What’s holding you back from doing that thing? My guess is that it’s some form of fear. Having the right amount of fear is healthy and logical. It’s biological and we are hardwired to survive. But fear might also be keeping us playing small. In my experience, and it doesn’t matter what it is— fitness; relationships; growing a business— anything worth doing requires a level of courage, effort, sacrifice and risk that comes with having to pay a price to earn the reward. That is, the rent is due every day for any form of victory big or small. As an example, I just worked on a TV spot with a big consumer brand that went way out of their comfort zone on our creative idea. This took courage and I know it hasn’t been easy for them. That said, the competitive landscape requires breaking away from the herd and being distinct. To break out of being a commodity product and into the category of legitimate brand requires bold moves. Author James Clear writes: "The problem with smart people is they can come up with a good reason for not doing anything. They are smart enough to find the cracks, to foresee the challenges, and to talk themselves out of the idea. They are experts at justifying their lack of courage or lack of action with an intelligent excuse. But there will always be reasons to not do something, and this is particularly true of anything worth doing. We value those moments in which we overcame challenge, not those in which we avoided it. Ultimately, action is a choice. The choice to emphasize the reasons for doing it despite the reasons you have for avoiding it." What’s holding you back from doing that thing?

Chad Smith played on Ozzy's last two solo albums. Ozzy wanted to be one of the guys, with a story for every session. What's your favorite Ozzy song? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

MSCHF runs one brainstorm a day. One hour. Open to anyone, including the lawyer. Gabe Whaley on why non-creatives bring better ideas.

In 1837, John Deere sold a plow. In 2026, Deere sells work. What 189 years of John Deere teach you about building a brand built to last, in my new @Inc column: inc.com/bryan-elliott/john-d…

The Red Hot Chili Peppers guard how their music gets used. A Chili Peppers song in a hemorrhoid ad? No. Would you turn down the money? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

To MSCHF, Nike is material, no different than paint and canvas. Gabe Whaley on remixing real brands into new work.

Your phone taught you to trust nothing. Netflix magician Justin Willman fills theaters by fooling you honestly. My new @Inc column: inc.com/bryan-elliott/justin…

Every human wants three things. To be heard. To be chosen. To be loved. @vvanedwards on how conversation delivers all three.

Most brands treat attention as the destination. Gabe Whaley says virality was only a way for MSCHF to build an audience ready to participate.

Chad Smith's first drum kit came out of a Baskin-Robbins. Ice cream tubs first, then a $160 Slingerland paid for with a paper route. What was your first instrument? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Eight Sleep employs zero foam experts, makes no mattresses, and carries a $1.5 billion valuation. Inside CEO Matteo Franceschetti's playbook in my new @Inc column: inc.com/bryan-elliott/eight-…

Competence without warmth reads as suspicious. @vvanedwards studied 495 Shark Tank pitches to find the mistake smart founders make.

When people fear a bad idea, they pitch a mediocre one. Gabe Whaley on how MSCHF removes the fear.

Chad Smith: there are no great bands with an okay drummer. Agree or disagree? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Why pay $1,425 for sneakers filled with holy water? MSCHF's Gabe Whaley says buyers pay for the story. My new @Inc column on the MSCHF playbook: inc.com/bryan-elliott/mschf-…

Your first five words set the first impression. Skip the apology. Lead with gratitude. @vvanedwards explains.

Chad Smith and Flea once ran from the cops in Green Bay. Socks on, a midnight sprint through the woods, and video games with two naked strangers. What's the wildest show story you've heard? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

MSCHF made 12 pairs of the Jesus Shoes and oversold by 700 in 30 seconds. Gabe Whaley tells the story.

50 million views, a $15,000 bird, and a small Brooklyn shop buried in one-star reviews. Why Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play both got the playbook wrong. My new @Inc column: inc.com/bryan-elliott/kelly-…

"How are you?" tells the other person's brain to stay asleep. @vvanedwards on what to ask instead.

Rick Rubin's favorite question for the Chili Peppers: "What else you got?" The band writes 30 songs to keep 15. What's the best idea you almost threw away? Full episode on Behind the Brand.