
The Enthusiasm Project
My name is Tom and this is The Enthusiasm Project! Join me each week for deep dives exploring the world of what it means to be an independent creator on YouTube, audio/video production, and keeping a positive, enthusiastic mindset along the way.
Latest episodes

May 24, 2021 • 1h 23min
Let's A Some Q's [S4E19]
Send a text message to the show!This week's podcast is a Q&A episode! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions via Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and voice! This was a really fun episode to record and I tried to up the production value on the video side of things. 🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show: https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E19 | Series Episode 82Support the show

May 17, 2021 • 1h 4min
The Saga Continues | 1st World Camera Problems [S4E18]
Send a text message to the show!Just when you thought it was safe…the Cameranundrum continues! This week I dive in to some less than great, but still not too terrible developments with my new Sony a7SIII, explain why I currently have two of them, and also give an exhilarating backstory to explain the intense anxiety I feel around large purchases and the outlandish sentimental value I attach to these objects What a ride!Thank you to Aris for sending in this week’s voice message! If you’d like to be included in a future episode, just send a quick message to tom@enthusiasmproject.com🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show: https://podcasterplaybook.com••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 🎯Support the Show https://patreon.com/tombuck https://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 📲 Connect! •My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuck Twitter: @sodarntom Main Site: www.himynameistom.com S4E18 | Series Episode 81Support the show

May 10, 2021 • 1h 27min
My Camera Conundrum "Cameranundrum" [S4E17]
Send a text message to the show!After months and months, I’ve finally decided on a new camera. The goal is to incorporate something that will add new functionality to my workflow while also playing nice with everything that’s already in place. I wanted to take some time (and it ended up being a LOT of time) to run through my decision not only to offer hopefully helpful insight, but to also shine a light on what goes into a major purchase like this. It’s very easy to see social media posts from people who seem to be casually spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on stuff that may or may not be necessary, and I wanted to pull back the curtain a bit, especially since this is one of the biggest purchases I’ve made in my life and the biggest financial investment I’ve made since becoming self-employed. Also, I just like talking about cameras . 🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show: https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuck Twitter: @sodarntom Main Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E17 | Series Episode 80Support the show

May 3, 2021 • 1h 1min
Keeping YouTube Fun [S4E16]
Send a text message to the show!Heather has spend the past week creating a video that now qualifies as a feature-length documentary and has reignited her passion for YouTube while also reframing how she approaches her channel and creative process. Meanwhile, my analytics have taken a nose-dive since I left my job and that panic has cast a shadow over what I'm working on. We decided this would be a good time to sit down and dissect where we're at with our channels and how we can approach keeping the spark of fun alive while being creators on YouTube. •Be sure to check out Heather's channel!🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show: https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E16 | Series Episode 79Support the show

Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 8min
Quality vs Quantity, Engaging with Your Community, and Is YouTube Evil? [S4E15]
Send a text message to the show!If you're an online creator, you've no doubt questioned your value to the platform you use. Let's dive in to the YouTube/Creator relationship, explore the importance of engaging with your community, and take a look at the age old debate of quantity vs. quality.🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E15 | Series Episode 78Support the show

Apr 19, 2021 • 1h 2min
My New Favorite YouTube Channel [S4E14]
Send a text message to the show!Over the past few months I’ve gone from being a casual fan to admittedly obsessed with Joel Haver’s YouTube channel. Not only is his work incredible, but the way he has been uniquely equipped to handle some of the fastest YouTube growth I’ve ever seen is fascinating.Even though our content is very different, I feel like I can see a lot of my own ideals and philosophies in Joel’s channel and it’s super refreshing to see someone find success while staying true to themselves and their artistic core.One of my favorite live action sketchesOne of my favorite animationsJoel’s Animation TutorialJoel's Filmmaking PhilosophyMy Terrifying 1st Attempt at His Animation Technique🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E14 | Series Episode 77Support the show

Apr 12, 2021 • 1h 13min
Creating Your Online Course from Start to Finish [S4E13]
Send a text message to the show!Even though I was a teacher for 11 years and fancied myself pretty darn good at being able to communicate ideas, I was way out of my element when stepping into the world of online courses. Fortunately my awesome wife Heather has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things online course-related and she was able to guide me through the process. This week we wanted to take some time and explain how to create your first online course from start to finish, because there’s a lot more to it than just making a good course, of course. •Check out Heather’s YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/heatherjustcreate🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E13 | Series Episode 76Support the show

Apr 5, 2021 • 55min
The First Week of Freedom (Secret Series Finale)
Send a text message to the show!It's been just over a week since I left my job and began working for myself as a full time content creator, and honestly, I've never been happier. I'd explain it here, but words literally cannot describe how it feels. Fortunately Heather made sure that we took some time to break it down and reflect on this transition. 🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E12 | Series Episode 75Support the show

Mar 29, 2021 • 1h 8min
Designing Your Own Life (Secret Series #4)
Send a text message to the show!What would your work day look like if you could be in charge of your time? I took a day off from my job and used it as an opportunity to sample a little taste of the glory. And let me tell you...it was unreal. 🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E11 | Series Episode 74Support the show

Mar 22, 2021 • 42min
My First Full Time Project (Secret Series #3)
Send a text message to the show!In the midst of transitioning from my teaching job, I'ver also been working to launch my first course. In what might have been one of the busiest and most stressful weeks of my life, I took the first step in announcing the course and trying to navigate the waters of selling a product without feeling "salesey" and gross. Heather guided me through the whole process, which ended up being incredible. This episode breaks everything down and also covers the time management nightmare of having one foot in two different worlds as you move to a new career path. 🎙Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, a step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show:https://podcasterplaybook.com•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••🎯Support the Showhttps://patreon.com/tombuckhttps://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••📲 Connect!•Send a voice message to be included in a future episode!tom@enthusiasmproject.com•My Podcast with Peter Lindgren: https://peterandtom.buzzsprout.com•The Couple’s Table (with Heather): https://couplestable.buzzsprout.comYouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuckTwitter: @sodarntomMain Site: www.himynameistom.comS4E10 | Series Episode 73Support the show