Hype Pod - The Hype Network Podcast

Arun Koshy: Right.

Welcome to the Hype Pod, where we
have real conversations on business

tech, innovation and culture trends,
all from a Facebook perspective.

I'm Arun joined as my co-host.

Hey Adam.

Is that where we're going?

As usual, I like that.

I dunno, we're trying figure
out what our role are.

I call, I call myself the disruptor.

The disruptor.

That's, but today on the podcast,
we're excited to welcome Squint.

He's a Bay area based visual
composer whose lens has captured

icons from Michael Jordan to
Coldplay DeAngelo to Steph Curry.

He's directed films, shot major
campaigns and curated gallery shows.

He is a creative who works
at the intersection of music,

sports, and technology.

He has actually rooted in Palo Alto, so
we're really excited to welcome Local boy.

Yeah, I'm home to the podcast.

Welcome ent.

Yes.

Squint: Thank you.

Yeah, I'm gonna put that on my resume.

Yeah, that's a good one.

I like that.

Can I just say,

Arun Koshy: this was
an abbreviated version.

Your resume is deep.

Like

Adam Smallcombe: you might be one of the
most humble guys with the deepest resume.

Can I just say, Chris, uh, how
excited Arun is for today's podcast?

He won't say it, but he
is very, very excited.

I'm very, very,

Arun Koshy: very excited.

You have shot with and worked
with some of my favorite people

in sports and entertainment.

I mean, probably some
of the coolest stories.

I don't know.

I would like to ask about all that, but
I think we should start with kind of

your story, where you came from, you
started in Palo Alto, um, and I wanna

hear a little bit about what your journey

Squint: Yeah, well I'm a product of
Palo Alto, so, um, I love this city.

Um, it's where I got my roots.

Like my mom went to school
here, my grandmother moved here.

Um, I don't wanna date her, but you
know, yeah, we're third generation

Palo Altos and, um, yeah, I mean,
I just, I just love this city.

I started my career at eight years
old, uh, working for like a public

access channel, which is ironically
they moved right down the street.

Um, what in Mountain View or Palo Alto?

Well, they moved to the frontage road.

Oh.

So, um, but it was
cable co-op at the time.

Okay.

Um, and it was a public access
channel, and that's where I

initially started, uh, just doing
like, you know, from eight to 18.

And I went from like being like
just a camera guy to essentially

like directing and mm-hmm.

Wow.

Uh, producing and being an
executive producer of a show

and winning awards for it.

So How old

Speaker 4: are

Squint: you?

Uh, 18.

18 years old.

Well, I, I started at eight and so
every single, uh, week on Tuesdays and

sometimes Thursdays, uh, I was doing that.

Wow.

For 10 years straight.

That's amazing.

Crazy.

Yeah.

That's what, what,

Arun Koshy: what got you started
in like film photography?

Squint: Um, I mean, I, I would always
like say like my mother, because

she always had us around, like
photos and things of that nature.

But I think I picked up just a love for
it, just really being in that space.

Mm-hmm.

You know?

Seeing that.

Like, I always loved shots and I, I
think like at the age of like 10, I was,

I started actually in cinematography.

Mm.

So that was like always my dream.

And so I was like, I'm gonna do this.

And then at 12 I told all my
friends like, look, this is, I'm

revealing my plan A to you guys.

And so I did cinematography and
then always had like, photography

in the background, and so it kind
of like merged the two, you know?

Yeah.

And so, yeah.

But

Arun Koshy: you told me, like, you were
telling me that you had a lot of people

tell you you can't do this, but that
kind of drove you to wanna do that,

and you locked in and you said, this is
my calling and I'm gonna hold through.

True.

Squint: Yeah.

Like the entire time.

Well, it's, you know, it's interesting,
I think when people just don't

understand what it is, it's like trying
to explain the internet, you know?

Mm-hmm.

And trying to explain like where, um,
I saw like a podcast where they're

talking about like, your parents say
like, you know, don't get in the car

with strangers, but then we have like,
Uber and Lyft or you know, exactly

like all these different things.

And so I think about that all the time.

Yeah.

And so I, I, I just, you know, I think
just because they don't understand

like, um, there's like a running joke
that me and my siblings have, like,

we're gonna sue our parents because.

They told us stop playing video games.

Mm-hmm.

And it's like, people are making Right.

They're making bang right now.

Uh, so I encourage my kids
to play, play instead.

Um, but yeah, and I, and I, I just
think it's important to understand,

like, sometimes people just don't know.

Yeah.

And when you're, when you're locked in on
something, like, I really love this craft.

Like, sometimes I, I get emotional just
thinking I'm contributing to this art

form, which just, you know, like I geek
out all the time, like, especially at

church, I see people with different
cameras and I'm like, oh my gosh.

You know, like, yeah, exactly.

You know?

Mm-hmm.

I pay attention.

Yeah.

In between naps, during the sermon,
I'm just making sure they get the

right shots, you know, it's always
encouraging to just see like how.

Far in advance like this,
uh, ski, this craft is gone.

Adam Smallcombe: How do you maintain
like, just a little, little sidebar, how

do you maintain a passion for the craft,
you know, when it becomes a career?

Mm-hmm.

Because I think it's so easy to
start out as a hobby or a passion,

you know, you love photography.

Mm-hmm.

But then, you know, once it becomes
a job and an every day, it can easily

become like, ah, this is a necessity.

Mm-hmm.

But how have you cultivated the
passion for it to keep maybe even

getting better at it because, uh,
your photography's going to a whole

new level, even over the years.

What do you do to curate that
or even just enhance that?

Squint: Um, that's a good question.

One thing that I do is
like, I just love it.

Like, to be honest with you, I always
treat it as if I were doing it for free.

Right.

You know, like I think having
a family is why I take a check.

Yeah.

Because I'm really like,
oh yeah, of course.

Yeah.

You know, and needs and bills and life,
you know, but like, I genuinely love.

Um, capturing.

And I just love, I mean, I wake
up in the middle of the night.

Mm-hmm.

You know, like I have
these bags under my eyes.

Uhhuh because I lose sleep of
just, I really love this art form.

Wow.

You know, I love visuals.

Um, it's funny 'cause like my friends
started calling me like a visual

composer because I do cinematography,
I do photography, I direct films.

Right.

I do branding, you know,
like myself and Keoni.

Like we do a lot of work,
you know, like just concepts.

Yep.

Design, whatever it may be.

Yep.

Um, and just, I think one of the reasons
I keep passion is just constantly,

um, just, you know, I love it.

Yeah.

Like, how can I get better?

You know?

I can see the growth in my, my work I go
through, I edit thousands of photos a day.

Um, and, you know, I'm, I'm
constantly pouring Yeah.

Into the craft.

Yeah.

You know, whether it's certain
films or certain educational like

Adam Smallcombe: plus it takes
you some pretty cool places.

Yeah, yeah.

It

Squint: does.

It does.

Yeah.

You gotta see some

Adam Smallcombe: pretty cool things.

Yeah.

But before we get there, maybe I
could ask, 'cause I think people

are going to see this podcast and
be like, alright, his name's squint.

Right.

Where does the term come?

I know, but I think it'd
be good for the listeners.

I always, I have a
different reason to you.

Yeah.

I always say, 'cause he's such a mystery.

If you, if you blink, you'll miss him.

You know what I mean?

I mean, but, um, tell him
where's that nickname come from?

I mean, it's

Squint: very simple.

My mom named me Chris, but
she also named me Squint.

So, you know, I least like
Neanderthal browse, you know?

Uh, and so just naturally
like my eyes like drop.

And so that's where it comes from.

And then like, I thought it

Adam Smallcombe: was because like
people thought, because you squinting

through a camera, that's what I,
brow has nothing to do with it.

I know, but it fits, right?

I thought it fits.

Yeah.

It has nothing to do with it.

I never did.

And then like, as

Squint: I, you know, and um, I always
try to separate the two always.

And as I got older, like I would go to
like these massive business meetings

and they're like, what's the name?

They call you?

Like, we're gonna call you that.

And so it just stuck.

And so, you know, I've been fortunate to
teach at the design school at Stanford.

They call me Squint Squint, like,
you don't even know my real name.

You know?

That's cool.

And yeah.

But that's where it came from.

And then as I got older, it's
like, I'm always focused.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I love that, how a squint is like to
like see, to focus in intent, you know?

So I'm always, you know, blending the two.

I love that.

Yeah.

Arun Koshy: Okay.

What, well, what was your first big break?

I mean, you kind of got down this
journey, you had this passion.

Um, there's obviously, you know, a
thing that took you to that next level.

Yeah.

What was that first big break for you?

Squint: You, you guys
don't do cutaways, do you?

Arun Koshy: We can, no, we,

Squint: let's do a cutaway.

No, because I have, let's do a cutaway.

Jayla.

Jayla,

Speaker 5: our producer's
here, producer Jayla.

She's gonna do a cutaway.

I'll level the podcast.

We're gonna do No, because

Squint: when I was in high school,
like I, um, I was 14 years old

and I took like these shots, um,
of like these kids that were like

homeless and it was amazing shots.

Yeah.

And I won a ton of awards from like,
the House of Representatives, like

just all throughout the nation.

Like I just, I started winning all
these awards for like these two awards.

Mm-hmm.

Um, and.

Or these two images that I did, Uhhuh,
and people were like, there's no way in

the world a 14-year-old kid did the shot.

Wow.

Like, so I had to like prove the negative.

I had to like, whoa, you know?

Whoa.

And it had gotten crazy.

I had all these awards from all over,
but I was like, man, my career is over.

Because, you know, you
hear these like one Yeah.

You peaked, you picked a 14.

Yeah.

So I hated that.

Everyone knows exactly
what that feels like.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And so that's essentially
where like, I got my, my break.

And so, you know, like people are
like, he's a child prodigy, like

you're winning all these awards
and all these opportunities.

And then, um, I started, I, I
would produce other pieces and

I still kept winning awards.

Mm-hmm.

And so, um, but yeah, but with the
awards or without, like, I always had a

love for like, shooting certain people.

And at 12, like I wrote like a
list of people that I wanted to

work with, you know, Uhhuh and
I think that's who was on the

Arun Koshy: list.

Yeah.

Squint: Uh.

The first person was like Nas.

Mm-hmm.

Um, the artist Maxwell met the
man, Michael Jordan and Alan

Iverson, so that was my top five.

Wow.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um, and at 12 years old?

At 12.

Well, it is.

I wrote it at 12.

Got, but I knew.

Knew before.

Yeah.

And, and it's interesting because
like, even like when I, when I

thought about those people, I was
like, who's telling him about God?

Like at 12 years old, like I was
always thinking, I never thought

that was gonna like, just shoot him.

And just like, for the vanity
reason, like I was like, who's

gonna tell them about God?

Speaker 4: Like,

Squint: um, and so I always was
mindful like, when you meet this

person, like, you know, when you meet
Eminem, what are you gonna say to 'em?

You know, like I always
thought those things.

And so, um, that was
always been my approach.

And so I've been fortunate to meet
Michael Jordan five times, but shoot

him three times and That's crazy.

That's crazy.

Yeah.

Crazy.

And Alan Iverson, I
finally finished that list.

Uh, last.

Oh, this February?

Yeah, last February.

Oh, wow.

You know,

Adam Smallcombe: put us through that.

Put us through that, uh, real time
encounter when you've got like someone

on your vision board from 12 years old
and then you, that actually happens.

And here you are meeting the
person that you had a vision.

Like, do you have a plan in your
mind of what you're gonna say?

And then do you stuff it up like the rest
of us, or are you just like, super cool?

Not

Squint: honestly, like, I, I never
get starstruck, like very rare.

No.

Coldplay was crazy.

Like I really, Coldplay was the one,
I, I didn't meet them, but I shot them.

Right.

And that was crazy.

Yeah.

This was before all the law.

Yeah.

Before the recent, right before
it was you on the camera one.

I got him.

He's on the kiss can.

Yes.

But I mean, I, it was, that
was doing the Lord's work.

Yeah.

Such a, it's such an amazing like,
experience, but like Yeah, like

sometimes like I, I know, you
know, like Michael Jordan is a,

just a polarizing person, right?

Like, just what do you mean?

When he comes into the room, it's like a
You're screaming Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's Michael Jordan.

You know, like, yeah.

And, um, I've, I've had an opportunity,
like the first time I had opportunity to

shoot him, um, I fooled North Carolina.

Was that his ranch, or, or No,
this, we were in North Carolina.

So every single place I've gone all over.

Um, but the first time
was like North Carolina.

And then like, you know, it's like I
didn't sleep for two days traveling.

Mm-hmm.

And they're like, my MJ wants no photos,
so I'm like, my camera's on the table.

I'm sitting right across from him.

And so that never happened.

But then later that year, I get
an opportunity to shoot him.

Oh.

And so it happens.

And it was, I could see the
work of God, like, you know,

in, um, in that whole space.

And so, yeah.

Yeah, it was crazy.

It was crazy.

But he, you know, again, like you
can't get starstruck because my

work, I still have to deliver.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

And so if I get, you know, lost
in the moment and I've had people

on my team like freak out and have
to, hey, come back to reality.

Yeah.

Like, we are here.

Like you still have to produce.

Yeah.

Um, I think if you have
that mentality, it makes it.

Arun Koshy: Yeah.

How do you feel like you get along
with like these celebrities or people?

Do you just, like, naturally it comes
from like a place of charm, or is it

just like you relate because you're such
a fan of, you know, the work they do?

Squint: Um, I will
argue with these people.

Okay.

So you just Yeah.

I'll argue with these people.

Yeah.

I've, I've yelled at, I've gone, you
know, like, because like, I'm very

passionate about certain things and
so like, I was a huge Michael Jordan

fan, so no one's gonna ever debate me.

Like all my kids know, like
Michael Jordan is the greatest go.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You know, if you have LeBron Jersey,
he's like, knock, come under the bed.

You.

Um, but no, but like, um, I'm
very passionate about like

what I believe in mm-hmm.

And what I stand for.

And so, um, and then it's like
the mission, like why are we here?

Yeah.

You know, I always ask my
team like, why are you here?

Like, no, why you're here.

And so, um, I, I don't think
you have time to get starstruck.

Mm-hmm.

You know?

I like that.

Um, I mean, there have been people
I've been like enamored with, like,

wow, that's such and such, you know?

But for the most part it's like,
you understand like why you're here.

Mm-hmm.

You know?

You know, there's a distinction
in the work that you have.

I wanna make sure I still get the
shots and able to bring something home.

Mm.

I like that.

Yeah.

Arun Koshy: Yeah.

And one thing really cool that
he mentioned just now, was that

the key thing that you're looking
for is like, that evangelism.

Like you want to tell
these people about God.

I'm just curious where that comes from.

'cause you mentioned your mom a
little bit, but like, where does

that come from, that kind of core

Squint: like attribute that
you have about vandalism?

You're not making me cry, so
we're not gonna do, Hey, we need

it for the views, the clicks.

Just cut it.

Yeah, yeah.

Cutaway.

We'll cut away, you know.

No, but, uh, man, my mom used to
do some of the craziest stuff.

Like, I remember one time, um, you
know, she had got in a car accident and

there's like a lot of anxiety, you know?

Mm-hmm.

So I'm, I'm in the hospital
with her and I'm like, man,

we're in the emergency room.

And she's like, witnessing
to the lady in the other bed.

Mm.

I'm like, mom, like, you know,
make sure you're, you're okay.

And then she gets up and
she's like, okay, we're gone.

Mm-hmm.

Like, like, I'm here for this reason.

Wow.

And so she would always have
opportunities like that.

My mom always like shaped that light.

Uh, I mean, she's the one who
like actually led me to God.

Mm.

And so at a, at a young age.

And so I always loved that approach.

Mm-hmm.

And so over, over time, like
I handle rejection very well.

Speaker 4: Mm.

Like

Squint: very well.

So when people, um, would ask me
about, you know, you evangelizing,

you try to tell people about
God, it just, people I take a no.

It's like, oh yeah,

Speaker 4: okay,

Squint: cool.

Like, I'm gonna see, like,
I'm gonna pray for you.

I'm gonna, you know, like, and
so I understand the purpose.

And sometimes a no doesn't
necessarily mean a no, it's just,

you know, you don't know where
the stance of their life may be.

So where,

Adam Smallcombe: where
does that come from?

Because, so you're probably the
kindest person I've ever met.

Mm-hmm.

I'll

Squint: far from it.

It depends on who you asking.

Okay.

Okay.

You haven't seen me on the
basketball court, right?

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: But I mean,
where does that that come from?

From my perspective, you are
always kind, you, you think of

others, uh, and you're humble.

I think humble is probably
even a better word than kind.

What, where did that come from?

Squint: Um.

I think sometimes people see that shyness
is humble because I'm always observing.

You think you're shy?

I am in, in certain s like I,
I know how to play the room.

Of course.

Sure.

But I'm always observing, like my mind
is always spinning a million miles.

I'm constantly thinking and like,
you know, even, you know, just seeing

that, that place of uh, being mindful
and thoughtful like my mom would,

you know, I'm the oldest of four.

Yeah.

So my mom would always
say this crazy scripture.

She's like, there nothing be done
through strive for and glory.

Mm-hmm.

Ians too, it talk about Yeah.

Pentecostal mom.

I'm like, mom, I don't want hear this.

But it's like, as you get older, you's
like always being mindful of others.

Yeah.

Like go above and beyond because sometimes
you never know who's watching True.

You never know who's watching.

True.

And my mom would always
instill that in me.

So, um.

Unfortunately in life, I
could never get in trouble.

Mm.

Like, or I would get in
trouble because I'm in place.

I shouldn't have been.

I could never do wrong when I wanted to.

So I always was mindful,
like, dang, like, yes.

You know, people like, oh,
you're such and such son.

Oh, you're this, you
know, and I'm like, dang.

You know?

And, and so I think that always
made me be aware of my surroundings

and just how I carry myself.

And I'm not a good liar.

Like I'm, I'm not a good liar.

Like so what a great attribute.

I suck at lying.

No, but it's like, so what
you see is what you get.

Yeah.

So, you know, like I have to live, uh,
beyond, you know, what you see, I don't,

I'm not good at public perception.

Mm-hmm.

I have to have consistent.

Yep.

Uh, c.

Um, yeah.

And that's, that's where I
think that comes from, you know?

Yeah.

Arun Koshy: Yeah.

I actually have a question
for both of you guys.

Just on the topic of evangelism, like
how do you approach it when you see

somebody, let's say you're, you know,
on a plane next to a celebrity, I

think you've told a story before where
you've kind of been next to somebody.

How do you approach that?

Do you want to share it any
moment you get, 'cause I'll,

I'll bring an example of my mom.

