No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Growth Stories

Most people who are good at marketing are terrible at marketing themselves. Mat Zucker is no exception, and he'll be the first to say it. Mat spent two decades as a creative director at some of the biggest agencies in the world — Ogilvy, Razorfish, R/GA. Then he launched his own podcast and spent the first few years not applying a single one of those lessons to himself. Today he's a marketing stra...

Most creatives I know are great at what they do. The problem isn't talent. It's that nobody knows they exist. That's the through line of this conversation with Marissa Pane, founder of Pane Marketing, brand and content strategist, and someone who has spent years helping purpose-driven small businesses get seen and heard by the right people. We get into the real stuff here. Why starting with your "...

📺 Watch the video interview HERE: https://youtu.be/YkTDNtgIPN4 Join Jason Murray, Creative Director and lifelong maker, as he dives deep into the art and business of creativity. This episode explores the power of ownership, the process of building your own IP, and what it really takes to grow a creator business in today’s world. Whether you’re a designer, filmmaker, or entrepreneur, you’ll f...

Drew goes solo this week to unpack themes from his recent newsletter, "Working Until You Die." He explores the difference between working because you want to and working because you have to, and why the "just figure it out" hustle mentality can leave you grinding at 70 with nothing to show for it. Drew gets honest about his own financial reality this year, why he's turning down 35-40% of incoming...

Drew tries something new this episode, reading his latest newsletter aloud and adding real-time commentary. The result is a raw, honest exploration of what it means to build something creative without having all the answers. He gets personal about a professionally difficult year, shares why polished content might be losing its edge, and makes the case that your rough edges might be exactly what yo...

Sometimes, your path leads you right back home. This week on No Set Path, Jordan Koschei joins Drew English to talk about how his journey through design and tech inspired him to give back to the Hudson Valley through his passion project, ConnectHV. It’s a story about creativity, community, and coming full circle. Join the Newsletter Join the No Set Path Newsletter HERE - https://thedrewenglish.sub...

Drew sits down with Blake Pfeil & Jeremiah Wenutu on Cinema Kingston! to explore his winding path from music production to becoming a sought-after director of photography, podcast studio owner, and host of No Set Path. They unpack the reality of being a multidisciplinary creative, building community in the Hudson Valley, and why storytelling matters more than the tech behind it. Key Topics &am...

Drew shares the full story behind walking away from a $100,000 in-house media position and how that decision led to earning 50% more while staying freelance. He breaks down the red flags that made him trust his gut, the corporate culture problems he encountered, and why alignment with your values matters more than security. This solo episode dives deep into the importance of knowing your North Sta...

In this solo episode, host Drew English unpacks the concept of leverage and why 2025 is the best time for creatives to build independent success. He argues that cheap tech, free global distribution, and direct-to-audience marketing have removed the traditional gatekeepers. Creators who shift from selling services to building assets can own their future in the “Creator 2.0” era. Key Takeaways Tech...

About the Episode What happens when you refuse to “pick a lane” and instead let curiosity steer the wheel? In this conversation, multidisciplinary artist Blake Pfeil (creator of the Ambie-winning immersive podcast Abandoned: The All American Ruins Podcast ) sits down with host Drew English to explore how haunting, deserted places became a surprising wellspring of creativity, recovery, and self-acc...

Episode Overview Drew sits down with LA-based composer and educator Zach Heyde to unpack how he’s blended film scoring, a 100,000-subscriber YouTube channel and a thriving mentorship program into a balanced creative life. They dig into sustaining passion, ditching hustle culture, and why sharing knowledge can be a business model in itself. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:01 – Zach’s early start: pi...

Episode Summary: In this solo episode, Drew reflects on the real challenges creative professionals face in 2025 like unstable industries, outdated mindsets, and the constant push for "success" at any cost. Sharing his personal journey from music to film to entrepreneurship, Drew explores why reinventing yourself is not only necessary but healthy, and how obstacles often reveal the true path forwar...

