Shady Characters

Thatch Creative

5.0 (4)
BUSINESS

In this series, we step out of the spotlight and into the shade - to have conversations and uncover real stories behind topics like brand-building, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism, music and entertainment, and the interesting characters who shape them.

MAY 1

Water Project: Finding Your Lens on Life

Water Project: Finding Your Lens on Life Seth Willingham didn’t set out to become one of Southern California’s most recognizable drone photographers. He grew up splitting time between Hawaii and Laguna Beach, fell in love with the ocean through GoPros and free dives, and stumbled into drone flying when a friend basically handed him a Phantom and said to just try it. Ten years later, that borrowed drone has taken him to Australia, Alaska, French Polynesia, and everywhere in between, and it all started with the right people refusing to gate keep. In this episode of Shady Characters, Seth sits down with Tim and Evan to talk about the grind behind the gorgeous: waking up before sunrise not knowing if the sky will cooperate, flying off the bow of a boat hoping the battery holds, and the discipline of always going after the best initial shot rather than fixing it in post. He also opens up about selling his supplement franchise right before COVID, navigating the transition to full-time creative work, and what legacy really means when you’re raising a six-year-old who’d rather be cliff diving in Hawaii than doing just about anything else. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Follow Seth at @waterproject.

56 min
APR 24

She Didn’t Follow the Market. She Built Her Own.

She Didn’t Follow the Market. She Built Her Own. Nicole Bowyer did not start with a polished brand or a clear roadmap. She started with a vision, a small budget, and a willingness to figure things out as she went. In this episode, the founder of Coco on the Go breaks down what it actually looks like to build a brand from the ground up, long before the wins start showing up. From hand labeling her first pieces at home to traveling internationally in search of the right fabrics, Nicole shares the messy and unfiltered early days of entrepreneurship. What began as a passion for design and a desire to empower women through confident and versatile clothing evolved into a premium athleisure brand now found in luxury spas, resorts, and fitness clubs across the country. We get into the real decisions behind the brand. Why she chose quality over margin early on. How she differentiated in a crowded athleisure market. What it takes to stay consistent when growth is slow and uncertain. She also talks about navigating partnerships, breaking into major retail, and balancing her own brand while taking on private label opportunities. Beyond business, Nicole opens up about the reality of juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship, staying organized under pressure, and maintaining the discipline it takes to keep moving forward. This is a candid conversation about resilience, brand building, and playing the long game to create something meaningful and make it last.

52 min
APR 17

Short-Lived Blast: The Story Before Korn...and After

Short-Lived Blast: The Story Before Korn… and After Before Korn, there was LAPD. Before the tours, the fame, and the legacy, there were a group of kids from Bakersfield trying to figure it out as they went. In this episode of Shady Characters, Fieldy and Richard Morrill take us back to the beginning. They share how they met, the early bands they played in, and the chaotic journey from local shows to getting signed just months after moving to Hollywood. It is a story filled with cramped apartments, relentless gigs, and the kind of blind confidence that only comes with being young and all in. But this is not just a story about what happened. It is also about what almost happened. Richard opens up about the moment he chose to leave the band and join the military, walking away from a path that could have led to global success. What follows is an honest reflection on identity, timing, and redefining what success actually means. While Fieldy’s path led to decades on stage, Richard’s took a different route grounded in family, reinvention, and perspective. Throughout the conversation, they revisit the evolution of LAPD, the transition that eventually became Korn, and the reality that bands, like people, grow and change. They talk about ego, mistakes, and what it means to look back on those early years with clarity instead of nostalgia. What makes this episode hit is the contrast. One path leads to arenas and global recognition. The other leads to something quieter, but no less meaningful. Both are honest. Both are real. At its core, this episode is about friendship that lasts decades, the unpredictable nature of success, and the idea that sometimes the biggest wins in life have nothing to do with fame at all.

48 min
APR 10

Can Account Managers Be Creative? | Ana Gallego

Ana Gallego’s career did not start with a clear title. It started with curiosity, hustle, and a willingness to say yes to whatever got her in the room. In this episode of Shady Characters, Ana shares her path from working in restaurants to finding her footing in the agency world, moving through roles across creative, production, and account services. What makes her perspective so interesting is that she refuses to be boxed in. She challenges the idea that creativity belongs to one department, and instead shows how it can live in problem-solving, systems, communication, and the way people work together. We talk about the tension between structure and creativity, the realities of big agencies versus boutique environments, and how AI is changing the way creative people think, work, and produce. Ana also opens up about the downside of always being the one who says yes, and how learning to balance ambition with boundaries is part of growing into your role without losing yourself in the process. At its core, this episode is about identity. It is about figuring out where you fit, staying hungry enough to keep learning, and building a career that reflects more than just the title on your business card.

