Mauro Medina Susarrey is a Brand Designer & Creative Director with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of creativity and strategy. His career has been guided by curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown—qualities that have taken him across industries, disciplines, and countries.

Early in his journey, Mauro co-founded a design studio (2009–2014) where he collaborated with clients in entertainment, tech, data analysis, medical, sports, food supplements, consumer goods, festivals, and non-profits. During this time, he also worked as a production designer on commercials and music videos, including projects for The Format and Pontiac. These experiences exposed him to the many layers of design and storytelling, inspiring him to see brands not as one-dimensional but as living, breathing ecosystems.

Over the years, Mauro has worked across photography, film, motion graphics, sound design, web development, and brand strategy. This multidisciplinary background gives him a 360° perspective on how brands come to life across different mediums and contexts. His portfolio spans global collaborations with clients such as ConsenSys, CoinMarketCap, Formosa Group, and Facebook, and his projects have taken him to cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London, Singapore, Paris, and Mexico.

Today, Mauro runs a design studio alongside his wife, an architect and interior designer. Together, they focus on bridging the Gap of the tangible and intangible sides of branding—crafting strategies, environments, and experiences that bring brands to life in a holistic way.

Find Mauro:

Website: https://kult.mx

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maurodesigner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bymauro.mx/

Instagram Kult: https://www.instagram.com/studiokultmx/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey Begins. From Mexico to Graphic Design

09:52 Facing Challenges: The Impact of ESL Classes

20:05 The Shift to Strategy: Learning and Unlearning

30:08 Deepening Understanding: The Role of Client Relationships

33:14 The Birth of a Brand

34:05 Navigating Client Relationships

37:21 From Jack of All Trades to Specialization

43:31 Transitioning to Ensenada

46:14 Cultural Shifts in Design

51:49 Building Relationships in Business

01:05:40 Emotional Connections in Branding

01:09:28 Reading Visual Cues for Emotional Connection

01:10:44 The Importance of Authentic Client Relationships

01:12:00 Cultural Shifts in Design and Branding

01:14:02 Challenges in the Tech Industry

01:15:55 The Role of Empathy in Tech Branding

01:16:50 Navigating Software Limitations and Client Needs

01:23:00 The Frustration with Automated Customer Service

01:24:42 The Ethical Dilemma of AI in Design

01:29:39 Generational Perspectives on Technology and Relationships

01:39:30 The Cynical Nature of Brands and Consumer Relationships

01:40:28 Revisiting Brand Ethics and Responsibility

01:43:50 The Ethics of Design in Modern Society

01:47:29 Resilience and Sticking to Your Principles

01:50:33 Navigating Client Relationships and Strategy

01:57:23 The Importance of Context in Strategy

02:08:45 The Power of Design and Community Influence

Takeaways:

- Recognizing effective strategies can be challenging.

- Shifting perspectives is crucial for achieving better results.

- Initial skepticism is common when encountering new strategies.

- Mindset shifts require effort and awareness.

- It's important to acknowledge when something is better.

- The conversation highlights the difficulty of change.

- Effective strategies often come with a learning curve.

- Understanding the point of contention is key to progress.

- Embracing new ideas can lead to significant improvements.

- The journey of recognizing better strategies is ongoing.

José Caballer is Designer, creative director, educator, and entrepreneur, known for blending design thinking with business processes to help organizations and creative professionals thrive.With over 28 years of experience in design and digital technology, Jose started his journey at the Art Center College of Design and became a Design Director at Razorfish during the dot-com boom in 1997. In 2001, he founded The Groop, a creative agency that earned recognition as one of the Inc 500 fastest-growing companies.In 2012, José pivoted towards education with the launch of The Skool, an innovative platform that later became The Futur, where he focused on teaching business skills to creatives. His work at the intersection of design, business, and technology led him to ConsenSys in 2017, where he integrated blockchain solutions into design frameworks.José founded The Systm, focusing on developing high-performance work methodologies, inspired by design thinking, startup frameworks, and his passion for aligning personal growth with business success. Through The Systm, José coaches creative leaders on optimizing workflows and building sustainable, innovative businesses.As a coach, facilitator, and mentor, José’s mission is to revolutionize how work is done by empowering individuals to align their mind, body, and spirit with their professional pursuits, creating high-fidelity, collaborative teams that thrive in the 21st century.

