Daring Forever (Find your Extraordinary)

Latest Episodes:

Dare to choose what matters - Thiago Maia Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Brazilian animator and Cookie Studio founder Thiago Maia shares his journey from a creatively free childhood in São Paulo to building a successful animation studio in London, followed by a mental health breakdown that forced him to redefine success. ~

Growing up surrounded by Japanese culture and his mother's art gallery, Thiago developed a "magician" approach to creativity—saying yes first, then figuring out how to deliver. After moving to the UK with limited English and two suitcases, he worked his way up from serving coffee to running his own studio.

Despite outward success, Thiago experienced severe depression in 2021 that nearly cost him his business and marriage. Through therapy and honest conversations, he learned to prioritize freedom over growth, scaling down his studio to focus on what truly matters. Now divorced but happier, he channels his energy into being the father he wants to be and advocates for mental health awareness in the creative industry.

Key Takeaways

Say yes, then figure it out: Thiago's "magician" approach involves accepting challenges and learning the skills needed afterward, building confidence through problem-solving
Freedom trumps growth: Running a larger studio doesn't equal more freedom; sometimes scaling down provides the creative liberty you originally sought
Mental health isn't weakness: Breaking the "boys don't cry" mentality and seeking therapy can be life-saving for creatives carrying emotional burdens
Reconnect with existing networks: When rebranding or growing, leveraging established relationships proves more valuable than cold outreach to strangers
Guide without controlling: As creative parents, providing tools and freedom to explore matters more than imposing predetermined paths on children
Happiness requires honest self-reflection: Success metrics imposed by others may not align with personal fulfillment; regular self-examination prevents burnout
Cultural influences shape creativity naturally: Thiago's Japanese-influenced aesthetic emerged organically from childhood experiences rather than strategic business planning
Language barriers are temporary obstacles: Moving to a new country without fluency creates initial challenges but opens doors to perspectives impossible in your home environment
Therapy provides structured thinking time: Professional help offers dedicated space for reflection in an otherwise noisy, distraction-filled world
Purpose can evolve or remain undefined: Not having a clear "why" doesn't invalidate your creative journey; sometimes enjoying the process matters more than destination clarity

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

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"Letting go is a byproduct of acceptance" (Meera Lee Patel bonus episode) Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Meera Lee Patel

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

Dare to let go of who you used to be - Meera Lee Patel Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

What happens when a million-copy bestselling author realizes she can't escape herself? Meera Lee-Patel, creator of the transformative journal "Start Where You Are," takes us inside the messy reality of self-discovery that spawned her life-changing work. ~ From feeling like an outsider in suburban America to building a creative empire from her Brooklyn bedroom, Meera reveals how books became her refuge and ultimately her calling.

In this deeply personal conversation, she opens up about the overwhelming flood of reader messages that followed her success, the imposter syndrome that haunted her for years, and the shocking moment when becoming a mother stripped away everything she thought she knew about herself. You'll discover her surprisingly mathematical approach to creating books that touch souls, why rejection became her greatest teacher, and how she learned that letting go isn't something you do—it's something that happens when you finally accept where you are.

This episode will resonate with anyone who's ever felt stuck between who they were and who they're becoming, offering a roadmap for finding peace in the transition.

Order new book 'Learn to Let Go by Meera Lee Patel here

Key Takeaways

Self-discovery requires accepting who you are now rather than constantly seeking external validation or approval from others
Letting go isn't something you can force—it's a natural byproduct of accepting your current circumstances and reality
Books and creative work can provide escape, comfort, and connection, especially during feelings of isolation or being different
Sharing vulnerable creative work opens doors to profound human connection but requires learning to set healthy boundaries
Imposter syndrome can follow creative success for years until life circumstances (like parenthood) force you to release it
Mathematical planning and spreadsheet organization can coexist beautifully with creative expression and artistic intuition in book-making
Rejection can be reframed as opportunity for improvement when you're working on something truly meaningful to you
Creative children learn by watching parents model entrepreneurial spirit and "just doing it" without waiting for permission
The writing process clarifies thinking, and clear thinking improves writing—they work hand in hand to refine ideas
Becoming a parent means mourning the loss of your former self while discovering new aspects of who you can become
Setting pagination and word limits forces brevity, which strengthens writing by requiring clarity and eliminating unnecessary elements
True creative fulfillment comes from making work that matters rather than just producing content for commercial success

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

"You need to understand what gets you out of bed in the morning" (Barney Mauleverer bonus episode) Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Barney Mauleverer from Future of Food

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

Dare to put yourself in luck's path - Barney Mauleverer Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

Barney Mauleverer embodies a life philosophy of putting yourself in luck's path through curiosity and generalist thinking.

Rather than following a linear career plan, he embraced chaos and uncertainty in his twenties, taking seemingly random jobs that ultimately built the foundation for entrepreneurial success. His approach centers on listening first - understanding what customers and buyers actually need before developing solutions.

At the core of his philosophy is the belief that entrepreneurs are the true risk-takers who deserve recognition, not the buyers and investors often treated as industry gods. He advocates for open collaboration over competitive secrecy, viewing global challenges like population growth as opportunities for innovation rather than insurmountable problems. ~

His current Future of Food initiative reflects this worldview - creating platforms for entrepreneurs to share knowledge and collectively address industry challenges while championing the next generation of food innovators.

