

Grow Your Video Business
Ryan Koral
🎬 The podcast for ambitious filmmakers who want to build a thriving business—without burning out.
Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video.
Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you:
+ Book better clients (at better rates)
+ Build systems that don’t rely 100% on you
+ Charge what you're worth—with confidence
+ Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line
If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a pro—you’re in the right place.
🎙️ New episodes drop every week.
đź”— Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com
Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video.
Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you:
+ Book better clients (at better rates)
+ Build systems that don’t rely 100% on you
+ Charge what you're worth—with confidence
+ Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line
If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a pro—you’re in the right place.
🎙️ New episodes drop every week.
đź”— Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 5min
429. Turning Your Expertise Into a Thriving Practice with Matt Church
Matt Church shares his revolutionary approach to building a fulfilling business centered around your unique expertise and preferences rather than chasing market opportunities. He explains why the "third choice" of running a practice (not just a job or business) creates more freedom, impact, and alignment with who you truly are. Key Takeaways You have three choices: get a job, start a business, or run a practice – and running a practice around what you know gives you more control and fulfillment Your differentiation comes from preference and selection, not trying to broadcast how special you are to everyone • Work from your essence, expertise, and experience to create something unique without the pressure of being completely different from everyone else The "vacation test" is brilliant: would you go on vacation with your clients? If not, they're probably not your ideal clients About Matt Church Matt Church is one of the world's leading strategic thinkers and speakers, known for helping people prepare for tomorrow by taking action today. As the founder of Thought Leaders™, he's dedicated to developing leaders who make a real difference. From his early days as Australian Fitness Leader of the Year to being inducted into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame, Matt has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible. He's a bestselling author whose work has been published in 5 countries, and he's recognized as one of the top 21 most influential people in the speaking industry globally. When he's not helping clever people be commercially smart, you'll find him on Sydney's northern beaches restoring his 1962 trawler, Sweet Potato. In This Episode [00:00:00] Welcome to the show! [00:05:56] Meet Matt Church [00:06:39] Thought Leaders Practice Book [00:11:06] Experience and Technical Competency [00:14:43] Imposter Syndrome [00:16:59] Ways of Knowing [00:27:20] “Comparisonitis” [00:48:30] Being Yourself for Others [00:55:11] Scarcity Mindset [01:01:12] Connect with Matt [01:04:03] Outro Quotes "You do the world no service by playing it small. It's a form of false humility and it's not what you were born to do. It is a privilege to be self-expressed and it's a privilege to do so in service to others." - Matt Church "Action precedes confidence. It's much better to launch, to ship, to put yourself on the other side of a declaration and then figure it out. Because we can spend a lot of time on this side getting it right, going ta-da! And it falls flat on its face." - Matt Church "The times we've been most successful is when we've been the most focused – on the audience, the product, the offer, the goal. It's easier to market. It's easier to know where to network." - Ryan Koral Guest Links Find Matt Church online Download any of Matt Church's books (including The Thought Leaders Practice and NEXT) Thought Leaders Business School Be Less Shit On Camera (online program) momacrae.com (coming soon...) Follow Matt Church Instagram | Facebook Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
428. Making Videos, Changing Lives: The Journey from Corporate Burnout to Community Impact
In this reunion episode, Ryan catches up with his old friend Sean Stockman (Midlife Stockman), who went from editing wedding videos to building a YouTube channel with over 600,000 subscribers by simply filming property transformations with his phone. Sean shares his journey from corporate America to full-time content creator and how his passion for serving others has created real-world impact beyond the screen. Key Takeaways You don't need fancy equipment to start creating content that resonates - Sean began with just his phone, a tripod, and free editing software Consistency and authenticity matter more than polish - viewers respond to genuine passion, not perfect production When you focus on serving others first (in Sean's case, by cleaning up properties and helping neighbors), growth often follows naturally Building a community around shared values (like "working hard and loving your neighbor") can create impact far beyond what you initially imagined About Sean Stockman Sean Stockman, known online