In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sit down with Eric Villa, a YouTube growth strategist who helps build major channels, including work connected to MKBHD and The Studio Channel.

We talk about what it actually takes to grow on YouTube in 2026, why trust is earned through real credibility, and how creators should think about content strategy like an efficient market. Eric breaks down the value of “weird” skill combinations, how options trading taught him risk, probability, and asymmetric upside, and why those ideas translate directly into YouTube packaging, audience building, and sustainable career moves in the creator economy. We also get into the college vs real-world learning debate, why traditional media education often feels outdated, and what it means to build a stable, normal-person career path inside the creator economy, not just chase viral success. Along the way, I share stories from teaching content creation, building Ailani’s Little World as an investment in my daughter’s future, and why the best content usually comes from specific, true stories instead of generic advice.

If you care about YouTube growth, creator careers, audience trust, content strategy, and building a real life around media without turning everything into a zero-sum hustle, this one hits.

In this Full Battery Media Podcast episode, I sit down with Josh Romero from Chicago, co founder of Megastore Media, a social impact film and video production company focused on documentaries, nonprofit campaigns, and brand storytelling that actually helps communities.

We get real about what it is like wearing every hat in video production, directing, cinematography, editing, producing, and why the solo creator grind sounds cool until deadlines, client feedback, and bad audio punch you in the face. Josh walks me through the shift he made during the 2020 pandemic, moving from being a one man band to building a team, negotiating smarter, investing in a stronger portfolio, and learning to charge based on value, not just effort. We talk about the creative reality that whoever pays calls the shots, and how to fight for your vision while still being the kind of collaborator clients trust. I share my own lessons from production life, including why sound is the fastest way to ruin great footage, how ROI should guide gear purchases and hiring decisions, and why “good enough” quality can be the move if it keeps you consistent.

If you are a content creator, filmmaker, videographer, or creative entrepreneur trying to turn projects into a sustainable business, this conversation is a straight up playbook on client communication, resourcefulness, building a crew, avoiding beginner mistakes, finding mentors, and creating work that is both high quality and actually effective for the audience.

In this Full Battery Media Podcast episode, I sit down with digital marketing leader Saralynn Finn to talk about what content strategy looks like now that marketing is less about big-budget campaigns and more about trust, clarity, and real human connection.

We dig into why authenticity consistently beats polish, especially as AI content gets easier to create and audiences get better at spotting what feels fake. Saralynn shares a simple filter I love, if your content does not reduce confusion and help someone feel capable of taking a next step, it probably should not exist, and we connect that idea to social impact marketing, brand storytelling, and everyday creator growth. We talk about how to test ideas fast, how to learn from campaigns that do not pop immediately, and why operations and audience needs matter more than internal timelines when you are stuck at zero growth. We also get into practical formats like carousel posts, the bite snack meal framework, and how to design content that builds depth and loyalty without sacrificing reach.

If you are a creator, founder, or marketer trying to grow on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube, this conversation is a straight-up guide to building an authentic brand, creating shareable content, and making marketing that feels real, earns trust, and moves people to action.

In this Full Battery Media Podcast episode, I sit down with Eric Malzone, host of The Future of Fitness and founder of Podcast Collective, to talk about podcasting as the most underrated tool for business growth, networking, and long-term personal development.

We get into how Eric went from corporate sales to owning gyms, then selling them and building a podcasting career with over 500 plus interviews, and why consistency, clear audience intent, and simply asking high level guests matters more than downloads early on. I share how I use podcasting across Full Battery Media to build authority, create meaningful relationships, and learn in public, including why curiosity and asking the “dumb” questions can actually make you a better host and a stronger advocate for your audience.

If you are starting a podcast in 2026, this conversation is a practical guide to committing to the long game, avoiding perfection paralysis, and using interviews to create real opportunities, real friendships, and real momentum.

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sit down with Michael Santiago, Senior Content Editor and Digital Public Relations Specialist at DrugWatch.com, for a real conversation about what actually makes content work in 2025.

We talk about why most creators fail before they ever start, how audience clarity beats clever ideas every time, and why authenticity is not a buzzword, it is a competitive advantage. Michael breaks down how he went from finance content to medical and legal journalism, building authority through EEAT, expert voices, and real human storytelling instead of chasing algorithms or trends. We get into AI, what it is good for, where it completely falls apart, and why no tool will ever replace lived experience, grit, and process.

This conversation is for creators, founders, editors, and marketers who want to build something real, something sustainable, and something that actually helps people, not just content that disappears after the next update.

In this episode I sit down with audio post production engineer Frank Ruiz from Zeus Network to talk about what it really takes to make great sound in a noisy, short form world.

We break down why “we’ll fix it in post” is mostly a lie, why your camera mic is ruining your content, and how good recordings are like cooking with a perfect piece of wagyu instead of expired meat. Frank shares his favorite tools like iZotope RX, DX Revive and SuperTone Clear, his honest take on AI audio cleanup, and the biggest mistakes he sees creators making with mics, noise floors and “good enough” TikTok audio. We get into reality TV’s insane deadlines, why crisp dialogue still beats overcooked sound design, how short form content has lowered the quality bar, and what you should focus on if you are launching a podcast or creating content right now.

If you care about storytelling, trust, and making your voice sound like someone people actually want to listen to, this conversation is for you.

In this episode I sit down with Ben Kvalo, founder of Midwest Games, and really dig into why gaming is the ultimate community builder.

We talk about how players in Korea, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan can all be vibing in the same game world at the same moment, and how those shared digital spaces create friendships, laughter, and connection that cross every cultural boundary. Ben and I dive into the magic of glitches, Easter eggs, and those tiny developer details that turn into inside jokes the whole community embraces. I share stories about my daughter obsessing over every Minecraft update and how younger generations treat games like living, breathing worlds that evolve right alongside them.

We explore how developers listen to players in real time, adapt with them, and essentially co create entire universes with the community. It is wild to see how gaming has become not just entertainment, but a global language and a digital meeting ground where millions of people feel seen, connected, and genuinely part of something.

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sit down with YouTube strategist Josiah Swank to unpack what actually makes content go viral and why it is way more about strategy than random luck. I talk with Josiah about the biggest mistakes new creators make, like being too scared to hit upload, overthinking their niche, or trying to make content they do not even enjoy watching themselves. We walk through how I think about teaching creators to just post that first imperfect video, and Josiah shares how he helps people use their own watch history to find a niche that actually fits, then let the algorithm bring the right audience to them through consistent, relatable content.

Together we break down how creators like MrBeast, ARAC, Matthew Beam, Preston and Ryan Trahan engineer high retention videos, trend hack without straight copying, and build trust with viewers by repeatedly answering the same core psychological question in fresh ways. I share stories from my own world, from drag makeup campaigns with my wife’s music video to creative kids content with my daughter on Ailani’s Little World, to show how I balance creativity with sustainability so I do not burn out chasing views. Josiah goes deep on frameworks for trend hacking, audience psychology, and reverse engineering viral formats by studying top performing videos in your niche. We also get real about the YouTube industry being a revolving door, why you have to keep leveling up your skills, and how building a career as a contractor, strategist or producer can be more powerful than just chasing one “YouTuber” job.

If you want to grow on YouTube, go from zero to one million followers, and create viral-ready content that still feels authentic, this conversation is packed with first hand, actionable insight on content strategy, trend hacking, retention, and long term creator growth.