Work In Progress

Sam Coates and Kyle Barnes
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Work In Progress Podcast explores what it means to build in a way that compounds for your work, your business, and the people around you. Conversations on business and creativity with builders focused on doing things the right way.

Episodes

  1. MAR 26

    Stop Overthinking Marketing | Work In Progress Podcast EP: 7

    Work In Progress

    33 min

  2. MAR 18

    Creative Mistakes That Held Me Back | Ep. 6

    In this episode, Sam breaks down some of the biggest mistakes he’s made in his creative journey, and how they held him back for years. From not posting consistently, to overvaluing gear, to chasing views instead of real results, he walks through what went wrong and what he’s doing differently now. If you’re a creator or trying to grow a business online, this episode gives a real look at what actually matters, and what doesn’t. Do more. Stop overthinking. Get better over time.

    12 min

  3. FEB 26

    Persistence Is the Real Cheat Code in Entrepreneurship | In Motion Ep. 5

    Entrepreneurship isn’t about the perfect idea.It’s about refusing to stop. In this solo episode of In Motion, Kyle breaks down why persistence is the single most important characteristic an entrepreneur can possess and how that same trait directly applies to marketing in today’s marketplace. From sleeping on the floor during early Drifters trips to bartending 50 hours a week while trying to figure out direction, this episode unpacks the reality of building something from nothing and why most people don’t fail… they just quit.

    14 min

  4. FEB 19

    Imposter Syndrome & Personal Branding | Cooper Scott | In Motion Ep. 4

    In Episode 4 of the In Motion Podcast, Kyle Barnes sits down with Cooper Scott to talk about what it actually looks like to grow as a creative when you didn’t come up through a traditional path. Cooper breaks down what “being a creator” means when you’re from a place where that word wasn’t even in the vocabulary, and how photo and video became the tool that opened doors, rooms, and relationships he never thought he’d have access to. From there, they get into the thing almost every creative deals with but rarely says out loud, imposter syndrome, why it doesn’t really go away if you’re improving, and how to keep it from overriding your action. They also talk about learning on the fly, getting thrown into bigger sets, realizing there isn’t some secret sauce behind the people you admire, and why most creatives don’t need to disappear for three months to “get better,” they just need more reps. The conversation hits on positioning, personal branding, and why brands are increasingly choosing creators who can make great work and communicate it, not just “influencers” chasing attention. If you’re a shooter, editor, freelancer, or agency creative trying to level up without feeling like you need permission first, this one’s for you.

    44 min

  5. FEB 12

    Episode 3: Finding Your Creative Style

    In this solo episode of the Net Positive Podcast, Sam Coates breaks down how creative style is actually built over time. Not trends. Not aesthetics. Not copying what’s working online. He walks through the five stages most creators move through, from starting with limited gear, to upgrading equipment, to the point where style stops being accidental and becomes intentional. Sam also talks about why real creative style has to be transferable in order to scale, and how niching too deeply into the outdoor industry almost boxed his business into a corner. This episode is for shooters, editors, and creatives trying to find their own lane without burning out or capping their growth.

    17 min

  6. FEB 5

    Episode 2: Momentum, Identity, and Goal Setting as an Entrepreneur

    In this solo episode of the In Motion Podcast, Kyle Barnes reflects on what happens when building a business comes at the cost of personal identity. After a demanding fall in 2024 filled with nonstop travel and client work at Drifters Media, Kyle shares lessons from burnout, lost momentum, and realizing that turning your passion into your job isn’t always the blessing it seems. From missing a planned marathon to stepping away from hunting, he breaks down how neglecting personal goals can quietly impact professional performance. The episode explores how shifting toward smaller, more attainable personal goals in 2025 helped rebuild momentum, restore identity, and create a more sustainable approach to business.

    19 min

  7. JAN 30

    Episode 1 - In Motion

    Episode one is about momentum. In this first episode of the In Motion podcast, we talk through what it actually looks like to start moving , creatively and in business, before everything is figured out. We unpack where we’re currently pulling inspiration from, how copying turns into finding your own voice, and why most people overcomplicate growth instead of focusing on what actually works. We get into lessons learned from building brands, working with clients, posting consistently, and letting go of ego when the market tells you the truth. This conversation is less about theory and more about the real decisions, tradeoffs, and mindset shifts that happen when you’re trying to build something that lasts. If you’re early, stuck, or just trying to find your rhythm again, this episode is about doing the simple things that create forward motion. Thanks for listening, we’re just getting started.

    41 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

The Work In Progress Podcast explores what it means to build in a way that compounds for your work, your business, and the people around you. Conversations on business and creativity with builders focused on doing things the right way.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Coates and Kyle Barnes
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sam Coates and Kyle Barnes