No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Growth Stories

Drew English

Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drew_english No Set Path is the podcast for creatives ready to stop trading hours for dollars. Hosted by Drew English, a cinematographer, podcast studio owner, and media entrepreneur with 20 years in film and audio, this show delivers honest conversations and insights about what it really takes to build leverage and escape the gig cycle. Episodes feature filmmakers, podcasters, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who've moved beyond client work to create sustainable income streams, plus solo deep-dives on the strategies and mindset shifts that matter. You'll hear real stories about pricing strategy, mental health, building assets instead of trading time, and forging unconventional paths that actually pay. Whether you're drowning in freelance cycles, scaling a creative business, or ready to build something that works without you, No Set Path gives you the clarity and motivation to create a career on your terms. Subscribe to the companion newsletter at thedrewenglish.substack.com for weekly essays on creative leverage.

  1. APR 29

    Your Brand Is Sending a Signal. Is It the Right One?

    Most creatives I know are great at what they do. The problem isn't talent. It's that nobody knows they exist. That's the through line of this conversation with Marissa Pane, founder of Pane Marketing, brand and content strategist, and someone who has spent years helping purpose-driven small businesses get seen and heard by the right people. We get into the real stuff here. Why starting with your "why" isn't just motivational fluff — it's the only logical place to begin. Why chasing virality is actually working against you if you're a service provider. Why the bad clients you keep attracting might be your brand's fault, not theirs. And what it actually looks like to build a content foundation that brings the right people to your door instead of chasing them down. Marissa also shares something she rarely talks about publicly — the loss of her brother, and how watching someone she loved struggle to simply exist rewired how she thinks about time, urgency, and the responsibility that comes with getting to do work you actually care about. This one hits differently. Come ready to take some notes and maybe rethink a few things. 📰 Join the No Set Path Newsletter HERE - https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Takeaways Plenty of people are building businesses, but the ones worth remembering are building brands — and there's a real difference between the two Everything starts with why. Before any tactic, platform, or content strategy, you need to know what you actually want and why you want it Going viral is the wrong goal for most service providers. Universal appeal is a signal you're saying nothing Consistency isn't about showing up every day — it's about knowing your brand foundation first, then committing to what's realistic for you and protecting that streak Bad clients aren't a client problem. They're a brand signal problem. What you put out attracts or repels, and if the wrong people keep showing up, your messaging is the culprit Referrals plateau. Word of mouth gets you started, but content is the filter that attracts the right people at scale Multi-passionate creatives need to get narrow before they get wide. Trying to offer everything makes you the marketing girl — not the expert people seek out Your personal story and your brand story aren't separate things. For service providers especially, you are the deliverable Links & Resources Marissa's Website: https://marissapane.com Marissa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pane.marketing Marissa's Podcast: Your Brand Is Showing Marissa's Newsletter: The Content Pour-Over Connect with Drew Drew’s Substack: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/ Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/ Drew's Website: http://www.drewenglish.com/

    1h 4m

  2. JAN 27

    The Lazy Creator Method: Jason Murray on Working Smarter, Not Harder

    📺 Watch the video interview HERE: https://youtu.be/YkTDNtgIPN4 Join Jason Murray, Creative Director and lifelong maker, as he dives deep into the art and business of creativity. This episode explores the power of ownership, the process of building your own IP, and what it really takes to grow a creator business in today’s world. Whether you’re a designer, filmmaker, or entrepreneur, you’ll find insights and inspiration to turn your ideas into assets. 💡Takeaways Ownership beats freelancing. Building IP you control creates sustainable leverage, while trading time for money keeps you stuck in the gig cycle The Creative 2.0 mindset reverses the traditional service model. Instead of helping brands execute their ideas, create your own work first, then let brands attach themselves to what you own Self-imposed limitations are the biggest barrier to growth. Most creatives already know what they need to do next but hold themselves back from taking action Advertising insights translate directly to content creation. Finding unspoken human truths that make people see problems differently is what creates valuable, shareable content Building a media business provides multiple paths forward. Even if content doesn't generate direct income immediately, it positions you as an expert and brings inbound opportunities Following your interests matters more than picking a lane. Career paths naturally evolve when you pursue genuine curiosity rather than forcing yourself into predefined boxes Life and career operate in seasons. What works now doesn't have to be forever, and giving yourself permission to experiment keeps momentum going 🔗 Links & Resources Jason Murray on Instagram: @jason_sweatManyChat (AI chat automation tool)Adobe Creative CloudTeachable (online course platform) 👋 Connect with Drew Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/ Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/ Drew's Website: http://www.drewenglish.com/

    47 min
  3. Working Until You Die (And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves)

    12/23/2025

    Working Until You Die (And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves)

