy which covers everything you need to know about making, saving, and growing money. He’s even stepped his foot into the world of politics (which we briefly talk about).   He has a current investment portfolio of 29 companies (possibly more from when I interviewed him 2 months ago to now). He first learnt about entrepreneurship at a young age after his step-father advised him to not become a full-time photographer – a story I won’t spoil as our guest delivers it so well. And now he is on a mission to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs to truly succeed. Some of the topics we spoke about include: The common mistakes he sees people aged 20 - 35 make with their money His advice for going ‘all in’ professionally in your creative craft The best and worst investments he has made The three common attributes all successful pitches have on Shark Tank   So if you’re thinking about making a success out of your creative craft – or are looking for ways to grow your financial freedom through running a business, then this is for you – as we uncover what truly makes an entrepreneur successful. I present to you … the brutally honest, relentless and generous … Kevin O’Leary!     More on Kevin can be found via the links below: KevinOleary.com LinkedIn: Kevin O’Leary  Kevin’s Facebook Page  Twitter: @KevinOlearyTV  Instagram: @KevinOlearyTV  Cold Hard Truth on Family, Kids, and Money  The Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women, and Money  Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 20% off my image search library of choice: Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image you like and want to see similar images on Stocky, just drag and drop it straight onto their website. And, they have a search by colour feature too. Perfect for finding images to match your colour palette. I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 20% OFF discount. Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy The discount is automatically applied.

Giants, this is episode #67! Today’s guest is a contemporary Cuban-American artist and portrait painter, best known for his ‘Syncretism’, a term he coined in 2011 to describe paintings where he presents two or more art tendencies in aesthetic balance. His work harmonises both classical and modern interpretations juxtaposed within each painting.   When he moved to America with his family aged 12, he got the real taste for the American Dream: “The worst thing that could happen in America was always a luxury in comparison to the Cuban lifestyle” (where he’s originally from). He studied at the Miami Dade College, then attended the New World School of the Arts for a period of time and even relocated to Florence for further painting education. The artist has received numerous accolades around the world, including the Grand Prize and People's Choice Award at the Academy of Realist Art Boston, First Prize at the Grand Central Academy Portrait Competition, The Hall of Fame Award at Miami Dade College and First Place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: Advice for people wanting to make a living as an artist How his physical activity feeds in with his life as a painter The role of an artist in the age of technology And the business side of being a painter.   So if you’re thinking about becoming a full-time artist, or looking for ways to channel your creativity, then this is for you – as we uncover what makes an artist thrive. I present to you … the always curious, open-minded, grounded … Cesar Santos!     More on Cesar can be found via the links below: SantoCesar.comCesar’s YouTube Channel Instagram: @santocesartTwitter: @SantocesArt Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

G’day Giants, welcome to episode #66! Our guest today is a 10-time World Muay Thai Champion. He’s also a former Australian middleweight boxing champion, professional Kickboxer and Owner of Boonchu gym located in the Gold Coast, Queensland. He was the runner up on The Contender Asia, and the first Australian to fight at the Thai King’s birthday.   For extra context, he started Taekwondo at the age of 11 before moving onto Muay Thai at the age of 13. He’s grown a career from this passion, travels the world competing in professional matches, and all while running his Gym. . Now aged 42, “the passion has never worn off” – and he still fights professionally today. His mindset is to “concentrate on your own strength, not your opponent’s strength” . Having fought in front of 100,000 spectators, received 335 stitches to his face to date and fought in 145 career fights – this man’s drive is intoxicating . We learn how much of his outer strength comes from inner strength.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: What he believes is the Winner’s Mindset The importance of creativity in competition fighting How to stay focused in a high-pressured environment And his secret to his longevity of being an athlete.   So if you’re chasing your dreams, need a reminder of what’s at stake, and want to grow your self belief, your discipline and your winners mindset – then this is for you. Alrighty, let’s dive straight in. I present to you … the always smiling, dedicated and humble … John Wayne Parr.     More on John can be found via the links below: JPW’s Facebook Page Twitter: @johnwayneparr Instagram: @johnwayneparr Boonchu Gym Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Giants welcome to episode #65 — a special, first ever solo Q&A episode with yours truly to end 2018. Questions submitted by you the listeners. I’ve curated the top 8 based on the most similar questions asked, and also the ones I felt would be the most widely useful or applicable.   To help you skip to the answer most relevant to you, as I know many of you are time poor, I’ll list all the questions out below.   The eight questions I’ve answered in order are: Q1. Any recommendations for working out what is truly important to each of us? Q2. Would you stay in a smaller job market to keep your relationship, or venture out on your own? Q3. Any advice for starting one's own podcast? Q4. What is your go-to breakfast? Q5. I often get anxious when speaking in public. Do you have any advice for overcoming this? Q6. The money conversation with clients always scares me. I’m scared if I charge what I really want, they’ll say no and I won’t get their business at all, but if I charge too low that becomes the expected fee moving forward. What can I do to break this cycle? Q7. With the vast number of interviews you’ve been able to do, have you seen a common thread in responses from interviewees? Q8. How do you manage pursuing creative or entrepreneurial goals while keeping up with personal commitments?   So they are the 8 questions I’ve attempted to answer. By all means take it with a grain of salt. It’s my two cents and subjective at the end of the day. But I do hope it’s helpful and if you’d like me to do more of these, let me know on Instagram via a DM to my handle: TheGiantThinker     Resources mentioned can be found via the links below: Ep 59 – Blair Enns: Founder of Win Without Pitching on pricing creativity and how to best position our value. Ep 7 – Andrew Hoyne: The definition of value, having the ‘money’ conversation and the importance of being future-focused. Win Without Pitching Pricing Creativity Book Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Giants, this is episode #64! Our guest today is one of Shark Tank Australia’s well-known investors on the hit TV show Shark Tank. She’s also the Founder of the online experience gift retailer; RedBalloon, plus Co-Founder of the parent company Big Red Group.   With only $25K in 2001 she started RedBalloon with a second-hand computer in her front room. Prior to that, she worked for massive brands including IBM, Apple and KPMG. If you follow her you may have even read her top-selling books; ‘Live What You Love’ is one, ‘Ready To Soar’ is another – or have read her blog posts … on LinkedIn alone – where she writes a ton of high value articles, she has over 2.7 million followers. As she continues to pioneer the gifting experiences of Australia and NZ, she stands true to her motto “if it’s meant to be, it’s up to me”. Awards to her name include 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Silver Stevie Award.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: What makes a standout pitch The impact of speaking clearly, simply and directly How Shark Tank spreads innovation Why blockchain technology and AI will be the main digital disruptors over the next few years.   So if you’re thinking about setting up a business, or at a crossroads on your entrepreneurial journey, then this is for you as we uncover what makes a business owner truly thrive. I present to you … the highly driven, powerful and passionate … Naomi Simson!     More on Naomi can be found via the links below: NaomiSimson.comRedBalloon.comLinkedIn: Naomi SimsonNaomi’s Facebook PageTwitter: @NaomiSimsonInstagram: @NaomiSimsonReady to SoarLive What You Love Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind in a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal  

