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The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
Welcome to The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
Tune in to listen as I interview people within my community and those who are authentically themselves or who have even found themselves through their life!
we ask our guests their experiences on being themselves and how that has helped them in their career or life! sit down and chill and have a good listen!
The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
#4 Elder Tiktok: Authenticity, Faith, and Finding Your Voice in Content Creation
Elder TikTok joins us to discuss his journey as a Polynesian Mormon content creator and business owner who's built his platform on authentic representation and unapologetic faith. He shares how his career evolved from making videos for fun to becoming a voice for those who share his beliefs but aren't comfortable expressing them publicly.
• Started creating content after noticing the lack of Polynesian and Mormon representation online
• Inspired by early YouTube creator Ryan Higa as one of the first Polynesian content creators he discovered
• Believes in being completely authentic even when it leads to criticism from fellow church members
• Views his content as "being a voice for the voiceless" for those who share his perspectives
• Explains how his personal testimony coexists with church doctrine while maintaining his individual perspective
• Discusses the misconception that content creation is easy when it actually requires significant skill and dedication
• Reframes "setbacks" and "failures" as valuable experiences that redirect you to your true path
• Shares how his unsuccessful football career led him to discover his talent for digital content
• Defines authenticity as being "unapologetically true to what you believe, think, say or do"
Go ahead and listen to hear these gems. We're trying to hit a thousand or two thousand downloads a month and that's only possible through you. If you haven't already, subscribe and download so you can take some beautiful words of wisdom with you wherever you go.
no-transcript music or apple podcasts. We're on spotify, we are on google podcasts, iheart radio, whatever you find a podcast, guys. There's no need for you guys to not listen to hear these gems. Um. But yeah, guys, go ahead, listen. We're trying to hit a thousand, two thousand downloads a month and that's only possible through you. So if you haven't already, go ahead, hit, subscribe, hit, hit download, listen to some good gems, because we guarantee that those things can help you up and also you can take some beautiful words of wisdom with you wherever you go. But without further ado, guys, let's get our red carpet. Warm welcome to none other than uh out of tiktok brother what's up, bro, what's good.
Speaker 2:My g thanks for having me on the authentic podcast. That was a very nice intro you did too generous dude hey we try, we try, bro, we try.
Speaker 1:Um, we're grateful for him and for what he does and for his social media platforms. Guys, we're we'll give opportunity for him to introduce himself and then we'll go from there oh yeah, no, absolutely brandon.
Speaker 2:Thank you for this opportunity. I echo your words. Um, there's no excuse. You got to listen to the authentic podcast, right? Everyone's on social media so you've seen the clips, but there's no way, no chance that you've missed the authentic podcast. Let's get these guys to some more downloads. Elder tiktok, everybody. Uh, I'm a afakasi mormon from good old utah utah valley happy valley.
Speaker 2:I've been a content creator for um coming up on 10 years now and um part-time um ugc content creator creator plus business owner, and I just love making videos, brother I just love it.
Speaker 1:That's a little bit about me. Yes, sir, um. Yeah, bro, if we just first question bro, we I think the podcast we love speaking about authenticity, you as a content creator, right one of the biggest ones here in utah or in utah and also going around um, bro, like, talk to us about your journey and how you, how you started and what made you, I guess, what made you um, and what inspired you to go ahead and follow that dream, that passion of yours?
Speaker 2:absolutely, absolutely. I I'm very passionate about the things I love, right. I love the church, church of jesus christ, latter-day saints, and I love anything with the camera right, and so I essentially put those two things together because it's who I am and it's what I love. I don't know if you're do you know this name? If I said it out loud Ryan Higa.
Speaker 1:Ryan Higa. Do you know, ryan Higa? He?
Speaker 2:was the very first Polynesian content creator that I heard of. Early days of YouTube.
Speaker 1:Early days.
Speaker 2:Yes, I would watch his videos. He small kind looks like me as well, and so I was like dang, I want to do that too, and the reason I kind of started being this call it persona, call it content creator, call it influencer, whatever you want to call it was because I I didn't see what I wanted to see on the internet, so I didn't see polynesians making content. I didn't see cool church members doing stuff on the internet.
Speaker 2:So I said why not become that Like if I'm complaining about something, why not actually do something about?
Speaker 1:it.
Speaker 2:So that's how I kind of took on this lifestyle. I guess you could say of being an. Lds Polynesian content creator.
Speaker 1:And obviously, like it's probably evolved Like did you ever see yourself getting to where you're at right now?
Speaker 2:No, bro, that's crazy. You say that I feel like my career has gone through phases, right where it started out off as a joke, like, like you know, just mucking around, and then it was like, oh wait, now I found a niche, yeah wait, I can make money. Oh wait, businesses will pay you money to do stuff for them, right?
