Meet Chris Begley

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Begley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.

Chris, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism really comes from community. From the very beginning, that’s what I wanted to build with Head Trip, a space where people feel welcome to share what they love, laugh together, and have fun, thoughtful conversations without judgment. I’ve always believed there’s something powerful about people connecting over the things that inspire them, whether that’s film and TV, music, art, sports, or even the wonderfully bizarre.

Living in Long Beach has only reinforced that belief. Anyone from here will tell you that this city is built on community. From small businesses and coffee shops that proudly support local brands to events like Movies on the Bluff that bring people together under the stars, there’s a real sense of belonging. Being part of that atmosphere has shown me how meaningful it is when people come together, and I try to carry that same spirit into Head Trip.

Right now, it’s just me behind the camera, researching, filming, editing, designing graphics, managing social media, and balancing all of it with a full-time job. It can definitely be exhausting at times, but in the best possible way. What keeps me going is the chance to interact with people who watch, comment, and share their opinions. Even though the brand is still in its early days, those conversations already feel like the foundation of something bigger than just me.

At the end of the day, my optimism comes from those connections. Every time someone engages, laughs, or feels proud of the things they’re passionate about, it reminds me why I started this in the first place. That sense of community is what keeps me hopeful, motivated, and excited for what’s ahead.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Head Trip is really the culmination of a lot of things I’ve loved and learned along the way. At its core, it’s a show about pop culture, movies & TV, games, the weird and bizarre, but more than that, it’s a space for conversations. There are already incredible channels out there doing deep-dive breakdowns and catching every Easter egg, and I admire the work they do. What makes Head Trip different is that we take all that information, combine it with our own perspective, and then dig into what it means. For me, art has always been about interpretation, about sparking conversations, swapping theories, laughing together, and sometimes even disagreeing in fun ways. That’s the spirit we try to bring to every episode.

What excites me most is how quickly it’s become more than just a show. Even in these early stages, it’s been amazing to see people respond, comment, and connect with each other. Those conversations feel like the beginning of a real community, and that’s always been my driving goal. I want people to feel proud of the things they’re passionate about and to know there’s a space where that passion is welcomed.

Looking ahead, I’d love for Head Trip to evolve into more than a podcast or YouTube channel. We’re already imagining a marketplace where new and small creators, whether they’re artists, designers, or brands with something unique to share, can showcase their work and be part of the Head Trip community in a tangible way. The idea is that it doesn’t just stay about what we create, but grows into a hub where others can feel involved, supported, and celebrated too.

For now, it’s still just me behind the camera, filming, editing, designing, and balancing everything with a full-time job, but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Head Trip is still in its infancy, but the hope and excitement around what it can become is what keeps me going.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three things that have carried me the most are persistence, adaptability, and curiosity.

Persistence, because there are plenty of moments where it feels easier to quit than to keep going. Head Trip is something I balance with a full-time job, family, and everyday life, and it can be exhausting. But I’ve learned that consistency is what actually builds momentum. Even if you don’t have everything figured out, just showing up and putting in the work eventually pays off.

Adaptability has been huge, too. My journey hasn’t been a straight line, I’ve been in bands, worked in different industries, and had projects that didn’t pan out. But every one of those experiences taught me something I still use today, whether it’s storytelling, design, or just connecting with people. Being willing to shift, experiment, and learn new skills has made the work feel less overwhelming and more exciting.

And finally, curiosity. That’s really the heart of Head Trip. I’ve never wanted the show to be about just reciting facts or cranking out Easter eggs, there are amazing channels that already do that in a way I’m not sure I could! But, what drives me is asking “What does this mean?” or “Why does this story hit us the way it does?” Staying curious keeps the work fun and gives me the chance to have conversations that feel alive and genuine.

If I had advice for someone starting their own journey, it’d be this: don’t wait until you think you’re ‘ready,’ because you’ll never feel 100% ready. Start small, stay consistent, be willing to learn on the fly, and stay curious about the world around you. The skills will come with time — what matters most is building something that feels authentic to you.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely. Collaboration is a huge part of what I want Head Trip to become. From the beginning, the idea wasn’t just to create a show, but to create a community, and that means opening the door for other voices and creative people to be part of it.

I’d love to connect with others who are passionate about movies, TV, pop culture, and even the offbeat or bizarre corners of entertainment. That could mean fellow creators who want to join for a conversation, artists and designers who’d like to showcase their work, or small brands who are looking for a platform to share what they do. Eventually, big and exciting interviews with creators within the entertainment industry is a goal, but I want to give smaller creators the same opportunity.

If anyone reading this feels like that speaks to them, I’d love to hear from you. The easiest way to connect is through our social media (@HeadTripHQ on all platforms), directly through our YouTube channel, Head Trip (@HeadTripShow) or even through email. I’m always open to chatting, brainstorming, and finding ways to build something fun together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @HeadTripHQ
• Facebook: @HeadTripHQ
• Twitter: @HeadTripHQ
• Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/HeadTripShow
• Other: All of our episodes are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the same day it hits out YouTube channel. We also do occasional live streams of our episodes as well as late night special streams. Those can be viewed live on our YouTube (YouTube.com/@HeadTripShow), our Twitch (Twitch.tv/HeadTripMedia) or our Kick (Kick.com/HeadTripHQ.

Image Credits

Outdoor photos taken by Sarah Ellen
Indoor photos taken by Paige Cano