Ep. 187 - Owning What Makes You Great with Nick Nanton
Mon Jul 21 2025
Why Clarity, Not Confidence, Is the Key to Your Next Level
This week on She Talks Business, I’m joined by the extraordinary Nick Nanton—someone who’s built a career on doing work that only he can do.
Nick is a 22-time Emmy Award–winning director and producer who has created more than 60 documentaries and worked with some of the most iconic names in the world—think Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Larry King, Magic Johnson, Dolly Parton, and more. His films have streamed on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and have even taken us into the heart of human trafficking raids in Haiti. He’s also a bestselling author, gold record-earning songwriter, and host of the docuseries In Case You Didn’t Know.
But today’s conversation isn’t about celebrity. It’s about clarity.
We dig into the mindset behind Nick’s success, the self-doubt he’s faced, the comparison traps he’s escaped, and how he’s learned to identify and operate from what Dan Sullivan calls a “unique ability.” This concept from Dan is something we both operate our business and structure our time with this in mind.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re good enough, ready enough, or "doing it right," this episode is for you.
Dealing With Imposter Syndrome At The Top
Yes, even people with 22 Emmys have moments where they wonder if they belong. Nick shares how imposter syndrome has followed him into rooms filled with billionaires and why reframing those moments has been essential to his growth. You’ll hear how that shift can quiet the noise and help you step fully into your own potential.
Tune Out The Comparison Gene
We all do it—scrolling, spiraling, stacking ourselves up against someone else’s highlight reel. This part of the conversation is a refreshing reminder that comparison isn’t just unproductive, it’s often a complete illusion. If you’ve been feeling behind, this will help you realign and reset.
Tune Into Your Unique Ability
What are you world-class at? Nick and I talk about the Dan Sullivan concept of “unique ability”—the zone where your passion, skill, and natural genius collide—and how it takes time to tune in and prioritize it as you grow your business. Nick shares how identifying his unique ability helped him stop chasing opportunities that didn’t fit, and start building a business around what only he can do.
Whether you’re leading a brand, running a business, or simply trying to get clear on your next step, this episode is a reminder that you already have everything you need. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You just have to know what’s uniquely yours and be brave enough to start with what you know, your experience, and then build from there.
What’s In This Episode Moving beyond celebrity to focus on excellence and skills Approach to interviews: creating space for vulnerability and authentic conversations Creating valuable, enjoyable experiences for clients and collaborators The importance of sharing foundational knowledge and starting “at the beginning” Common hangups in personal branding (impostor syndrome, undervaluing personal gifts) Navigating creative industries: knowing your place and supplementing with experts The importance of self-awareness in professional growth Opportunities and challenges of integrating AI in filmmaking, songwriting, and business
What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e187 for all resources from this episode.
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Why Clarity, Not Confidence, Is the Key to Your Next Level This week on She Talks Business, I’m joined by the extraordinary Nick Nanton—someone who’s built a career on doing work that only he can do. Nick is a 22-time Emmy Award–winning director and producer who has created more than 60 documentaries and worked with some of the most iconic names in the world—think Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Larry King, Magic Johnson, Dolly Parton, and more. His films have streamed on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and have even taken us into the heart of human trafficking raids in Haiti. He’s also a bestselling author, gold record-earning songwriter, and host of the docuseries In Case You Didn’t Know. But today’s conversation isn’t about celebrity. It’s about clarity. We dig into the mindset behind Nick’s success, the self-doubt he’s faced, the comparison traps he’s escaped, and how he’s learned to identify and operate from what Dan Sullivan calls a “unique ability.” This concept from Dan is something we both operate our business and structure our time with this in mind. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re good enough, ready enough, or "doing it right," this episode is for you. Dealing With Imposter Syndrome At The Top Yes, even people with 22 Emmys have moments where they wonder if they belong. Nick shares how imposter syndrome has followed him into rooms filled with billionaires and why reframing those moments has been essential to his growth. You’ll hear how that shift can quiet the noise and help you step fully into your own potential. Tune Out The Comparison Gene We all do it—scrolling, spiraling, stacking ourselves up against someone else’s highlight reel. This part of the conversation is a refreshing reminder that comparison isn’t just unproductive, it’s often a complete illusion. If you’ve been feeling behind, this will help you realign and reset. Tune Into Your Unique Ability What are you world-class at? Nick and I talk about the Dan Sullivan concept of “unique ability”—the zone where your passion, skill, and natural genius collide—and how it takes time to tune in and prioritize it as you grow your business. Nick shares how identifying his unique ability helped him stop chasing opportunities that didn’t fit, and start building a business around what only he can do. Whether you’re leading a brand, running a business, or simply trying to get clear on your next step, this episode is a reminder that you already have everything you need. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You just have to know what’s uniquely yours and be brave enough to start with what you know, your experience, and then build from there. What’s In This Episode Moving beyond celebrity to focus on excellence and skills Approach to interviews: creating space for vulnerability and authentic conversations Creating valuable, enjoyable experiences for clients and collaborators The importance of sharing foundational knowledge and starting “at the beginning” Common hangups in personal branding (impostor syndrome, undervaluing personal gifts) Navigating creative industries: knowing your place and supplementing with experts The importance of self-awareness in professional growth Opportunities and challenges of integrating AI in filmmaking, songwriting, and business What To Do Next Visit lisalarter.com/e187 for all resources from this episode.