The Enthusiasm Project

Tom Buck

My name is Tom and this is The Enthusiasm Project! Join me each week for deep dives exploring the world of what it means to be an independent creator on YouTube, starting your own creative business, and keeping a positive, enthusiastic mindset along the way.

  • 1 hour 2 seconds
    What Should You Name Your YouTube Channel?

    Send a text message to the show!

    So you want to make a YouTube channel but you don't know if you should use your real name or a "brand" name. Let's go through the pros and cons of each and I'll also share why I'm so glad I changed my channel name after 3 years and 24K subscribers.

    Register for NAB for free!
    https://geni.us/NAB2025

    🎙This week's mic:
    sE Dynacaster
    https://geni.us/IL9rw (Amazon)

    ⚙️ Gear of the Week:
    Lilliput 4K Monitor:
    https://bhpho.to/49v2Cwr (B&H)

    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you. 

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E08 | Series Episode 182
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    17 March 2025, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    Is Camera YouTube Dead?

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    From the Canon 5D Mark II in 2008 to the insanely awesome mirrorless cameras of today, YouTube has always been THE place to go to nerd out about camera gear. But as tech matures, creators evolve, and audience tastes change, something feels...different now. What does that mean for "Camera YouTube"?

    🎙This week's mic:
    Shure Super 55
    https://geni.us/ulcA (Amazon)

    ⚙️ Gear of the Week:
    Rode XLR Cables:
    https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you. 

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E07 | Series Episode 181
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    10 March 2025, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Pobody’s Nerfect: Being Human in the age of AI

    Send a text message to the show!

    Many content creators work tirelessly to level up the quality of their work, but at what point does perfection go too far?

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Lewitt LCT440 Pure
    https://geni.us/ygRb95l (Amazon)

    ⚙️ Gear of the Week:

    Hollyland Lark M2:

    https://geni.us/wxwfX (Amazon)

    Rode's MIDI Control Guide


    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E06 | Series Episode 180
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    3 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Let's A Some Q's!

    Send a text message to the show!

    It's time for the Season 13 Q&A Episode! This covers everything from tech and career advice to whether or not podcasting is too saturated and my biggest gear regret. 

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Rode NT1 Signature Series
    https://geni.us/rgjRyH (Amazon)

    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E05 | Series Episode 179
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    10 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    Bye Bye Bias

    Send a text message to the show!

    What does it mean to be biased as a content creator? Should objectivity be the ultimate goal or is it ok to have personal preferences and biases?

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Earthworks ETHOS
    https://geni.us/qBxUJ (Amazon)

    ⚙️ Gear of the Week:
    •Mackie CR3.5 Monitors
    https://geni.us/flCI1 (Amazon)
    *White version is a Guitar Center exclusive

    ⏱️ Chapter Markers
    0:00 - Intro
    4:535 - Mic of the Week
    9:00 - Updates on Last Episode
    23:19 - Bye Bye Bias
    46:46 - Channel Check In
    1:08:58 - Gear of the Week: Mackie CR3.5 Monitors
    1:13:17 - Listener Messages

    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E04 | Series Episode 178
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    3 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    The Cons of Being a Pro

    Send a text message to the show!

    What does it mean to be a professional in the world of audio and video, and if you are a pro, how can you share what you know in a way that bridges the "knowledge gap" of your audience?

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Rode Broadcaster
    https://geni.us/raVo7Y (Amazon)

    ⚙️ Gear of the Week:
    •Apple Keynote!

    ———————————————————————
    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————
    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E03 | Series Episode 177
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    20 January 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    The Only Good Review is a Bad Review

    Send a text message to the show!

    What makes a good YouTube review? More and more it seems like negative and critical reviews are thought of as being the most "honest," but is that really true?

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Shure SM4
    https://geni.us/shuresm4 (Amazon)

    ———————————————————————

    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you. 

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————

    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————

    •Ecamm Live: https://geni.us/ecammtom
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E02 | Series Episode 176
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    13 January 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Video Thrilled the Podcast Host | Season 13 Premiere

    Send a text message to the show!

    The Enthusiasm Project returns for a new season! In color!
    If you’re listening to the audio version, that’s awesome! I’m working to make sure that pretty much everything still translates and makes sense, so video enhances the show but doesn’t make the show.

    🎙This week's mic:
     •Shure SM7B
     https://geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)

    ———————————————————————

    Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you. 

    ——————————— CONNECT ———————————

    Electronic Mail: tom@enthusiasmproject.com
    Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
    Social Medias: @sodarntom

    ——————————— PODCAST GEAR ———————————

    •Ecamm Live: https://geni.us/ecammtom
    •Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
    •Rodecaster Duo: https://geni.us/ULKDFkp (Amazon)
    •Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
    •Mic Arm: https://geni.us/zc7hAbW (Amazon)
    •Elgato Stream Deck Plus: https://geni.us/EzyY6o5 (Amazon)
    •Headphones: https://bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
    •XLR Cables: https://geni.us/bluexlr (Amazon)

    S13E01 | Series Episode 175
     
    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    6 January 2025, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 seconds
    What I've Learned From 10 Years of Podcasting: Season 12 Finale!

    Send a text message to the show!

    As of 2024 I’ve been producing podcasts for 10 years and while a whole lot has changed during that time, there are definitely some key lessons that have always remained relevant.

    🎙This week's  mics:
    •Lewitt RAY
    https://geni.us/lewittray

    •The Ray was running through the Rodecaster Duo on the Broadcaster preset.

    •Send a voice, text, or video message to be included in a future episode!
    tom@enthusiasmproject.com or use the audio submission button at himynameistom.com!

    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    🎯Support the Show
    https://patreon.com/tombuck
    https://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

    📲 Connect!
    •All My Podcasts: https://himynameistom.com/podcasts
    •YouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuck
     
    S12E10 | Series Episode 174

    Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the show at no additional cost to you.

    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    13 May 2024, 7:00 am
  • 54 minutes 5 seconds
    To Shill Or Not To Shill?

    Send a text message to the show!

    Transparency between a content creator and their audience is a tough thing to build. What happens when a brand asks a creator to violate that trust? 

    iPhonedo's video:
    https://youtu.be/5GuO7AWJl5o?si=VlydvNlatkA3kjzf

    🎙This week's  mics:
    •Earthworks ETHOS (Tom)
    https://bhpho.to/3CthFs4

    •Shure SM58 (Heather)
    https://geni.us/fNPEFQG

    •Both mics were running through the Rodecaster Pro II on a custom SM7B preset.

    •Send a voice, text, or video message to be included in a future episode!
    tom@enthusiasmproject.com or use the audio submission button at himynameistom.com!

    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    🎯Support the Show
    https://patreon.com/tombuck
    https://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

    📲 Connect!
    •All My Podcasts: https://himynameistom.com/podcasts
    •YouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuck
     
    S12E9 | Series Episode 173

    Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the show at no additional cost to you.

    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    6 May 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    The Creator Middle Class Does Not Exist

    Send a text message to the show!

    Heather joins the podcast this week to talk about an often ignored and minimized group of creators who aren't just starting out, but also aren't "mega channels" with huge teams and budgets– creators who have much more in common with local small business owners than Mr. Beast, despite both sharing the title of "Creator."

    Heather's Video:
    https://youtu.be/NAg4LDhRNGg?si=sXVLSsmTq4S1Kk4k

    🎙This week's  mics:
    •Shure SM7B (Tom)
    https://geni.us/tepsm7b

    •Shure SM58 (Heather)
    https://geni.us/fNPEFQG

    •Both mics were running through the Rodecaster Pro II on a custom SM7B preset.

    •Send a voice, text, or video message to be included in a future episode!
    tom@enthusiasmproject.com or use the audio submission button at himynameistom.com!

    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    🎯Support the Show
    https://patreon.com/tombuck
    https://buymeacoffee.com/tombuck
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

    📲 Connect!
    •All My Podcasts: https://himynameistom.com/podcasts
    •YouTube: www.youtube.com/tombuck
     
    S12E8 | Series Episode 172

    Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support the show at no additional cost to you.

    Podcast Artwork by Kevin Ramirez
    Original theme music written by Patrick Boberg and performed by Mike Alvarez

    Support the show

    29 April 2024, 7:00 am
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