Feb 24, 2021
My conversation with Brad R Lambert was a complete joy. To seesomeone so successful living in a town where egos can definitelyget in the way of being human, Brad is a shining star.
We had a real life conversation involving real lifecirc*mstances and in the end, empathy, love, comparison and thewant to help others, trumps all.
Success has not ruined this young man and he is an example ofwhat is very right with the world and how he plans to love his lifeand leave his legacy.
Enjoy,
Joe
Brad R Lambert:
Producer, Talent Manager, International Speaker & Author
Website: https://www.bradrlambert.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradrlambert/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebradrlambert
LinkedIn: https:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradrlambert
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BradRLambert/
Email: brad@bradrlambert.com
Podcast Music By: Andy Galore,Album: "Outand About", Song:"Chicken & Scotch" 2014
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https://www.facebook.com/andygalorebass
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Transcript
Joe: Brad, thanks so much forjoining me on the show. I really appreciate it. I'm so lookingforward to this conversation with you, Matt.
Brad: It's great to be here, thanksfor having.
Joe: So I want to start I alwayslike to get the back story, because I really think it helps peopleknow the person and become more familiar with where you came fromand where you are today. And so if you don't mind doing that, thatwould be awesome.
Brad: Oh, of course, I am fromPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so I'm actually from the East Coast, wasborn and raised in the Steel City, spent some time in NorthCarolina as well in Charlotte. I went to college at NC State, but Istarted really working, working when I was like 16, 17, 18 yearsold. You know, I had the traditional jobs of, you know, working ata sandwich shop or a movie theater. Like I worked at a movietheater all through high school and college for side income. Andthat's why I really fell in love with movies. So we'll get to that.But working working wise, I really found my entrepreneurial self atthat age. I was very passionate about sports, so I wanted to be apart of the sports industry in any way, shape or form.Specifically, I wanted to work directly with my athletes, the guysthat I cheered on Sundays and Mondays, now Thursdays, you know. SoI wanted to provide whatever value I could for those guys. So I wasable to get connected to a few of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And atthat age, I was, like I said, still in high school so that the agegap between me and a lot of these athletes was pretty significant.So the disconnect was there, but I had to prove myself and buildthat trust and credibility through my actions. So I learned veryquickly how to connect with high level people at a young age, andthat was by building genuine relationships and adding whatevervalue I could to benefit them both personally and professionally.So, you know, simple things like, you know, later on down the road,it would be like, hey, man, I'm in Arizona training. Can you swingby my house and move my car for me? Yeah, dude, I'm aroundwhatever
Joe: Right.
Brad: You need, you know, or, hey,help me with this massive campaign endorsem*nt deal, whatever. So Ihad a range of things that I did for these guys. But at the startof it, it was at the the initial beginnings of Facebook and socialmedia. So these guys didn't understand how to utilize social mediato benefit themselves. And I had been playing around with it for awhile. So I saw the opportunity. So I was able to then bring thatknowledge and expertise to the table to help establish these guyson social media, help with content creation strategy, etc.. Sothrough high school, I worked with these athletes and some agenciesjust do my own thing. Then all through college, I actually workedwith a marketing agency while I was at NC State. So I was basicallyfull time with the agency and doing school at the same time. So itwas such a great experience because I had, you know, got in at theright time with this agency, proved myself and that I was going toNew York City almost twice a month, sitting down with Fortune 500brands in these, you know, Penthouse suites in New York City. Andit was my job to sit there and be quiet, that that's what I wastold. And that at the time made a lot of sense. So I would just sitthere and soak up the room, all the knowledge, all the exchanges,everything. And a funny nickname I had was these guys were just soused to me sitting there very stoically and just listening. Nowthey're like, who's this silent assassin? Like, who is this? Youknow? But I was just following directions, you know. But now,obviously.
Joe: And what what year was this?Sorry to interrupt, I just want
Brad: No,
Joe: To get the timeline.
Brad: Not a problem, I mean,freshman sophom*ore year of college, I was working with this agency,maybe even through junior year, I'm not sure,
Joe: Like
Brad: But I was young.
Joe: What year, what year, like.
Brad: Oh, I. She's 20, 21.
Joe: That's how old you are.
Brad: Yeah, so I was 2009, 2010,maybe, so I was I was young and it was started college for me, so Iwas, you know, doing school work and then doing work, work and thentraveling and doing both. And it was just such a great experiencefor me because it got me ahead. It put my feet to the fire andchallenged me at early age, which I love. Like I'm fearless in thatregard. I'll try anything. I'm not afraid to fail. At worst case, Ilearn one. I'm not good at it, or I learned how to do it adifferent way. So, you know, I'm not really caught up in thoseelements of what if I fail or, you know, I'm like, screw it. I'mjust going to try. And if I fail, so be it. I'll learn and move on,you know, and be better because of it. So, you know, with thatexperience, man, like, fast forward to, you know, after school andI moved back to Pittsburgh to work with a sports agency. And theneight months later, I was out in L.A. working with Robert DowneyJr. and his team. So those elements of that experience from highschool to college, where I was working with high level celebritiesand professionals and entrepreneurs and things like that, it didn'tbother me.
Brad: So, you know, being in thesame room with professional athletes or celebrities or talent likeRobert Downey Junior, it doesn't bother me like they're just likeus. They're just normal people. They just have high profile jobsand lives in general. So I'm able to build that trust and thatcredibility because, one, I'm not a fan girling, you know, in frontof these guys and to it's it's all business. I want to have agenuine relationship with these people. So it's not about, youknow, hey, what can you do for me? It's about what I can do foryou. And my scale of giving and receiving is so far skewed andgiving. And I'm not complaining. I'm just stating a fact. That'show I live my life. And I'm so happy because of it. Therelationships I have are just mind blowing. I mean, just fromstatus and success and, you know, credible people as well, as wellas just good people. At the end of the day, that's all that reallymatters to me, is like you could be the most famous successfulperson in the world. But if you're not nice or kind to otherpeople, I don't really care to associate with you. And I've had tocut off some big fish, but I don't care.
Brad: Like, I really don't want tosurround myself with that negativity, that ego or that hate. So mycircle is very specific about who I associate with and who I call afriend and family and so on and so forth. So. You know, I moved outto L.A. and got my feet wet in the entertainment industry and goingback to what I said earlier about working on a movie theater, I wasthe guy rep and tickets and cleaning up popcorn and stuff in highschool. And I fell in love with that, just going to the movies.And, boy, I can't wait to go back when it's safe to do so. But, youknow, that's where I fell in love with all the different genre offilm, because before I worked at the movies, I was like, oh, justaction, you know? But then that opened up my palate, rom coms anddramas and the horrors and literally everything, thrillers likethrillers. So now I have an appreciation for all different genresof film and that whole process. So coming out to Los Angeles, Iwanted to pursue film, TV and entertainment as a whole. I neverwanted to be the the actor, you know, BSR. That was not my my goal.I always wanted to be involved at whatever capacity.
