She grew up in a grey city near Moscow — so she turned the entire world into a fairy tale.

🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast for more conversations with leading creators, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and storytellers.

In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Kristina Makeeva (@hobopeeba) — the fairy tale photographer with 1.5M Instagram followers — talks about how she transforms real places into magical art without using AI.

Kristina is a multi-award-winning photographer and visual artist known for her dreamlike images blending fashion, nature, dance, and travel across 60–70+ destinations worldwide. From diving with sperm whales in Tonga to shooting on the frozen ice of Lake Baikal in Siberia, her work has been featured by Instagram's official accounts and global brands. Now based in London, she opens up about her creative process, her famous cat Kotleta, and why she refuses to use AI to generate her art.

Kristina breaks down how she:

• Escaped a "grey, ugly city" near Moscow by building fairy tales through photography

• Went viral on Instagram through photos of her cat Kotleta, featured by Instagram Russia

• Sources and custom-designs elaborate dresses with fashion designers for her iconic shoots

• Scouts locations across 60–70+ countries and adapts her creative vision on the fly

• Casts ballerinas as her favorite models — combining dance, nature, and photography as "three arts in one"

• Dove into open ocean with a rare pod of socializing sperm whales in Tonga despite barely knowing how to dive

• Shot the legendary frozen ice of Lake Baikal with custom dresses designed to look like the ice itself

• Explored Socotra, Yemen on only the second plane after the island reopened — inflating mirror balloons with a toilet pump

• Takes a firm anti-AI stance, explaining why real travel and handmade art matter more than generated images

Whether you're a photographer, travel creator, or visual artist navigating the AI era, this conversation is a masterclass in building a creative career rooted in real experiences.

🔗 Follow Kristina Makeeva: https://www.instagram.com/hobopeeba/

🔗 To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit https://creatorthepodcast.com/

Conversations with the people building careers, businesses, and culture through creativity.

🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-the-podcast/id1788987273

🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aHdngxWvkUbpDlmmCq8Z6?si=zQjPxLneRaOUIwP-y5BmyA

🕐 CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction to Kristina Makeeva

02:05 - Early life and inspirations

03:16 - Learning Photoshop and first camera

04:21 - Instagram breakthrough & Cutleta Cat

06:15 - Costume design & fashion shoots

07:16 - Models, casting and ballerinas

10:54 - Creative process & location scouting

12:13 - Socotra: challenges and projects

16:24 - Diving with sperm whales (Tonga)

22:28 - Wildlife projects & favorite shoots

27:00 - AI, authenticity, and copyright concerns

33:34 - Russia highlights: Lake Baikal & Kamchatka

37:02 - Future ambitions: space & Mars

40:07 - Top three countries to live and work

41:54 - Where to find Kristina & closing

#KristinaMakeeva #Hobopeeba #TravelPhotography #CreatorPodcast #FairyTalePhotography #ContentCreator #NoAI #LakeBaikal #Socotra #SpermWhales #Tonga #PhotographyPodcast

A comedian built a viral brand around hating on neighborhoods — now brands, book agents, and algorithms are all paying attention.

In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Adam Rotstein (@rot_bot) breaks down how he turned his inner monologue into a serialized content empire, why nostalgia is his secret weapon for shareability, and the real tension of monetizing a "negative" brand.

🎙️ Topics covered: the professional hater origin story, what makes a place ripe for roasting, handling flops as a full-time creator, the gentrification playbook that connects Williamsburg to every city, brand deal challenges when your whole thing is hating, and why a book deal might be next.

⏱️ CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Meet Adam Rotstein, Professional Hater

00:58 – How the "hater" persona was born

02:01 – East Coast roots, LA adulthood

02:40 – Villain origin story: Playa Vista

03:47 – What makes a place go viral (nostalgia + shareability)

07:54 – Dealing with flops and the creator grind

12:34 – Creative process: B-roll, notes app, VO

15:05 – Brand deals: Hulu, restaurants, and the monetization puzzle

16:56 – Why serialized format wins followers

18:30 – Next cities: Orange County, NYC, international?

20:51 – Anti-influencer culture and TikTok overtourism

23:31 – Gifted meals, ethics, and handshake deals

24:55 – Book agents calling: what a hater's book looks like

27:29 – Where to find Adam & wrap-up

He went from renting cars at Enterprise to 32 million followers — filming the world's most breathtaking places on nothing but an iPhone, without ever saying a word. This is Mega American's first long-form interview.

In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Josh Platillero, otherwise known as @megaamerican breaks down how he built one of the largest travel accounts in the world, his "nature mogging" philosophy, the exact video that changed everything (and why a 50% like ratio made him quit his job overnight), his nomadic lifestyle with no home base for 2.5 years, the most beautiful places he's ever seen, and what's next — including live streaming adventures and a potential travel show.

Whether you're searching for a travel creator podcast, TikTok growth strategies, or just want to know how someone sees the best of Earth for a living, this conversation covers it all.

00:00 - Introduction to Joshua Platillero
01:22 - What is Nature Mogging?
02:14 - Becoming a Creator During COVID
03:10 - Viral Reaction Format Breakthrough
04:23 - Nomadic Lifestyle & Travel Strategy
05:24 - Choosing Destinations & Flights
06:33 - Researching Places & Audience Preferences
07:40 - Favorite Sunsets & Destinations
09:03 - Sea Otter Viral Video & Wildlife Filming
11:23 - Tulip Lore & Tulip Mania
13:30 - Filmmaking Style: Hands, Face & Presence
14:33 - Faith & Psalm 19:1
15:39 - Audience Impact & Recognition
17:03 - Filming Process & Solo vs Group Travel
19:11 - Streaming Ambitions & Live Adventure Streams
21:53 - Early Trends & Going Full-Time
24:27 - Monetization & Brand Partnerships
26:13 - 50 States in 50 Days Sunset Tour
29:36 - Most Breathtaking Places on Earth
33:00 - Places He Hasn't Been Yet
37:37 - If You Could Only Live in Three Countries
39:04 - Japan & Future Travel Priorities
41:05 - Future Plans, Family & Wrap Up

Jordan Egbert (⁠@counting.countries⁠) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his goal to visit every country on earth and the unexpected business he built along the way. In this episode, Jordan reveals how he went from zero international travel until age 23 to visiting 142 countries, including returning to door-to-door pest control sales each summer just to fund another year of travel before monetizing his content. Host Ross Borden explores Jordan's most unique destinations, from Turkmenistan (dubbed "the North Korea of the Middle East") to the futuristic cities of China where you can pay with your palm print. Jordan offers practical advice for traveling with young children, and explains his counterintuitive content strategy of studying what already works rather than chasing viral trends. Whether you're planning your next adventure or building a creator business, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on turning passion into profit.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit ⁠creatorthepodcast.com⁠

0:00 Introduction to Jordan Egbert

1:11 Why Travel Every Country?

2:16 From Corporate Job to Full-Time Creator

4:29 Door-to-Door Sales for Travel Funding

5:17 COVID Pivot and Daily Content Strategy

6:55 First Viral Video Success

8:05 Growing from 10K to 300K Followers

10:09 Launching the Travel Hacking Business

12:37 How Credit Card Points Actually Work

14:12 Building an 80K/Month Business

15:27 Favorite Destinations Around the World

16:33 Turkmenistan: North Korea of the Middle East

20:15 Why White Cars and No Dogs?

22:22 China: Living in the Future

25:50 First Impressions of China

27:39 Must-Visit Chinese Cities

30:10 Harvey Ice Festival

31:21 Lapland Finland: Santa's Village

33:17 Adventure in the Arctic Circle

34:02 Traveling with Young Kids

36:09 Tips for Family Travel

37:13 Hidden Gems in Japan

38:20 Three Countries Passport Question

39:02 Why Indonesia Made the List

39:47 Switzerland's Mountain Beauty

43:04 Future Plans and TV Show Dreams

46:50 Where to Find Jordan Online

JJ Yosh (@jjyosh), the creator behind viral TikTok sensation, Backpacking Kitty (@backpackingkitty), joins Creator: The Podcast to discuss building a content empire around his adventure cat Simon. In this episode, JJ shares the remarkable origin story of how he reluctantly adopted Simon—a rescue kitten hours away from euthanization—and transformed him into an internationally-traveling mountaineering phenomenon. Host Ross Borden explores JJ's journey from filming outdoor excursions at UC Santa Barbara in 2006 to taking Simon snowboarding, mountain biking, and climbing 14ers across Colorado, the Austrian Alps, and Guatemalan volcanoes. JJ reveals the challenges of training cats for extreme adventures, the logistics nightmare of international pet travel, and how he influences Simon to perform on command for brand partnerships with companies like Purina. He also discusses going viral on TikTok in 2019, the waves of plateaus and reinvention that come with content creation, and his ambitious plans to attempt the seven summits with Simon in 2026. Whether you're a pet owner dreaming of adventuring with your animal or a content creator navigating brand deals and virality, this conversation delivers inspiration on turning unconventional ideas into sustainable creator businesses.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to JJ Yosh

00:25 - Welcome and podcast intro

01:07 - Why travel with a cat?

02:05 - How JJ met Simon (rescue cat story)

02:14 - Simon's natural athleticism and training

04:43 - Public reactions to adventure cat

06:03 - Snowboarding and skiing with Simon

07:27 - Encounters with dogs on the trail

09:02 - Can any cat become an adventure cat?

