CREATOR: The Podcast

Matador Network
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Join Matador Network CEO Ross Borden as he uncovers how top content creators turned their passions into thriving businesses. Each episode delves into creators' origin stories and biggest obstacles—from early setbacks to breakthrough moments—while revealing their strategies for growing audiences, monetizing content, and building brands while traveling the world. Perfect for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs seeking actionable insights to launch their own creative careers. Learn more at creatorthepodcast.com

  1. 7 hr ago

    No AI, All Real: One Photographer's Rule | Kristina Makeeva

    She grew up in a grey city near Moscow — so she turned the entire world into a fairy tale. 🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast for more conversations with leading creators, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Kristina Makeeva (@hobopeeba) — the fairy tale photographer with 1.5M Instagram followers — talks about how she transforms real places into magical art without using AI. Kristina is a multi-award-winning photographer and visual artist known for her dreamlike images blending fashion, nature, dance, and travel across 60–70+ destinations worldwide. From diving with sperm whales in Tonga to shooting on the frozen ice of Lake Baikal in Siberia, her work has been featured by Instagram's official accounts and global brands. Now based in London, she opens up about her creative process, her famous cat Kotleta, and why she refuses to use AI to generate her art. Kristina breaks down how she: • Escaped a "grey, ugly city" near Moscow by building fairy tales through photography • Went viral on Instagram through photos of her cat Kotleta, featured by Instagram Russia • Sources and custom-designs elaborate dresses with fashion designers for her iconic shoots • Scouts locations across 60–70+ countries and adapts her creative vision on the fly • Casts ballerinas as her favorite models — combining dance, nature, and photography as "three arts in one" • Dove into open ocean with a rare pod of socializing sperm whales in Tonga despite barely knowing how to dive • Shot the legendary frozen ice of Lake Baikal with custom dresses designed to look like the ice itself • Explored Socotra, Yemen on only the second plane after the island reopened — inflating mirror balloons with a toilet pump • Takes a firm anti-AI stance, explaining why real travel and handmade art matter more than generated images Whether you're a photographer, travel creator, or visual artist navigating the AI era, this conversation is a masterclass in building a creative career rooted in real experiences. 🔗 Follow Kristina Makeeva: https://www.instagram.com/hobopeeba/ 🔗 To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit https://creatorthepodcast.com/ Conversations with the people building careers, businesses, and culture through creativity. 🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-the-podcast/id1788987273 🎙️ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aHdngxWvkUbpDlmmCq8Z6?si=zQjPxLneRaOUIwP-y5BmyA 🕐 CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to Kristina Makeeva 02:05 - Early life and inspirations 03:16 - Learning Photoshop and first camera 04:21 - Instagram breakthrough & Cutleta Cat 06:15 - Costume design & fashion shoots 07:16 - Models, casting and ballerinas 10:54 - Creative process & location scouting 12:13 - Socotra: challenges and projects 16:24 - Diving with sperm whales (Tonga) 22:28 - Wildlife projects & favorite shoots 27:00 - AI, authenticity, and copyright concerns 33:34 - Russia highlights: Lake Baikal & Kamchatka 37:02 - Future ambitions: space & Mars 40:07 - Top three countries to live and work 41:54 - Where to find Kristina & closing #KristinaMakeeva #Hobopeeba #TravelPhotography #CreatorPodcast #FairyTalePhotography #ContentCreator #NoAI #LakeBaikal #Socotra #SpermWhales #Tonga #PhotographyPodcast

  2. 25 Aug

    Adam Rotstein on Getting Paid to Hate Everything

    A comedian built a viral brand around hating on neighborhoods — now brands, book agents, and algorithms are all paying attention. In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Adam Rotstein (@rot_bot) breaks down how he turned his inner monologue into a serialized content empire, why nostalgia is his secret weapon for shareability, and the real tension of monetizing a "negative" brand. 🎙️ Topics covered: the professional hater origin story, what makes a place ripe for roasting, handling flops as a full-time creator, the gentrification playbook that connects Williamsburg to every city, brand deal challenges when your whole thing is hating, and why a book deal might be next. ⏱️ CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Meet Adam Rotstein, Professional Hater 00:58 – How the "hater" persona was born 02:01 – East Coast roots, LA adulthood 02:40 – Villain origin story: Playa Vista 03:47 – What makes a place go viral (nostalgia + shareability) 07:54 – Dealing with flops and the creator grind 12:34 – Creative process: B-roll, notes app, VO 15:05 – Brand deals: Hulu, restaurants, and the monetization puzzle 16:56 – Why serialized format wins followers 18:30 – Next cities: Orange County, NYC, international? 20:51 – Anti-influencer culture and TikTok overtourism 23:31 – Gifted meals, ethics, and handshake deals 24:55 – Book agents calling: what a hater's book looks like 27:29 – Where to find Adam & wrap-up

