Most Companies Are Using AI Completely Wrong

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Jordan Brady, a veteran filmmaker, former stand-up comedian, and commercial director whose career spans Hollywood feature films, comedy documentaries, and more than 1,400 commercials.Jordan shares his unconventional journey from performing stand-up and appearing in sitcoms to discovering his passion for directing. He reflects on the making of I Am Comic, including documenting comedians at different stages of their careers and recognizing emerging talent like Nikki Glaser and Nick Kroll.The conversation explores the risks behind building a creative career, including Jordan's decision to buy back his film Dill Scallion from Disney, max out credit cards, and finance production himself. He also reveals the difficult realities of Hollywood, from navigating studio politics and creative interference to discovering that commercial directing offered greater fulfillment than feature filmmaking.Jordan recounts sacrificing his fee to shoot a canceled Kia commercial that ultimately helped define his career, explaining why long-term opportunities can outweigh immediate financial rewards.Throughout the episode, Nickolas and Jordan discuss creative confidence, recognizing talent, embracing uncertainty, and the importance of betting on yourself, even when success seems unlikely. TakeawaysStart creating with the tools you already have.Being a mediocre actor helped Jordan become a better director.Great documentaries capture stories rather than force them.Recurring contracts create stability and opportunity.Betting on yourself can open unexpected doors.Hollywood success doesn't guarantee creative fulfillment.Prioritize long-term opportunities over short-term income.Creative confidence is essential to taking bigger risks.Chapters00:00 From Stand-Up Comedy to Filmmaking06:01 How Being a Mediocre Actor Made Jordan a Better Director12:21 The Making of I Am Comic and the World of Stand-Up19:34 Finding Unexpected Stories and Discovering Future Comedy Stars26:43 The Art of Crowd Work and Keeping Comedy Fresh29:59 Betting Everything on Dill Scallion40:53 The Hidden Politics and Creative Struggles of Hollywood53:25 Why Jordan Walked Away from Feature Films for Commercials56:28 The Kia Commercial That Changed His Career01:04:09 Creative Confidence, Delusion, and Never Stopping the Pursuit of SuccessJordan Brady’s Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjordanbrady/https://www.instagram.com/thatjordanbrady/https://jordanbrady.com/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with entrepreneur and author Steve Rolle, whose book The Future You Choose explores financial independence, personal agency, and building a life on your own terms.Steve reflects on his early success selling on Amazon and the humbling realization that favorable timing can look like exceptional business skill. After experiencing costly failures, he developed a four-part framework for building scalable businesses through strong products, healthy margins, effective distribution, and profitable customer acquisition.The conversation turns personal as Steve recalls his family emptying childhood savings to buy groceries and explains how growing up in poverty shaped his relationship with risk, fear, and financial security. He challenges the belief that earning more automatically creates freedom, emphasizing the importance of saving, investing, and controlling your lifestyle.Nickolas and Steve also explore the hidden dangers of acquiring small businesses, escaping society's default expectations, finding purpose beyond financial success, and using artificial intelligence to create new opportunities.Ultimately, Steve reveals why true freedom isn't simply about accumulating wealth. It's about having the ability to choose your future, pursue meaningful work, and invest your time in the people who matter most.TakeawaysEarly success can be luck; failure teaches what works.Scalable businesses need strong products, margins, distribution, and customer acquisition.Higher pricing creates room to grow and compete.Financial freedom comes from saving, not just earning.Fear drives ambition, but purpose creates fulfillment.True freedom means choosing your path, not following society's expectations.Small business acquisitions carry hidden risks, especially founder dependency.Learning AI through experimentation creates new opportunities.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Why Early Success Can Be Misleading05:08 The Four-Part Framework for Building Scalable Businesses14:15 Growing Up in Poverty and Finding Financial Security22:31 How Fear Drives Success and Ambition27:56 Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence35:22 Breaking Free From Society's Default Script41:51 The Hidden Risks of Buying Small Businesses46:54 Evaluating Business Growth, Profitability, and Risk54:03 Using AI to Build Skills and Create Opportunities1:02:04 What It Really Means to Live a Fulfilling LifeSteve Rolle’s Links:https://steverolle.com/https://www.instagram.com/rollewithsteve/https://www.linkedin.com/in/steverolle/https://www.youtube.com/@rollewithsteveWant to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Hazel Avivah, former Miss Wyoming, historian, and Stan Lee brand executive, to explore the unexpected journey that took her from interviewing the Marvel legend at just 13 years