Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Grow Your Video Business with Ryan Koral
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 511. Filmmakers Pick the Price and It Worked with Isaac Haines | 12 oct. 2026 | 00:50:03 | |
Isaac Haines is a composer in rural Alberta who sells his whole catalog straight to filmmakers with a one-time, pay-what-you-can lifetime license. Recording from his truck mid-elk hunt, Isaac shares how a tough year led him to launch the idea with paid ads, and how it's grown his audience and changed his family's life. He and Ryan also dig into pricing, value, and the role good music can play in making or breaking a video. Key Takeaways
Isaac Haines is a singer, songwriter, and composer from rural Alberta, Canada, creating raw, cinematic music shaped by solitude and the outdoors. In This Episode
Follow Isaac Haines on IG LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 510. He Charged $3,500 a Day When Others Got $350 with Blue Melnick | 05 oct. 2026 | 00:48:12 | |
Blue Melnick accidentally started a video business in 2008 when filming one event for a friend turned into five clients. Today he owns and operates Sage Event Management with his wife, Barry Baumgartner, running virtual events for Zoom audiences topping 250,000. Blue shares how they pivoted when COVID erased in-person events and why partnerships beat competing on your day rate. Key Takeaways
Blue Melnick runs SAGE Event Management with his wife and business partner, Bari Baumgardner. For sixteen years they produced the in-person events behind Russell Brunson, Jeff Walker, Tony Robbins and Amy Porterfield. Then 2020 ended live events. They rebuilt their model from in-person to virtual in three weeks, then helped the rest of the industry do the same. Clients have done over $1 billion in sales since. AI is an even bigger shift, the warning shots have already been fired, and most people are ignoring them (or don't know what to do). In This Episode
Guest Links
Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 509. The $20,000 Offer That Wasn't About the Video with John Meese | 28 sept. 2026 | 01:02:07 | |
John Meese has spent a decade helping experts get paid for their advice instead of their effort — and this conversation is a direct challenge to how most video business owners price and position their work. He breaks down the difference between running a professional business and an authority business, then walks through how one burnt-out nonprofit filmmaker built an offer that earned $20,000 before a single frame was shot. Along the way he builds an offer for Tell Studios live on the call, which was equal parts humbling and inspiring. Key Takeaways
John Meese is on a mission to steward wisdom; to collect, protect, and multiply knowledge and experience—which is why he's so focused on helping you sell your smarts without losing your soul (or your Saturdays). In This Episode
"I sell my life in one hour increments for five dollars. And I gradually raised the price of how much my life costs." — John Meese "We live in a world where we have an abundance of knowledge, but a shortage of wisdom." — John Meese "It's so easy to create a safe offer that nobody wants. Vanilla is a safe flavor, but there's also twenty different companies that sell vanilla. And when I'm buying vanilla ice cream, I'm looking at the price." — John Meese "Today, no one pays for my effort. They only pay for my advice. My whole business is built off of that." — John Meese "I think a lot of times people skip this human step of talking to humans about their products." — John Meese "The tragedy is not your bank account. That can't be the answer." — John Meese Guest Links
Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 508. Podcast Guesting Is a Six Figure Sales System with Beth Nydick | 21 sept. 2026 | 00:45:28 | |
Beth Nydick spent her career behind the camera — the Tonight Show, national TV, producing other people's stories — before realizing she'd stopped creating for herself. In this conversation, she makes the case that podcast guesting is a six-figure sales system, and that getting booked is the easy part nobody should be bragging about. We also get into the thing most video business owners won't admit: we'll build a gorgeous brand story for any client who pays us, and then never make one for ourselves. Key Takeaways
Beth Nydick Media exists for the founders and industry leaders who already have momentum but are leaving serious opportunity on the table because attention without architecture is just noise with good lighting. Beth spent two decades inside national television before she built this company around one truth nobody in the digital brand world wants to say out loud: visibility doesn't create authority. What you do with it does. In This Episode
"Podcast guesting is a six-figure sales system. You are borrowing somebody's audience." — Beth Nydick "Getting on the podcast is the easy part. That's not the hard part. The hard part is actually having an interview that people listen to and take action on." — Beth Nydick "My brand story creates my origin, creates my authority, and creates the transformational story that everyone needs to hear." — Beth Nydick "Ninety-eight percent of those businesses do not have their own brand story." — Ryan Koral "Nobody's gonna save your business. You create your possibility of success, and showing up is always the first step." — Beth Nydick "Everyone talks about it. Be the kind of person that actually does it." — Beth Nydick Guest LinksFollow Beth Nydick on IG - DM the word "Ryan" for her podcast listener gift LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 507. Write This Before You Make Your First Hire with David Hoyt | 14 sept. 2026 | 00:41:38 | |
David Hoyt spent nineteen years working alongside John Maxwell before landing at The Table Group, Patrick Lencioni's consulting firm, where he now helps leaders master the disciplines of organizational health. In this conversation he breaks down why politics, confusion, and misalignment show up in every organization whether you invite them or not — and what small-team owners can actually do about it. We also get into hiring for behavior instead of skill, why your first leadership move is admitting you've been getting it wrong, and the question David asked me that I couldn't answer about my own team.
David Hoyt brings over 25 years of experience in leading people and organizations. He is driven to see organizations create healthy cultures and teams where individuals can thrive. Prior to partnering with The Table Group, David had the privilege of serving as an executive leader with John Maxwell for 19 years. As part of Maxwell's inner circle, he ran a significant portion of John's business interests and served as President of The John Maxwell Company. David works with CEOs and executive teams to help them master the disciplines of Organizational Health to consistently and effectively apply the concepts captured in all of Patrick Lencioni's books. In This Episode
Quotes "We naturally assume people want what we want. And until we slow down and ask them what they actually want, we'll lead them that way." — David Hoyt "Politics, confusion, misalignment. Those happen naturally. So as a leader, big or small team doesn't matter, a big part of the job is going to battle against those things." — David Hoyt "Everybody wants to interview for the smart side, like the editing skills. What too many people don't interview for is the behavioral piece." — David Hoyt "I don't get very high or very low anymore. It all comes down to discipline." — David Hoyt "I need to block some time to think differently than I'm able to think day in and day out in the rat race of running your business." — David Hoyt Guest LinksCheck out The Table Group Consulting: tablegroupconsulting.com Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 506. Your Mission Is More Important Than Your Mug with Andrew Cardy | 07 sept. 2026 | 00:51:24 | |
Andrew Cardy spent nine years building a video company with his wife, sold it to a marketing agency in 2023, and walked away in 2025 to figure out what he actually wanted to build next. Now he's got a video business, a nonprofit collective, and a personal brand, and no idea how to talk about any of it online without diluting the others. So we turned this into a coaching session about the thing most of us get wrong: waiting until the mess is cleaned up before we let anyone see it. Key TakeawaysYou don't need three brands. You need one front door. A personal site can be the home base that points people to whatever project fits them, no more choose-the-right-business-card panic. Your mission matters more than your mug. The logo, the website, the lighting, the camera, none of that is what's stopping you. Showing up as yourself is the cheapest, most underused marketing you own. Talk about it before it's finished. Building in public invites collaborators, donors, and clients you'd never have found by launching in secret. One weekly piece of content can feed everything. Ryan's newsletter becomes a blog, a 7–10 minute YouTube video, and a couple of shorts, one sitting, five assets. About Andrew CardyAndrew Cardy has been a creative professional for over 20 years. His favorite part of this work has always been helping people learn the value and power of their unique stories. He has worked as a solopreneur, at a nonprofit, a church, a VP in a marketing agency, and in a little company he started with his wife. He's thankful to have worked with brands and businesses of all shapes and sizes, both nationally and internationally. Now, he's excited to be building some new collaborative brands with fellow filmmakers, growing a collective of creative professionals serving global missionaries, and being amazed at his daughter's shot composition skills. In This Episode
"Your mission is more important than your mug." — Ryan Koral "Nobody cares about the things that we're thinking about over and over and over in our heads. So let's just share where we're at, talk through the mess, let people come along for the journey." — Ryan Koral "I love making spaces where people thrive. I build the sandbox, I'll put some sand in there, and then you bring the toys." — Andrew Cardy "There's no other Andrew Cardy in the world. Your story is the strategy." — Ryan Koral "Anavah is a Hebrew word that means rightly filling the place God has made you to fill." — Andrew Cardy Guest LinksCheck out Andrew Cardy's website Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 505. A Monthly Half Day Rewired Her Whole Business with Lindsey Weigle | 31 août 2026 | 00:47:03 | |
Lindsey Weigle has spent twelve years helping business owners navigate transition, and she recently took her own advice by narrowing Blue Water Advisory down to one thing instead of trying to be everything to everybody. In this conversation she shares the monthly reflection practice she's run for four years, why our brains sabotage big goals before we even start, and the zero-based approach she now uses for her business and her calendar. We also get into what happens when you outsource your thinking to a machine and why she's not in a hurry to do it. Key Takeaways
Lindsey Weigle is an executive coach and co-founder of Blue Water Advisory, a leadership development and succession consulting firm. With a focus on training, executive coaching, and organizational growth, Lindsey helps business owners and leaders stop managing the life they have and start creating the life they want. She has a gift for asking the right questions — helping clients uncover the problems they can't yet see and find the clarity to move forward with confidence. In This Episode
"Am I creating the life that I want, or am I managing the life that I've got?" — Lindsey Weigle "Oftentimes we're just rearranging furniture on our back patio. I don't like it over here, I don't like it over here, as opposed to taking a step back and saying, do I like my patio furniture?" — Lindsey Weigle "We never say I'm going to drink more water, we say I'm going to lose ten pounds. We never say I'm going to start journaling every day, we say I'm going to write a book." — Lindsey Weigle "If what I was doing was going to get me there, it would have by now." — Lindsey Weigle "We need to ensure we are not outsourcing our critical thinking to machines." — Lindsey Weigle "You create the destiny you lean towards." — Lindsey Weigle Guest LinksFollow Lindsey Weigle on LinkedIn LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 504. The First Hire That Gives You Your Life Back with Ricky Norris | 24 août 2026 | 00:53:48 | |
Ricky Norris spent a decade shooting documentaries overseas before trading the airports for a San Diego studio, a wife, and three daughters. Now he's running Kilometer Zero and wrestling with the thing nobody warns you about in film school — that you're not just a filmmaker, you're a business of one, and nobody handed you the manual. In this conversation we dig into why a wide net catches the wrong clients, who to hire first when you're finally ready to stop being an island, and how to structure a week so the work stops following you to the dinner table. Key Takeaways
Quotes "Everybody thinks their problems are unique to them — in work, in marriage, in family and life. And when you pop that bubble, everything decompresses." — Ricky Norris "It's a really big net, and none of the right fish are going in, because it's too wide." — Ricky Norris "There's no HR company. You are your HR company." — Ricky Norris "If I'm starting to hire my first employee, it's not going to be a shooter or an editor. It's going to be somebody that's going to help me on the administrative side." — Ryan Koral "Don't let the next three hours be dictated by what comes into your email." — Ryan Koral Guest LinksCheck out Ricky's website LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 503. Why Being a Goofball Wins You More Clients with Mark Ostach | 17 août 2026 | 00:55:16 | |
