Ourselves Podcast
Episodes
One TikTok video and a Frank Ocean song accidentally launched his career
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Hansen did not wait for a record label to believe in him. He built his career himself. After posting a single TikTok covering Frank Ocean, Matt s...
IRAN Wants America Dead…But This War Could Bring Peace
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I sat down with Iranian rapper and activist Erfan Paydar to unpack what’s really happening in Iran right now and why the world isn’t paying enough...
Oscar-Nominated Director Reveals the Pitch That Sold to Netflix
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to sell a documentary to Netflix? This episode breaks down the reality behind a Netflix documentary pitch deck, documentary funding, film financi...
How to land big budget video clients without “connections”
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From $500 music videos to six-figure productions, I sat down with up-and-coming photographer Cilantro to break down what it really takes to level up i...
Why Iranians Need the World’s Attention Right Now
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I was on set yesterday filming a new project, and I realized how little many of my colleagues and crew knew about the situation in Iran right now. I a...
The New Rules of Becoming a Full-Time Content Creator in 2026 (w/Adrian Per)
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Adrian Per (@omgadrian), a trailblazing creative force in the content space. Adrian shares...
Nora Fatehi Turned Rejection Into 47 Million Followers and Global Stardom
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Toronto to Bollywood to the World Cup stage, Nora Fatehi’s journey is anything but traditional. In this episode, we break down how a Moroccan-C...
Leon Thomas: You Can’t Be Great Without Being Disruptive
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leon Thomas is one of the rare artists who has mastered the blend of musicality, vision, and business. In this episode, Leon pulls back the curtain on...
He’s Directed HUGE Videos for Kendrick & Bieber. Here’s How Colin Tilley Stays Relevant in a Cutthroat Industry
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From shaping visual masterpieces with Kendrick Lamar and Justin Bieber to redefining commercial storytelling, director Colin Tilley has done it all. I...
5 ways to improve your focus by 20x WITHOUT adderall
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, I unpack the silent killer of creative momentum: distraction. We live in a world built to hijack our attention: our phones, our ...
Music Video Legend Turned Netflix Director: The Untold Story of Anthony Mandler
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with legendary director and visual architect Anthony Mandler, the creative force behind some of the most cinematic music v...
From designing Justin Bieber’s Tours to Building the Future of Crypto: This is Figge
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Twilight dream sequences to designing visuals for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and the Super Bowl halftime show, Figge has helped shape the visu...
How I turned 1,000 rejections into a full-time filmmaking career
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rejection almost ended my filmmaking career. I’ve pitched over 1,000 projects in my life and lost the vast majority of them. I’ve been ghosted, ig...
Taylor Swift's Director Is Coming Out With a New MOVIE!
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade,...
The Dance Legend Behind Chris Brown, BTS, and Usher
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At just 23, Josh Smith was choreographing for the biggest names in music: Chris Brown, Usher, BTS, Ciara, and more. But his journey started way outsid...
How to build a FULL-TIME career as a filmmaker from NOTHING
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's dive into what it takes to make a full-time living as a filmmaker in 2025. We’re in the most accessible era for filmmaking ever, cameras in yo...
From Post Malone in the Studio to Trading Millions in Crypto: Seeno Shahrooz Tells All
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From producing and marketing for some of today’s biggest artists to making major moves as a crypto investor, Seeno Shahrooz has quietly built an emp...
How AI Will Replace Your Job
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this eye-opening solo episode, I dive headfirst into the unsettling reality of AI's rapid takeover, across tech, blue-collar jobs, filmmaking, and ...
Inside the Mind of Rihanna & J.Lo's Secret Weapon Director. This is TAJ.
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does a kid from Oakland with a MiniDV camera end up directing for Rihanna, JLo, and Usher? Taj Stansberry’s story is anything but typical. In th...
Why SINNERS Is the Most Important Film of the Decade
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, I dive into why Sinners might be the most significant cinematic release of the decade. This isn’t just another box office succ...
Why the music industry is rigged and how you can BUY a Grammy: Trevor Jackson explains all
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Jackson is no stranger to the spotlight — but in this episode, he opens up like never before. From starring in *Grown-ish* and *Superfly* to ...
10 Things You Need To Know About Starting A Podcast
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting a podcast sounded like a dream. But three months in, I’ve learned the raw truth: it's a full-time job, it’s humbling, and it’s not for ...
Did He Design the New World Order Flag?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
He designed a flag to unite the world. Instead, he was accused of working with the Illuminati. In this episode, Oskar Pernefeldt — Creative Director...
From Lucasfilm to Doja Cat: Warren Fu Reveals How to Land Your Dream Directing Job
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, visionary director Warren Fu shares an inspiring journey through his iconic work in music videos, his creative roots at Lucasfilm, an...
How I Broke Into the Rap Industry
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shooting rap videos isn’t for the faint of heart. Missed call times, wild pivots, and $75K wardrobes. Here’s the unfiltered truth about working wi...
MRCL Lost His Father, Home & Car, Then Found Himself in the Studio with SZA and Frank Ocean
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you lose everything — your father, your home, and your car — all in one month? If you’re MRCL, you turn that pain into purpo...
The Hidden NICHE Jobs in Filmmaking That Pay More and Have Less Competition!
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Filmmaking is changing. The market is oversaturated, and directors are fighting for survival. But niche workers? They’re getting booked and paid. If...
Zoya: The Iconic Gay Persian Content Creator Who Took Over Shark Tank!
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Persian family pressure to Shark Tank success! Zoya was expected to follow the traditional Middle Eastern path—become a lawyer, get married, ...
2025 Oscars Predictions: I Already Know Who’s Winning
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Timothée Chalamet to Demi Moore, from Kieran Culkin to Ariana Grande, the 2025 Oscars race is stacked—and I’m calling the shots! These are m...
How My Childhood Friend’s Art Got A$AP Rocky’s Attention & Took Off in Fashion
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ju...
You are only getting older..stop WASTING your TIME.
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How RealestK Went from a $40 Music Video to Millions of Streams
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Why Being a Filmmaker Made My Anxiety 10x Worse
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Breaking Bad Star Daniel Moncada Talks About the Tattoo That Changed His Life
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Moncada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—born in Honduras, he faced unimaginable challenges, from navigating a dangerous childho...
LA Wildfires: How We've Been Failed in Our Greatest Time of Need!
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Check out all the LA FIRE resources (volunteering, donating, shelters) HERE. In this episode, I discuss the catastrophic fires raging through my homet...
Why Chasing Dopamine Is Destroying Your Creative Dreams
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the chase for dopamine in creative industries, touching on the burnout that comes with seeking constant validation through socia...
Director X: Surviving a Shooting, Working with Drake and Justin Bieber, and XQC's $100 million deal
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this compelling and emotional interview, renowned filmmaker Director X opens up about his career journey, his iconic collaborations with artists li...