S8E8 - From Streaming (Twitch) Strategies to Overcoming Challenges, Building Community and Navigating Mental Health in Creativity!! #ShitHappens

Ever wondered how you can monetize your Twitch channel and grow your audience quickly? Join me and Jermaine as we discuss the ins and outs of Twitch streaming. We dive into the thrill of late-night streaming, sharing personal anecdotes and actionable strategies to quickly achieve Twitch affiliate status, comparing it to podcasting and exploring monetization strategies like subs and bits and the differences in accessibility and monetization between Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.

Jermaine and i also discuss the power of podcast networking events, the vibrant community atmosphere and the multifaceted fun and educational benefits of Podfest and Adam Schaeuble’s Pod Pals emphasizing the importance of nurturing connections made at such events and how these opportunities can open doors for learning, connecting, and finding new podcast guests. Discover how these experiences can reignite your passion and provide a clear vision for your projects.

Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship is no easy feat, and we don't shy away from discussing the mental barriers and financial anxieties involved. Hear our advice on balancing a day job while pursuing your creative passions, setting ambitious goals, and visualizing success. Plus, we share inspirational stories of personal growth, the benefits of rebranding, and the importance of seizing opportunities.

Not forgetting ,Mental health is a critical topic in the creative industry, and in this episode, we open up about our own journey, shifting the podcast's theme to encompass creative struggles and mental health challenges. We explore the pressures and isolation that creators often face and highlight the significance of sharing these stories to support others. We also discuss the power of discipline and visualization in balancing work and personal passions, unlearning societal norms, and redefining success on our own terms. 

Connect with Jermaine;

Podcast Link

https://upun.buzzsprout.com

Tiktok - Mindset/Creator Oriented

(3)Jermaine - Radiant Reflection (@radiantreflection) | TikTok

Instagram Link

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

hell yeah, I thought you like owned half a pod fest. Like every time I saw you you were the help in somebody or you would like. Honestly, I don't know what your affiliation with pod fest is, but I feel like you're like the official spokesperson of pod fest because, like every time I saw you, you had the biggest smile on your face, super greeting, super warm, and I'm like that's rare like going to some of these conventions I've been to, people are are like mad and upset Life of the party. Every time I saw it I was like it's 7 at night. How are you having this much energy right now?

Speaker 2: 0:32

What the fuck People even ask me what time are you sleeping, Because you're constantly here. You constantly have a beer on your hand. I know how many you've been drinking, but you still running. I'm like. I think God gives me a different energy every time I'm ready for podcast. I think, like God, already not. And it's funny you say that Cause matter if you're a wizard, a king or a queen, even if you are magic. You've got to agree it's worth it to talk shit out, no matter how messy.

Speaker 3: 1:12

Welcome to Shit Happens, where shit always happens, and no shit is too insignificant to discuss, from trivial inconveniences to life's profound challenges and everything in between. This show explores every aspect of the unpredictable nature of existence With your favorite shit talker and host P yeah, it's P.

Speaker 2: 1:41

It happens, it happens and definitely shit happens. Because, did you all know, this is my first 10 o'clock. Shit happens, live. Yes, because when shit happens, anything can happen. And literally shout out to this incredible human being who decided to bring me at seven, at 10 pm but I don't think it's his fault, right? Because? Because I decided to put the availability there. But for specific people I don't mind coming on at 10 o'clock and bringing the house down. And it's amazing because today, the whole day, I've had pot festers and most of them are like pot festers who I met for the first time this year.

Speaker 2: 2:23

So it's been a lot of fun, and this one is extremely special because we almost do the same shit. So I'm so excited about this conversation around mental health and creativity and thriving creatively and emotional, because I'm all about that shit. So, without further ado, I'm gonna go ahead and bring on my guest. Hey, jeremy, hi Jeremy. So, why do I always say Jeremy, jeremy?

Speaker 1: 2:52

No, you nailed it the second time. You got it. Thank you, I appreciate it.

Speaker 2: 2:58

How you doing, how you doing.

Speaker 1: 3:00

Yo, I am doing great. Today went swimmingly. I streamed. I'm also a streamer on Twitch. I streamed earlier and it was just a lot of fun. We played Tekken, we talked about work, we talked about the holidays and it was fun. It was good times.

Speaker 2: 3:19

Since you brought it up about streaming on Twitch, how does one get paid to stream on Twitch? Or do you have to do it for a certain level, like how you know YouTube and TikTok, where you have to get a certain amount of followers or videos or this to be able to start making money? How does Twitch work? Because I know in the podcasting industry we don't talk the podcasting industry, we don't talk about twitch as much yeah, that, and rightfully so, because twitch is a night.

Speaker 1: 3:50

No, I'm just playing um with. With twitch it's kind of like youtube um, they have an affiliate program. So in order to apply for the affiliate program, you need to have at least 50 people following you, which is easy, but you also have to have an average of three people watching you for the entire for a 30 day period. So every stream that you have up, you have to have at least three people watching you. Once that happens, you get the ability to have subs on your channel, uh, the ability to get what they call bits. And's just like I think it's a dollar, uh for 100 bits and your, your viewers, can send those to you during your stream and you can have things go off and like lights happen and an alert will happen, but essentially they're donating 5, 10, 20 whatever the money, uh amount is to you during your live stream.

Speaker 1: 4:43

So that's one way you can get paid, like Like I said. The other way is through subs. You can have a tiered sub, I think it starts at five, goes all the way up to 20. And with that you can provide your users with different emails. They can use different special commands in chat they can use Whatever you decide to provide them with. That's like the incentive for them to uh sub to your channel. And those are the traditional ways uh out, without thinking outside the box that you can.

Speaker 2: 5:10

You can make money as a streamer on twitch I like how they made it so easy, unlike youtube or twitter tiktok, where you have to have like 10 000 or something like to, to to have three people to watch me live. I can easily like make three different accounts and put all my three phones over there. You sit on the corner, you laptop, ipad, shit, like you're tuning in to see me for a month. Let's get it.

