The Creator's Guide to Authentic Storytelling w/ David J. Ebner | Ep 387
Chris Do talks with David J. Ebner, founder of Content Workshop, about how classic storytelling techniques can transform brand messaging. They unpack how structure, character, and emotion create content people remember—and why “show, don’t tell” still wins in modern marketing.
David shares how to keep brand stories authentic, give more value than you take, and stay true to your core idea. They also dive into how AI is flooding the content space, and why human, values-driven storytelling will always stand out.
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Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(02:36) Story structure in marketing
(09:34) Short-form storytelling tips
(13:34) Building character and change
(16:36) Brand content framework
(18:03) Value-first storytelling
(21:41) Authentic voice over fear
(33:17) Core values in content
(39:19) AI and human creativity
(49:09) Closing thoughts and takeaways
Check out today’s guest, David J. Ebner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjebner
Website: https://contentworkshop.com/
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Check out Chris Do:
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49:45
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49:45
How to Take Creative Risks and Win w/ Craig Black | Ep 386
On this episode of The Futur Podcast, Chris Do talks with Scottish visual artist Craig Black about what it takes to reinvent yourself, embrace fear, and build a thriving creative career around your own unique style.
Craig’s journey spans professional football, typography, and ultimately his signature “Acrylic Fusion” technique—a paint-pouring process that’s landed him collaborations with UEFA, FIFA, and Porsche. But behind the global recognition is a story about personal risk, self-initiated projects, and betting everything on his art.
Together, Chris and Craig unpack:
How to pivot when your first career path fails
Why personal projects can lead to global clients
The strategy behind launching at the right cultural moment
Building a family-first lifestyle studio without compromise
Using fear as a compass for growth
This episode is a masterclass in reinvention for creatives, designers, and entrepreneurs who feel stuck and want to break through with their own voice.
Register for AdobeMax using the code FUTUR25 for $400 off a full pass.
See you there! https://max.adobe.com/?cgen=7RZ35VGK&mv=other
Timestamps
(00:00) - Intro
(00:19) - How Acrylic Fusion was invented
(01:44) - Porsche Taycan project: car as a canvas
(03:49) - Process hacks: breathwork vs failed tools
(08:43) - Leaving football to pursue creativity
(14:44) - The teacher who saved Craig’s career
(20:49) - Designing Rangers FC’s jersey typography
(24:12) - Quitting typography to pursue fine art
(31:22) - Fusion Footballs launch at Euro 2020
(36:53) - Taking risks with little financial safety
(39:20) - Three essentials for creative breakthroughs
(44:32) - Running a family-first lifestyle studio
(47:38) - Final lesson: fear leads to growth
Check out today’s guest, Craig Black:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_craigblack/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigblackdesign/
Website: https://craig.black
Shop: https://craigblack.shop
Fusion Footballs: https://craig.black/projects/fusion-footballs
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
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Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
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Check out Chris Do:
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50:39
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50:39
How to Validate Before You Build w/ Ranbir Arora | Ep 385
In this episode, Chris Do speaks with Ranbir Arora about reaching product–market fit without lighting the budget on fire. They explore One Day’s “university for entrepreneurs,” how the mentor-led model works in practice, and why its accredited MBA is earned by building a real business—not cranking out essays.
They also cover how to start by finding a real, painful problem, prove demand before building, and work through seven types of pivots—problem, solution, customer, price, funnel, channel, messaging—from biggest to smallest to diagnose what’s stuck. Listeners walk away with clear litmus tests and simple experiments to move faster and stop guessing.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro(14:40) Fully accredited MBA path.(15:32) Partner details & rigor.(20:33) Find deep customer pain.(20:57) Validate demand before MVP.(31:12) Quality and mentor capacity.(32:15) How mentors scale time.(33:42) Training, benchmarks, oversight.(38:47) Team, pedagogy, advisory board.(41:49) The seven pivot classes.(44:25) Funnels and channel swaps.(45:01) Messaging tweaks to break even.
Check out today's guest, Ranbir Arora:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranbir_arora/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ranbir-arora-39219a37
Website: https://www.oneday.org/uk
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/
Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/
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Twitter: https://x.com/thefuturishere
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Check out Chris Do:
Website: https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo
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51:05
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51:05
Sales Mistakes That Kill Deals | Ep 384
Why do clients hesitate even when they’ve already agreed on price? In this short solo episode, Chris Do breaks down the hidden reasons deals stall—and what you can do about it.
You’ll learn how to ask better questions, prove you’re listening, avoid oversharing, and keep calls tight and focused. Chris also shares subtle ways to earn trust, build rapport, and guide conversations without forcing them. If you’ve ever lost a deal after you thought it was in the bag, this episode will show you why—and how to fix it.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:15) Ask deeper, smarter questions
(02:46) Show prospects you listened
(03:26) Avoid oversharing, build trust
(04:40) Respect time, guide conversations
(07:13) Note-taking builds client confidence
(09:04) Power of thoughtful pauses
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/
Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/
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Check out Chris Do:
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9:30
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9:30
How to Spot Toxic Leadership w/ Mita Mallick | Ep 383
What makes a boss “bad”—and why do so many talented people end up working for them? Author and marketing executive Mita Malick joins Chris Do to share the stories behind her new book, The Devil Emails at Midnight, including how childhood bullying shaped her empathy and her mission to create healthier workplaces.
Together, they break down 13 toxic boss archetypes, the hidden triggers that turn well-meaning leaders into bad ones, and how creatives can spot red flags before it’s too late. Whether you’re navigating a tough client, rebuilding a team, or learning how not to repeat the mistakes of past managers, this episode gives you practical tools and a fresh perspective on what better leadership really looks like.
Timestamps:
(00:00) – Intro
(01:30) – Culture starts at home
(03:25) – Driveway hate graffiti story
(06:10) – Principal’s office, suspension fallout
(09:33) – Book genesis: bad bosses
(11:44) – The midnight-email manager problem
(12:20) – Micromanagers, disengaged leadership explained
(14:50) – Who this book helps
(15:43) – Medusa: public team humiliation
(20:17) – Toxic environments feel like “home”
(24:50) – Friend’s mirror moment at work
(33:28) – Grief chapter: losing dad
(36:11) – Exit interview: “I cried”
(38:08) – The Napper archetype explained
(42:13) – Performance Improvement Plan explained
(46:57) – Thirteen boss archetypes list
(48:15) – Where to buy the book
(49:09) – Connect with Mita Malick
Check out today's guest, Mita Mallick:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mita_mallick13/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822
Website: https://www.mitamallick.com/
Check out The Futur:
Website: https://www.thefutur.com/
Courses: https://www.thefutur.com/shop
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/
Podcasts: https://thefutur.com/podcast
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Check out Chris Do:
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Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign
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Threads:https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo
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Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/@thechrisdo
Behance: https://www.behance.net/chrisdo
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The Futur Podcast is a show that explores the interesting overlap between design, marketing, and business. Our host (and CEO of The Futur), Chris Do, hold candid conversations with inspirational people from the worlds of design, technology, marketing, business, philosophy and personal development. These conversations go deep. With the aim of understanding who these incredible people are, what drives them to do what they do, and what can we--the listener--learn from it all. Visit thefutur.com/podcast for show notes and additional information from each episode.
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