375 episodes

Built by creative professionals for creative professionals, at Optimize Yourself we believe it is absolutely possible to love what you do for a living…without having to sacrifice your health, relationships, or sanity in the process. Creative burnout is NOT inevitable!

In a nutshell this podcast is a combination of Tim Ferriss meets Ted Lasso (minus the mustache). Hosted by Zack Arnold (ACE) - an award-winning Hollywood editor, producer, and director, a career coach, an American Ninja Warrior, and most importantly a father - these raw, honest, and candid conversations will both provide you with the necessary tools to optimize your creative potential as well as inspiring you to believe that you can.

Whether it’s American Ninja Warrior superstar Jessie Graff (Zack’s ninja trainer), P90X creator Tony Horton (Zack’s fitness trainer), or Ramit Sethi (Zack’s business mentor)...or perhaps industry legends such as Walter Murch, Jeffrey Ford, Roger Barton, or Eddie Hamilton…or productivity gurus such as David Allen (GTD), Cal Newport (Deep Work), or James Clear (Atomic Habits),…we’ll provide you with the strategies, resources, and mindsets to help you design a clear path towards the more balanced, more productive, and more fulfilling life you deserve.

Optimize Yourself Zack Arnold

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 110 Ratings

Built by creative professionals for creative professionals, at Optimize Yourself we believe it is absolutely possible to love what you do for a living…without having to sacrifice your health, relationships, or sanity in the process. Creative burnout is NOT inevitable!

In a nutshell this podcast is a combination of Tim Ferriss meets Ted Lasso (minus the mustache). Hosted by Zack Arnold (ACE) - an award-winning Hollywood editor, producer, and director, a career coach, an American Ninja Warrior, and most importantly a father - these raw, honest, and candid conversations will both provide you with the necessary tools to optimize your creative potential as well as inspiring you to believe that you can.

Whether it’s American Ninja Warrior superstar Jessie Graff (Zack’s ninja trainer), P90X creator Tony Horton (Zack’s fitness trainer), or Ramit Sethi (Zack’s business mentor)...or perhaps industry legends such as Walter Murch, Jeffrey Ford, Roger Barton, or Eddie Hamilton…or productivity gurus such as David Allen (GTD), Cal Newport (Deep Work), or James Clear (Atomic Habits),…we’ll provide you with the strategies, resources, and mindsets to help you design a clear path towards the more balanced, more productive, and more fulfilling life you deserve.

    [CASE STUDY] Why People Don’t Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis

    [CASE STUDY] Why People Don’t Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis

    Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
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    If you're a creative professional in the entertainment industry, you are probably feeling pretty discouraged by the lack of jobs popping up this year. At Optimize Yourself, we like to focus on the things we can control and set goals that we are empowered to achieve.
    While we can't control what jobs are out there or whether they are offered to us, we can put ourselves in positions where we will be the first to hear of jobs when they pop up. This involves building relationships with people.
    That's why today, I'm sharing this episode from the archives with editor and assistant editor Scott Davis, who, back in 2018, made a big move from New York to Los Angeles with zero contacts or connections. The strategies he used apply the same today as they did back then. I hope you find this useful and actionable so you can let go of what you can't control and take action on what you can control.
    → Click here to see the original published episode
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    Here's What You'll Learn:Scott’s ‘origin story’ from New York to Hollywood with no connections and ‘no idea what to do’ (sound familiar?)The terrifying feeling of trying to get into this ‘fortress of opportunity’ in Hollywood where the only way in seems to be from people inside who are working & too busy to help you.The dilemma of just 'finding the next gig to pay the bills' vs. ‘playing the long game’ to pursue the career path you really want.The counter-intuitive shift in focus that makes that effectively eliminates that so-called ’dilemma’. (Listen for this key takeaway!)Why there’s no more important skill than networking in this industry and the step-by-step path to networking for introverts.Discover the ’secrets’ to “cold emailing” / “cold outreach” and how Scott boosted his response rate from 5% to 75%.The REAL goal of sending an outreach email. (HINT: It sounds so easy it couldn’t possibly work.)How to ‘crawl inside the brain’ of the person you send an outreach email to and see it from their perspective.How to get people to OPEN your approach email and why doing a few minutes of research goes a LONG way.Why the idea of “nobody wants to help me” is just wrong and right way to tap into people’s natural tendency to WANT share their wisdom & experience with you.Connecting the dots: Scott’s story of turning rejections into opportunities.What it really means to “lead with value” and the power of ‘validation’.The momentum that builds when you invest in building relationships over time.Useful Resources Mentioned:Get The Insider’s Guide to Writing Great Amazing Outreach Emails
    The Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship Program
    Continue to Listen & LearnEp244: [CASE STUDY] How Marc Wiltshire Optimized His Cold Outreach Strategies (and Expanded His Network) to Land His Dream Job
    Ep204: [CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile
    Ep192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia
    Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle
    Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things
    Why Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert)
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes You’re Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them)
    Ep184: Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE
    Guest Bio: Scott Davis

