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8/04/15

56: Todd Henry – How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur

If you try to create for everybody, you will reach no one.

As an artist, your style, your point of view, your lens is what people come to you for. It’s your voice, it’s what you have to say.

And you have to harness that voice. You have to cultivate it. You have to figure out what it should say. That’s what I’m talking about today with Todd Henry, the founder of Accidental Creative.

Todd is the author of three books, The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and his new book Louder Than Words, which is coming out next week. On today’s episode, we are talking about all aspects of creativity: the necessity of unnecessary creating, the interdependence of an artist and audience, and how artists push limits.

His company helps creative people build brilliant ideas, and he is an expert in imagination, inspiration, and vision. I can’t wait for you to hear him talk about owning and developing your creativity.

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode. Let’s go.

We always sacrifice effectiveness on the altar of efficiency.

[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/56-todd-henry-how-to-push-your-limits-as-an-artist” title=”How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur” artist=”Todd Henry” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/56_ToddHenry_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]

Some things we learn in this podcast:

  • How he founded the Accidental Creative [4:05]
  • Applying what he learned working with artists to working in the business world [5:15]
  • The difference between pursuing creative careers in your twenties vs. your thirties [7:25]
  • Why fear is normal [9:40]
  • On falling into purpose paralysis [10:55]
  • Why you need to include your stakeholders in the calculations when taking risks [12:30]
  • On separating your work and your worth [13:55]
  • Why you have to continue pushing into dark places every day [16:15]
  • The importance of breaking out of your comfort zone and stretching yourself [17:30]
  • What is unnecessary creating [18:35]
  • How to balance your creative portfolio [22:30]
  • Why you should emulate and experiment when you’re in creative crisis [25:30]
  • Moving past the point of emulation [30:30]
  • How to identify your crisis mode [33:50]
  • The importance of creating common ground with your audience [40:00]
  • Why he doesn’t like the phrase ‘find your voice’ [43:20]
  • The three elements of an effective, resonant voice [45:30]
  • Why you can’t create for everybody [51:30]
  • Meeting your audience where they are and leading them where you want to go [52:15]
  • Why following up success means abandoning the things that made you successful [54:45]
  • How success and developing your voice happens in layers [56:50]
  • On drawing battle lines when it comes to your artistic principles [1:00:00]
  • Why you need a sense of what you’re trying to build [1:02:35]
  • How art is about spending yourself on behalf of something you care deeply about [1:05:10]
  • Inspiration is seeking out the people that inspire and intimidate you and learn from them [1:08:05]

Links mentioned:

Connect with Todd Instagram | Twitter | Website

LET'S CONSPIRE & CREATE

CULTIVATING YOUR VISUAL UNIQUENESS AND STREAMLINING YOUR BRAND'S EVOLUTION

If you try to create for everybody, you will reach no one.

As an artist, your style, your point of view, your lens is what people come to you for. It’s your voice, it’s what you have to say.

And you have to harness that voice. You have to cultivate it. You have to figure out what it should say. That’s what I’m talking about today with Todd Henry, the founder of Accidental Creative.

Todd is the author of three books, The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and his new book Louder Than Words, which is coming out next week. On today’s episode, we are talking about all aspects of creativity: the necessity of unnecessary creating, the interdependence of an artist and audience, and how artists push limits.

His company helps creative people build brilliant ideas, and he is an expert in imagination, inspiration, and vision. I can’t wait for you to hear him talk about owning and developing your creativity.

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode. Let’s go.

We always sacrifice effectiveness on the altar of efficiency.

[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/56-todd-henry-how-to-push-your-limits-as-an-artist” title=”How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur” artist=”Todd Henry” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/56_ToddHenry_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]

Some things we learn in this podcast:

  • How he founded the Accidental Creative [4:05]
  • Applying what he learned working with artists to working in the business world [5:15]
  • The difference between pursuing creative careers in your twenties vs. your thirties [7:25]
  • Why fear is normal [9:40]
  • On falling into purpose paralysis [10:55]
  • Why you need to include your stakeholders in the calculations when taking risks [12:30]
  • On separating your work and your worth [13:55]
  • Why you have to continue pushing into dark places every day [16:15]
  • The importance of breaking out of your comfort zone and stretching yourself [17:30]
  • What is unnecessary creating [18:35]
  • How to balance your creative portfolio [22:30]
  • Why you should emulate and experiment when you’re in creative crisis [25:30]
  • Moving past the point of emulation [30:30]
  • How to identify your crisis mode [33:50]
  • The importance of creating common ground with your audience [40:00]
  • Why he doesn’t like the phrase ‘find your voice’ [43:20]
  • The three elements of an effective, resonant voice [45:30]
  • Why you can’t create for everybody [51:30]
  • Meeting your audience where they are and leading them where you want to go [52:15]
  • Why following up success means abandoning the things that made you successful [54:45]
  • How success and developing your voice happens in layers [56:50]
  • On drawing battle lines when it comes to your artistic principles [1:00:00]
  • Why you need a sense of what you’re trying to build [1:02:35]
  • How art is about spending yourself on behalf of something you care deeply about [1:05:10]
  • Inspiration is seeking out the people that inspire and intimidate you and learn from them [1:08:05]

Links mentioned:

Connect with Todd Instagram | Twitter | Website

8/04/15

56: Todd Henry – How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur

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If you try to create for everybody, you will reach no one.

