Damon Fontinel: Joy, Story, and Small Wins

If you make things, lead teams, or just want more delight in your week, this episode gives you mindset shifts and practical habits.

Matt sits down with Damon Fontinel to chase where joy actually comes from in real life, not theory. They unpack storycraft and why a shared “big idea” matters, how collaboration turns subjective taste into objective outcomes, and why some non-linear tales land (hello, Lost and Dunkirk). Damon talks foundations first (faith, family, church), then the micro bursts that keep life fun, like WNBA league-pass nights, fixing his own brakes, and tinkering with guitar. They hit creative process, how to spot when a plan isn’t working, and the value of asking better questions so people become more interesting.