Leading with care, designing Mcdonalds iconic fries & staying true - Matt Sia

This one’s special… our first EVER live episode, recorded in Manhattan, NYC at the Pearlfisher studio, with the Empire State Building glowing pink behind us. Mad ting.For EP.53, I’m joined by someone who’s not just an incredible creative leader, but someone who’s genuinely shown up for me when it mattered most… Matt Sia.Whether he’s cooking up something in the kitchen, writing and performing music, making jewellery, or stepping out in his unmistakable swag…Matt is always building, shaping, creating. It’s just who he is.He’s led work across both challenger brands and global icons — from innovations like hum by Colgate and Tecate ALTA, to premium spirits with Diageo, Campari and Beam Suntory.He’s even partnered with McDonald’s to lead the global redesign of their food packaging.But this conversation isn’t about titles… it’s about how you lead, who you are, and what you stand for.We get into:• What it really means to lead with care (not the LinkedIn version… the real thing)• Feeling like an outsider in the industry and pushing through it• Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and finding your place• Why there are no shortcuts in design or life• The moments where cutting corners costs you more than failing• How music, food, and culture shaped his creative mindset• The responsibility of shaping culture through designMatt opens up about not always seeing himself as “the strong designer”, and how persistence, curiosity, and staying true to himself unlocked everything.This one’s for the creatives, the quiet leaders, the ones figuring it out as they go… and anyone trying to build something meaningful without losing themselves in the process.Stories from the heart that make mums proud.Big love to everyone who pulled up and made this happen 🩷More live shows coming soon…