What if the secret to a happier, more productive life isn’t doing more, but designing your day differently?

I chat with Bruce Stanley about day crafting, the art of intentionally shaping your daily routines to support personal growth and well-being. Bruce takes us through his journey from graphic design to adult education and coaching, and why he believes that chasing big goals isn’t the way to create meaningful change.

We dig into the challenges of modern productivity, how the nine-to-five grind can drain your energy, and why paying attention to your energy and connections throughout the day matters more than hitting “peak performance” once in a while. Bruce shares practical ideas for experimenting with your daily routines, prioritizing self-care, and creating small, memorable moments that enrich life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your routine or overwhelmed by big goals, this episode will give you a fresh, practical way to rethink your day and your life, one small step at a time.

Key Takeaways:

Day crafting focuses on designing your day intentionally.

The good life is a daily practice, not a future goal.

Energy management is crucial for effective daily routines.

Small experiments can lead to significant changes in daily life.

Breaking free from the nine-to-five mindset can enhance creativity.

Play and innovation are interconnected in daily practices.

Creating memorable moments enriches our life stories.

Resources Mentioned:

⁠Daily Rituals by Mason Curry⁠

⁠Day Crafting Workbooks⁠

⁠Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Connect with Bruce:

Website: https://www.daycrafting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucestanley/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/day_crafting_/

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

What if you didn’t have to start from scratch to spark real innovation?

In this episode, I talk with Natasha Munshi, a former cancer researcher turned strategist and business school dean, now driving impact through executive education. With roots in science and strategic leadership, she’s reshaping how leaders learn and innovate by blending social impact with smart business thinking. From her early work in breast cancer research to launching programs for minority women entrepreneurs, Natasha’s journey shows what’s possible when purpose meets creativity and resourcefulness.

We unpack what social innovation looks like, and it’s not limited to nonprofits or large-scale initiatives. Natasha shares how using existing resources, forging unlikely partnerships, and thinking creatively can lead to sustainable, meaningful change. We explore cross-sector collaboration, the value of generalists, and how even tools like sketch-noting and doodling can unlock big ideas.

This conversation is full of insights on rethinking potential, the future of education, and the deeply human traits that still matter most in an AI-driven world.

Key Takeaways:

Social innovation isn’t just for nonprofits.

Cross-sector partnerships are powerful.

You don’t need to start from scratch to be innovative.

Education should meet people where they want to go.

Both generalists and creative thinkers are crucial in today’s fast-changing world.

Human traits like empathy, curiosity, and emotional intelligence are more valuable than ever.

Resources Mentioned:

Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Thinkertoys-Handbook-Creative-Thinking-Techniques-2nd/dp/1580087736⁠

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484⁠

Connect with Natasha:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-munshi/⁠

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

If you’re doing all the things in your business and still feel stuck, this one’s for you.

I sat down with Andrea Liebross, a powerhouse business coach who helps women entrepreneurs build businesses and lives they love. We went deep on what it really takes to delegate well, not just the systems and processes (though we talk about those too), but the mindset shift that has to happen first.

Andrea breaks down the 5 levels of delegation, why letting go feels so uncomfortable, and how to move forward even when you don’t feel ready. She also shares her acronym T.R.U.S.T., which is such a game-changer if you’ve been white-knuckling your to-do list.

We also talk about what to do when delegation doesn’t go as planned, and how clear communication is everything when you’re building a team or scaling your work.

If you're growing a business and constantly find yourself thinking, “It’d be faster if I just did it myself,” this conversation is for you. Andrea brings the perfect mix of strategy and mindset, and you’ll walk away with real, practical steps to start thinking bigger and leading with more clarity.

Key Takeaways:

Entrepreneurship is a journey in personal development.

Delegation is essential for business growth.

Clear communication is key to successful delegation.

Embracing the unknown can lead to greater opportunities.

Mindset plays a crucial role in delegation.

Delegation can be practiced and improved over time.

Having a vision makes delegation easier.

Resources Mentioned:

Turn That Ship Around by L. David Marquet

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://andrealiebross.com/links/⁠

More About Building Thinkers:

I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build.

And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved.

If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.