  3. 11 Aug

    Mega American on Building 32M Followers Without Saying a Word

    He went from renting cars at Enterprise to 32 million followers — filming the world's most breathtaking places on nothing but an iPhone, without ever saying a word. This is Mega American's first long-form interview. In this episode of CREATOR: The Podcast, Josh Platillero, otherwise known as @megaamerican breaks down how he built one of the largest travel accounts in the world, his "nature mogging" philosophy, the exact video that changed everything (and why a 50% like ratio made him quit his job overnight), his nomadic lifestyle with no home base for 2.5 years, the most beautiful places he's ever seen, and what's next — including live streaming adventures and a potential travel show. Whether you're searching for a travel creator podcast, TikTok growth strategies, or just want to know how someone sees the best of Earth for a living, this conversation covers it all. 00:00 - Introduction to Joshua Platillero01:22 - What is Nature Mogging?02:14 - Becoming a Creator During COVID03:10 - Viral Reaction Format Breakthrough04:23 - Nomadic Lifestyle & Travel Strategy05:24 - Choosing Destinations & Flights06:33 - Researching Places & Audience Preferences07:40 - Favorite Sunsets & Destinations09:03 - Sea Otter Viral Video & Wildlife Filming11:23 - Tulip Lore & Tulip Mania13:30 - Filmmaking Style: Hands, Face & Presence14:33 - Faith & Psalm 19:115:39 - Audience Impact & Recognition17:03 - Filming Process & Solo vs Group Travel19:11 - Streaming Ambitions & Live Adventure Streams21:53 - Early Trends & Going Full-Time24:27 - Monetization & Brand Partnerships26:13 - 50 States in 50 Days Sunset Tour29:36 - Most Breathtaking Places on Earth33:00 - Places He Hasn't Been Yet37:37 - If You Could Only Live in Three Countries39:04 - Japan & Future Travel Priorities41:05 - Future Plans, Family & Wrap Up

  4. 4 Aug

    ENCORE // Jordan Egbert: The Mission to Visit Every Country on Earth

    Jordan Egbert (⁠@counting.countries⁠) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his goal to visit every country on earth and the unexpected business he built along the way. In this episode, Jordan reveals how he went from zero international travel until age 23 to visiting 142 countries, including returning to door-to-door pest control sales each summer just to fund another year of travel before monetizing his content. Host Ross Borden explores Jordan's most unique destinations, from Turkmenistan (dubbed "the North Korea of the Middle East") to the futuristic cities of China where you can pay with your palm print. Jordan offers practical advice for traveling with young children, and explains his counterintuitive content strategy of studying what already works rather than chasing viral trends. Whether you're planning your next adventure or building a creator business, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on turning passion into profit. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit ⁠creatorthepodcast.com⁠ 0:00 Introduction to Jordan Egbert 1:11 Why Travel Every Country? 2:16 From Corporate Job to Full-Time Creator 4:29 Door-to-Door Sales for Travel Funding 5:17 COVID Pivot and Daily Content Strategy 6:55 First Viral Video Success 8:05 Growing from 10K to 300K Followers 10:09 Launching the Travel Hacking Business 12:37 How Credit Card Points Actually Work 14:12 Building an 80K/Month Business 15:27 Favorite Destinations Around the World 16:33 Turkmenistan: North Korea of the Middle East 20:15 Why White Cars and No Dogs? 22:22 China: Living in the Future 25:50 First Impressions of China 27:39 Must-Visit Chinese Cities 30:10 Harvey Ice Festival 31:21 Lapland Finland: Santa's Village 33:17 Adventure in the Arctic Circle 34:02 Traveling with Young Kids 36:09 Tips for Family Travel 37:13 Hidden Gems in Japan 38:20 Three Countries Passport Question 39:02 Why Indonesia Made the List 39:47 Switzerland's Mountain Beauty 43:04 Future Plans and TV Show Dreams 46:50 Where to Find Jordan Online

