Creative Odyssey

Hosted by Emil Drud

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Sep 2026

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About the show

The Creative Odyssey Podcast explores creativity, work, and life through thoughtful conversations with creators, founders, artists, and thinkers. Hosted by Emil Drud, the podcast is driven by a simple question: How do people create meaningful things in a world full of uncertainty? What emerges are stories, perspectives, and ideas for curious minds interested in creativity, entrepreneurship, culture, and the human experience. Explore the wider world of Creative Odyssey at creativeodyssey.xyz

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56 recent

September 29, 2026Episode 541 hr 1 min

Cowards Don't Go to Heaven with Eugene Cheong | CO#54

In this conversation, Emil talks with Eugene Cheong about creativity as a lived practice, not just an abstract talent. Eugene shares how his path into advertising, writing, and leadership was shaped by curiosity, reading, football, church, national service, and years of observing human nature. We also explore Eugene’s book Cowards Don't Go to Heaven , which reframes creativity through eight virtues and their opposing vices. The conversation moves from personal development to agency leadership, visual storytelling, and how to build environments where creative people can actually thrive. https://www.eugenecheong.com/book

September 14, 2026Episode 531 hr 41 min

CO#53 | Learning Your Way Into Opportunity | Michael Vogel

“You don’t need permission to begin. You can learn your way into the role.” In this episode, I speak with Michael Vogel about lifelong learning, curiosity, and building a life without following a predetermined path. Through his work with the Team Academy, we explore what happens when education gives people the freedom to act, experiment, fail, and learn their way forward - without waiting for permission. This episode is for lifelong learners, unconventional thinkers, and anyone trying to create their own path rather than simply follow one. Resources Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe The Team Academy / Tiimiakatemia learning model from Finland The concept of Ikigai Michael Vogel on LinkedIn

August 24, 2026Episode 5237 min

CO#52 Augmenting Human Potential — AI, Agency & the Futures We Choose | Max Senges

Maybe the real question about AI isn't what it can do in the future, but what we are becoming with it? In this episode, I speak with Prof. Dr. Max Senges about technology, philosophy, education and human agency. We explore AI as an extension of human capability rather than a replacement for it, why responsibility cannot be outsourced to machines, and how technology can help us learn, create and actively shape more desirable futures. https://rulemapping.com/ https://www.nexteconomy.net/ https://maxsenges.com/

August 10, 2026Episode 5141 min

CO#51 | You Can't Teach Meaning | Christian Moore-Anderson

What if learning is not about receiving the right information, but about creating meaning for yourself? In this episode, I speak with biology teacher and author Christian Moore-Anderson about why telling is not the same as teaching. We explore curiosity, fear of being wrong, the limits of exams, and why education is ultimately less about transferring knowledge and more about conversation, interpretation, and human connection. Christian also introduces a powerful idea: students do not only learn a subject, they learn the person teaching it and their way of seeing the world. This episode is for teachers, learners, and anyone curious about how information becomes real understanding. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Christian Moore-Anderson 02:27 The Journey to Teaching and Passion for Biology 05:02 Teaching Beyond Facts: The Philosophy of Biology 07:47 The Challenge of Transmitting Meaning in Education 10:19 The Importance of Conversation in Learning 12:51 Rethinking Assessment and Grading in Education 14:13 Overcoming Fear and Judgment in the Classroom 19:08 Understanding Exam Anxiety and Its Impact 24:05 The Role of Teaching Methods in Learning 28:17 The Importance of Meaning in Learning 33:05 The Human Element in Education Resources Teaching Meaning: What Works When Telling Isn't Enoughhttps://amzn.eu/d/02fKHcbK Christian Moore-Anderson's Website - https://christianmooreanderson.com/

June 20, 2026Episode 5044 min

Embodied Knowing, Creative Agency & The Art of Paying Attention | Barbara Doran | CO #50

In this episode, I sit down with artist, researcher, and transdisciplinary practitioner Barbara Doran to explore embodied knowing, creative agency, uncertainty, and the role of attention in creative practice. We discuss how making becomes a way of thinking, why creativity extends beyond rational analysis, and how deeper awareness can help us navigate an increasingly complex world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-barbara-doran-9196a114?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Barbara.Doran-1 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-01198-5 https://www.bispublishers.com/creative-reboot.html https://www.bispublishers.com/reinventing-strategic-innovation.html https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculties/transdisciplinary-school

