From working in stadium operations in college to becoming an NFL photographer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chris Kim shares how he turned his passion for sports photography into a full-time career.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Chris to unpack his journey from sports management major to capturing some of the NFL’s most exciting moments. From training camp chaos to draft day excitement, Chris shares the behind-the-scenes reality of sports photography that goes far beyond the games.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How Chris turned internships and early experiences at the University of Florida into a career with the Jaguars.
• Why community engagement, corporate partnerships, and day-to-day management are a huge part of sports photography.
• Practical strategies for building a strong, versatile portfolio that showcases creativity and adaptability.
• How to balance team expectations, work-life demands, and personal hobbies for long-term sustainability.
• The realities of game day—quick editing, tagging, and sharing content for social media.
• Insights on passion, adaptability, and the importance of remembering “every photo you take is important.”

Chris also gets real about the misconceptions of sports photography, the lessons learned from unexpected moments on draft day, and why finding hobbies outside of work is crucial for maintaining perspective.

Whether you’re pursuing sports photography, creative media, or just looking for insights into building a meaningful career, this conversation is full of encouragement, actionable advice, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

Balancing a career in sports media while running your own business is no small task—but Lexi Ross is building a life that integrates both with purpose and creativity.

In this episode, Cass sits down with Lexi Ross, owner of Spooky’s Studio. After working across the MLB, NBA, and NFL, Lexi now runs her own business while freelancing for the NBA, covering the Cleveland Cavaliers and blending her passions for sports and creativity.

She opens up about creative burnout, the importance of finding balance, and how creative freedom has redefined her success. Lexi also shares how networking, portfolio-building, and taking initiative helped her land opportunities in sports—and how those same lessons fuel her entrepreneurial journey today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Lexi transitioned from full-time sports media to entrepreneurship while continuing to freelance for the NBA.
• Why creative freedom and peace of mind matter more than job titles.
• How to build a strong portfolio that opens doors in competitive industries.
• The importance of community, collaboration, and supporting local businesses.
• Strategies for balancing multiple roles without burning out.
• How personal branding and storytelling shape business growth.
• Why slowing down and embracing every season of growth leads to better creative work.

Lexi’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to choose one path—you can build your own. Whether you’re navigating the sports industry, starting a creative business, or seeking more balance in your career, this conversation offers real insight, encouragement, and inspiration to keep going.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

Breaking into sports media as a freelancer comes with challenges, but also unexpected opportunities—and Mike Hopkins Jr. shares it all.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Mike, a sports video freelancer, to unpack his journey from internships and cold outreach to producing work for the Cleveland Browns and a documentary in Jamaica.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How freelancing can be rewarding when approached with intention.
• The power of kindness and relationships in building a career.
• Why social media is a crucial tool for showcasing your work.
• How to embrace mistakes and grow from them without being defined by your job title.
• Practical strategies for finding focus, managing workload, and creating the work you actually want to get paid for.
• Insights on faith, collaboration, and taking opportunities that challenge you.
• The realities of sports media—the emotional storytelling, the grind, and why quality work matters regardless of environment.

Mike also gets real about setbacks, injuries, and learning to balance professionalism with authenticity—and why focusing on the small, important details can make all the difference. He shares how to make the most of available resources and reminds listeners that “you are not what you do.” Whether you’re pursuing sports media, video production, or any creative path, this conversation is full of encouragement, insights, and actionable takeaways.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to run social media for an NFL team—or questioned if you’re “good enough” to belong in the creative industry, Alexis did too.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Alexis Christie, Social Media Strategist for the Cleveland Browns, to unpack her journey from a communications major at Ohio State to shaping the online presence of one of the NFL’s biggest brands.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How Alexis pivoted from journalism to social media in the sports industry.
• The behind-the-scenes reality of working in sports media (beyond the highlight reels).
• Why imposter syndrome is so common in creative careers—and how to push through it.
• The importance of staying authentic in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Practical advice for students and young professionals breaking into competitive fields.

Alexis also gets real about the long hours, the doubts, and the unexpected turns that shaped her career—and why trusting the process (and yourself) makes all the difference. Whether you’re pursuing a career in sports, social media, or simply trying to navigate your own creative path, this conversation will provide both encouragement and actionable takeaways.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn

If you’ve ever found yourself asking “how do I actually make this creative career work?” or wondered if anyone else is figuring it out on the fly, you’re not alone.

On the Creative Friends Podcast, Cass and her guests dive into the real, unpolished side of building a creative career in your 20s—from breaking into design and media to navigating the questions no one really teaches you how to answer.

From this podcast, you’ll learn

• How people actually land jobs in design, art, video, and media.
• The hidden roles in the creative industry (and how to find them).
• Why burnout hits creatives differently—and how to deal with it.
• The realities of freelancing, contracts, and building your own opportunities.
• Practical ways to grow without comparing yourself to the highlight reels.

Cass also pulls back the curtain with her guests on the moments most creatives don’t talk about—the setbacks, the pivots, and the surprising lessons that make a career sustainable long-term. If you’ve been looking for an honest conversation that makes you feel less alone in the creative grind, this podcast is your sign to press play.

Welcome to the Creative Friends Podcast–the group chat for your creative career.

Find more content on:

• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn