Podcast appearances and mentions of jeffrey madoff

What does true wealth look like beyond bank accounts and net worth? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore generational wealth, the pitfalls of financial success without purpose, and why relationships, time freedom, and fulfillment matter more than money. Learn how entrepreneurs can build lasting value—without losing themselves in the process. Show Notes: Wealth isn't just net worth—it's the freedom to focus on what matters most, without financial constraints. An entrepreneur can pass on the results of their talent, but they can't pass on their talent itself. The wealthiest 20% rarely stay in that bracket for long. True sustainability requires reinvention, not just inheritance. The distance between "rich" and "poor" isn't a gap—it's a ladder with multiple rungs, and movement happens in both directions. Taxes don't just redistribute wealth; they reveal how fragile financial success can be without strategy. Generational wealth often persists due to lawyers and accountants, not the achievements of descendants. Once you've maxed out what your efforts can bring you, you have to multiply your income by working less. It might seem counterintuitive, but you can spend your time doing only what you love doing and find people who love doing the rest. True confidence in business comes from pricing boldly—charge what scares you, plus 20%—and eliminating "maybes." Wealth without relationships, purpose, or peace is poverty in disguise  Resources: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel You Are Not A Computer by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Jeffrey Madoff is, as you will discover, quite a fascinating and engaging person. Jeff is quite the creative entrepreneur as this episode's title says. But he really is so much more.   He tells us that he came by his entrepreneurial spirit and mindset honestly. His parents were both entrepreneurs and passed their attitude onto him and his older sister. Even Jeffrey's children have their own businesses.   There is, however, so much more to Jeffrey Madoff. He has written a book and is working on another one. He also has created a play based on the life of Lloyd Price. Who is Lloyd Price? Listen and find out. Clue, the name of the play is “Personality”. Jeff's next book, “Casting Not Hiring”, with Dan Sullivan, is about the transformational power of theater and how you can build a company based on the principles of theater. It will be published by Hay House and available in November of this year.   My conversation with Jeff is a far ranging as you can imagine. We talk about everything from the meaning of Creativity to Imposture's Syndrome. I always tell my guests that Unstoppable Mindset is not a podcast to interview people, but instead I want to have real conversations. I really got my wish with Jeff Madoff. I hope you like listening to this episode as much as I liked being involved in it.       About the Guest:   Jeffrey Madoff's career straddles the creative and business side of the arts. He has been a successful entrepreneur in fashion design and film, and as an author, playwright, producer, and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design. He created and taught a course for sixteen years called “Creative Careers Making A Living With Your Ideas”, which led to a bestselling book of the same name . Madoff has been a keynote speaker at Princeton, Wharton, NYU and Yale where he curated and moderated a series of panels entitled "Reframing The Arts As Entrepreneurship”. His play “Personality” was a critical and audience success in it's commercial runs at People's Light Theater in Pennsylvania and in Chicago and currently waiting for a theater on The West End in London.   Madoff's next book, “Casting Not Hiring”, with Dan Sullivan, is about the transformational power of theater and how you can build a company based on the principles of theater. It will be published by Hay House and available in November of this year. Ways to connect Jeffrey:   company website: www.madoffproductions.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-jeffrey-madoff-5baa8074/ www.acreativecareer.com Instagram: @acreativecareer   About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Well, hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of unstoppable mindset. We're glad to have you on board with us, wherever you happen to be. Hope the day is going well for you. Our guest today is Jeffrey Madoff, who is an a very creative kind of person. He has done a number of things in the entrepreneurial world. He has dealt with a lot of things regarding the creative side of the arts. He's written plays. He taught a course for 16 years, and he'll tell us about that. He's been a speaker in a variety of places. And I'm not going to go into all of that, because I think it'll be more fun if Jeffrey does it. So welcome to unstoppable mindset. We are really glad you're here and looking forward to having an hour of fun. And you know, as I mentioned to you once before, the only rule on the podcast is we both have to have fun, or it's not worth doing, right? So here   Jeffrey Madoff ** 02:13 we are. Well, thanks for having me on. Michael, well, we're really glad   Michael Hingson ** 02:17 you're here. Why don't we start as I love to do tell us kind of about the early Jeffrey growing up, and you know how you got where you are, a little bit or whatever.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 02:28 Well, I was born in Akron, Ohio, which at that time was the rubber capital of the world. Ah, so that might explain some of my bounce and resilience. There   Michael Hingson ** 02:40 you go. I was in Sandusky, Ohio last weekend, nice and cold, or last week,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 02:44 yeah, I remember you were, you were going to be heading there. And, you know, Ohio, Akron, which is in northern Ohio, was a great place to grow up and then leave, you know, so my my childhood. I have many, many friends from my childhood, some who still live there. So it's actually I always enjoy going back, which doesn't happen all that often anymore, you know, because certain chapters in one's life close, like you know, when my when my parents died, there wasn't as much reason to go back, and because the friends that I had there preferred to come to New York rather than me go to Akron. But, you know, Akron was a great place to live, and I'm very fortunate. I think what makes a great place a great place is the people you meet, the experiences you have. Mm, hmm, and I met a lot of really good people, and I was very close with my parents, who were entrepreneurs. My mom and dad both were so I come by that aspect of my life very honestly, because they modeled the behavior. And I have an older sister, and she's also an entrepreneur, so I think that's part of the genetic code of our family is doing that. And actually, both of my kids have their own business, and my wife was entrepreneurial. So some of those things just carry forward, because it's kind of what, you know, what did your parents do? My parents were independent retailers, and so they started by working in other stores, and then gradually, both of them, who were also very independent people, you know, started, started their own store, and then when they got married, they opened one together, and it was Women's and Children's retail clothing. And so I learned, I learned a lot from my folks, mainly from the. Behavior that I saw growing up. I don't think you can really lecture kids and teach them anything, yeah, but you can be a very powerful teacher through example, both bad and good. Fortunately, my parents were good examples. I think   Michael Hingson ** 05:14 that kids really are a whole lot more perceptive than than people think sometimes, and you're absolutely right, lecturing them and telling them things, especially when you go off and do something different than you tell them to do, never works. They're going to see right through it.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 05:31 That's right. That's right. And you know, my kids are very bright, and there was never anything we couldn't talk about. And I had that same thing with my parents, you know, particularly my dad. But I had the same thing with both my parents. There was just this kind of understanding that community, open communication is the best communication and dealing with things as they came up was the best way to deal with things. And so it was, it was, it was really good, because my kids are the same way. You know, there was always discussions and questioning. And to this day, and I have twins, I have a boy and girl that are 31 years old and very I'm very proud of them and the people that they have become, and are still becoming,   Michael Hingson ** 06:31 well and still becoming is really the operative part of that. I think we all should constantly be learning, and we should, should never decide we've learned all there is to learn, because that won't happen. There's always something new,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 06:44 and that's really what's fun. I think that you know for creativity and life at large, that constant curiosity and learning is fuel that keeps things moving forward, and can kindle the flame that lights up into inspiration, whether you're writing a book or a song or whatever it is, whatever expression one may have, I think that's where it originates. Is curiosity. You're trying to answer a question or solve a problem or something. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 07:20 and sometimes you're not, and it's just a matter of doing. And it doesn't always have to be some agenda somewhere, but it's good to just be able to continue to grow. And all too often, we get so locked into agendas that we don't look at the rest of the world around us.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 07:41 I Well, I would say the the agenda in and of itself, staying curious, I guess an overarching part of my agenda, but it's not to try to get something from somebody else, right, other than knowledge, right? And so I guess I do have an agenda in that. That's what I find interesting.   Michael Hingson ** 08:02 I can accept that that makes sense.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 08:06 Well, maybe one of the few things I say that does so thank you.   Michael Hingson ** 08:10 I wasn't even thinking of that as an agenda, but just a way of life. But I hear what you're saying. It makes sense. Oh, there are   Jeffrey Madoff ** 08:17 people that I've certainly met you may have, and your listeners may have, also that there always is some kind of, I wouldn't call it agenda, a transactional aspect to what they're doing. And that transactional aspect one could call an agenda, which isn't about mutual interest, it's more what I can get and or what I can sell you, or what I can convince you of, or whatever. And I to me, it's the the process is what's so interesting, the process of questioning, the process of learning, the process of expressing, all of those things I think are very powerful, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 09:03 yeah, I hear what you're saying. So for you, you were an Akron did you go to college there? Or what did you do after high school? So   Jeffrey Madoff ** 09:11 after high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin, ah, Madison, which is a fantastic place. That's right, badgers, that's right. And, and what really cinched the deal was when I went to visit the school. I mean, it was so different when I was a kid, because, you know, nowadays, the kids that my kids grew up with, you know, the parents would visit 18 schools, and they would, you know, they would, they would file for admission to 15 schools. And I did one in my parents. I said to them, can I take the car? I want to go check out the University. I was actually looking at Northwestern and the University of Wisconsin. And. And I was in Evanston, where Northwestern is located. I didn't see any kids around, and, you know, I had my parents car, and I finally saw a group of kids, and I said, where is everybody? I said, Well, it's exam week. Everybody's in studying. Oh, I rolled up the window, and without getting out of the car, continued on to Madison. And when I got to Madison, I was meeting somebody behind the Student Union. And my favorite band at that time, which was the Paul Butterfield blues band, was giving a free concert. So I went behind the Student Union, and it's a beautiful, idyllic place, lakes and sailboats and just really gorgeous. And my favorite band is giving a free concert. So decision made, I'm going University of Wisconsin, and it was a great place.   Michael Hingson ** 10:51 I remember when I was looking at colleges. We got several letters. Got I wanted to major in physics. I was always science oriented. Got a letter from Dartmouth saying you ought to consider applying, and got some other letters. We looked at some catalogs, and I don't even remember how the subject came up, but we discovered this University California campus, University California at Irvine, and it was a new campus, and that attracted me, because although physically, it was very large, there were only a few buildings on it. The total population of undergraduates was 2700 students, not that way today, but it was back when I went there, and that attracted me. So we reached out to the chair of the physics department, whose name we got out of the catalog, and asked Dr Ford if we could come and meet with him and see if he thought it would be a good fit. And it was over the summer between my junior and senior year, and we went down, and we chatted with him for about an hour, and he he talked a little physics to me and asked a few questions, and I answered them, and he said, you know, you would do great here. You should apply. And I did, and I was accepted, and that was it, and I've never regretted that. And I actually went all the way through and got my master's degree staying at UC Irvine, because it was a great campus. There were some professors who weren't overly teaching oriented, because they were so you research oriented, but mostly the teachers were pretty good, and we had a lot of fun, and there were a lot of good other activities, like I worked with the campus radio station and so on. So I hear what you're saying, and it's the things that attract you to a campus. Those count. Oh,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 12:35 yeah. I mean, because what can you really do on a visit? You know, it's like kicking the tires of a car, right? You know? Does it feel right? Is there something that I mean, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you do meet a faculty member or someone that you really connect with, and that causes you to really like the place, but you don't really know until you're kind of there, right? And Madison ended up being a wonderful choice. I loved it. I had a double major in philosophy and psychology. You know, my my reasoning being, what two things do I find really interesting that there is no path to making a good income from Oh, philosophy and psychology. That works   Michael Hingson ** 13:22 well you possibly can from psychology, but philosophy, not hardly   Jeffrey Madoff ** 13:26 No, no. But, you know, the thing that was so great about it, going back to the term we used earlier, curiosity in the fuel, what I loved about both, you know, philosophy and psychology used to be cross listed. They were this under the same heading. It was in 1932 when the Encyclopedia Britannica approached Sigmund Freud to write a separate entry for psychology, and that was the first time the two disciplines, philosophy and psychology, were split apart, and Freud wrote that entry, and forever since, it became its own discipline, but the questions that one asks, or the questions that are posed in Both philosophy and psychology, I still, to this day, find fascinating. And, you know, thinking about thinking and how you think about things, I always find very, very interesting.   Michael Hingson ** 14:33 Yeah, and the whole, the whole process, how do you get from here to there? How do you deal with anything that comes up, whether it's a challenge or just fulfilling the life choices that you make and so on. And philosophy and psychology, in a sense, I think, really are significantly different, but they're both very much thinking oriented.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 14:57 Oh, absolutely, it. And you know, philosophy means study of life, right? What psychology is, yeah, so I understand why they were bonded, and now, you know, understand why they also separated. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 15:15 I'll have to go look up what Freud said. I have never read that, but I will go find it. I'm curious. Yeah,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 15:23 it's it's so interesting. It's so interesting to me, because whether you believe in Freud or not, you if you are knowledgeable at all, the impact that he had on the world to this day is staggeringly significant. Yeah, because nobody was at posing those questions before, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 15:46 yeah. And there's, there's no doubt that that he has had a major contribution to a lot of things regarding life, and you're right, whether you buy into the view that he had of a lot of things isn't, isn't really the issue, but it still is that he had a lot of relevant and interesting things to say, and he helps people think that's right, that's right. Well, so what did you do? So you had a double major? Did you go on and do any advanced degree work? No,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 16:17 you know it was interesting because I had thought about it because I liked philosophy so much. And I approached this professor who was very noted, Ivan Saul, who was one of the world Hegelian scholars, and I approached him to be my advisor. And he said, Why do you want me to be your advisor? And I said, because you're one of the most published and respected authors on that subject. And if I'm going to have an advisor, I might as well go for the person that might help me the most and mean the most if I apply to graduate schools. So I did in that case certainly had an agenda. Yeah, and, and he said, you know, Jeff, I just got back from the world Hegelian conference in Munich, and I found it very depressing as and he just paused, and I said, why'd you find it depressing? And he said, Well, there's only one or two other people in the world that I can speak to about Hegel. And I said, Well, maybe you want to choose a different topic so you can make more friends. That depressing. That doesn't sound like it's a mix, you know, good fit for life, right? But so I didn't continue to graduate studies. I took graduate courses. I started graduate courses the second semester of my sophomore year. But I thought, I don't know. I don't want to, I don't want to gain this knowledge that the only thing I can do is pass it on to others. It's kind of like breathing stale air or leaving the windows shut. I wanted to be in a world where there was an idea exchange, which I thought would be a lot more interesting. Yeah. And so there was a brief period where I thought I would get a doctorate and do that, and I love teaching, but I never wanted to. That's not what I wanted to pursue for those reasons.   Michael Hingson ** 18:35 So what did you end up doing then, once you got   Jeffrey Madoff ** 18:37 out of college? Well, there was a must have done something I did. And there's a little boutique, and in Madison that I did the buying for. And it was this very hip little clothing store. And Madison, because it was a big campus, you know, in the major rock bands would tour, they would come into the store because we had unusual things that I would find in New York, you know, when I was doing the buying for it, and I get a phone call from a friend of mine, a kid that I grew up with, and he was a year older, he had graduated school a year before me, and he said, Can you think of a gig that would earn more than bank interest? You know, I've saved up this money. Can you think of anything? And I said, Well, I see what we design. I mean, I see what we sell, and I could always draw. So I felt like I could design. I said, I'll start a clothing company. And Michael, I had not a clue in terms of what I was committing myself to. I was very naive, but not stupid. You know, was ignorant, but not stupid. And different. The difference between being ignorant and being stupid is ignorant. You can. Learn stupids forever, yeah, and that started me on this learning lesson, an entrepreneurial learning lesson, and there was, you know, quite formative for me. And the company was doubling in size every four months, every three months, and it was getting pretty big pretty quick. And you know, I was flying by the seat of my pants. I didn't really know what I was doing, but what I discovered is I had, you know, saleable taste. And I mean, when I was working in this store, I got some of the sewers who did the alterations to make some of my drawings, and I cut apart a shirt that I liked the way it fit, so I could see what the pieces are, and kind of figure out how this all worked. So but when I would go to a store and I would see fabric on the bolt, meaning it hadn't been made into anything, I was so naive. I thought that was wholesale, you know, which it wasn't and but I learned quickly, because it was like you learn quickly, or you go off the edge of a cliff, you go out of business. So it taught me a lot of things. And you know the title of your podcast, the unstoppable, that's part of what you learn in business. If you're going to survive, you've gotta be resilient enough to get up, because you're going to get knocked down. You have to persevere, because there are people that are going to that you're competing with, and there are things that are things that are going to happen that are going to make you want to give up, but that perseverance, that resilience, I think probably creativity, is third. I think it's a close call between perseverance and resilience, because those are really important criteria for a personality profile to have if you're going to succeed in business as an entrepreneur.   Michael Hingson ** 22:05 You know, Einstein once said, or at least he's credited with saying, that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, right and and the reality is that good, resilient. People will look at things that didn't go right, and if they really look at them, they'll go, I didn't fail. Yeah, maybe I didn't go right. I may have made a mistake, or something wasn't quite right. What do I do to fix it so that the next time, we won't have the same problem? And I think that's so important. I wrote my book last year, live like a guide dog, true stories from a blind man and his dogs about being brave, overcoming adversity and moving forward in faith. And it's all about learning to control fear, but it's also all about learning from dogs. I've had eight guide dogs, and my wife had a service dog, and it's all about learning from dogs and seeing why they live in an environment where we are and they feed off of us, if you will. But at the same time, what they don't do is fear like we do. They're open to trust, and we tend not to be because we worry about so many things, rather than just looking at the world and just dealing with our part of it. So it is, it is interesting to to hear you talk about resilience. I think you're absolutely right that resilience is extremely important. Perseverance is important, and they do go together, but you you have to analyze what it is that makes you resilient, or what it is that you need to do to keep being resilient.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 23:48 Well, you're right. And one of the questions that you alluded to the course that I taught for 16 years at Parsons School of Design, which was my course, was called creative careers, making a living with your ideas. And I would ask the students, how many of you are afraid of failing? And probably more than three quarters of the class, their hands went up, and I said to them, you know, if that fear stops you, you'll never do anything interesting, because creativity, true creativity, by necessity, takes you up to and beyond the boundaries. And so it's not going to be always embraced. And you know, failure, I think everyone has to define it for themselves. But I think failure, to me, is and you hear that, you know, failure is a great way to learn. I mean, it's a way. To learn, but it's never not painful, you know, and it, but it is a way to learn if you're paying attention and if you are open to that notion, which I am and was, because, you know, that kind of risk is a necessary part of creativity, going where you hadn't gone before, to try to find solutions that you hadn't done before, and seeing what works. And of course, there's going to be things that don't, but it's only failure if you stop doing what is important to you. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 25:39 well, I think you're absolutely right. And one of the things that I used to do and still do, but it started when I was working as program director of our radio station at UC Irvine, was I wanted people to hear what they sounded like on the radio, because I always listened to what I said, and I know it helped me, but getting the other radio personalities to listen to themselves was was well, like herding cats, it just wasn't doable. And what we finally did is we set up, I and the engineer of the radio station, set up a recorder in a locked cabinet, and whenever the board went on in the main studio, the microphone went on, it recorded. So we didn't need to worry about the music. All we wanted was what the people said, and then we would give people the cassettes. And one of the things that I started saying then, and I said it until, like about a year ago, was, you know, you're your own worst critic, if you can learn to grow from it, or if you can learn to see what's a problem and go on, then that's great. What I learned over the last year and thought about is I'm really not my own worst critic. I'm my own best teacher, because I'm the only one who can really teach me anything, and it's better to shape it in a positive way. So I am my own best teacher. And so I think you're right. If you really want to talk about the concept of failure, failure is when you won't get back up. Failure is when you won't do anything to learn and grow from whatever happens to you, even the good stuff. Could I have done it better? Those are all very important things to do.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 27:19 No, I agree. So why did you think it was important for them to hear their voice?   Michael Hingson ** 27:25 Because I wanted them to hear what everyone else heard. I wanted them to hear what they sounded like to their listeners. And the reality is, when we got them to do that, it was, I say it was incredible, but it wasn't a surprise to me how much better they got. And some of those people ended up going into radio broadcasting, going into other kinds of things, but they really learned to hear what everyone else heard. And they they learned how to talk better. They learn what they really needed to improve upon, or they learn what wasn't sounding very good to everyone else, and they changed their habits.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 28:13 Interesting, interesting. So, so part of that also helps them establish a certain on air identity. I would imagine finding their own voice, so to speak, right,   Michael Hingson ** 28:30 or finding a better voice than they than they had, and certainly a better voice than they thought they had. Well, they thought they had a good voice, and they realized maybe it could be better. And the ones who learned, and most of them really did learn from it, came out the better for it.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 28:49 So let me ask you a personal question. You have been sightless since birth? Is that correct?   Michael Hingson ** 28:56 Yeah, I've been blind since birth. And   Jeffrey Madoff ** 28:59 so on a certain level, I was trying to think about this the other night, and how can I phrase this? On a certain level, you don't know what you look like,   Michael Hingson ** 29:15 and from the standpoint of how you look at it, yeah, yeah.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 29:19 And so, so two, that's two questions. One is so many of us for good and bad, our identity has to do with visual first, how do you assess that new person?   Michael Hingson ** 29:39 I don't look at it from a visual standpoint as such. I look at it from all the other senses that I have and use, but I also listen to the person and see how we interact and react to. Each other, and from that, I can draw pretty good conclusions about what an individual is like, so that I can decide if that's a a lovely person, male or female, because I'm using lovely in the sense of it's the kind of person I want to know or not, and so I don't obviously look at it from a visual standpoint. And although I know Helen Keller did it some, I'm not into feeling faces. When I was in college, I tried to convince girls that they should let me teach them Braille, but they had no interest in me showing them Braille, so we didn't do that. I actually a friend of mine and I once went to a girls dorm, and we put up a sign. Wanted young female assistant to aid in scientific Braille research, but that didn't go anywhere either. So we didn't do it. But so Braille pickup. Oh, Braille pickup. On the other hand, I had my guide dog who was in in my current guide dog is just the same chick magnet right from the get go, but, but the the reality is that visual is, I think there's a lot to be said for beauty is only skin deep in a lot of ways. And I think that it's important that we go far beyond just what one person looks like. People ask me all the time, well, if you could see again, would you? Or if you could see, would you? And my response is, I don't need to. I think there's value in it. It is a sense. I think it would be a great adventure, but I'm not going to spend my life worrying about that. Blindness isn't what defines me, and what defines me is how I behave, how I am, how I learn and grow, and what I do to be a part of society and and hopefully help society. I think that's more important.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 31:53 You know, I agree with you, and it's it's also having been blind since birth. It's not like you had a you had an aspect that you lost for some reason, right?   Michael Hingson ** 32:04 But I know some people who became blind later in life, who attended centers where they could learn about what it was like to be blind and learn to be a blind person and and really adapted to that philosophy and continue to do what they did even before they lost their their eyesight, and were just as successful as they ever were, because it wasn't so much about having eyesight, although that is a challenge when you lose it, but it was more important to learn that you could find alternatives to do the same things that you did before. So   Jeffrey Madoff ** 32:41 if you ever have read Marvel Comics, and you know Daredevil has a heightened sense of a vision, or you know that certain things turn into a different advantage, is there that kind of in real life, compensatory heightened awareness of other senses.   Michael Hingson ** 33:08 And the answer is not directly. The answer is, if you choose to heighten those senses and learn to use them, then they can be a help. It's like SEAL Team Six, or Rangers, or whatever, they learn how to observe. And for them, observing goes far beyond just using their eyesight to be able to spot things, although they they certainly use that, but they have heightened all of their other senses because they've trained them and they've taught themselves how to use those senses. It's not an automatic process by any definition at all. It's not automatic. You have to learn to do it. There are some blind people who have, have learned to do that, and there are a number that have not. People have said, well, you know, could any blind person get out of the World Trade Center, and like you did, and my response is, it depends on the individual, not necessarily, because there's so many factors that go into it. If you are so afraid when something like the World Trade Center events happen that you become blinded by fear, then you're going to have a much harder time getting out than if you let fear be a guide and use it to heighten the senses that you have during the time that you need that to occur. And that's one of the things that live like a guide dog is all about, is teaching people to learn to control fear, so that in reality, they find they're much more effective, because when something happens, they don't expect they adopt and adapt to having a mindset that says, I can get through this, and fear is going to help.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 34:53 That's fascinating. So one I could go on in this direction, I'll ask you, one, one other. Question is, how would you describe your dreams?   Michael Hingson ** 35:08 Probably the same way you would, except for me, dreaming is primarily in audio and other interactions and not using eyesight. But at the same time, I understand what eyesight is about, because I've thought about it a lot, and I appreciate that the process is not something that I have, but I understand it, and I can talk about light and eyesight all day. I can I when I was when it was discovered that I was blind for the first several years, I did have some light perception. I never as such, really even could see shadows, but I had some light perception. But if I were to be asked, How would you describe what it's like to see light? I'm not sure how I would do that. It's like asking you tell me what it's like to see put it into words so that it makes me feel what you feel when you see. And it's not the excitement of seeing, but it's the sensation. How do you describe that sensation? Or how do you describe the sensation of hearing their their senses? But I've yet to really encounter someone who can put those into words that will draw you in. And I say that from the standpoint of having done literally hundreds or 1000s of speeches telling my story about being in the World Trade Center, and what I tell people today is we have a whole generation of people who have never experienced or had no memory of the World Trade Center, and we have another generation that saw it mainly from TV and pictures. So they their, their view of it was extremely small. And my job, when I speak is to literally bring them in the building and describe what is occurring to me in such a way that they're with me as we're going down the stairs. And I've learned how to do that, but describing to someone what it's like to see or to hear, I haven't found words that can truly do that yet. Oh,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 37:15 fascinating. Thank you.   Michael Hingson ** 37:20 Well, tell me about creativity. I mean, you do a lot of of things, obviously, with with creativity. So what is creativity?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 37:29 I think that creativity is the compelling need to express, and that can manifest in many, many, many different ways. You have that, you know, just it was fascinating here you talk about you, describing what happened in Twin Towers, you know. And so, I think, you know, you had a compelling need to process what was a historic and extraordinary event through that unique perception that you have, and taking the person, as you said, along with you on that journey, you know, down the stairs and out of the Building. I think it was what 78 stories or something, right? And so I think that creativity, in terms of a trait, is that it's a personality trait that has a compelling need to express in some way. And I think that there is no such thing as the lightning bolt that hits and all of a sudden you come up with the idea for the great novel, The great painting, the great dance, the great piece of music. We are taking in influences all the time and percolating those influences, and they may come out, in my case, hopefully they've come out in the play that I wrote, personality and because if it doesn't relate to anybody else, and you're only talking to yourself, that's you know, not, not. The goal, right? The play is to have an audience. The goal of your book is to have readers. And by the way, did your book come out in Braille?   Michael Hingson ** 39:31 Um, yeah, it, it is available in Braille. It's a bit. Actually, all three of my books are available in with their on demand. They can be produced in braille, and they're also available in audio formats as well. Great.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 39:43 That's great. So, yeah, I think that person, I think that creativity is it is a fascinating topic, because I think that when you're a kid, oftentimes you're told more often not. To do certain things than to do certain things. And I think that you know, when you're creative and you put your ideas out there at a very young age, you can learn shame. You know, people don't like what you do, or make fun of what you do, or they may like it, and it may be great, but if there's, you know, you're opened up to that risk of other people's judgment. And I think that people start retreating from that at a very young age. Could because of parents, could because of teachers, could because of their peer group, but they learn maybe in terms of what they think is emotional survival, although would never be articulated that way, at putting their stuff out there, they can be judged, and they don't like being judged, and that's a very uncomfortable place to be. So I think creativity is both an expression and a process.   Michael Hingson ** 40:59 Well, I'll and I think, I think you're right, and I think that it is, it is unfortunate all too often, as you said, how children are told don't do this or just do that, but don't do this, and no, very few people take the next logical step, which is to really help the child understand why they said that it isn't just don't. It should be. Why not? One of my favorite stories is about a student in school once and was taking a philosophy class. You'll probably have heard this, but he and his classmates went in for the final exam, and the instructor wrote one word on the board, which was why? And then everybody started to write. And they were writing furiously this. This student sat there for a couple of minutes, wrote something on a paper, took it up, handed it in, and left. And when the grades came out, he was the only one who got an A. And the reason is, is because what he put on his paper was, why not, you know, and, and that's very, very valid question to ask. But the reality is, if we really would do more to help people understand, we would be so much better off. But rather than just telling somebody what to do, it's important to understand why?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 42:22 Yeah, I remember when I was in I used to draw all the time, and my parents would bring home craft paper from the store that was used to wrap packets. And so they would bring me home big sheets I could do whatever I wanted on it, you know, and I would draw. And in school I would draw. And when art period happened once or twice a week, and the teacher would come in with her cart and I was drawing, that was when this was in, like, the middle 50s, and Davy Crockett was really a big deal, and I was drawing quite an intricate picture of the battle at the Alamo. And the teacher came over to me and said she wanted us to do crayon resist, which is, you know, they the watercolors won't go over the the crayon part because of the wax and the crayon. And so you would get a different thing that never looked good, no matter who did it, right? And so the teacher said to me, what are you doing? And I said, Well, I'm drawing. It's and she said, Why are you drawing? I said, Well, it's art class, isn't it? She said, No, I told you what to do. And I said, Yeah, but I wanted to do this. And she said, Well, you do what I tell you, where you sit there with your hands folded, and I sat there with my hands folded. You know I wasn't going to be cowed by her. And I've thought back on that story so often, because so often you get shut down. And when you get shut down in a strong way, and you're a kid, you don't want to tread on that land again. Yeah, you're afraid,   Michael Hingson ** 44:20 yeah. Yeah. And maybe there was a good reason that she wanted you to do what she wanted, but she should have taken the time to explain that right, right now, of course, my question is, since you did that drawing with the Alamo and so on, I'm presuming that Davy Crockett looked like Fess Parker, right? Just checking,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 44:42 yeah, yep, yeah. And my parents even got me a coon   Michael Hingson ** 44:47 skin hat. There you go, Daniel Boone and David Crockett and   Jeffrey Madoff ** 44:51 Davy Crockett and so there were two out there. Mine was actually a full coon skin cap with the tail. And other kids had it where the top of it was vinyl, and it had the Disney logo and a picture of Fess Parker. And I said, Now I don't want something, you know, and you are correct, you are correct. It was based on fess Barker. I think   Michael Hingson ** 45:17 I have, I had a coons kid cap, and I think I still do somewhere. I'm not quite sure where it is, but it was a real coonskin cap with a cake with a tail.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 45:26 And does your tail snap off? Um, no, yeah, mine. Mine did the worst thing about the coonskin cap, which I thought was pretty cool initially, when it rained, it was, you know, like you had some wet animal on your Well, yes, yeah, as you did, she did, yeah, animal on your head, right? Wasn't the most aromatic of the hub. No,   Michael Hingson ** 45:54 no, it's but Huh, you got to live with it. That's right. So what is the key to having great creative collaborations? I love collaborating when I wrote my original book, Thunder dog, and then running with Roselle, and then finally, live like a guide dog. I love the idea of collaborating, and I think it made all three of the books better than if it had just been me, or if I had just let someone else do it, because we're bringing two personalities into it and making the process meld our ideas together to create a stronger process.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 46:34 I completely agree with you, and collaboration, for instance, in my play personality, the director Sheldon apps is a fantastic collaborator, and as a result, has helped me to be a better writer, because he would issue other challenges, like, you know, what if we looked at it this way instead of that way? What if you gave that power, that that character, the power in that scene, rather than the Lloyd character? And I loved those kinds of challenges. And the key to a good collaboration is pretty simple, but it doesn't happen often enough. Number one is listening. You aren't going to have a good collaboration if you don't listen. If you just want to interrupt and shut the other person down and get your opinion out there and not listen, that's not going to be good. That's not going to bode well. And it's being open. So people need to know that they're heard. You can do that a number of ways. You can sort of repeat part of what they said, just so I want to understand. So you were saying that the Alamo situation, did you have Davy Crockett up there swinging the rifle, you know? So the collaboration, listening, respect for opinions that aren't yours. And you know, don't try to just defeat everything out of hand, because it's not your idea. And trust developing a trust with your collaborators, so that you have a clearly defined mission from the get go, to make whatever it is better, not just the expression of one person's will over another. And I think if you share that mission, share that goal, that the other person has earned your trust and vice versa, that you listen and acknowledge, then I think you can have great collaboration. And I've had a number of great collaborators. I think I'm a good collaborator because I sort of instinctively knew those things, and then working with Sheldon over these last few years made it even more so. And so that's what I think makes a really great collaboration.   Michael Hingson ** 49:03 So tell me about the play personality. What's it about? Or what can you tell us about it without giving the whole thing away?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 49:10 So have you ever heard of Lloyd Price?   Michael Hingson ** 49:14 The name is familiar. So that's   Jeffrey Madoff ** 49:16 the answer that I usually get is, I'm not really sure. Yeah, it's kind of familiar. And I said, Well, you don't, probably don't know his name, but I'll bet you know his music. And I then apologize in advance for my singing, you know, cause you've got walk, personality, talk, personality, smile, oh yeah, yeah. I love that song, you know. Yeah. Do you know that song once I did that, yes, yeah. So Lloyd was black. He grew up in Kenner, Louisiana. It was he was in a place where blacks were expected to know their place. And. And if it was raining and a white man passed, you'd have to step into a mud puddle to let them pass, rather than just working by each other. And he was it was a tough situation. This is back in the late 1930s and what Lloyd knew is that he wanted to get out of Kenner, and music could be his ticket. And the first thing that the Lloyd character says in the play is there's a big dance opening number, and first thing that his character says is, my mama wasn't a whore. My dad didn't leave us. I didn't learn how to sing in church, and I never did drugs. I want to get that out of the way up front. And I wanted to just blow up all the tropes, because that's who Lloyd was, yeah, and he didn't drink, he didn't learn how to sing in church. And, you know, there's sort of this baked in narrative, you know, then then drug abuse, and you then have redeemed yourself. Well, he wasn't like that. He was entrepreneurial. He was the first. He was the it was really interesting at the time of his first record, 1952 when he recorded Lottie, Miss Claudia, which has been covered by Elvis and the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen and on and on. There's like 370 covers of it. If you wanted to buy a record by a black artist, you had to go to a black owned record store. His records couldn't get on a jukebox if it was owned by a white person. But what happened was that was the first song by a teenager that sold over a million copies. And nobody was prejudiced against green, which is money. And so Lloyd's career took off, and it The story tells about the the trajectory of his career, the obstacles he had to overcome, the triumphs that he experienced, and he was an amazing guy. I had been hired to direct, produce and direct a short documentary about Lloyd, which I did, and part of the research was interviewing him, and we became very good friends. And when I didn't know anything about him, but I knew I liked his music, and when I learned more about him, I said, Lloyd, you've got an amazing story. Your story needs to be told. And I wrote the first few scenes. He loved what I wrote. And he said, Jeff, I want you to do this. And I said, thank you. I want to do it, but there's one other thing you need to know. And he said, What's that? And I said, You're the vessel. You're the messenger, but your story is bigger than you are. And he said, Jeff, I've been waiting for years for somebody to say that to me, rather than just blowing more smoke up my ass. Yeah. And that started our our collaboration together and the story. And it was a great relationship. Lloyd died in May of 21 and we had become very close, and the fact that he trusted me to tell his story is of huge significance to me. And the fact that we have gotten such great response, we've had two commercial runs. We're moving the show to London, is is is really exciting. And the fact that Lloyd, as a result of his talent and creativity, shattered that wall that was called Race music in race records, once everybody understood on the other side that they could profit from it. So there's a lot of story in there that's got a lot of meat, and his great music   Michael Hingson ** 54:04 that's so cool and and so is it? Is it performing now anywhere, or is it? No, we're   Jeffrey Madoff ** 54:12 in between. We're looking actually, I have a meeting this this week. Today is February 11. I have a meeting on I think it's Friday 14th, with my management in London, because we're trying to get a theater there. We did there in October, and got great response, and now we're looking to find a theater there.   Michael Hingson ** 54:37 So what are the chance we're going to see it on Broadway?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 54:41 I hope a very good chance Broadway is a very at this point in Broadway's history. It's it's almost prohibitively expensive to produce on Broadway, the West End has the same cache and. Yeah, because, you know, you think of there's that obscure British writer who wrote plays called William Shakespeare. You may have heard of   Michael Hingson ** 55:07 him, yeah, heard of the guy somewhere, like, like, I've heard of Lloyd Price, yeah, that's   Jeffrey Madoff ** 55:15 it. And so I think that Broadway is certainly on the radar. The first step for us, the first the big step before Broadway is the West End in London. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 55:30 that's a great place to go. It is.   Jeffrey Madoff ** 55:32 I love it, and I speak the language, so it's good. Well, there you   Michael Hingson ** 55:35 are. That helps. Yes, well, you're a very creative kind of individual by any standard. Do you ever get involved with or have you ever faced the whole concept of imposter syndrome?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 55:48 Interesting, you mentioned that the answer is no, and I'll tell you why it's no. And you know, I do a fair amount of speaking engagements and that sort of thing, and that comes up particularly with women, by the way, imposter syndrome, and my point of view on it is, you know, we're not imposters. If you're not trying to con somebody and lying about what you do, you're a work in progress, and you're moving towards whatever it is that your goals are. So when my play became a produced commercial piece of theater and I was notarized as a playwright, why was that same person the day before that performance happened? And so I think that rather than looking at it as imposter, I look at it as a part of the process, and a part of the process is gaining that credibility, and you have to give yourself permission to keep moving forward. And I think it's very powerful that if you declare yourself and define yourself rather than letting people define you. So I think that that imposter syndrome comes from that fear, and to me, instead of fear, just realize you're involved in the process and so you are, whatever that process is. And again, it's different if somebody's trying to con you and lie to you, but in terms of the creativity, and whether you call yourself a painter or a musician or a playwright or whatever, if you're working towards doing that, that's what you do. And nobody starts off full blown as a hit, so to speak. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 57:44 well, I think you're absolutely right, and I think that it's all about not trying to con someone. And when you are doing what you do, and other people are involved, they also deserve credit, and people like you probably have no problem with making sure that others who deserve credit get the credit. Oh, absolutely, yeah, I'm the same way. I am absolutely of the opinion that it goes back to collaboration. When we're collaborating, I'm I'm very happy to talk about the fact that although I started the whole concept of live like a guide dog, carry Wyatt Kent and I worked on it together, and the two of us work on it together. It's both our books. So each of us can call it our book, but it is a collaborative effort, and I think that's so important to be able to do,   Jeffrey Madoff ** 58:30 oh, absolutely, absolutely, you know, the stuff that I was telling you about Sheldon, the director, you know, and that he has helped me to become a better writer, you know, and and when, as as obviously, you have experienced too, when you have a fruitful collaboration, it's fabulous, because you're both working together to create the best possible result, as opposed to self aggrandizement, right?   Michael Hingson ** 59:03 Yeah, it is. It is for the things that I do. It's not about me and I and I say it all the time when I'm talking to people who I'd like to have hire me to be a speaker. It's not about me, it's about their event. And I believe I can add value, and here's why I think I can add value, but it's not about me, it's about you and your event, right? And it's so important if, if you were to give some advice to somebody starting out, or who wants to be creative, or more creative and so on, what kind of advice would you give them?   Jeffrey Madoff ** 59:38 I would say it's more life advice, which is, don't be afraid of creative risk, because the only thing that you have that nobody else has is who you are. So how you express who you are in the most unique way of who you are? So that is going to be what defines your work. And so I think that it's really important to also realize that things are hard and always take more time than you think they should, and that's just part of the process. So it's not easy. There's all these things out there in social media now that are bull that how people talk about the growth of their business and all of this stuff, there's no recipe for success. There are best practices, but there's no recipes for it. So however you achieve that, and however you achieve making your work better and gaining the attention of others, just understand it's a lot of hard work. It's going to take longer than you thought, and it's can be incredibly satisfying when you hit certain milestones, and don't forget to celebrate those milestones, because that's what's going to give you the strength to keep going forward.   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:07 Absolutely, it is really about celebrating the milestones and celebrating every success you have along the way, because the successes will build to a bigger success. That's right, which is so cool. Well, this has been a lot of fun. We've been doing this for an hour. Can you believe it? That's been great. It has been and I really appreciate you being here, and I I want to thank all of you who are listening, but please tell your friends to get into this episode as well. And we really value your comments, so please feel free to write me. I would love to know what you thought about today. I'm easy to reach. It's Michael M, I C H, A, E, L, H i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S i b, e.com, or you can always go to our podcast page, which is Michael hingson, M, I C H, A, E, L, H i N, G, s o n.com/podcast, where you can listen to or access all the of our podcasts, but they're also available, as most likely you've discovered, wherever you can find podcasts, so you can get them on Apple and all those places and wherever you're listening. We do hope you'll give us a five star review. We really value your reviews, and Jeff has really given us a lot of great insights today, and I hope that you all value that as well. So we really would appreciate a five star rating wherever you're listening to us, and that you'll come back and hear some more episodes with us. If you know of anyone who ought to be a guest, Jeff, you as well. Love You to refer people to me. I'm always looking for more people to have on because I do believe that everyone in the world is unstoppable if you learn how to accept that and move forward. And that gets back to our whole discussion earlier about failure or whatever, you can be unstoppable. That doesn't mean you're not going to have challenges along the way, but that's okay. So we hope that if you do know people who ought to be on the podcast, or if you want to be on the podcast and you've been listening, step up won't hurt you. But again, Jeff, I want to thank you for being here. This has been a lot of fun, and we really appreciate your time. Thank   Jeffrey Madoff ** 1:03:16 you, Michael, for having you on. It was fun. You   **Michael Hingson ** 1:03:23 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

