CREATOR: The Podcast

JJ Yosh (@jjyosh), the creator behind viral TikTok sensation, Backpacking Kitty (@backpackingkitty), joins Creator: The Podcast to discuss building a content empire around his adventure cat Simon. In this episode, JJ shares the remarkable origin story of how he reluctantly adopted Simon—a rescue kitten hours away from euthanization—and transformed him into an internationally-traveling mountaineering phenomenon. Host Ross Borden explores JJ's journey from filming outdoor excursions at UC Santa Barbara in 2006 to taking Simon snowboarding, mountain biking, and climbing 14ers across Colorado, the Austrian Alps, and Guatemalan volcanoes. JJ reveals the challenges of training cats for extreme adventures, the logistics nightmare of international pet travel, and how he influences Simon to perform on command for brand partnerships with companies like Purina. He also discusses going viral on TikTok in 2019, the waves of plateaus and reinvention that come with content creation, and his ambitious plans to attempt the seven summits with Simon in 2026. Whether you're a pet owner dreaming of adventuring with your animal or a content creator navigating brand deals and virality, this conversation delivers inspiration on turning unconventional ideas into sustainable creator businesses.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to JJ Yosh

00:25 - Welcome and podcast intro

01:07 - Why travel with a cat?

02:05 - How JJ met Simon (rescue cat story)

02:14 - Simon's natural athleticism and training

04:43 - Public reactions to adventure cat

06:03 - Snowboarding and skiing with Simon

07:27 - Encounters with dogs on the trail

09:02 - Can any cat become an adventure cat?

11:25 - Technical climbing and peak bagging

13:25 - Starting content creation with Simon

14:25 - Going viral in 2019 on TikTok

15:55 - International adventures (Alps, Guatemala, volcanoes)

17:09 - Future bucket list: Seven summits

19:43 - Travel logistics and international requirements

22:01 - Flying internationally with a cat

24:16 - Cost of traveling with pets

29:42 - Brand partnerships and working with Simon

32:02 - Starting the production company

33:31 - Meeting Simon on camera

34:08 - Launching Simon's own social media accounts

35:16 - Where to find JJ and Simon online

35:57 - Outro and podcast credits

Alex Parra (@alex1leg), a two-time cancer survivor and disability advocate, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share his extraordinary journey of beating stage two bone cancer and stage four lung cancer before his 20th birthday. In this episode, Alex reveals the shocking moment at age 15 when he flipped a coin to decide between knee replacement and leg amputation—and how that gut decision saved his life when doctors discovered the cancer had spread further than expected. Host Ross Borden explores Alex's path from a 10% survival chance and three months to live, to becoming cancer-free and inspiring millions through content creation. Alex shares the reality of phantom pain, the hidden cost crisis of athletic prosthetics ($35,000 out of pocket), and why he attempted a marathon on crutches to raise awareness. He also opens up about his "cancer bucket list," traveling to Japan and Australia, and meeting young amputees who remind him why his advocacy matters. Whether you're facing your own health challenges or simply need a reminder of human resilience, this conversation delivers a powerful perspective on turning tragedy into purpose.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to Alex Parra

01:18 - First Cancer Diagnosis at 15

04:22 - Choosing Between Knee Replacement and Amputation

06:09 - The Coin Flip Decision

08:28 - Surgery Day and Losing His Leg

10:54 - Recovery and Learning to Walk Again

11:25 - Understanding Phantom Pain

13:43 - Finishing Chemotherapy and First Remission

15:29 - First Cancer Scare: Dots in the Lungs

18:14 - Stage Four Diagnosis: Three Months to Live

20:08 - Three Impossible Options

22:57 - Clinical Trial Success and Second Remission

24:14 - Officially Cancer Free

24:41 - The Cancer Bucket List

27:07 - Traveling with a Disability

30:34 - The Marathon on Crutches

35:04 - Creative Prosthetic Designs

36:40 - Giving Back to Others Fighting Cancer

37:49 - Brand Collaborations and TEDx Talk

39:05 - What's Next for Alex

39:47 - Where to Find Alex Online

40:17 - Three Countries Question

Scott and Collette Stohler, the travel creators behind Roamaroo (@roamaroo), join CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a location-independent life and creative career while raising two young children. In this episode, the couple shares how a single podcast interview with Rolf Potts and Tim Ferriss inspired them to quit their jobs as a TV producer and chemical engineer, turn a planned seven-month trip into 18 months of travel, and launch a decade-long career as travel creators. Host Ross Borden explores their journey from living out of backpacks to surviving the pandemic in an Airstream for 18 months, plus their upcoming move to Italy through Boundless Life's world schooling program. Scott and Collette offer candid insights about the challenges of creating content as a couple, how they structured their roles between "front office" and "back office" responsibilities, and the viral success of their "We're Americans" video series that sparked conversations about parenting in the United States. Whether you're an aspiring travel creator, a parent dreaming of location independence, or simply curious about unconventional family lifestyles, this conversation delivers practical wisdom on taking calculated risks and building a creative life on your own terms.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to Scott & Colette Stohler

00:51 - Traveling with Young Children

02:25 - From Nomadic Life to Home Base

03:45 - Moving to Italy with Boundless Life

05:43 - What is Boundless Life?

