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The Karat Podcast

The Karat Podcast

Hosted by Karat Financial

BusinessEntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

Episodes

95

Latest episode

Jan 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Ever wondered what your favorite creators are like behind the scenes? Karat Financial co-founders Eric Wei and Will Kim talk with today’s biggest creators to get to know the humans behind the content. Tune in to go deep, with topics covering hopes, dreams, philosophy, and insecurities.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
January 16, 202637 min

EP. 93 - Faceless musician Marino on his music getting 100M+ Spotify streams

Marino makes music from his bedroom wearing a bag over his head.Now he's a music superstar with over 100M plays, 8M Spotify listeners, and #14 on Billboard. Today he shares *everything*.check out Karat at www.trykarat.com - we help creators like Marino with their finances!

December 18, 202538 min

EP. 92 - Why Nihachu Quit the Internet… and Why She Returned

Get Karat Business banking with a signup bonus at https://link.trykarat.com/niki ‪@NikiNihachu‬ was one of the biggest female streamers in the world - then she quit. Today she shares what happened, why she's returning, and how to create from a place of joy.Note: this was recorded in at VidCon in June 2025.---------0:00 – Intro1:16 – Why she stopped posting content1:34 – Minecraft fame at 18 in COVID lockdown2:12 – “If I die tomorrow, what will they remember me as?”3:54 – her streaming origin story4:40 – “I’ve been through some shit" - like being KIDNAPPED6:05 – Choosing not to become bitter after trauma6:44 – Nihachu is not your angel8:38 – Telling the internet her deepest darkest secret10:40 – what depression looks like11:52 – she's using TikTok for GOOD14:23 – Nihachu's secret motivation in life15:17 – how this ties to philosopher Kant18:19 – Dream SMP hate21:23 – why she moved to Los Angeles!23:11 – She moved out at 17....then what?23:31 – Nihachu begged classmates for a couch24:32 – she had nothing...then a stranger helped26:12 – Nihachu didn't pay taxes - jail arc?? 27:29 – why she didn't do brand deals for so long29:26 – NO to gambling money30:47 – what new Nihachu content looks like33:19 – Why therapists don’t understand creators37:12 – Nihachu's message to her folloewrs

December 2, 202545 min

EP. 91 - Zach Justice on building a media empire from nothing

Get Karat Business banking with a signup bonus at https://link.trykarat.com/justice ​ ⁨Zach Justice grew up in poverty. Today he's built a YouTube comedy empire and talking with Hollywood studios - all through rizz and pickup lines- here's how he did it.Note: this was recorded in June 2025.0:00 - Intro1:23 - Zach wakes up at an ungodly hour2:17 - how Zach started on The Vampire Diaries and cucked his gf4:00 – how Zach broke into Hollywood as a nobody4:48 - Zach's first place was a sh*thole5:25 - was it an earthquake? nah just a threesome6:24 - was Zach getting cast in stuff?7:16 - Zach was literally starving9:48 - Zach moved out because fear of being stabbed10:27 - Zach commits actual financial fraud11:49 - Zach's sexual life at this time12:20 – how the Dropouts pod got started13:32 - Zach on his cohost and ex Indiana14:32 - Zach was robbed of $50K15:35 - Zach's financial struggles growing up17:56 - Zach is motivated by death22:26 - how Zach deals with views going down23:23 - how people in LA treat you when views are down25:59 - Zach's beef with CollegeHumor Dropout26:36 - the origins of The Lunch Table podcast27:42 - why Zach invests in other creators30:54 - what Zach is doing with Hollywood now33:47 - Zach on Tara Yummy36:21 - does Zach prefer Hollywood or YouTube37:42 - Zach on AI41:12 - Zach on pitching A2441:32 - how is Zach both funny but also business savvy?43:42 - why is Zach raising millions45:06 - Zach's shoutout to a small NBA basketball player

October 16, 20251 hr 2 min

EP. 90 - Mizkif on ego, pain, & cancellation (interview)

NOTE: this episode was filmed before recent events involving Mizkif. This podcast is not an endorsement of him or his action. We're keeping it up as historical context.Join Karat's Discord at https://link.trykarat.com/mizkif-discordGet Karat Business banking with a signup bonus at https://www.trykarat.com/10kboost-a?utm_medium=spotify Mizkif was a king of Twitch. Then he was cancelled. Today he shares how he's rebuilding his legacy by developing new businesses and projects.------------Follow Karat athttps://www.instagram.com/trykarat/Follow Eric at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/Follow Mizkif athttps://www.instagram.com/realmizkif/------------0:00 - Intro1:22 - Why streamers have massive egos6:01 - How it all started18:22 - How “the door” happened21:21 - Miz on business: OTK and Starforge26:20 - How it felt becoming a millionaire29:56 - Where did he f*ck up?37:32 - What’s his focus now?45:41 - Why Twitch is a dying platform48:31 - What would he do right now to get famous?50:42 - His SECRET group he never talks about52:15 - What's his legacy?55:37 - Does his ego motivate him?57:12 - Chatting with Miz’s BEST friend Dave

September 17, 202558 min

EP. 89 - I quit Wall Street to build a YouTube Business Empire (Codie Sanchez interview)

Meet Codie Sanchez- she's making $100M+ year from her business - but not through brand deals and AdSense.In this pod - she shares 20 secrets on how she did it and how creators can build real businesses & ownership.