as Midlife Stockman, is a passionate YouTuber who shares his life experiences, community involvement, and personal insights with his growing online community. Through his YouTube channel, along with his active presence on Instagram and Facebook, Sean has built a space where viewers can connect, share their thoughts, and engage with someone who genuinely cares about addressing the needs and concerns of others. With a unique focus on community engagement, Sean’s videos are a blend of personal stories and responses to the concerns of his viewers. Whether it’s meeting with people to address issues or simply offering a moment of reflection, his content remains down-to-earth and impactful. Although Sean once ran marathons, he hasn’t participated in one for about five years, yet his appreciation for his viewers and the support he’s received through his work continues to drive him forward. Humble and grateful for the opportunity to connect with his audience, Sean is deeply thankful for the positive impact his community has had on him. In This Episode [00:00:00] Welcome to the show! [00:03:58] Meet Sean Stockman [00:18:13] How Midlife Stockman Began [00:25:59] The Impact You Can Make [00:33:11] YouTube Channel Growth [00:39:43] Sean's Transition From Corporate [00:51:25] Battling Imposter Syndrome [01:00:38] Connect with Sean [01:02:05] Outro Quotes "I think my encouragement to anybody would be your passion will come through. There's ways you can hone your editing and make your sound better, but if you really love what you do and really believe in what you do, it's going to come through and people will see that and respond." - Sean Stockman "People are not going to respond more if your camera is crisper or if your sound is better. What I have found in my experience is people are responding to seeing a genuineness about me... I'm not trying to be someone I'm not." - Sean Stockman "Show up as you. Don't try to be a YouTuber that you follow. Be inspired by their consistency, their content, whatever. But show up as you because the world already has that person... They don't have your story, and your nuances, and your silly personality." - Ryan Koral Guest Links Follow Sean Stockman on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Mar 3, 2025 • 23min
427. Breaking Free from Feast or Famine
In this value-packed solo episode, Ryan dives into why focusing on one thing is the key to building a sustainable video business. He shares practical insights on breaking free from the feast-or-famine cycle and getting crystal clear on what you really want from your business. Key Takeaways Consistency in marketing wins - but you need to know what to be consistent with Pick 2-4 main goals instead of spreading yourself too thin across many objectives Focus on making one income stream overflow before adding new ones Get super clear on what "done" looks like for your goals In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [01:04] Episode Intro [03:35] 10xFILMMAKER Workshop [05:06] Managing the Peaks and Valleys [06:42] Consistency in Your Marketing [09:10] Clear Business Goals [13:36] Entrepreneurial Operating System [16:51] Multiple Streams of Income [22:17] Outro Quotes "If you're not clear on what your goal is for your business, it's easy to get distracted because you're not on a path, you're not on a clear direction." - Ryan Koral "The times that we've been most successful is when we've been the most focused - on the audience, the product, the offer, the goal. It's easier to market. It's easier to know where to network. So many things become a lot easier when you're really, really focused." - Ryan Koral Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Feb 24, 2025 • 50min
426. Master Documentary Storytelling with Vanessa Carr
Cinematographer Vanessa Carr shares her journey from indie films to Netflix documentaries, revealing the techniques and mindset shifts that have helped her capture authentic, emotional stories. She opens up about working with high-profile clients like Prince Harry while staying true to the heart of documentary storytelling. Key Takeaways The power of silence in interviews - let those awkward moments hang and magic often follows Stop thinking about "B-roll" and start thinking about "world building" for more intentional visuals Building trust with subjects is crucial - be transparent about expectations and impact from day one Personal documentary projects can actually lead to better commercial opportunities About Vanessa Carr Vanessa Carr is a documentary cinematographer specializing in character-driven cinema vérité. Her long list of credits includes On Pointe (Disney+), Heart of Invictus (Netflix), which was one of Prince Harry's major series, and multiple HBO films. Her work has been on every major platform and screened in festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, and TIFF. Vanessa has been a DOCNYC 40 Under 40 honoree, Points North Institute fellow, and instructor at Maine Media Workshops. She recently launched Doc House, a new learning community for documentary filmmakers – and teaches a hugely popular live course, the Documentary Cinematography Intensive. Vanessa holds a master’s degree in journalism from UC Berkeley. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:08] Meet Vanessa Carr [11:42] Why Doc Film is Meaningful [21:00] Learning From Challenging Projects [30:39] Shooting B-Roll [37:46] Interview Techniques [44:07] DocHouse [46:50] Connect with Vanessa [48:28] Outro Quotes "When I think about B-roll, I get bored... I've started thinking about it more as world building. So if you think about a novel where all of the details are kind of building the world of these characters..." - Vanessa Carr "There's almost a spiritual feeling that I have... especially when you're filming something that's really unfolding in sort of real time... there is such an intense presence that you have, because you have to be completely focused." - Vanessa Carr "I don't want to limit anybody's ability to just get started and create content online. This has completely changed my life, completely changed the trajectory of my career." - Vanessa Carr Guest Links Find Vanessa Carr online Follow DocHouse on Instagram Netflix documentary: "Daughters" Netflix series: "Heart of Invictus" Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Feb 17, 2025 • 56min
425. Stop Overthinking Your Content Strategy with Austin Armstrong
Austin Armstrong, CEO of Syllaby, shares his journey from video marketing agency owner to AI software pioneer. In this value-packed episode, he breaks down how to leverage AI tools for content creation while maintaining authenticity, and reveals some surprising strategies for boosting engagement on social media. Key Takeaways Different types of content serve different audiences - don't limit yourself to one format Repurposing and reposting content is not just okay - it's smart strategy The key to networking isn't pitching yourself - it's asking good questions Being entertaining and adding personality to your content drives better engagement About Austin Armstrong Austin Armstrong is a lifelong digital marketer, public speaker, 2X 7-figure entrepreneur, host of the podcast BusinessTok, and CEO of Syllaby, an AI startup that helps content creators create, schedule, and publish videos in minutes. Austin has posted over 4000 videos on TikTok, tripling his own business’s revenue and thousands more across his clients’ accounts. Austin has leveraged his success on TikTok to gain millions of followers across every social media platform. He loves sharing the strategies that have worked for him to empower you. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:43] Meet Austin Armstrong [08:14] Syllaby [25:16] Staying Top of Mind [27:17] Content Marketing [29:45] Repurposing Content [36:42] Unusual Tips To Get Engagement [40:52] Easter Eggs In Your Content [47:09] Invest In Yourself [49:57] AI Marketing World [54:04] Connect With Austin [55:09] Outro Quotes "The only person that sees every post that you put up is you, or your assistant that is posting on your behalf, that's literally the only person." - Austin Armstrong "Don't be afraid to pay for things that are going to level you up and continue to ask yourself in anything that you want to do, what's the best that could happen?" - Austin Armstrong "If you're creating content that's helpful, if you're not leveraging that and exhausting it in every way because the whole intent is to add value and to help people... get the heck out of the way and let it hit." - Ryan Koral Guest Links Find Austin Armstrong online Follow Austin Armstrong on Instagram | Facebook Syllaby.io AI Marketing World https://answersocrates.com/ OpusClip Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Feb 10, 2025 • 42min
424. Making Videos That Actually Move People with Katie Quesada
Storytelling consultant Katie Quesada breaks down why polished perfection isn't always the answer in video content, and how to create stories that actually move people to take action. She shares practical frameworks for helping people tell better stories and why those raw, behind-the-scenes moments often create deeper connections than highly produced content. Key Takeaways If you want to make someone do something, you have to make them feel something - and stories are the best way to do that Raw, behind-the-scenes content often performs better than polished pieces because it feels more authentic Don't hold back your story - it might be exactly what someone else needs to hear About Katie Quesada Katie is an acclaimed speaker and consultant who is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling. Katie has recently worked with top brands like Zillow, United Healthcare, American Eagle Outfitters (and more!) to ignite their story for more effective communication, high trust within teams, and increased sales. Katie and her husband Danny live with their two daughters in Orange, CA. They spent two years living in a 180 sq ft tiny home and believe that stories are better than stuff. In This Episode 00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:41] Meet Katie Quesada [13:51] Measuring ROI In Video [21:11] 4 Part Workshop [25:02] Helping Others Tell Their Story [29:22] Behind The Scenes [38:10] Connect with Katie [39:36] Outro Quotes "People who choose not to tell their story are choosing to leave out someone else's survival guide... you're literally leaving a map off the table." - Katie Quesada "If you want to make someone do something, you have to make them feel something. We are overwhelmed with noise, facts, ideas, theories, data. We're all drowning in it." - Katie Quesada Guest Links Find Katie Quesada online Get The Three C's of Storytelling free Find out more about Story School Follow Katie Quesada on Instagram Connect with Katie Quesada on LinkedIn Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Feb 3, 2025 • 46min