Episode Summary: In this solo mini-episode, Drew strips down the myth that success requires a massive audience, fancy gear, or deep pockets. Through a real-world example from his recent short film The Ride of Your Life , he shows how creativity and scrappiness can trump big budgets and large teams. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by not having “enough,” this episode is your wake-up call. What You’ll...

Episode Summary In this episode, Lisamarie Shires shares her journey from government contracting to photography, then to producing, and finally to coaching creative professionals. She discusses how her experience across various roles in the production industry has informed her coaching philosophy, focusing on helping creatives build sustainable businesses that prioritize life and family while achi...

Joining us this week is Meritt Minnemeyer, an executive coach who offers insights on aligning leadership actions with personal values. We explore the challenging journey of entrepreneurship in creative fields, reflecting on how maintaining focus through internal values can provide a sense of safety and purpose amidst life's pressures. Meritt's upbringing in a family-run business environment shaped...

Join us as we welcome Tracy Sayre, the co-executive director of Moonshot Initiative, an inspiring organization committed to fostering gender equity in the film industry by creating opportunities for women and non-binary filmmakers. Tracy shares her remarkable journey from co-founding the Women's Weekend Film Challenge, which evolved into Moonshot Initiative, to her current role in empowering under...

Alex Disenhof ASC, the acclaimed cinematographer behind season two of "The Rings of Power," joins us for an intimate conversation on the latest episode of "No Set Path." We explore the breathtaking sets and hear firsthand how Alex's early influences, from his grandfather's love for photography to his formative years at Emerson College, shaped his illustrious career. Our chat with Alex also uncover...

In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of Dallas Taylor, who transitioned from a musician in a poor Arkansas neighborhood to a successful sound designer and entrepreneur. Dallas shares his early struggles with severe performance anxiety during a pivotal solo performance, which led him to discover a passion for recording and audio technology. His career in sound design began through...

How did a suburban kid with a penchant for skate videos become a celebrated food filmmaker? Join us as Kevin takes us through his unexpected journey, from wielding his dad's Hi8 camera to navigating his way through health challenges and discovering a profound love for culinary storytelling. Influenced by his optometrist father, who documented the family's life, Kevin's early years were a mix of cr...

In this episode, host Drew English interviews writer and director Josh Caldwell. They discuss Josh's journey in the film industry, starting with his breakthrough $6,000 feature, 'Layover', and his subsequent work for big names like Paramount Studios, Hulu, and Netflix. Josh also shares his experiences and philosophies on living a creative professional life, the importance of gaining diverse experi...

In this episode, host Drew English sits down with Taylor Dedrick, the woman behind Unless Media, a marketing and social media firm based in the Hudson Valley. Taylor is a Hudson Valley Native, having been born and raised in Saugerties, New York. Taylor founded Unless Media, a Creative Marketing Studio, in 2021 with the goal of bridging the gap between structured marketing practices and f...

Evan Bourcier, a self-taught filmmaker, shares his experiences navigating the industry, his passion for teaching and helping other self-taught individuals and his observations on the changing landscape of online content creation. Evan reflects on his initial fascination with the world of high-end cinematography, which led him to produce content prolifically, only to bring it to an abrupt halt. He...

In this first solo episode of the podcast, host, Drew English unpacks the concept of value coming from being vulnerable, taking risks and opening up about challenges professionally.

A Deep Dive into Filmmaking with Michael Litwak: Lessons, Passion, and Personal Insights A fascinating discussion with filmmaker Michael Litwak where he shares his experiences from his early career to creating commercially successful projects. Litwak emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, dedication, and collaboration as key factors in successful projects. He also gives some personal insi...

Jeremy Perez-Cruz is a brand, marketing, strategy and creative leader based in Brooklyn, New York. Jeremy has spent 20 years building and growing brands that have brought together the physical and digital in ways that have transformed how we define “the real world.” In his work for some of the world’s largest and most beloved brands, he’s led creative at The New York Times, served as VP of Creativ...