Key Takeaways

Embrace being a generalist - Multiple interests and skills can be a superpower rather than a weakness in entrepreneurship
Put yourself in luck's path - Take varied experiences and stay curious about different opportunities to create your own breaks
Listen before you sell - Understand customer pain points and buyer motivations before developing products or pitches
Pre-sell the vision - Test market demand with concepts before investing heavily in product development and manufacturing
Think like your buyer - Consider what success looks like for the person across the table, not just what you want to achieve
Fail forward strategically - Use disasters and rejections as learning opportunities rather than endpoints
Build from customer need - Start with solving real problems rather than falling in love with your own product ideas
Champion the risk-takers - Recognize entrepreneurs as the true drivers of innovation rather than treating buyers and investors as gods
Collaborate openly - Share knowledge and work together on industry-wide challenges rather than hoarding competitive advantages
Focus on opportunity over problems - Frame global challenges like population growth and resource constraints as innovation opportunities rather than insurmountable issues

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

"Everything is based on relationships" (Goodtype bonus episodes) Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Illana & Katie (Goodtype)

The Kerference by Goodtype - ticket link

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

Dare to transform fear into permission - Katie Johnson & Ilana Griffo (Goodtype) Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Katie and Ilana (GoodType), share their unconventional journey from strangers who connected over art licensing to business partners running a multi-faceted creative education company. Originally founded by Bodhi Robinson as an Instagram account celebrating typography, GoodType evolved into a comprehensive platform when Katie and Ilana took over the reins.

The conversation explores their complementary partnership dynamic, working remotely across the country, and their philosophy of "community over competition." Both founders came from different creative backgrounds - Katie from jazz music and Ilana from interior design - before discovering graphic design and eventually typography. ~

Their business encompasses multiple streams: creative education, art licensing consultation, their own studio work, and community building through their virtual conference. They emphasize the importance of relationships over technical skills, following authentic passion rather than just profit, and approaching business decisions as experiments rather than make-or-break commitments.

Join their 3-day virtual conference - The Kernference - info here

Key Takeaways

Community beats competition - When Ilana reached out about the same business idea, Katie chose collaboration over territorial behavior, transforming a potential threat into a life-changing partnership
Yin and yang partnerships work better than sameness - Successful collaborations thrive on complementary strengths and differences rather than identical approaches and constant agreement
Relationship skills trump technical abilities - Building genuine connections and listening to people proves more valuable for business success than having the best design portfolio
Following heart over money reduces stress - While privileged, choosing creative fulfillment over maximum profit leads to better mental health and sustainable business practices
Permission slips come from community - Seeing peers at similar skill levels sharing their work on social media provided the confidence to start creating and sharing publicly
Typography intimidation is real but conquerable - The field's intense gatekeepers create barriers for beginners, but finding supportive communities helps overcome the fear of judgment
Experiments reduce emotional investment - Approaching new initiatives as data-gathering experiments rather than do-or-die ventures allows for healthier risk-taking and learning
Virtual conferences can fill accessibility gaps - Online events serve people who cannot afford travel costs while creating valuable connections across global communities
Passive income requires active maintenance - Educational products need ongoing marketing and refinement work, just different from course creation itself
Art licensing knowledge gaps create opportunities - When information is scarce in profitable areas, teaching others becomes both valuable service and business model

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

"Don't regret leaving that music inside of you" (Mitch Monson bonus episode) Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

A short bonus episode showcasing a few stand out moments from this weeks guest interview with Mitch Monson

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com

Dare to find silence in the storm - Mitch Monson Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Mitch Monson, Executive Director of Creative and Partnerships at Sibling Rivalry, shares his extraordinary journey from self-taught graphic designer to creating iconic work for Prince, Marvel, and the Olympics. With a unique background spanning military nuclear submarine service and backcountry snowboarding, Mitch offers insights on risk-taking, leadership, and the power of saying yes to opportunities that initially seem beyond your capabilities.

The conversation explores how a young Minneapolis design company landed Prince as a client, leading to the creation of his famous Love Symbol. Mitch reveals how his self-taught background became a superpower, allowing him to break rules he never learned and approach creativity without traditional constraints. His military training instilled leadership principles of "leaders eat last," while extreme sports provide the mental reset necessary for sustained creative output.

Key Takeaways

Risk-taking is life-giving: Mitch doesn't see risk as dangerous but as the moments when he feels most alive and engaged
Self-taught advantage: Not knowing the rules can be a superpower, enabling rule-breaking and fresh approaches to creative challenges
Invest in yourself first: Don't wait for permission or company funding to pursue growth opportunities - make it happen yourself
Document the journey: Taking photos and reflecting on moments helps appreciate achievements and motivates future growth
Geographic flexibility accelerates success: Being willing to move for opportunities significantly impacts creative career trajectory
Leaders serve their teams: Military-inspired leadership means putting people first and working for your team, not the other way around
Silence enables creativity: Finding quiet spaces (like mountaintops) provides essential mental resets for sustained creative work
Community over competition: Bringing people together through programs like Assembly creates value for the entire industry
Iteration builds excellence: Working with demanding clients like Prince teaches rapid iteration and maintaining high standards under pressure
Presence matters: How you show up - like Prince arriving ready for stage at 9am Sunday - sets the tone for professional relationships
Embrace being uncomfortable: The anxiety and fear in creative work are normal; the key is not letting them prevent action
Military training translates: Skills from high-stakes environments provide calculated risk assessment and preparation for creative challenges

Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com