Dark was fired?

ProKawi24
Posts
2121
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2/20/2018
Location
Herald, CA US
6/4/2025 7:41am

Jamie is an inspiration and truly a good dude. A diehard fan who went from literally digging ditches to a legit MX media role for a few years living out his dream. I think I remember back when he got the gig Steve joking with him about walking off the job site giving everyone the bird and he was very humble saying he made sure to leave on good terms knowing that this could eventually happen and was just grateful for the opportunity. 

 Hopefully he stays in the industry, may not get a super attractive salary but as the saying goes "Do what you love, love what you do". I would take a serious pay cut to love my job and still be able to live within my means. All the best to Jamie and major props to Vital & ML for giving him every opportunity to pave his way in this industry and make a mans dream come true.  

34
D.Woods
Posts
19
Joined
4/20/2023
Location
nashville, TN US
6/4/2025 8:15am

I feel for Mr. Side.  As someone who has held many "dream jobs" to most people, and has also had one removed seemingly out of nowhere due to budget cuts, it's a true bummer!  Even knowing you were 100% dedicated, proficient/performing at or above the expected level and all that still can make you question if there was anything you could've done differently to position yourself to where the dream never got cut short....  As goofy as he and his guys on his pod can be at times, Dark has become a staple in the media in my eyes - a unique every-man type of guy who turned being a fan into a revenue source.  Hopefully he figures something out that works for him so he can stay around and keep growing with the sport.  Some say there are too many podcasts, but you don't have to listen to them all...  They said the same thing back in the mid 2010's also and look how many pods there are now.       

9
KHNC
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East Flat Rock, NC US
6/4/2025 8:24am

#dicksout4Darkside

 

#Harambe

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Mx391
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y, TN US
6/4/2025 8:38am

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

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10

The Shop

ML512
Posts
16900
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Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
6/4/2025 8:40am
D.Woods wrote:
I feel for Mr. Side.  As someone who has held many "dream jobs" to most people, and has also had one removed seemingly out of nowhere...

I feel for Mr. Side.  As someone who has held many "dream jobs" to most people, and has also had one removed seemingly out of nowhere due to budget cuts, it's a true bummer!  Even knowing you were 100% dedicated, proficient/performing at or above the expected level and all that still can make you question if there was anything you could've done differently to position yourself to where the dream never got cut short....  As goofy as he and his guys on his pod can be at times, Dark has become a staple in the media in my eyes - a unique every-man type of guy who turned being a fan into a revenue source.  Hopefully he figures something out that works for him so he can stay around and keep growing with the sport.  Some say there are too many podcasts, but you don't have to listen to them all...  They said the same thing back in the mid 2010's also and look how many pods there are now.       

Just to clarify, it’s more of a budget and efforts restructure, rather than direct cuts.

3
14
ML512
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Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
6/4/2025 8:41am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

17
8
6/4/2025 8:45am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

And sometimes the fit just ain’t right no matter how much you want it to be. It’s the sucky part of managing people and never gets easier. Dark was never my cup of tea but he is someone’s and he will be fine in time. 

8
6/4/2025 8:58am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good...

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.

Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good gig. 

Or hit the open road and do 125 race reports at the bigger races.  Not only LL but like am day at red Bud.  Millville. Aztalan, Xmas, pine ridge , etc.  And cover big vet races.  A little rd trip footage included .  People would like to see what else for adventure is out there.  Basically hv a fun show .  Disaster trying to get my injections done so my big plan this yr is done.  So I,ll forward info , your going to need a helper . On fb go on Chicago work ua it’s full of Hot Eastern European women looking for work or a English tutor . Haha .  I worked for 11 eu trucking co.s.  There all very advanced on computers etc doing video & editing would be easy for them .  Bro,s would tune in because there Hot & a Real trip speaking broken English. Haha .  I know what your thinking I hv to feed another person then.  They don’t eat much Very little portions . Plus they Love to travel America.  There good little workers . You might hv to learn a little bit of there language. But it not that hard I learned a few of there languages. 

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6/4/2025 9:03am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

Tell it to us straight. Is it the tariffs?

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14
Darksidemx3
Posts
379
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7/13/2017
Location
White Oak, TX US
6/4/2025 9:08am

He got outed as being the mandarin. Nobody was happy about all the truth bombs he was dropping. 

Don't put that on me. Haha

21
Darksidemx3
Posts
379
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Location
White Oak, TX US
6/4/2025 9:09am
miikex2 wrote:

Yeah he was, it was discussed on Pulp this week 

joshd wrote:

What part of the show 

aeffertz wrote:
The part where Dark calls in. :lol:Said he was told he doesn’t fit in the budget and they gave him a 6 week notice or something...

The part where Dark calls in. Grinning

Said he was told he doesn’t fit in the budget and they gave him a 6 week notice or something. Still part of VitalMX until I think he said July 15. The MotoXPod will go back under its own channel and socials and such. I figured there’d probably be some sort of formal departure closer to the date or something. 

It sounds like he’s got a couple ways to stay in the industry if he’d like or he has a regular job lined up as well.

I wasn't told it was due to budget. The company is just making some changes. I think Kris said budget. It's just business.

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Darksidemx3
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379
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Location
White Oak, TX US
6/4/2025 9:16am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

I appreciate that. Means a lot. But also, Lewis does an amazing job with press day and post race interviews. And my stuff will continue on it's own platform.

22
1
Darksidemx3
Posts
379
Joined
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Location
White Oak, TX US
6/4/2025 9:17am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

And sometimes the fit just ain’t right no matter how much you want it to be. It’s the sucky part of managing people and never gets...

And sometimes the fit just ain’t right no matter how much you want it to be. It’s the sucky part of managing people and never gets easier. Dark was never my cup of tea but he is someone’s and he will be fine in time. 

I can live with that statement

3
Airick
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228
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1/27/2017
Location
Hollywood, MD US
6/4/2025 9:54am

For what it’s worth, I liked Dark’s written articles. Loretta’s qualifying, GNCC adventure. etc.

13
Pop Shmoke
Posts
1789
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Location
Boston, MA US
6/4/2025 10:05am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

bens 152 wrote:
Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business...

Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business cards and all. 

Wish the best for the guy. 

Holy shit it really wasnt obvious what I was saying? Yes I’m aware he has a pod, its called the VITAL MX motoxpod. When you get fired you usually dont get to take your old companies ip with you. If he can thats awesome, nevermind what I said, but since he got fired from vital mx and he does the vital mx motoxpod I figured that would be over. So in that case I was saying he can do it on his own now and it could actually end up working out even better in the end. 

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6/4/2025 10:09am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

bens 152 wrote:
Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business...

Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business cards and all. 

Wish the best for the guy. 

Pop Shmoke wrote:
Holy shit it really wasnt obvious what I was saying? Yes I’m aware he has a pod, its called the VITAL MX motoxpod. When you get...

Holy shit it really wasnt obvious what I was saying? Yes I’m aware he has a pod, its called the VITAL MX motoxpod. When you get fired you usually dont get to take your old companies ip with you. If he can thats awesome, nevermind what I said, but since he got fired from vital mx and he does the vital mx motoxpod I figured that would be over. So in that case I was saying he can do it on his own now and it could actually end up working out even better in the end. 

First rule when in a hole is stop digging...

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1
6/4/2025 10:20am

You're a classy guy Darkside.

Please keep your show going. I feel like the riders you interview open up a bit more to you. They seem more relaxed. Plus the chat is another outlet for my dorky attempts at humor. 🙃

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6/4/2025 10:23am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good...

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.

Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good gig. 

Or hit the open road and do 125 race reports at the bigger races.  Not only LL but like am day at red Bud.  Millville. Aztalan...

Or hit the open road and do 125 race reports at the bigger races.  Not only LL but like am day at red Bud.  Millville. Aztalan, Xmas, pine ridge , etc.  And cover big vet races.  A little rd trip footage included .  People would like to see what else for adventure is out there.  Basically hv a fun show .  Disaster trying to get my injections done so my big plan this yr is done.  So I,ll forward info , your going to need a helper . On fb go on Chicago work ua it’s full of Hot Eastern European women looking for work or a English tutor . Haha .  I worked for 11 eu trucking co.s.  There all very advanced on computers etc doing video & editing would be easy for them .  Bro,s would tune in because there Hot & a Real trip speaking broken English. Haha .  I know what your thinking I hv to feed another person then.  They don’t eat much Very little portions . Plus they Love to travel America.  There good little workers . You might hv to learn a little bit of there language. But it not that hard I learned a few of there languages. 

5 people that dislike interesting beautiful women & adventure.  I,ve been in every small, medium & large cities in America. Majority of people don’t hv money to travel they struggle to pay bills even 150k folks.  To hear a EU women say oh so very beautiful or motor oil anything really  is interesting. Too many pod cast talking about stuff is boring.  IMG 0728 0

1
17
6/4/2025 10:24am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good...

That would be cool. He could call it the MotoXPod show or something like that.

Good luck to Darkside! I'm sure he will line up a good gig. 

Or hit the open road and do 125 race reports at the bigger races.  Not only LL but like am day at red Bud.  Millville. Aztalan...

Or hit the open road and do 125 race reports at the bigger races.  Not only LL but like am day at red Bud.  Millville. Aztalan, Xmas, pine ridge , etc.  And cover big vet races.  A little rd trip footage included .  People would like to see what else for adventure is out there.  Basically hv a fun show .  Disaster trying to get my injections done so my big plan this yr is done.  So I,ll forward info , your going to need a helper . On fb go on Chicago work ua it’s full of Hot Eastern European women looking for work or a English tutor . Haha .  I worked for 11 eu trucking co.s.  There all very advanced on computers etc doing video & editing would be easy for them .  Bro,s would tune in because there Hot & a Real trip speaking broken English. Haha .  I know what your thinking I hv to feed another person then.  They don’t eat much Very little portions . Plus they Love to travel America.  There good little workers . You might hv to learn a little bit of there language. But it not that hard I learned a few of there languages. 

