If you have ever looked up New York City travel guides or wanted to learn more about which borough has the best food, chances are you've come across  'Here Be Barr' on YouTube. Jon is one of NYC's legacy creators representing the city to millions of people visiting the city. We sat down to discuss his transition from being a sports reporter to embracing YouTube, the creator economy, the reality of NYC, and much more.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

0:45 Why Jon left broadcasting

03:30 Jon's transition to YouTube

08:24 First YouTube videos 

09:43 Casey Nesitat 

12:40 Leaving Travel vlogging for NYC

16:09 Content Market fit

18:30 The problem with mainstream media 

23:23 The rise of independent creators

25:20 How Jon makes money

31:14 Building a relationship with fans

33:17 Creating for yourself or viewers

37:02 New York City: Reality vs Romanticization

40:00 The creator community in NYC

41:53 The future of YouTube

45:00 Raising a kid in NYC

47:00 Why New York City

Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.

IG: @sssagnic

YT: @thesagnikbasu

X: @_sagnikbasu