Creative Control

As a writer, producer, and director, Alan Yang has worked on hit shows including Parks and Rec, The Good Place, Little America, Forever, and Master of None. While the end results have led to an Emmy win and heaps of critical accolades, getting there is always a process that leaves him wondering, “should I just quit this?” But pushing himself to that point is exactly where his most creative ideas come from—and you should be doing the same. In this episode, Yang explains the importance of surprising yourself, how getting rejected by Jay Leno was a necessary wakeup call, and how the opening scene of his new Netflix movie Tigertail became a behind-the-scenes movie in itself—and an invaluable lesson in leadership.

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez finally released her debut studio album 'Before Love Came to Kill Us'—and how it came together spotlights creative lessons to live by.

Creative Conversation headed to Lagos, Nigeria for Social Media Week where host Kc Ifeanyi interviewed R&B and Nollywood star Banky W. live on stage. In the conversation, Banky W. details his storied career, including starting his own record label, starring in Nigeria’s highest grossing film of all time, his battle with cancer, and stepping into the political arena to try and galvanize Nigeria’s younger generation disillusioned by politics as usual. Banky W. may not be a name most Western audiences are familiar with, but listening to this episode will definitely make you a fan of his work and activism.

On this episode, our host Chris Denson talks to Helen Vaid, Global Chief Customer Officer at Pizza Hut, about collaboration and how to build the right internal team of stakeholders for fast ideation and faster action. Then he dives into how new businesses can best foster that collaboration inside a large organization with Ari Libarikian, global leader of Leap by McKinsey.

Since her time on season 10 of Drag Race and winning All-Stars 4, Drag Queen Monet X Change has appeared in national ad campaigns, released a visual album, and got her own talk show—and that's barley her first act. Listen her to Monet explain how she learned to embrace her blackness for drag, why she's making music and not drag music, and how she’s able to block out criticism on social media and that nagging beast of perfection to focus on her craft.

Digging into Reginald Hudlin's résumé is like the most inspiring rabbit hole you could possibly tumble down. Most people know Hudlin as the director of such classic '90s films as House Party and Boomerang. But his career spans wide across the creative, development, and executive corners of the entertainment industry, where he's even dipped his toe into comic creation. In this episode of Fast Company's podcast Creative Conversation, Hudlin explains how creative risk-taking not only led to personal breakthroughs but shaped black culture and pop culture at large. Listen to the latest episode of Fast Company's podcast Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Google Play, or Stitcher.

Nate Berkus' life has always been surrounded by "decorative turmoil", so it's no surprise that he has grown into the superstar interior designer he is today. In this episode of Creative Conversation, Berkus travels through his storied career going from being "a terrible assistant," to his big break on The Oprah Winfrey Show, to his own failed show ("…worst job of my life."), and how he's expanding his brand in design and even in Hollywood. Listen to the latest episode of Fast Company's podcast Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Google Play, or Stitcher.

Marques Brownlee has been called "the best technology reviewer on the planet" (by a former VP at Google, no less) and his 10 million YouTube subscribers would probably agree. So how does one go from reviewing a remote for an HP Pavilion laptop in his living room to becoming one of the most powerful voices in tech? In this episode of Creative Conversation, Brownlee breaks down what he sees as true innovation and creativity in the tech industry and what the gadgets and devices of yesteryear can teach us about the future. Listen to the latest episode of Fast Company's podcast Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Google Play, or Stitcher.

Noah Baumbach has been making films for 25 years, but none has caught fire quite like his latest. Marriage Story has been racking up awards nominations in advance of the big ones—the Oscars, where, at the very least, costars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver are likely to be nominated. In this episode of Creative Conversation, Baumbach dives into the creative choices he made to frame Marriage Story as a film about love, how he barrels through writer's block, why he never yells "Action!" on set, cowriting the upcoming Barbie film—and, of course, Adam Driver's singing. Listen to the latest episode of Fast Company's podcast Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, Google Play, or Stitcher.

The First Step is a custom podcast from Fast Co. Works in partnership with McKinsey and Company. On this episode, Chris dives into how to take an idea and put it in action with Jesse Dorogusker, Hardware Lead at Square. Then he talks to Ralf Dreischmeier, global leader of Leap by McKinsey. Whether you are starting a new digital business at your company or just starting a new task at work, the gap between thought and action can often seem cavernous. Often we find ourselves paralyzed, unable to act. In the case of starting a new digital business, taking action is essential to maintaining success and growing your company. Leap by McKinsey was designed to help companies take that first step and launch new digital businesses.

