Podcast Summary
From Football to UFC to Podcasting: Brian Orlando's Journey: Determined to make it to the NFL, Brian Orlando faced unexpected challenges and turned to selling supplements and martial arts. He eventually competed in the UFC, then moved to LA to start a podcasting career, now owning a network with multiple shows.
Brian Orlando, also known as "The Kid," has had a remarkable journey filled with unexpected challenges and successes. Starting from his football career at the University of Colorado, he was determined to make it to the NFL but was ultimately let go. Undeterred, he turned to selling supplements door-to-door and training in martial arts. Within two years, he was competing in the UFC. After his UFC stint, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in podcasting, starting with "Fighter and the Kid" with Brian Callen. Now, over a decade later, he owns a podcast network with several shows under his belt. Despite the unexpected twists and turns in his life, Orlando embraces the theme of being thrown into the deep end and figuring it out. From football to fighting to comedy, he continues to push himself and succeed.
The importance of a single source of truth for business efficiency: HubSpot's customer platform organizes and tracks customer interactions, team communication, and lead tracking, while AI-supported features allow for personalized messaging, promoting business growth.
Having a single source of truth for your business is essential for organization and efficiency. The speaker shared his experience with the chaos of managing various moving parts without a clear source of truth, and how HubSpot's customer platform provides a solution by organizing and tracking everything in one place. This includes customer interactions, team communication, and lead tracking. Additionally, the AI-supported features allow for personalized messaging. The speaker also reflected on his personal experiences of fast-tracking his career in UFC and comedy, noting both the benefits of learning quickly and the drawbacks of being thrust into high-pressure situations before being fully prepared. Ultimately, the importance of experience and mentorship was emphasized as valuable lessons learned from these experiences. To learn more about HubSpot and how it can help grow your business, visit their website.
Transitioning from podcast guest to stand-up comedian: Build rapport with comedians, develop material, understand unique demands, embrace learning process, take risks, and face challenges to become a stand-up comedian.
Starting in stand-up comedy requires courage and preparation. The speakers shared their experience of transitioning from podcast guests to stand-up comedians. They mentioned the importance of building a rapport with comedians, developing material, and understanding the unique demands of stand-up comedy. The speakers also highlighted the significance of storytelling and the importance of being open to learning from experienced comedians. Ultimately, they emphasized that the journey to becoming a stand-up comedian involves taking risks, facing challenges, and embracing the learning process. As one speaker put it, "it's just your way of doing it." So, if you're considering a career in stand-up comedy, be prepared to put in the work, learn from others, and embrace the uncertainty that comes with performing live on stage.
Stepping out of comfort zone leads to unexpected opportunities: Taking risks and having a business mindset can lead to success despite industry norms and adversity
Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone, even if it means being thrown in the deep end, can lead to unexpected challenges and opportunities. The speaker shared his experience of getting a network special after only two years of stand-up comedy, which initially brought him closer to his peers but ultimately pushed him away due to the long-standing industry norms. He also discussed his decision to start his own production company, Thick Boy Studios, after building the podcast branch for Showtime for six years. Through these experiences, he learned that having a business mindset and being willing to take risks can lead to success, even if it means facing adversity along the way.
Starting a podcast network from scratch: Challenges and optimism: Starting a podcast network involves financial risks, hiring good employees, dealing with complications, and rebuilding an audience. Despite challenges, staying optimistic and persistent can lead to success.
Starting your own podcast network from scratch, after leaving a major network, comes with unique challenges. The speaker, who has self-funded the new venture, experienced an increase in financial revenue but acknowledged that it's not the only factor to consider. Running a business involves hiring good employees, dealing with complications, and starting from scratch in terms of audience and recognition. Despite the challenges, the speaker remains optimistic but cautions that it's still too early to determine the long-term success of the business. The speaker's control-freak nature and the need for dedicated employees have proven to be obstacles, and the loss of an established audience base at the previous network adds to the complexity of the situation. However, the speaker remains confident and plans to keep "chipping away" to build the new network.
Podcasting Success: Audio is the Core: Audio remains the core of podcasting success, with metrics focusing on audio engagement, while YouTube offers additional reach for new generations of podcasters.
