Driven to Create w/ Paul Melluzzo

Paul Melluzzo
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Driven to Create is a podcast that digs deep into the minds of those with an insatiable need to bring their ideas to life. From the initial concept to its tangible realization, this podcast follows the journey of creators who find it impossible to stand still. Join Paul Melluzzo as he explores the narratives, challenges, and triumphs of individuals for whom creation isn't just a passion—it's an addiction. Whether you're a creator, artist, or entrepreneur, let's embark on a quest to gain a better understanding of the essence of innovation.

  1. EP 14 - Lost Generation (with Matteo Guastamacchio)

    2025. 12. 12.

    EP 14 - Lost Generation (with Matteo Guastamacchio)

    In this episode of Driven to Create, I sit down with Matteo Guastamacchio to talk about what it feels like to be a creative right now — in an unstable economy, with AI creeping into every corner of the industry, and the highs and lows of freelance life getting further and further apart. We draw parallels to the “Lost Generation” of the 1920s. Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, artists trying to make sense of a world that didn’t quite work anymore, and ask if our generation of creatives is going through something similar. We cover: Why so many creatives feel like a “lost generation” in 2025 Freelancers as the original “born in the darkness” workers — no benefits, no cushion, just scrappiness The impact of mass layoffs, ghost jobs, and AI on creative careers How AI might eat the mid-tier, purely utilitarian work first Why that could actually create more space for human vision and weird, personal art The tension between art vs. utility when you’re making things for clients Moving away from algorithmic curation and back toward smaller creative communities The value of sharing your process, not just your polished final product Why human-made art carries memory, emotion, and context in a way AI can’t replicate (yet) This episode isn’t about “the end of creativity.”It’s about being honest about how weird and unstable this all feels — and still choosing to keep making, experimenting, and showing up. Guest – Matteo Guastamacchio Instagram: @createdbyteo Website: teomultimedia.com Music: Brain Bag on Spotify Host – Paul Melluzzo Website & full podcast archive: paulmelluzzo.com If this resonated with you, follow the show, leave a rating, and send this episode to a creative friend who needs to hear they’re not crazy, just part of a generation trying to build something real in a very strange moment in history.

    1시간 11분
  2. EP 13 - Delusions of Grandeur

    2025. 10. 28.

    EP 13 - Delusions of Grandeur

    Episode summary Ever find yourself oscillating between towering confidence and crippling doubt? In this solo episode, I explore the razor‑thin line between delusions of grandeur and impostor syndrome.  As a creative director with nearly two decades of experience, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to bet everything on a version of yourself that doesn’t exist yet. Drawing on pop‑culture analogies like Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z, Kanye’s unshakeable belief in himself, and even the Incredible Hulk’s anger‑fueled strength, I unpack how our internal stories can either fuel our drive or become destructive.  I also share a candid story about the year I spent building a blockchain‑enabled “crypto sock” project on the Algorand blockchain; an endeavor that taught me the dangers of ignoring market feedback.  Ultimately, this episode is about finding balance: learning when to let your grand vision stretch you and when to let humility keep you grounded.  Key topics and timestamps: 00:00 - Why we need to bet on a future version of ourselves and how delusional thinking can coexist with imposter syndrome. 02:40 - Visualizing delusions of grandeur on one side and imposter syndrome on the other, and why neither extreme is sustainable. 05:10 - How Vegeta’s identity illustrates the power of a narrative; the importance of having a compelling story that drives your work. 06:05 - Why measuring yourself against a role model or competitor gives your story direction and helps maintain stamina when progress feels slow. 07:00 - The role of tenacity, training, and resilience in creative careers. 09:00 - Harnessing ambition without bulldozing collaborators; understanding how rage without aim smashes the wrong things. 10:50 - A cautionary tale about pouring a year into a blockchain‑fashion project, ignoring market signals, and the fallout that followed. 14:20 - Signs you’re playing it too safe, why fear of criticism holds us back, and how to recalibrate. 16:35 - Why managing the dosage of delusion and humility is key, and the question you should ask yourself each week. 17:40 - Reflections on the mental load of creativity, and a reminder that you’re not alone. Where to Listen: ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop your feedback at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠epicly.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform ⁠Video Script Timer

    19분
  3. EP 12 - Faded Memories of the Multi-Hyphenate

    2025. 09. 05.

    EP 12 - Faded Memories of the Multi-Hyphenate

    In the latest episode “Faded Memories of the Multi-Hyphenate”, Paul digs into the weird middle ground of being a creative generalist and how many multi-hyphenates struggle to stand out in the internet age. We carry a wide range, but we also carry the tax of all the work unseen, whether it be context-switching, prep, and the feeling we’re always starting from zero.  In this episode he argues for having range as leverage and permission to leave some things unfinished with a little help from our old patron saint Leonardo da Vinci. Show Notes What “multi-hyphenate” actually means - the work that spans skillsets. (00:00) The impostor loop - why generalists compare themselves to specialists and always come up short, and how to reframe progress. (02:10) The hidden labor - the energy drain you feel but can’t invoice for. (12:02) Using range as leverage - “I don’t need to stay in my lane, I can build the whole highway.” What that looks like in real client work. (06:03 / 15:58) Da Vinci - unfinished doesn’t equal failure; sometimes it’s a portfolio of bets. (16:57 / 18:06) Seasons of life - using constraints as scaffolding, not excuses. (19:18 / 25:31) Systems & discipline - making being “done” a habit so momentum compounds. (33:25 / 35:59) Try this this week Pick one in-progress piece and ship a smaller version of it. Write a 3-line operating rule for your current season (hours, scope, stop-doing list). Replace one “perfect” pass with a repeatable system (template, checklist, or preset). Where to Listen: ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠iHeartRadio⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop your feedback at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠epicly.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform Video Script Timer

