
Doin' The Thing w/ Dillan Taylor
Doin' The Thing is a show for creators who want to build their content business better and faster. It's hosted by Dillan Taylor—certified life coach, writer, and CEO of Grindstone. He interviews top creators to share their biggest mistakes and lessons and tells stories from Grindstone, a coaching company for video creators.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 49min
Making Food Videos in New York City Changed His Life (w/ Jon Barr) | 055
Dillan interviews Jon Barr.Jon is a travel and food content creator with nearly 600k subscribers on YouTube. His channel began as "Here Be Barr"—focused on New York guides—but has evolved into a personal brand built around food, storytelling, and high-quality production.They discuss: the transition from niche to personal brand, how he revamped his thumbnails, focus, and team, the revenue breakdown of his content business, why short-form sponsorships are outperforming long-form, how creators can stay present while filming, his advice for creators who want to pivot their content, and much more.•••Jon's links...YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HereBeBarrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/here.be.barr/•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:51 Why Jon changed his channel name3:53 How Jon's branding has improved7:02 Behind-the-scenes of Jon’s workflow13:30 How to pivot content successfully18:01 Getting comfortable on camera24:00 The power of telling your story27:10 Jon’s revenue breakdown38:07 Rapid fire Q&A48:21 Bye bye bye

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 20min
How He Sold $100M+ of Products Writing Emails (w/ Chris Orzechowski) | 054
Dillan interviews Chris Orzechowski.Chris runs The Email Copywriter. He's a world-class emailer, direct response marketer, and the #1 kielbasa salesman on the planet. He’s helped e-commerce brands, creators, and consultants generate millions through storytelling and email content writing.They discuss: how to sell to your audience without being sleazy, building an audience of buyers and #1 fans, the real reason most creators fail, what separates amateurs from pros, how to build systems that print money, and much more.•••Chris's links...Website: https://theemailcopywriter.com/Twitter / X: https://x.com/chrisorzyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-orzy•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:37 Being different vs being better7:17 Why most people give up14:18 Pros vs amateurs29:12 Be the architect of your life/business39:51 Why start an email list?49:00 How to get your first 100 email subscribers51:57 Using ads to get subscribers53:59 What makes a good vs crappy lead magnet?56:07 Common emailing mistakes1:03:14 What's getting easier / harder?1:05:59 #1 lesson Chris learned the hard way1:08:04 Chris’s hot take on content1:09:48 Chri's favorite creator1:13:35 What Chris sacrificed to grow his business1:16:50 Chris’s advice for new creators1:19:23 Bye bye bye

Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 19min
How to Stand Out in a Sea of A.I. Slop (w/ Michelle Varghese) | 053
Dillan interviews Michelle Varghese.Michelle is a writing coach who helps creators express themselves online with more honesty, vulnerability, and soul. She’s worked with programs like Write of Passage and now coaches writers full-time.They discuss: how to spot (and avoid writing) AI slop, the rise of performative content on LinkedIn, why vulnerability in writing matters more than ever, how to know when you're ready to share a personal story, the difference between wounds and scars in creative work, the 5-step exercise to help your audience feel 10x more connected to you, and much more.•••Michelle's links...Substack: https://substack.com/@michellevargheseTwitter / X: https://x.com/mvarghooseWriting Coaching: https://michellevarghoose.gumroad.com/l/writingcoaching/•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:45 Best and worst things about AI writing7:57 The “dead internet theory”18:04 How AI fails to replicate human error29:40 Can you even tell when writing is AI?35:42 The power of stories in content39:35 Michelle’s advice for creating vulnerably52:30 Being human is the whole point55:31 A 5-finger framework for connection1:04:22 Michelle’s turn: her 5-finger reflection1:17:24 Bye bye bye

Jun 7, 2025 • 1h 13min
The Systems That Got This Middle School Teacher 400K Subs (w/ CPreds) | 052
Dillan interviews CPreds.CPreds is a full-time Call of Duty content creator with over 400,000 YouTube subscribers. He built his audience from scratch while working full-time as a middle school teacher, editing videos on NYC subways, and uploading daily.They discuss: the harsh realities of going full-time, how to build a sustainable content system, what still surprises him at 400k subs, evergreen content strategies, how to package viral videos, why copying won't get you far, and much more.CPreds’s links...Website: https://linktr.ee/cpredsTwitter / X: https://x.com/CPreds_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CPreds•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:43 The CPreds tagline3:18 What's different & the same at 400K subs8:10 Evergreen content explained14:25 Looking back at his first videos20:36 The biggest mistake new creators make30:21 His early grind while teaching full-time34:29 His step-by-step plan to grow from 0 to 100k42:54 Behind his most viral long-form video51:29 Building connection with your audience 56:53 Breaking down the CPreds content business1:06:29 Rapid-fire questions1:12:54 Bye bye bye

