From directing iconic music videos for Britney Spears and Eminem to working with Taylor Swift on some of the most defining visuals of the last decade, Joseph Kahn has built a legacy few can rival. In this episode, Joseph takes us through his journey, from dropping out of NYU with $25,000 in debt and hustling his way through Texas rap videos, to becoming one of the most sought-after directors in music and commercial filmmaking. We dive into his unconventional start, the art of bullshitting with confidence, and the calculated risks that shaped his style. Joseph gets honest about the industry: how to sell success before you have it, why directing is lying, and how he landed his first big video gigs with Def Jam. We also break down his treatment-writing process in the ’90s, shooting without storyboards, and building unshakable trust with artists like Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey. This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, creatives, and anyone navigating the tension between commerce and art in visual storytelling. We end with a deep look at his newest feature ICK: a genre-bending, creature-feature fever dream he’s betting big on. 00:00 Intro03:09 The Journey to Becoming a Director12:06 Overcoming Cultural and Academic Challenges17:43 The Hustle in the Early Career22:26 Breaking into the Industry39:48 Joseph Kahn's Treatment Style in the 90s40:35 Improvisation in Music Video Production42:34 Building Trust with Artists45:09 Managing Production Companies52:42 The Role of Social Media in Filmmaking58:35 Challenges in Music Video Production59:40 Iconic Music Videos and Creative Freedom01:07:06 Biggest Productions and Working with Taylor Swift01:12:10 The Call from Taylor Swift01:12:27 Creating the 'Blank Space' Music Video01:14:23 Collaborating with Taylor Swift01:16:56 Mariah Carey's Sense of Humor01:19:05 AI in Filmmaking01:28:19 Challenges in the Commercial Industry01:37:35 The Reality of Director Jail01:42:59 Making Independent Films01:45:42 Challenges of Promoting an Independent Film01:46:59 Passion for the Movie and Its Unique Elements01:47:55 Blink 182, All American Rejects, Soundtrack Licensing and Its Impact01:49:47 Inspiration Behind the Creature Feature ICK01:56:57 Directing and Casting Insights02:05:49 The Importance of Family in Filmmaking02:12:17 Final Thoughts and Future Plans   Follow ⁠Joseph⁠ Follow ⁠⁠⁠Arrad (podcast host)⁠⁠⁠    LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: ⁠⁠⁠SPOTIFY⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠APPLE MUSIC⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE⁠⁠⁠   CONNECT WITH US: ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Ourselves (production team)⁠⁠⁠:  ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ✩ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook