Travis and his best friend Carlos talk late into the night, exploring new ideas for creative professionals. They argue over concepts, share secrets, and interview their industry heroes.
Travis Neilson and Carlos Montoya
Do you feel safe here? Google’s PILab identified psychological safety as the biggest differentiator between highly effective and less effective teams. Psychological safety is a general term for team members’ willingness to take interpersonal risk as they work together. Members of psychologically safe teams are more likely to feel included, accepted, respected, and to feel safe to take risks, to admit mistakes and to show vulnerability. What can you do to build psychological safety? Include each team member in social activities, such as lunch or ping pong, especially when he or she is not part of the ‘in crowd’. In meetings, formal or informal, make sure they feel invited to contribute. Accept others for who they are, even when there are things about them that you may not like. Keep in mind that they are people — not just co-workers who are instrumental in getting your job done. Listen to what your team member has to say and make sure you’re on the same page; don’t simply wait for the end of their speech to continue your argument. Recognize the contribution of others - acknowledge their contribution. You’ll discover that sharing the pie of credit with others makes the pie larger. Show vulnerability and admit mistakes — recognizing your own imperfections and mistakes relieves you from the need to project the image of perfection. It also makes room for others to do the same. Make room for conflict — it is okay to strongly disagree. Having said that; focus on the conflicting ideas, not on the people who advocate them.
Travis wants to go back to school so he accepts a job at Google. On his first day he ends up getting on a bus to Apple, not Google. The rest of the story is about how introspection into ones own strengths and weaknesses can lead you to companies like Google. Music produced by Morqix: https://soundcloud.com/morqix/body-symmetry-chakra-collab
Trav tells Los about the importance of recognizing your Unconscious Bias, and ways that we can overcome the negative aspects of it.
Three Pillars of Creation = Experience + Trends + Intuition Experience There really is no substitute for experience. It is a hard-won reference for everything that we do. In fact, every new thing that we learn is born from the womb of our experience. It colors everything we know and do, and there is no way around that. 90% of the email answers I give are to “just make stuff” What we all need is more experience, and the only way to get that is to just do it. Trends Trends are an important ingredient in the recipe of creation. Through being aware of trends we have the ability borrow against the collective knowledge and insight of the rest of the world. If a piece of knowledge is solid enough to make it into the general lexicon, we can cautiously assume that the idea has been tested and tried and remains sound overall. Having said that, be weary of trends. Things are not always popular because they are good ideas. Use your experience and intuition to validate trends. Doing something just because everyone else is, is never a good idea. Have a reason. Always. Intuition As new parents in the hospital, my wife and I franticly asked the nurses and doctors about every little detail of infant care. I was so freaked out by this little pink batch of skin and bone that was now my responsibility. Eventually the response came to be “Listen, calm down. Just trust your instincts, you’ll be alright.” Human intuition is a powerful thing, often when we are creating we make a choice simply because it feels right. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of having to explain a choice that you made because it just made sense. And now that you are using language to explain it, you see how really brilliant you were in making it. Those are fun moments. Conclusion Understanding these pillars – these input sources of creation – will better help us to demystify the act of creation itself. To be a successful creator in the long run we must ever be gathering experience, observing trends, and trusting our intuition.
Show Links:https://www.youtube.com/littlemusicboxeshttps://www.losmontoya.comhttps://travandlos.webflow.iohttps://onezero.medium.com/being-indistractable-will-be-the-skill-of-the-future-a07780cf36f4https://www.instagram.com/littlemusicboxes/Intro:Welcome to the Late Nights with Trav and Los Season 3 Premier and Finale!I’m Los, your host tonight and Tav is joining us as the listener proxy.Discussion Points:* Catch Up* Los* Company was acquired via a merger with a company called Twenty* Our goal is to enable and enrich experiences by bringing people together in real life.* Building out Los Montoya Design Co on the side* Trav* Little Music Boxes* Topic* Nir Eyal* Nir Eyal is the bestselling author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, which drew on his years of experience in the video gaming and advertising industries. He has taught courses on applied consumer psychology at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and at Fortune 500 companies. His writing on technology, psychology and business appears in the Harvard Business Review, the Atlantic, TechCrunch and Psychology Today.* I want to more specifically talk about the thesis that “Being Indisctractable will be the skill of the future” around his forthcoming book “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.”* This is interesting to me and want to expand on it with you for two reasons:* 1. We’ve talked about focus a bit in the previous seasons and* 2. Out of anyone I know, you continue to demonstrate how “indistractable” you can get and accomplish some pretty rad creative endeavors.* Distractions are the name of the game right now:* Pings* Knocks* Emails* Text Messages* Social Media* in a sense, our devices have “hijacked” our brains and it’s harder to disconnect from work in this interconnected world.* Distractions aren’t your fault, but they are your responsibility. So, how do we equip ourselves to manage these distractions?* So, what’s a distraction?* It’s something that draws us away from what we want to do, whether it’s to accomplish a task at home or work, enjoy time with a loved one, or do something for ourselves.* Distractions can become habits and we may be unable to sustain the focus required for creativity in our professional and personal lives.* We are inundated by digital distractions.* On the opposite side, we have Traction. Which is any action that moves us towards what we want. Actions done with intent. Traction is doing what you say you will do.* So, what prompts us to “traction” or “distraction”?* External triggers* Cues from our environment that tell us what to do* Internal triggers* Cues that come from within* How?* We are going to walk through and discuss these points from the medium post. They are well worded and actionable:1. Master Internal Triggers2. Make time for tractionPICK YOUR VALUES!!!!3. Hack back External Triggers4. Prevent distraction with pactsConclusion:The world is split into two types of people: those who allow their attention and their lives to be manipulated by others, and those who proudly call themselves indistractable.
Hello, this is Travis. Los has been roaming around in the Utah desert for a few months, And I'm alone in a hotel room in New york, trying to force myself to edit this podcast that I've been putting off for too long. This is a particularly hard episode to make. I'm guessing you've read the title, so you know what I'm talking about. In this episode Los and I agree to end the podcast. It's officially over. In this episode you'll hear me dance around the topic for a while and finally work up the courage to suggest we end. It's kind of funny, it's mostly sad, but also joyful. Los and I are going to talk about some of the standout highlights of making late nights for the past few years, and give short updates about what is going on in our lives. I like it. I think it's a good episode. You know, it kind of reminds me of this thing Los and I would always tell each other when making content like this; we would say "End strong" – just end strong. It's okay if you loose your place or stumble around in the middle, just make sure to end on a high point. — And I think we do that here. I think this is a beautiful expression of what in my mind was always the best thing about this podcast: that Los and I love each other. I think that comes through —strongly.
Trav and Los talk about the value of being able to doubt your assumptions and provide a little test that you can use to determine if your assumptions are based on good values. Ultimately, they conclude that if your assumptions are asking other people to change, they may not be productive assumptions.
Trav and Los talk about meeting new people and making deep connections quickly. Download the questions we used as conversation prompts when we led the first night at Epicurrence this year. See the list of questions here: https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Speed-meeting-prompts-with-Trav-Los-aFWCavu40GtqXOb6f3kyH
Los recently switched employers and Travis wants to know how to make the best impression at a new job. This is actually a good episode, lol.
In this episode we take a look at how the ethos of "Minimum Viable Product" has been lost in translation. We break it down, unpack it, and talk to the spirit of what once was the MVP.
In this episode, we unravel a thread of an idea and watch it unravel into a fantastic walkthrough from Travis around some potential actions we could take to get started as a public speaker.
Trav tells Los about meeting a designer who took a stand for what he believes in.
Trav gives a live presentation in front of a small group about lessons learned after three years of podcasting. Thank you to invisibletalks.com for putting the event together!
In this episode we talk to Alex Tran about being a Junior Designer and his journey into design
Trav and Aidan talk about the art of podcasting and how Aiden thinks about the work he is currently involved in.
Trav sits down with Aidan Simpson to talk about how his life experiences contribute to the creative work that he does today.
Travis talks with Chas about trying to balance pleasure and purpose to find happiness
In this episode Trav and Los talk about Craft & Launching & Balance & Dark UX Patterns Episode Sponsor: http://bit.ly/FreshBooks001
In this episode Trav and Los brand the podcast network and give it a name in about 30 minutes. Episode Sponsor: http://bit.ly/FreshBooks001
Trav and Los ponder the difference between struggling for something, and struggling with something. They arrive at an important realization that "it's the time in line, not the ride, that matters." Episode Sponsor: http://bit.ly/FreshBooks001
Travis talks to Los about what it means to really appreciate life. They realize that it's the everyday mundane that is the part that that we really need to value. Episode Sponsor: http://bit.ly/FreshBooks001
In this episode Trav and Los talk to Lumen and Pablo about starting a podcast network and what that would look like. Episode Sponsor: http://bit.ly/FreshBooks001 Diseño Cha Cha Cha: https://www.disenochachacha.com/
Trav and Los try and seduce two new design podcasters New Podcast!: https://www.disenochachacha.com/ Music: https://soundcloud.com/chrldltn/cumbia-sobre-el-mar-quantic
Travis is mad because adulthood has no map, and pre-pubescence does.
We invite Helen Tran, Chas Barton, and Kunal Patel to gather around a table and try to answer some really difficult questions with real honesty.
We invite Helen Tran, Chas Barton, and Kunal Patel to gather around a table and try to answer some really difficult questions with real honesty.
