Ourselves Podcast

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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Why Being a Filmmaker Made My Anxiety 10x Worse

Anxiety isn’t just about fear—it’s about survival. As a filmmaker, I was so afraid of losing clients that I would stress over them before I even booked the job. The pressure to stay relevant, to be irreplaceable, to overdeliver just to prove my worth—it consumed me.
But is this the price of success, or just a mental trap we fall into? In this episode, I break down the anxiety that haunts creatives, the scarcity mindset that holds us back, and the real strategies I use to tame it.
01:38 Diving into Anxiety02:01 Personal Experiences with Anxiety02:10 Understanding the Feeling of Anxiety03:36 Anxiety in the Creative Industry04:26 Childhood and School Anxiety05:25 Anxiety and Social Validation05:44 Living in the Present06:06 Silent Retreat Experience07:02 College Anxiety and Medication07:46 Entering the Professional World08:14 The Competitive Creative Industry08:50 Client Anxiety and Scarcity Mindset10:53 Strategies to Tame Anxiety11:45 Setting Boundaries and Saying No14:33 Mindfulness and Physical Awareness15:10 Alternative Therapies: Sauna and Meditation16:41 Cold Therapy and Yoga18:59 Supplementation and Medication22:06 Overcoming Fear of Failure23:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
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Breaking Bad Star Daniel Moncada Talks About the Tattoo That Changed His Life

Daniel Moncada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—born in Honduras, he faced unimaginable challenges, from navigating a dangerous childhood to surviving the brutal realities of prison. In this episode, Daniel reveals how he turned his life around, landing the role of a lifetime as one of Breaking Bad’s most iconic villains. With behind-the-scenes stories about Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, an unforgettable audition that nearly went sideways, and the risks he took while on parole to film the show, this conversation dives deep into his transformation from hardship to Hollywood. It’s a raw, inspiring, and gripping look at resilience, redemption, and what it takes to seize life-changing opportunities.
00:00 Introduction03:01 Childhood Struggles and Military Fears07:38 Adapting to American Life09:23 Juvenile Hall and Learning to Fight Back12:39 The Turning Point: Education and Trouble35:49 Breaking Bad: The Audition Story43:41 Parole Dilemma: Seeking Permission44:22 Testing the Waters with the Parole Officer46:37 Defying Parole: The Risky Decision46:53 Journey to New Mexico: The Anxiety55:44 Breaking Bad: The Big Opportunity59:28 On Set with Bryan Cranston01:04:52 The Iconic Explosion Scene01:21:15 Typecasting Challenges and Opportunities01:24:51 Working with Legends: Mel Gibson and Clint Eastwood01:29:23 Breaking the Rules: Audition Stories01:30:20 The Audition Do-Over01:35:47 On Set with Clint Eastwood01:39:54 Hollywood's Current Landscape01:42:41 The Impact of Streaming and Residuals01:56:15 Navigating the Crypto Craze02:05:19 Advice for Aspiring Actors02:08:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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LA Wildfires: How We've Been Failed in Our Greatest Time of Need!

Check out all the LA FIRE resources (volunteering, donating, shelters) HERE.
In this episode, I discuss the catastrophic fires raging through my hometown of Los Angeles, affecting countless lives. Drawing from personal experiences and current events, I highlight the severity of the situation, commend the heroic efforts of first responders, and denounce the unethical actions of looters and insurance companies. I also explore the potential long-term impacts on LA's film industry and provide crucial tips for staying safe amid toxic fumes. Join me in supporting our community during this critical time and find out how you can help those in need.
 
00:00 LA in Flames: A Personal Account
01:09 The Unseen Devastation
01:47 Honoring First Responders and Community Support
02:39 The Real LA: Beyond the Stereotypes
03:20 Outrage Over Exploitation
03:55 Insurance Companies' Betrayal
05:08 Impact on the Entertainment Industry
06:33 Health Concerns Amidst the Fires and wearing a mask
08:32 A Personal Connection to LA
08:59 Call to Action and Conclusion
 
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Why Chasing Dopamine Is Destroying Your Creative Dreams

This episode explores the chase for dopamine in creative industries, touching on the burnout that comes with seeking constant validation through social media and career wins. Drawing from personal experiences as a music video director, I discuss the fleeting nature of these highs and the importance of focusing on craft, celebrating small wins, and creating meaningful work. I offer advice for avoiding burnout and finding lasting fulfillment by prioritizing purpose over quick dopamine hits.
 
00:00 Introduction: The Dopamine Chase
01:37 Understanding Dopamine in the Creative Industry
02:47 The Cycle of Chasing Highs
04:27 The Dangers of Dopamine Addiction
08:07 Social Media and the Validation Loop
10:10 Breaking the Cycle: Focus on the Craft
11:06 Sustainable Success: Consistency Over Hits
13:26 Personal Takeaways and Advice
14:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
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