Podcast Summary: "BenjamiinC | Actor & Quinn Creator" on The Audiobook Club with John York

Release Date: December 20, 2024

In this engaging episode of The Audiobook Club with John York, host John York welcomes Benjamin C, an actor and the creative force behind Quinn, a popular audiobook series. The conversation delves into Benjamin’s journey from academia to acting, his foray into social media, the challenges of content creation, and his entrepreneurial ventures.

1. Introduction and Username Anecdote (00:13 - 01:56)

The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange about Benjamin’s unique Instagram handle, BenjaminC. Benjamin explains the origins of his username, which was a necessity due to Instagram’s username availability constraints.

Benjamin C (00:53): “Basically, I had... Benjamin with another I and then a C at the end, just because it worked.”

John York teases about the complexity and business-like appearance of the name, highlighting the blend of personal branding and professional identity.

2. Educational Background and Career Shifts (02:50 - 06:41)

Benjamin shares his academic journey, starting with his initial interest in finance at Bath University, which he later shifted to biology. Dissatisfied with studying plants, he pivoted to international development with economics, only to find the focus on African politics overwhelming. His passion for health and sports led him to Health and Exercise Science, culminating in roles as a strength and conditioning coach and a sports nutritionist for professional rugby teams.

However, a pivotal moment occurred when Benjamin witnessed the production of the film "Wonka" in Bath. Inspired by the vibrant set and the allure of being part of a film crew, he decided to pursue acting more seriously.

Benjamin C (06:41): “I saw Timothy Chalamet in Bath, and I was like, whoa. Like the set was crazy... How cool would it be to be on a set?”

3. Transition to Acting and Social Media Presence (06:42 - 16:36)

Benjamin recounts his experiences as an extra, including working on the George Clooney movie "Boys in the Boat". Observing the disparity in treatment between actors and extras motivated him to seek a more prominent role in the industry. Enrolling in an acting academy in London marked the beginning of his formal training, although he faced the uncertainty of securing an agent.

Turning to TikTok for self-promotion, Benjamin began posting monologues inspired by shows like "Bridgerton", which resonated with audiences and helped him gain followers. This online presence eventually led to the creation of Quinn, an audiobook series that intertwined his acting skills with storytelling.

Benjamin C (10:55): “I was doing all these like monologues of like Bridgerton and very quintessentially British. And then I gained a lot of followers.”

4. Streamlining Content Creation and Delegation (16:37 - 15:41)

As Quinn grew, Benjamin faced the challenges of managing content creation alongside his acting career. Initially juggling writing, editing, and posting multiple audios per week led to burnout and repetition. To address this, he began delegating tasks, hiring writers and editors to streamline the process. This shift allowed him to focus more on the creative aspects of acting and writing without being bogged down by the technicalities of production.

Benjamin C (14:16): “I just can make it as good as I want it to be because I know that I'm not editing it.”

He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and specialization, drawing parallels to the music industry where artists often delegate production and marketing tasks.

5. Entrepreneurial Ventures: Skincare Line (16:36 - 19:02)

Benjamin discusses his latest venture into the skincare industry, launching a brand named Thirsty Skin. Motivated by his personal struggles with keratosis pilaris (commonly referred to as "chicken skin"), he aimed to create an all-natural, vegan, anti-wrinkle serum. Recognizing the saturated market for moisturizers, Benjamin focused on a niche product that offers a "Botox light peptide" solution.

Benjamin C (17:02): “It's a Botox light peptide anti-wrinkle serum and it's all natural, it's all vegan, it's all like cruelty-free.”

He highlights the strategic steps he's taking, such as trademarking the brand and hiring professionals to handle marketing and promotions, ensuring that he can maintain focus on product development and brand integrity.

6. Navigating Social Media and Mental Health (19:02 - 27:46)

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the toxic nature of social media and its impact on Benjamin’s mental health. Initially using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to promote his acting and Quinn, Benjamin found himself entangled in the pressures of engagement metrics and brand deals. The shift from genuine content creation to a means of monetization led to stress and confusion about his authentic voice.

