Producing Innovation with Michael Counts

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts sits down with coach and spiritual guide Paola Castro for a thoughtful conversation about the inner dimension of growth, creativity, and innovation. Paola shares her journey from early curiosity about life’s deeper questions into the world of coaching and personal development, and the realization that much of the self-improvement industry begins from the mistaken belief that we need to fix ourselves.Together they explore ideas like gratitude, presence, and the shift from living life as if it’s happening to us toward experiencing it as something happening for us and ultimalely through us. The conversation touches on attention in the modern world, emotional resilience, and the surprising insight that the path to fulfillment often involves letting go rather than acquiring more.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts sits down with Rob Nail, former CEO and Associate Founder of Singularity University, for a wide-ranging conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the accelerating pace of technological change. Together, they explore Rob’s journey from building flying car prototypes and launching robotics startups to helping lead Singularity University during a pivotal period when its ideas about exponential technologies were beginning to shape the global conversation about the future.The discussion moves beyond technology into the human dimensions of innovation, how bold ideas actually come to life, the uncertainty that often follows entrepreneurial success, and the importance of imagination and optimism in times of rapid change. Along the way, they reflect on Rob’s work alongside visionary thinkers like Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis, and on the deeper responsibility innovators carry as powerful new technologies reshape society.This is an expansive conversation about exponential thinking, resilience, and the role of visionary leadership in a moment when humanity is being asked to reimagine what’s possible.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts sits down with Matt Goldman, co-founder of Blue Man Group, and Laura Camien, longtime Blue Man leader and co-host of The Spark File, for a deeply personal and expansive conversation about making ideas real. Together, they explore the origin story of Blue Man Group, the intentional decision to build for decades rather than hype, and the creative philosophy that fueled its enduring success. They discuss consensus over majority rule, psychological safety as the foundation of innovation, and the belief that creativity is not a lightning bolt but a disciplined, repeatable practice. Weaving through mentorship, culture-building, Blue School, and their forthcoming book, this episode is a masterclass on sustainable creativity, collaborative leadership, and designing organizations where people can experience a heightened sense of being alive.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts sits down with Kamau Zuberi Akabueze, visionary founder of The Alien School for Creative Thinking, for a conversation about reclaiming creativity in a world that feels increasingly automated and accelerated. Together, they explore Kamau’s Mundanity, Creativity philosophy, the idea that creativity isn’t a rare talent but a daily ritual embedded in ordinary life. They discuss his CREÅTIVE STEEPING framework, the neuroscience behind creative well-being, and how small, intentional practices can reconnect us to parts of ourselves we’ve become alienated from. This is a thoughtful, expansive episode about ritual, identity, and rediscovering the creative spirit hiding in plain sight.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts sits down with his brother Alex Counts—social entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Grameen Foundation—to explore how innovation shows up in places most people overlook, like poverty reduction and microfinance. They discuss Alex’s early decision to move to Bangladesh and work alongside Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, why community and accountability are such powerful forces for change, and the leadership lessons Alex shares in his books Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind and When in Doubt, Ask for More.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts continues his conversation with Stacy Spikes, founder of MoviePass, diving deeper into the comeback story behind one of the most talked-about consumer startups of the last decade. They explore what it takes to pivot when the world changes, what rebuilding feels like after losing everything, and how Stacy ultimately found his way back to the company he helped create. The conversation also covers where MoviePass is today, its new product Mogul, and how theaters and audience behavior have evolved, making this a candid, builder-focused episode about persistence, reinvention, and starting again.

In this episode of Producing Innovation, Michael Counts engages in a deep conversation with Zoe Kalar, founder and CEO of We Are 8. They explore Zoe's journey as a serial entrepreneur, the vision behind her innovative social media platform, and the importance of human connection and creativity in today's world. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift in social media dynamics, focusing on inspiration, community, and the potential for monetization that benefits users rather than corporations. They also touch on the significance of gratitude and the power of laughter in navigating life's challenges.

Stacy Spikes co-founder of MoviePass gives us an insider perspective on his 13 year journey from bringing MoviePass from initial idea to completion. He then blows us away with his new startup PreShow.

Peter Sabbeth is an architect, builder, designer, painter, and creative entrepreneur. He and Michael discuss how to live a truly creative life.

This week Michael sits down with David Wise, a Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, to discuss how to cultivate creativity and innovation in the business sector.

Anne Hamburger discusses her storied career in New York site-specific and immersive theatre.

Jonathan Schnapp shares how Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club came to be.

Karen Dalzell, producer extraordinaire, outlines her approach to producing live events that push the boundaries of performance, business, art and technology.

Cayla Sharp walks us through her journey from Virginia Tech to San Francisco, and offers inspiration for those looking to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

Michael Solomon explains his approach to management, the art of the pivot, and the importance of investing in yourself.

Vivek J. Tiwary discusses the importance of having a historical mentor, and the powerful combination of passion and persistence in your work.

In this pilot, creator and founder Michael Counts lays out the show’s mission: turning wild ideas into working reality. Interviewed by collaborator Max Silverman, Michael breaks down the craft behind innovation - why discomfort is the signal, how to spot real breakthroughs (new combinations, not new atoms), and what coaching adds to the process. It’s part origin story, part field manual, and a promise for what’s ahead: candid conversations with artists, technologists, and builders who ship the improbable.