Today’s guest is Al Carns, Senior Art Director at Lionsgate, whose 25-year creative journey started as an unpaid intern and came full circle with one of the most culturally relevant films of the decade, The Blackening.Al shares:His origin story and early artistic influencesThe power of representation in mediaWhy creative work must speak to the soul, not just sellHis mission to give back through his agency, Primer CreativeHow Lionsgate supports DEI and cultural storytellingIf you're a creative, a leader, or someone who believes art can transform lives — this one is for you.🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from artists, creators, and business owners.

In this episode of Creative Leadership with Heart, we sit down with Michelle Brogan, Head of Go-To-Market at Allianz and former Regional Head of Marketing at Symantec. Michelle shares her inspiring career journey—from falling into digital marketing in the early '90s to leading global marketing teams today.She opens up about:The evolution of digital marketing and customer insightsWhy storytelling and personalization still matterKey leadership lessons from scaling her careerHer powerful transition from “doing it all” to leading high-performing teamsThis is a must-watch for marketing professionals, future leaders, and anyone navigating growth in today’s fast-paced world.🔔 Subscribe for more leadership and growth insights!🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.GUEST: Michelle BroganMarketing ExecutiveCurrently Head of go to market at AllianzFormerly Regional Head of Marketing at Symantec.Mother, mentor, coach.https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-brogan/

When Farnas Esnaashari was repeatedly denied promotions in the animation industry, she didn’t wait for permission — she created her own lane.

In this inspiring episode, hosts Leonard Samuels and Rico Nasal sit down with Farnas, the powerhouse behind Pitch Dox and a showrunner with deep roots at Nickelodeon.

She opens up about being underestimated, sleeping in classrooms to meet deadlines, taking massive pay cuts to follow her dream, and ultimately turning industry roadblocks into rocket fuel for her own success.

If you've ever felt stuck in your creative career, this episode is your wake-up call.

🔹 What it takes to break into animation

🔹 How she made the jump from post coordinator to show creator

🔹 Why rejection can be your greatest motivator

Book Recommendations:https://tinyurl.com/ricosbooksGear Recommendations:https://tinyurl.com/ricosgearFitness Gear:https://tinyurl.com/ricosfitnesshttps://www.riconasol.com/https://www.instagram.com/riconasol/https://www.linkedin.com/in/riconasol/https://app.joinforum.com/partner-support-groups/Rico-Nasol-pid797https://www.joinleland.com/coach/rico-n=====Leadership and motivation is the key to staying inspired in the world today. These inspiring quotes and motivation videos are designed to help you continue to be successful in life and in business. Using these wise words will keep you performing at your best and living life to the fullest. We are here to win at life and to enjoy every moment.When the stressors of life begin to take over, we need to stay positive. Maintaining a positive and affirming approach to life will help us maintain a high level of performance, a balanced life and strong mental health. Please use these videos to keep you and your business running strong. Build great teams and lead them to success.Rico Nasol and affiliates and related parties do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, investment, legal or business advice. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support! Legal Disclosure: I’m not a financial advisor. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Before investing, please consult a licensed professional. Any stock purchases I show on video should not be considered “investment recommendations”. I shall not be held liable for any losses you may incur for investing and trading in the stock market in attempt to mirror what I do. Unless investments are FDIC insured, they may decline in value and/or disappear entirely. Please be careful!

Today on Creative Leadership with Heart, I'm joined by my good friend Andry Haryanto — VP of Finance and Strategy at Vida Health and former Netflix strategist. Andry shares his fascinating journey from chemical engineering to private equity, to Silicon Valley tech giant Netflix, and now to transformative healthcare.
We dive deep into leadership challenges across companies of all sizes, the importance of adapting your leadership style, and how to think about scale differently as your career and company grow.
Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation is packed with insights on navigating ambiguity, connecting top-down vision with ground-level reality, and leading with purpose.

🎥 Meet Sally Montana – A Globally Renowned Photographer and DirectorJoin us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Sally Montana, a photographer and director whose career has spanned across continents and creative industries. From capturing stunning images of everyday people to immersing herself in the intense world of rodeo photography, Sally shares how her experiences in Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, and New York shaped her creative approach.🌍 Why Cape Town?📸 Why Rodeos?💥 What Drives a Photographer to Capture Real Stories Over Perfect Shots?Tune in for insights on the power of serendipity, opportunity, and the importance of mentorship in the creative world. Sally opens up about her journey, challenges, and how traveling the world has enhanced her ability to tell deep, meaningful stories through her lens.Don't miss Sally’s advice for aspiring photographers, as well as her thoughts on how creativity continues to evolve throughout her career.🎯 Ready to explore what makes an authentic, impactful photographer? Tune in now!

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Creative Leadership with Heart." In this episode, we are featuring Jacob Zuckerman, the VP of Design at Propel, a company focused on supporting low-income Americans. With over 20 years in the design industry, Jacob has navigated a fascinating career that spans from print to product design, working with big names like Google, Yahoo, and Nokia, as well as various startups. In this episode, Jacob shares his creative journey, from studying graphic design to taking bold career pivots that have shaped him into a versatile leader. He explores the challenges and rewards of transitioning into the product design world, his passion for startups, and the importance of empathy and collaboration in achieving success. Join us as we dive deep into Jacob's experiences and insights on achieving personal and professional growth in the ever-evolving design landscape. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation about creativity, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobzukerman/

🚀 From Netflix to startups, Dr. Carla Engelbrecht has spent her career shaping the future of kids' media! In our latest episode, we dive into her journey—building at Sesame Street, PBS Kids, and now founding Betweened, a platform fostering mindful behavior in children.🎙️

What does it take to innovate in kids’ tech? How do you pivot and thrive in the startup world? Carla shares it all! Don’t miss this inspiring conversation.

@drcarlaeng on TikTok and IG

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlaeng/

btwnd.com for the business/resources

carla@btwnd.comDrcarlaeng (TikTok, IG)

In this episode of Creative Leadership with Hearts, host Rico Nasoul sits down with writer, author, and content designer Rebecca Ann Nguyen. Known for her work in The New York Times and Insider, Rebecca shares her journey from acting to writing, the creative struggles she faced, and how she finally embraced storytelling as her true calling. We also dive into her debut novel The 23rd Hero, which recently won the 2024 Readers' Choice Award for Best Adult Novel. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, intuition, and the unexpected paths to success.🔹 Follow Rebecca Ann Nguyen:Web:RebeccaNWrites.comInstagram@rebeccanwritesFacebook@rebeccanwrites Linkedin@rebeccanwritesThreads @rebeccanwrites