Brad: So I brought my marketing, mybusiness background out here and that's what got my start. And Ireally started to find myself out here. After working with Downey,I went to Warner Brothers and I was managing the marketingcampaigns for TV, film and catalog titles. So that experiencereally helped me find the producer in me because I was given taskwith large budgets. I had to collaborate with different agenciesand teams and then flex my creative and business muscles to getstuff done. And that was me managing those very high levelcampaigns for Warner Brothers. So for me, that was like as aproducer, you have to have a good balance of business and creative.And that that was me and I really was like, wow, I can do this. SoI actually went on to executive produce my first film, which was ahorror film I helped raise. I think it was between three to fivemillion dollars, which I'd never done before. So that was just Iwas grateful to be a part of that project. And just once again,someone threw me an opportunity instead of being afraid of failingor oh, I don't know how to do this. I was like, give me a few daysand let me see what I can muster up. Like, I don't know what I'mdoing.
Brad: I'll figure it out. And Iended up making a bunch of calls and connecting dots, and we werefilming a few months later. So it was just to be a small part ofthat project and kind of have that experience now moving forwardwith the other stuff that I'm doing from music videos tocommercials to I have a full slate of films right now that I'mworking on getting funding for because they're all independent. I'mtaking calls with voices and, you know, investors and things ofthat nature. So once again, that early experience. Pays dividends,you know, so waiting for the perfect time to to try things is notalways the best route to take. You know, if you can start earlywhile your competition is not, I think you'll really get an edgefor yourself. And I am by no means you know, where I want to beyet. But the progress I've been able to make, and I'm only thirtytwo. So I'm I'm I feel the momentum. I feel myself coming togetherand who I am and what I'm about and the people I surround myselfwith and I'm just grateful for. And they inspire me and they needto be better each and every day. And I couldn't ask for anythingmore.
Joe: That's incredible. So you'regoing to have to forgive me, because I know the part about thisthat means a lot to me is helping to educate the audience on howyou become the type of person that you are that a lot of peoplewant to be where they have to put one foot in front of the otherand actually go through the stuff and not overthink it, not overplanet. So I'm going to pull you all the way back to high schoolbecause I know what I was like in high school and I just I playedsoccer. I was interested in girls. I, you know, whatever. I neverhad the focus that it sounded like you had. So my first questionis, did this come from your parents? Was there something that theyinstilled in you to say, hey, Brad, you can go out and do anythingyou want, just go and you just going to ask, how
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: Did that happen for you?
Brad: Well, it's funny to ask thatis so spot on, you'll laugh, but my mom always said if you don'task, you don't get. And that has stuck with me from day one. Sheshe's always been my biggest supporter. I love her to death.Obviously, you were a part of the Growth Now summit, but she wasthere. So
Joe: Yeah, that's right, it's.
Brad: In one of my she's my biggestsupporter and I love her to death. So she's inspired me in so manyways. And, you know, so, yeah, she definitely pushed me. But Iwould say, you know, I was wired differently, you know, just in asense of I was a dreamer man. Like, I, I always swung for thefence, whether it was asking out the the hottest girl or, you know,trying to get the biggest opportunity or whatever, you know, Ididn't care. I was like, you know, my standards for what I wanted.You know, I didn't want to talk down to myself or limit myself of,oh, I could never accomplish that. Like, what kind of mindset isthat? You know, I would say if you're not challenging yourself,you're never going to know what you're truly capable of. And eachand every day I'm constantly stepping into something that I neverthought was possible. Like I just got approached with anopportunity that wasn't even on my radar, not even remotely maybedown the line, but it was thrown in my face three weeks ago. AndI've had to be scrappy and jump on the opportunity. But I wasn'tplanning on it. But I also was not going to be like, I'm not readyfor this or now talk to somebody else. I'm like, I'm going to giveit my all and it's either going to happen or it's not, you know,and that's how I look at things. So, you know, I'm fairly confidentin that. And that project I was just mentioning, it's come alongnicely. But what's cool about that project? I'm not going to diveinto details, but I was approached for me.
Brad: Get this done, but instead oflooking at it like me, me, me, lalala, I was like, you know what,I'm going to bring in some heavy hitters and we are going to wintogether because including then we'll take away some stuff for me,but everyone will benefit and the project will be that much betterbecause of it. And I want I want that to be very clear, I couldhave done this by myself as I. I could have done a good job, but itwouldn't be what it is right now if I didn't include these otherheavy hitters, so it's having that selflessness to step aside,right. And say, you know what, this is what it is, I'm going to I'mgoing to bring in people I care about, people who I have a lot ofrespect for, who are so talented in their own right that are goingto really complement what we're doing or what we're trying to do.And man, the the the masterpiece that we've kind of put togetherfor this project, I'm so excited about it. But once again, I couldhave taken the ego approach to made it all about me. And I waslike, no, I'm going to bring in the squad and we're all going tobenefit and when because of it. So it's just that kind of approachwhere it's like, you know. Am I trying to just get it done or am Itrying to go overboard and do the best job possible? And a lot ofpeople want one hundred percent of the credit, whereas not manypeople are OK with 12 percent.
Joe: Something great, as opposed toone hundred percent or something semi, you
Brad: That's
Joe: Know,
Brad: Nothing
Joe: I mean, right,
Brad: Once one hundred percent ofnothing.
Joe: Right.
Brad: I mean, that's that's thereality of it. So a lot of people only want to think of themselvesor they want all the limelight and they want all the shine andcredit. And it's like, look, at the end of the day, nobody getsanywhere by themselves. And people who say otherwise are eitherinsane or they're egomaniacs to the point where it's like there'sno talking to them. They just they are who they are. So for me,it's like I never want to be put in that category. I think ego isone of the biggest turnoffs up in general and to it's one of thebiggest inhibitors to success, growth, relationships, period. Andbeing in Hollywood, I'm sure you can imagine the egos that existhere. And it's funny from people who have no right to have egoshere have egos. So it is it's fascinating to me where, you know,I'm from Pittsburgh. It's a blue collar town. It's a hardworkingtown. It's a good town. The people are kind. They're giving,they're generous. And, you know, so coming out here, I was verymuch an alien in a way because I didn't subscribe to the norms ofL.A. and the behavior and the competition and the wild, wild Westnonsense. And, you know, I didn't get along with people who whoplayed that game because I'm not going to play that game. I'm notgoing to cut somebody's legs off to to win. That's just not who Iam. So that's what allowed me to kind of separate myself and findmyself and find my lane.
Brad: And, you know, there areconsequences to your actions and how you treat people. And in thisbusiness, they always come back around the person you screw over.Now, I guarantee you you'll see them in five years. That's just howthe business is. Unless you leave the business because it's not foryou and you fail, you're going to see him again. So you need totreat everyone with respect and kindness. You may not like them,but that's not a requirement, right? Like there are a lot of peopleI don't like in this business, but I still will treat them withrespect and kindness. I don't have to like them. You know, Iwouldn't have to be friends. We can be acquaintances, professional.Relationship, but aside from that, like we're not going to begrabbing a beer, watching football, like that's just, you know,that's not. But everybody, once again, they're still like this withso many aspects of their life, just like this, where you need towiden. That view and why, in your mind and your horizon to thepossibilities of not just what you're capable of, but looking atsituations differently, like I try to plan five to 10 moves aheadif I do or say this, this, this and this is going to happen, youknow? So it's it's it's mental chess in a way of understanding how,you know, things move, how things operate, how people move and howpeople operate and everybody's different.