While YouTube may be a significant platform for reach, audio remains the king in podcasting. The speaker shared his experience with a podcast that underwent significant changes, resulting in a new dynamic and audience. He emphasized that his primary focus is on audio metrics, as that's where the majority of the audience engages with the content. However, he acknowledged the growing influence of YouTube in the podcasting landscape, especially for new generations of podcasters. The speaker also shared his personal philosophy of not focusing on monetary goals until the business has reached a certain level of success. He used Rob Dyrdek as an example of someone who prioritized growth over immediate goals. Overall, the key takeaway is that while YouTube may be a valuable tool for reach, audio remains the core of podcasting success.
Starting with a clear vision: A clear vision can inspire and motivate, but it's okay to start without having all the details figured out. Gaining momentum and making decisions along the way can help clarify your path.
Having a clear vision or goal for your life or project is beneficial, but it's not always necessary to have it figured out right from the start. The speaker emphasizes that getting started and gaining momentum can help you navigate and make decisions as you go. Having a vision of an ideal life or project can serve as motivation and inspiration. The speaker shares his personal experience of starting a podcast with the vision of reaching a large audience and sharing insights with them. He also mentions that having a specific number-oriented goal may not always work out, but having a clear vision can still drive you forward. The importance of having a vision is to keep you moving in a direction, even if the specifics are not yet clear.
Appreciating the present and finding happiness in the journey: Focusing on the next step is important, but don't forget to enjoy the present and find joy in the journey
Focusing on the next step and having a clear North Star can be motivational and helpful in decision-making. However, it's important to appreciate the present and find happiness in the journey, rather than constantly pushing for the next thing. The speaker acknowledges that they have a hard time doing this and wishes they could learn to be more like a child or a dog, who live in the moment and find joy in simple things. They also mention the influence of Tony Robbins and his philosophy as a useful operating system for life. Despite their successes, they express a desire to be more present and content with what they have.
Finding Balance Between Success and Fulfillment: Strive for success while embracing fulfillment to maintain happiness and contentment. Balance comparison to others with focusing on your unique journey.
Success and fulfillment are two separate yet interconnected aspects of life. While the science of success involves setting targets, working hard, and making progress, the art of fulfillment requires learning how to be content and happy. The magic happens when we integrate both. It's essential to create new projects and strive for success while being fulfilled, rather than just chasing success to prove ourselves or compare ourselves to others. The constant comparison to others can lead to unhappiness. Instead, we should focus on our unique journey and accept that it may look different from others. The author mentioned the concept of the "Kool Aid point," where success brings both fans and haters. It's important to remember that the presence of haters doesn't necessarily mean we're doing something wrong; it's just part of the journey. The key is to find balance between striving for success and being fulfilled.
Criticism and self-worth: Maintain perspective, focus on positive interactions, and don't let criticism define self-worth. Genuine connections in real life matter most.
While receiving criticism and negative feedback can be challenging, especially for public figures, it's essential to maintain perspective and not let it consume your energy or affect your self-worth. The speaker acknowledges that some criticism may hold truth, but it's crucial not to dwell on it and instead focus on the positive interactions and connections in real life. Social media can be a factor, but it should not be the sole determinant of self-value. The speaker's experience of receiving both love and hate, and his wife's support, have conditioned him to not let personal attacks affect him significantly. Instead, he values the genuine interactions he has with fans in person.
Navigating the line between playful banter and personal attacks: Entertainers like Brendon prioritize positivity over negativity and value community and camaraderie in their careers.
Entertainers like Brendon have to navigate the line between accepting playful banter and dealing with personal attacks. While Brendon appreciates witty roasts, he draws the line when it comes to disrespect. He acknowledges that some fans might hide behind the anonymity of the internet to cross that boundary, but he remains committed to staying positive and focusing on his work. Moreover, Brendon emphasizes the importance of community and camaraderie in his career. He shares how moving to LA and building a network of fellow comedians helped him succeed and grow. Despite the potential for drama and controversy, Brendon chooses to stay true to himself and prioritize positivity over negativity.
A supportive community among podcasters: Podcasters like Theo Von, Brendan Schaub, and Bobby Lee, thrive in a collaborative environment, sharing tactics, ideas, and encouragement, with Joe Rogan leading the way.
The success of podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience can be attributed to a supportive and collaborative community among podcasters. This camaraderie is reminiscent of a fraternity, with members like Theo Von, Brendan Schaub, and Bobby Lee, sharing tactics, ideas, and encouragement. Joe Rogan, as the leader of this pack, sets the tone for a team that embraces each other and supports one another's growth. This sense of unity and collaboration has been a significant factor in their collective success. Additionally, having eye-catching studios and consistently sharing content also plays a role in their popularity. Despite their individual successes, they recognize their shared duty to uplift and support each other as alumni in their respective fields.