423. Why Your Creative Business Should Evolve with You with Mike Brennan
Artist and creative strategist Mike Brennan opens up about the journey of building a business that aligns with who you are, even as that changes over time. He shares powerful insights about avoiding creative burnout, finding fulfillment outside of client work, and giving yourself permission to evolve. Key Takeaways Give yourself permission to evolve - what worked for you years ago might not be what's right for you now Have creative outlets separate from your paid work to avoid burnout and keep your passion alive Focus on building a business that aligns with who you are today, not who you used to be About Mike Brennan Mike Brennan, author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative PLAYbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, isn't your typical Creative Consultant and Communicator; he's a passionate advocate for reigniting the lost art of fun and creativity. Mike's expertise goes beyond the pages of his book. He's helped renowned clients like Heineken and Chase Bank infuse creativity, innovation, and fun into their work. His art graces prestigious spaces like the Ronald McDonald House and the I.D.E.A. Museum in Mesa, Arizona. What sets Mike apart is his commitment to helping individuals and organizations harness the transformative power of creativity. With a unique Daily Creative Habit process honed over a decade, he empowers people to seamlessly integrate innovation into their routines, making life and work more vibrant and fulfilling. Through his words, art, actions, and unwavering dedication to the cause, Mike inspires us all to make fun not just a habit but a way of life. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [07:10] Meet Mike Brennan [14:31] Creativity in Entrepreneurship [16:03] Listening To Yourself [23:11] Having a Creative Balance [44:05] Connect with Mike [45:45] Outro Quotes "We're not these segmented beings like we like to say - I'm at work and I'm at home, I'm playing and I'm doing client work. Recognizing that and embracing that is key for having a healthier creative balance in our lives." - Mike Brennan "Don't try to emulate somebody else's journey... do the best with what you have before you. That's why I come back to listening to yourself, getting alignment, getting clarity because you're the only one who's responsible for you." - Mike Brennan Guest Links Find Mike Brennan online to take the Creative Archetype quiz & listen to the Creative Chats podcast Follow Mike Brennan on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Connect with Mike Brennan on Instagram Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Jan 27, 2025 • 35min
422. Going From Solo Filmmaker to Studio Owner with Ryan Blaske
Freelance filmmaker Ryan Blaske opens up about his journey from one-man-band to building a production studio, sharing his passion for documentary storytelling and desire to scale without sacrificing quality. He talks candidly about dealing with burnout and his exciting plans to grow Blaske Studio while staying true to the work he loves. Key Takeaways You don't need employees to start operating like a studio - begin by building a reliable network of contractors and freelancers Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest - whether that's editing, project management, or admin work When scaling up, prioritize working with people who are reliable and have good attitudes - being on time and having a positive mindset are half the battle About Ryan Blaske Creativity has always been important to Ryan. A passion for creating something beautiful, combined with naturally occurring incredible moments, led him to a fascination with videography and photography. He wanted to tell a story with his work that connects with people in a special way—a way that will be remembered for years to come. He specializes in documentaries, music videos, and commercial work nationwide. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:53] Meet Ryan Blaske [04:38] Freelance Filmmaking [08:31] Ryan's Journey To Filmmaking [16:41] Freelancer To Studio Owner [24:10] Freeing Up Your Time [28:29] Attitude Is Everything [32:46] Connect with Ryan [33:47] Outro Quotes "I don't want to be in a position where I'm constantly burning out, then kind of catching back up and then burning out again. I think I would want some kind of system where I can take on all these requests but I'm not just being flooded." - Ryan Blaske "If you're in this freelance world, you are your own boss, so there's not a lot of rules. So try things out, take chances, and believe in yourself that you can take on these big projects and pitch really fun, creative ideas." - Ryan Blaske Guest Links Find Ryan Blaske online Find Ryan Blaske on Instagram Find Blaske Studio on Instagram Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Jan 20, 2025 • 57min
421. The Personal Branding Data That Will Change Your Business with Jeremy Weber
