Drew goes solo this week to unpack themes from his recent newsletter, "Working Until You Die." He explores the difference between working because you want to and working because you have to, and why the "just figure it out" hustle mentality can leave you grinding at 70 with nothing to show for it. Drew gets honest about his own financial reality this year, why he's turning down 35-40% of incoming gigs, and how intentionality beats reactivity when building a sustainable creative career. This one's part pep talk, part wake-up call.

Key Takeaways

Hustle culture is a trap that keeps you in survival mode

Intentionality beats reactivity when building something sustainable

Do the honest assessment: what's working, what isn't, what has potential

The goal isn't to stop working, it's to have the choice to keep going

Stop saying yes to everything and raise your prices

Related Links & Resources

No Set Path Newsletter: thedrewenglish.substack.com

Email Drew: [email protected]

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube

Drew tries something new this episode, reading his latest newsletter aloud and adding real-time commentary. The result is a raw, honest exploration of what it means to build something creative without having all the answers. He gets personal about a professionally difficult year, shares why polished content might be losing its edge, and makes the case that your rough edges might be exactly what your audience is looking for.

Takeaways

Messy is a feature, not a bug -

In an age where AI can generate "good enough" content instantly, your unique perspective and real experiences become your greatest assets. People are searching for authentic voices, not another optimized piece of content.

The fear versus reality gap is where opportunity lives -

We're all afraid that showing our struggles will cost us credibility. But the paradox is that vulnerability creates connection, and connection is what makes people actually care about what you're building.

You are not your thoughts -

Just because you're questioning everything and considering a thousand possibilities doesn't mean any of it defines you. Working through uncertainty in public can benefit others going through similar transitions.

Community matters more than perfection -

The people who keep showing up for you aren't responding to your best work. They're responding to your most real work.

Related Links

No Set Path Newsletter: thedrewenglish.substack.com

Contact Drew: [email protected]

Referenced: "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday

Past Guest Mentioned: Blake Pfeil

Sometimes, your path leads you right back home. This week on No Set Path, Jordan Koschei joins Drew English to talk about how his journey through design and tech inspired him to give back to the Hudson Valley through his passion project, ConnectHV. It’s a story about creativity, community, and coming full circle.

Join the Newsletter

Join the No Set Path Newsletter HERE - https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Takeaways

Professional identity doesn't have to fit into neat categories - you can exist between disciplines and create your own path

Staying rooted in your community and building a life first, then fitting work around it, can lead to more fulfillment than chasing traditional career ambitions

Remote work and post-COVID shifts have created critical mass for creative communities in places like the Hudson Valley

Building platforms and communities is about being a temporary steward, not an owner - the goal is for the community to outlive and outgrow the creator

Creativity is fundamentally about play - as adults, we're just doing fancier versions of the same exploratory, world-building activities we did as children

The most sustainable creative work happens when you remove outcome-based thinking and create for the joy of making something

True platforms enable others to create value that far exceeds what the platform itself generates

Work-life balance requires ruthless prioritization and automation - family first, then letting everything else fit around it

Community building in the digital age still requires real-life interaction and grassroots connection

Links & Resources

ConnectHV - https://connecthv.com

ConnectHV About Page - https://connecthv.com/about

Tracks Coffee (Beacon, NY) - "No Sleep Till Beacon"

Monkey Joe Coffee (Kingston, NY)

Connect with Drew

Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/

Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Drew's Website: http://www.drewenglish.com/

Drew sits down with Blake Pfeil & Jeremiah Wenutu on Cinema Kingston! to explore his winding path from music production to becoming a sought-after director of photography, podcast studio owner, and host of No Set Path. They unpack the reality of being a multidisciplinary creative, building community in the Hudson Valley, and why storytelling matters more than the tech behind it.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – Drew's introduction and impressive client roster (Adobe, Netflix, HBO, Disney+)

02:00 – How Upstate Podcast Studio evolved from a basement setup to a professional Kingston space

06:00 – The challenge of being spread thin across multiple creative ventures

09:00 – Feeling like an outsider in the film industry while pursuing diverse interests

14:00 – The frustration with editing other people's work vs. creating your own passion projects

16:00 – The Hudson Valley creative community: talent is everywhere, but connection is key

19:00 – Two years of HBO production boom post-COVID, then the 2024-2025 slowdown

22:00 – Plans for No Set Path: building in-person community events and brand expansion

24:00 – From UMass Lowell recording school to New York City music production

27:00 – The pivot moment: buying a Canon 7D at B&H and teaching himself cinematography

30:00 – Starting No Set Path during COVID as a vehicle for meaningful conversations

33:00 – The unexpected impact: random emails from people inspired by the show

37:00 – Why Drew asks "how did you get here?" instead of "what camera did you use?"