Mark Ostach is back on the show, and this one wanders in the best way. We get into why our attention spans are measurably shrinking, why he's "pro-presence" instead of anti-tech, and how showing up as your actual, unpolished self does more for your business than another funnel ever will. Then Mark makes a case for treating events and in-person rooms as a real line item in your marketing budget — with a couple of examples that'll make you rethink where your ad dollars are going. Key Takeaways
"I'm not anti-tech. I love my phone, I use it often, probably sometimes too much. But I'm pro-presence." — Mark Ostach "We've made the funnels and all of the things so much harder for people to buy from us, because we're not showing up as our real selves." — Ryan Koral "Be where your people are, get in the room with the people you aspire to be like, and that'll pay dividends for years to come." — Mark Ostach "How much would I pay for a $17,000 client? I'd spend a thousand dollars every day of the week." — Ryan Koral "You need to believe in your work as much as she did — not because you want the picture, but because you believe someone needs what you have." — Mark Ostach (recounting speaker coach Bill Hampton) In this episode
Check out Mark Ostach's website LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter Books MentionedMark Ostach's Book is now available for pre-order on Amazon
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| 502. Stop Giving Away Your Best Ideas for Free with Tara Turkington | 10 août 2026 | 00:50:10 | |
Tara Turkington has spent a decade building a photography business, and now she's eyeing the jump into video — but she's stuck on the same things that trip up almost everyone: no portfolio, no contracts, and a recent client who walked off with her ideas. So I coached her live on the show. We get into pricing your expertise instead of giving it away, what a discovery call should actually accomplish, and why the portfolio problem is way smaller than it feels. Free ideas don't get valued. If you're brainstorming concepts before a contract exists, you're doing unpaid consulting — and clients treat it that way. Charge for the thinking. A paid discovery workshop reframes you from vendor to strategic partner before a single frame gets shot. Contracts aren't just for paid work. Free projects and trade deals need them more, not less, because that's where expectations get fuzzy fast. Your first portfolio piece is hiding in your current client list. You're already on their sets. Ask for access, sign an agreement, make the thing. About Tara TurkingtonTara is a born-and-raised Michigander, based in Détroit, Michigan. Her photography journey started unexpectedly in 2016 while she was finishing her first year of law school and raising her, now, eleven year old daughter. After a spontaneous trip to Colombia, Tara shared photos online that caught the attention of an established photographer, who invited her to shoot behind-the-scenes content for ABC's The Bachelor's, contestants. Once those images hit social media, opportunities started rolling in—from brands and businesses to municipalities and individuals. Somewhere along the way, Tara realized photography was what truly lit her up, so she took a leap of faith, left law school, and never looked back. Now Tara spends her days meeting incredible people, capturing meaningful moments, and helping clients bring their ideas to life. No two days are the same—and she loves it that way. In This Episode
"People who pay, pay attention." — Ryan Koral "As soon as I put a $2,500 price tag on the workshop, now it's like, okay, we believe Ryan — they really want it to work because they've already invested money." — Ryan Koral "So I think where I went wrong is I basically gave a workshop for free." — Tara Turkington "I don't think you need three projects. You do one that's kind of good, then the next one is going to be kind of gooder." — Ryan Koral "I'm still thinking with 2016 mind, and it's like — you have a literal decade of experience." — Tara Turkington Guest LinksCheck out Tara's portfolio at taraturkingtonllc.com Follow Tara on IG LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 501. She Cut the Channel Eating 80% of Her Time with Laura Higgins | 03 août 2026 | 01:11:25 | |
Laura Higgins spent a year pouring 80% of her time into a YouTube channel that generated about 5% of her results. So she killed it — and her business immediately had a record month. In this conversation, she breaks down how she thinks about content verticals, why the funnel isn't a line anymore, and the two-call sales process that took her from $40k to $120k a month in three months. We also get into why being vanilla is the fastest way to make content nobody cares about. Key Takeaways
About Laura Higgins Laura Higgins is a leading creative business coach, 7-figure entrepreneur, and cult-brand builder. She's the founder of The Next Level Club and host of the top-ranked podcast My Business Playbook, helping thousands of creatives scale with clarity, confidence, and freedom. Known for her bold thinking and relatable style, Laura makes business feel fun, human, and wildly profitable. In This Episode
Quotes "I am spending 80% of my time on a channel that yields 5% of our results, if that. If this were any other area of the business, we would be cutting this." — Laura Higgins "Too many of us are afraid of being disliked, that we actually forego being loved by the right people." — Laura Higgins "It shifts it from rather than being a beggar, we become a chooser." — Laura Higgins "As AI usage goes up, the need and the desire for connection with humans is going to also go up." — Laura Higgins "I would not be in this mastermind having paid you thousands and thousands of dollars if you didn't have the podcast." — Ryan Koral, quoting a mastermind member Guest Links Follow Laura Higgins on IG and YouTube Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join us on Onward Summit | |||
| 500. Being Authentic Cost Me Money and I'd Do It Again with Ryan Koral | 27 juil. 2026 | 00:38:17 | |
Ten years. 500 episodes. In this solo celebration episode, I go back to how this whole thing started — a course launch, a Pat Flynn binge, and a production team begging me to stop selling jobs — and get honest about the seasons I nearly walked away. Plus video messages from people in this community that absolutely wrecked me. Key Takeaways
In This Episode
Quotes "Start a show. Just start talking about the thing that you care about. Show up, and then iterate." "I said I want to sound like Pat Flynn. That can be a trap, because then the mic's really expensive, so I'll wait until I can afford it and then I'll start my show." "Being authentic, at least how I'm wired, comes at a cost." "Sure, we sold a lot of courses and helped a lot of people figure out their profit margin and all the nerdy stuff. But the relationships have been truly a treasure." "While everyone else is talking about cameras and gear and TikTok, you spent 500 episodes helping filmmakers actually build businesses." — Travis, Minneapolis video production company Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 499. Stay Three Steps Ahead of Your Competitors with Liz Slade | 20 juil. 2026 | 00:40:05 | |
When COVID wiped out her entire client base overnight, Liz Slade didn't fold—she reinvented two businesses and went on to transform an entire industry with better video. In this episode, she shares how she escaped the race to the bottom, stayed ahead of the copycats nipping at her heels, and finally found the courage to launch her own podcast after sitting on a fully built studio for three years. It's a candid, funny, and genuinely useful conversation about quality, bravery, and getting out of your own head. Key Takeaways
Liz Slade, founder of CI Marketing, host of The Visual Marketing Podcast, and someone who's built businesses across marketing, photography, production, and even the lift technology industry. Liz is passionate about authentic storytelling, human-centered marketing, and helping businesses create content that actually connects with people. In This Episode
"Get out of your own head and get in the head of your customers." — Liz Slade "The key is to stay three steps ahead of everybody else. If you can keep doing that, they'll never keep up." — Liz Slade "AI is only as good as the human inputs and the human direction that you give it." — Liz Slade "Just talk to your people who've already given you money. They hold a treasure trove of information." — Ryan Koral "It's not that scary once you start." — Liz Slade Guest LinksFollow The Visual Marketing Podcast Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 498. Build Systems That Beat Blank-Page Syndrome with Eric Braker | 13 juil. 2026 | 00:48:38 | |
Eric Braker of Twin Pine Creative is about a year and a half into building his creative agency with his brother—and like a lot of us, he's stuck doing every single job at once. In this coaching-style conversation, I help him get clear on his bigger vision and walk through practical systems for taming post-production chaos, using AI to beat blank-page syndrome, and bringing on contractors without losing his style. We also get into why I'm intentionally getting my own business "skinny" this year, and why that might be one of the smartest moves you can make too. Key Takeaways
Eric Braker is the founder of Twin Pine Creative, an outdoor content agency fueled by his award-winning production company, Braker Bros Productions. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Eric helps mission-driven brands and environmental organizations tell stories that connect people to nature — with work that has screened in over 800 theaters worldwide and reached an audience of more than 55,000. His latest film, Chasing Lions, follows wildlife trackers in the American Southwest working to protect mountain lions in their natural habitat. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:00] Meet Eric Braker [07:04] Twin Pine Creative [09:43] 3 Year Goal [21:01] Having Systems In Place [23:19] Making Voice Memos [26:37] Using AI To Refine Notes [28:45] Editing Framework [44:21] Connect with Eric [47:42] Outro Quotes "I feel like I was just a freelancer with a logo year one." — Eric Braker "I was working so hard so that I wouldn't have to work so hard." — Ryan Koral "I own a business, but really the business owned me." — Ryan Koral "I want to go until it's like we must make this hire, versus it'd be pretty cool to make this hire." — Ryan Koral "There's probably a lot of 17, 18 year old kids out there quietly listening who are learning how to chase and build their dream life because of it." — Eric Braker Guest LinksFollow Eric's agency - Twin Pine Creative Follow Braker Bros on Instagram | Facebook LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 497. How Getting Skinny Saved My Studio Over 10K a Month | 06 juil. 2026 | 00:36:34 | |
After 22 years in business, I hit that all-too-familiar wall where I'd fallen out of love with the whole thing again. In this solo episode, I get honest about the self-imposed deadline I gave myself to quit, the 160-mile Camino pilgrimage that made me question all of it, and the decision to get my business "skinny" so I could finally make moves I'd been too stuck to make. If you've ever felt buried under the parts of your business you never signed up for, this one's for you. Key Takeaways
"So much of what I teach is do work that you care about, but the thing that gets in the way is when I end up doing the things in the business that I don't like doing." — Ryan Koral "All I'm responsible for is right here today. I can only control the things that I can control. I cannot control the outcome." — Ryan Koral "Getting skinny is allowing us to make choices we couldn't make in the past, because we were just stuck. I'm enjoying being nimble." — Ryan Koral "I still feel called to this work of storytelling. I feel more called now than before. So my work's not done." — Ryan Koral "To live a good life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it." — Mary Oliver (shared on the trail by Mark Manry) LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 494. How He Built a Profitable Video Business From Rock Bottom with Andrew Nycz | 15 juin 2026 | 00:37:21 | |
Andrew Nycz went from rock bottom to running a thriving video production business in South Florida—and his story is proof you really can rebuild from just about anything. In this episode, he shares how he validated a brand-new podcast offer with cheap Facebook ads before signing his first studio lease, why hiring editors was the smartest first move he made, and how he keeps a remote team that feels more like family. It's part business strategy, part comeback story, and all heart. Key TakeawaysTest demand before you commit. Andrew ran $5/day ads for his podcast offer before signing a lease—proving the interest was there without the risk. Editors are the easiest first hire. Pulling editing off his plate freed Andrew up to focus on production, sales, and marketing. Great hiring is really about leadership. Patience, clear SOPs, and letting people inside your head turn a new editor into a great one. A fresh start can change everything. Moving to Florida and getting sober rebuilt Andrew's life and reignited his passion for video. About Andrew NyczAndrew Nycz is a filmmaker and founder of Nycz Productions, a South Florida–based media company helping brands, entrepreneurs, and organizations scale through strategic video and storytelling. With a background in documentary filmmaking and digital marketing, Andrew blends cinematic storytelling with performance-driven content systems designed to drive real growth. Originally from New Jersey, Andrew made the move to Florida in pursuit of change—building his career from the ground up through persistence, discipline, and a commitment to mastering his craft. That journey continues to shape the way he shows up today: as both a creator and a strategic partner to the clients he works with. He has been proudly married to his wife Jennifer for 8 years, and together they are raising their two children, Layla and Daxton—who remain his greatest source of purpose and motivation.
