Creative Odyssey with Emil Drud

Real stories of creativity, courage, and discovery. Tune in to the Creative Odyssey Podcast with Emil Drud.

Latest Episode

Current Themes

Creativity, Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurial Thinking, Authenticity, Self-Expression, Freedom, Intuition, Mindfulness, Agency, Transformation, Personal Growth, Self-Realization, Unconventional Thinking, Dreaming Big, Passion, Multidisciplinary Mindset, Learning, Education, Relationships, Trust, Community, Support, Conversation, Meaning, Purpose, Technology, Impact, Digital Age Challenges, Building in Public, Visibility, Influence, Productivity, Time Management, Sustainable Workflows

Praise (guests and listeners)

• "Emil is a great interviewer! He brings out the best in the guest." - Megan Preston Meyer• "Great conversation with Emil, he's a great listener and interviewer." - Naoufal Fillali• "Emil is a great host! you would really enjoy it..." - Nik Huno

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are the books and other resources my guests recommended—full of useful ideas and insights for creativity, business, and personal growth.

Alex Levy (EP29)

  • The Time is Now: A Guide to Honor Your Time on Earth – Alex Levy (Host of Through Conversations Podcast): The central topic of the episode. The book explores personal fulfillment, career alignment, intuition in decision-making, and breaking free from societal expectations to live authentically. It began as a personal journal and evolved into a guide for navigating modern work and meaning.

  • The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin: Mentioned in relation to intuition and creative decision-making. Alex highlights how Rick Rubin’s best career moves came from intuition rather than external advice.

  • Life is Setting Me Up for Success – Victor Levy: Alex references a key idea from this book: "Completely committed, totally unattached." He uses this quote to illustrate how one can fully dedicate themselves to a project while not being overly attached to the outcome.

  • Greatness Cannot Be Planned: The Myth of the Objective – Kenneth Stanley & Joel Lehman: Discussed in the context of life not following a linear, pre-planned path. The book argues that true innovation and success come from serendipity rather than rigid goal-setting.

  • Naval Ravikant’s Ideas (Twitter/X): Alex references a concept from Naval Ravikant, stating that uncertainty—not failure—is one of the greatest sources of unhappiness. This ties into the broader theme of navigating uncertainty in life and career.

  • Mooji’s Teachings: Mooji is cited with a paraphrased quote about trusting life, reinforcing Alex's perspective that life has a way of guiding us even when we don’t see the full picture.

  • Henry David Thoreau's Philosophy (Referenced in the Early Chapters): Thoreau’s idea of an “inner song” that every person has, and the risk of living a life of “quiet desperation” without ever fully expressing one’s true self.

  • Elon Musk Interview (CNBC): Alex paraphrases Musk’s advice on career choices in the age of AI, emphasizing that people should focus on what they love and what benefits others.

  • The Movie In Time (Justin Timberlake): Used as a metaphor for how time is our most valuable currency and should be used intentionally.

Sebastian Lees

  • 1. “Learn Python the Hard Way” by Zed A. Shaw Discussed in the context of software as an art form.

  • 2. “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman Recommended for understanding usability, affordance, and good design principles.

  • 3. Books by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Specifically related to concepts like anti-fragility and tail risk.

Janis Ozolins

  • "Atomic Habits" by James Clear Inspires incremental changes and habit-building, with visuals that influenced Janis’s approach to simplifying ideas.

  • "Anything You Want" by Derek Sivers Short, fun, and packed with simple yet profound lessons about entrepreneurship and following your own path.

  • "The 4-Hour Workweek" by Tim Ferriss Opened Janis’s eyes to new possibilities, helping him question traditional work structures and inspiring solopreneurship.

  • "The Million Dollar Weekend" by Noah Kagan A clear, step-by-step guide to building a small, profitable business, perfect for actionable advice without the fluff.

David Cabezon

  • “Choose Wonder Over Worry: Move Beyond Fear and Doubt to Unlock Your Full Potential” by Amber Rae

  • “The Rocket Years: How Your Twenties Launch the Rest of Your Life” by Elizabeth Segran, Benjamin Schneer

  • “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth

  • “The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: 10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life and Succeed On Your Own Terms” by Vishen Lakhiani

Naoufal Fillali

  • “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene – valued for its insights on influence and strategy.

  • Nassim Taleb’s “Incerto” works (e.g., “Antifragile”) – specifically his “barbell strategy” for balancing stability with creative risk.

  • “Wanting” by Luke Burgis – explores mimetic desire and encourages following genuine interests rather than trends.

  • “The 50th Law” by Robert Greene and 50 Cent – emphasizes fearlessness and boldness in life and career.