Podcast
THE 505 PODCAST
Hosted by Brayden Figueroa & Kostas Garcia · EN
This is a podcast for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to live outside of society's normal boundaries. We are here to share our experiences, answer questions, and feature impactful guests with incredible insights. We also share our stories and make each other laugh.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to ACTUALLY Grow Your Video Business in 2026
1w ago01:09:28Tap to summarizeSign up for the 6 Figure Videographer Workshop here:https://the505podcast.courses/dreamclientworkshopUse Artlist with Claude, plus get 2 extra months free when you use our code on an annual subscription:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970What’s up, Rock Nation! Today, we’re breaking down 12 mistakes that quietly cost talented videographers thousands of dollars and keep them underpaid, overlooked, and stuck at the same level for years. In this episode, we talk about why you need to document yourself working, the importance of creating spec work, how to turn past clients into new opportunities, why specialists can charge more, the questions you need to ask before pricing a project, and how to protect your money through deposits, revision limits, and proper tax planning. These are all mistakes we’ve made throughout our careers, and fixing even one of them could completely change your video business.00:00 – Intro00:27 – Live Videography Workshop00:58 – The 12 Mistakes Costing Videographers Money01:03 – One-Handed Crack01:35 – Mistake #1: Not Filming Enough Content04:56 – Mistake #2: Not Making Enough Spec Work16:04 – Mistake #3: Not Reaching Back Out to Old Clients18:52 – Mistake #4: Not Asking for Referrals21:33 – Mistake #5: Not Specializing or Niching Down25:45 – Mistake #6: Not Asking Enough Discovery Questions37:50 – Mistake #7: Only Charging for the Shoot Day40:00 – Mistake #8: Not Upselling More Deliverables45:50 – Mistake #9: Not Defining Revision Limits50:50 – Mistake #10: Not Collecting a Deposit55:56 – Mistake #11: Not Building Agency Relationships57:51 – Mistake #12: Not Saving Money for TaxesIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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How to Build a Creative Agency So Good It Markets Itself ft. Chad Cohen
3w ago01:15:59Tap to summarizeTry Gemini Omni Flash, available exclusively through Artlist, plus get 2 extra months free when you use our code on an annual subscription:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_29706 Questions to Ask on a Discovery Call (FREE download)https://the505podcast.beehiiv.com/products/6questionsWhat’s up, Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Chad Cohen, founder of Fortem Media, a 37-person creative agency built around helping brands become part of culture. In this episode, we talk about what separates a true creative partner from someone who simply shows up and shoots, how brands can build real communities, the relentless selling it took to grow Fortem, why Chad is betting on New York, and how curiosity and relationships can create opportunities no automated outreach system ever could.Check out Chad here:https://www.instagram.com/itschadcohen/00:00 – Intro01:03 – One-Handed Crack01:53 – What Separates Great Creative Agencies02:26 – Why Brands Need to Know Who They Are03:20 – Charging for Strategy, Not Just Deliverables05:37 – Creating Work That Understands the Culture07:57 – Why Polarizing Brands Get People Talking08:31 – How to Understand a Brand’s Audience10:39 – Is There a Repeatable Formula for Brands?11:33 – Chad’s Pre, During, and Post Framework13:41 – Artlist14:19 – What It Actually Means to Build Community15:14 – Chad’s 24-Hour Sled Push16:11 – Why People Share Brand Experiences17:50 – Creating Experiences People Can’t Get Elsewhere19:00 – Finding the Moment People Want to Post21:02 – Why Selling Directly Kills Community22:51 – The Power of Surprise and Delight24:16 – Why Feedback Is a Gift25:21 – How Big Brands Lost Their Communities27:14 – One-Off Projects vs Long-Term