You Gotta Hear This! A Podcast for Video Creators & Storytellers

Ep 64 - Next Level Series: Building Your Creative Toolkit

Every creative carries a toolkit. Some of the tools are obvious—cameras, microphones, editing software, lights, and lenses. But the most valuable tools often aren't found in a gear bag. They're the lessons learned from mentors, the experiences gained on difficult projects, the mistakes that taught us what not to do, and the skills we've collected along the way. In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, Paul explores the importance of intentionally building your creative toolkit. Because the longer you create, the more you realize that success isn't about having the newest equipment—it's about having the right tools available when the moment arrives. You'll discover why curiosity is one of the most valuable tools a creator can possess, how every project adds something new to your creative toolbox, and why experiences often become more valuable than information. Paul also shares why the best creatives never stop learning, growing, and adding new skills to their toolkit. If you're a video creator, storyteller, communicator, or creative professional looking to take your work to the next level, this episode will challenge you to look beyond your gear and focus on the tools that truly make a difference. Because someday, a challenge, opportunity, or assignment will come your way—and the tools you've been collecting for years may be exactly what you need to create something extraordinary. Connect with Paul and learn more about coaching, resources, workshops, and storytelling training at paulstevenforrest.com. Looking for more insights on storytelling, creativity, and connecting with your audience? Check out Paul's book, You REALLY Gotta See This!: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this [https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this]

Ep 63 - Next Level Series: Permission to Imagine

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of talent, experience, or opportunity—but a lack of permission? In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, Paul explores the power of imagination and why so many creative people stop dreaming long before they run out of potential. Inspired by a simple plaque on his office wall and lessons learned from decades in television, storytelling, and creative leadership, Paul shares why imagination is more than wishful thinking—it's often the first step toward meaningful change. Along the way, you'll hear stories about creative risk-taking, the value of curiosity, and why some of the world's most successful innovators started with ideas that seemed impossible at the time. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, entrepreneur, ministry leader, or creative professional looking for your next step, this episode is a reminder that progress often begins when you give yourself permission to think beyond what is and imagine what could be. If you've been playing it safe, waiting for the perfect moment, or wondering if your best ideas are still ahead of you, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. Because every great story, business, ministry, and creative breakthrough starts the same way—with someone who had the courage to imagine it first.

Ep 62 - Next Level Series: Time To Do Something Else

What happens when you spend months creating content, building courses, recording podcasts, and trying to grow something meaningful… only to feel like nobody’s paying attention? In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, I share a very personal story about building, creating, writing, and pushing hard to make something meaningful connect with an audience — only to feel like the response never came. After investing countless hours developing ideas, recording podcasts, creating videos, and trying to move things forward, I started asking myself a difficult question: Maybe it’s time to do something else. But then a simple conversation with a friend who’s a marketing expert shifted everything. Just before I left for the airport after an event, he made a comment that stayed with me for weeks. At first it seemed small… almost casual. But over time, those few words forced me to rethink where I was putting my energy, what I was trying to build, and what I actually bring to the table as a creative. A few months later, sitting across from him over coffee in Southern California, I reminded him about that conversation. Ironically, he barely remembered saying it. But that moment became a powerful reminder that sometimes one sentence… one insight… one unexpected conversation… can completely redirect the path you’re on. This episode is about creative frustration, audience growth, purpose, and the tension between building something meaningful versus simply chasing visibility. It’s about rediscovering the thing you were actually designed to do. If you’ve ever questioned your direction, wondered if your work matters, or felt discouraged waiting for traction that never seems to come… this conversation is for you. Let's connect at: paulstevenforrest.com

Ep 61 - Next Level Series: You've Come Too Far To Quit Now!

Have you ever reached a point creatively where you simply felt exhausted? Not because you stopped caring. Not because you wanted to quit. But because the journey has been longer, harder, and heavier than you expected? In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, I share a story from my college years running hills behind campus with my roommate Andy — and how those difficult runs taught me something that still impacts the way I approach creative work today. Sometimes the thing that gives you enough strength to keep moving forward is remembering how far you’ve already come. We talk about the creative grind — the long nights, the unseen sacrifices, the emotional and mental energy required to build meaningful work over time. We also explore the idea of the “second wind” creatives experience when fresh energy, new clarity, or unexpected opportunity suddenly appears just after the moment you felt like stopping. This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t always happen quickly or publicly. A lot of what makes you capable today was built quietly when nobody was watching. We also talk about the importance of the people ahead of us — the mentors, craftsmen, leaders, and creatives who help pace us forward when we feel tired in the middle of the race. And maybe someday, without even realizing it, you become that person for someone else. If you’ve been pushing hard creatively and wondering whether the journey is still worth it…this conversation may be exactly what you need today. Because maybe today isn’t the day to stop. Not after everything it took to get this far. Stay patient. Your second wind may be closer than you think. Explore more creative resources, books, workshops, and training tools at: paulstevenforrest.com. And if you haven’t already, make sure you subscribe, follow, and share the podcast with another creative who may need encouragement today.

Ep 60 - Next Level Series: Doors, Bridges & Walls

Every creative journey eventually runs into a wall. Not the kind made of brick and concrete…but the kind that stops momentum. A rejected idea. A project that falls apart. A client who says no. A season where it feels like the opportunities have dried up and you’re standing there wondering what happened next. In this episode of You Gotta Hear This!, Paul talks about the moments in life and creativity when progress feels blocked — and why those walls may not be the end of your story. Along the way, he explores the powerful role doors and bridges play in our lives. Some people open doors for us. Others become bridges that help us move from one season to the next. And sometimes, after you’ve been helped along the way, you realize it’s your turn to become that bridge for someone else. This episode is a personal conversation about setbacks, perseverance, purpose, and the responsibility creatives have to “pay it forward” by helping others move ahead too. If you’ve ever felt stuck…discouraged…or unsure how to get past the obstacle in front of you, this episode will remind you that walls are often the place where creativity, determination, and new direction begin. And maybe the podcasts, videos, and books Paul creates are part of that bridge for you. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another creative in your community who may need to hear it today. You can also find more creative insights in Paul’s book, You REALLY Gotta See This! available here: book.bookbaby.com/store/you-really-gotta-see-this. [https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this?utm_source=chatgpt.com]..Please subscribe, like, and share the podcast so more creatives can discover these conversations.