In this episode of Office Hours, Trae sits down with Ozeal DeBastos, a veteran podcaster, brand strategist, and the founder of the Creator Factor. We dive deep into Ozeal's pivot from being a hip-hop artist and B-Boy to becoming a leader in the creator economy.

We discuss the philosophy behind his first hit podcast, "No Permission Needed," and why waiting for gatekeepers is a thing of the past. Ozeal shares his insights on how AI is reshaping the creative landscape—not by replacing us, but by becoming our "digital teammates." Plus, we geek out over local Houston spots and the best coffee in Sugar Land.

To connect with Ozeal, connect at [email protected]
or on IG: @therealozeal

• 00:00 - Intro & Welcome
• 01:14 - Ozeal’s Origin Story: From Hip-Hop to Podcasting
• 05:10 - How Breakdancing & Hip-Hop Culture Fueled Creativity
• 09:25 - The "No Permission Needed" Philosophy
• 11:42 - Early Inspirations: Chase Jarvis, Mixergy & The Rise of Video Podcasts
• 18:20 - Landing the Interview with Derek Sivers (CD Baby)
• 22:00 - Evolving from Content Creation to Brand Strategy Consulting
• 31:00 - The AI Debate: Tool vs. Digital Teammate
• 39:27 - What is the "Creator Factor"?
• 45:00 - Local Houston Talk: Coffee, Pho, and Hidden Gems in Sugar Land
• 52:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Ozeal

Its been a few months! Ben and Trae have been cooking out in the land of video production, but they have a new set of podcasts to release into the wild! For the first time ever, they do a hybrid podcast interview -- Claire and Ben are in the podcast studio at Audion HQ in Austin, and Trae is in his office in Houston, and they are able to pull it off.

Claire lets them get into the ins and outs of working at marketing agencies, as well as teaching them about what makes Proof Advertising (https://www.proof-advertising.com/)such a special group.

Key Takeaways

"Once you have that core truth, you can translate it into something bold."

"It's important to create something worthy of a place in the world."

"Brands need to be worthy of a consumer's time and energy."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Claire Jordan and Proof

03:00 The Role of Strategic Creativity

09:00 Video in Brand Storytelling

15:00 Maintaining Authenticity in a Digital Age

21:00 Adapting to Consumer Expectations

27:00 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of OFFICE HOURS, hosts Ben and Trae dive into the chaos and triumphs of a busy week in corporate video production. Trae recounts a challenging on-location shoot in a complex environment, sharing his best practices for success—from packing the right gear to staying hydrated on a long day. The duo also discusses the unexpected power of compliments in the workplace and the crucial role of snacks on a successful film shoot. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out in video production, you'll learn some of the secrets to managing a crew, staying calm under pressure, and delivering great work every time.

Takeaways

Compliments are essential for team morale.

Social media strategies should focus on community engagement.

Production challenges require adaptability and resourcefulness.

Planning and preparation are key for successful shoots.

Hydration and snacks are critical for long shoot days.

Maintaining a calm demeanor helps in high-pressure situations.

Understanding client needs is crucial for effective shooting.

Flexibility in equipment choices can save time in post-production.

Team culture significantly impacts job satisfaction.

Diversity in projects keeps work exciting and engaging.

Chapters

00:00 Weekly Recap and Highlights

03:41 Compliments and Affirmations

06:34 Social Media Strategies and Insights

09:29 Production Challenges in Unique Environments

12:26 Networking and Community Engagement

15:27 Food Adventures and Personal Reflections

18:15 Best Practices for Industrial Video Shoots

21:25 The Importance of Snacks and Hydration

25:06 Mitigating Challenges in Austere Environments

30:48 Building a Positive Work Culture

What's really going on in the world of corporate video? On this episode of Office Hours, Ben and Trae get real about the biggest trends and the biggest mistakes they’re seeing right now.

Get ready for a candid conversation about:

• The AI Problem: Is the race to "easy content" killing quality video? Ben and Trae get into why simply tacking on AI-generated content to a busy marketing manager's job is a one-way ticket to a "race to the bottom" for your brand.

• The Ice Cream Fail: One of the guys shares a story from his past about a marketing event that went horribly wrong due to a bad decision on treats. The lesson? Know your audience.

• Vanity Metrics vs. Trust: Why chasing clicks and views is a losing game. The real value is in building a library of authentic content that fosters trust and plays the "slow game."

• What You Need to Succeed: A little hope and a lot of strategy. Learn why leaning on your creative team and embracing your unique story is the only way to break through the noise.

So, stop what you're doing and get ready for a dose of reality (and some laughs).

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap

03:03 Houston Marketing Association and AI in Video Creation

06:10 Chatbots and Mental Health Integration

09:15 Robotics and Human Collaboration at Amazon

12:21 Content Production and Audience Awareness

15:15 The Era of Strategic Video and Emotional Resonance

18:46 The Challenge of Clickbait Culture

21:42 Authenticity vs. Viral Trends

24:43 The State of Augmented Reality in Video Production

28:21 Breaking Through Algorithm Barriers

30:30 Finding Balance in Content Creation

36:04 officehoursintro.mp4

Are you a solo entrepreneur who's ready to hire a team but feels overwhelmed by the process? Or maybe you already have a team, but the lack of clear processes is holding you back?