How did you land your first customers, and how did that shape your entrepreneurial journey? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff share their origin stories, from life insurance referrals to fashion industry breakthroughs. They explain why longevity in business comes from curiosity, calculated risks, and a relentless focus on making your future bigger than your past. Show Notes: Thinking about your thinking is beneficial no matter who you are or what industry you're in. There's no recipe for creativity. Risk and excitement are two sides of the same coin—you can't have growth without embracing both. The first person you have to sell an idea on is yourself. If you have an advantage in a competitive industry, you won't tell your competitors about it. When experimenting with a new solution, you have to start by making sure it works for one person. Longevity is something to be proud of. If you have a successful approach, you can keep it, and just add more experience to it. There are two types of support: moral and financial. Longevity in business isn't about luck; it's about staying alert, curious, and adaptable to new opportunities. Your number one job is to always make your future bigger than your past. The more committed you are to something, the less you care about the obstacles. Resources: The Impact Filter™ Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Do you ever notice how some people obsess over things, gossip about others, or recycle old ideas? Why is it that true innovators think differently? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff break down the four levels of thinking and explain why thinking about your thinking fuels creativity, collaboration, and breakthroughs. Show Notes: Most people spend their lives fixated on things, people, or others' ideas, but true innovators think about how they think. People who think about their thinking are looking for other people who are doing the same thing. The highest level of thinking isn't competitive—it's collaborative. Two original minds create a third idea neither could alone. Nearly every meaningful innovation stems from that fourth level of thinking, where you examine how and why you think the way you do. Some of the most creative people don't even realize how they think—they just do.  The moment you care more about stuff than ideas, you've lost the game. Like casting a play, the best teams are built when you assign people roles based on their unique strengths, not rigid job descriptions. If your team fears being wrong, they'll never risk being right. Defensiveness is the enemy of breakthroughs. Corporations reward conformity, but entrepreneurs win by asking, "What if we did the opposite? Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Thinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Jeffrey Madoff's career is a testament to the power of curiosity, risk-taking, and creative resilience. Raised in Akron, Ohio, his early encouragement in reading and the arts laid the foundation for a multifaceted journey through fashion, film, teaching, and authorship. From founding the successful clothing brand Billy Whiskers with no formal design training to pivoting into film and later education, Madoff has consistently followed what excites him rather than conforming to conventional career paths. Central to Madoff's philosophy is a rejection of superficial personal branding in favor of authentic reputation and integrity. He believes real success is built on meaningful relationships and honest self-expression. Madoff encourages people to embrace vulnerability, declare their aspirations publicly, and understand that everyone is a work in progress. His insights demystify imposter syndrome and redefine career development as an evolving process rooted in openness, creativity, and genuine human connection. To put Madoff's insights into practice: read his book Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas to explore his approach in depth. Follow him on Instagram for daily inspiration through his NYC photography. Apply his advice by taking creative risks, building relationships, and sharing your goals out loud. We're happy you're here! Like the pod? Visit our website! Start your trial on Simplified. We're happy you're here! Like the pod?Visit our website!For the accessible version of the podcast, go to our Ziotag gallery.

