Today, I'm joined by Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW).

For over three decades, Hugh has been at the helm of one of the most influential events in the world, celebrating creativity at the convergence of tech, film, music, and culture.

Hugh's journey is a fascinating one, rooted in Austin, Texas, a city known for its vibrant creative scene. From his early days running a local newspaper to becoming a key figure in the expansion and evolution of SXSW, Hugh's story is one of persistence, innovation, and a deep commitment to fostering creativity. In our conversation, we explore his unique upbringing with a Scottish father and American mother, the impact of Austin's cultural landscape on his development, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career.

We also discuss the challenges and high points of running a globally recognized festival, the role of technology in connecting people, and the future of creativity in an increasingly AI and digitally driven world. Hugh shares his insights on the importance of community, the power of serendipitous encounters, and his vision for the future of SXSW and beyond.

If you are a creative person in any domain I am sure you will enjoy this conversation as as we uncover the human side of one of the driving forces behind one of the world's most dynamic events.

Thanks to Jennifer Hutchins for the connection

Time codes

00:00 Introduction 00:53 Meet Hugh Forest: The Man Behind SXSW

02:33 Who is Hugh? Personal Journey and Aspirations

03:45 Who or what made him Hugh?

09:54 The Evolution of SXSW

14:34 The Role of Technology in SXSW's Growth

18:18 Who is Hugh Working to Achieve?

28:27 SXSW's Community and Content Curation

32:35 Future Directions and Reflections

38:22 The Evolution of South by Southwest

38:57 Lessons in Persistence and Value Creation

40:53 Personal Growth and Organizational Leadership

42:17 Creating a Cohesive Experience

43:34 Challenges and Future Plans

46:12 Impact of COVID-19

47:14 The Importance of Human Connection

53:06 Balancing Commercial and Creative Interests

57:36 Future Directions and Personal Reflections

59:55 Personal Insights and Inspirations

01:06:20 Quickfire Questions and Recommendations

01:15:46 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Social Links

Linkedin

X

SXSW

Email

Links in show

Testament of a furniture dealer

Books

Ministry of The Future

Cal Newport Deep Work

Show

The Greatest Night In Pop

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Last week, I sat down with Stephen Davies, a unique voice in sustainable architecture and community development. Stephen's journey from the gritty streets of Bolton and the Manchester party scene to a cycling enthusiast and socially-conscious designer in a quiet town in Cornwall was both unexpected and inspiring.

He reflected on how personal challenges and a near-death experience shaped his perspective on life and work. His approach blends philosophical musings with practical solutions to the problems of globalism by embracing a localism strategy for building sustainable food systems, communities, and building practices. Stephen is particularly passionate about hempcrete, a carbon-negative building material that he sees as a game-changer for the construction industry and local economies.

Stephen embodies the power of embracing change and is a testament to how personal transformation can drive broader social and environmental change.

I hope you enjoy this refreshing and thought-provoking take on creating resilient communities in an uncertain world. Thanks to Alex Fish for the recommendation.

00:00 Introduction

02:34 Who is Stephen as a human?

05:13 Who or What Made Him?

10:34 Education and Party Culture

14:49 Cycling and a Life-Changing Accident

18:16 Pursuing Architecture

30:10 Social Conscience and Family Dynamics

37:26 Localization and Community Building

49:49 Community Projects and Company Formation

51:27 Skills Training and Women in Construction

52:07 Innovative Use of Hempcrete

53:06 Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Building

58:00 Funding Strategies and Community Support

01:00:20 Collaborating with Local Authorities

01:05:31 Philanthropy and Commercial Partnerships

01:11:47 Personal Reflections and Inspirations

01:23:57 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Social Links

Links in Show

Hemcrete

Cornwall

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This week the tables are turned as I’m the guest on the Funds & Founders Podcast. Hosted by Abhinav Sinha, the pod explores the untold Journeys Behind Founders Breakthroughs.

Across this broad conversation Abhi explores my view on life-long learning, building community, the differences between New York and Austin, forming Fabrica and the power of Storytelling, lessons from my failed start-up, Creating The Impossible Network, memorable interviews, the power of the network, my support system and my most transformational business experience.

What I thoughtlessly forgot to acknowledge was the importance of my partner Elaine on my journey.. so making amends; thank you now Elaine.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Commitment to Lifelong Learning

02:03 Exploring the Impact of AI

04:40 Defining and Building Community

08:28 Comparing Communities: New York vs. Austin

13:13 Journey from Advertising to Founding Fabrica Collective

20:24 Challenges and Lessons from Pundit Club

29:16 Transitioning to a Service Agency

30:43 Starting The Impossible Network Podcast

31:28 Procrastination and the Birth of Fabrica

32:12 Exploring Serendipity Through Podcasting

33:20 Building a Community Around the Podcast

33:57 Random Collisions and Serendipitous Connections

35:37 Challenges and Rewards of Podcasting

48:31 Support Systems and Personal Reflections

53:16 Transformational Business Experiences

57:29 Final Thoughts and Future Questions

Social Links

The Impossible Network

YouTube

Instagram

Links

Funds and Founders Podcast

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