How to Find John Linford

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-linford/

Professional Website

www.deckability.com

Portfolio

https://john-linford.carrd.co/ 

Summary

In this episode of Brush with Creativity, Tobin and Jeff interview John Linford, a statistical storyteller, magician, and writer. John's unique blend of strategy and data helps early-stage businesses turn complex data into actionable stories. He shares his background, hobbies, and his superpower of distilling complexity. John discusses the importance of reading and how it enhances his creative abilities. He also talks about his kryptonite, shiny object syndrome, and the challenge of staying focused. 

John's motivation comes from adding value, both professionally and personally. He emphasizes the role of spirituality in feeding creativity and the importance of seeking something higher. The conversation explores the balance between creativity and business, the power of turning numbers into stories, and John's experiences as a magician. The episode concludes with a discussion about John's appearance on Channel 11 and his business idea of providing book summaries for executives. In this conversation, 

John discusses his experience with ghost reading, a unique approach to coaching where he reads books on behalf of clients and translates the insights into actionable steps. He explores the value of reading by oneself and the limitations of trying to replicate that experience through a service. John also delves into the evolution of reading and the impact of the internet on deep, immersive reading experiences. He shares his thoughts on the future of writing in a world driven by quick snippets of information and the role of AI in the creative process. John emphasizes the importance of finding balance, overcoming inner voices, and caring deeply. He concludes by discussing his work in building an agency focused on storytelling through pitch decks and presentations.

Takeaways

• John Linford combines strategy and data to help early-stage businesses turn complex data into actionable stories.
• Reading is a key component of John's creative superpower, allowing him to distill complexity and understand complex topics.
• John's kryptonite is shiny object syndrome, which leads him to jump from one hobby or interest to another.
• John is motivated by adding value, both professionally and personally, and seeks to create meaningful and impactful work.
• Spirituality plays a significant role in feeding John's creativity, and he believes in seeking something higher to enhance creative abilities. Ghost reading is a unique coaching approach where the coach reads books on behalf of clients and translates the insights into actionable steps.
• Reading by oneself has inherent value that cannot be fully replicated through a service or summary.
• The internet has changed the way we read, leading to more piecemeal and fragmented reading experiences.
• There is a need for deeper, longer thought and a return to old styles of reading and writing.
• Generative AI can be a powerful tool for creativity, but it is important to maintain individuality and voice in the creative process.
• Finding balance and overcoming inner voices are essential for staying motivated and productive.
• Caring deeply about others and their stories can lead to personal growth and transformation.
• Pitch decks and presentations are powerful tools for storytelling and conveying brand messages.