Follow Nycz Productions on Instagram LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 493. How AI Saved a Project the Budget Almost Killed with Jason Moore | 08 juin 2026 | 00:49:31 | |
AI filmmaker and 14-time author Jason Moore joins me to unpack how artificial intelligence has reshaped the way he tells stories — without stripping out the creativity behind them. We get into a real client project that only became possible because of AI, his three guiding principles for using it well, and how he handles the inevitable wave of online critics. If you're curious (or a little nervous) about where AI fits into your video business, this conversation's for you. Key Takeaways
Jason is the author of 14 books on topics ranging from creativity and design to artificial intelligence. His most recent release, AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous, is an Amazon bestseller that has sparked more than 150 national training engagements. In film and television, Jason has collaborated with Hollywood producers and created book trailers for New York Times bestselling authors including Arianna Huffington, Seth Godin, Robert Greene, Ryan Holiday, and Marc Ecko. A graduate of The Modern College of Design, Jason now returns to his alma mater as an adjunct instructor, alongside his work as a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer whose career bridges the worlds of creative production, ministry, and emerging technology.
Follow Jason Moore on Instagram | Facebook | X LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 492. The Paid Workshop That Wins Bigger Clients with Evans Wilson | 29 mai 2026 | 00:49:18 | |
In this live coaching episode, I sit down with Evans Wilson of Zenith Creative, who's spent years running his video business as a side hustle alongside a full-time corporate job. We dig into the real reasons he's stuck on pricing and growth, and I walk him through a paid discovery workshop strategy I've used more than 50 times to win bigger clients and build instant trust. We also get into the future of video in an AI world and why storytelling is still your edge. Key Takeaways
Evans Wilson is the founder of Zenith Creative, a video production company he's run for nearly nine years alongside an 18-year corporate career as the solo in-house videographer for a large energy company. With help from his wife and a handful of trusted freelancers, he's built Zenith into a thriving business while quietly living the "double life" so many video creators know well. These days his focus is on growing Zenith, where he primarily serves construction and industrial services companies—though he's always happy to stray from that niche when the right project comes along. In This Episode
Quotes "People who pay, pay attention." — Ryan Koral "What you want to sell is the results." — Ryan Koral "Get to the heart of the story, get to the soul of the brand, and then start thinking about how you roll it out into other content." — Ryan Koral "It's the worst it's gonna be right now—but the challenge is always, are you a good storyteller?" — Ryan Koral (on AI video) "The only thing stopping me is me, not them." — Evans Wilson Guest Links Find Zenith Creative online Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 491. The Pricing Trap That's Quietly Killing Your Business with Zack Thompson | 25 mai 2026 | 00:43:41 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Zack Thompson, co-founder of Bumpy Road Productions, for a live coaching session on pricing, packaging, and positioning. Zack's growing a sketch comedy series offer for brands, and we dig into why his current price points are leaving serious money on the table. If you've ever struggled to charge what your work is actually worth, this one's for you. Key Takeaways
Zack Thompson is the co-founder of Bumpy Road Productions. Majored in Film at Rochester Institute of Technology, then worked in outdoor documentary television for 5 years. Now he runs his own production company with his brother Jake. Recently completed a feature-length sports documentary, "Northmen Way, A Lacrosse Story". With Bumpy Road they have done all forms of client video work, specializing in comedy-driven video. Quotes
Follow @bumpyroadproductions on Instagram and Facebook LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 490. Why Your Story Is the Strategy with Lynn Friesth | 18 mai 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
Lynn Friesth spent 41 years at John Deere before stepping into what he calls an "encore career" — and now he helps other retiring professionals do the same. In this conversation, we dig into why story is the most underrated strategy in any business, how to draw real moments out of people who don't think they have a story, and the surprising market opportunity for filmmakers willing to serve the 65-and-older crowd. Plus, Lynn shares why "not done yet" might be the most powerful mindset shift you can make at any age. Key Takeaways
Lynn coached high-achieving executives 55+ to reinvent their identity, leverage their expertise, and create meaningful income—without getting lost in the noise of endless options. With his unique Human Wisdom + AI Toolkit approach, powered by LynnAI, they combine your hard-earned experience with the leverage of modern tools—helping you design an Encore Career that's both impactful and sustainable. Results he helped clients achieve:
Quotes "Don't just drift into your encore life. Get started and design what you want to do. Don't drift, just design." - Lynn Friesth "Your story is what's gonna make you different than the person next to you. Your story is gonna be the thing that's gonna make people want to work with you or not." - Ryan Koral "I always tried to have a really tight script and follow it. But then I found out the most views I got were a couple of podcasts where I just riffed and stumbled over words and wasn't very polished at all — but I was real." - Lynn Friesth "Often high achievers want to talk about what should I be doing, when in fact what they really need to find out is who do I want to be." - Lynn Friesth Guest LinksCheck out Lynn's Website Not sure what's next after corporate life? Meet Lynn AI — Lynn's virtual coaching assistant. He'll help you find your purpose, build your brand, and create a life of impact. LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 489. The Hidden Hours That Are Killing Your Profit with Derick Fischer | 11 mai 2026 | 00:36:54 | |
In this episode, I sat down with filmmaker Derick Fischer of Fishbowl Media for a live, no-script coaching session. After getting laid off from his corporate TV gig last November, Derick is officially making the leap from side hustle to full-time business owner—and he was honest about the messy middle of that transition. We unpacked his pricing, the systems he's missing, and the specific tools he can plug in this week to start filling his pipeline. Key Takeaways
Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 488. Stop Pitching and Start Proving Your Worth with Park Howell | 04 mai 2026 | 00:34:02 | |
Park Howell, the world's most industrious storyteller, joins Ryan to break down why most brand stories fall flat—and the simple framework that fixes it. From making the pronoun shift from "me" to "you" to walking Ryan through a live ABT exercise on the podcast itself, Park shows exactly how to stop pitching and start proving your worth to the right audience. Key Takeaways
Park Howell is known as The World's Most Industrious Storyteller having grown purpose-driven brands by as much as 600 percent. He is an EMMY Award-Winning, 40+ year veteran of the advertising industry and hosts the popular weekly Business of Story podcast, authored Brand Bewitchery, and co-authored The Narrative Gym for Business. Park recently launched the StoryCycle Genie™ to help business leaders craft a lucrative brand story strategy in minutes, not months. He is sought after internationally to help executives excel through the stories they tell. In This Episode
"Your story is not about what you make, but what you make happen in people's lives." — Park Howell "You are not the center of your story. Your audience is." — Park Howell "We are all intuitive storytellers, but we really need to be intentional storytellers using frameworks that we know that work." — Park Howell "When you niche down to be that very specific supplier for a very specific audience, you're going to get other business outside of that niche, but it becomes like a tractor beam that sucks them into the Life Star." — Park Howell "Artificial intelligence is the worst brand name ever. If you really know how to use it and collaborate with it, it becomes artful intelligence that actually augments your intelligence." — Park Howell Guest LinksFollow Park Howell on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Get your brand story strategy using StoryCycle Genie™ LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 487. Stop Writing Your Own Tagline and Do This Instead | 27 avr. 2026 | 00:31:15 | |
In this solo episode, Ryan pulls two real hot seats from a recent mastermind call and unpacks the patterns behind them—outbound efforts that lead to ghosting, and messaging so vague even the owner's mom can't explain what they do. He also shares why he's writing a book this year, the AI stack he's using to buy back time, and the client-interview exercise that turns your favorite customers into your copywriters. Key Takeaways
Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 486. The Filmmaker Who Built a New Model for Indie Film with Daren Smith | 20 avr. 2026 | 00:53:46 | |
486 OverviewDaren Smith — indie film producer and founder of Craftsman Films — is back on the show, and he's bringing a whole new level of clarity on what it takes to build a sustainable creative business. He breaks down the MOVIE framework from his new book Blockbuster, shares the LinkedIn strategy that grew his audience from 800 to 12,000+ followers, and offers a totally fresh take on selling that doesn't feel like selling at all. If you've ever struggled with getting clients to say yes, or wondered how to stop spinning your wheels across too many platforms, this one's for you. Key TakeawaysPick one channel and go all in. Daren grew his LinkedIn following from 800 to 12,000+ in about 18 months by showing up consistently and targeting the specific audience he needed to reach — investors, not just filmmakers. Stop convincing, start listening. Rather than pitching what you want to make or sell, "dig for the demand" by asking clients what's frustrating them, what they wish were different, and what's keeping them up at night. Leverage other people's audiences. Getting a column on IndieWire — a site with 10 million monthly visitors — didn't happen overnight, but it started with a single DM and a year of showing up. That's the shortcut that doesn't feel like one. Use a filter for every opportunity. Daren evaluates every project with three questions: Is there leverage? Do I feel compelled to make this? And is it inevitable? If it doesn't clear all three, it's a no. About Daren SmithDaren is an independent film producer based in Utah, USA, who has produced four indie features and four seasons of television. Last year he had TWO films in theaters at the same time, which was a huge milestone. Currently, he's raising Producer Fund I, a $10M fund to produce the next 10 indie features, with the ultimate goal of creating a truly independent film ecosystem that benefits everyone - the investors, the filmmakers, the audience, and the industry at large. He's the founder of Craftsman Films, and the author of a number of books, his most recent being Blockbuster - How Independent Creators Can Build Massively Profitable Businesses. In This Episode
