Chris's Interview (Opening Up For The First Time)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Hey, it's Alyssa. Many of you have gotten to know Chris over the last 11 years. He's the guy that runs this channel and has interviewed hundreds of people from all around the world. Chris and I met about a year before we started SPSK. We fell in love and started this non-profit and we've been working together and enjoying this incredible journey ever since. Now, while many of you know Chris on camera, I don't feel like you've necessarily gotten the chance to meet the guy behind the blue sweater. I was really excited and very surprised when Chris asked me if I'd be willing to interview him for this channel. So what an honor that is to introduce you all a little bit more to Chris. I hope you enjoy this interview. This is so funny. I know. We finally got you in the hot seat. We reversed roles. I think there's only one way to start this. Chris, what do you [00:00:51] Speaker 2: want the world to know about you? So that is the question I ask everybody probably for 12 years now to start an SPSK interview. I mean, as far back as I can remember, that's the question that I start with. And the reason for that is because these interviews, I essentially want to give each person I meet a blank canvas to share anything they want to share. I want to take myself out of the interviewing process and just give them that open platform to share their story how they want to share it. And when I do that, what do you want the world to know about you? When I ask that question, it allows the person to dictate how they're going to share their story right away. And from there, the conversation just starts flowing. But that's literally the only thing I plan with these interviews. What do you want the world to know about you? So my job is very easy. I ask one question and then I just have a conversation after that. To answer the question, what do you want the world to know about you? It's that what you see on camera is me. It's a big part of me, but it is just a part of me. I don't show you everything about me. And the reason is, is because this channel isn't about me. I could care less if people know who I am. I could care less if people know what inspires me. It's about other people. But yeah, I have a lot of interest. I have a lot of hobbies. SBSK is probably the number one thing that I'm passionate about in my life. But outside of it, I have many things I care [00:02:34] Speaker 1: about. Yeah. I mean, are you good at being vulnerable yourself? Or are you more comfortable helping other [00:02:39] Speaker 2: people open up? I mean, I don't feel the burning desire every day to be vulnerable. But I don't mind it either. It's really like I'll fill out the mood. I don't mind if it's the right environment to be vulnerable. But also, I have a lot of friends. And I love just goofing off and being silly and messing around and laughing. So yeah, I don't mind being vulnerable. But it doesn't bother me if I don't [00:03:05] Speaker 1: have to be. What do you think the biggest difference is between Chris on camera and Chris off camera, [00:03:13] Speaker 2: aside from the blue sweater? I don't know. Like I said, I am me on camera. But I'm more of like a mute it down version of myself. I'm very silly, very goofy. I'm always trying to make people laugh off camera. I think it's pretty obvious why that wouldn't be appropriate in these interviews. Although I think it comes across sometimes. I'm always trying to make the kids I interview laugh for the most part. But yeah, I'm a very go with the flow guy. I'm the type of guy who gets really into things I care about and kind of lose myself in them. Don't really care about status or anything like that. I'm the kind of guy who will wear a shirt till it has holes in it. And you, Alyssa, have to buy me new clothes just because I really don't care about any of that stuff. Yeah, I'm a happy guy. I love life. And I have a lot of things that I'm very fortunate to be [00:04:06] Speaker 1: passionate about. Yeah. I mean, understanding that all of it is you on camera, off camera, has being so closely associated with SBSK ever affected your sense of identity outside of it? [00:04:20] Speaker 2: Does it impact you, you know, in your day to day life? Um, does being so closely identified to SBSK [00:04:29] Speaker 1: impact me? Yeah. I'm sure. Like your persona there, does that, the expectation of your persona on camera, you know, even though it is an authentic and real part of you, does that, you know, sort of influence who you are outside of it? Or do you find that you're, you're cautious of it in your everyday [00:04:47] Speaker 2: life and the way that you act? I don't think so. Because I have really good friends who, um, respect SBSK and allow me to be myself when I'm with them. I don't really think about it. Um, it's probably at a subconscious level, uh, it impacts me, but I don't think about it. I'm very fortunate that, um, so a lot of people, when they make it big on YouTube, they'll move to LA or move to New York and try to do the whole media and YouTube thing. That is something I've never wanted to do. Uh, we still live in the small little beach town in Florida that we lived in when we met 13 years ago before we even had a YouTube channel. And I still have many of the same friends. So it's very easy to be myself around them. Um, because they've known me since I was 23, 24. Um, and they know SBSK and they respect it and appreciate it, but they also know that I'm a goofball and they don't, they don't expect me to be who I am on camera. Even though that is a part of me, it's fun to just goof off and be silly and, you know, play volleyball with the guys. And I'm very lucky that I have people who allow me to be me in my life. [00:05:57] Speaker 1: Yeah. I do think that's probably so grounding and really, you know, essential to who you are and how you maintain. For sure. For sure. I mean, so 13 years ago, this nonprofit has started, you know, did you have an, like, could you imagine what your life might look like, you know, a decade in the future or, you know, what surprised you most about where you've ended up now? [00:06:20] Speaker 2: Oh, could I imagine it? I'm kind of open to everything. I've never really had a set way of how I imagined my life turning out, which I think is what has allowed it to turn out the way it has. Because if from an early age, I knew what I wanted to be, then I wouldn't have seen all of these opportunities and all these things I was passionate about. For example, after I graduated from undergrad at Penn State, I thought to myself, the happiest I've ever been in my life is when I was playing college soccer. So why don't I get a job coaching college soccer? Because that is what fills me up and fills my bucket and makes me joyful. So I found a job coaching college soccer and they offered to pay for my master's degree in education. And I chose special education quite on a whim. And to finish that degree, I was coaching the whole time for two years. And to finish the degree, I had to go do student teaching. I taught students with various disabilities and fell in love with it. And since I wasn't so like, feet in the ground, I'm going to do this with my life. I said, you know, I'm going to pivot, I'm going to go teach instead. And I moved across the country to Florida, I didn't know a single person because I'm just a type, I'm a very go with the flow person. And I wanted to live on the beach. I wanted to teach. And yeah, moved down to Florida. What was the question? [00:07:45] Speaker 1: Just like what surprised you most about where you've ended up? [00:07:48] Speaker 2: Uh, I mean, nothing really surprises me. I'm just kind of going with the flow and meeting people and enjoying it. I, if you would have taken young me when I was growing up in a row home in Philadelphia, um, in a very blue collar city and said to me, your life is going to be traveling the world and interviewing people. And you're going to live in a small beach town in Florida. It would have been hard to connect the dots from how I get the A to B. So it is quite surprising in hindsight. But you know, I don't really, I'm just living in the moment. I don't really think like that. [00:08:22] Speaker 1: You definitely are go with the flow. I can attest to that. But you are really also grounded by so many wonderful passions, you know, SBSK being one of them. What are some of the other things that you're really passionate about that, you know, kind of give your life, uh, meaning and excitement? [00:08:37] Speaker 2: So I'm very lucky that you support the things I'm passionate about. Uh, number one, I would say SBSK is my first, but not far below that. My passion and hobby is beach volleyball. I, uh, I hesitate to use this word, but I would say I'm a hundred percent obsessed with beach volleyball. I would use that word. I try to play every single day. Um, it's just such a beautiful sport to me. It's grounding. It's a social thing. You get out there with three other guys and you're playing two on two. And it's also part of my creative process. I've learned, um, I film all these videos. I edit them. I produce them. I'm the one scheduling and coordinating them. Um, so to be able to just put that hat down and do something that is just fun and recharging and as exercise, it just fills me up a hundred percent, um, and allows me to, when I do put that SBSK hat back on, to completely focus on it. But I was thinking about this. I think one of the things I love about beach volleyball is so you play up to 21 and if you don't know what volleyball is, it's bump, set, spike. So each team gets three touches and you're trying to hit the ball