He Designed A Flag For Earth… Then Starting Getting Death Threats
He designed a flag to unite the world. Instead, he was accused of working with the Illuminati. In this episode, Oskar Pernefeldt — Creative Director at Oatly and the designer behind the International Flag of Planet Earth — opens up about how a simple graduation project turned into a global movement… and a conspiracy theory nightmare. We talk about fame, fear, purpose, and the insane power of symbolism in a divided world.
Watch if you’re curious about the hidden forces that shape culture — and what happens when one idea captures the whole planet.
00:00 Introduction
03:03 Oscar's Background and Nonprofit Work
05:31 The Design and Symbolism of the Planet Earth Flag
09:49 Public Reception and Conspiracy Theories
20:29 Challenges and Goals for the Planet Earth Flag
22:15 Global Unity and National Identity
32:26 Comparing Sweden and the US
33:51 Reflections on American Society and Governance
36:38 Discussing Taxes and Military Service
37:56 Healthcare Systems: Sweden vs. America
38:23 Insurance Woes in America
39:39 Education in Sweden: Beckman's College of Design
43:20 The Creative Industry and Nepotism
46:25 The Privilege of Being in the Creative Industry
54:58 Childhood Experiences and Their Impact
57:34 The Importance of Forgiveness
01:02:02 The Flag of Planet Earth and NASA Involvement
01:13:45 Creative Ecosystem at Oatly
01:14:18 Trust and Decision-Making
01:17:09 In-House Agency vs. External Agency
01:18:10 Pitching Ideas and Taking Risks
01:19:52 Balancing Boldness and ROI
01:22:52 Competition and Market Strategy
01:25:37 Challenges of Passion Projects
01:39:18 Future of Flags and Identity
01:43:01 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion
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1:47:22
From Lucasfilm to Doja Cat: Warren Fu Reveals How to Land Your Dream Directing Job
In this episode, visionary director Warren Fu shares an inspiring journey through his iconic work in music videos, his creative roots at Lucasfilm, and the delicate balance of creativity and burnout. We dive deep into his collaborations with legendary artists such as Doja Cat, Daft Punk, The Weeknd, and The Strokes. From overcoming immigrant family expectations and cultural differences to navigating the unpredictable worlds of directing music videos and commercials, Warren offers invaluable insights on the multifaceted role of a director, the importance of editing, and the future of filmmaking with AI.
00:00 Intro
02:54 The Importance of Editing in Directing
04:33 Balancing Creativity and Burnout
06:47 The Journey to Delegation and Trust
12:15 From Graffiti to Lucasfilm: A Creative Evolution
39:40 Visiting Skywalker Ranch
40:03 Quitting Lucasfilm to Pursue Directing
40:45 Immigrant Family Guilt
42:04 Cultural Differences Growing Up
50:44 Challenges of Directing
53:25 Pitching and Treatments
01:00:30 The Music Video Industry
01:04:32 Lucasfilm: A Film School Experience
01:16:06 The Strokes' Mystique and Early Career
01:16:55 Freelancing in LA and Breaking into Music Videos
01:18:04 First Big Break with The Strokes
01:19:37 Building Relationships with Artists
01:22:10 Collaborating with Mark Ronson and Daft Punk
01:30:46 Directing Daft Punk's Iconic Videos
01:42:57 Working with Doja Cat on 'Planet Her'
01:52:35 Transitioning to Commercial Work
01:57:35 Personal Connections in the Industry
01:59:18 Pitching Ideas and Working with Reps
02:01:27 The Role of Specs in Commercials
02:02:47 Keys to Successful Pitches
02:08:23 AI in Music Videos
02:16:58 The Future of AI in Filmmaking
02:27:52 Balancing Work and Life
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2:35:12
How To Shoot Rap Videos with Major Artists
Shooting rap videos isn’t for the faint of heart. Missed call times, wild pivots, and $75K wardrobes. Here’s the unfiltered truth about working with hip hop artists.
