Ourselves Podcast

He Designed A Flag For Earth… Then Starting Getting Death Threats

He designed a flag to unite the world. Instead, he was accused of working with the Illuminati. In this episode, Oskar Pernefeldt — Creative Director at Oatly and the designer behind the International Flag of Planet Earth — opens up about how a simple graduation project turned into a global movement… and a conspiracy theory nightmare. We talk about fame, fear, purpose, and the insane power of symbolism in a divided world.
 
Watch if you’re curious about the hidden forces that shape culture — and what happens when one idea captures the whole planet.
 
00:00 Introduction
03:03 Oscar's Background and Nonprofit Work
05:31 The Design and Symbolism of the Planet Earth Flag
09:49 Public Reception and Conspiracy Theories
20:29 Challenges and Goals for the Planet Earth Flag
22:15 Global Unity and National Identity
32:26 Comparing Sweden and the US
33:51 Reflections on American Society and Governance
36:38 Discussing Taxes and Military Service
37:56 Healthcare Systems: Sweden vs. America
38:23 Insurance Woes in America
39:39 Education in Sweden: Beckman's College of Design
43:20 The Creative Industry and Nepotism
46:25 The Privilege of Being in the Creative Industry
54:58 Childhood Experiences and Their Impact
57:34 The Importance of Forgiveness
01:02:02 The Flag of Planet Earth and NASA Involvement
01:13:45 Creative Ecosystem at Oatly
01:14:18 Trust and Decision-Making
01:17:09 In-House Agency vs. External Agency
01:18:10 Pitching Ideas and Taking Risks
01:19:52 Balancing Boldness and ROI
01:22:52 Competition and Market Strategy
01:25:37 Challenges of Passion Projects
01:39:18 Future of Flags and Identity
01:43:01 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion
 
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From Lucasfilm to Doja Cat: Warren Fu Reveals How to Land Your Dream Directing Job

In this episode, visionary director Warren Fu shares an inspiring journey through his iconic work in music videos, his creative roots at Lucasfilm, and the delicate balance of creativity and burnout. We dive deep into his collaborations with legendary artists such as Doja Cat, Daft Punk, The Weeknd, and The Strokes. From overcoming immigrant family expectations and cultural differences to navigating the unpredictable worlds of directing music videos and commercials, Warren offers invaluable insights on the multifaceted role of a director, the importance of editing, and the future of filmmaking with AI.
 
00:00 Intro
02:54 The Importance of Editing in Directing
04:33 Balancing Creativity and Burnout
06:47 The Journey to Delegation and Trust
12:15 From Graffiti to Lucasfilm: A Creative Evolution
39:40 Visiting Skywalker Ranch
40:03 Quitting Lucasfilm to Pursue Directing
40:45 Immigrant Family Guilt
42:04 Cultural Differences Growing Up
50:44 Challenges of Directing
53:25 Pitching and Treatments
01:00:30 The Music Video Industry
01:04:32 Lucasfilm: A Film School Experience
01:16:06 The Strokes' Mystique and Early Career
01:16:55 Freelancing in LA and Breaking into Music Videos
01:18:04 First Big Break with The Strokes
01:19:37 Building Relationships with Artists
01:22:10 Collaborating with Mark Ronson and Daft Punk
01:30:46 Directing Daft Punk's Iconic Videos
01:42:57 Working with Doja Cat on 'Planet Her'
01:52:35 Transitioning to Commercial Work
01:57:35 Personal Connections in the Industry
01:59:18 Pitching Ideas and Working with Reps
02:01:27 The Role of Specs in Commercials
02:02:47 Keys to Successful Pitches
02:08:23 AI in Music Videos
02:16:58 The Future of AI in Filmmaking
02:27:52 Balancing Work and Life
 
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How To Shoot Rap Videos with Major Artists

Shooting rap videos isn’t for the faint of heart. Missed call times, wild pivots, and $75K wardrobes. Here’s the unfiltered truth about working with hip hop artists.
00:00 Introduction01:09 The Evolution of Hip Hop and Music Videos01:55 Creating a Treatment for Music Videos02:52 Expect the Unexpected: Be Ready to Pivot04:23 Dealing with Late Artists05:50 Handling No-Shows and Rescheduling10:08 Importance of Casting10:43 Avoiding Catfishing in Casting13:04 Stripping Your Ego and Developing Thick Skin15:51 Understanding the Culture17:15 Fashion and Trends in Hip Hop Videos18:28 Balancing Production and Wardrobe Budgets19:01 Capturing the Artist's Best Look19:56 Embracing the Process20:33 Don't Take It Personally21:52 Have Fun and Make It Memorable23:30 Conclusion
 
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MRCL Lost His Father, Home & Car, Then Found Himself in the Studio with SZA and Frank Ocean

