In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Robertson, former CEO and current Chairman of BBDO and author of The Creative Shift, to unpack why creativity gets squeezed out of adults, teams, and organizations and what it actually takes to bring it back. We talk about the difference between innovation and true creation, why most brainstorming fails, and how businesses unintentionally shut down their people's most powerful ideas. Andrew shares the research, stories, and real-world lessons behind some of the most iconic campaigns of our time and why creativity is not reserved for "creative people," but for anyone solving meaningful problems.

We also go deep into the practical side. Andrew breaks down BBDO's famous Workout process, a structured and repeatable way to unlock breakthrough ideas in any organization. Along the way, we explore unforgettable stories from Snickers to Guinness to hard-earned failures that reveal how great ideas are actually discovered, protected, and brought to life.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why innovation alone rarely creates real competitive advantage

• The surprising reason most teams believe they are "not creative"

• How redefining the problem can unlock entirely new solutions

• Why generating bad ideas is a critical step toward great ones

• The mindset shift that helps leaders evaluate risk without playing it safe

• How iconic ideas are often hidden in plain sight

• What most brainstorming sessions get wrong

• The conditions that allow creativity to thrive inside real organizations

If you are leading a team, growing a business, or feeling stuck repeating what has always worked, this episode will challenge how you think about creativity and what is possible when you design for it on purpose. Tune in, listen closely, and ask yourself what could change if you stopped asking for one good idea and started creating space for many.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Inquire About Andrew's Talks and Speeches: andrew.robertson@bbdo.com

Link to Andrew's Book The Creative Shift: https://a.co/d/hVrfaHr

Andrew Robertson Outlines Principles of Business Development Success: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-relationships-real-revenue-video-edition-invest/id1504330338?i=1000565194906

What if the one skill you think you're doing "well enough"… is actually the thing silently sabotaging your performance, your relationships, and your wellbeing?

In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned sleep scientist Dr. Wendy Troxel to uncover the truth about the one behavior most of us think we've mastered — but absolutely haven't. We dive into why sleep is far more than a nightly routine, why high-performers struggle with it most, and how the noise of social media "sleep hacks" is leading so many people astray. I ask Wendy the questions we're all too embarrassed to ask — from middle-of-the-night wakeups and racing thoughts to travel schedules, workout soreness, grief, and the myth that effort alone can make us good sleepers.

You'll hear Wendy break down the science in a way that's shockingly practical — and sometimes surprisingly counterintuitive. She explains why trying harder actually makes sleep worse, how to reset your internal clock without overhauling your life, and why one mindset shift could change everything. If you think you're an "okay" sleeper… this episode might change your mind in the best possible way.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The one reason most people dramatically overestimate their sleep skills

• Why high achievers struggle most with sleep — and why "grinding harder" backfires

• The simple daily practice Wendy calls the non-negotiable circadian reset

• The surprising pre-bed ritual that can reduce middle-of-the-night wakeups

• What to do when your brain starts problem-solving at 3 a.m.

• How soreness, pain, or heavy training days really impact sleep

• What grief and emotional overwhelm do to sleep — and the permission you actually need

• Wendy's science-based jet lag strategy (including exactly what not to do)

If this episode opened your eyes to how sleep is shaping your performance, your mood, and your daily life more than you realized, share it with someone who needs to hear it too.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Order your copy of Sharing the Covers

Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn

What actually happens when generosity, influence, and habits collide in your business development work? That's the question I dive into in this second conversation with my friend Todd Sattersten, publisher of Bard Press and author of The 100 Best Books for Work & Life. We pick up exactly where Part One left off, right at the intersection of relationships, vulnerability, and connecting with others in a way that actually moves your work forward. From the surprising science behind why "givers" rise to the top (and sometimes sink to the bottom), to the behind-the-scenes mechanics of hospitality and how we make people feel in every interaction, this episode pushes far past surface-level tactics.

In this conversation, I explore the nuance in generosity, the structures behind positive influence, and six books that can fundamentally reshape how you implement, focus, and stay consistent. We dig into the practical edges of reciprocity, the real reason some professionals burn out while others thrive, and why habits ultimately drive identity and long-term success. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to glide forward with clarity while others stall out, this episode reveals the less obvious patterns hiding underneath.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• The subtle mistake that drains value from your "help" without you realizing it

• How hospitality reshapes the way clients experience your work

• The six psychological levers that quietly shape every business interaction

• A habit-building framework that works even when motivation doesn't

• How to create focus in a world that constantly tries to distract you

• The identity-level shift that fuels long-term growth

• The surprising reason goals alone can actually limit your success

If you want to deepen your relationships, sharpen your focus, and build the habits that fuel long-term success, this is an episode you'll want to sit with, not just listen to once.

Resources Mentioned:

Order your copy of Give to Grow

Get the Supplemental materials for Give to Grow

Get a copy of your GrowBIG Playbook today!

Bard Press

100 Best Books for Work and Life