Ourselves Podcast

• 5 ways to improve your focus by 20x WITHOUT adderall

  In this solo episode, I unpack the silent killer of creative momentum: distraction. We live in a world built to hijack our attention: our phones, our feeds, our dopamine loops. It’s not that we’re lazy or unmotivated…it’s that our focus is constantly under attack. I share my personal struggles with what I call "creative erosion," the mental fragmentation that prevents us from sitting down and getting meaningful work done. This isn’t just about ADHD. It’s about a system that trains us into constant stimulation. If you've ever found yourself unable to read a book, finish an edit, or write a pitch without 17 interruptions, this episode is for you. I also give you five practical, stimulant-free tools that have radically improved my ability to focus. From raw dog walks (yup, no phone) to the surprising cognitive power of saffron tea. No gimmicks. Just real tools for real creatives.   00:00 Introduction 01:55 The Impact of Dopamine 02:14 Constant Stimulation and Its Effects 03:23 Mental Fragmentation 04:02 Personal Struggles with Focus 05:25 Creative Erosion 05:43 Attention Hijacked 05:50 Avoiding ADHD Medication 06:49 Five Tips for Sharpening Focus 06:54 Creating a Non-Negotiable Routine 07:46 Morning Routine Details 08:32 Importance of Routine 09:17 Weekend Routine Challenges 09:34 Focus Through Walks 11:01 Checklist Therapy 11:22 Using Notes App for Productivity 12:20 Prioritizing Tasks 13:48 Killing Notifications 15:12 Purposeful Phone Checking 15:25 Saffron Tea for Focus 16:07 Benefits of Saffron 17:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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• Music Video Legend Turned Netflix Director: The Untold Story of Anthony Mandler

  In this episode, I sit down with legendary director and visual architect Anthony Mandler, the creative force behind some of the most cinematic music videos of the last two decades. From shaping the visual identities of Rihanna and Jay-Z to helming award-winning features, Anthony shares a masterclass in creative evolution, relationship-building, and artistic reinvention. We unpack his late start in directing, his transition from photography to music videos, and the bold moves that defined his career. Anthony opens up about navigating the gatekeeping of the music industry, crafting stories that blur the line between cinema and music, and the pivotal moments that led to timeless visuals like “Disturbia” and “Holy Grail.” This is more than a career retrospective. It’s a blueprint for longevity in an industry that’s always changing. We also look ahead to the future of filmmaking with AI, explore the emotional toll and triumphs of directing, and reflect on fatherhood, fashion, and staying ahead of the cultural curve.   00:00 Starting Late: The Journey to Directing 00:27 Breaking Stereotypes in the Creative Industry 01:01 Building Trust with Artists 01:38 Navigating the Music Video Industry 02:35 From Photography to Music Videos 21:06 Building Iconic Music Video Careers 21:49 Breaking into Directing 23:23 Navigating the Music Industry 26:32 Collaborations with Jay-Z and Rihanna 30:21 Creating Cinematic Music Videos 41:21 Jay-Z's Honest Feedback 42:19 Reworking the Song for Impact 45:10 Rihanna's Early Career and Breakthrough 50:24 Creating Iconic Music Videos 55:49 Collaborations and Creative Processes 01:03:46 Reflecting on a Memorable Motorcycle Shoot 01:05:41 The Challenges and Triumphs of Filmmaking 01:08:28 Navigating Product Placement in Music Videos 01:11:36 Transitioning from Music Videos to Commercials 01:17:55 Breaking into Feature Films 01:24:04 Kendrick's Impact on Fashion and Music 01:24:47 Building a Production Company 01:32:26 Navigating the Film Industry 01:34:09 Making 'Monster': Challenges and Triumphs 01:46:13 Lessons from a Seasoned Director 01:48:36 Directing Styles and Future Projects 01:48:36 Directing Actors vs. Musicians 01:51:34 Balancing Courtroom Drama and Real Life 01:57:41 Challenges and Triumphs of Filmmaking 02:04:33 The Future of Filmmaking and AI 02:04:57 Setting the Scene: A Sci-Fi Thriller on a Greek Island 02:05:42 AI in Filmmaking: Revolutionizing the Industry 02:07:14 The Future of Film: AI vs. Traditional Methods 02:11:28 Fatherhood and Filmmaking: Balancing Passion and Family 02:13:23 The Evolution of Filmmaking: From Analog to AI   Follow ⁠Anthony Mandler⁠ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

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• From designing Justin Bieber’s Tours to Building the Future of Crypto: This is Figge

