What do you do when things go wrong on set, in the edit bay, or in life? Murphy’s Law says, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” But here’s the truth: Murphy isn’t always right.

In this episode, Paul Steven Forrest share a personal reflection on those moments when projects hit a snag—and how to turn them into opportunities instead of setbacks.

You’ll learn five tools that every video creator can use when the unexpected happens: Stay calm under fire – your best decisions come when your head is clear. Think like a problem-solver – shift from panic to solutions. Lean on your team – creativity thrives in collaboration. Adapt, don’t quit – detours often lead to stronger stories. Keep perspective – one setback doesn’t define your whole project.

Whether you’re behind the camera, in front of a client, or deep in the edit, these tools will help you push through when things don’t go as planned. The best creatives aren’t those who avoid problems—they’re the ones who know how to respond when they show up.

Want to go deeper? Grab my book, You REALLY Gotta See This! → https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

Every great creator has something that sets them apart. Call it your superpower. It’s not just talent—it’s the unique strength, motivator, or perspective you bring to the table that others can’t duplicate.

In this episode of You REALLY Gotta Hear This!, Paul Steven Forrest challenges video creators to identify and own their superpower. Drawing on the energy of superheroes and real-world creative breakthroughs, he shows how knowing your core motivator can be the key to standing out, scaling your business, and creating videos that matter.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why understanding your superpower is more important than chasing trends. How your superpower becomes the fuel that drives risk, resilience, and new creative directions. Why many creatives struggle to define what they’re great at—and how to fix it. The role of clarity in shaping your elevator pitch and career trajectory. A simple way to test your pitch with friends and refine it for impact.

Key Takeaway: When you know your superpower, you don’t compete—you differentiate. And that’s what makes clients, collaborators, and audiences remember you. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Like and share this episode with a fellow creative who needs to hear it. Drop a comment or DM—what’s YOUR superpower? Want to go deeper? Check out Paul’s book You REALLY Gotta See This! Here's the link: http://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this

Connect with Paul at: paulstevenforrest.com

Every great story—and every great creative career—needs a flight plan. Without one, you’re just circling the runway or shooting straight up only to crash back down. In this episode, Paul Steven Forrest lays out a 3-Stage Flight Plan designed to help video creators and storytellers gain altitude the right way, avoid turbulence, and land projects that move the needle.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Stage 1: Takeoff – How to build momentum, get off the ground, and put your creative work in motion. Stage 2: Course Correction – Why mid-flight adjustments are essential, and how to pivot without losing altitude. Stage 3: Landing – Bringing your projects in with impact and leaving your audience with a lasting impression.

If you’ve ever felt like your projects stall out after launch, or your creative journey lacks direction, this episode gives you the tools to chart a steady course, keep your work flying high, and finish strong.

Resources & Links: Check out Paul’s new book You REALLY Gotta See This! → store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this

Free Workshop & Master Course → paulstevenforrest.com

In this episode, Paul Steven Forrest unpacks a creative framework that will change the way you think about storytelling. Great stories don’t just happen—they move through a process. See It, Say It, Sow It, Show It is a practical way to remind yourself that every idea needs vision, words, investment, and delivery.

What you’ll discover in this episode: Why seeing the story first sets the vision for what’s possible How saying it brings clarity and alignment to your creative process The importance of sowing—putting in the hard work and planting seeds that grow into something meaningful.

And how showing it to the world is where the impact really happens. Whether you’re a filmmaker, storyteller, or creative entrepreneur, this framework will help you move from concept to completion with intention and purpose.

Takeaway: Creativity isn’t just about ideas—it’s about putting them into action so they can make a difference.

Grab Paul’s new book: You REALLY Gotta See This! at: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this

Check out FREE resources at: paulstevenforrest.com

On a hot summer night, nothing beats an ice cream cone. But one little shop in my neighborhood did something unforgettable—they hid a malted milk ball at the bottom of every cone. That tiny surprise left a lasting impression, and years later, it’s still teaching me something about storytelling.

In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, I unpack why the last bite matters most—in ice cream and in stories. You’ll discover how to create endings that stick, why audiences remember the first and last moments (the Primacy & Recency Effect), and how to craft stories that move from good to unforgettable.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why the last moment of any story can make or break it. The secret of the “malted milk ball moment” in storytelling. How different types of ice cream (and cones) mirror story forms & structure. Practical ways to strengthen your story’s ending.

The best videos don’t just start strong—they end strong. That’s what lingers. That’s what gets remembered. So whatever you’re working on right now… save the best for last.

Buy my new book, You REALLY Gotta See This! at: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this....And...Connect with me at: paulstevenforrest.com

In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, Paul reminds video creators that in both life and storytelling—you can’t just stand still. Every creative career is built on making moves. The question is: What kind of move are you making?

Paul unpacks how small, intentional steps forward compound into big breakthroughs, while hesitation, fear, or waiting for “the perfect moment” can leave you stuck on the sidelines. He shares personal insights and lessons from decades of creative work, offering encouragement to take action now instead of later.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why your next move matters more than your current position. How to turn hesitation into momentum. The difference between reacting and intentionally moving forward. Ways to spot your best next creative move. Why movement—even imperfect—beats standing still Key

Takeaway: Every great story moves forward. So should you. Don’t wait for opportunities to find you—make your move. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another creative who needs a push to take their next step. Want to go deeper?

Check out Paul’s new book, You REALLY Gotta See This! on Amazon. 

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

Ever ignored a software update on your phone or laptop—thinking everything would keep working just fine until suddenly, it didn’t? Maybe your apps started crashing. Your screen froze. Or things just felt... off.

Here’s the thing: that happens to us creatively, too. As content creators, filmmakers, and storytellers, we often push forward without checking if our internal system—our mindset, our methods, our goals—is actually up to date. We rely on old habits, outdated strategies, and last season’s thinking… hoping they’ll still work in today’s fast-moving creative landscape.

In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, we’re talking about how to recognize when it’s time to manually install a creative update—and why ignoring those signs can keep you stuck, frustrated, or creatively burnt out.

We’ll cover: The hidden “glitches” that show up when your process is lagging behind your potential. Why your best work may require a system reboot—not just more hustle. What it really means to upgrade your mindset, your tools, and your trajectory. How to give yourself permission to pause, refresh, and restart with intention

This isn’t about scrapping everything and starting over. It’s about choosing to grow, shift, and evolve so your creative system aligns with where you are—and where you want to go.

Because here’s the truth: If your creative operating system is out of date, your results will be, too.
Don't ignore the update. Install the upgrade.

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

Ever watch a show where the video and audio don’t match up? It throws everything off—until you reboot the system and suddenly… it clicks. That kind of misalignment doesn’t just happen on screen. It happens in our creative lives, too.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to be out of sync—and more importantly, how to get back in sync with your collaborators, your calendar, your creativity, and your calling. Paul shares personal stories from his early days syncing 16mm film by hand to leading high-stakes live broadcasts where even a one-second delay could derail everything.

These moments aren’t just technical—they’re deeply creative and profoundly human. You'll hear why being "off" doesn’t mean you're failing—it might just mean your timing, your crew, or your cut needs to shift. You'll learn how to: Recalibrate your timing and recognize when a great idea just needs more time to breathe. Lean on collaborators and trusted voices when you’re too close to the work to see what’s off. Rework your structure until the story feels right—not just looks or sounds right.

Whether you’re in post-production, pitching new ideas, or just trying to find your rhythm again, this episode offers a reset button for your process. Because staying in sync is the secret to producing your best work—without burning out. If your momentum feels off… your projects feel forced… or your creativity just isn’t clicking, this episode is the reminder you didn’t know you needed: You can get back in sync. And when you do—you’ll feel it.

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

You’re not lazy. You’re overloaded. If you’re a video creator, storyteller, or creative juggling a dozen tasks at once—editing, invoicing, chasing clients, learning new gear, posting reels while rendering footage—you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack what’s really behind that nonstop hustle.it’s not a lack of discipline, it’s a lack of clarity.

Spinning Too Many Plates explores the lie we creatives often believe: “If I just hustle harder, I’ll make it.” But more hustle doesn’t always mean more progress—it often means more burnout. I’ll share a personal story that snapped me out of autopilot and helped me start focusing on what really matters.

We’ll talk about: Why creative overload happens. How to recognize which plates are worth spinning. What to stop doing (without feeling guilty). And how to protect your energy so you can create your best work.If you’ve been stretched too thin or feel like you’re running in circles, this episode will help you pause, reset, and start making intentional progress—not just spinning faster.

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

In this episode, Paul asks a question most creatives never stop to consider: What ladder are you climbing? Whether you’re just getting started or eyeing your next big move, the kind of ladder you choose—and how high you're willing to climb—can shape your entire creative career.

Paul shares personal stories, industry insights, and a few cautionary tales to help you figure out where you are, where you're going, and how to climb with purpose.

In This Episode: The difference between step ladders and extension ladders in your creative life. Why some people stay on the same rung their entire career. What to do if you're climbing someone else’s ladder. The pressure and payoff of reaching the top.

How to take your next creative step with confidence. Success isn’t just about climbing higher—it’s about choosing the right ladder, holding on tight, and knowing when to pause, pivot, or pull yourself up to the next rung.

Ask yourself: What kind of ladder am I on — and is it taking me where I want to go? Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Let's Connect at: paulstevenforrest.com