Unthinkable with Jay Acunzo

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Marketing #196

An inside look at the unconventional choices of quality-obsessed creators – and the memorable things they made as a result. It's a show about trusting your intuition and your craft more than best practices and blueprints. Since 2016, Unthinkable has inspired creators to ship more personal, powerful work. In the era of AI and endless commodity content, that type of work is now urgent. Hosted by Jay Acunzo, founder of the Creator Kitchen.

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Recent Reviews
  • ATorb
    Teaches storytelling by telling great stories
    Jay is a genius at putting stories together. Each podcast is like a master class in storytelling 🙏
  • Ryan_R.T.
    Really powerful stuff.
    I don't normally write podcast reviews on iTunes since I switched to Android but I resurrected my Apple ID for this review because I feel so strongly about this show. As a designer in a business world, I've always been weary of using the word "art" when it comes to business, but as Jay describes in his episode "The Thing About Art", making art (AKA good content) is exactly what businesses should be trying to do to differentiate themselves. Not just become another commodified expert, but make work that resonates with real people, asking questions with uncertainty and creating true impact by not saying "trust us, this is how you should do things" but instead "why do we do things this way? I don't know, but let's figure this out together." It builds trust rather than forcing it. Every episode I've listened to has left me feeling inspired and eager to learn more and think differently about the challenges I'm facing. Seriously, if you're creating content or building a brand and you're NOT subscribed, you're totally missing out!
  • J. Barshop
    I love discovering new ideas here
    Unthinkable is easily one of the most genuine and value-packed podcast for creators and entrepreneurs of any stage. This show needs to be part of your weekly content diet. I appreciate the variety of episodes, the super practical takeaways, and the sincere humility of Jay to give all this amazing knowledge to the listeners for free. Thanks for all you do and keep up the incredible work! 🙌
  • Fit Dad Fitness
    This show challenges me
    Jay is among the very best at taking an idea and simultaneously paring it down to its most powerful elements while expanding it into a driving force that inspires creativity and thoughtfulness. Said another way, this show is fantastic, the content is like kindling on an idea flame, and Jay is one wicked smart dude.
  • Max Branding
    There is no one like Jay
    And no one who creates and teaches like Jay. Listen to an episode. You will be hooked. He's a true original storyteller and understands "making a difference" better than anyone. Awesome podcast from an awesome guy
  • What a gal Friday
    Therapeutic and educational
    Unthinkable is like having a therapist while learning how to be the best version of you. I love the content. It’s very engaging. I’m a new listener, so I’m looking forward to listening to all the episodes I’ve missed. Wish I had found this podcast sooner!
  • a_creative_life
    Fresh, creative, thought-provoking TREASURE!
    I stumbled upon this podcast after meeting Jay on an airport shuttle. Little did I know that I'd stumbled into a TREASURE! The production values are off the chain. As a podcaster myself, I know what goes into creating an episode like one of these, and I am blown away. Truly unthinkable! But beyond the production values, I've learned a ton from listening. Jay goes beyond the "usual suspects" and makes me THINK. Truly valuable. I hope he keeps cranking 'em out. I'll keep listening as long as he does!
  • DrPeteStegman
    The best show about creativity + content marketing
    This is a show about making. It's not about best practices or how-tos. Instead it's about people who make stuff. Jay's the anti-guru who lets his subjects and their work speak for themselves. He's your guide into their world. This is what makes this podcast the best content marketing podcast around. It's about stories and people.
  • DevaniAnjali
    A thought leader to pay attention to...
    Jay Acunzo's Unthinkable podcast was a gem I randomly found about a year ago and it's still the best subscribe I've made to date. Jay's talk show storytelling style is as captivating as some of the best like Malcom Gladwell of Outliers and Dan Carlin of Hardcore History. Do your self a favor and tune in. It's an fantastic life choice I promise.
  • LeAura Alderson
    Better than NPR
    Jay Acunzo's Unthinkable is more than a podcast; it's a work of art, and it's profound. As creative and invocative as the title: Unthinkable, Jays NPR style story telling is so well done that it makes you interested in learning more about things you never even thought about. STORY TELLING: if you want to become a better story teller, definitely take notes from Jay's work. POSITIVELY UNCONVENTIONAL: I love Jay's "Unthinkable" mission: "The mission of Unthinkable is to inspire you to do exceptional work by trusting what makes you an exception: your intuition." YES! Definitely tune in. The quality is as good as NPR style, but better because it's focused on entrepreneurs, authors and other creatives. Definitely 5 star!