on the ground, not allowing the other team to touch it. But it's point after point after point. And since it's only two people on a team, you're going to make in a normal game, five, 10 mistakes in beach volleyball. So you just have to be mentally strong. And when you make a bad pass, you shank a pass, you got to focus back in and say, okay, I made a mistake. That's okay. I'm going to get over it and I'm going to keep going. And my next past is going to be good. So it's kind of like not only physical exercise, it's mental exercise too. And I think that helps me with SBSK. Um, I would say my other hobby after, after volleyball would be Bob Dylan. I, his music, I'll just sit there and read his lyrics and I am blown away. To me, he's a modern day Shakespeare. Um, nobody even compares and it blows me away that a human could write the lyrics that Bob Dylan wrote. And you know, I listened to his music nonstop. You're probably so sick of him after 13 years of it, but you don't say it. So I appreciate that. And then, uh, my third biggest interest after SBSK is long distance running. I run a lot. Yeah. I mean, obviously exercise is definitely [00:11:07] Speaker 1: more than a hobby to you from my, my perspective, you know, you mentioned sort of the mental benefits for you, that clarity that it brings that recharge, um, outside of just the physical, uh, do you think some of your, you know, best ideas or maybe even realizations happen when you're moving? [00:11:24] Speaker 2: No, yeah, it's definitely, you get the endorphins running. Um, and I run a lot. So yesterday I woke up and ran 16 miles. It's a part of my process. I don't think there would be SBSK if I wasn't able to take that time and recharge because we've done hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of interviews all over the world, all over the country. It's a constant grind, the travel part, logistics part, um, and having those moments almost every day to like reconnect with myself. And a big part of it isn't the exercise and the endorphins. A big part of it is getting away from technology. Um, it's funny to hear someone in my profession say this, but I can't stand technology. I think it's ruining the world. Um, and I think we need to be connected more with nature and each other. And that's what running is for me. Um, just getting out there and seeing what's going on in the community and having the sun on my face. I, I just love it. Yeah. How does music fit in with all that for you? Ever since an early age, I listened to music nonstop. Um, I think I just love the process of creation and it's just like something that makes me feel so alive. Um, all types of music and I don't know, it just pumps me up. You, you, I'll like jump around the house. You know, it, um, music is something very special to me and it's part of my process as well. [00:12:49] Speaker 1: This is going to be a tough one, but if you could only listen to maybe three artists for the rest of [00:12:54] Speaker 2: your life, who are they going to be? Number one, Bob Dylan. Obviously. Um, and let me dive into this for a second. Cause as I've gotten further into SBSK, I've grown to respect Bob Dylan more because he came into fame in the 1960s and it's 2026 and he's still touring. I mean, the mental fortitude it takes to just keep going year after year after year for 65 years is incredible. It sounds like he's always creating too. That's it. That's it. So, um, he never cared about what's popular at the time. He cared about and cares about still what he wants to create and living in the social media world where the algorithm dictates what people see. It's so easy just to dictate what you create based on what the algorithms pushing. I mean, when I log into my YouTube studio, it says, these are the trends this week. If you make videos about this, you'll get more of a reach. They tell you what they make videos about. It's ridiculous. And, um, Bob Dylan, he has always created the type of music he wants to create. There's this video I love on YouTube of when he went from playing acoustic folk songs to electric and he's starting to play a few chords on an electric guitar and someone in the crowds shouts an insult at him and he turns around to the band. He says, don't listen, play it effing loud. And they all just rock out. And to me, I'm like, that's it, man. Don't worry about what the audience says. Don't worry about what the algorithm is doing. Just like create because it's meaningful [00:14:32] Speaker 1: to you. Sounds like what you need to do is create at that point. Oh yeah. You know me. It's, we've been [00:14:38] Speaker 2: doing this for 13 years and it's hard to take a week off. I have this like insatiable need to create something. Um, and I'm so fortunate that it's something I'm so passionate about and is does good in the world. Um, but I feel like even if I wasn't doing SBSK, I would still need to create something. And I don't even care if there was an audience. I just, I just feel that creative urge. I've read books about it and it says it's kind of like this idea of a muse of like, I don't know, like this energy of just creation. Um, yeah. So after Bob Dylan, uh, definitely Bob Marley, if I could listen to three musicians, Bob Marley's up there. I think he was also plugged into that energy of I'm doing something special and like, I don't know where this is coming from, but I'm going to create this amazing music. [00:15:25] Speaker 1: I think interestingly with Bob Dylan, he also had kind of a cause, you know, or causes that were intrinsic to his message and what he felt, you know, he needed to create. And so I do think there's some parallel with you there around, um, the creation for a general cause or a greater good. Yeah. I mean, [00:15:43] Speaker 2: his music in the sixties, it was all about social issues. It was about, um, racial equality, about monetary inequality. He was putting a spotlight on some of the, some of our society's biggest issues. And what is mind blowing to me is you can listen to one of his protest songs from the 1960s and it is just as relevant today, 60 years later. And, um, I find a lot of inspiration in that making things, trying your best. I'm not, I will never be Bob Dylan. Um, but trying to make things that will still be meaningful decades down the road. I think about that. Yeah. There is an [00:16:25] Speaker 1: interesting thought around kind of legacy in that way, especially with how you're, you know, telling people's stories or, or, or sharing them. Yeah. Making sure that there's, they're timely or timeless. [00:16:36] Speaker 2: Maybe. I don't think about my legacy. I could care. Right. I guess I mean, more the legacy of the [00:16:41] Speaker 1: nonprofit and like the work, the body of work. Not even that. I care more about the legacy of the [00:16:45] Speaker 2: people I interview. Yeah. Like this is on the internet. I mean, many of the people I've interviewed have passed away and this is a big part of their legacy. They continue, their story continues to be shown around the world. Um, yeah. And third, after Bob Marley, that's tough. To me, those two are like my, my musicians. And after that, there's a bit of a drop off. I could have picked the first two, but I am interested to hear the third. Um, it would be a toss up between Green Day. I love me some, some alternative pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop punk. I love me some alternative pop punk or Bruce Springsteen. His album born to run was essential to me. Um, I had this at an early age, just this feeling I had to get out of my hometown and like explore and have an adventure. And when I was a senior in high school, I discovered that album born to run and it was like, like the world opened up and I'm like, Oh, I'm not the only one who feels like this. All right, let's get out there. [00:17:44] Speaker 1: Let's see what happens. What kind of stuff makes you laugh? Like what, what's the humor that you have? And maybe what's like the last thing that made you just lose it laughing uncontrollably? That's a [00:17:54] Speaker 2: tough one. Cause I feel like my goal every day is to laugh a lot. Um, we just did a trip with a few really good friends. And I feel like the whole time we were just cracking up laughing. Um, yeah, we're very lucky to have people who kind of value humor the same way that we do. Uh, yeah, I guess I'm fortunate that I can't even remember the last time I laughed out loud. Cause gosh, it was like a day or two ago. So I guess I do remember it, but it doesn't seem like a big occasion cause it's just constant, especially with the people we surround ourselves with. And I think that's part of why I like that separation from being somebody who creates content online and then having your personal life is so important to me. Um, because I guess my value system, I never want my value, value system to be, what do people think about me online? How many likes or views of this video get? I want my value system to be like, how do people feel when they're around me? What does my family, what does my friends think about me? Um, and I think that's a big part of SBSK's success. Cause I've never analyzed the data. I've never looked at where does viewer retention drop off? Um, because if I start analyzing data, then I'll start like directing the interview in a certain way and take control from the person sharing their story. And I'll be thinking, Oh, well, last time I talked about that topic, the viewer retention went down. So let me steer this conversation in a different way. Um, yeah, my, my validation system isn't what a certain video does online. My validation system is what do my friends think about me? What do my, what does my family think about me? And am