Do you chase external success or internal fulfillment? Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan discuss ambition versus passion—how they differ, intersect, and fuel entrepreneurs. Learn why passion sustains long-term commitment while ambition alone falls short, and discover how to combine them for lasting impact. Show Notes: Passion is your internal drive, while ambition translates that drive into measurable success. Ambition without passion burns out because external milestones like money and fame hollow out without the joy of the process. Passion is what fuels long-term commitment because it's what you can't not do. True passion creates freedom—doing what you want, when you want, with whom you want. Childhood clues reveal your passion. What lit you up as a kid often points to your lifelong strengths. Great entrepreneurs fuse principle (passion) with strategy (ambition). Retirement is the enemy of passion. Getting people to talk about their experiences is a great way to learn a lot about the world. If you ask people questions that connect their experiences, they get very excited. Resources: Everything Is Created Backward by Dan Sullivan How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

What if predictability is the ultimate competitive advantage? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff dissect how standards and intent create unshakable trust in business and in life. Learn why elite entrepreneurs prioritize dependable relationships over short-term gains, how to spot (and avoid) toxic partnerships, and why money is just a metric—not the mission. Show Notes: Humans don't like unanswerable questions. You can't seek answers unless you have questions, and you have to ask the right questions. Prediction is necessary for survival, which is why we're always looking for things we can count on in the future. A lot of power comes with the belief that your intelligence is better than someone else's intelligence. Thought is a luxury. Only those freed from survival mode can engage deeply with creativity, innovation, and purpose. Humans aren't information processors—they're meaning makers. Purpose is created out of greater and greater freedom of money, time, and relationships. Money is the scorecard, not the game. The greatest contribution you can make to another person is your standards. Teams thrive when they know your standards are non-negotiable, even if it's uncomfortable. Resources: Same As Ever by Morgan Housel You Are Not A Computer by Dan Sullivan The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® 

What effect do the games we play have on us—and what do our motivations for playing them say about us? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss the kinds of “games” that are interesting and beneficial to entrepreneurs, and why you don't have to choose between passion projects and commercial projects. Show Notes: Competing with yourself means measuring your progress against your previous performance, not against other people. Life itself is the ultimate game for self-competition. If you're questioning what you're doing, ask yourself what you could be doing instead. Games have a binary outcome: victory or defeat. Some people are born with a competitive chip in their brains, and some aren't. This applies to creative individuals too. Creativity can be collaborative, but many creators believe their creativity has to be better than everyone else's. People who oppose a system often create something directly related to what they resist.  Truly passionate people cannot not do what they're doing. Entrepreneurs have the self-awareness and confidence necessary to confront the marketplace head-on. An opportunity only becomes one when you recognize it as such. Resources: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® 

In a tech-driven world, can businesses stay human? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore how to balance automation with genuine connection. From Chaplin to Spartacus, they explore resisting dehumanization, celebrating the human touch in business, and reclaiming creativity. They also reveal how to ensure technology elevates—rather than diminishes—your entrepreneurial spirit. Show Notes: Tech can empower or dehumanize. Confidence and human connection are crucial. Customers crave real conversations, not automated prompts. Knowing how to ask the right questions is an art form. Real solutions that address people's pain points require empathy and personal connection. Layoffs aren't a sustainable path to success (or profitability). Inflating profits by slashing costs is a short-sighted strategy that executives often resort to when preparing a company for sale. The most interesting people are always the ones who defy conformity.         The U.S. founders aimed to create a society where individuals could thrive. Prioritizing quality, service, and the human touch is a smart business plan. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Perplexity Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam by Pope Brock Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Are the people on your team ready to step into any role if needed? If not, why not? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore the "swing cast" concept, explaining how adaptable, cross-trained teams—like actors ready for any role—drive entrepreneurial success. Learn why prioritizing ample time off for team members and focusing on results builds a high-performing business. Show Notes: If you try to work continuously without taking time off to recharge, your overall productivity and performance will decline. Most Strategic Coach team leaders have experience in multiple roles. Team members can grow by volunteering for responsibilities beyond their initial job description. People accustomed to working within large corporate structures may struggle in smaller, more agile entrepreneurial environments, which have fewer support systems in place. Entrepreneurism is a “Results Economy,” not a “Time and Effort Economy.” Selling is about getting a sale, not the time and effort you put in to get the sale. Most entrepreneurial companies begin with the founder acting as the primary salesperson. We can expect to see more people returning to the office, driven by our innate need for social interaction and connection. If you want to build a great company culture, you need team members in the office. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff What Free Days™ Are And How To Know When You Need Them Give and Take by Adam Grant Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Paying your team is a given, but the way you think about it can make a huge difference—for both them and you. If you see your team as just a cost, that mindset won't get you far. But when you view your team as an investment, everything changes. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff dive into why this shift in perspective will be transformative for your entire company. Show Notes: If you think of someone as a cost, you'll communicate that to them. If someone feels that they're seen as a cost, they're deprived of all their creativity. Creative people compete with other creative people for attention. If you're on the receiving end of indifference, you feel taken for granted. If you're an owner and founder, your team members are always paying attention to what you say and how you behave. If you let someone know you see them as a cost, you've lost most of their value as an investment. Just because someone's successful doesn't mean working with them is a positive experience. The top entrepreneurs are collaborative, not competitive. Every entrepreneur is motivated by either status or growth. Power is the ability to either produce change or prevent it. Resources: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Entrepreneurs come in all types. Just like in TV, movies, and theater, there are character archetypes in the entrepreneurial world. Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan discuss the ways entrepreneurs can differ from one another, what all of them have in common, and some of the traits they need for success. Show Notes: The earliest definition that fits entrepreneurs of today is: an entrepreneur is someone who takes a resource from a lower level of productivity to a higher level of productivity. Society is generally pretty forgiving of entrepreneurs because they move things forward that benefit a lot of other people. There are entrepreneurs who raise the value of something, but it only benefits themselves. Some entrepreneurs' work robs and endangers people. The basis of entrepreneurism is someone who has a conception of the future where they can be better off if they take certain actions that would be daunting or even dangerous for other people. With entrepreneurs, as with fictional characters, it's about the individual decisions and actions that they take and the consequences of them. To achieve their goals, both entrepreneurs and story heroes have to make sacrifices. The founders of the U.S. were basically all involved in entrepreneurial activities. Wanting to have more power isn't necessarily bad. As you become more successful, you need to reinvent yourself. Resources: Welcome to Cloudlandia podcast The Power of Film by Howard Suber Deep D.O.S. Innovation by Dan Sullivan Unique Ability® The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Do you see yourself as normal, or do you embrace your weirdness? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore the nature of normality and weirdness, reflecting on their personal experiences. They discuss the importance of self-consistency, the impact of external perceptions, and how curiosity fuels personal growth and authenticity. Show Notes: Most people consider themselves normal and view anyone who perceives them as weird as weird in turn. You don't have to take it personally if someone calls you weird. As an entrepreneur, you'll likely find that other entrepreneurs share your understanding of what's considered normal, more so than those outside your field. You can remain true to yourself across a variety of activities and experiences. Some people view significant life events as opportunities to reinvent themselves. If you're consistent, people who reinvent themselves might mystify you. Reinventing oneself often involves distancing from people from the past. A good story is better than a good statistic. If what you're doing works for you, that's a solid reason to remain consistent in your approach. A person behaving inconsistently might be trying to please others rather than please themselves. Resources: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage Perplexity Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

What is it about creative people that sets them apart? Why can some people consistently create new things while others can't? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss the individuals who bring new value into the world and the best ways someone in business can use their creativity. Show Notes: Quality is the foundation of every successful business plan.Never say no to yourself; there are plenty of others who will do that for you.Instead of wasting time pondering your ideas, you often just need to take action.No one has ever spent any time in the future or in the past. All we have is the present.Many people dismiss ideas prematurely without knowing how they might turn out.The majority of people struggle to engage directly with the marketplace.Creativity isn't only about having a unique vision. It's also about taking that vision and being able to replicate it.You can replicate a creation, but not its creator.To build a thriving business, focus on faithfully replicating what has been successful in the past.Every new creation has a limited lifespan; innovation is the key to longevity.Balancing creativity with consistency is crucial. Too much focus on expansion can dilute the original experience.Your customers are 50% of your creative team. Their feedback and insights matter.Beware of letting greed influence your creative process. Passion should come before profit.  Resources: Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® 

We all have the ability to create. So why do some people feel they need permission in order to move forward with their ideas? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss how to cast off the need for permission and create value like you were meant to do. Show Notes: Permission means that you can't move forward unless someone else says you can. If you're asking permission, you're giving someone power to exercise over you in certain situations. Some people's first consideration when they have a new idea is to prepare a proposal and get permission to move forward. Some parents give their children free rein to do whatever they want to do. If you have a lot of children, you have to manage, not just parent. Being a parent is like being a business owner in that you're always being watched. If you ignore your surroundings and you aren't tuned in, you can get old without having any wisdom. When you go for the easiest, fastest solution, you're usually going for the worst one. Resources: Creative Careers: Making a Living With Your Ideas by B. Jeffrey Madoff Charlatan by Pope Brock Empire of Deception by Dean Jobb “The Junkification of American Life” by David Brooks Thinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Entrepreneurs always want to be moving forward. What determines whether they'll be able to is their understanding of the difference between cost and investment. In this episode, business coaches Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller talk about the growth mindset that lets you improve for the rest of your life—versus the mindset that means you'll forever be stuck right where you are. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:The reason why small entrepreneurs are small entrepreneurs.Why you won't get a return on investment if you think of team members as a cost.Why becoming a Strategic Coach® member isn't a cost, but an investment in yourself.Why it's dangerous for your team members if you think of them as a cost.How to switch from operating in costs to operating in investments. Show Notes: Some entrepreneurs have essentially only created a job for themselves that doesn't go anywhere. If you see hiring people as a cost, you might just do all of the work yourself. When entrepreneurs do everything themselves, 90% of what they do doesn't actually make sense for them to do. Investing in team members means you're freed up to do better work, and that will easily pay for the investment. When you hire someone, you're investing more in yourself than in the other person. If you consider someone to be a cost, that person will know it. Making an investment is a risk, and it can require courage. Someone who treats other people as costs treats themselves the same way. With an investment, you'll put an enormous amount of thinking into it to guarantee that it's successful. When you're making an investment, have a goal for the return and a deadline for that goal. Resources:Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff

When a friend asks for your opinion on a new idea, you want to be helpful, but how should you respond when you don't think their idea will succeed? Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss ways to be supportive and helpful without lying or making a commitment.  Show Notes: You can decide to help someone in a way that won't involve you beyond a conversation. In the business of coaching small businesses, you discover quickly that there's a reason why small businesses are small. People who can afford to make high investments usually know other people who can afford to make high investments. If you tell the truth, you don't have to keep track of what lies you've told. The biggest factor in qualifying for The Strategic Coach® Program is being a growth-minded person instead of a status-minded person. The problem is never the problem. The problem is that people don't know how to think about the problem. It's a service to anybody who's had a new idea to get them thinking about their thinking about how they're going about it. When somebody comes to you with a new idea, they're locked into a context that this is going to be a real winner. If honesty ruptures a relationship, it wasn't really a relationship to begin with. A lot of times, people are looking for reinforcement for what they've already done, and it's too late for them to do anything different. Resources: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz Charlatan: America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him, and the Age of Flimflam by Pope Brock Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Do you recognize the unique strengths of your team, or do you overlook them? Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the art of "casting" in business and life, revealing how self-awareness and understanding can lead to greater success. Discover how knowing oneself can transform team dynamics and drive long-term achievement. Show Notes: There are a lot of talented people out there who are compelled to do what they're doing.When someone's auditioning for a role, you get a gut feeling if they're nailing it or not.Someone having the right appearance for a role doesn't mean they can pull it off.Some talented people can take direction, and some can't.In addition to skill, you can test someone's instincts in the audition process.Sometimes, you find out that someone you called in to audition for one role would actually be good in a different role.For a person to be the right fit, they have to be both good in their role and good in teamwork with everybody they'll be working with.While you're casting, you have to be focused, and aware of the context of the role.The more casting you do, the sharper your casting skills become.Finding the right person for a role might require a lot more looking than you'd hoped for.The higher your standards, the longer it might take to cast someone in a role.Greatness is only achieved over a long period of time.If you know who you are, you don't have to spend time thinking about it.It's hard to care for others when your full-time job is caring about yourself.If someone doesn't know who they are, you can't predict how they'll respond to challenges. Resources: Book: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Book: Wanting What You Want by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® 

Will AI be a burden on human creativity, or will it free us up to innovate in ways we never thought possible? Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan predict how artificial intelligence will reshape work, culture, and the economy. Explore the balance between tech advancements and human connection, and discover the surprising ways AI might redefine fulfillment in our lives. Show Notes: AI is set to transform many job sectors, especially those repetitive tasks that don't bring joy. This isn't just a challenge; it's an opportunity to rethink what fulfilling work means.The idea of finding fulfillment in work is a relatively new concept. In the past, we were focused on survival and stability.As AI takes over more routine and repetitive tasks, people have the opportunity to move beyond being consumers to become creators. How will this shift culture?Financial security affords people the ability to take risks in pursuing their passions.What does the world you're born into owe you? What does the world you're given allow you to create?Will AI be the common “enemy” that brings us together?Dan believes in strengthening strengths instead of fixing weaknesses.Goldman Sachs estimated generative AI could automate activities equivalent to 300 million full-time jobs globally.New technology always creates new jobs, however, and we tend to forget that when we focus only on the disruption.Are we hitting a wall with technology commoditizing the parts of our lives that we find meaningful?We can't ignore the ethical challenges of AI, such as intellectual property rights and data privacy. Consider the implications of unauthorized use of personal data or voices.Future conversations on AI will include the seven stages of robots and the essence of intelligence.Resources: Goldman Sachs 2023 report: Briggs, J., Kodnani, D., Hatzius, J., Pierdomenico, G. (2023). The Potentially Large Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Economic Growth. Goldman Sachs Economic Research. Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

