
THE 505 PODCAST
This is a podcast for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to live outside of society's normal boundaries. We are here to share our experiences, answer questions, and feature impactful guests with incredible insights. We also share our stories and make each other laugh.
Latest episodes

Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 27min
141. The Dark Side of Being a Successful YouTuber ft. Chris Hau
In this engaging discussion, Chris Hau, a filmmaker and entrepreneur who shifted from a 600K-subscriber YouTube channel to focus on his production company, shares insights on meaningful creativity. He reflects on the emptiness of social media fame compared to true fulfillment. Chris emphasizes the benefits of smaller, agile teams in production and the importance of understanding client dynamics. He also explores the significance of travel and cultural experiences in storytelling and the need for community support among creators to thrive.

Dec 31, 2024 • 57min
140. The Blueprint to Dominate Social Media and Crush Your Goals in 2025
What's up Rock Nation, this is the last pod of 2024! As always, we wanted to share our wins of 2024 and our goals for the new year. Along with some tips for how to set goals, and dominate social media in 2025. Let's all have a year, what do you say?Subscribe to our new channel 505 Studios:https://www.youtube.com/ @505StudiosOfficial SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-reportThe Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/pricing-guideJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId25COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejChase’s Totality LUT pack:https://www.chasealexanderfilm.com/color/totalitylutpackCollab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970Timestamps: 0:00 - Trailer0:37 - One Handed Crack1:48 - Episode Intro2:16 - Brayden’s INSANE Sweetgreen order4:25 - End of the year audit6:16 - Questions to gain clarity8:49 - Our big goals for 202512:22 - The art of goal setting14:51 - Set Systems, not goals16:32 - Setting microgoals18:33 - Give yourself grace21:50 - Commit to accountability24:29 - Break your life up into different categories27:10 - 5 Social Media and Personal Brand Tips31:05 - Jesse Itzler’s formula for success in 202533:45 - You have to seek out Newness40:08 - Our 2025 goals53:20 - Our new channelIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ Chase: https://www.instagram.com/chaseronii/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

Dec 18, 2024 • 33min
138. Best Gifts for Creatives at Every Price Point | Holiday Gift Guide
Get ready for a festive ride through the ultimate holiday gift guide tailored for creatives! The hosts dish out clever gift ideas ranging from budget-friendly essentials to high-end gadgets, perfect for photographers and filmmakers. They share personal anecdotes on favorite tools like Lightroom presets and innovative gear, plus humorous debates about holiday traditions. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on journaling and self-improvement as the new year approaches, providing a thoughtful twist to holiday shopping!

5 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 23min
137. Making Money is On Easy Mode in 2025, Just Start a Personal Brand ft. Omar Eltakrori
Omar Eltakrori, a dynamic content creator, entrepreneur, and coach, shares his journey of building a personal brand with actionable insights. He discusses transitioning from wedding content to podcasts, the deep value of coaching, and how personal transformation drives success. Omar delves into the art of engaging content creation, emphasizing the significance of effective communication. He also touches on overcoming limiting beliefs and the importance of YouTube for brand growth, all while championing authenticity and community support.

10 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 24min
136. He Gambled $3.5 Million on The Creator Economy, here's what happened
Landon Bytheway, a savvy entrepreneur and filmmaker, discusses his monumental $3.5 million acquisition of Full-Time Filmmaker. He shares his journey from freelancing to leading a company, tackling creative burnout and establishing a vibrant workplace culture. The conversation dives into the complexities of content creation in a competitive landscape, the importance of emotional storytelling, and the challenges creators face in monetizing their work. Landon highlights the delicate balance between passion projects and trending topics, encouraging creators to stay true to their unique voices.

Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 11min
135. From Moms Basement to MILLIONS of Views: The Story of Brady Bessette
Brady Bessette, a cinematographer and lighting expert renowned for his engaging YouTube channel, shares the intriguing journey from his mom's basement to millions of views. He discusses how boredom fueled his creativity during the pandemic, leading to unexpected YouTube success. Brady also delves into the balance of spontaneity and strategy in content creation, the intricacies of negotiating brand deals, and emphasizes the importance of 'delusional confidence' in overcoming creative hurdles. Tune in for insights on film production and personal growth!

57 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 50min
134. How Mark Bone is Taking CBUM’s 6th Mr. Olympia Win to Netflix
Mark Bone, a renowned documentary filmmaker known for his work on Chris Bumstead's documentary, dives into the art of storytelling. He shares insights on what makes a great documentary, emphasizing character motivations and emotional connections. Mark discusses his journey capturing Bumstead’s path to becoming a six-time Mr. Olympia, highlighting the delicate balance of ambition and personal struggles. He also reflects on transitioning from commercial directing to YouTube, underlining authenticity and community engagement in content creation.

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 18min
133. From Fired to Filmmaker: How a Setback Turned into a Dream Career w/ Jonny Roams
What's up Rock Nation, today we welcome travel filmmaker and photographer Jonny Roams. We talk to Jonny about being let go from his job in the medical field, to then becoming a full time travel filmmaker and photographer. Jonny touches on how he's dealt with and overcame the feelings of imposter syndrome, as well as, how to find your style as a creator.Check out Jonny here:https://www.instagram.com/jonnyroams/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/ @JonnyRoams The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/pricing-guideCollab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId25Concert Photography Masterclass:www.kostasgarcia.com/masterclassChase’s Totality LUT pack:https://www.chasealexanderfilm.com/color/totalitylutpackCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps0:00 - Trailer0:38 - Intro2:07 - One Handed Crack3:02 - How buying a Leica changed Jonny’s Creative Process5:01 - When Jonny found his style as a photographer6:55 - Where Jonny Goes to Shoot Photos7:53 - Looking at Photobooks Helped Jonny Shift His Mindset10:00 - Telling a Story Through Photography and Connecting w/ Viewer 11:04 - How to Find Your Style as a Photographer12:52 - How Jonny’s Porsche has Opened Doors for His Content 14:57 - Remodeling His Porsche15:55 - The Process of Buying His Porsche17:08 - Driving Home from Arkansas18:09 - How Much Living in Utah Inspires Him18:45 - Why Dropping Out of College was the Right Decision 19:40 - Going All in Early21:03 - His Reaction to Getting Let Go From His Job23:13 - Locking in Retainer Clients24:48 - Impostor Syndrome26:11 - Having the Right People Around You27:11 - The Creative Community in Salt Lake28:33 - Getting a Yes from Sony30:30 - His Upcoming Project with Sony31:15 - What Jonny’s Future Looks Like31:43 - Short vs Long-Form Content33:05 - Turning Down Deals & Knowing Your Audience35:15 - Positioning Tips for Photographers & Jonny’s Outreach Strategy37:58 - The Decision to Make Digital Assets38:20 - Making Presets 41:40 - Something Jonny Learned the Hard Way (Contracts)44:00 - Percentage Breakdown of Jonny’s Income45:19 - Licensing is Slept On48:30 - Jonny’s Youtube Journey & Finding a Home in Utah51:52 - How Having a Kid Changed Jonny’s Life53:01 - Advice for Parents Trying to Stay Creative54:33 - Spending More Time w/ Family56:38 - What Sparked Jonny’s Dream58:40 - Reminiscing on His Journey & Sony Kando Impostor Syndrome59:46 - Jonny Didn’t Realize He Hit 10k Subs on Youtube01:01:50 - Advice for Filming By Yourself01:02:45 - Go-To Camera Set-Up01:04:11 - How Often Jonny Wants to Post on Youtube01:05:21 - FujiFilm vs Leica01:06:50 - Jonny’s Thoughts on the Q43 01:07:56 - Compression Doesn’t Really Exist01:09:22 - Jonny’s Daily Routine as His Own Boss01:10:28 - Jonny Shoots Photos Everyday01:10:44 - Everything in Utah is So Close01:12:46 - Where Jonny’s Love for Cars Came From01:15:00 - Creating a Car Community01:16:53 - Jonny’s Advice to his 18 Year Old SelfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ Chase: https://www.instagram.com/chaseronii/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/