Stages of Group Development The idea behind this was developed in 1965 by a man named Bruce Tuckman He identified 4 stages at first. Fifth was added later. Forming Represents a time, just coming together Anxiety and uncertainty want to be accepted conflict controversy personal opinions are avoided the point and focus for group members during this stage is to become familiar with each other and their purpose, not on work. Understanding of the group’s purpose determining how the team will be organized discussion of major milestones outlining general group rules discovery of what resources will be available for the group Storming conflict and competition are at its greatest they start to feel confident begin to address some of the more important issues surrounding the group group’s tasks individual roles and responsibilites group members the more dominant group members emerege less-confrontational suppress feelings all members have an increased need for clarification not many groups are able to move forward they need clarity Norming Group becomes a cohesive unit, morale is high sense of community is established remain focus on groups purpose or goal members are flexible, interdependent and trust each other. Leadership is shared, and members are willing to adapt to the needs of the group information flows seamlessly and is inhabited due to the sense of security members feel in the norming stage Performing This is the peak of the group this is marked by high productivity group members are unified, loyal and supportive. competence in all members is seen, allowing for a high level of autonomy in decision making. the overall objective of the group in this stage is to complete their mission and fulfill their purpose through goal achievement Adjourning once goals and objectives have been achieved at this point it’s important to achieve closure for the group on a positive note important to recognize the group members for their accomplishments and celebrate the group’s overall success
If you could give your younger self one piece of advise, what would it be?
Trav tells Los about the five languages of love and how we can use this paradigm to communicate more effectively with everyone around us.
In this episode Trav talks about the way he likes to think through problems in groups and Los introduces the idea that some people are "Talk to Think" and other are "Think to Talk". A can't miss episode.
In this episode Los walks us through some of the ideas to keep in mind when starting a podcast. Outro music: https://soundcloud.com/dancewiththedead/around-the-world-dance-with-the-dead-remix Podcasting: Late nights get started guide How to get started Is it solo or with a friend? Interview style? Story telling? Is it live or asynchronous? The Gear Microphone Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid (3) Amazon.com: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid: Musical Instruments In-person recording Zoom H6 6-track portable recorder (1) Amazon.com: Zoom H6 Six-Track Portable Recorder: Musical Instruments Clean audio gain Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 (1) Amazon.com: Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1: Musical Instruments Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 (1) https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-2-Cloudlifter/dp/B002WZK3BC/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1480529314&sr=1-4&keywords=cloud+microphones+cloudlifter+cl-1 Audio interace Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (1) Amazon.com: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First: Musical Instruments Microphone Mount Because I travel with my set up, I use the RODE boom arms. RODE PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm (3) https://www.amazon.com/RODE-Swivel-Mount-Studio-Microphone/dp/B001D7UYBO/ref=pd_bxgy_267_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0AN5W5CWH0YCMNTHP582 Microphone pop filter Dragonpad USA Pop filter Studio Microphone Mic Wind Screen Pop Filter (3) Amazon.com: Dragonpad USA Pop filter Studio Microphone Mic Wind Screen Pop Filter: Musical Instruments XLR Cables Mogami Gold Studio 03 XLR to XLR Quad Conductor Patch Cable 3 feet (6) https://www.amazon.com/Mogami-Gold-Studio-03-Conductor/dp/B0002E1P2G/ref=pd_sim_267_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SD37MW4EJT28697PBYCZ Mobile carrying case Everything but the Audio Interface fits in this case. I use a Fender bass case and took out all of the dividers inside to make room for the gear. Fender Deluxe Case for Precision Bass - Black (1) https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Deluxe-Case-Precision-Bass/dp/B0002L0458/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480530098&sr=8-6&keywords=fender+bass+guitar+case The Software Hindenburg Audio Garage band Auphonic
In this episode, Los walks us through the Future of Late Nights With Trav and Los. Intro & Outro music: Daniel Deluxe - Star Eater https://soundcloud.com/nrwrecords/daniel-deluxe-star-eater
##Morqix: https://soundcloud.com/morqix ##Desperate Measures release date March 15, 2017 on PhutureCollective: https://soundcloud.com/phuturecollective/sets Welcome to another Late Nights with Trav and Los, I’m your host Los Montoya. The episode you are listening to is the second episode of our new segment called; Undiiscovered. A show dedicated to bringing you the raw sounds of new and emerging musicians. In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt McDonald who produces under the moniker of Morqix. Born in Germany and raised in Northern Virginia, Morqix is an indie electronic producer living in Austin, TX. Starting in early 2016, Morqix is already making major headway in the electronic music scene, with his first few releases landing him upwards of 300k listeners and featured on blogs and channels like Suicide Sheep, Beautiful Buzzz, Run the Trap, High Clouds and Acid Stag, to name a few. Morqix has an insatiable hunger to create upbeat feel good music while testing the bounds of his favorite genres. His love and knowledge of all things music has allowed him to create songs which unapologetically bridge genres, blending lush future bass sounds with trap, dubstep, hip-hop, jazz and funk vibes for good measure. The end result is a sound which refuses to be categorized, and finds a home with music lovers of all backgrounds. We get the privilege of getting a pre-release exclusive and interview for his latest track Desperate Measures.