She's, any chance she gets, she's
sharing the word of God, right?

Like she is sharing it right?

To the point where people avoid taking
trains because they know my mom is

gonna be on the train, go there.

So like, so like, I'm just
like, what is that balance?

Like, how do you do, mom?

What training you taking?

I'll get later.

Um, but yeah, I'm just curious, like,
how, what is your approach with it?

Like where is a balance?

Right.

I always

Adam Smallcombe: think I disappoint
people, like, especially as a pastor,

because they're like, oh, you must be
just like an evangelism machine, right?

But a lot of the time on my commute, if
it's a flight, I'm not talking to nobody.

I have a, I have a gift
for being able to get.

From an airport all the way
through an airport, a flight

without talking to a single soul.

Um, and you know, I think sometimes
it's my recovery time except if

I recognize them as a celebrity.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: Because then I'm
trying to be like, yo, hey, this

could be the only opportunity.

Mm-hmm.

And what chain reaction?

I always have this, uh, I dunno
what it's like for you though.

Like, I see beyond a lot of the time their
celebrity, and I see someone who's lost.

I really do.

And I'm like, man, imagine the influence
you could have in this life if it

was for God or something purposeful.

I dunno.

Yeah.

Squint: No, I love that.

I mean, my, my approach is like
very similar where it's like

people, I have an evident talent.

Mm.

So it's easy for me to maneuver and show
like, oh, I work with such and such.

Yeah.

You know, like, um, and sometimes
when I tell people who I work with,

sometimes it feels like I'm lying.

Right.

Because most people are either like
sports, photography or fashion or

this And you're across all of it.

Across all of it.

Yeah.

You know, like I had a really good
mentor early on where he is like.

I don't care about your portfolio.

Can you shoot.

Yeah.

Not throw you in any scenario.

Can you shoot it?

Totally.

It's like, um, and I like to
gravitate to more like commercial,

but also documentary style.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So it's easy for when I see people,
it's like, oh, I've worked with such and

such, or can I show you some of my work?

Mm-hmm.

And like, oh my goodness.

And then it builds a relationships.

So some of my favorite photographers
have always been like so close

with people that they become
like godfathers to the children.

Mm-hmm.

It's like Gordon Parks, like a
Malcolm X, or you know, you see

like this trusted bond there.

You know, like we, we actually
make really good friends

because we see the truth of you.

Mm-hmm.

And, and able to cater.

So I'm constantly in
perspective mode, like, yeah.

And I look, I'm gonna reveal my
secret power now let's go, let's go.

I like to use this gift.

Like I pray this every
single time I shoot.

Yeah.

Where it's like, God, let men see the
good works for me, but they glorify you.

Yeah.

Beautiful.

So let there be a distinction.

So.

It's different for me having an
ambitious, like, oh, there's someone say,

famous, let me work with 'em to work.

Right.

Right.

It's like, no, let me work with
them because there's maybe a

purpose or a light in my life that
can help bring them back to you.

Yeah.

You know?

And so, and I'm not afraid to,
like, I, I don't wanna say I'll

die for this because I will.

Like, this is my all and this
is the reason why I do this.

Arun Koshy: Yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

Actually talk about that a little bit
more, because you mentioned that a lot

of your clientele has been like word
of mouth, like bought by reference.

Mm-hmm.

It's not like you don't have a
manager or an agent that's been

out there scouring people, getting
them to like, come see you.

It's like people come find you
because of the work you've done.

Yeah.

Talk a little bit about that and how
that you've been successful in the area.

Squint: I mean, I think
it's just a good rapport.

Mm-hmm.

You know, like, so good.

I think that speaks volume so good.

I think sometimes we forget
the importance of that.

Yeah.

Like, um, like even the way I, I found
you like, you know, my, my friends

that close, they knew where we were
in searching and looking and so.

They're like, this guy's like
the way they're describing

you and just the transparency.

It's like, okay, you get around and
then like, one thing I love about

you is like, you're such a visionary.

I think it's the way

Adam Smallcombe: it's gotta be, right?

I mean, I think if you
have to sell yourself

Squint: it almost like that

Adam Smallcombe: idea of selling Yeah.

Feels like I'm trying to just select
the best parts and present that, but if

someone has an experience with a service
or a person or even a friendship mm-hmm.

Uh, that should speak for itself.

Your reputation should go before you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Squint: And, and you know, all my
friends moved to like la mm-hmm.

Uh, when we first started college
or went to New York mm-hmm.

I was like, I'm gonna stay here.

Mm-hmm.

Because I was like, this is home.

I love it.

And I was like, I feel like if
I build a name for myself here

with just, and do great work.

Yeah.

People will consider you.

Totally.

And so, totally.

It's gotten to a point where
it's like I've been considered

for some of the craziest stuff.

Yeah.

You know, like, like, like I
said, like when I had an agent

and I had management like.

I was always like 10 steps
ahead of them, you know?

Right.

They were asking me to like,
listen, I'm like this, can

you introduce me to somebody?

You know, like, and so hang
on, I pay you, you paying me.

It did, it didn't make any sense.

But I, but I think that's key is like
when you think about the rapport, you

know, the friendship and things like that.

And I think it's, it's not like I'm
doing it to manipulate people, but I

genuinely want the best for people.

Yeah.

So I'm constantly always
finding ways to serve people.

Like whenever people come here,
I'm constantly giving gifts.

Yeah.

Like, whether it's prints or,
you know, I, clothes, whatever.

I just love the fact
that you come to my land.

Like, let me give you something
of just gratitude and I

don't want anything for it.

Like, you know, just being mindful
sometimes you like, man, you always give

him gifts, you know, like, you know, so
it's just being mindful of that, you know?

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: What, what are some
of the talk about that, the projects

that you're working on that excite you?

Squint: Um.

Uh, I got a couple like documentaries
and, and films that I've been working on.

Okay.

You know, which I'm really excited about.

Adam Smallcombe: When you say
films, are you talking short films

Squint: full, whoa.

Full length films.

Yeah.

So like, I've been like writing

Adam Smallcombe: biographies,

Squint: uh, not necessarily, but like,
well, kind of, I guess, but like more of

like a bunch of different stories Yeah.

Compiled and developing these
characters, but I'll, but documentaries,

like, that's always my key.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And, um, I got a couple, I, I have
to tell you off camera, but like, I

have a couple, uh, great ideas that
I'm thinking about doing because,

um, I'm building a production
house to be able to have the, yeah.

This has been, you've been
building this for a minute now.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Can you

Adam Smallcombe: tell us a little
bit about the production house?

Squint: Um, well, essentially it's
like to be able to have the bandwidth,

because I have, I, you know, traveling
with families, have people come to you.

Yeah.

It's easier.

Mm.

I've learned like, this
is like perfect for hype.

Mm.

This is what I'm gonna share,
but it's like, exactly.

Everyone that I noticed in New
York was trying to go to la mm-hmm.

Everyone from LA was trying
to come to Silicon Valley.

Yes.

So you see this.

Yeah.

And, you know, and, and so
I think it's always key.

This is the beginning of the, the, the
river, you know, like the, the best.

And so I'm being mindful of that,
where everyone's trying to travel.

There's so much great content and
things coming out of the Bay Area.

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: A hundred percent.

Squint: You know, and I think the
best of the best come out of the Amen.

Amen.

I agree.

Adam Smallcombe: So true.

All right, so build the production house.

Um, and you're doing some
pretty good projects right now.

Yeah.

I'm itching.

I know.

To get to what's on the table.

Yeah.

I don't know about you.

I feel like we should just get to it.

Just go for it.

Just get to it.

'cause we've got in front of us.

And, uh, exclusive.

Exclusive.

This is exclusive.

We've got two things.

Which one?

You wanna talk

Squint: Creative Hustle first?

Well, I mean, people know
about the Creative Hustle.

Like, it, it is one of the, the
bigger books sold out of, uh,

Stanford, which I'm excited about.

Yeah.

Um, I think it's year three.

And so

Arun Koshy: we talk about it a little bit.

Yeah.

Talk about it.

Might not know about it.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Well,

Squint: I initially, what it
started, he's the cutaway.

Yeah.

Oh, nice.

But initially what it started as, as a
class, and the class kept getting big.

People from all over the
world were coming to it.

And you know, my good friend Sam sel.

Yep.

And, uh, T Boma, uh, which are
really close friends of mine.

They, I was one of the, you know, helping
with the class and I, and they're like

Stanford approach about doing a book.

It's like, I don't want to be in no book.

Like, you know, like I, it's very hard
for me to be in front because I worked

with so many people that have fame.

So I understand what attention
does if you're not ready.

Mm-hmm.

Um, but it was such a great response.

And, you know, we, we did this
book and, you know, me being kind

of a control freak, I was like,
well, who's doing the photos?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Wanted to ask you, you know, I was
like, look, let's, let's work on it.

And then, you know, we were
able to formulate the team

to be able to do the design.

And so essentially it's like Instagram
and a book and those books are flying.

Yeah.

And so I know there's like a
Hong Kong tour coming up let

go, which is kind of exclusive.

And then, yeah.

So if you see the photos
of me in the book, yeah.

I'm like hiding.

You don't really Yeah.

Yeah.

Too much to my face, Karen.

Behind.

So

Arun Koshy: before we get to this, I want
to, I wanna ask really quickly about that.

Speaker 4: For,

Arun Koshy: he might, you
just said it, humility.

He, yes.

He was talking about
pre-show on this high pod.