"I'm not in the business of convincing people. If you convince somebody, you're running the risk of them being really upset if it doesn't go exactly the way they expected." — Daren Smith "The release of the thing is the start of the marketing. If you're really smart and strategic, you're actually doing marketing leading up to it — creating the tension that gets people to say, I have to have this." — Daren Smith "You're competing against everything else on the internet. Not just other people making movies — it's all of social media, all of AI, all of TV, all of gaming. You can make a really good thing and it can still fail if it doesn't reach enough people." — Daren Smith "I'm doing an exclusively family-friendly, values-based, meaningful media model. When I evaluate a project, I want filmmakers to know how I think — so that you're not saying yes to things you shouldn't be." — Daren Smith "Go all in on one channel until you reach a tipping point where it's kind of working on its own. None of mine were growing when they each got 10% of my time and energy." — Daren Smith Guest LinksCraftsmanFilms.co — Daren's main hub (free digital copy of Blockbuster at craftsmanfilms.co/blockbuster) Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 485. The Untapped Niche Filmmakers Are Sleeping On With Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chu and Sara Kim | 13 avr. 2026 | 01:01:00 | |
Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chu, and Sara Kim are paper flower artists, educators, and co-founders of a mastermind built specifically for creative makers. In this episode, they share why story — not just skill — is what separates thriving artists from those who stay invisible. We also dig into why the creative maker market is a surprisingly powerful niche for video professionals to explore, and what it really takes to just start showing up on camera. Key Takeaways
Three artists. Two countries. One mission: to build a thriving, honest, and supportive community for paper flower artists around the world. Together they bring backgrounds in law, music performance, culinary arts, marketing and logistics. They are proof that creative entrepreneurs come from everywhere. Paper Talk was born in 2017 when Quynh and Jessie could not find a community of crepe paper flower artists online and decided to build one themselves. What started as a Facebook group became a global community of makers, a podcast with 250,000 downloads, three published books, a YouTube channel with 73,500 subscribers, and brand partnerships with some of the most recognizable names in the creative industry. None of that happened without video. In This Episode
"If you don't put your foot out there and say, 'This is my story, this is my brand' — they might miss the mark, and you're missing your targeted audience." — Quynh Nguyen "What you see versus what your audience sees are two different things. Being able to tell them why you're doing this — that's what stands out." — Jessie Chu "Your ideal clients need you to show up for them. If you're holding back by not showing up on video, you're holding back the thing you're made to do." — Ryan Koral "My first video is so cringy to watch — but I don't take it down, because without that first video, I wouldn't be where I am now." — Sara Kim "In the last 10 weeks of sharing my real story — vulnerable, personal stuff — I've gotten more comments, DMs, and people stopping me in public than in the last two years combined." — Ryan Koral Guest LinksFind Quynh Nguyen (Pink & Posey) online - Website | @pinkandposey on socials Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 484. You Don't Learn Until You Launch | 06 avr. 2026 | 00:32:18 | |
Ryan goes live — sort of — and ends up doing what he does best: real, honest coaching. In this solo-ish episode, Ryan chats with Mark Cruz about the fear of hiring help and what it actually looks like to start delegating in a small video business. Ryan also gets candid about overcoming perfectionism and why launching imperfectly beats not launching at all. Key Takeaways
Ryan Koral is a documentary filmmaker, founder, and creative coach based in Michigan. Over the last 20+ years, he's built a 7-figure story-driven video studio (Tell Studios), a global community of filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs (Studio Sherpas), and a weekly podcast with over 1 million downloads. His work has reached email audiences of over 100,000 people, and he's had the privilege of working with names like Gino Wickman, Mike Kim, Disney, and the University of Michigan. Today, Ryan helps founders and experts who are the best-kept secret in their industry step into their voice, tell their story, and build a brand people believe in. He's currently writing a book about storytelling in the age of AI. In This Episode
"You don't learn until you launch." — Ryan Koral "If you just got 10 hours back a week — how would that feel?" — Ryan Koral "I built my job, my studio, for my life — I'm not trying to build my life around my work." — Ryan Koral "Make mistakes, go ugly early, try things out at a fraction of the cost to learn your processes." — Ryan Koral LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 483. How to Get Clients Without Chasing Anyone with Alex Yu | 30 mars 2026 | 00:49:47 | |
Alex Yu is a real estate team leader and coach out of Orange County, California who's spent 21+ years learning what it really means to serve the right people — not just more people. In this conversation, Alex and Ryan get into the surprising parallels between real estate and the video business, particularly around audience clarity, the danger of copying other people's content strategies, and why being authentically yourself online is actually your biggest competitive advantage. It's a refreshingly honest conversation from someone who's made the expensive mistakes so you don't have to. Key Takeaways
Alex Yu is a real estate team leader and coach based in Orange County, California, with over 45 years of roots in the area and a background that includes managing bank-owned assets for JP Morgan Chase during the 2008 financial crisis. These days, he leads a lean, high-performing team — proving that fewer, better people beats a big headcount every time. Alex is passionate about helping business owners get clear on who they serve, build cultures worth showing up for, and use video to grow their brand authentically. In This Episode
"When they're called leads, and they're called transactions, and they're called deals, that kind of diminishes what the life change is. And I think that's actually the biggest mistake I see." — Alex Yu "If you have a house key and you make a copy of it, the second copy is not so good. The third copy based on the second copy is worse. Pretty soon you're so far removed that it doesn't even open the doors you want anymore." — Alex Yu "There's a third of people that are going to work with you no matter what — they love you. There's a third that don't like your face, your voice, whatever — they'll never work with you. And then there's another 33% that just don't know you yet." — Alex Yu "Video can be an amazing time saver. People watch your brand video, they get to know you, they decide whether or not you're somebody they want to work with — and if they save you the time of not booking a discovery call, that's the ROI." — Ryan Koral "It's not always about income. It's about figuring out what is important to you and then doing more of it — and knowing at the end of the day that the income is going to be part of this." — Alex Yu Guest LinksFollow Alex Yu on Instagram LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 482. Why You're Afraid to Charge More with Brian Bogert | 23 mars 2026 | 00:53:51 | |
Brian Bogert is a human connection expert and voice architect who helps people identify the hidden patterns and emotional blocks that keep them stuck — in life and in business. In this episode, we dig into why so many creatives struggle to charge what they're worth, how childhood experiences shape our business decisions, and what it actually looks like to "drop the armor" so you can show up with more confidence and land better clients. Key Takeaways
Brian Bogert is a strategic voice amplifier and emotionally driven force multiplier who helps people lead, communicate, and scale with clarity - without compromising their humanity. Brian works with entrepreneurs, elite performers, and visionary creators to unlock clarity and scale through the lens of human behavior, message intelligence, and scalable connection. He compresses time, cuts through noise, and turns chaos into aligned action. With 100M+ video views and one of the most powerful comeback stories in the space, he brings raw authenticity, actionable insight, and unmatched energy to every stage, podcast, or training he leads. He believes in using technology to amplify humanity and truth - not replace it. Always human first. "When you eliminate waste, you can operate at speed without the need to hurry." - Brian Bogert In This Episode
"Your voice is your greatest asset. The question is, do you know your voice? Do you feel strength and conviction in your voice? And can you be unwavering in your voice?" — Brian Bogert "The second you have nothing to protect, justify, or defend about yourself — about how much you charge, about the quality of your work, about your integrity — you are free." — Brian Bogert "You don't have it because you don't ask for it. We're afraid." — Ryan Koral "Courage doesn't mean you're not afraid. It means you choose to do it anyway." — Brian Bogert "The world will never judge you based on your intent. The world will only ever judge you based on what your words, actions, and behaviors communicate, even if you're not aware of it." — Brian Bogert Guest LinksFollow Brian Bogert on Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 481. Build a Leaner Business That Actually Makes Money with Bill Grant | 16 mars 2026 | 00:53:49 | |
Bill Grant is a partner and creative director at As Told By, a production company out of Columbia, South Carolina. After 20+ years in the industry—starting in weddings and grinding through social media retainers—he landed on something that actually works: long-form storytelling for nonprofits, built around a framework that helps clients use their videos and actually raise money with them. He also shares how he transitioned from a full W-2 team to a lean contractor model, and how his studio is quietly becoming a podcast production hub. Key Takeaways
Bill Grant, Partner and Creative Director for As Told By, is passionate about helping nonprofits tell their story through effective marketing and video production. For roughly 19 years, Bill has led the way in helping the philanthropy efforts of organizations throughout South Carolina by highlighting the impact they have on real people of the Midlands. Bill is talented in uncovering the stories that make a connection and weaving them into video content to create an emotional attachment to the mission of every organization that he works with at As Told By. He is always thinking outside of the box for ways to inspire action. He also operates As Told By Studio in Columbia producing podcasts for clients as well as the As Told By You Podcast. In This Episode
"You don't lose until you quit." — Bill Grant "Our focus is to make something that they love. They can't be OK with it. It can't be satisfactory. They've got to love it." — Bill Grant "Even if they know how to do it, they don't always do it. So to have that nudge—just caring for them—makes sure they get out of it what they want." — Bill Grant "My relationship with ex-employees is so much better than it was when they were employees." — Bill Grant "The overthinking is what pauses you. This idea right here is worth $2,500 at minimum—just take these words and say them to a client." — Ryan Koral Guest LinksFollow Bill Grant on Instagram | Facebook Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter
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| 480. From Underpricing to Profitable Systems with Jeremy Vest | 09 mars 2026 | 00:55:26 | |
In this conversation with Jeremy Vest, we explore the real challenges of running a sustainable video business—from figuring out profitable pricing to building systems that let you step away without everything falling apart. Jeremy shares his journey from underpricing his work to creating a business model that prioritizes recurring revenue and genuine client relationships over the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues so many filmmakers. Key Takeaways
Jeremy Vest is the founder of Creator Unlock & Video Niche King. With 19 years of experience and over 50 billion organic views generated through his strategies, Jeremy helps creators & companies build YouTube channels that grow on purpose—not by luck. He's worked with Roger Wakefield, dozens of Fortune 100 companies, Grant Cardone, and vidIQ. Jeremy created the D.O.M.I.N.A.T.E. Framework, a clear game plan for turning YouTube into consistent attention, leads, & revenue. In This Episode
