Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Confidence Classic: You Can Be REMARKABLE: The Guide To Growth, Grit, & Grace with Guy Kawasaki
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Guest: Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist of Canva & Creator of the Remarkable People Podcast

I. Introduction

In this episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Heather welcomes Guy Kawasaki, a renowned author, speaker, and Chief Evangelist at Canva. Kawasaki shares his extensive experience from shattering the glass ceiling in corporate America to becoming a best-selling author and influential podcaster. The conversation delves into his latest book, "Think Remarkable," which encapsulates lessons learned from interviewing over 200 remarkable individuals.

II. Guy Kawasaki's Background and Career

Heather introduces Guy Kawasaki, highlighting his impressive credentials and roles, including his tenure at Apple. Kawasaki humorously corrects some inaccuracies in his introduction, clarifying his current positions and hobbies.

Notable Quote:
Guy Kawasaki [01:43]: "I am the chief evangelist of Canva. I'm the host of the Remarkable People podcast, and I do live in Watsonville, and I love to surf."

III. "Think Remarkable" Book Overview

Kawasaki discusses the core themes of his book—Growth, Grit, and Grace—which are derived from his interviews with 200 remarkable people over four years. He emphasizes that being remarkable isn't about self-promotion but about making a meaningful impact on the world.

Notable Quotes:
Kawasaki [03:48]: "People with fixed mindsets believe that they are what they are. They cannot embrace new subjects, new topics... That's just not true of remarkable people."
Kawasaki [04:08]: "Grace is where you decide that it's not about you anymore. It's about making a mark and making the world a better place."

IV. Building a Remarkable Podcast

Kawasaki shares how his podcast gained traction by featuring high-profile guests like Jane Goodall, Margaret Atwood, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. He explains that his reputation from his time at Apple opened doors, allowing him to secure interviews with influential figures.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [21:26]: "Once you have Jane Goodall, then you get Margaret Atwood, then you get Was, then you get Bob Cialdini, then you get David Aker, and guess what? It gets easier and easier."

V. Surprising Aspects and Humble Beginnings

Kawasaki recounts his journey from Honolulu to Stanford and eventually to Apple’s Macintosh division. He highlights the role of mentorship and seizing unexpected opportunities in shaping his remarkable career.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [11:53]: "I got into Stanford, and from Hawaii to Stanford it was a religious experience... this is like the Holy land."

VI. Importance of Making a Difference

The conversation emphasizes that true remarkability stems from the desire to improve the world. Kawasaki contrasts his book with typical self-help books, underscoring that his focus is on actionable insights rather than superficial motivation.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [34:19]: "The way to be remarkable is not to decide to be remarkable. The way to be remarkable is to decide to make the world a better place."

VII. Patience vs. Grit

Heather and Kawasaki discuss the delicate balance between patience and grit. Kawasaki introduces the metaphor of planting acorns to illustrate long-term investment and the importance of nurturing one’s efforts over time.

Notable Quotes:
Kawasaki [48:32]: "Planting acorns grows up to be gigantic oak... it's a great metaphor for life."
Kawasaki [50:06]: "Patience is the flip side of complacency. If you're overly patient or you're patient in everything, maybe you won't grow and maybe you won't have grit."

VIII. Stories of Remarkable People

Kawasaki shares inspiring stories from his podcast, including individuals who have overcome significant adversity. One such story is Andrea Lyto Pete, diagnosed with ALS, who completed marathons across all 50 states despite her condition.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [30:13]: "Andrea... she decided that she was going to complete a marathon in all 50 states with ALS. She runs the race by herself and sticks it to the man."

IX. The Acorn Metaphor

A standout chapter in Kawasaki’s book focuses on the "Plant Many Seeds" principle. He explains how planting acorns symbolizes investing in numerous opportunities, understanding that not all will flourish, but with patience, some will grow into strong, impactful trees.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [40:27]: "You have to gather a lot of seeds, you have to sample. You have to gather a lot of experiences. You put them under stress. Some sink, some float."

X. Being Kind and Understanding Others

Heather and Kawasaki discuss the importance of empathy and kindness, especially in high-stress environments like airports. Kawasaki urges listeners to consider the unseen struggles others might be facing before passing judgment.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [50:46]: "Maybe he or she is single parent, raising four kids, taking care of her parents and grandparents. Maybe he or she's abused... you don't know the total picture."

XI. Conclusion and Where to Get the Book

In wrapping up, Kawasaki encourages listeners to read "Think Remarkable" to gain concise, actionable insights from his extensive interviews. Heather affirms the book's value, praising its straightforward approach to achieving personal and professional success.

Notable Quote:
Kawasaki [54:14]: "Think Remarkable will be in bookstores and Amazon and everywhere... we've been talking about remarkable all day. But now, in today's fractured world, you got to think remarkable."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deep dive into what it means to be remarkable, drawing from Guy Kawasaki’s rich experiences and the inspiring stories of countless individuals. Kawasaki’s emphasis on growth, perseverance, and making a meaningful difference provides listeners with a comprehensive guide to cultivating confidence and achieving greatness in both business and life.

Where to Find "Think Remarkable":
Available at major bookstores, Amazon, and online platforms. For more insights and updates, follow Guy Kawasaki on his podcast Remarkable People and social media channels.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are included to reference specific parts of the discussion.