He was like, I don't know why I
should be coming on the high pod.

I'm like, man, this guy has so
much wisdom, so much knowledge.

But you mentioned something, you
understand what it means to kind of take

a step back and be in the background
while, you know, fame and attention

are the people, which is kind of

Adam Smallcombe: like ironic because
it's a behind the camera, right?

Yeah.

You know, looking at the
world through that lens.

Right.

You are, you are putting
everyone else in front

Squint: Yeah.

And showing their story.

Yeah.

And I mean, honestly, like I, I feel
like God gave me this perspective.

Yeah.

So it's, it's something that I like
high hold of the high, like reverence.

Yeah.

And, um, yeah, and I'm grateful, you know,
like, like my dream as a kid was like to,

like I was telling you like, you know,
you see like, um, running rivers of water

and valleys with scriptures on the bottom.

Mm-hmm.

Like that was my dream.

Like that if I would've done
that, I'm like, I'm good.

So to be in this space
where I'm going beyond that.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

And challenging is, it's incredible.

I've done like music
videos, I've been able to.

Work with like Lecrae and
a lot of people from Reach.

Yep.

Like, that's like Yep.

Hip hop and yeah.

Visuals is just incredible, you know?

Yeah.

And, uh, you know, documentaries
and stories and athletes, like, I

never would imagine it was never
on my dream to work to the, uh,

degree that I have been, you know?

Yeah.

Um, but yeah, I mean that's,

Adam Smallcombe: so let's, let's jump
to, from Creative Hustle, uh, to this

brand new book that's coming out.

You've been spending a minute on this.

Yeah.

Yes.

Sounds cool.

And, and, uh, you handed it to me earlier
and instantly I'm like, this is a book.

Yeah.

This is like a legit encyclopedia.

Remember when they used
to come do it at all?

You're not old enough for that
Probably, but, you know, and they'd

have a stack, but this is legit.

An encyclopedia.

How long have you been
working on this project?

Squint: Um, well, I've been fortunate
to working with Steph's team.

Uh, shot ready here.

Shot ready for, you know, I spent
some time over five years, you know,

Adam Smallcombe: how long
you been working with Steph?

All, um,

Squint: on and off since
rookie year, you know.

Um, but 2012.

I don't know the number.

Yeah.

And how did you get connected to Seth?

Um, ironically I think
through like Lecrae, you know?

Okay, cool.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So we were, you know, at a show and

Adam Smallcombe: I don't know
if it was 2012, by the way.

Yeah, I didn't even know that.

Squint: Yeah,

Adam Smallcombe: because that was the
year we arrived here in the Bay Area.

Well, whenever he came into Lee 2000,

Arun Koshy: like he was, yeah, maybe.

Squint: Yeah.

I don't know.

Yeah, it might be, it might be.

I should know this.

Hang in 2008.

Yeah.

I feel like.

Okay.

Oh no, no, no.

Probably nine.

Nine, nine.

Yeah.

I don't know.

He's in year 15, so you didn't matter.

Adam Smallcombe: I don't know.

But he was off the bench when I arrived.

2010.

Yeah.

Remember.

And Jeremy Lin was started.

Squint: Yeah.

So that's when you were here?

I arrived

Adam Smallcombe: Monte Ellis,
my first ever Warriors game.

Uhhuh was Jeremy Lin starter.

Wow.

Steph came off the bench.

I, and I'm, and I was just like, yo, this
guy just dropping shots from everywhere.

And then you had insanity.

Squint: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: And then, wasn't it
Monte Ellis that was ahead of him?

It

Arun Koshy: could be.

Maybe it was, I, I know it was Monte.

Yeah, it was Monte.

Yeah.

You would get me in trouble.

Funny.

You

Squint: know, but No, but
I, I saw you in the parade.

Like he was in the, the parade, like,

Speaker 5: oh yeah.

So you gotta tell him the story.

What?

You in the parade?

Two of them, right?

Two.

No, no, no.

This is the funniest story.

Oh, man.

So squints

Adam Smallcombe: shooting the parade.

Yeah.

And he's like, I'm on the

Squint: phone and I look down and
I see in the, like, mind you, like

one of, it's like a million people.

Yeah.

It's like insane.

Right, right, right.

And I looked down and I
see pastor hat on like, oh.

So like, and so I had,
it was so like, so funny.

Yeah.

I, so I was on that time, I
was on the float with Draymond.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I had them stop the bus.

That's right.

Yes.

And he comes down and
decks me up, jam comes out.

I'm like, yo, we gotta get up.

We gotta, he comes out.

Yeah.

And then I see him and
it was like, so dope.

Just like, you know, and
funny because it was amazing.

I mean, it's a million people.

So I'm there.

Adam Smallcombe: There's a funny story.

Uh, we used to have a, a
news reporter in our church.

Mm-hmm.

And so he's like, Hey, I'm
going to report on the parade.

Yeah, yeah.

Uh, I've got extra passes.

You wanna come?

I'm like, yeah, for sure.

So we drive up to Oakland
and uh, I get the pass.

I'm like, see ya.

And I just go walking around.

No, but those are like
passes, passes, passes.

Oh no.

They were passes.

This is like all access pass.

Yeah.

It's for Knox.

So it's

Squint: impossible for you to,
so the fact I'm like, I look down

like he's in the, in the parade.

Yeah.

One year, like.

So it's in between buses and he's
in on the road in the middle.

And I'm like,

Speaker 5: by yourself?

I was wandering around,
I'm just wandering around.

I'm like, screw, what's up?

He's like, yo, it was awesome.

And we did it two years.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And she just gone on the bus,
just walked back up with him.

Oh, he had a better, I had a better, I was
on the, people were taking photos of me.

I'm like, he gets to see everyone.

Literally, people would come
up and like, who are you?

Can I get a photo?

I'm like, yeah.

Squint: Yeah.

And, and I'm telling you like
the parades are some of the best

experiences I've ever, you know,
like, and I, they're insane.

It's a million people.

And then like the last year that
we won, I'm on Steph Slope, which

was, that must have been unreal.

I mean, mind you, he's like MVP.

Yeah.

Steph is so thoughtful.

That's why I think like when people
see in this book, they're gonna

see how much he really cares.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And how sincere he is because like
he's, you know, like he did like some

of the greatest stuff where he is like.

Hey, pick a trophy.

You wanna take a picture with a trophy?

Right, right.

Or he is like, not even take a picture.

He's like, you wanna hold the trophy?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

He's like, this is my favorite one if
you want, you know, so he, he'll open

that door for you to be able to do that.

And then like, we're on the float
and like, my kids were in the

parade, you know, so they were
like just, you know, enjoying it.

And so it's like the parade's
like almost over and I'm like,

man, I didn't see my kids.

Did I pass 'em?

It's like I said, it's a million people.

Mm-hmm.

It's a ton of folks.

And it is weird, like
how I hear Daddy, daddy.

Right amongst all those people.

Yeah.

And they're like in the corner and
I see them and I point to Steph and

Steph Point stone themselves of love.

Yeah.

And like that was the craziest thing.

I was like, wow.

No matter how loud the surrounding
is, I heard my kids' voice.

It wasn't like they were like right there.

Like, I could hear that.

I think I could preach that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's insane.

I could preach that.

Yeah, definitely.

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: I can you please.

Oh man.

I could appreciate Daddy hears
your voice amidst the chaos.

You

Speaker 4: know, preach.

Ought to preach Father, not daddy, God.

But anyway,

Adam Smallcombe: um, Hey, but I love this
because this is on, you're on the cover.

Squint: Yeah.

Or the, the back.

Yeah.

The

Adam Smallcombe: back
cover's still a cover.

Yeah.

You know, and, uh, there you are.

What a great shot.

What a great, I think Illustrative shot.

And did, did Steph choose
this shot, um, for the cover?

I'm not sure

Squint: yet.

I, I would imagine so.

I mean, has Steph

Adam Smallcombe: seen the final product?

Oh yeah,

Squint: for sure.

He's got books and videos, everything.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But he's,

Arun Koshy: what was
the purpose of the book?

Sorry if we didn't already explain
what was the purpose of the book?

I wanna get back to the show.

So, so what shot

Squint: is, is it, it's him sharing
about like, just preparation, you

know, like there's so much that
goes into his shots and so much

that goes into like, what he does.

Like it is insane.

Like, I've seen Steph too, like
an astronomical amount of shots.

Shots, yeah.

I dunno if that's the proper term,
but, but, and look, if I get like

15 shots in a row on my resume,
I'm putting, I'm putting on resume.

On resume.

Quint, I did 15.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's my bio.

Yeah, exactly.

But I've seen him go crazy and
his internal discipline is insane.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It, it's like, like something
I've never seen, you know?

For me, I'm like, oh man, you did it.

And he's mad.

Right?

Right.

But you could see like the
what No one's going to like, he

pushes itself leaps and bounds.

Yep.

And I think, um, and, and the stuff that
you read in this book is gonna be insane

because, um, for me it's like everyone's
always telling you like, you know,

shoot for the basket and shoot for this.

Like, Steph looks like pinpoints
a area on the rim mm-hmm.

Of where he shoots.

And when we get to heaven
as guy, like, come on.

Like, like really?

Like Yeah.

Why he shoots I'm in the vicinity.

Yeah.

Like, yeah.

At best, I mean, he shoots, yeah.

He's hitting Target bullseye behind the
back and it goes, it's like, come on.

Like, that's unheard of.

Yeah know.

But he's such a humble, uh,
champion and that's good.

You, I'm, it is, it's definitely
like one of my, uh, greatest joys

to, to be a part of his journey.

I'm glad that he allowed
me to do it, you know?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: I love that.

Is that, would you say Steph, uh,
outside of Steph, who have you

enjoyed working with as a personality?

Squint: Oh, man.

It depends.

I mean, this is like.

A lot of, a lot of folks, you know
what, what if I were to pinpoint like,

like, 'cause they're good people.

You know what it is?

Like most of my people that
I've worked with mm-hmm.

Are ongoing.

Yeah.

Whether it's like, you know, having the,
the, because you got a real relationship.

This isn't just a work transaction.

Yeah.

It's not exactly.

So like, you know, uh, recently
I've, I've reconnected with like

the artist Raphael Sadique mm-hmm.

Who I love working with.

Mm-hmm.

I mean, he's the kind of person that's
just going to give it his all, you know,

comes from a golf gospel background.

Mm-hmm.

Um, DeAngelo Lecrae,
I mean, I love Lecrae.

I would, I would probably credit a
lot of the successes because of Lecrae

just opening doors, just Oh, right.

Without even nice asking mm-hmm.

Our friendship, you know, our depth there.

And, um, just in proximity, you know,
like, you know, he's always looking,

he's a person that's always given mm-hmm.

Beyond what people see, you know?

Um.

Yeah.

And you know, I mean, it's
the, the usual suspects.

You know, I, I love working with Marshan.

Marshawn is the best, like, I'm sorry.

Like,

Arun Koshy: probably one
of the funniest guys.

I've Hilarious.

Squint: Hilarious.

He's genuinely, and he's, he's such
a global icon if you He's a brand.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And he's, he's a nut.

He's crazy.

He's crazy.

But I, but I, you know,
like, but you like that.

Yeah.

But I, I, I love working with him.

Um, one of the coolest parts

Arun Koshy: about him is
he stays true to himself.

Doesn't hate pay for anybody.

No media outlet will change him.

Who he, he is like, I'm gonna
do it the way I'm gonna do it.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

And I love that about Is he,
is he like of faith as well?

Like, or do you, have you
spoken to him about Faith?

No, we've been talking to
him though, but I, we did

Squint: have a conversation.

I was like, Maan, like you got all these
people that, of the faith, like Yeah.

That are around you.

Mm-hmm.

From like his whole team.

Right.

You know, like his
roommate was Justin ett.

Yeah.

He's a big, big believer.

And, um, but he's like, you know, but
that's why I can't rock with Christians.

'cause all these fakeness.

I was like, look, whoa.

And I had to tell him.

I was like, look, and as I'm
talking on the streets of.

And I'm like, look, there's a dude
wearing a Marshawn Lynch jersey.

Don't make him Marshawn Lynch.

Yeah.

You know?

And so I think a lot of
times people forget that.

It's like, that's good.

Well I can preach that.

That's good, that's good.

But, but I probably will.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But, but again, you know, it's like
one of those things that you start to

recognize like, man, like just 'cause
people play the part or have the, the

name doesn't necessarily mean that.

And so for me, like, I wanna
be mindful of that, you know?

That's good.

I discipline myself being the
oldest, um, that my siblings could

follow in their likeness, you know?

So I was, and I had like a temper, you
know, like, um, this is before Christ,

but, um, you know, when you were six?

Yeah.

Okay.

Little bit later.

Okay.

You know, but, but one of the
reasons why I got into shooting

cameras because I had the, you know,
the urge to shoot something else.

So, so, uh, you know, but, um, hey,
them Palo Alto streets, you know?

Yeah.

But shot ready?

Yeah.

Shot ready.

You know?

But nah, it is just interesting
when you think about that like.

Being mindful of, um, of that.

And so, you know, I I, I try to
carry myself in a way, not like

I feel like I owe it to anybody,
but there's a level of gratitude

because I'm not supposed to be here.

You know, like, and if I, I know what
my life would've been like without God.

Yeah.

And, and so this is something I've
dedicated and devoted my life to doing.

So when he gives me an opportunity
to capture and tell these stories,

it's such a beautiful opportunity.

Mm-hmm.

But understanding that
it's not for my vanity.

Like, it's like one of the reasons
why I go by a nickname, because if

ever I felt like I get bigger than
what I should, I could kill that

person off and still be who I am.

Wow.

You know?

So, um, it's been some
work on that, but you know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Arun Koshy: You know?

Yeah.

I wanna talk about that.

'cause we, we often talk about identity
and like the identity crisis that's

happening in this like, generation, right?

Yeah.

With's, like all the advent of like
AI generational, or generation ai,

like generative ai, social media.

It's like, who am I?

Like who am I really?

And people that are outside
the faith don't have like a

foundation to kind of grasp onto.

Mm-hmm.

Um, you actually have the task of
capturing celebrities identities, right?

Yeah.

And like, putting that
out for people to see.

And like, you have a
very distinct identity.

We were talking about it before
about you want to capture them in

their most candid, authentic moment.

Yeah.

Talk a little bit about identity and
both of you guys actually about like

this crisis that we're seeing now and
how we can be a little bit more true

and how you faith contributes to that.

Mm.

Squint: Yeah.

I mean, I, I think you, you'd be
a better example 'cause you deal

with so many different people
from all over the world, you know?

Well,

Adam Smallcombe: I mean, I think for
what I, I think what I notice about, as

I was just flipping through, even shot
ready, just the distinct way you capture.

And we're talking about it before mm-hmm.

That you capture such a candid
moment that it tells the story.

Like you begin to see that person,
and I feel like there is different,

uh, elements of people that you can
speak to or you can pull out of people.

Mm-hmm.

My job is to pull things out of
people that is their true self.

Mm-hmm.

Uh, because I think what we live in is we
live in a world that is projection based.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Uh, everything, social media,
we project, uh, even when we

meet people, we project mm-hmm.

We put on a personnel, we put
on a, on a persona that we

want, we want people to see.

Mm-hmm.

Because we are insecure
about who we really are.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

But I think there's something about even
in your photography, that when you capture

somebody and then they see themselves
for who they are and they like it.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: That's nice.

Mm-hmm.

Speaker 4: That's nice.

Adam Smallcombe: And that's my job
is to pull something out of somebody.

And they like it.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Love.

Adam Smallcombe: Because there
is nothing more attractive to

yourself than your true self.

Yeah.

And the beautiful version of it.

Mm-hmm.

And I think if we could just
get, uh, unafraid of people, if

we could get unafraid of what
opinions people might have.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: Uh, and embrace that.

True identity.

I think that that's where the gold is.

I think that's exactly what
people are longing for.

Yeah.

Can you give

Arun Koshy: us a little, 'cause
actually this series is probably

a good example of that Exactly.

But like, maybe give our audience who
maybe isn't attending back church Yeah.

Out there a little like subset of like,
how do you actually solve that problem?

Adam Smallcombe: Yeah.

I think it's, it's, we're
so busy in our head.

The series is, I'm overthinking.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

And it's a really play on
the word of overthinking.

We, we run scenarios.

We run plays in our mind.

We're always thinking of
conversations, rehashing conversations.

And before we know it, our
minds are never giving us rest.

We're never at peace.

And you know, whether you call it stress,
whether you call it anxiety, whatever

you call it, you may just label it, uh,
something inno like I'm just overthinking.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

But really what it is, is as
a battlefield, a spiritual

battlefield in your mind that
you have to get victory over.

Yeah.

Otherwise, it will determine
your actions before you know it.

What somebody said, you've played it 30
times and now it's what they think of you.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: When it could
have been something so innocent.

But you've put it on.

What we're gonna get to by the
end of the series is how do

we have the mind of Christ?

That's the goal.

How do we take that victory
mindset, selflessness, all

the things that Christ did?

And we, in one Corinthians, it says,
we get, we have the mind of Christ.

Mm-hmm.

So you can choose that, that flesh
carnal mind, or you can choose your

victorious spiritual Christ mind.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

That's when we begin to
operate in our true power.

Yeah.

And I just think that that's, uh,
there's something freeing about that.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

When you see somebody
operating in their, uh, humble.

Yeah.

And I think, Chris, you
are a picture of this.

I know.

Don't you've seen that, but when you,
you're not trying to flex there, there

is, I think people in your position
would be flexing all day long on who

they know and what they got access to.

But, but there is like this humility
to be like, I know who I am.

Squint: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: And so I
don't need to flex that,

Squint: but I, I get the sense of that
from you too, when I first met you.

Like a person that knows who you
are, you know, so it's like, um.

I like your commitment to your team.

You know, like, like, because like
even when I started working with Steph

and Uhhuh, I was a Michael Jordan.

I am a Michael Jordan fan.

Mm-hmm.

A Bulls fan, you know, and like
I remember back in the days, like

you can get, they used to give,
try to give away Warriors tickets.

Right.

It wasn't, you know, so I saw the
change from when went to like then we

believe and all these different fans.

So you could tell certain fan
fans are like genuine fans.

Yeah, for sure.

Yeah.

Like supporters, you know?

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Um, and you know, I had to be honest with
them, it's like, look, you might see some

stuff on me just promoting Michael Jordan.

'cause I love, yeah.

I love, and it wasn't that
I loved Michael Jordan.

I think I love the way the story was, the
brand, the idea and what he represented.

Um, and my, as a young kid,
I knew my favorite shoes.

I liked the Jordan ones.

Mm-hmm.

Red and black, you know.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Squint: Yeah.

