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The Creativity Leap: How to Think Bigger, Solve Better, and Lead with Curiosity with Natalie Nixon

  • Jul 1
  • 3 min read

Creativity isn't just for artists.


It's one of the most valuable leadership skills you can develop.


This week on Laugh or Death, I sit down with Dr. Natalie Nixon—creativity strategist, CEO of Figure Eight Thinking, keynote speaker, and author of The Creativity Leap—to explore what creativity actually looks like in the real world.



Creativity isn't just for artists.


It's one of the most valuable leadership skills you can develop.


This week on Laugh or Death, I sit down with Dr. Natalie Nixon—creativity strategist, CEO of Figure Eight Thinking, keynote speaker, and author of The Creativity Leap—to explore what creativity actually looks like in the real world.


Spoiler: it's not waiting around for inspiration to strike.


Natalie argues that creativity is something every leader, entrepreneur, teacher, engineer, and business professional needs. In a world where AI can automate tasks and information is everywhere, our ability to stay curious, solve problems, adapt, and think differently has become one of our biggest competitive advantages.


We talk about why "plans are fiction," how wonder and rigor work together to fuel innovation, and why your best ideas probably won't come while staring at your computer screen.


Natalie also shares her remarkable career journey—from cultural anthropology and fashion design to academia and eventually launching her own company after realizing her side hustle had become her true calling.


Along the way we discuss:


  • Why studying what you love may be the smartest career advice you'll ever receive

  • The surprising connection between movement, rest, and creativity

  • Why slowing down often helps you accomplish more

  • How improvisation makes you a better leader

  • Why humor helps us become fully present

  • How organizations can build cultures where innovation actually thrives


Whether you're leading a company, building a business, creating content, or simply trying to think differently, this conversation will challenge the way you approach work—and remind you that creativity isn't a luxury.


It's a necessity.


🎙 Hit play and listen now! 


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If you enjoyed this episode and want to build your own humor habit, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who could use a little more levity in their life.


To learn more about Paul’s work, book him for speaking engagements, or explore the science behind humor and resilience, visit: 👉 https://www.paulosincup.com You can also dive deeper into the tools discussed in this episode in Paul’s book: 👉 The Humor Habit


All Links For Paul: https://stan.store/PaulOsincup 


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Episode Minute-By-Minute:


  • 01:00 Meet Dr. Natalie Nixon

  • 02:00 An Old Soul: Books, Braces & Growing Up

  • 04:05 Follow What You Love

  • 06:15 From Anthropology to Fashion Design

  • 10:00 How Side Hustles Become Your Calling

  • 15:00 Leaving Academia for Entrepreneurship

  • 19:00 When You Know It's Time to Leap

  • 23:15 Why Soft Skills Are Actually Hard Skills

  • 30:50 What Creativity Really Is

  • 32:00 Wonder + Rigor: The Formula for Creativity

  • 36:00 Why Your Best Ideas Don't Happen at Your Desk

  • 38:00 Move, Think, Rest

  • 42:00 Improvisation, Creativity & Not Knowing

  • 46:00 Why Humor Makes Us More Creative

  • 49:00 Shared Laughter Builds Better Teams

  • 50:00 Humor During Difficult Times

  • 55:00 Final Thoughts



 
 
 

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