This week is a rare double-shot solo episode — two of Dusty's Creator's Corner monologues bundled into one main feed drop. Part one breaks down the underrated trio of end screens, cards, and pinned comments — why most creators waste this real estate, and the simple intentional shifts that turn them into watch-time and session-length engines. Part two introduces the four-part sponsor read framework (Signal → Bridge → Proof → Handoff) — the exact 15-to-30-second window where you either keep your audience's trust or lose it, and the one mistake that can tank credibility instantly. If you've ever felt your end screens, cards, or ad reads were just checkboxes, this episode rewires how you think about all of it.

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What happens when the guy who created one of the most successful paranormal TV shows of all time walks away from network television and plants his flag on YouTube? In this episode, Jason Hawes — creator, lead investigator, and original host of Ghost Hunters — sits down with Dusty to break down what 20 years of mainstream TV taught him about storytelling, why he let his YouTube channel sit dormant for 15 years before launching it, how he thinks about monetization (including why he removes 50% of YouTube's ads), and what's next for his channel "Unlocking the Unknown."

About Jason:

Jason Hawes is a paranormal investigator, television personality, and New York Times bestselling author best known as the creator and original lead investigator of Ghost Hunters, the series that helped bring real-world paranormal investigation into the mainstream. For over two decades, he has approached the field with a grounded, no-nonsense mindset focused on finding answers, not chasing hype.

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Hire Dusty To Be Your YouTube Coach

YouTube Channel Reviews (Audit): Get a 7-10 minute personalized video review of your YouTube channel with honest, actionable feedback for just $50.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: Each week I document what I'm doing in my business and creative journey, share new things I've discovered, mistakes I've made, and much more!

All Tools Mentioned On The Show: The Ultimate Entrepreneurs Resource. This is the spreadsheet where I keep all of the tools mentioned by all the guests on the podcast.

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What does it really take to build a profitable YouTube channel in a niche everyone says is "too small"? In this episode, Cody Moneymaker pulls back the curtain on how his bluegrass guitar channel, just 33,000 subscribers, generates right around $5,000 a month in course sales, with zero paid ads and barely any sponsorships.

We get into the exact pivot that changed everything (hint: it wasn't about playing better), why his thumbnails look like a newspaper on purpose, how he plans his entire year around sales seasonality, and the mindset shift that keeps him from burning out. If you've got a small channel and you're wondering if the numbers will ever add up — this one's for you.

About Cody:

Cody Moneymaker is a bluegrass guitarist and educator based in East Tennessee. A graduate of East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music program, he has performed everywhere from Knoxville to Vietnam. His YouTube channel, Cody M. Music, has over 32,000 subscribers, where he shares lessons and insights into bluegrass guitar, gear, and ups and downs of being a local musician.

Connect With Cody:

Join Creator Communities. A place to gather with other creators every single day. This provides access to Our Private Discord Server, Monthly Mastermind Group, and MORE!

Hire Dusty To Be Your YouTube Coach

YouTube Channel Reviews (Audit): Get a 7-10 minute personalized video review of your YouTube channel with honest, actionable feedback for just $50.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: Each week I document what I'm doing in my business and creative journey, share new things I've discovered, mistakes I've made, and much more!

All Tools Mentioned On The Show: The Ultimate Entrepreneurs Resource. This is the spreadsheet where I keep all of the tools mentioned by all the guests on the podcast.

Follow The Show:

Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram