The Zack Arnold Podcast

If AI can generate visuals, what’s left for VFX artists to do?

In this episode, I talk with Sean Cushing, co-founder of Cantina Creative, who’s on the front lines of how AI is reshaping visual effects. We dive into the real-world impact on workflows, studio expectations, and copyright concerns. This conversation cuts through the noise to reveal where the true opportunities are—and why human taste, judgment, and collaboration matter more than ever.

• Focus on creative direction, not just tool execution. Even as AI use in studio VFX is currently limited by copyright law, the real value shifts toward human taste, decision-making, and guiding what “feels right” in the final output.
• Become a generalist who can adapt across the pipeline. In an AI-driven future, highly specialized repeatable tasks will be automated, so resilience comes from combining skills and understanding the broader creative process.
• Use AI to multiply output, not replace imagination. AI increases productivity per artist, enabling smaller teams to achieve large-scale VFX work, but it still requires human direction, taste, and creative intent.

• Step inside the world of high-end graphics and the hidden work behind blockbuster franchises
• Hear why studios are drawing a hard line against AI use in production
• Discover why adaptability now outweighs expertise in one skill
• Explore what never changes no matter how fast the tools evolve
• Learn why a single human choice matters more than thousands of AI outputs
• Explore why mastering AI is becoming essential for visual effects artists
• Hear why AI might get you 70% there but not the perfect vision
• What it means to bring legacy Hollywood storytelling skills together with new creator economies
• Spot the opportunity AI is quietly opening in your industry
• How opportunity favors those willing to start over and embrace failure
• From VFX to starting a whiskey company: why you’re never really starting over
• How experiencing life outside your screen fuels better creative decisions

"Algorithmic Imitation" Will Never Replace You (Unless You Let It) | with Maxim Jago

Cantina Creative Website

Cantina Creative Youtube Channel

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Sean Cushing is the co-founder of Cantina Creative, a high-end visual effects and design company located in Los Angeles.

Cushing is also a board member of the non-profit organization, Climate Cents, which organizes crowdfunding campaigns to rebuild natural ecosystems, sequester carbon, and support Los Angeles County communities with climate adaptation, education, and sustainable development.

In 1999, Cushing entered the entertainment sector when he joined Reel Efx, a special effects company. Prior to Reel Efx, Cushing applied his skills in product design and computer aided modeling to help create fountain structures around the world (including the now famous Bellagio feature) for renowned architectural firm WET Design.

Cushing graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Is the future of creativity really at risk—or are we just repeating history?

In this episode, I’m joined by Walter Murch, Hollywood filmmaking legend and multi-Oscar winner whose career spans over six decades of technological change. We explore how we got here, where we might be going, and how to make sense of this evolving “normal.” Walter shares a powerful perspective on why creative disruption is cyclical, what remains constant in storytelling, and how to adapt without losing your footing in the age of AI.

• Embrace change and take action when the “house is crumbling down.” Technological shifts like AI are inevitable, so adapt, learn, and apply timeless storytelling principles instead of resisting.
• Create stories that engage all “three brains.” The most powerful work speaks to the instinctual, emotional, and logical, delivering a mythic, multi-sensory experience AI alone cannot replicate.
• Design for shared, in-person experiences. The “flickering campfire” of collective storytelling remains deeply human, so craft work compelling enough to bring audiences together.

• Walter’s wild ride through Hollywood and how he survived its toughest transitions
• Why being an early adopter might be your greatest creative advantage today
• How AI can support great storytelling without killing human creativity
• Would you rather be a controlled black box or a spontaneous snowflake?
• What hasn’t changed in storytelling since ancient fireside tales—and why it still matters
• Walter’s take on film’s mythic impact and how good stories align your three “brains”
• How Walter stay sharp, creative, and sane after six decades of success
• What story could pull us all together in this fractured, chaotic world?

