The Futur with Chris Do

Episode 375: Becoming Unshakable: Design, Filmmaking, and Identity w/ Stan Nwaeze
August 28, 2025

Overview

This episode explores the journey of Stan Lindsay (Nwaeze), a self-taught designer and filmmaker who built his career—and his identity—by blending multiple creative disciplines. Host Chris Do and Stan discuss what it really means to lead creatively, how to stand out in a crowded and AI-saturated industry, and why embracing your unique background and expressing your authentic self are crucial to sustainable influence. The conversation offers both practical and philosophical guidance for creatives at every career stage, especially those struggling with visibility, value, and direction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Stan's Creative Journey: From Scarcity to Self-Expression

• Background & Evolution

  • Stan began as a web developer out of financial necessity, teaching himself coding and later pivoting to graphic design upon mentorship and self-discovery.
  • Over time, he expanded into UI/UX (using Figma), motion graphics, and ultimately filmmaking, integrating all his skills to express personal narrative and support brands.
  • [00:46] Stan Lindsay: “All of it is self-taught because I learned on YouTube. I’m a very curious person. I like to learn, I love to learn.”

• Multidisciplinary Approach

  • Describes himself as a "designer by day, filmmaker by night"—using each discipline to explore and express different facets of his identity.
  • [03:07] Stan Lindsay: “When I’m not designing, I’m trying to film... It’s something I do as a profession and to document my own journey.”

Standing Out in a Noisy, Competitive Industry

• Teaching What You Know

  • Stan attributes his growth to openly sharing his creative process and learnings, inspired by Chris Do’s ethos: “teach what you know.” He emphasizes that you don’t have to be an expert; sharing helps both you and those newer to the field.
  • [04:48] Stan Lindsay: “Don’t wait to be discovered, create a stage instead... If we put out our ideas, our knowledge, our experiences, what we've gathered so far... it would make a difference in the life of someone.”

• The Impact of Documenting and Sharing Work

  • Posting content opened doors: he narrates how being visible online directly led to opportunities and long-term collaborations worldwide.
  • [06:47] Stan Lindsay: “Someone reached out to me on Instagram... I'm still working with that person today in London. And I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from the U.S. just because I put out what I know.”

Chris Do’s Blueprint for Creative Differentiation

• Amassing Social Proof ([10:04])

  • Awards, certifications, panels, well-known clients—Chris asserts these verifiable markers build credibility and open opportunities, especially if they have name-brand recognition.
  • [10:35] Chris Do: “You need to gather as much proof as possible that you are good at what you do... Awards, certificates, speaking on a panel... All those things help to build your credibility.”

• Intentional Differentiation

  • Chris urges creatives to lean into what makes them unique rather than imitating others. He leans on the Sally Hogshead quote:
    “It’s better to be different than to be better.”
  • He encourages listing all your skills, passions, and quirks, looking for overlaps, and combining them to define your unique brand.

• Leaning into Identity for Influence

  • Chris draws from his Asian American refugee story and love for performance, using authenticity and multidimensionality to connect with audiences.
  • [17:15] Chris Do: “So I don’t want to create a situation where I go on stage and give a presentation like everyone else... I’m just different than a lot of people.”
  • [17:44] “Lean into what makes you different. It’s like you to the power of you. You squared.”

The Value—and Strategy—of Free Work ([19:32])

• Is It Ever Okay to Work for Free?

  • Chris reframes free work as “marketing,” recommending you be strategic, intentional, and disciplined—especially when entering new spaces or projects that diversify your reel/portfolio.
  • Case studies: Doing pro bono for PSAs or music videos; subsidizing “passion” projects in exchange for exposure and future high-value opportunities.
  • [20:27] Chris Do: “Free work needs to be put into a different category... It’s marketing. And every one of us needs to spend some time and money and resources against marketing.”