Giants, welcome to episode #63! Today’s guest has launched over half a dozen multi-million dollar companies. From a rock-climbing gym to a conference company to a branding agency and a highly successful e-commerce business. In the last few years, he’s shifted his mission from starting companies to teaching others how to start theirs. To help people create the business and family they love. Empowering people to chase their dreams and fulfil their purpose.   He’s been featured in publications including the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine, Fox News, NBC, INC Magazine, Mashable and Forbes. Now more than ever, he’s widely known as an online thought leader on faith, family, and marriage.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His journey in creating these multi-million dollar companies such as Sevenly and StartUp Camp The ups and downs of running a business The importance of looking in the mirror when things go bad and looking out the window when things go good Lessons on leadership Constantly evaluating our purpose And seeking our own truth.   This episode has a mixed bag of goodies, so if you’re interested in the intersections of capitalist philanthropy, entrepreneurship and purpose – then this is for you. I present to you … the highly passionate, inspiring, action-taking juggernaut … Dale Partridge!     More on Dale can be found via the links below: https://dalepartridge.com https://relearnchurch.org https://ultimatemarriage.com Dale's Facebook page Twitter: @dalepartridge Instagram: @dalepartridge Dale's Youtube Channel Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want to know the most productive tool that has helped me accelerate my progress? It’s the Five-Minute Journal; the simplest, most effective thing you can do everyday to be happier. It’s a physical journal that gives you a positive quote, followed by three questions you answer in the morning and two questions to answer in the evening before bed. It basically anchors your mind into a positively focused, intentional and grateful mindset, in less than 5 minutes a day. Grab yours here: GiantThinkers.com/fiveminutejournal

Giants welcome to episode #62. Today we have an internationally-renowned wellness writer, chef and content creator. She’s in fact a classically trained chef, who has cooked on the line at several restaurants. And impressively (but not surprisingly) was the youngest chef competing in the first season of Top Chef. Other accomplishments include being a former tv host, former-model-turned wellness journalist, and a five-time best-selling author. ELLE magazine describes her as “The Golden Girl of the Wellness World.” She sits on The Well+Good Council and was named one of Arianna Huffington’s “Top 20 New Role Models in 2017.” Her mother is Japanese and her father is Polish-American.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How we can harness ‘Kintsugi’ for healing and strength – which is actually the Japanese practice of golden repair – we elaborate on this in depth. We also chat about core principles such as ‘Gaman’ — which infers: ‘Live with great resilience’ and ... Shikata ga nai — that means: Accept what cannot be helped.   This is a rollercoaster episode – we share many laughs and many vulnerabilities … including some tears. So if that sounds appealing and If you’re interested in the intersection of culinary arts, Japanese philosophy and wellness, then you are in for an absolute treat.   I present to you … the kind hearted, tenacious and passionate ... Candice Kumai!     More on Candice can be found via the links below: http://candicekumai.com Instagram: @CandiceKumai Twitter: @CandiceKumai Kintsugi Wellness on Amazon LinkedIn Profile Candice's Facebook Page Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Read or listen to an entire book in 15 minutes via Blinkist The Blinkist app takes the best non-fiction books and distills them into powerful, made-for-mobile summaries. Essentially, giving you and I the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes. Available to read and also to listen to as audio. Head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist to take up the 25% off discount. Start your free trial or get three months off your yearly plan when you join today. The 25% off is automatically applied, when you head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist.  