Los talks about the major changes he's made in his life that have resulted in greater creative output and higher satisfaction.
Trav tells Los about the word he is trying to avoid using, enabling him to have more honest and specific conversations.
Welcome to another Late Nights with Trav and Los, I’m your host Los Montoya. My other half, Trav, has been out of the country with work. In this episode, I introduce you to a new show that I’m producing and hosting. The new segment is called Undiiscovered, a show dedicated to bringing you the raw sounds of new and emerging musicians. For the first episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing and taping a live performance with John Henry’s Farm, an ol' timey fingerpicking funky blues band. To listen to more music from John Henry's Farm, and to support them go to: https://tradiio.com/john-henrys-farm or https://johnhenrysfarm.bandcamp.com/ You can also find on on itunes: https://itun.es/us/mnoiA and on cdbaby: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnhenrysfarm2
Mai Tran joins Travis to talk about how to turn your portfolio into a pitch deck that wins work. Mai's instagram Mai's Medium Mai's Facebook Music by MRSJXN
Travis shares a way to look at some types of problems – think of them as a funnel! Inspired by Jack Conte's video "Everything is a funnel" Watch the Video
We play a game, then talk about being unstoppable. Music: https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie/hit-the-gas-1 https://soundcloud.com/sweaters/drop-the-game-sweater-beats-remix
After not recording in the same place for a month, we are back and have a chat. Music: https://soundcloud.com/dyallas/still-there https://soundcloud.com/dubdogzdownloads/heathens YOU ARE ALL AWESOME! THANKS FOR LISTENING :)
Los and Trav leave messages for each other over the holidays.
Trav chats with guest host John Eze about ways that we can use our creativity to give more of ourselves. About Jeremy's work > jeremycowart.com
How to meet someone new (and make them like you) Smile Be inquisitive, ask thoughtful questions body language, mirroring Be open to peoples POV What are your Goals when meeting someone new?
If you want to be seen as relevant, you have to start now to collect the evidence that tells the story of the things you do, the value that you bring. You need Objective Evidence 1. Track Impact Track metrics that will allow you to show the impact you bring. (The changes you made increased click-through by X%, increasing revenue by Y.) Cross team impact. /you built a tool or library that streamlined others work, increasing their efficiencies./ 2. Document difficulty Before starting a long-term task, write a design doc or project plan discussing different possible approaches, and get feedback on it. Docs written after the fact are obvious to spot, rather than real evidence of difficulty. Capture the inherent difficulties in diagrams and tables for quick review. Make sure the docs have your name on them! Ensure your bugs and changelists clearly show the difficulties and design trade-offs. 3. Exhibit leadership Interact with and help guide other teams. Give internal or external talks. Meet with outside vendors. Write “getting started” guides. Find ways to share your expertise. Propose new ideas or build a proof-of-concept system, and get buy-in from stakeholders. Evangelize best practices. Mentor junior team members. Host interns. Volunteer for work that benefits everyone
In episode 100, Los is your host and talks about staying relevant as a designer. Also, he makes it a little special too :) Music by Polo & Pan : https://soundcloud.com/polo-pan
Los is back as the host for the episode and he recounts a recent experience with professional complacency.
We are back with Shea. We talk about how his associates are helping him to grow into his new position. We talk about the journey of self discovery; what and how someone should go about improving themselves.
Entrepreneur, designer, young gun – Shea Lewis joins us at the table to talk about growing up, finding yourself and learning from others.
In our second episode with Helen Tran, we discover and expand on her journey to becoming a professional creative. Some links: www.helentran.com https://twitter.com/tranhelen intro music: https://soundcloud.com/dyallas/shes-right-here outro music: https://soundcloud.com/autografmusic/team design conference: www.epicurrence.com epicurrence video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNHzaOzDrHs&feature=youtu.be
In this episode, Trav and Los venture to Moab, UT for a design conference called Epicurrence. We meet the wonderful Helen Tran and instantly knew we had to invite her onto the podcast. Some links: www.helentran.com https://twitter.com/tranhelen episode music: https://soundcloud.com/fresh_edm/wild-wild-west-by-filibusta design conference: www.epicurrence.com
We had an awesome opportunity to share the recording of this episode with a live audience along with a guest, the talented designer Jamie Leach. AIGA hosted a meet up and we had a great time, met some fantastic people. This is the second of a two part recording. The title of this 2 part series is “Designing your authentic self” this second episode focuses on finding your unique voice in your craft.
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