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman

The Walter Murch-opedia

Milan Kundera

Dwight Eisenhower

Chris Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey

Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film

Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What this Means for Cinema

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Walter Murch (ACE, MPSE) is an American film editor, director, writer, sound designer, and author. With a career stretching back to 1969, including work on THX1138, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather I, II, and III, American Graffiti, The Conversation, and The English Patient, with three Academy Award wins (from nine nominations: six for picture editing and three for sound mixing), he has been referred to by Roger Ebert as “the most respected film editor and sound designer in the modern cinema.”

Walter's Book: In The Blink Of An Eye

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Is AI really going to replace you or is something bigger happening beneath the surface?

In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Merchant, technology journalist and author of The One Device and Blood in the Machine, who writes at the intersection of innovation, labor, and society. We dig into how we got here, where the future of work is heading, and how to define this new version of normal. If you’ve been wondering what artificial intelligence means for the workforce and your place in it, this conversation will help you better understand what’s actually at stake.

• Reframe the problem: it’s not AI vs. humans—it’s management vs. labor. The real issue is how AI is implemented to reduce costs and devalue work, not the technology itself.
• Don’t settle for “good enough” creative work. The push for cheaper, faster AI outputs risks devaluing your craft, especially in the middle tier where quality is often compromised.
• Claim your power in how AI is used. The future depends on creatives setting the terms—using AI as a tool when it serves them, not when it replaces them.

• Who really benefits from the AI fear narrative
• Dig into a history lesson that reframes how we see technology today
• Recognize how power, labor, and resistance repeat with each wave of new technology
• Why AI’s good enough standard challenges every creative skill level
• How AI is accelerating the never-ending hustle in creative industries
• The true cost of workforce exploitation on the future of storytelling
• How to future-proof your creative career by thinking like a generalist and acting in solidarity
• Starting points for building collective creative leverage

Why the Machines Will Never Fully Replace the Creative Process | with Walter Murch, ACE

Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech

Blood in the Machine Newsletter

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Brian Merchant is a writer, tech journalist, and the author of a bestselling book about the iPhone, The One Device. His most recent book is Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech (2023).

He has been the Los Angeles Times‘ tech columnist, an editor at Motherboard, VICE’s science and technology publication, and the founder of Terraform, its online fiction site. He founded Automaton, a project that examined the human impact of AI and automation, for Gizmodo. He currently serves as Journalist in Residence, AI Now Institute.

Brian is also the co-editor of a print anthology of Terraform stories, called Terraform: Watch/Worlds/Burn (2022). His work has appeared in the New York Times, Harper’s, Wired, the Atlantic, the Guardian, Slate, the Washington Post, Fast Company, Fortune, and beyond. He lives in Los Angeles.

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

What if the idea of a stable, linear career path is the very thing holding you back?

In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Christina Wallace to explore what it really means to navigate the future of creative work. A longtime advocate of “The Portfolio Life,” Christina challenges the idea that we have to choose one path, and instead encourages us to integrate our diverse skills, passions, and experiences. We talk about why the “unprecedented” is now the norm, why waiting for things to go back isn’t a strategy, and how embracing your inner “human Venn diagram” is essential. If you’re ready to take ownership of your career and build a more intentional, flexible path, this conversation is for you.

• Build your portfolio life now—adapt or get left behind. The traditional linear career path is effectively dead, so think entrepreneurially, diversify your skills, and own your trajectory as a collection of meaningful pursuits.
• Find your asymmetric advantage in the intersections. Your unique mix of skills, passions, and life experiences creates value no one else can replicate, especially in a world of AI.
• Design intentional work-life integration, not balance. Treat your life as a portfolio, where work, health, family, and creativity are consciously aligned and managed as one system.

• Why the present belongs to human Venn diagrams
• How past skills, hobbies, and side quests become portfolio fodder
• Where your unique niche hides in the overlap of your own Venn diagram
• Why work-life balance is a myth and what to do instead
• The calendar trick that reveals how you really spend your energy
• The resume story that proves ice skating can change your career
• What to do when your calendar is clear but your mind isn’t

AI Isn’t Taking Your Job. But Your Boss Is. | with Brian Merchant

The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card

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A self-described “human Venn diagram”, Christina Wallace has crafted a career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, where she teaches entrepreneurship and leads HBS Startup Bootcamp. Her latest book is The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card (Hachette, 2023).