G’day Giants, This is episode #61! Our guest today is best known for developing the free and open-source web software that is insanely popular called: WordPress – which to date, officially powers 30% of websites on the internet. Including The New York Times, The Walt Disney Company, Sony Music, Bloomberg, BBC America, TechCrunch, Wired, People Mag, even Beyonce and Katy Perry’s websites run on the Wordpress CMS platform. Back in 2007, our guest was named #16 of the 50 most important people on the web by PC World, reportedly – the youngest on the list. In 2011, he was named one of the top 10 most influential people online for changing the face of the internet by Business Insider. In that same year, he was listed by Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social and Mobile – for the impact he has made on the blogging world through open source.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How he went from playing the jazz saxophone, to majoring in Political Science, to pursuing a job at CNET How WordPress all started His thoughts and approaches on validating a feature or functionality of a product And his definition of good design.   If you’re someone who is interested in the journey of product design and creating a massively disruptive, global company, then this episode is for you.   I present to you … the down-to-earth, genuine and highly accomplished ... Matt Mullenweg!     More on Matt can be found via the links below: https://ma.tt https://matt.blog/ Twitter: @PhotoMatt LinkedIn Profile Automattic Website Matt's Facebook Page Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Read or listen to an entire book in 15 minutes via Blinkist The Blinkist app takes the best non-fiction books and distills them into powerful, made-for-mobile summaries. Essentially, giving you and I the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes. Available to read and also to listen to as audio. Head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist to take up the 25% off discount. Start your free trial or get three months off your yearly plan when you join today. The 25% off is automatically applied, when you head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist.  

Hello wonderful Giants, welcome to episode #60! Today we have a former host of Getaway (which is actually Australia's longest-running travel and lifestyle TV program) and he appeared on Getaway for almost 400 episodes over 8 years. He’s hosted the Logies Red Carpet, Game-shows, Reality TV, live events, celebrity interviews and plenty more. He is a highly respected Australian TV and Radio superstar. On top of that, in the digital space he is widely known as the Founder of global influencer marketing platform Tribe; which connects brands with micro-influencers.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: The extreme lengths he went to in order to land a spot on Getaway Advice on how to get match fit no matter what we are pursuing His take on the differences between TV, Radio and Social Media and why it matters Advice for those that want to branch out and expand their creative output Tips on how to get from concept to first round iteration And his four ingredients for staying in peak performance   If you’re someone who is interested in the intersections of broadcasting, entrepreneurship, technology and design, then this episode is for you.   I present to you … the quick thinking, fast moving and determined ... Jules Lund!     More on Jules can be found via the links below: Twitter: @JulesLund LinkedIn Profile TRIBE Website Jules' Facebook Page Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Read or listen to an entire book in 15 minutes via Blinkist The Blinkist app takes the best non-fiction books and distills them into powerful, made-for-mobile summaries. Essentially, giving you and I the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes. Available to read and also to listen to as audio. Head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist to take up the 25% off discount. Start your free trial or get three months off your yearly plan when you join today. The 25% off is automatically applied, when you head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist.  

Welcome to episode #59! Today we have the founder and CEO of Win Without Pitching, the sales training and coaching organization for creative professionals. He is also the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and the brand new book titled Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour. This man has taught me and many thousands of creative people and businesses around the world, on how to build a lucrative client base without having to pitch ideas for free.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to best position our value in order to win business How to command the high ground in the client vs creative relationship His approach to proposals His view on retainer clients Rules on pricing creativity and so much more.   If you’re someone who is interested in moving from a vendor position to an expert practitioner position, then this is absolutely for you. I present to you … the sharp and charismatic ... Blair Enns!     More on Blair can be found via the links below: Twitter: @BlairEnns LinkedIn Profile Pricing Creativity Book Win Without Pitching Website Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Read or listen to an entire book in 15 minutes via Blinkist The Blinkist app takes the best non-fiction books and distills them into powerful, made-for-mobile summaries. Essentially, giving you and I the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes. Available to read and also to listen to as audio. Head to GiantThinkers.com/Blink to take up the 25% off discount. Start your free trial or get three months off your yearly plan when you join today. The 25% off is automatically applied, when you head to GiantThinkers.com/Blinkist.  

Welcome to episode #58 Giants! Our guest today is a father, a husband and an inspiring entrepreneur, widely known as the Founder and CEO of Treehouse – which is an online technology school that offers beginner to advanced courses in web design, web development, mobile development and game development. I absolutely love Treehouse because their courses are hands-on in teaching people how to code for a career in the tech industry.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: The many businesses that existed prior to bringing Treehouse to fruition Advice for anyone wanting to create an app or online tool The power of beginning with the end in mind And setting boundaries to ensure time with family is protected   If you’re someone who is interested in connecting the dots between your thoughts and creating a product around those thoughts, then this is absolutely for you. I present to you … the highly accomplished, hard-working and disciplined ... Ryan Carson!     More on Ryan can be found via the links below: Try Treehouse for free for 7 days Twitter: @RyanCarson Instagram: @RyanCarson LinkedIn Profile Medium posts Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Are you struggling to find a mentor? Find your compass. Cut the guess work, see the blind spots and succeed faster with a mentor. Grab a copy of my book, How to get a mentor as a designer – where I break down HOW in 12 steps. It’s available in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats. Buy a copy at gettingamentor.com

This is episode #57. Our guest today is arguably one of the graphic design industry’s most well known designers. He worked at Vignelli Associates for ten years before joining Pentagram as a partner in 1990 where he still works till this day, after 28 years and counting. His clients at Pentagram have included The New York Times, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Robin Hood Foundation, MIT Media Lab, Mastercard, Princeton University, the New York Jets and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. As a volunteer to Hillary Clinton’s communications team, he designed the H logo that was visible everywhere throughout her 2016 presidential campaign.   Our guest also served as the national president of AIGA from 1998 to 2001. Is a senior critic in graphic design at the Yale School of Art. And is also one of the founding writers of the Design Observer blog. He’s paved quite an extraordinary life and I can’t wait for you to hear this.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His favorite typographic font of all time His thoughts, feelings and actions when he started out as an emerging designer His interpretation of corporate identities versus branding And his advice for those that feel stuck in a creative rut.   If you’re someone who is interested in the fusion of visual communication, career development and making creative impact, then this is absolutely for you. I present to you … the highly accomplished, inspiring and level-headed ... Michael Bierut!     More on Michael can be found via the links below: Michael’s LinkedIn profile Twitter: @MichaelBierut Pentagram website 2016 AIGA Medalist page The Observatory Podcast Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Get 15% off my image search library of choice – Stocksy Stocksy provide royalty-free stock photography and cinematic video footage. A big reason why I love them is because their library is highly curated and isn’t full of cheesy, overused assets. Plus, the entire website is insanely easy to use. The searching, the filtering, the navigating – It’s all clear, intuitive and simple. They even have a drag and drop search feature if you have an image and want to see a similar image on Stocky.  I encourage you to take advantage of the exclusive 15% OFF discount. Head to: GiantThinkers.com/Stocksy The discount is automatically applied.

Welcome to episode #56! Our guest today is the President and CEO of Effie Worldwide. Effie is an organisation best known for championing and improving the practice and practitioners of marketing effectiveness. Prior to joining Effie Worldwide, our guest spent 13 years at Cadbury Schweppes in a variety of marketing and business roles, up to Global Business Development Director. And she also spent almost 7 years at Shell International.   Her roles at Shell included General Manager of Global Consumer Brands — Global Head of Brand Strategy in Retail — And Vice President of External Relations, Asia Pacific. Amongst her impressive career life, she’s also a mum, so you can see why I’m so honoured AND excited to introduce her.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: Ways to build exceptional relationships without compromising our integrity Lessons learned from transitioning from the food and beverage sector to the fuel and energy sector How to manage culturally diverse teams both directly and virtually And advice for creatives when starting a product or service business.   If you’re someone who is interested in the fusion of marketing, leadership and people skills, then this is for you. I present to you … the highly experienced, intelligent, superwoman of marketing ... Traci Alford!       More on Traci can be found via the links below: Traci’s LinkedIn profile Effie Worldwide website Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Are you struggling to find a mentor? Find your compass. Cut the guess work, see the blind spots and succeed faster with a mentor. Grab a copy of my book, How to get a mentor as a designer – where I break down HOW in 12 steps. It’s available in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats. Buy a copy at gettingamentor.com

Hello dear Giants, this is episode #55. Our guest today is widely known for creating motivational and inspirational spoken word films and thought provoking content. His YouTube and Facebook videos have received over a billion views each on both platforms. And he covers a range of topics such as environmentalism, socio-economics, work–life balance and spirituality.   He leverages life experience, self-teachings and his honors degree in anthropology. Oprah Winfrey’s TV show ‘Super Soul Sunday’ has featured our guest as well as a long list of media outlets, from Huffington Post, FOX, Wired, MTV, CBS News and Buzzfeed.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His creative process from ideation to execution Where his own personal inspiration comes from How he measures the impact of his videos And advice for those that want to make videos but don’t have the budget to produce high end quality.   If you’re someone who is interested in the fusion of education and entertainment in the form of spoken word poetry, then this is for you. I present to you … the mindful and innovative ... Prince Ea!     More on Prince can be found via the links below: Prince’s personal website Prince’s YouTube channel Prince’s Facebook page Prince’s Twitter: @PrinceEa Prince’s Instagram: @Prince_Ea     Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want 15% off all MVMT products with free shipping worldwide? MVMT are gifting listeners an exclusive 15% off all products with free shipping! Grab one of their premium watches and accessories - at an already radically fair price, plus take another 15% off at checkout. Skip the stress that comes with parking at the shops then dealing with retail crowds – you can and grab a watch for yourself and all your loved ones. They make the perfect Christmas gift for men and women, and start at just $95. Visit the exclusive link here with the discount applied: https://www.mvmt.com/GiantThinkers

Hello wonderful Giants, this is episode #54. Our guest today is truly one of a kind. He’s an 11-time world surfing champion. Holds the record as the youngest (at age 20) to win the title and the oldest (at age 39) to win the title as well. A living legend, an inspiration to millions of people, by far the best-known surfer on the planet and chatting with him blew me away.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His thoughts on longevity and making a career out of something you love – in his case, surfing in professional competitions for over 33 years The importance of humility, respect, resilience, family and personal relationships We spoke about doubt and setbacks and building mental-toughness, including his 2-3 year hiatus which was part of the 7-year gap between winning his 6th and 7th world title His 10-year journey in creating the perfect man-made wave pool – what once was a dream is now a reality I of course asked for his key tips for beginner-level surfers - for those that want to start, and there’s just an avalanche of quality insights in this interview – the list goes on.   So If you’re someone that’s interested in hearing the ups, the downs and everything in between – from a world champion, then this episode is for you. I present to you … the hard-working, super humble, 11-time world champ ... Kelly Slater!     More on Kelly Slater can be found via the links below: Kelly’s personal website Kelly Slater Wave Company website Kelly's menswear brand: Outerknown Kelly’s Twitter: @kellyslater Kelly’s Instagram: @kellyslater Kelly on Facebook   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Want 15% off all MVMT products with free shipping worldwide? If you’re like me and think 'no', then you’re in for a treat. MVMT are gifting listeners an exclusive 15% off all products with free shipping! Grab one of their premium watches and accessories - at an already radically fair price, plus take another 15% off at checkout. Skip the stress that comes with parking at the shops then dealing with retail crowds – you can and grab a watch for yourself and all your loved ones. They make the perfect gift for men and women, and start at just $95. Visit the exclusive link here with the discount applied: https://www.mvmt.com/GiantThinkers

This is episode #53. And today’s guest is the Co-founder and CEO of MVMT pronounced as ‘movement’. MVMT are a global – fashion, watches and accessory brand for millennials, that has sold over 1.5 million products.    After almost failing out of high school and dropping out of college, our guest started this brand at age 22 while he was $20,000 in debt. Four years later, his brand has grown to more than $80 million in revenue and 4 million social followers.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: His first t-shirt business while still in school and his action steps getting that off the ground Then, his rise and fall in selling rave lighting and accessories His advice for growing a business from $0 to $1 million within 12 months And how MVMT watches all started.   So If you’re someone that’s interested in designing a product and designing a thriving business around it, then this episode is for you. I present to you … the resourceful, determined and inspiring ... Jake Kassan!     More on Jake Kassan can be found via the links below: Jake’s personal website MVMT website Linkedin profile Jake’s Twitter: @jakekassan Jake’s Instagram: @jakekassan MVMT on Instagram: @MVMT MVMT on Facebook   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Do you think style should break the bank? If you’re like me and said no, then you’re in for a treat. MVMT are gifting listeners an exclusive 15% off all products with free shipping! Grab one of their premium watches and accessories - at an already radically fair price, plus take another 15% off at checkout. Skip the stress that comes with parking at the shops then dealing with retail crowds – you can and grab a watch for yourself and all your loved ones. They make the perfect gift for men and women, and start at just $95. Visit the exclusive link here with the discount applied: https://www.mvmt.com/GiantThinkers

