OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video direc...
How My Childhood Friend’s Art Got A$AP Rocky’s Attention & Took Off in Fashion
Connor Tingley’s art has been embraced by the biggest names in fashion, music, and luxury—A$AP Rocky, Michelle Lamy, Vans, NARS, and Casamigos, just to name a few. But his story isn’t just about success—it’s about why most creatives never make it, how fear can either push you forward or hold you back, and what it really takes to build something lasting.
00:00 Intro
01:24 The Essence of Luxury Brands
06:09 The Power of Storytelling
07:09 Art as a Personal Journey
16:01 The Courage to Create
43:11 Discovering the World Around Us
43:52 Early Memories and Brand Influence
47:07 The Impact of Upbringing
49:20 Government and Media Skepticism
51:18 The Illusion of Freedom
55:34 Personalized Reality and AI
01:00:14 The Importance of Character
01:09:00 Middle School Memories
01:18:32 Balancing Art and Brand Work
01:21:11 The Courage to Create
01:21:42 Balancing Art and Commerce
01:22:37 Emotional Connections in Collaborations
01:23:25 Identifying and Solving Brand Problems
01:25:01 The Evolution of Brand Coolness
01:35:11 Coping with Stress and Anxiety
01:41:23 The Importance of Being Present
01:46:30 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:57:51 Passions Beyond Work
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2:03:30
You are only getting older..stop WASTING your TIME.
They say patience is key—but what if waiting is just wasting your time? The industry isn’t set up for you to win, and signing the wrong deal could trap you in a cycle of stagnation. Before you sign anything, ask yourself: Is this moving me forward or holding me back? In this episode, I break down why bad deals, false promises, and the wrong reps could ruin your career—and how to protect your time like the valuable currency it is. Don’t let them waste another second of your life.
00:00 Introduction: The Harsh Reality
00:29 The Value of Time
00:42 The Creative Grind
00:57 The System is Rigged
01:23 The Illusion of Signing Deals
01:40 The Role of Agents
02:13 The Importance of Momentum
02:46 The Trap of Early Signing
03:10 The Myth of Patience
03:40 Personal Experience: Overcoming Neglect
04:40 The Priority of Time
04:51 Record Labels: The Cold Truth
05:36 The Harsh Truth About Deals
07:08 Exploitation in the Industry
07:42 Corporate Profit Over Art
09:08 Protecting Your Worth
09:32 Building Leverage
09:59 Think Like a Business Person
10:23 Recap: Key Points
11:04 Conclusion: Own Your Worth
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12:40
How RealestK Went from a $40 Music Video to Millions of Streams
In this exclusive interview, rising R&B star RealestK sits down to discuss his meteoric rise from the depths of Toronto’s music scene to TikTok stardom. He reveals how he cracked the TikTok algorithm, turning covers into a dedicated fanbase and leveraging viral momentum to build a real music career. RealestK shares intimate details about his personal struggles, including dealing with an eating disorder, and how his relentless passion for music kept him going. Discover the behind-the-scenes story of his viral hits like 'Wait For Me' and 'Toxic,' created with minimal resources yet resonating with millions. He also opens up about the pressures of sudden fame, touring challenges, and the pivotal advice from his family that fueled his success. This candid conversation offers a raw look into the life of one of music’s most promising young talents.
00:00 Intro
01:26 Family and Cultural Influences
03:59 Discovering Music Passion
07:28 The Birth of Realest K
10:40 TikTok Strategy and Success
16:09 Building a Core Audience
19:00 First Viral Hit: Wait For Me
22:23 Navigating Early Success
29:50 Balancing Life and Music
37:43 The Breakthrough Moment
38:05 Discovering the Perfect Beat
44:38 Struggles with Social Media
45:43 The Viral Chandelier Video
46:01 School and Social Media Clash
57:55 The Big Break
01:04:24 Proving Yourself in the Industry
01:05:38 Navigating the Business Side
01:07:13 Financial Success and Lessons Learned
01:08:28 The Reality of Major Labels
01:21:59 Touring with NAV and Overcoming Adversity
01:30:23 Lessons from Performing Live
01:39:16 Advice for Aspiring Artists
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1:45:50
Why Being a Filmmaker Made My Anxiety 10x Worse
Anxiety isn’t just about fear—it’s about survival. As a filmmaker, I was so afraid of losing clients that I would stress over them before I even booked the job. The pressure to stay relevant, to be irreplaceable, to overdeliver just to prove my worth—it consumed me.
But is this the price of success, or just a mental trap we fall into? In this episode, I break down the anxiety that haunts creatives, the scarcity mindset that holds us back, and the real strategies I use to tame it.
01:38 Diving into Anxiety
02:01 Personal Experiences with Anxiety
02:10 Understanding the Feeling of Anxiety
03:36 Anxiety in the Creative Industry
04:26 Childhood and School Anxiety
05:25 Anxiety and Social Validation
05:44 Living in the Present
06:06 Silent Retreat Experience
07:02 College Anxiety and Medication
07:46 Entering the Professional World
08:14 The Competitive Creative Industry
08:50 Client Anxiety and Scarcity Mindset
10:53 Strategies to Tame Anxiety
11:45 Setting Boundaries and Saying No
14:33 Mindfulness and Physical Awareness
15:10 Alternative Therapies: Sauna and Meditation
16:41 Cold Therapy and Yoga
18:59 Supplementation and Medication
22:06 Overcoming Fear of Failure
23:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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24:13
Breaking Bad Star Daniel Moncada Talks About the Tattoo That Changed His Life
Daniel Moncada’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—born in Honduras, he faced unimaginable challenges, from navigating a dangerous childhood to surviving the brutal realities of prison. In this episode, Daniel reveals how he turned his life around, landing the role of a lifetime as one of Breaking Bad’s most iconic villains. With behind-the-scenes stories about Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, an unforgettable audition that nearly went sideways, and the risks he took while on parole to film the show, this conversation dives deep into his transformation from hardship to Hollywood. It’s a raw, inspiring, and gripping look at resilience, redemption, and what it takes to seize life-changing opportunities.
00:00 Introduction
03:01 Childhood Struggles and Military Fears
07:38 Adapting to American Life
09:23 Juvenile Hall and Learning to Fight Back
12:39 The Turning Point: Education and Trouble
35:49 Breaking Bad: The Audition Story
43:41 Parole Dilemma: Seeking Permission
44:22 Testing the Waters with the Parole Officer
46:37 Defying Parole: The Risky Decision
46:53 Journey to New Mexico: The Anxiety
55:44 Breaking Bad: The Big Opportunity
59:28 On Set with Bryan Cranston
01:04:52 The Iconic Explosion Scene
01:21:15 Typecasting Challenges and Opportunities
01:24:51 Working with Legends: Mel Gibson and Clint Eastwood
01:29:23 Breaking the Rules: Audition Stories
01:30:20 The Audition Do-Over
01:35:47 On Set with Clint Eastwood
01:39:54 Hollywood's Current Landscape
01:42:41 The Impact of Streaming and Residuals
01:56:15 Navigating the Crypto Craze
02:05:19 Advice for Aspiring Actors
02:08:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video director Arrad, each episode brings you unfiltered conversations with visionary artists, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and thought leaders shaping the future. From behind-the-scenes stories of groundbreaking projects to candid discussions about mental health, reinvention, and navigating the creative industry, OURSELVES is your space to feel inspired, challenged, and connected.
Made by ourselves, for ourselves.