Ourselves Podcast

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 Intro 00:27 The Rise of Niche Workers 00:55 Oversaturation in the Industry 01:26 The Competitive World of Directors 02:57 The Value of Niche Roles 03:07 Defining Niche Workers 03:51 The Demand for Niche Workers 04:52 Why Niche Workers Are Winning 05:21 Specialization: The Key to Success 06:43 The Importance of Mastery 07:41 Marketing Yourself as a Specialist 08:24 Building Relationships and Collaboration 08:58 Embracing the Less Glory, More Work Mindset 09:34 The Importance of a Strong Team 10:01 Pivoting to Niche Roles 10:19 The Rise of Niche Industries 10:46 Thriving Niche Industries 13:15 Why Specialized Industries Are Thriving 13:35 Recap and Key Takeaways 14:42 Conclusion and Call to Action   Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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 Intro 02:07 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices 16:18 Challenges of Being Gay in a Persian Family 34:28 Coming Out to Family 44:57 Reflections on Luck and Life 46:43 Reflecting on Life's Luck and Fate 47:37 The Lottery of Life 49:16 The Culinary Journey Begins 51:05 From Social Enterprise to Culinary Ventures 55:06 The Birth of Fish Foods 57:58 Challenges and Triumphs in the Vegan Sushi World 01:07:41 Shark Tank Experience and Future Goals 01:19:23 Discussing the Deal: Behind the Scenes 01:20:22 Shark Tank Experience: Expectations vs Reality 01:22:52 Challenges in the Food Industry 01:25:44 Restaurant Business: The Real Struggle 01:32:44 Content Creation: The New Frontier 01:34:16 Collaborations with Gordon Ramsay 01:39:13 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Creators 01:52:50 The Value of Engagement Over Follower Count 01:53:34 Earnings and Niche Differences for Content Creators 01:54:27 Negotiating Deals and Knowing Your Worth 01:55:20 Challenges of Sponsored Content 01:55:52 The Importance of Authenticity 02:00:02 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators 02:17:41 Personal Reflections and Future Plans   Follow Zoya Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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 3 3:39 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   Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook  

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 Intro 01:24 The Essence of Luxury Brands 06:09 The Power of Storytelling 07:09 Art as a Personal Journey 16:01 The Courage to Create 43:11 Discovering the World Around Us 43:52 Early Memories and Brand Influence 47:07 The Impact of Upbringing 49:20 Government and Media Skepticism 51:18 The Illusion of Freedom 55:34 Personalized Reality and AI 01:00:14 The Importance of Character 01:09:00 Middle School Memories 01:18:32 Balancing Art and Brand Work 01:21:11 The Courage to Create 01:21:42 Balancing Art and Commerce 01:22:37 Emotional Connections in Collaborations 01:23:25 Identifying and Solving Brand Problems 01:25:01 The Evolution of Brand Coolness 01:35:11 Coping with Stress and Anxiety 01:41:23 The Importance of Being Present 01:46:30 Advice for Aspiring Artists 01:57:51 Passions Beyond Work   Follow Connor Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook  

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 Reality 00:29 The Value of Time 00:42 The Creative Grind 00:57 The System is Rigged 01:23 The Illusion of Signing Deals 01:40 The Role of Agents 02:13 The Importance of Momentum 02:46 The Trap of Early Signing 03:10 The Myth of Patience 03:40 Personal Experience: Overcoming Neglect 04:40 The Priority of Time 04:51 Record Labels: The Cold Truth 05:36 The Harsh Truth About Deals 07:08 Exploitation in the Industry 07:42 Corporate Profit Over Art 09:08 Protecting Your Worth 09:32 Building Leverage 09:59 Think Like a Business Person 10:23 Recap: Key Points 11:04 Conclusion: Own Your Worth   Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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 Intro 01:26 Family and Cultural Influences 03:59 Discovering Music Passion 07:28 The Birth of Realest K 10:40 TikTok Strategy and Success 16:09 Building a Core Audience 19:00 First Viral Hit: Wait For Me 22:23 Navigating Early Success 29:50 Balancing Life and Music 37:43 The Breakthrough Moment 38:05 Discovering the Perfect Beat 44:38 Struggles with Social Media 45:43 The Viral Chandelier Video 46:01 School and Social Media Clash 57:55 The Big Break 01:04:24 Proving Yourself in the Industry 01:05:38 Navigating the Business Side 01:07:13 Financial Success and Lessons Learned 01:08:28 The Reality of Major Labels 01:21:59 Touring with NAV and Overcoming Adversity 01:30:23 Lessons from Performing Live 01:39:16 Advice for Aspiring Artists   Follow RealestK Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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 Anxiety 02:01 Personal Experiences with Anxiety 02:10 Understanding the Feeling of Anxiety 03:36 Anxiety in the Creative Industry 04:26 Childhood and School Anxiety 05:25 Anxiety and Social Validation 05:44 Living in the Present 06:06 Silent Retreat Experience 07:02 College Anxiety and Medication 07:46 Entering the Professional World 08:14 The Competitive Creative Industry 08:50 Client Anxiety and Scarcity Mindset 10:53 Strategies to Tame Anxiety 11:45 Setting Boundaries and Saying No 14:33 Mindfulness and Physical Awareness 15:10 Alternative Therapies: Sauna and Meditation 16:41 Cold Therapy and Yoga 18:59 Supplementation and Medication 22:06 Overcoming Fear of Failure 23:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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 Introduction 03:01 Childhood Struggles and Military Fears 07:38 Adapting to American Life 09:23 Juvenile Hall and Learning to Fight Back 12:39 The Turning Point: Education and Trouble 35:49 Breaking Bad: The Audition Story 43:41 Parole Dilemma: Seeking Permission 44:22 Testing the Waters with the Parole Officer 46:37 Defying Parole: The Risky Decision 46:53 Journey to New Mexico: The Anxiety 55:44 Breaking Bad: The Big Opportunity 59:28 On Set with Bryan Cranston 01:04:52 The Iconic Explosion Scene 01:21:15 Typecasting Challenges and Opportunities 01:24:51 Working with Legends: Mel Gibson and Clint Eastwood 01:29:23 Breaking the Rules: Audition Stories 01:30:20 The Audition Do-Over 01:35:47 On Set with Clint Eastwood 01:39:54 Hollywood's Current Landscape 01:42:41 The Impact of Streaming and Residuals 01:56:15 Navigating the Crypto Craze 02:05:19 Advice for Aspiring Actors 02:08:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections Follow Daniel on Twitch Follow Daniel on Instagram Follow Arrad (podcast host)    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook

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   Follow Arrad (podcast host)  LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team):  ✩ Instagram ✩ Twitter ✩ TikTok ✩ Facebook  

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   Follow Arrad (podcast host) here: https://instagram.com/arrad LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eq3LPnwW0v2VptRWDy78P APPLE MUSIC: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ourselves-podcast/id1788214492 YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBobeWgRkYo&list=PLK6771Xzlj6ljfd-tLyBL_-EE9CjRx0RQ CONNECT WITH US: ✩ Ourselves (production team): https://www.ourselves.tv/ ✩ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourselvespodcast/ ✩ Twitter: https://x.com/ourselvespod ✩ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourselvespodcast ✩ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570639505831