    J. Scott Davis is an editor, assistant editor, outdoorsman, hopeless introvert and constant seeker of knowledge.
    "I lived and worked in

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Ep250: The Creative's Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

    Ep250: The Creative's Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

    Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
    → Click here for your customized podcast playlist
    Today's guest is Rob Howard who is a professional software developer and the founder of Innovating with AI, a company that helps entrepreneurs harness the power of AI. As a veteran with over 20 years in the tech industry, Rob is here to help us demystify AI by giving us a glimpse of how Large Language Models (LLM) really work. Rob breaks down for us what makes AI tick and how understanding it can shift our perspective from fear to opportunity, as AI becomes another tool for unleashing more of our creativity so we can do great work.
    Rob also shares how you can start to dabble with AI so you can integrate it with your own unique talents and skills. Regardless of how you feel about AI, this conversation will open your mind and help you future-proof yourself in order to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
    Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
     
    Here's What You'll Learn:How being a Jack-of-all-trades can create robustness in what you do in life and in businessWhy Rob compares AI to a giant Plinko boardWhat tokens are and how are they used in Large Language Models (LLM)The math that makes AI workHow AI gives us decent answers and why it shouldn't terrify usThe big change AI brought us that we didn't think was possibleThe root cause of our fear of AI and why it's actually a good thingWhat will make you replaceable by AI, and more importantly, what won'tThe level at which AI fails and how to leverage it to do great workHow to innovate with AI without being a coderUseful Resources Mentioned:Plinko board
    Image: Zombie crawling to the finish line
    The iron triangle
    Innovating with AI
    Rob's No Code Toolkit
    Continue to Listen & LearnEp249: OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive
    Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes
    Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao
    EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing
    What Does The Future Hold for “AE’s” In the Age of “AI”? | LACPUG Panel
    Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone
    Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr
    Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch
    Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén
    Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
    Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin
    Guest Bio: Rob Howard

    Rob Howard is a 20-year tech industry veteran, software developer, startup founder, investor and entrepreneur – and the creator of Innovating with AI.
    Rob’s story starts at age 12 – when he learned to code and built his first HTML websites. A few years later, his first online business was featured in Entertainment Weekly, and he was off to the races in a career that combined tech and entrepreneurship with journalism, public communications and a unique approach to building companies that make their customers and employees proud.
    Rob founded a 1-million-user cloud storage startup that was acquired in 2009, and since then he’s built, acquired and invested in a range of tech startups, including acquisitions of MasterWP and Understrap and the launch of EveryAlt, BusinessEnglish.ai and Inbox Autopilot, three AI-powered software-as-a-service plat

    • 1 hr 24 min
    What Does The Future Hold for "AE's" In the Age of "AI"? | LACPUG Panel

    What Does The Future Hold for "AE's" In the Age of "AI"? | LACPUG Panel

    Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
    → Click here for your customized podcast playlist
    Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing and causing a stir among creative professionals that ranges from excitement at new possibilities to fear of rendering jobs redundant and unnecessary.
    As the responsibilities of assistant editors have morphed into highly technical tasks over the years, a disconcerting question emerges: are their roles at risk of being assumed by AI?
    At last year's LACPUG, I was honored to be the moderator of a panel that talked about this very topic. The distinguished panelists were Ashley McKinney, Assistant Editor (Gotham Knights, Shooter, The Last Movie Star); Scott Jacobs, Assistant Editor (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, WandaVision, The Orville); and Richard Sanchez, Visual Effects Editor (Ahsoka, Bill & Ted Face the Music, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law).
    Whether you are an assistant editor or any creative professional in any industry, this conversation applies to you. AI is not going anywhere and the more we understand how it impacts every job and person we interact with, the more we can adapt and grow with it. Join us for a candid conversation about what this paradigm shift means for all creative professionals. This is a discussion you won't want to miss and I am immensely grateful to LACPUG for allowing me to publish it here.
    Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
     
    Here's What You'll Learn:Why it’s important to say Assistant Editor as opposed to AEShould we allow AI into the creative workflow?Where AI can be dangerous in the workflow and what we can do to avoid thatThe MovieLabs 2030 Vision Initiative and how it affects the assistant editors' worldEfficiency versus effectiveness and which one should you focus on moreWill there be a new path to becoming an editor?Understanding the limitations of AI and using that as leverageHow to protect your boundaries in the midst of efficiency brought about by AIWhere you can start to learn more about AIThe essential skills you need to develop to become irreplaceableUseful Resources Mentioned:EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing
    The 2030 Vision Initiative (MovieLabs)
    Continue to Listen & LearnEp249: OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive
    Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes
    Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao
    Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone
    Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr
    Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch
    Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
    Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin
    Ep231: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg
    Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis
    Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
    The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

    • 52 min
    EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

    EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

    Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
    → Click here for your customized podcast playlist
    When it comes to AI, I've made it pretty clear where I stand. I believe we are seeing the transition away from specialization and back to generalization when it comes to the value we bring to the workplace. And AI is only accelerating this process. As creatives, we can choose to embrace the possibilities of what AI can offer us while doubling down on our unique zone of genius that sets us apart from the machines or we can choose to be left behind.
    At last year's EditFest, I was one of 4 panelists invited to talk about the convergence of AI with the creative process, particularly related to the art of editing. My fellow distinguished panelists were Jon Dudkowski, ACE Editor (Star Trek Discovery, Umbrella Academy, Man in the High Castle) ; Chad Nelson, producer and creator of Critterz, an AI-generated short film; and Cristobal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO of Runway (and named one of the top 100 most influential people in AI by Time magazine). The panel was moderated by Carolyn Giardina, tech editor at The Hollywood Reporter.
    I was honored to be part of a panel on this important topic and I am immensely appreciative to EditFest and Jenni McCormick for giving me permission to publish the talk here for all of you to experience. Please enjoy the 2023 EditFest Panel, Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Technology and It's Impact on the Art of Editing.
    Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
     
    Here's What You'll Learn:What generative AI is and how it worksWhat separates humans from machinesHow AI can be used in the cutting roomHow AI enhances the editing processWhere AI was used in creating the animated short film, CritterzWhat AI can't do and why the human mind is still essential in the creative processHow AI can help creativesThe Gartner Hype Cycle and where we are in terms of AI technologyWhat creatives can do to catch up with AIWhat mentoring in the edit bay can look like in the age of AIWhat makes humans irreplaceable (even actors and voice actors)How data sets that AI feeds on are used and maintainedUseful Resources Mentioned:The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence by Ray Kurzweil
    匚尺丨ㄒㄒ乇尺乙 — An animated short created with AI
    The Gartner Hype Cycle
    Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén
    Ep85: Mentorship, Networking, and Surviving Hollywood Blockbusters | with Dody Dorn, ACE
    The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI by Marcus Du Sautoy
    Continue to Listen & LearnEp249: OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive
    Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes
    Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao
    Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone
    Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr
    Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch
    Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
    Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin
    Ep231: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg
    Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis
    Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show note

