Marc Gutman of Wild Story explores how empathy drives design thinking — and when storytelling becomes a trap. He shares a journal-entry exercise that forces brands to remove themselves from the narrative and make their customer the hero.
Manja Horner of Boost Learning Development reveals the three critical gaps every course must address: knowledge, skills, and mindset. She shares her learner journey mapping process and explains why experts who skip the basics lose students fast.
Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones kick off Week 3 with a focus on digital products — the revenue streams that work while you sleep. This week features Manja Horner on course design and completion, plus Marc Gutman on storytelling in design thinking.
William Hardaway reveals why representation alone won't fix racist fashion campaigns — you need voice, not just seats at the table. He breaks apart creative frameworks like design thinking and agile to show how "objectivity" and "standards" can mask systemic bias.
"Lose the word diversity." William Hardaway explains why the term signals inaction to people of color and urges brands to move beyond performative language toward transparency, equity, and inclusion — because real change requires admitting what you're still working on.
Video strategist Mo Ismail delivers a clear prescription for scroll-stopping video thumbnails: make your title the star, keep contrast simple, and test legibility at 25% zoom. Think of your cover like a movie theater marquee — the title gets people through the door.
National Geographic Explorer Matthew Cicanese shares why choosing a photography style starts with curiosity, not camera gear. His "Look See" workshop teaches the difference between looking and seeing — and why your unique perspective is what makes your brand visuals stand out.
Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones kick off Week 2 exploring how purpose and intention shape brand look and feel, with National Geographic photographer Matthew Cicanese on choosing a photography style, Mo Ismail on creating scroll-stopping video covers, and William Hardaway on diversity in fashion and design.
William Hardaway, working at the intersection of social justice and design thinking, explains why empathy seeking — not surveys — is how leaders uncover workplace social challenges. He introduces his "elephant in the room" activity for surfacing what goes unsaid.
Video strategist Mo Ismail redefines on-camera confidence as clarity, not charisma. He explains why trying to be authentic is itself inauthentic, and shares why the only role you can play is yourself — because you can't win someone else's game.
National Geographic Explorer and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner Matthew Cicanese shares how he overcame imposter syndrome to submit his application with just five days left. His secret: suspend the disbelief, because the clock is ticking and you only get one shot.
Manja Horner, founder of Boost Learning Development, challenges the myth that you need a PhD to teach online. She reveals why being just a few steps ahead of your learner is enough — and how to validate your expertise before building a course.