What do you do when you lose everything — your father, your home, and your car — all in one month? If you’re MRCL, you turn that pain into purpose… and make some of the most powerful music of your life.
In this episode, MRCL shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind his journey from sleeping in his car to producing with TDE and working alongside legends like Terrace Martin, DJ Quik, and more. He talks about the moment that changed everything — when SZA casually said, “Should I call Frank Ocean?” — and ended up in the studio with both of them as Frank serenaded the room on piano.
But that’s just the beginning. We get into the come-up, the breakdowns, the breakthroughs, the band he built off Instagram DMs, the hustle of being a full-time creative and a father, and how spiritual alignment shaped his debut project Mantras. This is one of the most inspiring stories we've ever heard — and proof that when your back’s against the wall, greatness is still possible.
If you're chasing purpose, passion, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone… this one’s for you.
00:00 Intro02:50 Balancing Creativity and Business04:26 Early Musical Influences06:06 Entrepreneurial Spirit08:27 Meeting West Coast legend Terrace Martin10:35 Internship Experiences13:14 Transition to Videography26:56 Breakthrough in Television35:46 Personal Struggles and Triumphs41:33 Creating a Legacy44:29 Reflections on Parenthood45:48 Skee TV and Early Career50:04 Discovering New Opportunities51:41 Spiritual Awakening55:00 Creating Mantras01:00:26 First TDE Session with SZA01:01:17 Frank Ocean serenading them with the piano01:03:48 Building Relationships in the Industry01:13:16 Working with Aftermath01:14:21 Overcoming Creative Blocks01:23:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists01:30:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections
 
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The Hidden NICHE Jobs in Filmmaking That Pay More and Have Less Competition!

Filmmaking is changing. The market is oversaturated, and directors are fighting for survival. But niche workers? They’re getting booked and paid. If you want a sustainable creative career, you need to hear this. 
00:00 Intro00:27 The Rise of Niche Workers00:55 Oversaturation in the Industry01:26 The Competitive World of Directors02:57 The Value of Niche Roles03:07 Defining Niche Workers03:51 The Demand for Niche Workers04:52 Why Niche Workers Are Winning05:21 Specialization: The Key to Success06:43 The Importance of Mastery07:41 Marketing Yourself as a Specialist08:24 Building Relationships and Collaboration08:58 Embracing the Less Glory, More Work Mindset09:34 The Importance of a Strong Team10:01 Pivoting to Niche Roles10:19 The Rise of Niche Industries10:46 Thriving Niche Industries13:15 Why Specialized Industries Are Thriving13:35 Recap and Key Takeaways14:42 Conclusion and Call to Action
 
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Zoya: The Iconic Gay Persian Content Creator Who Took Over Shark Tank!

From Persian family pressure to Shark Tank success! Zoya was expected to follow the traditional Middle Eastern path—become a lawyer, get married, and live the “perfect” Persian life. But she had other plans. As a gay Persian entrepreneur, Zoya had to fight against cultural expectations, family struggles, and self-doubt to build her own empire.
In this episode, we dive into:✔️ How Zoya’s parents reacted when she came out as gay✔️ The pressures of being Middle Eastern & breaking tradition✔️ How she built a food empire from scratch (and made $$$ from content!)✔️ The dark truth about raw fish & why she stopped eating sushi✔️ Her insane Shark Tank journey and what happened behind the scenes
Watch till the end to hear Zoya’s message to anyone struggling to live their truth!
 
00:00 Intro02:07 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices16:18 Challenges of Being Gay in a Persian Family34:28 Coming Out to Family44:57 Reflections on Luck and Life46:43 Reflecting on Life's Luck and Fate47:37 The Lottery of Life49:16 The Culinary Journey Begins51:05 From Social Enterprise to Culinary Ventures55:06 The Birth of Fish Foods57:58 Challenges and Triumphs in the Vegan Sushi World01:07:41 Shark Tank Experience and Future Goals01:19:23 Discussing the Deal: Behind the Scenes01:20:22 Shark Tank Experience: Expectations vs Reality01:22:52 Challenges in the Food Industry01:25:44 Restaurant Business: The Real Struggle01:32:44 Content Creation: The New Frontier01:34:16 Collaborations with Gordon Ramsay01:39:13 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Creators01:52:50 The Value of Engagement Over Follower Count01:53:34 Earnings and Niche Differences for Content Creators01:54:27 Negotiating Deals and Knowing Your Worth01:55:20 Challenges of Sponsored Content01:55:52 The Importance of Authenticity02:00:02 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators02:17:41 Personal Reflections and Future Plans
 
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2025 Oscars Predictions: I Already Know Who’s Winning