June 6, 2026Episode 4951 min

Artist First, Designer Second | James Coffman | CO #49

James Coffman is an artist, designer, and typeface creator whose work has appeared everywhere from independent brands to stores around the world. In this conversation, we explore his unusual path from professional baseball to creative work, the evolution of his visual style, the balance between artistic integrity and business, and why creating for yourself remains essential in a commercial world. "Creating work for yourself keeps the spark alive." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Artist First, Designer Second 03:30 From Baseball to Creativity 08:00 Finding Stillness Through Design 12:00 Refinement Over Reinvention 15:00 Developing a Personal Style 17:00 Influences, Mentors & Peers 18:30 Collaboration and Creative Ownership 23:00 The Zara Collaboration 28:00 Art, Business and Entrepreneurship 31:00 Creative Wealth 34:00 Protecting the Creative Spark 39:00 Building Work That Outlives You 45:00 Books, Learning and Mastery 48:00 Closing Reflections https://www.jamescoffman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jamescoffmandesign/

January 11, 2026Episode 146 min

48 - Making Sustainability Common Sense: Business Models, Supply Chains & Human Behavior (Noah Schaul)

Sustainability doesn’t fail because people don’t care — it fails because systems reward convenience. Together with Noah Schaul, we unpack how purpose, intuition, and smarter business design can turn sustainable choices into the obvious ones. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 Sustainability Journey and Business Models 05:40 Innovative Projects in Sustainability 08:08 Consumer Behavior and Sustainability 10:56 Supply Chain Management and Legislation 13:44 The Role of Convenience in Sustainability 16:26 Creative Solutions for Sustainable Practices 19:07 Purpose and Career Reflection 21:55 Intuition in Decision Making 24:28 The Future of Sustainable Business Models 27:28 Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

December 7, 2025Episode 471 hr 4 min

47 - Rethinking Music Production: Bass, Culture & Better Plugins with Moe Chaieb

“We think we want infinite options, but creativity actually thrives on smart limitations.” Producer and timeoff.audio founder Moe Chaieb joins me to explore how bass, cultural roots, and deliberate limitations shape modern music production—and why the next wave of plugins should enhance creative workflow instead of just adding more noise. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mo Khayib 02:11 Musical Journey and Influences 04:58 The Role of Bass in Music 07:42 Cultural and Linguistic Background 10:30 The Intersection of Technology and Music 13:03 Exploring Digital Music Production 15:36 Creative Limitations and Innovation 17:55 The Evolution of Music Technology 20:55 The Future of Music Production 23:54 The Plugin Industry and Its Challenges 26:38 Time Off Audio and Its Vision 29:38 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

November 24, 2025Episode 4652 min

46 - The Business of Creativity: Why Talent Isn’t Enough with Joel Pilger

“Talent isn’t the problem — ignoring the business side is.” Joel and I dive into the uncomfortable truth that creative talent alone doesn’t lead to success: You need a business mindset to make your work sustainable, valuable, and impactful. We explore how technology, AI, and constant change reshape the creative industry and why embracing these shifts is essential for every modern creative. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joel Pilger 00:44 The Journey of a Creative Entrepreneur 05:06 The Business Side of Creativity 08:22 The Illusion of Talent and Success 12:03 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Creative Industries 17:06 The Concept of Creative Destruction 20:51 Commercial vs. Fine Art 22:24 The Role of AI in Creative Work 23:46 The Evolution of Technology in Creativity 30:07 The Impact of Mass Production on Design 34:09 Navigating the Business of Creativity 42:38 Book Recommendations for Creative Entrepreneurs

October 15, 2025Episode 4554 min

45 - Daring Over Perfection with Radim Malinic

“Perfectionism is a mask for shame.” Radim Malinic and I explore the art of daring differently — how to create with patience instead of pressure, embrace imperfection, and find meaning in a noisy creative world. It’s a conversation about slowing down, staying true, and rediscovering why we create in the first place. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Daring Creativity 02:33 The Importance of Starting and Overcoming Regret 05:44 Navigating Creative Insecurities and External Validation 08:18 The Evolution of Branding and Creative Expression 11:23 The Role of Technology in Creativity 14:04 Building a Future-Proof Creative Career 16:58 The Balance Between Creativity and Commercialism 19:45 The Journey of Self-Discovery in Creativity 22:33 The Role of Patience in Creative Growth 25:31 Finding Your Unique Voice in a Saturated Market 27:57 The Power of Collaboration and Community 30:52 Conclusion and Future Aspirations