Retainers29:31 – Building Fortem Media in New York30:43 – Becoming the Man in the Arena33:09 – Chad’s First Three Weeks in New York34:05 – Reading One Book Every Week35:00 – Why New York Creates More Opportunities36:57 – How Chad Met George Heaton39:37 – Tall Poppy Syndrome in Australia40:41 – Why America Celebrates Success Differently43:38 – How Chad Started Fortem Media44:22 – Losing $200,000 at a Young Age45:17 – The Relentless Selling That Built the Agency46:10 – Networking Without Being Transactional47:29 – How Curiosity Creates Relationships52:42 – The Airplane Conversation That Opened New Doors54:12 – Building a Life Full of Valuable Stories55:24 – The Hardest Part of Expanding Internationally57:04 – Should You Move to a Bigger City?58:40 – Hiring and Managing 37 Employees59:48 – Putting the Right People in the Right Seats1:01:35 – Why Agency Owners Make Less Than You Think1:02:17 – Building Systems Before You Need Them1:03:40 – The Systems That Helped Fortem Scale1:05:05 – Why Chad Went All In on YouTube1:06:35 – Hiring a Full-Time Personal Brand Filmmaker1:07:58 – Making Business Content Feel Personal1:08:29 – How YouTube Started Creating Opportunities1:10:10 – Letting Brands Enter Fortem’s World1:11:02 – The Reality Behind Entrepreneurship1:11:53 – Building Confidence Through Daily Commitments1:13:14 – Why Keeping Small Promises Matters1:14:51 – You Don’t Need a Two-Hour Morning Routine1:15:48 – Wrapping the Episode With ChadIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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Everything You Need to Master Sports Cinematography in 2026
Jul 901:15:48Tap to summarize6 Questions to Ask on a Discovery Call (FREE download)https://the505podcast.beehiiv.com/products/6questionsWhat’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Dom, aka Dom The DP, a longtime freelance cinematographer best known for shooting with NFL Films. Dom has captured 16 Super Bowls, worked across 20 NFL seasons, and recently won an Emmy for Netflix’s Quarterback. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to shoot football at the highest level, how NFL Films captures the story of a game in real time, the difference between regular season and Super Bowl assignments, why getting called back as a freelancer is about more than just being talented, the transition from film to digital, the shot that still haunts him, and what young sports filmmakers need to know if they want to break into the industry.Check out Dom here:https://www.instagram.com/domthedp/00:00 – Intro01:01 – One-Handed Crack01:54 – Shooting 16 Super Bowls03:24 – How Super Bowl Camera Assignments Work04:22 – Shooting Regular Season vs Super Bowl05:34 – Sync Sound, Frame Rates, and NFL Films Coverage06:32 – How to Shoot Better Football08:54 – Dom’s First 10 Years Shooting on Film10:23 – The History of High-Speed Football Shots11:23 – The Lens Setup NFL Films Uses12:36 – What a Weasel Camera Operator Does13:19 – Finding the Best Backlight in a Stadium14:35 – What Dom Would Tell a First-Time Shooter15:46 – Why You Have to Love Football to Shoot It Well17:56 – How Producer Notes Shape Coverage20:06 – Inside the NFL Films Archive21:32 – Where to Stand During Live Game Action23:50 – Working Your Way Up at NFL Films25:39 – Why Mic’d Up Moments Matter So Much27:08 – Dom’s Go-To Football Lens29:11 – Dom’s Favorite Gameplay and Mic’d Up Moments32:21 – Shooting Film vs Shooting Digital34:04 – How Much Time You Got on One Roll of Film38:23 – The Shot That Still Haunts Dom38:54 – The Minneapolis Miracle42:28 – Learning From Missed Shots44:17 – Getting Called Back as a Freelancer45:42 – Why Being Likeable Matters in This Industry47:49 – Dom’s Full-Time Jobs Before Freelancing51:42 – Winning an Emmy for Netflix’s Quarterback52:05 – Shooting Netflix Receiver and Quarterback56:12 – Sports Cinematography Advice Dom Disagrees With59:36 – Dom’s NFL Films Internship1:02:28 – Advice for Young Sports Filmmakers1:05:49 – Balancing Freelance Work, Family, and Travel1:10:15 – NFL International Games1:12:24 – Traveling Internationally With Camera Gear1:14:51 – Shooting YouTube Content on an Alexa 351:15:37 – Wrapping the Episode With DomIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
Transcribe →How to Film Commercials So Premium Brands Beg to Hire You ft. Zachary Guy
Jun 2601:45:21Tap to summarize6 Questions to Ask on a Discovery Call (FREE download)https://the505podcast.beehiiv.com/products/6questionsWhat’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Zachary Guy, cinematographer, filmmaker, and YouTuber whose work has taken him from studying aerospace engineering to shooting high level commercial campaigns for brands like Aquafina, American Express, Google, and more. In this episode, we get into how Zach made the jump from engineering to filmmaking, the real difference between a videographer and a cinematographer, why pre-production is what separates a nice looking video from a real campaign, how to communicate and lead on bigger sets, how to get hired when you do not have connections yet, why spec work is still one of the best ways to open doors, how much Zach invested into his New Balance spec, what it was like shooting an Aquafina spot in Morocco, the lighting and blocking decisions behind the campaign, how to think about product lighting, match cuts, working with your significant other, why Zach has not built a traditional production company, the hardest part about being a full-time creative, and why teaching other filmmakers has become such an important part of his career.Check out Zachary here:https://www.instagram.com/zacharyjguy/00:00 – Intro00:55 – Free Sales Call Guide01:05 – One-Handed Crack01:54 – From Aerospace Engineering to Filmmaking05:50 – How Zach’s Family Reacted to His Career Change07:58 – The Full Circle Aerospace Moment08:56 – Videographer vs Cinematographer10:10 – Zach’s Pre-Production Process13:24 – Technical Skill vs Leadership on Set16:22 – Learning How to Work With Bigger Crews19:39 – How to Get on Set Without Connections22:05 – Why Spec Work Opens Doors24:55 – How Much Zach Invested Into His New Balance Spec27:13 – Shooting Aquafina in Morocco29:21 – Renting Gear in Another Country30:28 – Local Shoots vs International Productions33:10 – Why the Shoot Happened in Morocco33:56 – Aquafina Spot Breakdown34:46 – Breaking Down the Wide Shot36:33 – Shooting at 1:00 in the Morning38:03 – How Long the Wide Shot Took38:54 – The Cafe Scene Breakdown42:35 – Why Zach Starts With the Wide Shot43:28 – How Lighting Changes When You Push In45:38 – Why T-Stop Matters47:35 – Breaking Down the Library Scene51:19 – How Zach Thinks About Match Cuts53:14 – How to Light Product Shots56:38 – Leaving Space for Text and Brand Graphics57:33 – Five Pieces of Gear Zach Can’t Live Without59:59 – Shooting an Airbnb Spec in the Dolomites1:04:31 – Working With Your Significant Other1:06:17 – Why Zach Isn’t Building a Traditional Production Company1:08:49 – The Hardest Part About Being a Full-Time Creative1:09:56 – Why Zach Loves Teaching Filmmakers1:13:12 – Filmmaking Advice Zach Disagrees With1:15:33 – Wrapping the Episode With Zach1:15:45 – AfterpartyIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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How to Make Videos So Good Your Dream Brand Chases You ft. Danny Gevirtz
Jun 1901:48:04Tap to summarizeGet 30% OFF your first 3 months of beehiiv with our code "505POD30"http://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=brayden-figueroa-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=brayden-figueroa&utm_term=dedicated-podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=505POD30What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Danny Gevirtz, filmmaker, director, and YouTuber whose work has taken him from one-man-band creator to releasing his first feature film. In this episode, we get into what actually happens after you finish a massive creative project, why your identity can get wrapped up in the work you make, the biggest lesson Danny learned from making his first movie, how to build a career in sports and documentary-style filmmaking, why