Lots of people work in creative industries, but very few have been able to take their art and pivot to build something more impactful than the art itself. That's exactly what Piera Gelardi did when she started Refinery29, a digital media company that in many ways, has helped to shape a more inclusive and interactive modern media landscape. In this episode, Piera speaks about how she made that pivot from artist to business-leader, why she loves improv exercises, and the reasoning behind developing Refinery29's iconic immersive experience 29Rooms. Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Carrie Coon got an unconventionally late start in film and TV at 33, after having long since established herself on the stage. But she's more than made up for lost time with unconventional roles. Her performances as Nora Durst in The Leftovers, Vera Walker in The Sinner, and as Elizabeth in The Keeping Hours have solidified Coon as Hollywood's bona-fide spooky mother. In this episode of Creative Conversation, Coon explains how she's reframing the archetype of mom characters, why being a good student can be bad for creativity, and what the physical side of creativity taught her (and what it can teach you). Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Most people consider themselves lucky to be able to craft a career path within one creative industry. Mo Rocca, acclaimed humorist, journalist, and actor has successfully been able to leave his mark on a few of those paths – even though he believes that we will all be forgotten eventually. He sits down with us at the Fast Company Innovation Festival for this live episode of Creative Conversation to talk about his creative journey that touches on multiple creative outlets. Listen to him dish on why you should lean into your weird interests, why humor and sadness sometimes go hand in hand, and his favorite historical figures highlighted in his new book “Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving”. Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s no surprise that improvisation is seen as a kind of holy grail for creativity. Whether it’s comedians or musicians, the act of creating something novel and interesting out of next to nothing is, indeed, quite remarkable. But what exactly is going on inside an improvising brain? And, most importantly, how can everyday people tap into that kind of creativity? Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

When you hit that afternoon slump at your desk, maybe it’s not an issue of getting another cup of coffee—maybe you need to change your environment. Some of the most frustrating roadblocks to creativity can stem from being in a static environment. Whether you’re at the office or working remotely, being in the same old space for hours at a stretch can drain you of your creative juices. On this episode, we explore why your surroundings play such a crucial role in your creative process, the folly of chasing Silicon Valley-esque playgrounds, and how to make small changes to your environment for a big boost in creativity. Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Creative geniuses make creativity look easy. But in reality, it’s uncomfortable to dive into uncharted territory to build or think of something new. Words like “innovation” and “disruption” get tossed around all the time, but uncertainty often keeps us from reaching that creative breakthrough. In this episode, creativity expert Dr. Ron Beghetto how we can navigate that uncertainty and turn it into a valuable part of the creative process. Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

We all know brainstorming is an essential part of the creative process, but what do you do when your mind is too foggy to welcome the storm? Brain fog, brain farts, mental fatigue...call it what you will, it can be a major roadblock to creativity. But is there a way to use that hazy state of mind to your creative advantage? On this episode of Creative Conversation, KC Ifeanyi unpacks exactly what brain fog is and why you shouldn't be in such a rush to clear your mind. Subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.

As an editor and writer for Fast Company magazine, Kc Ifeanyi covers some of the most creative minds in film, television, business and beyond. In this podcast, he unpacks the most frustrating parts of the creative process by talking to psychologists, scholars, and experts who are on the forefront of understanding creativity. New episodes will be released this month. You can subscribe to Creative Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, Radio Public, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Any creative content from RCA's roster of artists goes through Camille Yorrick. From music videos to visuals and more, Yorrick has helped shaped the creative visions of everyone from Pink to Childish Gambino. The longtime music industry vet has been nominated for a Grammy for her work on "Beyoncé's I Am...World Tour" documentary and has cut her teeth in music videos with the legendary director Diane Martel. In our conversation, Yorrick explains how she tempers her opinions with an artists' intuition and takes us back to the golden age of music videos (and what we can learn from them today.)

Jean Elie got his big break playing Issa Rae's younger brother Ahmal on HBO's Insecure. Although landing on a hit show can lead to other more high-profile roles, Jean is wasting no time in creating lanes of his own. In addition to acting, Jean is producing and writing his own projects including several shorts and the series Send Help, which is being co-produced by Rainn Wilson's entertainment company SoulPancake. He's also been getting writing room experience on Netflix's Magic for Humans, which is paving the way for even more projects down the line. But as a young actor still trying to establish himself in that field, is he spreading himself too thin in other areas? In our conversation, Jean explains his stance on straight actors playing gay characters, the power of being the only black voice in a white room, and the rules of being a creative hustler.

Paul Scheer's résumé is a dizzying display of creative output: when he's not acting in shows like Black Monday, Veep, or Fresh Off the Boat, he's busy hosting two wildly successful podcasts (How Did This Get Made? and Unspooled), writing comic books for Marvel, and rebooting the 1999 cult classic Galaxy Quest. But for someone who seems like a wellspring of creativity, Scheer admits his biggest hurdle is still pushing past that first draft. In our conversation, Scheer explains how to accept that you will suck at what you're working on (hopefully, temporarily), how he juggles such a random, career, and why it's ok not to finish your to-do list.

Give Jemaine Clement a platform, and he'll spin it into something comical. The New Zealander is best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords but his work in comedy stretches across radio, film, stage, and TV. And his latest project, a TV series adaptation of his 2014 mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, is an exercise in how to mine your past ideas and make them fresh again. In our conversation, Jemaine also explains how to overcome creative differences (without punching your partner in the face) and the importance of editing improv.