09:16 - How Scott and Colette Became Full-Time Creators

13:07 - Managing Their Rental Property

14:06 - Living in an Airstream During COVID

16:57 - Exploring Empty National Parks

18:50 - Monetizing Through Brand Partnerships

20:30 - The Power of Having a Why

22:17 - Working Together as a Creator Couple

24:29 - Launching the Roamaroo Podcast

26:04 - Creating Viral "War Americans" Content

29:43 - Finding Confidence as Creators

31:36 - What's Next for 2026

32:53 - Three Countries for Life

Jordan Egbert (@counting.countries) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his goal to visit every country on earth and the unexpected business he built along the way. In this episode, Jordan reveals how he went from zero international travel until age 23 to visiting 142 countries, including returning to door-to-door pest control sales each summer just to fund another year of travel before monetizing his content. Host Ross Borden explores Jordan's most unique destinations, from Turkmenistan (dubbed "the North Korea of the Middle East") to the futuristic cities of China where you can pay with your palm print. Jordan offers practical advice for traveling with young children, and explains his counterintuitive content strategy of studying what already works rather than chasing viral trends. Whether you're planning your next adventure or building a creator business, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on turning passion into profit.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

0:00 Introduction to Jordan Egbert

1:11 Why Travel Every Country?

2:16 From Corporate Job to Full-Time Creator

4:29 Door-to-Door Sales for Travel Funding

5:17 COVID Pivot and Daily Content Strategy

6:55 First Viral Video Success

8:05 Growing from 10K to 300K Followers

10:09 Launching the Travel Hacking Business

12:37 How Credit Card Points Actually Work

14:12 Building an 80K/Month Business

15:27 Favorite Destinations Around the World

16:33 Turkmenistan: North Korea of the Middle East

20:15 Why White Cars and No Dogs?

22:22 China: Living in the Future

25:50 First Impressions of China

27:39 Must-Visit Chinese Cities

30:10 Harvey Ice Festival

31:21 Lapland Finland: Santa's Village

33:17 Adventure in the Arctic Circle

34:02 Traveling with Young Kids

36:09 Tips for Family Travel

37:13 Hidden Gems in Japan

38:20 Three Countries Passport Question

39:02 Why Indonesia Made the List

39:47 Switzerland's Mountain Beauty

43:04 Future Plans and TV Show Dreams

46:50 Where to Find Jordan Online

Chelsea Yamase (@chelseakauai) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to share her journey from shy Hawaiian surfer to million-follower creator. Host Ross Borden explores Chelsea's 11 trips to Indonesia and her philosophy of prioritizing raw, authentic experiences over Instagram-perfect locations. Chelsea dives into growing up in Hawaii and how she learned to free dive at a later age. She offers candid insights about earning 80% of her income through quality brand partnerships over quantity, organizing epic women's adventure retreats from Patagonia to the Galapagos, and why she recently put everything in storage to search the world for a new place to call home. Whether you're an aspiring travel creator or simply interested in conscious tourism, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on building an authentic creative career while grappling with your impact on the places you love.

To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com

00:00 - Introduction to Chelsea Yamase 

01:14 - Living in Bali and Upcoming Scooter Adventure 

02:06 - Exploring Lesser-Known Indonesian Islands 

04:05 - Philosophy on Travel and Authentic Experiences 

05:41 - Balancing Tourism Recognition vs. Protecting Places 

09:33 - Growing Up in Hawaii 

11:28 - Free Diving Journey and Underwater Passion 

14:35 - Travel as a Path to Mindfulness 

16:19 - Social Media, Mental Health, and Inspiring Young Women 

19:09 - My Soul Track App and Affirmations 

20:49 - Business of Being a Creator 

23:55 - Running Retreats and In-Person Events 

26:14 - Three Countries Passport Question 

30:38 - Leaving LA and Searching for Home 

32:38 - US Culture vs. European Lifestyle 

35:39 - Community and Third Spaces 

36:07 - Closing Thoughts