  • Player1012🙂
    Uncommonly good
    I just bumped into this podcast and listened to the show about Grado headphones. I want to go on and on about how skilled Jay was in crafting the story and really taking us behind the scenes, but I'm also concerned that there are NO four star reviews here. There should be at least one or two, right? Maybe even a three star one and a one star from a troll. Because if they are all five star reviews, then won't some folks come by and just think the reviews were padded? So I thought I'd give a four star review to help bring some "reality" to the reviews...but I can't. It's a five star podcast from start to finish. Exceptional care to detail and refreshingly different from so many other podcasts. And different in a way that compelled me to try to enter my email address in Jay's newsletter subscription box while I was driving in the rain. A man has got to know his limitations and I waited until I got home. Very well done, Jay, and thanks. Sorry I couldn't give you four stars.
  • AndyGCook
    Exceptionally well crafted
    In short: Good show. Would listen again. Good friend. Would friend again. Now for the longer, more verbose review: Jay, the host of Unthinkable, is an amazing story teller that pays attention to the details. Put these two skills together and you get an extremely high quality, enjoyable episode every time you listen to this show. In the age of short cuts and click-bait laden content, Jay's unwavering commitment to quality is just... well, Unthinkable! I'll add that I also know Jay in real life and can say with certainty that he actually practices what he preaches every day. He's a genuine gent who works hard on his craft every day. Now, you could argue that being friends with Jay should null out my review, but I disagree. The fact I've actually listened to almost every podcast episode that he's made, considering that I *already* have to regularly listen to him, is a testament to the quality of the show. I make the time to listen because it's worth listening to this show and you should too.
  • nlkassad
    Inspiring to say the least
    Unthinkable is one of those podcasts that's not only in my regular listening rotation but is also one of my go to podcasts when I need creative inspiration, extra motivation, or a bit of insight into a problem. Jay has created something that allows us all to reflect, learn and clallenge our assumptions so we can be better creatiors and people.
  • elizadavi27
    Inspiration...not just for marketers
    Jay has created amazing content that doesn't just apply to marketing. Great stories that inspire everyone to be exceptional in anything they do. Thanks Jay!
  • McKinley n Kim
    NOT a podcast about marketing, it's about fulfilling work.
    Let's be clear, yes, there is an underlying support structure to this podcast that is held up through marketing references, case studies, and people in the space, but the I find the vast majority of discussions and topics covered have nothing to do with marketing, and everything to do with doing fulfilling work that... in it's rawest state, is fundamentally the reason we as humans exist. A little deep? Maybe, but it's the truth. For me personally, at a not-young-age and in tech, I JUST realized that I've been going about my side projects all wrong. Always trying to do something I think will sell, not doing things that I want to do even if nobody ever saw it. Unthinkable functions great as a "tour guide" that gives you a true north for those of us who have side projects, but may lose sight along the way. Before this review becomes too far into the "I LOST 50 POUNDS WITH UNTHINKABLE" zone, I just want to share, that my current side project is a direct result of Unthinkable, and another great podcast, "Louder Than Words" with John Bonini. It's something for me, some good friends, as well as other makers and creators. Keep up the good work Jay.
  • BrieGF
    Great show for business!
    Thank you Jay for providing a great show to your audience! Enjoy!
  • Lizard22
    My must-listen marketing podcast
    Jay and his guests always challenges me to sharpen my intuition and challenge all the sameness in marketing. I'm a much more inspired and better content marketer because of Unthinkable. As a listener of dozens of marketing podcasts, I can tell you that you won't find another podcast like this one.
  • CarolMorganCox
    Business storytelling at its best
    Love the style and format of this podcast. The content is informative, engaging, and meaningful. Jay is a fantastic host and storyteller.
  • Affiliate Guru
    AWESOME!
    Just a little bit of awesome Jay. Keep up the good work !
  • Nathan Schock
    A Contrarian view on Content Creation
    This excellent podcast from Jay Acunzo cuts a bit against the grain for podcasting on content creation. You SHOULD NOT listen to this podcast if you're looking for the latest SEO tricks or A/B testing routines. You SHOULD listen to this podcast if you want to learn more about the people behind content creation or prevent the digitization of the industry from stripping it of its humanity. I come away from every episode inspired to be a better content producer and with a handful of actionable steps to accomplish that goal.
  • Maria XKA
    Moving and surprising
    This is beyond great. Business shows are SO repetitive in guests and format. Unthinkable and Jay Acunzo are so refreshing and tell emotional, different stories.
  • TOsinubi
    Cliché be damned, it's a breath of fresh air!
    At the risk of sounding cliché, Unthinkable really is “a breath of fresh air”. To say the marketing podcast landscape is crowded would be far too generous, but what Jay has created is all together different. The combination of music, interviews and deep, thoughtful commentary creates an experience that can only be described as “the sum is greater than its parts.” Yeah I know, that’s two cliché’s in one review, but believe me when I say the nuanced experience awaiting your ears is anything but! Well done Jay.