    • 1 hr 20 min
    Unlock Your True Creative Potential [Podcast Trailer]

    Unlock Your True Creative Potential [Podcast Trailer]

    Learn how to design the more balanced, more sustainable, and more fulfilling creative career you deserve...without sacrificing your health, your relationships, or your sanity in the process.
    In a nutshell this podcast is a combination of Tim Ferriss meets Ted Lasso (minus the mustache). Hosted by Zack Arnold (ACE) - an award-winning Hollywood editor, producer, and director turned career strategist - these raw, honest, and candid conversations with Bestselling Authors, World-Class Athletes, Hollywood Legends, Elite Experts in a Variety of Fields, and Everyday People Achieving Extraordinary Things will both provide you with the necessary tools to unlock your true creative potential as well as inspiring you to believe that you can.
    → Visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your customized podcast playlist curated from hundreds of our expert interviews down to the 5 best conversations to help you unlock your true creative potential today!

    • 2 min
    Ep249: OpenAI's Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

    Ep249: OpenAI's Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

    Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
    → Click here for your customized podcast playlist
    My guest today is AI specialist Chad Nelson, who is also an award-winning creative director and technology strategist with over two decades of blending technology and entertainment seamlessly. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of emerging technologies and applying them to create new entertainment experiences. And this new era of AI is no different.
    Chad has recently created an animated short film, Critterz, with the help of AI. Though AI has created a lot of controversy in the creative space, Chad reveals a different perspective in which AI is just another tool that artists can use to let their ideas come to life. We go way beneath the surface of prompts and AI art to unravel why and how the creative human mind remains indispensable in any creative work. We also discuss the ethics involved in using AI as well as how creatives can harness AI to stand out from all the noise that, ironically, AI will create.
    As a creative myself, I too understand the fear that this age of AI can bring. But this conversation with Chad shines a new light on understanding AI and shows us how irreplaceable the creative human mind is.
    Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
     
    Here's What You'll Learn:Combining technology and experiences: Chad's origin storyHow playing golf while on vacation inspired a brilliant ideaThe mindset that Chad takes on to follow through with his ideasHow Chad created his first AI-generated image using a short promptUsing AI in the ideation phase of creative workThe cons (and pros) of replacing certain jobs with technologyWhere ethics draw the line between technology and peopleThe ethical use of AI in creative workThe pros and cons of democratization of creativity toolsHow to stand out in the midst of the rise of AIHow the creative human mind, education, and experiences still plays a vital role even in using AIUseful Resources Mentioned:EditFest 2023 AI Panel
    Remember These Free AOL CDs? They're Collectibles Now | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
    First AI generated image that Chad created using a short prompt
    匚尺丨ㄒㄒ乇尺乙 -- An animated short created with AI
    Continue to Listen & LearnEp222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes
    Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao
    Ep216: Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’
    Ep210: All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential
    Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone
    Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr
    Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch
    Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén
    Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
    Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin
    Guest Bio: Chad Nelson

    Chad Nelson is an award-winning creative director and technology strategist with over 2 decades of experience combining the latest technologies and entertainment to create immersive experiences. He is a co-founder of Eight Cylinder Studios and WGT Media and has collaborated with Intel, Sony and Microsoft to name a few. Chad currently works with OpenAI as a creative collaborator.
    Chad's recent work is

    • 1 hr 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
110 Ratings

110 Ratings

J Voyageur ,

Love This Podcast

I learn so much from Zack in each episode! More than worth the listen, go subscribe!

mvelasco07 ,

Love this show!

Appreciate the variety of episodes, engaging conversations, and insightful content. I learn something every time I listen! Thanks so much for putting out such a stellar show Zack - keep up the great work!

Flamousse ,

LIFE CHANGING PODCAST!

I’ve been listening to this podcast for years, and it continues to enhance my life in multiple facets; finances, health, editing/post-production. I continue to learn from masters and develop new workflows and also new ways of thinking about all the facets of my life, all for the better. Great listen and always valuable.

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