Mountain Collective Podcast

I posted an AI-made Tesla flying car video on Friday. 48 hours later it had 1.18 million views, and I archived it twice out of fear. In this episode I walk through what it’s like when an organic Instagram post goes viral. It started with 10K views, then 50K, then 500K and 1M. I share how I turned breaking news (Tesla’s flying car announcement) into a relatable, realistic-looking video with a human...

Google Ads or Meta Ads? In this episode of Mountain Collective Podcast, I sit down with Lennard Steeman Ecomtrada.nl , a Google Ads specialist who built an e-commerce ad agency and went from white-label work to onboarding 16 clients in six weeks. We start with the Tesla flip stunt and then get into how Google Ads captures existing demand while Meta Ads creates it. We also cover ad fatigue, shrinki...

"A leaf brushed me head top on a walk in an Amsterdam park, and it pulled me into the present". That moment led to a short solo episode on why boredom and the unknown present are where creativity comes from. Key points Awareness comes before thinking. It is noticing something as it happens, before the mind adds labels or stories. The present feels unsafe. It is unknown, so we escape into...

A solo reflection on identity, freedom, creativity, and the different versions of myself I moved through this year. In this episode, I look back at the first three quarters of the year — what changed, what challenged me, what I learned, and where I’m going next. In this episode: Q1 — Reckoning: what I was confronted with at the beginning of the year Q2 — Reframing: the shift in perspective that ch...

In this episode, Esty Zilberman & Mourad Bahrouch explore the science of stress, recovery, the nervous system, neuroscience, and human performance with Esty, founder of Build It Real. We discuss how the brain interprets reality, why stress itself isn’t inherently good or bad, and how homeostasis helps explain the body’s drive toward balance and safety. We also dive into WHOOP, wearable data, H...

In this episode of Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad Bahrouch sits down with Romain Rosi to explore his journey as a 3D artist, from discovering Cinema 4D as a teenager to building a professional career in 3D, graphic design, and visual effects. Romain shares how his early fascination with animation and movie special effects led him to discover 3D, why learning through tutorials became such an i...

Anna Romina Rabe works in Sales Operations Specialist at Rolls-Royce, is a passionate car enthusiast, and an Onboarding Coach. In this episode, she talks about how she built her career, what it’s like working in the luxury automotive industry, and how internships, networking, international experiences, and taking opportunities helped shape her path. We also discuss career advice, finding your pass...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with Oleksandra Nosovska to explore her remarkable journey from working in 3D design and digital fashion to building her own physical fashion brand. Oleksandra shares how she uses 3D as a creative prototyping tool, the challenges of turning ideas into real products, and the lessons she learned through entrepreneurship, discipline...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Hannah Rinne shares her philosophy on “life maxing” — living life to the fullest while balancing meaningful work, travel, relationships, creativity, and personal growth. She discusses why chasing perfect optimization can sometimes reduce happiness and explains how she measures success through inspiration, experiences, and overall life satisfactio...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, photographer Katerina shares her journey from aspiring creative to full-time freelance photographer. We explore the realities of building a photography business, overcoming anxiety, managing the uncertainty of freelancing, and developing a sustainable creative career. We also dive deep into creativity, the nervous system, meditation, discipline,...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with Olivia Madarasz , who designs and grows partnership and affiliate ecosystems , and has worked with global brands including Nike, Crocs, New Balance, and Diesel. They explore what really drives brand growth beyond advertising—from building memorable campaigns and writing compelling copy to creating stories that connect with p...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with Isabelle from Locus Solus Studio to discuss the journey of building a distinctive creative identity in the worlds of 3D design, fashion, and visual storytelling. The conversation explores how Isabelle developed her unique artistic style, the importance of drawing inspiration from culture, art, and everyday experiences, and w...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with digital artist and creative visionary Fabian Oberhammer, better known as Dizzy Viper, for a conversation that every creative should hear. As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the creative landscape, artists are facing a question that may define the future of their work: What happens when technology can imitate creat...

