Mountain Collective Podcast

In this insightful 45-minute podcast episode, Diand returns for her second appearance to share how she navigates life transitions, career shifts, and personal growth . Reflecting on goals that didn’t go as planned—like yoga training in India or van life in Norway—she highlights how unexpected opportunities, such as traveling to New York and landing a new full-time role in fashion, shaped her year....

In this episode, Andrew Buckley shares his journey from traditional filmmaking into the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven creativity. With over two years of experience using AI tools, Andrew explains how they’ve become an essential part of his creative toolbox, from image and video generation to idea development. He reflects on the similarities between AI workflows and the traditional director’s...

In this episode, Creative Director Taranveer Singh joins to discuss the foundations of powerful advertising and storytelling. Drawing on his experience in motion design and directing at Monks, he breaks down the three pillars of content creation: purpose, perspective, and perception . Singh shares how these principles shape brand communication across both physical and digital spaces, while also ex...

With Tom Crate, a creative director who has worked with Future Deluxe, Tendril, and The Mill. Tom reflects on his beginnings in motion design, his passion for blending visuals with music, and the pivotal lessons learned during his years in the industry. He candidly opens up about burnout, the challenges of freelancing, and how fatherhood reshaped his priorities and outlook on life. For Tom, creati...

What if your dreams were not random but part of a greater rhythm shaping your creativity, growth, and transformation? In this episode, we explore how dreams mirror the same universal cycle found in nature, mythology, and neuroscience—guiding us through inspiration, challenge, and renewal. From spring’s spark of new ideas to winter’s deep integration, we uncover how the four-part cycle of dreams ca...

In this solo episode, I break down a transformation framework every creative can use to avoid burnout and stay sharp for decades. While many chase money as the ultimate prize, I argue that the real treasure is time — and the only way to have more of it is to protect your health. Through three key milestones: Physical longevity Mental longevity Creative longevity I share actionable systems inspired...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Giacomo Bompan, a leading voice in the convergence of 3D animation and AI-powered workflows. Giacomo shares how he's using platforms like Glyph and ConfUI to radically streamline rendering processes—turning multi-day efforts into fast, creative experiments that take just minutes. Through a mix of procedural animation, AI stylization, and custom pipeline...

This is the most honest I’ve ever been on the mic. I share how years of creative success turned into silent burnout, what it felt like to lose my voice, and the long road of finding power through reflection and community. Whether you're a burned-out artist, a recovering perfectionist, or someone rebuilding something that matters—this is the episode I wish I had five years ago...

In this episode, filmmaker and writer  Andrés Aloi  returns to discuss the evolving intersection of  AI and storytelling . Recorded after the Amsterdam AI Film Fest, the conversation dives deep into how emerging technology is reshaping the creative process, the emotional limits of synthetic voices, and why  human storytelling remains irreplaceable . Andrés shares his shift back to scriptwriting an...

In this deeply insightful podcast episode, the host reconnects with a close friend and recurring guest to explore the powerful transformation from a high-paced tech career into a soulful journey centered around mindfulness, discipline, and inner growth. The conversation opens with reflections on AI and its lasting influence, but quickly evolves into a raw and enriching dialogue about spiritual pra...

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 ...