11:25 - Technical climbing and peak bagging

13:25 - Starting content creation with Simon

14:25 - Going viral in 2019 on TikTok

15:55 - International adventures (Alps, Guatemala, volcanoes)

17:09 - Future bucket list: Seven summits

19:43 - Travel logistics and international requirements

22:01 - Flying internationally with a cat

24:16 - Cost of traveling with pets

29:42 - Brand partnerships and working with Simon

32:02 - Starting the production company

33:31 - Meeting Simon on camera

34:08 - Launching Simon's own social media accounts

35:16 - Where to find JJ and Simon online

35:57 - Outro and podcast credits

American expat and Iceland expert Kyana Sue Powers (@kyanasue) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share how she turned an impossible dream into reality through sheer determination and creative problem-solving. In this episode, Kyana reveals the wild story of moving to Iceland with zero savings after leaving her corporate job, then navigating the country's strict immigration system by starting her own company to sponsor her own work visa. Ross Borden dives into Kyana's evolution from struggling photographer to successful content creator, exploring how she built multiple revenue streams through her Iceland travel map, affiliate partnerships, and UGC work—all while teaching her Icelandic chef husband about his own country. Kyana provides expert recommendations on Iceland's best lagoons, waterfalls, and camping spots, plus honest takes on tourist traps and the dramatic changes mass tourism has brought to the island. She discusses the ethical considerations of geotagging secret locations and shares unforgettable experiences like rescuing baby puffins and throwing them off cliffs to help them fly. Whether you're dreaming of moving abroad or planning an Iceland adventure, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about pursuing unconventional paths.

00:00 - Introduction to Kyana Sue Powers
01:00 - Why Kyana moved to Iceland
02:04 - Living in Boston & reactions from family/friends
03:12 - Immigration hurdles & glacier guide plan
05:00 - COVID derailment of job plans
06:06 - Becoming a creator while a student
08:08 - Starting a company and fighting for a visa
10:20 - Current life: full-time creator & marriage
11:47 - Iceland travel tips & seasons
14:16 - Overtourism, commercialization, and costs
18:00 - Puffling Patrol and the Westman Islands
23:06 - Geotagging, secret spots, and the Kyana map
26:31 - Creator business: affiliates, UGC, and income
28:44 - Icelandic foods: fermented shark and baked rye bread
31:44 - Passport question: top three countries
33:18 - Reykjavik, lagoons, and city advice
35:58 - Camping, highlands, and overland spots
37:52 - Best hikes and remote Westfjords
40:42 - Where to find Kyana online & episode close

Street poet and viral creator Nico Patino (@nicpatino) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss what happens when raw human vulnerability meets spontaneous art. In this episode, Nico shares the remarkable story behind his viral "Woman Crying at the Bank" video, including how a chance encounter with a 57-year-old stranger going through divorce became one of the most relatable pieces of content on the internet. Host Ross explores Nico's journey from processing childhood grief in a journal at age seven to setting up a vintage typewriter on a street corner in Long Beach and charging five dollars a poem. They dive into how losing his father at 13 shaped his voice as a writer, the chaotic night his van broke down on the way to his very first poetry reading, and how a community of strangers crowdfunded his van repairs out of pure love. Whether you're a creator looking for a truly original content idea or someone who believes in the healing power of words, this conversation is a reminder that the most powerful content often starts with the simplest human connection.

00:00 - Introduction to Nico Patino
01:14 - Early writing & journaling
04:16 - Craft: writing on the spot & street performances
05:06 - Woman Crying at the Bank (viral poem)
07:20 - Why the video went viral & audience reaction
08:54 - Reuniting with the woman from the bank
10:31 - Personal history & turning to poetry
13:22 - Launching the typewriter-poet project
16:32 - Setting up in Long Beach and first customers
18:02 - Viral growth and van breakdown
20:27 - First live reading and performances
21:12 - Publishing "Cupid of the Mess" and sales
23:33 - Print vs digital strategy
24:45 - Community support, GoFundMe and roadtrip plans
26:05 - Where to find Nico

Blake Kasemeier (@blakeoftoday) joins CREATOR: The Podcast, to discuss the art of authentic storytelling in the creator economy. In this episode, Blake shares his unconventional journey from touring in hardcore bands to corporate copywriting to becoming a full-time content creator with over a million followers. Host Ross Borden explores Blake's signature approach to fatherhood content—rejecting both the "FML parenting" and overly-curated aesthetics in favor of raw, relatable moments filmed in just three locations: his room, kitchen, and garage. Blake reveals his rigorous writing process, crafting 1,000-2,000 words to distill down to the perfect 220-word script, and explains why "writing's blue collar work—you gotta get your hands dirty." The conversation dives deep into navigating grief publicly after losing his mother and getting laid off in the same week, protecting his children's privacy while creating parenting content, and building a multi-platform strategy across TikTok, YouTube, and Substack. Whether you're an aspiring creator struggling with writer's block or simply interested in how everyday moments become compelling art, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning life's ordinary experiences into extraordinary content.

