How to rethink creative productivity without burning out with Natalie Nixon
Mon Feb 02 2026
Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4k9H4fT
Episode summary:
In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Nathan Isaacs chats with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist, author, and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, about her transformative framework for redefining productivity in the modern workplace. Drawing from her latest book, Move, Think, Rest, Natalie shares how integrating movement, reflection, and rest into your day-to-day work can unlock creativity, boost innovation, and lead to measurable business outcomes.
Natalie explains why our current obsession with speed and efficiency is rooted in outdated models from the Industrial Age, and how adopting a more human-centered, both/and approach helps teams thrive in today’s complex environment. She dives into her “Wonder+Rigor” method, the power of daydreaming, and how leaders can spot burnout before it becomes a crisis.
The conversation also touches on how intuition and lived experience can—and should—complement data in decision-making, and why AI should be treated as a co-creator rather than a creativity killer.
You’ll learn:
Why productivity needs to evolve beyond speed and output
How the “Move, Think, Rest” framework supports creative work
Tips for integrating micro-rest and movement into busy schedules
The connection between creativity and business ROI
Why curiosity, collaboration, and intuition are essential to innovation
How to work with AI as a co-creator, not a replacement
Resources & links
Natalie Nixon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/)
Natalie’s Figure 8 Thinking (https://www.figure8thinking.com/)
Move, Think, Rest (https://www.figure8thinking.com/published-and-featured/)
Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/)
Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast
More
Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4k9H4fT Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Nathan Isaacs chats with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist, author, and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, about her transformative framework for redefining productivity in the modern workplace. Drawing from her latest book, Move, Think, Rest, Natalie shares how integrating movement, reflection, and rest into your day-to-day work can unlock creativity, boost innovation, and lead to measurable business outcomes. Natalie explains why our current obsession with speed and efficiency is rooted in outdated models from the Industrial Age, and how adopting a more human-centered, both/and approach helps teams thrive in today’s complex environment. She dives into her “Wonder+Rigor” method, the power of daydreaming, and how leaders can spot burnout before it becomes a crisis. The conversation also touches on how intuition and lived experience can—and should—complement data in decision-making, and why AI should be treated as a co-creator rather than a creativity killer. You’ll learn: Why productivity needs to evolve beyond speed and output How the “Move, Think, Rest” framework supports creative work Tips for integrating micro-rest and movement into busy schedules The connection between creativity and business ROI Why curiosity, collaboration, and intuition are essential to innovation How to work with AI as a co-creator, not a replacement Resources & links Natalie Nixon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/) Natalie’s Figure 8 Thinking (https://www.figure8thinking.com/) Move, Think, Rest (https://www.figure8thinking.com/published-and-featured/) Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast