We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Greg Wolf a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Greg, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcome? Ha. This is something I’ve always struggled with. However, I’ve reached a point where it’s easier to identify when it’s happening and talk myself out of it, because entertaining those intrusive thoughts only has diminishing returns and gets in the way of growth. Ain’t nobody got time for that! We’re all worthy to exist in any space we choose to pursue. Maybe this will be helpful for you, I don’t know, but here is the practice I exercise whenever those thoughts creep in. I stop whatever I’m doing and immediately identify them as such, then right after I’ll combat it with a positive thought. Such as, remembering all the great feedback I’ve received on my work over the years. Or, reminding myself how there’s room for everyone to succeed in this industry, and I’m someone, so why not me? Or that my creative intuition is always valuable even as I fail, learn, and grow. Plus, I’ve been working professionally in this field for over a decade now, so that alone counts for something, right? Affirmations like these are grounding, help me stay focused, and recalibrate me with my purpose. But hey, if none of that works then just dance in front of the mirror, tell yourself you’re the shit, then go about your day. Cause I said it before, and I’ll say it again, ain’t nobody got time for that.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a filmmaker (writer, director, actor) who grew up outside of Philadelphia, but this Summer I’ll have lived in Los Angeles for thirteen years now! Wait oh my god, does this mean I need to celebrate my California Bar Mitzvah?! I should definitely make this the theme for the next Wolfs Den. The Wolfs Den is a comedy and music variety show I host in my backyard that’s tucked away in Laurel Canyon.
Besides the variety show, I’m always working on a project. Whether it’s writing scripts and musical comedy, or directing a film, music video, or series. Most recently last Fall, I wrote and directed a gay true crime mockumentary, The Venmo Vanisher, that is just as silly as it sounds. It’s currently having its festival run and will be released later this year. This project has inspired me to develop something longer in this space, so I’ve been spending most of my free time doing just that. I can’t say much more right now, but follow me if you want to stay up to date on that. Just before that project, I directed four episodes of an LGBTQ+ comedy web series called Open To It, written and created by Frank Arthur Smith, which was an official selection at OutFest 2022, the largest film festival in Los Angeles. If you ever have a chance to submit your project, or attend a screening or event at OutFest, definitely do it. It was such a rewarding experience and is a great way to celebrate and support diverse storytelling across all genres.
Since 2014, I’ve worked full-time as a production & development executive at Discovery (now Warner Bros. Discovery) in unscripted original series for TBS, TNT, and Discovery Channel. I’m not a trust fund or “nepo” baby (no shade), so like most of us, I’ve always had to work as I pursue my own filmmaking career. Like having two jobs. I see it as a blessing in disguise though, because not only is my day job fun and creative, but there’s real value and skills I’ve learned from working at a tv network that can only help me as my own filmmaking and producing career continues to blossom.
Since I can remember, I’ve always been a creative and performative person, so it’s no surprise I ended up with a career in entertainment. I’ve always had a strong intuition that I’m meant to be in this space generally. But things are meaningless without intention, so as I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to look in the mirror and do the inner work of why. Why do I want to do this and what’s my purpose with it? What do I want to say? What’s my North Star? This inner work has really helped crystalize my purpose. Simply put, to bring laughter and levity to the world. Inspiring people of all ages to see the objective silliness of everyday life, in both the natural and man-made world. To help take the edge off a bit. When I align with this intention the answers become clear and any fear I have melts away. I realize that, even though it starts with me, what I’m making is inevitably bigger than me. I have so much fun working on my projects from start to finish, but once I put something out, it takes on a life of its own in the world. I just hope that the fun and good vibes that went into making it spreads to whoever’s watching.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Whether you’re early in your journey or further along, I think you always gotta have that hustle mentality and that determination to succeed, in whatever it is you’re pursuing. From there, you have to practice consistency. Decide you’re gonna go for it, and really go for it. If it doesn’t go as planned, that’s okay. You learn as you go and over time you become a pro. Be patient, trust the process, and never second-guess your creative intuition even as you fail, learn, and grow along the way. Stay open to learning new techniques and perspectives on your craft from colleagues and peers. Lastly, get feedback. Feedback is absolutely necessary if you want your project to scale – whatever that means to you. That doesn’t mean you have to apply any of it! It’s up to you to discern, but it usually helps open up new pathways in my mind. Make sure you trust the person you ask or at least respect their taste. Try to get people in your field, but also mix it up with others who aren’t to get a consumer perspective, which is just as valuable. But, I always take my mom’s with a grain of salt, because well, she’s too biased.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
So many books have influenced me over the years, but there’s one in particular that has always resonated deeply with me and that’s The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. When I read it for the first time, I was at a crossroads in my life so the words hit differently. As if I was reading this book at the exact time I was meant to be. It articulated my feelings into words that I could apply to my own life. One of the larger themes in the story is that the law of attraction is real. Life attracts life and everything is connected. When you put energy and work into something, the universe inevitably presents you with opportunities. You have to trust and have faith in that. I mean, it is a law, after all. I don’t make the rules. So, just put in the work and be patient with yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegwolf.com
- Instagram: @the_gwolf
Image Credits
Carly Sharp, Troy Barboza, and Brandon Dougherty.
