Shows / Ourselves Podcast
Ourselves Podcast
OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video director Arrad, each episode brings you unfiltered conversations with visionary artists, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and thought leaders shaping the future. From behind-the-scenes stories of groundbreaking projects to candid discussions about mental health, reinvention, and navigating the creative industry, OURSELVES is your space to feel…
Episodes
Ourselves PodcastWhy the Music Industry Is Broken (It’s Not the Artists' Fault) | Jesse Boykins III
Labels used to have a marketing plan for their artists. Now the marketing plan is the artist: post about the album five times a day for six months, then post…
Ourselves PodcastThe Secret Weapon Behind the Choreo of Cardi B, BLACKPINK's LISA, and Lil Nas X.
Sean Bankhead got cut from Usher's tour at 19. Almost 15 years later, he came out of retirement and danced next to Usher at the Super Bowl. Sean is the…
Ourselves PodcastHollywood Is DYING And It’s Not For The Reason You Think
The collapse is worse than you think. Over 50,000 California production jobs disappeared in two years, soundstage occupancy fell from 95% to 62%, and not a…
Ourselves PodcastDrake Was P-Lo's Dream Artist. He made it happen.
P-Lo produced the Drake record that put Mac Dre back in front of the world, and the Bay had a lot to say about it. P-Lo is a producer, rapper and Bay Area…
Ourselves PodcastAriana Grande's Director Is Her Creative Soulmate
Christian Breslauer directed the music videos you have already watched a hundred times. Ariana Grande. SZA's Kill Bill. Lil Nas X's Industry Baby. Doja Cat…
Ourselves PodcastHow Obsession and Backrooms Took Over Hollywood
A $750,000 horror movie just beat Hollywood at its own game. In this episode, I break down how two creator-made films, Obsession and Backrooms, each crossed…
Ourselves PodcastHe Started With $0 and Cold Emails. Now Nike, Oakley & Wingstop Hire His Agency.
Sebastien built SLAPS, a creative agency for some of the biggest brands in the world, with no design degree, no advertising background, and no industry…
Ourselves PodcastFollowers Are Worthless. Watch Time Is The New Currency. (w/ Sooraj Saxena)
Most of what you've been told about being a content creator is a lie. Sooraj Saxena spent years learning that the hard way. In this conversation he reveals the…
Ourselves PodcastOne TikTok and a Frank Ocean song accidentally launched his career
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 suddenly…
Ourselves PodcastIRAN Wants America Dead…But Will This War Bring Peace?
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 attention…
Ourselves PodcastOscar-Nominated Director Reveals the Pitch That Sold to Netflix
Want to sell a movie to Netflix? This episode breaks down the reality behind a Netflix documentary pitch deck, funding, film financing, and what streamers…
Ourselves PodcastHow to land big budget video clients without “connections”
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 in the…
Ourselves PodcastWhy Iranians Need the World’s Attention Right Now
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 am a proud…
Ourselves PodcastThe New Rules of Becoming a Full-Time Content Creator in 2026 (w/Adrian Per)
In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Adrian Per (@omgadrian), a trailblazing creative force in the content space. Adrian shares how he…
Ourselves PodcastNora Fatehi Turned Rejection Into 47 Million Followers and Global Stardom
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-Canadian…
Ourselves PodcastLeon Thomas: You Can’t Be Great Without Being Disruptive
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 what it…
Ourselves PodcastHe’s Directed HUGE Videos for Kendrick & Bieber. Here’s How Colin Tilley Stays Relevant in a Cutthroat Industry
From shaping visual masterpieces with Kendrick Lamar and Justin Bieber to redefining commercial storytelling, director Colin Tilley has done it all. In this…
Ourselves Podcast5 ways to improve your focus by 20x WITHOUT adderall
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 feeds…
Ourselves PodcastMusic Video Legend Turned Netflix Director: The Untold Story of Anthony Mandler
In this episode, I sit down with legendary director and visual architect Anthony Mandler, the creative force behind some of the most cinematic music videos of…
Ourselves PodcastFrom designing Justin Bieber’s Tours to Building the Future of Crypto: This is Figge
From Twilight dream sequences to designing visuals for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and the Super Bowl halftime show, Figge has helped shape the visual…
Ourselves PodcastHow I turned 1,000 rejections into a full-time filmmaking career
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, ignored, and…
Ourselves PodcastTaylor Swift's Director Is Coming Out With a New MOVIE!