Brad: But if you can understand, youknow, interpersonal communication and kind of get a good read onsomebody, you can understand the ebb and flow of conversation andtheir actions. People are very stuck to patterns. They behave acertain way and they rarely change. So if you can identify thatpattern and how they move and how they speak and things like that,you're able to kind of ride the wave in a way of like, this is howthis person is. I got to kind of change chameleon wise to to beable to deal with it and make it successful because we can't juststay the same core values. Yes, stay the same. But in regards to,like, how you communicate with certain people, some people, you gotto have the most amount of patience in the history of time. Otherpeople, it's like it's so chill, like it's a chill workenvironment. Whatever other people you have to really kind of be onthem to to make sure they're getting whatever tasks done. And soeverybody's different. But you have to you can't just stay the sameperson with everybody. You have to understand that each eacheverybody's different and you have to kind of change to best suitthat like a puzzle piece, because if you don't. That's where theissues happen. You know, you're not the way I want you to be, Joe.So we're going to have problems
Joe: Ok.
Brad: Like that. That's not how itworks. But put a lot of leaders are like that where it's like youdon't fit what I want. You're out of here. You're not a brainwashedzombie. You're out of here. And trust me, I've had so manyexperiences like that where it's like if you have an opinion, ifyou're your own person and it's the way the business is, it's thewild, wild West. And I will say this, those people make it far veryquickly, but long term, you know, fall on their face.
Joe: So and that's what attracted meto you in that that Growth Now summit. I heard you talk and then Istarted looking at all that you've accomplished at the ripe old ageof 30 to
Brad: Thank
Joe: Like
Brad: You.
Joe: I was like this. He is the mosthumble person that I've seen with the accolades that you have. AndI just was like, got to have to talk to this guy because I justturned fifty nine. And there's many things I want to do with mylife. I didn't do all of the things the way. I mean, I don't like Idon't want to say regret, but I definitely feel like I have someregret because I just didn't if I don't know, I've always hadreally high goals. Did I work as hard as I should have on all thosethings? Probably not. So I take all of the blame. But I just thinkthat I want to surround myself with people that even now, like, Icould just say, well, you know, it didn't work out. I'm just goingto just going to do it constantly. I think a big motivator for mewith this podcast when I started it almost a year ago was I want tobe around people that are successful, people that through me andthese conversations can spread the word of what they did to makethings like this happen. And so, yeah, you you definitely had to bewired different. The fact that a in high school, you were doing allthat you were doing and then again in college, college is like,wow, I'm finally out of the house and I'm just going to I'm goingto do as little work as I can and I'm going to have a greattime.
Brad: Look,
Joe: It's just
Brad: I
Joe: It's.
Brad: Don't think I went to oneparty in college, I'm
Joe: I
Brad: Not
Joe: Know
Brad: Getting.
Joe: It doesn't surprise me. Itsounds
Brad: I
Joe: Like.
Brad: Just I had no interest likethe the one to one exchanges and the nonsense now I had fun in myown way, but like I just that college, like it just didn't itdidn't appeal to me. But I was also so busy on the other thingsthat I was trying to do. And I saw the potential and the benefitsof the things that I was doing. I actually stepped away from schoolfor a year because that marketing agency opportunity was thrivingso much. Where I'm in these boardrooms at Fortune 500 companies,I'm like, why am I still in school? You know, like and so I took ayear off and I went all in on this marketing agency and theexperience I got out was crazy. And I ended up finishing schoolonline. But it was like that's the kind of real world experiencethat, you know, I had a conversation with the young lady the otherday in Canada. And she's like, how do I how do I get to where youare? And I was like, what are you doing right now? You took thetime and the effort to to follow up with me on LinkedIn. And wefinally found a time to talk. And I'm giving you 15, 20 minutes totalk. And however I can help you, I'm going to do it. And she wasjust very laser focused, right, on what she wanted to get out ofthis conversation. And I was like, your hustle, your focus. Like,that's going to get you really far.
Brad: And now you just have to acton it. You can't worry like it's like sales. You're going to knockon two hundred doors and you might get one or two answers. But thesecond you're about to quit that next door might be the one thatchanges your whole life. So that's why it's like you just got tokeep going. You've got to ignore like there are things where I havean opportunity, biggest opportunity ever and I'll just like I'll dowhat I need to do. But then I move on. Like, I'm not waiting ordwelling, I'm just like next, you know, that's not something thatI, you know, I don't want to waste time because it's out of myhands. Once I do what I need to do, I hand it off and then whatwill be will be right. So I'm not going to sit here and and be kindof bent out of shape of, oh, my gosh, I haven't got one. Yes. LikeI've got so knows I've lost count. But that is what we need to do.Like we have to persist, we have to keep going. And that'ssomething that a lot of people aren't like. Some people can'thandle failure and I get it. But at the same time, like you'recapable of more than you think, you just have to rewire how youlook at things. Once again, it's not you're a loser, Joe. Youfailed. It's that opportunity wasn't meant for you. And what didyou learn out of it? Well, that changes the whole game like that, Idon't feel like a loser, right, because I did it when, you know,when I win, I learn.
Brad: When I lose, I learn. But Idon't look at it is like, wow, I failed, you know, just like look.And if anything, it's another chip on my shoulder, right. Somebodypassed on me. The opportunity didn't work out, whatever. But like agreat example is what's right behind me right here. This thisposter of Avenger's, a game that's signed by the entire cast. OK,I'm a huge nerd. I love pop culture. I love film. I love TV. I lovecomics. I grew up with these characters. So to be able to work witha guy like Downey, you can imagine how awesome that was. So Iwanted to work for Marvel after Downey. I went to Warner Brothersand at Warner Brothers, I was working on all these IPS andcampaigns and titles that I loved. And I was like, this is so muchfun. I would die to, like, go to Disney and do this for Marvel. Ihave to do this for Marvel. So I tried. I tried it, tried even itdown. I tried to get a job at Marvel and I came second place. Andthen when I was a WB, I had, I think, two tries where I came secondplace. And I was just like, oh, it's not it's not working, youknow? And a lot of people would have just given up on that dream.It's never going to happen.
Brad: I'm never going to work forMarvel, never going to work for Disney. It's just not meant to be.All right, fine. So I'm going to create my own path. That's why Idid I was doing my own thing. I was producing, managing,consulting, and I brought value. To Marvel and Disney put thiscollaboration together with one of the biggest artists on socialmedia, and he designed this incredible artist, so freakin talented,but the goal of working with Marvel and Disney right there. So Iwent from failing multiple times, not giving up and then working onthe biggest movie of all time, being a very small piece to thatcampaign. And that's something like like I said, it's signed by theentire cast. And that's a living reminder every single day whereit's like. You know, I got this tattooed on my arm, if you say atattoo right here says whatever it takes and that's a line fromAvengers and game, whatever it takes to get it done, whatever ittakes, make it happen. And that's that's right there, Sam, withthis one, like it's like I, I don't set limitations for myself andI will fail constantly, but it's, you know, getting hit, gettingback up and keep going and trying again. And what's the definitionof insanity. Doing the same thing over and over again and expectingdifferent results. Right. So when something's not working, you gotto create a new path or try something else. And that's what theydid. So to fail as much as I did trying to get that job with Marveland Disney, those opportunities didn't work out.