Which like, I, I wear constantly.

I'm not wearing today, but I wear
'em, it is my favorite shoes.

Yeah.

Um, but I knew at a early age who I was.

So you live a little different
when you know who you are.

Yeah.

And I feel that same way.

It's like, you know
what your purpose to do.

Like I remember like, I think it was
like last year we were talking, I was

like, man, like I'm ready to sit down.

Like, did you ever imagine this?

You like, I thought bigger.

I was like, yo, hold on, hold on.

I'm trying to catch up to this vision.

Right.

You know, it's like we
just won a championship.

Yeah.

And you're like, nah, we thought bigger.

Yeah.

Like, if this is it, we failed.

Yeah.

And I love that because it's like,
you know what you're called for.

Yeah.

And it's like that same
internal discipline of knowing

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Squint: I'm here to change the city.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Some people are here to just
change a few people around.

That's fine.

Nothing wrong with that.

And I think if you're called
to that go wholeheartedly.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

But I feel like once you sow
seeds, like it changes the world.

And I, and I love that approach.

I do.

Adam Smallcombe: When we, this, a lot of
this comes back to when we got sent here.

Uh, when I say sent, there was, there was
a guy who was a, uh, businessman, one of

the only guys that really supported us.

I remember the day we left the,
the day before we're flying out

from Australia to come here.

He met me and he put a, he put like a, a,
it was like a handshake with cash in it.

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

Adam Smallcombe: I dunno what it was.

It was like maybe 1600 bucks
or something at the time.

'cause he's like, Hey, when you
get there, I just don't want you

to have to worry about money.

Mm-hmm.

And just first meals are
on me, that kind of stuff.

And so, and then he said, but just
remember people can't afford you.

And, and it took me so long to
unpack what that sentence meant.

Mm.

And I didn't realize it
until people tried to buy me.

Speaker 4: They

Adam Smallcombe: tried to buy me and,
and I got a disdain for people trying

to, and, and I think my frustration
I think in ministry is pastors

generally can be bought so cheaply.

Speaker 4: Mm.

Mm-hmm.

Adam Smallcombe: You know, it's
like you get these, uh, these apps

or these products and they'll get a
pasta, a steak dinner, and all of a

sudden that past acts like he's never
had a steak before in his lives.

Like, wow, you're so generous.

No, no, no.

That's all got strings
attached to it, bro.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

And you get to see, um, you can't
afford you what you get paid.

And what you make as a church
planner is not your worth.

They can't afford you, but you're
humbly gonna do it for this.

Mm-hmm.

Because yeah, your family need to
provide, but your worth is in heaven.

Mm-hmm.

And so there's a been an unveiling of
that over the last, what, 14 years now?

Yeah.

Of really unpacking your worth.

Yeah.

As not in what people do, or
how many people are coming,

or what stage you're at.

Yeah.

But my value's in heaven.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Squint: Please talk about this.

Yeah.

Oh, uh, nah.

I, I was just gonna say like,
it's, it's funny because like,

I've been in business since 2008.

Yep.

So when you're an entrepreneur and
you, you know, living off of your

craft, there's some ups and downs, but
the key thing is you can't be bought.

Exactly.

Money hits different
when you can't be bought.

So it's like, you know, like,
I'll do things, it's funny.

Like, and you'll say no to stuff.

Oh, a lot.

A lot.

You've told me some of the stuff
you've said no to and I'm Are you sure?

A lot?

Yeah.

You know, a lot.

A lot.

You know, like, like I,
I'm, I'm at like, I think.

I'm at over almost 16.

I'm at 15 million that I walked away
from, you know, over time, like I

know some of the things and I, and
it's weird because it's like you think

from an outside standpoint, like man,

Adam Smallcombe: but when you see
what's behind that not worth, sometimes

there's strings, there's Yeah.

It's not

Squint: worth it.

You, it's worth it.

I've seen, like, I've seen
like the outcome of that.

You know what I'm saying?

So when that money runs out, it's like,

Adam Smallcombe: so how would
you coach somebody who, you know,

they're starting a career, they've
got these opportunities coming.

'cause uh, sometimes when
you're desperate mm-hmm.

Like, causes you to think twice.

But, but how can you coach them out
going, Hey, think about the future.

Think about, 'cause money's gonna come.

Squint: Yeah.

I mean, look, we all have the ability to
gain the whole world and lose our soul.

Dang.

So if you look at that, like
what's the whole world worth?

Yeah.

If you really put it into a number.

Yeah.

You know, like, I know kind of was talking
about it's a couple billion, come on.

You know, understand like there's so many
priceless opportunities on the earth.

Essentially when you think about
like, why am I doing stuff?

Mm-hmm.

Like, so for example, like, um,
you know, like most of my staff

are the team that work with me.

I've known them since they're teenagers.

Mm-hmm.

You know, like, like my ea like I, I
know her mom since in seventh grade.

Mm.

And she was born to be
like, she's just on that.

I trust her.

And you know, like my
team is like very solid.

But it's like we're
purpose to work together,

Speaker 4: you know?

And so it's

Squint: like, I think if you're mindful
of that, like you look for, like, you

can't put a, if something holds so
much value to me, that's priceless.

You offering me money as an insult.

And so like, when I'm
using my gift, that's good.

That's good.

You know, I have to be mindful
of, you know, I have to be

mindful of why am I doing this?

Yeah.

Who am I doing this for?

So, you know, like I just
shot my, my, a good friend of

mine, her daughter had a prom.

Mm-hmm.

And you know, like, she's like, dang,
you're a world class photographer

shooting, you know, my daughter's prom.

But it's like, no, like.

Your daughter, if we can't benefit the
first fruit, what's the purpose now?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That is not like a charge when people
start asking me to shoot pros, you know,

like, you know, like it's certain things I
don't do, you know, but it's just, it's a

meaningful thing and it's like, you know,
I want to see you to know like there's

value while you are doing this, you know?

And I have a good
rapport with your family.

Yeah.

I've

Adam Smallcombe: got an epic
moment, uh, in my memory with you.

And you weren't on the camera.

Your son was Oh my gosh.

And he was shooting.

Yeah.

So you trying to get me like, and
uh, he was, he was shooting and

you were just sitting back watching
him get a love for the craft and

he was getting some good shots too.

Mm-hmm.

Uh, so it kind of just runs in the family.

Squint: The people, uh, tiger got engaged.

Oh, yep.

Were, it is crazy.

A couple of, uh, amens ago.

Yeah.

They're like giving me like, oh man.

I was like, no, my son.

But, um, now that, I mean, that was
such a beautiful thing because I

never like forced anything on my kids.

Um, I understand like what I'm called
to do is what I'm called to do.

Mm-hmm.

You know, but I think
the beauty is, it's like.

It does mean something where
it's like what he wants to shoot.

Yes.

And where we are, you know, like
when we are in Rome, like Yeah.

They both took a massive love into
graphy at like two and four years old.

Or three or four.

Yeah.

And so, you know, I, um, and
then the younger they get,

they just love it even more.

Yeah.

You know, but I don't
push it on them, you know?

Yeah.

Yeah.

But it's funny because like people are
like, man, you know, this is a $7,000

camera you're giving to your kids.

It's like, it's just material.

Right.

Exactly.

It's, you know, like if I value
that more than them, they're gonna

be afraid to use the product.

Yeah.

You know?

And so even when I'm shooting, like
there's so many people that met by

just giving them a 20, $30,000 camera.

Oh, you wanna see it here, check it out.

Tell me your thoughts.

And they're like, what are you doing?

Like, I'm scared to touch this.

And it's like, no, because
it's only a, a tool.

It's only a tool.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

And if we don't use it and we put
it on this pedestal, we're not gonna

produce what it's set out to do.

So good.

Yeah.

And I think we do that with
our gifts where it's like.

You're the pastor's reverence
there, but it's like, no, like I

love you because I love your faith.

Yes.

I love your transparency.

Yeah.

I love your honesty.

And you allow us to grow with you.

Exactly.

You know, versus like Exactly.

You know, like, so when you, like, I
remember you said something we have

to eat years ago, and you're like,
man, I'm trying to buy something.

Before you had bought a house or anything.

Yep.

You're like, I wanna get something.

And I felt that same pain.

'cause it's like, you know, we're
trying to get a bigger house and

you know, kids have expanded.

And I was like, man, but I, so I was
like, I saw the look on your face.

Yep.

Mm-hmm.

But I also saw the sacrifice.

Yeah.

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

Squint: Yeah.

And so now I look at where you've gone.

People don't see that sacrifice.

They like you've given your all Exactly.

For us.

Exactly.

It's different.

What?

I mean, it's different.

Yeah,

Arun Koshy: yeah, yeah.

That's so good.

No, it's, I mean, Steph talks about
all the time, it's like there's

stuff that happens behind the scenes.

Like people see the threes that are made.

Yeah.

You see the church that's built, but
then you don't really see the time

spent, the sacrifices that go into
like actually getting to that moment.

I think it's really powerful.

And one thing that we touched on
right now is identity, but then

something really interesting is.

Something that you said about legacy
and like how you think about, you know,

legacy and what you wanna leave here.

Can you touch a little bit about that
and what people should kind of think

about when they think about legacy?

Like, wanna die or Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

However you think about legacy.

Like, what do you

Squint: like, you know,
we not here no more.

No, but not, I mean, honestly,
essentially, like when I think about

legacy, it's like, you know, there's
some people that, um, like I learned at

an early age, like, I don't wanna say
early, I say like in my twenties, I'm

not like 80 yet, but, um, I'm saying
it like such a crazy, you know, but,

but I, I remember like being like,
man, you spend so much time trying

to impress people and it never works.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

But the people that you spend money,
resources, but the people that, sorry you

don't, um, that the people that give you
the least impact you the most, whether

it's a grandmother, like my grandmother
has given me so much, like even just even.

Like, when I came to the knowledge of what
God was, I immediately started praying

for her and praying for her for decades.

And so seeing her come to Christ and
change her life, like at 66 and mm-hmm.

What she's become is like I, I always
introduced as my miracle girl and when

she came here she was like, she was
like, baby, you know, she was so happy.

She's like, she's awesome.

This is where, because you mind, you
we're from Palo Alto, so imagine you

find a church like this around the
corner from your house where you grew up.

Arun Koshy: Wait, can you touch on that?

I think a story that you told
us before, but about Palo Alto

in general before you found Five
Church, you were looking for this.

Yeah, we had, I mean, we had teams and

Squint: friends and we
were go door to door.

You know, we on wave release street.

I'm not trying to out certain
streets, but you know, like we're

in university, we're everywhere.

Just like trying to tell
people of just how good God is.

Right.

It wasn't, we had no agenda.

Yeah.

We weren't like, you know, we're
just like, man, can we just share

with you, you know, post nine 11.

Yeah.

We are just like trying to show
people like, man, there's a gratitude.

Yeah.

You know, like when you, you
know, if you're ever in love or.

You wanna share?

I'm so happy about this.

Exactly.

Exactly.

You know, and people slam
the doors in our face.

Yeah.

Like, I remember like the,
it was hostile, right?

Yeah.

Extremely.

Extremely.

So imagine you come and
you find an army, you are

Speaker 4: like,

Squint: what is this going on?

Where'd this come from?

Like, you couldn't even imagine.

Right.

Right.

You couldn't even think of that.

So when you see the magnitude
and it becomes global mm-hmm.

I, I went to Rome and I saw
the same people in Rome.

Yeah.

As it, it is like they're speaking a
different language, but it's still the,

the identical you were at the launch.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It was incredible, man.

Yeah.

It was amazing.

And, and we, we saw people be
like, yeah, I saw Billboard.

I was, I got a photo with your camera.

Absolutely.

You got that shot.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

People get baptized, like,
yeah, that was amazing.

Some people, like, I was on the
train, I saw that and I came here.

Yeah.

I've been in church in years, you
know, so you're seeing like, dang, the

global impact of like, sacrificing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And that was such a,
a big thing, you know?

And so being a product from here,
it just means so much, you know?

Yeah.

Arun Koshy: It's not,
isn't it crazy to hear?

I know.

When I heard that, I was just like.

Your Yes.

There was work being done here already.

Yeah.

There was like work in peril,
like attempting to do this

certain thing and your Yes.

From across the sea Yeah.

Led to this whole movement here.

I don't know, sometimes it's just
like things all, you don't even know

how they can connect, but it's very

Adam Smallcombe: Yes.

Yeah.

It's very, um, humbling.

Yeah.

When you do need you the step of faith.

Okay.

And this is when you're stepping out
into business, when you're starting

a career, starting a church, the,
the step of faith is so uncertain.

It's, it's wrapped in fear.

It's literally wrapped in fear.

You have to take the layers of fear off
to get to what could possibly happen.

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

' Adam Smallcombe: cause there
is a statement, um, what

if the bad things happen?

Yeah.

Cool.

What if they don't?

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: What if
the good stuff happens?

Yeah.

And the fear wanted to grip me
on the flight to say, oh man,

you've wrecked everything.

But then the Holy Spirit said,
on the other side of your Yes.

Will be many, many, many, many yeses.

Yeah.

So my Yes.

Is really just one Yes.

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

Adam Smallcombe: Everyone has a yes.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: All they
ever, no, that's up to them.

Mm-hmm.

But God uses the Yes.

Yeah.

Who are gonna partner with it.

And, and you don't just do one.

Yes.

You do many yeses.

Mm-hmm.

So every step is a yes.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: And if you can
keep saying yes to God mm-hmm.

Um, and no to the devil mm-hmm.

And no to pressures and No.

To fear and give your yes
to God, things will happen.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

That blow your mind.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Adam Smallcombe: Now, I mean,
he, he makes me sound awesome.

But yeah.

There are moments I look
around and go, holy crap.

Right.

Like, God, what have
you, what have you done?

This is amazing.

Mm-hmm.

But it's always balanced about around
the big picture of what I think

God's got for us in the future.

Oh my

Squint: gosh.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Like, I, even, even being a part
of this church, like, it's been so

crazy because like we got a, uh, our
neighbor, um, that, um, you know.

My dad had passed, but
he had had a stroke.

And so we had a neighbor.

He, he didn't, my dad was still
alive, but he had suffered a stroke.

Mm-hmm.

And so our neighbor had suffered a stroke.

And so my mom was always praying.

My mom was like, people love,
and she made good cookies.

Like, I'm just, it's something about
making good cookies and passing 'em

out and she could cook, you know?

Yep.

I her cornbread when we show
up to Thanksgiving or Apple

or, or sweet potato pie.

Pie.

Mm.

Come on.

People would steal 'em.

Oh, let me take it in
the house, in their car.

So that's, you know, bacon.

There's a ministry in bacon.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Um, but my mom would always pray for 'em.

And they had like this little baby
that was always out with a diaper.

Mm-hmm.

Right?

Like, just, so we called it Baby, baby,
I don't even know the baby's name.

Right, right.

And they had a family, and my mom would
always pray, but they were Russian.

They didn't speak any English.

My mom was always prayed for 'em, and she
prayed for like our neighbors next door.

Mm-hmm.

She prayed for them.

So our neighbors next
door are like pastors.

Right?

Mm-hmm.

It is like crazy when you think about
like, what the heck, you know, like,

and then the, then, um, so my mom came
here to visit, like came, you know,

came to live to visit, and she's like.

We're you sitting next to people and
you know, introduce you, how you tell?

Yep.

Neighbor high five.

Yeah.

You know, high five, 15 people, you know?

Yep.

And my mom was like, oh, you see baby?

I'm like, huh.

And I was like, oh, so they'd been
going to vibe here for years serving.

I didn't know that.

And I was like, that was your neighbor.

It was my neighbor.

The baby.

The baby.

Oh my gosh.

So mind you, like 20 years
later, she's an adult, you know?

It's hilarious.

And, and I'm like, what in the world?

Imagine like they're at your church.

I mean, there's so many
people I've seen get baptized.

Yeah.

So many people that go to this church
that I've been praying for, I'm

like, for years what it's going on.

You know, like that's crazy when you
think about that, you're like, oh,

we're headed in the right direction.

Yeah, yeah.

You know, like you think beyond that.

And I think sometimes Exactly.

We get so consumed with the
career that we miss the purpose.

Boom.

And I think even the last few
years, so many people got laid off.

Yep.

Like, your identity isn't
based off what you do.

Like that's good.

Look, if God was like, never
shoot again, I'll be happy.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Like, it's not like I'm gonna be like.

I don't know.

I know what my purpose is.

Yeah.

And I, and I, I can share it, like my
calling on this earth is to do two things.

It's to show people the love of
God, but build them to a place that

they can love God for themselves.

Mm-hmm.

Like we always get one sided.

That's true.

We're always thinking like,

Adam Smallcombe: show love of God.

Squint: God loves me, but it's
like, like when you have a kid Yeah.

Or you child and everything that
you've given your whole life to,

you want to experience that love.

Mm-hmm.

It's not a one sided thing.

Yeah.

You know what I'm saying?

So, so good.

Um, you know, I see you like
your daughters are your twins.

Yeah.

You know, like you win, the twins
are your, are your triplet, you know?

Yeah.

The triplets.

Um, but it's so wild because it's
like they're a reflection of you.

Exactly.

So why wouldn't you want
to have that love Exactly.

Thrown back to you?

That's so good.

And I think we treat God as
like a genie and like, you know,

and, and miss the whole point.

So it's like I'm trying to build
people up to a place and if this

is a gift or whatever it may be,
just to allow people to understand.

Adam Smallcombe: Can I ask you a question?

If, if you were going to,
um, articulate impact.

As you look forward, I mean, it's pretty
surreal, all the opportunities you've

had, what God's been doing to you,
the exposure, all that kind of stuff.

And I, I think like you're
just getting started.

Mm-hmm.

Absolutely.

I feel that way.

Yeah.

Um, but what does impact mean for you?

What, what does that look like?

Squint: Um, for me, like, I, like
it's, I think it's even like the

way that we intake certain things.

Mm.

You know, like back in the day,
like, you know, when people fall

short, they'd be like, you know,
I fell short transgressions.

And you never knew, like,
what were you struggling with?

Yeah.

Yeah.

What are the things that you dealing with?

Or, you know, we always say,
read your Bible, but it's

like, what does it look like?

Mm-hmm.

What does the day to day look like?

You know, like I knew like, Hey,
when I get to 30, I'm never gonna

to read my Bible no more, because
it's gonna be an autopilot.

You know, it's going, man, golly.

It's like, it's like you got,
it's a fight, but you understand

the purpose of like, positioning
yourself for doing this, you know?

And so it's like.

I had to prepare, even with
this book, it's like I know the

magnitude of how it's gonna Yeah.

Impact people, you know?

Oh, yeah.

