Getting Work To Work

Hosted by Chris Martin Studios

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Getting Work To Work is a weekly podcast for creative entrepreneurs, storytellers, visionaries, and change-makers who are on a mission of chasing big ideas, telling epic stories, and leaving living legacies. Whether you’re just starting out or have been at this creative and curious life for some time, I hope you’ll not only learn something new in this podcast, but also find yourself challenged and inspired to break through the barriers that hold you back from getting your work to work.

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60 recent

August 21, 202619 min

Customize Your Uniqueness (GWTW908)

You don’t really think about what makes an artist unique until you see the tools of their creation up close. Recently, I visited the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and while looking at artifact after artifact I started to see a pattern: intense customization. Most artists memorialized in this shrine to music didn’t buy their greatness off the rack, they shaped it through their own hands and creative collaborations. There were wires sticking out of guitar bodies, unique shapes with multiple finishes, endless knobs and faders, and costumes adorned with everything from spikes and patches to mirrors and leather. While most of us will never be inducted into any hall of fame, we can learn from our heroes. Fast forward 30 years into your career, will you be remembered for the way you shaped your tools to bring your vision to life? Or will you be as forgettable as the prompts you used to generate acceptance in a world filled with conformists? 10 Ways to Customize Your Uniqueness, Bring Your Vision to Life, and Have a Taste of Greatness: Suck. Embrace analog. Keep the evidence of your hand in your work. Substance over style. Style over sameness. Say no to the niche. Tailor your work to you, not the other way around. Spend time wrestling with your work. Make work for actual people, not machines. Get social offline. Show Links Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 1984 | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s newest exhibit featurette, “Women in Metal: You Will Know My Name” Revolutionary Women in Music | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Jeremy Cowart 2Advanced Studios Northwest Book Fair Metallica Perfect Days (2023)

August 7, 202610 min

Patterns of Change (GWTW907)

How do you discover necessary patterns of change in your life? For me, I journal, writing down emotions, successes, and failures throughout moments in time. For decades, I lacked consistency, but in late 2023, inspired by a video on my friend Jack’s YouTube channel, I started a daily log of thoughts and ideas. Yesterday, I came across a notebook from 2019–2020, so I traveled back in time to see what was going on six years ago. What did I find? An entry that could have been written today. I honestly felt discouraged. What’s the point of keeping a journal if it doesn’t help you identify recurring patterns before they become problems? Yes, journals can help us find patterns, but you actually have to do something with them. You have to make the decision to change, then actually do it. Seven questions to help you identify patterns of change, figure out what actually needs to change, make a plan, and then do it: How will you document your life and work? What are the patterns you identify? As you reflect on the patterns, what are the changes that you need to make? How will you decide what to change and what to ignore? What are the changes you can make today? What are the changes you need to work toward over a longer period of time? Who, or what, will hold you accountable? Show Links Why Is So Much AI Tech Useless? Start A Journal Now! Unlock your inner potential! Seth’s Blog Airtable Episode artwork from Envato Elements: Abstract Geometric Pattern Background in Pink Blue and Yellow

August 1, 202654 min

“Reflections” with gough (GWTW906)

In this thing called life, we undoubtedly face endless questions: How do I write a funny joke? Am I funny? Where is Chris? What is the meaning of life? Here to help us find some answers to those questions and to talk about his latest audio projects— Reflections – Where is Chris? and The Meaning of Life —is the funnyman himself, gough. We dive right into our typical podcasting shenanigans filled with laughter, inappropriate phrases, and the answer to yet another question: Who has the wettest mouth in Australia? We also talk about important things like oranges, human nature, two-line zingers, trusting your audio producer, how gough rehearses his actors to get great performances, and how he keeps his creativity fresh. If you’ve ever wondered where the line between drama and comedy is, gough even has an answer for that, too. Show Links Beernuts Productions The Meaning of Life Reflections – Where is Chris? All of Quentin Tarantino’s Filmic Foot Fetish Moments Crocodile Dundee (1986) America’s Got Talent 9 Common Types of Oranges—And The Best Way To Use Each Recording Room Pulitzer Prizes Zambia Zambian kwacha Still Life (2013) Memento Explanation by Christopher Nolan – True Genius – Must Watch The Muppets The Happytime Murders (2018) One Battle After Another (2025) Breaking Bad (TV Series 2008–2013) Big Mouth (TV Series 2017–2025) “Big mouth Theme Song” by Charles Bradley Human Resources (TV Series 2022–2023) Mating Season (TV Series 2026–) Episode Photo from Envato Elements: Fresh ripe oranges as background, top view

July 24, 202655 min

“Curiosity Overload” with Micah Kassell (GWTW905)

