Shows
Unconventional LeadersLimits I Use in My Instagram Reels (Listener Question)A listener recently asked how I personally apply creative constraints in my short-form content. Here is my answer along with a lesson from Project Runway.TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Creative lesson from Project RunwayThe specific constraints I use in my Reels How you can use constraints to make better contentWATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady EPISODES MENTIONED:How to Beat Overwhelm (Secrets from Creative Professionals) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XlIIYf61ZIMake Better Short From Videos by Doing THIS | Bea Chu | Episode 37 https://www.youtube.com/watc...2025-03-1306 minUnconventional LeadersBlow Your Business Up with YOUTUBE | Ken PozekWhen Ken Pozek started his YouTube channel, he wasn’t trying to build a media company, he was just looking for new ways to get leads. But after posting 100 videos in 100 days, everything changed…Now, Pozek Group is a full-scale, media-powered real estate business, closing millions in sales and shaping the future of Orlando’s market. But Ken’s success wasn’t just about making more content, it was about telling better stories, leveraging analytics, and staying in the game when there was no immediate ROI. In this conversation, you’ll hear not only his tactical strategy for growing...2025-03-1151 minUnconventional LeadersHow to Stop Feeling Self-Conscious Sharing Your Art | Feat. Garrain Jones & Reward SibandaPutting your art out into the world can feel like you are standing in front of everyone you know completely butt naked. In this episode, we explore why taking risks feels so vulnerable and how to move past the fear of being seen.EPISODES MENTIONED:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4v-uRjowKg&t=35shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhB1oT_MGag&t=1069sTOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How ego can block opportunitiesOvercoming fear by focusing on missionWhy your work isn’t meant for everyoneCONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask He...2025-03-0607 minUnconventional LeadersYou Can Have Two Careers! Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs | Natasha Pearl HansenHave you ever been told that in order to succeed, you need to pick one lane and narrow your focus?Meet Natasha Pearl Hansen. She’s a touring comedian and startup founder who is successfully embracing two worlds unapologetically. From launching her own tech company to navigating the business side of entertainment, she has always been intentional about creating her own path. Pretty unconventional, hmm?In this conversation, Natasha shares how she manages relationships and networking, stays productive without burning out, and makes smart decisions about which opportunities to pursue. She also talks about the mo...2025-03-0448 minUnconventional LeadersHow to Beat Overwhelm (Secrets from Creative Professionals) | Brendan Kane, George Sidiropoulos, Adam RoseFeeling Overwhelmed by Too Many Ideas? Try This Trick Used by Professional CreativesTOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How innovation thrives within structureWhy setting rules can actually make you more creativeHow to use structure to grow your platformEPISODES MENTIONED:Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | @BrendanKanehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiC8GU_ycmw&t=129sHow to Produce Better Content as a One-Man Show | George Sidiropoulos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBRZHeyFHo&t=17sThe Creative Process of Adam Rose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTsYFUMx5oU&t=2s...2025-02-2806 minUnconventional LeadersCelebrity Interviewer: How to Ask Better Questions, Be Yourself, and Have Fun | Jenelle RileyA year ago, I started watching a ton of celebrity interviews, hoping to understand how actors, directors, and producers built successful careers in such an oversaturated industry. What I didn’t expect, though, was to be captivated by the person interviewing them all.Today, I connected with Jenelle Riley, an Emmy-winning journalist, playwright, and editor at Variety. She started out in Oregon with no industry connections but built her career through her brilliant writing and natural ability to connect with people.Today Jenelle shares with us how to become an exceptional interviewer, from research and pr...2025-02-201h 01Unconventional LeadersTop 3 Ways to Feel More Confident Sharing Content Feat. Todd Herman, Shira Lazar, René RodriguezPutting yourself out there—sharing your content, your ideas, your voice—can feel terrifying.Over the past several years, I’ve interviewed over 1,000 people across different shows, and when it comes to confidence, three conversations stand out the most.Each of these ideas is unique, but my hope is that one of them will be exactly what you need to push past fear and take action on what you know you're called to do.🎥 WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/heatherparadyEPISODES MENTIONED:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcAws9Bysshttps...2025-02-1806 minUnconventional LeadersShadow Work and Creativity | Rivky GrossIf you've ever felt like you're on the sidelines, cheering for others while knowing deep down you're holding yourself back—this episode is for you.I sat down with Rivky Gross, a somatic and subconscious-based practitioner, to explore the concept of the shadow artist—a term from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. A shadow artist feels the pull to create but hesitates due to fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt.As Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Suppressing creativity can manifest as perfectio...2025-02-1143 minUnconventional LeadersHow to Simplify a Big Story (Without Losing Its Impact)How can you tell a BIG Story in Less Time? Here are three tips from experts.TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How to break down big ideas using the “watermelon” methodWhy limiting your options will help you find the heart of the storyHow to start your story to get to the point fasterEPISODES MENTIONED:How to Make More SPACE in Your Life for Creativity & Impact | Tyler Moore @tidydad | Episode 71Overcoming BURNOUT and Finding the HEART of the Story | Filmmaker @CarlosAndresCuervo | Episode 27Matthew Dicks: How to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of Storyworthy...2025-02-0608 minUnconventional Leaders3 Storytelling Myths DEBUNKED by Experts | Episode 72Here are 3 Storytelling Myths DEBUNKED by Experts.EPISODES MENTIONED:How to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of StoryworthyStorytelling Tips for Personal Brands | @SunYiCo | Episode 39Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | @BrendanKane | Episode 8TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Why stories should be boringWhy you don’t need powerful wordsWhy you might NOT want to “change things up”CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/722025-01-2006 minUnconventional LeadersHow to Make More SPACE in Your Life for Creativity & Impact | Tyler Moore (Tidy Dad)To make space for something new, we first need to clear the clutter.In this episode, I connected with Tyler Moore, famously known online as Tidy Dad. An educator from New York, Tyler has built a massive following by tackling one universal topic: tidying up your life. But as Tyler reveals, this isn’t just about the mess in your home—it’s about the emotional and mental clutter that affects every aspect of your work and life.By clearing out his personal space, Tyler found his voice and began using storytelling to help others find j...2025-01-081h 06Unconventional LeadersHow to Tell a Story in 60 Seconds (Without Losing Impact) | The Solo EpisodeDo you feel like you need to dumb down your message to grow your social platforms? Think again. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why that thought pattern is totally wrong—and sharing exactly how to frame your deep, meaningful message in 60 seconds or less.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady EPISODES MENTIONED:How to Tell Your Personal Story (Like a Pro) | Irene’s Entropy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7A-XOR8a4k&t=9sHow to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of Storyworthy ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l...2024-12-3110 minUnconventional LeadersFeel Behind? Listen to This | The Solo EpisodeFeeling behind in your business or creative work? As the year wraps up, it’s easy to feel down if you didn’t meet your goals or feel off track from where you want to be. If that sounds like you, here’s a little pep talk for ya.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/602024-12-2405 min
Unconventional LeadersHow to Tell Your Personal Story (Like a Pro) Irene’s EntropyIf you struggle with telling your story—whether it’s fear of being judged or labeled, or maybe exposing others that you love—this episode is for you. Today, I connected with Irene from Irene’s Entropy, a musician and content creator. She’s built a big ol’ community around her journey of leaving Mormonism and rebuilding her life and career after leaving literally everything behind and having to start all over.Although her story is complex, she has mastered a way to communicate it through her music and short-form content.And my guess is, maybe you ha...2024-12-171h 17Unconventional LeadersHow to Get Your Creative Work Seen (Feat. Jay Worsley) | The Solo EpisodeIn today’s episode, we are answering a question from Conner: “How do you get your creative work ‘out there’?” I had a few thoughts and then brought in my friend Jay, who is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, to help answer this question.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Previous Interview with Jay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnKyZ92DXWo&t=1sConnect with Jay: https://www.instagram.com/jayworsley/CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady...2024-12-1009 min
Unconventional LeadersHealthy Relationships for Ambitious People | Stefanos SifandosIf you are ambitious, it can sometimes be challenging to relate to others who don’t share that ambition. You may also wonder how to maintain healthy relationships when you choose to work more than the average person.In this episode, I sat down with Stefanos Sifandos, a relationships expert with an extensive background in psychology, philosophy, and ecology, to explore the delicate dance between ambition and connection. In this conversation, you’ll hear why Stefanos believes that "most people's ambition is a compensatory strategy to avoid the pain they don’t want to feel" and how "ambiti...2024-12-0549 minUnconventional LeadersHow to Balance Consistency and Creativity as a CreatorOne 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 believe in. How do we stay professional and "show up," as Seth Godin says, while keeping our work honest and meaningful?TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Understanding why you're creating and who it’s for.Accepting that inspiration doesn’t come on demand—and that’s normal.Using structure and deadlines to create space for creativity.Reusing ideas in fresh, exciting ways to ease the pressure of constant innovation.WATCH EPI...2024-11-2611 min
Unconventional LeadersHow ClickUp Generates Millions of Views with their Short-Form Videos | Chris CunninghamYou 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 ClickUp and the head of their social media marketing, to explore their unconventional approach to content creation. Believe it or not, ClickUp isn’t just making business content—they’re breaking all the rules by taking inspiration from comedy and entertainment (think Saturday Night Live) while still delivering value to their audience.Chris shared how their team takes their content strategy seriously—investing in talent, writing teams, and a creative...2024-11-2057 minUnconventional LeadersUNCONVENTIONAL Marketing Advice | The Solo EpisodeJimmy 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 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/episodes/632024-11-1514 minUnconventional LeadersEmotions in Storytelling and Making a Career in Filmmaking | Jay WorsleyThere 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? Where’s the line between "This isn’t for me" and just needing patience?Today, I connected with Jay Worsley, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, here to share what it took to build a career (and life) telling stories. In this conversation, he shares his decision-making process and why he "says no as much as he can" (and sometimes says yes for reasons beyond the project). Jay also dives into fin...2024-11-1251 minUnconventional LeadersWhen Friends & Family Criticize Your Dreams | The Solo EpisodeToday, 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: https://www.tiktok.com/@money.secretx/video/7424834138139659538?_t=8qgENScavut&_r=1Lewis Howes with Jen Sincero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FV7YCDfp5A&t=42sWATCH Episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/epi...2024-11-0111 minUnconventional LeadersHow 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 many people feel uncomfortable even talking about this?Today, we have with us Amie McNee, the author of We Need Your Art and the voice behind the wildly popular community Inspired to Write, where she helps her global audience of creatives dismantle limiting narratives and start taking their work seriously.In this episode, you’ll hear why Amie believes that charging for art is “ANTI...2024-10-2949 min
Headsmack: Conversations with MisfitsHeather Parady / Creator. Fractional COO. Viral Content CreatorCreative Limits: How Restriction Fuels Innovation in Content CreationIn this insightful episode, Heather Parady, former mental health therapist turned trailblazing online entrepreneur, dives deep into the essence of creative transformation and the power of embracing one’s inner misfit.Heather discusses her transition from therapy to entrepreneurship, revealing how overcoming personal and professional obstacles fueled her journey to empower unconventional leaders.Discover the compelling story of how Heather leverages her unique perspective to help others scale their impact in the digital world.Episode Highlights:Unconventional Jo...2024-05-0454 min