Brad: I went out, did my own thing,created my own path and ended up working on Avengers and being partof that marketing campaign. And then I followed that up withworking on Spider-Man Far From Home with Sony Pictures. And I grewup with Spider-Man. So that was an unbelievable experience for me.So once again, like chasing your passions, adding whatever valueyou can around those passions and staying consistent and persistentwith that approach. And that was my goal, like Disney, Sony,Universal. What value can I bring to your campaign to make it thebest campaign ever? Like and that's how I looked at things. I lookat things from a broad standpoint of, OK, there's an opportunityhere. I'm going to try to fill that hole with Zouliou. You know,but a lot of people are like, I need you to tell me. What you needto do, as I know you've got to be scrappy and self starting in thatregard where it's like. I followed this artist for so long, I knowI knew what he was capable of, I knew he had a huge following. Soworking with WB, I knew I paid creative agencies a lot of money tocreate assets for campaigns and then they would deliver the assetsand that would be it. So I was like, why not pay an artist who hasalmost a million followers? To do art with a demographic that'syour target market, right, so the value there was way more thanwhat it would be with a creative agency.
Brad: The value was the creativeagency doesn't have a million followers that they'll post and push*t out. So not that Disney needs the extra million followers, butif you're going to pay for it either way, why not be smart about itand get the most bang for your buck? And that was the approach Ibrought creatives influencers talent to the table who could add aunique twist to these campaigns where, you know, working on them asmuch as I did for two years would be a lot of the content looks thesame, the same countdown images, Meems, quote, images, staticimages, trailers, same thing. So what can we do to make itdifferent? That's how you make it different. So it's finding thoseopportunities and trying to be self starting in a way of Irecognize talent. I'm going to go out and get that talent and dowhatever I can to help that person. So win win. Right. And that's,you know, I'm going to bring value, you're going to bring yourtalents and we're going to win together, that's it. You know, andthat. It's that simple, but a lot of people once again, they wantall the light, they want all the credit, and those are people thatare really shooting themselves in the foot because at the end ofthe day, that's where ego comes in. And once you get sucked intothat big fat ego, you're done.
Joe: Yeah, again, on that that callthat we did or that video that you were on, I was like, how is thisguy so humble and down to earth? And it was a total attraction tome because I mean it from my heart. I grew up just a couple hoursnorth of New York City, and I spent a good 12 years there as amusician. And I've been to L.A. doing auditions where I was the guyfrom out of town. And I've seen the egos on both sides of the coastand I get it. And for you to to be the way you are and be in thisbusiness for as long as you have been and still you are who youare, that's that's a you know, you should pat yourself on the backfor that because that's a big thing. So.
Brad: Well, I a big thing is, youknow, your reputation is everything. So when you let ego come intoplay. You're really once again shooting yourself in the foot andyour reputation will take a massive hit because of it, because atthe end of the day, man like especially in a business like this,like nobody cares, like they want whatever it is done, they don'tcare how it gets done, just get it done. You're not as important asyou think you are. That's just the way it is. So, like, why have anego? And plus, I'm not where I want to be. You know, there's amillion people better than me. Like, that's just around. I'm 32years old. You know, how can I possibly have an ego when there's aguy like Elon Musk walking around? Right now, I'm serious,
Joe: I know.
Brad: I'm serious. It's like, youknow, how can I have an ego when you know a guy like GaryVaynerchuk taken over the world? You know, like but Gary is afriend, you know, so like, where's the ego come into play? To me,it's like I have so much more room for growth and learning and justcontinuing to grow in that regard where it's like, how could Ipossibly have an ego? But I also don't want the people who I'mfriends with in sixth grade to be like, wow, you really turned intoa jackass. I don't want that, you know? But, you know, the guy whois on the growth now said the call was my best friend in elementaryschool and middle school. He was in that room. And I hit him upafterwards and thanked him for I didn't know he's going to bethere, but he was there and he he thanked me profusely foracknowledging his existence in the room. And he was like, you're agood dude. My best friend from elementary school and middleschool
Joe: It's crazy.
Brad: Just said I was a good dudeafter all the time had passed all the experiences I've had, but I'mnot perfect. You know, I make mistakes, but it's never done in aI'm better than you, you know, way. I just I don't believe in that.We may have a bad exchange. You may catch me on a rough day. We'rehuman, but there's a difference between. A mistake and an exchangeand just being a pompous ass, right? Huge difference. And there'sif you look hard enough, you'll see the difference. But I try sohard to make sure every interaction that I have is a good one. Andit's not just about. I got to make myself look so cool in thischat. It's like I want Joe to really enjoy this conversation andhave good things to say about me, hopefully on the end. That's mygoal. But if I'm here like Joe, you are a worthless dude. Like, Imean, come on. Like, it's just like Joe, you wouldn't understand.I'm in the big leagues,
Joe: Right,
Brad: Bro.
Joe: You're right.
Brad: It's just I don't it drives mecrazy because I've experienced it so much with with egos on thepeople that I've interacted with. And it's such a turnoff whereyou're just like you won't even look at me in the face or you won'ttalk to me enough to talk to me through somebody else. I just likeI don't care. I don't care who you are. I don't want to deal withthat. I'm a human just like you. You're in a high profile position.That's the only difference. That's it. So, yeah, I mean, there'snothing to have an ego about. Like I'm nowhere where I want to be.Yet I've done a lot of great things I'm grateful for and and I'mcontinuing to build in that regard. But yeah, there's there'sabsolutely if you're making others feel little. Unless then you'rea pretty sh*tty person and I don't ever want to be a person thatmakes somebody else feel less than ever.
Joe: Well, like I said, I could tellit's just so natural for you and I'm thrilled to be here with you.So I again, I'm going to drag you back to my school. So forgive me,but I want to understand what the pivot was from you starting outwith sports, which seemed like a natural thing for you to dobecause it's such a heavy sports town. But you so you did this, butyou also mentioned that you've worked in a movie theater. So wasyour first love, the whole movie thing. But sports, how did youtransition and are you still involved in sports?
Brad: Yes, I'm so very involved withwith my guys specifically on the Steelers and the Penguins, I wantto I want to be a person of value to those guys, whether it'spersonally, professionally, whatever they need. Like I said, hey,move my car. Hey, you know, how do I get this done? Help with anendorsem*nt deal, whatever it is. So I I'm very much still involvedwith sports. I love sports, but I'm a two sided coin, right. Whenone side sports, you have those entertainment. So I dabbled insports initially. That was my my first thing. And I got to thepoint where I was like, man, I'm like 24, 25 if I don't pursue thisother thing. I might miss my window, and that's when I. Had theopportunity to move out here and work with Downey and his team, andthat's where I went heavy into entertainment. So but what's greatabout entertainment is like you could very well pull sports intoit, like sports is under the entertainment umbrella. So I don'treally look at them separate. Obviously, I started in sportsinitially, but, you know, once you're in entertainment, fashion,gaming, TV, film, music, sports, I mean, my goodness, you couldeverything falls under that.
Brad: So it's that's what's excitingto me is when I was, you know, in a smaller town like Charlotte, Iknew a lot of people. And then when I went to Pittsburgh, I really.Built a lot of crazy relationships, and once again, this is notnetworking, I want to be very clear, it's actually building genuinerelationships with people, whether they're not famous or famous,like it's it's the same. It's consistent, but it was more of like,how can I build how quickly can I build in a bigger city likePittsburgh? Right. And eight months I i from the top of theSteelers organization to the to heavy hitters and the Penguinsorganization to, you know, Lynn Swann like huge, huge names. Andwe're talking like personal relationships with these people. Andthat showed me, like, if I ever go to a big city and live in NewYork or L.A., I could really get stuff done. So when I came out toL.A., that was that was my goal. What can I accomplish in L.A.? Whocan I get connected to and build relationships with and what couldwe accomplish together? Right. And I moved out to L.A. and startedwith Robert Downey Jr. and
Joe: So,
Brad: Then from there.