5 people that dislike interesting beautiful women & adventure.  I,ve been in every small, medium & large cities in America. Majority of people don’t hv money to travel they struggle to pay bills even 150k folks.  To hear a EU women say oh so very beautiful or motor oil anything really  is interesting. Too many pod cast talking about stuff is boring.  IMG 0728 0

1
15
Mx391
Posts
312
Joined
10/25/2017
Location
y, TN US
6/4/2025 10:25am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

I appreciate that. Means a lot. But also, Lewis does an amazing job with press day and post race interviews. And my stuff will continue on...

I appreciate that. Means a lot. But also, Lewis does an amazing job with press day and post race interviews. And my stuff will continue on it's own platform.

Lewis is great too. Hope it all works out for you. 

miikex2
Posts
152
Joined
3/14/2011
Location
NY US
6/4/2025 10:28am
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known...

I mean this could be an opportunity for him depending on how he looks at it. These days eyeballs are currency and hes become well known within the sport so he could do any number of things on his own. Technology has dropped massively in price so for fairly cheap he could set up his own podcast if he wanted to. I’m not sure what his socials are at but I’m sure its not bad and you can leverage that as well. Ill be interested to see what he does, but sometimes in hindsight times like this can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

bens 152 wrote:
Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business...

Trying to not sound sarcastic, but you know he’s had a podcast for years now? It was kinda how he got to where he is. Business cards and all. 

Wish the best for the guy. 

Pop Shmoke wrote:
Holy shit it really wasnt obvious what I was saying? Yes I’m aware he has a pod, its called the VITAL MX motoxpod. When you get...

Holy shit it really wasnt obvious what I was saying? Yes I’m aware he has a pod, its called the VITAL MX motoxpod. When you get fired you usually dont get to take your old companies ip with you. If he can thats awesome, nevermind what I said, but since he got fired from vital mx and he does the vital mx motoxpod I figured that would be over. So in that case I was saying he can do it on his own now and it could actually end up working out even better in the end. 

He had the pod before he joined Vital, and it was called the MotoXpod.. that is what he is saying

9
3strokemx
Posts
2427
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9/2/2010
Location
US
6/4/2025 10:32am Edited Date/Time 6/4/2025 10:32am

Someone pass word to Dark, I heard Oakley might be looking for a new goggle guy as of a few weeks ago.

9
2
McG194
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4113
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Location
Palm Coast, FL US
6/4/2025 10:39am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

Nothing personal and I have no idea what part you had in the decision but to me that's lame corporatespeak. 

I've been let go with great performance reviews with the same line; I've also fought and won against upper management trying to let members of my staff go when they were great performers. If an employee is beating his metrics and isn't a disciplinary problem, you find a place for them. Anything less is short sighted. Human capital is the most important resource a company has, and you never let good people leave the building.

14
7
Kyle978
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1694
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Location
Dirt, NM US
6/4/2025 10:40am

Dark, figure out a way to make a good income outside of moto and keep the podcast as a side hustle. You don’t want to sign yourself up for the rest of your 40’s and into your senior years living paycheck to paycheck and looking for new opportunities when the current one ends. 

Moto and life in general are much more enjoyable with financial stability. 

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1
6/4/2025 10:41am
ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

ML, I see you, Dark, and Lewis as the Vital MX team creating all of the content. Are there others I'm not seeing / missing? 

-MAVERICK-
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65680
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Location
Ontario CA
6/4/2025 10:47am

There's always barber college.

- James Dalton 

4
8
joshd
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709
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Location
Lucedale, MS US
6/4/2025 10:57am

Well this sucks. Dark is good people. I don’t see how someone as miserable as Guyb was allowed to stay around and dark gets the boot. 

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11
pummel
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6/4/2025 10:59am
6/4/2025 11:21am
Mx391 wrote:
Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats...

Pit Bits falling off slowly last few years, we get hidden threads and comments, now the guy that gets the best rider interviews is gone. Whats going on around here?

ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

McG194 wrote:
Nothing personal and I have no idea what part you had in the decision but to me that's lame corporatespeak. I've been let go with great performance...

Nothing personal and I have no idea what part you had in the decision but to me that's lame corporatespeak. 

I've been let go with great performance reviews with the same line; I've also fought and won against upper management trying to let members of my staff go when they were great performers. If an employee is beating his metrics and isn't a disciplinary problem, you find a place for them. Anything less is short sighted. Human capital is the most important resource a company has, and you never let good people leave the building.

Vital did the same thing to OC Scotti years ago. No animosity just business.  

2
ML512
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Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
6/4/2025 11:32am
ML512 wrote:
Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).Things...

Our content views are higher than ever, pod channel is growing, more unique content than ever before (by a long shot compared to four years ago).

Things change, direction changes, needs change.

Graybeard wrote:

ML, I see you, Dark, and Lewis as the Vital MX team creating all of the content. Are there others I'm not seeing / missing? 

Sean Ogden is our media manager / main video guy. He does all the graphics, all the stuff you see in the podcasts, all our video and creative in general.

We’ve had secondary video guys, but we’ve rotated through a few the last couple years trying to get the right fit.

Steven Tokarski joined us at the beginning of the year in a testing role and is growing into more of a product editor spot.

We also have other contributors for pods and other photo duties.

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