Welcome to episode #52! Today’s guest is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Birsel + Seck, the award-winning design and innovation studio working with clients including Herman Miller, GE, Colgate-Palmolive, IKEA and Toyota.   She’s a highly experienced and sought after New York based designer. Is the creator of Design the Life You Love, a book and coursework that teaches designers and non-designers how to create a meaningful life using her design process, Deconstruction:Reconstruction™. Fast Company identified her as one of the world’s most creative people and is on the Thinkers50 Radar List of the 30 management thinkers most likely to shape the future of organisations.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: Her secret love for Karate The most rewarding projects of her career – from toilet seats to car interiors to office spaces and furniture How she handled the global financial crisis when clients no longer engaged her for work And what a meaningful future really means. If you are someone that’s ever been interested in using a design process to design the life you love, then this episode is for you. I present to you ... the optimistic, imaginative and purpose driven ... Ayse Birsel!     More on Ayse can be found via the links below: Aysebirsel.com Birsel + Seck website Design The Life You Love – Book Linkedin profile Twitter: @AyseBirselSeck Instagram: @designthelifeyoulove   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Interested in becoming a developer? All me to introduce … Treehouse! They are an online technology school, offering courses in web design and coding – from HTML, CSS, PHP to JavaScript, Python and iOS – in the space of web, mobile, and game development, taught by a team of in-house, expert teachers. If you head to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse – they’re giving the Giant Thinkers community a 7-day free trial so you can try it out with no commitment. On top of that, if you’re happy with the trial, and thereafter, continue learning on TreeHouse -- let me know and I will personally give the first 5 students a one hour Skype call coaching session, each -- for free. So if you’d like to learn how to code, are interested in becoming a developer and are after the skills to get a job as one, pop over to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse

Giants, welcome to episode #51! Today’s guest is a former professional football player who suffered a career-ending injury, and is now an international lifestyle entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, has a consistently top 100 podcast in the world and is the founder of a multi-million dollar online media company. In this episode he shares the struggles of negativity and loneliness, and how he re-discovered his vision and identity. Some of the topics we spoke about include: His journey from anger, resentment and loneliness to a more peaceful, liberated place
 The masks that men learn to wear and how these can damage effective communication and in turn, relationships
 We spoke a lot about our personal identity versus our personal brand
 And … how we can all improve our emotional health. If you or someone you care for has been struggling to break through internal barriers and struggling to forgive, then this episode is for you. I present to you ... the giant in mind, body and spirit ... Lewis Howes!     More on Lewis can be found via the links below: lewishowes.com Linkedin profile  Facebook page Twitter: @LewisHowes Instagram: @LewisHowes Lewis's Youtube Channel Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Interested in becoming a developer? All me to introduce … Treehouse! They are an online technology school, offering courses in web design and coding – from HTML, CSS, PHP to JavaScript, Python and iOS – in the space of web, mobile, and game development, taught by a team of in-house, expert teachers. If you head to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse – they’re giving the Giant Thinkers community a 7-day free trial so you can try it out with no commitment. On top of that, if you’re happy with the trial, and thereafter, continue learning on TreeHouse -- let me know and I will personally give the first 5 students a one hour Skype call coaching session, each -- for free. So if you’d like to learn how to code, are interested in becoming a developer and are after the skills to get a job as one, pop over to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse    

This is episode number 50! Thank you all for your support on the podcast journey so far. It has been a privilege to bring you 50 guests since starting mid-2015. In this episode we dig deep into an often overlooked topic, an area most of us take for granted, which is our eyes.   Our guest has been a top-practising optometrist for over 3 decades, and is one of Australia’s most experienced eye doctors. Currently an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, he has also lectured internationally on advanced contact lens fitting, dry eye treatment and computer vision syndrome. He was one of Australia's first optometrists to be qualified in Ocular Therapeutics and is currently an active member of The International Society of Contact Lens Specialists, The American Academy of Optometry and Optometry Australia to name a few. He also runs a very popular practice in Sydney’s CBD on Market Street called The Eye Practice.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: How to manage the increasing epidemic of dry eyes, especially with our heavy use of digital tech The importance of meibomian glands, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (something I personally suffer from – you’ll hear about that in detail) The misconception and dangerous overuse of eye drop products And how to overcome blue light damage and eye strain (a big one for designers and anyone using a computer daily!) If you’ve ever been interested in eye health and what to do to take care of our precious eyes, this is for you.   I present to you … the knowledgeable, easy-going and super dedicated... Dr Jim Kokkinakis!     More on Dr. Jim can be found via the links below: Theeyepractice.com.au/Jim-Kokkinakis Linkedin profile Twitter.com/theeyepractice Instagram.com/theeyepractice The Eye Practice Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes.     Interested in becoming a developer? All me to introduce … Treehouse! They are an online technology school, offering courses in web design and coding – from HTML, CSS, PHP to JavaScript, Python and iOS – in the space of web, mobile, and game development, taught by a team of in-house, expert teachers. If you head to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse – they’re giving the Giant Thinkers community a 7-day free trial so you can try it out with no commitment. On top of that, if you’re happy with the trial, and thereafter, continue learning on TreeHouse -- let me know and I will personally give the first 5 students a one hour Skype call coaching session, each -- for free. So if you’d like to learn how to code, are interested in becoming a developer and are after the skills to get a job as one, pop over to GiantThinkers.com/TreeHouse

