How Roberto Blake Thinks About YouTube in 2025 — Short-Form, AI, and Creator Longevity

In this special Q&A episode of the YouTube Creators Hub Podcast, Dusty answers real questions from creators just like you — covering everything from how to grow a small channel in 2025, picking the right niche, and staying motivated when the views aren’t coming, to monetization strategies, sponsorships, and thumbnail tactics that actually work. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to break through your next plateau, this episode is packed with honest, actionable advice to help you grow with clarity and confidence What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram

In this episode of the YouTube Creators Hub podcast, Dusty Porter interviews Haley Honeyman, a neurodivergent lifestyle creator who shares her journey of creating content around ADHD. Haley discusses her transition from short-form to long-form content, the importance of community, and her monetization strategies. She emphasizes the significance of authenticity in content creation and shares insights on building a supportive audience.    What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Hayley: Hayley Honeyman is a neurodivergent lifestyle creator who shares honest, vulnerable content about living with ADHD. Through real-life experiences, candid reflections, and empowering insights, she creates a supportive space for others navigating life as neurodivergent adults. Connect With Hayley: LinkTree

In this conversation, Dusty Porter and Nick Nimmin discuss the evolving landscape of YouTube and content creation, focusing on the impact of AI tools, the importance of audience engagement, and strategies for improving click-through rates and audience retention. They explore the rise of short-form content and live streaming, emphasizing the need for creators to adapt to new trends and technologies to remain competitive in the creator economy. What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Nick: Nick Nimmin helps you grow on YouTube by sharing YouTube tips and tools to help you get more views, subscribers and make money on YouTube Connect With Nick: YouTube Channel /// New Creator App /// Creator Mix

In today's interview, I'm joined by Kevin Kolbe, a successful YouTuber and former television creative director. Kevin shares his journey from traditional media to building a thriving YouTube channel, discussing the challenges and successes he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of community, the impact of a channel audit by VidIQ, and the significance of pivoting content to better connect with audiences. Kevin also provides insights into his video production process, monetization strategies, and the evolving landscape of YouTube content creation. What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Kevin: Kevin Kolbe's creative journey started as a DJ on radio, before getting into TV. He spent over 30+ years in video production and marketing at FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC affiliated TV stations including leading an award-winning creative team for one of the most recognized FOX affiliates in the country. Kevin has worked with national brands, non-profits, and other content creators around the world. Connect With Kevin: YouTube Channel /// Website

In this episode of the YouTube Creators Hub Podcast, we dive deep into the world of content creation with Joanna Fowler, Head of Talent at Shine Talent Group. Joanna shares her journey from being a YouTube creator to becoming an expert strategist at one of the leading influencer talent agencies. We discuss the importance of using both long-form and short-form content, strategies for building a strong community, and effective monetization techniques. Joanna also provides practical insights on storytelling, engagement, and the role of AI in content creation. Whether you're a budding YouTuber or an established creator, this episode is packed with invaluable advice to help you take your channel to the next level. What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Joanna: Joanna Fowler, Head of Talent at Shine Talent Group, is a former creator turned YouTube expert and now Head of Talent at one of the industry's top influencer talent agencies (Shine Talent Group). At Shine, Joanna oversees a team of talent managers in the Canadian division and represents powerhouse creators such as Cat & Nat, The Gardening Grant, and Kourtney Wilson. Shine Talent Group is a global, award-winning social talent agency named one of Adweek’s Fastest Growing and Women-Led Agencies, while making headlines in Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, Forbes, and more. Connect With Joanna: Website /// Instagram

In this conversation, Dusty Porter interviews Whitney Bonds, a successful YouTube creator with over 160,000 subscribers. Whitney shares her journey from blogging to YouTube, discussing the challenges she faced, including overcoming her fear of being on camera. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying income streams, building trust with her audience, and creating content with intention. Whitney also delves into her monetization strategies, including affiliate marketing and ad revenue, while maintaining her integrity as a creator. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of YouTube and the significance of authenticity in content creation. What We Offer Creators 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 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! BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M Mentioned Links & Resources Creator’s Corner Mastermind Group https://www.dustyporter.com/creatorcommunities Entrepreneur’s Minute Newsletter https://www.dustyporter.com/newsletter One-on-One YouTube Coaching with Dusty https://www.dustyporter.com/youtubecoaching --- VidIQ Tool https://geni.us/UkonWT Spotter Studio (Affiliate Link) https://geni.us/T9aUF Charlie Chang’s YouTube Channel (referenced for thumbnail/title strategy) https://www.youtube.com/@CharlieChang Nate O’Brien’s YouTube Channel (inspiration for Whitney’s YouTube journey) https://www.youtube.com/@NateOBrien Canva (discussed as a tutorial topic and affiliate content) https://www.canva.com/ My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Whitney: Whitney Bonds is the creator of a thriving YouTube channel with over 150,000 subscribers, where she teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to launch and grow successful online businesses—starting with YouTube itself. Known for her clear, step-by-step guidance, Whitney helps her audience master YouTube strategy, affiliate marketing, and content creation, all with the goal of building sustainable income from home. Her engaging style and proven systems have made her a go-to expert for those looking to turn views into revenue. Connect With Whitney: YouTube Channel /// Instagram /// YouTube Affiliate Bootcamp

In this episode of the YouTube Creators Hub podcast, Dusty Porter interviews Cara Nicole, a full-time YouTuber known for her educational video essays that blend personal finance with pop culture. Kara shares her journey from sporadic video creation in high school to establishing a successful channel with over 250,000 subscribers. She discusses the structure of her video essays, the challenges of predicting viral content, and her transition to full-time content creation. What We Offer Creators 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 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!   🛠️ Tools and Platforms Mentioned Opus Clip – AI-powered tool Kara uses to repurpose long-form videos into short-form clips https://geni.us/QhiNlP Notion – Used for video planning and idea tracking 👉 https://www.notion.so/ Google Drive + Docs – Script management and file sharing with her editor 👉 https://drive.google.com/ Fiverr – Where she found her editor https://geni.us/h4zMWAP YouTube – Kara recommends subscribing to The Vlogbrothers 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers         📚 Books & Concepts Referenced The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss Referenced during the discussion of the 80/20 Principle and productivity https://geni.us/2x2mAFv 80/20 Principle (Pareto Principle) – Used to describe focusing on high-impact tasks 👉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Cara: Cara Nicole is a full-time YouTube creator who makes educational video essays at the intersection of money, media, and culture. With over 250,000 subscribers, she’s known for breaking down personal finance and economic topics through the lens of pop culture. Formerly a Program Manager in tech, Cara blends storytelling with strategy to make financial education more engaging and accessible for a new generation of viewers. Connect With Cara: YouTube Channel /// Newsletter /// TikTok /// Instagram

In this episode of the YouTube Creators Hub podcast, Dusty Porter interviews Molly Keyser, an online educator who has successfully grown her YouTube channel from 10 to 70,000 subscribers in just a year. Molly shares her journey of transitioning from a photography business to creating digital products and leveraging YouTube for growth. She discusses her strategies for content creation, monetization methods, and the importance of community engagement in her membership program. Molly emphasizes the significance of outsourcing and how to effectively manage a growing business while maintaining a focus on quality and value for her audience. In this engaging conversation, Molly Keyser shares her insights on content creation, audience engagement, and the evolving landscape of digital products. She emphasizes the importance of consistency in posting, the challenges creators face, and how to maintain motivation during growth stalls. Additionally, Molly discusses the role of AI tools in streamlining content creation and reflects on her personal journey as a creator. What We Offer Creators 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 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! 🔗 Resources Mentioned in the Episode 🛠 Tools & Platforms Discussed ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com DeepSeek AI: https://deepseek.com System.io (Business Platform Molly Uses): https://systeme.io School (Membership Hosting Platform): https://www.skool.com Spotter Studio (YouTube Research Tool): https://geni.us/T9aUF One in Ten (Content Idea Tool): https://1of10.com/ 📋 Freebies from Molly YouTube Script Template – https://www.freedomcreator.co/script?el=ytcreatorshub SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) Screenshot – https://www.freedomcreator.co/sop?el=ytcreatorshub Molly's Podcast - www.freedomcreatorpodcast.com 📚 Other Resources Mentioned Entrepreneur on Fire Podcast by John Lee Dumas: https://www.eofire.com Book – The Dip by Seth Godin: https://geni.us/hplLd Podcast – Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/shows/spi BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Molly: An online educator who grew from 10,000 to 70,000 subs on Youtube in the last year, Molly is generating $40-50k+ per month with 85% profit margins (while only working 20hrs per week) from her digital products and has helped her students worldwide build profitable, freedom-driven creator businesses as well. Connect With Molly: YouTube Channel /// Website /// Podcast

This week, I’m joined once again by my friend and one of the most insightful voices in the YouTube space, Roberto Blake. This is his fourth time on the show — and easily the most thought-provoking yet. We dive into: Why creators should rethink their obsession with going viral How Roberto’s 12-week “YouTube Night School” is empowering small creators The difference between attention and value — and why money doesn’t always follow views Evergreen vs. topical content: How to win long-term Why packaging (title, thumbnail, timing) is everything AI’s real impact on the creator economy — and what to do about it Whether you’re just starting or deep in the YouTube trenches, this episode will sharpen your mindset and strategy. What We Offer Creators 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 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! 🔗 Resources Mentioned in the Episode 🎓 Awesome Creator Academy – Roberto’s coaching platform and home of the 12-week YouTube Night School 👉 https://awesomecreatoracademy.com 📘 Roberto Blake’s Book – “Create Something Awesome” 👉 https://geni.us/Jf3J 📹 Roberto Blake on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/robertoblake2 🎙️ Roberto’s “How to Use Copyright Music on YouTube” Tutorial (referenced as a prime example of evergreen content) 👉 https://youtu.be/lLFLu4r3wGM 📥 The Creator’s Corner Membership 👉 https://www.dustyporter.com/creatorcommunities 💡 YouTube Creators Hub Coaching Services 👉 https://dustyporter.com/coaching 📨 Entrepreneur’s Minute Newsletter 👉 https://entrepreneursminute.kit.com/13153e4946 BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Roberto: Roberto Blake is a creative entrepreneur, YouTube educator, and founder of Awesome Creator Academy. With over 600K subscribers and a bestselling book (Create Something Awesome), he helps creators grow their audience, monetize their content, and build sustainable online businesses. Request a Guest To Come On The Podcast: 🎙️ Share Your YouTube Journey on Our Podcast! 🌟 Click HERE to Submit Your Channel and Join the Conversation!

In this week’s episode, Dusty is joined once again by Lloyd from the Lloyd & Mandy YouTube channel — and a lot has changed since their last appearance! From full-time travel vlogging across Southeast Asia and the U.S. to settling down in Thailand with their newborn baby, Lloyd shares how their channel evolved through seasons of life. What We Offer Creators 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 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! Resources Mentioned During The Episode • Lloyd & Mandy’s Community (Skoool Platform): https://www.skool.com/lloydandmandy  • YouTube Tool Mentioned: VidIQ • Creator Shoutout from Lloyd: Dry Creek Wrangler School YouTube Channel BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear: 🎥 Camera: https://geni.us/B9eb5P 🎙️ Microphone: https://geni.us/QarC 🎤 Audio Interface: https://geni.us/kaosfB 🎧 Headphones: https://amzn.to/48YcHlB Follow The Show: Facebook /// X /// YouTube /// Instagram About Lloyd and Mandy: We're Lloyd and Mandy. We started full-time travel vlogging in November 2021, travelling all through East Asia and Sri Lanka, Mexico, and 6 months of RV life in the United States, Fast-forward three and a half years, and a lot has changed! We’ve settled in Thailand, welcomed our baby daughter into the world, and continued growing our YouTube channel, which has now reached nearly 120,000 subscribers. Our content has evolved to focus more on family-oriented travel and lifestyle, and it's been an exciting transition. Connect With Lloyd and Mandy Here: YouTube Channel /// Instagram /// Creator Society Request a Guest To Come On The Podcast: 🎙️ Share Your YouTube Journey on Our Podcast! 🌟 Click HERE to Submit Your Channel and Join the Conversation!