being reliable and easy to work with gets you rehired, how to earn trust with bigger brands while still working with lean crews, why making your own proof of concept is often the thing that opens the next door, how to pull real emotion out of talent, why cringe is part of the process, Danny’s thoughts on AI in filmmaking, and why the best investment you can make is still betting on yourself and going out to make the thing.Check out Danny here:https://www.instagram.com/dannygevirtz/ 00:00 – Intro01:08 – One-Handed Crack02:09 – Life After Finishing His First Feature Film03:59 – How Long It Took Danny to Make the Movie04:27 – The Identity Shift After a Massive Creative Project08:16 – What Danny Learned From Making His First Movie09:07 – The Biggest Mistake Danny Made on the Film11:27 – Beehiiv Sponsor12:15 – Why Danny Niches Into Sports14:49 – How Sports Helped Danny Tell Better Stories21:00 – Danny’s Path Into Filmmaking24:47 – Doubling Down in 202027:12 – How to Get Hired by Bigger Production Companies30:17 – Why Being Reliable Gets You Rehired30:58 – Why Proof of Concept Matters34:49 – How Danny Shoots Docu-Style Scenes37:37 – Danny’s Rule for Leading a Set41:00 – How to Pull Emotional Moments Out of Talent46:04 – Building Trust With Bigger Brands50:05 – Actors Directing Themselves52:16 – Giving Feedback Without Making Talent Hate You57:49 – Why Cringe Can Be a Bridge1:00:25 – When Your Talent Hasn’t Caught Up to Your Taste1:03:41 – The Short Doc Danny Still Wants to Make1:06:09 – How to Get a Documentary Funded1:11:48 – Danny’s Thoughts on AI1:15:58 – How YouTube Filmmaking Has Changed1:22:06 – Why Creative Careers Can Still Humble You1:23:22 – The Hard Part About Running a Creative Business1:26:53 – Building a Sustainable Creative Career1:31:49 – Wrapping the Episode With Danny1:32:08 – AfterpartyIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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How to Build a Content Agency in 2026 (That Actually Lands Clients) ft. Lanre Ako
Jun 1202:03:12Tap to summarizeUnlock unlimited creativity with Artlist unlimited plus get 2 extra months free when you use our code on an annual subscription:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Lanre, a tour videographer turned music content agency owner who’s worked with and toured alongside some of the biggest DJs in the world, including Fisher, John Summit, Disco Lines, Adriatique, and more. In this episode, we get into what it actually takes to build a career as a creative in the music industry, why being talented is only a small part of the job, how Lanre went from grinding on tour as a solo photo/video creator to building Made Media, what artists really look for when hiring creators, how to earn trust in high-pressure environments, why energy and personality matter so much when you’re on the road, how to price concert work and multi-cam content, what it takes to shoot massive moments like Coachella, how to vet and hire other creatives, why positioning yourself in one niche can help you charge more, and the real playbook for turning live music content into a sustainable creative business.Check out Lanre here:https://www.instagram.com/lanreako/0:00 - Intro1:10 - One Handed Crack1:43 - Building a Music Content Agency4:09 - The Craziest Travel Schedule on Tour5:18 - How to Turn Around Content Fast6:33 - Why Multi-Cam Edits Took Over Music Content8:04 - Fisher vs. John Summit: What Changed11:53 - Artlist12:23 - Learning Your Role on a Bigger Team12:57 - How Concert Videographers Should Price Their Work16:10 - Why Artists Pay More for Trust18:27 - How Personal Content Helped Lanre’s Career21:27 - Bringing Creative Ideas to Artists24:31 - Building a Company While Still Freelancing28:51 - Hiring Creators Better Than You29:31 - What Artists Really Look for in Creators31:32 - Protecting Your Reputation When Hiring33:21 - How to Vet Creators for Big Opportunities35:59 - How Multi-Cam Shoots Actually Work39:11 - Why Positioning in Music Matters42:20 - Shooting Coachella for Multiple Artists46:40 - Building the