    Drew goes solo this week to unpack themes from his recent newsletter, "Working Until You Die." He explores the difference between working because you want to and working because you have to, and why the "just figure it out" hustle mentality can leave you grinding at 70 with nothing to show for it. Drew gets honest about his own financial reality this year, why he's turning down 35-40% of incoming gigs, and how intentionality beats reactivity when building a sustainable creative career. This one's part pep talk, part wake-up call. Key Takeaways Hustle culture is a trap that keeps you in survival mode Intentionality beats reactivity when building something sustainable Do the honest assessment: what's working, what isn't, what has potential The goal isn't to stop working, it's to have the choice to keep going Stop saying yes to everything and raise your prices Related Links & Resources No Set Path Newsletter: thedrewenglish.substack.com Email Drew: nosetpathpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube

    16 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    Start Valuing Your Mess: Why Rough Edges Build Real Connection

    Drew tries something new this episode, reading his latest newsletter aloud and adding real-time commentary. The result is a raw, honest exploration of what it means to build something creative without having all the answers. He gets personal about a professionally difficult year, shares why polished content might be losing its edge, and makes the case that your rough edges might be exactly what your audience is looking for. Takeaways Messy is a feature, not a bug - In an age where AI can generate "good enough" content instantly, your unique perspective and real experiences become your greatest assets. People are searching for authentic voices, not another optimized piece of content. The fear versus reality gap is where opportunity lives - We're all afraid that showing our struggles will cost us credibility. But the paradox is that vulnerability creates connection, and connection is what makes people actually care about what you're building. You are not your thoughts - Just because you're questioning everything and considering a thousand possibilities doesn't mean any of it defines you. Working through uncertainty in public can benefit others going through similar transitions. Community matters more than perfection - The people who keep showing up for you aren't responding to your best work. They're responding to your most real work. Related Links No Set Path Newsletter: thedrewenglish.substack.com Contact Drew: nosetpathpodcast@gmail.com Referenced: "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday Past Guest Mentioned: Blake Pfeil

    22 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Building Creative Community & ConnectHV in the Hudson Valley | Jordan Koschei

    Sometimes, your path leads you right back home. This week on No Set Path, Jordan Koschei joins Drew English to talk about how his journey through design and tech inspired him to give back to the Hudson Valley through his passion project, ConnectHV. It’s a story about creativity, community, and coming full circle. Join the Newsletter Join the No Set Path Newsletter HERE - https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Takeaways Professional identity doesn't have to fit into neat categories - you can exist between disciplines and create your own path Staying rooted in your community and building a life first, then fitting work around it, can lead to more fulfillment than chasing traditional career ambitions Remote work and post-COVID shifts have created critical mass for creative communities in places like the Hudson Valley Building platforms and communities is about being a temporary steward, not an owner - the goal is for the community to outlive and outgrow the creator Creativity is fundamentally about play - as adults, we're just doing fancier versions of the same exploratory, world-building activities we did as children The most sustainable creative work happens when you remove outcome-based thinking and create for the joy of making something True platforms enable others to create value that far exceeds what the platform itself generates Work-life balance requires ruthless prioritization and automation - family first, then letting everything else fit around it Community building in the digital age still requires real-life interaction and grassroots connection Links & Resources ConnectHV - https://connecthv.com ConnectHV About Page - https://connecthv.com/about Tracks Coffee (Beacon, NY) - "No Sleep Till Beacon" Monkey Joe Coffee (Kingston, NY) Connect with Drew Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/ Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/ Drew's Website: http://www.drewenglish.com/

    49 min

  6. 10/08/2025

    Ditching the Playbook and Building a Sustainable Creative Career

    Drew sits down with Blake Pfeil & Jeremiah Wenutu on Cinema Kingston! to explore his winding path from music production to becoming a sought-after director of photography, podcast studio owner, and host of No Set Path. They unpack the reality of being a multidisciplinary creative, building community in the Hudson Valley, and why storytelling matters more than the tech behind it. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – Drew's introduction and impressive client roster (Adobe, Netflix, HBO, Disney+) 02:00 – How Upstate Podcast Studio evolved from a basement setup to a professional Kingston space 06:00 – The challenge of being spread thin across multiple creative ventures 09:00 – Feeling like an outsider in the film industry while pursuing diverse interests 14:00 – The frustration with editing other people's work vs. creating your own passion projects 16:00 – The Hudson Valley creative community: talent is everywhere, but connection is key 19:00 – Two years of HBO production boom post-COVID, then the 2024-2025 slowdown 22:00 – Plans for No Set Path: building in-person community events and brand expansion 24:00 – From UMass Lowell recording school to New York City music production 27:00 – The pivot moment: buying a Canon 7D at B&H and teaching himself cinematography 30:00 – Starting No Set Path during COVID as a vehicle for meaningful conversations 33:00 – The unexpected impact: random emails from people inspired by the show 37:00 – Why Drew asks "how did you get here?" instead of "what camera did you use?" 40:00 – The realization: storytelling is the thread connecting everything 44:00 – Storytelling as a buzzword in tech startups and why humans gravitate to narrative 45:00 – The Goonies, Spielberg, Lucas, and movies that shaped a generation 50:00 – Easter eggs, film scores, and the magic of eighties adventure films Takeaway Being multidisciplinary isn't a weakness. It's your unique advantage in a changing creative economy. Community over hustle: the Hudson Valley has incredible talent, but genuine connection matters more than networking. Storytelling transcends medium. Whether it's cinematography, podcasting, or coaching, story is what connects with people. Most successful people don't actually know what they're doing. They're "failing upwards" and figuring it out as they go. Name things well: Upstate Podcast Studio succeeds organically because of smart, searchable naming. Your creative path will look like a lot of different things. Let it evolve naturally instead of forcing a single direction. The tech doesn't matter. People care about the emotion and story, not your gear list. Resources & Links Cinema Kingston!: https://radiokingston.org/en/broadcast/cinema-kingston Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com Lights and Years Media: www.lightsandyears.com Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com No Set Path Podcast: Search "No Set Path: Creative Entrepreneurship Stories" on your podcast app No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Drew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/ Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/

    57 min
  7. When the "Safe" Choice Is Actually the Riskiest Move

    09/23/2025

    When the "Safe" Choice Is Actually the Riskiest Move

    Drew shares the full story behind walking away from a $100,000 in-house media position and how that decision led to earning 50% more while staying freelance. He breaks down the red flags that made him trust his gut, the corporate culture problems he encountered, and why alignment with your values matters more than security. This solo episode dives deep into the importance of knowing your North Star and making decisions that serve your long-term creative and personal goals. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – Why Drew turned down $100K and made 50% more staying freelance 01:27 – Red flag #1: Meetings about meetings and corporate culture chaos 01:50 – No real game plan: throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks 02:34 – The pressure campaign: formal emails, office meetings, and coffee chats 03:17 – The deal breaker: written approval required for any outside freelance work 04:50 – What happened to the colleague who took the job (spoiler: it ended badly) 05:27 – The importance of trusting your gut and staying aligned with your values 06:40 – How saying no opened doors to building multiple revenue streams 07:35 – Drew's current North Star: maximum money, minimum time, maximum family time Takeaways Trust your gut when red flags appear, even when the money looks good Corporate culture problems rarely improve after you're hired full-time Alignment with your values and goals matters more than short-term security Saying no to the wrong opportunities creates space for the right ones Your North Star evolves as your life circumstances change Write down your goals and priorities to stay clear on your direction Consider practices like morning pages from "The Artist's Way" for clarity Resources & Links The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron Upstate Podcast Studio: www.upstatepodcaststudio.com Connect with Drew No Set Path Newsletter: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/ Drew's Website: www.drewenglish.com

    9 min
  8. Leverage: Turn Your Creative Skills into Scalable Assets

    07/30/2025

    Leverage: Turn Your Creative Skills into Scalable Assets

    In this solo episode, host Drew English unpacks the concept of leverage and why 2025 is the best time for creatives to build independent success. He argues that cheap tech, free global distribution, and direct-to-audience marketing have removed the traditional gatekeepers. Creators who shift from selling services to building assets can own their future in the “Creator 2.0” era. Key Takeaways Tech is cheap: Your phone can produce market-ready visuals—hardware is no longer the hurdle. Distribution is free: Platforms like YouTube give instant access to a worldwide audience; the game now is earning the click. Marketing is direct: Email lists and social media let you talk to fans anytime—no middlemen required. Assets > services: Follow the athlete model—use your primary skill to build IP, products, or partnerships that earn while you sleep. Real-world examples: The Umbrella Academy evolved from graphic novel to Netflix hit. A24 green-lit “The Backrooms,” a YouTube horror series created by a 19-year-old. Producer Alex LeMay urges filmmakers to “think platform first, not format.” Action items for listeners: Audit your expertise - what unique knowledge or story can become IP? Choose one primary platform (e.g., YouTube) and design content natively for it. Start an email list to own your relationship with fans. Package and test ideas in small formats (web series, mini-docs, digital products). Lean into human connection - your perspective and trust can’t be replicated by AI. Resources Mentioned Jason Murray on “Creator 2.0” (@jason_swet on Instagram) Producer Alex LeMay’s Substack article HERE The Umbrella Academy (graphic novel → Netflix) A24’s upcoming film “The Backrooms” (originated on YouTube) Connect with Drew Subscribe to Drew’s Substack newsletter Creative Balance for deeper dives. Follow No Set Path on YouTube, Instagram, and wherever you get your podcasts. Share the episode and tag @drewenglishh to keep the conversation going.

    9 min
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About

Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drew_english No Set Path is the podcast for creatives ready to stop trading hours for dollars. Hosted by Drew English, a cinematographer, podcast studio owner, and media entrepreneur with 20 years in film and audio, this show delivers honest conversations and insights about what it really takes to build leverage and escape the gig cycle. Episodes feature filmmakers, podcasters, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who've moved beyond client work to create sustainable income streams, plus solo deep-dives on the strategies and mindset shifts that matter. You'll hear real stories about pricing strategy, mental health, building assets instead of trading time, and forging unconventional paths that actually pay. Whether you're drowning in freelance cycles, scaling a creative business, or ready to build something that works without you, No Set Path gives you the clarity and motivation to create a career on your terms. Subscribe to the companion newsletter at thedrewenglish.substack.com for weekly essays on creative leverage.

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