Supporting each other in entertainment leads to success: The entertainment industry thrives on collaboration and mutual support. While some individuals may move on to bigger opportunities, it's crucial to maintain a culture of helping each other out and paying it forward.
Supporting and promoting each other in the entertainment industry, or any field for that matter, can lead to great success for all involved. This was evident in the close-knit comedy community in LA a decade ago, where comedians like Rogan, Dillon, Schultz, Santino, Vaughn, Dillard, and others helped each other gain exposure and audiences. However, as some of these comedians moved on to bigger things, leaving the comedy scene in LA, it became clear that those days of camaraderie and mutual support were coming to an end. It's now up to each individual to make it on their own. Despite this, it's important to maintain a culture of paying it forward and helping each other out when possible, as seen in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.
The journey to success is filled with self-doubt and anxiety, but we're all in it together: Success doesn't come at the expense of others, and even the most successful face self-doubt, so embrace resilience and determination to push through fear
No matter the industry or field, there's a shared experience of doubt and fear before achieving success. Whether it's in Silicon Valley or the UFC octagon, the journey to the top is filled with self-doubt and anxiety. Despite the pressure, it's essential to remember that the success of one doesn't come at the expense of others. The rising tide lifts all boats. Additionally, even the most successful individuals, like Mark Zuckerberg or a UFC champion, face their own fears and self-doubt before making it big. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and not let them hold us back from pursuing our goals. The backstage moments before a big fight or a public display of success can be daunting, but it's in these moments that we must remind ourselves of our resilience and determination to push through the fear and emerge victorious.
Fighters acknowledge their fear and vulnerability: Fighters, despite their intimidating appearances, experience fear and vulnerability before fights. By sharing their experiences, they inspire and motivate others to face their fears and pursue their goals.
Even the most fearsome fighters in the world experience fear and anxiety before stepping into the cage. Despite the highs and lows of their careers, they recognize the importance of acknowledging their humanity and vulnerability. This relatability can help people connect with athletes on a deeper level, making their accomplishments all the more impressive. Some fighters embrace the fear and thrive in the violence, while others may be more hesitant, but ultimately, they all face their doubts and insecurities. By sharing their experiences, athletes can inspire and motivate others to face their own fears and pursue their goals.
Born warriors vs those who need to build confidence: Understanding self-doubt and pushing through it is crucial for success in UFC and entrepreneurship.
There are different types of people in the world, some naturally born warriors, and others who need to build confidence and believe in themselves to succeed. Justin Gaethje, a UFC fighter, is an example of a born warrior, always ready to fight to the death. On the other hand, some people, like the speaker, need to work on their self-doubt and convince themselves that they are the best. Rose Namajunas, another UFC fighter, is an inspiring example of someone who does this before and after fights. The speaker also emphasized the importance of understanding the UFC world and its nuances when discussing it with fans. Despite the intensity and life-or-death nature of fighting, starting a business can feel similarly daunting, and both require pushing through self-doubt and insecurities.
Accountability and growth through past experiences: Acknowledge past mistakes, learn from conflicts, and adapt to change for growth and success
Despite the ups and downs in business and personal relationships, taking accountability for one's actions and learning from past experiences are key to growth and success. The speaker, who has had public disagreements with figures in both the UFC world and media, emphasized the importance of moving past conflicts and focusing on the positive. He shared examples of past misunderstandings with Dana White and Ariel Helwani, acknowledging his role in the disputes and expressing respect for both individuals. The speaker also highlighted the importance of adapting to change and using setbacks as opportunities for progress. He shared how the Reebok deal, which initially caused him financial loss, ultimately pushed him towards his current business ventures. Overall, the speaker's message was one of resilience, accountability, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of challenges.
Values people and experiences over technology: Prioritizing human connections and experiences over technology leads to a rich and fulfilling life.
Prioritizing human connections and experiences over technology can lead to a rich and fulfilling life. The speaker in this conversation shares his busy schedule and how he values his time with people over being tied down to his computer. He also expresses his dislike for certain modern technologies like electric cars and iPhones. Despite his financial situation, he emphasizes that true value comes from meaningful relationships and experiences. The conversation ends on a humorous note, but the underlying message is clear: prioritizing people and experiences over technology is essential for living a well-rounded life.
