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  • Garrett Gee: Building the Bucket List Family’s Travel Empire

    Garrett Gee: Building the Bucket List Family’s Travel Empire
    2025/10/07
    Garrett Gee of the Bucket List Family (@thebucketlistfamily) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a travel media empire with his family as they’ve traveled to over 100 countries over the past 10 years. In this episode, Garrett shares how he sold his iPhone app Scan to Snapchat for $54 million, then made the bold decision to set that money aside and fund their world travels by selling everything they owned. Host Ross Borden explores Garrett's journey of founding the Bucket List Family brand with over 5 million followers, diving into their philosophy of traveling with the entire family, and raising "brave kids" who approach new experiences with confidence. Garrett offers behind-the-scenes insights about expanding into hospitality with private island resorts in Tonga and Canada, plus his ambitious animated cartoon project that has 30,000 investors waiting for results. Whether you're an aspiring creator, travel enthusiast, or parent wondering how to raise adventurous kids, this conversation delivers actionable insights about building authentic content businesses and living life on your own terms. 0:00 - Introduction to Garrett Gee 1:28 - Why Travel with Little Kids? 3:08 - Swimming with Killer Whales in the Sea of Cortez 9:54 - Garrett's Entrepreneurial Journey and Shark Tank 12:53 - Selling Scan App to Snapchat for $54 Million 16:07 - Starting the Bucket List Family with $45,000 18:08 - Early Brand Partnerships and Growth 22:28 - Launching the Bucket List Collection 24:13 - Building a Safari Lodge in Africa from Scratch 27:10 - Preserving Special Places as Stewards, Not Owners 29:17 - Current Properties: Tonga Island and Canada Lodge 30:56 - Creating the Bucket List Family Cartoon 34:52 - Raising $10 Million and Pitch Meetings with Distributors 38:17 - Raising Brave Kids and Teaching Inner Confidence 41:09 - Filming Family Adventures as Home Videos 43:11 - 25 Days in Antarctica 45:20 - Sleepwalking on the Bow of the Ship 46:01 - Disney/Nat Geo Book Launch at Walt Disney World 47:29 - Favorite Countries Around the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 分
  • Kevin Droniak: Going Viral for ‘Micro Travel’

    Kevin Droniak: Going Viral for ‘Micro Travel’
    2025/09/23
    Kevin Droniak (@kevindroniak) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss the revolutionary concept of micro travel - the art of visiting international destinations for less than 24 hours. In this episode, Kevin shares how he's been to places such as Egypt, Rome, and Ireland all as day trips, never staying the night in any of them. Host Ross Borden explores Kevin's journey from creating YouTube videos with his grandma in 2012 to building nearly a million followers across platforms, diving into his budget travel hacks using Google Flights and Expedia, his upcoming one-day trip to Kenya, and how he manages both his own brand partnerships and his grandma's influencer career. Whether you're a travel enthusiast or simply interested in unconventional content creation, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning personal constraints into viral business opportunities. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Kevin Droniak 00:49 - What is Micro Travel? 03:00 - The Challenge and Excitement of Micro Travel 04:16 - Extreme Example: Egypt in One Day 05:32 - Dealing with Travel Stress and Delays 06:29 - When Things Go Wrong: Ireland Flat Tire Story 07:44 - Hour-by-Hour: Rome Day Trip Breakdown 10:34 - Finding Cheap Flights and Travel Hacks 12:54 - Brand Partnerships and T-Mobile Collaboration 13:39 - YouTube Origins with Grandma (2012) 15:08 - Self-Managing as a Creator 16:28 - How Creator Culture Has Changed Since 2012 18:05 - Next Trip: Kenya for the Day 21:40 - Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Kevin Online Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 分
  • Abubakar Finiin: The Creator Behind Viral YouTube Series Kids of the Colony

    Abubakar Finiin: The Creator Behind Viral YouTube Series Kids of the Colony
    2025/09/16
    Abubakar Finiin (@kidsofthecolony), the London creator behind the viral travel series Kids of the Colony, joins CREATOR:The Podcast to discuss how he turned BBC rejection into a huge YouTube success. In this episode, Abu shares his journey from university student to independent TV producer, including how he convinced his friends to travel to Bangladesh, Somaliland, and Morocco to explore their parents' homelands. Host Ross Borden explores Abu's unconventional approach to filmmaking, from learning camera equipment for the first time in Dhaka to creating authentic cultural exchanges through working local jobs like delivering water in Somaliland and serving tea to elders. Abu offers behind-the-scenes insights about funding episodes through regular day jobs, plus the viral TikTok moment that changed everything and brought attention from major publications like The Guardian. Whether you're an aspiring creator or simply interested in authentic travel content, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building something meaningful without industry permission or experience. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 Introduction to Abubakar Finiin 01:14 Origin of Kids of the Colony 03:13 Choosing Countries for the Series 05:43 Why the Show Resonated Globally 07:56 Advice for Aspiring Creators 08:57 Show Format and Early Challenges 10:33 Life in Somaliland & Creating Challenges 12:51 Producing and Filming the Series 13:00 Somaliland Explained 13:40 Future of Kids of the Colony 15:24 Funding & Brand Deals 16:53 TikTok & Viral Growth 19:37 Full Circle with Networks 20:11 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Abu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 分
  • Mickela Mallozzi: The TV Host Dancing Around The World

