In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews James Martin, a.k.a Made by James,  the ultimate champion of the everyday designer and one of the most prolific logo identity designers on the planet. They delve into how we can become more creative and irreplaceable in the face of AI and fierce competition.

The discussion emphasizes how staying true to yourself is key to attracting the right people and opportunities. James gives  us an unfiltered tour of his mind, including his beliefs and philosophies about creativity and design. He also provides expert advice and tips that will help boost your creativity and make sure you stand out from the crowd.

Episode Breakdown:

02:28 The importance of putting yourself out there

03:49 James’ journey of leveling up and his mindset of closing gaps

06:42 Building his own design agency

08:57 Consistently posting every day and figuring out what is in alignment

12:39 Top advice for someone starting to put out content today

16:42 How to balance staying true to yourself and chasing metrics

21:52 Trauma, vulnerability, self-reflection, and being yourself

24:37 Herd mentality and standing out from the crowd

27:22 Creativity at a crossroads with the rise of AI

29:45 Tips to become more creative every day

32:58 People’s biggest missteps when it comes to identities and logos

35:17 The role of a brand or visual identity designer

36:25 What you need to have in place before you start the process of getting a logo

39:35 The power of a mark

41:11 One thing you should look for when working with a designer

42:02 Strategies to be more creative and become irreplaceable

47:24 How James nurtures existing clients and attracts new ones

53:13 The importance of finding the right people for the right seats

56:24 How James counterbalances work and family

58:43 The best way to build your creativity

1:00:30 A letter to James’ younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Youtube

Instagram

Get the book, Made by James: The Honest Guide to Creativity and Logo Design.

Look into the book James got with a note from the author, The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma.

Check out the book James mentions, Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon.

Want to go from unknown to legendary in 44 simple steps?

Get your FREE copy of my Personal Brand Checklist.

Legendary Quotes:

“ Ever since I've let go of this mindset of I have to be everything to everybody, and I have to be a certain thing to get certain things, and the more I've been myself, the more good things have happened to me. I've been surrounded by the right people, the right opportunities found me.” – James Martin

“ So, nobody, if we're honest here, needs a fucking logo. If we're really honest, they want what the logo is going to do for them.” – James Martin

“ If you want to get chosen and become irreplaceable, you have to start curating your taste outside of your industry because that's the thing that's going to make you stand out. Otherwise, you're just going to mold into the sameness and be replaced.” – James Martin

“If I could leave people with anything, it would be to really focus on the clients that you have and had, and be of service to them as much as physically possible.” – James Martin

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters: the ultimate guide for corporate dropouts turned business owners.. Each week I share a heartset, mindset, and skillset to grow your business, your brand, and your life.

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In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan is going solo. He is bringing the best strategies and ideas from scientific studies and the legends among us so you can live your version of legendary.

He delves into how to craft a clear and compelling value proposition that sets you apart and attracts the right opportunities and people. The discussion emphasizes the importance of standing out instead of blending in.

Howie walks you through the story of someone who struggled with creating a good value proposition, why having a value proposition matters so much, and a simple three-step framework to help you define yours.

Episode Breakdown:

02:11 Sarah’s struggles with defining her value proposition

03:02 Why your emotions and your why matter for your value proposition

05:47 Step 1 to find your value proposition:  Who do you help?

06:37 Step 2 to find your value proposition: What problem do you solve?

07:28 Step 3 to find your value proposition:  Why does it ignite you?

08:42 Putting it all together into your unique value proposition

09:10 Now it’s your turn!

From Me:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Want 75 hacks to become more charismatic?

Get your FREE copy of my Charisma Tactical Toolkit.

Legendary Quotes:

“ If you can't explain what makes you unique in one sentence, you're losing clients. You're losing money!” – Howie Chan

“ A value proposition isn't just some business jargon. To put it another way, it is your declaration of purpose. It helps people understand why you're here, what makes you different, and stops someone and [has] them think, ‘Hmm, do I need that?’” – Howie Chan

“In today's crowded market, being generic is the fastest way to be ignored, but also being lengthy is the easiest way to confuse people.” – Howie Chan

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters to get the most important lessons and behind-the-scenes content in under 5 min.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter.

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In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Henna Pryor, a Workplace Performance Expert, a 2x TEDx speaker, a regular expert columnist for Inc. Magazine, and a best-selling author. They delve into what embracing awkwardness really entails, the  skills now being lost in the modern era that we need to recreate in the workplace, and what it looks like to make big career pivots.