As listeners of this show know, I love asking my guests what they are endlessly curiosity about, but what I rarely take the time to consider is that we could overload our curiosity. What do we do when this happens? Today’s guest provides several insights into forming our personal answer to that question. Micah Kassell is a graphic designer, drummer, and a deeply creative soul fascinated with curiosity, belief, and cult-like behavior. From corporate boardrooms to stages, he’s learned to approach teamwork from the perspective of the drummer, as time keeper and vibe tender. In this conversation, we explore his obsession with aspirational and motivational speech that builds fans of brands and culture. We also talk about his journey into music and graphic design, how his dad’s creativity influenced his life and career, why baseball is an imagination sport, learning to win and lose in life and business, why the trio is his favorite band and team configuration, patience, limitations, highlights and shadows, and learning to document his creativity with improvisation and communication. Quotes: “The longest of shadows are when the magic really happens.” “Focus on doing really, really good and important things instead of just more things.” Show Links Micah Kassell Iron Maiden – The Trooper (Official Video) Dead Kennedys Steely Dan Rush Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Edition / Remastered) A Tribe Called Quest Bill Evans Trio Ahmad Jamal Trio – Manhattan Reflections Minutemen live & interviewed 1985 Ansel Adams Pysanka Have a good time all the time Beabadoobee Angine de Poitrine Dan Harumi Episode photo from Envato Elements: Abstract Light and Shadow on Walls and Floors

July 17, 20261 hr 0 min

“The Uncommon Hero” with Michael Hunter (GWTW904)

The best conversations not only have interesting questions, but also the necessary time and space to think and respond when answers present themselves. From “What most often brings you joy?” and “What are you endlessly curious about?” to “What is the space you need to give yourself today?” and “Why does where you are matter?” , today’s guest and I dive deep into ourselves and share what we discover. Michael Hunter is the Founding Mentor of Uncommon Teams, a Coach, Podcaster, and Author of The Resilient Tech Leader: Harness the Power of Mind, Body, Spirit, and Heart to Lead with True Balance and Joy . Beyond the questions, we explore topics such as communication and science, why AI will never replace him, the solid foundations that allow him to have fun with change, what it means to be an uncommon hero, tiny experiments, resilience, and the simplest possible process. Quote from the Episode: “The most heroic thing I can do is to help you get in touch with your own inner hero, so that you can go on your own hero’s journey.” – Michael Hunter Show Links Uncommon Teams The Resilient Tech Leader: Harness the Power of Mind, Body, Spirit, and Heart to Lead with True Balance and Joy by Michael Hunter HERO Starter Kit (Adventure Kit – Cogsworth City) Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth by Roland Betancourt Multiplicity (1996) Phrenology Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald The Satir Change Model by Steven M Smith What About Bob? (1991) Royal Hunt by Raven Storm Episode Photo from Envato Elements: Color geometric architecture of Egypt

July 10, 202612 min

The Patient Reawakening (GWTW903)

The longer your creative career lasts, the less written about your specific struggles. Writing and producing work for young professionals is enticing because there will always be an eager audience, hungry to succeed. They will 10x absolutely everything in order to keep up with the algorithm and crush the content calendar. The message never changes even though the audience does. But for the rest of us, time tempers all things. While your creativity continues to soar, your willingness to settle for long hours and low wages does not. You grow tired of playing the game. The message grows stale in your mouth. You still dream impossible dreams, but the truth is that you don’t need anything fancy, you just need to work on your craft. The patient reawakening has nothing to do with being the next hot commodity, it’s returning to you, practicing, focusing, and refining. Every single day. It’s not chasing popularity or relevance, it’s doing the work that resonates. Quote from Episode “We must train ourselves. Not to make spoons or jewelry or paintings or chairs but to be more competent, more forgiving, more patient. If we were simply training for production, there would be only engineering geared to cost-benefit analysis and not the value of Quality. But if you are truly interested in making changes in your work, if you are attempting to do work of Quality, then the work to be done is on you.” – Gary Rogowski, Handmade: Creative Focus in the Age of Distraction Questions Reawakening Question: Why do I keep going on? Awakening Question: Why did I start? Show Links Handmade: Creative Focus in the Age of Distraction by Gary Rogowski Guns N’ Roses – Patience Perfect Days (2023) Episode photo from Envato Elements: Rustic Metalworking Shop Interior with Forging Tools

July 3, 202656 min

“Uniquely Different” with John Ravaris (GWTW902)