    Mickela Mallozzi: The TV Host Dancing Around The World
    2025/09/09
    Four-time Emmy award-winning host of Bare Feet, Mickela Mallozzi (@travelbarefeet) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building an international travel show through the universal language of dance. Host Ross Borden explores her journey from classically trained dancer to independent PBS producer, diving into the challenges of self-funding 8 seasons of a travel show, navigating cultural appreciation versus appropriation, and building authentic relationships with communities worldwide. Mickela offers behind-the-scenes insights about working with tourism boards and creating respectful cultural exchanges, plus practical advice on maintaining artistic integrity while securing sponsorships. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or simply interested in authentic travel storytelling, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning passion into sustainable creative careers. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Mickela Mallozzi 00:28 - Host Introduction and Show Overview 01:34 - From Classical Dance to Travel Content Creation 02:39 - Dancing with Strangers: Building Connections Through Movement 04:16 - Finding Dancers: Studios vs. Street Festivals 05:56 - Making Dance Accessible Across Cultures 07:12 - 40 Countries and Returning to Favorites 08:19 - Favorite Places to Dance: New Zealand and the Haka 11:15 - Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation 15:04 - From Solo Creator to Full TV Production 15:29 - Building the Show: From Pilot to PBS 18:37 - Why PBS Was the Perfect Platform 20:26 - Impact of PBS Defunding on Independent Creators 24:11 - Self-Funding a TV Show: Sponsors and Partnerships 26:13 - PBS Advertising Rules and Brand Partnerships 27:22 - Distribution: Amazon Prime and Go Traveler 29:25 - Season 8 Preview: Maori, Taiwan, and Cuba 30:37 - Three Countries Question: Ireland, Italy, and New York 32:21 - Where to Watch and Follow Bare Feet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 分
  • Rob Gerard: The Tequila Creator Who Turned His Collection Into Opportunity

    Rob Gerard: The Tequila Creator Who Turned His Collection Into Opportunity
    2025/09/02
    Rob Gerard, founder of the Tequila Collective (@the_tequilacollective), joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a multi-faceted tequila business from a pandemic hobby. Host Ross Borden explores Rob's journey from LA real estate agent to tequila scholar, diving into the hidden world of tequila additives, the difference between highland and valley agave, and why expensive doesn't always mean better. Rob offers behind-the-scenes insights about taking strangers on distillery tours in Mexico, plus he reveals how brands struggle to communicate with creators, leading him to launch a successful marketing agency. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or simply interested in understanding what makes great tequila, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning authentic passion into sustainable business success. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Rob Gerard 01:30 - From Real Estate to Tequila Content Creation 03:19 - Going Viral and Building an Audience 06:15 - Understanding Tequila Additives and Quality 09:29 - Becoming a Tequila Scholar (Not Expert) 12:38 - Traveling to Mexico and Distillery Visits 13:45 - Starting Tequila Tours and Travel Experiences 18:30 - Building the Tequila Collective Business Empire 21:56 - Revenue Streams: What Actually Pays the Bills 24:47 - Tasting Session: Fortaleza and Tapatio 35:42 - Wrap Up and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 分
  • Rene Daniella: Building a 10-Year Content Empire Across Beauty, Travel and Lifestyle

    Rene Daniella: Building a 10-Year Content Empire Across Beauty, Travel and Lifestyle
    2025/08/26
    Lifestyle creator Rene Daniella (@ownbyfemme) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss her decade-long evolution in the creator industry. In this episode, Rene shares her remarkable journey from studying in Paris to building partnerships with major brands like Google, Disney, and Hulu, including how she pitched a hair brand for her Barbados carnival trip and turned it into ongoing six-figure collaborations. Host Ross Borden explores her strategic approach to content diversification, her financial crisis moment when she had a countdown to bankruptcy, and her unique passions for freediving and Trinidad carnival culture. Rene offers candid insights about the business side of being a creator, from managing irregular income to negotiating multi-year brand deals, and defining success on your own terms. Whether you're a content creator looking to scale or someone fascinated by unconventional career paths, this conversation delivers an honest perspective on building sustainable creative businesses beyond follower counts. 00:00 - Introduction to Rene Daniella 01:27 - How Rene Started as a Content Creator (10-Year Journey) 02:32 - From Paris to Travel Content Creation 03:17 - Working with Passport Heavy and Industry Evolution 04:49 - Getting Into Free Diving 06:06 - Free Diving Certification and Breath Holding 07:15 - Swimming with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia 08:03 - Diversifying Content: From Hair to Home Decor 10:15 - Creating Content-Ready Living Spaces 12:07 - Cold Pitching Google Pixel (Success Story) 15:56 - The Art of Brand Outreach 17:43 - Follower Count vs Income Reality 19:04 - Carnival Culture and Travel Passion 21:32 - Caribbean Carnival vs Brazil Carnival 22:05 - Why Trinidad Carnival is #1 24:12 - The Hard Side: Financial Struggles as a Creator 25:56 - November 2023 Financial Crisis 27:41 - Strategy for Overcoming Slow Periods 29:25 - Home Decor Content Success and Audience Growth 31:15 - Advice for Trying New Content Niches 31:35 - Three Countries Passport Question 33:23 - Where to Find Rene Online Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 分
  • Jo Franco: From YouTube Star to National Geographic TV Host

    Jo Franco: From YouTube Star to National Geographic TV Host
    2025/08/19
    Multilingual travel creator Jo Franco (@jo_franco) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss being an immigrant kid who didn’t speak English to a global polyglot television host for Netflix and National Geographic. Host Ross Borden explores Jo's journey from her three-year grind of uploading consistently to YouTube while working night shifts, the moment she chose risk over a corporate salary, and her recent accomplishment of learning Dutch as her seventh language. Jo offers candid insights about the emotional toll of being a creator where "if a video fails, it's like I failed," plus her philosophy that confidence comes from putting yourself in moments of true discomfort. Whether you're a content creator looking to level up or someone fascinated by the courage required to reinvent yourself multiple times, this conversation delivers a valuable perspective on turning obstacles into opportunities and never settling for "young travel will never sell." To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Jo Franco 01:30 - Getting Started: From Immigrant Kid to Content Creator 03:28 - The TV Pitch Rejection That Changed Everything 04:28 - Building Damon and Jo: Three Years of Grinding 06:11 - The Bathroom Meeting That Launched a Career 08:49 - Going Full-Time: The Leap of Faith Moment 10:30 - Building Confidence and Sales Skills as a Creator 13:13 - Language Learning: From Portuguese to Polyglot 16:06 - Tips for Learning Languages Fast 18:08 - YouTube Strategy: Playing the Long Game 20:32 - National Geographic's Big Little Italy 22:11 - Creators vs. Hollywood: The Industry Shift 24:59 - Balancing Traditional Production with Creator Content 28:12 - How the Nat Geo Opportunity Came Together 29:47 - Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 分
  • Magdalena Wosinska: The Raw Truth of a 30-Year Photography Career

    Magdalena Wosinska: The Raw Truth of a 30-Year Photography Career
    2025/08/12
    Magdalena Wosinska (@magdawosinskastudio), a photographer and author known for her intimate celebrity portraits and skate photography, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss the evolution of her creative career over three decades. In this episode, Magda shares how growing up in communist Poland shaped her fearless approach to art, including her decision to create "The Magdalena Experience" (@themagdalenaexperience), a nude photography series that both empowers and complicates her commercial career. Host Ross Borden explores Magda's unconventional path from touring with a metal band while pursuing photography dreams to shooting major brand campaigns, and diving into her recent struggles with industry ageism. Magda offers candid advice about dealing with constant rejection, maintaining artistic integrity while paying bills, and why she believes older creatives deserve more recognition than "the new young hot thing." Whether you're navigating creative industry challenges or seeking inspiration for authentic self-expression, this conversation provides rare honesty about the unglamorous side of pursuing art as a lifelong career. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 Introduction to Magdalena Wosinska 01:54 From Poland to Arizona: Early Life and Immigration 02:29 Moving to LA for Skate Photography 03:52 Breaking Into Professional Photography 04:37 The Challenge of Age in Creative Industries 06:16 Assisting Photographers and Career Evolution 08:20 Advice for Photographers at Different Career Stages 11:54 Separating Commercial and Artistic Work 12:39 The Magdalena Experience: Art and Self-Expression 16:00 Creative Self-Portrait Techniques 17:24 Directing Celebrities and Portrait Photography 20:03 Portrait Photography Tips and Techniques 21:58 Street Photography Ethics and Documentation 24:12 Career-Defining Projects and Photos 25:24 Working with Joaquin Phoenix 28:43 Three Countries to Live In 29:09 Future Projects and Career Evolution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 分