A serial entrepreneur, Christina has built businesses in ecommerce, edtech, and media. She also co-authored New To Big: How Companies Can Create Like Entrepreneurs, Invest Like VCs, and Install a Permanent Operating System for Growth (Penguin Random House, 2019) and was the co-host of The Limit Does Not Exist, an iHeart podcast with millions of downloads over 3 seasons and 125 episodes.

Cristina's Website

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

What do you do when the life and career you’ve built no longer work for you?

In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Holtzman, a former reality TV editor turned therapist, now life coach, who helps creatives and entrepreneurs release imposter syndrome and step into the next chapter of their careers. Together we share our own pivots and life quakes, and what it really takes to keep moving one step at a time. If you’re frozen in fear, stuck in the messy middle, or wishing life could go back to “normal,” this episode offers comfort, clarity, and the reminder you don’t have to do it alone.

• Discern where your cheese has moved. The story of chasing cheese is a reminder that the old path may no longer serve you.
• Embrace pivots as part of the path. Change can feel like failure, but it is often the exact step toward alignment and renewal.
• Start with the smallest silly step. Action leads to motivation, not the other way around. Even tiny wins unlock momentum.

• Parallel pivots that sparked a reunion and deeper conversation
• Life in the before times versus surviving the after times
• Unlocking journaling as a hidden practice of reflection
• Reimagine identity by shifting from one brand to the next
• Learn how to stop chasing the wrong cheese and pivot with courage
• Fear, scarcity, and the power of “you’re not alone right now”
• Face fear in your pivot and discover what opens on the other side
• Find inspiration in real stories of clients choosing courage in chaos
• How to build momentum with small silly steps that spark motivation
• Calm fear and create clarity through journaling dialogues

Navigating the Messy Middle of a Career Pivot | with Sandy Zimmerman

🎧 Listen on [Apple Podcast] [Spotify] [Amazon Music]

Who Moved My Cheese

Pivot with Purpose

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Anna Holtzman is a therapist-turned-coach who helps sensitive creatives and entrepreneurs move through the fear of visibility and finally launch the work that feels most true to them. After 15 years in TV and publishing—and many false starts on her own creative dreams—burnout and chronic pain led her to the nervous system tools that helped her unblock her voice and show up for the work she loves. Now she helps others do the same: melt through imposter syndrome, bring their creative visions to life, and share them boldly. She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, stepdaughter, and three orange cats, and she hosts the podcast How to Trust Yourself.

Anna’s Website, Instagram, Email, Podcast, Workshop

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

What if the emotions you’ve been taught to hide are actually the key to deeper connection?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sunil Joseph, mindfulness instructor, empathy coach, and former software developer. Sunil’s mission is to help us normalize all emotions so we can better process what we feel and connect more authentically with others. In our conversation, he guides me through this practice in real time, showing how naming and expressing emotions can shift everything. If you’ve ever struggled to understand or work through your feelings, this episode will give you tools to turn toward them instead of pushing them away.

• Shared humanity makes vulnerability safe. When you show your struggles, you create space for someone else to meet you with compassion.
• Prioritize emotional resonance over intellectual empathy. Understanding a person’s need at an emotional level changes the way they respond, making your interactions more effective.
• Balance logic and emotion to move forward. While logic reminds you of past successes, emotion brings fear; acknowledging both without judgment enables growth and action.

• When your dream life makes you unhappy, learn to chase meaning instead of following expectations.
• Learn to face hidden childhood wounds to understand your present and unlock freedom.
• Master the four steps of nonviolent communication (NVC): what happened, your feelings, your needs, and your requests.
• The power of shared humanity that turns empathy and vulnerability into daily practice and real connection.
• Learn the universal needs in NVC and stop confusing it with strategies, so you can meet what truly matters without blaming others.
• Understanding emotional needs builds real connection, but it takes consistent, lifelong practice.
• Use mindfulness to bridge the gap between stimulus and response, giving you space to choose your reaction.
• Discover how NVC revealed hidden feelings and unmet needs from my personal “ouch” moment.
• Serve the purpose, not the title: Skills are most powerful when aligned with the work or calling that matters to you.