Speaker 1: 5:38

You just unlocked the G-code, like what you just said. It takes people years to realize that and I, honestly, when I first started, that's exactly what I did. I had a laptop from work, I had a cell phone and, luckily, I had one of my buddies. He was in there as a real person, so I had like two things running at once. I did that for a month and I got an affiliate. And that's when you start thinking all right, how do I differentiate my stream from somebody else's?

Speaker 1: 6:05

How do I make my stream entertaining but, like you said, they make it easy for you to get in there so you can potentially start making money within 30 days on Twitch after streaming. So I do enjoy that.

Speaker 2: 6:18

I love that. I don't like to. When things are so easy, I don't over-access myself. I'm like oh, I need three people online, literally First of all. In reality, I have like six emails. So I just have a harder time choosing which email I want to use for Twitch compared to finding them.

Speaker 1: 6:44

Easy routes into easy routes, so you don't have to stress about it.

Speaker 2: 6:45

Exactly take the easy route so you don't have to stress about it exactly like once we're already in, once we've passed the 30 days, now let's actually start growing it and working it. I'm not going to waste those 30 days trying to actually grow and I know I can track this shit and what about?

Speaker 2: 7:04

that and we were also talking before you came on backstage. You were also you know, I can fast track this shit Exactly, and what about that. And we were also talking before you came on backstage. You were also shout out to Adam Shively. You know, I finally am able to say his name without wondering how to say his last name.

Speaker 1: 7:17

For two years I've had a hard time saying Adam Shively, say it again, because I don't know how to say it. Yet One more time.

Speaker 2: 7:22

Shively Like.

Speaker 1: 7:24

Shively, I got it Shybly. I can remember that.

Speaker 2: 7:27

Alright, cool, yeah, yeah, once I started knowing like to put the, to kind of take them apart and then put them together, I was like, oh shybly, like I'm shybly.

Speaker 1: 7:40

Yes, yes, perfect.

Speaker 2: 7:43

He needs to pay me to teach people how to pronounce his name. You were just on his Pod Pals. How was?

Speaker 1: 7:48

that.

Speaker 2: 7:49

I've missed so many of those and for anybody who doesn't know what Pod Pals is, you need to. First of all, if you don't know who Adam is and you're in podcasting, something is wrong with you Exactly. Adam Shibley is the host of podcasting. Business school is my unofficial coach because when I get the money, I'm gonna hire him. He gives up all my money because he do gives out. Jam is very helpful, very incredible. Like shit happens became shit happens because of an audit I did with adam, like you.

Speaker 2: 8:22

That's awesome. Yeah, my logo. When we were switching it, adam was among the few people who were a part of helping me decide finalizing the new logo. So Adam has been a big, huge part of my journey. He even came on my podcast to celebrate his 300th episode what? Two years ago almost? So, yeah, so I'm a big fan. I just hate how much I keep missing podfalls. He does podfalls where he teaches for like 30 minutes and then he lets the other 15 minutes 24 people to to introduce themselves, talk about their podcast and what, what type of guests they're looking for and what type of guests they want so kind of like a networking, and it gets broadcasted all over. So it's a very good opportunity for people who are looking for guests or wanting guests, even just wanting your shirt to be out there, because the platform that adam has in itself is and I've met incredible people because of this platform and podcast. So how was it?

Speaker 1: 9:27

it was my first time so I didn't know what to expect. I heard about it through a pod fest he was talking about. He's like sign up, make sure that you're here, and it was a lot of fun it is. I enjoy hanging out with like-minded people and luckily that was just. It was 15 of us full. It was just us podcasters. We all had different niches. There's somebody I think her name was helen and I think her podcast is sleepless. All she does is read the most boring list ever for people to go to sleep.

Speaker 2: 9:56

I love that, yes that is genius.

Speaker 1: 9:59

I was like let me be a guest on your show, I'll read whatever you want. I'll read the encyclopedia, just let me know, um. But so it was real dope. I met a lot of dope people through there. I made two connections, I got two guests for my podcast through it and I wasn't expecting anything. So highly suggested if you have a podcast and you want to not only learn information about how to grow your podcast but to meet other podcasters, check out his website, check out his podcast. It's super awesome.

Speaker 2: 10:28

I love it and that's so true, like the amount of connections you get and you say you already got two guests and that's just by being there. Imagine once it actually airs, because adam, adam always has content like this episode will probably come out in like two months, like that's how much content he has Because he has the podcast, he has the mini podcast, he has the audit. So it's incredible. But I just love him and it's funny. You say this was your first time. So did you just meet Adam at Podfest?

Speaker 1: 11:01

Yeah, I never even knew his podcast existed until at Podfest. That's when I met him. I subscribed to his podcast. I listened to two or three of them. One was about the ratio of how many guests you should have versus just podcasts with you, and I was like I didn't even think about that and ever since then I've been hooked. So, yeah, Podfest speaking of which, Podfest is amazing like I cannot wait until next year. It was so much fun it is.

Speaker 2: 11:30

It is, I think, um, I don't have to tell. I think people get tired of me talking about how much Podfest is when, how much fun it is and and and. The thing I love about Podfest right, it's fun in the educational about portfellies right, it's fun in the educational, it's fun in the connections, it's fun in the uh, in the just chilling out. It's fun in the fun sense like it's all the packages in one and the diverse and the knowledge. You just get mind blown. And I remember my first one. I literally was like I am so confused right now I feel like I'm just being bomba. And then ever since I was like you know what, I kind of never run this shit like now I'm a pro at podfest hell yeah, I thought you like owned half a podfest.

Speaker 1: 12:20

Like every time I saw you, you were the help in somebody or you were like honestly, I don't know what your affiliation with PodFest is, but I feel like you're like the official spokesperson of PodFest Because, like every time I saw you, you had the biggest smile on your face, super greeting, super warm, and I'm like that's rare. Like going to some of these conventions I've been to people were like mad and upset Life. I've been to people were like it's like mad and upset Life of the party. Every time I saw it I was like it's seven at night. How are you having this much energy right now? What the fuck?

Speaker 2: 12:52

People were even asking, like, what time are you sleeping? Because you're constantly here, you constantly have a beer on your hand. I know how many you've been drinking, but you're still running the show.

Speaker 2: 13:02

I'm like like I think god gives me a different energy every time I'm ready for podfest. I think, like god already not. And it's funny you say that because I started going to podfest in 2020, end of 2020, and then it was big. First they're doing a small master class, then 2021 they add their actual whatever. And I got a ticket from mass sprout. I did not know anything. I was just new in podcasting, like because my podcast started in 2020. So I was like what the fuck is this? But then we are home. We got nothing. I have to do it from my home. Let's do it. And just by being there. That's when I met adam, I met um justin, I met all that and and the way they were just easy with helping with knowledge and sharing and supporting. I was like I want to be around these people. So ever since then I've been attending anything podcast.

Speaker 2: 13:55

And then came 2022, when I went for the first time in virtual and I little bit. When we all came back, all of us got COVID. Like everybody. Like you think this time how people were saying they got COVID. Like everybody. Like you think this time how people were saying they got COVID Last time was.

Speaker 1: 14:09

Everybody A mess.

Speaker 2: 14:10

But everybody was like, it was worth it Like you know, oh, yeah, right. So when I went back last year I was like, okay, I want to volunteer because now I know people, now I have experience what it is, now I'm ready, I want to volunteer, I want to be a part of everything.

Speaker 2: 14:24

And I became a part of everything and now this year, adam was the one who was like, yeah, paula is officially the mayor of Fort Worth and I ran with it. And now Paula is officially the mayor of Fort Worth. Chris said next year they're not going to have me wear the ambassador, they're going to let me wear the mayor of Fort Worth, but they're gonna wear them. But it's something about a community that's just welcoming and, um, allow you to be whoever the fuck you wanna be, wherever you are, and love you for that. It makes you just want to keep giving to a community that's giving you so much. And that was what was like. I don't get paid by potter, I don't get nothing, but I get a lot from just being in that community. All the connections, all the people in my life right now, all the things I've experienced is because of podcast, so why wouldn't I right?

Speaker 1: 15:15

exactly. Yeah, I think people sleep on the power of community and being around like-minded individuals like that. That shit is infectious and you can feel it Like I left that podfest. I'm not saying I was feeling down about my podcast, I just knew I'm like 33, 34 episodes deep. So I was like I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm having fun Leaving that. I was like, oh, I have a clear vision of what I want to do, how to get there and there's a slew of people that are willing to help me get there. So I was energized after that and still am. It was fun.

Speaker 2: 15:50

Definitely was. And I love that about you because again, you went, you met Adam, adam talked about his phone calls and there you go, because sometimes people, we go to this, we make these connections but then when we come back we forget about those connections. But you gotta continue, nurture those connections. You gotta show up for those people's shit to, to keep on creating that bound bigger, and that's how. So I am happy that you actually went to to the pod powers and look what, what it turned out for you. Then you know now you even got me like damn, I actually haven't been to Poppers in a minute. It's the next year.

Speaker 2: 16:27

I know tomorrow, when Adam normally sends his emails on Wednesday, wednesday, tomorrow is Wednesday. I know I'll be getting when his email comes out tomorrow. There'll be a link to schedule the one in April because he does them once a month. So I'm definitely getting back on that. But we've talked enough about podcasts. I can talk about podcasts all along, but let's get into why we are here today and I love that me and you have the same purpose. Our podcasting wanted to create a safe space for creative journeys and the mental health struggles. So I want to hear from you like what made you decide to have that space? Why create a safe space for people to nurture their mental health with their creative journey? Because most people in the creative space don't don't actually, most people don't consider mental health as part of anything while creating anything you know.

Speaker 2: 17:33

so let me not just go on on the creative side, but also when I was building my creative. That's why I pivoted, because in the beginning, my podcast was all about, uh, mental health, uh, stories and journeys and all that. So season one and two was that. Then we we rebranded this when the new logo came and was like okay, creative, janice, because now I was like I'm in this space, I want to be in this space and I'm seeing the struggles I have to go with isolation, lack of support and giving out finances and that also still fucks with your mental health, like the depression, the anxiety.

Speaker 2: 18:09

Where is this money coming from? Where is this? All the money is going out. I ain't getting money. I got to sleep, I got to eat, so all that. So I created that because I was like fuck, I don't have that and I want to hear people's journeys right, I want to hear what they do when they have these struggles, so that the other person who's thinking about getting into this creative world can know that, just because we are here right now, that's not where we came from. Like they still allow. Yeah, so what? What was it for you?

Speaker 1: 18:42

um, for me, it was a number of things. I would say. What got me to start the podcast was, um, I was going through a mental health journey myself. I think it was 20, I want to say 2022. I can't name the company I was at, but I was working full time at a company. I was the manager of IT. That was my department. I had a good job, but there was something that just wasn't clicking.

Speaker 1: 19:13

I remember distinctly there was a position up in in a different Charlotte, charlotte, north Carolina. It was in the company and it was perfect for me. I play video games a lot, I stream, and the position was basically play video games and stream and talk about the company. And I was like that, I do that all the time. So I went to my manager. I was like, look, I think this would be a great opportunity for me, my family, to move up there. Yada, yada, yada. They were like cool, go ahead and talk to the manager up there and make it happen. So we did that in december and I'm getting jazzed. I'm like excited. I'm like I, this is what I want, this is what I want. And turns out january it comes around. I'm like, yeah, we're gonna go a different route and, like that crushed me. Like I, I've been fortunate enough that my mental has been at a spot where I feel like anything I put my mind to I can achieve. And that was the first time where it was like, nah, you can't not, not this time. And it just like it made me question a bunch of stuff. Where it was like, nah, you can't, not that this time. And it just like it made me question a bunch of stuff and I was like what the fuck is happening? And it led me down a road of figuring out myself, like questioning my beliefs about myself, doing a lot of mental health checks, just seeing what was out there in regard to the topic of just anxiety and stuff like that. And so eventually, long story short, I left that spot. I put my two weeks in.

Speaker 1: 20:35

I've been doing the entrepreneurship thing since and I started the podcast because I see a lot of creators who are talking in a way that is just not true. We lie to ourselves a lot, we put a lot of extra pressure on ourselves that we don't have to, and the purpose of the podcast is so we can, I can have those conversations with other creators to not only a. Show you that, not the only one that feels like that, but B. You thought this person was like they're up here and they feel like this, but they're still doing it. And so it's not only like, okay, they feel like this, but they still got through it.

Speaker 1: 21:13

How did they do that? And I think the more stories we hear like that, the I don't want to say easier, but the easier it is to figure out how to deal with it ourselves. And it's been fun and a lot of good has been coming out of it, and I'm so excited to see where the future of the podcast goes. I have so many ideas, but, you know, one step at a time, but uh, yeah, that's what got me to to start doing it I love that.

Speaker 2: 21:41

I love how you recognize it for yourself and you're like fuck this shit, like, and that's the. Um, well, some people don't have the. I don't think it's even a privilege. I think it's just kind of betting on yourself, being ready to just be like listen, this company clearly doesn't give a fuck about me. Exactly, and it's now time to do, and most people don't have the support that comes with betting on yourself, right? Exactly, how were you able to bet on yourself and just be like fuck it.

Speaker 1: 22:19

It was twofold. The thing that got me to even think about quitting is during that time, covid, we were all working from home. For my job as an IT, the only thing I would need to go into the building for was like check inventory. Other than that, I can remote into your computer and fix everything. So there was no reason for me to be in the office. But the older heads up top were like no, we need you in office four out of five days. So I was like I don't want to lose my job. Yeah right, I was like I don't want to lose my job. So I went in one day and I haven't.

Speaker 1: 22:54

So I wear an apple watch. I've never seen an alert on my apple watch go off until that day. I looked down and my heart rate was like at 140 and I was having an anxiety like attack because I had an office. But there were people in my office and they were wearing a mask and I was real skittish about that at the time. So I was like, nah, I can't do this. And I went talk to my wife. I was like look, financially we're good until I find a new. Like the finances weren't an issue, but the mental of you thinking.

Speaker 1: 23:27

I feel like there's a a thought that everybody has is if I don't have a job, I'm going to be homeless, or if I don't have a job me, yes, so even though we had the, everything was paid for and luckily I got a severance package from that job. So that set us up for like six, seven months. But the mental part is was the hardest part to get over. Like once I was like look, worst case scenario, I'll drain our 401k, I'll, I'll figure some shit out, but I cannot work here anymore. And once we came to that decision I was like all right, I'm done.

Speaker 1: 24:06

That first month was scary as fuck because I the whole time I was waking up like, oh, I'm supposed to be at work. Oh, no, I'm not. Oh what? This bill is going to get paid? Oh, no, we're good. Oh, I don't have a job. Like question my butt.

Speaker 1: 24:22

Like once I figured out it was good and I was like oh, I can do whatever the fuck I want to implement it. There's nobody telling me no. And I think that was the biggest thing with the corporate job. Like I had a lot of people say, no, you can't do that, or no, that's not a good idea, or that's in the budget, mixed with a bunch of like misogynistic and like crazy shit that was happening at work. I was like I can just take my creative mind, do it myself and get paid to do it myself. So, and that's what I've been doing I've been nothing but happy, and I wouldn't say that everybody should do it, because, again, there is a large mental jump that you need to take. But once you do it you realize there's nothing but bliss on the other side, like the scary shit you were telling yourself isn't there. So think about it at least, like weigh, weigh the pros and cons to see can I stop working for somebody else and do this my own?

Speaker 2: 25:19

It might be possible for you Now. I'm very happy for the honesty you shared in here. First of all, shout out to the supportive wife Anybody who has a supportive spouse that kind of helps a little bit, because we know, when it comes to going after your dreams, especially when in the entrepreneurship world right especially now in the creative side um, we have seen a lot of starving artists and everything on the creative side compared to any other, like you know, musicians who have been trying to chase their dream for like 20 years, just to chase it. So it's scary when you tell your spouse like I'm quitting my corporate job to be a full-time entrepreneur in the creative space right, yes, but so shout out to that for being supportive. But also there's that thing like okay, you had a cushion, right, Like you were going to, you were being good, but still with that for like a month, your mental health still messed up with you. Now how would you advise somebody who has no cushion right?

Speaker 3: 26:28

Who's there?

Speaker 2: 26:28

they. They're living paycheck to paycheck, working in that retail world just trying to make ends meet. But again, these companies don't really give a fuck about us so you're like I'm literally wasting my time, but I still got bills to pay, right and.

Speaker 2: 26:45

I still gotta do all this. How would you advise them to bet on themselves in a way where they can set themselves up not only mentally but in the past that they they choose to? Because however much we want to set ourselves up mentally, it will still haunt us like, it will still peep in every now and then, like you know, like we've grown people, we know there are no ghostseping. Every now and then, like you know, like we've grown people, we know there are no ghosts. But every now and then, when you hear a crack on, the restaurant you're like is that a?

Speaker 3: 27:23

ghost, okay yeah.

Speaker 1: 27:27

I guess like so when I was working full time, I still was streaming and creating content. There was a juggle that I had to do mentally and I would. I would say this if you have to have your job nine to five to pay the bills, that makes sense. Remember to turn your brain off when you leave work, like when you're at work, do what you got to do. But when it's time to go, like, try to check out mentally and then, from that time until you get back, that's you time. Figure out what you want to do and, like for real, dedicate time to it. Don't think about the oh what if I don't ever do this? Or don't think about what if nobody sees my content. Like when you start focusing on on your content. Just focus on what you want to happen. But you know what? It's gonna be dope when 4 000 people see this video. Or it's gonna be dope when 10 000 people are subscribed to my podcast.

Speaker 1: 28:20

Start thinking in that way and just, I know it's gonna be hard, but try to not think about the oh what if this doesn't happen? That shit doesn't exist. We're just telling ourselves that because that's what we do, like we've been taught through TV, through our parents. Like everybody is like, hey, make sure you have a backup plan. And I think like thinking in that way puts a little doubt in us and that doubt just starts to grow, like it's bigger and bigger. So I started off 2024 like this I've told my community like I am delusional when it comes to whatever it is that I want to create. My podcast is going to have 10,000 people listening to that thing by the end of the year, because that's what I need. I feel like that's a good round number for a podcast to be at. So that's delusional. Me is like I don't know how I'm going to get there. But that's the goal, that's what we're pushing towards.

Speaker 1: 29:12

And once you start thinking like that the little things don't matter anymore. Like you don't, I'm not procrastinating, I'm not thinking about, oh, I didn't put the right shirt on today and somebody is going to flame me for. Like I don't, it don't matter. Like I know what the end goal is. If you set your mind to that, then that's what it becomes. So I guess, to put a little bow on it, if you still got to do the full time again, check out when you're done. Five o'clock rolls around, I'm done with this job, and then it's you time, and give your you time, all of you, and I think you can be successful in that way as well.

Speaker 2: 29:47

So true. And also that in giving you time, I realized the reason I was failing, and you know, not failing because people fear the word fail or to fail.

Speaker 2: 30:01

Like it's such a failure, you're left with something. Either it taught you a lesson, either you learned that the way you were doing it is a no-no, either like, okay, maybe this really ain't the time for this shit. So there's always something that comes with failure, so it's really not failing. But it also comes along with discipline. So this year I said my word was going to be discipline, which I was doing kind of well in January until I went to Fort Press, and then when I came back, I lost. Like I feel like, after coming back to Fort Press, the entire February just went by, like I know it was there but and I know it took longer than January normally does maybe because it was leap year, but this February was

Speaker 2: 30:47

dragging its foot. But I took a break from being disciplined because, again, I was just recovering from the high of WordPress. Wordpress always gives me such high and then, coming back home, you have all these ideas, you want to execute everything and everything is moving fast. But discipline is such a big factor in growing, whether it's your content world, your creation journey, you as a person, whatever journey you're going into, discipline is such a key factor that we tend to forget. I remember and I shared this and until today it still pains me because I'm a foodie, I like to eat despite how I look.

Speaker 2: 31:33

I eat as fuck, okay and um, I was invited shout out to say another podcast family I met through podcast and we've created that connection. I love him, I work with him, I call him my mentor. He's the reason how I got into branding and I'm always branding, yes. So he has also this foodies group where we meet up and do different types of food. Oh, okay, and people, you know, we just hang out, families and stuff.

Speaker 1: 32:01

Oh yeah.

Speaker 2: 32:01

So I got invited and one of my friends who I just met at Port Post Global. So Port Post Global is the one we do normally around March which I'm not sure if this year is going to be, since they're doing the AI Masterclass but it normally goes around March and it's virtually for like not even a week, but something like a week or so.

Speaker 2: 32:25

So it was last year virtually. He was presenting, I was presenting, we met up in a meetup and our journeys were kind of similar. His podcast was um discomfort by a, comfort by discomfort or the other way around. Something about um getting yourself from the comfort zone and being discomfort to, to, to both gotcha yes, so um, his episode, his podcast, ended up being the anniversary the same month and year as mine, but his was standing one and mine was standing three so we're like yo, we should have each other on our podcast.

Speaker 2: 33:03

Let's do a instead of having each other. Let's do one episode of like, an anniversary episode, like like a collaboration. So it happened that he was going to Canada. He lives in Alabama, he's from Canada, but his wife is American. They were going to Canada for a holiday, but when they were coming back they were stopping over Atlanta and driving to Alabama. So I was like do you want to do it in person?

Speaker 3: 33:29

I was like fuck yeah, why would?

Speaker 2: 33:32

I miss out the opportunity of meeting you in my city, right? So we met up at my place and I thought it was going to take like an hour or so and then from there I was going to go to the barbecue. I even told them. I was like, yeah, if you guys are not in a rush to drive home, you can come with me. It's cool people, it's also podcasters and stuff, yeah. But we ended up recording for three hours, Three motherfucking hours. By the time I was done they were ready.

Speaker 2: 34:00

Like the podlock was over and I was like shit and I was seeing the pictures on Facebook of all the food there was frogs, there was this, there was this, there was this. But in my head I was like but this is discipline. Like I could have easily said we don't have to do it in person, let's record another time, you just go home, or anything. But because I knew how much it mattered to me and how much when you're constantly doing virtual interviews and you finally get to do in person, like there's a difference, like yes, you see, the energy is there, but imagine if people were literally sitting next to each other and you know.

Speaker 2: 34:39

So I was like discipline is like you really have to be like yo I'm gonna miss this barbecue, yo I'm gonna miss this trip because I gotta show up for this conference. I gotta show up for this event.

Speaker 1: 34:50

I gotta show up for this event because these things are helping my business yes, yes, and you know what to add to that, I think, because doing that, like you say, you're a foodie and you missed out on this extravagant book, like it was all there waiting for you, but the discipline kicked in. And I think one way to keep you motivated to keep that discipline is I do this a lot. When I visualize what my future life is going to be like, I go deep, like I imagine what I'm going to be eating for breakfast. I imagine how, what clothes I'm going to be wearing. I imagine what type of equipment I'm going to be using when I'm recording a podcast. I imagine all that crazy shit, because I don't remember who told me this.

