Shows / Unconventional Leaders
Unconventional Leaders
Conversations with creators, storytellers, and thinkers shaping culture through their work, exploring the craft, perspectives, and deeper forces behind what we create.
Episodes
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Balance Consistency and Creativity as a Creator
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced lately as a creator is finding the balance between “being consistent” and not putting out something I don’t fully…
Unconventional LeadersHow ClickUp Generates Millions of Views with their Short-Form Videos | Chris Cunningham
You might think content from a project management company would be dry, right? Think again. Today I sat down with Chris Cunningham, a founding member of…
- Unconventional Leaders
UNCONVENTIONAL Marketing Advice | The Solo Episode
Jimmy asked for marketing advice, and I gave a couple of answers he might not have expected. WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady…
- Unconventional Leaders
Emotions in Storytelling and Making a Career in Filmmaking | Jay Worsley
There isn’t a straightforward career path for creatives. You’re often figuring it out on your own and facing resistance. When is it "too lofty" of a dream?…
- Unconventional Leaders
When Friends & Family Criticize Your Dreams | The Solo Episode
Today, I'm answering a question from William about what to do when friends and family are critical of your dreams. Clips Mentioned: Dan Martell TikTok Clip…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Make More Money with Your Art (Unapologetically) | Amie Mcnee (@InspiredToWrite)
The conversation around money and art is a tricky one. What do you do when folks aren't buying your work? How much should you really be charging? And why do so…
- Unconventional Leaders
Strange Technique Dealing with Negative Comments | The Solo Episode
Negative comments. Some folks advise that you “just shouldn’t look at them.” What if there was another trick? ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE…
- Unconventional Leaders
How Actors Tell Stories Without Relying on Stereotypes | Eric Petersen
Eric Petersen is an American actor, singer, and comedian – most recently known for his leading role as Kevin in Kevin Can F**k Himself. You may have also seen…
- Unconventional Leaders
3 Best Storytelling Books for Creatives | The Solo Episode
Brandi asked, 'What are the three best books on tactical storytelling?' I share them here, along with examples of what they taught me. Books Mentioned…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Overcome Performance Anxiety | Will Reynolds
You may have worked hard to get the opportunity in front of you—whether it’s landing a speaking gig, getting cast in an independent film, or finally gathering…
- Unconventional Leaders
Are You Are Too Old to Pursue This? | The Solo Episode
Someone sent me an email the other day. The bottom of it said, “Sometimes I worry that I am too old to do X”. My response? You are too old. Here is why. ACCESS…
- Unconventional Leaders
Introducing: The Solo Episode (Fighting Apathy)
Today’s episode is a solo one. Let’s talk about Apathy. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/54 Follow Heather on IG…
- Unconventional Leaders
Rediscover Your Worth & Build Resilience | Joshua Dixon
Joshua Dixon is the founder of Admire Wear, a platform that explores issues around mental health and helps its community rediscover their self-worth. After…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Tell Better Stories | TV Writer, Michael Jamin
Michael Jamin is a veteran TV writer and showrunner with over 20 years in the industry, known for his work on shows like Just Shoot Me, King of the Hill, and…
- Unconventional Leaders
A Former Journalist’s Insights on Storytelling | Cyndi Zaweski
Today, I connected with Cindy Zaweski, an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and content strategist. With over 15 years of experience in journalism, she…
- Unconventional Leaders
Content Strategy & Storytelling for Professionals | The Storytelling Surgeon, David Hindin
Dr. David Hindin is a trauma and critical care surgeon at Stanford University who is... obsessed with storytelling. You heard me right—a surgeon who tells…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Tell Better Stories on Social Media | Neal Foard
If you look up the name “Neal Foard” on social media, you will see a man standing in front of a black background telling stories. No flashy edits, no…
- Unconventional Leaders
Unconventional Marketing for Your Art | Alejo Porras
Alejo Porras is a graphic artist and storyteller specializing in sketchnotes. I met him at a conference where I was speaking a few months ago. Afterward, he…
- Unconventional Leaders
Confidence and Being YOU is Key to Growth | Elisabeth Wykert
Elisabeth Wykert is a stand-up comedian and actress, famously known for her leotard dance videos. Yes, you heard that right. I’ve been following her since the…
- Unconventional Leaders
Creators Who Get PAID, TikTok Shop, and Opportunities to Monetize | Susan George
