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From Death Row Records to UFC Executive Producer - Gary DeFranco
What do you do when you are days away from moving back home, drowning in debt, and sharing a two-bedroom apartment with 20 other people? You fake a resume and bluff your way into the television industry.
Gary DeFranco is an Emmy-nominated television executive producer who has spent two decades running hit reality shows like *The Ultimate Fighter* and Street Outlaws. But before he was navigating the high-stakes chaos of combat sports and street racing, he was an East Cleveland rapper who got signed to Death Row Records by Suge Knight—right before it all came crashing down.
In this episode of FailCraft, Gary joins Ezekiel to discuss his wild, unfiltered path to success. He shares the hilarious story of faking his way into his first TV job, how he survived imposter syndrome after breaking a camera on his very first day, and why the isolation of COVID-19 finally pushed him to make music again after a 20-year hiatus. Plus, in a rare role reversal, Gary turns the mic on Ezekiel to uncover the true origin story behind the FailCraft podcast.
In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:
* The Rap Dream: Getting signed to Death Row Records and watching the opportunity vanish overnight.
* The Ultimate Pivot: How a fake resume, a cheap collared shirt, and being a Cleveland Browns fan launched a 40-season TV career.
* Breaking the Camera: Why Gary decided that outworking everyone was the only way to survive his disastrous first day on set.
* The War of Art: Why every creative person needs to read Steven Pressfield's book to overcome the fear of failure.
* Origin of FailCraft: Ezekiel shares his personal journey from failing in mechanical engineering school to launching a global podcast.
* Gary's definition of true success: Making his mother proud and having the financial freedom to choose his own projects.
This episode is for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels like their path to success is a jagged, chaotic line rather than a straight one.
Connect With Gary DeFranco:
* Website: https://maxglowmedia.com/
* Social Media: Check his website for links to his music, artists, and production work.
Support the Show:
* Subscribe and leave a review!
* Share this episode if it resonated!
Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft?
* Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft
Chapters:
01:17 Introduction: Gary DeFranco & The Beautiful Chaos
02:20 East Cleveland to Vegas: 20 People in a 2-Bedroom Apartment
05:00 Faking a Resume and Landing a Job at Discovery Channel
07:55 Getting Signed to Death Row Records (and Losing It All)
08:40 Rediscovering Music During COVID After Losing Best Friends
11:01 Imposter Syndrome and Breaking a Camera on Day One
13:30 Why Every Creative Needs to Read "The War of Art"
16:33 Gary's Definition of True Success
19:33 Guest Reversal: Ezekiel Shares the Origin of FailCraft
25:13 How to Connect with Gary
View all episodes
By Ezekiel IferiaWhat do you do when you are days away from moving back home, drowning in debt, and sharing a two-bedroom apartment with 20 other people? You fake a resume and bluff your way into the television industry.
Gary DeFranco is an Emmy-nominated television executive producer who has spent two decades running hit reality shows like *The Ultimate Fighter* and Street Outlaws. But before he was navigating the high-stakes chaos of combat sports and street racing, he was an East Cleveland rapper who got signed to Death Row Records by Suge Knight—right before it all came crashing down.
In this episode of FailCraft, Gary joins Ezekiel to discuss his wild, unfiltered path to success. He shares the hilarious story of faking his way into his first TV job, how he survived imposter syndrome after breaking a camera on his very first day, and why the isolation of COVID-19 finally pushed him to make music again after a 20-year hiatus. Plus, in a rare role reversal, Gary turns the mic on Ezekiel to uncover the true origin story behind the FailCraft podcast.
In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover:
* The Rap Dream: Getting signed to Death Row Records and watching the opportunity vanish overnight.
* The Ultimate Pivot: How a fake resume, a cheap collared shirt, and being a Cleveland Browns fan launched a 40-season TV career.
* Breaking the Camera: Why Gary decided that outworking everyone was the only way to survive his disastrous first day on set.
* The War of Art: Why every creative person needs to read Steven Pressfield's book to overcome the fear of failure.
* Origin of FailCraft: Ezekiel shares his personal journey from failing in mechanical engineering school to launching a global podcast.
* Gary's definition of true success: Making his mother proud and having the financial freedom to choose his own projects.
This episode is for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels like their path to success is a jagged, chaotic line rather than a straight one.
Connect With Gary DeFranco:
* Website: https://maxglowmedia.com/
* Social Media: Check his website for links to his music, artists, and production work.
Support the Show:
* Subscribe and leave a review!
* Share this episode if it resonated!
Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft?
* Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraft
Chapters:
01:17 Introduction: Gary DeFranco & The Beautiful Chaos
02:20 East Cleveland to Vegas: 20 People in a 2-Bedroom Apartment
05:00 Faking a Resume and Landing a Job at Discovery Channel
07:55 Getting Signed to Death Row Records (and Losing It All)
08:40 Rediscovering Music During COVID After Losing Best Friends
11:01 Imposter Syndrome and Breaking a Camera on Day One
13:30 Why Every Creative Needs to Read "The War of Art"
16:33 Gary's Definition of True Success
19:33 Guest Reversal: Ezekiel Shares the Origin of FailCraft
25:13 How to Connect with Gary