March 7, 2025Episode 881 hr 6 min

EP. 88 - How I Built a Billion Dollar YouTube Business: Alex Hormozi interview [VIDEO]

Join Karat's Discord for creator masterclasses every week at https://link.trykarat.com/discord-hormoziMeet Alex Hormozi: he's making $10M+ year from content and owns a portfolio of businesses making $250M/ year.In this pod - he shares 21 secrets on how he monetizes and scales his content- and why most creators are stuck in a broken business model.------------Follow Karat athttps://www.instagram.com/trykarat/Follow Eric at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/Follow Alex athttps://www.youtube.com/@AlexHormozihttps://www.instagram.com/hormozi/------------21 Insights from Hormozi:01:44 - Your content is your business04:08 - How to scale your business beyond a “face” personality05:50 - Wanna make money? Learn this game06:32 - One mistake killing your channel - FIX IT07:38 - Monetization HACKS every creator should know12:48 - Focusing on deals? Congrats, you're a media company16:09 - If it's worth doing, expect HATERS16:58 - DON'T eat this...17:48 - Can you really get cancelled?25:11 - Giving up equity can 10x your business29:11 - Copy what works, scale FAST30:00 - Content alone won't build your business - THIS WILL31:00 - How to win on cost, but RISK it all31:43 - Beat key man risk with this one strategy35:45 - Secret to scaling your content39:23 - Chose the right product to promote or LOSE BIG40:37 - Use this retention hack from day 142:40 - Elements of influence you NEED to master50:15 - Secret hack to using short form52:00 - Content won't scale a business UNLESS you know this53:31 - The branding mistake that's diluting your platform1:06:03 - Ultimate content boosting cheat code

December 4, 2024Episode 8744 min

EP. 87 - Scumbag Dad on Why YouTube is Broken (interview) [VIDEO]

Join Karat Banking's perks program at https://www.trykarat.com/banking - first 1000 members to join the waitlist & be approved get the perks program for free for a year Why are so many YouTubers quitting or getting cancelled? @scumbagdadofficial aka Scumbag Dad knows why - how algorithms are breaking our minds- and how to fix it. ------------ Follow Karat at https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/ Follow Eric at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/ Follow Scumbag Dad at @scumbagdadofficial https://www.instagram.com/brad_podray/ https://www.tiktok.com/@brad_podray ------------------ 0:00 - Intro 1:29 - YouTube is BURNING down 2:02 - Disingenuous creators - how to spot them! 4:20 - Online "Rizz" guys are creating this issue 5:53 - Why the comment section is BRUTAL 7:45 - Creating ScumbagDad for this reason 9:03 - The main goal of 99% of YouTubers 11:57 - This YouTuber is now a politician 13:27 - Why his content was BANNED on TikTok 15:50 - He SPENDS how much on his TikToks?! 18:55 - His new podcast with @Stanzipotenza 20:48 - Why he HAS to change his name 21:27 - Losing a commercial gig because of this video 22:56 - KindbagDad...launching soon? 26:41 - Al is changing the creator landscape 30:16 - Every artist should make short form content 35:24 - Ruin your online following with this simple hack! 37:43 - This type of creator is EVIL 39:47 - This EVIL TIKTOKER preys on the homeless for content 41:24 - His endgame and closing thoughts

December 3, 2024Episode 861 hr 9 min

EP. 86 - How LaurDIY survived YouTube for 10 years (interview) [VIDEO]