5 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 46min
132. Why Most Creators FAIL at Monetizing Their Brand & How You’re Sabotaging Your Success w/ Tom Noske
In this engaging conversation, Tom Noske, a successful content creator and endurance athlete from Melbourne, shares his journey of crafting a seven-figure personal brand. He discusses the importance of authenticity in personal branding, strategies for monetization, and overcoming mental barriers. Tom emphasizes the joy of discomfort and how embracing risks can lead to personal growth. He offers insights on building engagement through live interactions and the necessity of clear communication in scaling businesses. A must-listen for aspiring creators!

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 21min
131. 19 Years at Google: Her Winning Strategy for Brands to Dominate YouTube
What's up Rock Nation, today we welcome Emma Jennings to the show. Emma helps our biggest advertisers tell great stories on YouTube. She is part strategist, part creative director - with a little bit of a producer hat thrown on for good measure. She helps brands understand the wild world of YouTube: where they should play and how to make stuff that people will actually want to watch, share, and spend time with. With over 15 years' experience consulting with Fortune 1000 companies, Emma brings deep product knowledge across digital media and Google advertising offerings.Check out Emma here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-jennings-709498a/The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative ServicesCoupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the bouldershttps://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/pricing-guideCollab with Artlist and get 2 extra months for free here:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvsKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId25Concert Photography Masterclass:www.kostasgarcia.com/masterclassChase’s Totality LUT pack:https://www.chasealexanderfilm.com/color/totalitylutpackCOP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE: https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACKKostas’ Amazon Storefront:https://amzn.to/3GhId2515% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15https://bit.ly/42sNdejTimestamps: 0:00 - Trailer0:56 - Intro2:19 - One Handed Crack3:26 - Visiting Dude Perfect HQ4:17 - What Makes Dude Perfect Special6:00 - Creator Lead Brands vs Traditional Media7:34 - What micro influencers can learn from the biggest creators8:26 - What YouTube metrics are most important10:53 - What Brands can learn from Creators11:23 - 40% of people consider themselves a creator13:47 - What Emma learned from Directing her first Short Film17:20 - Organized Chaos19:10 - Don’t wait to act on your ideas21:15 - Working with large studios22:07 - Movie Making is actually the marketing23:45 - How the landscape of marketing has changed over the last 2 decades27:50 - When Emma starting focusing on YouTube29:29 - How conversations with big brands goes31:08 - Our pitch for 50532:17 - Expectations from big brands when it comes to success on YouTube35:04 - How BTS content and creators have come into marketing40:44 - How Burberry is winning with long and slow ads42:30 - HULU’s success with ambient rooms ads 45:03 - How Emma’s consulting strategy has evolved47:48 - YouTube is the number 1 streamer51:06 - What makes YouTube unique56:49 - Organic vs. Paid content1:00:25 - Brand Lift Surveys1:01:22 - How Emma continues to raise the bar1:02:34 - The Glad Press and Seal ad that CRUSHED1:06:15 - How creators get selected to work with brands1:08:26 - What KPI’s are used to determine success1:09:43 - What Emma has learned about leadership1:12:17 - The best advice Emma has received1:13:27 - Biggest challenges Emma has faced during her time at Google1:14:46 - Balance data and creativity1:17:12 - YouTube is the world's largest focus group1:18:11 - What risks do brands face if they don’t embrace YouTube1:19:09 - Advice to your 18 year old selfIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ Chase: https://www.instagram.com/chaseronii/ TikTok:Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/