Joe: Yeah, so before we go there,because I want to ask how that happened, and I think it's it'sdriving my mind crazy because I want to know how someone gets theirfirst gig out there in a sense. And I'm not sure if that's true,but if that is true, then I really that's incredible. But with thesports figures in Pittsburgh, when somebody hears you tell thisstory, it's like, well, what does that mean? Ditcher, did someonein your family know somebody and allowed you to stand on thesideline what they were like? How do you get in front of thesepeople? What's what's the connection that you used to kind of stackon all these people
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: That you would meet? Imean.
Brad: Well, stacking on is a goodway to put it, because at the end of the day, we are our own brandright now from me, starting at 16, 17, 18 years old and workingwith professional athletes and the Steelers. I've been around thatorganization since like 2005, 2006. Consistently, it's twentytwenty one, so that's a long time being around the team, theplayers, the ownership, the coach like.
Joe: But how how did you do that,like what
Brad: Well, it
Joe: Does that mean, because Iam
Brad: Once
Joe: In
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: Love, I have never seen it. SoI go to the Cardinals games,
Brad: Once
Joe: But.
Brad: You get once you get connectedto one and back when I got connected, it was I literally was ableto connect through the phone book like it was that kind of scrappythinking that I was able to at the time. Phone books were still athing and one thing led to another, got connected to somebody elseand that was it. But, you know, now it's Deanne's or introductionsthrough contacts, but you have to be able to introduce yourself anda wow manner. Right. So I've been building my brand since 16, 17,18 years old. So when I run into someone or I'm at an event or I'mat training camp and I have the opportunity to say hello, I'm notsaying, hey, can I have your autograph
Joe: Right.
Brad: Or hey, can I have a picture Ican't write? Brad Lambert, you know, I've been around the teamsince 2005. I would love to connect any way I can help. Let meknow. I mean, what more could you ask for that? That's an elevatorpitch. Home, right? Right. So that was how I handled it, and it waslike, yeah, I'm friends with Willie Parker, I know Hines and allthe guys, you know, and, oh, OK. You know, once you have thatcredibility where you can attach your name to somebody else in away that I'm friends with so-and-so, that wall of defense goesdown. Goes away. Immediate because a lot of people are like, whoare you and why are you talking to me when you say something likethat? That wall comes down now like, oh, what's up? You're just anormal person. You're not a crazy fan. Right. And that is how youseparate yourself by not acting like crazy fan. And the bestexample I could give is I went to training camp a lot back in theday and I used to bring a bunch of my friends. We would go and wewould be on the field because of my relationships, be on the fieldduring practice, which is amazing. And then after practice,everyone would scatter and get as many photos and as manyautographs and we'd all come back like half hour later wheneverybody left. And would you get what you get? How'd you get that?And everyone would be like, Oh, I got so-and-so this, not this andthat. And then Bobby Brown, would you get I was like at zero. No,like you had 30 to 40 minutes to get as many photos and autographsas possible on the field with all these guys. And you got zero. Iwas like, yeah, but I got seven phone numbers. And they're like,oh,
Joe: Yeah.
Brad: That's how different we werewired, right priorities, man, like I'll get autographs and photoslater when I'm hanging out with them at their house. I don't careabout that. Like, I want to build a genuine relationship. Andyou're not going to do that when you start by asking for photos orautographs. It's just not going to happen. So like Downey, forinstance, I've known him for six years. But I didn't get my firstpicture with Downey until like 20, 19 Christmas right before thepandemic, I was at his Christmas party and it was like a five year.Window was like, it's been five years, like, can I get a photo? Iwould love to just close that
Joe: Right.
Brad: That loop. And and he waslike, get over here, man. Of course, like that. Don't beridiculous, you know? But once again, if I the first time I sawhim, I ran up and was like, can we get a selfie like that? That'sso annoying. The first time I saw him, I walked up to him and Iintroduced myself and I said, thank you for the opportunity. I lookforward to working with you. You know, but
Joe: Yeah,
Brad: That's
Joe: Yea.
Brad: That's the difference.
Joe: And you're very wise for youryears of being, because I I was that person because I was sostarstruck as like I wanted to be this touring drummer, that was mygoal. I went to music school, which that's another question I'dhave to ask, but I can't forget that. I have to make sure we talkabout that quickly. But so anytime I went to see someone, I don'tthink I was obnoxious, but I was definitely starstruck. And it wasit wasn't I never was thinking of, hey, I know you're in town. Ifthere's anything I can do for you while here, let me know. Like, ifI just said that whatever and walked away, that would have been.But instead, I know that I gushed and
Brad: It's
Joe: So
Brad: Normal.
Joe: And so I wasn't wired like you.But my it's changed for me a lot. So even where I am now, now it'sjust like, listen, I'm just trying to do good in the world and thepeople that can see that through me. Great. And so things havereally changed in the last, I would say, a couple of months for mejust because I changed my mindset. And it's a shame it took me thislong to figure it out, but at least I figured it out before it'stoo late. So.
Brad: Everybody has their owntheir
Joe: Yeah,
Brad: Own time and
Joe: Yeah.
Brad: Their own their own path,their own way of living. I mean, it's not a competition. I mean, Iyou know, my way of thinking wasn't always right, you know? I mean,it's just the reality of it. I missed out on a lot because of theway I was. I've been wired and I wouldn't change it. But it's notall rainbows and unicorns, you know what I mean? It's it's justit's tough, you know? So it's I don't want you to or anybody, forthat matter to think, oh, I don't think like Brad, I failed, youknow, or I waited till I was fifty nine years old to get this. It'slike it's not a competition like, you know, so I don't I don'tsubscribe to that kind of stuff. But yeah, I mean it was therelationships are what matter. And when you deal with high levelpeople, they don't really have genuine relationships. Becausethey're high level people, a lot of people want stuff, so when youcome at it almost obnoxiously like, what can I do for you? How canI help? They're like, wow, this is refreshing. You know, how areyou? Like, how are you? Like, who's asking then that, you know? Butthat's the difference, you know? And that's at the end of the day,these are normal people and they just want to feel normalsometimes.
Brad: And that's what I try to give.You know, it's like let's go back to the house and play that. Andtill our eyes bleed, like, that's that's the kind of like normalcyI want. These guys, most of them are young man, like twenty, twentyone years old. I'm the old man now at thirty two when I was 17, 18when I first met these guys. Now I'm the old guy so like you know,but that, that trust that I have and you know, just try to help andgive them opportunities and keep them away from certain thingsearly in their career. You know, some of them don't want to hearit. And I've lost relationships because I've been brutally honestfrom a professional standpoint of like, yo, this is not this is nota good move for your brand and your business moving forward. Andsome of them like see you later. OK, but at the end of the day, itwas all love. You know, I didn't get anything out of it. So it'sit's been honest and transparent and truly having their bestinterests in mind. And just anybody I work with, I try to havereally, you know, care and show that I care.
Brad: But the one thing, too is, isempathy is so important. A lot of people aren't empathetic enough.They don't look at people and read that they're sad or they'restressed or they're anxious or whatever and then react accordingly.They only care about themselves and what they want out of asituation, and that's it. But you have to acknowledge these thingsand you have to care about how other people are feeling, because ifyou can identify. Oh, wow, look at look at, you know, Joe, he lookslike a little down today. I'm going to hit him up, you know, makesa difference. I've had people on Twitter just. Oh, my life sucks,I'm having a horrible day, getting out of bed is hard. I call him.How are you? Talk to me. I'm here. I send my message, hey, soundgood vibes. I'm here if you need to talk. You're not alone, yourloved. Whatever everybody's going through, man. But if you just sayabout yourself, you know, and one person that I did do that torecently hit me up like that meant a lot to me. Because I wasstruggling. And that little text that you sent me a text, Joe, youknow how long it took me?
Joe: Right, right. I
Brad: But
Joe: Think
Brad: Once
Joe: You
Brad: Again.
Joe: Brought that up on the callon
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: The summit. Yeah.
Brad: But that's that's adifference, it's like a lot of people think they're too importantor too busy, too arrogant, too ignorant to do these little simplethings, or in reality, if everyone did a little extra, the simplethings that we overlook or don't want to take the time to do theworld would be a much kinder, happier place. But that's the issue.And that's like, you know, naive of me to think. But I'm trying tomake that the norm. I'm trying to show people that those littlethings that you do mean something and and it matters, especiallywhen everyone's dealing with a global pandemic. So, you know, Ithink hearing that someone appreciates you or like you reaching outto me after the event like that was awesome. That made my day. Likeanybody who wants to hear me speak, I'm like, wow, OK, cool,thanks. You know, so it's but that's it's the little things, youknow. And a lot of people don't care to acknowledge those things orgive those little things that you do. And I think that's where theproblem lies.
Joe: Yeah, I agree with you so much.OK, so you get on with college, you what is the catalyst in theplan like what groundwork was laid so that you literally could moveto L.A. and hit the ground running? And not only that, but workwith somebody like Robert.
Brad: From a very young age, I wastrying to surround myself with people who I admire and who inspireme. That's like just not because I wanted anything other just to bea part of their lives, like and that's what I constantly did sinceI was young. And I build genuine relationships because of that.Like, I it's not I need something better. And when I don't get whatI need, I'm now like, that's not what we're talking about. Peoplelike we're talking like. And her relationship, genuinely, you'renot expecting anything if you get something great, hallelujah, goodfor you. But if you don't get something that doesn't mean you'rebailing and you're out of there and you never talk to that personagain, that that's not a genuine relationship, that that's whatyou're doing. Period. So I've constantly tried to surround myselfwith people who I admire, they could be massive celebrities, theycould be professional athletes, it could be someone who works atthe grocery store down the street. They're a good person. Or theycould be an artist who's just so ridiculously talented. It blows mymind like I don't have ulterior motives. I just want to surroundmyself with amazing good people, period. So with that mindset, mynetwork is pretty robust and I have some pretty incredible peoplein my life. And I got connected to someone and he opened the doorfor me and that that was it. That's how I got to Downey at.
Joe: When did you move? What yearwas that?
Brad: A 15, I think, yeah, becauseI've been in L.A. six years, so it was February
Joe: So
Brad: 2015.
Joe: And when you moved out there,you literally had this gig ready, you hit, you just landed, got anapartment or whatever, and you started working with Robert.
Brad: Right away, hyp.
Joe: That's incredible.
Brad: But that's but that's that'san example of some of the amazing things that can happen when youlead with kindness, you add value, you build genuine relationships,and when all those things add up and it gets to a point wherepeople are like, all right, you've done so much for me, what can Ido for you? You know, like it. Unless they're the worst type ofperson, they're probably going to say that to some extent. Like Isaid it last night to somebody, somebody has helped me out with aproject like what can I do for you? How can I help you? Any phonecalls, emails, whatever. I'll do what I can. No promises, but I'lltry to help you. It's just human nature, like we all have theability to help someone, but if you don't ask, right, going
Joe: And.
Brad: Back to the start of thisconversation, you don't ask, you don't get. So that's that's thewhole thing where it's like, you know, some people are too afraidto ask. Some people are too in their head about asking. But it'slike if you ask them, then they feel more comfortable to be like,you know what, they're really struggling with X, Y, Z. Like thatyoung lady who reached out to me on LinkedIn. Can I talk to you for15 minutes, please? Who the hell am I? Yeah, of course we did it,you know, and she emailed me in the next morning. It was like I'mso driven and motivated from our conversation of email. Two hundredpeople today. The good. You've get it. You know, but that's the. Iwant to have an impact. I want to be a source of positivity andkindness and, you know, people are going to talk crap about you oneway or another, but make them look really stupid to talk crap aboutsomeone who's doing that kind of stuff. Right. Like, are youseriously having this conversation about that person right now? Allthe all that they're doing? Really. OK. Good for you, but that'sthat's the thing, it's everybody's going to have their opinions,they're going to hate, you know, the peanut gallery is very large,but that's the thing. It's like those people are unhappy withthemselves, their lives, and they feel better about themselves bytalking crap about other people. That's not my thing. I don't dothat. I don't care to do that. But those people are broken andhurting in their own rights and they'll do what they do. But youcan't let it get to you. You got to keep just doing your thing. Butonce again, if you're meeting with kindness and value and you'retrying to make the world a better place and make somebody's lifebetter, you know, I've got messages like you saved my life.
Joe: You just need one of those andthen you go. All right. I know what I'm doing.
Brad: But that's
Joe: I'm doing.
Brad: That's my that's like somebigger people would look at this podcast, be like, this isn't JoeRogan, why am I going to waste my time? It's like if I impact oneperson, even if it's you, Joe, with this conversation, it was worthmy time.
Joe: Well, it's so funny becauseyou're probably going to be the only guest in this whole year thatI've done this, that I was going to ask, what made you say?
Brad: That's it, like I look atthis, I try to do as many of these as I can and yeah, I'm busy,whatever, but like once again, what's 15, 30 an hour to to do apodcast that will live forever on the Internet. So I could impactsomeone ten years from now or I can impact someone today like, likethat. That's the once again broader. Mindset, looking at the bigpicture, because I have people from different continents, likeplaces I've never even heard of who found me on social media, whofollow me, and then literally what one guy in particular is hisname's Yassir and he listens and watches all my stuff. And then hesends me these beautifully written messages of his thoughts and allof these, like what he got out of it. And I'm just I just sit backevery time, like, wow. Like this guy who I've never met before andI'm in a place I've never been to like. We're not connected otherthan social media. He found me and he's a he appreciates my stuffso much that he takes the time every single time to listen andwatch my stuff when it comes out. So he watches and he'll he'llhear me talking about him and stuff. But
Joe: It's
Brad: That's
Joe: Called.
Brad: But that's like that's why Ido this man. It's just like he's so impacted by what I have to say.And that's a mind blowing thing to say. Like for me, like I'm justtrying to be honest and tell my story and hopefully it helps impactsomebody else in a positive way. But but when you really get inthat group of hearing from people and and you motivated them or youinspired them, like I spoke at Columbia College, Hollywood about amonth ago and some of the responses afterwards from the studentswere like, you gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams.
Joe: That's powerful,
Brad: Are you kidding
Joe: Yeah.
Brad: Me? Like like how selfishwould I have to be as a human being to not do what I do? If that'sthe response I'm getting, even if it's one person.
Joe: Yeah, it's
Brad: How
Joe: Incredible.
