
The Karat Podcast
Ever wondered what your favorite creators are like behind the scenes? Karat Financial co-founders Eric Wei and Will Kim talk with today’s biggest creators to get to know the humans behind the content. Tune in to go deep, with topics covering hopes, dreams, philosophy, and insecurities.
Latest episodes

Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 7min
EP. 88 - How I Built a Billion Dollar YouTube Business: Alex Hormozi interview [VIDEO]
In a captivating conversation, Alex Hormozi, a serial entrepreneur and founder of multi-million dollar businesses, reveals secrets to building a billion-dollar YouTube venture. He discusses the importance of diversifying revenue streams and the common mistakes creators make that stifle growth. Hormozi emphasizes that content alone won't sustain a business without strategic monetization and shares hacks for scaling effectively. He also candidly addresses the challenges of fame and the resilience required to thrive in the creator economy.

Dec 4, 2024 • 45min
EP. 87 - Scumbag Dad on Why YouTube is Broken (interview) [VIDEO]
Join Karat Banking's perks program at https://www.trykarat.com/banking - first 1000 members to join the waitlist & be approved get the perks program for free for a year
Why are so many YouTubers quitting or getting cancelled? @scumbagdadofficial aka Scumbag Dad knows why - how algorithms are breaking our minds- and how to fix it.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Scumbag Dad at
@scumbagdadofficial
https://www.instagram.com/brad_podray/
https://www.tiktok.com/@brad_podray
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0:00 - Intro
1:29 - YouTube is BURNING down
2:02 - Disingenuous creators - how to spot them!
4:20 - Online "Rizz" guys are creating this issue
5:53 - Why the comment section is BRUTAL
7:45 - Creating ScumbagDad for this reason
9:03 - The main goal of 99% of YouTubers
11:57 - This YouTuber is now a politician
13:27 - Why his content was BANNED on TikTok
15:50 - He SPENDS how much on his TikToks?!
18:55 - His new podcast with @Stanzipotenza
20:48 - Why he HAS to change his name
21:27 - Losing a commercial gig because of this video
22:56 - KindbagDad...launching soon?
26:41 - Al is changing the creator landscape
30:16 - Every artist should make short form content
35:24 - Ruin your online following with this simple hack!
37:43 - This type of creator is EVIL
39:47 - This EVIL TIKTOKER preys on the homeless for content
41:24 - His endgame and closing thoughts

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 10min
EP. 86 - How LaurDIY survived YouTube for 10 years (interview) [VIDEO]
Join the waitlist for Karat Banking's new perks program at https://link.trykarat.com/banking-karat-pod - first 1000 members approved get perks free for a year~
LaurDIY has done YouTube for over 10 years - and she's still relevant, active, and not cancelled! Today she shares her secrets on how to build a sustainable career as a creator.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow LaurDIY at
@LaurDIY @laurDIYvlogs @WildTil9
https://www.instagram.com/laurdiy/
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00:00 - Intro
03:57 - Secret to 10 YEARS on YouTube
04:16 - LauraDIY Roasting Eric
05:26 - Extreme Makeover: Eric edition
08:59 - LaurDIY ghosted Eric
10:47 - Staying in bad relationships
13:23 - Privatizing your old videos is good
14:13 - DIY era wasn't always authentic
15:37 - Growing with your audience can save your channel
16:58 - why Lauren talks about p*nises now
17:55 - Secret to shifting content
20:33 - Hello new subscribers, goodbye old ones
25:07 - Vlogging is the new DIY'ing
26:53 - Making money on YouTube 10 years ago
30:14 - 90s kids are natural DIYers
36:38 - Meeting my husband while we both were in other relationships
38:27 - 10+ more years on YouTube?
42:30 - Content planning 101
47:37 - Partnering with Ashton Kutcher
52:10 - The one thing every creator struggles with
53:24 - Lauren's HOLLYWOOD show & ratings on it
57:42 - her show cost how much per episode??
59:32 - her HBO show got CANCELLED
1:05:43 - Staying sane as a creator
1:09:26 - Outro
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Editors: Jayna Benito & Cole Selby

