エピソード

  • 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
    続きを読む 一部表示
    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
    続きを読む 一部表示
    30 分
  • Jimena Agra: The Oil Painter with 1M YouTube Subscribers

    Jimena Agra: The Oil Painter with 1M YouTube Subscribers
    2025/08/05
    Jimena Agra (@himepaints), a Spanish oil painter with over 1 million YouTube subscribers, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a fine art career through digital platforms. In this episode, Jimena shares how she learned oil painting primarily through YouTube rather than traditional art school, including her journey from disappointment with formal art education in Madrid to creating a thriving online art business in Los Angeles. Host Ross Borden explores Jimena's path from viral cosplay content to serious oil painting, diving into her commission process, the economics of selling original artwork versus prints, and her recent gallery breakthrough with a piece called "Persephone in the Garden" at Modern Eden in San Francisco. Jimena offers behind-the-scenes insights about organizing painting retreats in Italy and France, plus practical advice on building authentic connections with followers while maintaining artistic integrity. Whether you're an aspiring artist looking to monetize your craft or simply interested in the intersection of traditional art and modern creator economy, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on forging your own creative path. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Jimena Agra 01:04 - From Spain to Los Angeles: The Artist's Journey 03:11 - Discovering Oil Painting in College 04:30 - Starting as a Creator: From Makeup to Art 06:27 - Quarter-Life Crisis and Finding Her Passion 08:10 - Digital Success vs. Traditional Galleries 09:39 - Describing Her Romantic, Impressionist Style 12:06 - The Creative Process Behind Each Painting 14:41 - Selling Original Work and Prints 16:27 - Commission Work and Client Relationships 17:52 - Revenue Sources: Brand Deals vs. Art Sales 19:23 - Building Community Through Patreon 20:40 - Painting Retreats and Travel Inspiration 23:05 - Advice for Aspiring Artists 24:28 - Where to Find Jimena Online
    続きを読む 一部表示
    25 分
  • Wade Holland & Abby Wren: The Adventure-Art Duo Turning Personal Difference Into Creative Superpowers

    Wade Holland & Abby Wren: The Adventure-Art Duo Turning Personal Difference Into Creative Superpowers
    2025/07/29
    Wade Holland (@wadeholland) and Abby Wren (@abbywrenartistry), the adventure-art duo behind Wrenegade Media (@wrenegademedia), join CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss revolutionizing brand partnerships through collaborative creativity. As two creators with experience on the agency side, Wade and Abby reveal how brands can elevate their content and the common mistakes they see brands make that waters down good creative. Host Ross Borden explores their journey from individual creators to founding a creative agency, diving into Abby's transformation from behind-the-scenes makeup artist to viral face-painting activist, and Wade's evolution from adventure host to creative director. Whether you're a creator looking to scale beyond individual channels or simply interested in authentic storytelling that drives social impact, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building purpose-driven content that cuts through digital noise. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Abby Wren and Wade Holland 01:52 - Living in the Sonoran Desert 03:25 - The Love Story: How Wade and Abby Met 08:54 - Abby's Journey with Alopecia and Makeup Artistry 11:50 - Becoming a Professional Makeup Artist 14:38 - Using Art for Alopecia Awareness 16:37 - Building Renegade Creative Agency 18:22 - Partnership with GoPro Mountain Games 19:58 - Advice to Brands on Creative Campaigns 21:24 - Taking Creative Risks and Failing Fast 25:53 - The Challenge of Brand Approval Processes 27:28 - Less Cooks in the Kitchen Philosophy 28:24 - Closing and Future Plans
    続きを読む 一部表示
    30 分
  • Uncle Jhonn: The Face of DIY Content

    Uncle Jhonn: The Face of DIY Content
    2025/07/22
    Viral DIY creator Uncle Jhonn (@unclejhonn_) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss how he built 5 million followers in just one year by helping his neighbors for free. In this episode, Uncle Jhonn shares his incredible journey from selling women's beauty products to becoming a viral construction creator, including how his very first fence video for his actual neighbor gained 6 million views and 80,000 followers in one week. Host Ross Borden explores how Uncle Jhonn taught himself construction skills, his decision to give away everything for free (including build plans), and how he selects his neighbors to help. Uncle Jhonn offers a refreshing perspective on social media comparison culture and the importance of "enjoying the journey" rather than seeking instant success. Whether you're a content creator looking for authentic growth strategies or someone interested in community building and skilled trades, this conversation delivers inspiring insights on turning your passion into purpose while genuinely helping others. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Uncle Jhonn 02:08 - Growing 2 Million YouTube Subscribers in One Year 03:26 - How Uncle Jhonn Selects People to Help 06:03 - Career Before Content Creation 06:44 - The Beauty Products Business 07:39 - Self-Taught Construction Skills 09:31 - The First Video That Started It All 10:33 - Why All Build Plans Are Free 13:34 - Current Revenue and Monetization Strategy 15:01 - Brand Deals and Partnerships 16:33 - Scaling and Future Plans 18:13 - Biggest Mistakes New Creators Make 22:12 - The Power of Giving Back in Content 26:14 - Closing and Future Goals
    続きを読む 一部表示
    27 分
  • Tanya Badillo: Bridging Cultures With Spanish-Speaking Content

