st louis podcast

When Luke Strege and I first crossed paths amidst the chaos of 2019, little did we know that our shared zest for videography would be the kindling for a friendship and professional camaraderie that spans from whimsical wedding shoots to the glitz of Los Angeles. This episode is a nostalgic trip and a treasure trove of insights as Luke and I trade tales from our formative days in the content creation realm. We share earnest revelations about chasing our professional dreams while maintaining a personal touch in every frame we capture.

Venturing into the world of videography can often feel like stepping into an unknown realm, but it's a journey he embraced, moving from a secure corporate life into full-time film production. The heart of this episode lies in the stories of transition and transformation—like the unforgettable email that landed in his inbox, opening the door to pursue his passion unbridled. Our chat isn't just about the glamour of red carpet moments; it's an honest reflection on the grind, the late-night edits, and the vibrant tapestry of experiences that shape a creative professional's life.

But what happens after you've started to make your mark? We wrap up with a candid discussion about staying grounded amid the industry's highs, the influence of authenticity on one's work, and the continuous journey of self-improvement. Creatives, dreamers, and everyone in between, you're invited to join us as we peel back the curtain on the perseverance and heart that fuel our craft. And for those eager to walk this path with us, our Instagrams are just a click away for sneak peeks into what's brewing next in our world of content creation.

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Watch the visual version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisntmydegree

Original Dante - Host
YouTube: www.youtube.com/originaldante
Personal IG: www.instagram.com/vibesbydante
Podcast IG: www.instagram.com/thisisntmydegree

Luke Strege - Guest
IG: www.instagram.com/lukestrege
Wedding IG: www.instagram.com/elearintime

This podcast is powered by Riverside - https://riverside.fm/

Ever had to sign a waiver to eat food before?

This episode unfurls with the delectable musings of our special guest from Epic Eats - a connoisseur of the culinary arts based in St. Louis who isn't afraid to throw himself into the hottest of foods... and we ate the hottest of chicken on the podcast. With Epic Eats, we ladle out tales from our shared past in retail (seriously, we used to work together) and how a fiery love for food carved out new paths during the pandemic.

Strap on your aprons and ready your taste buds as we venture into the saucy debate over condiments and the perilous journey of scaling the Scoville scale at Chuck's Hot Chicken. Our conversation simmers with insights on the craft of food critiquing and the responsibility we carry when our online opinions can make or break a meal. Yelp elites, beware - we're dishing out thoughts on the power your reviews hold, all while ensuring our own critiques stay as constructive as the feedback we dish to kitchens across the city.

In our final course, we slice into the innovation (or lack thereof) in the St. Louis food scene, serving up raw, honest talk about the branding and recognition hurdles that local eateries vault over. We cheer on events like Wing Ding and those audacious enough to drizzle new flavors into the St. Louis melting pot. So, whether you're here for the foodie chat, the nostalgia of our employment history together, or just craving some good ol' St. Louis eats talk, tune in and savor this flavorful episode - and don't forget to subscribe and follow for a taste of our next adventure.

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Watch the visual version of this podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisntmydegree

Original Dante - Host
YouTube: www.youtube.com/originaldante
Personal IG: www.instagram.com/vibesbydante
Podcast IG: www.instagram.com/thisisntmydegree

EpicEats
Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsepiceats

As I sat nursing a warm cup of coffee, mulling over the recent content capture in Kansas City, it struck me just how much Instagram has morphed from a quirky photo-sharing app to a polished, algorithmic powerhouse. There was a time when our feeds were unfiltered windows into each other's lives; now they're carefully curated galleries where spontaneity seems like a distant memory. It has transformed into a strategically-driven platform.

The second half of our conversation touches on the rollercoaster ride of inconsistent engagement and its psychological toll on creators like me. I'll share the ongoing struggle with Instagram's love-hate relationship with its users: the unpredictable nature of story views, the craving for deeper community connections, and the search for the elusive joy in content creation. Through this introspective chat, I'll also emphasize the importance of creating impactful work that resonates, rather than playing the numbers game for followers. So, whether you're a fellow content creator or just a social media enthusiast, I invite you to join this discussion that aims to reignite the spark of genuine interactions within the digital community.

Victoria and I met years ago at a local creative networking event and I've been keeping up with what she's been up to creatively. She's elevated brand visuals on both a photo and video level, but I've always been curious about the wedding photo/video business.

She told me that for her wedding, she didn't opt to have someone capture their day. Her and her husband regret this, so she offers this service to her clients and has a personal connection to each piece of work she produces. I had a ton of questions.

Oh, and we also discuss Taylor Swift, moms posting on social media way too often, and more. Enjoy the episode!

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I encourage you to follow her along on social media:

Victoria's IG: www.instagram.com/victoriashipleyy

Host Instagram: www.instagram.com/originaldante
Watch the show version of this podcast: www.hoo.be/thisisntmydegree

I was casually browsing Reddit and discovered a post in r/Missouri that was on my home feed. I stumbled upon Holden's journey, where he is walking across the country and happens to be entering Missouri.

I shot him a message and said "well, when you hit St. Louis, let's film a podcast episode!" So we did.

In this episode, we discuss the highs and lows of walking across the country, his meaningful journey filled with personal purpose, the wacky side quests he's engaging in, and highlight how unwalkable America really is.

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I encourage you to follow him along on social media:

Website: www.walk2washington.com
Holden's IG: www.instagram.com/walk2washington

Support the cause and donate: www.americawalks.org

Host Instagram: www.instagram.com/originaldante
Watch the show version of this podcast: www.hoo.be/thisisntmydegree