40:00 – The realization: storytelling is the thread connecting everything

44:00 – Storytelling as a buzzword in tech startups and why humans gravitate to narrative

45:00 – The Goonies, Spielberg, Lucas, and movies that shaped a generation

50:00 – Easter eggs, film scores, and the magic of eighties adventure films

Takeaway

Being multidisciplinary isn't a weakness. It's your unique advantage in a changing creative economy.

Community over hustle: the Hudson Valley has incredible talent, but genuine connection matters more than networking.

Storytelling transcends medium. Whether it's cinematography, podcasting, or coaching, story is what connects with people.

Most successful people don't actually know what they're doing. They're "failing upwards" and figuring it out as they go.

Name things well: Upstate Podcast Studio succeeds organically because of smart, searchable naming.

Your creative path will look like a lot of different things. Let it evolve naturally instead of forcing a single direction.

The tech doesn't matter. People care about the emotion and story, not your gear list.

Resources & Links

Cinema Kingston!: https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/cinema-kingston

Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com

Lights and Years Media: www.lightsandyears.com

Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com

No Set Path Podcast: Search "No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Stories" on your podcast app

No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Drew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/

Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Drew shares the full story behind walking away from a $100,000 in-house media position and how that decision led to earning 50% more while staying freelance. He breaks down the red flags that made him trust his gut, the corporate culture problems he encountered, and why alignment with your values matters more than security. This solo episode dives deep into the importance of knowing your North Star and making decisions that serve your long-term creative and personal goals.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:00 – Why Drew turned down $100K and made 50% more staying freelance

01:27 – Red flag #1: Meetings about meetings and corporate culture chaos

01:50 – No real game plan: throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks

02:34 – The pressure campaign: formal emails, office meetings, and coffee chats

03:17 – The deal breaker: written approval required for any outside freelance work

04:50 – What happened to the colleague who took the job (spoiler: it ended badly)

05:27 – The importance of trusting your gut and staying aligned with your values

06:40 – How saying no opened doors to building multiple revenue streams

07:35 – Drew's current North Star: maximum money, minimum time, maximum family time

Takeaways

Trust your gut when red flags appear, even when the money looks good

Corporate culture problems rarely improve after you're hired full-time

Alignment with your values and goals matters more than short-term security

Saying no to the wrong opportunities creates space for the right ones

Your North Star evolves as your life circumstances change

Write down your goals and priorities to stay clear on your direction

Consider practices like morning pages from "The Artist's Way" for clarity

Resources & Links

The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron

Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com

Connect with Drew

No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh

Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com

In this solo episode, host Drew English unpacks the concept of leverage and why 2025 is the best time for creatives to build independent success. He argues that cheap tech, free global distribution, and direct-to-audience marketing have removed the traditional gatekeepers. Creators who shift from selling services to building assets can own their future in the “Creator 2.0” era.

Key Takeaways

Tech is cheap: Your phone can produce market-ready visuals—hardware is no longer the hurdle.

Distribution is free: Platforms like YouTube give instant access to a worldwide audience; the game now is earning the click.

Marketing is direct: Email lists and social media let you talk to fans anytime—no middlemen required.

Assets > services: Follow the athlete model—use your primary skill to build IP, products, or partnerships that earn while you sleep.

Real-world examples:

The Umbrella Academy evolved from graphic novel to Netflix hit.

A24 green-lit “The Backrooms,” a YouTube horror series created by a 19-year-old.

Producer Alex LeMay urges filmmakers to “think platform first, not format.”

Action items for listeners:

Audit your expertise - what unique knowledge or story can become IP?

Choose one primary platform (e.g., YouTube) and design content natively for it.

Start an email list to own your relationship with fans.

Package and test ideas in small formats (web series, mini-docs, digital products).

Lean into human connection - your perspective and trust can’t be replicated by AI.

Resources Mentioned

Jason Murray on “Creator 2.0” (@jason_swet on Instagram)

Producer Alex LeMay’s Substack article HERE

The Umbrella Academy (graphic novel → Netflix)

A24’s upcoming film “The Backrooms” (originated on YouTube)

Connect with Drew

Subscribe to Drew’s Substack newsletter Creative Balance for deeper dives.

Follow No Set Path on YouTube, Instagram, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Share the episode and tag @drewenglishh to keep the conversation going.

About the Episode

What happens when you refuse to “pick a lane” and instead let curiosity steer the wheel? In this conversation, multidisciplinary artist Blake Pfeil (creator of the Ambie-winning immersive podcast Abandoned: The All American Ruins Podcast) sits down with host Drew English to explore how haunting, deserted places became a surprising wellspring of creativity, recovery, and self-acceptance.

You’ll Learn

Why Blake traded a traditional musical-theatre path for a globe-trotting artistic life – and how ignored passions came roaring back during lockdown.

How exploring abandoned spaces (from upstate NY to Finland) helped him process grief, addiction recovery, and burnout.