From Timothée Chalamet to Demi Moore, from Kieran Culkin to Ariana Grande, the 2025 Oscars race is stacked—and I’m calling the shots! These are my official predictions, and trust me, I’m walking into this with full confidence.
Best Picture? Best Actor? Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande??) and the biggest snubs? I break it ALL down. And yes, I want Ariana to win. Will my picks age like fine wine or completely crash and burn? Either way, I’m locked in—so let’s debate.
00:00 Introduction and Award Season Overview 00:56 Globalization of Film 02:00 Academy Awards Predictions: Actor in a Leading Role 02:49 Actor in a Leading Role: Ralph Fiennes vs. Timothee Chalamet 05:25 Actor in a Leading Role: The Toss-Up 08:18 Academy Awards Predictions: Actor in a Supporting Role 09:34 Academy Awards Predictions: Actress in a Leading Role 09:45 Actress in a Leading Role: Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore 12:22 Academy Awards Predictions: Actress in a Supporting Role 12:28 Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana Grande vs. Zoe Saldana 17:27 Academy Awards Predictions: Animated Feature Film 18:23 Academy Awards Predictions: Cinematography 22:29 Academy Awards Predictions: Costume Design and Directing 26:20 Directing Category Predictions 27:04 Documentary Feature and Short 27:31 Film Editing Insights 29:49 International Feature Film 32:05 Makeup and Hairstyling 33:39 Original Score Snubs 34:47 Original Song Predictions 35:12 Production Design 36:08 Sound Category Dilemma 36:59 Visual Effects 37:42 Adapted Screenplay 38:56 Original Screenplay 41:13 Best Picture Predictions
 
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How My Childhood Friend’s Art Got A$AP Rocky’s Attention & Took Off in Fashion

Connor Tingley’s art has been embraced by the biggest names in fashion, music, and luxury—A$AP Rocky, Michelle Lamy, Vans, NARS, and Casamigos, just to name a few. But his story isn’t just about success—it’s about why most creatives never make it, how fear can either push you forward or hold you back, and what it really takes to build something lasting.
 
00:00 Intro01:24 The Essence of Luxury Brands06:09 The Power of Storytelling07:09 Art as a Personal Journey16:01 The Courage to Create43:11 Discovering the World Around Us43:52 Early Memories and Brand Influence47:07 The Impact of Upbringing49:20 Government and Media Skepticism51:18 The Illusion of Freedom55:34 Personalized Reality and AI01:00:14 The Importance of Character01:09:00 Middle School Memories01:18:32 Balancing Art and Brand Work01:21:11 The Courage to Create01:21:42 Balancing Art and Commerce01:22:37 Emotional Connections in Collaborations01:23:25 Identifying and Solving Brand Problems01:25:01 The Evolution of Brand Coolness01:35:11 Coping with Stress and Anxiety01:41:23 The Importance of Being Present01:46:30 Advice for Aspiring Artists01:57:51 Passions Beyond Work
 
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You are only getting older..stop WASTING your TIME.

They say patience is key—but what if waiting is just wasting your time? The industry isn’t set up for you to win, and signing the wrong deal could trap you in a cycle of stagnation. Before you sign anything, ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or holding me back? In this episode, I break down why bad deals, false promises, and the wrong reps could ruin your career—and how to protect your time like the valuable currency it is. Don’t let them waste another second of your life. 
00:00 Introduction: The Harsh Reality00:29 The Value of Time00:42 The Creative Grind00:57 The System is Rigged01:23 The Illusion of Signing Deals01:40 The Role of Agents02:13 The Importance of Momentum02:46 The Trap of Early Signing03:10 The Myth of Patience03:40 Personal Experience: Overcoming Neglect04:40 The Priority of Time04:51 Record Labels: The Cold Truth05:36 The Harsh Truth About Deals07:08 Exploitation in the Industry07:42 Corporate Profit Over Art09:08 Protecting Your Worth09:32 Building Leverage09:59 Think Like a Business Person10:23 Recap: Key Points11:04 Conclusion: Own Your Worth
 
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How RealestK Went from a $40 Music Video to Millions of Streams

In this exclusive interview, rising R&B star RealestK sits down to discuss his meteoric rise from the depths of Toronto’s music scene to TikTok stardom. He reveals how he cracked the TikTok algorithm, turning covers into a dedicated fanbase and leveraging viral momentum to build a real music career. RealestK shares intimate details about his personal struggles, including dealing with an eating disorder, and how his relentless passion for music kept him going. Discover the behind-the-scenes story of his viral hits like 'Wait For Me' and 'Toxic,' created with minimal resources yet resonating with millions. He also opens up about the pressures of sudden fame, touring challenges, and the pivotal advice from his family that fueled his success. This candid conversation offers a raw look into the life of one of music’s most promising young talents.
00:00 Intro01:26 Family and Cultural Influences03:59 Discovering Music Passion07:28 The Birth of Realest K10:40 TikTok Strategy and Success16:09 Building a Core Audience19:00 First Viral Hit: Wait For Me22:23 Navigating Early Success29:50 Balancing Life and Music37:43 The Breakthrough Moment38:05 Discovering the Perfect Beat44:38 Struggles with Social Media45:43 The Viral Chandelier Video46:01 School and Social Media Clash57:55 The Big Break01:04:24 Proving Yourself in the Industry01:05:38 Navigating the Business Side01:07:13 Financial Success and Lessons Learned01:08:28 The Reality of Major Labels01:21:59 Touring with NAV and Overcoming Adversity01:30:23 Lessons from Performing Live01:39:16 Advice for Aspiring Artists
 
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