The Jim Kroft Podcast
Jim Kroft
Welcome to my Podcast, where I interview founders and creatives, bridging the worlds of business and art. My show explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and creativity and aims to be a beacon of hope for artists and solopreneurs navigating challenging moments in their careers. The Solopreneur and Arts worlds are connected - but all too often, there is a lack of meaningful exchange between the sectors. By learning from those who have thrived at these crossroads, I hope to pass on stories which give us renewed strength for our paths. With a special interest in the opportunities of the digital...
Do You Have the Courage to Write Badly?
Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"Do you have the courage to write badly?In this episode, I dive into the messy, liberating truth that to create something meaningful, you first have to give yourself permission to be bad.Inspired by comedian Steve Martin's playful approach to songwriting, we'll explore how embracing imperfection can free your creativity—and why intentionally writing badly might unlock your best work yet.Questions we explore:How can deliberately creating 'b
Apr 4, • 9:21
The Curious Catalyst of Being Trolled
Hello, and welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast—a space where every setback is a setup for a creative breakthrough.In this episode, “The Curious Catalyst of Being Trolled,” I get real about a moment when harsh YouTube comments turned into unexpected fuel for my dream to play live again.Ever felt that sting of criticism or doubted whether you’re good enough? I share my raw journey of meeting my inner demons head-on, embracing the chaos, and transforming negativity into a driving force for growth
Feb 8, • 19:53
Start Somewhere | Releasing "Vampires" & Overcoming Self Doubt
Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"Ever felt like you’re waiting forever to be ready to start a project? Sometimes an idea or seed can live with us for years and, despite our best efforts, we just can't seem to kick-start it. In this episode, I share the personal story behind the writing and recording of my new single "Vampires" which is out on the 31st of January on Spotify. Here's the PRESAVE!It is a journey of overcoming writer's block, slaying the demon of self-doubt,
Jan 29, • 23:49
What Story Are You Telling? | Overcoming Writer’s Block, Creating My New Album & Releasing It
Release News:The first single of my new album drops on January 31st.Save it here on Spotify!Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Jim Kroft Podcast – you’re so very welcome here!In this podcast, I explore the insights, breakthroughs, pitfalls, and eureka moments I experience as I navigate creative life. Whether it's through my film and photography work, as a podcast host and avid Substack writer, or this year – as I pursue my desperate dream of returning to music.In Today’s Episode:I explore t
Jan 24, • 21:45
Surviving Pre-Christmas Burnout: How to Overcome Emotional Black Holes
Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast."Many of us struggle with pre-Christmas exhaustion during December - just as we are manically trying to finish our year's work.Low energy vs mountainous work is a bad equation.This collision course can trigger emotional black holes. Remember: This is the season to embrace the dip rather than resist it.What if, instead of criticizing yourself for not being where you want to be, you chose to be grateful for how far you’ve come?This week’s podcast
Dec 13, 2024 • 39:02
Finishing Things Is Hard: Why the Last 20% is Challenging and What to Do About It
Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast."Ever find yourself grappling with the final stretch of a creative project?In this episode, I delve into why the last 20% often feels the toughest and share the strategies that help me push through. From reverse-engineering my schedule to implementing practical solutions, I offer actionable insights tailored for creatives striving to complete their visions.Throughout the episode, I draw on my journey this year as I've worked to complete my goal o
Dec 7, 2024 • 22:56
The Power of Templates in Creative Life
Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast."Ever feel torn between your creative projects and life's endless demands?This episode reveals a personal breakthrough: embracing chaos to uncover and learn from the patterns that sustain our creativity. Identifying these patterns is essential to keeping your artistic spirit alive in the whirlwind of modern life, where we juggle multiple roles and endless demands.Questions we explore:How do we keep going when everything encroaches on our creative
Nov 22, 2024 • 30:41
Are You In Flight From Yourself? → Balancing Being and Doing as a Creative ● Freelance life ● Filming in the desert ● Nietzsche ● Why busyness masks a deeper escape
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast! (All the music today is my own and you can find on Spotify)Ever feel like you can’t quite get to yourself?Nietzsche said it well: “Haste is universal because everyone is in flight from himself.” Sometimes, our busyness hides a deeper escape from who we really are.On a flight to Dubai, I caught myself in this very escape, preparing for an intense stretch of work. It’s a familiar rhythm for anyone balancing creativity with client demands. We find a
Nov 8, 2024 • 38:23
How to Use—and Challenge—Parkinson's Law: Applying Productivity Lessons to Creativity
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast!If you're juggling creative ambitions with everyday demands, this episode is for you.Today, we're tackling:"How to Use—and Challenge—Parkinson's Law: Applying Productivity Lessons to Creativity."I recently faced a tight deadline: two days to write new songs for an upcoming recording session, all while unexpected work commitments piled up. Instead of letting the pressure overwhelm me, I turned it into a catalyst for creativity by rethinking how Park
Nov 1, 2024 • 31:45
Why Over-40s Struggle with Social Media: Overcoming Fear to Launch Your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Newsletter
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast!If you're considering starting a Podcast, Newsletter, or YouTube channel, this episode is especially for you. Today, we're exploring a topic that is deeply personal and resonates with many: "Why Over-40s Struggle with Social Media."Over the past two years, I've intentionally embraced social media as a way to reach my audience - and to distribute the ideas of my pillar content of:NewsletterPodcastYouTubeIt's been a journey which has included unexpec
Oct 25, 2024 • 30:37
What Is Your One Thing? ► Rilke's Take on a Modern Conundrum
Welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"!In this episode, we explore what it takes to focus on your 'one thing' amidst the noise and demands of modern life. As I've discussed previously, one of my own challenges with this podcast has been to keep consistent while juggling my own film business and recording my new album. I've been experimenting with new formats to complement the interviews and conversations I have, and today's episode is a new iteration. You will find an "off the cuff" introductio
Oct 19, 2024 • 16:33
The Maverick Wisdom of Gordon Raphael
Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast,” where I explore creative life, the digital economy, and how we can grow as individuals in this bonkers modern world.Today, I’m buzzing to share a special episode—my first podcast recorded in New York City—with legendary music producer and psychedelic troubadour Gordon Raphael.Gordon's groundbreaking work with The Strokes helped define the sound of the early 2000s, and his influence still resonates in the music world today.I've known Gordon
Sep 7, 2024 • 1:03:01
The Holiness of One Good Hour
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast!Today's episode dives into a pivotal concept in my work life: "The Holiness of One Good Hour."While others might label it a hack, I consider it holy. Why? Because our moods, motivations, and commitments fluctuate daily on our journey.We are always just a moment away from turning things around, but many of us fall into the trap of believing the day is lost once we hit a rut or bad rhythm.To me, "one good hour" represents the power of a clear visuali
Aug 11, 2024 • 9:52
The Joy and Pain of Podcasting
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where I explore the intersection of creative life and the digital economy.In this episode, I tackle the challenges of sustaining passion projects amidst life's busyness. Drawing from my experience with this podcast, I discuss:Keeping our projects aliveStaying human while many creators over-depend on AILessons learned as I pushed this podcast into the top 1% of new podcastsMy critique of grind culture and my philosophy of slow productivityOver the past year, I'
Jun 29, 2024 • 23:51
How To Start A Creative Project From Scratch | Jim Kroft
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where I explore the convergence of creativity and the digital economy. Over the last year, I've spoken to many people:experts in their fieldsseasoned professionalsthose just starting outI've noticed that many have a particular project they've never started, always dreamed of initiating, or feel so stuck they experience a mental block about making the first step.One of my strengths is that I'm a great initiator. I know how to turn an idea into reality, whether
Jun 19, 2024 • 18:13
Move Towards What You're Most Afraid of ★ Amistat
Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast,” where I seek to build bridges between the parallel worlds of the creative arts and the solopreneur's path.From the inception of this Podcast, the band Amistat has been on my list of dream guests. Watch on YouTubeI met Jan and Joseph years ago while I was filming a documentary about "The Reeperbahn Festival". Since then I've been a proud friend to witness their music find a worldwide audience with sold-out tours, millions of plays
May 11, 2024 • 55:46
The Mission and The Breath | Jim Kroft
Dear friends, Today’s episode, “The Mission and The Breath,” began while I was writing my diary in my local cafe here in Berlin. It was 8 am on a Monday morning, and, honestly, I didn’t set out to write this Podcast.But I found myself moving through the gears and decided to follow the pulse. It brought me to wonder:How can offsetting our life against the cosmic dance improve our choices, circumstances, and creativity?Yes, in this podcast I consider the eternal.Yes, in this podcast, my m
Mar 23, 2024 • 15:27
Go All In | "That Icelandic Guy" Talks YouTube
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to “The Jim Kroft Podcast”, where creativity meets solopreneurship.This week's special guest is Arnulfur Hakonarson, aka "That Icelandic Guy," who has grown his YouTube channel to 170K subscribers and his Instagram to over 300K.IN SHORT:📈 Arnulfur’s strategy for searchable, impactful YouTube content.🧠 Mindset, consistency, and the journey from zero to viral.🎭 The blend of education and fun in his content creation.🚀 Launching and scaling a channel wi
Mar 9, 2024 • 1:20:00
The Philosophy of Monk Mode | Jim Kroft
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"I'm your host, Jim, and this week we're diving into "Monk Mode". This episode dives into the principles of "Monk Mode," drawing inspiration from the disciplined lifestyle of monks to advocate for focused attention, sacrificial dedication, and a deeper sense of purpose in both work and life.Including the wisdom of monks, the zaniness of Elon Musk, the Buddha and beyond, we'll look at "Monk Mode" beyond productivity hacks and influencers. Here's what we'l
Feb 24, 2024 • 24:33
Be Driven By Intrinsic Motivation | Aishwarya Ashok
NEWSLETTEREach week, I expand and reflect on the ideas of the Podcast in my "Creative Insights" on Substack:Subscribe Now----IN SHORTIn today's episode with Aishwarya Ashok:🌱 Growth mindset at the intersection of innovation.📝 Journaling for clarity and productivity.🎙️ Consistent podcasting with preparation and intuition.🏗️ "Building in public" strategy for creative success.🎨 Holistic growth and creativity in diverse fields.----TODAY'S EPISODEHello, everyone, and welcome to "The Jim
Feb 10, 2024 • 1:24:05
Finding Inspiration in Failure | Steven King
Hello everyone, and welcome to the 15th episode of “The Jim Kroft Podcast.”This week's episode is a personal reflection on a book which has impacted me greatly:Stephen King’s “On Writing”.I put a lot of love into the writing, sound design and the original music.The focus of this Podcast is linking the Solopreneur and Creative worlds.But I don’t want it to be just about creativity but for it to be a creative podcast.As such, I continue to experiment with the format. I want to give you th
Jan 27, 2024 • 9:58
Zig When They Zag | Josh Spector
Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast”, where I seek to build bridges between the parallel worlds of the creative arts and solopreneur's path.When I started this Podcast, one of the first names I wrote down as a dream guest was Josh Spector, so I’m just buzzing to introduce you to him today.What I love about Josh is that he combines the innovative mindset of an entrepreneur with the non-conformism of creatives.As he says - “you don’t stand out by trying to fit in”.Josh
Jan 13, 2024 • 1:11:38
A Blueprint for Creatives in 2024 | Jim Kroft
Hey everyone, and welcome to today’s Podcast, where we’re going to jump into 2024 together. In today's episode, I explore ideas for creatives and solopreneurs in 2024 through the lens of my own resolutions for the year ahead, including:Building my first "Lead Magnet" (see link!)Having the courage to fail on YouTubeWhy distribution is as important as creativityStarting with difficultyWrestling the musical godsHow to finish long-term projects (like "The Isolation Diaries)Before doing thou
Dec 30, 2023 • 25:04
The Rollercoaster of Completing "The Isolation Diaries" Film | Jim Kroft
Hello and welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"!It's a crazy week as I am desperately completing "The Isolation Diaries" documentary.Tonight is the first cinema screening, and because it's such an important and intense week, I was determined to share the experience withyou here on the Podcast.In this episode, I share:Using a public release as a tactical decision to get something finishedThe absurdity of taking on a vast creative project like a documentary in a Snapchat worldSpiritual lesso
Dec 16, 2023 • 31:37
How I Use Deep Work to Get Stuff Made | Jim Kroft
Hello and welcome to the "The Jim Kroft Podcast", where I explore creative life and one-person businesses. In today's episode, I dive into the world of 'Deep Work' inspired by Cal Newport's book, sharing how it has transformed my creative working life.It's a particularly busy period for me as I juggle;- End-of-year client jobs in film and photography- Completing the edit of my new documentary, "The Isolation Diaries"- Keeping up with my paid newsletter on Substack- Researching my w
Dec 2, 2023 • 21:59
No Turns to Yes | The Dark Tenor
Hello, everyone, and thank you for tuning in to 'The Jim Kroft Podcast,' where we explore the exciting intersection of solopreneurship and creativity. I'm your host, Jim Kroft.In these conversations, I engage with mavericks who chart their own courses in life, art, and business. Today, we have a special guest, 'The Dark Tenor' (Billy Andrews), who epitomises these values. Since leaving Universal Music, he has forged a unique path in the music industry and pioneered a groundbreaking busi
Nov 18, 2023 • 2:11:53
It's Not Too Late | Jim Kroft
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where we unravel the symbiosis of entrepreneurship and the arts.It's been one of those times when life flexes its muscles, and you're faced with a Podcasting dilemma.Back-to-back postponements left me with a choice: delay, skip, or adapt. We all know that feeling, right? You want to stay consistent, but life... well, it has its own plans.So, I leaned into the moment and decided to use this mini-crisis as an opportunity. As such, I write this off the b
Nov 4, 2023 • 35:14
Fail Forwards | Boris Eldagsen
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where we unravel the symbiosis of entrepreneurship and the arts.Today, I'm thrilled to present Boris Eldagsen, a pioneering German artist and agitator. Boris's work has exploded into global recognition this year, particularly after winning and then rejecting the Sony World Photography Award. It thrust his AI-generated images to the forefront of discussions around the topic of AI.Since then, he's become a figurehead for artists worldwide, gaining ubiqu
Oct 21, 2023 • 2:18:48
Things Aren't Linear Forever | Jay Clouse
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where we delve into the exciting convergence of solopreneurship and creativity.In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Jay Clouse, a legend in the world of the creator economy.I first met Jay when I enrolled in his masterclass on Newsletters, and was so impressed by his knowledge & warmth that I invited him onto the Podcast.Jay is the founder of “Creator Science” a go-to resource for those seeking financial success through creativity. Its
Oct 7, 2023 • 1:10:36
Document Your Journey | Hypefury's Yannick Veys
Hello everyone and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast” where I explore the intersection between the business and arts worlds.My exploration of this topic began while pounding the icy streets of Berlin where I found myself drawn back to the world of Twitter, now X.Initially hesitant, I worried about the potential distraction from my work that another social media platform could pose.This uncertainty propelled me to investigate how I could think outside the box and that's when I discovered
Sep 23, 2023 • 58:46
Beyond the Precipice | Reuben Stone
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast" where we explore the intersection between Entrepreneurship and the Arts.In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to introduce celebrated busker Reuben Stone, an artist who has risen from the streets to global recognition.Reuben’s is a story of reckless courage, burning artistic ambition and warrior spirit.During our conversation, we explore:Investing every scent in your purposeRising from financial ruinPerforming at your highest levelBuilding a career stre
Sep 9, 2023 • 1:43:13
It Comes Back to You | Ioana Pioaru
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where entrepreneurship and creativity converge, bridging the gap between the business and arts worlds.In today's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Romanian artist Ioana Pioaru, who defies modern trends with her hand-inked drawing style.Finding the gallery route insurmountably blocked by the gatekeepers of the world, she set out on her artistic path, determined to find her own way. Her courage has attracted nearly 250,000 followers online and shows that
Aug 26, 2023 • 1:25:12
Share Every Step | Arvid Kahl
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast" where we explore the intersection between Entrepreneurship and the Arts.In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome legendary "Indie Bootstrapper" and author Arvid Kahl.If I could synthesize the human embodiment of what a person might look like at the mysterious confluence between entrepreneurship and creativity, it would be Arvid.Having secured a million-dollar exit for his business, Arvid pivoted towards creativity, so far releasing two best-sell
Aug 12, 2023 • 1:23:55
You Will Get an Audience | eLL cartoons
Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where we embark on a captivating journey exploring the intriguing intersection between entrepreneurship and creativity.In this week's episode, I'm thrilled to welcome "ell cartoons." Lauren's exceptional cartoons have garnered a following of 600K on YouTube, achieved through her independent artistry and determination to stay true to herself.In an interview filled with riotous laughter and profound honesty, Lauren takes us along her creative odyssey, s
Jul 29, 2023 • 1:31:34