We live in a world saturated with technology. It can be difficult to tell how much you're using technology and how much technology is using you. But you can avoid distraction and stick to your purpose by focusing on the basics. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss who we are, and who we're right for, in a world of technology. Show Notes: Regardless of technology, what matters is what you actually have to say that's interesting and valuable to other people. Technology is a tool, so all you need to know is how to use it most effectively. Technology changes, but human behavior stays the same. The fundamentals of what makes a good story never change. Creativity, a human trait, is the cornerstone of the effective use of technology. Most social media influencers aren't creating anything. When a new technology emerges, it's generally applied to the content that already exists. Technologies have a hype phase where everybody claims it changes everything. You pay for social media with your attention.  Resources: Article: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Freedom: The Four Phases Of The Freedom Cycle The Entrepreneur's Guide To Time Management (Free Days™, Focus Days™, and Buffer Days™) Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

On this episode of HR Like a Boss, John interviews entrepreneur, clothing designer, and playwright B. Jeffrey Madoff to discuss the importance of collaboration and building effective teams in business. Madoff highlights how success in both business and life revolves around relationships, trust, and clear communication. They explore the challenges and benefits of remote work, stressing the need for setting expectations and maintaining team cohesion, even in virtual settings. Madoff shares his vision of HR leadership as engaging with others, making them feel heard, valued, and respected, ultimately building strong, lasting relationships. ABOUT B. JEFFERY MADOFF B. Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff Productions and is known for his unique abilities in creativity, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. He has had a prolific career spanning fashion design, producing, and directing commercials, documentaries, music videos, television, live streaming events, brand stories for prestigious clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Harvard School for Public Health, Raymond James, and Radio City Music Hall. Madoff's ability to craft compelling narratives has made him a sought-after director, speaker, and educator. He has been a featured speaker at Wharton School, Princeton University, and NYU. He created a course called “Creative Careers Making a Living With Your Ideas”, which he taught at Parsons School of Design for fifteen years. Madoff wrote a best-selling book of the same name, based on his class. His passion for storytelling and creativity culminated in the creation of the groundbreaking musical, "Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical." This captivating production, written by Madoff, tells the amazing story of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Lloyd Price. Lloyd was the first teenager to sell over a million records and shattered the wall called “race music”. Premiering in June of 2023 to sold-out audiences at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, "Personality" received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and unforgettable music.

If you're constantly tweaking your work and never feel like it's finished, you're not alone. Indecision and uncertainty commonly hold artists back from moving forward. Playwright and author Jeffrey Maddoff joins me today to talk about calling it ‘done'. In this episode, you'll discover: Discover how you can use deadlines to your advantage Learn tips on making confident decisions and avoid getting stuck Understand how adopting a growth mindset can help you break free from progress For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/324  

Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the evolving concept of retirement. They discuss its historical origins, the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, and the impact of longevity on financial planning. The conversation offers valuable insights for any entrepreneur hoping to redefine success and navigate the modern economic landscape. Show Notes: The concept of retirement is relatively new, emerging in the late 19th and 20th centuries.The word "retire" comes from the French word repérer, meaning to pull back or withdraw, initially used in a military context.Otto von Bismarck introduced the first state pension system in Germany in 1889 to address social and economic challenges. By providing financial security for older citizens, he aimed to reduce the risk of social unrest and promote economic stability. The United States lacks a mandatory retirement age, making retirement an individual choice.Entrepreneurs often resist traditional retirement, viewing it as a withdrawal from their passion and purpose. They see retirement instead as an opportunity for reinvention.Retirement should be a strategic choice that aligns with your personal and professional goals.As life expectancy rises, retirement planning becomes more complex. Entrepreneurs need to consider extended financial needs and healthcare costs and ensure their ventures and investments can support a longer life.Moore's Law highlights how rapidly computing power doubles, reshaping the business landscape. Entrepreneurs must adapt to these technological shifts, which drive efficiency and innovation, to stay relevant. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for many entrepreneurs to re-evaluate their career paths and business models and highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience.Retirement is perceived differently across cultures, impacting how entrepreneurs plan for the future. Some cultures emphasize family support, while others focus on individual financial independence.Understanding these diverse perspectives can help you tailor your retirement strategies to align with your personal and cultural values.Dan's secret to a long and fulfilling life: Always make your future bigger than your past. Resources: Book: The Great Crossover® by Dan Sullivan Blog: How To Cast A Collaborator, Not Hire An Employee Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Jeffrey Madoff and Dan Sullivan explore the limitations of AI, debunking the myth of technological singularity. They discuss Gödel's incompleteness theorem, Apple's controversial iPad ad, and the evolving global economy. The conversation challenges common assumptions about AI's potential to surpass human intelligence, offering valuable insights for any entrepreneur navigating the tech landscape. Show Notes Gödel's incompleteness theorem suggests that technology, as a subset of humanity, cannot surpass human intelligence.Technological singularity, predicted for 2029, is unlikely to happen because speed and information retrieval don't equate to true intelligence or creative thinking.Military research, gaming, and adult entertainment have been major drivers of technological advancement.Apple's recent iPad ad controversy highlights shifting consumer attitudes toward technology.Tech companies may be facing market saturation, challenging the constant push for new products.The revival of retro trends and vintage items reflects a broader cultural shift toward appreciating the past and seeking uniqueness.There's a growing disconnect between human creativity and the tech industry's approach to content creation and distribution.Tech giants like Apple have transitioned from being rebels against the establishment to becoming the establishment themselves.Tech companies should focus on balancing technical specifications with human-centric storytelling in their marketing strategies.AI excels at pattern recognition but falls short in replicating human-like thinking and creativity.Entrepreneurs should consider the limitations of AI when integrating it into their business strategies.Understanding the distinction between technological capabilities and human intelligence is crucial for innovation. Resources Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®Book: You Are Not A Computer by Dan Sullivan Book: Your Attention: Your Property by Dan Sullivan Video: “Crush!” (iPad Pro ad)

Jeffrey Madoff is the Founder and CEO of Madoff Productions, a company specializing in creating content like commercials, live streaming events, and branding videos for an impressive clientele, including Ralph Lauren and Victoria's Secret. Before his film career, he started as a fashion designer in Wisconsin and was recognized as one of the top 10 designers in the US. Transitioning to film and video production, Jeffrey has edited and directed award-winning commercials, documentaries, and web content worldwide for renowned brands. He is also a playwright, theater producer, and author of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what it takes to pivot careers and dive headfirst into new industries? What lessons could you learn from someone who did this multiple times and excelled in each new venture? Jeffrey Madoff, a film producer and director, peels back the curtain on his dynamic career, starting as a fashion designer in Wisconsin before becoming a renowned filmmaker and author. His path is punctuated by bold moves, such as launching a fashion brand without a typical background in the industry and transitioning to film production, where he directed award-winning content for major brands. Jeffrey also discusses the inspiration and insights that led him to pen his book, Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas, aiming to ignite the same passion in others that has fueled his diverse journey. He unveils pivotal moments and the importance of relationships and emotional resonance in his work. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Jeffrey Madoff, Founder and CEO of Madoff Productions, about turning creative ideas into a lucrative career and navigating multiple industry pivots. Jeffrey discusses his Creative Careers book, personal and business success, his entry into the fashion industry, the transition to film production, and the similarities between the fashion business and independent film industries.

Do you take the time to reinforce your team's strengths, or do you simply take their strengths and talents for granted? In this episode, Shannon Waller explains the benefits of reinforcing team strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. Learn why this counterintuitive approach can boost morale, productivity, and even your bottom line. Download Episode Transcript Show Notes: Growing Strengths People often take their natural abilities for granted. When people realize their capabilities are valuable to others, they will invest more time and effort into developing them further. Gallup's Framework For Understanding Strengths Talent: A natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving. Investment: Time spent practicing, developing skills, and building knowledge. Strength: The ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance in a specific task. Raw talent alone is not enough; it must be combined with investment to become a true strength. Mindset For Talent Development To recognize individuality and uniqueness in others, leaders must first acknowledge and develop their own Unique Ability®. This mindset may be challenging for leaders who believe: They need to be all things to all people, or People are basically all the same Dan Sullivan has said a key aspect of running a Self-Managing Company® is the willingness to be ignorant: Leaders don't need to know every detail of their operation if they trust their team members to use their unique strengths to excel in their respective roles. The Difference This Can Make Benefits of reinforcing your team's strengths: Builds habits Improves team dynamics and collaboration Increases productivity Increases creativity Supports more fulfilling careers Reduces workplace problems Supports self-managing team members Recognizing And Nurturing Unique Talents Give people feedback: “Hey I really appreciate it when you do this; it really makes a difference. You do this faster than anyone else on the team does.” Ask the question: “Is this something you really enjoy doing too?” Unique Ability combines excellent skills with passion, joy, endless energy, fascination, and a constant desire for improvement. How To Take Action Pay attention and take action when someone volunteers to do something no one asked them to do, and they are exceptional and energized by it. Speak out about what's working to reinforce the things you want to see more of. Use The Impact Filter™ tool from Strategic Coach® to clearly communicate expectations for specific tasks and projects. Read the upcoming book in the Ambition Series coming in Fall 2024, Casting Not Hiring, and download the 4 x 4 tool. The 4 x 4 is used to communicate to team members the overall expectations for their role and teamwork. The 4 x 4 tells team members how they can excel in their performance by: Being alert, curious, responsive, and resourceful Focusing on results that are faster, easier, cheaper, and bigger Being a hero to you Avoiding the things that drive you crazy Use The Communication Builder with your team members to understand each other's work preferences, communication styles, and stress responses. Resources: CliftonStrengths® Unique Ability The Communication Builder The Self-Managing Company by Dan Sullivan The Impact Filter Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff (coming Fall 2024)

If you run a business, are you sure that every detail is being handled? When the little things aren't being taken care of, it can be an indication that the big things aren't going well. In this episode, Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff share the enormously important things companies have to do now to make sure customers keep coming back. Show Notes: In businesses, one of the first things to go is customer service. The only reason to shop in person rather than online is because it becomes a social event in a certain way. The purpose of automation can be to free someone up so they can have more time with customers. When a company starts cutting costs, especially by firing people, it shows you that they're packaging the company for sale. The cost of personal service is going up. People interacting with people has a hundred times more dimensions than people interacting with mechanical replacements for people. Some people delude themselves into thinking that because AI can form an answer, it's somehow sentient and like a person but even more efficient. These days, luxury means an actual person paying attention to you. It's harder to get people's attention now than it was 30 years ago. Having a great reputation is much more important than having great marketing. Resources: The Referability Habits™ Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Within The Context of No Context by George W.S. Trow Creative Careers Madoff Productions Strategic Coach

On Today's Episode – Mark welcomes in a friend, Jeffrey Madoff - we don't want to spoil the fun, tune in for the show! https://madoffproductions.com/ B. Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff Productions, based in New York City. His company collaborates with ad agencies, public relations firms, and directly with clients to produce commercials, branded content, and live-streaming events. Madoff began his career as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. then switched careers to film and video production. Madoff edited and directed award-winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Tiffany, Radio City, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Harvard University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Raymond James Investment Banking, and Lazard Asset Management.

