First Frame

What’s the Point of Doing a Podcast?

The Podcasting market might feel oversaturated right now, but creating a podcast can still be a valuable experience for creators. It can do more than amplify your voice — it can strengthen your skills, expand your network, and create a lasting community. But knowing how to launch, sustain, and grow a show isn’t always obvious, especially for first-timers.On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger sit down with Kristina Lao and Raquelle Roodenberg, the co-founders and co-hosts of the Bombshell Brunches podcast. They discuss how their project evolved from a small monthly brunch meetup into a multi-season show with over 150 interviews, and discuss the challenges they faced along the way, from tech fears and perfectionism to balancing multiple commitments. They also share practical advice on building community, collaborating effectively, creating sustainable workflows, and how your podcast can open doors by attracting new clients, collaborators, and opportunities.Timestamps(01:16) Why a podcast can become your “living portfolio”(02:04) Meet the creators behind Bombshell Brunches(03:30) How a simple brunch meetup turned into a podcast community(05:53) The biggest learning curves when starting a podcast(08:39) Why finding the right podcast partner matters(09:55) How do you commit to a podcast long-term?(13:23) The batching strategy that makes podcasting sustainable(14:45) How podcasters actually make their shows financially sustainable(18:33) Podcast gear & tools creators swear by(21:17) What skills do you actually gain from podcasting?(23:08) How podcasting builds real community and networks(25:00) Can a podcast lead to clients, collaborations, and opportunities?(28:12) What’s the real point of starting a podcast today?

Do I Really Need a Mentor and How do I Work With One?

Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for creators, but knowing how to seek guidance, give feedback, and grow from the experience isn’t always obvious. Mentorship isn’t just for beginners — it can benefit creators at any stage, helping you navigate projects, build skills, and expand your creative community.On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger explore the art and impact of mentorship with Mariah Braun, the CEO and founder of M3M Marketing, and one of her former mentees; Darryl Haugen, an emerging filmmaker based in Morinville, Alberta. Together they discuss the differences between formal and informal mentorship, how to approach potential mentors, and strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback. You’ll also get insights on building lasting creative relationships, knowing which advice to follow, and how mentorship can accelerate growth and opportunity. Whether you’re looking for guidance or hoping to guide others, this episode offers practical, real-world advice every creator can use.Timestamps:(01:11) What mentorship really looks like (and why it’s not one-size-fits-all)(02:45) What mentorship means — from both sides(05:00) How to find a mentor (and why cold outreach works)(07:36) How to know if a mentor is the right fit(10:00) Common mentorship pitfalls and how to avoid them(12:55) When mentor advice doesn’t feel right(14:24) One Minute Mentor: best career advice(15:58) Formal vs informal mentorship explained(17:26) How mentors benefit from the relationship too(20:00) Trust, honesty, and giving constructive feedback(21:50) What makes a great mentor (real example)(24:17) Do you really need a mentor?(25:08) Resources for finding mentors and community

How do I Build a Safety-First Creative Process?

Safety might not be the most exciting part of content creation, but it is one of the most important. Whether you’re shooting solo TikTok videos at home or filming a full-scale production in the field, every creative choice can carry risk if safety isn’t built into your process.On this episode of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger tackle a topic that’s often overlooked by new and not-so-new creators alike: how to build a true “safety first” culture. They’re joined by Doryan Mash, Regional Safety Advisor at ActSafe Safety Association, who brings real-world experience from both emergency response and the arts sector to break down what safety really means in 2026. Together, they explore the common risk factors creators face, where corners are usually cut and why safety planning doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating. You’ll also hear practical tips on emergency response planning, working alone, building a creator safety kit, and how a proactive mindset can actually save time, money, and stress.Timestamps:(0:00) Why safety matters for content creators(4:40) Top injury risks creators face(5:45) Working at heights: biggest danger on set(7:09) When creative decisions become unsafe(8:30) Common safety mistakes new creators make(9:40) Free safety support creators don’t know about(10:55) When safety planning should start(15:00) Emergency response planning essentials(18:30) Legal responsibility if something goes wrong(20:00) Safety tips for solo creators(24:52) One small change that improves safety

Will AI Replace Content Creators?

It’s one of the most polarizing questions to emerge in the world of content creation this decade: to use AI or not to use AI? There are loud voices on both sides of the debate, but the answer for most creators likely lies somewhere in the middle.On this season 2 premiere of First Frame, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger sit down with Catherine Warren, the President of FanTrust Entertainment Strategies, to talk about the benefits and the risks of incorporating AI into your creative process. She begins by laying out her ‘five Cs’ of AI use: clarity, consent, credit, compensation, and cultural integrity, and discusses why creators need to take them into account every step of the way. She also explains why you shouldn’t shy away from AI entirely, and shares her thoughts on the expression “you may not lose your job to AI, but you might lose your job to someone who uses AI.”Timestamps:(00:00) — Is AI killing creativity?(01:26) — How AI is changing content creation(05:00) — The 5 rules creators must follow when using AI(08:10) — Who owns content made with AI?(11:04) — Can AI actually replace creators?(15:56) — How to spot fake AI videos online(17:10) — How creators can stand out in an AI world(22:33) — Will AI take creative jobs?

First Frame Season Two

First Frame is where Canadian content creators get answers to their most pressing questions. This season, hosts Jennifer Park and Cameron Zinger tackle the top issues facing creators in 2026, from "Will I be replaced by AI" to “How do I Make YouTube Work for Me?” With insights from a top-notch roster of emerging creators, seasoned pros, and industry insiders, each episode delivers clear and actionable advice you can use right now to improve your work, whether you're a podcaster, filmmaker, live-streamer, or anything in between.