Hack Your Happiness
Hack Your Happiness
Small Bits of Happiness
How to Think Like a Disney Imagineer - Hacks To Creativity: Former Disney Head of Innovation, Duncan Wardle
55 minutes Posted Jul 10, 2025 at 7:00 am.
If you've ever said "I can't do this" or "I'm not smart enough" this conversation is for you! This week, Duncan Wardle sits with Mercedes and Anastasia. Duncan spent decades creating magic as the Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, leading teams at Imagineering, Pixar, Marvel, and more. Today, Duncan is a global speaker and author, helping people of all ages rediscover their creativity and curiosity. In this episode, he’s joining Mercedes and Anastasia for an eye-opening conversation about innovation, resilience, tapping into your inner child, and the future of our world in technology and creativity. Duncan talks about:How he landed his dream job at Disney and why he never stopped calling, even after hearing “no”.What his time at Disney taught him about creativity, curiosity.Why play is essential for happiness!Why grades don’t define your potential (and what actually does).Simple ways to build creativity and embrace more serendipity in everyday life.The inspiration behind his new book, plus his favorite tangible prompts for sparking imagination!If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or afraid to try something new, listen in. This conversation will remind you that your imagination isn’t gone. You just have to let it out. And, here's why letting it out will help you feel happier.Shop Mission: Family TimeGet your Manta Sleep Mask: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Now⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Us⁠⁠Check out Duncan's websiteReady to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with New York Times Bestselling Author, Malcolm Gladwell. In this episode, Malcolm discusses the importance of diversity, being curious, and the dangers of monoculture. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5suW2909CQMKoFj5qJ1jHL?si=eL-uZzs8T4yJZ2l1Ndue5w
Intro
How Duncan Created A Book Unlike Any Other
How Duncan Got Started
Duncan's Time At Disney
Education vs AI
Tips To Bring Creativity & Imagination BACK
Duncan Proves Diversity
How Can I Start Thinking Different?
Case Study: How Disney Saw The Challenge Differently
The Hack That Works For EVERYONE
Duncan's Hacks For Presenting
Why Do We Need Fresh Stimulus?
How Can I Get Fresh Stimulus & Ideas?
The Importance of Play (even as teens & adults)
Do THIS To Play
The Future of University and Education
AR vs VR
Your Guide To Innovative Thinking
Here's What You MUST AVOID
Duncan's Greatest Contributions To Disney
Product vs Experience
Where Is The Intersection Between Human Thinking vs Modern Tools?
Duncan To His Teen Self
What Brings Duncan A Small Bit of Happiness?
Duncan's Motivational Quote
Looking Towards The Future
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If you've ever said "I can't do this" or "I'm not smart enough" this conversation is for you! This week, Duncan Wardle sits with Mercedes and Anastasia. Duncan spent decades creating magic as the Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, leading teams at Imagineering, Pixar, Marvel, and more. Today, Duncan is a global speaker and author, helping people of all ages rediscover their creativity and curiosity. In this episode, he’s joining Mercedes and Anastasia for an eye-opening conversation about innovation, resilience, tapping into your inner child, and the future of our world in technology and creativity. Duncan talks about:How he landed his dream job at Disney and why he never stopped calling, even after hearing “no”.What his time at Disney taught him about creativity, curiosity.Why play is essential for happiness!Why grades don’t define your potential (and what actually does).Simple ways to build creativity and embrace more serendipity in everyday life.The inspiration behind his new book, plus his favorite tangible prompts for sparking imagination!If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or afraid to try something new, listen in. This conversation will remind you that your imagination isn’t gone. You just have to let it out. And, here's why letting it out will help you feel happier.Shop Mission: Family TimeGet your Manta Sleep Mask: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Now⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Us⁠⁠Check out Duncan's websiteReady to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with New York Times Bestselling Author, Malcolm Gladwell. In this episode, Malcolm discusses the importance of diversity, being curious, and the dangers of monoculture. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5suW2909CQMKoFj5qJ1jHL?si=eL-uZzs8T4yJZ2l1Ndue5w(00:00) Intro(01:28) How Duncan Created A Book Unlike Any Other(03:53) How Duncan Got Started(05:36) Duncan's Time At Disney(08:16) Education vs AI(10:03) Tips To Bring Creativity & Imagination BACK(14:37) Duncan Proves Diversity(17:33) How Can I Start Thinking Different?(20:33) Case Study: How Disney Saw The Challenge Differently(22:24) The Hack That Works For EVERYONE(24:34) Duncan's Hacks For Presenting(27:17) Why Do We Need Fresh Stimulus?(28:14) How Can I Get Fresh Stimulus & Ideas?(30:39) The Importance of Play (even as teens & adults)(34:01) Do THIS To Play(37:03) The Future of University and Education(38:55) AR vs VR(43:00) Your Guide To Innovative Thinking(44:40) Here's What You MUST AVOID(45:22) Duncan's Greatest Contributions To Disney(47:08) Product vs Experience(47:52) Where Is The Intersection Between Human Thinking vs Modern Tools?(50:55) Duncan To His Teen Self(51:07) What Brings Duncan A Small Bit of Happiness?(52:26) Duncan's Motivational Quote(53:10) Looking Towards The Future(53:13) Key Takeaways