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CREATOR: The Podcast

CREATOR: The Podcast

By: Matador Network
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About this listen

 Join Matador Network CEO Ross Borden as he uncovers how top content creators turned their passions into thriving businesses. Each episode delves into creators' origin stories and biggest obstacles—from early setbacks to breakthrough moments—while revealing their strategies for growing audiences, monetizing content, and building brands while traveling the world. Perfect for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs seeking actionable insights to launch their own creative careers. Learn more at creatorthepodcast.com© Matador Network Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Ben Glassco: Transforming Travel Passion into Visual Storytelling

    Ben Glassco: Transforming Travel Passion into Visual Storytelling
    Jun 24 2025
    Ben Glassco (@ben.glassco), an acclaimed travel photographer who traded corporate success for creative fulfillment, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss capturing global cultural moments. In this episode, Ben shares his transformative 8-day expedition to Bhutan, including his emotional experience documenting monks during an unexpected cultural festival rehearsal. Host Ross Borden explores Ben's dramatic career shift, diving into his eight-month motorcycle journey through Asia that launched his photography career, his persistence in capturing Thailand's Yi Peng Lantern Festival after an initial failure, and his unique perspective on building an audience. Ben offers candid reflections about his former corporate life, plus practical insights on the balance between artistic vision and commercial viability. Whether you're contemplating a career change or passionate about travel photography, this conversation delivers an inspirational perspective on how "consistency and dedication to your craft" ultimately leads to creative success. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 Introduction to Ben Glassco 01:09 Ben's Background and Vancouver Base 02:13 Recent Trip to Bhutan - The World's Most Mysterious Country 04:38 Working with Bhutan Tourism Board and Travel Restrictions 07:24 Must-See Highlights in Bhutan - Gangtey Valley Experience 08:56 From Corporate Marketing to Full-Time Photography 12:34 The Motorcycle Journey: Vietnam to India 14:19 Building an Audience - Early Social Media Growth 16:52 Balancing Authenticity with Trends and Commercial Success 18:58 Growing the Right Audience vs. Viral Content Traps 21:30 The Yiping Lantern Festival - A Photographer's Dream Shot 23:50 Three Countries for Life: USA, India, and Vietnam 25:51 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
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    26 mins
  • Oneika Raymond: Translating Wanderlust into Media Success

    Oneika Raymond: Translating Wanderlust into Media Success
    Jun 17 2025
    Emmy Award-winning presenter, TV host, and travel creator Oneika Raymond (@oneikaraymond) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss her remarkable journey in the travel content space. In this episode, Onika shares highlights from her recent five-and-a-half-month round-the-world adventure with her family through 24 countries, including surprising insights about destinations like Saudi Arabia. Host Ross Borden explores Oneika's transition from international educator to full-time creator in 2016, diving into her multi-year brand partnerships, her role as producer and host of Marriott Bonvoy's "About the Journey" podcast, and her approach to authentic content creation. Oneika offers behind-the-scenes perspectives on navigating the creator economy, plus practical advice on relationship-building that has led to her enviable position of receiving 99.9% inbound work opportunities. "The people that you meet on the way up are the same people you're gonna meet on the way down," she shares as a cornerstone of her success philosophy. Whether you're an aspiring content creator or simply interested in global travel insights, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building a sustainable, multi-faceted career in the creator economy. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 Introduction to Oneika Raymond 01:31 24 countries in 5.5 months with family 02:51 Taking time off vs. working while traveling 04:28 Planning and affording a round-the-world trip 05:22 Favorite destinations: Zanzibar and Saudi Arabia 06:02 Traveling as a woman in Saudi Arabia 08:39 Going full-time as a creator in 2016 09:55 The pivot from teaching to content creation 11:09 Most lucrative revenue streams as a creator 12:58 Multi-year brand partnerships vs. one-offs 13:39 About the Journey: Marriott's travel show/podcast 14:53 Becoming a producer, not just a host 16:43 The standout New Orleans episode 17:50 Future projects and what's coming next 18:32 Building long-term brand relationships 19:32 Why being inbound-only works 20:23 The importance of being easy to work with 22:07 How relationships lead to new opportunities 23:22 Three countries to live in forever 26:22 Thailand and the White Lotus connection 27:26 Where to find Oneika online
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    28 mins
  • Parker Sheppard: Inside the World of FPV Drone Piloting

    Parker Sheppard: Inside the World of FPV Drone Piloting
    Jun 10 2025
    Parker Sheppard (@pshepfpv), an acclaimed First Person View (or FPV) drone pilot whose volcano footage has garnered tens of millions of views, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss the art and technology behind breathtaking aerial cinematography. In this episode, Parker shares his journey from building a media agency in West Virginia to capturing erupting volcanoes in Iceland, including how he once flew so close to molten lava that his GoPro started melting. Host Ross Borden explores Parker's evolution from real estate drone tours to adventure filmmaking, diving into the technical challenges of custom-building drones, the intensive training required (with thousands of flight hours), and the viral Faroe Islands shot that launched his career. Whether you're a filmmaker looking to elevate your aerial footage or simply fascinated by breathtaking drone videos that explore impossible places, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on following creative passion and the future of immersive cinematography. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com00:00 Introduction to Parker Sheppard 01:22 What is FPV Droning? 01:58 Origins of FPV Racing and Freestyle 02:46 Building Custom Drones 03:42 Flying Over Crowds and Legal Requirements 04:13 Parker's Production Company Origin Story 05:36 Learning FPV - The Challenge 06:52 Daily Practice Routine 07:42 Flight Hours and Experience 08:15 From Hobby to Business 08:48 Real Estate Breakthrough 09:45 Landing the First Big Contract 11:19 Business Growth and Expansion 12:07 First Trip to Iceland 13:23 Faroe Islands Viral Moment 14:54 Iceland Volcano Rush 16:32 The Million-View Volcano Shot 17:33 Becoming a Top FPV Pilot 18:57 Moving to Utah for Passion Projects 19:47 Hotel and Tourism Work 20:16 Future Bucket List Destinations 21:18 Three Countries Question 22:02 Where to Find Parker Online
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    23 mins
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