Speaker 1: 35:33

But I feel like your mind cannot tell the difference between some shit that happened or didn't happen Like your mind sees it, and it's like oh, okay, let me react off that. So I'm going to be pumping it full of this amazing, I got four Apple vision pros. We fucking, why not? They gave them to me. That's what the future looks like. So when I am sitting here, I'm like man, I really want to go downtown, but I have not edited my podcast and needs to go out tomorrow. I think about that. I'm like you know what. All right, I can miss one day. I can miss one day. I'll make. I'll make up for it in the future. I'll do something crazy dope when I get to where I want to get to. So I think using that as motivation to get that discipline locked in has helped me a lot.

Speaker 2: 36:18

And that's so true. It's funny you say that, because sometimes I'm like, listen, it's okay, especially when I see pictures and I'm like I want to be there, I should be there. But then I'm like but once, be there, I should be there. But then I'm like but once you get this shit done because you're supposed to be here now you might the shit you will be able to do once this place takes you to where you need to be. Because I want a full ass life, I want to travel, I want to be like contact my assistant, like I want to be like like my assistant.

Speaker 2: 36:51

I want to be like just catching flights and not worry about my card being declined, where you have to log into your bank account to make sure you don't have enough before I join you all for dinner and shit. So it's all these sacrifices, the sacrifices you're making. Now I join you all for dinner and shit.

Speaker 2: 37:10

Exactly so it's all the sacrifices, the sacrifices you're making now, are what you're going to end up exploding more of in the future. Yes, so most of us don't think like that, and I think also a lot of young people right now, because we want that fast happening, like okay if it's not happening now. The amount of times people ask me how do you do a podcast? How much do you make? What do you make?

Speaker 1: 37:35

I'm like, do you know?

Speaker 2: 37:36

there is more to the money Podcast is not technically supposed to bring you. Depending on your marketing and who you are, it can bring you a lot of money. Joe Rogan didn't get there just by.

Speaker 2: 37:51

He was already a person before he started a podcast right so you know we are not all there and there are people who make a lot of money not from their podcast but because of their podcast. So people always assume because you have a podcast, it should be that. No, my podcast is a gateway to speaking gigs. You can get paid to speak. You can get paid to whatever your business is, that you're advertising on your podcast. You can get new customers. You can get new opportunities. I've seen people being in podcasts as guests or even just starting a stupid podcast, and now they ended up getting job offers of their their dream jobs. But they didn't know it was their dream job at the time exactly, exactly like.

Speaker 1: 38:42

That's the cool part about like just following what you love and what you love to do, you can run into some shit like I didn't even honestly, if I'm being honest, I've been avoiding doing podcasts my entire content creation career. I've been on a number of them but I never ran one myself because I was like, oh, it's too hard, it's gonna be hard to edit, it's gonna be hard to host. That again lies. I was telling myself I do it weekly now like it's, there's a routine clip clip, edit post, words and words and it's done and it's just part of the everyday thing that I do. So and now I love it. Like I love talking to people, I love getting deep with mental issues, I love questioning people. I'm like, why do you think that about?

Speaker 2: 39:25

yourself, like it's just.

Speaker 1: 39:27

I love it.

Speaker 2: 39:28

Those deep conversations. I tell people I would have never had as many conversations as I've had if it wasn't for my podcast. And and to even be the person who I am, I feel like my podcast has helped me grow into the personal wannabe, because every conversations I have I learn shit. Either I don't like about myself, or I like, or I want more of myself.

Speaker 2: 39:51

But something I don't want something and that's why then on my podcast, I tell people I'm not canceling. No, motherfucker, I don't care what you do or who you are. Come to my podcast and let's talk about it, because I'd rather understand why you're doing something or where you're coming from with that, even if I'll never be like you know what. That's not for me, but I at least get why you're doing it, because we are so quick into judging and counseling instead of actually having those conversations and just asking out of curiosity why have you chosen that road? Why are you doing this? Why are you supporting this? Why are you a part of this?

Speaker 2: 40:29

And once you hear the story, are you supporting this? Why are you a part of this? And once you hear the story, you might still not like it, you might still not get it, but you understand why they decided to do that. And that's what I want. I want to unlearn all the shit that was put in my head with all these so-called, all these things that was supposed to be, the things were supposed the norm. There's no fucking norm. I want to unlearn the norm and create my own norm, like yes, who says?

Speaker 2: 40:57

that has to be the normal normality, like who says success means having a corporate job. Who says success means you know you can define success for yourself or anything, as long as you're willing to unleash it and switch your mindset. And that's why podcasting is so amazing, having these conversations.

Speaker 1: 41:17

Yes, you nailed it. Like unlearning all the stuff that told us what success looks like, told us what we're supposed to be, like challenging all of that stuff, having a platform to do it and just living in, again, unadulterated you. This is who I am, this is what I do. Like I love that shit and again talking to other people about it. I don't see why more people don't do it. It's addicting but.

Speaker 2: 41:44

But that's the thing. I think like we kind of had a late start into this. But look at the Gen Zs. The Gen Zs just came in and be like fuck your 9 to 5s, fuck your jokes, fuck your. We're just going to go on our own way.

Speaker 2: 42:03

They still need some lessons in humbleness and reality but, I like the energy they bring with what they stand for. Most of us need that energy because I've been in retail for most of my most of my American life and just seeing how the Gen Z's have that, I don't give a fuck attitude to the extent that it pisses you off because this is retail. Fine, you're not supposed to take it seriously. But I would still want you to do your job so that I don't have to do your job. But I like how they really don't give a fuck, like I wouldn't be worried about. Oh my god, they want to call out. What excuse am I gonna?

Speaker 1: 42:46

don't even call out, they don't even text to tell you hey, ain't supposed, ain't suzy supposed to be here. No, she just said fuck it, I'm not coming.

Speaker 2: 42:55

It was like wow, I need some of that in my life, uh guess I'm doing her job I know right, but they did teach me and that's when I decided to. Um, I was in retail but I was very open with my managers about my mental health and I would literally call out and say my mental health can not handle this today. If you want to fire me for that, that's perfectly fine, but if I do come in, you're going to fire me because this mental health that I'm dealing with, it's going to come to you, to the customers, to everybody.

Speaker 2: 43:26

So, there's 100% chance I'm getting fired if I walk in Exactly.