Quotes "If you're not making enough to reinvest in your business and pay yourself what you're worth, you're not pricing right—you're just buying yourself a job." - Jeremy Vest "The best clients aren't always the ones with the biggest budgets—they're the ones who value what you do and want to work with you again and again." - Ryan Koral "I'd rather have three solid retainer clients who need me every month than chase twenty one-off projects that all disappear after the invoice is paid." - Jeremy Vest "When you build systems in your business, you're not just making life easier—you're creating something that can actually grow without you doing everything yourself." - Ryan Koral "Stop thinking like a freelancer who trades time for money. Start thinking like a business owner who creates value that compounds over time." - Jeremy Vest Guest LinksFollow Jeremy Vest on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 479. The ADHD Entrepreneur's Guide with Skye Waterson | 02 mars 2026 | 00:49:14 | |
Skye Waterson joins the show to talk about something that hits home for a lot of creatives—why we start everything but finish nothing. She breaks down the connection between ADHD symptoms and creative entrepreneurship, shares her game-changing filter for deciding what actually deserves your attention, and explains why having fewer goals will get you further faster. This one's packed with practical systems that'll help you work with your brain instead of constantly fighting against it. Key Takeaways
Skye Waterson is the founder of Unconventional Organisation, an international support service for professionals with ADHD. Diagnosed during her PhD after repeated burnout, she's built a business that helps entrepreneurs and executives with ADHD (or suspected ADHD) build sustainable systems, scale their companies, and actually enjoy the process. Her approach is science-backed, realistic, and built around how ADHD brains actually work. In This Episode
Quotes "I would recommend that you stop trying to just do it the hard way because you feel like you should because if everyone else can do it, you can do it." - Skye Waterson "You probably are working at capacity right now. You need a new system, not just more stuff to do." - Skye Waterson Guest LinksFollow Skye Waterson on Instagram Visit Skye Waterson's Website and Podcast LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 478. The Art Of Decoding Facial Features with Brian Galke | 23 févr. 2026 | 00:43:12 | |
Brian Galke breaks down how to decode people's facial features to connect better with clients and prospects. He shares practical tips on reading eyebrow shapes, understanding personal vs. business sides of the face, and why soft skills matter more than ever as AI automates technical work. This isn't manipulation—it's about truly seeing people and serving them at the highest level. Key Takeaways
About Brian Galke Brian Galke is a communication strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Subtle Skills, where he teaches people how to decode others, conversations, and connection itself. After overcoming social anxiety early in his career, Brian was introduced by a mentor to Decoding Facial Features—a skill that revealed how people naturally process information, make decisions, and communicate. By combining decoding with body language, active listening, and statement analysis, he created a practical, tactical communication framework that works in any environment. Those very skills helped him rise to Regional Vice President of Sales, managing a $40M book of business. Now a sought-after Keynote Speaker and Podcast Guest, Brian has shared stages with Chris Voss, Brad Lea, Janine Driver, Steve Sims, and Greg Reid, helping audiences master the subtle decoding skills that make communication more influential, confident, and authentic. In This Episode
Quotes "People feel more isolated and alone than they have in all time because they're looking at other people's social media, seeing the highlight reel and thinking their daily life doesn't matter. When people feel seen and heard, they feel changed." — Brian Galke "If you read the statistics, it's up to 30% of jobs will be replaced by AI. So that's up to 800 million jobs. People need to learn people skills so that they're actually different from AI and automation." — Brian Galke "Knowledge is one thing. Awareness is exposure, one thing. Putting into practice is where it becomes valuable." — Brian Galke "Go out and use these skills because when people feel seen and heard, they feel changed. Practicing connecting with other people can change a life, but it can also save a life." — Brian Galke Guest LinksGet the Cheat Sheet: https://getthecheatsheet.com Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 477. Use AI to Save 20 Hours a Week with Jonathan Mast | 16 févr. 2026 | 00:52:13 | |
Jonathan Mast (the White Beard AI Guy) breaks down how video professionals can use AI to handle the administrative grunt work that's eating up their time—without sacrificing quality or creativity. He shares his proven strategies for creating consistent content, automating client onboarding, and using AI as a creative partner instead of a replacement. If you've been overwhelmed by AI or skeptical about how it fits into your business, this conversation will change your perspective. Key TakeawaysStart with operations, not creativity – Use AI to handle scheduling, client communications, and admin tasks before trying to use it for creative work. These "boring" tasks are where you'll see immediate time savings. The Q&A content strategy – Record simple videos answering common client questions. You already know the answers, so there's no need for scripts or elaborate setups. Batch record them in an hour and you've got weeks of content. AI as your creative partner – Think of AI tools as amplifiers of your creativity, not replacements. Let them handle the tedious parts of editing, graphics, and client onboarding so you can focus on what you do best. Don't chase every new tool – Check in every 60-90 days on what's new in AI for video, but don't jump on every shiny object. Focus on tools that integrate with what you're already using. About Jonathan MastJonathan Mast stands at the forefront of AI prompting mastery, empowering businesses and entrepreneurs to leverage artificial intelligence for measurable growth. Since 1995, he has blended marketing expertise with cutting-edge technology, and over the past few years has emerged as a leading authority on practical AI implementation. With an engaged audience of nearly 600,000 AI enthusiasts and entrepreneurs (450,000+ in his active Facebook group and 100,000+ email subscribers), Jonathan is a trusted voice making complex AI concepts approachable and immediately applicable. His Perfect Prompting Framework teaches businesses how to effectively communicate with AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to achieve exceptional results. As the founder of White Beard Strategies, Jonathan focuses on helping businesses and their teams leverage AI to save time, increase profits, and deliver more value to their audiences. His philosophy emphasizes AI as a tool that amplifies skill and experience rather than replacing human creativity and judgment. Jonathan's dynamic speaking style breaks down complex AI concepts into actionable steps that audiences can implement immediately. His international speaking engagements across North America, Asia, and Australia are packed with practical takeaways, and his 100+ podcast appearances demonstrate his ability to connect with and educate diverse audiences. In This Episode
Quotes "AI gives you time. It gives you space. It gives you margin and that margin lets you be the creative that you truly want to be." – Jonathan Mast "We're literally in that stage of technology right now where if you're in a business and you're not using AI, I really believe you're going to find yourself in a very bad spot within 18 months." – Jonathan Mast "If you were going to start using AI, start with your operations, start with the things you just wish somebody else would do." – Jonathan Mast "You could literally take one wasted hour a week and turn it into answering some simple questions that you already know the answers to." – Jonathan Mast "Let AI amplify your creativity. You guys have such amazing creativity but sometimes we get so bogged down in the day-to-day running our business that we can't be the creative we want." – Jonathan Mast Guest LinksConnect with Jonathan Mast - https://jonathanmast.com/linktree Search "White Beard AI" to find Jonathan's content across platforms LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 476. Define Success Your Way with Elisa Trentham | 09 févr. 2026 | 00:47:23 | |
Elisa Trentham is a legacy storyteller, founder of Sherwood Media, and adjunct instructor who's learned how to build a video business on her own terms. In this conversation, she shares why elevating client experience matters more than having the fanciest gear, how she's building her own distribution platform through live events, and the importance of defining success based on your values—not someone else's highlight reel. Key Takeaways
Elisa is a Knoxville native, business owner, wife, and mother of three who has spent her career capturing stories that matter. Her journey began in her backyard, making movies with friends using her parents' camcorder. That passion led her to Asbury University where she earned a Media Communication degree and gained experience working broadcast at the Vancouver Winter Olympics and on film sets in Hollywood. After college, Elisa joined University of Tennessee professors as the Media Production Coordinator for an international women's empowerment program funded by the State Department. This role taught her how to tell powerful stories with a simple camera and microphone, and gave her opportunities to travel around the world. But her most meaningful projects are much more personal to her - creating a "legacy films" capturing the stories of people who have impacted her life, her grandmother, her father, and even her midwife. Through this 10-year business and storytelling journey, Elisa developed her storytelling values of honor, truth, and love. Today, Elisa continues to help individuals and organizations share their stories through her production company, bringing the same blend of technical expertise and emotional intelligence to every project, whether it's filmed in a boardroom or a living room. In This Episode
Quotes "Don't just be a, yeah, sure, I guess I'll go do that. Be a heck yes person. Like go in there and if you say yes, like give it your all." – Elisa Trentham "I can't let what somebody else is doing and what somebody else is defined as success for them... I gotta live this one right here." – Ryan Koral "It doesn't have to be my forever plan... there's no perfect plan you can make that's going to last for decades and decades." – Elisa Trentham Guest LinksFollow Elisa Trentham on LinkedIn | Instagram LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 475. 5 Billion Views: What Rob Clark Knows About Social Media | 02 févr. 2026 | 00:56:58 | |
