In this episode, Justin sits down with George Boyd—former pro BMX rider turned video editor and founder of the podcast production agency, Cut The Pod. George shares his journey from filming tricks with friends to editing for Disney and building a lean, values-driven agency. He opens up about mentorship, learning from mistakes, freelancing, and what it really takes to grow a sustainable creative business in today’s media landscape. Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or someone considering building an agency of your own—this episode is full of actionable insights and inspiration. Key TopicsThe power of storytelling, from BMX edits to million-dollar brands Why most people overthink their tools—and what really matters in content creation George’s non-linear path to building a high-end creative agency Learning from failure and recovering from ghosted client projects Why great mentorship is everything (and how to be your own coach) Finding the middle ground between hustle and peace What makes a video podcast actually worth watching How to get started as a freelancer with nothing but a phone and Wi-Fi The real way to build a long-term, referral-driven creative business Why “agency” is a buzzword—and how to build one that doesn’t burn you out From BMX to Disney: George's Early CareerGeorge’s creative journey began with BMX—filming with friends, editing DVDs, and accidentally becoming one of the first people to post BMX web videos online. Through this passion, he developed a love for storytelling and video editing. A Craigslist ad during a trip to LA eventually landed him a gig editing Disney Parks content from a guest bedroom. That snowballed into working inside Disney HQ, then growing a boutique agency with his mentor—before eventually striking out on his own. 🎬 The Power of Story (And Why You Should Start With What You Have)George emphasizes that there’s no wrong way to tell a story. Whether it's a gritty TikTok clip or a million-dollar Nike ad, what matters is the feeling you give the viewer. He advises aspiring creators not to obsess over gear or tools: “Use what you’ve got. Make stuff. Get better.” He also shares lessons from his late brother’s storytelling ambitions—reminding us all that we don’t need permission to create. 🛠 From Freelancer to FounderThe transition from solo freelancer to agency owner wasn’t overnight. George built his brand one job at a time—stacking referrals, working odd hours, and learning through hard-earned mistakes. He shares horror stories like hiring the wrong contractor and how they pulled off a 32-hour marathon edit to save a project. Through it all, the mission remained the same: do great work and be kind to people. “You never know who you’re working with today that will change your future.” 📦 Building ‘Cut The Pod’Today, George runs Cut The Pod, a high-end post-production agency for video podcasts. He works with editors from across the globe and prioritizes quality, communication, and clarity. He’s focused on helping brands use podcasts strategically, not just aesthetically, and he’s passionate about creating systems that make the creative process sustainable for everyone involved. 🧠 George’s 3 Tips For New CreatorsUse the tools you have — A $30 mic and a phone can go a long way. Find flow, not perfection — Be like water, adapt and keep moving forward. Just be nice — Seriously. Kindness opens doors. 💬 Memorable Quotes“There’s no wrong way to tell a story.” “Just because something looks good doesn’t mean it is good.” “You don't need more gear, you need more clay.” “Be nice. That’ll get you further than you think.” ✍️ Advice For Aspiring CreatorsGeorge encourages aspiring editors, freelancers, and storytellers to start where they are. He recommends platforms like Upwork and Fiverr as entry points—but warns they come with tough early lessons. His biggest tip? Don’t overestimate your skill or underestimate your ability to figure things out. 💥 Final TakeawayGeorge’s story reminds us that great careers are often built in messy, winding ways. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just keep showing up, tell stories that matter, and build something worth being proud of. Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMS FOLLOW Justin Instagram – @JustKeepLearning.Ca YouTube –@justkeeplearningpodcast Twitter – @JustinNolan_JKL Tiktok – @justkeeplearning.ca Pinterest – JustKeepLearningca Facebook – JustKeepLearning LinkedIn – Justin I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.Want to get every single secret, tip, or idea I learn about channelling our emotions into success in this new creator economy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.justkeeplearning.ca/main
