Matt Ross, Entrepreneur, Media Executive, and Author of Grow or Fold

Episode 400 – and the start of our 8th year of the podcast!We welcome Matt Ross — entrepreneur, media executive, and author of the book Grow or Fold: Transform Yourself in Midlife & Beyond.Matt's WebsiteMatt's Facebook pageLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ross-entrepreneur/Matt has spent nearly 30 years building businesses at the intersection of creativity and leadership. He led New York’s legendary rock station Q104.3 and hip-hop station Hot 97, helped scale School of Rock from a struggling startup into a global franchise, and later founded One River School, a first-of-its-kind art education company now with fifteen schools across six states. Grow or Fold — Why This Book, and Why Now?Matt, you’ve spent decades building creative organizations—from School of Rock to One River School. What inspired you to write Grow or Fold, and what does that title mean to you personally?From Rock Stages to Art Studioso Throughout his career, Matt has made creativity the core of every organization he’s led, whether inspiring musicians, mentoring young artists, or empowering educators to think like innovators.What lessons carried over from building School of Rock that helped you launch One River School—and how did those experiences change your view of what creativity really means?Building Communities Through ArtOne of your core beliefs is that creative spaces are essential for wellbeing and connection. How have you seen art schools, studios, and community programs transform the lives of students and adults alike?Creative Growth and Leadership at Every AgeYou’ve said that creativity isn’t just for the young—it’s the key to staying sharp as we age. How can leaders, educators, and professionals rediscover their creative edge during midlife transitions or after major life changes?The CEO as Creative — and the Creative as CEOYou’ve lived in both worlds—the creative studio and the C-suite. What can business leaders learn from artists about innovation, and what can artists learn from CEOs about sustainable growth?You write about nurturing originality and trust in teams. What are the most effective ways leaders can foster that kind of environment?You’ve described Grow or Fold as a mindset for sustainable creativity and leadership. How can people apply that mindset to their daily lives, especially in times of uncertainty or change?Matt, for listeners who might be standing at a crossroads in their own careers or creative paths — what’s one action they can take today to start ‘growing’ rather than...

Today, as we wrap up our seventh year and 399th episode of Your World of Creativity, it’s fitting that we welcome a guest who perfectly captures the essence of transformation and growth — Rachel Burr.Rachel's Website @Catamentum on Instagram Rachel's Facebook page Rachel is an executive coach and leadership consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping leaders navigate the complex, unpredictable world of human dynamics. She knows that leadership can be messy — because people are unpredictable — and most leaders are promoted for technical excellence, not people skills.Rachel specializes in human-centered leadership, guiding executives to build self-awareness, empathy, and relational intelligence. Her book Butterfly Goo beautifully compares leadership growth to a caterpillar’s transformation — messy, nonlinear, and deeply transformative.1.    From Caterpillar to Leader — Why “Butterfly Goo”?Rachel, your metaphor of transformation is so vivid — comparing leadership development to the chaos of metamorphosis. What does that “goo” stage represent for leaders, and why do you think so many get stuck there instead of breaking through?Human-Centered Leadership in a Technical WorldYou often say leaders are promoted for technical excellence, not people skills. What are some of the most common people-dynamic challenges leaders face — and how can they start to build emotional and relational intelligence?Overcoming Fear and Finding FulfillmentMany of your clients struggle with fear — of failure, of being vulnerable, of not being enough. How do you help leaders confront those fears and replace them with a sense of purpose and fulfillment?Navigating Complex Workplace DynamicsWith your background in organizational development and clinical psychology, what practical tools or exercises do you use to help leaders manage interpersonal challenges and organizational change — especially in high-pressure environments?Humor, Humanity, and Real ChangeYou use humor and practical exercises to make deep transformation approachable. Why is it important for leaders to lighten up — and how can humor actually support growth, empathy, and connection?Rachel, as we wrap up this milestone episode and our seventh year of Your World of Creativity, what’s one piece of advice you’d offer to leaders — or anyone listening — who’s ready to embrace their own transformation and move from stuck to unstoppable?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.comAnd before you go, be sure to download your free e-book A World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.Then come back for our next episode — as we begin our eighth year of creative conversations — where we’ll continue to travel around the world to talk with creatives about how they get inspired, how they organize ideas, and most of all, how they gain the confidence and connections to launch their work out into the world.

Today is Episode: 398 as we near the end of our 7th year of Your World of CreativityI’m thrilled to welcome Amani Roberts — an award-winning music business professor, international keynote speaker, and global DJ performer.He’s a USA Today bestselling author, and his upcoming book, The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups, offers a powerful deep dive into how Black R&B groups shaped music, identity, and community.Amani's Website @amaniexperience on Instagram Amani on YouTube From DJ Booth to Classroom — The Creative JourneyAmani, your career bridges music, business, and education. How did your early experiences as a DJ evolve into this mission of helping others unlock their creativity and confidence?The Quiet Storm — Why This Story Matters NowYour new book, The Quiet Storm, is a cultural and historical analysis of Black R&B groups — from The Temptations to TLC. What inspired you to take on this topic, and why do you think it’s so important to tell this story today?Beyond Entertainment — R&B as Social CommentaryYou write that R&B groups didn’t just make music — they moved culture. How did these artists influence identity, social change, and even the civil rights movement through their art and community presence?Resilience, Reinvention, and Relevanceo  With over 30 years in hospitality and 17 years in the music industry, Amani has collaborated with brands like Marriott, 7-11, Calendly, and Chartmetric, generating millions in revenue while inspiring professionals to unlock their creativity, take risks, and stay resilient.o  You’ve led in corporate settings, creative spaces, and classrooms. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about staying relevant and resilient — whether you’re spinning records, teaching students, or advising executives?o  Amani’s leadership extends beyond the stage — he was the first African American President of Meeting Professionals International’s Southern California Chapter in 45 years and is co-host of the podcast Adventures in Business. His work has been featured in Forbes, People Magazine, NBC, and Yahoo! Finance.The Future of R&B and Creative LeadershipAs we look forward, how can today’s creatives — musicians, entrepreneurs, or educators — apply the lessons from R&B’s rise, dominance, and decline to keep their work meaningful, collaborative, and authentic?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And as we close out this special 7th anniversary episode of Your World of Creativity, remember to grab your free e-book, A World of Creativity, when you visit mark-stinson.com.Join us next time as we continue our round-the-world journey, talking with creative people about how they get inspired, how they organize ideas, and how they build the confidence and connections to launch their work into the world.

