Mountain Collective Podcast

Joost Meijer is an AI VFX Producer at moonshots.agency in Amsterdam. His studio pioneered hybrid filmmaking: real footage shot on set, combined with AI-generated layers, built for cinema rather than social.In this episode we get into:Post-production becoming pre-production. AI lets directors and DOPs make creative decisions earlier, and makes shots possible that old-school VFX budgets could never reach.Stacking AI models in Nuke. On an early feature, they combined different models (one strong at explosions, another at rain, another at water) and composited them to interact with the real footage.The cinema-scale problem. Upscaling for the big screen, the 24 vs 25 fps mismatch, 8-bit vs 10-bit color depth, and why some models look fine on a phone but quirky on a cinema screen.Realism is in the imperfections. Crooked teeth, skin pores, sweat, mud and blood. AI wants to make everyone smooth and beautiful, so believable humans take heavy prompting.Prompt vocabularies are model-specific. The same prompt can behave differently across video models, so the studio builds its own platform with an API gateway to test them side by side.Staying a step behind on purpose. New models arrive weekly, but broadcasters and streamers require proof that footage isn’t used for model training, so they only use techniques they’ve tested and can document.Small teams vs. big VFX houses. Pipelines they build today will likely be obsolete in three months, while 3 to 12 people can now do what once took a large facility.A call to action for Dutch film. Joost sees AI as the savior of the Dutch film industry and urges producers and directors to drop budget-constrained thinking and stop seeing AI as a threat.If you’re a filmmaker, VFX artist or creative wondering how AI fits into serious production, this one is for you.__ https://moonshots.agency/

What happens when you book a one-way ticket to the sea and tell almost nobody? Cristina, a digital nomad from Bucharest, did exactly that four years ago, and it turned into a lifestyle spanning Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.In this episode we talk about:Why she started traveling solo and what she learned about herselfHow to decide between booking three months upfront or just the first week or twoThe practical basics before a long stay: savings, health insurance, and the “ABC” safety rules that apply anywhereWhy Marrakech became her second home, and how culture, directness, and hugs shape whether a place clicks with youWhy traveling makes you appreciate home more, like a bow pulled back before it snaps forwardHer new project: a pop-up co-living for nomads in the mountains near Brașov, Transylvania, planned for DecemberHer line from the episode sums it up: travel outside is travel inside. Find her community at https://www.instagram.com/lemurtribe/, with the link in the description.

I posted an AI-made Tesla flying car video on Friday. 48 hours later it had 1.18 million views, and I archived it twice out of fear.In this episode I walk through what it’s like when an organic Instagram post goes viral. It started with 10K views, then 50K, then 500K and 1M. I share how I turned breaking news (Tesla’s flying car announcement) into a relatable, realistic-looking video with a human hook, why I felt fear as the post spun out of my control, and what a fighter friend said to me on a rainy Amsterdam coffee walk that changed my decision.What you’ll learn:How to turn trending news into viral content in hoursWhy realistic AI visuals plus a human-side hook boost viewsWhat to do when a post goes viral and you feel fear or loss of controlWhy “posting has weight” once your content can travelHow to choose the story, words and visuals your next post carriesWatch the video and see more work at mountaincollective.studio

Google Ads or Meta Ads? In this episode of Mountain Collective Podcast, I sit down with Lennard Steeman Ecomtrada.nl , a Google Ads specialist who built an e-commerce ad agency and went from white-label work to onboarding 16 clients in six weeks.We start with the Tesla flip stunt and then get into how Google Ads captures existing demand while Meta Ads creates it. We also cover ad fatigue, shrinking attention spans and what it takes to stand out as an agency in a crowded market.We also talk about AI and automation: why Leonard has automated roughly half his tasks, why you should start from a real problem instead of a cool tool, and whether Google can still compete with ChatGPT and Claude. We get into agentic checkouts and the future of webshops too.If you run or want to start an agency, freelance, or work in marketing, this one is for you.In this episode:Google Ads vs Meta Ads: demand capture vs demand creationWhy Google Ads doesn’t suffer from ad fatigue the way Meta doesWhy people choose people, not agenciesScaling 100x: fast spike or slow build?How Leonard went from boredom in Aruba to running Google Ads across the CaribbeanFake it till you make it vs real expertiseAI, automation and the “I can just build it myself” trapWill Google lose the AI race? Agentic checkouts and the future of e-commerceAuthenticity, LinkedIn cold outreach and building real connections__https://www.instagram.com/lennard.ecomtrada/

"A leaf brushed me head top on a walk in an Amsterdam park, and it pulled me into the present". That moment led to a short solo episode on why boredom and the unknown present are where creativity comes from.Key pointsAwareness comes before thinking. It is noticing something as it happens, before the mind adds labels or stories.The present feels unsafe. It is unknown, so we escape into the past (our stories) or the future (our plans), which both feel safe.Over-planning kills creativity. A painted canvas is the past and a planned future is already written. Only the present is blank.Boredom is the doorway. It is what we feel when the mind runs out of known material, and that empty space is where creativity starts.Stillness gives clarity. Like ripples settling on water, the mind clears if you sit with it long enough.Start small. Sit with yourself for 2 minutes, then 10, then 20, and let your thoughts about the past and future run out.No scripts, no edits. The host doesn’t polish his episodes, because polishing would hide the point of the podcast, which is simply to be.Coming up: At least three guest episodes, plus website updates.