Rob Clark from That Tall Family has generated over 5 billion views on social media, and in this episode, he breaks down exactly what it takes to get attention in 2025. We talk about why most video businesses are posting the wrong way, how to create content that actually converts, and the game-changing mindset shift you need to stop chasing clients and start attracting them. If you've been struggling to grow your audience or wondering if social media even matters for your production business, this conversation will change how you think about content creation. Key TakeawaysAttention is the new currency. If you don't have people's attention, you don't have a business. Rob's entire philosophy centers around earning attention first, then converting it into clients and revenue. The 20% rule for creators. Dedicate at least 20% of your work week to building your own brand and creating content for yourself—not just for clients. This investment pays off by letting you charge more, attract better clients, and prove you actually know what you're doing. Stop overthinking your content. The biggest mistake video businesses make is waiting until everything's perfect. Rob creates content daily because he knows consistency beats perfection every single time. Your expertise means nothing without proof. Would you hire a personal trainer who's out of shape? Same goes for social media. If you're telling clients they need video content but you're not creating your own, you're losing credibility (and clients). About Rob ClarkRob Clark is the creator behind That Tall Family, the viral family brand with over 4 billion views and 4 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. After years of trial, error, and breakthrough moments, Rob mastered the art of creating content that not only gets attention but also builds community and drives business growth. Today, he's known as a Viral Video Social Media Coach, teaching creators, brands, and business owners how to grow faster by understanding what actually makes videos take off. Rob helps people simplify their content strategy, leverage data, and show up authentically online—without burning out or guessing what works. His story from small-town beginnings to leading a global-reach brand makes him a powerful voice for anyone trying to build something meaningful with a camera, creativity, and consistency. In This Episode
"If you don't have attention, then you have nothing." -Rob Clark "I'm putting just as much time building the Rob Clark brand as I am working for clients. I'm starting to believe that's the biggest difference between going from good to great—that investment in yourself." -Rob Clark "If you put 20% into doing your own brand, you're gonna be able to charge 50% more for clients because you're gonna get more opportunities, you're gonna be able to jack up your prices, and you're gonna create better quality content." -Rob Clark Guest LinksBuilding a full course package that will be live next month at 4BillionViews.com Checkout That Tall Family Website Follow Rob Clark on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 474. Why I Hire My Competitors with Paige Burns | 26 janv. 2026 | 00:47:52 | |
Paige Burns is shifting her entire business from brand work to schools and nonprofits—and she's being refreshingly honest about how hard that pivot actually is. In this conversation, we dig into why networking still beats any sales funnel you can build, how hiring your "competitors" actually grows your business faster, and the one random conversation that's made her tens of thousands of dollars. Key Takeaways
Paige Burns is the award-winning founder and creative director of Main Paige Media, a women-owned video production agency based in Beverly, Massachusetts. With over a decade of production experience from broadcast to mobile, Paige specializes in helping mission-driven organizations tell emotionally resonant, unscripted stories that spark action and build connection. Main Paige Media creates docu-style brand films and strategic video content for purpose-driven small businesses, nonprofits, and schools. Under Paige's leadership, the team is known for its collaborative approach, thoughtful storytelling, and deep commitment to amplifying voices that are making a difference in their communities. In This Episode
"I didn't know what I didn't know. And I think that was really huge." — Paige Burns "What you give is what you get... I have given away jobs to people I see as my competitors, because I'm like, I don't really want it, or I'm not available here, you take it. And that always comes back." — Paige Burns "One conversation where I was just like, I want to talk to someone else who has this small university video job has made me tens of thousands of dollars." — Paige Burns "The quickest way to build trust to get business is in person at events... don't let that be your 80% focus. Let that be 20%, maybe at most like 40%, and then spend the other 60 to 80% of your time cultivating relationships." — Ryan Koral "I am a completely different person than I was in 2019 when I started my business. Because this has pushed me so far outside of my comfort zone, it has grown my confidence like tenfold." — Paige Burns Paige Burns is shifting her entire business from brand work to schools and nonprofits—and she's being refreshingly honest about how hard that pivot actually is. In this conversation, we dig into why networking still beats any sales funnel you can build, how hiring your "competitors" actually grows your business faster, and the one random conversation that's made her tens of thousands of dollars. Key Takeaways
Paige Burns is the award-winning founder and creative director of Main Paige Media, a women-owned video production agency based in Beverly, Massachusetts. With over a decade of production experience from broadcast to mobile, Paige specializes in helping mission-driven organizations tell emotionally resonant, unscripted stories that spark action and build connection. Main Paige Media creates docu-style brand films and strategic video content for purpose-driven small businesses, nonprofits, and schools. Under Paige's leadership, the team is known for its collaborative approach, thoughtful storytelling, and deep commitment to amplifying voices that are making a difference in their communities. In This Episode
"I didn't know what I didn't know. And I think that was really huge." — Paige Burns "What you give is what you get... I have given away jobs to people I see as my competitors, because I'm like, I don't really want it, or I'm not available here, you take it. And that always comes back." — Paige Burns "One conversation where I was just like, I want to talk to someone else who has this small university video job has made me tens of thousands of dollars." — Paige Burns "The quickest way to build trust to get business is in person at events... don't let that be your 80% focus. Let that be 20%, maybe at most like 40%, and then spend the other 60 to 80% of your time cultivating relationships." — Ryan Koral "I am a completely different person than I was in 2019 when I started my business. Because this has pushed me so far outside of my comfort zone, it has grown my confidence like tenfold." — Paige Burns Guest Links Checkout Paige Burn's Website Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter Checkout Paige Burn's Website Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 473. AI Tools That Sell Without the Sleaze with Molly Mahoney | 19 janv. 2026 | 00:52:35 | |
Molly Mahoney drops serious knowledge about using AI to amplify your creative business instead of fearing it. She walks through how she built an interactive tool that generated 130 sales in three days, ran a Facebook auction that hit $30K in eight minutes, and why helping others succeed is the secret to growing your own business. If you've been wondering how to actually use AI in your video business without feeling like a sellout, this one's for you. Key Takeaways
Molly Mahoney is a digital marketing strategist, keynote speaker, and former NYC performer who helps entrepreneurs blend AI-powered marketing with authentic human connection. With viral videos hitting over 39 million views and features in Forbes and Inc., she's known for turning complex tech into simple, profitable strategies. She launched her business The Prepared Performer in 2013… and has since helped thousands of people to show up more powerfully, turning their message into a revenue generating movement. In 2021, Molly launched the world's first AI-focused content membership (2 years before chatGPT hit the scene). She's the author of Choose Confidence, Finding My Awesome, and the new Ai playbook, Ai-ify™ Your Business. She believes your "weird" is your superpower – and that the more fun you have, the more money you make! In This Episode
"Rather than asking yourself, what can I do to help grow my business, take a step back and look at what can I do to help other people to succeed." - Molly Mahoney "When you trip up over your words, don't edit it out, leave it there, it's an authenticity indicator." - Molly Mahoney "The most important thing that you can do is to figure out who you are as a human being and let your freak flag fly." - Molly Mahoney "I could see a lot of video creators being like, oh no, this is gonna hurt my business... But what I decided to do rather than being like, how am I gonna use this to grow my business... I went and created a tool to help other people succeed." - Molly Mahoney "If you create a software tool that helps people to get better results with video, they're only gonna get so far. And then they're gonna get to the point where they're like, I need help." - Molly Mahoney Guest LinksFollow Molly Mahoney on Instagram | Facebook Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 472. Personal Brand Beats Company Brand with Andy Storch | 12 janv. 2026 | 00:46:51 | |
Ryan sits down with keynote speaker and author Andy Storch to talk about why your personal brand matters way more than your company brand—especially if you're trying to land corporate work. They dive into LinkedIn strategy for video business owners, why being relatable beats being perfect, and how Andy and Mike Kim collaborated on their latest book. Plus, you'll hear Ryan's hilarious story about filming a wedding for a software guy who married a stripper (spoiler: it didn't last). Key TakeawaysPersonal brand over company brand: People follow people, not companies—especially on LinkedIn. Share your story, your behind-the-scenes, your personality, not just portfolio pieces. Relationships trump perfection: Clients often hire based on how you make them feel and how easy you are to work with, not just because you have the best reel. The corporate shift is more profitable: Moving from weddings to corporate work means better margins, repeat clients, and getting your weekends back. AI makes your humanity more valuable: As technology handles more tasks, your storytelling ability, curiosity, empathy, and personality become your biggest differentiators. About Andy StorchAndy Storch is a keynote speaker, connector, podcaster, and author of two books, including Own Your Career Own Your Life and his latest book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career with Mike Kim. Andy works with organizations to teach and inspire professionals to own their brands and careers to achieve more success in the future. He'a also the host of two podcasts, including the Talent Development Hot Seat and Own Your Career show. Finally, Andy is a husband, father, cancer survivor, and expat, who is on a mission to get the absolute most out of life and inspire others to do the same. In This Episode
"Nobody cares more about your career or your personal brand than you do." - Andy Storch "I don't follow any companies on LinkedIn. If I see any company posts on LinkedIn, I barely notice and I scroll on by. I follow people." - Andy Storch "The thing I'm going to remember the most, it's how people make you feel." - Ryan Koral "People have brands as well. We all have a personal brand. It's essentially our reputation. It's what people think about us, what people say about us. So we might as well be intentional with that." - Andy Storch "If you're gonna choose one, I would choose the personal brand every time." - Andy Storch Guest LinksConnect with Andy Storch on LinkedIn | |||
| 471. Why Your Values Are Your Best Sales Tool with David Newman | 05 janv. 2026 | 00:49:27 | |
David Newman drops some serious truth bombs about why traditional sales tactics feel so gross—and what to do instead. He breaks down his "relationship-first" approach to business, explains why being divisive with your values is actually your competitive advantage, and shares how to escape the feast-or-famine cycle that keeps so many video businesses stuck. This isn't about tricks or scripts—it's about becoming the kind of person clients naturally want to work with. Key Takeaways
David Newman, CSP. David is a Certified Speaking Professional®, a popular keynote speaker, and the author of the new book, Market Eminence: 22 Strategies to Build a Bold Personal Brand, Become a BusinessCelebrity, and Drive Unstoppable Growth. He works with founders, mid-marketCEOs, and professional services firms who want to play bigger, grow faster, and become a category of one. David's previous books are Do It! Selling, Do It! Speaking, and Do It! Marketing (an international bestseller translated into six languages). David is also the host of the globally ranked top 1% podcast, The Selling Show, with over 500 episodes.