Today we’re honored to welcome Stan Lai, one of the world’s most celebrated playwrights and theatre directors. He has been called by one critic ‘the major contemporary Asian playwright of his time, perhaps of all time’ and by the BBC ‘the best Chinese-language playwright and director in the world’. Stan's Website @Stanlai99 on Instagram Stan on YouTube Born in the U.S. and raised in both America and Taiwan, Stan earned his PhD from UC Berkeley before launching a groundbreaking career in Taiwan that now spans over 40 acclaimed plays, including masterpieces like A Dream Like a Dream and Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land. He’s also the co-founder of the Wuzhen Theatre Festival and Huichang Theatre Village in China, and his Shanghai venue, Theatre Above, is dedicated entirely to his work.Stan joins us today to discuss his new book, CreativitRy: Asia’s Iconic Playwright Reveals the Art of Creativity, coming in November 2025 from Anthem Press — a transformative guide that blends memoir, Buddhist philosophy, and practical methods for unlocking the creative potential that lives within each of us. https://a.co/d/56PRqeG5 QuestionsThe Source of CreativityStan, you’ve said that CreativitRy explores “where creativity lives — within each and every one of us.” How did your own creative process as a playwright and director lead you to this realization, and what inspired you to put these ideas into book form?From Stage to Page — Translating Art into InsightYour plays are known for their emotional depth and philosophical reach. How was writing about creativity — in prose rather than in performance — a different kind of creative act for you?Buddhist Wisdom and Creative FlowYou describe the book as rooted in Buddhist thought, guiding readers to unlock creativity through introspection rather than productivity hacks. How do mindfulness and spiritual awareness shape your own approach to artistic creation?Creativity as Education — A New FrontierCreativitRy is being adopted as the foundational text for a new Department of Creative Studies at major Chinese universities. How did that initiative come about, and what does it say about the growing importance of creativity in education and society today?The Universality of the Creative JourneyYou’ve been praised by artists like Ang Lee and Jack Ma for bridging the arts, business, and human growth. What do you hope readers — whether they’re artists, entrepreneurs, or students — will take away from CreativitRy about living a truly creative life?Stan, as we close, what’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone who feels disconnected from their creativity — someone who wants to rediscover that creative energy in everyday life?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And be sure to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit <a href="https://mark-stinson.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Today, we welcome Oswald Newbold, a certified mediator, conflict resolution specialist, and contributing author to the new book Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Pathways to Redemption, Education, and Excellence, edited by Dr. Stanley Andrisse and published by Wiley.Oswald's Website Oswald's Facebook page This powerful collection features first-hand stories from individuals impacted by incarceration — stories of struggle, triumph, and transformation. Oswald’s own journey is especially compelling: sentenced to life at 20, he has emerged as a leader in mediation, education, and criminal justice reform.Through Breaking Chains, Building Futures, Oswald and his co-authors shed light on how redemption, education, and empathy can create real pathways toward healing and social change.Breaking Chains — Finding Purpose in PainOswald, your story in Breaking Chains, Building Futures is both raw and inspiring. What led you to share such a personal journey in this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?From Lived Experience to LeadershipYou were sentenced to life at 20, and yet you’ve turned that experience into a lifelong mission to mediate conflict and help others rebuild their lives. What inspired you to take on a leadership role in reentry services and criminal justice reform?The Power of Education and MediationYour background in mediation and conflict resolution is remarkable — with a 90% success rate and now a youth program training young people as certified mediators. How did your own access to education, both formal and informal, shape your path toward healing and leadership?Collaboration and Creative ProcessThis book brings together deeply personal stories from many voices, under Dr. Stanley Andrisse’s vision. What was it like to collaborate with other contributors on such emotionally charged material, and how did that creative process affect you?Building Futures — From Systemic Change to Personal HopeIn your view, what are the biggest barriers people face when reentering society after incarceration? And what gives you hope that we can create more equitable and effective pathways to redemption?You’ve built a career around conflict resolution — from prisons to communities to youth programs. What lessons from your time mediating behind the wall still guide you today?How do you maintain your own sense of balance, hope, and self-care while doing such emotionally demanding work?What does redemption mean to you now, both personally and professionally?For listeners who may be navigating their own second chances, or trying to turn pain into purpose — what’s one message you’d like them to carry forward from your story?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.comAnd before you go, remember to download your free e-book of A World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com

Today, we’re welcoming Robin Landa back to the show. I first interviewed Robin in February 2023 about her book The New Art of Ideas, and I’m thrilled to continue that conversation.Robin is a distinguished professor at Kean University and a globally recognized expert in creativity and branding. She received the 2024 Gold Design Education Recognition Award, was named by the Carnegie Foundation among the ‘Great Teachers of Our Time,’ and will be inducted into the New Jersey Advertising Hall of Fame in 2025.Robin 's Website @proflanda on Instagram Robin 's Facebook page Robin on YouTube Author of 25 books—including Graphic Design Solutions, Strategic Creativity, Advertising by Design, and Shareworthy (with Greg Braun)—Robin now turns to her new release: Branding as a Cultural Force: Purpose, Responsibility, and ResonanceFrom The New Art of Ideas to Cultural ForceRobin, when we talked in February 2023, you laid out a practical pathway for generating and shaping ideas. What’s evolved in your thinking since then—and how did that trajectory lead to Branding as a Cultural Force?Branding as a Vehicle for Systemic ChangeYour new book argues that branding can—and should—shape culture, not just reflect it. What catalyzed this call to action, and how does it challenge conventional brand playbooks?From Product Stories to Cultural MovementsWhich brands or campaigns today truly function as cultural forces? What makes them work—and what can creative teams learn about purpose, responsibility, and resonance?Authenticity, Accountability, and RiskWhen brands take a stand, what’s the right balance between authentic purpose and measurable responsibility? How should leaders navigate backlash, skepticism, and “purpose-washing”?Teaching Creative CourageYou’ve shaped thousands of careers through teaching, mentoring, judging, and writing. What practices help people move from safe, incremental ideas to bold, world-shaping concepts—without losing strategic clarity?The Next Generation of Brand LeadersWith AI, rapid cultural shifts, and fragmentation of attention, what skills—and mindsets—will define tomorrow’s most effective brand leaders?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee—fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, remember to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.

