In this episode, we share a couple of stories from our lives that prompt a discussion about the broader implications of curation and the art of curating.

This lasts for all of 3 minutes before we find ourselves caught up in a long-winded discussion about editing and the intricacies that go along with it. We delve into the art of editing, the importance of reflection, and the roles of editors and gatekeepers.

Throughout the discussion, we emphasize the importance of editing in refining creative work, from photographs to writing to to-do lists, and the roles of internal and external editors in the process. We clearly didn't take our own advice with this one, but we hope that you're able to find something of value in our ramblings. -Ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

Our latest episode explores the differences between podcasts and YouTube videos, focusing on content ownership, artistic integrity, and creating authentic work that resonates with the audience.

As we've embraced online media, the absence of traditional gatekeepers has sparked a debate about whether the democratization of creativity enhances or dilutes the artistic landscape. We share our experiences, discussing the balance between feedback, self-assessment, and authenticity in a content-saturated world.

Join us as we navigate the technical and artistic aspects of creation, confront creative blockages, and strive to balance art and life's practical demands. We reflect on the tension between art and commerce, questioning whether our current climate prioritizes transactions over genuine artistry. -Ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

Join us as we discuss staying true to your creative roots while figuring out how or better if it's worth it to "play the game" on algorithmically driven platforms.

We're also taking a hard look at our own podcast, asking if what we're making lines up with what we believe in. We're sharing stories that show the difference between how things look from the outside vs what's really happening, and thinking over the stuff that goes into making content that resonates with people.

This episode is an open invite to join the conversation about finding the right balance between what you believe, what people expect, and the real influence of your audience. -Ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

This discussion explores how consistent effort in creative projects can yield substantial outcomes, drawing parallels to Warren Buffett's wealth-building investment methods. It underlines the significance of simplicity and regularity in reaching long-term objectives.

The conversation moves into the hurdles of procrastination and self-sabotage, recognizing that grand ideas often act as diversions from necessary hard work. It delves into the notion that realistic goals and a down-to-earth mindset can pave the way to overcoming these challenges.

Further, the dialogue moves to defining success, the interplay between fear and comfort, and the crucial aspect of aligning with one's genuine self. Sharing experiences of transitioning from freelancing to more structured roles, like in tech support, it reflects on how engaging in meaningful work can profoundly enrich life, highlighting the unique contributions each individual has to offer. - Ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

In this episode, we delve into the unique fusion of musical styles between artists like John Mayer and the Grateful Dead. The discussion broadens to examine how technology has revolutionized our ability to learn and share captivating stories, such as the tale of Jesse James's gold, and probes into the reasons why individuals feel compelled to share their creative outputs.

The conversation shifts to the influence of personal challenges on creativity, prompting a debate over the motives behind sharing such experiences - is it a search for attention or a means of healing? Insights are offered on how these deeply personal stories can mold one's artistic endeavors and the intricate balance between what we choose to keep to ourselves and what we decide to share with the world.

Concluding the episode, we reflect on the importance of taking time to pause and the effects of the rush to disseminate creative work. The discussion touches on the role of feedback, the management of expectations, and the critical importance of staying true to our authentic selves in our creative pursuits. - ai

Show Notes:

John Mayer Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaaOoyclkE8

The Grateful Dead - https://www.dead.net/

The Power of Myth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiYnNom7SVRMjsi2WSpIGBlo1UDhlXyvz

What The Bleep Do We Know? - https://watchdocumentaries.com/what-the-bleep-do-we-know/

The Elegant Universe - https://shop.shakeandco.com/book/9780393338102

The Stanford Prison Experiment - https://www.prisonexp.org/

The Zone of Interest - https://a24films.com/films/the-zone-of-interest

As I Lay Dying - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_I_Lay_Dying

Bryan Birks - https://www.youtube.com/@BryanBirks

The Social Network - https://youtu.be/k5fJmkv02is?t=92

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

Have you ever felt an urge to just drop out? Break away from the norm and live on your own terms? This episode explores that feeling, drawing from the film "The Arrangement" and the documentary "Alone in the Wilderness." We discuss midlife crises, searching for meaning, and the value of making things by hand. It's about questioning if we're truly living our own lives or just following someone else's plan.

We also examine how documentaries balance truth and the filmmaker's perspective, especially in films like "Past Lives" that make us think about our surroundings and what shapes us. We explore how films featuring historical events and personal stories challenge our beliefs and values.

