Jonny lost his father at 14, watched his family collapse, and felt his creative career was over. Then he discovered flow states and AI - and built Augmented Imagination to prove technology can make us MORE human. Award-winning brand designer shares his journey from New Mexico oil town to pioneering AI creative studio.

INTRO & BACKGROUND
04:22 - Fun fact: Rollerblading "more than shoes" from age 10-18
09:46 - "I felt like I lived nine lives before 21" CHAPTER 1: CHILDHOOD & TRAUMA
10:16 - Growing up in Aztec, New Mexico - small oil field town 17:12 - Father's death at 14 - massive stroke while driving
25:39 - Finding mentors and connection outside family
32:17 - "Rock bottom is a great foundation to build from"
35:27 - "Adversity breeds character" - Brian McDonald insight

CHAPTER 2: CREATIVE JOURNEY
39:48 - Early creative signs: Finding characters in wallpaper patterns
42:20 - Growing up alongside Navajo artists - "they'd run circles around us"
54:43 - Advice for creatives: Develop your taste, do passion projects
56:37 - Why foundational design principles matter MORE with AI
01:02:47 - Dream job at Fender: What it taught him
01:21:04 - Burnout and realizing he's a "hardcore introvert"

CHAPTER 3: FLOW STATES
01:28:24 - How "Stealing Fire" changed everything
01:35:21 - THE 10-MINUTE FLOW HACK: Binaural beats + walking + box breathing

CHAPTER 4: AUGMENTED IMAGINATION
01:37:51 - Origin of "Augmented Imagination" - the moment AI clicked
01:47:40 - "You need an artist in the loop" - the human advantage
02:01:27 - The mission: Amplify humanity through technology 02:05:41 - Jonny's reflection on the conversation

Guest Info & Resources About Jonny: Award-winning brand designer, art director, and co-founder of Augmented Imagination. Flow state certified through the Flow Research Collective. Third agency founded. Former clients include Microsoft, Facebook, Fast Company, American Express, and Intel.

Connect with Jonny: 🔗 Augmented Imagination: https://linktr.ee/augmentedimagination
🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/jonny_ashcroft
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-ashcroft-6b163a246/

Resources Mentioned:
📚 "Stealing Fire" by Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal [01:28:24]
📚 "Mastery" by Robert Greene [46:58]
🎬 Movie: "Airborne" (90s rollerblading film) [04:45]
🧠 Flow Research Collective [01:30:16]
🏢 Think Ecosystem / Think Builders Club [01:50:37]

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