57 min
APR 3

The Legend and Legacy of Hank the Crank with Kaikea Wilinski

The Legend and Legacy of Hank the Crank In this episode of Shady Characters, Kaikea Wilinski shares the deeply personal story behind a project that connects generations through speed, craftsmanship, and legacy. What began as a simple project car slowly became something far more meaningful when Kai started uncovering the true impact of his grandfather, Hank the Crank, a pioneering crankshaft builder whose innovations influenced everything from NASCAR to high performance engine building. Kai reflects on growing up around motorsports without fully understanding the significance of his grandfather’s work, only to discover later just how respected and influential he was within the racing world. Through old articles, archived magazine mentions, family stories, and long forgotten parts, Kai began piecing together a legacy that had been hiding in plain sight. That discovery led to the build he is now creating, a tribute 1965 Mustang powered by a crankshaft tied directly to his grandfather’s history and designed to honor both his craftsmanship and his place in motorsports culture. Along the way, Kai opens up about grief, family, identity, and the emotional weight of carrying someone’s story forward through your own hands. This episode is about more than cars. It is about preserving history, rediscovering where you come from, and building something that gives the past a future.

53 min
MAR 27

Kayden Muzila on Losing Everything and Starting Over

Kayden Muzila on Losing Everything and Starting Over In this episode of Shady Characters, we sit down with creative director and founder Kayden Muzila to unpack a story that goes far beyond branding, content, or creative work. Kayden shares his journey from working with major studios like Disney Plus, Netflix, and Paramount to losing everything during industry layoffs and rebuilding his career from the ground up. What started with a camera, a cowboy friend, and a bold decision to walk booth to booth at NFR turned into a thriving niche in Western fashion and a fast growing creative agency. But the real story runs deeper. Kayden opens up about his battle with addiction, hitting a point of absolute hopelessness, and the moment that changed everything. Through sobriety, faith, and discipline, he rebuilt not just his career but his entire identity. We also dive into: • Finding your niche and owning it • Why authenticity wins in modern branding • The power of saying yes and figuring it out later • Overcoming fear in business and creativity • Building a lean agency that scales • Where culture and Western fashion are heading next This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what is possible when you remove fear and start living with purpose.

36 min
MAR 19

Get Me the Ball: The Vizzi Brothers on Building a Movement Through Sports

Get Me the Ball: The Vizzi Brothers on Building a Movement Through Sports Matt and Tim Vizzi sit down with Shady Characters to share the origin story behind Get Me the Ball and the deeper mindset that now fuels everything they do. What started as a hype song inspired by Tim’s comeback from a devastating college back injury has grown into a full-blown movement rooted in resilience, confidence, and refusing to accept limits. In this episode, the Vizzi brothers open up about their bond as brothers, best friends, and business partners, and how that relationship became the foundation for Next Gen NFL Flag, OC Vision, and the broader culture they are building through youth sports. They talk about starting small during the shutdown era, organizing grassroots scrimmages, handing out flyers by hand, and building a league that now serves more than a thousand athletes while creating unforgettable experiences for kids and families alike. The conversation goes beyond sports. Matt and Tim share how they think about storytelling, mentorship, identity, and the responsibility of creating spaces where young athletes feel seen, challenged, and inspired. They break down the tunnel entrances, championship moments, and community-first atmosphere that have made Next Gen feel different, and why they believe healthy competition, strong energy, and real relationships can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. This is a conversation about brotherhood, belief, vision, and what happens when you build with heart, stay true to your values, and keep climbing.

1h 5m
MAR 13

Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of the Acjachemen Nation

Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of the Acjachemen Nation In this episode of Shady Characters, Nathan K. Banda, Tribal Chairman of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, sits down for a deeply personal and important conversation about identity, leadership, and legacy. Nathan shares his journey back into tribal leadership, what it means to serve his people, and how family continues to shape the way he leads. From raising three daughters to carrying forward the work of his mother and ancestors, he opens up about the responsibility of protecting culture while building a stronger future for the next generation. The conversation explores the history of the Acjachemen people in Orange County, the significance of Putuidhem as the mother village, the importance of language preservation, and the emotional weight of traditions that have endured for centuries. Nathan also reflects on the mission, the sacred role of the bell ringers, the meaning behind cultural resources and ancestral sites, and why telling the tribe’s story from their own perspective matters now more than ever. This episode is a powerful reminder that history is not something distant. It is living, personal, and still unfolding. Nathan brings clarity, heart, and purpose to a conversation about what it means to honor the past while fighting for recognition, sovereignty, and a stronger future for the Acjachemen Nation. If you want, I can also give you a few alternate title options that feel more emotional, more editorial, or more click-worthy for YouTube and podcast platforms.

51 min

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

In this series, we step out of the spotlight and into the shade - to have conversations and uncover real stories behind topics like brand-building, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism, music and entertainment, and the interesting characters who shape them.

Creator

Thatch Creative
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

38
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Copyright 2025 Thatch Creative
Show Website

Shady Characters

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