Join the waitlist for Karat Banking's new perks program at https://link.trykarat.com/banking-karat-pod - first 1000 members approved get perks free for a year~ LaurDIY has done YouTube for over 10 years - and she's still relevant, active, and not cancelled! Today she shares her secrets on how to build a sustainable career as a creator. ------------ Follow Karat at https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/ Follow Eric at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/ Follow LaurDIY at @LaurDIY  @laurDIYvlogs @WildTil9 https://www.instagram.com/laurdiy/ ------------ 00:00 - Intro 03:57 - Secret to 10 YEARS on YouTube 04:16 - LauraDIY Roasting Eric 05:26 - Extreme Makeover: Eric edition 08:59 - LaurDIY ghosted Eric 10:47 - Staying in bad relationships 13:23 - Privatizing your old videos is good 14:13 - DIY era wasn't always authentic 15:37 - Growing with your audience can save your channel 16:58 - why Lauren talks about p*nises now 17:55 - Secret to shifting content 20:33 - Hello new subscribers, goodbye old ones 25:07 - Vlogging is the new DIY'ing 26:53 - Making money on YouTube 10 years ago 30:14 - 90s kids are natural DIYers 36:38 - Meeting my husband while we both were in other relationships 38:27 - 10+ more years on YouTube? 42:30 - Content planning 101 47:37 - Partnering with Ashton Kutcher 52:10 - The one thing every creator struggles with 53:24 - Lauren's HOLLYWOOD show & ratings on it 57:42 - her show cost how much per episode?? 59:32 - her HBO show got CANCELLED 1:05:43 - Staying sane as a creator 1:09:26 - Outro ------------ Editors: Jayna Benito & Cole Selby

September 30, 2024Episode 8630 min

EP. 85 - Anthpo exposes why being funny on YouTube sucks (interview) [VIDEO]

Apply to join the creator talks discord here: https://link.trykarat.com/DiscordYT @anthpo's videos make people laugh - but @anthpo works incredibly hard behind the scenes to make them. Today he shares why he quit YouTube last year before mysteriously returning - how he balances his art with making money - and what it was like working for MrBeast. Note: we filmed this at VidCon live in June 2024 ------------ Follow Karat at https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/ Follow Eric Wei at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/ Follow Anthpo at @anthpo and @NotAnthpo ​⁠‪https://www.instagram.com/anthpo/ ------- 0:00 - Who is Anthpo? 0:54 - Why quit YouTube? 1:18 - Why his content is changing 3:22 - His experience working for MrBeast 4:20 - Why being a creator SUCKS 5:44 - Who he SLEPT with... 6:14 - Anthpo's creative comeback 6:53 - The SECRET SAUCE for viral content 7:50 - Anthpo got on the Bachelor9:34 - MrBeast's content formula is outdated 10:03 - Kelly Wakasa made Anthpo CRY11:19 - What you NEED to know as an upcoming creator 13:32 - Traveling thru the Anthpoverse 15:13 - He's never told anyone this...16:18 - Does he recommend making content while in college 17:27 - He makes HOW MUCH on YouTube?! 17:51- Are sponsors CRINGE?18:54 - The two paths of a YouTuber 20:20 - How he manages brand deals22:15 - Why BBNO$ paid him for a collab 23:46 - This was his the breaking point 25:21 - The real reason creators QUIT YouTube 26:18 - 2 pieces of advice for beginner creators 28:47 - SPECIAL GUEST!! 29:48- Anthpo's GIFT to Eric!

August 2, 2024Episode 8448 min

EP. 84 - OfflineTV’s Creative Genius: Brodin Plett interview [VIDEO]

Apply to join the creator talks discord here: https://link.trykarat.com/DiscordYT @OfflineTV is a content powerhouse featuring streamers like  @DisguisedToast,​⁠ @LilyPichu and @MichaelReeves, now meet their creative director who helps make the magic happen, @Brofain. Today Brodin shares his creative vision for OTV and the thought process behind OTV’s viral video- along with his own inspirations across music, modeling, film, anime, and more! ------------ Follow Karat at https://www.instagram.com/trykarat/ Now available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/ Follow Eric Wei at https://www.instagram.com/erictway/ Follow Brodin at https://www.instagram.com/brodinplett ​⁠ @Brodin Plett Follow OTV at ​⁠@OfflineTV https://www.instagram.com/offlinetv ------------ 00:00 - Intro 01:26 - Why he HATES the number "3" 02:37 - Why OfflineTV needed him 05:18 - COVID got him his OTV job 06:45 - Separating friendship and the drama 07:42 - The first thing he changed at OTV 10:16 - The Office influenced OfflineTV 11:16 - OfflineTV Anime film Coming Soon?! 14:09 - Fear Pong, Condiment Girl and Hide & Seek 15:23 - Taking the channel in a new direction 18:08 - Creative VS Business: handling brand deals 19:59 - This 19yo's YouTube video is becoming MOVIE 21:33 - A flood caused him to miss TwitchCon 23:06 - He owes his success to Coachella '19 24:14 - Is he weird for this? 25:43 - Preparing to work for YouTube as a middle schooler 31:04 - I didn't getting paid for MONTHS while in esports 33:13 - Working for Marshmello and the FBI 37:22 - Filmmaker by day, musician by night 39:09 - Where he'll be in 10 years 41:00 - The superior ATLA bending skill 42:15 - Working on this skillset as a 30yr old 44:50 - Does he think he's a good manager? 47:45 - Closing thoughts

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