Speaker 2:so I never thought, you know, I I try to play football for those of you who don't know I try to play football, and that didn't really work out, and so I was better at making TikToks anyways, and so I never would have thought. You know, obviously we're here in Hawaii with Brandon from the Authentic Podcast. Like I'm just trying to tell my story real quick, I got flown out here. Me and my business partner were getting paid to make content out here.
Speaker 1:Never would have thought that would have happened, never. That's crazy, bro. I feel like um one thing that sticks out to me, what you said, like you noticing that football, the route and then the content route, right like your roi for the football, like you know, didn't see much but, like your, roi from the content you're like yes, dang like we're gonna get like.
Speaker 1:I can see this happening and I think that's super cool. You're evolving from content and creating into business. I guess what are some things that you've been, apart from this experience today, being here on this trip and everything, what's a moment that you've had that gave you that moment of dang? Things are coming to fruition.
Speaker 2:No, absolutely, and I think I notice things come to fruition when I'm going against obstacles and challenges. You know what I'm saying the content I make. It's funny. We're talking about authenticity, every single piece of content I make. It's what I truly believe and it's what I truly think, and sometimes, when I do such things, it may come across as ulterior motives.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying, Whether it's like oh, bro's cloud chasing, or he's doing this for the views and stuff like that. I just um, I I've seen a lot of fakeness when it comes to content creation right like putting on for the camera, essentially, yeah so my thing was nah, like, I'm gonna be myself regardless.
Speaker 2:Um, I gotta be careful though, because you know, I do have a certain art audience, maybe younger audience as well, that kind of watches. What I do from time to time but when I notice things like actually happening is actually humanist interactions with people, like people who come up and express their gratitude for what I'm doing, something to the extent of, oh, I could never do what you do, but thanks for doing what you do, keep doing what you do. And you hear that from people all over, like in all spectrums, all backgrounds, all ages.
Speaker 1:So to hear that physically, not just from a comment, not just from a dm kind of, gives you that reassurance that you're doing something right, yeah, because like and apart from like and everyone has seen other tiktoks um his content like obviously people can come across as controversial, whatever it is like, and for you to say, like that's actually something that you believe in and my things, that the content that you create, that that's what you believe like, that's unapologetic yourself, you know I mean 100 and I feel, like those who are coming towards you and they see that like, oh man, thanks for what you do, I could never do what you do like.
Speaker 1:Do you feel like you're doing them justice, like in terms of voicing their other because those are their opinions as well like you're sharing their opinions who don't have the guts to like you know, I mean exactly and that's it exactly what I was going to get into right.
Speaker 2:There is a small silent majority that thinks, believes, the same way I do right but, like you said, see even what I'm about to say like I hope it doesn't come across as prideful or arrogant or whatever, but this is just facts. It's like I want to be a voice for the voiceless right all those people who are telling me they agree with what I'm saying. They will never post on social media or they won't bring it up to their family members. Why?
Speaker 2:because maybe they're just a little scared me whether it's a double-edged sword, like I don't care what you think about me, bro, I'm gonna say it is because I believe in it and I know that as long as one person relates or helps that, that that means I did my job and I'm not here to please the masses, even though a lot of my times when I do post about specifically church content, it's positive I'm, I'm on the church's side, like.
Speaker 2:But just because you disagree with something when it comes to your belief system, that doesn't automatically mean you can throw me to the wolves right, yeah like we're still on the same team. No 100, what are?
Speaker 1:some like and this is the thing I've always been wanting to ask for is like, from you doing and saying what you believe obviously you're on stand with the church as well but at the same time is like, do you, um, what do you sure? I'm trying, I'm trying to voice it out? Um damn, I just lost my train of thought.
Speaker 2:It was a good question it felt like a good question like, um, oh yeah, have you?
Speaker 1:um, what are some challenges that you've had from our own members that you've, you know? I mean because, like, because, bro, like in the church we're always, we're all we all believe. Right, we have the basic belief system and what we want to believe. I obviously book of mormon, everything what the church stands for, but then you have people from your own religion, that kind of throw shade or like, maybe, maybe like throw negativity your way for for asking good, quick, like questions that you believe in conviction, you believe in because that that's what you believe, but you're still wanting to find answers like. I thought those about that, those experiences.
Speaker 2:I have a question for you xmos, what does that mean? What's an xmo?
Speaker 1:x. Mormon people left the church okay.
Speaker 2:Do you think x mormons left because of people outside the church or inside the church?
