The Create Unknown

The Create Unknown interviews the most successful online creators to reveal how they got started and how they keep going. iDubbbz. Vsauce. Casey Neistat. iJustine. PsychicPebbles. We talk to the YouTubers, artists, and streamers who exemplify our mantra of “Make Something. Mean Something.” Part high-level analysis, part hopelessly stupid, Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor from Vsauce2 dissect the complex business, the unpredictable drama, and the uncertain future of creating online. We’ll see you in The Create Unknown, Space Cowboys. For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy

The Create Unknown is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 299 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Create Unknown, a society show with 299 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Create Unknown

  Project Hail Mary Is... Actually Good?

  Aug 14, 20261h 41m

  This week we dive into the difference between having a great idea and actually knowing how to execute it. Kevin talks about his decision to step away from directly writing Sleep Warrior and instead use short stories to practice the craft of writing itself. Can separating yourself from something you care about be the hidden key to actually get better at it? That leads into a broader discussion about AI, creativity, and why execution still matters when anyone can generate an idea in seconds. We also break down Project Hail Mary and why its relentless escalation makes it such an effective story, comparing its structure to The Godfather and the classic Lester Dent formula. Along the way, we talk about the importance of mundane details, character development, Brandon Sanderson, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the surprising value of writing about characters who barely exist in a story. Big thanks to our patrons, we'll see you next time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Create Unknown

  Does The Godfather Hold Up?

  Jul 31, 20261h 46m

  Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week we kick things off by correcting a mistake from last week's episode. We talk about why getting the facts right matters, even when nobody notices. That leads us into a surprising discussion about people watching movies at 1.5x or even 2x speed. Can art survive if we consume it as quickly as possible? Or are we sacrificing the very thing that makes it meaningful? From there, we revisit the new Masters of the Universe film, discussing its incredible visuals, frustrating reliance on constant quips, and why so many modern movies seem afraid to take themselves seriously. The conversation then shifts to The Godfather and, in turn, to a much bigger question: why do classic stories about families resonate so deeply? We explore how films built around parents, siblings, and generational conflict create emotional stakes that surrogate families often can't match, and whether changing family structures and modern social life have fundamentally altered the kinds of stories audiences connect with today. Along the way, we discuss everything from speeding through books and music to the decline of civic life, the rise of chosen families in entertainment, and a handful of modern films that still manage to capture what makes great storytelling timeless. Big thanks to our patrons, we'll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: discord.gg/vnRnr3rCzt Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Create Unknown

  No One Likes Anything. Now What?

  Jul 24, 20262h 18m

  Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week we tackle a question that feels impossible to ignore: why does the internet seem to hate everything? Is online negativity just more visible than ever, or have our expectations fundamentally changed? We explore how sports fandom has become more hostile in the age of fantasy leagues and social media, why algorithms may be training us to expect perfectly curated experiences, and what happens when real life inevitably falls short. Are we becoming less tolerant of disappointment...or just louder about it? Along the way, we discuss the Boston Red Sox's dramatic season, the surprisingly low rate of positive engagement online, and why criticism often comes so much easier than praise. We also examine whether it's become "uncool" to genuinely enjoy things, and what that means for creators trying to make work people love. Big thanks to our patrons, we'll see you next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: discord.gg/vnRnr3rCzt Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Create Unknown

  Saving Physical Media w/ Justin Sevakis

  Jul 17, 20261h 14m

  Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week we’re joined by Justin Sevakis, founder of Anime News Network and MediaOCD, to talk about the surprising resurgence of physical media. As companies move toward an all-digital future, are we putting decades of art, games, and films at risk? And if corporations won't preserve media...who will? We explore Sony's decision to phase out physical games, why Blu-ray may be having its own "vinyl moment," and how private collectors have quietly become some of the most important archivists in entertainment history. We also dive into anime's journey from niche hobby to mainstream phenomenon, the rise and fall of Right Stuf, and why younger fans are embracing physical media from an era they never experienced. Justin also shares stories from restoring obscure films, explains what it's really like running a boutique distribution company, and gives us a glimpse into the future of anime preservation. Big thanks to our patrons, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: discord.gg/vnRnr3rCzt Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  The Create Unknown

  Reshaping Sports Journalism w/ Grant Cohn

  Jul 10, 20261h 5m

  Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown This week we’re joined by longtime 49ers reporter Grant Cohn to talk about the changing world of sports media. We dive into how he went from traditional newspapers to building a thriving YouTube career, why independent journalism is reshaping the industry, and what it takes to cover one of the NFL’s biggest teams. This leaves us wondering, is the future of sports reporting with newspapers...or with individual creators? Along the way, we break down the bizarre saga of Brandon Aiyuk, discuss the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity over insider access, and hear Grant’s perspective on covering both players and coaches, as well as the pressures that come with having a large audience. We also get into the realities of modern sports reporting, what aspiring journalists should focus on today, and what exactly changed in the media landscape over the last decade. Plus, we settle an important debate about Bay Area burritos, swap stories about NFL stadiums, and hear some behind-the-scenes moments from Grant himself. Big thanks to our patrons, we’ll be back next week! You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/ Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/ Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: discord.gg/vnRnr3rCzt Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts CREDITS: Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor Executive Producer: Ben Webster Editor: Spencer Vann "Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com Opening Animation: Kidmograph City Animation: Eric Langlay "The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. CONNECT WITH US: » Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw » Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown » Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown » Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown » View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Create Unknown. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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