

The Karat Podcast
Karat Financial
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.
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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 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

May 10, 2024 • 33min
EP. 78 - Hollywood Actor on Getting 150M views/ month (Adam Rose interview) [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@realadamrose never had a normal life - from playing Robin William’s son at just 9yrs old, starring in an Oscar nominated film, to going viral during the pandemic and landing a Fortnite brand deal.
Today Adam talks about the secret to gaining 150 MILLION views monthly online and how he’s returning to Hollywood to produce his first film.
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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 Adam Rose at
https://www.instagram.com/realadamrose/
@realadamrose
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0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Why he started using a FAKE name
2:21 - His childhood struggle with disease
4:55 - He Co-Starred with WHAT actor?
6:23 - He recently sold his OWN movie?
9:57 - How Fortnite made him go viral
12:40 - The future of acting is TikTok
16:46 - Adam's most PASSIONATE moment
20:35 - Adam was a DELINQUENT
23:00 - What is it like having money?
25:17 - How a "Dead End" brought him to LA
26:43 - How was he so successful as a child actor?
31:58 - What's the dream now?

May 1, 2024 • 1h 4min
EP. 77 - Steezy Kane on Quitting YouTube & Collabing w The Weekend (interview) [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@steezykane is done. He's quitting his Youtube channel with over 3 million subscribers. Steezy Kane was a fake persona created by Isaiah Shepard to get famous. Now, Isaiah is moving onto Hollywood. Today he discusses his collaboration with The Weeknd, his new show "Views" that will change Youtube, and why he's afraid of AI.
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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 Isaiah Shepard at
https://www.instagram.com/steezykane/
@steezykane
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:17 - How Isaiah got chased during the eclipse
2:48 - Why he lost motivation to post videos
3:28 - Why Steezy Kane is DEAD
6:57 - Why he stopped making content for views
9:45 - His $32,000 FAILURE
15:49 - Classic films that started off as failures
21:30 - How Smosh tanked their channel
24:30 - Why TikTok is investing in AI influencers
26:20 - Why is Isaiah afraid of AI?
32:21 - What is his dream for his content?
33:46 - His sketch he made for The Weeknd
38:47 - Does he feel burnout on projects outside of his YouTube channel?
41:38 - Why did he start "Steezy Kane"
44:54 - Why Steezy Kane is a poor YouTuber?
46:46 - Isaiah describes his BAD financial situation
48:47 - How the pier jump saved his life
51:41 - Why is he crying in his YouTube channel picture?
54:44 - He didn't talk until high school.
57:47 - Why are so many creators quitting?
59:41 - Why he thinks shorts will fail?
01:02 - What does he want to make now?

Apr 24, 2024 • 1h 6min
EP. 76 - Avatar Star Michaela Murphy (Toph) on Netflix’s Reboot & Growing Creatively [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@michaelamostly voiced Toph in Avatar. Then she quit acting to go to Yale and become a doctor and live what she thought would be a "normal" life- but that's not what happened.
Today she shares what post-Avatar life looks like, how she really feels about Netflix's Avatar, and her own creative dreams.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric Wei at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Michaela Murphy at
https://www.instagram.com/michaelamostly/
@michaelamostly
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:50 - Michaela's thoughts on drugs
04:16 - How Michaela feels about being public
05:44 - Being "that theater kid" in school
06:38 - The real reason Michaela's returning to YouTube
09:49 - The best social platform for actors
12:11 - Making the shift from actor to content creator
12:44 - Hustling with 5 jobs in a year
13:55 - Michaela sets the record straight
17:42 - Is Michaela moving away from Toph?
21:23 - Michaela's honest thoughts on Netflix's Avatar
23:52 - Playing Azula in 2024
24:33 - Why Michaela scares her dates away
28:19 - Shoot your shot
29:24 - Do people know they're dating Toph?
30:37 - What is Tinsel with Toph?
31:04 - A 10yr career plan at 5yrs old
37:38 - Working with her dream director
41:57 - PSA: FaceTime your dates
45:23 - How to boost your creator career
48:24 - Toph is Turning 30...FINALLY
53:22 - Supporting local artists at comic con
56:10 - Michaela's biggest life saver
57:49 - Why she'll never go behind the camera
59:48 - The hardest part of her career
1:02:30 - One year later...what's changed
1:05:56 - Outro

