The Art of Everyday Innovation w/ Paul Rowan | Ep 396
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with Paul Rowan, co-founder of Umbra, to explore the evolution of creativity, design, and entrepreneurial resilience. Paul shares how curiosity from his father’s hardware store shaped his early design instincts, how a simple DIY idea turned into a global brand, and why imagination remains the ultimate business tool.
Together, they uncover lessons from Umbra’s iconic Garbo trash can, how to turn setbacks into strategy, and the courage it takes to pivot in an unpredictable market.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(01:15) - Meet Paul Rowan
(03:02) - First product and startup story
(05:42) - Lessons from the hardware store
(08:13) - Finding purpose in imperfection
(10:27) - From typography to entrepreneurship
(15:04) - Staying young through collaboration
(17:52) - Partnering with design schools
(19:36) - Building a culture of creativity
(22:17) - Overcoming shyness to sell ideas
(25:41) - Making the first retail sale
(30:18) - Turning prototypes into production
(33:29) - Protecting innovation through relationships
(37:22) - Innovating during recession times(39:11) - Designing the Garbo trash can
(42:33) - Scaling design to global success
(47:28) - Learning from failed products
(56:42) - The future of creativity and AI
Check out today's guest, Paul Rowan:
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/paul-rowan-976927b
Website: https://paulrowan.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulrowan/?hl=en
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The Future of Marketing Isn’t Courses w/ Ryan Deiss | Ep 395
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with entrepreneur and Digital Marketer founder Ryan Deiss to explore how his early ventures shaped a multimillion-dollar business empire and what led to his public “retirement” from online courses.
Ryan unpacks his journey from selling eBooks in college to scaling a $200M portfolio and why he believes adaptability is the key to long-term success. They discuss what happens when business identity and personal identity collide, the decline of digital courses, and how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(01:04) - $200M portfolio snapshot
(03:38) - First client, no skills
(05:23) - Risk time, not money
(07:11) - Who you serve lesson
(09:26) - SEO baby-food eBook
(12:42) - From maker to publisher
(15:19) - Licensing flat-fee deals
(20:18) - Six-month job, quit
(28:41) - Course revenue collapse
(34:25) - Hard pivot calculus
(39:46) - Identity, failure, recovery
(41:28) - Message to entrepreneurs
(48:37) - Pivot to AI services
(52:41) - 10-80-10 AI workflow
(54:56) - Sell certainty, outcomes
(01:02:13) - Transformation vs. identity
Check out today's guest, Ryan Deiss:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandeiss
Website: https://www.ryandeiss.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryandeiss/
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
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Check out Chris Do:
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1:14:47
Vision VS Execution in Leadership | Ep 394
In this episode, Chris Do explores the constant tension between visionary leadership and operational execution. He breaks down how most leaders naturally lean toward either the CEO archetype — focused on innovation, forecasting, and long-term vision — or the COO type, who ensures systems, structure, and profitability.
Using Steve Jobs as an example, Chris illustrates how true mastery lies in balancing big-picture thinking with an obsessive attention to detail, from pioneering the buttonless phone to handpicking marble for Apple Stores.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(00:41) - CEO vs. COO Roles Explained
(01:20) - Steve Jobs’ Vision and Detail
(03:15) - Tim Cook’s Operational Leadership
(05:00) - Discover Your Leadership Strength
Check out The Futur:
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Check out Chris Do:
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5:25
How to Master Your Memory w/ Tansel Ali | Ep 393
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with Tansel Ali, a four-time Australian Memory Champion, to explore how anyone can train their brain to remember anything — from names and speeches to entire books or phone directories.
Together, they unpack the science and art of storytelling for memory, the role of emotion in recall, and how tools like spaced repetition and the memory palace can transform how we learn. Tansel explains that memory isn’t a talent but a trainable skill that anyone can develop. Listeners will walk away with clear, actionable techniques to strengthen their focus, recall, and retention.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(01:00) - Meet Tansel Ali, memory master
(02:20) - Memorizing two phone books
(04:40) - Short-term vs long-term recall
(05:55) - Storytelling as a memory tool
(08:20) - Remembering names creatively
(10:40) - Visualization and imagination hacks
(12:30) - Why emotional memory sticks
(15:00) - Spaced repetition explained
(16:40) - Inside the memory palace method
(19:00) - Recall vs storage mindset
(21:40) - Mind mapping for better learning
(23:30) - Speed reading that actually works
(27:00) - Training focus through memory practice
(31:40) - Turning memorization into understanding
(37:20) - Applying memory skills in real life
(54:30) - Final takeaways
Check out today's guest, Tansel Ali:
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/tanselali
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TanselAliMemory
Website: https://tanselali.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tansel.a.l.i/?hl=en
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
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Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
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Check out Chris Do:
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55:57
The Art of Arguing Less and Communicating More w/ Jefferson Fisher | Ep 392
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with Jefferson Fisher — a fifth-generation trial attorney, bestselling author, and viral communication coach — to explore how to argue less and talk more effectively. Jefferson unpacks the psychology behind calm communication, how to time tough conversations, and why listening before reacting builds deeper trust.
Together, they explore practical tools like the “I can tell” phrase, scheduling emotional talks, and using breath to create space in dialogue. His frameworks help listeners become more intentional speakers and better listeners in both professional and personal settings.
Timestamps
(00:00) - Jefferson Fisher intro + background
(02:45) - How to become a better communicator
(05:20) - Timing tough conversations right
(08:10) - Scheduling hard talks with partners
(11:45) - Using “I can tell” effectively
(15:25) - Breath control for clear thinking
(18:50) - Slowing speech for confidence
(22:30) - Tone, emotion, and word delivery
(27:05) - Training clients to stay calm
(32:40) - Managing nerves under pressure
(38:15) - Speaking naturally in high stakes
(44:00) - Authenticity vs. performative communication
(50:25) - How juries detect fakeness fast
(56:10) - Building credibility through presence
(01:02:40) - Avoiding over-explaining and rushing
(01:09:15) - Staying grounded in conflict
(01:15:55) - Key takeaways on communication mastery
Register for AdobeMax using the code FUTUR25 for $400 off a full pass. See you there! https://max.adobe.com/?cgen=8RVC4VL9&mv=other
Check out today's guest, Jefferson Fisher:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXjnpu6lK0HoUyOMh2ZBwhQ
Website: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/?hl=en
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
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Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
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Check out Chris Do:
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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.
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