    Tanya Badillo: Bridging Cultures With Spanish-Speaking Content
    2025/07/15
    Outdoor adventure content creator, Tanya Badillo (@tanyabadillo) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss her unique position as a Mexican adventure creator filling the Spanish content gap in US outdoor spaces. In this episode, Tanya reveals how growing up with a geoscientist father shaped her nomadic lifestyle, including her bold move from a stable oil company job in Mexico to starting over completely in the US. Host Ross Borden explores her decision to maintain authentic Spanish-language content despite the potential for broader English-speaking audiences, her extreme expeditions requiring rappelling and multi-day treks to reach Mexico's most remote locations, and her philosophy of being “the bridge between cultures." Tanya shares candid insights about the challenges of building a creator business while working a remote day job, plus her strategy for curating extreme adventure trips that push participants beyond their limits. Whether you're interested in adventure travel or building an authentic personal brand, this conversation delivers inspiring insights on choosing authenticity over easier paths to success. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Tanya Badillo 01:12 - Background: From Mexico to the US 02:10 - Educational Journey and Early Travel 03:07 - Studies in Geophysics and Energy 04:35 - Transition from Corporate to Content Creation 06:41 - Starting as a Content Creator 07:17 - Growing from 4K to 10K Followers 09:00 - Favorite Adventure Destinations in Mexico 10:22 - Running Adventure Trips and Wild Latitude 15:11 - Decision to Create Content in Spanish 17:34 - Targeting US Hispanic Market 19:53 - Three Countries Question 20:09 - Where to Find Tanya Online
    続きを読む 一部表示
    21 分
  • Joshua Guvi: The Creator Inspiring Others to Ruin Their Twenties

    Joshua Guvi: The Creator Inspiring Others to Ruin Their Twenties
    2025/07/08
    Filmmaker and storyteller Joshua Guvi (@joshguvi) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss the art of turning personal adventures into compelling content that inspires others to take risks. In this episode, Josh shares the pivotal stairwell revelation that led him to sell everything and embark on two years of nonstop world travel, including his terrifying first motorcycle journey across Vietnam that reconnected him with genuine happiness. Host Ross Borden explores Josh's evolution from Vancouver burnout to successful travel filmmaker, diving into his adventures in Mongolia's fence-free wilderness, his eye-opening cultural barriers experience in China, and the business realities of monetizing authentic travel content. Josh offers behind-the-scenes insights about building a following while constantly moving between countries, plus practical advice on finding the balance between creative integrity and financial sustainability. Whether you're feeling trapped in the traditional twenties playbook or simply interested in alternative paths to fulfillment, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on why sometimes the scariest decisions lead to the most authentic life. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Joshua Guvi 01:36 - Origin story: From Vancouver to traveling the world 02:39 - How to ruin your twenties and taking risks 05:30 - First destination: Manila, Philippines 06:14 - The difficult first few months of travel 07:01 - Motorcycle journey across Vietnam 08:57 - Background in video and photography 10:27 - Creative process and finding inspiration 12:30 - The business side of being a creator 16:21 - Choosing Shanghai as a base 17:27 - Future plans: Possibly New York City 18:14 - Being an outsider and cultural barriers 20:50 - The Angola adventure 24:58 - Inspiring others to travel and take risks 28:44 - Focus on longer form YouTube content 30:10 - Three countries passport game 31:55 - Where to find Josh online
    続きを読む 一部表示
    33 分
  • Yazan Koudsi: Representing Queer Joy Through Travel Content

    Yazan Koudsi: Representing Queer Joy Through Travel Content
    2025/07/01
    Travel Creator Yazan Koudsi (@zizotravels) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a career as an LGBTQ+ travel influencer with over 3 million followers. In this episode, Yazan shares his approach to creating content for LGBTQ+ travelers, including his number one priority: "The first thing LGBTQ+ people care about is safety." Host Ross Borden explores Yazan's evolution from posting travel photos as a flight attendant to becoming a sought-after travel advisor for major platforms, diving into his content strategy for hotels, his experience with tourism boards, and his memorable encounter with a U.S. state that wanted him to "keep it low key" regarding his identity. Yazan offers candid insights about platform monetization, revealing that Facebook surprisingly outpays both TikTok and Instagram for video views. Whether you're interested in travel content creation or seeking authentic perspectives on global destinations, this conversation delivers valuable insights on building a career while maintaining authenticity in an ever-changing social media landscape. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Yazan Koudsi 01:02 - Living in Puerto Rico and Travel Lifestyle 02:17 - From Flight Attendant to Travel Creator 03:32 - Middle Eastern Roots and 80 Countries Traveled 04:43 - Working as a Travel Advisor 06:04 - TikTok as a Search Engine 07:07 - Hotel Partnerships and Collaboration Strategy 10:28 - LGBTQ+ Travel Safety and Representation 12:08 - Brand Partnerships Gone Wrong 13:09 - Gay-Friendly Destinations and Puerto Rico 15:22 - Top Destinations for Queer Travelers 16:49 - The Business of Being a Creator 18:34 - Facebook vs TikTok Monetization 21:02 - Authentic Content and Platform Differences 22:08 - Overcoming Creator Burnout and Comparison 23:05 - Three Countries for Life Question 24:56 - Where to Find Yazan Online
    続きを読む 一部表示
    26 分