    38분
  4. EP 11 - All Roads Lead To Rome

    2025. 07. 28.

    EP 11 - All Roads Lead To Rome

    In this episode, Paul shares his origin story about the transition from car sales to small agency, to film, and beyond. Key Discussion Points: Going from the Auto Industry to MediaThe switch from Monster Movies to Christmas MoviesFailed Projects that Included Designer Crypto SocksThe Continuous Journey to Improvement Topics Mentioned: ⁠PepboysSynthetic CinemaSockHodlerVideo Script Timer (Misc. Tool)Epicly AI Where to Listen: ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Google Podcasts⁠ ⁠iHeartRadio⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop us your feedback at ⁠⁠⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠epicly.ai⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform

    34분
  5. EP 10 - Quiet Automations

    2025. 07. 21.

    EP 10 - Quiet Automations

    In this episode, Paul ponders what comes after AI Chat Windows and how embedding AI into workflows, apps, and operating systems is the next big step. Key Discussion Points: The mental load of chatting with LLM'sAI needs to be embedded in workflows to get full contextBuild a simple agent that solves one problem Topics Mentioned: OpenAI Chat GPTAnthropic ClaudeVercel V0LovableCursorReplitMidjourneyBlack Forest Labs Flux.1 DevStable DiffusionMCP Servers Where to Listen: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio YouTube Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop us your feedback at ⁠⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠epicly.ai⁠⁠⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform

    25분
  6. EP 09 - The Impending Death of Expertise

    2025. 07. 07.

    EP 09 - The Impending Death of Expertise

    Episode Description: In this episode, Paul reflects on the changing environment brought about by the rise of AI and predicts its impact on expertise as a whole. Key Discussion Points: Deep domain expertise will become scarceCompanies will automate away learning pathways for new talentComfort breeds complacencyTips on how to stay relevant in a fast-changing landscape Where to Listen: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrivenToCreate-Podcast⁠⁠ Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights: ⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop us your feedback at ⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Sponsors: ⁠⁠epicly.ai⁠⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform

    19분
  7. EP 08 - Come with me to Zanarkand

    2024. 12. 05.

    EP 08 - Come with me to Zanarkand

    Episode Description: In this episode, Paul draws the parallels from the experience of a Creative to themes from the critically acclaimed video game, "Final Fantasy X". Key Discussion Points: The beauty and timelessness of a captured moment or idea Coming to terms with one's own existence Self-Reflection Collaboration with Peers Where to Listen: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts iHeartRadio YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrivenToCreate-Podcast⁠ Stay Connected: 📸 Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@driventocreate_podcast⁠ 🌐 Check out more episodes and insights: ⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠ Feedback: 💬 Did you learn something new? Are you sick of hearing me say “umm”? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Drop us your feedback at ⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠. Subscribe and Follow: 👍 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this. Your support helps us keep creating and sharing knowledge. Sponsors: ⁠epicly.ai⁠ - Guided End-to-End Digital Ad Generation Platform

    20분
  8. EP 07 - No Country for Old Filmmakers

    2024. 10. 24.

    EP 07 - No Country for Old Filmmakers

    Paul’s on a solo mission to navigate the perilous seas ofbalancing work/family life in an ever-changing creative industry. Key Highlights: 🌟 Self-Reflection on egoand drive in the creative fields 🌟 Adaptability andFlexibility 🌟 Figuring out what meansthe most to you, and building out from there Show Notes:   “We’re thieves in a world that don’t want us nomore” – Arthur Morgan (RDR2) Epicly.ai (The app that I’m building)The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Googleand iHeartRadio.  There is also a YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrivenToCreate-Podcast⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on Instagram at ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/driventocreate_podcast/⁠⁠ or check it out at ⁠⁠https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast⁠⁠ Official Website: https://www.paulmelluzzo.com/podcast Did you learn something new?  Sick of hearing me say“umm”? Drop me your feedback at ⁠⁠driventocreatepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠…if you’re nasty.

    37분
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Driven to Create is a podcast that digs deep into the minds of those with an insatiable need to bring their ideas to life. From the initial concept to its tangible realization, this podcast follows the journey of creators who find it impossible to stand still. Join Paul Melluzzo as he explores the narratives, challenges, and triumphs of individuals for whom creation isn't just a passion—it's an addiction. Whether you're a creator, artist, or entrepreneur, let's embark on a quest to gain a better understanding of the essence of innovation.

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