I doing my best to create something that I believe is doing good in the world? [00:19:42] Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean, not even just tooting your own horn, but I do think the, the lack of ego is just so apparent to me, you know, one thing, like we just finished a trip, you get recognized all the time, you know, every airport we're in, it feels like someone comes up to you, but I feel like there's always this almost sense of surprise of like, Oh, okay, cool. This is awesome. You know, versus like, there being an expectation. Um, I don't know. It feels like there's a very clear, like you said, you really try and prioritize the story. It's not about you. So when those moments where it kind of is about you or your impact or the, the impression that you've left on someone else, it almost feels [00:20:22] Speaker 2: surprising, uh, to me anyway. And it's funny because I agree with you. Like with SBSK, I, I don't feel an ego. Like I don't feel like I need to achieve something or have some type of praise or an award or something. I just really want to share stories, but I am not an ego free individual. Just for some reason with SBSK, like I really just care about doing good and nothing else matters to me than giving people a real authentic chance to share their story. Um, but like in volleyball, I want to win. I'm super competitive. I hate losing. Um, never stop trash talking. Oh, and I, I, I talk trash, not mean, not, I'm not a mean trash talker, but I love, uh, pushing people's buttons and getting that competition going. And, uh, yeah, I'm not a fan of losing. I play a lot. I train a lot. I, I sign up for tournaments. Like we go all over and play. Um, so yeah, I think that's important for people that know, like you don't have to be some finely tuned, polished, perfect person to do [00:21:20] Speaker 1: good. Like you just have to do good. It just occurred to me. You're such an effective communicator. Maybe the dark side of that is that you do know how to push people's buttons on the volleyball court. [00:21:33] Speaker 2: Now with my friends, I'll talk a little trash, but I won't like actually try to make somebody upset or offend them unless they start it. Um, and so I'm from Philly. I'm from Northeast Philly and, um, you know, the city of brotherly love, everyone calls it. And I like to think that people from Philly have like a strong morality about them, but also if somebody is giving them BS, they're not going to take it. They're going to push back. Um, so yeah, that's something I pride myself on is just being myself. And if something's wrong, calling it out. Yeah. Well, I love that we've kind of naturally, [00:22:10] Speaker 1: you know, shifted into this conversation around sort of people and like connection and your experience with meeting people, you know, what's something that you've learned about human nature through SPSK that you probably would never have expected. Something I've learned. [00:22:29] Speaker 2: Hmm. I don't know. I don't know. I'm sure I've learned a lot. I'm sure if I went to myself when I first started this journey 13 years ago, I'd be a whole different person, almost unrecognizable to [00:22:42] Speaker 1: who I've become. It's hard to like pinpoint. Is there a thread that, you know, every person's unique, every story is unique? Is there kind of a thread that strings everyone's experience on this earth together that maybe you've sort of, you know, experienced or learned along the way? [00:23:03] Speaker 2: I don't know. I find it so easy just to be curious about people and just to be kind to people. And I feel like that's all anybody really wants. It's really mind blowing to reflect on SPSK and realize that I've been into a thousand different homes of people from all over the world in all different situations. And in my opinion, I've never had a bad experience. Everybody has been kind. Everybody has been happy I'm there. Everybody has been just so kind when I'm leaving too. And I think that is because I'm genuinely curious in people and I'm nice to people. And I think we should all do that every day. And even like when I'm in the grocery store, I'm interested in the person behind me. I'm interested in the person bagging the groceries. But I don't necessarily interview them. I don't ask them everything about their life. But maybe a way of showing that person I care in that moment is engaging in small talk with them. Oh, they'll say something about the weather or the game, the local game, and I'll like go in with it. And some people say they hate small talk. I don't mind small talk at all. I think it's fun. It's kind of like it's kind of like one human saying to the other, hey, I'm here. Are you here? Yeah, I'm here too. Okay, well, we're both here. That's pretty cool. We're both alive. Um, yeah, anyway, human connection. Yeah, no, it makes sense to me. [00:24:35] Speaker 1: So a lot of people, I'm sure they think it must be so and it is but I'm sure that there's sort of a romanticizing of going to film all of these interviews and what that's like versus what can be sort of the grueling, you know, travel schedule. But I know, having been along on so many of these journeys, there's always, you know, interesting things that happen not in front of the camera. So what's a moment that kind of still makes you smile that wasn't directly in front of the camera? [00:25:06] Speaker 2: I think back to the early years of SBSK, when we didn't have much money as a nonprofit, and I was just kind of skating by any way I could. And one trip, I put up on my status, traveling to Seattle on Instagram, can't wait to meet some new people and interview them. And an older lady, she must have been 60 or some somewhere around there messaged me, "If you need a car, let me know. I have one for you." And at the time, we didn't really have much money. So I'm like, "You know what? Yeah, I'll use your car." And she told me she would drop it off at the airport and I could just drop her off at her home and I could use the car for the trip. [00:25:47] Speaker 1: I had forgotten about this. [00:25:48] Speaker 2: And I get there and it's just like a hippie van. It's like an old school VW van with like bumper stickers on the back. And I'm like, "Oh, this is cool. I can't wait to like drive around Seattle on this." And then I picked her up. I'm driving her back and she's like, she told me that she hosted like a little house for traveling artists. And then if I wanted to stay there, like there's other artists staying there too. And I was like, "Yeah, sure. Why not?" And I got to meet like so many different people who were musicians or painters and stayed there for a week. But yeah, back in the day, I would just kind of go with the flow. Now that SBSK is a little bigger, I had to kind of protect my privacy and peace a little more. But those early years were special. It was just me going with the flow. [00:26:35] Speaker 1: Anymore, I love these stories, any more unexpected adventures that you've had because of SBSK that [00:26:41] Speaker 2: had nothing to do with an actual interview? Hard. I mean, the whole thing's been an unexpected adventure and I've basically been on the road nonstop. So it's hard to pick just one, but one of my favorites was with you. So I am the ultimate, as I said, go with the flow person. And you are the planner. You plan and plan and plan. And sometimes I think, what's she planning for? Like, we'll figure it out. But one of those times was we were doing interviews in Northwest California. And we were going to be by this place called the Forgotten Coast, I think it is. I think Shelter Cove, maybe. Shelter Cove. Yeah. And so it's a beach in California, but there's like nobody there because it's in a more isolated area. And Alyssa was reading all about it leading up to it. And she was doing her research about what this place is like, what you'll see there. So we went to the beach. We walked for an hour or two. We were getting ready to leave. And she looks at me and she goes, wait, wait, wait. We can't leave yet. Because in about 10 or 20 minutes, there's a chance we could see some whales. And in my mind, I'm like, okay, maybe. Like, what are the chances of that? Probably super low, but whatever. No, no harm to me. Let's just wait. We wait. And literally right on the dot, 10 minutes later, these whales start jumping out of the ocean. And it was just such a cool moment. It was so funny because it showed the value of planning that you do. I think there is value in going with the flow, but there's also value of sitting down and researching a place and finding out what you might learn about it. I'm definitely [00:28:15] Speaker 1: always planning if there's wildlife involved. So if you could bring the audience along on your SBSK travels, what would you want them to experience besides the actual interview? [00:28:31] Speaker 2: There's a feeling. Like, there's a very special feeling. To me personally, I feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in the world. And I don't really believe in predestiny or like everybody's born with one purpose. But I do have this feeling of this is what you should be doing. And I feel so grateful to be doing what I'm supposed to be doing because I know not everybody has that good fortune. But as far as what I wish people could experience, it's just this overarching feeling of gratitude, both from me that somebody's welcoming me into their home and allowing me to interview them. And also from the person or family I'm interviewing, they're super grateful that I would take the time to ask questions and get to know them. And it's just a very, very positive experience. Maybe that comes across on camera, but it's so much magical. [00:29:27] Speaker 1: Yeah. You've had some really incredible conversations over the years. Is there anything that you've learned from someone you've interviewed that has actually changed the way that you live your life? [00:29:39] Speaker 2: I think I've learned to give people the benefit of the doubt. There's just so many different things in life somebody may be experiencing from physical disability, physical pain to mental health disorders, mental stress, trauma, that even if somebody, you know, cuts me off in traffic and flips me off, it might kind of like get me frustrated in the moment, but I'm not mad at that person. I just, you know, I have a lot of grace for people and patience and understanding and yeah. [00:30:14] Speaker 1: Of all the things SVSK has brought into your life, what's something you never really anticipated, but you were especially grateful for? [00:30:22] Speaker 2: These questions are tough because I don't really, even now, like our goals for SVSK are just to keep going. I don't really have expectations for what it will be in the future. It's just that we can continue doing it. Can you repeat the question? [00:30:41] Speaker 1: Yeah. Just of all the things that SVSK has brought into your life kind of personally, what's something you didn't really anticipate, but you're really grateful for? [00:30:52] Speaker 2: I think the relationships, I feel like I could go anywhere in the country to even like the smallest little rural area and have someone I could call up who's 10 minutes away I could have dinner with. And it would be like going to see an old friend. I just know so many people and have so many close relationships, but as far as like something more about me, I would say it comes with a lot of freedom. The freedom to choose where I'm going to go and who I'm going to interview. The freedom to decide what time of day am I going to edit this interview? What time do I want to play volleyball so I get to set my own schedule? But with that comes a lot of responsibility because SBSK is a lot of work and we've been doing this for 13 years. And to self-direct such a big project for 13 years, it takes a lot of responsibility and a lot of dedication. But I can say that it feels almost [00:31:52] Speaker 1: effortless because I care so much about it. Yeah. Well, when you're meeting someone for the first time, like what are you most curious to learn, you know, and how does that guide the questions that you ask them? I mean, we talked about what does the world or what do you want the world to know about you? But do you ever go in there with a curiosity around a condition or an experience that [00:32:16] Speaker 2: is associated with it? Yeah, I mean, I read about the condition, diagnosis, disability the person has and I have questions about it. But really, I'm just curious about what is it they want to share about their experience and why is that important to them? And the answers vary so much to the question, what do you want the world to know about you? And I think really, after that question is asked, I'm curious, why is that the number one thing of anything in the world you could share? Why do you want people to know that? Yeah, I'm just genuinely interested in people. Yeah. [00:32:57] Speaker 1: I think over the years, I've heard a lot of people that are really curious what happens from the time you get to a house before you start interviewing, you know, and what are those first few moments with [00:33:07] Speaker 2: the family usually like or an individual? It's changed a lot over the years. So now when I get to a house, people are almost like in shock that I'm a real person. Yeah. And I exist beyond a screen. I can't tell you how many people probably over half they're like, oh, like you're real, you're not just like some dude on a screen. That's always funny to me, because to me, I'm a dude in real life, not a dude on the screen. But in the early years, there was a lot of making people feel comfortable. And I never started the interviews prior to knowing everybody felt comfortable and they were ready to be on camera. I truly believe that anybody can do what I do. I would say if I do have any gifts or talents, it would be helping people feel comfortable sharing their story on camera. And I think that's something anyone could learn with experience. But I would say that's what I pride myself most on. It's just putting people at ease, knowing them, knowing, letting them know that anything they want to share is cool, and there's going to be no judgment. Yeah. [00:34:20] Speaker 1: What's something you've learned about being a good listener that you wish more people understood? [00:34:28] Speaker 2: I mean, I'm just really listening. I don't, I'm not thinking about my next question. I'm just listening. And sometimes there's like a, I won't even say awkward, but sometimes there's a silence after somebody's finished talking because I was just listening to them. And I'll take like five seconds. I'm like, Oh, they're done talking. What do I want to ask now? And I might edit out that five seconds just because silence isn't good in a YouTube video. But I am truly listening [00:34:58] Speaker 1: and thinking about what somebody is saying. Yeah. So with your interview, your approach to interviewing over the years, how has that changed a decade into SPSK? What are you getting? What do you feel like [00:35:11] Speaker 2: you've gotten a lot better at? What are you still working at? Um, I'm much more okay with letting interviews run longer now. I don't care if I'm at somebody's home for three, four hours, and we're filming the whole time. That's fine to me. Um, yeah, I think I just have no expectations anymore. And I go in, I use the term blank, blank platform, blank canvas. That's what I see the interview as. And I just let the person share what they want. I don't really think about my methodology, um, because it feels so right. And if maybe I do an interview and something fell off, I'll analyze it and think why. But I think when life feels effortless, you shouldn't really question it. You should just go with the flow. Um, so yeah, the process has been very comfortable lately. And it's something that still pushes me outside of my comfort zone that still is very validating and exciting to do, but very tiring. And I think that's what the creative process should be. [00:36:16] Speaker 1: Yeah. Are there moments during an interview when you realize you're experiencing something really special? Yeah, every time. [00:36:23] Speaker ?: Every time. [00:36:23] Speaker 2: Literally, we just went on a trip to Boston and we filmed 10 interviews and every single one felt like that. Um, and I realize, I've done this so long, I know that every one of those moments might not resonate with the audience to the same degree, but honestly, I don't care because they resonate with me to the same degree. [00:36:45] Speaker 1: Is there anything about the people that you interview that you wish translated better on camera? Hmm. I mean, you're, you're sort of stuck under the lens. [00:36:54] Speaker 2: You know what? Yeah, there, there is, um, the strength and courage it takes to share your story. And also, so many of the content creators we watch online, that's their living. They're so used to holding a camera up and sharing their story. Um, a lot of the people I meet, they're not influencers, they're not celebrities, they're not content creators. So just because somebody has a bit of nerves doesn't mean anything. Yeah. Um, they're just sharing their story the best they can. So don't judge somebody if they're a little nervous. Um, yeah, that's about it. [00:37:30] Speaker 1: So, obviously, I mean, if they're watching this video, they've probably watched some of our, of the stories that we've shared, and a lot of them can be really emotional, some of them difficult. Um, how do you, you know, you're, you're there, you're listening to a story, you're, you're present completely. How do you process everything you've heard and experienced once you've left, you know, and especially an emotional interview? [00:37:54] Speaker 2: I think even after a very emotional interview, I'm still kind of happy because I think to myself, this is a very good thing that this person had a platform to share their story, where a lot of times maybe otherwise they wouldn't have a large platform to share their story. Um, but I do think there's a lot of compartmentalization too, to where I know that these videos are doing good, both for the person being interviewed and the people watching them. Um, so I kind of do the best I can to interview and edit the video. But, you know, you put that in a box and then you move on because you're doing a new video every week. But, you know, sometimes I get that feeling of burnout where I just kind of feel slogged down and it's hard to do anything. And I think that is that like emotional weight of seeing so many people in pain. Um, but luckily I have those hobbies and passions where if I'm feeling that way, I schedule some volleyball with the boys and right after that I'm back to my chipper self again. [00:39:01] Speaker 1: Yeah. I think that, but also the response from our community, that seems to give you a lot of uplifting motivation as well. Like, is there a moment when the SVSK community came together in a way that just really moved you? [00:39:15] Speaker 2: I really think that we have the best community online. Um, people are so kind and not only are they kind, but the depth of the comments people leave on videos, um, shows that they really watch the video and listen in the same way that I do when I'm interviewing someone. And that just, it means the world to me. I know it means the world to the person being