Podcast
The Futur with Chris Do
Hosted by The Futur · EN
The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
145episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why "Faking It" Kills Your Personal Brand w/ Chris Do | Ep 435
1w ago00:15:15Summary readyChris Do identifies the invisible distance between who a creator is and who they present to the world, a phenomenon he calls the authenticity gap. He explains that performing for acceptance rather than showing up authentically leads to creative burnout, attracted the wrong audience, and inconsistent growth. By examining the difference between performance marketing and long-term brand building, Chris offers a four-column framework to help professionals discover their unique intersection of skills and passion. This episode challenges listeners to stop hiding behind a curated facade and start building a personal brand rooted in their true self. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:13) - Defining the authenticity gap (01:01) - Five signs that you are performing instead of being (02:23) - The snowball effect of operating from a misaligned place (03:56) - A real-life example of the stress caused by hiding the truth (06:12) - Why being yourself has become the exception, not the norm (08:11) - Moving away from "normal" to find differentiation (09:02) - The four-column exercise to find your unique value (12:42) - Measuring brand value using the water bottle metaphor (14:38) - Why you should stop acting like a marketer and connect authentically Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How To Become World-Class At Anything w/ Jodie Cook | Ep 434
2w ago00:26:41Summary readyMost people think they're world-class. Most people are wrong. In this conversation, Chris sits down with Jodie Cook, entrepreneur, powerlifter, and author, to break down what it actually means to operate at the very top of any field, and what separates the truly elite from everyone else who just thinks they are. They get into the five markers of world-class performance, the four stages of competence (and which one is most dangerous), why the "curse of knowledge" makes mastery hard to teach, and how obsession, not talent, is the common thread across every elite performer Jodie studied. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:21) - Defining World-Class (02:05) - Popularity vs. True Mastery (05:20) - Beyonce, Abundance, and Letting Go (06:27) - The Four Stages of Competence (08:43) - The Curse of Knowledge (12:24) - How to Demonstrate World-Class (13:38) - From Bullied to Celebrated (15:58) - How to Spot Real Mastery (18:27) - Is Jodie World-Class? (20:48) - Is Chris World-Class? (23:35) - The Path to the Top (25:54) - Chris's Closing Challenge Check out today's guest, Jodie Cook: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-cook/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jodie_Cook Websites: https://www.jodiecook.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodie.cook_/?hl=en Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Leading the Client Journey w/ Mikon van Gastel | Ep 433
3w ago00:19:58Summary readyChris Do speaks with Mikon van Gastel about the critical gap between being a design practitioner and a strategic business leader. Van Gastel, co-founder of Sibling Rivalry, shares insights on how to "lead the witness" during pitches, the shifting value of experience in a millennial-driven market, and why the future of advertising lies in immersive ecosystems like the Sphere. Listeners will learn how to transition from making beautiful frames to building lasting client trust through deep listening and shared experiences. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:43) - Early career at Imaginary Forces (01:57) - Practitioner versus business leader (03:52) - Improving your pitching skills (06:00) - The true meaning of a client's thank you (06:42) - Signs you won the pitch (08:22) - Keys to industry longevity (10:38) - Designing immersive 5D experiences (14:36) - The future of advertising ecosystems (16:41) - Career reflections and the next 30 years Check out today's guest, Mikon van Gastel: Sibling Rivalry: https://www.siblingrivalry.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikon Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Build a Business You Love w/ Marie Forleo | Ep 432
4w ago00:36:14Summary readyIn this episode, Chris Do speaks with entrepreneur and #1 New York Times Best Selling author Marie Forleo about designing a business and life centered around joy and fulfillment. Marie unpacks the dangers of a scarcity mindset and explains how reframing our relationship with money unlocks new levels of abundance. They explore the reality of being a multi-passionate creative, offering a framework for focusing on a "winning game" tailored to the current season of life. Listeners will walk away with actionable advice on hiring the right team, prioritizing personal development, and pursuing work that genuinely aligns with their core values. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:57) - Leaving Wall Street (08:50) - Discovering life coaching (11:42) - Designing a business you love (18:57) - The multi-passionate entrepreneur (22:30) - Overcoming scarcity mindset (26:29) - Reframing money as an energy (28:35) - Core values and team culture (31:14) - The date-to-marry hiring strategy Check out today's guest, Marie Forleo: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marieforleo/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/marieforleo Website: https://www.marieforleo.com/ Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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6 Skills That Make Creatives Irreplaceable w/ Chris Do | Ep 431
Apr 2900:18:39Summary readyThis episode explores the growing anxiety creatives feel around AI and reframes the conversation toward long-term relevance and value. Chris Do breaks down six high-income creative skills that AI cannot replace, emphasizing that these are not job titles but human capabilities to strengthen and lead with. He explains why strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and original creativity remain essential in a world where tools can execute faster but cannot define purpose or meaning. Throughout the episode, he highlights how lived experience, intuition, and human judgment create a moat that automation cannot cross. Timestamps (00:00) — Intro (01:12) — Strategic thinking over execution (02:18) — Emotional intelligence in branding (05:54) — Original creativity and big ideas (07:48) — Taste and creative judgment (15:02) — Trust and client relationships Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why Process is Better Than AI w/ Scott Clum | Ep 430