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, Joseph…
Ourselves PodcastThe Dance Legend Behind Chris Brown, BTS, and Usher
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 outside the…
Ourselves PodcastHow to build a FULL-TIME career as a filmmaker from NOTHING
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 your pocket…
Ourselves PodcastFrom Post Malone in the Studio to Trading Millions in Crypto: Seeno Shahrooz Tells All
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 empire behind…
Ourselves PodcastHow AI Will Replace Your Job
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…
Ourselves PodcastInside the Mind of Rihanna & J.Lo's Secret Weapon Director. This is TAJ.
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 this…
Ourselves PodcastWhy SINNERS Is the Most Important Film of the Decade
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 success, it’s a…
Ourselves PodcastWhy the music industry is rigged and how you can BUY a Grammy: Trevor Jackson explains all
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 dropping…
Ourselves Podcast10 Things You Need To Know About Starting A Podcast
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 the faint of…
Ourselves PodcastDid He Design the New World Order Flag?
He designed a flag to unite the world. Instead, he was accused of working with the Illuminati. In this episode, Oskar Pernefeldt — Creative Director at Oatly…
Ourselves PodcastFrom Lucasfilm to Doja Cat: Warren Fu Reveals How to Land Your Dream Directing Job
In this episode, visionary director Warren Fu shares an inspiring journey through his iconic work in music videos, his creative roots at Lucasfilm, and the…
Ourselves PodcastHow I Broke Into the Rap Industry
Shooting rap videos isn’t for the faint of heart. Missed call times, wild pivots, and $75K wardrobes. Here’s the unfiltered truth about working with hip hop…
Ourselves PodcastMRCL Lost His Father, Home & Car, Then Found Himself in the Studio with SZA and Frank Ocean
What do you do when you lose everything — your father, your home, and your car — all in one month? If you’re MRCL, you turn that pain into purpose… and make…
Ourselves PodcastThe Hidden NICHE Jobs in Filmmaking That Pay More and Have Less Competition!
Filmmaking is changing. The market is oversaturated, and directors are fighting for survival. But niche workers? They’re getting booked and paid. If you want a…
Ourselves PodcastZoya: The Iconic Gay Persian Content Creator Who Took Over Shark Tank!
From Persian family pressure to Shark Tank success! Zoya was expected to follow the traditional Middle Eastern path—become a lawyer, get married, and live the…
Ourselves Podcast2025 Oscars Predictions: I Already Know Who’s Winning
From Timothée Chalamet to Demi Moore, from Kieran Culkin to Ariana Grande, the 2025 Oscars race is stacked—and I’m calling the shots! These are my official…
Ourselves PodcastHow My Childhood Friend’s Art Got A$AP Rocky’s Attention & Took Off in Fashion
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…
Ourselves PodcastYou are only getting older..stop WASTING your TIME.
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…
Ourselves PodcastHow RealestK Went from a $40 Music Video to Millions of Streams
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…
Ourselves PodcastWhy Being a Filmmaker Made My Anxiety 10x Worse
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…
Ourselves PodcastBreaking Bad Star Daniel Moncada Talks About the Tattoo That Changed His Life
Daniel Moncada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—born in Honduras, he faced unimaginable challenges, from navigating a dangerous childhood to…
Ourselves PodcastLA Wildfires: How We've Been Failed in Our Greatest Time of Need!
Check out all the LA FIRE resources (volunteering, donating, shelters) HERE. In this episode, I discuss the catastrophic fires raging through my hometown of…
Ourselves PodcastWhy Chasing Dopamine Is Destroying Your Creative Dreams
This episode explores the chase for dopamine in creative industries, touching on the burnout that comes with seeking constant validation through social media…
Ourselves PodcastDirector X: Surviving a Shooting, Working with Drake and Justin Bieber, and XQC's $100 million deal
In this compelling and emotional interview, renowned filmmaker Director X opens up about his career journey, his iconic collaborations with artists like Drake…