Matt Macedo: An Actor’s Guide to a Director’s Mind | S6E3

Are People Becoming Socially Awkward? S6E5

Today's Topic: Are people becoming more socially awkward… or are we just interacting differently? In this episode, we break down what’s really happening with social behavior in today’s generation. As two guys who naturally put themselves out there, we’ve started to notice a shift—people are more hesitant, more reserved, and often unsure how to engage in real-world conversations. While we bring this up now, it's important to recognize this is not EVERYONE. We get into the small moments that reveal a bigger trend: starting conversations, buying someone a drink, reading social cues, and even the fear of being looked at in public. We also debate where people are actually socializing today. Bars, clubs, gyms, curated events, and whether structured environments are replacing organic interaction. We touch on why sports have become a safe space for connection, how networking is evolving, and how lifestyle habits (and even technology) may be shaping social confidence. From awkward encounters to deeper cultural shifts, this episode is all about decoding what it means to be social in 2026. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Today’s Topic 02:00 First Moves: How Conversations Actually Start  3:30 Are People Becoming More Socially Awkward? 05:00 Breaking Out of Your Shell 06:15 Just Try It: Building Social Reps 08:00 Why It Feels Like Everyone’s “Running” 08:55 Are Gyms Actually Social Anymore? 10:00 Why Networking Still Matters 11:20 Changing Goals, Standards & Social Priorities 13:00 Awkward Interactions We’ve Experienced 18:50 The “Going Out” Debate (Bars vs Staying In) 22:00 Curated Events vs Public Spaces (Partiful vs Bars) 24:00 Cultural Shifts in Social Behavior 26:55 The “iPad Kid” Effect 28:00 Final Thoughts BECOME A SUPPORTER OF DECODING SOCIAL LIFE: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss Connect with us: @DECODINGSOCIALIFEPODCAST @EventsByDSL  Previous: https://youtu.be/ASxj2dWuZ3g?si=pCubF82W2gQTa6_C Come to our next Event: https://partiful.com/e/pV39H1TETb5H2GRwcrI0?c=lSeqASn5   #social #events #socialevents #networking #podcast #meetingnewpeople #communication #community #genz #conversations #society #culture #DSL

What We Learned after 2 Years of This Podcast | S6E4

In this episode, we take a step back and reflect on what two years of building this podcast has actually taught us. From recording on a $15 mini mic to producing inside a professional studio, this is a real conversation about growth, consistency, and what it takes to build something from nothing. We break down the early days in San Francisco, the first moments of traction, and how small wins turned into long-term momentum. Along the way, we talk about the realities of editing, content strategy, quantity vs. quality, and why we made the decision to never stop — even when things weren’t moving as fast as we wanted. This episode goes beyond podcasting. We get into networking, interviewing, business decisions, working with guests, and navigating the production side of things. We also open up about lessons learned from the people we’ve met, the mistakes we’ve made, and how our mindset has evolved over time. If you’re building something, creating content, or trying to figure out your own path, this episode gives you a real look at what that journey actually feels like two years in. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:51 Today’s Topic 3:30 Backstory — 2 Years On Air 4:30 Mini Mic Days 5:30 SF Origins 5:51 First 10K Views 6:30 Riverside Days  7:30 Editing Process 8:10 Quantity vs. Quality 9:05 We Never Stop 9:23 Keeping the Business Afloat 9:57 In-House Production 11:00 The Networking Side 12:10 Interviewing & Meeting People 15:00 Casting Continued 16:00 Content Strategy 17:00 Create Your Own Path 20:00 Podcasting with Guests 21:30 Looking Back 2 Years Ago 28:15 Favorite Guests 29:30 Life Lessons 31:00 What is “Decoding”? 35:00 Nightmare Agents & Managers 37:50 Production Side 40:00 YouTube & Strategy 47:00 Final Thoughts BECOME A SUPPORTER OF DECODING SOCIAL LIFE: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss Connect with us: @DECODINGSOCIALIFEPODCAST @EventsByDSL

Matt Macedo: An Actor’s Guide to a Director’s Mind | S6E3

In this episode of the Decoding Social Life Podcast, we sit down with director Matt Macedo, one of the top voices in the rapidly growing world of vertical storytelling. Known for his work in vertical drama series, Matt has built a reputation as a director who has specialized in the craft—creating fast-paced, high-retention content designed for today’s audiences. We break down what it actually means to be directing verticals, how these mini-series are changing the entertainment industry, and why more actors and creatives are moving into this space. Matt shares his full journey—from his first vertical project to working with actors on set, casting decisions, and navigating real challenges during production. We also dive deep into auditioning, self-tapes, and what directors are really looking for, along with the biggest mistakes actors make and how to stand out. From set etiquette and networking to handling pressure and turning down projects, this episode gives a real, behind-the-scenes look at a format that’s quickly becoming a major force. Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this episode gives you a clear look into the world of vertical series—and how to position yourself in it. Chapters: 1:00 Intro 1:52 Matt’s Story 2:52 What is a Vertical Mini-Series? 4:22 Working with Actors 6:00 Pre-Production 8:10 Casting 9:38 Difficult Birthday Set Experience 11:30 Vertical Cover Art 14:19 Matt’s Favorite Projects 15:50 Matt’s First Vertical Project 17:36 Crazy Fans & Boundaries 18:10 Set Etiquette 19:25 Turning Away Projects 21:10 Future Writing Plans 22:20 Vertical Cast & Crews 24:00 Staying Calm on Set 25:34 Handling Difficult Situations 27:08 Networking 28:20 Gentle Guide Style 29:50 “Watering Your Plants” 31:50 Why People Trash Talk Verticals 32:50 Actor Issues 33:30 Actor Checklist & Auditioning Advice 38:44 Intimacy Scenes & Stunts 41:40 Verticals as a Stepping Stone 42:20 Outro Thank you Matt! We look forward to more collaborations in the future! Connect with us: @DECODINGSOCIALIFEPODCAST @EventsByDSL Connect with Matt: @MATTMACEDO #verticals #minidrama #vertical #miniseries #director #MattMacedo #Hollywood #MiniHollywood #Production Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

How to Handle Difficult Meetings | S6E2

Today's Topic: How to Handle Difficult Meetings In this episode of the Decoding Social Life Podcast, we break down one of the most important — and overlooked — skills in business and life: how to handle difficult meetings. Whether it’s high-pressure client conversations, tense negotiations, or moments where everything feels like it’s going sideways, we dive into the mindset and strategies that help you stay composed and in control. We talk about why meetings don’t always go as planned, how to manage nerves when the pressure is on, and why putting the client’s interest first can completely shift the dynamic.  From learning how to slow a conversation down, to processing before reacting, to controlling your emotions when things get heated — this episode is packed with real, actionable insight. We also introduce concepts like the “Chef in the Kitchen” theory. Plus, we share personal stories from our own difficult meetings and what we learned from them. If you want to show up sharper, communicate more effectively, and turn tough situations into opportunities — this episode is for you.  Chapters: 1:00 Intro - Today's Topic (How to Handle Difficult Meetings)  2:09 Lead with Value 2:53 Meetings Don't Always Go Great.. 4:14 Locked-In Nerves 6:04 Put the Clients Interest FIRST 6:50 Don't Waste Time 8:20 Relatability 9:00 Process, Then Reply 11:47 Control Your Emotions 18:16 Define the Objective 19:08 Negative Comments 23:12 Stay In Touch 23:33 The "Chef in the Kitchen" Theory 26:51 Listen More Than You Talk 28:00 "Golden Nuggets" 30:00 Our Own Difficult Meetings 34:20 Show Up 37:00 Not a Hobby 37:50 Ask Better Questions 38:00 Shoot Your Shot 39:30 Reconnect Later Down the Road 40:21 Belief 41:20 Sell Me This Pen 43:21 Slow the Meeting Down 45:00 Bring it Back to Solutions 46:20 Outro Connect with us: @DECODINGSOCIALIFEPODCAST @EventsByDSL Come to our next Event: https://partiful.com/e/pV39H1TETb5H2GRwcrI0?c=lSeqASn5 #BusinessTips #leadership #EntrepreneurMindset #CommunicationSkills #Negotiation #meetings #ProfessionalDevelopment #careergrowth #businessmindset #podcast Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Shawn Royster: What Goes Into Running Massive Events Worldwide | S6E1

In this episode of the Decoding Social Life Podcast, we sit down with global event host and entrepreneur Shawn Royster—who has built his business from the ground up, producing and hosting massive events across the world. Shawn takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to operate at a global level—from navigating high-pressure environments to executing large-scale events across different cities and audiences. From starting with nothing to building an international brand, Shawn shares the mindset, discipline, and business strategies that allowed him to scale and create opportunities worldwide. We also dive deep into the power of networking and proximity—how one connection can completely change your life. Shawn shares stories working with James Cameron and breaks down exactly how that relationship came into his life. This episode is a masterclass on: • Building a business from scratch • Operating in high-pressure environments • Leveraging relationships to unlock opportunities • Positioning yourself in the right rooms If you're looking to elevate your network, scale your brand, or step into bigger opportunities—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.  Thank you Shawn! We look forward to more collaborations in the future! Chapters: Introduction to Shawn Royster and his journey 0:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=30s] Building a Business from Scratch 2:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=151s] How Shawn Got Into Events 8:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=528s] How Sports Translates to Business 12:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=751s] Getting Better at Communication 18:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=1105s] Working with industry leaders like James Cameron 30:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=1814s] Personal Connections & The Power of It 40:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=2401s] How Shawn Met His Wife "Airport Story" 53:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFf-A11JnBY&t=3180s] Guest: @ROYSTERPRODUCTIONS https://www.roysterproductions.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTVTakN0TWRTbDVIcGFnLW1CenhBVG04RVgzZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsYWRWNDkxTHduU2dYN2s1emZtaUNiRmg4TmVyWjdWLWJLTU85Q2lMQUE0TDhZY3YzT1YxYS1KTnhRTmRqMnBSX0haRVBLMzFIOGRJcmFSVFhQTGZnVENVSFhBXzE0b09JZ0JMYTRaeVlPYlJ6LWstRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.roysterproductions.com%2F&v=TFf-A11JnBY] Connect with us: @DECODINGSOCIALIFEPODCAST @EventsByDSL #DecodingSocialLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/decodingsociallife] #ShawnRoyster [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/shawnroyster] #Entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #EventProduction [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/eventproduction] #Networking [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/networking] #BusinessGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/businessgrowth] #PersonalBrand [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/personalbrand] #Leadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadership] #HighPerformance [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/highperformance] #PodcastInterview [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcastinterview] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/decoding-social-life--6139708/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].