Right Team for Fast Turnarounds48:33 - What Artists Pay for Multi-Cam Content51:58 - Concert Day Rates Explained54:40 - Why Agencies Can Charge More Than Solo Creators58:19 - The Hardest Part of Going From Solo Shooter to Agency Owner1:04:21 - Learning How to Lead a Creative Team1:05:40 - Why Phone Content Works So Well1:11:03 - Why Gear Is No Longer an Excuse1:15:52 - How to Get Opportunities Without a Media Pass1:17:14 - Luck Meets Preparation1:19:06 - What Lanre Would Tell His Younger Self1:22:53 - Lanre’s Favorite Moment He’s Captured1:26:58 - AfterpartyIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
Transcribe →How to ACTUALLY Work with Big Brands (as a Solo Videographer) ft. Evan Tanaka
Jun 301:23:26Tap to summarizeGet 30% OFF your first 3 months of beehiiv with our code "505POD30"http://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=brayden-figueroa-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=brayden-figueroa&utm_term=dedicated-podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=505POD30What’s up Rock Nation! Today we’re joined by Evan Tanaka, director, DP, and founder of Naka Studios, a production company working with brands like Panda Express, Google, Marvel, Bud Light, and more. In this episode, we get into what actually separates the videographers who level up from the ones who stay stuck, why relationships and trust matter more than gear or talent, how Evan went from one-man-band creator to running a studio with bigger crews and bigger productions, the unspoken rules of working with brands and agencies, how to build trust before you ever step on set, when to speak up creatively versus when to bite your tongue, why renegotiating your rate during a shoot can ruin a relationship, how social media became one of the best investments in his business, and the real playbook for turning small opportunities into long-term brand relationships.Check out Evan here:https://www.instagram.com/evan_naka/00:00 – Intro01:08 – One-Handed Crack02:00 – Welcome Evan Tanaka02:15 – Going From One-Man Band to Bigger Productions04:43 – How to Build Trust With Clients06:08 – Building Trust Before You Get on Set07:20 – Adding Creative Ideas Without Overstepping09:00 – When to Speak Up vs. Bite Your Tongue11:53 – Beehiiv Sponsor12:54 – How Evan Built His Relationship With Panda Express18:30 – How to Light Food and Beverage21:56 – Positioning Yourself Around a Specific Niche24:38 – What Evan Learned From Bigger Commercial Sets26:15 – Building a Team You Can Trust28:56 – How Crew Members Can Get Hired by Production Companies29:46 – Why Making People’s Lives Easier Gets You Rehired32:18 – Why Renegotiating Rates During a Shoot Is a Bad Move33:21 – What Evan Learned From Getting an MBA36:48 – Why Social Media Was Evan’s Best Business Investment38:47 – Building Margins and Actually Making Money41:26 – How to Add Value Without Overcomplicating the Budget43:19 – Giving Brands More Content Without More Work45:43 – Shooting 16:9 vs. Vertical for Social48:12 – Gear Investments That Were Worth It50:25 – Why the FX6 Wasn’t Evan’s Best Investment52:00 – Why Evan’s Studio Was One of His Best Investments53:56 – Thinking About the Next 10 Years of Your Career55:12 – Growing Into a Bigger “Fishbowl”56:40 – How AI Could Impact Food and Product Production58:58 – Which Creative Niches Are Safe From AI1:01:47 – How AI Could Change Location-Based Shoots1:03:15 – Why Real Photography Still Matters1:06:46 – How Licensing Works With Bigger Brands1:09:32 – When to Get an Agent or Manager1:11:35 – Why Evan Doesn’t Do Outbound Anymore1:12:01 – The Right Way to Build Relationships1:14:36 – Why “Can I Pick Your Brain?” Usually Doesn’t Work1:17:39 – The Shoot That Made Evan Realize He Had Leveled Up1:19:47 – Going From Shooter to Director1:20:08 – Why You Need to Build the Body of Work for the Role You Want1:21:56 – Stop Taking Jobs for the Role You Don’t Want1:22:59 – Wrapping the Episode With EvanIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
Transcribe →How to ACTUALLY go Fulltime as a Filmmaker ft. Gian Carlo Stigliano
May 2201:48:47Tap to summarizeGet One Month FREE of Riverside if you use our code "505https://creators.riverside.com/505What's up Rock Nation! Today we're joined by Giancarlo Stigliano, a cinematographer and DP who has shot major commercial campaigns, built one of the most thoughtful filmmaking channels on YouTube, and become known for showing the side of cinematography most people never see. In this episode, we get into why being a great DP is only 30% technical, what most videographers are missing when trying to level up into bigger commercial work, the Puma shoot that became his “welcome to the NBA” moment, why buying expensive gear is not always the move, how to think through lighting, contrast, and problem solving on set, and what it actually takes to go from local clients to working on bigger productions with real crews, real pressure, and real stakes.Check out Giancarlo here:https://www.instagram.com/carlostigs/Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:02 – Free Sales Call Guide01:13 – Why Being a DP Is Only 30% Technical03:32 – The Set That Changed Carlo’s Perspective06:10 – Imposter Syndrome on Bigger Productions08:32 – Carlo’s “Get on Base” Moment with Puma10:55 – Riverside Sponsor11:56 – How Videographers Can Level Up Into Bigger Commercial Work18:12 – Buying a Cinema Camera and Becoming an Owner-Operator21:10 – Moving Beyond Local Retainer Clients26:36 – Learning to Plan Instead of Just Capture28:44 – What Makes a DP Hireable31:09 – Shooting a Feature Film After Interning for Danny34:57 – Lessons Carlo Took From His First Feature36:38 – What a DP Thinks About First on Set40:12 – Managing Time Pressure on Set40:50 – Working With Different Director Personalities45:17 – Technical Lessons That Changed Carlo’s Cinematography48:33 – Why You Shouldn’t Always Shoot Wide Open50:55 – How YouTube Has Helped Carlo’s Career57:57 – Building a Real Connection With Your Audience1:00:39 – Carlo’s Lighting Process Before a Scene1:03:30 – Contrast Ratios Explained Simply1:05:01 – Problem Solving on Set as a DP1:09:57 – How Carlo Fixed a Difficult Window Lighting Scene1:12:03 – Taking Creative and Career Risks1:15:31 – Burnout, Slow Seasons, and Freelance Pressure1:20:44 – Fitness, Lawn Care, and Hobbies Outside Work1:28:48 – Wrapping the Episode with Carlo1:29:17 – Post-Pod DebriefIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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The Subtle Art of Cult-Like Branding (Erewhon Case Study)
May 1401:00:43Tap to summarizeWin $100K from Artlist here:https://artlist.io/artlist-70446?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970Sign up for our newsletter and get the full breakdown of every episode sent straight to you.https://the505podcast.beehiiv.com/What's up Rock Nation! Today we're diving into the phenomenon of Erewhon, the ultimate health food store where even a single Japanese strawberry can cost $19. We explore how this luxury grocery store in Los Angeles has cultivated a massive following, despite its notoriously high prices, becoming a staple for rich people and a symbol of celebrity lifestyles. Discover the business stories behind its success and why people consistently line up outside its ten locations every morning.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro00:30 - How Erewhon built a cult around expensive lettuce02:22 - The third space play04:21 - The membership upsell at checkout07:17 - The Bieber smoothie economics10:34 - Artlist $100K AI challenge11:41 - The earned media flywheel you can't buy18:24 - Merch, hoodies, and the loyalty test20:24 - Multi-million dollar ideas for Erewhon26:12 - Founder-led content and capsule collabs32:25 - Our biggest takeaways33:01 - Insane driver35:38 - DCA relaunch, Chicago, and a Miami bachelor37:00 - Nike Swim campaign39:09 - First concert gig42:05 - New dog42:50 - The pod is going back to Creator Land45:30 - Brayden's embarrassing 48:19 - Chuck Sperry shoot54:14 - We're so backIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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It’s Boring, But Will Make ANY Personal Brand Explode in 2026