Sep 30, 2024 • 31min
EP. 85 - Anthpo exposes why being funny on YouTube sucks (interview) [VIDEO]
Apply to join the creator talks discord here: https://link.trykarat.com/DiscordYT
@anthpo's videos make people laugh - but @anthpo works incredibly hard behind the scenes to make them. Today he shares why he quit YouTube last year before mysteriously returning - how he balances his art with making money - and what it was like working for MrBeast.
Note: we filmed this at VidCon live in June 2024
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Anthpo at
@anthpo and @NotAnthpo
https://www.instagram.com/anthpo/
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0:00 - Who is Anthpo?
0:54 - Why quit YouTube?
1:18 - Why his content is changing
3:22 - His experience working for MrBeast
4:20 - Why being a creator SUCKS
5:44 - Who he SLEPT with...
6:14 - Anthpo's creative comeback
6:53 - The SECRET SAUCE for viral content
7:50 - Anthpo got on the Bachelor9:34 - MrBeast's content formula is outdated 10:03 - Kelly Wakasa made Anthpo CRY11:19 - What you NEED to know as an upcoming creator
13:32 - Traveling thru the Anthpoverse
15:13 - He's never told anyone this...16:18 - Does he recommend making content while in college
17:27 - He makes HOW MUCH on YouTube?!
17:51- Are sponsors CRINGE?18:54 - The two paths of a YouTuber
20:20 - How he manages brand deals22:15 - Why BBNO$ paid him for a collab
23:46 - This was his the breaking point
25:21 - The real reason creators QUIT YouTube
26:18 - 2 pieces of advice for beginner creators
28:47 - SPECIAL GUEST!!
29:48- Anthpo's GIFT to Eric!

Aug 2, 2024 • 48min
EP. 84 - OfflineTV’s Creative Genius: Brodin Plett interview [VIDEO]
Apply to join the creator talks discord here: https://link.trykarat.com/DiscordYT
@OfflineTV is a content powerhouse featuring streamers like @DisguisedToast, @LilyPichu and @MichaelReeves, now meet their creative director who helps make the magic happen, @Brofain.
Today Brodin shares his creative vision for OTV and the thought process behind OTV’s viral video- along with his own inspirations across music, modeling, film, anime, and more!
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Now available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Brodin at
https://www.instagram.com/brodinplett
@Brodin Plett
Follow OTV at
@OfflineTV
https://www.instagram.com/offlinetv
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00:00 - Intro
01:26 - Why he HATES the number "3"
02:37 - Why OfflineTV needed him
05:18 - COVID got him his OTV job
06:45 - Separating friendship and the drama
07:42 - The first thing he changed at OTV
10:16 - The Office influenced OfflineTV
11:16 - OfflineTV Anime film Coming Soon?!
14:09 - Fear Pong, Condiment Girl and Hide & Seek
15:23 - Taking the channel in a new direction
18:08 - Creative VS Business: handling brand deals
19:59 - This 19yo's YouTube video is becoming MOVIE
21:33 - A flood caused him to miss TwitchCon
23:06 - He owes his success to Coachella '19
24:14 - Is he weird for this?
25:43 - Preparing to work for YouTube as a middle schooler
31:04 - I didn't getting paid for MONTHS while in esports
33:13 - Working for Marshmello and the FBI
37:22 - Filmmaker by day, musician by night
39:09 - Where he'll be in 10 years
41:00 - The superior ATLA bending skill
42:15 - Working on this skillset as a 30yr old
44:50 - Does he think he's a good manager?
47:45 - Closing thoughts

Jul 4, 2024 • 1h 1min
EP. 83 - I spent $2M on a YouTuber science fair: William Osman interview [VIDEO]
Karat Banking waitlist: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-banking
@williamosman just hosted the world's coolest science fair with top creators like @NileRed & @MarkRober - and it cost him $2M and his sanity.
Today - he shares the real story behind his event Open Sauce, what it was like working with MrBeast, and why he's quiet quitting his main channel.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Now available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow William at:
@williamosman
https://www.instagram.com/crabsandscience/
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0:00 - INTRO
2:59 - Fyre Festival...was it that bad?
3:59 - Open Sauce is the next World's Fair
6:44 - His budget went from $300k to $2M
9:49 - Spending $2,000,000 on what?!
11:17 - No backing out, no regrets
13:12 - He quit YouTube to throw the largest science fair
14:58 - Open Sauces' secret sauce...shh it's secret!
18:04 - Working with MrBeast was a NIGHTMARE
23:22 - How he felt after filming with MrBeast
27:12 - His only video, his grandparents can understand
30:36 - Leaving his main channel behind
31:05 - Creators that influenced him
34:25 - The only way to make it on YouTube
35:25 - 7 jobs he had before YouTube
40:00 - His side job became his first viral video
41:25 - Science is SH*TTY
44:30 - His favorite homemade project
45:04 - His house BURNED down
49:47 - Spending his GoFundMe money
51:52 - Meeting and moving in with Michael Reeves
53:33 - Michael Reeves changed his content
56:19 - Holding in WHAT during his interview with CNN
1:00:14 - Is he happy?

