Ourselves Podcast

A $750,000 horror movie just beat Hollywood at its own game. In this episode, I break down how two creator-made films, Obsession and Backrooms, each crossed $200 million on micro budgets, and why that quietly rewrote the rules of the entire film industry. Curry Barker built an audience on YouTube first, then made Obsession for the fans he already had, and Kane Parsons turned an internet horror phe...

Sebastien built SLAPS, a creative agency for some of the biggest brands in the world, with no design degree, no advertising background, and no industry connections. He started by cold emailing strangers, Googling what a branding agency even does, and selling a $5K identity to a local Indian restaurant. Now SLAPS works with brands like Nike, Oakley, Wingstop, and Under Armour. In this conversation,...

Most of what you've been told about being a content creator is a lie. Sooraj Saxena spent years learning that the hard way. In this conversation he reveals the testing pool TikTok uses before any video goes viral, why Mr. Beast openly admits his mental health is awful, why chasing another creator's blueprint guarantees you'll resent your own life, and the moment that made him walk away from a 5,00...

Matt Hansen did not wait for a record label to believe in him. He built his career himself. After posting a single TikTok covering Frank Ocean, Matt suddenly found millions of people listening. What started as a simple video turned into a full time music career built entirely outside the traditional music industry. In this episode of Ourselves, Matt shares the real story behind that moment and wha...

I sat down with Iranian rapper and activist Erfan Paydar to unpack what’s really happening in Iran right now and why the world isn’t paying enough attention. From the 1979 revolution to today’s protests, we break down the political history that led to the current regime and the massive nationwide uprising demanding change. Erfan shares a deeply personal perspective shaped by growing up between Ira...

Want to sell a movie to Netflix? This episode breaks down the reality behind a Netflix documentary pitch deck, funding, film financing, and what streamers actually buy. Oscar-nominated director Matt Ogens, known for Netflix’s Audible and Disney+’s Madu, explains how pitch decks, sizzle reels, packaging, and access determine whether a project gets made, how documentary financing really works, and w...

From $500 music videos to six-figure productions, I sat down with up-and-coming photographer Cilantro to break down what it really takes to level up in the creative industry. This is a raw, unfiltered conversation between two filmmakers at different stages of their careers...diving deep into mentorship, ego, gear obsession, and why your personal work might just be your most valuable investment. We...

I was on set yesterday filming a new project, and I realized how little many of my colleagues and crew knew about the situation in Iran right now. I am a proud Iranian and wanted to quickly educate you on what is happening there, so this mini episode provides a little glimpse. I hope this offers a bit of insight and, more importantly, motivates you to help spread the word and keep attention on Ira...

In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Adrian Per (@omgadrian), a trailblazing creative force in the content space. Adrian shares how he transitioned from having just $13 in his bank account to becoming a full-time content creator with over a million followers across his platforms. We talk about his unique approach to content creation, meticulous time management, and the impor...

From Toronto to Bollywood to the World Cup stage, Nora Fatehi’s journey is anything but traditional. In this episode, we break down how a Moroccan-Canadian girl with no industry connections “backdoored” her way into one of the world’s most competitive film industries: learning Hindi from scratch, reinventing herself in Mumbai, and using dance as her superpower to win over an entire culture.  Nora...

Leon Thomas is one of the rare artists who has mastered the blend of musicality, vision, and business. In this episode, Leon pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make art that cuts through the noise, without selling out. From crafting concept bibles and curating world-class visuals, to building subcultures and navigating record label politics, this conversation is a masterclass in int...

From shaping visual masterpieces with Kendrick Lamar and Justin Bieber to redefining commercial storytelling, director Colin Tilley has done it all. In this episode, we get the full story. Colin opens up about his evolution as a filmmaker, how growing up in Berkeley influenced his aesthetic, and how trial and error on set helped him develop a signature style now sought after by the world’s biggest...