May 101:49:10Tap to summarizeGet 30% OFF your first 3 months of beehiiv with our code "505POD30"http://www.beehiiv.com/splash?utm_campaign=brayden-figueroa-2026-Partnership&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=brayden-figueroa&utm_term=dedicated-podcast-1&stripe_campaign_code=505POD30What's up Rock Nation! Today we're joined by Taki Moore, the coach of coaches. With 20 years in the game, he's built one of the most respected coaching programs in the world and helped create more seven figure coaches than arguably anyone else doing it. In this episode, we get into why he hopes he never goes viral, why most coaches are accidentally building jobs they hate, the five part offer framework that lets him change the wrapping every month without changing the product, cutting his team from 36 to 8 by leaning back into marketing instead of management, and how to turn your knowledge and expertise into a seven figure online business.Check out Taki here:https://www.instagram.com/takimoore/Timestamps00:00 - Intro00:00:57 - Why Information Became a Commodity00:02:25 - You're Paying for Speed, Not Information00:02:58 - How Coaches Should Generate Leads in 202600:04:00 - Coaching Is the Accelerant00:04:56 - The Mistake of Teaching Everything You Know00:06:32 - When Taki Went Pro With Content00:08:33 - Why He Doesn't Want a Media Army00:09:24 - Caleb Ralston and Doing It Your Way00:12:11 - Why He Hopes He Never Goes Viral00:13:09 - Entertainment Creators vs. Education Creators00:13:33 - Why He Deleted YouTube Studio00:14:15 - Beehiiv Ad Read00:15:07 - Burnout at 204 Episodes00:16:43 - $30K Sale 30 Minutes After His First Upload00:17:51 - Treat Your Business Like a Lab00:18:55 - Why He Switched From Free Webinars to Paid Workshops00:21:10 - 5% Qualified to 55% Just by Charging for the Ticket00:22:37 - The Free vs. Paid Workshop Test00:23:18 - The Missing Piece Between Leads and Clients00:24:38 - Same Product, Different Wrapping00:26:22 - The Offer Seesaw00:29:00 - Why Email Beats Every Other Channel You Own00:31:21 - The Ghostwritten Email That Made Him Cringe00:32:35 - The Two Things That Make Content Land00:34:06 - The Japanese Toilet Story00:37:24 - The Jell-O Mold Theory of Content00:38:43 - The $8K Handstand Coach and the Lottery Niche00:40:17 - The Brick Method00:42:43 - Contrarian, Not Controversial00:47:19 - Do Shit and Live the Dope Life00:49:08 - Boring Businesses vs. Sexy Brands00:51:32 - Practitioners vs. Talkers00:52:29 - The Offer Diamond00:54:42 - The Weekly Billing Trick00:55:27 - Real Scarcity Is a Marketing Tool00:56:13 - Workshop or Sales Call: Which One Fits You00:59:24 - Everything Works. Pick What Fits.01:00:30 - Building Your Business Like a Jigsaw Puzzle01:03:25 - The ABC Doc: Avatar, Business, Character01:05:38 - Why Recurring Revenue Saved His Business01:06:39 - End, Extend, Ascend01:08:14 - The Dope Squad and the Birth of Boardroom01:14:23 - The Kid Cudi Theory of Onboarding01:15:50 - Believe, Belong, Breakthrough01:19:31 - Magic Trick First, History Second01:22:17 - The $500 Tomahawk in Minnesota01:24:48 - The $55K a Night Bachelor Trip01:26:52 - Coaches Keep Building Jobs They Hate01:28:19 - How It Feels Beats How It Looks01:30:39 - $27K in a Year, Then $30K in an Hour01:31:36 - Outsource the Laundry, Outsource the Hate01:35:00 - From 36 Employees to 8 by Leaning Back Into Marketing01:36:12 - Admit What You Hate01:37:30 - Yellow Pages and the Workshop That Almost Killed Him01:40:44 - Why He Doesn't Lead With Testimonials01:42:34 - The Drawing Habit That Built His Brand01:44:12 - Advice for the 5K to 10K Coach01:47:18 - $200 From a Mate and a Pregnancy Announcement01:48:33 - You Need a Deadline Baby01:50:03 - Mark's Five Minute Coaching Masterclass01:51:25 - The Shirt Off Body Fat GoalIf you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on. DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!) Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
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