Jun 19, 2024 • 1h 14min
EP. 82 - i faked a relationship to sell clothes: Frugal Aesthetic interview [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@FrugalAesthetic got a new girlfriend, moved in with her, then tragically broke up & got jacked - except it was all staged.
Today Christian shares why he did it, how he pulled it off, and how he almost lost his mind.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Now available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Christian at:
@FrugalAesthetic
https://www.instagram.com/vansatthemetgala/
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0:00 - Intro
1:10 - What happened?
6:11 - let's make it as cringe as possible
7:54 - Is she into him?
11:56 - this was a crazy amount of work - why??
15:36 - this isn't even staged now- Christian LOSING his mind
16:47 - Christian turning emo
17:58 - you found a grey area to LIE with
18:56 - this is an IRONIC thirst trap, please ignore!!!
19:56 - Eric says something pretty suss
24:31 - Christian's identity as an "Outsider"
29:15 - the trilogy Christian made - meet cute to breakup
32:49 - Does he believe in fate?
35:36 - Why Eric flew to New York to film this
36:32 - Christian's went through his own "Past Lives" trauma
39:40 - Eric's SHITTY breakup email
42:55 - Christian's going to start saying this to flake on everyone
43:47 - producer Jack emerges from the deep to share his opinion
44:55 - Christian lost a girl and now he's doing this whole bit
51:52 - Christian discusses his new brand
52:58 - Eric models the first jacket Christian made
54:54 - What makes his brand different?
58:59 - Christian ACTUALLY goes to the MET GALA
1:02:06 - How has Eric changed since his breakup?
1:07:16 - Would past Christian be proud of him today?
1:09:24 - What's next?
1:13:41 - Outro

Jun 8, 2024 • 1h 12min
EP. 81 - I got laid off & went viral: Chloe Shih interview [VIDEO]
Former Discord Product Manager, Chloe Shih, shares her viral journey after being laid off, getting hate comments, and receiving job offers. She discusses starting a platform based on positivity, overcoming trauma, and finding love. The podcast also touches on the power of cuteness in problem-solving and the importance of choosing positivity in relationships.

May 30, 2024 • 1h 21min
EP. 80 - Internet Shaquille On Making $250K/ yr without selling out [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@internetshaquille makes over $250K on YouTube without selling out his soul - because he relies on his Patreon community & selling handmade ceramic cookware. He's actively turned down chances to make 3x more - join us today to learn why and how he does it!
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Now available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Internet Shaquille here:
@internetshaquille
https://www.instagram.com/internetshaquille/
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0:00 - Intro
2:00 - How much does he make today?
3:05 - Barkley breakdown
6:34 - How he funded his business - full income breakdown
15:47 - One product he will NEVER buy again
17:13 - Adsense income breakdown - is it worth it?
19:29 - He sells pictures of his WHAT on Patreon??
21:44 - His fanbase holds a convention that he CANT go to
24:43 - Why using a debit card is costing you money
31:30 - Shaq breaks down his ENTIRE finances
42:20 - He earns how much from brand deals?!
46:29 - Will he keep making content forever?
48:31 - What he taught before becoming a YouTuber
57:10 - Has he found his meaning of life?
59:58 - What's the dream for his content?
1:00:20 - Videos that he HASN'T made yet
1:01:08 - A message for his fans
1:17:09 - The decision to create cooking content
1:19:14 - Does he use A.I. for his content?
1:20:52 - Outro

May 16, 2024 • 1h 18min
EP. 79 - Asian Gang Members to YouTube Kings: JustKiddingNews interview [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@JustKiddingNews cofounders Bart Kwan and Joe Jitsukawa grew up working in gangs in the "pharmaceutical industry" - but wanted to be better and make good. In 2007 - they started the Just Kidding YouTube empire.
17 years later - despite fellow creators quitting & AdSense dropping - they're still going strong- and today share the secret to their success.
------------
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Now available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Bart Kwan here:
@BartGeo
@barbellbrigade
https://www.instagram.com/bartkwan/
Follow Joe Jitsukawa here:
@JoeJitsukawa
https://www.instagram.com/joejitsukawa/
Follow JustKidding News here:
@JustKiddingNews
https://www.instagram.com/justkiddingnews/
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0:00 - Intro
2:09 - Troubled youth to Youtube stars
4:29 - Bart's special high school program
5:45 - How did Bart get KICKED OUT of military school
7:49 - Joe's story of being in a street gang at 15
11:25 - He went to college to buy w**d with financial aid money
11:57 - Why he decided to assimilate into society
16:26 - How would their lives be different if they had Youtube in High School
19:23 - How MMA brought them together
23:55 - How he maintained a 4.0 GPA after being in a gang
24:32 - How Just Kidding Films started
25:56 - How did Bart shift from Marine Corp/Doctor to Youtube?
29:35 - How did Joe get to where he is now & shifting priorities to JK media
37:58 - When did they realize JK media was a business?
42:21 - Did money change their business?
42:54 - Their Youtube EMPIRE: Rise and Fall
50:23 - Their businesses outside of JK media
54:32 - How being a dad CHANGED him
57:08 - The unique experience all Asian Americans share
58:15 - Bart and his family relationship
1:04:00 - Struggling to fill a void in life
1:05:22 - Why have they stayed friends after all this time?
1:09:15 - Eric's strange relationship with his cofounder
1:10:37 - How they each drive each other crazy
1:14:17 - A moment when they needed each other
1:15:46 - What is the secret to their success
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