The discussion emphasizes how feeling awkward is not something to fix but something that can actually be your biggest asset for professional and personal growth. Henna provides tips and insights into how to successfully navigate awkward moments and situations, build deeper connections, get better at selling, and become more confident.

Episode Breakdown:

02:21 The Helen story: navigating extreme awkwardness at work for the first time

05:41 Making a choice between two risks

08:25 A real-life awkward moment

09:52 A crazy travel schedule

11:10 Taking aligned action over avoiding discomfort

13:32 Awkward confidence

14:53 How to get good at navigating awkward moments

21:09 Practical tips to help you face awkward situations

25:38 The cultural shift toward being less perfect

27:47 Awkwardness and vulnerability

30:12 The decision to leave an explosive 14-year career in staffing

33:54 An exercise for high achievers to overcome the fear of career change

35:41 Telling Henna’s South Asian parents about her career pivots

36:54 The blessing of starting from scratch during the Pandemic

38:25 How difficult it was for Henna to pivot throughout her career

40:31 A hard-earned but transformational lesson

42:08 A tactical sales hack

45:02 How awkwardness became Henna’s banner

47:32 The value of placing a small bet

51:13 Awkward conversations are what will help heal humanity

53:50 A letter to Henna’s younger self

55:28 Henna’s current definition of success

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Get the book, Good Awkward.

Watch Henna’s 2 TEDxTalks Want to get ahead at work? Risk the awkward moments and The new way to brag in the modern world - and feel good doing it.

Want 75 hacks to become more charismatic?

Get your FREE copy of my Charisma Tactical Toolkit.

Legendary Quotes:

“The truth is the most confident people do not get to avoid awkwardness. They just have a very fast comeback rate.” – Henna Pryor

“ Awkwardness grows in the dark and shrinks in the light.” – Howie Chan

“ We have to be willing to withstand our awkwardness to be in service of the people that we serve.” – Henna Pryor

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters: the ultimate guide for corporate dropouts turned business owners.. Each week I share a heartset, mindset, and skillset to grow your business, your brand, and your life.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter.

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Blake Eastman, former professional poker player and the founder of the Nonverbal Group,  a behavioral research and education company teaching people to better communicate and thrive in social interactions.

They delve into Blake’s journey to becoming the human behavior and communications expert he is, effective communication skills, the hard-earned lessons he got when his father was diagnosed with ALS, behind the scenes stories, and, of course, poker.

The discussion emphasizes the complexity and subjectivity of communication and how any transformation must start from within. Blake provides tips that will help you communicate like the legend that you are right away, insights into the world of professional poker, and unveils the truth behind the lies we’re told about how human behavior.

Episode Breakdown:

02:18 The truth behind the scenes of Slate’s viral article on Blake

04:22 Blake’s intense teaching schedule

05:20 A quick rise and journey of mistakes and lessons

07:14 Being an expert and an impostor

09:06 Becoming an adjunct professor at CUNY

12:24 Why a JD MBA and academia just wasn’t for Blake

16:54 The questions Blake is trying to answer

17:46 Always having a plan (even when it’s the wrong one)

20:22 How his family and early years influenced his path

24:01 Navigating the serious challenge of a parent with ALS

27:31 Hard-earned lessons

30:03 The truth behind statistics and blank statements about human behavior

33:05 How Blake approaches research as an entrepreneur

39:54 Tips to help you communicate more effectively today

41:27 The Flaw Finder 5000

43:43 Biggest barriers to truly transforming your social skills

45:01 Why people are committing to a full year of transformation

48:09 Insights into the world of poker

52:24 Tips to win a home poker game

54:18 The role of poker in Blake’s life

56:36 When Blake  placed 4th at a WSOP Main Event

1:01:33 The funny story behind Blake’s run-in with the IRS

1:04:33 Finding  the magic and beauty of what makes people effective

1:07:00 A letter to Blake’s younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Youtube

X

Facebook

Instagram

Sign up for The Behavioralist Newsletter by Blake.

Check out the Slate article Howie mentions.

Charisma is a Skill:

Get your FREE copy of the Charisma Tactical Toolkit.

Legendary Quotes:

“ You can choose how you experience the world every second. I can't move my arms, but I'm so grateful for my legs. I can't walk unassisted, but I'm so grateful I can still walk.” – Blake Eastman

“ "Most people don’t add enough context when they communicate. You can hedge so many simple things by just telling people what’s going on.".” – Blake Eastman

“ I never tell people how to act. I just make sure that their behavior is in alignment with how they want to be perceived.” – Blake Eastman

“ We're meaning making machines and it's our greatest gift and it's our greatest curse at the same time.” – Blake Eastman

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters: the ultimate guide for corporate dropouts turned business owners.. Each week I share a heartset, mindset, and skillset to grow your business, your brand, and your life.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter.

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

In this episode of the Legend Effect Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews David Robson, one of the most prolific science writers out there, with thousands of articles and three bestsellers. They delve into strategies backed by scientific research to help you better manage your mental health and build stronger relationships.

The discussion emphasizes how your mindset can transform your life. David provides tools that will help you leverage stress, curb self-doubt, and quickly form deeper connections. He also shares his most impactful psychological effect after over 10 years of research.

Episode Breakdown:

02:27 David’s drive and intellectual curiosity

04:10 Combining mathematics and science with literature and writing

07:00 Self-fulfilling prophecies and the power of mindset

10:06 The importance of reappraising stress

16:28 2 things that will help you better manage your mental health

19:10 Teaching kids valuable tools for their mental health

22:04 The liking gap in social interactions and how to overcome it

26:20 How to form better connections through the virtual world

28:09 One thing you should do RIGHT NOW if you work by yourself

31:19 The phenomenon of self-expansion in meaningful relationships

33:23 The power of self-disclosure and vulnerability

38:27 The fast friendship procedure

43:28 Overcoming the fear of being vulnerable

46:46 Using narrative to live better and form stronger connections

48:46 The tool David uses to get through difficult times

51:09 David’s mission

52:51 How David is starting to do scientific research himself

54:48 The one technique that will transform your life

58:48 A letter to David’s younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

X

Instagram

Get David’s books here.

Read my article about David’s book The Expectation Effect.

Get my FREE Mindset Mastery Course.

Legendary Quotes:

“ I think it also comes back to the Expectation Effect in a way that the stories we tell ourselves about the things that we're facing can become self-fulfilling prophecies. So, we always should recognize that fact that we are heroes of our own stories, and we can try to make the most of that.” - David Robson

“Life is going to have these downswings, but it's what defines your path in life is actually how you respond to that and whether you can find a way to bolster your resources, even if that is asking for support.” - David Robson

“ It's really learning just to question your basic assumptions and to realize that just because you think or feel something does not mean that it is necessarily the way that other people would interpret the situation or that there's an objective proof to that.” - David Robson

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters to go from unknown to unforgettable. One actionable lesson each week to establish authority, build attraction, and grow in influence.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Legend Letters Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Ash Rathod,  a storyteller, founder, and LinkedIn instructor of his 6P storytelling framework. They delve into how stories helped Ash emerge from the darkness and build the strongest relationships with his audience.

The discussion emphasizes the power of storytelling and vulnerability. Ash provides a storytelling framework and tips to help anyone create memorable and engaging stories that change hearts and minds, and he reflects on the lessons he learned from his real-life hero.

Episode Breakdown:

02:52 Ash’s true hero, his father

09:39 When Ash’s father passed away

13:13 The onset of vitiligo

17:01 Facing negative situations and racism

21:20 The LinkedIn post that changed it all

26:24 The importance of sharing our small stories

29:33 The #1 barrier to storytelling

31:56 The core KEY elements of storytelling

33:52 Ash’s 6P Storytelling Framework

37:41 Write hot, edit cold

38:49 How to make your story memorable and engaging

42:48 From scriptwriting to storytelling

47:56 Ash’s love for creating something new

50:05 Ash’s transformation post-vitiligo

53:41 Two letters to Ash’s younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

The LinkedIn post that kicked off Ash’s journey.

Learn more about Ash’s 6P framework in his LinkedIn course, Storytelling and Content Creation to Transform Your Personal Brand.

Legendary Quotes:

“ The difference between a hero and a villain is how they react to adversity because both of them face the same issues and problems. But the hero wants to make sure that people don't feel that again, and then the villain says, ‘I want everybody to feel the same way.’” – Howie Chan

“ It's emotionally draining trying to keep up with what you think others think of you.

Be yourself and be kind to yourself. You're good enough, and others know this too. Once you embrace this, I promise you will be the best version of yourself.” - Ash Rathod

“People want to know the real you. Of course, they want you to help them in terms of what they need from you and why they turn to you because of your expert opinion, your specialist, or your experience. But if they're not going to align with you in terms of values or they don't like you for whatever reason, they might just choose someone else that can also do that job as well.” - Ash Rathod

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters: the ultimate guide for corporate dropouts turned business owners.. Each week I share a heartset, mindset, and skillset to grow your business, your brand, and your life.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Legend Letters Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Harvey Lee, Top 10 PMM Consultant & #1 LinkedIn PMM Creator and a legend in both the rock and roll and gaming industries.

