You’ve been thinking about productivity all wrong, this episode will change that.

I sat down with Steven Puri, a former Hollywood exec turned venture capitalist. Our conversation will change the way you think about creativity, leadership, and what it actually means to be productive.

In this episode, we dive into everything from intelligent failure in entrepreneurship to the surprising role physical spaces play in innovation. Steven opened up about his company, Sukha, which is all about helping people find fulfillment and effectiveness in their work, and let me tell you, the way he breaks this down is incredibly powerful.

We also explore how technology (yes, even AI!) can become your creative partner, how pain can shape character, and why community and openness are essential to any meaningful work.

If you've ever felt like you're doing "all the right things" but still not finding flow, this conversation is the reset you didn’t know you needed. I walked away rethinking not just productivity, but how we show up for ourselves and others, and I think you will too.

Key Takeaways:

Productivity is about the effect you have towards a goal.

Leaders need to trust their teams to be productive remotely.

Creativity often flourishes when individuals are allowed to monotask.

Physical spaces can significantly impact creativity and productivity.

The goal of work should be personal fulfillment, not just output.

Focusing on three tasks increases productivity by 77%.

AI should enhance human creativity, not replace it.

Everyone has something great inside them waiting to be expressed.

Community support can significantly boost individual success.

Resources Mentioned:

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202

Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299

Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0349413681/?bestFormat=true&k=deep%20work%20cal%20newport&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k1_1_9&crid=2AQG78SS0ZYBF&sprefix=deep%20work

The Net and the Butterfly by Olivia Fox Cabane: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735216770/?bestFormat=true&k=the%20net%20and%20the%20butterfly&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_15&crid=1PUJ3YOMYZLUC&sprefix=the%20net%20and%20the

Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy Edmonson: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Kind-Wrong-Science-Failing/dp/1982195061

Connect with Steven:

Email: Steven@TheSukha.co

Website: https://www.thesukha.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

Podcast growth and longevity don’t happen by accident, they happen by design.

I’m especially excited about this episode because I’m introducing you to someone who’s been behind the scenes of this show, our podcast manager, Alexis Archuleta.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast, or want to make yours feel more aligned, you’re going to love this conversation. Alexis shares how she went from TV news to building a business helping entrepreneurs and creatives launch and manage sustainable, intentional podcasts.

We talk about what really goes into making a podcast work long-term: asking the right questions upfront, building systems that support creativity, and letting go of perfectionism. Alexis gives great insights on starting with what you have and how podcasting evolves with you.

Plus, she shares simple, actionable strategies that helped her clients grow and how small changes can lead to big results.

Key Takeaways:

Follow your curiosity; it keeps your spark alive.

Recognizing the right time to hire a podcast manager is crucial.

Perfectionism can hold you back from sharing your voice.

There's room for your unique experiences in the podcasting space.

Having a structured plan can ease the content creation process.

Small changes can lead to significant improvements in engagement.

Consistency and care in podcasting lead to success.

Resources Mentioned:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726

Connect with Alexis:

Website: https://alexisarchuleta.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/archuletavirtual/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archuletavirtual/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

If you're looking for an episode that challenges the way you think about leadership, personal growth, and the power of creating space for others, then you won’t want to miss this conversation.

My guest this week is Emmanual Guillory, a passionate advocate for higher education and a leader in student affairs. We dive deep into his journey from higher education to advocating for meaningful change in the field, discussing how to build confidence, find purpose, and embrace the discomfort that leads to true growth.

Emmanual shares his insights on the importance of compassion and curiosity when connecting with people across differences, and how faith and self-awareness play a crucial role in reshaping our personal narratives. We also touch on the power of therapy, overcoming imposter syndrome, and intentionally rewriting the stories we tell ourselves to create lasting change.

Key Takeaways:

Confidence and purpose often begin with key moments of personal growth.

Embracing curiosity and compassion, without judgment, fosters authentic relationships and progress.

Inner work through therapy can lead to significant emotional and intellectual growth.

Personal beliefs should be regularly examined and challenged to ensure they still serve us.

Self-awareness and rewriting our stories are crucial for personal growth and resilience.

Resources Mentioned:

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel S.F. Heller

The Birth Order by Kevin Leman

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Connect with Emmanual:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_eguillory/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

I’m joined by AJ Crabill to talk about the evolution of education and how we can better empower students and schools to unlock their full potential. We dive into why curiosity should come before judgment when it comes to understanding student behavior and why teaching behavioral skills is just as important as academic ones. AJ shares some powerful insights from his own experiences and stresses the importance of giving students the right tools to succeed, all while tackling the systemic issues that too often affect marginalized students.

We explore themes like communication, trust, and engagement in education, talking about how active listening and understanding student apathy are key to building connections. AJ also highlights the importance of student-led initiatives in developing leadership and pushing for more options in students' lives. By the end of our conversation, we call for a shift in mindset within the education system, one that’s focused on empowering both students and educators with the right tools and resources.

Key Takeaways:

Students often lack the tools they need to succeed, leading to behavioral issues.

Behavior should be treated similarly to academic skills, with a focus on teaching and support.

Restorative practices can be more effective than punitive measures in education.

Education systems must recognize and address the disparities faced by marginalized students.

Apathy in students often stems from a lack of trust.

Connection and belonging are crucial for student engagement.

Resources Mentioned:

Building Effective School Boards with AJ Crabill

Our Tools They Deserve by AJ Crabill

Connect with AJ:

Website: www.StudentLedRP.org

LinkedIn: @ajcrabill

YouTube: @ajcrabill7

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

Vanessa Alves-Ruiz has a background in journalism and facilitation, and we dive deep into the power of mindset shifts, how creating space for new ways of thinking can truly transform learning and leadership.

We talk about the role of intuition in facilitation, why simplicity in communication is so important, and how teams can shift from blame to responsibility. Vanessa also shares a fascinating case study in occupational health and safety, showing what it really takes to change mindsets within organizations.

This one is full of practical takeaways and fresh perspectives on fostering collaboration, leadership, and growth. Let’s get into it!

Key Takeaways:

How to create space for mindset shifts that drive real change.

Why true transformation starts with expanding your awareness.

How intuition can be a powerful tool for decision-making.

The role of simplicity in effective learning and facilitation.

How honoring past experiences helps create lasting change.

Facilitation is about collaboration, not control.

Why mindset shifts require more than just knowledge.

How better listening can transform teams and leadership.

Resources Mentioned:

TEDTalk: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc

Non-Violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg: https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X/ref=asc_df_189200528X?mcid=644e079a48633d63964efcdbd6720495&hvocijid=16278184952188666608-189200528X-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16278184952188666608&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191417&hvtargid=pla-2281435179058&psc=1

Connect with Vanessa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaalvesruiz/

Website: https://lifetransition.club

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.