Nick Cernak's Constellations #1
Prof G, Chris Do & the Voices That Shape My Day
Constellations are human inventions - patterns we project onto the stars to help us navigate, understand, and tell stories. The stars in a constellation may be light-years apart, entirely unrelated in space and time, but from our perspective here on Earth, they form something recognizable. That’s exactly what this column is about.
Each week in Nick Cernak’s Constellations, I’m mapping the ideas, people, and moments that - while unrelated on the surface - connect in my own life to create clarity. These “stars” help me see where I’m going as I build Northstar Digital Design, and maybe they can help guide you, too.
In this first edition, I’m spotlighting two brilliant thinkers from very different worlds:
🌟 Scott Galloway, who offers sharp, provocative insight into business, culture, and tech
🌟 Chris Do, who teaches the mindset and mechanics behind creative success with radical honesty
Different disciplines, different styles - but both show up this week as part of the same constellation of thought that’s helping me navigate what’s next.
⭐ Star 1: Scott Galloway – The Prof G Pod
If you don’t know Scott Galloway yet, you should. He’s a marketing professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, a father of two, a serial entrepreneur, and someone who manages to blend brutal honesty with business brilliance - plus a steady stream of dick jokes.
The Prof G Pod is part business breakdown, part life coaching, part cultural commentary - all delivered with the sharp, unapologetic edge Galloway is known for. He’s not afraid to challenge tech giants, call out BS in corporate leadership, or question sacred cows in business and politics. And as someone building a brand that also aims to defy convention, I find that incredibly refreshing.
What makes this podcast worth your time? It’s the rare mix of data-driven insight and emotional intelligence. One minute he’s walking you through a nuanced breakdown of the markets or a brand strategy, the next he’s talking about fatherhood, mortality, or mental health with disarming vulnerability. It’s smart. It’s human. It’s real.
In a world full of sugar-coated content and polished personas, Galloway’s voice cuts through. If you’re trying to build anything that lasts - in business or in life - this podcast will both challenge and clarify your thinking.
⭐ Star 2: Chris Do – The Futur Podcast
If you’re in design, marketing, or branding - and you’re not listening to The Futur - you’re missing one of the most valuable sources of creative and business insight available today.
Hosted by Chris Do, The Futur is a masterclass in the mindset, mechanics, and meaning behind successful creative work. With over 350 episodes (and counting), it’s one of the most in-depth, knowledge-rich podcasts in the space. I’ve already listened to nearly every episode released in 2025 - and once I finish, I plan to go back and listen to the rest.
What keeps me coming back is Chris’s honesty. He’s not here to hype you up with vague inspiration or empty buzzwords. He’s here to teach - plain and simple. Whether he’s talking about pricing strategy, client psychology, storytelling, personal growth, or how to lead a creative business with integrity, Chris delivers real value every time.
For me, The Futur has become essential listening. Chris’s guidance has shaped how I think about design not just as a craft, but as a business - one built on trust, clarity, and communication. His advice has had such a lasting impact that I’ve already made a promise to myself: when I land my first big client job through Northstar, I’m putting a portion of that revenue toward joining Futur Pro, the $5,000/year membership community Chris leads. That’s how much I believe in the value he’s created for creative professionals. (I bookmarked it here: thefutur.com/pro-group)
These two voices - Scott Galloway and Chris Do - couldn’t be more different in tone, but both are part of my daily creative practice. When a new episode drops from either The Prof G Pod or The Futur, it’s the first thing I listen to that morning. Before I open my laptop or start designing, I tune in, not just to be informed - but to be grounded. Their perspectives challenge me, reframe how I see the world, and give me tools I can apply in real time as I build Northstar Digital Design. That’s what this column is really about: paying attention to the light that helps you move forward.