  5. 28 Jul

    ENCORE // JJ Yosh: Backpacking Kitty's Journey from Local Hikes to International Summits

    JJ Yosh (@jjyosh), the creator behind viral TikTok sensation, Backpacking Kitty (@backpackingkitty), joins Creator: The Podcast to discuss building a content empire around his adventure cat Simon. In this episode, JJ shares the remarkable origin story of how he reluctantly adopted Simon—a rescue kitten hours away from euthanization—and transformed him into an internationally-traveling mountaineering phenomenon. Host Ross Borden explores JJ's journey from filming outdoor excursions at UC Santa Barbara in 2006 to taking Simon snowboarding, mountain biking, and climbing 14ers across Colorado, the Austrian Alps, and Guatemalan volcanoes. JJ reveals the challenges of training cats for extreme adventures, the logistics nightmare of international pet travel, and how he influences Simon to perform on command for brand partnerships with companies like Purina. He also discusses going viral on TikTok in 2019, the waves of plateaus and reinvention that come with content creation, and his ambitious plans to attempt the seven summits with Simon in 2026. Whether you're a pet owner dreaming of adventuring with your animal or a content creator navigating brand deals and virality, this conversation delivers inspiration on turning unconventional ideas into sustainable creator businesses. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to JJ Yosh 00:25 - Welcome and podcast intro 01:07 - Why travel with a cat? 02:05 - How JJ met Simon (rescue cat story) 02:14 - Simon's natural athleticism and training 04:43 - Public reactions to adventure cat 06:03 - Snowboarding and skiing with Simon 07:27 - Encounters with dogs on the trail 09:02 - Can any cat become an adventure cat? 11:25 - Technical climbing and peak bagging 13:25 - Starting content creation with Simon 14:25 - Going viral in 2019 on TikTok 15:55 - International adventures (Alps, Guatemala, volcanoes) 17:09 - Future bucket list: Seven summits 19:43 - Travel logistics and international requirements 22:01 - Flying internationally with a cat 24:16 - Cost of traveling with pets 29:42 - Brand partnerships and working with Simon 32:02 - Starting the production company 33:31 - Meeting Simon on camera 34:08 - Launching Simon's own social media accounts 35:16 - Where to find JJ and Simon online 35:57 - Outro and podcast credits

  6. 21 Jul

    Kyana Sue Powers: An Expert Guide to Iceland Seasons, Lagoons, and Waterfalls

    American expat and Iceland expert Kyana Sue Powers (@kyanasue) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share how she turned an impossible dream into reality through sheer determination and creative problem-solving. In this episode, Kyana reveals the wild story of moving to Iceland with zero savings after leaving her corporate job, then navigating the country's strict immigration system by starting her own company to sponsor her own work visa. Ross Borden dives into Kyana's evolution from struggling photographer to successful content creator, exploring how she built multiple revenue streams through her Iceland travel map, affiliate partnerships, and UGC work—all while teaching her Icelandic chef husband about his own country. Kyana provides expert recommendations on Iceland's best lagoons, waterfalls, and camping spots, plus honest takes on tourist traps and the dramatic changes mass tourism has brought to the island. She discusses the ethical considerations of geotagging secret locations and shares unforgettable experiences like rescuing baby puffins and throwing them off cliffs to help them fly. Whether you're dreaming of moving abroad or planning an Iceland adventure, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom about pursuing unconventional paths. 00:00 - Introduction to Kyana Sue Powers01:00 - Why Kyana moved to Iceland02:04 - Living in Boston & reactions from family/friends03:12 - Immigration hurdles & glacier guide plan05:00 - COVID derailment of job plans06:06 - Becoming a creator while a student08:08 - Starting a company and fighting for a visa10:20 - Current life: full-time creator & marriage11:47 - Iceland travel tips & seasons14:16 - Overtourism, commercialization, and costs18:00 - Puffling Patrol and the Westman Islands23:06 - Geotagging, secret spots, and the Kyana map26:31 - Creator business: affiliates, UGC, and income28:44 - Icelandic foods: fermented shark and baked rye bread31:44 - Passport question: top three countries33:18 - Reykjavik, lagoons, and city advice35:58 - Camping, highlands, and overland spots37:52 - Best hikes and remote Westfjords40:42 - Where to find Kyana online & episode close