Susan George is the founder and CEO of Mediary, where she launches and scales top brands on TikTok through strategic influencer campaigns. As a Pop/Soul…
- Unconventional Leaders
Subconscious Defenses Affecting Creators | Rivky Gross
Today, I connected with Rivky Gross, a hypnotherapist and somatic practitioner for heart centered leaders. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE…
- Unconventional Leaders
Conventional Entertainment Career to Content Creator | Tyler Tometich
Tyler Tometich landed his dream career, as a visual effects artist his career spanned Hollywood hits like Thor, Ant-Man, and Captain Marvel. Transitioning from…
- Unconventional Leaders
Increase Your Content’s Engagement Through Sequencing | Rain Bennett
Today, I connected with Rain Bennett, a two-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker, writer, and competitive storyteller. In this conversation, we dig into how to…
- Unconventional Leaders
Attention Marketing for Creative Entrepreneurs | Adam Ivy
Today I connected with Adam Ivy, who helps creative entrepreneurs develop raving fans through what he calls 'Attention Marketing.' In this conversation, we dig…
- Unconventional Leaders
Cultivating the CALLING of a Communicator | Reward Sibanda
Today, I connected with Reward Sibanda, a speaker, pastor, and content creator. In today’s conversation, we dig deep into our 'creative calling' and how we, as…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Communicate from a Place of Vibrational Truth | Garrain Jones
If you want to communicate more powerfully, become more magnetic with your message, and speak from a place of vibrational truth, turn this up. Today, I…
- Unconventional Leaders
Storytelling Tips for Personal Brands | Sun Yi
Today I connected with Sun Yi, an entrepreneur, storyteller, and the founder of Night Owls. In this conversation, he walks us through how to enhance your…
- Unconventional Leaders
How this Man Uses Storytelling on IG to Build His Furniture Business
I found Leif Abel, also known as ‘RevisionFurniture,' on Instagram, where he has a unique storytelling style to market his business. As the founder of ReVision…
- Unconventional Leaders
Make Better Short From Videos by Doing THIS | Bea Chu
Bea Chu is a YouTuber, tech enthusiast, sound designer, and filmmaker. She has set her career towards guiding the generation of DIY filmmakers and currently…
- Unconventional Leaders
How Somatic Healing May Unlock Your Creativity | Rachel Gibler
I connected with Rachel Gibler, entrepreneur, manifestation coach, spiritual teacher, and host of the Top 15 USA Podcast It's F*cking Spiritual. In this…
- Unconventional Leaders
Why Your Content Sucks (And What Actions You Should Take) | Kent King
Today, I connected with Kent King, known as the 'Content Chemist.' In this conversation, we explore how to approach content creation from an entrepreneurial…
- Unconventional Leaders
Why the Ego is the Key to Your Success | Jamie Gruber
You probably grew up learning that “the ego” is bad. Today's guest, however, challenges that notion and encourages us to heal our relationship with the ego…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Leverage Self-Reliance to Create Opportunities, Communicate Effectively, and Build Your Personal Brand | Maha Abouelenein
Today, I connected with Maha Abouelenein, the CEO and Founder of Digital and Savvy, who has more than 30 years of experience as a global communications…
- Unconventional Leaders
The Storytelling Process: Deep Dive with Screenwriter & Director Steven Bernstein
Today, I connected with Steven Bernstein—screenwriter, director, and cinematographer—about his creative process and the art of becoming a master storyteller…
- Unconventional Leaders
Inside Look at a Full-Time Viral Content Creator | Antonio “Tony Talks” Baldwin
Today, I connected with Antonio ‘Tony Talks' Baldwin, a full-time content creator and social media personality. In this episode, we take a deep dive into…
- Unconventional Leaders
THROWBACK: Honor Your SPARK & Find VALUE in Your Gift | Antonio “Tony Talks” Baldwin
This is a throwback episode with Antonio 'Tony Talks' Baldwin on an episode titled 'Honor Your SPARK & Find VALUE in Your Gift' in 2021. Watch our conversation…
- Unconventional Leaders
From Ministry to Entrepreneurship (Honest Conversation about Healing and Faith) | Kary Oberbrunner | Igniting Souls
Today, I connected with Kary Oberbrunner, former pastor and now a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author and the founder of Igniting Souls…
- Unconventional Leaders
Creating Entertaining Business Content | Tony Whatley
Today, I connected with the founder of 365 Driven, Tony Whatley. As a successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience, Tony is breaking the mold in…
- Unconventional Leaders
Overcoming BURNOUT and Finding the HEART of the Story | Documentary Filmmaker Carlos Andrés Cuervo
Today, I connected with Carlos Cuervo, a cinematographer, documentary filmmaker, and photojournalist. In this conversation, we dig into how to navigate burnout…
- Unconventional Leaders
Developing a Clear Vision for Your Creative Career with Hot Breath Comedian, Joel Byars
Today, I connected with Joel Byars, stand-up comedian and the founder and host of Hot Breath Comedy Network. In this conversation, we discussed navigating…
- Unconventional Leaders
4 Steps to Developing Your Best Ideas with the Founder of The Onion | Scott Dikkers
In this episode, I talk with Scott Dikkers, a comedy writer and the founder of The Onion, where he served as their owner and editor-in-chief for 30 years…
- Unconventional Leaders
Creative Boredom, Ideation Process, and Throwing Caution to the Wind with 2x Emmy-winning Director Eric Anderson
Today, I connected with two-time Emmy-winning Director Eric Anderson to discuss how to develop our ideas and foster creativity, the process of bringing our…
- Unconventional Leaders
Why Creativity Requires Speed | Adam Rose
Today we are talking with content creator, actor, and writer Adam Rose (known for that lovely blue cardigan you see on the internet) to hear about his journey…
- Unconventional Leaders
Burn the Ships, Change Your Environment, Be More Creative | J. Vladimir
To do something outside of the box in your life and career, you are going to have to take risks (shocker right?). Although we say we want “x” with our lives…
- Unconventional Leaders
Improve Your Service-Based Business with THIS | Dr. Michael Sonick
Learning how to truly connect with others is a skill set. If you are providing a service, you have to invest time in learning human psychology and developing…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to be a Better Storyteller | Matthew Dicks | Author of Storyworthy
I read the book Storyworthy a couple of years ago, and it has been one of my “go-to” books on the art of storytelling. Today, I got to connect with its author…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Make Your Content WORK | Nicky Saunders
How do you stay focused on your mission, heart, and calling when you feel like you have to communicate it all in a world with an attention span of only 60…
- Unconventional Leaders
What Does It REALLY Take to Get in Shape? (Not What You Think) | Pernilla Stryker
Pernilla Stryker is a complete powerhouse. A fitness influencer and charismatic content creator with the best abs I have ever seen. Literally, how does she do…
- Unconventional Leaders
Staying Rooted in Faith (Even Through Your Doubt) | Elec Simon
For the past several years, I have seen today's guest perform at a conference and have just been blown away not only by his talent but also by his ability to…
- Unconventional Leaders
Gaining TRACTION as an Artist and Building Your Music Career | Chad Lawson
What does it really take to get your creative work in front of more people and make a real living from your craft? Some say not to worry about the money, but…
- Unconventional Leaders
Alter Egos, High Performance, and the MYTH of Authenticity | Todd Herman
Is being yourself truly 'enough'? What if there were multiple versions of you that you could access to perform at your best, depending on the situation? I…
- Unconventional Leaders
Is UNFORGIVENESS Affecting Your Success? | Amy Lacey
Is unforgiveness harming your business? Keeping you back from fulfilling your goals and ambitions? This is not an easy question, and one that would be easy to…
- Unconventional Leaders
Able Heart: Recreating Yourself and Building NEW Dreams
Are you at a point in your life where you are questioning your purpose? Dealt with a blow to your dreams and plans – and you don’t even know what to do…
- Unconventional Leaders
Youtube Expert on Staying GROUNDED While Growing an Online Following | Sean Cannell
Every aspiring content creator loves tactics. Folks are desperately searching on how to go viral, build an online community, and keep people’s attention. But…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Produce Better Content as a One-Man Show | George Sidiropoulos
If you are a one-man (or woman) show, trying to pull off running a business, creating content, etc., it's understandable that you may feel overwhelmed. What if…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Captivate an Audience & Be More Confident | René Rodriguez
“The butterflies will never go away, but you can teach them to fly in formation.” - Rob Gilbert As a communicator do you struggle to feel like you belong in…
- Unconventional Leaders
How to Create Boundaries after Religion | Travis Chappell
Leaving a strong religious background and diving into the world of entrepreneurship can feel both confusing and oddly familiar at the same time. A few years…
- Unconventional Leaders
Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | Brendan Kane
How in the WORLD do you tell good stories on social media when folks have an attention span of like 2 seconds? If there is one person to learn from, my…
- Unconventional Leaders
Learn More While You Read by Doing This | Nick Hutchison
Ever feel overwhelmed after reading a book? You learn a ton of new, helpful information but are not sure where to begin when it comes to applying everything…
- Unconventional Leaders
Makin’ BANGERS on Social Media | Whiskey Biz
Are you just…built differently? Leaning into those small quirks and mustering up the courage to show all of who you are is what this world is waiting for…