This is episode #49! Our guest today is a Co-Founder and Principal at Meld Studios; an Australian design firm specialising in Service Design and Interaction Design. Her foundational beginnings stems from graduating with Honors in Psychology, Masters in Social Sciences, and starting in Information Architecture. Her career has been focused on humanising products and services down to the most detailed of interactions within them. She is an incredible woman, a mentor to me and many others, and I’m excited for you all to hear this. Some of the topics we spoke about include: Learning sign language from the age of 3 years old How being inquisitive, feeling uncertain yet excited helped her navigate student-life and her early career The definitions of design thinking, human centered design and service design Brain activity versus gut activity Her internal dialogue when faced with rejection and so much more. If you’ve ever been fascinated by the collision of human behaviour and design, this episode is for you. I present to you … the warm-hearted, generous and thoughtful ... Janna DeVylder! More on Janna can be found via the links below: Medium.com/@jdevylder Meldstudios.com.au Linkedin profile Twitter.com/jdevylder Instagram.com/jcybill Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Want my audiobook for free? It’s been one whole year since releasing my second book ‘How To Get A Mentor As A Designer’. I released it in October 2016. As a one-year anniversary gift for you all, if you haven’t purchased the book but would like to, buy the paperback or ebook version by the end of October 2017, and I will send you the audiobook for free. Head to Gettingamentor.com, take a screen grab of your receipt, email me at Ram@GiantThinkers.com and I will respond with the audio book version for you on the house.

Welcome to episode #48! Our guest is the Chairman of Publicis Communications Australia and New Zealand, one of the largest communication agency groups in the region. He is also CEO of Publicis Worldwide Australia and NZ, with businesses specialising in advertising, digital, PR, CRM, activation, mobile, brand strategy and design. He leads over 450 people in an organisation that has over 60 major clients. Some of the topics we spoke about include: How he interacts with employees to unlock the best out of them Advice on how to operate under pressure His view on being a leader and how he leads such a massive amount of people And why everything ties back to having a clear vision. If you’re someone that aims to move into leadership in some capacity, this is for you. I’m certain that you’ll learn a ton -- from a person of this calibre. I present to you … the highly respected, mover and shaker ... Andrew Baxter aka Billy!   More on Andrew 'Billy' Baxter can be found via the links below: Billy's website Linkedin profile Twitter: @AndrewBaxter3 Instagram: @AndrewBaxter3 Publicis Australia website Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Want to see a glimpse into my USA tour? I’ve been putting extra effort into my YouTube channel, posting vlogs of my last USA tour. They include my visit to places such as VISA, CreativeLive, AIGA, VaynerMedia and Squarespace. Watch them on Youtube.com/RamCastillo

This is episode #47! Our guest is a specialist coach in deep listening. He's helped many individuals, to massive corporations; from Google to Microsoft to Universal. The most powerful thing I personally got out of this interview was learning how to uncover meaning in dialogue from what’s said versus what’s unsaid.   Some of the topics we covered include: How to listen deeply using the 5 levels of listening The ideal ‘speaking versus listening’ ratio Shadow listening styles to be aware of And practical techniques to productively move the dialogue forward   This is a must listen for anyone that wants to truly improve the way they communicate, not just professionally (with your colleagues and clients) but personally (with your family, friends and loved ones). I present to you … the calm, kind and wise ... Oscar Trimboli!   More on Oscar can be found via the links below: Oscar's website Linkedin profile Twitter: @oscartrimboli Instagram: @oscartrimboli Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Want to see what it’s like when I’m on tour? I’ve been putting extra effort into my YouTube channel, posting vlogs of my last USA tour, including my visit to places such as the AIGA headquarters, VaynerMedia and the Squarespace office. 9 episodes are up as of right now. Plenty more on the way. Watch them on Youtube.com/RamCastillo

This is episode #46! Our guest is the Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at Academy Xi. They teach groups and individuals in the areas of design and tech – but with a unique positioning and offering. Academy Xi specialise in teaching newly emerging disciplines such as virtual reality design, augmented reality design, service design and of course UX design as well. As you can imagine, this gets me going because they aim to address the upcoming skills gap in technology and give students the practical skills to pursue new career paths. Actually, some exciting news that’s come out very recently is that Academy Xi secured $2.25 million dollars in a series A round funding, and they’ve only been around for a little over a year. Very impressive growth. Now back to our guest, he started his design career in 1998. He’s helped iconic brands, eager startups and a broad range of organisations improve their ability to create long lasting relationships with their customers, by combining his belief in human centred design, research and collaboration.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: The danger of assumption Advice to anyone creating a product, service or a brand Designing value systems The process of elimination when solving complex problems His Slideshare presentation titled ‘The Future of everything’ which has been viewed almost 400,000 times And naturally, we spoke about where he feels design is heading. I present to you … the bright, passionate and down to earth ... Charbel Zeaiter!   More on Charbel Zeaiter can be found via the links below: Linkedin profile Facebook profile Twitter: @charbelxcharbel Instagram: @Charbelxcharbel Velvet Onion website Academy Xi Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Need video work done? Filming, editing or both? Checkout Grand Rapids based, Creative Agency, Carbon Stories. Friends of mine who I personally used for my video vlogs during my 2016 USA tour. They service your needs for video work and photography. Take a look at their work or to reach out to them: CarbonStories.us

