The Curious Creative

In this episode, Mike Kepka kicks off an educational mini-series with his data analytics and video tracking partner, Tim Jarvis —founder of Film and Content— to demystify why most video marketing fails to see a return on investment. Together, they break down the ACDC Funnel (Awareness, Consideration, Decision), a strategy designed to guide viewers through a meaningful buyer's journey rather than j...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Sean Stipp, 3× Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award-winning visual journalist and Director of Visuals at TribLive, to explore the critical role of professional storytelling in an age of misinformation. From managing a newsroom that generates 50 million monthly clicks to navigating the ethics of AI, Sean shares why authentic, vetted "visual evidence" is the ultimate cu...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Seth Graye —VP of Business, Operation, and Technology at Mainstream Video Productions— to dive into the "nuts and bolts" of how data transforms video from a creative gamble into a measurable success. Seth shares how he moved from the world of high-stakes cemetery sales to mastering the metrics behind video funnels, proving that while creative can be nebul...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Beth Klepper—founder of Mainstream Video Productions, based in Littleton, Colorado—to discuss how she transformed her business from straightforward production to a results-oriented approach to video content. Beth shares her journey of overcoming the "frivolous marketing tool" perception of video , emphasizing that one video cannot possibly do all things:...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Nick Szpara—National Sports Emmy winner and owner of Freedom Digital Media—to discuss the pivotal shift from traditional video production to results-based video strategy. Nick shares his journey of moving beyond one-off projects and "sending videos into the ether" to leveraging data and advanced tracking to quantify return on investment (ROI) for clients....

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Matt Fuller—filmmaker, founder of The Inside Picture Company, and Hollywood veteran—to unpack how the ACDC (Awareness, Consideration, Decision Content) video funnel is moving video production from an expense to an investment. Matt, who transitioned from big-budget films to serving homebuilding and healthcare verticals , shares how his focus shifted from m...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Derrick Lorah —Flagship Visuals, Partner / Head of Client Experience & Director in Virginia Beach, Virginia— to unpack what it means for a production company to "think like an agency." With over 15 years of experience, Derrick shares how he and his team evolved from traditional video production to becoming strategic partners, focusing on client pain p...

In this follow-up episode, Mike Kepka catches up with past guest Bob Kelly of KPG Creative to get an update on his latest results-driven video strategies and ROI models. Bob shares exciting new projects, including a lead that took nearly a year to convert. Discover how perseverance pays off in securing high-value clients and expanding video campaign scopes. They also discuss optimizing LinkedIn la...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Paul Jew —the driving force behind Moji Cinema in Albuquerque, New Mexico— to unpack a textbook example of results-driven video strategy. Paul, who transitioned from still photography to video, shares how his agency uses the ACDC system (Awareness, Consideration, Decision) to deliver dramatic ROI for clients. Paul Jew shares a case study where his video s...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with TJ Packer —Founder and Creative Director at Crew Pictures — to unpack the true meaning of "results-driven, high-end film and video" for brands. TJ shares his unique perspective on balancing tangible ROI (like sales and leads) with the often-overlooked intangible results, such as client satisfaction and brand pride. They dive into how understanding your "w...

Welcome to a new half-hour chit-chat about what we love: Video strategies that promise real results for our clients! In this episode, we sat down with Vinny Mwano —digital strategy consultant and creator of the 8-second video formula — to discuss how to capture attention and drive action in today's fast-paced digital world. This was a very insightful conversation. Vinny shares his views and ideas...

In this episode, Mike Kepka sits down with Andrew Swanson —founder of Forerunner, a boutique video agency based near Nashville— to unpack how purpose-driven video strategy is redefining what it means to get results. From building video funnels that track conversions to proving ROI for nonprofits and beyond, Andrew shares how his creative-meets-analytical mindset helped one client boost landing pag...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Daniel Cohen and Michael Arking — the innovative duo behind Social Motion— to reveal how blending authentic storytelling with data-driven tactics transforms video content into measurable results. They share their insights on merging creativity with strategy, video strategies that drive engagement and sales & behind-the-scenes secrets to turning every frame...

In this episode Mike sits down with Matt Gustaferro, the creative force behind Hugo Creative, a DC-based video production company. Mike shares his fascinating journey from his years at The San Francisco Chronicle, where he documented the lives of eccentric characters, to his pivot into video production and strategy. He discusses the challenges of finding real, untold stories and how that experienc...

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Brooks Patton, founder of Mother Wit, a creative video and strategy company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Brooks has built a reputation for disrupting traditional marketing strategies, particularly in military and government contracting, where innovation is often overlooked. Brooks shares his game-changing approach to video mark...

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka engages with Joe Wolfe, Head of Paid Social at Optidge, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in performance-driven campaigns. Joe shares his expertise in crafting impactful paid social strategies for high-profile clients, including the Telly Awards and luxury brands like Degs & Sal. Joe takes us through: The essentials of paid...

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with Ben Marcheski, a seasoned video marketing professional whose career spans major media networks like National Geographic, PBS, and Discovery. Now the Creative Director at FedWriters, Ben shares his fascinating journey from producing high-energy TV promos to developing results-driven video strategies for government agencies. Ben...

In this episode of The Curious Creative, host Mike Kepka sits down with video marketing expert Bob Kelly, founder of CFG Creative. Bob shares his fascinating journey from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood TV, where he worked on iconic shows like Soul Train and Jeopardy!, to the corporate world of video production. Bob takes us through his early career in Los Angeles, detailing how he moved from p...

Join us this week on *The Curious Creative* as host Mike Kepka sits down with the brilliant minds behind Team Bubbly, Frank Siringo and Andres Rojas. This dynamic duo has been creating magic for over 12 years from their Manhattan-based full-service production agency, working with top brands like Nike, Amazon, Guinness, PayPal, and Levi's. In this engaging episode, they share their journey, insight...

Join Mike Kepka as he interviews Avner Engel about his new venture, Specialty Vision. Learn how Avner uses daily marketing videos to help specialty eye care doctors grow their practices. With years of expertise, Avner shares his innovative strategies and success stories from doctors who have transformed their business through video marketing. Don't miss out on these valuable insights! #EyeCare #Vi...

Welcome, fellow creatives, to another inspiring episode of "The Curious Creative" hosted by Mike Kepka of Kepka House. Today, Mike is joined by David Belkin, the founder of Grid Avec, Denver's newest and fastest growing community solar company. With more than seven years of experience in marketing solar projects, David brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the podcast. In this e...

Mike sits down with Lisa Reid, the co-founder of Nimble Works. With over three decades of marketing experience, Lisa shares her journey from working in major New York agencies like McCann to starting her own successful ventures with her sister, Barbara. Discover how Lisa and Barbara's complementary skills and powerful collaboration transformed their small business into a thriving agency specializi...

Host Mike Kepka a.k.a. ‘The Curious Creative’ is joined by Morgan Dye, Managing Partner of Meraki Communications Group. Morgan shares her transformative journey through the diverse worlds of healthcare, transportation, social justice, and historic preservation. Morgan discusses their groundbreaking public education campaign with The Sentencing Project, shedding light on the issues of mass incarcer...