old to helping preserve his legacy for over 30 million followers worldwide.Hazel shares how a simple willingness to ask opened extraordinary doors, eventually leading her to research more than 200 boxes of Stan Lee's personal archives. Along the way, she uncovered surprising stories involving Hugh Hefner, handwritten letters from Paul McCartney, and a side of Stan Lee that most Marvel fans never knew existed.The conversation explores the responsibility of managing a cultural icon's legacy, the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI recreations of deceased celebrities, and how Hazel convinced Marvel stars, including Ryan Reynolds and Chris Pratt, to celebrate Stan's birthday.Beyond Marvel, Hazel reflects on becoming the first Jewish Miss Wyoming, navigating the pressures of public representation, and developing confidence through competition.Ultimately, the conversation turns to ambition, work-life balance, and the hidden cost of constantly chasing achievement, revealing why some of life's most meaningful victories happen when nobody is watching. TakeawaysSometimes the biggest opportunities come from simply asking.Hard work, persistence, and relationships create opportunities.Preserving a legacy means balancing truth with reputation.AI raises ethical questions about recreating deceased individuals.Representation can challenge stereotypes and inspire others.Strong communication skills can open unexpected doors.You don't have to love your job to love the life it provides.True fulfillment comes from more than professional achievements.Chapters00:00 Introduction: From Eighth Grader to Stan Lee's Legacy01:29 How Hazel Interviewed Stan Lee at 1307:17 Stan Lee's Legacy and the Battle Against Censorship12:46 Becoming the First Jewish Miss Wyoming20:17 Confidence, Communication, and Career Success27:15 How Persistence Led to a Career Preserving Stan Lee's Legacy30:05 Secrets From Stan Lee's Personal Archives35:28 The Ethics of Managing Stan Lee's Legacy42:03 Ryan Reynolds, Marvel Stars, and Stan Lee's Birthday46:07 AI, Digital Resurrection, and Preserving Authenticity55:57 Career Challenges, Ambition, and Finding FulfillmentHazel Avivah’s Link:https://www.instagram.com/hazel_avivah/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Sam Young, founder of Young Scholars Academy, a virtual community that has served over 1,700 gifted, neurodivergent, and twice-exceptional students. A two-time Fulbright scholar, educator, and entrepreneur, Sam challenges a fundamental assumption about education: Why do we spend so much time fixing weaknesses instead of developing strengths?Drawing from his personal experiences with ADHD and dyslexia, Sam shares how traditional education can undermine confidence, why executive function struggles are often mistaken for laziness, and how one teacher's belief changed the trajectory of his life. He also reflects on his father's remarkable creativity, entrepreneurial successes, and personal struggles, revealing the importance of building systems that support how our minds actually work.The conversation explores the psychology of belonging, the power of curiosity over judgment, and how Young Scholars Academy helps children feel understood, challenged, and accepted.Nickolas and Sam also examine the relationship between neurodivergence and entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling a mission-driven business, and the hidden costs of pursuing ambitious goals.Ultimately, Sam offers a thought-provoking perspective on fulfillment, reminding us that a meaningful life requires more than professional achievement. It requires love, service, purpose, and making time for the people who matter most. TakeawaysDevelop strengths instead of obsessing over weaknesses.Intelligence and executive function are not the same thing.One person believing in you can change your trajectory.Approach behavior with curiosity instead of judgment.Belonging creates the conditions for growth.Entrepreneurship can amplify both strengths and weaknesses.Taking risks isn't the same as making progress.A fulfilling life cannot be measured by business success alone.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sam Young and Young Scholars Academy01:13 Why Education Should Focus on Strengths, Not Weaknesses06:23 Sam's Father: Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Executive Function11:10 The Power of Early Intervention, Mentorship, and Belonging14:42 Inside the Mind of a Twice-Exceptional Person21:41 Recognizing Invisible Struggles and Leading with Curiosity29:27 Building Trust Through Autonomy, Empathy, and Communication37:27 Sam's Entrepreneurial Journey, Risk-Taking, and Building a Business48:02 The YSA Glow: Why Acceptance and Belonging Matter53:54 Neurodivergence, Entrepreneurship, and Finding Fulfillment Beyond SuccessSam Young’s Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-young-ysaWant to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Seth Silvers, founder and CEO of Storion, a podcast strategy and production company that helps businesses build trust, reach the right audiences, and drive meaningful results through podcasting.Seth shares his journey from ministry and nonprofit work to entrepreneurship, revealing the challenges of building a service-based business from the ground up. From charging just $400 a month for video production and daily social media content to accumulating $30,000 in hidden business debt, Seth opens up about the financial mistakes, difficult conversations, and pivotal decisions that transformed his company.Together, Nickolas and Seth explore the relationship between making money and serving others, the importance of profitable pricing, and why narrowing your business's focus can unlock sustainable growth.They also discuss how businesses can use podcasting to establish authority, why targeting a specific audience matters more than chasing downloads, and how AI-generated content may actually increase the value of authentic human conversations.Through personal stories and practical business lessons, Seth offers a perspective on entrepreneurship, purpose, and building a business that creates meaningful impact without sacrificing financial stability. TakeawaysBuilding a profitable business and serving others are not mutually exclusive.More clients won't fix broken pricing, weak margins, or poor financial management.Narrowing your services can strengthen positioning, referrals, and business growth.Sustainable pricing must account for delivery costs, overhead, and profit.A successful business podcast needs a clearly defined audience and content that solves their problems.Overengineering podcasts for viral clips can undermine authentic conversations.AI-generated content may increase the value of genuine human connection and long-form conversations.Success and fulfillment come from aligning personal ambitions with meaningful service to others.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Seth Silvers and Storion02:19 From Ministry to Entrepreneurship: Finding Purpose Through Business05:18 Overcoming Guilt Around Money, Profit, and Service12:54 The Early Days of Storion: Underpricing and Finding Focus18:04 Building Trust Through Podcasting and Storytelling23:41 The $30,000 Debt Crisis and the Turning Point29:00 Fixing Broken Pricing and Building a Profitable Business36:09 How Specialization Attracts Clients and Builds Credibility40:53 Why Most Business Podcasts Target Too Broad an Audience43:23 Authenticity, AI, and the Problem With Clip-First Podcasting47:37 Choosing Podcast Formats That Actually Serve Your Audience49:53 Production Quality and the Future of Audio-Only Podcasts56:46 The Importance of Mentorship and Lessons Learned58:59 What It Means to Live a Fulfilling LifeSeth Silvers’s Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethsilvershttps://www.storyon.co/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/unlimited-content-consultIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali welcomes back Chris Penfold to discuss agentic AI, governance, systems design, robotics, and the future of work.Chris explains the differences between chatbots, copilots, and AI agents, and why giving AI the ability to act creates both major opportunities and serious risks. He shares why businesses should avoid automating broken processes, how bounded autonomy can reduce risk, and why companies need to match the right AI model to the right task.They also explore token costs, local versus cloud-based models, the changing role of business leaders, Claude’s internal reasoning, robotics, biohacking, and opportunities in slow-moving industries like automotive.The episode closes with Chris’s perspective on fulfillment: understanding yourself, knowing what brings you joy, and intentionally pursuing more of it. TakeawaysAgentic AI can take actions, not just respond to prompts.Businesses should fix broken workflows before automating them.Ask what AI should not be allowed to do, not just what it can do.Higher-risk AI actions require stronger guardrails and human oversight.Expensive, high-reasoning models are unnecessary for many simple tasks.Leaders need strategic AI understanding, not deep technical expertise.AI may shift work toward higher-value human judgment and interaction.Fulfillment comes from understanding yourself and pursuing what genuinely brings you joy.Chapters00:00 Introduction: The Future of AI and Work04:19 Chatbots, Copilots, and AI Agents09:16 AI Security and Prompt Injection Risks19:18 How Businesses Should Start Using AI25:37 What Should AI Not Be Allowed to Do?30:06 Choosing Models and Managing AI Costs38:17 Leadership and the Future of Work53:34 Claude, Robotics, and Biohacking1:02:40 AI Opportunities in Automotive1:06:25 What Makes a Fulfilling LifeChris Penfold’s Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-penfold-caphttps://refinedautonomy.ai/ Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/roas-engine-auditIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Darnell Hardy, coach, athlete, metabolic testing expert, and founder of Optimize VO2. Darnell shares how suffering a stroke at 34 reshaped his views on fitness, identity, gratitude, faith, and coaching.They also break down VO2 max, Zone 2 training, VT1 and VT2, lactate thresholds, wearables, fuel utilization, recovery, and race performance. Darnell explains why many athletes train too hard on easy days, why wearable data should be treated as a trend rather than absolute truth, and how a stronger aerobic base can improve both performance and recovery.The conversation closes with practical advice on fueling before fatigue hits, training for the actual goal instead of chasing metrics, and building a fulfilling life around faith, purpose, natural strengths, and community.TakeawaysFitness gave Darnell a physical reserve he believes helped him recover from his stroke.Focus on becoming your next best version instead of trying to reclaim your past self.Use wearables to track trends, not as perfect measures of physiology.VO2 max reflects cardiovascular capacity, not total athletic ability.Many athletes train Zone 2 too hard because they rely on feel instead of physiology.Frequent Zone 2 work builds aerobic efficiency and improves recovery.Training should match the specific performance goal, not just chase popular metrics.In longer races, fuel before you feel like you need it.