Welcome to episode #45! Our guest is a former lawyer and educator who has a PHD in Sleep Medicine from Sydney University and consults with companies and educational institutions all over the world on sleep health. She’s an internationally recognised Doctor that has been working in the world of sleep for nearly 20 years. She’s the Managing Director of Sleep for Health and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Children's Hospital Westmead. She’s also a founding member of the Sleep Health Foundation and a member of the Australasian Sleep Association. On top of that, she’s written two books ‘The Sleep Diet’ and ‘The Complete Guide To A Good Night's Sleep’.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: The stages of a complete sleep cycle and how each affect our mind and bodies How much sleep we actually need and why The differences of sleep requirements for males versus females How to naturally achieve better sleep How to create a sleep plan Her thoughts around power naps What it means for those who snore, sleep talk, sleep walk or jolt suddenly, and plenty more. I present to you … the warm, generous and intelligent ...  Dr. Carmel Harrington!   More on Dr. Carmel Harrington can be found via the links below: Dr. Carmel’s website: sleepforhealth.net.au Dr. Carmel’s LinedIn: click here Blog post by Dr. Carmel: Are you getting enough sleep?  Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Want to improve your life through better sleep? I want to introduce you to a company that I use and love because they've helped me improve my sleep. They're called A.H. Beard and have over 115 years’ experience in the bedding business. A.H. Beard is on a mission to improve people’s lives through better sleep. Partnering with leading sleep experts like Dr Carmel (who is actually today's guest), A.H. Beard is the place to go when you want the answers to those niggling sleep issues! I highly encourage you to jump onto their website AHBeard.com, sign up for their next free 6 week sleep challenge or explore their Sleep Coach section where you can find up to date articles and expert advice on everything sleep related! Head to AHBeard.com

Welcome to episode #44! Our guest is a European-based, Australian-born artist, composer, singer and producer. She uses electronic instruments and technology to create and perform masterpieces in real time, and has performed all over the world. She recently delivered a moving TEDx talk titled ‘how to translate the feeling into sound’ and is also a freelance lecturer in Creativity at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.   Some of the topics we spoke about include: The various experiences of the composer versus the listener The best tools she recommends for those wanting to experiment with electronic instruments Her cover of Outkast’s 'Hey Ya' thats surpassed well over 2.5 million views The time she took the plunge at 24 years old to live in Europe and the journey that followed dedicating everything to her art And the process of simultaneously performing while envisioning the composition ahead of time. I present to you, the stunning, soulful and exceptionally talented ... Rachel Claudio!    More on Rachel Claudio can be found via the links below: Rachel's Facebook: click here Rachel's Twitter: @RachelClaudio Rachel's Instagram: @Claudiography TEDx Perth Talk: click here Full version of 'The Saddest ‘Hey Ya’ You’ll Ever Hear': click here Rachel's Soundcloud: click here Equipboard: http://equipboard.com Ableton Live music software: https://www.ableton.com/en/live  Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Are you a designer or creative struggling to navigate your way? If you haven’t already, I invite you to sign up for the mailing list, where you get occasional emails from me on new episodes, articles and events. But if email isn’t your thing, add me on Instagram or snapchat, my handle is @TheGiantThinker -- it’s the fastest way to reach me and see my day-to-day activities.

It’s a pleasure to have your company on episode #43! Our guest is the founder of NOSHU – Australia’s first food brand to be truly sugar free. Time Out Sydney included her as one of the top Forty Under 40. What’s interesting is that she started her degree in Food Science, then did a pivot to Design (Visual Communications), she completed that, worked in the industry for a number of years, then moved to France for a while, and returned back to Australia to create the business. Her family history of diabetes and her struggle to find delicious, sugar-free foods became the catalyst to create her hero product, a healthy donut. The International Anti-Additive Awards recently recognised her company NOSHU as one of the Asia Pacific winners for the 2016 Best of the year award. The judging panel included Michelin Star Chefs, Nutritionists, Dieticians, Professors and Food Editors. Criteria involved presentation, taste, production and cooking process. Some of the topics we spoke about include: Advice when struggling to decide to stop pursuing something or to keep going What surprised her most when launching a food product Where to begin when in the research and development phase of making a food product Cautions to be aware of before starting any business, and plenty more. I present to you, the fun loving, hardworking and determined … Rachel Bajada!   More on Rachel and NOSHU can be found via the links below: Rachel's LinkedIn: click here Rachel's Twitter: @RachelBajada Rachel's Instagram: @MadameRach NOSHU's Twitter: @NoshuFoods NOSHU's Instagram: @NoshuFoods NOSHU website: Noshu.com.au   Subscribe to The Giant Thinkers Podcast on iTunes. Are you a designer or creative struggling to navigate your way? If you haven’t already, I invite you to sign up for the mailing list, where you get occasional emails from me on new episodes, articles and events. But if email isn’t your thing, add me on Instagram or snapchat, my handle is @TheGiantThinker -- it’s the fastest way to reach me and see my day-to-day activities.