Mountain Collective Podcast

In this inspiring conversation with artist  Jaehun Park , we explore the dynamic intersection of traditional art, futuristic sculpture, and the rise of AI in creative fields. Jaehun shares his evolution from painter to 3D artist, and how his South Korean military experience influenced his fascination with mechanical and symmetrical forms. His recent shift toward physical sculptures—powered by tech...

In this insightful episode, designer and fashion-tech entrepreneur Afsha Iragorri returns to the podcast to talk about the evolving landscape of 3D fashion and digital design. Broadcasting from a heatwave in Madrid, she shares her current experiences balancing work, creativity, and location independence. She dives into the nuanced reality of freelancing in today's global fashion market, touchi...

In this powerful episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, we sit down with  Asad Ayub , the visionary founder behind  AI Film Fest Amsterdam . Asad takes us through his incredible journey — from delivering food to bootstrap his foundation to hosting  the world's first AI advertising festival in Dubai . He shares how the AI Film Fest grew from a grassroots event in Amsterdam into a global mo...

In this insightful podcast episode, Amsterdam-based designer and animator Daniel Maarleveld explores the evolving role of AI in creative workflows, sharing his personal transition from skepticism to practical integration. With candid reflections on his work-life balance, running a studio, and fatherhood, Daniel unpacks how he incorporates tools like ChatGPT and Adobe AI features into his design sy...

In this episode of the  Mountain Collective Podcast , we dive deep into the mindset behind long-term success in real estate and entrepreneurship. Our guest shares hard-earned insights on staying focused, building mental grit, and learning how to turn bad days into valuable lessons. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already deep in the game, this conversation offers actionable advice on...

In this episode, we sit down with Milton Cato—founder of Studio DSRPT, a design practice pushing the boundaries of footwear and 3D, based in Amsterdam. With over 15 years of experience in footwear design and a forward-thinking approach to digital creation, Milton shares how tools like Blender are transforming how shoes are visualized, developed, and presented. Originally trained in the UK, Milton...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Fabian Oberhammer — a self-taught 3D artist, Instagram creator with over 180K followers, and the mind behind over 3,000 consecutive daily renders. Fabian opens up about the turning point in 2022 when his viral car render project catapulted him into the digital spotlight. He talks about his journey through creative burnout, how working in a traditional st...

In this podcast episode of Mountain Collective, Funs Jacobs, a creative mind, shares his journey and insights on storytelling, design, and creative success: Agency Willfulness Determination Resilience Adaptability Curiosity Humbleness Emotional Intelligence Communication With a rich background in visual storytelling, Funs delves into how his experiences have shaped his career and offers actionable...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, host Mourad Bahrouch sits down with renowned photographer Sasha Elage to discuss the power of staying true to oneself in a world overwhelmed by social media trends. Sasha shares his journey from struggling with stolen art to launching a successful print store and preparing for a groundbreaking documentary in Iceland. He emphasizes the value of au...

In this episode, host and returning guest  Mathijs Luijten  dive into a vulnerable and insightful conversation about creativity, career growth, and life beyond burnout. With two years since their last podcast, Mathijs reflects on his transformative journey—living between Spain, Morocco, and Ibiza—while crafting animation projects for high-profile clients like Google. He discusses the struggle of c...

In this captivating episode, internationally recognized photographer Sasha Elage shares his powerful journey from a childhood fascination with light to becoming a globally celebrated visual artist. Sasha dives deep into the philosophy behind his work, his disdain for Photoshop, and his commitment to capturing raw reality using just a simple camera. He discusses how art, nature, and perseverance he...

In this enlightening episode, Andy Hopkins, Executive Producer at Future Deluxe, shares his fascinating journey from ad-loving student to industry-leading creative producer. With experience at studios like MediaMonks and Nexus Studios, Andy reflects on how a love for strategy and storytelling evolved into a full-blown career in immersive and experimental design. He walks us through the early days...

