Strands of Genius: How to Be Creative , Derek Sivers' TED Talk: "How to Start a Movement", How America Fractured into Four Parts

Guest Curated by Kevin Nguyen

Jul 21, 2022

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, KEVIN NGUYEN ::

LOCATION: Richmond, Virginia

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: The Martin Agency

Hi there! My name is Kevin Nguyen, and used to spend all of my free time while at VCU Brand Center reading newsletter like this one, so it's incredible to be on the other side of this! I'm a strategist that has a habit of molding my entire personality around my latest monthly obsession. This month is interior design (so hire me to decorate your living rooms!!), and last month I was a skincare guru that wouldn't shut up about slugging. Stay tuned for who I become next... I met Rosie and Faris through Sean Choi, an amazing strategist, who despite his multiple work streams, will always find time to advocate and cheer on the people at The Martin Agency!

Editor’s Note (Team Genius Steals): We were connected with Kevin through Sean Choi. And if we had a fixed abode we would definitely have you decorate our living room (maybe one day!). We can’t wait to see who you become next ;). Thanks for the wonderful links, Kevin!

:: THE LINKS ::

HOW TO BE CREATIVE BY MATT RICHTEL - A 5 -STEP LIST OF TRICKS ON HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE

Yes, while creativity is subjective, it can also be pretty daunting to feel like we aren't as creative as we once were. There are small everyday acts that we can do to remind ourselves to be more creative and awaken the creative spirit within all of us. (New York Times)

DEREK SIVERS’ TED TALK: “HOW TO START A MOVEMENT”

I came across this video via a TikTok about leadership styles and techniques. The idea of being a leader has many definitions, but in order to be one you have to have followers, and the First Follower is a form of leadership in its own way. I think there is this idea that to make an impact you have to be in a forward facing leadership role, but it's unrealistic to expect everyone to want to fill those positions. Being an active follower tells people that this movement is worth getting behind, and encourages others to do so too. (YouTube)

HOW AMERICA FRACTURED INTO FOUR PARTS BY GEORGE PACKER

How America Fractured Into Four Parts by George Packer - I grew up in the Washington DC area, so politics always found a way to insert itself into the most basic everyday conversations. Over the past few years, there's been a noticeable shift in the way that people either address the state of the country or avoid it altogether. Nations, like most things, are defined by the people that make it up. George Packer's article talks about the major events in history that has caused the people of one shared nation no longer feel a shared sense of, well, anything. (The Atlantic)

Looking for more from Kevin Nguyen? Those enrolled in The School of Stolen Genius will receive a deep dive from Kevin in their inbox shortly! You can access all our expert interviews for SOSG here.

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: City :: While Richmond, VA will always have my heart, you just can't beat NYC's food scene and the shopping there is unmatched.

:: Book :: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - As someone who always tries to plan 5 steps ahead, this book is a reminder that “you don’t have to understand life, you just have to live it.”

:: Podcast :: Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen - Elise merges thoughtful questions with witty banter extremely well

:: Album :: thank u, next by Ariana Grande - A no-skip album that would save me from Vecna

:: THE INTURNSHIP ::

A project that I am super proud to have been a part of is The Inturnship, a fully-remote organization that provides real world experience to junior talent through an alternative internship program. I know how hard it can be to break into the advertising scene, so programs like this help make it easier for those just starting out. If you're looking to mentor, we're always welcoming more brains and bright minds!

I hope you found some of these links interesting, and if you want to talk more about it with me, please feel free to reach out! I always love making new friends and meeting new people :)

Kevin Nguyen

nguyen.kevin.ti@gmail.com

twitter | linkedin | portfolio

Strands of Genius is currently read by 13,000 subscribers. Support us by sponsoring an issue, becoming a member of The School of Stolen Genius or encouraging friends or colleagues to subscribe.

It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.

Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.

Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)

Strands of Genius