The Futur with Chris Do
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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Why Chasing Metrics Ruins Your Content w/ Chris Do | Ep 417
<p>In this episode, Chris Do challenges the belief that content performance should be measured by likes, views, or algorithmic wins. He explains why treating social media as a scorecard disconnects creators from their true intentions and ties self-worth to external validation. Drawing from over a decade of experience building a multimillion-dollar brand, Chris shares how creating from honesty and self-expression leads to clarity, confidence, and deeper connection. Rather than chasing metrics, he argues that content should serve as a tool for self-understanding and meaningful communication.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Timestamps</p> <p>(00:00) — Intro</p> <p>(02:03) — Metrics distort self-worth</p> <...
Playing the Long Game in Business and Life w/ Jodie Cook | Ep 416
<p>In this episode, Chris Do sits down with Jodie Cook for a wide-ranging conversation about playing the long game in business, relationships, and life. They unpack the difference between short-term wins and infinite games, emphasizing why building something you never want to sell leads to deeper fulfillment and clarity. Chris reflects on his own journey through financial security, meaning, and redefining success beyond money.</p> <p>Together, they explore how scarcity thinking shapes decisions and why authenticity compounds over time. The discussion sets the foundation for choosing purpose-driven work that can sustain decades, not just seasons.</p> <p><br><...
How to Beat the Competition Without Lowering Your Prices w/ Chris Do | Ep 415
<p>In this episode, Chris Do challenges the belief that creative work is a commodity and explains why lowering prices is rarely the right solution. He reframes competition through the lens of imagination, using everyday examples to show how value is created through differentiation, convenience, and storytelling rather than cost-cutting.</p> <p>By breaking down familiar products like lettuce, money, and stock certificates, he illustrates how perceived value can increase dramatically with the right positioning. The episode pushes listeners to reconsider how they describe and package their own services instead of racing to the bottom on price.</p> <p><br><...
Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Growth w/ Dr. John Demartini| Ep 414
<p>In this episode, Chris Do sits down with Dr. John Demartini for a wide-ranging conversation on human perception, trauma, and the power of reframing life experiences. Dr. Demartini shares his extraordinary personal journey—from severe learning challenges and homelessness to becoming a prolific researcher, educator, and author—highlighting how adversity became a catalyst rather than a limitation.</p> <p>The discussion explores how values, awareness, and conscious questioning shape behavior and long-term outcomes. Throughout the conversation, listeners are invited to reconsider the stories they tell themselves about hardship and success.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Timestamps</p> <p>(00:00) — Intro</p> <p>...
The Secret Behind Authentic Personal Branding w/ Mo Ismail| Ep 413
<p>In this episode, Chris Do and Mo Ismail explore why personal branding works best when it starts with generosity rather than self-promotion. They break down how leading with genuine care lowers defenses, builds trust, and creates natural reciprocity in both business and personal relationships.</p> <p>Through real-world examples, the conversation highlights how making people feel seen and included is often more powerful than any pitch or tactic. The episode emphasizes that authenticity isn’t a strategy—it’s an operating system that shapes long-term connection.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Timestamps</p> <p>(00:00) — Intro</p> <p>(01:14) — Making people feel seen<...
Why Creatives Struggle With Feedback w/ Jule Kim | Ep 412
<p>In this episode, Chris Do and Jule Kim unpack why feedback is both essential and emotionally difficult for creatives. Drawing from decades of teaching, coaching, and public critique, they explore the difference between honest feedback and destructive criticism, and why many people interpret any suggestion for improvement as a personal attack.</p> <p>The discussion challenges the idea that feedback should soothe feelings, arguing instead that clarity, accountability, and truth are what actually lead to growth. Throughout the episode, Chris and Jule reflect on how upbringing, education systems, and generational shifts have shaped our collective tolerance for critique.</p> <...
How to Market Your Services the Right Way w/ Chris Do | Ep 411
<p>In this episode, Chris Do breaks down why most creatives struggle to market their services effectively—and how that changes in 2026. He explains the critical difference between designing for “anyone” versus building services for a clearly defined, high-value client. </p> <p>Through real examples and audience interaction, Chris shows how understanding psychographics, not just demographics, unlocks better offers, clearer messaging, and higher pricing. The conversation emphasizes why targeting clients with money, urgency, and alignment is not selfish but strategic.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Timestamps</p> <p>(00:00) — Intro</p> <p>(01:03) — Psychographics over demographics</p> <p>(02:10) — Identifying your best clients</p> <p>(03:58...
The Business of Design Systems and Standards w/ Jesse Reed | Ep 410
<p>In this episode, Chris Do sits down with designer, publisher, and entrepreneur Jesse Reed to explore the intersection of design systems, business, and long-term creative impact. Jesse shares his journey from Pentagram to co-founding multiple ventures, including Standards Manual, Order, and Standards, and explains how each evolved from curiosity-driven projects into sustainable businesses. The conversation highlights the importance of focus, simplicity, and decision-making in both design and entrepreneurship, especially when building systems meant to scale across teams and industries. Throughout the discussion, Jesse emphasizes that timeless design principles—typography, structure, consistency—remain unchanged even as tools and platforms evolve.</p> <...
The Marketing Genius of Better Call Saul w/ Chris Do | Ep 409
<p>In this episode, Chris Do breaks down a powerful lesson on positioning, marketing, and sales using a scene from the TV series Better Call Saul as an unexpected case study. By analyzing Saul Goodman’s pivot from selling cell phones to selling “privacy,” the episode illustrates how redefining a product around a specific pain point can instantly create demand.</p> <p>The discussion highlights how effective positioning isn’t about changing the product itself, but about reframing who it’s for and why it matters. This real-world example makes abstract marketing concepts tangible and easy to understand</p> <p><br></p> <p...
Build Your Success Formula w/ Jodie Cook | Recast
<p>In this episode, I’m back with my friend, entrepreneur, author, and powerlifter Jodie Cook, for another incredible conversation about discovering your personal success system. Jodie’s got an inspiring journey — from building and selling a 20-person social media agency to launching Coachvox and becoming a Forbes contributor. </p> <p>In this episode, we explore what it means to have a success system, why simplifying your communication matters, and how persistence and visualization play a huge role in achieving your goals. We also get deep into personal reflections — like the lessons we learn from childhood and the hidden power of disco...
