Digital Social Hour: Never Play It Safe: Chase Jarvis's Unfiltered Journey | Chase Jarvis DSH #791
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Chase Jarvis
Release Date: October 8, 2024
Duration: Approx. 42 minutes
Introduction
In Episode #791 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with renowned entrepreneur, photographer, and author Chase Jarvis. The conversation delves deep into Chase's unfiltered journey towards success, his new book Never Play It Safe, and the invaluable lessons he's learned over two decades in creative industries.
Early Beginnings and Pioneering Efforts (00:29 - 04:21)
Sean Kelly introduces Chase Jarvis, commending his long-standing presence in the industry and his latest book. Chase recounts his early days, highlighting his initiative in starting one of the first interview podcasts back in 2006. This endeavor was at a time when live streaming was in its nascent stages, leveraging platforms like Google Video (which later evolved into YouTube) to reach audiences.
Notable Quote:
"We were live streaming and building all the platforms on our own." (03:13)
Chase emphasizes the importance of community building before the advent of social media, gathering photographers in Seattle to share ideas and foster collaboration. This grassroots approach set the foundation for his later successes, including the creation of CreativeLive in 2010—a pioneering live streaming learning platform that amassed tens of millions of users and was eventually acquired by Fiverr.
Notable Quote:
"I created the world's first live streaming learning platform called CreativeLive back in 2010. Grew that up, had tens of millions of users, made hundreds of millions in revenue." (04:00)
Evolution of the Podcast and Embracing Digital Trends (04:22 - 09:03)
As the digital landscape evolved, Chase adapted by targeting younger audiences through emerging social media platforms. He acknowledges Sean Kelly's success in scaling his podcast with a high frequency of episodes, celebrating his milestone of a thousand episodes in a year and a half.
Notable Quote:
"What made you want to get in a podcast that long ago? It was selfish... I was sharing my secrets and learning in real time." (02:56)
Chase credits AI for aiding in guest research and preparation, highlighting the increased complexity of managing diverse and high-profile guests. This strategic shift ensured his podcast remained relevant and engaging in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Philosophy Behind "Never Play It Safe" (09:04 - 18:56)
Chase's new book, Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love, is a culmination of his experiences and the lessons gleaned from over a thousand guests on his show. The central thesis revolves around the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones to achieve meaningful success and personal fulfillment.
Notable Quote:
"All the best things in life are on the other side of our comfort zone, on the other side of risk, on the other side of fear." (05:27)
He identifies seven essential tools that empower individuals to overcome fear and take calculated risks. These tools include:
- Relentless Focus: Directing attention towards meaningful goals.
- Trusting Intuition: Relying on inner guidance despite external pressures.
- Patience: Understanding that mastery and success take time.
- Community Building: Fostering supportive networks.
- Embracing Constraints: Using limitations as creative catalysts.
Chase contrasts his collaborative approach with the modern trend of gatekeeping, advocating for sharing knowledge to elevate the entire community rather than hoarding it.
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Embracing Authenticity (18:57 - 31:05)
Chase opens up about his personal struggles, including being discouraged in second grade by his teacher who believed he was better suited for sports than art. This suppression of his creative passions led him to conform temporarily, engaging in activities like football and catering to external expectations.
Notable Quote:
"I was shut down in second grade... I had to quit all those things and focus on what I really wanted to do." (19:49)
Chase shares a transformative moment when his grandfather passed away, leaving him a camera—an heirloom that reignited his passion for photography. This catalyst propelled him to abandon a conventional path in favor of his creative endeavors, ultimately leading to the founding of CreativeLive.
He also discusses his battle with addiction during his quest for popularity, detailing how entrepreneurship became a means of rediscovering himself and aligning his actions with his true interests.
Notable Quote:
"Entrepreneurship helped me find myself... I had to quit weed completely because now I can't even smoke it." (31:23)
Adversity and Resilience: The Avalanche Experience (31:06 - 38:16)
One of the most harrowing experiences Chase recounts is being caught in an avalanche while shooting a commercial in Alaska. Surviving a near-death situation with a 1-in-10,000 chance of survival profoundly impacted his perspective on life and risk-taking.
Notable Quote:
"That avalanche completely transformed how I thought about the next chapter of my life." (36:28)
This incident reinforced his commitment to living authentically and taking bold steps towards his aspirations, leading to the exponential growth of his ventures like CreativeLive.
Chase emphasizes that while traumatic moments can serve as powerful motivators, it's possible to proactively seek transformation without waiting for such life-altering events. His book serves as a roadmap for individuals to navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and achievement without relying on crisis-driven revelations.
Cultural Commentary and Final Insights (38:17 - 42:03)
Chase critiques the modern obsession with instant gratification and the cultural push towards comfort and conformity. He argues that true greatness and fulfillment lie beyond these superficial comforts, requiring deliberate effort to embrace discomfort and uncertainty.
Notable Quote:
"Nothing great comes without risk. Nothing great comes without fear. Courage is feeling fear and doing it anyway." (12:26)
He also touches upon the influence of digital tools and globalization, advocating for meaningful, real-world experiences despite the allure of virtual environments like the metaverse.
Chase concludes by reiterating the core message of his book: to empower individuals to break free from societal expectations, trust their inner voices, and pursue their unique paths with courage and resilience.
Conclusion and Call to Action (42:04 - End)
In the closing moments, Chase directs listeners to his book and online platforms, encouraging them to embark on their own journeys of creativity and freedom.
Notable Quote:
"Never Play It Safe is a practical guide to freedom, creativity, and a life you love. It's a blueprint to get you out of where you are right now to where you want to be." (41:19)
Chase expresses gratitude to Sean Kelly and reiterates his commitment to helping others realize their potential through shared knowledge and actionable insights.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Risk and Discomfort: Growth and success often require stepping out of comfort zones and taking calculated risks.
- Build and Share Community: Fostering collaborative environments accelerates learning and innovation.
- Authentic Self-Expression: Staying true to one's passions and intuition leads to genuine fulfillment and success.
- Long-Term Patience: Mastery and meaningful achievements take time and persistent effort.
- Overcoming Adversity: Personal challenges can serve as catalysts for profound transformation and renewed purpose.
Where to Find Chase Jarvis's Book
Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love is available at all major book retailers. For more information, visit neverplayitsafe.com or follow Chase Jarvis on his social media platforms:
Website: neverplayitsafe.com
Handles: C H A S E J A R V I S on YouTube, Instagram, and other channels.
Thank you for tuning into Digital Social Hour. Stay inspired and never play it safe!