In this solo episode, I unpack the silent killer of creative momentum: distraction. We live in a world built to hijack our attention: our phones, our feeds, our dopamine loops. It’s not that we’re lazy or unmotivated…it’s that our focus is constantly under attack. I share my personal struggles with what I call "creative erosion," the mental fragmentation that prevents us from sitting down and gett...

In this episode, I sit down with legendary director and visual architect Anthony Mandler, the creative force behind some of the most cinematic music videos of the last two decades. From shaping the visual identities of Rihanna and Jay-Z to helming award-winning features, Anthony shares a masterclass in creative evolution, relationship-building, and artistic reinvention. We unpack his late start in...

From Twilight dream sequences to designing visuals for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and the Super Bowl halftime show, Figge has helped shape the visual language of modern entertainment. In this guest episode, we explore how he transitioned from film school to visual effects, pioneered cinematic content for concerts during the rise of LED walls, and helped launch iconic moments like Kanye West’s G...

Rejection almost ended my filmmaking career. I’ve pitched over 1,000 projects in my life and lost the vast majority of them. I’ve been ghosted, ignored, and told “no” more times than I can count. But every single rejection taught me something that eventually led to my biggest breaks in the industry. In this episode, I share how I survived years of constant rejection, the mindset shift that turned...

From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in mu...

At just 23, Josh Smith was choreographing for the biggest names in music: Chris Brown, Usher, BTS, Ciara, and more. But his journey started way outside the industry playbook. In this raw and powerful episode, Josh opens up about being rejected, breaking into the dance world with no agent, and how one last-minute audition changed everything. From crashing a Disney audition to touring the world with...

Let's dive into what it takes to make a full-time living as a filmmaker in 2025. We’re in the most accessible era for filmmaking ever, cameras in your pocket, unlimited platforms to share your work, but with that access comes unprecedented competition. I talk about how the landscape has evolved, the importance of building a strong portfolio, and why choosing a niche is crucial for standing out. I...

From producing and marketing for some of today’s biggest artists to making major moves as a crypto investor, Seeno Shahrooz has quietly built an empire behind the scenes. In this episode, we dive deep into Seeno’s origin story, from Persian radio stations in New York to running his own recording studio in Los Angeles. He opens up about navigating hustle culture, pivoting from production to artist...

In this eye-opening solo episode, I dive headfirst into the unsettling reality of AI's rapid takeover, across tech, blue-collar jobs, filmmaking, and creativity itself. From Google’s terrifyingly realistic AI-generated videos to the silent extinction of human-crafted art, this is a brutally honest look at how fast everything is changing. Whether you're an artist, a coder, or just someone trying to...

How does a kid from Oakland with a MiniDV camera end up directing for Rihanna, JLo, and Usher? Taj Stansberry’s story is anything but typical. In this intimate, raw, and inspiring interview, Taj breaks down how his earliest videos filmed with no budget, no crew, and sometimes no clue, became stepping stones to iconic pop visuals that shaped a generation. From selling his car to pay for shoots, to...

In this solo episode, I dive into why Sinners might be the most significant cinematic release of the decade. This isn’t just another box office success, it’s a cultural shift. Ryan Coogler’s groundbreaking deal with Warner Brothers grants him ownership rights after 25 years, setting a new precedent for filmmakers to retain equity in their work. We talk about the power of ownership, the long-term v...

Trevor Jackson is no stranger to the spotlight — but in this episode, he opens up like never before. From starring in *Grown-ish* and *Superfly* to dropping his most personal album yet, Trevor has seen every side of the industry. He shares how the machine behind music and film is built on money, influence, and perception — and why not having that machine can leave even the most talented artists ov...

Starting a podcast sounded like a dream. But three months in, I’ve learned the raw truth: it's a full-time job, it’s humbling, and it’s not for the faint of heart. In this solo episode, I break down the 10 most important lessons I’ve learned so far—from getting hate online to learning how to handle burnout, bad audio, inconsistent platform performance, and the pressure to grow without a return. If...