The episode takes a more personal turn with a story about a day of street photography that becomes unexpectedly intense. This leads to a debate on the ethics of photography and how art can change us. We wrap up with thoughts on how our experiences color our creativity. -Ai

Show Notes:
The Arrangement (by Elia Kazan) - https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-arrangement-1969
The Arrangement Trailer - https://youtu.be/9txF5Ma6G68?si=4LAldm6A6wXqIdNx
Alone in the Wilderness - https://shop.pbs.org/WA0792.html
My Self Reliance - https://www.youtube.com/@MySelfReliance
Walden & Civil Disobedience - https://bit.ly/3TDIsvM
Fargo - https://letterboxd.com/film/fargo/
John Prine - https://store.johnprine.com/collections/john-prine-vinyl
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin - “Kill Your Television” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaTcIzLk880
The Zone of Interest - https://a24films.com/films/the-zone-of-interest
Past Lives - https://a24films.com/films/past-lives
The Kennedy Films - https://drewassociates.com/films/the-kennedy-films/
Stephen Shore - http://stephenshore.net/
Miami Vice (Michael Mann) - https://bit.ly/3VmAad1
Tetragrammaton with Dr. Jack Kruse - https://bit.ly/43jYsGv

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

Have you ever poured your heart into a diary, feeling the catharsis as your pen dances across the page? That's the raw authenticity we've embraced in our latest creative pursuits, and it's what we're unpacking in today's episode. Join us in a reflection on the art of content creation, where we divulge how shifting from structured arguments to heartfelt expression reshaped Matthew’s YouTube videos. It's a revelation that not only deepened his work but forged a more profound connection with his audience. Together, we'll explore how this approach, mirroring the Zen philosophy of repetition and refinement, can bring simplicity and consistency to the forefront of your creative process, making every piece of content an honest fragment of your life's diary.

Finally, we'll dissect the dynamics of creating a safe, respectful space for actors and crew alike, where clear communication and ego management are paramount. This isn't just about making movies—it's about the synergy of collaboration and the humbling acknowledgment that we're all part of something greater than ourselves. So, whether you're behind the camera or in front of the canvas, this episode is a tribute to the collective spirit of creation and the personal growth that comes with it. - Ai

Show Notes:

Rick Rubin Clip we’re referencing - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vNEH4RZwb_g

Jiro Dreams of Sushi - https://www.magpictures.com/jirodreamsofsushi/

Always Sunny in Philadelphia Meme - https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pepe-silvia

R1 Rabbit - https://www.rabbit.tech/

The video I made about Final Cut Pro - https://bit.ly/3SJc0GG

The Photographic Eye - https://bit.ly/3Iabzju

Tetragrammaton with Mark Andreessen - https://bit.ly/3OO3d4U

The Century of the Self - https://www.youtube.com/@justadamcurtis9178/videos

Camus - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Albert-Camus

In The Soup - https://letterboxd.com/film/in-the-soup/

Bradley Cooper & Spike Lee - https://bit.ly/49CvcMY

Eyes Wide Shut - https://letterboxd.com/film/eyes-wide-shut/

Maestro - https://www.netflix.com/title/81171868

The Ice Harvest - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-ice-harvest/

Alec Soth - https://alecsoth.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG

Whether it's geeking out over a treasure trove of classic cameras or tackling the gnarly beast of authenticity in a world craving the real deal, we've got stories to stir both heart and humor. Pausing for a moment, we delve into the Rick Rubin podcast's wisdom, which stirs a profound dialogue on staying true to our artistic roots, even as the audience's eyes multiply.

Navigating the choppy waters of expectations and anxiety, we pull back the curtain on the inner turmoil that often accompanies content creation. Our discussion takes a turn toward the personal as we admit to wrestling with the mental barriers that can handcuff progress. The irony of being trapped by our own standards is not lost on us, and through our vulnerabilities, we share how embracing openness is much like nurturing a healthy relationship – essential for growth and genuine expression.

As the conversation meanders through the changing seasons, we reflect on how these transitions mirror shifts in our work and life. Relationships serve as both a mirror and a sounding board, echoing back the nervous energy that comes hand-in-hand with creative endeavors. Wrapping up, we peer ahead with optimism into the summer months, anticipating new opportunities for collaboration and renewal, bringing a fresh zest to our ongoing quest for growth and the truest form of storytelling. -Ai

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving us a rating and/or a review. We read and appreciate all of them. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode.

Links To Everything:

Video Version of The Podcast: https://geni.us/StudioSessionsYT

Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/MatthewOBrienYT

Matt’s 2nd Channel: https://geni.us/PhotoVideosYT

Alex’s YouTube Channel: https://geni.us/AlexCarterYT

Matt’s Instagram: https://geni.us/MatthewIG

Alex’s Instagram: https://geni.us/AlexIG