Speaker 1: 43:31

So I'm just going to take my chances at home and call it a day. I'm not trying to curse anybody out.

Speaker 2: 43:37

I was trying to believe those people how you get fired on your day off, while you're home that was about to be you.

Speaker 2: 43:49

I love the name of your podcast Applaud and unfiltered. Like, how did you come I? I really always like knowing how people came up with their podcasting name, because it it does go with what you're talking about, because, applauded, we're applauding our, our, our raw honest, our truth, our lives out there like it's literally uploaded now and then I'm still that's the raw honest. Okay, this is my struggles, this is what I'm living with, this is what's going on. So how did you end up choosing? Like, when was that?

Speaker 1: 44:27

Oh my God. So I have like historically, have issues naming stuff. So when I came to the podcast name, I was like listen, I want to talk to other creators about their journey and their content creation journey, mental health, all that fun stuff. And I was like don't overthink this, because if I overthink this, it's going to be three weeks before I think of a name name. I was like you have it to the end of today. So I had like 12 hours. I was like end of today. You better have a fucking name or you're not doing this. This is how I talk myself sometimes, but I was like you, better give yourself a deadline.

Speaker 1: 45:04

Yes, if you, if I don't give myself a deadline, it's not getting done. Just that's just how I work. But so I was like all right, uh up. The the first one was like um conversations with creators, and I just didn't like the way it rolled off the tongue and so I was like that worried.

Speaker 1: 45:24

I'm pretty sure it is a podcast out there that already exists. So I was like all right, I just I just need to upload these real quick and we're going to say whatever the fuck we want. And I was like hold. So I was like all right, I just I just need to upload these real quick and we're going to say whatever the fuck we want. And I was like hold on, I was like unfiltered. I like unfiltered, what can I would goes with that. I'm like uploaded, just came out of nowhere. And I was like all right, I definitely want unfiltered in, because, yeah, we curse and say whatever on my podcast, but granted, we do. Like there's some certain topics we just don't talk about. And before every guest, I send out a uh, a survey to my guests and like hey, what are the things you want to talk about? What do you think you uh want to avoid? Um, and certain stuff like that. And so far nobody has said anything. Everybody's like, no, we can talk about whatever you want.

Speaker 2: 46:06

I'm like, yes, all right, um, but yeah, it was out of the blue, just uploaded until it just felt right and because of that deadline I stuck with it I love it and it really was, and normally like I don't talk about politics or religion in an intense way on my podcast, because I feel like everybody has the right to support, to believe, to do whatever, and I know how it can easily go zero to a hundred rupees. I've been in situations where people it just starts as a normal conversation and next thing you know you're like damn.

Speaker 2: 46:45

But if we're talking casual, you're like yes, I believe in God, I pray, I like that's casual on top.

Speaker 1: 46:51

Yeah, you're sprinkling it. He's like all right, okay, then I will go. Yeah, but once you go past, I'm like all right, man, chill, relax.

Speaker 2: 46:59

So so far you're 33 episodes in. What would you say out of your 33? I know all the conversations have been very inspiring, insightful, motivation, because why else do we have this platform? Every conversation, every guest brings in. But what is that one episode that really like in this 33 so far? That really was like yo, that was a moment. That was a moment like either mentally, emotionally or whatever, like that really like felt to me like I mean, I know all my episodes streamer by Miss Kaylee Red Carpet Gaming.

Speaker 1: 47:53

She went when I first was watching her content. She was under a different name, different like profile, and she did a rebrand. And in my mind at the time, doing a rebrand of your socials was like crazy, like that's going to be one of the hardest things you ever did, and in my head it was just like, nope, never doing that. And she did it and she just talked through that process of doing it and yeah, she was scared to do it but she still went through it and nothing bad happened, only good stuff happened and it worked for her.

Speaker 1: 48:27

And like after hearing that, I was like, ok, OK, and so I finally, for the longest I've had my uploaded unfiltered podcast going to YouTube, but I had it under my other profile. There was like mostly gaming and tech news and I was like I could just make my own YouTube channel for uploaded unfiltered and there's no like, there's no negative. I kept thinking I was like something bad's going to happen. So I was like, oh, so I took four or five hours to upload everything, retag everything, do thumbnails, and then I just did it and I was like I would have never done this if I didn't hear her talk about her rebrand and stuff like that happens all the time. So definitely that one unlocked unlocked something. I wasn't expecting to do work after that podcast, but after listening to it I was like, oh, nothing bad is gonna happen, let me go ahead and start the work. And I loved it.

Speaker 2: 49:21

It was great I feel that and I I remember I saw mary, let's speak at podfest, um, and she was talking about episode titles and I was already on season four and every season has 15 episodes. I legit came back home and changed all my fucking titles.

Speaker 2: 49:38

It was like yeah, you can actually do this and there's nothing wrong with it, like even though sometimes you know because you were saying I, I could never rebrand. But it's funny because once you're in this business you will see you end up rebranding like two, three times. I never thought I would rebrand. I thought that logo I had in the beginning I would die with. And here we go. We have a new logo and now.

Speaker 2: 50:03

I have Shit Happens, which has a new logo, and I'm like how do I put all of them? So my friend drew this. Anytime you go on a podcast, she draws you like a Powerpuff cartoon, and then I turned it into a logo.

Speaker 1: 50:22

That is fire. Oh, that's awesome.

Speaker 2: 50:26

It's funny that you think it will never be you to rebrand. But being in this industry, you are constantly rebranding Because we are also constantly growing, so you outgrow your own shit.

Speaker 1: 50:38

Right and you know what. I'm glad you said that, because I've been thinking, not that I want to change my podcast, but I've been thinking of ways to enhance it and I've been going both ways. Part of me is like you just started, stopped with trying to enhance it. And, and as I've been going both ways, like part of me is like you just started, stop with the trying to change it. But like after hearing you, I'm like, no, this is probably necessary, this is to go to that next level, this is what I'm going to have to do, and I think I'm almost there to just be like all right, let's, let's make it happen.