The origin story of All American Ruins and the production choices that landed it an Ambie Award for Best Indie Podcast.

Practical advice for creators who juggle multiple disciplines without losing focus (hint: “master being you,” not a niche).

The power of slowing down, deep breathing, and letting imagination work as a healing tool.

Guest Links

Website & portfolio: BlakePfeil.com

Listen to Abandoned: The All American Ruins Podcast → wherever you get podcasts

Watch the All American Ruins docu-series on Hudsy

Connect with Drew

Newsletter Creative Balance – actionable ideas for creative entrepreneurs

Subscribe to No Set Path on YouTube

Drew’s IG: @drewenglishh

Drew’s Website: www.drewenglish.com

Support the Show

Share the episode on Instagram & tag @nosetpathpod, @drewenglishh and @blakepfeil.

Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify if this episode resonated!

Episode Overview

Drew sits down with LA-based composer and educator Zach Heyde to unpack how he’s blended film scoring, a 100,000-subscriber YouTube channel and a thriving mentorship program into a balanced creative life. They dig into sustaining passion, ditching hustle culture, and why sharing knowledge can be a business model in itself.

Key Topics & Timestamps

00:01 – Zach’s early start: piano at 7 and first composing gigs → landing “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” (dream job) NSP - Zach Heyde

08:00 – Reality of writing 10 min of orchestral music per week & protecting creative energy NSP - Zach Heyde

16:00 – Moving from Tennessee to LA for community, not clout—how genuine relationships create work opportunities NSP - Zach Heyde

20:50 – 18 years on YouTube: what 100 K subs taught Zach about intention vs. vanity metrics NSP - Zach Heyde

33:00 – Inside Zach’s Composer Bootcamp & Pro Group: teaching the business of music, not just theory NSP - Zach Heyde

42:30 – Lowering the “publish” barrier: tactics for beating over-thinking and sharing in real time NSP - Zach Heyde

50:00 – Upcoming projects: recording live strings in Budapest and turning the process into content NSP - Zach Heyde

Takeaways

Your creative “North Star” evolves. Let the fog clear naturally.

Time-boxed scoring (3 hrs/minute) demands new workflows; balance craft with sustainability.

Authentic networking = making friends first; work follows.

Audience trust grows faster when your content serves genuine curiosity, not algorithms.

Teaching can satisfy creative, financial, and community needs simultaneously.

Ship fast: capture the impulse before perfectionism kills momentum.

Resources & Links

Zach’s YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/zachheyde

Zach’s IG: @zachheyde

Zach’s Composer Pro Group & Bootcamp – details on https://zachheyde.com

The Call of Raven’s Hollow (Album): https://zachheyde.bandcamp.com/album/the-call-of-ravens-hollow

Connect with Drew

Creative Balance Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/

Drew’s IG: @drewenglishh

Drew’s Website: www.drewenglish.com

Episode Summary:
In this solo episode, Drew reflects on the real challenges creative professionals face in 2025 like unstable industries, outdated mindsets, and the constant push for "success" at any cost. Sharing his personal journey from music to film to entrepreneurship, Drew explores why reinventing yourself is not only necessary but healthy, and how obstacles often reveal the true path forward.

If you’re feeling stuck, questioning your career direction, or wondering how to balance ambition with a meaningful life, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn:

Why major life transitions often feel impossible until they're behind you

How outdated mindsets (like stability = success) can hold you back

Lessons from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday

The hard truths about building a creative career in today's world

Why redefining success on your own terms is more important than ever

How to leverage your skills into a new, sustainable direction without starting over

Resources & Links:

Sign up for the newsletter: drewenglish.kit.com/newsletter

Connect on Instagram and Threads: @drewenglishh

LinkedIn: Drew English

Book Mentioned: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Community Question:
👉 What obstacle are you currently facing that might actually be pointing you toward your next big move?

Leave a comment, DM Drew, or reply to the newsletter — we’d love to hear from you!

Episode Summary:
In this solo mini-episode, Drew strips down the myth that success requires a massive audience, fancy gear, or deep pockets. Through a real-world example from his recent short film The Ride of Your Life, he shows how creativity and scrappiness can trump big budgets and large teams. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by not having “enough,” this episode is your wake-up call.

What You’ll Learn:

Why creatives often overestimate what they need to succeed

How The Ride of Your Life was made with minimal resources—and still turned heads

Three mindset traps that keep people stuck:

Lack of real effort

The distorted influence of social media

Fear of failure and judgment

A powerful quote from 10x Is Easier Than 2x to reframe your creative risk-taking

Mentioned in the Episode:
🎥 The Ride of Your Life – Short doc film about Serotta Cycles
👉 Watch it HERE

📖 Book: 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan

Stay Connected:
Join Drew’s newsletter for more insights on creativity, filmmaking, and mindset: drewenglish.kit.com

Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps more than you know!
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