Brad: Idiotically selfish is that,but once again, I'm not here saying, Joe, if you do, you'll be abillionaire. Like I'm not that person and I'm not trying to hawk aclass at you or get you to pay like I'm trying to. I'm trying toteach foundational skills that have been completely lost in thisgeneration, completely lost and GenZE. They're even worse, likethey have it off worse. So I'm trying to fix this and also instillthis into the up and coming generation. I'm even writing achildren's book right now to instill these core values at a veryyoung age. So it's I'm trying to trying to get this back into wherethe world was. You know, it's not such a hateful and nasty place.Like I had someone said to my dad the other day and just say thenastiest sh*t to me. And I was just like I was like, how am I goingto respond to this? And I responded with thank you so much. Iappreciate the love and with like a flex emoji. Right. And thatperson laughed with a bunch of emojis and I haven't heard from themagain. So I gave them the attention they were looking for. And Ialso probably shook them to their core because they wanted ashouting match. And instead I like self-destruct in their brainbecause I hit them with that. OK, you know, I've had people do thatwhere I hit him with kindness, kill with kindness, kindness to dothat, and you do that and they're like, oh my gosh, I love yourcontent. I'm like, well, what happened to
Joe: Yeah,
Brad: The
Joe: Right,
Brad: You know, or they follow meright after.
Joe: Right.
Brad: They follow me right after,like, oh, my gosh, you know, but that's that's like once again,these people are just broken, you know, and they they're hurting.And I feel for them and I hope they can find their happiness intheir path. And but it's not by being hateful and nasty to otherpeople. If if you're actively going out of your way to sabotage andbring other people down or make other people feel less than you arebroken. And you need to do a lot of soul searching because whateveryou're doing is not working, and I promise you, you're not going toget to where you want to go by going down this path, you may feelreally powerful and cool about yourself, but at the end of the day,nobody else thinks you're cool and nobody else likes you. That'sthe reality of
Joe: Yeah,
Brad: It.
Joe: It's just so I want to respectyour time, because we're getting close and I literally could go onand I have so much that we never got to, but I want to thank God somuch. We didn't get to I want to talk about your book because youmentioned it on the summit. And so is that something different thanthe children's book or. That is the book.
Brad: Now, that's that's the bookI'm starting with a children's series partnered with a phenomenalartist in Sweden that I found years ago on social media. Onceagain, I try to surround myself with people who I admire and whoinspire me. I found her work two years ago, and I knew from theonset of finding her, I was like, there's there's something thereand I'm going to figure it out. She's just phenomenal. And here weare right now, and she's doing all the illustrations for the book.So it's just one of those things where it's, you know, she'll love,support other people and good things happen. And if they ifsomething doesn't happen, you're still OK because you're connectedwith that person and you have those conversations and the happinessexchanges, that that's what makes life worth living, you know, andthat's a lot of people want the transactional stuff. And yeah, it'sgreat. But at the same time, it's not everything. You know, so manypeople have the transactions, but they have no soul. So what'swhat's the point of that?
Joe: How much can you share aboutthe book, like whatever
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: You want?
Brad: It's pretty straightforward, Imean, it's a picture book for kids, so it's a very entry level inthat regard. I want to kind of put it in the same category as like,you know, a Dr. Seuss reading level. Like, it's very basic. It'snot a crime book, but it is very basic in that sense. You know, I'mnot a professional writer or anything. So for me to put my words onpaper and do this is once again, I'm stepping out of my comfortzone to do this because I feel like I could hopefully potentiallyimpact someone in a positive way. So I've created this littleuniverse with, you know, my my dog is the main character champ, andhe's a boxer and he's my my child. I love him to death. So he's heand his friends are going to be teaching is valuable lessons towhoever reads the book and the first books about kindness. So it'sgoing to be champ giving examples of how to be kind. And we'retalking basic stuff like helping someone in need, you know,complimenting someone, defending someone in front of a bully. Verybasic stuff. No one's asking you to move mountains. Basic stuff.Give someone a gift. Like it's just basic stuff. And that's, Ithink from that digestible level of those basic tasks at a youngage, people will get that compliment. Someone I like your shirt.Oh, thanks. I appreciate that. You know, or. Oh, my my kite isstuck in a tree. I wish someone would help me. Oh, got you onthere. You know, but that's the thing man. A lot of people look theother way and that's that's the problem. So if I can you know, theartwork she's doing is so incredible. It's like I compare it tolike the likes of Pixar and Disney. Like, she's just so amazing. Sothe illustrations are going to be out of this world. So as long asI don't screw up the basic story, I think we'll be OK.
Joe: And when's it due out?
Brad: Man, I'm juggling so manydifferent projects. I'm trying to get it done as soon as possible.You know, she has a lot going on, so we're all kind of just doingthe best we can with the time. I'd love to get it out in the nextthree to six months, but once again, I'm hoping for a series whereyou'll see all these different characters and multiple books. Andit's been cool because I've incorporated my previous pets into dogsthat are no longer with us. For me, I have pets of dear friends ofmine that are basically family that passed away, that I put in thebook out of love and respect for them so they can live forever. Soit's just really cool to to have that control, to tell my ownstory. And everybody plays a role. There's a significance to everycharacter in the book. And I think it'll be fun for people to toenjoy these unique characters and illustrations and really bringthem to life. And that's I can't credit her enough for names in thearts on Instagram. She's phenomenal.
Brad: Her real name is Hedvig andshe's in Sweden and she's amazing. So any updates I get from heralways puts a smile on my face because she's just talented. Andthat that's one thing. As a manager, as a producer, I'd like tothink I have a good eye for talent, whether it be for sports ormusic or anything. I just have a good grasp on that because I lookat the big picture, whether it's from your brand or your talent ingeneral or in a potential, you're being underutilized or whatever.And she's definitely one that is just so gifted and talented in anyway. I can help her grow and win like we're winning together onthis book. So it's it's a cool project. I'm excited. And like Isaid, if one kid reads it. And get something out of it, I've donemy job, but it's also cool to to do it for my dog champ and to seehim as a cartoon character is is pretty cool. So I'll send you someimages offline and you can get a first look.
Joe: I would love it. I would loveit. All right, cool. So, again, we're right
Brad: You
Joe: At
Brad: Had
Joe: The.
Brad: You had one question, yousaid, I can't forget.
Joe: I know, but I don't want tokeep you because
Brad: I'm
Joe: It's
Brad: Good at
Joe: Ok,
Brad: It.
Joe: So OK, you promise?
Brad: Yeah, yeah, I'm good tillone
Joe: Ok,
Brad: One 30. So.
Joe: Ok, so I wanted to get to theschool thing about you went to college and took the year off, youfinish on line. I love Gary Vaynerchuk. I spoke to him once on thephone for like maybe two minutes tops. It was it's a story I'lltell you at another time. But he talks about you have to make thatdecision. And and if people are listening to this that are youngerin high school or college right now, what is your opinion, if youdon't mind, on doing what you love and just getting out there anddoing it as opposed to going to college? And I know it varies onthe circ*mstance, right. You can't you can't go out and walk into asurgery room and say, OK, I'm here to learn. And certain thingshave to happen that way. But certain things which I'd like to knowwhat you think about that.
Brad: For the parents out there, Iwould always say, you know, academics are important, I would Iwould go to college if you can. But I would also say on the flipside, if you're in a situation where you're getting goodexperience. In the streets and on the ground and real worldexperience, in my opinion, that's something that is far beyondanything you'll ever learn in school. And I can say thatwholeheartedly. My on the ground in the street work that I've donesince 16, 17, 18 years old, that's what made me who I am. Schoolhad a part of that, obviously. But it's you know, you can't adaptto to situations in a classroom, whereas in the real world, like,things come at you quick and you've got to be able to adapt andreact accordingly. And that experience that you challenge yourselfat an early age, I mean, there are high school kids where I'm like,get out there. Like, what are you waiting for? Start like now hasnever been a better time to do your own thing because you haveGoogle, we have YouTube, we have all of social media, you havemaster class, you have all these tools that you can leverage to doyour own thing, whether you're consulting, whether you want to be amusic artist. Like there are so many tools that like with ouriPhones now shooting for K, you don't even need a crew anymore likeit. It literally is so easy to do your own thing.
Brad: So now I would say if it makessense for you and you have support around you financially and goodpeople who are going to help you when you fall, give it a shot. Butif you don't. Go to college, do what you need to do, get yourdegree and move forward, but like some people truly are wired forentrepreneurship. And I was that person and when I put myself innine to five, I did great work, but I was never happy. And that islike I need to be doing fifty seven things. A day like that trulyis like how I'm wired. So, you know, it's not for everybody andthat's OK. Everybody is wired differently. That's what we've beentalking about since we started. But you have to understand deepwithin yourself who you are and what you are. And only you can saythat, right? So other people be like go to school, you know. But ifyou know that, that's not your path. Go to your past. Like, listen,but don't let it get to you in a way of like you, because you'lltruly know he will. I heard people say that was the worst idea Iever had to step away from school. I don't regret it in the leastbecause I went back and finished online anyway. But, you know, I dothink about if I just did my own thing from there, from the get goand never went to college, where would I be? That's a scary goodthought in a way, because I wouldn't have had the school, quoteunquote distraction, I would have been able to stay focused in theareas where I wanted to build and I wanted to grow, you know, and alot of the most successful people in the world didn't go to school,you know, and certain certain areas, obviously, if you want to be adoctor, you got to go to med school, get that you want to buildrocket ships.
Brad: You know, it's different. But,you know, it's it's a different world now. You know, if you ask methis question five years ago, a different answer. But now, like, ifyou're a dreamer, go dream. You have one life to live. I don't wantyou to live with any regrets. And once again, your your path yourtime is different from everybody else. So if you're fifty nineyears old, that doesn't mean you've missed out on youropportunities and your dreams. There are parts of me and some dayswhere I'm like, man, I'm thirty two, I'm failing. Not kidding, Ibecause you catch yourself looking behind you and you're like, wow,that 17 year old has 50 billion followers on Twitter and they'remaking outrageous amounts of money and, you know, havingopportunities and things like that. And I'm just like. No, Iwouldn't change anything, so we are who
Joe: See,
Brad: We are.
Joe: That's cool, yeah, see, that'scool, you don't want to be inside my head, I'm still trying toclean up.
Brad: Now, but but that's what I'msaying, like, you know, I read a post like yesterday, I'm going tosee if I can pull it up really fast because it was reallyinsightful on this regard. Says at age 23, Tina Fey was working ata YMCA at age twenty three. Oprah was fired from her firstreporting job at age 20 for Stephen King was working as a janitorand living in a trailer at age twenty seven. Vincent Van Goghfailed as a missionary and decided to go to art school at agetwenty eight. J.K. Rowling was suicidal parent living on welfare atage twenty eight. Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips was a fry cookat age 30. Harrison Ford was a carpenter at age 30. Martha Stewartwas a stockbroker at age thirty seven. And Lee was a stay at homedad, working odd jobs. Julia Child released her first book at agethirty nine and got her own cooking show at age fifty one. VeraWang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn't get theeditor in chief position at Vogue and designed her first dress atage 40. You know, Stanley didn't release his first big comic bookuntil he was 40.
Brad: I mean, like that. So itdoesn't it doesn't matter, you know, stop comparing yourself withother people. Your journey is your journey. What you do with it nowis all that matters. Your experience, Joe, being fifty nine is farmore than I have at thirty to just the reality of it. So what areyou doing with that experience? What do you do with that knowledge?Right. And that's that's why people who are older and bloom latedoesn't mean anything, literally anything. It's such a differentgame now. You know, there are people who go viral for all kinds ofstrange reasons, but they put themselves out there. And you'redoing this podcast is a great way to put yourself out there. And italso allows you to connect with amazing people. So keep doing this,but also don't give up on whatever other dreams you may have foryourself just because you're fifty nine. I don't I don't subscribeto that. I've met a lot of people, my, my young thirty two yearswho are like oh I'm, I'm forty five. My that train has, has passed,that ship has sailed.
Joe: Right.
Brad: I'm like you're just making awhole bunch of excuses for yourself because if you really wanted ityou would go get it.
Joe: Yeah, I don't say those thingsanymore. I'm on a new path and I got sh*t to get done, so
Brad: Good, I like to hear that,Joe.
Joe: I called, so I'm going to letyou go. But I want to do this again with you, because I want to dowhen, when if you want to schedule when the book comes out, I wantto ask you about all the movie and TV stuff that you're doing thatwe never were able to dig into. I want to ask you about you andGary and how that came about and what that connection is. There'sjust so many things. So I'd like to do this again down the road andmaybe the timing will be right where your book is coming out. Partof the conversation about the book is that I've talked with peoplebefore where I wish we could get to people earlier in life and andguide them. And and we seem to just be wanting to fix people now asopposed to getting to them when they are in their late, you know,their early teens high school and create some really cool programsthat say here, if you're willing to watch and listen and read andthis will steer you into a good path to start. And instead, I feellike there's so many people we see on social media. We watch thesegroups and and people are trying to fix things and reinvent thingsat a later age. And all this time has gone by where they weren'tliving a fulfilled life. And my goal and my hope at some point iswe can just shift the whole thing earlier and
Brad: Yeah,
Joe: Just get to people earlier.
Brad: Well, that's that's my focus.I speak at high schools, universities, postgrads, like I'm tryingto impact those people, my my demos, the sixteen to thirty fiverange. And because nobody's putting a lot of effort and time intothem and that's a scary part of your life. It just is. So that'swhere my focus is obviously with the children's book. I'm trying toaim a little earlier as well. So, you know, it's there's a nichethat's open there and that's what I've identified. And that's whereI kind of put my flag. You know, guys like Gary and people likethat, they do amazing work, but they're also very established inthe business sense. So they're they're selling courses. They'redoing things like that where, you know, growth groups and likethings you mentioned, where, you know, those kids aren't doingthat. And the skills that they need to thrive and survive andsucceed in this business aren't being talked about. And they're nottaught in schools. So it's it's you know, they're buildingrelationships, adding value, how to deal with failure, you know,things like that where it's you know, you only learn that byexperience.
Joe: Yeah, so true, man. All right,Brad, I'm going to let you go, I've gone over the time by almost 15minutes.
Brad: Yes.
Joe: I so appreciate this. You haveno idea. I hope you can see it in my face that I was so excited tohave you. Thank you for saying yes. I can't thank you enough forthat. And again, we'll do this again because I have so many otherquestions to ask. I'd love to be able to help promote that bookbecause I think it's really important. So thank you so much fordoing this.
Brad: I appreciate the invitationand you have yourself a good week, all right.
Joe: Awesome man. We will talk soon.Thank you.
