Move Faster w/ Jake Isham

Most people think their "team" is just the people they work with. It's not. In this episode, Jake breaks down the three roles every artist and entrepreneur needs in their corner — mentors, teammates, and cheerleaders — and why confusing them is costing you.

Your team is bigger than your business. In this episode of Move Faster, Jake breaks down the three types of people every creative needs in their life — and why mixing them up will slow you down.
He draws a clear line between coaches (you pay for skill) and mentors (you earn through action), and shares how he's found mentors not in classrooms, but through YouTube rabbit holes, working alongside entrepreneurs on set, and just learning to shut up and ask better questions.
Then there's your teammates — the people in the trenches with you, pushing toward the same level. And finally, your cheerleaders — the ones who may not be playing your game, but always want to see you win. Jake makes the case that knowing which role someone fills changes everything about how you show up in that relationship.
In this episode:
Why mentors aren't coaches — and what you actually owe them
How to find mentors without a traditional network
The difference between teammates and cheerleaders (and why it took Jake years to stop confusing them)
Why your spouse needs to be your number one cheerleader — minimum
When it's time to become the mentor yourself

Recorded in March 2026 — right in the middle of one of the fastest-moving moments in AI history — Jake Isham shares his honest take on what AI means for artists, and why most of the conversation around it is missing the point entirely.
Jake pushes back on the growing narrative that AI can or should replace human creativity, breaking down why the grind of mastering a craft is exactly what makes great art worth experiencing — and why shortcuts have never produced legends.
In this episode, Jake covers:
His response to the Suno CEO's viral clip claiming people don't actually want to learn instruments — and why he thinks that's completely wrong
Why AI is a tool, not a replacement — and the exact philosophy Jake uses to keep that distinction clear
The difference between an AI assistant and an AI agent — and how to know which one you actually need
Real examples of how Jake uses AI daily: reviewing contracts, building automations, managing his business in GoHighLevel, and more
How to identify what's eating your time and let AI handle it — so you can get back to making art
Why learning AI right now is like learning the internet in the early 2000s — and what gets left behind if you don't
This episode isn't about fear. It's about leverage. The world needs more human art now more than ever — and AI might be the thing that finally gives you the time to make it.

In this episode, Jake Isham breaks down the single most important piece of advice for artists trying to build a lasting career — and it came from filmmaker Robert Rodriguez: build a body of work you're proud of.
Jake unpacks what that actually looks like in practice, sharing how he personally stepped away from his creative work while building his agency — and how shooting 14 short films in four months helped him rebuild the creative muscle he'd lost.
In this episode, Jake covers:
Why creativity is a muscle — and what happens when you stop using it
The 4 types of people every artist needs in their corner: mentors, coaches, hustlers, and cheerleaders — and why each plays a different role
How to study the careers of artists you admire (and why Robert Rodriguez is Jake's north star)
The Tom Cruise advice to Glen Powell on Top Gun: Maverick that reframes how you should think about your career trajectory
Why your brand is your resume — and how to protect it by being intentional about the art you attach your name to
The mindset shift that lets you go from making art on the side to building a full-time creative career
Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, actor, or any kind of creative — this episode is a reminder to zoom out from the grind and get back to what matters most: making art you're genuinely proud of.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Move Faster Podcast — formerly known as The Artistic Entrepreneur. In this launch episode, host Jake Isham pulls back the curtain on why he's rebranding, where this show has been, and exactly where it's going.
Jake shares the raw origin story behind The Artistic Entrepreneur — a philosophy born from his own hard lessons as an actor, musician, filmmaker, and agency owner. From performing in front of thousands to running a recording studio to grinding through film school, Jake details how years of chasing art without understanding business left him broke and frustrated — while his younger brother was quietly pulling in $90K part-time with nothing more than a business mindset.
That turning point sparked everything: a deep dive into entrepreneurship, a decade-plus of learning, and ultimately a new core philosophy — move faster. Jake breaks down why speed of execution has been the single greatest driver of his growth, why confronting challenges head-on accelerates success, and why he believes this principle applies to every artist and entrepreneur.
He also teases what's ahead: The Artistic Entrepreneur will return as a dedicated interview series featuring successful artists, while Move Faster will be Jake's personal record — his lessons, learnings, and the ongoing journey of building something big.
Think of it as the vlog Steve Jobs never made.
In this episode:
The origin story of The Artistic Entrepreneur
Why talent alone isn't enough — and what the business-minded artist does differently
The humbling moment that changed Jake's entire approach
What "Move Faster" means as a life and business philosophy
The vision for this podcast and what's coming in 2026

Most artists spend years perfecting their craft—but never learn the business side. That’s why so many insanely talented people stay broke, stuck, or overlooked. In this episode of The Artistic Entrepreneur, I break down the essentials every artist needs to know if they want to build a real, sustainable career.
👉 You’ll learn:
Why being an artist automatically makes you an entrepreneur.

How to protect your work legally and financially.

The truth about agents, managers, and contracts.

How to price your art without undercharging (or overcharging).

The #1 marketing strategy that beats everything else.

Why word-of-mouth is still king in the digital age.

If you’ve ever wondered why your incredible art isn’t reaching enough people—or why it’s not paying the bills—this episode will change how you think about your career.
🔥 Don’t just make art. Build your business.
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