OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video direc...
The Hidden NICHE Jobs in Filmmaking That Pay More and Have Less Competition!
Filmmaking is changing. The market is oversaturated, and directors are fighting for survival. But niche workers? They’re getting booked and paid. If you want a sustainable creative career, you need to hear this.
00:00 Intro
00:27 The Rise of Niche Workers
00:55 Oversaturation in the Industry
01:26 The Competitive World of Directors
02:57 The Value of Niche Roles
03:07 Defining Niche Workers
03:51 The Demand for Niche Workers
04:52 Why Niche Workers Are Winning
05:21 Specialization: The Key to Success
06:43 The Importance of Mastery
07:41 Marketing Yourself as a Specialist
08:24 Building Relationships and Collaboration
08:58 Embracing the Less Glory, More Work Mindset
09:34 The Importance of a Strong Team
10:01 Pivoting to Niche Roles
10:19 The Rise of Niche Industries
10:46 Thriving Niche Industries
13:15 Why Specialized Industries Are Thriving
13:35 Recap and Key Takeaways
14:42 Conclusion and Call to Action
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15:43
Zoya: The Iconic Gay Persian Content Creator Who Took Over Shark Tank!
From Persian family pressure to Shark Tank success!
Zoya was expected to follow the traditional Middle Eastern path—become a lawyer, get married, and live the “perfect” Persian life. But she had other plans. As a gay Persian entrepreneur, Zoya had to fight against cultural expectations, family struggles, and self-doubt to build her own empire.
In this episode, we dive into:
✔️ How Zoya’s parents reacted when she came out as gay
✔️ The pressures of being Middle Eastern & breaking tradition
✔️ How she built a food empire from scratch (and made $$$ from content!)
✔️ The dark truth about raw fish & why she stopped eating sushi
✔️ Her insane Shark Tank journey and what happened behind the scenes
Watch till the end to hear Zoya’s message to anyone struggling to live their truth!
00:00 Intro
02:07 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices
16:18 Challenges of Being Gay in a Persian Family
34:28 Coming Out to Family
44:57 Reflections on Luck and Life
46:43 Reflecting on Life's Luck and Fate
47:37 The Lottery of Life
49:16 The Culinary Journey Begins
51:05 From Social Enterprise to Culinary Ventures
55:06 The Birth of Fish Foods
57:58 Challenges and Triumphs in the Vegan Sushi World
01:07:41 Shark Tank Experience and Future Goals
01:19:23 Discussing the Deal: Behind the Scenes
01:20:22 Shark Tank Experience: Expectations vs Reality
01:22:52 Challenges in the Food Industry
01:25:44 Restaurant Business: The Real Struggle
01:32:44 Content Creation: The New Frontier
01:34:16 Collaborations with Gordon Ramsay
01:39:13 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Creators
01:52:50 The Value of Engagement Over Follower Count
01:53:34 Earnings and Niche Differences for Content Creators
01:54:27 Negotiating Deals and Knowing Your Worth
01:55:20 Challenges of Sponsored Content
01:55:52 The Importance of Authenticity
02:00:02 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators
02:17:41 Personal Reflections and Future Plans
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2:25:04
2025 Oscars Predictions: I Already Know Who’s Winning
From Timothée Chalamet to Demi Moore, from Kieran Culkin to Ariana Grande, the 2025 Oscars race is stacked—and I’m calling the shots! These are my official predictions, and trust me, I’m walking into this with full confidence.
Best Picture? Best Actor? Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande??) and the biggest snubs? I break it ALL down. And yes, I want Ariana to win. Will my picks age like fine wine or completely crash and burn? Either way, I’m locked in—so let’s debate.
00:00 Introduction and Award Season Overview
00:56 Globalization of Film
02:00 Academy Awards Predictions: Actor in a Leading Role
02:49 Actor in a Leading Role: Ralph Fiennes vs. Timothee Chalamet
05:25 Actor in a Leading Role: The Toss-Up
08:18 Academy Awards Predictions: Actor in a Supporting Role
09:34 Academy Awards Predictions: Actress in a Leading Role
09:45 Actress in a Leading Role: Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore
12:22 Academy Awards Predictions: Actress in a Supporting Role
12:28 Actress in a Supporting Role: Ariana Grande vs. Zoe Saldana
17:27 Academy Awards Predictions: Animated Feature Film
18:23 Academy Awards Predictions: Cinematography
22:29 Academy Awards Predictions: Costume Design and Directing
26:20 Directing Category Predictions
27:04 Documentary Feature and Short
27:31 Film Editing Insights
29:49 International Feature Film
32:05 Makeup and Hairstyling 3
3:39 Original Score Snubs
34:47 Original Song Predictions
35:12 Production Design
36:08 Sound Category Dilemma
36:59 Visual Effects
37:42 Adapted Screenplay
38:56 Original Screenplay
41:13 Best Picture Predictions
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50:33
How My Childhood Friend’s Art Got A$AP Rocky’s Attention & Took Off in Fashion
Connor Tingley’s art has been embraced by the biggest names in fashion, music, and luxury—A$AP Rocky, Michelle Lamy, Vans, NARS, and Casamigos, just to name a few. But his story isn’t just about success—it’s about why most creatives never make it, how fear can either push you forward or hold you back, and what it really takes to build something lasting.
00:00 Intro
01:24 The Essence of Luxury Brands
06:09 The Power of Storytelling
07:09 Art as a Personal Journey
16:01 The Courage to Create
43:11 Discovering the World Around Us
43:52 Early Memories and Brand Influence
47:07 The Impact of Upbringing
49:20 Government and Media Skepticism
51:18 The Illusion of Freedom
55:34 Personalized Reality and AI
01:00:14 The Importance of Character
01:09:00 Middle School Memories
01:18:32 Balancing Art and Brand Work
01:21:11 The Courage to Create
01:21:42 Balancing Art and Commerce
01:22:37 Emotional Connections in Collaborations
01:23:25 Identifying and Solving Brand Problems
01:25:01 The Evolution of Brand Coolness
01:35:11 Coping with Stress and Anxiety
01:41:23 The Importance of Being Present
01:46:30 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:57:51 Passions Beyond Work
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2:03:30
You are only getting older..stop WASTING your TIME.
They say patience is key—but what if waiting is just wasting your time? The industry isn’t set up for you to win, and signing the wrong deal could trap you in a cycle of stagnation. Before you sign anything, ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or holding me back? In this episode, I break down why bad deals, false promises, and the wrong reps could ruin your career—and how to protect your time like the valuable currency it is. Don’t let them waste another second of your life.
00:00 Introduction: The Harsh Reality
00:29 The Value of Time
00:42 The Creative Grind
00:57 The System is Rigged
01:23 The Illusion of Signing Deals
01:40 The Role of Agents
02:13 The Importance of Momentum
02:46 The Trap of Early Signing
03:10 The Myth of Patience
03:40 Personal Experience: Overcoming Neglect
04:40 The Priority of Time
04:51 Record Labels: The Cold Truth
05:36 The Harsh Truth About Deals
07:08 Exploitation in the Industry
07:42 Corporate Profit Over Art
09:08 Protecting Your Worth
09:32 Building Leverage
09:59 Think Like a Business Person
10:23 Recap: Key Points
11:04 Conclusion: Own Your Worth
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OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video director Arrad, each episode brings you unfiltered conversations with visionary artists, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and thought leaders shaping the future. From behind-the-scenes stories of groundbreaking projects to candid discussions about mental health, reinvention, and navigating the creative industry, OURSELVES is your space to feel inspired, challenged, and connected.
Made by ourselves, for ourselves.