So… I said we might have our first episode ready by Friday.
Technically, we did shoot one. But everything that could go wrong, did.
The main camera overheated… not once, but multiple times. The footage is split into a bunch of clips. We forgot to clap again after restarts, so syncing audio is already a mess. One of the tripod legs is just sitting there, clearly in the shot. We didn’t notice until it was too late.
The mics? One worked. One didn’t charge. One maybe kind of worked? There was a piece of film blocking the contacts in the charging case and none of us noticed. We thought the lights meant they were charging. They weren’t.
Everyone recorded something on their phones, but no one had matching settings. Different frame rates. Different exposure levels. It’s a post-production puzzle and we handed someone all the wrong pieces.
And through all of that… we still had a great conversation.
It wasn’t structured. The intro was weak. The outro didn’t happen. I froze when it was time to kick things off. Luke dropped a “follow for more” line right in the middle of the episode. We laughed about it later, but in the moment, we were just trying to stay afloat.
A few days later, Kat brought a friend by the gym. Someone with actual video experience. He kindly pointed out about ten things we didn’t know we didn’t know. Frame rates. Exposure. Audio sync. Things we’ll definitely be paying attention to moving forward.
But honestly, that’s what this whole thing is about. Figuring it out in real time. Owning the stuff that didn’t land. Learning together.
We’re reshooting Episode 1 with more structure on Monday. Everyone’s a little more prepared this time. We’ve upgraded some gear, tightened the plan, and locked in what we want this show to feel like.
We’re also looking for someone who can help us salvage what we already shot. Editing this first take turned out to be way more complicated than I have the skill (or patience) for. But if we can get some help pulling it together, we’re hoping to release a short Episode 0. Or at the very least, a solid trailer from the chaos.
Appreciate you hanging in with us.
The real first episode is coming soon. And now that we’ve tripped through the first round, we know how to plant our feet for the next one.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt like modern strength is either all performance or silence, you’re not alone. The Other Side of Strong is about building something deeper with discipline, presence, and emotional truth. Whether you lead a team, a family, or just yourself, strength isn’t about how loud you are. It’s about how well you carry the weight.
We explore that weight together. Not just me, but with Luke, who brings raw fire and clarity, and Kat, who leads with presence, faith, and emotional resilience. What started as an idea, became a team. And now, it’s a conversation we’re inviting you into.
We’re showing up. Every week.
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About the Author
James Farias is the founder and co-host of The Other Side of Strong, a podcast exploring what strength really means in 2025, beyond image, ego, or empty flex.
He’s a father of six, a business owner, and a man who’s rebuilt himself from the inside out. With over 30 years of leadership experience, James creates space for conversations that most people never get to have about growth, grit, fatherhood, failure, and the warpath to becoming someone worth following.
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