They delve into Harvey’s stories from his time in the music industry, including when he became the impromptu bassist for the band he was touring with, how he made his way to the video game industry, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

The discussion emphasizes the power of passion, authenticity, giving it your all, and taking action. Harvey provides insight into how he was able to face great challenges where failure was not an option and shares lessons that will help you navigate your career and tough times.

Episode Breakdown:

02:30 How Harvey became known as the money

10:21 Harvey’s passion for music and his early realizations

12:36 From the roadie life to the business career life

15:06 Starting early and learning the hard way and the quick way

17:59 Making things happen for a career in music

22:01 Harvey’s parents’ role in his journey

25:14 Finding your talent through your passion

27:21 Thrown into the rock and roll stage

32:01 Treating people as you find them

33:25 What it all comes down to with how you present yourself

35:49 The transition from the music industry to the video games industry

41:09 How Harvey faces challenges where failure is not an option

44:08 Proving the naysayers and bullies wrong

46:03 The fear of failure paradox

47:48 3 life lessons to help you navigate tough times

56:11 How to know when to quit

1:00:47 The hardest decision Harvey ever made

1:06:55 A letter to Harvey’s younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

TikTok

Get the book for FREE, Backstage Pass.

Legendary Quotes:

“I gained my nickname, and that part was all fun. However, making a name for yourself in life and business is important. It can open doors and help make things happen. You need to be remembered for all the right reasons.” – Harvey Lee

“In life and in business, sometimes the best thing that can happen to you is just getting thrown in. Just thrown in. These are the moments that you forge your reputation with your crew, with your audience, with your community, with the people that you work with.” – Harvey Lee

“Your marker for the future, your story of the future, hasn't yet been written, and only you can write it. So, whatever is happening with you today, you're only in the moment now. When you wake up tomorrow, you have a blank piece of paper. The question is, What are you going to do with it?”

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters to go from unknown to unforgettable. One actionable lesson each week to establish authority, build attraction, and grow in influence.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Legend Letters Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Loren Greiff, an Executive Career Strategist who is ending career victimization by elevating, accelerating, and celebrating one executive at a time.

They delve into the ugly realities of the recruiting and job searching world and what Loren is doing to hack the system to get her clients in the position they want in 4 to 7 months—and earning 40% to 70% more.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of unconventional job search strategies in an increasingly complex world. Loren shares powerful career-fueling strategies that can help you nail high-stakes interviews, be prepared before joining the company, and beat ageism to get your dream position.

Episode Breakdown:

03:28 When Loren quit the job she worked her whole life to get

07:35 The CTJ moment for Loren

09:52 The journey to create PortfolioRocket

13:49 It isn’t just about climbing the ladder

18:59 Navigating inevitable turnover and complexity

21:12 Unconventional job search strategies

24:31 How Loren deals with reluctant executives

26:34 A simple exercise to unearth your why

28:05 Reach more people with fewer words and less time

29:57 3 strategies to nail high-stakes interviews

34:35 One test you should do before joining a company

37:59 How to make your age just a number

39:48 Old (bad) habits around job boards and recruiters

42:22 Personal resilience and reinvention

48:21 Loren’s experience with a Vipassana course

50:15 How Loren made cancer fun

53:47 Every breakdown is a breakthrough

55:58 A letter to Loren’s younger self

From Our Guest:

Website

LinkedIn

Youtube

Podcast

Facebook

Instagram

Get the book by Jen Sincero You Are a Badass®.

Legendary Quotes:

“There's this phenomenon called sheltering, right? People staying in jobs that they know that they're misaligned to. They know that there's a feeling that somehow, whether it's the values of the company or they're not being challenged or their compensation is compromised, they stay. And I can understand why. Because it's safe.” – Loren Greiff

“Networking isn't broken. Maybe your approach needs some help. These things are all part of a larger effort, not a one-and-done.” – Loren Greiff

“We all have the same insecurities, we all feel less than, or we all feel like we're on top of the world at different points in time. And I think that really what is not being said is that if you want it, you can have it, but you got to really want it and you got to not give up on what you want.” – Loren Greiff

It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽

Join Legend Letters to get the most important lessons and behind the scenes content in under 5 min.

📩 Try the Legend Letters Newsletter

Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.