May 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
He Made $0 for 16 Months, Then Hit $107k/Month (w/ Jack Bly) | 051
Dillan interviews Jack Bly.Jack is a former online fitness coach who scaled his coaching business from zero to $100k/month. Now he runs Acquisition Pilot—a program that helps other coaches scale through client acquisition systems, pricing strategies, and no-BS sales tactics.They discuss: what keeps most coaches broke, how to start making real money online, why lead gen is the most important thing under $50k/month, how to build an offer people actually want, the five steps to landing high-ticket clients, the right way to give your coaching away for free, and much more.•••Jack's links...Website: https://www.acquisitionpilot.co/opt-in1747914755357Twitter / X: https://x.com/TheJackBlyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejackbly•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:46 Why Jack made $0 for 16 months5:05 The 2 big shifts that made money8:11 Jack’s 5-step client acquisition framework11:22 Cold outreach without being sleazy18:32 Pricing when you’re just starting out23:45 Building a high-ticket offer that sells30:00 How to NEVER get clients33:40 Finding a niche and a real problem to solve37:27 Why Jack pivoted to helping coaches41:09 Content vs. active lead gen46:01 How to identify your biggest business bottleneck50:08 How to build a killer course54:02 The pain of leadership and hiring59:24 What Jack has sacrificed (and won’t)1:02:08 Jack's #1 advice1:04:46 Bye bye bye

May 23, 2025 • 1h 19min
How Creators Can Stay Healthy While Growing Online (w/ TCaptainX) | 050
Dillan interviews Tyler Cook—aka TCaptainX, aka TFitX.Tyler is a full-time Call of Duty creator and former registered nurse turned personal trainer, who’s built thriving online businesses around gaming content and fitness coaching.They discuss: how storytelling made his basic gaming clips go viral, what creators can learn from his pivot into online personal training, how to turn your audience into clients, building a two-business flywheel, balancing burnout with well-being, creator-friendly health habits, and much more.•••TCaptainX's links...Website: https://pillar.io/tcaptainxTwitter / X: https://x.com/TCaptainX_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TCaptainX•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:38 From nurse to full-time COD creator3:38 Why his early content sucked7:20 Good storytelling = curiosity + stakes12:30 Pivoting from gaming to fitness20:35 Using content to grow a service business41:16 Creating "flywheel" content45:04 What creators can do to improve their health now1:03:38 Tyler's creator revenue streams1:16:04 Tyler's #1 creator advice1:18:36 Bye bye bye

May 16, 2025 • 1h 34min
34 Lessons Streamers Learn the Hard Way (w/ Katliente) | 049
Dillan interviews Katliente.Kat is a full-time creator known for her Twitch streams, viral TikToks, and YouTube channel where she shares candid creator advice and commentary. She’s built a loyal following by blending humor, hustle, and brutal honesty about life as a content creator.They discuss: how she grew from 0 to Twitch Partner, the harsh realities of being a female streamer, how to stop being boring on stream, what makes or breaks creators, how to pivot content without killing your channel, the business behind her $13k/month creator income, how to build real community, and much more.•••Katliente's links...Twitter / X: https://x.com/katlienteeeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@katnchat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katliente.ttv/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katlienteTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/katlienteSponsor Guide: https://katliente.notion.site/SPONSORSHIP-GUIDE-v2-34073f2fec2644b1b83bd9df0e1b70c0•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylor Newsletter: https://www.grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/ Music by myboy.scoochy: https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:39 Why “being a cute girl” didn’t grow Kat’s Twitch6:31 Specific improvements she made to stop being boring11:16 Why she pivoted from gaming to streaming advice15:43 How to pivot content without killing your channel22:29 What’s getting easier and harder?28:44 How Kat builds community and trust33:07 3 big mistakes streamers make 40:42 Dillan's coaching career44:57 Her most damaging vs. most valuable mistake51:40 How Kat makes $13k+/month as a creator1:11:18 How to get sponsors with a small audience1:15:50 Kat's systems for sponsors1:25:50 Talent agency vs. management agency1:28:49 Kat's #1 advice for a stuck creator1:32:01 Bye bye bye

May 9, 2025 • 1h 30min
How This Dad Built a 100K Chess Channel (w/ Epic Chess) | 048
Dillan interviews James Gardner—the man behind Epic Chess.James is a British YouTuber who’s built a comedic and high-skill chess analysis channel with over 100,000 subscribers. His videos blend educational game breakdowns, storytelling, and humor, making chess entertaining for enthusiasts and casual fans.They discuss: how to build long-term success on YouTube without burning out, the power of storytelling in thumbnails and titles, the challenge of idea generation, finding your unfair advantages as a creator, monetization beyond AdSense, how to create consistently without losing your soul, and much more.Epic Chess's links...YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@epicchess2021•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylorNewsletter: https://www.grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy:https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro1:04 Why James started Epic Chess13:44 Breaking down the early Epic Chess channel18:14 How James has improved his content over 3 years 27:24 The value of just getting started30:05 When to push vs when to pivot36:05 James’s creative system for posting every day39:18 Why he makes the thumbnail first40:19 Polished vs authentic content46:09 Thumbnail strategies and AI tools52:52 Sponsorships, revenue breakdown, and boundaries1:04:41 Sustainable success and reframing burnout1:15:41 Epic Chess links & Dillan's tattoo1:19:06 Dillan vs. James blitz game1:29:49 Bye bye bye

May 5, 2025 • 59min
How This Creator Made $30K/Month Making TikTok Ads (w/ Tyler Lang) | 047
Dillan interviews Tyler Lang—aka FatalGlytch.Tyler is a full-time content creator and UGC (user-generated content) strategist who has made over $30,000 in a single month creating viral ads for brands through programs like TikTok One.They discuss: how Tyler transitioned from gaming content to UGC ads, how to make $20k/month creating UGC, what makes a great ad, beginner steps to break into the UGC industry, how to price and package brand deals, key legal terms like “perpetuity” and “likeness,” and how to avoid burnout while building a full-time creator career, and much more.Tyler's links...Twitter / X: https://x.com/FatalGlytchYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatalGlytch•••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylorNewsletter: https://www.grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy:https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro1:00 What is UGC content? 3:49 Tyler’s creator journey 10:16 Beginner tips for breaking into UGC 21:25 Step-by-step of a UGC brand deal 26:33 How to package and price your content32:54 Why creators should avoid perpetuity33:44 What are Spark Ads?36:29 Explaining likeness, exclusivity, and legal rights42:39 How and when creators get paid 46:57 Hardest parts of being a UGC creator50:46 What makes a great ad 55:34 Tyler’s experience in the Grindstone program58:24 Bye bye bye

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 11min
How to Build the Perfect Content System (w/ Giana Cambria) | 046
Dillan interviews Giana Cambria—founder of Upper Hand Creative.UHC is a company that helps coaches, consultants, and agency owners scale their content while saving massive amounts of time. Giana shares her journey building the business, her insights on systemizing content workflows, how AI is changing the game, and what separates the creators who thrive from those who don't.They discuss: Giana's journey building the Upper Hand Creative, her insights on systemizing content workflows, what separates the creators who thrive from those who don't, the biggest pain points creators face, building a brand playbook, batching systems for content creation, creating viral content, using AI to save time and improve output, human vs AI content trends, why audience size isn’t everything for monetization, traits of Giana's top-performing clients, tactical advice for creators starting with $0, and much more.Giana's links...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianacambria91/Website: https://www.upperhandcreative.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GianaCambria •••Follow Dillan on the interwebs...Twitter / X: https://x.com/dillanroytaylorNewsletter: https://www.grindstone.coach/newsletterApply for Grindstone Coaching: https://www.grindstone.coach/Music by myboy.scoochy:https://www.instagram.com/myboy.scoochy/ •••0:00 Intro0:52 What is Upper Hand Creative?4:23 The pain creators experience9:07 The power of core stories and the “Big Domino”13:12 Building a viral content library14:39 Passive vs active creating17:48 Which platform to post on?20:07 Building a content system30:41 Traits of successful creators vs those who struggle40:49 Do you need a big audience to make money?45:59 Ways to systematize content creation for $049:20 Pulling inspiration from outside your niche53:05 Trends creators are sleeping on56:23 Favorite A.I. tools and how to use them1:02:30 Will A.I. replace human content?1:06:06 Giana’s #1 advice1:10:05 Bye bye bye