Apr 2500:31:26Summary readyChris Do sits down with artist and designer Scott Clum to explore the evolution of snowboard and skate culture's visual language. In an era increasingly dominated by AI and push-button gratification, Clum champions the tactile, utilitarian process of making art and embracing the beauty of mistakes. Drawing from his 40-year career shaping brands like Sims and Morrow Snowboards, he unpacks the crucial difference between personal self-expression and commercial design. Creative professionals will discover why staying true to the manual process builds a more valuable creative perspective and get a glimpse into Clum’s upcoming print magazine, WALK. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:15) - Personal versus commercial work (04:13) - The value of utility and the design process (07:02) - Transitioning from fine art to graphic design (09:19) - AI tools and the loss of creative curiosity (10:43) - 40 years of snowboard graphics with Sims (14:22) - Building the Morrow Snowboards aesthetic (16:18) - Hand-cut graphics and analog printing (20:50) - Editorial design and the goal of the unexpected (25:57) - Announcing WALK magazine Check out today's guest, Scott Clum: Website: https://www.scottclum.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottclum_design Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Personal Brand vs Reputation w/ Matt Essam | Ep 429
Apr 2200:19:58Summary readyIn this continuation of their dialogue, Chris Do and Matt Essam tackle the confusing distinctions between having a personal reputation and building a true personal brand . Many creative professionals experience internal resistance when considering a personal brand, often fearing the required effort or doubting the return on investment . Chris breaks down why audience size does not inherently equal income and reveals the unique advantages of a strong personal brand, such as the ability to jump verticals and command higher value . Listeners will walk away with a clear framework to determine if they are ready to commit to the long-term work of discovering and amplifying who they truly are. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:02) - Content strategy and sharing (02:02) - Audience size versus income (04:02) - Reputation versus personal brand (06:09) - Industry positioning and jumping verticals (08:26) - Disadvantages of personal branding (08:50) - Social media as the new resume (11:53) - Resistance as a sign of purpose (15:53) - Overcoming the fear of pursuing art (18:27) - Becoming more of yourself Listen to the first part of this episode with Matt Essam: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xbmmd2wQTnr1c1DklNPJB?si=pP59DB0rRq6ISV7fomtCcw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-reputation-your-strategy-w-matt-essam-ep-381/id1209219220?i=1000727320751 Check out today's guest, Matt Essam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_essam/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mattessam Website: https://www.mattessam.co.uk/ Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Overcoming the Fear of Speaking Up w/ Jule Kim | Ep 428
Apr 1500:22:12Summary readyChris Do and Jule Kim explore the hidden costs of holding back and the profound impact of saying exactly what you think. Many professionals struggle to speak up due to cultural conditioning, fear of judgment, or social anxiety. By unpacking real-world scenarios—from navigating social discomfort at industry events to confidently stating a $45,000 project price—Chris demonstrates how direct, precise communication empowers operators. Listeners will learn how to shift focus away from internal discomfort and articulate their value without relying on unprompted proof. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:30) - The breakthrough of speaking your mind (01:56) - Asking basic questions to clients (03:45) - Cultural conditioning and stereotypes (05:46) - Navigating social anxiety and fitting out (07:35) - Releasing stress through positive communication (11:51) - Reverse engineering desired outcomes (13:00) - Overcoming the fear of discussing money (15:15) - Stating project pricing confidently (20:21) - Practicing direct communication daily Check out today's guest, Jule Kim: Jule's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julekim/ Jule's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjulekim Executive Coach Jule Kim : https://adviceactually.com/ Jule Kim's Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Wy7NzSjPBFU42tGS0jUeB?si=27adaa65f448473c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-how-you-think-a-personal-growth-and/id1821606552 Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X: https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Stop Selling Services, Sell Value w/ Chris Do | Ep 427
Apr 800:13:02Summary readyMany creative professionals detest sales because they focus on selling services rather than tangible business value. Chris Do unpacks the five biggest lessons from Kevin Daly's book, Socratic Selling, offering a framework for those who hate manipulative sales tactics. By learning to dollarize value, ask open-ended questions, and practice full-value listening, creatives can shift the dynamic from pitching to problem-solving. This permission-based approach empowers buyers to articulate their own needs and allows practitioners to close deals using hypothetical agreements. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:20) - Dollarizing value to sell money (02:20) - The power of open-ended questions (05:27) - Full value listening and taking notes (07:27) - Finding the compelling event in the past (09:30) - The conditional close framework (12:15) - A fresh perspective for introverts Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Stop Doing Everything w/ Mo Ismail | Ep 426
Apr 100:14:21Summary readyChris Do discusses with Mo Ismail the burden of over-diversification and the necessity of "burying" one's old professional identity to achieve a business breakthrough. By adopting the "Five Ones" framework, Chris explains how narrowing focus to a single target market and offering creates the pressure needed to punch through industry noise. This episode serves as a strategic roadmap for creative professionals who feel diluted and are ready to trade complexity for a potent, high-growth personal brand Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (00:24) - Taki Moore and the Five Ones framework (01:36) - The cost of a complicated business model (02:21) - Transitioning from your old professional identity (03:55) - Why picking a lane increases brand potency (05:42) - Case study: From generalist to motion design specialist (09:50) - Physics of business: Force divided by surface area (11:18) - Benefits of a strong authentic personal brand Check out today's guest, Mo Ismail: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moismai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moismai/?hl=en Check out The Futur: Website: https://www.thefutur.com/ Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/ Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ X : https://x.com/thefuturishere TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere Check out Chris Do: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/ X: https://x.com/thechrisdo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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