  From Twilight dream sequences to designing visuals for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and the Super Bowl halftime show, Figge has helped shape the visual language of modern entertainment. In this guest episode, we explore how he transitioned from film school to visual effects, pioneered cinematic content for concerts during the rise of LED walls, and helped launch iconic moments like Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark tour. We also get into how Figge co-founded Possible, a trailblazing studio that builds cinematic experiences for live shows around the globe. Later, we explore his shift into the crypto world, co-founding We Knew and joining Yuga Labs, the creative force behind Bored Ape Yacht Club and Otherside. From NFTs to digital apparel, AI, and composable blockchain assets, this episode is packed with insights for creatives who want to stay ahead of the curve.   00:00 Intro 02:46 Early Inspirations and Film School 11:01 Creating Value in Your Career 14:32 Entering the World of Live Events 21:09 The Rise of LED Walls in Concerts 24:56 Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour 32:57 Opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter 33:24 Creating Visual Effects for Hogwarts 33:46 Founding Possible: A New Venture in Live Event Cinematics 36:58 Identifying and Capitalizing on Niche Markets 38:57 Chasing Passion Over Money 40:02 The Importance of Upskilling and Continuous Learning 42:32 Collaborating with Lady Gaga 49:06 Working with Ariana Grande: The Sweetener Tour 53:30 Concert Visuals for Justin Bieber 56:00 Super Bowl Halftime Shows: Behind the Scenes 59:45 The Booming Entertainment Scene in the Middle East 01:02:37 Transitioning to Crypto: The Birth of We Knew 01:09:23 Venture Capital vs. Bootstrapping: Lessons Learned 01:10:50 Challenges in the Crypto World 01:11:36 The Philosophy of a Thousand True Fans 01:13:12 Profile Pictures and Digital Collectibles 01:14:07 The Rise of Digital Apparel 01:15:05 NFTs and Their Evolution 01:16:01 Composability in Blockchain 01:18:22 The Future of Crypto and NFTs 01:26:41 The Role of AI in Creativity 01:29:10 Yuga Labs and Its Projects 01:30:28 The Community of Bored Ape Yacht Club 01:33:02 The Future of Digital Assets 01:38:11 Pressure is a Privilege Follow Figge Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook  

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• How I turned 1,000 rejections into a full-time filmmaking career

  Rejection almost ended my filmmaking career. I’ve pitched over 1,000 projects in my life and lost the vast majority of them. I’ve been ghosted, ignored, and told “no” more times than I can count. But every single rejection taught me something that eventually led to my biggest breaks in the industry. In this episode, I share how I survived years of constant rejection, the mindset shift that turned “no” into fuel, why rejection isn’t personal but situational, how to refine your pitch so people can’t ignore you, and the exact strategies I used to land career-changing projects. If you’re a filmmaker, creative, or entrepreneur dealing with rejection, this conversation will change the way you see every “no” you get. Watch if you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when nothing’s working, why people reject your ideas, or how to turn rejection into opportunity.   00:00 Introduction: Facing Rejection 00:20 The Reality of Rejection 00:37 My Filmmaking Journey 01:14 Early Career Struggles 02:10 The Relentless Pursuit 02:26 Questioning My Path 02:43 Understanding Treatments 03:29 Facing Ghosting and Burnout 04:31 Recalibrating After Rejection 06:32 Rejection is Situational 07:15 Film Festival Rejections 08:55 Pitching in Person 10:16 Rejection as Redirection 11:31 Processing Rejection 12:40 Detaching Identity from Outcome 13:29 Improving Your Pitch 14:44 Building Relationships 15:46 Protecting Your Joy 16:38 Finding a Community 18:14 Learning from Rejection 18:45 Final Thoughts on Rejection   Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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• Taylor Swift's Director Is Coming Out With a New MOVIE!

  From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking. We dive into his unconventional start, the art of bullshitting with confidence, and the calculated risks that shaped his style. Joseph gets honest about the industry: how to sell success before you have it, why directing is lying, and how he landed his first big video gigs with Def Jam. We also break down his treatment-writing process in the ’90s, shooting without storyboards, and building unshakable trust with artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey. This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone navigating the tension between commerce and art in visual storytelling. We end with a deep look at his newest feature ICK: a genre-bending, creature-feature fever dream he’s betting big on. 00:00 Intro 03:09 The Journey to Becoming a Director 12:06 Overcoming Cultural and Academic Challenges 17:43 The Hustle in the Early Career 22:26 Breaking into the Industry 39:48 Joseph Kahn's Treatment Style in the 90s 40:35 Improvisation in Music Video Production 42:34 Building Trust with Artists 45:09 Managing Production Companies 52:42 The Role of Social Media in Filmmaking 58:35 Challenges in Music Video Production 59:40 Iconic Music Videos and Creative Freedom 01:07:06 Biggest Productions and Working with Taylor Swift 01:12:10 The Call from Taylor Swift 01:12:27 Creating the 'Blank Space' Music Video 01:14:23 Collaborating with Taylor Swift 01:16:56 Mariah Carey's Sense of Humor 01:19:05 AI in Filmmaking 01:28:19 Challenges in the Commercial Industry 01:37:35 The Reality of Director Jail 01:42:59 Making Independent Films 01:45:42 Challenges of Promoting an Independent Film 01:46:59 Passion for the Movie and Its Unique Elements 01:47:55 Blink 182, All American Rejects, Soundtrack Licensing and Its Impact 01:49:47 Inspiration Behind the Creature Feature ICK 01:56:57 Directing and Casting Insights 02:05:49 The Importance of Family in Filmmaking 02:12:17 Final Thoughts and Future Plans   Follow ⁠Joseph⁠ Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook

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