WELCOME MIKE RICHY TO THE POD

In my conversation with Mike, we talk about story telling, authenticity, and the creative journey. But more than just another conversation about any of those things, we dive deep into his personal stories (and mine too) of growth and creative challenges.

My favorite topic today was covering the cost of not making an impact as a creator.

As well as:
- What “story” means to Mike
- The role of authenticity and courage in creative work
- Mike’s creative inspirations, from Steve Jobs to Tyler the Creator
- The challenges and rewards of building a creative business
- The mission behind Viddy Studio and how it helps creators deliver their best on camera
- Overcoming plateaus, burnout, and the fear of putting yourself out there
- The importance of showing up, resilience, and long term vision for creators

Follow Mike:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikerichy?igsh=MWJib29kMHQ3c2V1cw==
Music: https://spotify.link/yvBdYv19UXb
Viddy Studio: viddystudio.com
Connecting Creators: https://www.youtube.com/@connecting_creators

Follow Jacob:
➤ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-christensen-b0701027b/
➤ https://www.instagram.com/filmdudejacob/?igsh=MW15NHFhMTJudmZzdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#

Follow the podcast for more conversations like this:
➤ https://www.instagram.com/successisamythpod/?igsh=MThhNXJmcWVvazB0aQ%3D%3D#

Timestamps:
0:00 Teaser / intro
1:48 What does the word "story" mean to you?
6:19 Who do you draw inspiration from?
10:34 Growing with an artist
13:16 Authenticity is courage
20:15 The cost of NOT making an impact
29:48 Being on camera is a DIFFERENT skill
32:06 Why tell my story?
35:41 the 1% and the 99%
43:18 Go straight through the discomfort
45:10 When I knew I had to be a creator
47:16 Viddy Studio pitch
49:49 Respect people's time
51:30 Why give back to creators
55:19 My ability to sleep at night is priceless
57:49 How to get back on the wagon when you fall off
1:02:34 What would you say to younger Mike

Why are the smallest, everyday moments often the most valuable?

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Pickard from Family Crest Studios, a filmmaker dedicated to preserving personal histories and family legacies through video. Kevin shares how his passion for storytelling grew from a personal experience, and why documenting memories (no matter how simple) can become priceless treasures for generations.

Kevin reveals the art and heart behind life story films, the challenges of making subjects comfortable on camera, and the responsibility of honoring each person’s story with care and authenticity.

What we go over:

➤ Why the “little things” and everyday moments matter most in storytelling

➤ Why it’s never too early (or too late) to start documenting your story

➤ The process of making people feel at ease and authentic during interviews

➤ Lessons learned from filming people with unique challenges, like memory loss

➤ The importance of always showing subjects in their best light

➤ How Family Crest Studios helps families preserve memories and legacies through video

➤ How success in this work is measured by meaning, not money

I'm confident this conversation will inspire you to pick up a camera, or even just your phone, and start capturing your own story.

Follow Kevin & Family Crest Studios:
➤ https://www.instagram.com/familycreststudios/
➤ familycreststudios.com

Follow Jacob:
➤ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-christensen-b0701027b/
➤ https://www.instagram.com/filmdudejacob/?igsh=MW15NHFhMTJudmZzdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#

Follow the podcast for more conversations like this:
➤ https://www.instagram.com/successisamythpod/?igsh=MThhNXJmcWVvazB0aQ%3D%3D#

Timestamps:

0:00 Trailer

1:08 Intro

1:44 What does the word "story" mean to you?

4:11 Telling somebody's life story

7:09 Freezing moments in time

13:15 What's the most reiterated life advice people give?

14:31 The most fulfilling part about what you do

17:18 How long are these videos typically?

18:41 How to connect younger and older generations

23:32 Make your subject/customer their own HERO

24:48 How do you make the most watchable content?

28:03 Diving into the technical processes

30:19 I realized I needed to do this thing

35:20 Opportunities

What does it really mean to be “successful”? How do you keep chasing big goals without losing sight of what actually matters?

In this episode, I flip the mic on myself to share the lessons I’ve learned the hard way about content, business, and fulfillment. Why chasing hype doesn’t last, and what it really takes to build a life you’re proud of.

I talk about the mindset shifts that helped me find meaning in the work I do, the traps I’ve fallen into trying to grow too fast, and how slowing down can actually create more impact than constant hustle.

What we go over:

➤ The biggest misconceptions about “making it” in content and business
➤ Lessons from early mistakes that shaped how I approach growth today
➤ Why chasing viral moments can backfire, and what to focus on instead
➤ How to find fulfillment even when the numbers don’t match your expectations
➤ Practical ways to create content that connects without burning yourself out
➤ Why long-term relationships and craft beat short-term hype every time

Follow Jacob:
➤ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-christensen-b0701027b/
➤ https://www.instagram.com/filmdudejacob?igsh=MW15NHFhMTJudmZzdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Follow the podcast for more conversations like this:
➤ https://www.instagram.com/successisamythpod?igsh=MThhNXJmcWVvazB0aQ==

Timestamps:
0:00 Why was I serving everybody?
3:41 Get into communities
4:02 A word about the pod
5:37 Nobody cares about you!
7:46 Who are you to people?
12:17 AI is here.
18:02 People DO judge a book by its cover.
20:56 Playing video games doesn't make you a lazy POS
22:09 Only talk to ONE person.
24:30 Pros to niching down
27:34 It should be your idea.
31:33 How I've learned to position myself
32:03 Outro