Apr 17, 2024 • 59min
EP. 75 - How He Built YouTube’s Biggest Dating Show (Jubilee CEO interview) [VIDEO]
Sign up for free access to Karat Insights: https://link.trykarat.com/yt-insights
@jubilee produces crazy videos - like 'Speed dating 30 people IRL' or 'Flat Earthers vs Scientists' - now meet Jubilee's founder Jason Y. Lee on *why* and Jubilee's real mission to spread empathy.
Today Jason shares why he's focused today on love & relationships - and why Jubilee just launched its new relationships app!
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Check out Jubilee's new relationships app at
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nectar-love-compatibility/id6476018063
Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Jubilee
@jubilee
https://www.instagram.com/jubileemedia/
Follow Jason Y. Lee at
https://www.instagram.com/jasonylee_/
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:51 - How Jubilee media started
4:53 - Why making a video measuring men's 🍆 is important
7:19 - Why Jason started making content
10:23 - Jesus would have been a YouTuber
10:37 - Why controversial debates are so important
14:34 - Jason's message for Jubilee copycats
16:12 - How Jubilee deals with guests they don't agree with
16:42 - Episodes Jason wasn't comfortable making
19:10 - The one rule for ALL Jubilee guests
21:17 - Why Eric is spiritual himself
21:54 - Did Jason feel loved growing up religious?
26:22 - How Jason hasn't burnt out after 15 years
28:47 - The goal of Jubilee
34:02 - What his parents taught him about love
34:59 - The moment he realized he would marry his wife
37:45 - Jubilee's new app!
40:25 - How personality types play into a relationship
45:06 - How he plans to change the way people love
46:07 - The new app might poke holes in friendships
50:53 - Is cheating a dealbreaker?
52:55 - His wife's Dad said NO to them marrying each other
55:13 - Why Jason won't take credit for Jubilee

Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 12min
EP. 74 - Millionaire Humphrey Yang on How to Get Rich in 2024 [VIDEO]
Subscribe to our creator economy newsletter at https://news.trykarat.com!
@humphrey became a millionaire by working normal jobs - and saving money - before taking giant risks like starting his own business and YouTube channel. Today - he shares how to beat the system and follow his footsteps.
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Follow Karat at
https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/Available now on Spotify
Follow Eric at
https://www.instagram.com/erictway/
Follow Humphrey Yang at
@humphrey
https://www.instagram.com/humphreytalks/
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:39 - Gen Z trusts Humphrey more than Warren Buffet
2:59 - Entrepreneur vs YouTuber
3:39 - He had his own business at a 9yrs old
6:33 - A boomer's perception of wealth
11:05 - How much is Humphrey net worth?
11:32 - Financial creators don't talk about this
13:47 - The secret to get 1M followers on TikTok
15:08 - The habit that's keeping millennials "poor"
16:47 - Why financial creators won't post their losses
18:39 - Humphrey breaks down his portfolio
25:34 - Middle class DOSEN'T exist anymore
28:27 - Humphrey's earnings in GameStop 2021
31:29 - They best way to get a higher salary
35:26 - Do this trick to get a pay raise early in your career
38:09 - Running a meme page on the side
40:54 - Humphrey made 6-figures selling posters
47:34 - Good gamers = successful entrepreneurs
51:38 - What Humphrey is investing in next
52:25 - Things we should unlearn
53:27 - Chasing views is never a good mindset
55:08 - The Humphrey "Brand"
57:41 - When to use clickbait
59:56 - Why SVB failed?
1:05:48 - Meeting viewers IRL
1:06:31 - Making the move from financial to life advise content
1:08:20 - How often Humphrey meditates
1:12:01 - outro

4 snips
Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 1min
EP. 73 Billion Dollar Patreon CEO Explains How to Fix the Internet [VIDEO]
Jack Conte, Patreon CEO, discusses rebuilding a sustainable Internet, misalignment of creators & YouTube, balancing art with business, and the downsides of being a CEO. He shares personal stories, reflections on AI, and the changing landscape of the Internet.