Find José:

https://thesystm.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josecaballer/

https://www.instagram.com/josecaballer/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Burnout: A Personal Journey

14:00 Lessons from the Universe: Co-Creation and Self-Discovery

27:43 Building Community: The Intersection of Purpose and Connection

30:59 Cultural Reclamation and Film Development

31:24 Pursuing Passion Projects

32:22 Life Transitions and Daily Rituals

33:22 The Great Reset: Finding Clarity

35:12 The Joy of Podcasting

36:37 Sacrifices for Passion

37:01 Building a Community and Finding Value

38:40 Launching a School and Creating Value

41:02 The Importance of Belief and Execution

42:45 Providing Value and Asking for Money

43:42 Unique Perspectives on Brand Strategy

45:30 Building Cohesive Teams

48:14 The Playground of Ideas

50:02 Collective Health and Organizational Purpose

52:31 Future-Proofing Through Community

55:35 Defining Purpose in a Collective

57:12 Navigating Imposter Syndrome

58:54 The Role of Community in Execution

01:01:14 Navigating Identity and Accountability

01:03:33 Understanding Organizational Dynamics and Personal Trauma

01:07:09 The Evolution of Creative Work and Personal Growth

01:11:02 Redefining Work and Life Around Essence

01:14:01 Creating Community and Sharing Stories

01:16:15 Developing Core Concepts and Personal Goals

Takeaways:

- Burnout can stem from overwhelming responsibilities and lack of self-care.

- Coaching can provide valuable insights and support during personal crises.

- Creating a community can foster collective growth and accountability.

- Self-discovery is a continuous journey that requires vulnerability and honesty.

- Authenticity in one's work leads to greater fulfillment and impact.

- Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining mental health and well-being.

- The importance of sharing personal stories to connect with others.

- Navigating the complexities of identity and societal expectations is essential for growth.

- Embracing change and uncertainty can lead to new opportunities.

- Collaboration and co-creation can enhance personal and professional development.

Amit Shetty is a creative lead, strategist, curious explorer, and mentor on a journey from the bustling lanes of Hyderabad to the global stage of design.

His story includes thirteen years of translating complex puzzles into scalable, human-centered solutions across SaaS, healthcare, and beyond.

His roots run deep in both design thinking and visual storytelling, forged first in animation studios, then shaped leading product design for millions of users.

In this conversation, Kevin Mooney and Amit Shetty explore how AI is reshaping creativity while underscoring the irreplaceable value of human imagination. They discuss intention and impact in communication, branding challenges, and understanding client needs, along with balancing budgets in creative projects. Storytelling is highlighted as essential in branding, and marketing is seen as an evolving landscape where technology and humanity must coexist. They also cover user experience—prioritizing simplicity and convenience, the role of loyalty programs, and frameworks that guide design solutions. Generational shifts, especially growing awareness of mental health and the need for foundational design skills, are noted. Finally, they stress authenticity and direct communication in content creation and professional interactions.

Find Amit:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/itsamyth/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/its_a_myth/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters:

00:00 The AI Conversation: A New Era

02:50 Creative Industry Evolution: AI's Role

05:34 The Human Touch: Meraki in Creation

08:34 Branding and Therapy: Understanding Client Needs

11:07 Intention vs. Impact: The Core of Communication

13:49 Navigating Budget Constraints in Creative Projects

17:03 The Balancing Act: Quality vs. Cost

19:36 The Importance of Storytelling in Branding

22:45 The Role of Experience in Design

25:25 The Evolution of Marketing: Trends and Impact

28:19 The Future of Design: Bridging Technology and Humanity

59:22 User Experience and Convenience

01:02:01 Understanding Loyalty Programs

01:02:58 Frameworks and Their Importance

01:06:07 The Role of Communication in Design

01:07:50 Value in Conversations

01:09:29 Connecting with Younger Generations

01:12:36 Generational Perspectives on Work

01:17:03 Mental Health and Adaptability

01:21:26 The Importance of Foundational Skills

01:24:11 The Evolution of Design and Technology

01:29:09 Exploration in Content Creation

01:34:47 The Role of Authenticity in Content

01:45:18 The Value of Direct Communication

Takeaways:

- AI is a hot topic, but human creativity remains essential.

- The concept of 'Meraki' emphasizes putting soul into work.

- Branding requires understanding the client's story and needs.

- Intention and impact are crucial in communication.

- Budget constraints can limit creative solutions.

- Quality of the product is paramount for success.

- Storytelling is key to effective branding.

- Experience in design leads to more efficient solutions.

- Marketing trends come and go, but core values remain.

- Balancing technology and humanity is the future of design.

- User experience should prioritize convenience and simplicity.

- Understanding loyalty programs is crucial for effective design solutions.

- Frameworks provide structure but should be flexible to adapt to specific projects.

- Clear communication enhances collaboration and understanding in design.

- Value in conversations is about making meaningful connections.

- Connecting with younger generations requires understanding their unique perspectives.

- Generational differences influence work ethics and priorities.

- Mental health awareness is growing among younger generations.

- Foundational skills are essential for effective design work.

- Exploration and curiosity should be encouraged in content creation.