Drew sits down with Blake Pfeil & Jeremiah Wenutu on Cinema Kingston! to explore his winding path from music production to becoming a sought-after director of photography, podcast studio owner, and host of No Set Path. They unpack the reality of being a multidisciplinary creative, building community in the Hudson Valley, and why storytelling matters more than the tech behind it.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – Drew's introduction and impressive client roster (Adobe, Netflix, HBO, Disney+)

02:00 – How Upstate Podcast Studio evolved from a basement setup to a professional Kingston space

06:00 – The challenge of being spread thin across multiple creative ventures

09:00 – Feeling like an outsider in the film industry while pursuing diverse interests

14:00 – The frustration with editing other people's work vs. creating your own passion projects

16:00 – The Hudson Valley creative community: talent is everywhere, but connection is key

19:00 – Two years of HBO production boom post-COVID, then the 2024-2025 slowdown

22:00 – Plans for No Set Path: building in-person community events and brand expansion

24:00 – From UMass Lowell recording school to New York City music production

27:00 – The pivot moment: buying a Canon 7D at B&H and teaching himself cinematography

30:00 – Starting No Set Path during COVID as a vehicle for meaningful conversations

33:00 – The unexpected impact: random emails from people inspired by the show

37:00 – Why Drew asks "how did you get here?" instead of "what camera did you use?"

40:00 – The realization: storytelling is the thread connecting everything

44:00 – Storytelling as a buzzword in tech startups and why humans gravitate to narrative

45:00 – The Goonies, Spielberg, Lucas, and movies that shaped a generation

50:00 – Easter eggs, film scores, and the magic of eighties adventure films

Takeaway

Being multidisciplinary isn't a weakness. It's your unique advantage in a changing creative economy.

Community over hustle: the Hudson Valley has incredible talent, but genuine connection matters more than networking.

Storytelling transcends medium. Whether it's cinematography, podcasting, or coaching, story is what connects with people.

Most successful people don't actually know what they're doing. They're "failing upwards" and figuring it out as they go.

Name things well: Upstate Podcast Studio succeeds organically because of smart, searchable naming.

Your creative path will look like a lot of different things. Let it evolve naturally instead of forcing a single direction.

The tech doesn't matter. People care about the emotion and story, not your gear list.

Resources & Links

Cinema Kingston!: https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/cinema-kingston

Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com

Lights and Years Media: www.lightsandyears.com

Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com

No Set Path Podcast: Search "No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Stories" on your podcast app

No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Drew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/

Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Drew shares the full story behind walking away from a $100,000 in-house media position and how that decision led to earning 50% more while staying freelance. He breaks down the red flags that made him trust his gut, the corporate culture problems he encountered, and why alignment with your values matters more than security. This solo episode dives deep into the importance of knowing your North Star and making decisions that serve your long-term creative and personal goals.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – Why Drew turned down $100K and made 50% more staying freelance

01:27 – Red flag #1: Meetings about meetings and corporate culture chaos

01:50 – No real game plan: throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks

02:34 – The pressure campaign: formal emails, office meetings, and coffee chats

03:17 – The deal breaker: written approval required for any outside freelance work

04:50 – What happened to the colleague who took the job (spoiler: it ended badly)

05:27 – The importance of trusting your gut and staying aligned with your values

06:40 – How saying no opened doors to building multiple revenue streams

07:35 – Drew's current North Star: maximum money, minimum time, maximum family time

Takeaways

Trust your gut when red flags appear, even when the money looks good

Corporate culture problems rarely improve after you're hired full-time

Alignment with your values and goals matters more than short-term security

Saying no to the wrong opportunities creates space for the right ones

Your North Star evolves as your life circumstances change

Write down your goals and priorities to stay clear on your direction

Consider practices like morning pages from "The Artist's Way" for clarity

Resources & Links

The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron

Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com

Connect with Drew

No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh

Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com

In this solo episode, host Drew English unpacks the concept of leverage and why 2025 is the best time for creatives to build independent success. He argues that cheap tech, free global distribution, and direct-to-audience marketing have removed the traditional gatekeepers. Creators who shift from selling services to building assets can own their future in the “Creator 2.0” era.

Key Takeaways

Tech is cheap: Your phone can produce market-ready visuals—hardware is no longer the hurdle.

Distribution is free: Platforms like YouTube give instant access to a worldwide audience; the game now is earning the click.

Marketing is direct: Email lists and social media let you talk to fans anytime—no middlemen required.

Assets > services: Follow the athlete model—use your primary skill to build IP, products, or partnerships that earn while you sleep.

Real-world examples:

The Umbrella Academy evolved from graphic novel to Netflix hit.

A24 green-lit “The Backrooms,” a YouTube horror series created by a 19-year-old.

Producer Alex LeMay urges filmmakers to “think platform first, not format.”

Action items for listeners:

Audit your expertise - what unique knowledge or story can become IP?

Choose one primary platform (e.g., YouTube) and design content natively for it.

Start an email list to own your relationship with fans.

Package and test ideas in small formats (web series, mini-docs, digital products).

Lean into human connection - your perspective and trust can’t be replicated by AI.

Resources Mentioned

Jason Murray on “Creator 2.0” (@jason_swet on Instagram)

Producer Alex LeMay’s Substack article HERE

The Umbrella Academy (graphic novel → Netflix)

A24’s upcoming film “The Backrooms” (originated on YouTube)

Connect with Drew

Subscribe to Drew’s Substack newsletter Creative Balance for deeper dives.

Follow No Set Path on YouTube, Instagram, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Share the episode and tag @drewenglishh to keep the conversation going.