Emotional Intelligence: What It Is, How to Improve Yours, and How It Makes You a Better Creative | with Robin Hills

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

Lisa Feldman

Marshall Rosenberg

We're all Doing Time

Viktor Frankl

List of Universal Human Needs and Emotions

The Center for Nonviolent Communication

GRIP: Guiding Rage Into Power

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Sunil Joseph is a certified GRIP Facilitator, mindfulness instructor, and Nonviolent Communication coach. In 2018, he visited a GRIP class at San Quentin and was profoundly moved by the humanity and compassion in the room, a moment that transformed his path. He joined the program, eventually training to become a certified facilitator, supporting students in their growth, healing, and transformation through restorative justice. Sunil also leads weekly online meditation classes and NVC coaching sessions. With a Master’s in Computer Science and 25 years of software development experience, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and human-centered insight to his work.

Sunil’s Website, LinkedIn

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

How can emotional intelligence give you an edge in a world full of AI?

In this episode, I talk with Robin Hills, Director of Ei4Change and an expert in emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Robin has a career full of varied experiences, but his superpower is turning complex ideas into practical lessons we can actually use. We dive into the five key components of emotional intelligence, how to stay motivated when your emotions are dragging you down, and how emotions impact your ability to reach flow. We also explore why imperfect action can be the antidote to creative paralysis. If you want to harness emotional intelligence to enhance your creativity and relationships, this conversation is for you.

• Challenge the societal bias that favors IQ over emotional intelligence. While IQ is static and easily measured, emotional intelligence is a lifelong journey of growth and can be developed over time.
• We are creating each other. Through empathy and emotional connection, we subtly change each other’s brains, showing that this human capacity is irreplaceable by machines.
• Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction. Just get out there and do it, even if it’s messy—taking any step forward builds momentum and overcomes fear or hopelessness.

• Defining emotional intelligence and how it goes beyond IQ to use your emotions wisely for better decisions, authentic relationships, and meaningful action.
• The five core components of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation
• How focusing on emotional intelligence can transform you into a completely different person than you were 20 years ago.
• Why awareness is the most essential part of emotional intelligence, and how simple exercises can help you build self-awareness.
• Rethinking emotions as pleasant or unpleasant rather than positive or negative, changes how we use emotions to decide, relate, and move forward.
• How transferring emotion from your own experience to an audience in creative work ensures your relevance in ways machines can’t replicate.
• Exploring the four uniquely human components of emotional intelligence: creativity, empathy, ethics, and spirituality.
• The emotional side of flow and deep work, and how feelings shape creative focus.
• Understanding intrinsic motivation from within and extrinsic motivation from our environment, and how to harness both to stay driven across changing contexts and situations.

A New Approach to Relieving Stress & Anxiety (and Improving “Emotional” Health) | with Nick Wignall

Daniel Goleman Books

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman Podcast Interview

Greg McKeown Podcast Interview

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Dr. Robin Hills brings over 40 years of business and commercial experience helping executives and leaders enhance performance through greater self-awareness and understanding of others. He focuses on supporting personality and behaviour in business through the practical application of emotional intelligence and is Director of Ei4Change (Emotional Intelligence 4 Change), a company specialising in training, coaching, and personal development grounded in emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. His educational programmes on resilience and emotional intelligence are used in schools in South Africa and India, reaching over 500,000 students across 200+ countries.

Robin’s LinkedIn

Robin’s Books

Robin’s Emotional Intelligence Course with Free Resources

Ei4Change Website, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions:

What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema?

In this episode, I’m joined by Amie McNee, bestselling author of We Need Your Art, artist, creativity coach, and TEDx speaker who has become a beacon for creatives reclaiming their voice and self-worth. We talk about why art matters more than ever, how vulnerability keeps us human in an age of AI perfection, and why making “shitty art” might be your bravest act yet. If you’re feeling discouraged, disillusioned, or ready to give up, this conversation will remind you to keep creating.