A solo reflection on identity, freedom, creativity, and the different versions of myself I moved through this year.In this episode, I look back at the first three quarters of the year — what changed, what challenged me, what I learned, and where I’m going next.In this episode:Q1 — Reckoning: what I was confronted with at the beginning of the yearQ2 — Reframing: the shift in perspective that changed how I saw myself and my workQ3 — Rebuilding: putting a new identity into practice and seeing what happens when you actually live itBeyond Q3 — Becoming: where I’m heading next, what I’m building, and the identity I’m choosing to carry forwardA conversation about becoming, creating, and learning to move through life with more clarity and freedom._https://mountaincollective.studio/https://www.instagram.com/mourad.bahrouch

In this episode, Esty Zilberman & Mourad Bahrouch explore the science of stress, recovery, the nervous system, neuroscience, and human performance with Esty, founder of Build It Real. We discuss how the brain interprets reality, why stress itself isn’t inherently good or bad, and how homeostasis helps explain the body’s drive toward balance and safety.We also dive into WHOOP, wearable data, HRV, sleep, recovery, and self-awareness—and why you shouldn’t let a recovery score dictate how you feel. Instead, learn how to use data as information while staying connected to your own body.The conversation also explores how these principles apply to training, exercise, leadership, management, and the workplace. From gradually increasing physical or mental challenges to understanding an employee’s individual stress threshold, we discuss how leaders can create environments where people are challenged without becoming overwhelmed.Topics covered:Stress and nervous system regulationHomeostasis and the brain’s response to stressWHOOP, HRV, recovery and wearable technologySleep, exercise and physical resilienceHow to build tolerance to stress graduallyFinding exercise you actually enjoyNeuroscience and self-awarenessStress management in the workplaceLeadership, employees and psychological safetyHow managers can recognize when people are under- or over-challengedIf you’re interested in neuroscience, stress management, nervous system regulation, recovery, fitness, leadership, workplace performance, or understanding yourself better, this episode is for you.__https://www.builditreal.ai/

In this episode of Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad Bahrouch sits down with Romain Rosi to explore his journey as a 3D artist, from discovering Cinema 4D as a teenager to building a professional career in 3D, graphic design, and visual effects.Romain shares how his early fascination with animation and movie special effects led him to discover 3D, why learning through tutorials became such an important part of his creative development, and how he eventually turned a hobby into a career.The conversation also explores the evolution of 3D workflows, the power of rendering and node-based materials, and the creative possibilities of combining 3D, live-action footage, and AI.Romain and Mourad discuss the future of AI in the creative industry, why AI is not necessarily replacing 3D artists, and how the best results often come from using the right tool for the right problem. They also talk about craftsmanship, creative exploration, professional studio work, and the importance of building work that reflects your own style.Whether you are a 3D artist, motion designer, CGI artist, filmmaker, or creative professional interested in AI and the future of visual effects, this episode offers an honest look at the creative process, the evolution of 3D, and what it takes to build a lasting career in the industry.Topics covered:• Romain Rosi’s journey into 3D• Discovering Cinema 4D as a teenager• Learning 3D through tutorials and personal projects• The evolution of 3D rendering and node-based materials• Freelancing and working with creative studios• AI in 3D, CGI, and visual effects• Why craftsmanship still matters• Combining AI, 3D, and live-action footage• Building a creative career and developing your own style_https://www.instagram.com/romain.rosi/

Anna Romina Rabe works in Sales Operations Specialist at Rolls-Royce, is a passionate car enthusiast, and an Onboarding Coach. In this episode, she talks about how she built her career, what it’s like working in the luxury automotive industry, and how internships, networking, international experiences, and taking opportunities helped shape her path. We also discuss career advice, finding your passion, LinkedIn, mentorship, personal growth, and why your career doesn’t have to be perfectly planned from the beginning._https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-romina-rabe-0b9361220/https://hdsunflower.com/https://annarominarabe.com/

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, Mourad sits down with Oleksandra Nosovska to explore her remarkable journey from working in 3D design and digital fashion to building her own physical fashion brand. Oleksandra shares how she uses 3D as a creative prototyping tool, the challenges of turning ideas into real products, and the lessons she learned through entrepreneurship, discipline, and self-discovery.The conversation dives into creativity, work-life balance, burnout, meditation, personal growth, and the importance of aligning your work with who you truly are. Sasha reflects on finding purpose through design, navigating the pressures of being a workaholic, and learning to listen to her body while pursuing ambitious goals.Whether you're a creative professional, designer, entrepreneur, or someone looking to build a meaningful career, this episode offers valuable insights into turning passion into reality while staying connected to yourself.Topics discussed:3D design and digital fashionBuilding a fashion brand from scratchCreativity and entrepreneurshipDiscipline, focus, and productivityWork-life balance and burnoutMeditation and self-awarenessPersonal growth and authenticityTurning ideas into physical productsFinding purpose through creative work_https://www.instagram.com/oleksandra_nosovska/