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CREATOR: The Podcast

CREATOR: The Podcast

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

    Caspar Lee: The Playbook Brands Need to Win with Creators
    Jun 30 2026
    YouTuber Caspar Lee (@casparlee) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his remarkable evolution from YouTube pioneer to serial entrepreneur. In this episode, Caspar shares how he went from making comedy vlogs with a thousand subscribers to interviewing A-list celebrities like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Ed Sheeran, revealing how he convinced major studios to take creators seriously before it became standard practice. Host Ross Borden explores Caspar's journey from teenage gamer in South Africa to building a 200-person influencer marketing agency (Influencer.com), co-founding MVE Management backed by Endeavor, and launching a $65 million VC fund (Creator Ventures) that's invested in companies like Eleven Labs and Beehiiv. Caspar offers candid insights about the creator economy's intersection with Hollywood, explaining why brands should approach creator partnerships like VCs approach startup portfolios rather than betting everything on one collaboration. He also shares his current passion project: eating a cucumber every day on TikTok to test the algorithm. Whether you're a creator looking to build beyond content or a brand executive trying to navigate influencer marketing, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning creative success into lasting business ventures. 00:00 - Introduction to Caspar Lee01:25 - Caspar’s career snapshot: creator, actor, entrepreneur02:26 - Early YouTube beginnings: gaming and first channels03:45 - Rise with the Brick Crew and expanding audience05:02 - Joining Musical.ly/TikTok and platform reflections06:50 - Interviewing celebrities and working with studios10:04 - Creators vs. Hollywood: industry perspective13:35 - Predictions: AI, creators, and the future of content20:00 - Why Caspar built Influencer.com22:55 - Influencer.com: services, model, and team24:50 - Advice for brands working with creators28:43 - Campaign strategy: budget allocation and portfolio approach30:55 - MVE Management: talent representation and IP34:07 - Creator Ventures: VC thesis and portfolio support35:52 - Fund sizes, stages, and investment approach40:41 - Keeping a creator’s edge: TikTok experiments (the cucumber series)43:36 - Joe & Caspar Hit the Road: the BBC travel show45:04 - Rapid-fire: three countries Caspar would choose47:25 - Where to follow Caspar & closing remarks
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    48 mins
  • Catarina Mello: The Brand Magnet Method That Made Pitching Obsolete

    Catarina Mello: The Brand Magnet Method That Made Pitching Obsolete
    Jun 23 2026
    Catarina Mello (@professionaltraveler) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a thriving travel creator business while navigating motherhood and the evolving creator economy. In this episode, Catarina shares her journey from working at Google to becoming a full-time travel creator who's visited 65+ countries, including how a trip to Bali sparked her decision to leave corporate life behind. Host Ross Borden explores Catarina's transition from pitching brands to now receiving mostly inbound partnerships, diving into her "brand magnet method," the launch of her successful creator courses during COVID, and why digital products now generate 75% of her revenue. Catarina offers behind-the-scenes insights about traveling to multiple countries with her one-year-old son, her obsession with safari experiences (particularly Singita Sabora in Tanzania), and why she believes AI will actually make authentic human creators more valuable. Whether you're an aspiring travel creator or simply interested in building a sustainable creative business, this conversation delivers a valuable perspective on diversifying income streams and staying relevant in an increasingly competitive space. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Catarina Mello 01:05 - Background & move to the US 01:48 - Getting started as a travel creator 03:39 - Early platform growth (Instagram beginnings) 04:20 - Standing out as a travel creator & advice for students 05:39 - AI and the future of creators 06:54 - Brand partnerships & the Brand Magnet method 08:17 - Pitching strategies and outreach 09:52 - Press trips, fam trips and using trips for campaigns 11:23 - Contracts, negotiation and representation 12:52 - Building and launching her course (COVID timing) 16:27 - Business model: courses vs brand deals 17:06 - Oman and underrated destination highlights 19:01 - Favorite countries and why she loves safaris 22:00 - Traveling with a baby and family travel 24:11 - Audience insights, family content and adults-only hotel trend 27:34 - Perspectives on safety in Brazil 31:24 - Favorite hotel stays & luxury service (Sangita, Four Seasons Hoi An) 35:02 - First-class suites & airline experiences (Emirates/Etihad) 37:48 - New projects, coaching, where to follow & outro
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    39 mins
  • Henry Cooper: Freediving the Kelp Forests of California's Coast

    Henry Cooper: Freediving the Kelp Forests of California's Coast
    Jun 16 2026
    Underwater photographer and free diver Henry Cooper @lensofcoop) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share his unique approach to documenting California's marine life. Host Ross Borden explores Henry's journey from drone photography and big wave surfing at San Francisco's Ocean Beach to becoming a viral creator who now plays with baby seals in California's kelp forests. They dive into the stark differences between free diving and scuba diving for wildlife encounters, the devastating impact of warming waters on kelp ecosystems, and why Henry would actually love to encounter a great white shark underwater. Henry offers behind-the-scenes insights about diving the Channel Islands—NASA's "Galapagos of North America"—plus his recent experiments with underwater scooters that have sea lions following him for hours. Whether you're a water enthusiast, aspiring creator, or simply fascinated by marine life, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building an authentic connection with ocean wildlife while creating content that matters. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Henry Cooper 00:37 - Podcast and guest welcome 01:12 - Seals: interactions and recognition 03:19 - Seal parenting and juvenile behavior 05:14 - Leopard seals and predatory species 06:26 - From photographer to freediver: origin story 08:46 - Spearfishing vs filming 10:53 - Ocean warming, fish migration, and kelp decline 13:53 - Diving through kelp forests (description) 15:04 - Sharks: encounters, risks, and myths 18:26 - Shark population decline and threats 22:17 - Channel Islands: biodiversity and diving 24:44 - Notable dive locations worldwide 26:03 - Freediving skills and why he prefers it 27:57 - Creator journey and monetization 29:05 - Underwater scooters and gear 31:31 - Dream dive destinations and closing 32:11 - Where to find Henry online / outro
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    33 mins
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