Jeffrey and Dan dive deep into creativity, innovation, and the intricate dance between good business and exciting innovation. Inspired by Dan's quarterly book, Everything Is Created Backward, they discuss how integrating existing technologies and ideas to create something entirely new can completely disrupt the market and lead to record-breaking profit. In This Episode: There's a permanent tension between creative people and organizational people (business executives).Most creative people are not good organizational people.Creatives are focused on innovation, while executives are focused on finances and risk aversion—and furthering their careers.This approach often stifles innovation.Creatives are also subject to immediate public scrutiny. Their work is usually under the critical eye of audiences and critics.Executives, by contrast, are evaluated based on stock market performance and long-term organizational success. Their reviews are reflected in corporate outcomes.Successful partnerships, like that of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, showcase how creative and organizational individuals can collaborate effectively to create engaging content.In order to bridge the gap, creatives need to better package their ideas to highlight the business potential to financially-minded decision makers.Businesses, on the other hand, need to be more open to creative, potentially risky ideas that could pay off big time.Recognizing your core business focus is what drives long-term success.Major business innovations often come from combining three existing components in a new way rather than from creating something entirely new from scratch.Large companies sometimes buy promising start-ups, not to integrate their innovation, but to shut down potential future competition. Resources: Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff

Statistics show there's no shortage of people pitching their expertise and services, but no one's really paying attention to them. Dan Sullivan and Gord Vickman explain why so many pitches get ignored and how to actually engage with the people you're pitching to. In This Episode: People can pay attention to only one thing at a time. Nobody's looking for answers. They're looking for questions. Instead of thinking about a marketplace, you can focus just on relationships. The pitch can't be about you. It has to be about the client. People who work in competitive organizations might keep their future aspirations a secret. Everyone has developed pitch filters as well as content and entertainment filters. There's a crisis growing in the technological and marketing worlds where it's taking more effort and more money to not get a result. Having questions that get another person to think about their future is 100 times more powerful than any answer you could give them.  Resources: Your Life As A Strategy Circle  by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Strategic Coach Article: The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs Walter Payton – Hall of Fame NFL running back and philosopher Anything And Everything - Podcast with Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff

Visit www.EAInterviews.com/BJeffreyMadoffP2 for episode-specific show notes & www.EAInterviews.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode. On today's episode, we learn about:

Visit www.EAInterviews.com/BJeffreyMadoffP1 for episode-specific show notes & www.EAInterviews.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode. On today's episode, we learn about:

While a great many things are different than they were, there are certain principles and ideals that people are always striving for. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explain what's changed since they were kids, and share some new tricks and strategies they use to achieve their goals. In This Episode: Decades of live experience create an ease of performance and an ability to create on the spot. Having fewer choices meant you ended up paying attention to something instead of flicking through the channels. When you're in front of a live audience and it's not going well, you've got to be agile enough to both take the hits and be able to come back on top and recover. Your strongest permanent impressions are made when you're young. It's hard for a fan to get really attached to a team when any player can suddenly be gone. Being an entrepreneur is a life sentence. An entrepreneur's career can last as long as they want it to. A lot of companies end up losing the pride of the family mission. Quality is the smartest business plan. Resources: Learn more about Dan Sullivan and Strategic CoachJeffrey Madoff's production company Madoff ProductionsCreative Careers by Jeffrey MadoffThinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan

While customers and clients don't need to know what goes on behind the scenes of an organization, they will know if there's a lack of consistency between a company's “front stage” and “backstage.” Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff delve into the reasons why there can't be a gap between how a business operates internally and how it operates externally, and how an entrepreneur can foster a high level of dedication from their clients and team members through their behavior. In This Episode: A sign of a company's consistency is how long team members stay. If you're being yourself in the way you grow your business, it suggests your front stage and backstage are consistent with each other. Your Unique Ability is something you cannot not do. Strategic Coach team members are expected to increasingly only do what they love doing. A backstage isn't just an event; it's the day-to-day behaviors in a business. Consistency in behavior from a company doesn't mean that everybody working there is the same. You shouldn't treat your best client any differently than you treat your newest employee. There are entrepreneurs who are very famous but who have no growth potential. You can be fantastically bright, talented, and successful in one area of activity, and a complete idiot when you're delving into another area. If you have consistency between your front stage and your backstage, you don't have to worry about people seeing your backstage. A personal brand is your reputation. Resources:Article: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage Unique Ability® Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® Jeffrey Madoff's production company is Madoff Productions Creative Careers by Jeffrey Madoff

Jeffrey and Dan discuss the importance of following your passion. How do you identify it and then what do you do? They share their experiences and the challenges involved in pursuing passions, particularly in creative entrepreneurial careers. In This Episode: The safe careers of the past—the ones people might choose over their passion—aren't so safe anymore.The role of The 4 C's Formula®: Commitment, Courage, Capability, and Confidence.What is “Impostor Syndrome”?Who are the real impostors today?What happens when you don't follow your passion or listen too much to others' opinions?Being yourself is a fast-forward button to the result you're searching for Resources: Nyad (movie)The 4 C's Formula by Dan SullivanDan Sullivan and Strategic CoachJeffrey Madoff's production company is Madoff ProductionsCreative Careers by Jeffrey Madoff 

Welcome back to Making Bank. On today's episode, we have a compilation of previous episodes with David Lekach, Jason Treu, Ted Miller III, David Wood, Jeff Dudan, David Baker and Jeffrey Madoff and in this episode you will hear tips and tricks from top entrepreneurs about the guide to success.   (2:53) David Lekach Be hyperfocus, be hyper resourceful. Your idea needs to be unique. Your product needs to stand out. If you want your product to have a lasting shelf life, you need to go to retailers with a very unique and creative outside of the box product that way they will sell more and ensure a more permanent spot in their stores.   (9:13) Jason Treu A team is everything. Getting smart people to work together, getting them to come up with new ideas and having a proper work ethic is the most important thing you can do for your business. You also need to build relationships because you need to have people who will support you and be there for you always.    (14:09) Ted Miller III Having the skills of sales is very important. Learn how to sell or you'll never be able to move up in the world. The major game changer for you is to listen to a trustworthy financial adviser. Learning from someone who can teach you how to sell will really help your business.   (20:15) David Wood Try to develop a good habit in your life everyday. It may take time for you to get used to it but after a few weeks or months, you will soon be doing that easily. Wake up and have something new and productive to do everyday. This will really improve your lifestyle.    (25:04) Jeff Dudan If you're not living on the edge, then you're just wasting space. Out there on the edge is where all the good stuff happens. It's out there in the margins where risks and rewards exist and you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and work without a net. If you're too central you're going to miss every opportunity.    (31:10) David Baker Everyone can be an accidental entrepreneur. Everyone knows how to do something unique. What most people miss is how to wrap that into a business that can make them money. Know exactly what it is you're good at doing and then find every possible means to make profit out of it. Never waste your skills.   (36:06) Jeffrey Madoff The key to accomplishing your task is perseverance. As an entrepreneur you are going to face obstacles. You need to overcome the obstacle in order to be successful. Starting a business is very easy, the hard part is trying to keep it alive. You need immense perseverance so that you can push through anything.   Tags: @david.lekach  @jasontreu  @tedmiller_third  @jeffdudan

Welcome back to Making Bank. On today's episode, we have a compilation of previous episodes with David Lekach, Jason Treu, Ted Miller III, David Wood, Jeff Dudan, David Baker and Jeffrey Madoff and in this episode you will hear tips and tricks from top entrepreneurs about the guide to success.   (2:53) David Lekach Be hyperfocus, be hyper resourceful. Your idea needs to be unique. Your product needs to stand out. If you want your product to have a lasting shelf life, you need to go to retailers with a very unique and creative outside of the box product that way they will sell more and ensure a more permanent spot in their stores.   (9:13) Jason Treu A team is everything. Getting smart people to work together, getting them to come up with new ideas and having a proper work ethic is the most important thing you can do for your business. You also need to build relationships because you need to have people who will support you and be there for you always.    (14:09) Ted Miller III Having the skills of sales is very important. Learn how to sell or you'll never be able to move up in the world. The major game changer for you is to listen to a trustworthy financial adviser. Learning from someone who can teach you how to sell will really help your business.   (20:15) David Wood Try to develop a good habit in your life everyday. It may take time for you to get used to it but after a few weeks or months, you will soon be doing that easily. Wake up and have something new and productive to do everyday. This will really improve your lifestyle.    (25:04) Jeff Dudan If you're not living on the edge, then you're just wasting space. Out there on the edge is where all the good stuff happens. It's out there in the margins where risks and rewards exist and you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and work without a net. If you're too central you're going to miss every opportunity.    (31:10) David Baker Everyone can be an accidental entrepreneur. Everyone knows how to do something unique. What most people miss is how to wrap that into a business that can make them money. Know exactly what it is you're good at doing and then find every possible means to make profit out of it. Never waste your skills.   (36:06) Jeffrey Madoff The key to accomplishing your task is perseverance. As an entrepreneur you are going to face obstacles. You need to overcome the obstacle in order to be successful. Starting a business is very easy, the hard part is trying to keep it alive. You need immense perseverance so that you can push through anything.   Tags: @david.lekach  @jasontreu  @tedmiller_third  @jeffdudan

Welcome back to Making Bank. On today's episode, we have a compilation of previous episodes with David Lekach, Jason Treu, Ted Miller III, David Wood, Jeff Dudan, David Baker and Jeffrey Madoff and in this episode you will hear tips and tricks from top entrepreneurs about the guide to success.   (2:53) David Lekach Be hyperfocus, be hyper resourceful. Your idea needs to be unique. Your product needs to stand out. If you want your product to have a lasting shelf life, you need to go to retailers with a very unique and creative outside of the box product that way they will sell more and ensure a more permanent spot in their stores.   (9:13) Jason Treu A team is everything. Getting smart people to work together, getting them to come up with new ideas and having a proper work ethic is the most important thing you can do for your business. You also need to build relationships because you need to have people who will support you and be there for you always.    (14:09) Ted Miller III Having the skills of sales is very important. Learn how to sell or you'll never be able to move up in the world. The major game changer for you is to listen to a trustworthy financial adviser. Learning from someone who can teach you how to sell will really help your business.   (20:15) David Wood Try to develop a good habit in your life everyday. It may take time for you to get used to it but after a few weeks or months, you will soon be doing that easily. Wake up and have something new and productive to do everyday. This will really improve your lifestyle.    (25:04) Jeff Dudan If you're not living on the edge, then you're just wasting space. Out there on the edge is where all the good stuff happens. It's out there in the margins where risks and rewards exist and you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and work without a net. If you're too central you're going to miss every opportunity.    (31:10) David Baker Everyone can be an accidental entrepreneur. Everyone knows how to do something unique. What most people miss is how to wrap that into a business that can make them money. Know exactly what it is you're good at doing and then find every possible means to make profit out of it. Never waste your skills.   (36:06) Jeffrey Madoff The key to accomplishing your task is perseverance. As an entrepreneur you are going to face obstacles. You need to overcome the obstacle in order to be successful. Starting a business is very easy, the hard part is trying to keep it alive. You need immense perseverance so that you can push through anything.   Tags: @david.lekach  @jasontreu  @tedmiller_third  @jeffdudan

Welcome back to Making Bank. On today's episode, we have a compilation of previous episodes with David Lekach, Jason Treu, Ted Miller III, David Wood, Jeff Dudan, David Baker and Jeffrey Madoff and in this episode you will hear tips and tricks from top entrepreneurs about the guide to success.   (2:53) David Lekach Be hyperfocus, be hyper resourceful. Your idea needs to be unique. Your product needs to stand out. If you want your product to have a lasting shelf life, you need to go to retailers with a very unique and creative outside of the box product that way they will sell more and ensure a more permanent spot in their stores.   (9:13) Jason Treu A team is everything. Getting smart people to work together, getting them to come up with new ideas and having a proper work ethic is the most important thing you can do for your business. You also need to build relationships because you need to have people who will support you and be there for you always.    (14:09) Ted Miller III Having the skills of sales is very important. Learn how to sell or you'll never be able to move up in the world. The major game changer for you is to listen to a trustworthy financial adviser. Learning from someone who can teach you how to sell will really help your business.   (20:15) David Wood Try to develop a good habit in your life everyday. It may take time for you to get used to it but after a few weeks or months, you will soon be doing that easily. Wake up and have something new and productive to do everyday. This will really improve your lifestyle.    (25:04) Jeff Dudan If you're not living on the edge, then you're just wasting space. Out there on the edge is where all the good stuff happens. It's out there in the margins where risks and rewards exist and you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and work without a net. If you're too central you're going to miss every opportunity.    (31:10) David Baker Everyone can be an accidental entrepreneur. Everyone knows how to do something unique. What most people miss is how to wrap that into a business that can make them money. Know exactly what it is you're good at doing and then find every possible means to make profit out of it. Never waste your skills.   (36:06) Jeffrey Madoff The key to accomplishing your task is perseverance. As an entrepreneur you are going to face obstacles. You need to overcome the obstacle in order to be successful. Starting a business is very easy, the hard part is trying to keep it alive. You need immense perseverance so that you can push through anything.   Tags: @david.lekach  @jasontreu  @tedmiller_third  @jeffdudan

In this episode I talk with Jeffrey Madoff, a multi-talented creative with a diverse career spanning fashion design, film production, producing, and teaching. Madoff has worked with prestigious clients like Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Victoria's Secret, and more. He's also an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and an Amazon best-selling author of "Creative Careers, Making a Living with Your Ideas." Madoff is the author of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas. His book dispels the myth that artists can't be good business people and good business people can't be creative. He breaks down other myths about creativity so that readers can overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Drawing on Jeff's decades of experience and the experience of over 50 industry experts, Creative Careers takes you down a practical path that will lead to success in any field. Madoff shares insights into his background, including growing up in Akron, Ohio, and his early experiences working in his parents' retail stores. Despite a broad education in philosophy and psychology, he found these disciplines foundational to his creative endeavors. In this conversation  into the intersection of creativity and business acumen. Madoff emphasizes the importance of breaking free from binary thinking, where creativity and business are perceived as mutually exclusive. He believes that everything one does informs everything else, emphasizing the interconnectedness of experiences. We explore the idea that creativity is not limited to specific fields but is a common thread across diverse pursuits. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, understanding budgets, and grasping various aspects of business in creative professions.   Connect with Jeffrey:  Website:  ACreativeCareer.com,  MadoffProductions.com LinkedIn: in/B-Jeffrey-Madoff Instagram @ACreativecareer   Podcast Website and Resources: Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery   Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.   SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business. Stay in touch with Michelle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/  Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad  Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide   Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact   A Podcast Launch Bestie production

In this episode I talk with Jeffrey Madoff, a multi-talented creative with a diverse career spanning fashion design, film production, producing, and teaching. Madoff has worked with prestigious clients like Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, Victoria's Secret, and more. He's also an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and an Amazon best-selling author of "Creative Careers, Making a Living with Your Ideas." Madoff is the author of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas. His book dispels the myth that artists can't be good business people and good business people can't be creative. He breaks down other myths about creativity so that readers can overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Drawing on Jeff's decades of experience and the experience of over 50 industry experts, Creative Careers takes you down a practical path that will lead to success in any field. Madoff shares insights into his background, including growing up in Akron, Ohio, and his early experiences working in his parents' retail stores. Despite a broad education in philosophy and psychology, he found these disciplines foundational to his creative endeavors. In this conversation  into the intersection of creativity and business acumen. Madoff emphasizes the importance of breaking free from binary thinking, where creativity and business are perceived as mutually exclusive. He believes that everything one does informs everything else, emphasizing the interconnectedness of experiences. We explore the idea that creativity is not limited to specific fields but is a common thread across diverse pursuits. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, understanding budgets, and grasping various aspects of business in creative professions.   Connect with Jeffrey:  Website:  ACreativeCareer.com,  MadoffProductions.com LinkedIn: in/B-Jeffrey-Madoff Instagram @ACreativecareer   Podcast Website and Resources: Get more info about our year-long mentorship and coaching program: https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/business-bakery   Text BESTIE to 855-784-8299 for business tips, encouragement, and all our DFCM updates.   SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. Sidemark is an all-new, all-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location. Join mysidemark.com to help grow your interior design business.   Stay in touch with Michelle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedforthecreativemind/  Join our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad  Get clarity on your next best step today! https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide   Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me! https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact   A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek Podcast. Today we're going to try something different, something new. Joining us today is Jeffrey Madoff, Founder & CEO of Madoff Productions, Adjunct  Professor at Parsons School for Design, Author of “Creative Careers”, Executive Producer & Playwright. Jeffrey's drive to tell unique stories has culminated in  “PERSONALITY, The Lloyd Price Musical”, a play he wrote and is producing about  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legend, Lloyd Price. It premiered at People's Light  Theater in Pennsylvania in March of '22, garnered great reviews, and played to  sold-out audiences. Personality opens at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago in  June of 2023. Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast

How entrepreneurial can you be if you're creating art? The answer is, entirely entrepreneurial. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered in putting together a new stage musical.  In This Episode: Failure is giving up something that's important to you. Perseverance is probably the biggest part of being an entrepreneur. The way to get the best out of people is to work with them, listen to them, and show them respect. The number one bet that people make in their lives is on other people. Whenever you're dealing with money, people figure out all the loopholes and tricks to try to game the system. You have to go through the stages of commitment and courage before you gain capability and confidence. The situations that require the most courage are when you have no control over the outcome. As you get older, you can become more suited to risk because you've been through more. The difference between confidence and courage is that confidence feels good.  Resources: The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan The Capability Amplifier Podcast with Dan Sullivan and Mike Koenigs Article about The Front Stage/Back Stage® Model Unique Ability®

Today's guest is Jeffrey Madoff, an accomplished director, writer, and educator who has spent over four decades working in the creative industry. He is the founder of Madoff Productions a video production company based in New York City. He is also an adjunct professor at Parsons School for design where he teaches a course on his book, Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas. In his book, Jeffrey shares insights from successful creative professionals who have proven that you can be both creative and business-savvy. Jeffrey is here today to discuss the importance of breaking down the myths surrounding creativity and how anyone can reach their full potential in a creative career. Welcome to Business of Craft, Jeffrey Madoff.  Business of Craft is a show designed to help entrepreneurs with fabric or fiber businesses become more successful. Our guests share best practices and teach effective marketing skills, that help crafty business owners learn to grow and scale. Let's start crafting a better business together!

Multi-passionate creative, Jeffrey Madoff joins Kristin for an insightful conversation about the realities and lessons of entrepreneurship, the importance of relationship building, and what it takes to get started in the industry you really want to be in (spoiler: it doesn't have to be as hard as you think!) B. Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff Productions, based in New York City. Jeffrey is considered a storyteller and incisive interviewer. He has used those talents to help position major brands such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, Radio City Music Hall, and the Harvard School for Public Health. Madoff began his career as a fashion designer. He was chosen as one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. then switched careers to film and video production. He has since expanded his reach to include teaching, book and playwriting, and theatrical production. He is an adjunct professor at Parsons School for Design, teaching a course he developed called “Creativity: Making a Living with Your Ideas”. Every week Madoff has a conversation with a guest from a wide variety of fields, from artists and entrepreneurs to venture capitalists and business leaders. A book about his class, entitled “Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas”, was published by Hachette and was an Amazon bestseller. Study Abroad with Us! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Study Abroad Trips ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Jeffrey:  Instagram: @acreativecareer Website: madoffproductions.com Currently Launching:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danger School Online Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book a discovery call to see which one of our programs might be best for you! Connect with Kristin: ⁠⁠⁠  Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kristinsweeting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits: Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠shammydee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jen Madigan Creative⁠⁠

Has Mike got an insider scoop for you today!He recently got back from a great adventure in Chicago. On top of a couple of days of Strategic Coach with Dan, they went to see the new Lloyd Price musical, “Personality”.Their good friend, Jeffrey Madoff, has been working on it for the last 6 years and they've been able to be privy to the entire creative process, so it was pretty cool for them to finally see it live on stage.In case you didn't know, “Personality” is a musical about the life of pioneering 1950's rock n' roll star Lloyd Price, written by documentary filmmaker, Jeff Madoff. Lloyd Price was one of the very first rock stars, with huge hits like “Personality” and “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” – you'll definitely recognize his music when you hear it.Dan tells the story of having lunch with Jeffrey in New York 6 years ago. After hearing all about the musical, he and his wife, Babs, knew right then and there they wanted to be a part of it and invested immediately.He's been watching the musical progress from an early reading of the script to secret backers' workshops in NYC. He said from the very first workshop it was clear this was going to be an iconic, timeless musical that would run for decades.Now that Mike has seen the Chicago production himself, he couldn't agree more — the music, the costumes, the set design, the performers...everything is absolute perfection. It's one of the tightest, most spectacular live performances Mike has ever seen.Beyond the incredible production, Dan and Mike also geek out about the fascinating history of the evolution of the entertainment industry. Like how classic Hollywood studios tightly controlled their stars' images, compared to today's overexposure on social media. Today's entertainers have way more independence, but also greater pressure to cultivate their personal brand 24/7.They also touch on how everyone in Hollywood is fearful about what's going to happen with Ai. It's Mike's opinion that in the entertainment industry, having strikes and expecting the world to stay the same, is putting a nail in the coffin of a lot of Hollywood.Don't misunderstand, Mike has a tremendous amount of respect for entertainers and the creative process. It is a hard business, but the world is changing.All this to say - if you're anywhere near Chicago, you absolutely MUST get tickets to “Personality” immediately! The cast, crew, and creative team have poured their souls into this musical for 6 long years, and the love shows in every song, every dance number, every scene.Dan and Mike truly believe this will be a Broadway smash for decades to come.Key Takeaways (00:09) We are in a Golden Era of what's possible in the world of entertainment (04:13) Funding the musical (08:05) The tightness of the production (18:52) The shifting entertainment landscape (22:26) The golden age of movie stars (32:11) Mike's predictions for the future of Hollywood Additional Resources Check out the Musical, “Personality” - https://www.personalitymusical.com/ Download Mike's free Ai Superpower Accelerator Toolkit to Multiply Your Productivity 10x or More! Ai Superpower Accelerator Directory by Mike Koenigs Get a copy of Mike's new book, “Punch The Elephant” - https://sales.mikekoenigs.com/

If you want business success, you have to take good care of your clientele. In this episode, business coaches Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller discuss the difference between customer service and hospitality and reveal the right way to treat clients and customers to keep them coming back.Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:Why customers should be treated like human beings, not transactions.The difference a personal touch makes.The importance of being interested, not just interesting.Why there's a big opportunity right now to make people feel at home.Ways you can show people you're paying attention.Show Notes:Hospitality means making people feel at home.There's a movement where people are trying to make human beings more like machines.The more dependence there is on technology, the less there's a sense of personal connection.If you have to write out customer service rules, the rules aren't a habit. The point of hospitality is showing appreciation for your clientele. Remembering small details about your clients can make a huge impact. There's a lot of competition to be interesting, but there's almost no competition to be interested.Every person is smart in their own way.Resources:Unique Ability®Anything And Everything Podcast with Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff

How do you make a business out of creativity?

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Jeffrey Madoff's first career was as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S.  Switching careers to film production, he has directed award winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, and Tiffany. His book, “Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas,” is an Amazon Bestseller based on the class he teaches at Parsons School of Design in NYC. Madoff's play, “Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical,” about the life of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Lloyd Price, had its world premiere in 2022.