As an artist, your style, your point of view, your lens is what people come to you for. It’s your voice, it’s what you have to say.

And you have to harness that voice. You have to cultivate it. You have to figure out what it should say. That’s what I’m talking about today with Todd Henry, the founder of Accidental Creative.

Todd is the author of three books, The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and his new book Louder Than Words, which is coming out next week. On today’s episode, we are talking about all aspects of creativity: the necessity of unnecessary creating, the interdependence of an artist and audience, and how artists push limits.

His company helps creative people build brilliant ideas, and he is an expert in imagination, inspiration, and vision. I can’t wait for you to hear him talk about owning and developing your creativity.

Thanks for listening to this week’s episode. Let’s go.

We always sacrifice effectiveness on the altar of efficiency.

[smart_track_player url=”https://soundcloud.com/nickonken/56-todd-henry-how-to-push-your-limits-as-an-artist” title=”How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur” artist=”Todd Henry” image=”https://nionlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/56_ToddHenry_NIONradio_02.jpg” color=”#de4b9b” ]

Some things we learn in this podcast:

  • How he founded the Accidental Creative [4:05]
  • Applying what he learned working with artists to working in the business world [5:15]
  • The difference between pursuing creative careers in your twenties vs. your thirties [7:25]
  • Why fear is normal [9:40]
  • On falling into purpose paralysis [10:55]
  • Why you need to include your stakeholders in the calculations when taking risks [12:30]
  • On separating your work and your worth [13:55]
  • Why you have to continue pushing into dark places every day [16:15]
  • The importance of breaking out of your comfort zone and stretching yourself [17:30]
  • What is unnecessary creating [18:35]
  • How to balance your creative portfolio [22:30]
  • Why you should emulate and experiment when you’re in creative crisis [25:30]
  • Moving past the point of emulation [30:30]
  • How to identify your crisis mode [33:50]
  • The importance of creating common ground with your audience [40:00]
  • Why he doesn’t like the phrase ‘find your voice’ [43:20]
  • The three elements of an effective, resonant voice [45:30]
  • Why you can’t create for everybody [51:30]
  • Meeting your audience where they are and leading them where you want to go [52:15]
  • Why following up success means abandoning the things that made you successful [54:45]
  • How success and developing your voice happens in layers [56:50]
  • On drawing battle lines when it comes to your artistic principles [1:00:00]
  • Why you need a sense of what you’re trying to build [1:02:35]
  • How art is about spending yourself on behalf of something you care deeply about [1:05:10]
  • Inspiration is seeking out the people that inspire and intimidate you and learn from them [1:08:05]

Links mentioned:

Connect with Todd Instagram | Twitter | Website

8/04/15

56: Todd Henry – How to Develop Your Voice as an Artist & Entrepreneur

When you need a trusted creative partner in the room.

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Emanate is a creative-direction-led photography experience for entrepreneurs, speakers, and thought leaders in a moment of expansion. This isn’t about better photos. It’s about aligning how you’re seen with who you’ve become. For seasons of rebrand, visibility, and next-level leadership.

Magnetic Authority is a self-guided container for people who feel visible, but not fully anchored.

If your message keeps shifting, your brand feels inconsistent, or your presence doesn’t match your capability yet. This is where you build the foundation before you scale.

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For founders, creatives, and leaders who want a trusted long-term partner. This isn’t coaching or traditional consulting.

It’s an ongoing creative partnership focused on bringing your personal brand identity to life.

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All shaped as a direct extension of who you are. The work also includes a bespoke process of identifying and aligning the right experts when needed, so nothing gets built out of sync with your core.

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Elevated Realism personal brand portrait showing a composed founder in natural light, expressing clarity, grounded authority, and intentional presence at the start of the year

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Nick Onken photographing a personal brand client in natural light with a professional camera

TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post This Is More Than a Photoshoot These aren’t generic content sessions. Every photoshoot is individually crafted — built around your unique narrative, your energy signature, and where your brand is heading. We call these Emanate Photoshoots intentionally. The purpose is to capture not just who you are […]

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TL;DR – What You’ll Learn in This Post AI Isn’t Optional Anymore If you’re running a business in 2026 and not using AI, you’re already behind. That’s not hype. It’s just the reality of how fast things are moving. Whether you’re a coach, creative, consultant, or brand builder — AI is how you stay lean, […]

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A visual comparison between traditional headshots and editorial-style brand photography for personal branding

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About the Blogger

I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here. 

I was born in a low middle class conservative religious family in the suburbs of Seattle. Art was and always has been my passion, and more than that a way of life. Starting as a graphic designer, I taught myself photography, built a commercial/editorial business shooting for the worlds biggest brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Adidas and more. I've also had the opportunity to photograph the world's biggest celebrities like Justin Bieber, Usher, Jessica Alba and more. I've curated a lifestyle around creativity and have learned a lot along the way which I get to share here. 

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