interviewed. Um, so I would say number one is the comments, like just kindness that people show and pour into our channel moves me every day. And we've done countless fundraisers for the people we meet. And, um, I get nervous because when you're putting a fundraiser out there, you're kind of setting an expectation for the person you're doing the fundraiser for and kind of getting their hopes elevated a little bit. And I try to communicate, you don't know. Um, it's hard to predict how a certain video is going to perform, how a fundraiser is going to perform, but we're going to do our best to put it out there and hope that, um, you know, your, your needs are met. And it feels like almost every single time our community just rallies around these fundraisers to provide people with accommodations, to provide them with their living needs, um, expenses. It's just so moving to see how much our community cares about the people we feature. [00:40:35] Speaker 1: Yeah. I think something that's been interesting to, for me to see is that when we're fundraising, it's not oftentimes for these grandiose things. It's really just shows how meeting a simple everyday need can dramatically improve someone's quality of life. What has that taught you about the impact of community support? [00:40:55] Speaker 2: I always am saddened that we live in a world where these needs aren't met just by default. If somebody is profoundly disabled, they shouldn't have to be struggling to access transportation. Um, but it also shows that people care and that people want to provide that support. And if given the opportunity, a lot of people will chip in. So, um, it is an optimistic thing, but I'm also left wanting more for the people I meet. So it is kind of bittersweet, but I like the focus on how giving and caring our community is, because it is something that is really special. [00:41:36] Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, you've talked to so many people in the disability community, you know, aside from a financial contribution, what are some of the best ways that, you know, the SPS community or our viewers can make a really meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities? [00:41:52] Speaker 2: Being kind and inclusive. Um, we just went on a trip and I don't want to give too many details away because I don't want to out this person, but we were out somewhere in public and we met somebody who was so clearly autistic. Um, it's very easy for me to identify someone who's autistic and they were sharing their special interest with me and I just listened. And I was happy to listen. It was so cool to hear them share. I was genuinely interested in the facts they were sharing, but we talked for maybe 15 to 20 minutes and I loved it. Um, just stuff like that, you know, you don't have to give someone a thousand bucks to be inclusive or change the world. Just be nice. Just be kind. Never think that somebody's weird. Unless somebody is mean or violent, they don't deserve cruel judgment. [00:42:39] Speaker 1: One thing I really love is, and it's something I've learned a lot from too, is just seeing you model that type of inclusion in every interview that you've ever shared through SPSK. Like what does it mean to you when you see people applying all they've learned from SPSK in their own lives? [00:42:56] Speaker 2: That is the goal. Um, that is really one of the main things I hope to accomplish with these videos. And that's why I put myself in the interview sometime to sit beside someone is to model that kindness. Um, take an interview with Daniel, for example, um, when he shared his story about what's, what it's like to live with schizoaffective disorder. And the first part of that interview was just him on the camera and him sharing his story. But I thought it was so important for there to be a part with me and him sitting together to normalize two guys sitting together in one sharing what it's like to live with a mental health disorder and the other just genuinely caring and being interested in how to better accommodate him in the world. And I actually share my process with people like with Daniel. I said, hey, like we're going to move on to the process, the part of the process where we sit together. And this is important to me because I think it's important for the audience to see that two guys can sit down and have these types of conversations. And I kind of forget your question. So if I didn't answer it, feel free to let me know. [00:44:03] Speaker 1: Yeah, I think you got it. I mean, I love that idea, um, of really acknowledging both the people sharing their story and their contribution. And then also the community, you know, what's something you wish you could share with both of those groups, like a message that you might have for them around their impact, maybe on you personally on the nonprofit, but what would you say to people who've shared their stories? And what would you say to those who are willing to take their time to [00:44:29] Speaker 2: listen? The people who have shared their stories, I just have so much admiration for you. It takes great strength to share your story on camera. And I feel like everybody I've ever met has done it with such strength. And also, I just genuinely consider so many people I've met friends, and I'm happy to have met them. And for the people who watch the videos, to me, it is so cool to do. It's weird because to be a person who is online, it's not something I've really ever like thought about. But to me, the coolest thing is when I'm out in public and somebody comes up to me, and like they talk about how the videos have impacted them. I just love meeting people and hearing that an interview has had a positive impact in their world. And it happens often. [00:45:24] Speaker 1: Uh, yeah, it's cool. I'm always so, uh, I get so excited when we have those moments with people out in public, because it almost seems like they view that person as a friend too. They're just as excited about it. And they have such a familiarity with that person because of how authentically we were able to share their story. It makes me really happy. One of the most validating things is [00:45:48] Speaker 2: hearing people verbalize to me that what they get out of my interview is what I hoped people would get out of it. Yeah. And that just happens more and more. And it seems like people who take the time to watch one of our videos truly understands what we're trying to accomplish. And that's neat. [00:46:08] Speaker 1: It is cool. And I think another really cool aspect about our community is that it's brought together so many different people from different backgrounds, experiences, cultures. What do you think makes [00:46:21] Speaker 2: our community really special? What makes our community really special? It seems to attract the kindest people in the world. Um, and I love when people share what country they're from. It's people from all over the world who genuinely are taking 20, 30 minutes to watch an interview to learn about somebody who they don't know and how to be a better friend of them, how to be more inclusive. Um, yeah, I just, I, I, it's, it feels magical. It does. So I have two things that I'm always so [00:46:59] Speaker 1: curious about or like excited about maybe is a better word when I see them in our comments. The first sort of, uh, happening, you know, is that someone will admit that they've changed their mind about whatever, you know, preconceived notion they came into an interview with. What is it like for [00:47:16] Speaker 2: you to read those comments? It's nice. It's really nice. That's the goal is to change minds and open hearts and teach people to be better friends and more inclusive to everyone. So that is something [00:47:31] Speaker 1: that's always super validating to read. Yeah. The other thing I see a lot is the type of discourse. I feel like when people disagree on the internet nowadays, there's just no rules. It's the wild wild west and there's name calling and it gets off point really quickly, but you and I often talk about how almost civilized the discourse is and how, you know, it's a very much a conversational back and forth a lot of the time. Uh, what is that like for you to see sort of a different sort of dialogue taking shape in our [00:48:02] Speaker 2: community? It's nice. I appreciate people understanding that this is, I don't want to say a safe space because I think it's important to be challenged if you're wrong, but it's a space where respect is important, where it's okay to disagree, um, but let's do it from a place of love and honor. But also, you know, I don't really think too much about the comment section. Um, I think it's important to create what you want to create and when you're constantly reading the comment section, which I do on occasion, but if you were to constantly do it, um, you know, if you believe the good stuff, you're going to believe the bad stuff. And even though 99.99% of our comments are good, I don't want to put too much weight into what other people think about me. And that's also why I, um, avoid short form content. Um, I feel like every single person in the world sharing their thoughts about everything probably will have a net negative impact on the world. And I believe if I was to constantly be scrolling, listening to everybody's opinion, it would kind of sway the way I view things. So I kind of try to stay separate from that and just go around meeting people and see what I really see. And what I see is a lot of very kind, loving people in the world, um, who want the best for everyone. And there are a lot of problems in the world, but I find hope in seeing that most people are really kind and want everyone to be included. [00:49:42] Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah. Is there something from the SPS community that you've learned that maybe changed your perspective or influenced the way you approach your work? Oh yeah, absolutely. I would say more [00:49:53] Speaker 2: so in the beginning. Um, people have been so kind to me that if I said something that maybe wasn't like the, the best vernacular or terminology change, people will gently correct me. Um, so I do appreciate it. I'm, I think feedback is really important and, um, it's hard to give just one example, but yeah, sometimes people will send me emails and tell me that, um, for example, if I'm interviewing someone who experienced a traumatic event, that it would be best to ask a question in this way as opposed to this way. And then I would take that advice going forward. So yeah, I receive a lot of feedback and most of it is like coming from a place of love and I don't input all the feedback I receive, but a lot [00:50:39] Speaker 1: of it I do because I think it's correct. Yeah. So our mission is to normalize the diversity of the human condition. I love it. It's so simple. It's a profound, you know, it's a really wonderful dream. Um, SBSK reaches people from so many different backgrounds, beliefs, walks of life. What do you hope people understand about our mission at its core and what are you ultimately trying to accomplish? [00:51:05] Speaker 2: Hmm. First, I want people to know no matter what your background is, no matter what your religious belief is, as long as you're a kind person, you don't hurt other people, you're welcome here. But I want people to know that my motives are strictly about making the world friendlier and more inclusive for people today. I'm not worried about anything more than that. And I understand people will apply their own meaning and value onto things. But for me, I just want to make the world a bit kinder and friendlier. And yeah, that's about it. But if it means something to you other than that, that's fine too. [00:51:51] Speaker 1: How important is it for you that people understand that SBSK doesn't belong to any one group or or worldview, but rather it's like a space where everyone can find common ground? [00:52:01] Speaker 2: It is very, maybe odd to me when I read people say that I have a belief system which I don't have, which happens a lot. People will say, "Oh, Chris must think this way or that way or this is what they believe. I can tell by watching him." Oh, and mostly anything I've ever said, read like that was incorrect. So it is really, really important to me that people understand that the purpose of SBSK is simply to give people a chance to share their story. To me, it's nothing more than that. Creating a more inclusive world, modeling how to be kind and how to be friends to people, and normalizing the diversity of the human [00:52:49] Speaker 1: condition. Do you ever think people overcomplicate, you know, what you're trying to accomplish with SBSK? [00:52:57] Speaker 2: I mean, everybody comes into every situation with their own belief system, with their own religious background, and they're going to project that onto whatever situation they're in. And I found that it's best to remain out of the spotlight because what I found, if people like you, they're going to fill in the blanks with things that they would like about you. So for example, if you don't share anything about yourself and people like your work, they're going to assume that you have qualities they would find positive. And the opposite is true too. If they don't like you for some reason, they're going to fill in things with negative qualities. But since most people like SBSK and are super positive and stoked about it, they just assume that I am whatever they find attractive. [00:53:48] Speaker 1: Yeah, so I do think that's really interesting, sort of that projection. And I think to some extent it can happen with the people that they're watching, you know, being interviewed as well. Can you kind of talk about the difference between accepting someone as a person and agreeing with [00:54:03] Speaker 2: everything they believe? Oh yeah, I mean lots of times I'll interview someone and their belief system is not mine. In fact, I don't believe what they believe, but that's fine. That's perfectly acceptable and I will still leave whatever they say in because that's their belief system. That's not me being interviewed. And I think truly accepting somebody and loving them and being their friend is allowing them to be who they are without trying to change them. And it is important for me to keep saying this, unless they are mean, violent, or bad to other people. Yeah. You don't have to be their friend then, but don't try to change people. Everybody's just doing their best. I always really hope that people [00:54:48] Speaker 1: understand as they are maybe finding us for the first time that they don't have to have sort of a preset belief system to be a part of the SVSK community or to even fully understand inclusion yet. What would you kind of say to someone who's just finding us who maybe, you know, has some work to go to be able to understand what inclusion means and to really believe that in their own value system? [00:55:16] Speaker 2: No, I'm still figuring it out too. I don't think a true advocate ever feels like they're at a place where they're set, where they've arrived. It's a process of constant evaluation. How can I be better? So I don't feel like I'm an expert and it's okay to not know. And I would also say to somebody who's coming into our channel for the first time that although each individual is like a separate portrait, it is also part of a greater whole. An interview from 10 years ago is a counterpart to a video from today. So I would say don't just watch one video and think you understand what this channel is because it's hundreds and hundreds and soon to be thousands of videos that all complement one another. [00:56:09] Speaker 1: Right. You know, there's always so many really important movements and work going down or going on to try and better the world and society. Do you ever feel like there's a lot of pressure, you know, when you're a larger organization or a successful organization to have to speak to every movement or every happening that's currently going on, especially on the digital landscape? [00:56:35] Speaker 2: Especially because there's so many things I greatly care about that I want to speak up about that are important to me personally. But at the same time, I have to remember that, for example, climate change isn't what our channel is about. And if I start getting sidetracked by everything that's important to me in the world, then I'm going to lose focus on what I've been working towards for 13 years now, which is creating a more inclusive world. So I think that that is very tough for me, because any given day, I can turn on the news and see 20 different things that I care about, that I want to make a change in the world, a positive change. But I have to remember that the reason, I don't want to say the reason I'm here, because I don't believe in that. I don't believe I was sent here to make these videos. But it just feels like the right thing to do to focus on SBSK and allow all of the other passionate, talented people in the world to take up the other causes I'm passionate about. Because there are a lot of great advocates and different avenues. And I think the biggest best impact I can have in the world is if I just focus on SBSK and do it with my whole heart and 100% of my energy, because those things are limited. Energy is limited. And any part of my energy I give to other causes is a part of my energy I don't have for SBSK. [00:58:05] Speaker 1: How do you keep SBSK focused on its original mission, you know, in a world where so many things become politicized or divisive? [00:58:17] Speaker 2: Tunnel-like vision. We've talked about it. The things I care about, I tend to get hyper-focused on, whether that be volleyball, Bob Dylan, or SBSK. So I get zoned in on a few things that I really, really care about and everything else starts to kind of fade away. So I would say that's something [00:58:36] Speaker 1: that kind of comes natural to me. Yeah. So I think people that are a part of our community know that they can come to expect a new story being shared every Thursday, you know, afternoon. But our publishing schedule has definitely changed a lot over the years since our two or three minute long Facebook videos now into full feature length content on YouTube. What's really behind the schedule changes? [00:59:02] Speaker 2: Really just to make it sustainable. I want to do this until I no longer physically or cognitively can. And, you know, I've learned through SBSK that these things are unpredictable, but hopefully I can do this until, you know, my 60s, maybe 70s. And to be able to do this for three, four more decades, I have to do it at a sustainable pace. One video a week is definitely a sustainable pace. And occasionally I'll take a week off, but that's very rare. Yeah, I just want to do this forever. [00:59:33] Speaker 1: And right now, this is the pace that allows that. I do love that you take weeks off so rarely from posting content that it's almost like a proclamation when it happens. Like, you'll let me know, like, there's a household announcement and it's like you're you're just gauging the response almost. [00:59:53] Speaker 2: It's almost like Michael Scott, I declare bankruptcy. I'm like, I declare a week off. [01:00:00] Speaker 1: Well, what goes into creating an SBSK video that maybe the viewers wouldn't realize? [01:00:06] Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a good question. So travel. I interview people mostly domestic. We have gone on a lot of international trips, but for the most part, it's a domestic trip somewhere in the USA. But that can be a lot traveling from Florida to Texas or California or Seattle or Philly or Boston, New York, getting a rental car, finding a hotel. And since we are a nonprofit, we're not staying at glamorous hotels. We're staying at mid-level hotels. [01:00:38] Speaker 1: Or whatever's there. I think people don't realize too that we're not, we were just in Boston, but like going to a major city is also very, not rare, but it is kind of rare. You're always ending up in, [01:00:50] Speaker 2: we're always in rural places and small towns. Recently, I was in rural Tennessee and there was only one hotel in the whole area and it had bedbugs. I got bit by bedbugs. [01:01:03] Speaker 1: Everyone said you had a vampire bites. Yeah. So this, this is one of the things [01:01:06] Speaker 2: about being a content creator. There were people saying, what happened? You get bit by a vampire. There were people saying, what are you doing being on camera when you have that on your neck, implying it's a hickey. So you kind of learn to laugh at these things. But yeah, so there's a lot of travel. The interview process is the part that energizes and recharges me. And the editing process too. The editing process I find to be very creative and fulfilling, but it does take a while to edit videos. And I do everything from point A to point Z myself. So typically we post those videos on Thursday. And Thursday after I release a video, I just feel drained. And I mean it in a good way. Like it's good to create, to fully give yourself to a creative process and something you're so passionate about. I love just being completely depleted, but all that energy goes to something good. And I believe in not evaluating analytics. I think that's very important to me. So Thursday afternoon, I post a video around three at three 30 or four, I always schedule a game of volleyball on the beach with the guys. So I post a video, do a few things I have to do, and then just head out to the beach. [01:02:24] Speaker 1: And I don't look at anything for a few hours. I don't think a lot of people, or maybe they're curious around how long an actual interview is. You know, can you talk about that? How long are those typical conversations? And is there sort of an end goal in mind with, with how far you're whittling that down [01:02:39] Speaker 2: to a video? No, there's no end goal. And it varies greatly. Some interviews are 90 minutes total. Well, if we're talking from time entering the house to time leaving, I would say the shortest is two hours with 90 minutes of actual footage. I feel like that's a little rare though, unless it's a single individual. Yeah, usually it's a family and you're including the person who's being interviewed, the dad, the mom, the sibling, the grandma, that can take up to three, three, four hours. But yeah, I kind of just go with the flow. And you kind of know when the conversation's done, [01:03:13] Speaker 1: and you let somebody talk until that point. Do you think that's changed at all your idea? Was there ever a perfect length video or a goal? Has that changed at all? [01:03:22] Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, things are always changing, but it's never based on analytics or the algorithm. It's just kind of what feels right. And right now I'm at a place where like 25 to 35 minutes feels right. [01:03:34] Speaker 1: Yeah. Has your vision of SPSK evolved over the years? [01:03:39] Speaker 2: Yeah. So something that's cool is so many people share how videos or the channel resonates with them. And to me, I'm like, oh, like that's, it's kind of like adding something to your internal motivation bank. I'm like, I never thought of a way of that being a way that these videos could impact somebody. But now that I know that, like, I'm going to use that as inspiration. One of my favorite stories to share is after Daniel's video, somebody wrote an email to me and she said, my mom is schizophrenic, like Daniel, and I've excommunicated her. I haven't talked to her in years. But after watching Daniel's video, I now kind of understand what she's going through more. So I'm literally at a bus station headed to a therapy appointment that we're going to attend together to learn how to rebuild our relationship. So that really opened up my eyes to I'm not only giving people I interview a chance to share their story, but also I'm teaching their friends and family how to be more inclusive to them. [01:04:40] Speaker 1: Yeah. What are some other ways that idea of impact has been shaped through the years? Like, what are other examples of the way that that has been broadened for you? [01:04:51] Speaker 2: I mean, every day somebody sends me a message about how the videos impact them. Yeah, I don't know. There's so many, when you are running a video project channel, I don't even know what the terminology is, that millions and millions of people follow around the world and has been viewed billions of times across social media. You receive so much feedback and input and information from people that it's hard to, like, remember what impact it was. But I think the most important part of my process is remembering the number one thing that I care about. It's just giving people that platform to share whatever it is they want to share. Yeah. I mean, you've had a really interesting [01:05:38] Speaker 1: journey with all of this. I feel like it sort of pioneered this type of work, you know, across time and space the last decade. I feel like we get so many questions from people saying, "I want to do something like this in my community. How do I get started? What's your biggest piece of advice?" Kind of to answer all of those maybe in one moment. What would you say? What do you have to, what does it take to be able to be successful in terms of your kind of your core beliefs and your intentionality? And then what do you have to sort of let go to be able to kind of see it through? Because it is a journey and there's ups and downs. Yeah, so every week I receive an email from a [01:06:25] Speaker 2: college kid or somebody who's passionate about advocacy and they say, "I want to do something like what you do. Number one, can I?" And yeah, you can. I don't own the right to interview people. And I think the more people trying to do good things in the world, the better. So my first thing to say is you can go out there and do what I do. Like I fully approve it. Maybe don't name it the same thing. Maybe like I don't want to confuse our audience. You can do it, come up with your own name. But as far as what it takes, I don't know. I've just always had that laser focus on things I care about. So it takes the ability to zone in and do the work when times are good, when times are bad, when the world is good, when the world is bad, when your dog's healthy, when your dog's sick. When you have to travel for a wedding, you're still editing videos in the hotel. When it's your niece's birthday, you're still editing interviews in the bedroom upstairs, sneaking away after the party. It takes a lot of sacrifice. But if you're the person who's supposed to be doing it, it's not going to feel like sacrifice. [01:07:39] Speaker 1: Yeah. What are some of the core beliefs that you have just as a person that you think have really contributed to your success as a communicator and as an interviewer? [01:07:51] Speaker 2: I think it's the things I hold value in. I could care less about anything fancy or status. I mean, I don't think I own a shirt that's more than 25 bucks. I don't understand why people get lost in that stuff. I think the most important thing to me is that other people are kind, that they try to feel happy and good and try to make other people laugh. What was your question? Just what do you think are [01:08:19] Speaker 1: some of the beliefs that you hold really central to yourself as a person that have been a great [01:08:28] Speaker 2: foundation for your success? You know me, I'm kind of the hippie and it's just, just be cool, man. Just be cool. How hard is it? I do feel like you have a true north though. I feel like we've talked about that. But that is my true, that is my true north. Just be cool. If somebody is communicating in a way that you don't understand, what's it matter? Just be cool. Just be nice. Like it's not more complicated than that. I do have a true north, but it's really simple. It's just be [01:08:59] Speaker 1: nice to people. Yeah. Kindness. Kindness. Yeah. What are some of the things that you've had to learn to let go of throughout the journey? I mean, I know there's disappointments along the way. There's been some hardships and the reception from different platforms or an algorithm has varied. How do you take those in stride? What have you learned from those? It's so funny that our [01:09:20] Speaker 2: community can understand what we're trying to accomplish so easily. But some of the platforms that we publish on, they just don't get it and they try to censor us. So I guess I've had to learn to let go of control and realize that nothing is promised. I want to do this forever, but heck, it could be done next year. And that is true no matter what you do. I could still be a soccer coach and I could get fired for having a losing season. So I think it's just realizing that you never are really in control in life, but that's okay. Cause you get to choose how you react and respond when something does go unaccording to plan. If you could give a message or maybe like an [01:10:06] Speaker 1: elevator pitch to the algorithm slash platforms, what would you say? What would you hope they would understand about SBSK and it's worth? My pitch would be just be cool, man. Just be cool. But I think this [01:10:21] Speaker 2: video is a good pitch to the algorithm. I think I've verbalized plenty of times that my goal is just to give people a platform to share their story and hope that it makes the world kinder and more inclusive. But honestly, I don't think YouTube's or any of these platforms, their top priority is doing good in the world. I think that all of these platforms are in competition with one another. So their goal is to make as addictive a product as possible to keep eyeballs on the product to keep people scrolling so that they're optimizing ad revenue. And that's where the disconnect is. Yeah. Well, [01:10:58] Speaker 1: I know you want to keep doing this. We both do it as long as we can, as long as we're able and people still want to share their stories. What keeps you motivated? Like, who's inspired you to keep going? Like, where do you fill your bucket inspiration-wise, you know, through the years? [01:11:19] Speaker 2: Everybody I've met fills my bucket after every interview, just knowing how meaningful it was to them and how much it fulfilled me. Really, there hasn't been a single interview I've ever filmed that hasn't filled my bucket. And it's funny how it can fill your bucket to want to keep going, but it can empty your bucket for energy on a given week. So it's almost like I'm taking from that short-term energy bucket and giving to the long-term motivation bucket every week by creating these [01:11:45] Speaker 1: videos. Are there any big influences in your life, like people that you look up to or role models that help guide, you know, your decision-making or the way you approach life? I don't know. I have a lot [01:12:00] Speaker 2: of kind people in my life. I've surrounded myself by a lot of cool people. People always compare you to Mr. Rogers. Oh gosh. Yeah, I get that. I read that a lot and I can tell you that Mr. Rogers is amazing. I have so much respect for him, but I do not feel like Mr. Rogers. I doubt that he was, I don't know, I just don't feel like him. Um, but I bet Mr. Rogers probably didn't feel like Mr. Rogers either. I think we tend to make legends of people who are people and it just becomes sort of surreal in a way. [01:12:34] Speaker 1: I know one thing we've talked about that when you become almost like your persona or the kindness that you exhibit almost becomes idealized. It's like it's put on a platform where it's no longer accessible to other people. I know you and I've had a lot of conversations just hoping people realize that anyone can do what you do or approach life with the kindness that you did or with the type of care that Mr. Rogers did. Can you talk about that a little? Yeah, it's not unattainable. It's [01:13:03] Speaker 2: super simple to do. It's just a simple shift in perspective. And my belief is everybody's equal. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, like you're my equal. So why wouldn't I [01:13:17] Speaker 1: be kind to you? Well, I think, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that would probably be the goal that you have and maybe Mr. Rogers had as well is that people don't think that it's unattainable for them to live with their life with that level of kindness, intentionality, [01:13:32] Speaker 2: in connection with other people. I guess maybe Mr. Rogers, if he had grown up in Northeast Philly [01:13:38] Speaker 1: listening to punk rock. Well, who knows what kind of music he liked, right? I don't know. [01:13:44] Speaker 2: But I guess I am honored by the comparison, but also I feel like it makes what I do seem [01:13:53] Speaker 1: unattainable when it is super attainable. Yeah. Is there anything you've wanted to accomplish with SBSK that you haven't had the opportunity to pursue yet? No, no, no. That's pretty cool to say. [01:14:07] Speaker 2: I mean, I don't really set goals like that. My goal is just to keep going and keep sharing stories and meeting as many people as possible. And when we first started getting a lot of attention, all of these streaming platforms, they would invite you out and you would go and you would meet producers. And they were like, we're going to make a show like this and we're going to make a show like this. And I've realized that that just isn't for me or isn't for SBSK. Once you start putting too many cooks in the kitchen, the course starts to taste different. And yeah, my only goal is just to keep going. [01:14:44] Speaker 1: Can you speak to what it means to you to have such a small team, to have such creative authority and also to be that guiding principle for a nonprofit like this over a decade? I think people a lot of times assume that you need to expand or that you want to expand. What does it mean for you to have kept [01:15:07] Speaker 2: it almost so pure? So our team is just me and you. I don't know if I ever talked about that or if people know, but we've had across social media, like 3 billion views on our videos. And it's just me and you. You do a lot of work behind the scenes and I do the full creative. And I remember when we first started growing, people would say to me, you have to hire more interviewers. You have to get out there, get as many videos and interviews as possible. And to me, like that didn't even enter the realm of possibility. My goal, I'm not a content factory. I'm not just trying to get as many videos as possible. I'm trying to make sure that every video we share is truly a person's story and that there is meaning in it and that an audience, if they watch it, will learn how to better connect with people. I don't care about getting a certain quota or number. Yeah, I guess it's strange not to have goals, but I guess I do have a goal. It's just to keep going. [01:16:06] Speaker 1: I do think it's sort of a, I think it's almost like a Groundhog Day conversation where it's the yes and like you've done this, but what next? Like what other offering are you going to bring? Like how are you going to continue to grow this? And I think it's so, it's indirect kind of competition to sort of the viewpoint that you and I have and the love we have for what it is we do as sort of our core. Can you talk about that a little bit about the need for more, more, more and like what's next versus [01:16:35] Speaker 2: how you see our role? Well, a lot of, most of the things I love in the world are free. Friends, family, volleyball, running, music. I've never really valued having a lot of things or anything like that. Just the ability to walk into somebody's home anywhere in the world and go in and make a new friend is the coolest thing in the world to me. Um, I don't desire anything that we don't have. Um, [01:17:07] Speaker 1: and I think that is very liberating. Yeah. Yeah. What about people, what would you say to someone who wants to know what's next? Like how are you going to, how are you going to change and grow [01:17:19] Speaker 2: SVSK? I don't, I don't even think about that. Um, I know, but I, I think it's some people that's sort [01:17:27] Speaker 1: of the way we've all been conditioned is that you can't, you have to grow, you can't, you have to evolve, [01:17:33] Speaker 2: you can't stay the same to be successful. I will say that things will grow and they'll evolve just because I'm growing and I'm evolving and the world's growing and the world's evolving. Um, but I think it's okay just to be in the present moment and not worry about what's going to happen in the future. And I think that's why SPSK is possible because of what I've learned about being present and not worrying about endless growth or worrying about something that happened in the past. Um, just sitting there and being fully present with people. It's a, it's a gift. [01:18:07] Speaker 1: So what are you looking like? What are you most looking forward to with SPSK in the future? Are there diagnoses you really want to cover? Are there places and cultures you really want to share stories from? I want to go everywhere and meet everyone. I enjoy it. Um, I [01:18:27] Speaker 2: have a deep desire to interview people and families who are impacted by disabilities we haven't covered yet, especially low incidence disabilities because I know that that means a great deal to those communities, that type of representation. Um, and there's tens of thousands of people who've reached out to be interviewed. So the demand is there. Um, that's actually the toughest part of running SPSK is the overwhelming amount of emails and interview requests I've received. Um, we don't have anybody who just handles communications. Um, so I can't respond to everybody, but I do my best. Um, yeah, I just want to meet as many people as possible and tell as many stories as possible. [01:19:11] Speaker 1: Is there anything left inside that you wish we had talked about? [01:19:15] Speaker 2: No, I don't think so. Um, I'm glad that we did this. I think people have wanted to know more about me. Um, but yeah, I'm kind of okay not being in the spotlight. That's not something I deeply desire, and I just enjoy giving other people that platform. What was it like for you to interview me? How was it to reverse those roles? [01:19:36] Speaker 1: I think it was a, an honor for me to be able to give people even the smallest look at Chris. You know, to me, Chris behind the camera and the front of the camera is the same incredible person. Uh, so to be able to share a little bit more about your personality and then also just the, the deep love and passion you have for SPSK, it was really cool. I hope I did you justice. Um, but yeah, I really hope people to see you, all of you, because you're a wonderful person. [01:20:08] Speaker 2: Thank you.