00:00 Introduction
01:09 The Evolution of Hip Hop and Music Videos
01:55 Creating a Treatment for Music Videos
02:52 Expect the Unexpected: Be Ready to Pivot
04:23 Dealing with Late Artists
05:50 Handling No-Shows and Rescheduling
10:08 Importance of Casting
10:43 Avoiding Catfishing in Casting
13:04 Stripping Your Ego and Developing Thick Skin
15:51 Understanding the Culture
17:15 Fashion and Trends in Hip Hop Videos
18:28 Balancing Production and Wardrobe Budgets
19:01 Capturing the Artist's Best Look
19:56 Embracing the Process
20:33 Don't Take It Personally
21:52 Have Fun and Make It Memorable
23:30 Conclusion
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25:54
MRCL Lost His Father, Home & Car, Then Found Himself in the Studio with SZA and Frank Ocean
What do you do when you lose everything — your father, your home, and your car — all in one month? If you’re MRCL, you turn that pain into purpose… and make some of the most powerful music of your life.
In this episode, MRCL shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind his journey from sleeping in his car to producing with TDE and working alongside legends like Terrace Martin, DJ Quik, and more. He talks about the moment that changed everything — when SZA casually said, “Should I call Frank Ocean?” — and ended up in the studio with both of them as Frank serenaded the room on piano.
But that’s just the beginning. We get into the come-up, the breakdowns, the breakthroughs, the band he built off Instagram DMs, the hustle of being a full-time creative and a father, and how spiritual alignment shaped his debut project Mantras. This is one of the most inspiring stories we've ever heard — and proof that when your back’s against the wall, greatness is still possible.
If you're chasing purpose, passion, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone… this one’s for you.
00:00 Intro
02:50 Balancing Creativity and Business
04:26 Early Musical Influences
06:06 Entrepreneurial Spirit
08:27 Meeting West Coast legend Terrace Martin
10:35 Internship Experiences
13:14 Transition to Videography
26:56 Breakthrough in Television
35:46 Personal Struggles and Triumphs
41:33 Creating a Legacy
44:29 Reflections on Parenthood
45:48 Skee TV and Early Career
50:04 Discovering New Opportunities
51:41 Spiritual Awakening
55:00 Creating Mantras
01:00:26 First TDE Session with SZA
01:01:17 Frank Ocean serenading them with the piano
01:03:48 Building Relationships in the Industry
01:13:16 Working with Aftermath
01:14:21 Overcoming Creative Blocks
01:23:04 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:30:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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1:34:42
The Hidden NICHE Jobs in Filmmaking That Pay More and Have Less Competition!
Filmmaking is changing. The market is oversaturated, and directors are fighting for survival. But niche workers? They’re getting booked and paid. If you want a sustainable creative career, you need to hear this.
00:00 Intro
00:27 The Rise of Niche Workers
00:55 Oversaturation in the Industry
01:26 The Competitive World of Directors
02:57 The Value of Niche Roles
03:07 Defining Niche Workers
03:51 The Demand for Niche Workers
04:52 Why Niche Workers Are Winning
05:21 Specialization: The Key to Success
06:43 The Importance of Mastery
07:41 Marketing Yourself as a Specialist
08:24 Building Relationships and Collaboration
08:58 Embracing the Less Glory, More Work Mindset
09:34 The Importance of a Strong Team
10:01 Pivoting to Niche Roles
10:19 The Rise of Niche Industries
10:46 Thriving Niche Industries
13:15 Why Specialized Industries Are Thriving
13:35 Recap and Key Takeaways
14:42 Conclusion and Call to Action
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OURSELVES is the world’s first open-source podcast that dives deep into the worlds of creativity, culture, & personal growth. Hosted by film & music video director Arrad, each episode brings you unfiltered conversations with visionary artists, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and thought leaders shaping the future. From behind-the-scenes stories of groundbreaking projects to candid discussions about mental health, reinvention, and navigating the creative industry, OURSELVES is your space to feel inspired, challenged, and connected.
Made by ourselves, for ourselves.