The Zack Arnold Podcast

How do you stay relevant when the line between Hollywood and content creation keeps blurring? In this episode, I talk with Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, veteran TV writers, showrunners, and co-hosts of  Happier in Hollywood , who are also thriving as modern content creators. We explore the chaos in the industry, why the old normal is gone, and what it means to find the sweet spot between legacy creati...

In a world flooded with information, how do you think clearly enough to create something that matters? In this episode, I talk with Nick Milo, former Hollywood editor turned creator and founder of  Linking Your Thinking . We explore the shift from traditional creative work to modern creator workflows, and how to navigate the overwhelm of ideas in an AI-driven world. Nick shares how to build system...

How do you know when to keep going—and when it’s time to walk away from your creative career? In this episode, I’m joined by Annie Duke, former world champion poker player and bestselling author of  Thinking in Bets  and  Quit . We dive into the tough, career-defining decisions creatives are facing right now—whether to stay the course or choose a different path entirely. Annie shares how to naviga...

When your creative career feels like it’s in crisis, how do you decide what to do next? In this episode, I talk with Matt Nix, longtime friend and prolific writer, director, and showrunner behind  Burn Notice ,  The Gifted ,  Turner & Hooch , and  True Lies . We explore what it means to navigate creative careers in a down market—whether to stay the course, pivot entirely, and how to stand out...

What if AI isn’t destroying creativity—but forcing us to become braver together? In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Deaver and Ian Clawson to explore the seismic shift happening in the creative world. We talk about why fear isn’t a strategy, and how the future belongs to those who embrace co-creation and work “brave together.” AI is exposing surface-level work, pushing us toward deeper human cre...

How do you stay creative when everything about your industry is changing at once? In this episode, I’m joined by Maxim Jago, futurist and creative technology expert, to discuss the impact of AI on creative careers. We dive into this moment of uncertainty and what it means for the future of our work. Maxim shares a grounded, hopeful perspective on embracing co-creation, deepening human creativity,...

If AI can generate visuals, what’s left for VFX artists to do? In this episode, I talk with Sean Cushing, co-founder of Cantina Creative, who’s on the front lines of how AI is reshaping visual effects. We dive into the real-world impact on workflows, studio expectations, and copyright concerns. This conversation cuts through the noise to reveal where the true opportunities are—and why human taste,...

Is the future of creativity really at risk—or are we just repeating history? In this episode, I’m joined by Walter Murch, Hollywood filmmaking legend and multi-Oscar winner whose career spans over six decades of technological change. We explore how we got here, where we might be going, and how to make sense of this evolving “normal.” Walter shares a powerful perspective on why creative disruption...

Is AI really going to replace you or is something bigger happening beneath the surface? In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Merchant, technology journalist and author of  The One Device  and  Blood in the Machine , who writes at the intersection of innovation, labor, and society. We dig into how we got here, where the future of work is heading, and how to define this new version of normal. If you...

What if the idea of a stable, linear career path is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Christina Wallace to explore what it really means to navigate the future of creative work. A longtime advocate of “The Portfolio Life,” Christina challenges the idea that we have to choose one path, and instead encourages us to integrate our diverse skills, passions,...

What do you do when the life and career you’ve built no longer work for you? In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Holtzman, a former reality TV editor turned therapist, now life coach, who helps creatives and entrepreneurs release imposter syndrome and step into the next chapter of their careers. Together we share our own pivots and life quakes, and what it really takes to keep moving one step at a...

What if the emotions you’ve been taught to hide are actually the key to deeper connection? In this episode, I’m joined by Sunil Joseph, mindfulness instructor, empathy coach, and former software developer. Sunil’s mission is to help us normalize all emotions so we can better process what we feel and connect more authentically with others. In our conversation, he guides me through this practice in...

How can emotional intelligence give you an edge in a world full of AI? In this episode, I talk with Robin Hills, Director of Ei4Change and an expert in emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Robin has a career full of varied experiences, but his superpower is turning complex ideas into practical lessons we can actually use. We dive into the five key components of emotional...

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions: What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema? In this episode, I’m joined by Amie McNee, bestselling author of  We Need Your Art , artist, creativity coach, and TEDx speaker who...

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions: What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema? In this episode, I talk with Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science and one of the leading voices in the creator economy. Jay has he...

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions: What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema? In this episode, I talk with Selena Soo, bestselling author of Rich Relationships and a top publicity strategist who’s helped creati...

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions: What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema? In this episode, I talk with Kylee Peña, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Adobe and longtime post-production expert. We explore how...

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions: What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema? With over 70 producing credits and 60 more as the former Co-Head of Movies at Amazon Studios, Ted Hope ( connect with Ted here on Su...

Ever feel like your creative career is becoming an uphill battle you’re no longer sure you can win? Budgets are tighter, opportunities are fewer, and AI is rewriting the rules. But this isn’t a conversation about giving up. Debby and I focus on how to adapt with intention, and why now is the time to design your next move, not just react to change. We pull back the curtain on the summit we’ve been...

What happens when your creative career no longer pays the bills—but you’re still called to create? In this episode, I talk with award-winning editor Mark Keefer, whose nearly 30-year career spans Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. A simple LinkedIn selfie in a Trader Joe’s uniform went viral after he shared he'd taken his first non-creative job in decades to support his family. We talk honestly...

How do you build a creative career that lasts when everything keeps changing? In this episode, I talk with Sven Pape—professional editor, filmmaker, and the creator of This Guy Edits, one of the most respected YouTube channels on storytelling and the creative process. With over 500k subscribers, Sven has seen firsthand how the creative industry is evolving. We dive into what it takes to adapt and...

What if creativity isn’t just self-expression, but a way to heal and connect? In this episode, I talk with  Allison Sweet Grant , an author, former psychiatric nurse practitioner, and mother of three who brings deep honesty and courage to her storytelling. Her debut novel  I Am the Cage  wasn’t written to launch a career but to process overwhelming trauma and offer hope to others. We talk about ho...

Ever feel stuck between playing it safe and going all in on your dream? In this episode, I talk with filmmaker, actor, and real-life action hero Paul Beckman—whose story is equal parts hilarious, outrageous, and deeply inspiring. From sneaking into the World Series VIP section to facing cancer with grit and the mantra “This too shall pass,” Paul shows what it really means to take risks. We talk ab...

What if the way you see your struggles is the key to overcoming them? In this episode, I talk with motivational speaker and all-around awesome human  Aaron Welty —moderator of the Council of Nerds film series, former Two Geek Soup co-host, and Senior Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born with cerebral palsy, Aaron brings a powerful lens to storytelling, shaped by his lov...

What if your greatest creative strength is the part of you that never quite fit in? In this episode, I talk with  Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman , psychology professor at Columbia University and host of The Psychology Podcast, to explore why creativity isn’t a rare talent but a way of being—one that thrives when we embrace what makes us different. We discuss how to reframe “disabilities” as strengths and...