"Don't worry about being a better salesperson, be a better person." - David Newman "We are not in the convincing and persuading business. We are in the filtering and sorting business." - David Newman "Action eliminates fear. Doing anything is better than doing nothing." - David Newman "Your sales process is not a matter of convincing and persuading—it's automatic filtering and sorting based on your point of view, your beliefs, your values." - David Newman Visit David Newman's website to learn more about his work and services. Check out The Selling Show, David Newman's podcast Follow David Newman on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X (Twitter). LinksJoin the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 470. My 2025 Reflection: Lessons, Wins, and What's Next | 29 déc. 2025 | 00:40:01 | |
In this special end-of-year episode, I'm getting personal and reflective about 2025 - the wins, the struggles, and what I'm cooking up for next year. If you've been following along this year (or if this is your first episode), grab a coffee and join me for an honest look at what it means to build a sustainable creative business while staying true to yourself. What You'll Learn
On Gratitude and Relationships
On Business Evolution
On Content and Platform Building
On Taking Action
"I've made a lot more mistakes than I have had successes, but I'm still here learning and growing." - Ryan Koral "People pay me money to facilitate relationships and conversations. It's mind-blowing." - Ryan Koral "Your word matters. Being a person of integrity means sometimes not announcing things until you're sure - but also learning it's okay to dream out loud." - Ryan Koral LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 469. Why Clients Pay More When They See Your Process with Coach Kav | 22 déc. 2025 | 00:53:08 | |
Justin Kavanaugh (Coach Kav), CEO of Sites at Scale, breaks down why showing your creative process isn't just good content—it's a client attraction strategy that gets you paid more. We talk about beating perfectionism paralysis, the psychology behind why clients value transparency, and his AAA framework (Attention, Attraction, Accessibility) for growing your video business. If you've been holding back on launching something because it's not perfect, this conversation's your wake-up call to ship it now and iterate later. Key Takeaways
Justin Kavanaugh, known as Coach Kav, is a six-time Olympic coach, performance strategist, and CEO of Sites at Scale. With two decades coaching elite athletes and advising business leaders, he helps people win the right way with integrity, clarity, and mastery. His frameworks (WIN the Right Way, Every Day is Game Day, Live Your Telos) fuse Olympic principles with business success, empowering leaders to scale, perform, and build lasting legacies. In This Episode
"All relationships are won or lost at the expectation level." - Justin Kavanaugh "You're not going to learn through thinking. You're going to learn through action." - Justin Kavanaugh "It's only a failure if you quit. So you want to fail fast, fail forward and then don't quit, because if you quit, that's when it actually is a failure." - Justin Kavanaugh "Work in progress becomes work and profit for businesses if you showcase it." - Justin Kavanaugh "If you just wait for that TED Talk and you get ready for your keynote speech, what's going to happen is you're never going to get that opportunity, because they don't think that you're the person that could come on stage and own the stage." - Justin Kavanaugh Guest LinksFollow Coach Kav on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 468. Local Marketing That Actually Works with Chad Godfrey | 15 déc. 2025 | 00:53:37 | |
Chad Godfrey has been running Summit Video Services for over 20 years, and he's built something most video pros overlook: a thriving business where 60% of revenue comes from video transfers and archival work. In this conversation, we dig into why his transfer business keeps growing year after year, how local networking and in-person relationships are still the best marketing strategy, and why teaching free workshops can actually land you more clients instead of giving away the farm. Key Takeaways
As a young child, Chad Godfrey was constantly infatuated with film and video cameras, audio recorders, and early personal computers. In 2004, Chad linked these interests together and started a business. For the past 21 years, Chad has been the owner of Summit Video Services, an audio and video production and photography services company based in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Chad is an Emmy-nominated and nationally-awarded video producer with recognitions in the areas of video production, editing, photography, design, documentary, motion graphics, and sound design. Chad's professional work in video production includes documentary and brand films for businesses and the non-profit sector. He is a creative storyteller with a unique ability to structure a narrative, whether for a short film, commercial, music video, or YouTube vlog. Chad has an exceptional capability to pace a story, build tension, and create emotional engagement; all critical skills to the clients he serves. Chad's photography is primarily commercial, providing services for architectural firms, municipalities, and the commercial real estate industry. Though less for profit, Chad's true passion is landscape and astro-photography. He's had many opportunities to travel internationally with a backpack full of gear (sometimes too full) to "chase the light." Chad is a contributing member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Chad's spouse of 24 years, Suzie, is an elementary teacher in the Lee's Summit School District. Together, they have three kids, ages 22, 19, and 15. In This Episode
"There's no substitute for just talking to people and inviting them to and going to events and shaking hands. If you're not generating some buzz about what you do in your local area, then you're just not doing enough." - Chad Godfrey "That seems counterintuitive—you're giving away the farm. But when people can actually see you as a leader in that realm and that you're giving away some of your knowledge, they're gonna wanna come back to you and pick your brain some more." - Chad Godfrey "The quickest and easiest way to build trust with somebody is in person so they can really see what you're like. People will hire people that they know, like, and trust." - Ryan Koral Guest LinksFollow Summit Video Services on Instagram Visit Summit Video Services Website LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 467. Why Good Enough Is Actually Great with Brad Ellison | 08 déc. 2025 | 00:48:49 | |
Brad Ellison went from selling insurance to building Michigan's highest-rated painting company in just a few years, and he's got some seriously practical wisdom about profit, personality, and perfectionism. In this conversation, we dig into why finishing jobs to 75% can actually be the smartest move for your business, how your core values should drive everything from your marketing to your hiring, and why contractors are the perfect clients for video producers right now. About Brad EllisonBrad grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan and graduated from Oakland University. During school, his goal was always to run his own small business and he got his start at age 19 when he started a local window washing company to pay for tuition. Brad and Rachel operate Ellison Painting together and now live in Oakland Twp with their 5-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. They enjoy exercising, time outdoors, and being involved in the local community and church. Key Takeaways
"We have more five star reviews than any other painting company in Michigan and just like my jumper—it's not even close." - Brad Ellison "For me, my passion lies with my faith, my family, my fitness and my friends. And I have a painting business to feed those four." - Brad Ellison "You want to do a great job for your customers, but you also need to understand what their expectations are... that last 25% is purely for vanity and at the cost of his profit." - Brad Ellison "Identify your core values and any ad that you put out should highlight at least one. Ideally two or more of those core values." - Brad Ellison Guest LinksEllison Painting Website Follow Brad Ellison on Facebook | Instagram Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 466. Turn Your Expertise Into Qualified Leads with Maeve Ferguson | 01 déc. 2025 | 00:52:34 | |
Maeve Ferguson breaks down why quiz funnels are dominating lead generation right now and how you can build one that actually qualifies your prospects instead of just filling up your inbox. She shares her journey from accountant to funnel strategist to AI obsessed entrepreneur, plus we get into the wild world of agentic AI—including the agent she built that finds speaking opportunities and matches them to her calendar automatically. Key Takeaways
Maeve Ferguson Is A Business Strategist And The Creator Of The Client Engine™, a proven system that helps authors, consultants, and entrepreneurs transform their intellectual property into evergreen lead-generation machines. Specialising in diagnostic assessments and quiz funnels, Maeve helps experts attract, qualify, and convert high-ticket clients at scale. With a background in private equity and a track record of working with 7- and 8-figure thought leaders, Maeve brings a unique blend of corporate strategy and entrepreneurial speed to the table. Her clients range from bestselling authors to global speakers who want to scale without shouting into the void or wasting time on unqualified leads. Maeve has been featured in Forbes, appeared on Jen Kem's Stage, and leads a multi-6-figure business while raising two young kids on a horse farm in Ireland. Through a mix of systems, data, and diagnostic-driven strategy, she helps creatives turn their ideas into income and their frameworks into globally recognised assets. In This Episode
"Listen to your market and give them what they want." - Maeve Ferguson "Where the world is going, those services of doing the doing will be replaced by AI. What won't be replaced is the tail framework." -Maeve Ferguson "The things I'm building now didn't exist six months ago. Never mind where we're going to be next year, five years time. It's going to be a different planet." -Maeve Ferguson "We're not trying to convince people that they should want video, because that's like pushing water up a hill." -Maeve Ferguson Guest LinksGet your IP Assessment (in 8 minutes) Follow Maeve Ferguson on Instagram Connect with Maeve Ferguson on LinkedIn Watch the Expert to Thought Leader Show on YouTube Listen to the Expert of Thought Leadership podcast LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 465. From Information Overload to Lean Learning with Pat Flynn | 24 nov. 2025 | 00:55:23 | |
Pat Flynn, CEO of Flynn Industries and New York Times bestselling author, shares his "lean learning" philosophy for combating information overload. After watching his kids get overwhelmed by endless learning options, Pat developed frameworks for just-in-time learning and micro mastery that helped him overcome stage fright and build multiple successful businesses, including a Pokemon YouTube channel with nearly 2 million subscribers. Key Takeaways