Speaker 2: 51:05

I always say is always let your listeners know what is coming instead of shocking them. So even me, when I was rebranding, it was during the time I was like I'm going to wait for this season to end and then when I come back with a new season, that's when I will do it. And I literally, when I ended the season, I told them new season is going to come with new things updated on my social media, where I'll be posting shit. So I started teasing on social media and doing that and people love it. I actually wasn't sure how my new logo people will take it, but people loved it so much I was actually looking at the episode then I think I'll go start listening to shoot your shirt, because I'm a firm believer in shooting your shirt and I always tell people. Half of the time I have listeners on my show is I use my dating app and I I swipe for guests, not for people to date I.

Speaker 2: 52:10

I promote my podcast on my dating app like ID and people like come on my show because I'm already on a no without asking. And if I don't shoot my shot? If I shoot my shot and I get a no, it's still where I was, so there's nothing changes, but at least they know me, at least they've heard about me. They might direct me to a different opportunity. They might it might not be now, but it might be later on. There's nothing you lose with shooting your shot, but a lot you gain. I started speaking at Port First because they shot my shot, but I was expecting a no because I wanted to train myself to hearing noises were and I ended up getting a yes and I was like, oh fuck, now I gotta really present yeah, I love that.

Speaker 1: 53:00

That's, I think, once you realize, when you hear no, nothing bad's gonna happen, then you're cool, we're here. No, like there's no negative. They're not saying no, you're a bad person, we don't like your face. They're just saying no to the question you ask. You're cool with hearing no, like there's no negative. They're not saying no, you're a bad person and we don't like your face. They're just saying no to the question you asked. You're like all right, I'm going to ask again next week or I'm going to ask the next person, exactly.

Speaker 1: 53:19

It took me a while to get that Like. Not that I didn't like rejection, but I guess I just didn't like hearing no.

Speaker 2: 53:32

And now, like here, no, and now I have to ask rejection. We all don't like we have to train ourselves to accepting rejection, but nobody can can come out and tell you I like rejection. Like you're lying, yeah, yeah I love it. Say no to me please wow, we are coming to the end of this. This is so much fun. I would definitely want you to come back. I feel like there's so much more we could unpack but, before we go.

Speaker 2: 53:53

There's something that you say through your content, you inspire conversations that empower fellow creatives to thrive both creatively and emotionally, which I so much love, because we are constantly trying to see how we can thrive in this industry, but also not just money, wise, financially, but also creative, also emotionally also, you know. So what advice for those people who are yet to listen to your podcast and hear these conversations? What advice would you give somebody who's trying to figure out how to thrive creatively and emotionally in their creative journey?

Speaker 1: 54:42

I think one thing that helped me a lot and I would tell any, I tell all my guests, anybody I'm working with is you. You want to make content that you are happy with, make content that excites you, make content that has a purpose to you, and the thing that you really need to do is just ignore everybody who says anything to the contrary of that, who says anything to the contrary of that. And I have an example of that. The Uploaded and Unfiltered started as again me wanting to just talk to other creators about their mental health, and in my group, my friend group, I had at least two or three people who were like you want to start a podcast? There's like 4,000 podcasts, you don't need to do that.

Speaker 1: 55:29

And had I been in a different mindset and listened to them, I wouldn't be here today Because I wouldn't have went to PodFest, I wouldn't have known that this exists and I wouldn't have had a podcast.

Speaker 1: 55:40

But because it's a combination of confidence and cocky, I was like, well, this podcast doesn't exist and I have not did it yet, so that's why I'm going to do it. Like, after that, then, yeah, somebody else could be like, oh well, because I didn't start it, it didn't exist. I was like, no, I'm doing it and I just push forward with that mentality, not only because it makes me happy, but because I also think it's needed. But because I also think it's needed. So, my like if you can lock in on what you want to do and do it with a thought of this is what I love and this is what I want to put out into the world, and just ignore everybody else, I think that will help you thrive in this journey, especially when you're doing something that you enjoy. Um, it's been like. This has been so much fun. And I'm glad that I actually jumped on the train to start my podcast, because look where we are now.

Speaker 2: 56:38

And that's so true. It's like telling people don't make no more movies Because they've had all the storylines Like come on, man Like go ahead and make your little podcast and watch it thrive. But thank you all for whoever joined us on SheTatters. If you're watching this on replay, go check out this podcast. Let the people know where they can find you and where they can find your podcast.

Speaker 1: 57:01

You can find me on both Instagram and just the internet as uploadedandunfiltered. You can find me on Instagram with that and you can find the website uploadedandunfilteredcom. I have all my past guests there. I'll be a player for the podcast itself. Or if you're like me and like to do traditional stuff, you can just search me on Spotify or Apple Music and I'll pop up.

Speaker 2: 57:23

All right. Thank you very much Again. It was so amazing having you here. I loved your energy, I loved being around your podcast and I feel like we're just getting started with the amazing collaborations we're going to keep doing. And, by the way, where are you located?

Speaker 1: 57:44

I'm in Florida, so I'm Deltona Florida, so I'm not too far from Atlanta. I'll party in. La way a few times. I'll let you know, all right.

Speaker 2: 57:54

You know, we're family. Now, you know and we are not only Podfest family, we are Podpah family because you know Adam has created a great community. You should have seen us at Podfest when we're all like as a lobby and people are like what the hell is going onfest. When we're all like as a lot of people like what the hell is going on and we're like this is. Podfest, mitra it was just amazing great people. But I'll see you tomorrow at the channel meeting at 11.

Speaker 3: 58:23

Thank you for tuning in to Shit Happens, an integral segment of the innovative platform Talk Shit with Pete. If you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to hit subscribe and leave a review. You can find Shit Happens on YouTube at Talk Shit with Pete. If this served, share with friends or family who can relate. Remember we all face challenges, but it's how we push past them that defines us. So until next time, keep pushing forward and remember shit may happen, but so does growth, and you got this.