In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, host Eric Pratum talks with Dan Reus, founder of Openly Disruptive, about how creative pivots and unexpected collaborations can drive innovation—whether in theme parks, brand marketing, or entire city ecosystems. Dan’s path stretches from designing roller-coaster experiences to advising corporate leaders on how to align competing teams, and even competitors, around a shared vision of the future.
Together, Eric and Dan explore:
- Finding the Real “Why” — How Dan’s endless questioning—and a few unorthodox requests—uncovered the deeper reason behind big-budget ideas.
- Innovation as an “Experience Matrix” — Designing everything from car-product launches to public programs by plotting emotional beats and real-world payoffs.
- Communities & Coalitions — Why leaders, founders, and even direct competitors can benefit from building bigger pies instead of fighting for the same slice.
- MVP vs. Real-World Feedback — Why a purely digital artifact may not cut it—and how small, tangible “prototypes” can glean far more honest responses.
- Disruptive Diner — Dan’s live events—past and present—where people don’t just sit and listen, but actively participate to discover fresh insights and alliances.
If you’ve ever worried about launching a new idea only to crash into office politics, budget constraints, or the fear of the unknown, Dan’s practical frameworks and real-life stories show how to unify diverse interests and create a shared path to long-term success—without just “praying” a big idea will magically succeed.
Also, the air nailer story Eric talked about comes from Ted Wright, who is an upcoming guest on this podcast.
Links:
- Openly Disruptive: https://openlydisruptive.com
- Email Dan for the tear-off pads: dan@openlydisruptive.com
- Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danreus
- Episode with Jeremy Nulik: https://unfoldingthought.com/jeremy-nulik-how-vision-shapes-strategy/
- For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com
- Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com
