Let's Talk About Hollywood™

Karl Gibson

Hollywood isn't just a place: it's a mindset. Part memoir, part behind-the-scenes insight, this podcast offers stories, reflections, and encouragement from Karl Gibson, a veteran of The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix, Warner Bros., Tubi, and Disney+. Whether you are industry-savvy or just curious, get comfy and settle in for a real, unvarnished take on the dreams, detours, and heart behind the Hollywood dream machine.

  1. Episode 16

    2025: How Hollywood Lost the Plot (And How to Break Through Anyway)

    Season 2 kicks off with a supersized 83-minute truth session on Hollywood in 2025.  After 24 years inside the system, from mailroom to The Hollywood Reporter, I'm calling out what's broken: studios crying broke while DEI-angry cosplay kills audiences, post-strike fear and anger driving bad decisions, and why YouTube and creator-owned content are eating the industry's lunch. This isn't doom. It's real talk on what still works, why global audiences are our focus now, how faith anchors you when the pipeline collapses, and the exact mindset shifts to break through anyway. I've worked it and lived it and so have you. We can do this! If you're an industry worker holding on, a creator watching the old gates crumble, or finding a new way in this episode is your blueprint. Hollywood is a mentality and a strong determination goes a long way. --> Related episodes from Let's Talk About Hollywood:Ep. 35: The Disney Layoffs 2026: Regroup, Recalibrate, Ready!  My take on the Disney cuts in April 2026, how to regroup, how to approach this phase while tending to self-care, and getting ready for your next step. 💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖 This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and honesty of these stories, you can help protect our independence: Donate to the Podcast: Any amount, no matter how small, fuels the engine! Drop a tip here: letstalkabouthollywood.com/support My Hollywood Reset GoFundMe: Help me rewrite the rules! We are officially 37% of the way to our goal—every dollar or social media share means the world: GoFundMe Link  https://gofund.me/9fa60a3b2 Rate This on Your App & Share: If you have a moment, tap what you think the show deserves on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share your favorite episode with a friend!

    1h 24m
  2. Episode 22

    A Hollywood Guide to the Warner Bros. Sale

    As a former contractor for both Warner Bros. and Netflix, I have lived the billion-dollar chaos with the former, while Netflix was a dream job. This is your studio worker's guide to the preliminary Warner Bros. Discovery sale fallout in 2025. Real talk: Streamers had the cash. Legacy studios were making their case to regulators. If Hollywood's worried about losing the culture, then change the culture. We claim we're future forward, so take back the narrative and keep Hollywood. I break down surviving above-the-paygrade stress, why studio redundancies are coming, the danger of making alliances too fast, and how technical proficiency keeps you untouchable when execs gamble with billions. Is this the end of a Hollywood era? Not if workers anchor to audiences, not mergers. Audiences decide. That's who you need to prevail. If you're inside the system watching it shake, this episode is your survival blueprint. 💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖 This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and honesty of these stories, you can help protect our independence: Donate to the Podcast: Any amount, no matter how small, fuels the engine! Drop a tip here: letstalkabouthollywood.com/support My Hollywood Reset GoFundMe: Help me rewrite the rules! We are officially 37% of the way to our goal—every dollar or social media share means the world: GoFundMe Link  https://gofund.me/9fa60a3b2 Rate This on Your App & Share: If you have a moment, tap what you think the show deserves on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share your favorite episode with a friend!

    44 min

About

Hollywood isn't just a place: it's a mindset. Part memoir, part behind-the-scenes insight, this podcast offers stories, reflections, and encouragement from Karl Gibson, a veteran of The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix, Warner Bros., Tubi, and Disney+. Whether you are industry-savvy or just curious, get comfy and settle in for a real, unvarnished take on the dreams, detours, and heart behind the Hollywood dream machine.