In this episode of Office Hours, we sit down with productivity expert Ilanit Meckley to discuss the most difficult transition a business owner can make: from solopreneur to effective team leader. Ilanit shares her journey from healthcare operations to helping small businesses. She reveals how she helps clients, and why clear goals and communication are the foundation of a successful team. We also get a look at her favorite, simple, and effective productivity tool—the Kanban board—and discuss how it can democratize tasks and motivate your team.

This is a must-listen for any creative professional, business owner, or entrepreneur who wants to get out of the weeds and build a sustainable, successful team.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction: Welcoming Ilanit Meckley, Productivity Expert

• (01:21) - Ilanit's Story: From Healthcare Operations to Business Coaching

• (05:51) - Why Communication is Everything in Business Processes

• (10:00) - The Importance of Crystal Clear Goals

• (12:38) - The #1 Roadblock for Solopreneurs

• (17:49) - The Emotional Side of Business Growth

• (27:47) - Actionable Tip: What is a Kanban Board?

• (31:13) - Trello and Other Tools for Productivity

• (35:57) - How to Connect with Ilanit Meckley

Featured Guests:

• Ilanit Meckley: Productivity & Operations Consultant

• Ilanit's LinkedIn

• Ilanit's website for Notable Projects, her company

Connect with Us:

• https://audionllc.com/

• Trae's Linkedin

• Ben's Linkedin

Trae and Ben have a WIDE ranging discussion, from cooking spaghetti to the importance of teamwork in a recent successful conference. They get into internal marketing and self-care, and sharing cautionary tales about neglecting one's own business needs. Ben had an experience with a physical therapist that and highlights brand authenticity and the importance of standing out in a crowded market, and then Trae asks about creativity self care. Chapters00:00 Spaghetti and Teamwork: A Culinary Introduction04:00 Conference Success: Team Efforts and Wins09:47 Internal Marketing: The Importance of Self-Care13:38 Brand Authenticity: Standing Out in a Crowded Market16:25 Creative Outlets: Balancing Work and Personal Expression

Trae interviews Ben Seligson of Kraken Engineering and gets him to open up about the importance of community connection, the nuances of energy marketing and business development, and the role of podcasting in building relationships. Trae gets Ben to explore the differences between marketing and sales, the significance of genuine interactions in business, and how they create content that cuts through the noise. Ben wraps up the conversation talking about importantce of mentorship.

Chapters

05:39 Exploring the Coffee Culture in Houston

10:40 Understanding Business Development and Marketing

15:50 The Role of Podcasting in Business Development

20:39 Curiosity and Genuine Relationships in Business

26:33 The Impact of Technology on Content Sharing

28:53 Surprises in Podcasting Success

32:18 The Importance of Networking and Showing Up

34:48 Genuineness in Business Relationships

35:22 Strategies for Content Visibility

Trae and Benjamin talk about favorite podcasts and how they appreciate that creative processes of artists have been so illuminated. Then they delve into a series of five questions that Chat GPT generated for Ben, five topics they love, and they do the must un-AI discussion ever-- all topics come straight from their brains! They get into the the importance of storytelling in video production, particularly in building brand awareness and trust with customers and employees. They talk aobut the significance of internal communication and employee engagement through video content, and strategies for high-impact production on a budget. They also explore how to make mundane topics engaging and share insights on customer service and sales strategies.

Chapters

00:00 Podcast Listening Habits and Creative Processes

03:12 Building Brand Awareness Through Video

06:09 Humanizing Brands and Customer Engagement

09:05 The Importance of Video Format and Distribution

12:21 Building Trust with Customers and Employees

15:14 Balancing Scripted and Natural Delivery in Videos

18:10 Efficient Production on a Budget

19:28 The Importance of Pre-Production Planning

21:27 Fast Turnaround Strategies in Video Production

23:48 Setting Realistic Expectations with Clients

25:15 Making the Mundane Magnetic

28:11 Crafting Compelling Stories from Everyday Content

31:43 Customer Service Insights from Unexpected Encounters

38:41 officehoursintro.mp4

Ben and Trae discuss their weekend plans, favorite drinks, and the importance for clarity while negotiating. When they're done catching up they get into event management, and Ben brings clarity into working with vendors. Then the importance of clarity comes into play with pre-production in relation to video projects and how to leverage content strategically for marketing. Then Ben takes us on a tour of the Austin studio!

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Video Integration

03:10 Car Buying Lessons and Family Dynamics

09:14 Vendor Communication and Event Management

13:11 The Value of Pre-Production in Content Creation

16:56 Leveraging Content for Marketing Strategy

24:15 Creating Value Through Client Relationships

29:45 officehoursintro.mp4

Ben and Trae talk about car shopping (Trae's getting a new car) to live streaming events. They get into what creates consistency across multi-location events, Ben asks Trae what his toughest day of shooting was (physically), and they both assess how important repurposing content can be for a marketing and communications team on the corporate level. They finish up talking about the ever present bugaboo, AI, and how its affecting authenticity for businesses.

00:00 Car Shopping Excitement

03:10 Event Highlights and Client Experiences

06:00 Live Streaming Insights and Mistakes

08:49 Consistency in Multi-Location Events

11:51 Challenges in Industrial Video Shoots

15:52 Repurposing Content for Long-Term Value

19:55 The Impact of AI on Content Creation