From Stars to Star Wars - With Astrophysicist Michelle Thaller and Toy Photographer Mitchell Wu

Everything’s a Toy - with Indy Toy Lab’s Jordan Goddard and NASA JPL’s David Delgado

Creativity doesn’t live in one lane. And sometimes the best conversations start before you hit record. Welcome to This Podcast Needs A Name…, the podcast about how creativity actually works — not how we pretend it does. I’m your host, Lee Allentuck, and in this episode I sit down with two brilliant creatives working at wildly different scales. Jordan Goddard is a toy & game inventor, founder of Indy Toy Lab, and former Apple designer, creating play experiences you can literally hold in your hands. David Delgado is the former Creative Director at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, whose work helped millions of people emotionally connect with space exploration. One designs toys. The other designed wonder for the cosmos. Somehow, they land in the exact same place. In this episode, we talk about creativity as a practice, not a personality trait — why constraints fuel better ideas, why doubt never really goes away, and why curiosity is often more reliable than confidence. Along the way, we explore: * Why being the “dumbest person in the room” can be a creative superpower * Designing for people who aren’t you — and why ego gets in the way * Imposter syndrome, rejection sensitivity, and creative loneliness * Practical habits that keep creativity alive when inspiration disappears * Asking the deceptively simple question: “Why should anyone care?” It’s thoughtful, funny, deeply human — and one of my favorite conversations so far. If you’ve ever questioned your ideas, your process, or whether you’re doing creativity “right,” this episode is proof that you’re probably closer than you think. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Creativity thrives within constraints * Creativity is a skill that can be practiced and strengthened * Imposter syndrome is common — especially among experienced creatives * Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria plays a real role in creative hesitation * Curiosity is often a more powerful driver than confidence 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com [http://www.InnovationInPlay.com] ---------------------------------------- WHY LISTEN Whether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS * 00:00 The Creative Introduction * 07:13 Navigating Constraints and Self-Doubt * 14:41 The Misunderstood Creative * 23:03 Navigating Imposter Syndrome * 32:45 Imposter Syndrome and Creativity * 38:02 The Creative Process and Self-Doubt * 50:02 Practical Approaches to Creativity * 59:36 Naming the Podcast

From Stars to Star Wars - With Astrophysicist Michelle Thaller and Toy Photographer Mitchell Wu

One studies stars, galaxies, and the origins of the universe. The other builds cinematic, story-driven worlds using toys. In this episode of This Podcast Needs a Name, host Lee Allentuck sits down with NASA astrophysicist Michelle Thaller and professional toy photographer Mitchel Wu for a fun, thoughtful, and deeply human conversation about creativity, curiosity, and play. Together, they explore creativity as a trainable muscle, the lasting impact of childhood imagination, the role of storytelling in science and art, and why imposter syndrome never fully disappears—even at NASA or after decades in the creative industry. From career pivots and self-doubt to LEGO-filled brainstorming rooms and nostalgia-fueled inspiration, this episode proves that creativity isn’t reserved for artists or scientists—it’s available to anyone willing to stay curious. If you care about innovation, creativity, storytelling, science communication, design, play, or finding your creative spark at any stage of life, this conversation is for you. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Creativity is a muscle — not a talent — and it can be trained, practiced, and sustained * Play isn’t childish; it’s a powerful tool for innovation, problem-solving, and imagination * Childhood curiosity and storytelling shape how we think, create, and explore as adults * Imposter syndrome is normal — embracing doubt and fear can unlock personal and professional growth * Creativity exists at every scale, from space exploration to toy photography 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com [http://www.InnovationInPlay.com] ---------------------------------------- WHY LISTEN Whether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS * 00:00 The Intersection of Creativity * 09:19 Navigating Career Paths * 22:51 Reigniting Creative Energy * 30:10 The Power of Play * 35:15 Doubt and Imposter Syndrome * 43:42 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks * 50:48 Curiosity and Creativity

From Foam to Felt with Fraggle Rock's Kanja Chen and Hat Restorer La Touche (Ep 2)