  • The Autumn Star
    Happy Tears
    I’ve been a content marketer for 7 years now, but before that I was a book editor, essayist and poet. Unthinkable reminds me that I am STILL an editor, essayist and poet. That I am still an artist, a craftsman, a creator. That it is my love of stories, words, and connecting to people that makes my content unique and valuable. Even when clients go for the vanilla over and over again (ugh), this podcast reminds me that while I can serve a scoop of vanilla, underneath there is a bedrock layer of Chunky Monkey. Mmmm…ice cream. Thanks, Jay!
  • Maris Cohen
    A must for marketers!
    Love Jay's stuff! This podcast inspires me to be more purposeful in my content marketing.
  • brshe
    Thoughtful Content Packaged Well
    From the production quality, to the thoughtfulness of the host, and the interesting topics and guest speakers, Unthinkable is a fantastic reflection on the world of content marketing and the creative process. The topics that ground each episode will mostly resonate with folks working in this space, but the takaways and insights from each would resonate with anyone. A balance between "This American Life" and a typical marketing podcast, this series lends itself to excellent content that's accessable and enjoyable.
  • ObscureManatee
    The best marketing therapist!
    On this podcast, Jay is like a marketing therapist, helping marketers think through their fears and vulnerabilities and find new creative courage. Highly recommend to anyone, not only practitioners of marketing — but to anyone who is looking to find new meaning and value in their work.
  • ErikBison
    One of the best podcasts
    Unthinkable is one of my favorite podcasts. Jay brings a much needed different, authentic, and creative perspective on business and marketing. Highly highly recommend this show!
  • Marilyn ss
    THE best podcast!
    I have been a podcast consumer for years. Podcasts are the only real medium of education, entertainment and critique left. Unthinkable is the only podcast series that does all three superbly. I love everything about the podcast. I use in my role as a nursing professor everyday. Hope you have some healthcare disrupters - like the guys at Retraction Watch. Your #1 fan Marilyn.
  • Phil O'Connell
    Every Episode is Better Than the Last
    I've been listening to Unthinkable for about three months now and I didn't expect to get so hooked on it. It's awesome listening because it's so thoughtfully done, so well produced and because I see improvement in each episode. I'm not sure where they'll find room for continued improvement but I trust they will. Lend them your ears, you won't regret it.
  • DanielaBeaU
    The best podcast ever. Seriously.
    I am legitimately obsessed with Unthinkable. First, I listened to all of the longer episodes. They mirrored so many things I've felt as an online creator - to use my intuition instead of a formula. To experiment and see where my creativity takes me. To reject stale "best practices" and do weird but awesome stuff. Then I moved on to the Slingshots- the shorter episodes about side projects. Each one inspires me to do my creative work - which in my case is writing and teaching. And every time I listen to a podcast, I want to tell someone else to listen to it just so I can talk about it with them. It's inspiring, it's thought provoking, and it's also healing.
  • joshzywien
    Real ideas & inspiration. No BS.
    I'm a podcast junky and a lover of great storytelling, and Jay's podcast (and broader movement) is one of the things I look forward to the most each week. I always walk away feeling inspired by the ideas Jay and his guests share. But beyond that, I think the bigger message Unthinkable sends - to creators, entrepreneurs, and humans in general - has the potential to completely change how people approach their lives and their work. Keep up the great work, Jay!
  • PeteKane2012
    Different- Thought Provoking- Creative - Unique
    A friend of mine recommended that I listen to it and then I heard the author speak on your fire and boy was I glad I tuned in to listen to the podcast. It's like nothing else out there refreshing unique different thought provoking and creative. Jay challenges you're thinking and gives you a perspective you would normally see. I love the way he tells stories within the podcast and how he educates the listeners with a lot of preparation and insights. Five star podcasts for sure.
  • DanInDetroit
    Brilliant!
    Jay does an amazing job of tackling key topics while making it informative and engaging.
  • PistolPete302
    Daily Inspiration!
    I have weeks with tons of great ideas to apply to the marketing efforts of my small business....and then I have weeks with nothing. Dried up, blank-minded, struggling! This podcast offers the great conversation and ideas that I need to bust through those down times and keep the ball rolling! Love this podcast, will certainly scratch your creative itch and give you a different perspective on your approach.
  • AaronWilson22
    Inspiring Creativity
    Jay does an amazing job of telling stories that help spark creativity. As a High School media teacher, I'm always looking for stories to tell my students about creativity and I steal them from Jay's podcast all of the time. He also went above and beyond by lending me his expertise about an project that I was working on with my students. A top notch podcast!
  • Pcdavis12
    Founder MyTourGuide
    If you're in the business of content marketing, Unthinkable is hands-down the best podcast out there. Great ideas, great inspiration, and great production value to boot.
  • InsightSquaredFan
    Good Refreshing Business Stories
    A lot of business podcasts sound the same. Jay's Unthinkable.fm has a great refreshing honesty to it that makes the stories more engaging and the lessons easier to internalize. As a non-marketer I listen regularly for new perspectives and a bit of encouragement. Highly recommend it. Just well done all around.
  • Ztyler90
    The day I became a better creator - listen to Unthinkable!
    If you're looking to create something special in this world, you NEED to listed to this podcast. It doesn't matter if you're a writer, musician, or founder -- this is the place to start. I rarely write reviews for anything, but I need for people to understand the quality of this podcast! Unthinkable avoids the hyperbole, the big promises, and the gimmicks. Instead, Jay Acunzo provides a refreshing take on how to create, improve, and refine any project you're working on. Whether you're looking to take a project to the next level, or currently in a rut with your project, Unthinkable provides an honest, refreshing, and inspiring take on how to improve any project you're looking to create. Jay provides great insight himself, and also brings on fellow project-starters to discuss their journey. Give this a listen, you won't regret it.
  • JoeHovdesInsomnia
    Wonderful Podcast
    Unthinkable is a rare mix of great motivation, interesting insights and plain old entertainment. Each episode will get you excited about building stuff and make you look at something in a new way. Check it out! You won't regret it.
  • Bill Skowronski
    Preaching, practiced
    This episode outstanding and genuinely valuable to those of us who are stuck holding scissors, but unable to cut the tape at the finish line. Beyond that, Jay actually followed through when I accepted his challenge at the end of the podcast--send us an unfinished project, and we'll give you honest feedback. He's practicing what he preaches. And, in a social media landscape cluttered with thousands of "followers" and "friends" and "likes", that's...unthinkable. <--yeah, I went there.
  • Probably the Best Startup Podc
    Great Show That is Hitting Its Stride
    Unthinkable is THE SHOW for craft-driven creators. Another reviewer described Unthinkable as the "This American Life" of Marketing. I think Jay draws a lot of inspiration from that show - it definitely shows. Little things like the intro and the time new episodes come out. But I think there's little things that are harder to see on the surface. Lots of editing, testing different sounds/music, and great storytelling. I've been listening to Unthinkable since the beginning, and I think the show is really hitting its stride. My favorite episodes are 2% Better, The Slingshot about Tom O'Keefe, and The Art of the Unfinished.
  • SarahE88
    Love this podcast!
    It has definitely inspired me to focus on the craft and not just the end product!
  • Stuntin600RR
    You ARE creative
    Superb podcast about creativity, your craft, labors of love, and finding/maintaining purpose in your work!
  • Joel Cap
    Satsifaction through craftsmanship
    Unthinkable is not only enjoyable to listen with entertaining and awesome production value, it serves up a rarely covered yet desperately needed perspective; the hidden benefit and satisfaction we find only when approaching our work with craftsmanship. Jay Acunzo is on to something here, and you’ll love every minute of it!
  • Aaron22Wilson
    Inspires You To Create
    I like to think that I’m a creative person, but I have a tough time finding time to create with having a full-time job and a family. On the Unthinkable Creative, Jay pushes you to take time to create for yourself, even if it’s only a couple minutes a day. He also interviews inspiring creators that get you to think about the work that you’re doing and the work that you could be doing. It’s a great podcast and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to create.
  • jazzandcoke
    Yes
    Honestly, want to say that this podcast is what I've been looking for. It's nice to know that their are like minded people out there, doing the same things and thinking the same as well. Inspiring, thought provoking, and well put together. Bravo.
  • Times New Rohan
    So needed
    Every so often and industry or scene gets a body of work that needs in order to find its way again, and Jay has delivered that on the topic of creativity in business. Unthinkable is required listening if you find yourself wanting primarily to do great work and enjoy the outcomes instead of the other way around.
  • JPossiel
    Straight-Talk! Honest and Open = Refreshing
    Easy and valuable listen... Jay dives into show themes and subjects focusing on processes and wondering how's and why's and exploring funny and thought-provoking stories as examples to getting things done. If you follow Jay on Twitter/Snapchat etc (recommended), he lets you into his process of creating Unthinkable - which is not easy and sometimes painstaking, yet always entertaining. All together, Unthinkable is awesome stuff for others who want to create awesome stuff.
  • John Hall1
    Co-Founder
    Good podcast! Very high quality compared to others that are out there.
  • Zac from Boston
    Thoughtful and Creative
    Every episode leaves me wanting more. Jay has really created a great show that opens you up to ideas not just about marketing but just thinking in general. A must listen if you ask me!
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