In the podcast interview with Simon Dixon, co-founder of DixonBaxi, the conversation delved into the rapidly evolving world of branding in 2023. Dixon shed light on how technology, social media, and globalization have reshaped the landscape, making it easier for brands to connect with larger audiences. However, he emphasized that with this increased accessibility, the challenge lies in maintaining...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, host Mourad Bahrouch sits down with Rafael Costa (Ragaco), a Senior Creative Art Director and AI Creative Ambassador at Monks, to explore the intersection of AI, creativity, and business. Ragaco shares his journey into AI, how he uses it to enhance creative storytelling, and how brands can leverage AI to create engaging content while maintaining...

In this insightful, Mourad Bahrouch sits down with Jona Bronkhorst to explore the intersection of art, technology, and human intuition. Jona shares his journey from traditional design education at Rietveld Academy to embracing AI as a creative tool. They discuss how AI mirrors human dreams, the dangers of over-reliance on algorithms, and the evolution of B2B marketing strategies with AI. From the ...

Jenny Simmons, a former Nike brand strategist and professional footballer, joins the podcast to share her journey from playing at an elite level to launching MANON, a mindset coaching consultancy for Black and Brown women in football. With a background in business and sport management, she discusses the challenges women of color face in the football industry, the importance of mental resilience, a...

In this episode, Brian Hermelijn, former designer at BUCK & Woodwork, shares his journey into abstract art and design, reflecting on his early inspirations and how he developed his unique style. We explore his creative process, the influence of graphic design principles, and how simplicity plays a crucial role in making his work resonate. We also discuss AI’s impact on the creative industry, h...

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Martijn Holtes returns for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI, content creation, and authenticity. As AI tools continue to reshape industries, from automation on LinkedIn to AI-generated customer service agents, we explore the impact on freelancers, brands, and professionals. Martijn shares insights on how businesses can stay ahead by...

In this episode, Daniel Ekelund, a creative designer with a passion for storytelling and visual communication, shares his insights on design, creativity, and the role of experimentation in building a career. From his early inspirations, like using blue carbon paper for drawing, to designing football jerseys for Craft, Daniel explores how staying curious and trying new things can unlock incredible...

In this episode of the  Mountain Collective Podcast , host Mourad Bahrouch sits down with Michal Ukropec, an AI and 3D technology expert, to explore the intersection of leadership, digital transformation, and innovation. Michal, recognized on LinkedIn’s Top 100 AI list, shares why businesses resist transparency and how Digital Twin technology is reshaping the manufacturing industry. They discuss h...

Leo Rodman, an AI educator and LinkedIn Top 100 AI voice, joins the Mountain Collective Podcast to explore the evolution of artificial intelligence in creative industries. He discusses how AI models like GPT-3 made advanced technology accessible to the masses and how automation has removed the need for complex prompt engineering. Rodman highlights security concerns surrounding AI models, particula...

In this episode , we dive deep into the world of AI filmmaking with Ryan Patterson, an award-winning AI filmmaker and video producer based in Toronto. Ryan shares his journey from traditional filmmaking to leveraging AI tools like Midjourney, Runway, and Luma to create visually stunning short films like  Sacred Mountain . He breaks down how AI serves as an extension of creativity, enabling filmmak...

In this captivating episode, Natalie de Groot, a design director based in Los Angeles and one of LinkedIn's Top 100 AI Creatives, discusses her transformative journey from traditional fashion to cutting-edge AI-driven design. Natalie shares her early experiences with platforms like MidJourney and Discord, recounting how a chance encounter with a DHL employee introduced her to AI technology. Na...

In this episode, Warren Grange, named one of LinkedIn's Top 100 AI Creatives, discusses the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence. He shares his journey from being inspired by early AI like AlphaGo to becoming an advocate for integrating AI tools in creative processes. Warren emphasizes the importance of adopting AI to maintain a competitive edge and the potential for these techno...

In this insightful podcast, Amr Tahtawi, a Dubai-based art director and branding consultant, delves into the transformative impact of AI on design and visual storytelling. Originally a pharmacist, Amr pivoted to the creative field, where he has built a career integrating cutting-edge AI tools into branding strategies for clients across industries. He highlights how AI, when used thoughtfully, can...