  7. 14 Jul

    Nico Patino: Typewriter Poems for Strangers That Broke the Internet

    Street poet and viral creator Nico Patino (@nicpatino) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss what happens when raw human vulnerability meets spontaneous art. In this episode, Nico shares the remarkable story behind his viral "Woman Crying at the Bank" video, including how a chance encounter with a 57-year-old stranger going through divorce became one of the most relatable pieces of content on the internet. Host Ross explores Nico's journey from processing childhood grief in a journal at age seven to setting up a vintage typewriter on a street corner in Long Beach and charging five dollars a poem. They dive into how losing his father at 13 shaped his voice as a writer, the chaotic night his van broke down on the way to his very first poetry reading, and how a community of strangers crowdfunded his van repairs out of pure love. Whether you're a creator looking for a truly original content idea or someone who believes in the healing power of words, this conversation is a reminder that the most powerful content often starts with the simplest human connection. 00:00 - Introduction to Nico Patino01:14 - Early writing & journaling04:16 - Craft: writing on the spot & street performances05:06 - Woman Crying at the Bank (viral poem)07:20 - Why the video went viral & audience reaction08:54 - Reuniting with the woman from the bank10:31 - Personal history & turning to poetry13:22 - Launching the typewriter-poet project16:32 - Setting up in Long Beach and first customers18:02 - Viral growth and van breakdown20:27 - First live reading and performances21:12 - Publishing "Cupid of the Mess" and sales23:33 - Print vs digital strategy24:45 - Community support, GoFundMe and roadtrip plans26:05 - Where to find Nico

  8. 7 Jul

    Blake Kasemeier: Turning Grief and Fatherhood Into Viral Storytelling

    Blake Kasemeier (@blakeoftoday) joins CREATOR: The Podcast, to discuss the art of authentic storytelling in the creator economy. In this episode, Blake shares his unconventional journey from touring in hardcore bands to corporate copywriting to becoming a full-time content creator with over a million followers. Host Ross Borden explores Blake's signature approach to fatherhood content—rejecting both the "FML parenting" and overly-curated aesthetics in favor of raw, relatable moments filmed in just three locations: his room, kitchen, and garage. Blake reveals his rigorous writing process, crafting 1,000-2,000 words to distill down to the perfect 220-word script, and explains why "writing's blue collar work—you gotta get your hands dirty." The conversation dives deep into navigating grief publicly after losing his mother and getting laid off in the same week, protecting his children's privacy while creating parenting content, and building a multi-platform strategy across TikTok, YouTube, and Substack. Whether you're an aspiring creator struggling with writer's block or simply interested in how everyday moments become compelling art, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning life's ordinary experiences into extraordinary content. 00:00 - Introduction to Blake Kasemeier01:51 - How fatherhood became his content focus03:53 - His approach: real, non‑performative parenting07:19 - Visual style: everyday B‑roll and Easter eggs09:51 - From hardcore musician to corporate life15:01 - Starting an agency and freelancing17:12 - TikTok breakthrough and audience growth19:53 - Writing process: notes, drafts, word counts22:08 - Handling writer’s block and creative fear24:04 - Being a dad: routines, joy, and small moments27:03 - Children on social media and privacy choices29:50 - Future plans: YouTube longform, Substack, strategy37:32 - Grief, mental health, and vulnerability41:16 - Where to find Blake & episode wrap

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About

Join Matador Network CEO Ross Borden as he uncovers how top content creators turned their passions into thriving businesses. Each episode delves into creators' origin stories and biggest obstacles—from early setbacks to breakthrough moments—while revealing their strategies for growing audiences, monetizing content, and building brands while traveling the world. Perfect for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs seeking actionable insights to launch their own creative careers. Learn more at creatorthepodcast.com

Information

  • Creator
    Matador Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matador Network
  • Show Website
    CREATOR: The Podcast

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