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:58 Darnell’s Stroke at 3407:51 Identity, Faith & Recovery15:32 Wearables & Heart Rate Accuracy18:38 What VO2 Max Really Means22:47 VT1, VT2 & Fuel Use29:38 The Truth About Zone 244:53 Building Your Aerobic Base01:04:47 VO2 Max Intervals & Norwegian 4x401:09:14 Race Fueling, Fatigue & FulfillmentDarnell Hardy’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/dhardy.ighttps://www.instagram.com/powermonkeyfitnesshttps://www.instagram.com/optimizevo2https://www.optimizevo2.com/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/roas-engine-auditIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Christian Ulstrup, founder of GSD (recently rebranded as Caritas Venture Co.), where he helps companies use AI to create measurable business outcomes rather than simply adopt new tools. Christian brings nearly a decade of applied AI experience across startups, medical devices, venture-backed companies, private-equity-backed companies, media, and government, along with experience as an MIT Sloan MBA, former MIT AI conference co-chair, startup executive, and patent holder.Nickolas and Christian explore why AI should be viewed less as a replacement for people and more as a tool for dramatically expanding what capable people can accomplish. They discuss AI agents, identifying the right processes to automate, creating measurable business outcomes, and why human judgment, relationships, and goal-setting become more important as execution gets cheaper.Christian also shares how his company structures outcome-based engagements, aligns incentives through shared upside and downside, and uses "digital exhaust" from meetings, emails, and customer conversations to uncover hidden opportunities and risks. They also examine AI power users, shadow IT, evolving compensation models, and how service businesses can avoid commoditization.The conversation closes with a broader idea: technology may change how work gets done, but creating value still begins with taking a genuine interest in other people and helping them move closer to their goals. TakeawaysAI is most valuable when it expands the scope of what people can accomplish rather than simply attempting to remove humans from the process.Leaders should begin AI initiatives with customer outcomes and business bottlenecks, not with the technology itself.The best automation opportunities combine measurable ROI with strong buy-in from the employees closest to the work being transformed.When AI frees employee capacity, that time can be redirected toward relationships, customer conversations, opportunity spotting, and higher-value work.Outcome-based pricing can better align incentives, but putting 100% of compensation at risk can reduce client commitment and create unnecessary risk.AI power users are often experienced, verbally fluent employees who understand their work deeply, not necessarily the people leadership expects to be the most technical.Meeting transcripts, sales calls, emails, CRM data, and other digital exhaust can help surface patterns, risks, and opportunities that would otherwise remain difficult to see.AI should generate hypotheses and make information more legible, but humans still need to apply judgment, collaborate, set goals, and decide what is actually worth pursuing.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Christian Ulstrup and the Future of AI02:00 Why AI Cannot Simply Replace Human Workers10:11 What AI Agents Actually Look Like in Practice17:00 How to Decide What Your Business Should Automate26:04 What Happens When AI Frees Up Employee Capacity33:15 Outcome-Based Pricing and Aligning Incentives44:26 Finding and Developing AI Power Users50:07 Mining Digital Exhaust for Hidden Business Insights01:04:26 How Service Businesses Can Avoid Commoditization01:08:10 Building a Fulfilling Life Through Service and RelationshipsChristian Ulstrup’s Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianulstrup/https://www.instagram.com/culstrup/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

Need help marketing your business? Talk to Nick: https://calendly.com/nickolasnatali/roas-engine-auditIn this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali sits down with Brimstone, a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and entertainer whose career spans professional wrestling, radio, podcasting, acting, voice acting, comic books, music, food, licensing, philanthropy, and more.Five years after his first appearance on the show, Brimstone returns to unpack what it actually takes to build a lasting career rather than experience a brief moment of success. He and Nickolas explore work ethic, reinvention, authenticity, branding, self-promotion, relationships, collaboration, and the importance of continually creating new opportunities.Brimstone explains why he prefers building across multiple interconnected ventures rather than staying in a single lane, sharing how wrestling naturally led to comics, voice acting, food content, products, podcasts, and eventually the upcoming Stan Lee Presents podcast. He also opens up about the costly consequences of trusting the wrong business partners, why authenticity has been one of his greatest advantages, and how strategic unpaid collaborations can create long-term opportunities.The conversation ultimately comes back to fulfillment: doing meaningful work, building relationships, helping others, pursuing what makes you happy, and leaving behind a legacy your family can be proud of.TakeawaysLasting success comes from consistent work, not short-term virality.Strong branding and self-promotion are essential if you want to stay relevant and memorable.Building multiple interconnected ventures can create more opportunity and reduce dependence on one career path.Trusting the wrong people can be one of the most expensive mistakes in business.Authenticity, competence, and strong relationships are major drivers of long-term success.Strategic free work and collaborations can lead to valuable relationships, exposure, and future paid opportunities.Fulfillment is about meaningful work, family, contribution, happiness, and leaving a legacy, not just money.Chapters00:00 Introducing Brimstone01:29 Building a Lasting Career10:39 Succeeding Across Multiple Ventures18:30 Branding, Self-Promotion & Staying Memorable23:00 Turning One Opportunity Into the Next36:23 Brimstone’s Biggest Business Lessons43:01 Authenticity, Criticism & Playing the Long Game57:21 What It Means to Live a Fulfilling LifeBrimstone’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/therealbrimstone/https://www.therealbrimstone.com/https://x.com/entrancetohellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/entrancetohell/Want to work with Nick and his team?:https://allthingsmediallc.com/Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnataliSupport The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnataliWhat We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):https://tinyurl.com/42h624wtDM Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali

In this episode of The Nickolas Natali Show, Nickolas Natali welcomes back Grant Singer for the season finale. As tradition goes, this episode blends reflection, humor, and honest conversation about the year behind them and the one ahead.Grant shares a major exclusive. He reveals plans to launch a boutique guitar pedal company inspired by his recent solo trip to Japan, where he sourced rare vintage components in Tokyo’s famous Akihabara district. He explains the creative vision behind the brand and why 2026 will be a defining year for him.The conversation also dives into the rapidly changing entertainment industry. From Netflix potentially acquiring Warner Brothers to the Oscars moving to YouTube, Grant gives a candid update on his independently produced feature film and what the future may look like for filmmakers navigating consolidation and uncertainty.Nickolas reflects on a year defined by sacrifice, business growth, endurance milestones, and stress. From completing a Half Ironman to preparing for a 100-mile race, he shares lessons on focus, boundaries, and ambition.It is an honest, thoughtful, and entertaining close to the season.TakeawaysDo not fall in love with your vacation. Travel is not the same as real life.Clarity creates power in business, relationships, and creativity.Focus is not about adding more. It is about removing distractions.Social media often gives the illusion of control while quietly draining time and energy.Stress can signal growth when building something meaningful.The entertainment industry is consolidating rapidly, and independent creators must adapt.Release strategy shapes culture. Weekly releases build anticipation in ways content dumps cannot.Massive corporate mergers may permanently reshape film and television.Passion-driven businesses tend to last longer than purely opportunistic ones.Big swings require vulnerability and risk.Entrepreneurship exposes uncomfortable truths about markets and incentives.Growth, whether athletic or professional, requires sacrifice.Chapters00:00 Intro and Season Finale Disclaimer01:20 Grant Returns and Anniversary Reflections05:30 Japan Trip and Mount Fuji Economics11:30 Solo Travel and Creative Inspiration12:30 Soft Launch of the Guitar Pedal Company16:45 The 100-Mile Race Challenge25:30 Film Update and Independent Production28:30 Industry Shakeup and Corporate Consolidation34:00 Apple Versus Netflix Release Strategy43:00 Business Growth, Sacrifice, and Stress46:45 Starting a Niche Business and Industry Pushback53:00 Word of the Year: Clarity57:00 Identity and Introversion1:00:00 Lessons from Pain and Big Swings Ahead Want to work with Nick?:⁠https://allthingsmediallc.com/⁠Free Resources Made by Nick:⁠https://nickolasnatali.gumroad.com/⁠Nick’s Podcast Equipment, Training Equipment and More (Affiliate):⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/nickolasnatali⁠Support The Nickolas Natali Show on Patreon⁠: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/nickolasnatali⁠What We Use For Virtual Interviews (Affiliate):⁠https://tinyurl.com/42h624wt⁠DM Nick on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nickolasnatali