Benjamin C (20:03): “I was using it to promote my acting, and then it became very kind of discombobulated because I was now using it to promote myself and get me brand deals, which had never worked.”

He reflects on the dilemma of balancing personal passion with the demands of social media algorithms, ultimately realizing that his work on high-profile projects like his first feature film with Paramount provided a renewed sense of purpose, diminishing the overwhelming influence of social media.

Benjamin C (26:03): “It just gave me a different purpose, and then it just made me realize that social media isn't everything.”

7. Community Engagement and Audience Questions (27:02 - 47:45)

In the latter part of the episode, John York introduces questions from the podcast’s Patreon community, allowing listeners to engage directly with Benjamin. Topics range from travel and favorite foods to running tips and career advice.

Travel and Food: Benjamin shares his culinary experiences from traveling across Asia, particularly praising Japanese and Thai cuisine. His favorite food destination was Bangkok, Thailand, where he enjoyed fresh and vibrant street food.

Benjamin C (31:13): “But the best place for food, probably Thailand. I went to Bangkok... people making fresh sushi. I was like, this is crazy.”

Running Motivation: Offering practical advice for runners struggling with motivation, Benjamin emphasizes the importance of running for health and personal goals rather than external pressures.

Benjamin C (32:48): “The minimum I do is I try to get my steps in. So maybe not even run. If you don't run, maybe just try walk.”

Advice for Aspiring Creators: Benjamin recounts absurd and valuable pieces of advice he received, including feedback from Simon Cowell and the importance of observing people for authentic acting.

Benjamin C (36:47): “One of the most annoying pieces of advice was from Simon Cowell... he said, 'you're really good looking, you're handsome, you should be an actor.'”

Upcoming Projects: He teases upcoming collaborations and a potential voiceover project for an art piece in Germany, demonstrating his continuous drive to expand his creative horizons.

Benjamin C (44:55): “I might be doing this art project which I'm doing the voiceover for. It's being in Germany... who knows?”

8. Conclusion and Final Reflections (46:30 - 47:45)

As the episode wraps up, Benjamin and John reflect on the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple creative endeavors. Benjamin acknowledges the importance of staying true to his passions while managing the complexities of social media and entrepreneurship.

Benjamin C (47:38): “I feel like I'm just... I just say everything, don't I? Yeah. Well, thank you. I appreciate being on the show. It was cool.”

Key Takeaways:

• Adaptability: Benjamin’s ability to pivot from biology to international development, and eventually to acting, showcases the importance of adapting to one’s evolving interests and market demands.

• Delegation: Recognizing the need to delegate tasks in content creation helped Benjamin maintain the quality and consistency of his work without personal burnout.

• Mental Health Awareness: The episode highlights the often-overlooked mental health challenges associated with social media usage and the pressures of being a content creator.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Benjamin’s launch of a niche skincare line underscores the value of identifying personal problems and creating targeted solutions within saturated markets.

• Community Engagement: Engaging with the audience through tailored questions fosters a deeper connection and provides valuable insights for aspiring creators.

Notable Quotes:

• On Starting Social Media (00:53): “Benjamin Inc. But I'm like, where did it. My accountant said Benjamin Inc. I was like, what?”

• On Acting Inspiration (06:41): “I saw Timothy Chalamet in Bath, and I was like, whoa. Like the set was crazy...”

• On Delegation (14:16): “I can make it as good as I want it to be because I know that I'm not editing it.”

• On Social Media Challenges (20:03): “I was using it to promote my acting, and then it became very kind of discombobulated...”

• On Upcoming Projects (44:55): “I might be doing this art project which I'm doing the voiceover for. It's being in Germany... who knows?”

This comprehensive discussion with Benjamin C offers a candid look into the multifaceted life of a modern actor and content creator, navigating the intersections of creativity, business, and personal well-being.