REL & Friends

Episode 013 - Admin Episode

In this episode of REL & Friends, we get to go shopping with REL!REL walks us through a shopping session on B&H Photo (with the appropriate shopping soundtrack), shares how he got clowned at the new job, and answers the first 2 voicemails we got on the REL & Friends Hotline™. We're taking voicemails and giving away books - CALL 646-926-3885.
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 012: Start With Your Best Stuff - Nic Golden Henry

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Nic Golden Henry, a Denver-based creative producer and video editor. With over 10+ years of content creation and visual storytelling under his belt, his client list includes CNBC, Kaiser Permanente and Epitaph Records.
In this conversation, REL and Nic reflect on their time working together at *Jadakiss laugh*, Nic shares experiences from his time as a Thrasher Magazine intern that have served him through his video career, and REL lets Nic know how a touching moment at work got ruined by a dab and the familiar notes of R&B singer Mark Morrison's song of heartbreak.
You can follow Nic on Instagram at @drtanlegs and see his work at nicgoldenhenry.com
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 011: Don't Be Afraid to Fail - Racks Hogan

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with the charismatic Racks Hogan, a New York-based creative currently in Amsterdam. Most known for his work as on-air talent for Complex Media, he is a creative director/production manager/designer/fashion influencer/rug tufter...but the best description for Racks is his own: Racks Hogan is lifestyle journalist.
In this conversation, REL and Racks talk about the importance of humbling yourself enough to remain a student, the importance of staying consistent, and Racks forecasts the next "look" to pop off in the reseller/vintage markets.
You can follow Racks on Instagram at @itsracks.
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 010: Creative for Creatives - Justin Fleischer

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Justin Fleischer, a Los Angeles-based talent manager and videographer. He's held many roles in the music industry but is currently known for his work with Logic - first documenting the rapper's early tours and now working as his manager. When he's not in a business capacity, he's still creating video stories with the project DVD Couture, a platform celebrating the aesthetic of hip hop's DVD mixtape era.
In this conversation, REL and Justin talk about what makes being a creative for creatives unique from other client work, he details his long path from public school teacher to talent manager, and he lets us know the best camera gear visual creatives should be using (HINT: it doesn't matter!)
You can follow Justin on Instagram at @jflei and at dvdcouture.com
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 009: Talent vs. Drive - What Determines Success - Karis Chandler

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Karis Chandler, aka NY Giant, a Brooklyn based design director and DJ. As a DJ, he's a New York nightlife staple and former Red Bull 3style contestant. Professionally, he's worked with brands like the NFL, Nike and Kiehl's.
In this conversation, REL and Karis talk about the idea of being a generalist, the reality behind working for "cool" brands, and how breaking up nightclub altercations is sometimes part of a DJs job description.
You can follow Karis on Instagram at @djnygiant and see more of his work at karistotle.com
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 008: Balancing Profession and Passion - Justin Herman

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Justin Herman, an animator, graphic designer and hip hop beatmaker. By day, Justin is a senior creative director at Paramount. By night, Justin fires up his ASR-10 and produces music under the moniker Unjust making music with the likes Tajai (as Rap Noir), Nappy Nina and Rome Streetz.
In this conversation, REL and Justin talk about the delicate art of balancing your profession and passion, the importance of approaching creative work as an act of service, and how being the guy making everyone's Myspace page look dope led him down a path of making music with underground hip hop music royalty.
You can follow Justin on Instagram at @UNJUST_F3W and see more of his work at justinherman.net
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 007: REL & Jon’s 2023 Recap

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL and Jon reflect on the first few months of doing the podcast.
In this conversation, REL goes into detail on why he started REL & Friends, he shares some of his favorite gems from friends, and reveals the secret playlist he uses to help him power through being a creative professional.
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 006: Ignore The Noise And Run With It - Brian Tong

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Brian Tong a journalist, and host specializing in the technology space. An OG in the tech creator space, Brian has influenced notable content creators and garnered a significant following through his self-produced YouTube videos on tech and geek culture. 
In this conversation, REL and Brian reflect on their time working for *insert Jadakiss laugh here*, leaving the corporate world and going independent and Brian flexes his vocal chops to show us why they call him the "Asian Usher".
You can follow Brian and watch his videos @briantong on YouTube.
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 005: Getting Outside of Your Comfort Zone - Jamie Lai

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Jamie Lai a San Francisco-based director, producer and editor. Previously working with REL at *insert Jadakiss laugh*, her experience includes working with professional sports teams, athletes, celebrities and has covered major press events for leading tech companies and has field produced, directed and covered major global conferences.
In this conversation, REL and Jamie give tangible numbers for production budgets, "code switching" and struggles of not being accepted in the work environment and how the 1994 Jim Carrey classic "The Mask" influenced her career path.
You can follow Jamie and see more of her work at www.jamiewlai.com
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.

Episode 004: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome - Cheryll Del Rosario

In this episode of REL & Friends, REL sits down with Cheryll Del Rosario, a San Francisco-based marketing art director and visual designer. With over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, she currently serves as the Director of Creative Direction at the mobile game company Pocket Gems.
In this conversation, REL and Cheryll talk about their experiences transitioning to a director role, conquering imposter syndrome and how she ended up giving a Powerpoint presentation to her company about the origin and the usage of the word "rizz".
You can follow Cheryll on Instagram at @_cheryll
REL & Friends is brought to you by Art of Storytelling, a New York-based production agency that provides creative solutions for visual content. The program is hosted by REL and produced by Jon Reyes.