Pat Flynn is a father, husband, and lifelong learner from San Diego who has built a reputation as one of the most influential voices in digital entrepreneurship. Through his diverse portfolio of businesses, award-winning podcasts, newsletters, YouTube channels, and thriving online communities, Pat reaches and inspires millions of people each month. He is the founder of SPI, an online community for digital entrepreneurs, co-inventor of the SwitchPod, and host of the Deep Pocket Monster YouTube channel as well as founder of Card Party, a large-scale live event for the community of Pokémon collectors. Pat also serves as an advisor to dozens of companies and is a sought-after keynote speaker. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, collecting Pokémon cards, and rewatching the Back to the Future trilogy. In This Episode
"We are obese with information right now. Find the right thing for the next step that you're doing." - Pat Flynn "You cannot read the label when you are inside the bottle." - Pat Flynn "Information at one point used to be valuable. If you were the smartest kid in the class, you were going to be the most successful. No longer." - Pat Flynn "There's a reason why it's called shower thoughts. When you're in your shower, you have your best thoughts because it's literally the only place in the world now that you have nothing else to do but just think." - Pat Flynn "Count uploads, not likes. Control the thing that you can control, which is you showing up and hitting record and hitting publish." - Pat Flynn Guest LinksFind Pat Flynn online at Smart Passive Income & Deep Pocket Monster Follow Pat Flynn on Instagram | TikTok | Twitter Follow Deep Pocket Monster on Instagram | TikTok | Twitter Listen on YouTube Pat Flynn | Deep Pocket Monster | Short Pocket Monster LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 464. The 80% Rule That Changes Everything with Dave Hunter | 17 nov. 2025 | 00:51:25 | |
Dave Hunter started GreenRoom Video after a career in theater, building it from side hustle to a $1.2 million company. Recently discovering he's an integrator (not a visionary) through reading Traction, Dave shares how he's learned to delegate, scale, and break through belief barriers that were limiting his growth. His team now handles projects from start to finish while he focuses on business development and strategy. Key Takeaways
Dave Hunter is the Founder and Creative Director of GreenRoom Video, a Chicago-area production company that has produced over 1,000 videos for Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, schools, and nonprofits. With a background in theater and more than a decade of experience in performance and production, Dave brings a creative storyteller's eye to every project. Under his leadership, GreenRoom Video surpassed $1 million in annual sales and continues to grow with a focus on helping organizations communicate their messages with clarity, creativity, and impact. In This Episode
"If somebody can do what you're doing at 80% of what you can do, they should be doing it." - Dave Hunter "There's several belief barriers we have where we don't think that's possible, but it is, and the only difference is choosing to try it." - Dave Hunter "Your prices are too low if everyone's saying yes to your proposals." - Dave Hunter's business coach "Act your wage as a company—profit doesn't mean your salary, profit means after your salary, there's still profit." - Dave Hunter Guest LinksFind Dave Hunter online at GreenRoom Video Follow Dave Hunter on Instagram | Facebook LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 463. The Psychology of Premium Pricing with John Bunn | 10 nov. 2025 | 01:00:17 | |
John Bunn recently launched his solo podcast "Shifting Focus" after years of co-hosting How to Film Weddings. Starting with over $400K in student debt, he's built a wedding business that now books $30K+ weddings and has his entire year's expenses covered by the first month. John shares the psychology behind premium pricing, why cash flow equals creative freedom, and how getting specific about your ideal client changes everything about your business. Key Takeaways
John Bunn is a wedding industry educator and mentor who has dedicated his career to elevating professionals through practical, results-driven education. After starting his own wedding video business in 2007, Bunn went on to film and photograph over 550 weddings, gaining deep insights into what truly drives success in the industry. Since transitioning to education in 2018, Bunn has mentored and worked with tens of thousands of wedding professionals, focusing on what he calls "the things that nobody wants to talk about" — the fundamental business practices that create lasting success beyond fleeting trends. Bunn's approach is rooted in real-world experience and a belief that sustainable success comes from shifting focus to what actually matters. His passion for teaching stems from the countless success stories he's witnessed, from working mothers who've transitioned to full-time wedding businesses to professionals finally booking their dream clients. Known for his straightforward, no-nonsense approach, Bunn emphasizes that "trends come, and trends go, but those who shift their focus and put in the work are the true success stories." His mission is to help wedding professionals cut through industry noise and concentrate on the strategies that will genuinely impact their businesses and families. As both mentor and coach, Bunn brings over 15 years of hands-on wedding industry experience combined with a track record of transforming careers through focused, practical education. In This Episode
"You come across completely different in your sales calls when you don't need the money." - John Bunn "Cash is oxygen in your business. It's hard to make good decisions when you don't have oxygen." - John Bunn "If you're not being intentional about where you want to go, you're going to be running someone else's race." - John Bunn "There's nothing wrong with saying, I need to go pick up a part-time job. Stop by on your way to where you're heading." - John Bunn "What does your business look like if you didn't need to make the sale today? That's the secret to selling." - John Bunn Guest LinksFollow John Bunn on Instagram Follow John Bunn Films on Instagram Listen to the Shifting Focus podcast LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 462. Building a Legacy Filmmaking Empire with Clinton Haby | 03 nov. 2025 | 01:04:37 | |
Clinton Haby has spent 16 years building a legacy filmmaking business that charges $8K-$24K per project. Starting with a desire to capture his grandfather's stories, he's developed a systematic approach to intimate storytelling that can't be replicated by technology. In this emotional episode recorded shortly after his grandfather's passing, Clinton shares his three-tier pricing model and announces Legacy Film School to teach others the art of premium storytelling. Key Takeaways
Clinton Haby is a legacy filmmaking pioneer and the founder of StoryKeeping. What began as an urge to keep his grandparents' stories has taken him on a journey of non-stop learning. Listening to clients' wants and striving to deliver beyond their expectations has pushed StoryKeeping to standards far beyond what Clinton initially envisioned. Having served on the board and executive committee of the Association of Personal Historians, Clinton has had a front row seat to the legacy film industry from its infancy to today. Tested by the market and time, Clinton wants to help others capture the legacies of our personal heroes by launching Legacy Film School. In This Episode
"There's nothing like the first person perspective. It needs to come from pop, my grandpa, for it to resonate and for it to retain that magic." - Clinton Haby "People tell stories differently depending upon who's in the room." - Clinton Haby Guest LinksLearn more about Legacy Film School Follow Clinton Haby on Instagram | Facebook LinksFind out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind FREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 461. From Zero to Million Dollar Agency with Lauren Cobello | 27 oct. 2025 | 00:51:00 | |
Lauren Cobello built a million-dollar PR agency in just 10 months as a single mom of four, working with celebrities like Kurt Angle and major influencers. She breaks down why personal branding isn't optional anymore, how to do a simple audit of your online presence, and why your story is the key to charging premium prices in a crowded market. Key Takeaways
Lauren Cobello is a Book Coach and Founder and CEO of Leverage with Media PR. As a renowned national TV personality, 4x author, and a prominent figure in the world of entrepreneurship and public relations. She has an impressive track record of success and a charismatic on-screen presence and has captivated audiences on national TV on shows like the TODAY show, GMA, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray, and hundreds of others for over a decade. In This Episode[00:00] Welcome to the show! "Failure is my fuel and I'm one of the strongest, most resilient people that I know." - Lauren Cobello "I've got one life to live, and I'm going to be damned if it's a miserable one." - Lauren Cobello "What is the brand? What comes up when people Google you? Plain and simple." - Lauren Cobello "Your story matters. If I didn't have my personal brand set up so well on the back end, I would have just blended in with the rest of the agencies." - Lauren Cobello "You are sitting on gold. Your story is different from everybody else's story." - Lauren Cobello Guest LinksFind Lauren Cobello online at Leverage With Media Follow Lauren Cobello on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube LinksFREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||
| 460. Why Creatives Fail at Ads with Ashley Brock | 20 oct. 2025 | 00:39:59 | |
Ashley Brock has managed over $200 million in ad spend and scaled her advertising agency from $250K to $6 million in just two years. In this episode, she shares why Google Ads should be your starting point (not Meta), reveals her "search and social" retargeting strategy, and explains how balancing humility with credibility transformed her business. Key Takeaways
Ashley Brock is the Founder & CEO of the Paid Ads Academy and the go-to expert for paid ads coaching. With over a decade of experience and more than $200 million in ad spend managed, she has worked with Fortune 500 brands, partnered with Google, Meta, and TikTok, and helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their businesses using her proven ad strategies that convert. Her methods have supported clients spending anywhere from $10/day to $100,000+ per day, and she has personally scaled her own business to 7 figures (soon to be 8). Ashley is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of How to Win with Paid Ads™, host of the Win with Paid Ads Podcast, and has been featured on ABC News. When she's not teaching business owners how to become findable™ online, Ashley is a wife, a mom of two young boys, and an entrepreneur passionate about helping others master a skill that can transform their business for years to come. In This Episode[00:00] Welcome to the show! "The performance of your ads will fall to the level of the skill of the person managing them." - Ashley Brock "Specificity creates the necessity." - Ashley Brock "You were so humble that you were actually not able to help them because they weren't listening, because they didn't care and they didn't believe you." - Ashley Brock "You are doing a disservice by not saying, here's why I can help you. Too many people are burying the lead." - Ashley Brock "What got you here won't get you there." - Ryan Koral Guest LinksFollow Ashley Brock on Instagram | YouTube Listen to the Win With Paid Ads podcast Ashley Brock's book: "How To Win With Paid Ads" Join the "Win With Paid Ads Challenge" LinksFREE Workshop Available "How to Consistently Earn Over $100k Per Year in Video Production While Working Less Than 40 Hours Per Week" Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram | |||