About this episodeJosiah Johnson details his journey from a Hollywood writer to the 'King of NBA Twitter,' emphasizing that auth…AI summary
Josiah Johnson details his journey from a Hollywood writer to the 'King of NBA Twitter,' emphasizing that authentic, high-volume content creation and relentless grinding are essential for building a personal brand. He shares critical lessons on navigating industry politics, the importance of diverse representation in media, and how leveraging social media can create financial independence and career opportunities that traditional Hollywood paths often deny.
Key takeaways 6
Social media is a viable career path that can out-earn traditional roles; Johnson notes he makes more money from tweets than from his TV writing jobs, allowing him financial freedom.
Authenticity and 'being out of pocket' (within reason) drive engagement better than corporate-sanctioned, sanitized content, as seen when he beat ESPN's social team during 'The Last Dance' by posting raw, unfiltered reactions.
The sports media industry lacks diversity despite the athlete demographic being 60-70% Black; Johnson advocates for creating independent networks to hire talent that reflects the audience.
Building a community requires treating followers like family, similar to how shows like 'Insecure' or 'Game of Thrones' built loyal fanbases through consistent, engaging content.
Hollywood success relies on tangible proof of work (short films, social media presence) rather than just scripts, as executives need to see a track record before investing.
Personal health and routine are foundational to professional success; Johnson lost 70 pounds during the pandemic by running 4-5 miles daily, which improved his mental clarity and professional output.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“The grind is the stuff you don't see. The hours you put in the gym... dealing with the highs and the lows, the bullshit, the positive stuff.”
▶ 3:19Josiah defines 'the grind' not just as hard work, but as the unseen consistency and resilience required to maintain success.
“I'm working out six days a week putting my heart into this shit. And we've seen now with even the videos that pop up workout videos and shit. He still got it.”
▶ 0:23Josiah describes his initial interaction with Colin Kaepernick, validating Kaepernick's dedication despite public skepticism about his NFL return.
“If you hate my shit, knock me off the paint. Cuz ultimately you push me off the block then.”
▶ 43:51Josiah's philosophy on competition: instead of hating on others' success, focus on improving your own craft to surpass them.
“I don't play in the NBA. I literally I'm wearing a suit right now in a studio. I don't know what the fuck y'all talking about.”
▶ 2:36Josiah critiques non-players who offer unsolicited opinions on NBA strategy, highlighting the importance of knowing one's lane and expertise.
“You can't really be asking anymore. We live in a world now... where you can do this shit. People can start podcasts. They can do a bunch of stuff where they don't need somebody to hold their hand.”
▶ 59:31Josiah argues that creators no longer need gatekeepers; they can build their own platforms and prove their value independently.
Chapters & Sections (57)▼
0:00Authenticity in Social Media and Personal Brandingchapter2
0:00Authenticity in Social Media and Personal Branding
2:53The Importance of Consistent Hard Work and Effort
4:55Building a Community Around a TV Showchapter2
4:55Building a Community around TV Shows
6:36Building a Social Media Presence from Scratch
9:03Building Personal Brand for Career Successchapter2
9:03Building Personal Brand for Career Success
11:05Social Media and Isolation During Pandemic
13:19Growing Up with a Professional Athlete Fatherchapter2
13:19Childhood and Family Background
15:52Growing Up in a Basketball Legacy
17:31Childhood Memories of Father's Basketball Careerchapter2
17:31Childhood Memories of Father's Basketball Career
20:01Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Family Dynamics
21:57The Career and Legacy of a Basketball Playerchapter3
21:57The Career and Legacy of a Former NBA Star
23:25NBA Player's Career and International Basketball
24:46Developmental Differences in Youth Basketball Programs
26:42Social Media Competition and Authenticitychapter2
26:42Social Media Competition and Authenticity
29:00Overcoming Social Media Competition and Bias
31:09Corporate Culture and Authenticity in Social Mediachapter2
31:09Corporate Culture and Authenticity in Social Media
32:58Impact of Modern Communication on Productivity
35:12Navigating Social Media and Online Criticismchapter2
35:12Navigating Social Media and Online Criticism
37:21The Impact of Cancel Culture on Society
39:43Boycotting vs. Systemic Change in Corporate Americachapter3
39:43Boycotting vs. Systemic Change in Corporate America
41:12The Problem with Online Hating and Criticism
42:43Addressing Online Haterism and Criticism Culture
43:51Working on Colin Kaepernick's Netflix Serieschapter2
43:51Working on Colin Kaepernick's Netflix Series
45:33Authenticity and Community Involvement in Public Figures
48:21Colin Kaepernick's Personal Life and Identitychapter4
48:21Colleagues Discuss Kaep's Hair and Character
49:38Racial Identity and Privilege in Childhood
50:47Racism and Objectification at NFL Combine
52:03Racism and Double Standards in Sports
54:17Perseverance and Career Resilience in the Face Adversitychapter3
54:17Perseverance and Career Resilience in the Face Adversity
56:05Lack of Diversity in Professional Leagues
58:43Empowering Diverse Talent in the Workforce
1:00:11Dealing with Harassment and Online Abusechapter3
1:00:11Dealing with Harassment and Negative Fan Behavior
1:01:28Personal Growth and Self Improvement Strategies
1:03:02Importance of Positivity and Giving Back
1:04:24Importance of Establishing a Daily Routinechapter2
1:04:24Importance of Establishing a Daily Routine
1:06:10Importance of Perseverance and Mindset in Career
1:08:32Navigating the Challenges of Hollywood Successchapter5
1:08:32Navigating the Challenges of Hollywood Success
1:09:47The Importance of Productivity in Creative Pursuits
1:10:56Evaluating Investment Opportunities and Authenticity
1:12:19Importance of Perseverance in Creative Pursuits
1:13:38The Importance of Grind and Perseverance in Comedy
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