Like, what am I gonna do?

Am I gonna like, have a vanity of it?

You know?

There's so much gratitude.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I think that's the thing is like
sharing the faith in the process.

But I think even for the impact, it's
like, you know, we're building, I believe

this as a, as a storyteller that, excuse
me, that I believe God gave us two things.

Mm-hmm.

I think he gave us love and
I think he gave us stories.

Mm.

Because for sure without that,
like, when you hear something,

what it builds on faith.

Mm.

Even I think in the Bible it talks
about when the man, um, was, you know,

Jesus tears a hole out of the roof.

Mm-hmm.

Or it tether on the roof.

You hold the roof to get to Jesus.

Yeah.

And the friends come in, and then the
woman that, you know, touches the hen

of his garment and you know mm-hmm.

She's like, you know, said when
he went to another city, which

is similar to like Palo Alto.

Yeah.

You know, there were people with
beds and begging to touch the him.

Yeah.

So when they heard the story of
that, the story, it gave their faith.

And what I'm saying is, I
think when you position.

That and people see more
visuals, it's like, wow.

You know, like when we hear
things that happen in Rome.

Yep.

Like it's, it, it's so, and
we celebrated our, our first

year of being a vibe in Rome.

That's right.

You did.

Yeah.

You know, so we were excited.

It brought my mom.

Yep.

My mother, the whole family there.

Yeah, absolutely.

And, um, I think of that kind of
impact, and that's just a fraction

of, of just the excitement of this.

Mm.

You know?

Mm-hmm.

Arun Koshy: Sorry.

No, you talk about that all
the time actually, that your

testimony is your story.

Yep.

Like people are sometimes
like, how do I evangelize?

Like how do I get?

It's just your story.

It's just your story.

And like we talk about like, it one,
this podcasts, we've talked about it.

It's like how do you showcase God
through yourself, through your work?

Yep.

Right?

Talk a little bit more about that before
you close the podcast, but like, everybody

out here is in the professional space.

Yep.

That's listening to this.

It's like, how do I do that?

I'm not in church.

I may, I'm in maybe behind
my computer, I'm doing some

finance, but how do I do that?

Adam Smallcombe: Well, I think, I think
what you're gonna get tripped up is if

you see yourself as a main character.

Arun Koshy: Yes.

That's good.

I

Adam Smallcombe: think the best way
to tell a story is you are a spect.

Of your story and what God's done.

I, I like the gospel writers,
Matthew, mark, Luke, John.

They were storytellers.

They stole, they told the story of Jesus,
what they witnessed, what they saw.

Yeah.

I'm glad That's the first
documentaries we have.

Mm-hmm.

That documented Jesus's journey.

And uh, I think that if you could
picture yourself as a supporting cast

member, you'll tell the story way better.

Mm-hmm.

You, you won't make it about you.

Yeah.

You'll make it about Christ and what he
did to you and your experience of Christ.

And so I think that there's so
much pressure if you've gotta build

yourself up to be the main guy.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But if you can just tell your
story as a part of the story,

man, I think that's the key.

Squint: Yeah.

Yeah.

No, and I, and I love that because
like, even when I, you know, when I

tell people like, where do you start?

I like to tell 'em to start with
John because John had a relationship.

There's depth there.

Yes.

Versus Luke is more a historian.

I like Luke.

'cause the way he writes is like.

You know, very, I'm a historian Yeah.

In my nature, like if you see like
my archives, I, he's a documentary.

Yeah.

He's a documentary.

But he's doing it for the future.

Exactly.

So it's like, for me, like I
constantly, even when I like

write in my notebooks Yeah.

I always think like, if I die
and someone finds this, I hope

that they wanna read that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But I hope that I'm giving them
something that they're like, oh wow,

look at the, the detail that he took.

That's good.

You know, like, or even my archives,
I mean, I have millions of photos and

hard drives and videos and certain
things, and so I'm not done with

Cate, you know, categorizing them.

But it's so much that I hope
that people can see that.

Yeah.

And I think even from a, you know,
when you, when you study, you see

like, dang, John loved him this way.

Yes.

Mark is like a extra, extra
read all about it kind of thing.

Yeah.

You know, Matthew, you see these different
levels of how they were able to share

the gospel and it makes it more personal.

Mm-hmm.

You know what I'm saying?

So it's like, it's so good,
you know, like, like you're a

dad, but you're also a husband.

Yep.

Mm-hmm.

You're also a friend.

Yep.

So there're different hats that you wear.

Exactly.

Right.

But other people wanna tell
stories of what you mean to them.

Exactly.

And I think that.

Open letter of impact, I
think is the same thing.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Arun Koshy: No, that's really good.

I think this was a fascinating episode.

This is awesome.

It's, it's making, it's so hard
for me to hold back and just ask

you a lot more about sports, but I
feel like it was a really, really,

really, really good educational.

I'm very proud of you already.

Thank you so much, much.

It's, I've been holding my breath almost.

Don't say it.

Don't say it.

Don't ask question.

Get ready for

Squint: the off camera conversation.

No, this is dope.

Hang me up for dinner.

Let's do that.

Yeah, this is great.

I mean, I'm like,

Adam Smallcombe: and
Quint's a fan of Hype Pod.

I know.

We were like, who's listening
to Hot Quint's listening.

Yeah,

Squint: but I'm just gonna
say it is 92 degrees.

I had my hoodie on.

Did I tell you?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

My hype hoodie on.

I was like, oh, it's 92 degrees.

So I was like, let's be mindful.

But I had it on everything, you know.

Let's go.

It is a

Arun Koshy: little warm in here.

A little warm in here.

We gotta get there.

Yeah.

We're saving costs.

Well, no, but I'm, it's church
funds, you know, I think

Squint: it's, you know, but I was, I was.

Ready to be hyped out.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's tricked.

Can I

Arun Koshy: ask you, before we hop
off the, like, what are your thoughts

on hype, hype network in general and
kind of like how you see it and the

impact it could have in the community?

I mean,

Squint: I, I've been to hype sessions.

Yes.

It's incredible.

Mm-hmm.

Like, on how it meets, because I think
what happens is like people don't

understand where, like, um, people
think, like, I, reading my Bible, I tell

people about the gospel, I must be a
pastor, or they don't know their place.

And it's like, you know, I don't, I
know I'm not called to be a pastor,

you know, like, don't try to set me up.

Still time.

He's gonna bring it outta you.

That's what he does.

He does.

Yeah, he does.

You know, but, but, uh, the thing is, I
know that, um, wherever you are, like my,

my, my dad used to do something every,
like, I used to hate it on Sundays.

Like he would go up and my mom was
like a minister, like, you know.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

My dad would always walk
him into the altar call.

Speaker 4: Mm-hmm.

Squint: I was like, man,
you not saved enough.

Like, go on, like, what are you doing?

Like, he would always go up there
and I used to get embarrassed by it.

Mm-hmm.

You know, and I used to get upset and.

One day my mom was like, why
do you keep going up there?

Yeah.

And he's like, my dad was big
in section, he was six four.

He's like, because I'm a big
person, you know, he played football

and he's like six, you know,
six four, you know, stocky guy.

Yeah.

And he's like, if I have the
courage to go up there, it might

make people feel comfortable.

Mm-hmm.

To go up there.

Mm-hmm.

So by me sacrificing going up there
for shame and everything I want, I hope

that it could bring people to come.

And he would always go,
man, that's so cool.

And I was like, dang, that's so cool.

And so then like, you know, I built up
the courage to go up there one one time

because I knew why he was doing it.

Yeah.

So what was once embarrassing.

Speaker 4: Yeah.

Yeah.

That's good.

Came so much

Squint: admiration.

Yeah.

And love.

And I saw like, dang,
that such a selfless act.

Mm-hmm.

And we, you know, sometimes we
have pride like, nah, I ain't

going up there, I've been here.

You know, it's like, no.

Like he's doing this with hopes that
someone else that might be struggling

to come up here, that's good.

You know what I'm saying?

So when I think about even with
Hype Network and the hype community,

the thing that love, I've seen
so many great entrepreneurs.

Businessmen and women from
all over the world mm-hmm.

Are saying, Hey, I can switch my career.

Yeah.

Because I understand the purpose
of yeah, I can move to another

country to meet with these people.

'cause I understand the purpose
of it and it's a sacrifice.

It might be embarrassing to leave
from a high position to do X, Y, Z,

but the mission is more important.

Beautiful.

And I've seen that so
much within the community.

And so it's a global community.

It's not like just a local Silicon Valley.

It's a global impact and I've
been able to see it first.

You know,

Arun Koshy: I love that so much.

And I think that's a good summary for
this podcast and kind of hype network

in general is like that mindset that you
have and that you live out is actually

the mindset of a lot of the people
that we have at our, in our network.

Yeah.

And I think that's like why it's so
important to gather that together

is to grow that mindset stronger.

'cause you can kind of fall into
the ways of the world and fame

and money start to take over and
build like what your focus becomes.

But really.

Your purpose is in Christ.

Yeah.

And so I think it's really beautiful.

Thank you for coming on the podcast.

Thanks brother.

This is, I really, really appreciate it.

This is awesome.

If this is your first time
listening, please share this episode.

Like, comment, subscribe, and
tell us what you love about Hype

Network, hype Pod, and get shot.

Ready.

Ooh.

And if you love Steph Curry,
if you love Squint, yeah.

Get this book, get shot Ready and
we'll catch you in the next episode.

Cheers guys.

God bless.