*This conversation contains a significant amount of explicit language. Rather than bleeping everything out or editorializing, I preferred to share the raw, authentic version because we're all feeling all the feelings right now. And I didn't want to restrict our process in any way. Viewer discretion is advised.

→ Click here for lifetime access to all 15 interviews, bonus resources, and my 90 minute Masterclass to help you navigate the next act of your creative career.

• Create art when it matters most. In times of crisis, art isn’t optional—it’s vital for healing, connection, and helping communities make sense of a chaotic world.
• The bigger the dream, the lower your standards should be. Perfectionism and procrastination stem from fear—embrace terrible first drafts, face the fear, and keep creating.
• Claim your creative identity without waiting for permission. Be your own boss with firm structure and kindness, using small daily steps to build momentum toward your biggest goals.

• Why art matters more than ever in a world on fire.
• Vulnerability in creative work, especially for men amid hustle culture and stoicism
• How language shapes owning your art and creative identity
• Why too much time can be a Kryptonite for creatives and how setting restrictions creates space for making “shitty art”
• The struggle of being your own boss and the two essential things creatives must do to avoid burnout
• The power of being seen by another creative to reignite self-trust amid exhaustion
• Society’s myths about creatives and reclaiming the truth that art is essential
• Why now is the most important time to make art in a world flooded with AI perfection
• Why embracing mediocrity matters in a world obsessed with perfection.
• How setting boundaries allow mindful content consumption without hijacking creativity
• Creativity’s power to foster self-reflection and healing
• Why introvert fatigue is real and how to honor it without burning bridges or yourself
• A gentle path back to creativity through Amie’s “2 Week Reset”
• The soapbox moment every artist needs to hear

On Vulnerability and the Courageous Act of Creating From a Place of Truth | with Allison Sweet Grant

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman Interview

Jen Cellota Podcast Interview

Andrew Huberman

Bob Ross

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Amie McNee is an author, artist and speaker dedicated to helping creatives build meaningful and fulfilling lives. McNee empowers people to challenge the narratives that hold them back and embrace the messy, magical process of creation. McNee’s books and speaking inspire thousands to break free from perfectionism, self-doubt and the belief that creative work isn’t “real work.”

Her nonfiction book, We Need Your Art, is a manifesto for the creative spirit in a world that undervalues artistry. She is also the author of historical fiction that explores the complexities of creativity, resistance and rebellion through vivid storytelling. Through her writing, podcast Unpublished and speaking engagements, McNee champions a life that is driven by vulnerability, purpose and unapologetic creative ambition.

Amie’s Instagram | Substack

Amie’s Book: We Need Your Art

Amie's TEDx Talk: "The Case For Making Art When the World Is On Fire"

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions:

What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema?

In this episode, I talk with Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science and one of the leading voices in the creator economy. Jay has helped thousands of independent creatives turn their passion into sustainable businesses—not through hacks, but by showing up authentically and building trust. We talk about creating real value, choosing the right platform, and embracing the messy truth of your process. Jay also breaks down the three types of creators, and why not being an “expert” might actually be your biggest strength. If you’re caught between being a creative and being a creator, this conversation will help you be both.

→ Click here for lifetime access to all 15 interviews, bonus resources, and my 90 minute Masterclass to help you navigate the next act of your creative career.

• Serve before you sell. If you want to build a creative business, start by helping your audience. Content that provides clear value invites loyalty, trust, and opportunity.
• Focus your creative energy where you can be real. Skip the pressure to be everywhere. Your audience connects best when you're creating from a place of genuine interest and ease.
• Strengthen creative courage by failing where it’s safe. Use small, private experiments to test ideas, make mistakes, and learn so you're more resilient when it's time to show your work to the world.

• What’s the real difference between being creative and calling yourself a creative?
• The surprising way emotion travels from one brain to another through your work
• How creativity becomes a form of currency and what you’re actually trading
• Why picking the right platform might matter more than your talent
• What really happens when you stop curating perfection and start showing the mess
• The quiet reality of creators who thrive without chasing fame
• Which of the 3 creator types are you, and why it matters more than you think
• Why not being an expert might be the edge your content needs
• The human experience as your most powerful asset in an AI-saturated world
• Why creators and creatives are no longer optional allies—they’re essential to each other’s survival

How We are “Wired to Create”, What It Means to Be a “Creative”, and How We Can Leverage Our Unique Gifts | with Scott Barry Kaufman

Mark Manson

Dodford

Bobby Fingers

Substack

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Jay Clouse is the founder of Creator Science, a leading voice in the creator economy. Jay has helped thousands of creators turn their passion into sturdy businesses through observation, experimentation, and iteration. His work spans a newsletter, podcast, membership, and YouTube channel, reaching a global audience.

In 2023, Jay was named “Content Entrepreneur of the Year” by The Tilt, and the Creator Science podcast earned a 2022 Signal Award.

Jay has also invested in 10+ startups, including Kit, RightMessage, Maven, Carry, Kick, and Gumroad. Through the Creator Science Syndicate, he helps his audience invest in platforms that empower creators.

Before Creator Science, Jay built and sold a ticketing startup (Tixers) and later sold his community, Unreal Collective, to Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income, where he designed membership and course programs.

Jay’s Youtube | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok

Jay’s Website

Jay’s Podcast

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda

At its core, I organized my 5 day virtual summit about Navigating the Future of Entertainment to help us creatives, artists, and storytellers answer two key questions:

What the hell is happening to our beloved film industry? And how can we shape the future of cinema?

In this episode, I talk with Selena Soo, bestselling author of Rich Relationships and a top publicity strategist who’s helped creatives land features in Forbes, O Magazine, and on national TV. Selena shares how we can build genuine, lasting relationships without burnout or feeling transactional. We dive into her three-step approach to meaningful connection, how to give value sustainably, and why simply validating others can be a powerful way to build trust. If networking has ever felt overwhelming or inauthentic, this conversation offers a refreshing new approach.

→ Click here for lifetime access to all 15 interviews, bonus resources, and my 90 minute Masterclass to help you navigate the next act of your creative career.

• Invest in rich relationships that spark both creative flow and career momentum. Look for collaborators and mentors who share your values, elevate your work, and open doors with integrity and trust.
• Adopt the mindset of a rich giver—be generous with purpose and intention. Focus your energy on relationships with mutual alignment and win-win potential, where giving builds trust, goodwill, and sustainable creative momentum.
• Make it easy for others to help you with a thoughtful, clear ask. Start with gratitude, be specific in your request, and show them exactly how they can support your creative goals without added effort.

• How I used Selena’s own tactic to start a genuine connection
• Selena’s journey from struggle to a mission that amplifies others
• Learn the three steps to build rich relationships that actually matter 
• Recognize the three giver types and choose the one that builds lasting connections
• Hear how supporting one friend led to a million dollars in mutual success
• Pivot your career by identifying ten types of rich relationships to seek
• How to make the ask feel easy and even exciting to say yes to
• Why genuine appreciation might be the highest form of value you can give
• Discover why introverts hold the secret superpowers of relationship building
• Get actionable tips to give thoughtfully without exhausting yourself or others
• Why validating someone's life choices is the ultimate way to provide value
• Learn how showing up in the right rooms can build momentum in a tough creative job market

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

Jen Mac

INFJ

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Selena Soo is a publicity and marketing strategist for visionary entrepreneurs, experts, and authors who want to reach millions with their message.

She’s helped clients and students get featured in places like O, The Oprah Magazine, Forbes, and Inc., and land interviews on popular podcasts and national TV. Many of Selena’s clients have become industry leaders with 7-figure businesses, raving fan bases, and hundreds of thousands of followers.

Her signature approach comes down to building powerful and long-lasting relationships with influencers and the media in a thoughtful, authentic way.

Selena has been featured in magazines and websites like Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Success, and The Huffington Post. She has been a guest on podcasts like Entrepreneur On Fire, Smart Passive Income, and Mixergy.

Selena’s Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Selena’s Book: Rich Relationships

Selena’s Book Launch

Edited by: Curtis Fritsch

Produced by: Debby Germino

Published by: Vim Pangantihon

Music by: Thomas Cepeda