00:00 - Introduction to Blake Kasemeier
01:51 - How fatherhood became his content focus
03:53 - His approach: real, non‑performative parenting
07:19 - Visual style: everyday B‑roll and Easter eggs
09:51 - From hardcore musician to corporate life
15:01 - Starting an agency and freelancing
17:12 - TikTok breakthrough and audience growth
19:53 - Writing process: notes, drafts, word counts
22:08 - Handling writer’s block and creative fear
24:04 - Being a dad: routines, joy, and small moments
27:03 - Children on social media and privacy choices
29:50 - Future plans: YouTube longform, Substack, strategy
37:32 - Grief, mental health, and vulnerability
41:16 - Where to find Blake & episode wrap

YouTuber Caspar Lee (@casparlee) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his remarkable evolution from YouTube pioneer to serial entrepreneur. In this episode, Caspar shares how he went from making comedy vlogs with a thousand subscribers to interviewing A-list celebrities like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Ed Sheeran, revealing how he convinced major studios to take creators seriously before it became standard practice. Host Ross Borden explores Caspar's journey from teenage gamer in South Africa to building a 200-person influencer marketing agency (Influencer.com), co-founding MVE Management backed by Endeavor, and launching a $65 million VC fund (Creator Ventures) that's invested in companies like Eleven Labs and Beehiiv. Caspar offers candid insights about the creator economy's intersection with Hollywood, explaining why brands should approach creator partnerships like VCs approach startup portfolios rather than betting everything on one collaboration. He also shares his current passion project: eating a cucumber every day on TikTok to test the algorithm. Whether you're a creator looking to build beyond content or a brand executive trying to navigate influencer marketing, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning creative success into lasting business ventures.

00:00 - Introduction to Caspar Lee
01:25 - Caspar’s career snapshot: creator, actor, entrepreneur
02:26 - Early YouTube beginnings: gaming and first channels
03:45 - Rise with the Brick Crew and expanding audience
05:02 - Joining Musical.ly/TikTok and platform reflections
06:50 - Interviewing celebrities and working with studios
10:04 - Creators vs. Hollywood: industry perspective
13:35 - Predictions: AI, creators, and the future of content
20:00 - Why Caspar built Influencer.com
22:55 - Influencer.com: services, model, and team
24:50 - Advice for brands working with creators
28:43 - Campaign strategy: budget allocation and portfolio approach
30:55 - MVE Management: talent representation and IP
34:07 - Creator Ventures: VC thesis and portfolio support
35:52 - Fund sizes, stages, and investment approach
40:41 - Keeping a creator’s edge: TikTok experiments (the cucumber series)
43:36 - Joe & Caspar Hit the Road: the BBC travel show
45:04 - Rapid-fire: three countries Caspar would choose
47:25 - Where to follow Caspar & closing remarks

Catarina Mello (@professionaltraveler) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a thriving travel creator business while navigating motherhood and the evolving creator economy. In this episode, Catarina shares her journey from working at Google to becoming a full-time travel creator who's visited 65+ countries, including how a trip to Bali sparked her decision to leave corporate life behind. Host Ross Borden explores Catarina's transition from pitching brands to now receiving mostly inbound partnerships, diving into her "brand magnet method," the launch of her successful creator courses during COVID, and why digital products now generate 75% of her revenue. Catarina offers behind-the-scenes insights about traveling to multiple countries with her one-year-old son, her obsession with safari experiences (particularly Singita Sabora in Tanzania), and why she believes AI will actually make authentic human creators more valuable. Whether you're an aspiring travel creator or simply interested in building a sustainable creative business, this conversation delivers a valuable perspective on diversifying income streams and staying relevant in an increasingly competitive space.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to Catarina Mello

01:05 - Background & move to the US

01:48 - Getting started as a travel creator

03:39 - Early platform growth (Instagram beginnings)

04:20 - Standing out as a travel creator & advice for students

05:39 - AI and the future of creators

06:54 - Brand partnerships & the Brand Magnet method

08:17 - Pitching strategies and outreach

09:52 - Press trips, fam trips and using trips for campaigns

11:23 - Contracts, negotiation and representation

12:52 - Building and launching her course (COVID timing)

16:27 - Business model: courses vs brand deals

17:06 - Oman and underrated destination highlights

19:01 - Favorite countries and why she loves safaris

22:00 - Traveling with a baby and family travel

24:11 - Audience insights, family content and adults-only hotel trend

27:34 - Perspectives on safety in Brazil

31:24 - Favorite hotel stays & luxury service (Sangita, Four Seasons Hoi An)

35:02 - First-class suites & airline experiences (Emirates/Etihad)

37:48 - New projects, coaching, where to follow & outro