• Stan’s Experience

  • Stan’s underpaid reality show work led to high-profile exposure and subsequent paid gigs:
    “By the end of the day, I saw my work on stage... that single act of doing that job gave me another job, a bigger job because someone saw my design.” ([22:48])

Navigating Discouragement & Lack of Engagement ([25:09])

• Chris’s Mindset Shifts
  • Create as self-expression, not solely for external validation—expectations kill joy and persistence.
  • Growth through “articulation”: Making, sharing, writing, and speaking help clarify what you know—do it for yourself first.
  • Continuously improve storytelling:
    • Strong hooks, great titles/thumbnails, and dynamic storytelling are key.
    • Vary vocal tempo, tone, and “energy,” combining calm and excitement for engaging delivery ([25:09]–[30:45]).
  • [25:09] Chris Do: “You gain clarity through articulation... The act of creating should be its own reward versus some other metric about likes and follows and shares.”

Filmmaking & Content Creation Tactics ([30:45])

• Stan’s Approach to Captivating Content

  • Focuses on five elements: a compelling hook (verbal/visual), curated sound design/music, clear messaging, on-brand thumbnails, and engaging B-roll to increase watchability and retention.
  • [30:45] Stan Lindsay: “You have about three, four or five seconds to get people’s attention... So I try to invest in the hook. I also invest in good sound... and B-rolls for engagement.”

• Chris on Cinematic Storytelling

  • Stresses the necessity of frequent cuts and thoughtful B-roll to avoid stagnation in video, regardless of genre.
  • [34:10] Chris Do: “The artistry is in the B roll... trying to metaphorically or symbolically illustrate... to give us something to look at.”

• Learning by Example

  • Stan references Chris’s “Shu Ha Ri” video as an inspiration for using engaging hooks, motion graphics, and sound, reinforcing the ethos of “steal like an artist.”
  • [35:24] Stan Lindsay: “That video really, like, it did work because the intro was superb... and I copied this from you. I stole like an artist.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Identity and Difference

• [17:44] Chris Do: “Lean into what makes you different. It’s like you to the power of you. You squared.”

On Self-Expression & Sharing

• [04:48] Stan Lindsay: “Don’t wait to be discovered, create a stage instead.”

On Doing Free Work

• [20:27] Chris Do: “Free work needs to be put into a different category... It’s marketing.”

On Creative Persistence

• [25:09] Chris Do: “You gain clarity through articulation... The act of creating should be its own reward versus some other metric about likes and follows and shares.”

On Engaging Content Creation

• [30:45] Stan Lindsay: “If the hook isn’t inviting, someone is just going to scroll past... So I try to invest in the hook.”
• [34:10] Chris Do: “The artistry is in the B roll... you need to edit or put a cut in every three seconds otherwise it gets really boring.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:46 — Stan’s self-taught creative journey
• 03:07 — Dual identity: designer and filmmaker
• 04:48 — Power of sharing and teaching what you know
• 06:47 — How sharing content unlocked new opportunities
• 10:04 — Chris’s two-part blueprint: social proof and unique differentiation
• 17:15 — The importance of leaning into your background for authenticity and impact
• 19:32 — The strategic perspective on free work
• 22:48 — Stan’s real-world experience with free work leading to paid gigs
• 25:09 — Advice on content, mindset, and embracing low engagement
• 30:45 — Stan’s five-step formula for engaging video content
• 34:10 — Chris’s filmmaking advice: cut frequency and use of B-roll
• 35:24 — Stan’s shout-out of Chris’s “Shu Ha Ri” video technique

Episode Takeaways

• Document your process and teach as you go—don’t wait for mastery or permission.
• Strategically pursue and publicize social proof and press coverage.
• Differentiate by owning and celebrating your unique background and multiplicity.
• Frame unpaid work as a calculated marketing investment—choose carefully.
• Continuous improvement and authentic self-expression trump early external rewards.
• Skillful storytelling combines strong hooks, sound, visuals, and narrative structure.

For further resources and detailed show notes, visit thefutur.com/podcast.