Brand Builders Group's Jeremy Weber reveals compelling research about the impact of personal branding on business growth and provides a practical framework for building authority without getting distracted from your core business. He shares how to strategically position yourself as an expert while maintaining focus on your primary revenue streams. Key Takeaways Focus on building your personal brand as an extension of your business, not a separate entity Start with one-to-one work before scaling to one-to-many and then many-to-one Create content that teaches subsets of your proven process to attract ideal clients Niche down to become known as the expert in one specific area before expanding About Jeremey Weber Jeremy Weber is a founding member and senior strategist at Brand Builders Group. Over his 17+ year career, he has founded, sold and helped to grow multiple companies. His work as a personal brand strategist has supported New York Times bestselling authors, viral TED speakers, celebrity influencers, a Shark Tank investor, and 7+ figure entrepreneurs across many industries. As a founding member and senior leader within Brand Builders Group, he’s supported the launch and growth of one of the fastest growing personal brand strategy firms in the world. His work has spanned leading a team of 25+ strategists, overseeing the platform supporting 700+ personal brands, and managing the company’s global partner network. As a thought leader in the industry, he has spoken to audiences of 15,000+ and sat on the advisory board of global companies. In his current role, Jeremy is blending his technical and entrepreneurial expertise to support the expansion of the company’s book launch service offerings. Through a track record of selling hundreds of thousands of books and 15+ Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestsellers, we are helping our clients make a big positive impact on this world. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:33] Meet Jeremy Weber [06:17] Having A Personal Brand [19:59] Reputation Formula [30:08] Content and Positioning [46:09] Having A Clear Audience [53:05] Connect with Jeremy [55:40] Outro Quotes "The number one reason that people fail is they're trying to do too many things for too many people... We have the saying diluted focus equals diluted results." - Jeremy Weber "If you're not focused enough on what you want to be great at, you're not seeing things that most people aren't even seeing." - Jeremy Weber "If you care about what you do and you're good at it, you're solving real problems for people that need a solution and their lives are better as a result of working with you." - Jeremy Weber Guest Links Find Jeremy Weber online Check out The Influential Personal Brand podcast Follow Jeremy Weber on Instagram Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes

Jan 13, 2025 • 58min
420. Why Hustle Culture is Killing Your Business with Terry Weaver
Author and speaker Terry Weaver challenges conventional hustle culture wisdom and shares a more sustainable approach to building a successful business. He discusses why true success means defining it on your own terms and building intentional rest into your business model. Key Takeaways Success looks different for everyone - define it based on the life you actually want Build intentional seasons of rest into your business model Focus on creating genuine value and relationships instead of just moving money around Take at least one week off per quarter to truly disengage from work About Terry Weaver Terry Weaver is a speaker, author, event producer, podcaster, and ideapreneur whose passion is to see others live life alive; whether through helping others see their dreams become reality, traveling around the world challenging students to change the world, leading teams of people to do more together than they could alone, or hanging out with Mickey Mouse. With a background in the music business, Terry has helped creatives navigate the journey from the garage to the biggest stages in the world. Whether it’s getting to the stage of Grammys®, helping entrepreneurs with a six-figure product launch, or leading conversations with key thought leaders his mission is always the same to help leaders take what they are doing to the next level. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:02] Meet Terry Weaver [15:33] Balancing AI In Your Business [21:58] Utilizing Riverside [23:29] Idea Generation [36:54] The Unhealthy Hustle [44:08] The Season For Hustle [55:22] Connect with Terry [56:08] Outro Quotes "Hustle's a season. Even through several of the things when a lot of people thought Gary Vaynerchuk was trying to convince us to be all hustle... there has to be balance." - Terry Weaver "When you know what you really care about, you also know who you care about helping. And when you start to know who you care about helping, you start to ask yourself, how can what I know help answer the question that's keeping them up all night?" - Terry Weaver "When I've been the most effective, I followed my rule of taking a week off, around a week off every quarter." - Terry Weaver Guest Links Find out what type of entrepreneur you are. Take the short quiz. Find Terry Weaver online Follow Terry Weaver on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Links Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Check out the full show notes