Today, we welcome Rand Selig — an accomplished investment banker, entrepreneur, coach, Scoutmaster, board member, and hands-on conservationist. Rand brings a unique balance of analytical insight and human understanding to everything he does.For more than 35 years, he’s led The Selig Capital Group, named the Best Sustainable Investment Banking Firm in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2024 by Wealth and Finance International. Rand is also the author of the award-winning book Thriving! How to Create a Healthier, Happier, and More Prosperous Life — a 333-page guide that’s been inspiring readers around the world since its release through selfpublishing.com.Rand's Website @Rmsinstat on Instagram Rand on YouTube Rand's Facebook page Thriving! resonate with readers seeking practical guidance for designing a life filled with purpose, vitality, and joy.The Power of Choice — Why “Thriving” MattersRand, your book is built on the idea that intentional choices can completely reshape our lives. What inspired you to write Thriving! and how do you define what it truly means to “thrive” in today’s fast-paced world?Overcoming Setbacks and Building ResilienceYou write about turning obstacles into opportunities — something you’ve clearly practiced in your own entrepreneurial and personal journey. What are some of your favorite tools or mindset shifts for building resilience through life’s challenges?The Science of ThrivingWith your background in both psychology and mathematics, you take a unique, evidence-based approach to personal growth. How do you bridge scientific insights — like self-awareness and behavioral psychology — with practical, everyday tools your readers can apply right now?Designing Your Life — Becoming the Architect of Your FutureYou often say we can design our own lives. What does that process look like in practice? Could you share a few of the most powerful exercises or decisions that help people move from drifting through life to actively creating it?The Ten Keys to Aging Well and Living with VitalityOne of my favorite parts of the book is your section on “The 10 Keys to Aging Well.” You emphasize that aging well is about vitality, not longevity. What are some of the key choices we can make today — psychologically, emotionally, and physically — to keep thriving as we age?You talk about defining success on your own terms. How can people begin that process when society tends to equate success with money or status?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, remember to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.

Today, we’re welcoming back Ian Ziskin, President of EXec EXcel Group, a leader with more than 40 years of experience as a business executive, board advisor, coach, consultant, and author. Ian has held senior leadership and Chief Human Resources Officer roles at three Fortune 100 companies, written extensively about the future of work, HR, and leadership, and continues to influence how organizations develop people and purpose.Ian's Website Ian first joined us on Your World of Creativity back in 2022, when he shared insights from another collaborative anthology project that brought together diverse voices in leadership. Today, he returns to discuss his new book, Lives Lost and Leadership Found, just released by Routledge. The book blends neuroscience, survey insights from 150 professionals, and deeply personal essays from dozens of contributors to explore how grief, loss, and connection can actually deepen our leadership capacity — and how our ‘special somebodies’ may be our most powerful teachers.Why This Book, and Why Now?Ian, you’ve written and spoken extensively about leadership and HR — but Lives Lost and Leadership Found takes a much more personal and emotional turn. What inspired you to write this book, and why was now the right time?Neuroscience, Grief, and GrowthThe book explores how neuroscience rewires our leadership capacity through experiences of loss. What did you discover about the connection between grief, empathy, and leadership resilience?Collaborative Creativity, Round TwoYou were last on the podcast in 2022 discussing another anthology you co-created. How has that collaborative creative process worked for you over the years — and what lessons did you carry forward into this new project?Leading Together — The Power of Many VoicesIn Lives Lost and Leadership Found, you serve as the lead author but included essays from dozens of contributors. What were the benefits — and maybe the challenges — of weaving so many perspectives into a single narrative?Lessons from the Data and the StoriesYou surveyed 150 professionals and featured essays from leaders and coaches across industries. What key lessons or themes emerged — and were there any surprises in how people transformed loss into growth?Music, Reflection, and RenewalYou even wrote and recorded a song for the book, “Here and Gone,” to honor your parents and brother. Tell us about the story behind that song — and why you encourage readers to write their own essays about their “Special Somebodies.Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee — fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, remember to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.