Speaker 1:I think their own, I think they leave based on multiple reasons. Okay, you know, like either someone offended them inside their church or they for or um ex-mormon content right, or people like they testimony biggest thing, I think as well testimony changed like testimony gets kind of the window or like something like that, or they started, you know me personally, I think majority of the time mormons turn away mormons I'm saying that, the short nickname of the church, just for, um, you know, just for it to be more easy, latter-day saints, turn away.
Speaker 2:Latter-day saints. More, in my opinion, because we put our faith into man. We, you know, we're supposed to be loving, we're supposed to love thy neighbor, and so when somebody within the church does us wrong, we take offense to that super quick, super, duper quick. All these members, all the time sometimes are throwing shade at me yeah but does that mean I'm going to get soft and leave the church?
Speaker 2:No, because what do we say as Latter-day Saints? Is Jesus Christ in the spirit how we listen? Is it personal to us? Yes, is our testimony personal to us? Yes, is our connection with Heavenly Father personal, 100%. So then, if I'm saying something personal, then why would you take that this way or that way? You know what I mean. I'm just sharing what I think and believe. So for members to come at me when you know they're either questioning my faith or they're questioning my motives, this is just straight how I personally connect with the almighty, straight up. And if it's personal, people have to understand that your testimony is not my testimony, but our foundational core beliefs are on the same thing the book of mormon right the bible, um the doctrines that we've learned since we were, you know, all growing up in the church.
Speaker 2:Now, where we can break off and where we can, you know, dare I say, disagree is some of the great areas when it comes to the church. You know what I'm saying but you know, there's probably stuff that brandon thinks in his personal testimony that I believe as well and then vice versa. That I don't, you know. So I just think there's a word of caution to members is, if there's something off or if you're not completely aligned with what the stereotypical testimony is, that's not a bad thing but what?
Speaker 1:why do you think we let that get to us, though, like you know, I mean like, because I feel like obviously we can agree, disagree, like would you say, it's like people's um like testimony at the same time, like if they choose to to leave the church, whatever, like based on someone else's differences so repeat that one more time.
Speaker 1:So like, I feel like what you just said, like I always, like I agree what you said, because at the same time, I don't understand and this is probably just because of me, sure like why they choose to still leave. You know, based of our own like different, like judgments. Like maybe let's just say I'm not gonna say someone did, but let's just hypothetically said for your one of the tiktoks, they decide, oh, his opinion, whatever. Say I'm not gonna say someone did, but let's just hypothetically said for your one of the tiktoks, they decide, oh, his opinion, whatever. Like I'm gonna leave, like like what, which is crazy, if you do that, that's what I'm saying but not.
Speaker 2:But like bro. That's what happens. People go down the rabbit hole, they get into ex-mormon, anti-mormon content and they leave because of the stuff they found right here's what I'll say the only okay, let me think about this real quick before authentic get me in trouble the only reason you should leave the church is if you've lost your testimony.
Speaker 2:If you no longer believe in the church, you are free to go. But if something happens within the church, if you disagree with the leader, if you got offended, or if you don't like something that that humanness did, that doesn't validate you for leaving me personally. If you no't like something that humanness did, that doesn't validate you for leaving Me personally. If you no longer believe in any of the teachings of the Mormon doctrine, you're free to leave. Other than that, bro, I think it's weird. In my opinion, to leave.
Speaker 1:I think it's weird. That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Because I stay and I still disagree with stuff.
Speaker 1:You know how many members come at me in my comments.
Speaker 2:If I was soft, soft I'd be like oh, they're being mean to me, my own people, I'm out of here. You know that that's actually happened to a few content creators, and they used to be lds content creators. Now they're ex-mormon content creators and they know who they are um whatever that was to you, whether it was the clout that got to your head or whether you truly don't believe anymore. That's fine, but yeah, it's just some interesting stuff when you enter the world of Christian content creation.
Speaker 1:I like that. I resonate with that brother. Next question, bro. Content creation and ideas. When you think about that, how does the creative or how does the creation come to your mind? You know what I mean, Because there's some good content that you get out and I'm like dang that's pretty good. You know what I mean. Oh know, I mean like, for example, like the most recent one, like the worship one, I was like I was like oh, I was like whoa that's like, that's crazy, like everyone like how it went about.
Speaker 1:You know I mean the.
Speaker 2:The reaction was very unexpected. But even if you've noticed, actually you want to talk about creative directive. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Everybody knows, if you've been following my content, even the way that format was structured was way different than everything I've already done, so I try new things, right but if something comes to my head, call it the spirit, or whatever I'm like. Oh dang, let me make this video real quick. Let me try it. I don't know if you have the same idea, bro, but sometimes I get writer's block where I just can't come up with ideas.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean. So I need other creative outlets. But, bro, like things just come to mind and I try my very best to present it in the best way possible, yeah right now, I'm learning as a content creator. When it comes to you, know your hooks on color.