Creativity doesn’t start with talent — it starts with curiosity, commitment, and courage. In this episode of This Podcast Needs a Name, host Lee Allentuck sits down with Kanja Chen — writer, producer, and puppeteer on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock — and La Touche, a cultural brand strategist and renown British hat restorer who has helped restore and reimagine some of the world’s most iconic hatmakers. From foam and felt to culture and identity, this conversation explores how raw materials become meaningful work — and how creativity shows up differently for everyone. Together, they unpack origin stories, confidence vs. competence, creative blocks, and why going deep into craft matters more than chasing inspiration. This is a thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation about creativity as a practice, not a personality trait — and about making the invisible visible through commitment to the work. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Creativity is innate — but often unlearned as we grow older * Commitment to craft matters more than early talent * Confidence without competence doesn’t last * Inspiration often comes from outside your category * Meaning emerges when imagination meets intention 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com [http://www.InnovationInPlay.com] ---------------------------------------- WHY LISTEN Whether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS * 00:00 The Origin Stories * 07:23 Finding Inspiration * 14:09 The Creative Process * 19:12 Embracing Imagination * 25:33 Cultural Tradition and Creativity * 33:25 Mentorship and Corporate Culture * 39:23 Absurd Ideas and Confidence

Draft Ugly, Edit Beautifully- Disney's Matt Conover & Music Composer/Producer Philip Sheppard (Ep 1)

Draft Ugly, Edit Beautifully- Disney's Matt Conover & Music Composer/Producer Philip Sheppard (Ep 1) Creativity isn’t clean. It’s messy, uncertain, and full of bad first drafts—and that’s exactly the point. In this episode of This Podcast Needs A Name, host Lee Allentuck sits down with Matt Conover, a Disney Live Entertainment producer, and Philip Sheppard, an award-winning composer, producer, and cellist, for an honest, unscripted conversation about how creative work actually gets made. Not the polished highlight reel—but the real process behind creativity in entertainment, music, design, and leadership. Together, we talk about imposter syndrome that never fully goes away, why creative constraints often lead to better ideas, and why the mindset of “draft ugly, edit beautifully” isn’t just advice—it’s a survival skill for anyone doing meaningful work. This isn’t a conversation about waiting for confidence or chasing perfection. It’s about learning how to keep creating, collaborating, and moving forward—even when things feel unfinished or uncomfortable. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your creative ability, or wondered whether you’re doing it “right,” this episode is a reminder that the mess is the work—and often where the magic lives. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Creativity and the real creative process (not the polished version) * Imposter syndrome in creative leadership and high-performance roles * How constraints fuel creativity in entertainment, music, and design * Why the first draft is supposed to be bad—and why that’s liberating * The role of subtraction and restraint in making better creative work * Daily creative practices to stay inspired without burning out * Why immersive experiences and emotional connection matter more than spectacle 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com [http://www.InnovationInPlay.com] ---------------------------------------- WHY LISTEN Whether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS * 00:00 The Journey of Creativity * 08:35 Empowering Creativity * 16:11 Creating Lasting Memories * 27:02 Immersive Experiences * 32:24 Daily Creative Practice

This Podcast Needs a Name: Why Creativity, Curiosity & Play Matter More Than Ever (Ep. 0)

Welcome to This Podcast Needs a Name, hosted by Lee Allentuck — a podcast about creativity, curiosity, and play, told through honest conversations between people who shouldn’t have much in common… but do. In this short manifesto-style Episode 0, Lee shares why this podcast exists, how the format works, and what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes. Drawing from his career working at the intersection of creativity, play, and innovationwith global brands, educators, scientists, and makers, Lee explores the surprising patterns that show up again and again across creative lives. Each episode brings two guests from different worlds together — scientists and artists, designers and educators, inventors and communicators — to talk openly about creativity. Not as a buzzword, but as a lived experience. The fear. The doubt. The curiosity. The constraints. The play. And the quiet persistence it takes to keep showing up. You’ll hear conversations about: * Creativity at NASA and beyond * Why play is essential to serious work * Imposter syndrome and self-doubt * Creativity under constraints * Curiosity as a daily practice, not a personality trait There are no hacks, no formulas, and no guru takes — just thoughtful, human conversations and ideas you can take with you into your own work, life, and creative practice. If you create, problem-solve, teach, design, communicate, parent, or have ever thought “I’m not as creative as I used to be” — this podcast is for you. Because creativity isn’t something you lose. You just get busy. 👉 Watch / listen to the full episode of This Podcast Needs A Name… with Lee Allentuck + read the blog here: www.InnovationInPlay.com [http://www.InnovationInPlay.com] ---------------------------------------- WHY LISTEN Whether you work in the arts, entertainment, design, science, business, or any creative field, this episode offers practical insight and reassurance from people who’ve built world-class experiences—and still wrestle with the same doubts we all do. ----------------------------------------