Today we’re joined by Steven Puri, Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company based in Austin, Texas, whose mission is to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more, and build a healthy work life. His latest creation, the Sukha Focus App, integrates science and soul to help people achieve deep, sustainable focus in a distracted world.Steven's Website The Journey from Hollywood to HappinessSteven, you’ve had such an eclectic career—from film production and tech startups to founding a company devoted to focus and balance. Steven’s creative journey spans journalism, film, technology, and now mindfulness. He began as a newscaster for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market, then went on to work as a software engineer and Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM.From there, he entered the film world—producing computer-generated visual effects for Independence Day and 13 other movies, launching his first company, Centropolis Effects, which he later sold to German media conglomerate Das Werk. He went on to senior leadership roles at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, developing hit franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, Transformers, and Star Trek.What turning point inspired you to create The Sukha Company?Creative Systems and ScienceYou’ve led creative and technical teams at the highest levels—from Independence Day to Transformers. What lessons from those high-pressure creative environments have shaped how you now think about productivity, empathy, and well-being at work?Defining “Sukha” in Modern WorkThe Sanskrit word sukha means happiness through self-fulfillment. How does that philosophy show up in your company’s products—and in your own daily focus habits?Focus in the Age of OverloadYou’ve built an app to help people stay focused in a world of constant distraction. What are the biggest focus challenges you see today, and how does The Sukha help users navigate them?The Future of Work and Well-BeingYou talk about “healthy productivity.” What do you see as the next evolution for creative professionals and organizations who want to get more done without burning out?Steven, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to creatives and leaders who are trying to find focus, fulfillment, and flow in their daily work?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee—fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, don’t forget to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.

Today, we’re talking with Dave Lee, the creative engineer and co-creator of Cardboard Sessions, the viral series where paper becomes possibility. In each episode, top-tier artists step into the studio to create unrehearsed sonic magic using fully playable instruments made entirely out of cardboard.Dave on YouTube @cardboardsessions on Instagram From cardboard Stratocasters and Telecasters to full drum kits, Dave and his team turn imagination into reality, documenting the process in stunning behind-the-scenes videos that blend art, science, and pure creative courage.The Spark of Cardboard ChaosDave, where did this idea begin—what first made you look at cardboard and think, “let’s make a snowboard, a guitar, or a pair of Vans out of this”? What was the creative leap from Cardboard Chaos to Cardboard Sessions?Engineering Meets ArtYou’ve built fully playable instruments out of cardboard—something that sounds impossible until people see and hear it. If you’ve ever looked at an everyday object and thought, ‘What if we made this out of cardboard?’—Dave’s probably already done it. Your creative journey—from Cardboard Chaos experiments to collaborations with icons like Tony Hawk, Marcus King, and Keanu Reeves—proves that true innovation often starts with the simplest materials and the boldest questions. I was watching the Cardboard Session with Peter Yorn -- How do you and your team balance the technical precision of engineering with the spontaneity of creative experimentation?The Magic of Unrehearsed MusicEach Cardboard Session is unrehearsed, unfiltered, and full of creative risk. What do you think happens to artists when the normal studio structure disappears and they’re just responding to the moment—with instruments made of paper?Collaboration and Creative FlowYou’ve brought in everyone from ZZ Top to Marcus King to Keanu Reeves. What have you learned about collaboration from these sessions—and how do you create an environment that invites trust, play, and genuine creativity?The Lesson for Creatives EverywhereYour work embodies the idea that creativity thrives on limits and curiosity. What’s your advice for listeners who want to tap into that “build it anyway” mindset—especially when they’re facing doubt or resistance?What’s one takeaway you hope creators remember from your work—about staying inventive, curious, and hands-on in a digital world?Thanks to our sponsor, White Cloud Coffee—fueling creative conversations everywhere. Listeners, enjoy 10% off your first order at whitecloudcoffee.com.And before you go, don’t forget to download your free e-book of Your World of Creativity when you visit mark-stinson.com.