Rejection almost ended my filmmaking career. I’ve pitched over 1,000 projects in my life and lost the vast majority of them. I’ve been ghosted, ignored, and told “no” more times than I can count. But every single rejection taught me something that eventually led to my biggest breaks in the industry.

In this episode, I share how I survived years of constant rejection, the mindset shift that turned “no” into fuel, why rejection isn’t personal but situational, how to refine your pitch so people can’t ignore you, and the exact strategies I used to land career-changing projects.

If you’re a filmmaker, creative, or entrepreneur dealing with rejection, this conversation will change the way you see every “no” you get. Watch if you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when nothing’s working, why people reject your ideas, or how to turn rejection into opportunity.

00:00 Introduction: Facing Rejection

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From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking.

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At just 23, Josh Smith was choreographing for the biggest names in music: Chris Brown, Usher, BTS, Ciara, and more. But his journey started way outside the industry playbook. In this raw and powerful episode, Josh opens up about being rejected, breaking into the dance world with no agent, and how one last-minute audition changed everything.

From crashing a Disney audition to touring the world with Usher, this is the unfiltered truth about what it takes to build a sustainable dance career, including the money, the mindset, and the hustle no one talks about.

Whether you're a dancer, creative, or just chasing a dream, this interview will shift your perspective.

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Let's dive into what it takes to make a full-time living as a filmmaker in 2025. We’re in the most accessible era for filmmaking ever, cameras in your pocket, unlimited platforms to share your work, but with that access comes unprecedented competition. I talk about how the landscape has evolved, the importance of building a strong portfolio, and why choosing a niche is crucial for standing out.I also explore multiple income paths for filmmakers today: from commercial work and music videos to editing, stock licensing, content creation, and even selling digital assets. You’ll hear real, unfiltered insights about freelancing, creative burnout, and why long-term stability is just as important as short-term hustle.

00:00 Introduction to Modern Filmmaking

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From producing and marketing for some of today’s biggest artists to making major moves as a crypto investor, Seeno Shahrooz has quietly built an empire behind the scenes. In this episode, we dive deep into Seeno’s origin story, from Persian radio stations in New York to running his own recording studio in Los Angeles. He opens up about navigating hustle culture, pivoting from production to artist management, building a six-figure studio from scratch, and finding peace in a chaotic industry. This one’s full of wisdom for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing something bigger.

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In this eye-opening solo episode, I dive headfirst into the unsettling reality of AI's rapid takeover, across tech, blue-collar jobs, filmmaking, and creativity itself. From Google’s terrifyingly realistic AI-generated videos to the silent extinction of human-crafted art, this is a brutally honest look at how fast everything is changing. Whether you're an artist, a coder, or just someone trying to make sense of it all, this episode will challenge how you see the future, your job, and your own identity. Buckle up. We're all in this together.

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How does a kid from Oakland with a MiniDV camera end up directing for Rihanna, JLo, and Usher? Taj Stansberry’s story is anything but typical. In this intimate, raw, and inspiring interview, Taj breaks down how his earliest videos filmed with no budget, no crew, and sometimes no clue, became stepping stones to iconic pop visuals that shaped a generation. From selling his car to pay for shoots, to crashing the gates of the industry without a film school degree, this is the unfiltered truth about hustle, heartbreak, and the relentless belief in your own vision.

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In this solo episode, I dive into why Sinners might be the most significant cinematic release of the decade. This isn’t just another box office success, it’s a cultural shift. Ryan Coogler’s groundbreaking deal with Warner Brothers grants him ownership rights after 25 years, setting a new precedent for filmmakers to retain equity in their work. We talk about the power of ownership, the long-term value of creative control, and how final cut privileges are changing the dynamics between studios and directors.

I also explore the technical and cultural innovations that make Sinners so impactful, from Autumn Dural Arkapaw becoming the first woman to shoot a theatrical film on IMAX 65mm, to Michael B. Jordan’s jaw-dropping dual role brought to life through advanced motion control techniques. The film’s success is undeniable: nearly $300 million at the box office, a sold-out IMAX re-release, and a growing demand for original, bold storytelling that doesn’t rely on franchise formulas.

This is a call to action for indie filmmakers, storytellers, and creatives who want to reclaim power in the filmmaking process. If you care about the future of cinema, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction: The Impact of 'Sinners'

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Trevor Jackson is no stranger to the spotlight — but in this episode, he opens up like never before. From starring in *Grown-ish* and *Superfly* to dropping his most personal album yet, Trevor has seen every side of the industry. He shares how the machine behind music and film is built on money, influence, and perception — and why not having that machine can leave even the most talented artists overlooked. After going through a painful breakup and tearing his Achilles, Trevor found himself at his lowest — and wrote an entire album in just two weeks. He talks about being told he was "too clean" to be marketable, walking away from major labels, building his own company (Born Art), and reclaiming his freedom as an artist. This conversation dives deep into mental health, validation, self-love, creativity, and the hard truth about how things really work behind the scenes in Hollywood. If you’re a creative, an artist, or someone chasing something bigger — this episode will hit home. Trevor Jackson is creating on his own terms now, and he’s not holding back. This is the most honest, unfiltered, and inspiring version of him the world has seen.

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Starting a podcast sounded like a dream. But three months in, I’ve learned the raw truth: it's a full-time job, it’s humbling, and it’s not for the faint of heart. In this solo episode, I break down the 10 most important lessons I’ve learned so far—from getting hate online to learning how to handle burnout, bad audio, inconsistent platform performance, and the pressure to grow without a return.

If you’ve ever thought about launching a podcast (or any creative venture), this episode is for you. Whether you're just starting out or already in the game, these lessons are real, unfiltered, and straight from my experience.

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