What’s your gift to the world? What makes you uniquely different than everybody else? Why should I choose you? Three powerful questions from today’s conversation with John Ravaris, consultant, speaker, and author of Define Value, Drive Growth: Build a Business Clients Choose and Competitors Envy . In our conversation, John unpacks these questions and more, focusing on how uniqueness creates client value. He talks about his curiosity with what people and businesses are really trying to accomplish, what sales is and is not, how his 4D Roadmap—Discover, Develop, Deploy, and Delight—reveals what makes a business unique, the difference between a customer and a client, his approach to niching and standing out, and building your reputation by saying no and not chasing the shiny object. If your business is stuck positioning itself just like its competition, then it’s time to discover just how valuable uniqueness can be. Show Links John Ravaris | UVP Solutions Define Value, Drive Growth: Build a Business Clients Choose and Competitors Envy by John Ravaris Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness by Arthur C. Brooks Episode photo from Envato Elements: Colorful Rock Texture with Lichen and Vegetation

July 2, 202610 min

Your Vision, Our Future (GWTW901)

Years ago, I was having coffee with a friend and he asked me if I wanted his old 3D printer. It had been awhile since I modeled anything in 3D and I couldn’t visualize the process, so I declined with a simple statement, “I need to learn to see first.” I’m shaking my head at my ignorance. Have I learned to see yet? Nope, I haven’t. I haven’t even tried. What I did was miss out on an opportunity to dive in and have fun learning something completely new. Vision doesn’t show up because we see something, it’s revealed through our experiences. It’s the combination of our senses and the understanding we earn as a result of our efforts. In today’s monologue, I’m going to dive deeper into how we can develop our creative vision by doing our work, sharing it with others, and refining it along the way. Six areas of vision that are lost when I say something as dismissive as “I need to learn to see first”: Vision starts with imagination, but it’s much more than that. Vision is fueled by knowledge built upon research and examination. As I said in the previous monologue, “vision is the living embodiment of creative expression.” Courage is essential for turning vision into reality. I want to reiterate what I said in the previous monologue: “Don’t conform to someone else’s vision for your life.” I’m also going to add don’t conform to someone else’s vision for your work as well. Your vision is about our future. Show Links MasterClass david carson design Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World) Episode photo from Envato Elements: Abstract Digital Light Rays Shining Outward

June 26, 20261 hr 12 min

“Information Trust & Truth” with Christopher Butler (GWTW900)

Of all the questions today’s guest asks in our conversation, the biggest of them all is this: “What does it mean to be alive?” Making his sixth appearance on the show, Christopher Butler is a designer, communicator, and deep thinker not afraid to ask tough questions and explore obscure topics. Our conversation begins with nature journaling, the joy of slowing down, observing, and modeling wonder for others. From there, we explore what it means to trust information, the role of modern propaganda and disinformation in our technical society, and the importance of having a consensus, shared reality. Ever deeper, we question purpose, meaning, and what we leave behind to the next generation. As Chris models throughout this conversation, open your mind as we go on this adventure together. Quotes from the Episode: “What is it that I really do? What is the thing that is indispensable that I bring to the table?” “It’s not about what you’re good at, it’s about who you are.” Show Links Christopher Butler Signals #004: What Doesn’t Compress by Christopher Butler Newfangled The Scrap Exchange Offline Magazine Renée DiResta Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality by Renée DiResta The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn by Richard W. Hamming What Wendell Berry Saw Coming by Joshua Heath Scott SmarterEveryDay The Only Planet of Choice: Essential Briefings From Deep Space by Phyllis V. Schlemmer The Stargate Conspiracy: The Truth about Extraterrestrial life and the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt by Lynn Picknett & Clive Prince Other Tongues Other Flesh by George Hunt Williamson Episode photo from Envato Elements: Abstract Dark Background with Blue, Pink, and Orange

June 25, 202616 min

The Creative Return (GWTW899)

What are the things you’ve studied, explored, or even built a body of work around, but ultimately moved away from? As creative professionals, we are wanderers and explorers, constantly searching and striving for new experiences and techniques. But what do we do when we feel the call to return to past areas of study? We are different than before, so why would we even think of doing this, let alone grapple with the feelings that we’re selling out or short-changing our evolution? The creative process is like the tide, it comes in, it goes out. We stay and go. Not everyone chooses to return, but if we do, we must honor the past with who we’ve become, and have a vision for something beyond what we could ever do before. It’s not about nostalgia or taking shortcuts, it’s about transformation. That’s the creative return. “Writing an introduction to the tenth anniversary edition of Weaveworld last year I remarked on much of the same thing: The man who’d written that book was no longer around. He’d died in me, was buried in me. We are all our own graveyards I believe; we squat amongst the tombs of the people we were.” – Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three by Clive Barker 8 Reasons Why We Would Return to Earlier Forms of Creative Expression: Control Ability Patience Focus Process Evolution Revolution Vision Show Links Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three by Clive Barker CS50’s Introduction to Programming with Python Episode photo from Envato Elements: Aerial view of hand working with spatula with acrylic paint on p