Matador Network

Blake Kasemeier: Turning Grief and Fatherhood Into Viral Storytelling

Blake Kasemeier joins CREATOR: The Podcast, to discuss the art of authentic storytelling in the creator economy. In this episode, Blake shares his unconventional journey from touring in hardcore bands to corporate copywriting to becoming a full-time content creator with over a million followers. Host Ross Borden explores Blake's signature approach to fatherhood content—rejecting both the "FML parenting" and overly-curated aesthetics in favor of raw, relatable moments filmed in just three locations: his room, kitchen, and garage. Blake reveals his rigorous writing process, crafting 1,000-2,000 words to distill down to the perfect 220-word script, and explains why "writing's blue collar work—you gotta get your hands dirty." The conversation dives deep into navigating grief publicly after losing his mother and getting laid off in the same week, protecting his children's privacy while creating parenting content, and building a multi-platform strategy across TikTok, YouTube, and Substack. Whether you're an aspiring creator struggling with writer's block or simply interested in how everyday moments become compelling art, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning life's ordinary experiences into extraordinary content. Follow Blake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakeoftoday/ To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit https://creatorthepodcast.com/ Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creator-the-podcast/id1788987273 Subscribe to CREATOR: The Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aHdngxWvkUbpDlmmCq8Z6?si=zQjPxLneRaOUIwP-y5BmyA 00:00 - Introduction to Blake Kasemeier 01:51 - How fatherhood became his content focus 03:53 - His approach: real, non‑performative parenting 07:19 - Visual style: everyday B‑roll and Easter eggs 09:51 - From hardcore musician to corporate life 15:01 - Starting an agency and freelancing 17:12 - TikTok breakthrough and audience growth 19:53 - Writing process: notes, drafts, word counts 22:08 - Handling writer’s block and creative fear 24:04 - Being a dad: routines, joy, and small moments 27:03 - Children on social media and privacy choices 29:50 - Future plans: YouTube longform, Substack, strategy 37:32 - Grief, mental health, and vulnerability 41:16 - Where to find Blake & episode wrap Check out GuideGeek, Your New Personal AI Travel Assistant! http://bit.ly/3LKpHTj More From Matador Network Website: http://matadornetwork.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matadornetwork TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matadornetwork Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matadornetwork Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/matadornetworktravel Join Our Newsletter: https://matadornetwork.com/content/newsletter For Epic Hotels & Airbnbs TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epic.stays Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicstays_ For Beautiful Travel Content TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@visit About Matador Network Matador is the world’s largest independent travel publisher. Since 2006, we’ve redefined travel media by developing a global network of editors, writers, photographers, and filmmakers who’ve pushed the limits of what’s possible as travel storytellers. At Matador, we envision a world where travel is a transformative experience that enables us to find humanity in each other everywhere.