In this episode, Mourad sits down with designer Annabel Sirvent i Roser to discuss her creative journey, freelancing, life between Barcelona and Munich, and the evolving role of AI in design. They explore how environment influences creativity, the value of versatility, and why human creativity remains essential in an increasingly AI-driven world. https://www.annabelsirvent.com/

In this episode of Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with Amsterdam-based Creative Director Al-Baghdadi for a deep conversation about creativity, storytelling, and the mindset behind building a creative life. From his early days in game development and animation to his work in film and visual storytelling, Al-Baghdadi shares how curiosity, constant learning, and the desire to create ha...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, we explore one of the biggest questions facing creatives today: As AI makes it easier for anyone to generate images, videos, music, and ideas — what becomes the true creative advantage? We dive into the tension between AI and human taste, discussing whether creativity is becoming automated or if taste, perspective, and emotional depth are becomin...

Mourad sits down with Alice Fiorenza, Head of Production at REEF Studios — a multidisciplinary creative studio based in Sardinia, Italy. The two first connected at a creative festival in Barcelona, and that energy carries into the whole conversation. They open with what it actually feels like to be at these industry gatherings — less about the talks, more about the rare chance to be in the same ro...

In this episode, we sit down with Funs Jacobs — Next-Gen Brand Architect and author of The Creative Renaissance — to explore what it means to build brands in the age of AI. Funs argues that the iconic brands of the future will be built by creatives, run by agents, and fueled by culture . We unpack what that actually means: from why human taste is the last true unfair advantage in a world of AI, to...

In this episode, I sit down with Jose Peon — a Cuban-born, New York-based fashion designer and 3D artist who built his career from scratch with nothing but a laptop and relentless hustle. Jose shares how he discovered fashion through Virgil Abloh while studying fine arts in Cuba, taught himself Cinema 4D, Marvelous Designer, and CLO, and then moved to New York where he literally went floor by floo...

In this episode, we dive into what it really means to hit a creative low—and how to find your way back. From losing momentum and questioning your work to rebuilding discipline and confidence, this conversation unpacks the reality of creative dips and why they’re a necessary part of growth. Instead of waiting for motivation to return, we explore how small actions, consistent routines, and a shift i...

Trying harder feels like the answer—but what if it’s the problem? In this episode of Mountain Collective, we explore the idea of gentle discipline and why forcing outcomes often creates resistance instead of progress. From creative work to business and personal growth, pushing too hard can lead to overthinking, burnout, and a loss of momentum. This episode breaks down the balance between disciplin...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, I sit down with Thanos Stathakopoulos founder of The Greek Embassy in Amsterdam. Before opening a restaurant, Thanos built a community of over 15,000 people through diaspora-driven events—creating a cultural movement long before launching a physical space. We dive into what it really means to build a brand rooted in identity, why community always...

This weekend, I went on a hike with friends—nature, fresh air, and a clear mind. But while walking, I caught myself focused on recording content instead of fully experiencing the moment. In this episode, I reflect on how easy it is to be “one step ahead” or distracted, even when we think we’re present. Inspired by ideas, I explore the balance between creating and actually living. Because the journ...

In this episode, Richard shares a raw and honest perspective on what it takes to grow as a creative and entrepreneur. As the Company Owner of Golden Gate Real Estate NL and previously Fight District Amsterdam , his journey spans from building fitness communities to launching ventures focused on long-term value and impact. Starting with Rich Fitness and Mind Elevators, where he coached individuals...

Mourad shares a quiet reflection from the mountains after weeks of fasting during Ramadan, including a 37-hour water fast. He explores how stepping away from constant consumption—food, noise, and content—creates space for clarity and creativity. This episode is a reminder that creativity doesn’t come from doing more, but from allowing space for ideas to arrive. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwh...