July 1, 2025 • 19 mins
Elder TikTok joins us to discuss his journey as a Polynesian Mormon content creator and business owner who's built his platform on authentic representation and unapologetic faith. He shares how his career evolved from making videos for fun to becoming a voice for those who share his beliefs but aren't comfortable expressing them publicly.
• Started creating content after noticing the lack of Polynesian and Mormon representation online
• Inspired by early YouTube creator Ryan Higa as one of the first Polynesian content creators he discovered
• Believes in being completely authentic even when it leads to criticism from fellow church members
• Views his content as "being a voice for the voiceless" for those who share his perspectives
• Explains how his personal testimony coexists with church doctrine while maintaining his individual perspective
• Discusses the misconception that content creation is easy when it actually requires significant skill and dedication
• Reframes "setbacks" and "failures" as valuable experiences that redirect you to your true path
• Shares how his unsuccessful football career led him to discover his talent for digital content
• Defines authenticity as being "unapologetically true to what you believe, think, say or do"
Go ahead and listen to hear these gems. We're trying to hit a thousand or two thousand downloads a month and that's only possible through you. If you haven't already, subscribe and download so you can take some beautiful words of wisdom with you wherever you go.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
no-transcript music or apple podcasts.
We're on spotify, we are ongoogle podcasts, iheart radio,
whatever you find a podcast,guys.
There's no need for you guys tonot listen to hear these gems.
Um.
But yeah, guys, go ahead,listen.
We're trying to hit a thousand,two thousand downloads a month
(00:47):
and that's only possible throughyou.
So if you haven't already, goahead, hit, subscribe, hit, hit
download, listen to some goodgems, because we guarantee that
those things can help you up andalso you can take some
beautiful words of wisdom withyou wherever you go.
But without further ado, guys,let's get our red carpet.
Warm welcome to none other thanuh out of tiktok brother what's
(01:10):
up, bro, what's good.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
My g thanks for having me on the authentic
podcast.
That was a very nice intro youdid too generous dude hey we try
, we try, bro, we try.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Um, we're grateful for him and for what he does and
for his social media platforms.
Guys, we're we'll giveopportunity for him to introduce
himself and then we'll go fromthere oh yeah, no, absolutely
brandon.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Thank you for this opportunity.
I echo your words.
Um, there's no excuse.
You got to listen to theauthentic podcast, right?
Everyone's on social media soyou've seen the clips, but
there's no way, no chance thatyou've missed the authentic
podcast.
Let's get these guys to somemore downloads.
Elder tiktok, everybody.
Uh, I'm a afakasi mormon fromgood old utah utah valley happy
(01:48):
valley.
I've been a content creator forum coming up on 10 years now and
um part-time um ugc contentcreator creator plus business
owner, and I just love makingvideos, brother I just love it.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's a little bit about me.
Yes, sir, um.
Yeah, bro, if we just firstquestion bro, we I think the
podcast we love speaking aboutauthenticity, you as a content
creator, right one of thebiggest ones here in utah or in
utah and also going around um,bro, like, talk to us about your
journey and how you, how youstarted and what made you, I
(02:22):
guess, what made you um, andwhat inspired you to go ahead
and follow that dream, thatpassion of yours?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
absolutely, absolutely.
I I'm very passionate about thethings I love, right.
I love the church, church ofjesus christ, latter-day saints,
and I love anything with thecamera right, and so I
essentially put those two thingstogether because it's who I am
and it's what I love.
I don't know if you're do youknow this name?
If I said it out loud Ryan Higa.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Ryan Higa.
Do you know, ryan Higa?
He?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
was the very first Polynesian content creator that
I heard of.
Early days of YouTube.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Early days.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yes, I would watch his videos.
He small kind looks like me aswell, and so I was like dang, I
want to do that too, and thereason I kind of started being
this call it persona, call itcontent creator, call it
influencer, whatever you want tocall it was because I I didn't
see what I wanted to see on theinternet, so I didn't see
(03:20):
polynesians making content.
I didn't see cool churchmembers doing stuff on the
internet.
So I said why not become thatLike if I'm complaining about
something, why not actually dosomething about?
Speaker 1 (03:30):
it.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
So that's how I kind of took on this lifestyle.
I guess you could say of beingan.
Lds Polynesian content creator.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
And obviously, like it's probably evolved Like did
you ever see yourself getting towhere you're at right now?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
No, bro, that's crazy .
You say that I feel like mycareer has gone through phases,
right where it started out offas a joke, like, like you know,
just mucking around, and then itwas like, oh wait, now I found
a niche, yeah wait, I can makemoney.
Oh wait, businesses will payyou money to do stuff for them,
right?
so I never thought, you know, II try to play football for those
of you who don't know I try toplay football, and that didn't
(04:06):
really work out, and so I wasbetter at making TikToks anyways
, and so I never would havethought.
You know, obviously we're herein Hawaii with Brandon from the
Authentic Podcast.
Like I'm just trying to tell mystory real quick, I got flown
out here.
Me and my business partner weregetting paid to make content
out here.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Never would have thought that would have happened
, never.
That's crazy, bro.
I feel like um one thing thatsticks out to me, what you said,
like you noticing that football, the route and then the content
route, right like your roi forthe football, like you know,
didn't see much but, like your,roi from the content you're like
yes, dang like we're gonna getlike.
I can see this happening and Ithink that's super cool.
You're evolving from contentand creating into business.
I guess what are some thingsthat you've been, apart from
(04:51):
this experience today, beinghere on this trip and everything
, what's a moment that you'vehad that gave you that moment of
dang?
Things are coming to fruition.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
No, absolutely, and I think I notice things come to
fruition when I'm going againstobstacles and challenges.
You know what I'm saying thecontent I make.
It's funny.
We're talking aboutauthenticity, every single piece
of content I make.
It's what I truly believe andit's what I truly think, and
sometimes, when I do such things, it may come across as ulterior
(05:24):
motives.
You know what I'm saying,Whether it's like oh, bro's
cloud chasing, or he's doingthis for the views and stuff
like that.
I just um, I I've seen a lot offakeness when it comes to
content creation right likeputting on for the camera,
essentially, yeah so my thingwas nah, like, I'm gonna be
myself regardless.
Um, I gotta be careful though,because you know, I do have a
(05:45):
certain art audience, maybeyounger audience as well, that
kind of watches.
What I do from time to time butwhen I notice things like
actually happening is actuallyhumanist interactions with
people, like people who come upand express their gratitude for
what I'm doing, something to theextent of, oh, I could never do
what you do, but thanks fordoing what you do, keep doing
what you do.
And you hear that from peopleall over, like in all spectrums,
(06:07):
all backgrounds, all ages.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
So to hear that physically, not just from a
comment, not just from a dm kindof, gives you that reassurance
that you're doing somethingright, yeah, because like and
apart from like and everyone hasseen other tiktoks um his
content like obviously peoplecan come across as controversial
, whatever it is like, and foryou to say, like that's actually
something that you believe inand my things, that the content
(06:29):
that you create, that that'swhat you believe like, that's
unapologetic yourself, you knowI mean 100 and I feel, like
those who are coming towards youand they see that like, oh man,
thanks for what you do, I couldnever do what you do like.
Do you feel like you're doingthem justice, like in terms of
voicing their other becausethose are their opinions as well
like you're sharing theiropinions who don't have the guts
(06:50):
to like you know, I meanexactly and that's it exactly
what I was going to get intoright.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
There is a small silent majority that thinks,
believes, the same way I doright but, like you said, see
even what I'm about to say likeI hope it doesn't come across as
prideful or arrogant orwhatever, but this is just facts
.
It's like I want to be a voicefor the voiceless right all
those people who are telling methey agree with what I'm saying.
They will never post on socialmedia or they won't bring it up
(07:17):
to their family members.
Why?
because maybe they're just alittle scared me whether it's a
double-edged sword, like I don'tcare what you think about me,
bro, I'm gonna say it is becauseI believe in it and I know that
as long as one person relatesor helps that, that that means I
did my job and I'm not here toplease the masses, even though a
lot of my times when I do postabout specifically church
content, it's positive I'm, I'mon the church's side, like.
(07:40):
But just because you disagreewith something when it comes to
your belief system, that doesn'tautomatically mean you can
throw me to the wolves right,yeah like we're still on the
same team.
No 100, what are?
Speaker 1 (07:49):
some like and this is the thing I've always been
wanting to ask for is like, fromyou doing and saying what you
believe obviously you're onstand with the church as well
but at the same time is like, doyou, um, what do you sure?
I'm trying, I'm trying to voiceit out?
Um damn, I just lost my trainof thought.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
It was a good question it felt like a good
question like, um, oh yeah, haveyou?
Speaker 1 (08:17):
um, what are some challenges that you've had from
our own members that you've, youknow?
I mean because, like, because,bro, like in the church we're
always, we're all we all believe.
Right, we have the basic beliefsystem and what we want to
believe.
I obviously book of mormon,everything what the church
stands for, but then you havepeople from your own religion,
(08:40):
that kind of throw shade or like, maybe, maybe like throw
negativity your way for forasking good, quick, like
questions that you believe inconviction, you believe in
because that that's what youbelieve, but you're still
wanting to find answers like.
I thought those about that,those experiences.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
I have a question for you xmos, what does that mean?
What's an xmo?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
x.
Mormon people left the churchokay.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Do you think x mormons left because of people
outside the church or inside thechurch?
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I think their own, I think they leave based on
multiple reasons.
Okay, you know, like eithersomeone offended them inside
their church or they for or umex-mormon content right, or
people like they testimonybiggest thing, I think as well
testimony changed like testimonygets kind of the window or like
(09:25):
something like that, or theystarted, you know me personally,
I think majority of the timemormons turn away mormons I'm
saying that, the short nicknameof the church, just for, um, you
know, just for it to be moreeasy, latter-day saints, turn
away.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Latter-day saints.
More, in my opinion, because weput our faith into man.
We, you know, we're supposed tobe loving, we're supposed to
love thy neighbor, and so whensomebody within the church does
us wrong, we take offense tothat super quick, super, duper
quick.
All these members, all the timesometimes are throwing shade at
me yeah but does that mean I'mgoing to get soft and leave the
church?
No, because what do we say asLatter-day Saints?
(10:00):
Is Jesus Christ in the spirithow we listen?
Is it personal to us?
Yes, is our testimony personalto us?
Yes, is our connection withHeavenly Father personal, 100%.
So then, if I'm sayingsomething personal, then why
would you take that this way orthat way?
You know what I mean.
(10:22):
I'm just sharing what I thinkand believe.
So for members to come at mewhen you know they're either
questioning my faith or they'requestioning my motives, this is
just straight how I personallyconnect with the almighty,
straight up.
And if it's personal, peoplehave to understand that your
testimony is not my testimony,but our foundational core
beliefs are on the same thingthe book of mormon right the
bible, um the doctrines thatwe've learned since we were, you
(10:43):
know, all growing up in thechurch.
Now, where we can break off andwhere we can, you know, dare I
say, disagree is some of thegreat areas when it comes to the
church.
You know what I'm saying butyou know, there's probably stuff
that brandon thinks in hispersonal testimony that I
believe as well and then viceversa.
That I don't, you know.
So I just think there's a wordof caution to members is, if
(11:03):
there's something off or ifyou're not completely aligned
with what the stereotypicaltestimony is, that's not a bad
thing but what?
Speaker 1 (11:13):
why do you think we let that get to us, though, like
you know, I mean like, becauseI feel like obviously we can
agree, disagree, like would yousay, it's like people's um like
testimony at the same time, likeif they choose to to leave the
church, whatever, like based onsomeone else's differences so
repeat that one more time.
So like, I feel like what youjust said, like I always, like I
(11:34):
agree what you said, because atthe same time, I don't
understand and this is probablyjust because of me, sure like
why they choose to still leave.
You know, based of our own likedifferent, like judgments.
Like maybe let's just say I'mnot gonna say someone did, but
let's just hypothetically saidfor your one of the tiktoks,
they decide, oh, his opinion,whatever.
Say I'm not gonna say someonedid, but let's just
hypothetically said for your oneof the tiktoks, they decide, oh
, his opinion, whatever.
Like I'm gonna leave, like likewhat, which is crazy, if you do
(11:57):
that, that's what I'm sayingbut not.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
But like bro.
That's what happens.
People go down the rabbit hole,they get into ex-mormon,
anti-mormon content and theyleave because of the stuff they
found right here's what I'll saythe only okay, let me think
about this real quick beforeauthentic get me in trouble the
only reason you should leave thechurch is if you've lost your
testimony.
(12:19):
If you no longer believe in thechurch, you are free to go.
But if something happens withinthe church, if you disagree
with the leader, if you gotoffended, or if you don't like
something that that humannessdid, that doesn't validate you
for leaving me personally.
If you no't like something thathumanness did, that doesn't
validate you for leaving Mepersonally.
If you no longer believe in anyof the teachings of the Mormon
doctrine, you're free to leave.
Other than that, bro, I thinkit's weird.
(12:41):
In my opinion, to leave.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
I think it's weird.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Because I stay and I still disagree with stuff.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
You know how many members come at me in my
comments.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
If I was soft, soft I'd be like oh, they're being
mean to me, my own people, I'mout of here.
You know that that's actuallyhappened to a few content
creators, and they used to belds content creators.
Now they're ex-mormon contentcreators and they know who they
are um whatever that was to you,whether it was the clout that
got to your head or whether youtruly don't believe anymore.
That's fine, but yeah, it'sjust some interesting stuff when
you enter the world ofChristian content creation.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
I like that.
I resonate with that brother.
Next question, bro.
Content creation and ideas.
When you think about that, howdoes the creative or how does
the creation come to your mind?
You know what I mean, Becausethere's some good content that
you get out and I'm like dangthat's pretty good.
You know what I mean.
(13:34):
Oh know, I mean like, forexample, like the most recent
one, like the worship one, I waslike I was like oh, I was like
whoa that's like, that's crazy,like everyone like how it went
about.
You know I mean the.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
The reaction was very unexpected.
But even if you've noticed,actually you want to talk about
creative directive.
Let's get down to thenitty-gritty.
Everybody knows, if you've beenfollowing my content, even the
way that format was structuredwas way different than
everything I've already done, soI try new things, right but if
something comes to my head, callit the spirit, or whatever I'm
(14:03):
like.
Oh dang, let me make this videoreal quick.
Let me try it.
I don't know if you have thesame idea, bro, but sometimes I
get writer's block where I justcan't come up with ideas.
You know what I mean.
So I need other creativeoutlets.
But, bro, like things just cometo mind and I try my very best
to present it in the best waypossible, yeah right now, I'm
learning as a content creator.
When it comes to you, know yourhooks on color.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You were just talking about color grading right your
timing your beats the music likepeople don't know how hot.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Actually, maybe I'll ask you as a would you consider
yourself a content creator?
Speaker 1 (14:33):
What do you consider yourself?
I'm considering myself.
I'm considering myself aproducer right now, like podcast
producer, editor, like, yeah,content creation, like I like.
I think I'm just I was behindthe camera, inside the camera
Now.
I'm trying to like be in frontof the camera.
So that's kind of like on myway to content creation.
I don't know, Just creatingcontent.
I like that in general.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Is content creation easy or hard?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
That's like one of the most difficult things, I
believe.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Really.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Well like from a scientific perspective Correct,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Well, I'm agreeing with you because people think we
can just pick up our phones,pick up our camera, talk to the
camera and that's it it.
But why do you think so manypolynesians okay, maybe I won't
go so niche why do you think somany people think they can do it
and they burn out super easily?
It's not easy, right, it is alla mindset, but, bro, they're
off camera.
You don't see how much workgoes into it setting up 100 and
then you gotta edit all thisafter, brother, sorry but see,
(15:25):
and they just don't get it.
You know what I'm saying socontent creation it it's easier
if you have the passion anddrive for it.
Does that make sense?
Yeah, 100%, but that's why someof these companies, they, don't
want to deal with it.
So there's people out here,like myself and my business,
that will take care of it forthem.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Sorry, I know I kind of got off the….
Speaker 1 (15:43):
No, you're good, You're good bro.
This is perfect, authentic,right, right, and then we can
change, we can go ahead and asksome questions.
Yeah, what a lot of oh.
This is a good one.
On Vendor Podcasts, we like tofocus a lot on setbacks and
failures right, and how we canchange those to become positive
(16:06):
and like how we can upload inlife.
So our question for you is whatis the setback and failure that
you've been most grateful for?
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Love it.
And do you mind if I add myauthentic philosophy real quick?
I don't believe in setbacks andactually don't believe in
failures either.
I actually don't believe in sineither.
The connotation of sin right,we're talking about setbacks,
you know failures and those arealso synony um, what's it called
(16:37):
?
Those are also synonyms for sin.
Right, when you say you sinned,you messed up, right?
A bishop of mine told me thisnot too recently or not too long
ago sin is just experience.
So when I heard that, I'm likethat's so true.
Because without that experience,without that, because without
that experience, without thatsin without that setback,
without that failure, youwouldn't have been able to be as
(17:00):
strong as you are today, or youwouldn't be able to bounce back
.
Having said that, one of thesetbacks, to use your lingo, or
one of the experiences that I'llsay would actually be my
football career, because I lovefootball still to this day.
I'm sorry, you're a Raiders fan.
You guys stole my quarterback.
You guys stole my quarterbackand my old head coach.
Do you know who my team is now?
Speaker 1 (17:21):
no, I don't okay you don't know who your new
quarterback is.
I just I like this hat, butthat's crazy.
I'm a buccaneers fan.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Got you, got you so I'm a seahawks fan anyways but
one of my biggest setbacks wasactually, you know, realizing I
wasn't good at football.
No more.
You know what I mean, and Iloved football so much and I
thought I was going to playcollege my whole four years.
It's not a bad thing to prayabout a career change or a
(17:49):
passion change.
People always ask me what'syour dream, what's your goal?
And I'm more of an in the momentkind of person and I hope
people realize that dreams canchange right surely like when
you go through life and you havethese different setbacks,
failures or whatever you call ityeah you can switch your dreams
to whatever right.
So I just think you take anysetback or failure or sin and
(18:13):
you just reroute yourself.
You know what?
Speaker 1 (18:15):
I mean, but that that was one for sure, that got me,
that got me going.
And then, uh, my last questionfor you, brother, is what does
authentic mean to you?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
sorry, let me try to give you a good answer.
I have adhd sometimes, sosometimes my mouth goes faster
than my brain, Obviously that'swhy I get in trouble a lot.
But authentic is a synonym fortrue and real and organic.
(18:47):
Authentic means almost beingunapologetic of what happens
because it happened.
Does that make sense?
It makes sense If somethingnaturally does that make sense,
if something naturally comes tofruition, if something naturally
happens.
If you say something, if you dosomething, obviously that was
meant to be so.
Authentic means being true,organic, um, no filters, no
(19:12):
edits, no, obviously I'm talking, like you know, um for examples
.
But to be authentic is just tobe true and if you want to even
go deeper, just beunapologetically true to what
you believe, think, say or do.
So I think authenticity issomething we lack a lot in
(19:33):
content creation.
So I'm grateful for podcastslike this, that kind of explore
that option a little bit more.
I feel like I've been myselfthis whole podcast.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I forgot we were recording it because it's just
like just be true and just bereal.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
That's it.
I like that.
Appreciate it bro.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
No, thank you for having me on, no worries bro,
yeah, grateful for it.
no-transcript music or apple podcasts.
We're on spotify, we are ongoogle podcasts, iheart radio,
whatever you find a podcast,guys.
There's no need for you guys tonot listen to hear these gems.
Um.
But yeah, guys, go ahead,listen.
We're trying to hit a thousand,two thousand downloads a month
(00:47):
and that's only possible throughyou.
So if you haven't already, goahead, hit, subscribe, hit, hit
download, listen to some goodgems, because we guarantee that
those things can help you up andalso you can take some
beautiful words of wisdom withyou wherever you go.
But without further ado, guys,let's get our red carpet.
Warm welcome to none other thanuh out of tiktok brother what's
(01:10):
up, bro, what's good.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
My g thanks for having me on the authentic
podcast.
That was a very nice intro youdid too generous dude hey we try
, we try, bro, we try.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Um, we're grateful for him and for what he does and
for his social media platforms.
Guys, we're we'll giveopportunity for him to introduce
himself and then we'll go fromthere oh yeah, no, absolutely
brandon.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Thank you for this opportunity.
I echo your words.
Um, there's no excuse.
You got to listen to theauthentic podcast, right?
Everyone's on social media soyou've seen the clips, but
there's no way, no chance thatyou've missed the authentic
podcast.
Let's get these guys to somemore downloads.
Elder tiktok, everybody.
Uh, I'm a afakasi mormon fromgood old utah utah valley happy
(01:48):
valley.
I've been a content creator forum coming up on 10 years now and
um part-time um ugc contentcreator creator plus business
owner, and I just love makingvideos, brother I just love it.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's a little bit about me.
Yes, sir, um.
Yeah, bro, if we just firstquestion bro, we I think the
podcast we love speaking aboutauthenticity, you as a content
creator, right one of thebiggest ones here in utah or in
utah and also going around um,bro, like, talk to us about your
journey and how you, how youstarted and what made you, I
(02:22):
guess, what made you um, andwhat inspired you to go ahead
and follow that dream, thatpassion of yours?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
absolutely, absolutely.
I I'm very passionate about thethings I love, right.
I love the church, church ofjesus christ, latter-day saints,
and I love anything with thecamera right, and so I
essentially put those two thingstogether because it's who I am
and it's what I love.
I don't know if you're do youknow this name?
If I said it out loud Ryan Higa.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Ryan Higa.
Do you know, ryan Higa?
He?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
was the very first Polynesian content creator that
I heard of.
Early days of YouTube.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Early days.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Yes, I would watch his videos.
He small kind looks like me aswell, and so I was like dang, I
want to do that too, and thereason I kind of started being
this call it persona, call itcontent creator, call it
influencer, whatever you want tocall it was because I I didn't
see what I wanted to see on theinternet, so I didn't see
(03:20):
polynesians making content.
I didn't see cool churchmembers doing stuff on the
internet.
So I said why not become thatLike if I'm complaining about
something, why not actually dosomething about?
Speaker 1 (03:30):
it.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
So that's how I kind of took on this lifestyle.
I guess you could say of beingan.
Lds Polynesian content creator.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
And obviously, like it's probably evolved Like did
you ever see yourself getting towhere you're at right now?
Speaker 2 (03:43):
No, bro, that's crazy .
You say that I feel like mycareer has gone through phases,
right where it started out offas a joke, like, like you know,
just mucking around, and then itwas like, oh wait, now I found
a niche, yeah wait, I can makemoney.
Oh wait, businesses will payyou money to do stuff for them,
right?
so I never thought, you know, II try to play football for those
of you who don't know I try toplay football, and that didn't
(04:06):
really work out, and so I wasbetter at making TikToks anyways
, and so I never would havethought.
You know, obviously we're herein Hawaii with Brandon from the
Authentic Podcast.
Like I'm just trying to tell mystory real quick, I got flown
out here.
Me and my business partner weregetting paid to make content
out here.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Never would have thought that would have happened
, never.
That's crazy, bro.
I feel like um one thing thatsticks out to me, what you said,
like you noticing that football, the route and then the content
route, right like your roi forthe football, like you know,
didn't see much but, like your,roi from the content you're like
yes, dang like we're gonna getlike.
I can see this happening and Ithink that's super cool.
You're evolving from contentand creating into business.
I guess what are some thingsthat you've been, apart from
(04:51):
this experience today, beinghere on this trip and everything
, what's a moment that you'vehad that gave you that moment of
dang?
Things are coming to fruition.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
No, absolutely, and I think I notice things come to
fruition when I'm going againstobstacles and challenges.
You know what I'm saying thecontent I make.
It's funny.
We're talking aboutauthenticity, every single piece
of content I make.
It's what I truly believe andit's what I truly think, and
sometimes, when I do such things, it may come across as ulterior
(05:24):
motives.
You know what I'm saying,Whether it's like oh, bro's
cloud chasing, or he's doingthis for the views and stuff
like that.
I just um, I I've seen a lot offakeness when it comes to
content creation right likeputting on for the camera,
essentially, yeah so my thingwas nah, like, I'm gonna be
myself regardless.
Um, I gotta be careful though,because you know, I do have a
(05:45):
certain art audience, maybeyounger audience as well, that
kind of watches.
What I do from time to time butwhen I notice things like
actually happening is actuallyhumanist interactions with
people, like people who come upand express their gratitude for
what I'm doing, something to theextent of, oh, I could never do
what you do, but thanks fordoing what you do, keep doing
what you do.
And you hear that from peopleall over, like in all spectrums,
(06:07):
all backgrounds, all ages.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
So to hear that physically, not just from a
comment, not just from a dm kindof, gives you that reassurance
that you're doing somethingright, yeah, because like and
apart from like and everyone hasseen other tiktoks um his
content like obviously peoplecan come across as controversial
, whatever it is like, and foryou to say, like that's actually
something that you believe inand my things, that the content
(06:29):
that you create, that that'swhat you believe like, that's
unapologetic yourself, you knowI mean 100 and I feel, like
those who are coming towards youand they see that like, oh man,
thanks for what you do, I couldnever do what you do like.
Do you feel like you're doingthem justice, like in terms of
voicing their other becausethose are their opinions as well
like you're sharing theiropinions who don't have the guts
(06:50):
to like you know, I meanexactly and that's it exactly
what I was going to get intoright.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
There is a small silent majority that thinks,
believes, the same way I doright but, like you said, see
even what I'm about to say likeI hope it doesn't come across as
prideful or arrogant orwhatever, but this is just facts
.
It's like I want to be a voicefor the voiceless right all
those people who are telling methey agree with what I'm saying.
They will never post on socialmedia or they won't bring it up
(07:17):
to their family members.
Why?
because maybe they're just alittle scared me whether it's a
double-edged sword, like I don'tcare what you think about me,
bro, I'm gonna say it is becauseI believe in it and I know that
as long as one person relatesor helps that, that that means I
did my job and I'm not here toplease the masses, even though a
lot of my times when I do postabout specifically church
content, it's positive I'm, I'mon the church's side, like.
(07:40):
But just because you disagreewith something when it comes to
your belief system, that doesn'tautomatically mean you can
throw me to the wolves right,yeah like we're still on the
same team.
No 100, what are?
Speaker 1 (07:49):
some like and this is the thing I've always been
wanting to ask for is like, fromyou doing and saying what you
believe obviously you're onstand with the church as well
but at the same time is like, doyou, um, what do you sure?
I'm trying, I'm trying to voiceit out?
Um damn, I just lost my trainof thought.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
It was a good question it felt like a good
question like, um, oh yeah, haveyou?
Speaker 1 (08:17):
um, what are some challenges that you've had from
our own members that you've, youknow?
I mean because, like, because,bro, like in the church we're
always, we're all we all believe.
Right, we have the basic beliefsystem and what we want to
believe.
I obviously book of mormon,everything what the church
stands for, but then you havepeople from your own religion,
(08:40):
that kind of throw shade or like, maybe, maybe like throw
negativity your way for forasking good, quick, like
questions that you believe inconviction, you believe in
because that that's what youbelieve, but you're still
wanting to find answers like.
I thought those about that,those experiences.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
I have a question for you xmos, what does that mean?
What's an xmo?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
x.
Mormon people left the churchokay.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Do you think x mormons left because of people
outside the church or inside thechurch?
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I think their own, I think they leave based on
multiple reasons.
Okay, you know, like eithersomeone offended them inside
their church or they for or umex-mormon content right, or
people like they testimonybiggest thing, I think as well
testimony changed like testimonygets kind of the window or like
(09:25):
something like that, or theystarted, you know me personally,
I think majority of the timemormons turn away mormons I'm
saying that, the short nicknameof the church, just for, um, you
know, just for it to be moreeasy, latter-day saints, turn
away.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Latter-day saints.
More, in my opinion, because weput our faith into man.
We, you know, we're supposed tobe loving, we're supposed to
love thy neighbor, and so whensomebody within the church does
us wrong, we take offense tothat super quick, super, duper
quick.
All these members, all the timesometimes are throwing shade at
me yeah but does that mean I'mgoing to get soft and leave the
church?
No, because what do we say asLatter-day Saints?
(10:00):
Is Jesus Christ in the spirithow we listen?
Is it personal to us?
Yes, is our testimony personalto us?
Yes, is our connection withHeavenly Father personal, 100%.
So then, if I'm sayingsomething personal, then why
would you take that this way orthat way?
You know what I mean.
(10:22):
I'm just sharing what I thinkand believe.
So for members to come at mewhen you know they're either
questioning my faith or they'requestioning my motives, this is
just straight how I personallyconnect with the almighty,
straight up.
And if it's personal, peoplehave to understand that your
testimony is not my testimony,but our foundational core
beliefs are on the same thingthe book of mormon right the
bible, um the doctrines thatwe've learned since we were, you
(10:43):
know, all growing up in thechurch.
Now, where we can break off andwhere we can, you know, dare I
say, disagree is some of thegreat areas when it comes to the
church.
You know what I'm saying butyou know, there's probably stuff
that brandon thinks in hispersonal testimony that I
believe as well and then viceversa.
That I don't, you know.
So I just think there's a wordof caution to members is, if
(11:03):
there's something off or ifyou're not completely aligned
with what the stereotypicaltestimony is, that's not a bad
thing but what?
Speaker 1 (11:13):
why do you think we let that get to us, though, like
you know, I mean like, becauseI feel like obviously we can
agree, disagree, like would yousay, it's like people's um like
testimony at the same time, likeif they choose to to leave the
church, whatever, like based onsomeone else's differences so
repeat that one more time.
So like, I feel like what youjust said, like I always, like I
(11:34):
agree what you said, because atthe same time, I don't
understand and this is probablyjust because of me, sure like
why they choose to still leave.
You know, based of our own likedifferent, like judgments.
Like maybe let's just say I'mnot gonna say someone did, but
let's just hypothetically saidfor your one of the tiktoks,
they decide, oh, his opinion,whatever.
Say I'm not gonna say someonedid, but let's just
hypothetically said for your oneof the tiktoks, they decide, oh
, his opinion, whatever.
Like I'm gonna leave, like likewhat, which is crazy, if you do
(11:57):
that, that's what I'm sayingbut not.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
But like bro.
That's what happens.
People go down the rabbit hole,they get into ex-mormon,
anti-mormon content and theyleave because of the stuff they
found right here's what I'll saythe only okay, let me think
about this real quick beforeauthentic get me in trouble the
only reason you should leave thechurch is if you've lost your
testimony.
(12:19):
If you no longer believe in thechurch, you are free to go.
But if something happens withinthe church, if you disagree
with the leader, if you gotoffended, or if you don't like
something that that humannessdid, that doesn't validate you
for leaving me personally.
If you no't like something thathumanness did, that doesn't
validate you for leaving Mepersonally.
If you no longer believe in anyof the teachings of the Mormon
doctrine, you're free to leave.
Other than that, bro, I thinkit's weird.
(12:41):
In my opinion, to leave.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
I think it's weird.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Because I stay and I still disagree with stuff.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
You know how many members come at me in my
comments.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
If I was soft, soft I'd be like oh, they're being
mean to me, my own people, I'mout of here.
You know that that's actuallyhappened to a few content
creators, and they used to belds content creators.
Now they're ex-mormon contentcreators and they know who they
are um whatever that was to you,whether it was the clout that
got to your head or whether youtruly don't believe anymore.
That's fine, but yeah, it'sjust some interesting stuff when
you enter the world ofChristian content creation.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
I like that.
I resonate with that brother.
Next question, bro.
Content creation and ideas.
When you think about that, howdoes the creative or how does
the creation come to your mind?
You know what I mean, Becausethere's some good content that
you get out and I'm like dangthat's pretty good.
You know what I mean.
(13:34):
Oh know, I mean like, forexample, like the most recent
one, like the worship one, I waslike I was like oh, I was like
whoa that's like, that's crazy,like everyone like how it went
about.
You know I mean the.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
The reaction was very unexpected.
But even if you've noticed,actually you want to talk about
creative directive.
Let's get down to thenitty-gritty.
Everybody knows, if you've beenfollowing my content, even the
way that format was structuredwas way different than
everything I've already done, soI try new things, right but if
something comes to my head, callit the spirit, or whatever I'm
(14:03):
like.
Oh dang, let me make this videoreal quick.
Let me try it.
I don't know if you have thesame idea, bro, but sometimes I
get writer's block where I justcan't come up with ideas.
You know what I mean.
So I need other creativeoutlets.
But, bro, like things just cometo mind and I try my very best
to present it in the best waypossible, yeah right now, I'm
learning as a content creator.
When it comes to you, know yourhooks on color.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You were just talking about color grading right your
timing your beats the music likepeople don't know how hot.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Actually, maybe I'll ask you as a would you consider
yourself a content creator?
Speaker 1 (14:33):
What do you consider yourself?
I'm considering myself.
I'm considering myself aproducer right now, like podcast
producer, editor, like, yeah,content creation, like I like.
I think I'm just I was behindthe camera, inside the camera
Now.
I'm trying to like be in frontof the camera.
So that's kind of like on myway to content creation.
I don't know, Just creatingcontent.
I like that in general.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Is content creation easy or hard?
Speaker 1 (14:55):
That's like one of the most difficult things, I
believe.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Really.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Well like from a scientific perspective Correct,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Well, I'm agreeing with you because people think we
can just pick up our phones,pick up our camera, talk to the
camera and that's it it.
But why do you think so manypolynesians okay, maybe I won't
go so niche why do you think somany people think they can do it
and they burn out super easily?
It's not easy, right, it is alla mindset, but, bro, they're
off camera.
You don't see how much workgoes into it setting up 100 and
then you gotta edit all thisafter, brother, sorry but see,
(15:25):
and they just don't get it.
You know what I'm saying socontent creation it it's easier
if you have the passion anddrive for it.
Does that make sense?
Yeah, 100%, but that's why someof these companies, they, don't
want to deal with it.
So there's people out here,like myself and my business,
that will take care of it forthem.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Sorry, I know I kind of got off the….
Speaker 1 (15:43):
No, you're good, You're good bro.
This is perfect, authentic,right, right, and then we can
change, we can go ahead and asksome questions.
Yeah, what a lot of oh.
This is a good one.
On Vendor Podcasts, we like tofocus a lot on setbacks and
failures right, and how we canchange those to become positive
(16:06):
and like how we can upload inlife.
So our question for you is whatis the setback and failure that
you've been most grateful for?
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Love it.
And do you mind if I add myauthentic philosophy real quick?
I don't believe in setbacks andactually don't believe in
failures either.
I actually don't believe in sineither.
The connotation of sin right,we're talking about setbacks,
you know failures and those arealso synony um, what's it called
(16:37):
?
Those are also synonyms for sin.
Right, when you say you sinned,you messed up, right?
A bishop of mine told me thisnot too recently or not too long
ago sin is just experience.
So when I heard that, I'm likethat's so true.
Because without that experience,without that, because without
that experience, without thatsin without that setback,
without that failure, youwouldn't have been able to be as
(17:00):
strong as you are today, or youwouldn't be able to bounce back
.
Having said that, one of thesetbacks, to use your lingo, or
one of the experiences that I'llsay would actually be my
football career, because I lovefootball still to this day.
I'm sorry, you're a Raiders fan.
You guys stole my quarterback.
You guys stole my quarterbackand my old head coach.
Do you know who my team is now?
Speaker 1 (17:21):
no, I don't okay you don't know who your new
quarterback is.
I just I like this hat, butthat's crazy.
I'm a buccaneers fan.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Got you, got you so I'm a seahawks fan anyways but
one of my biggest setbacks wasactually, you know, realizing I
wasn't good at football.
No more.
You know what I mean, and Iloved football so much and I
thought I was going to playcollege my whole four years.
It's not a bad thing to prayabout a career change or a
(17:49):
passion change.
People always ask me what'syour dream, what's your goal?
And I'm more of an in the momentkind of person and I hope
people realize that dreams canchange right surely like when
you go through life and you havethese different setbacks,
failures or whatever you call ityeah you can switch your dreams
to whatever right.
So I just think you take anysetback or failure or sin and
(18:13):
you just reroute yourself.
You know what?
Speaker 1 (18:15):
I mean, but that that was one for sure, that got me,
that got me going.
And then, uh, my last questionfor you, brother, is what does
authentic mean to you?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
sorry, let me try to give you a good answer.
I have adhd sometimes, sosometimes my mouth goes faster
than my brain, Obviously that'swhy I get in trouble a lot.
But authentic is a synonym fortrue and real and organic.
(18:47):
Authentic means almost beingunapologetic of what happens
because it happened.
Does that make sense?
It makes sense If somethingnaturally does that make sense,
if something naturally comes tofruition, if something naturally
happens.
If you say something, if you dosomething, obviously that was
meant to be so.
Authentic means being true,organic, um, no filters, no
(19:12):
edits, no, obviously I'm talking, like you know, um for examples
.
But to be authentic is just tobe true and if you want to even
go deeper, just beunapologetically true to what
you believe, think, say or do.
So I think authenticity issomething we lack a lot in
(19:33):
content creation.
So I'm grateful for podcastslike this, that kind of explore
that option a little bit more.
I feel like I've been myselfthis whole podcast.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I forgot we were recording it because it's just
like just be true and just bereal.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
That's it.
I like that.
Appreciate it bro.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
No, thank you for having me on, no worries bro,
yeah, grateful for it.
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