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404. The Secret Pattern in Every Creative Who Never Makes It
26:13||Ep. 404In this episode, @dmetroman shares what it really takes to build something that lasts.. not just in creativity, but in business. From starting photography as a side hustle while working in corporate, to turning Metrophoto into one of the most respected names in the industry, this conversation is about hard work, hunger, humility, and the mindset it takes to stay sharp even after nearly two decades in the game.This episode also goes deeper into the values behind long-term success.. why passion alone is not enough, why creativity still needs structure, and why treating your craft like a business changes everything. Oly talks about stepping on the gas even after 19 years, learning creativity as a skill, hiring people based on values, and how family became one of the biggest reasons he pushed himself to do better.We discuss:- Why hard work still matters more than talent alone- How Oly balanced corporate life and photography before going full time- The moment he knew Metrophoto could become a real business- Why creativity without structure won’t last- The values he looks for in people who want to grow with the team- How humility, hunger, and consistency create long-term successIf you’re building something of your own.. or trying to turn your passion into a business that lasts.. this episode is for you.Comment "METROPHOTO1" and I'll DM you the link.Credit: @dmetroman x @smalltalkpodcastsJoin our community: SmallTalk After Hourshttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/18L65QkBY2/Follow Oly Ruiz:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmetromanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmetroman/Metrophoto Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymetrophoto/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@metrophotoLinks: mymetrophoto.com
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403. Stop Trying to Keep Up With AI — Here's What to Do Instead
34:01||Ep. 403In this episode, @sophianicolesy gets practical about AI.. not as a trend, but as a tool you can slowly integrate into your daily life. From using AI with your calendar, email, and photos, to understanding how it can make you more valuable at work, this conversation makes AI feel less intimidating and more useful. It’s not about mastering everything overnight.. it’s about starting with what already takes your time and learning how to get some of that time back.This episode also explores the bigger questions around AI, work, pressure, and purpose. Sophia talks about why AI will change jobs but also create new ones, why trying to “stay ahead” is the wrong mindset, and how curiosity matters more than knowing every update. Beyond tech, she opens up about building Sofi AI from scratch, handling pressure without pretending she has it all figured out, and what to remember when you feel delayed in life. Her message is simple but powerful.. in God’s perfect time.We discuss:* Practical ways to start using AI in everyday life* Why AI will become a baseline skill in the future* Why you can never fully “stay ahead” in AI* How Sofi AI helps businesses automate chats* What it’s like building a startup in a new industry* What to remember when you feel delayed in lifeIf AI still feels overwhelming, or if life feels like you’re behind everyone else, this episode will help you breathe, refocus, and take the next step with clarity.Join our community: SmallTalk After Hourshttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/18L65QkBY2/Follow Sophia Sy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiasy828Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOFI.AI.TECH.SOLUTION.INCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophianicolesy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofi_ai_tech/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophianicole828
402. From Selling in Divisoria at Age 7 to Running a Philippine AI Startup
31:07||Ep. 402In this episode, @sophianicolesy shares the story most people don’t expect.. from being homeschooled and feeling behind in school, to giving up the one dream that defined her identity, and eventually building an AI startup. It’s a conversation about what happens when your life doesn’t go according to plan.. and how those moments shape who you become.This episode goes deeper into the foundations that quietly build successful people early.. the environment you grow up in, the people you surround yourself with, and the lessons you catch, not just what you’re taught. Sophie shares how exposure, stewardship, and curiosity became her advantage. We also talk about AI.. not as hype, but as a real tool solving real problems for businesses today.We discuss:* The power of growing up around the right people* How early exposure shapes confidence and skill* Why internships matter more than most people think* How curiosity led her into AI and tech* The real business problem AI is solving today* Why most people misunderstand AI’s practical useIf you’re feeling lost, behind, or unsure of your path.. this episode will help you see your story differently.Follow Sophia Sy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiasy828Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOFI.AI.TECH.SOLUTION.INCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophianicolesy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofi_ai_tech/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sophianicole828
401. The No. 1 Reason You Can't Find Your Audience (You're Looking in the Wrong Place)
29:31||Ep. 401In this episode, @chieflim opens up about the side of stand-up comedy most people don’t see.. the bombing, the hecklers, the jokes that can’t be posted online, and the pressure of figuring out how far you can really go with your craft. What starts as a conversation about comedy turns into something deeper.. about reading the room, trusting your instincts, finding your audience, and learning how to stay grounded while still believing in what you do.This episode goes deeper into the reality of performing.. how to recover when a set goes wrong, why context matters in comedy, and what makes a live performance actually work. Leland also shares a powerful reminder for people in their 20s trying to figure things out.. your friends are not your audience, your gut matters more than you think, and confidence in your craft has to come from you first.We discuss:- How having a rough set on stage taught him to pivot and read the room- The difference between what works in a show vs online content- What makes a performance connect with an audience- Why your audience will find you if you keep showing up- The advice he’d give to people in their 20s who want to pursue their craftIf you’ve ever wanted to create, perform, or put yourself out there.. but you’re scared of failing, judgment, or not being understood.. this episode is for you.Comment “COMEDY1” and I’ll DM you the link.Credit: @chieflim x @smalltalkpodcastsJoin our community: SmallTalk After Hourshttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/18L65QkBY2/Follow Leland Lim:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LelandLimComedyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chieflim/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lelandlimTicket link to his shows: comedymanila.ph/team/leland-lim/
400. Messages God Wants You To Hear
32:12||Ep. 400This Holy Week Special is a compilation of some of the most powerful moments from our past episodes, all centered on one thing: God.In this special episode, we revisit honest and deeply personal conversations with different guests as they share how God met them in their lowest moments, how faith carried them through pain, and how surrender, prayer, grace, and intimacy with God changed their lives. These are conversations about returning to what truly matters, especially in seasons of uncertainty, heartbreak, pressure, and waiting. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt tired, lost, overwhelmed, or far from God. It’s a reminder that faith is not just about words, appearances, or religion, it’s about relationship. It’s about what happens behind closed doors, in the quiet moments, in the breaking, in the surrender, and in the decision to trust God again. In this Holy Week special, we talk about:- How God meets people in their lowest moments- What surrender really means- The difference between religion and intimacy with God- Why faith is often tested in painful seasons- Healing, grace, and personal relationship with God- Prayer, obedience, forgiveness, and trust- Finding your identity in God, not in the world- Why crisis can reveal what truly mattersWherever you are in your journey, may this episode bring you back to peace, perspective, and the presence of God.If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it this Holy Week.Credit: @giannehinolan x @stevesiasy x @maxenemagalona x @russjuson x @jennyyeoooo x @dennis_sia_sy x @hannahdelarosa x @smalltalkpodcasts
399. The REAL Reason Most Filipinos Stay In Careers They Hate
36:03||Ep. 399In this episode, @chieflim shares his story from working in advertising for nearly a decade, to chasing a creative path in stand-up comedy and eventually creating the Walang Edit-Edit Podcast. It’s a raw and honest conversation about what it really takes to pursue creative work.. and why the most meaningful paths are often the most uncertain.This episode goes deeper into the unseen side of creativity.. the discipline behind comedy, the years it takes to master one joke, and the uncomfortable process of putting your work out there without perfection. We also talk about identity, career shifts, and why the validation we seek from others can quietly shape the life we choose to live.We discuss:- The real story behind “Walang Edit-Edit Podcast”- Why raw and unfiltered content is what people actually connect with- The hidden discipline behind stand-up comedy- Why creative careers are built on risk, not certainty- The truth about validation and why it drives most creators- What it really takes to leave a stable career and start overIf you’ve ever felt stuck between staying safe and chasing what you really want.. this episode will make you rethink the path you’re on.Credit: @chieflim x @smalltalkpodcastsJoin our community: SmallTalk After Hourshttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/18L65QkBY2/Follow Leland Lim:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LelandLimComedyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chieflim/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lelandlimTicket link to his shows: comedymanila.ph/team/leland-lim/
398. A Conversation Every Woman Needs To Hear!
37:58||Ep. 398In this episode, powerful women open up about the truths behind identity, healing, love, and becoming. From navigating pressure, mental health struggles, and expectations, to building confidence, setting standards, and redefining what success really means.. this is a raw and honest conversation about what it takes to grow into the woman you’re meant to be.This episode dives into the realities women face that are rarely talked about.. learning to trust your intuition, breaking generational expectations, healing from low moments, and choosing yourself without guilt. You’ll hear stories about resilience, faith, relationships, and self-worth.. and how the right mindset, environment, and support system can completely change your life.We discuss:• Why vision and intention matter more than timelines• The truth about mental health, healing, and starting over• How to trust your gut even when no one agrees• Why standards, boundaries, and self-respect change everything• The pressure women face in family, relationships, and society• How strong women are shaped by their environment and experiences• The real meaning of success, love, and identityIf you’ve ever felt lost, pressured, or unsure of who you’re becoming.. this episode will remind you that growth isn’t linear, and your story is still unfolding.Credit: @reigermar x @ckdeleon_ x @yanimcuenca x @matchmakerphilippines x @nicafabregas x @smalltalkpodcasts
