How Did Steve Zaragoza Become a SourceFed Host? (Jun 2015)

Transcript

welcome to your biscuits I'm Linc and I'm Rhett joining us today at the round table of dim lighting is comedian vlogger and full time co-host of the youtube series SourceFed Steve Zaragoza ha ha you know SourceFed you've heard of SourceFed most one of the most popular current event shows on the Internet over a million a have subscribers on their ma... Read More

Key Insights

• 💗 Steve Zaragoza grew up in Oxnard, a neighborhood marked by violence and gang activity, which significantly impacted his childhood and humor.
• 😫 His early interests in film and sketch comedy set the foundation for his later career in entertainment and digital media.
• 😑 The transition from a secure job to a thriving YouTube career involved calculated risks and a deep passion for creative expression.
• 🖐️ Personal struggles, including anxiety and a difficult divorce, played a pivotal role in shaping Steve's outlook and professional journey.
• 😀 His experiences with mental health awareness highlight the challenges many content creators face behind the scenes.
• 🎼 The upcoming music album showcases Steve's whimsical take on animals, reflecting both humor and heartfelt themes.
• 🛟 Comedic creativity became a vital coping mechanism for Steve throughout his life, helping him navigate challenges and pursue ambition.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Steve Zaragoza become a SourceFed host?

While working a stable job at Sony, Steve won a contest to blog at Comic-Con and realized that he wanted to pursue entertainment full-time. He took a risk to capitalize on that opportunity, later auditioned for SourceFed, and had hosted the series for three years by this interview.

Q: How did Steve Zaragoza's upbringing influence his comedy?

Steve grew up in Oxnard, California, in a neighborhood affected by gang activity and drive-by shootings, with a halfway house next door. He also experienced bullying and used humor as a way to cope with those difficult surroundings.

Q: What did Steve Zaragoza do before joining SourceFed?

Steve worked in several roles before his YouTube career, including video game testing, digital production, and a stable position at Sony. The interview also cautions that video game testing may not be what people expect the profession to be.

Q: Why did Steve Zaragoza leave a steady job for entertainment?

Winning a contest to blog at Comic-Con helped Steve recognize that he wanted to work in entertainment full-time. Leaving his secure Sony job was a calculated risk driven by his desire for creative expression and entertaining others.

Q: What was Steve Zaragoza's role at SourceFed?

Steve was a full-time co-host of SourceFed, a current-events YouTube series whose main channel had over one million subscribers. He also co-hosted SourceFed Nerd and the SourceFed podcast and helped shape SourceFed during his three years as a host.

Q: How did Steve Zaragoza deal with anxiety and pressure?

Steve experienced anxiety and panic attacks during his transition into YouTube, particularly after a car accident. Support from friends and SourceFed colleagues, along with speaking openly about his struggles, helped him cope.

Q: How did Steve Zaragoza's divorce affect him?

Steve described his separation and ongoing divorce as one of the most difficult experiences he had faced. It affected him deeply, led him to reconsider his priorities, and pushed him to focus on happiness and creative work while he was still processing the experience.

Q: What music project was Steve Zaragoza planning?

Steve planned an animal-themed album after years of requests from fans for music. Its playful songs included titles such as “Whale Song” and “Axolotl Lullaby,” reflecting his humorous and whimsical creative style.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Steve Zaragoza discusses his upbringing in Oxnard, California, marked by struggles with bullying, anxiety, and the influence of growing up in a dangerous neighborhood with gang activity.

• Throughout his career, Steve navigated various roles, including video game testing and digital production, before joining SourceFed, where he found a creative outlet in comedy and hosting.

• Steve opens up about his divorce, describing it as one of the toughest experiences he's faced and how it contributed to his personal growth and newfound happiness.