Speaker 1:You were just talking about color grading right your timing your beats the music like people don't know how hot.
Speaker 2:Actually, maybe I'll ask you as a would you consider yourself a content creator?
Speaker 1:What do you consider yourself? I'm considering myself. I'm considering myself a producer right now, like podcast producer, editor, like, yeah, content creation, like I like. I think I'm just I was behind the camera, inside the camera Now. I'm trying to like be in front of the camera. So that's kind of like on my way to content creation. I don't know, Just creating content. I like that in general.
Speaker 2:Is content creation easy or hard?
Speaker 1:That's like one of the most difficult things, I believe.
Speaker 2:Really.
Speaker 1:Well like from a scientific perspective Correct, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm agreeing with you because people think we can just pick up our phones, pick up our camera, talk to the camera and that's it it. But why do you think so many polynesians okay, maybe I won't go so niche why do you think so many people think they can do it and they burn out super easily? It's not easy, right, it is all a mindset, but, bro, they're off camera. You don't see how much work goes into it setting up 100 and then you gotta edit all this after, brother, sorry but see, and they just don't get it.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying so content creation it it's easier if you have the passion and drive for it. Does that make sense? Yeah, 100%, but that's why some of these companies, they, don't want to deal with it. So there's people out here, like myself and my business, that will take care of it for them.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir.
Speaker 2:Sorry, I know I kind of got off the….
Speaker 1:No, you're good, You're good bro. This is perfect, authentic, right, right, and then we can change, we can go ahead and ask some questions. Yeah, what a lot of oh. This is a good one. On Vendor Podcasts, we like to focus a lot on setbacks and failures right, and how we can change those to become positive and like how we can upload in life. So our question for you is what is the setback and failure that you've been most grateful for?
Speaker 2:Love it. And do you mind if I add my authentic philosophy real quick? I don't believe in setbacks and actually don't believe in failures either. I actually don't believe in sin either. The connotation of sin right, we're talking about setbacks, you know failures and those are also synony um, what's it called? Those are also synonyms for sin. Right, when you say you sinned, you messed up, right? A bishop of mine told me this not too recently or not too long ago sin is just experience. So when I heard that, I'm like that's so true.
Speaker 2:Because without that experience, without that, because without that experience, without that sin without that setback, without that failure, you wouldn't have been able to be as strong as you are today, or you wouldn't be able to bounce back. Having said that, one of the setbacks, to use your lingo, or one of the experiences that I'll say would actually be my football career, because I love football still to this day. I'm sorry, you're a Raiders fan. You guys stole my quarterback. You guys stole my quarterback and my old head coach. Do you know who my team is now?
Speaker 1:no, I don't okay you don't know who your new quarterback is. I just I like this hat, but that's crazy. I'm a buccaneers fan.
Speaker 2:Got you, got you so I'm a seahawks fan anyways but one of my biggest setbacks was actually, you know, realizing I wasn't good at football. No more. You know what I mean, and I loved football so much and I thought I was going to play college my whole four years. It's not a bad thing to pray about a career change or a passion change. People always ask me what's your dream, what's your goal?
Speaker 2:And I'm more of an in the moment kind of person and I hope people realize that dreams can change right surely like when you go through life and you have these different setbacks, failures or whatever you call it yeah you can switch your dreams to whatever right. So I just think you take any setback or failure or sin and you just reroute yourself. You know what?
Speaker 1:I mean, but that that was one for sure, that got me, that got me going. And then, uh, my last question for you, brother, is what does authentic mean to you?
Speaker 2:sorry, let me try to give you a good answer. I have adhd sometimes, so sometimes my mouth goes faster than my brain, Obviously that's why I get in trouble a lot.
Speaker 2:But authentic is a synonym for true and real and organic. Authentic means almost being unapologetic of what happens because it happened. Does that make sense? It makes sense If something naturally does that make sense, if something naturally comes to fruition, if something naturally happens. If you say something, if you do something, obviously that was meant to be so. Authentic means being true, organic, um, no filters, no edits, no, obviously I'm talking, like you know, um for examples. But to be authentic is just to be true and if you want to even go deeper, just be unapologetically true to what you believe, think, say or do. So I think authenticity is something we lack a lot in content creation. So I'm grateful for podcasts like this, that kind of explore that option a little bit more. I feel like I've been myself this whole podcast.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:I forgot we were recording it because it's just like just be true and just be real.
Speaker 1:That's it. I like that. Appreciate it bro.
Speaker 2:No, thank you for having me on, no worries bro, yeah, grateful for it.