Greetings from the 9th annual Fast Company Grill! We had some amazing panel discussions down in Austin, but this one in particular was a personal favorite. I had the chance to sit down with Oprah Winfrey Network president Tina Perry, the legendary Phylicia Rashad, and famed playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney to discuss David Makes Man, Tarell’s new show on OWN. David Makes Man explores childhood trauma, the black experience, drug abuse, and much more through a surreal lens. In our discussion, Tarell talks about his first foray into TV and pitching the show directly to Oprah Winfrey herself. Phylicia gives awe-inspiring lessons in creativity. And Tina lays out OWN’s vision for more diverse storytelling.

For Sasha Velour, all roads led to drag. Being a Fulbright scholar, Vassar grad, graphic artist, and illustrator, were all primers for the trailblazing work she does now as a performer, public speaker, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. But even after winning season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, landing brand ambassador deals, and selling out shows, Sasha is still riddled with creative self-doubt. In our conversation, she explains how leaning into the fantasy of drag helps to cope with reality, the creative process behind her legendary lip syncs, and how she’s elevating drag by empowering its performers.

This episode is pretty much going to be a love letter to all the 80s and 90s kids out there. You probably know E.G. Daily best as the voice of Tommy Pickles in Rugrats, Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls, or as Pee-wee Herman’s love interest in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Those iconic roles would be enough for a lifetime of bragging rights, but Daily has been working non stop in film, TV, music, and stage for more than four decades. In our conversation, Daily explains the process behind crafting a voice and why it’s so important to listen to your inner “hell yeahs” and “hell nos.”

Nicholas Britell has become one of Hollywood’s most sought after composers--and for good reason. His scores for films including Moonlight, The Big Short, Vice, and If Beale Street Could Talk aren’t your average film scores. Nicholas experiments with unconventional techniques in order to capture abstract themes like finance, love...or Dick Cheney’s life. In this episode, Nicholas explains how he went from managing hedge funds on Wall Street to being an Oscar nominated composer, and he explains how "breaking" music led to one of the most powerful scenes in If Beale Street Could Talk.

If you think your multi-hyphenate status is challenging, let’s run down Amanda Seales’ resume real quick. Amanda is a creative powerhouse—and more importantly she’s a creative powerhouse with something to say.

It would seem that Roy Wood Jr. is vying for the title of the busiest comic is show business. In addition to being a correspondent for "The Daily Show" and hosting the show "This Is Not Happening," Roy just released his second Comedy Central special "No One Loves You." But for all the work that he’s done over his career, Roy admits he’s not quite where he wants to be with his comedy. In this episode, Roy explains how his approach to comedy has been sharpened to have a social edge and how Solange (of all people) has changed how he performs on stage.

Killer Mike has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. Whether he’s stumping for politicians or calling out racial inequality, the outspoken rapper and activist has been using his platform and his craft to make change happen. And now he’s got a Netflix show to add to his arsenal. In our conversation, Killer Mike explains why “Trigger Warning” is necessary viewing (even if you’re easily triggered), and how he’s balancing his art and activism.

KC sits down with comedian, writer, and producer Larry Wilmore for a very special and very live episode of Creative Conversation, straight from the Fast Company Innovation Festival.

Long before “diversity” was a buzzword for beauty brands, Jackie was championing dark-skinned women and men who never saw themselves represented in the makeup industry.

As the son of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Roman's career seemed on track to follow directly in his father's footsteps--but that hasn't been quite the case.

From Lady Gaga's famous meat dress to spearheading the creative vision of Mugler, Diesel, and Uniqlo to starting his own label Nicopanda, Nicola Formichetti has cemented himself within the fashion industry as a foremost stylist and artistic director.

We all know and love Regina Hall from her comedic work in films like "Girls Trip" or "Scary Movie." But for her latest role in the indie dramedy "Support the Girls" she’s pushing the boundaries of our expectations and her abilities as an actor. Regina breaks down how she approaches her characters and teases some upcoming projects she's been writing and producing.

Excess. Greed. Addiction. The American Dream isn’t what it used to be—and Lauren Greenfield’s new doc “Generation Wealth” takes a closer look to find out why.

Tumble into the mind of visionary filmmaker Terence Nance, whose new HBO show, “Random Acts of Flyness,” is like nothing you’ve seen before—guaranteed.

What makes Max Richter unique is that his creativity is matched only by his ambition, which lends a sense fearlessness to his work that, hopefully, will fuel your own creativity.

The creative tag team behind Netflix's "GLOW" is the definition of work spouse goals. In this episode, Flahive and Mensch explain how they've fine-tuned their collaborative dynamic to an art.

Where you just see a slice of pizza on the ground, David Sedaris sees an essay in the making.

Join Fast Company editor KC Ifeanyi for in-depth explorations on the creative process with some of the most innovative thinkers across film, TV, music, and beyond.