BIG Ideas with J.D. Witherspoon

J.D. Witherspoon has built a career that blends stand-up comedy, acting, voice work, gaming, and content creation into something entirely his own. From posting fun videos for friends to collaborating with some of the biggest brands in entertainment, his journey has been fueled by creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to put himself out there. In this BIG Ideas catch up, J.D. shares the lessons, habits, and mindsets that have shaped his path as a creator.

J.D. Witherspoon’s Creative Journey

Q: Tell us about your channel! What niche are you in, and what type of videos do you make?

A: I’ve got a few different channels, including runJDrun for gaming, and I’m a mix of things like stand-up comic, voice actor, actor, gamer, and whatever else I feel like jumping into. If I had to pick a main lane, it would be comedy and entertainment because that runs through everything I do. You’ll see me on stage performing stand-up and interacting with the crowd, sometimes mixed in with gaming videos, livestreams, or just me out living life and having fun.

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you first start creating YouTube videos? What inspired you to hit publish for the first time?

A: I actually started making videos by accident when I was a teenager, just uploading stuff so my friends and I could share it for fun. A few years later in college, I was acting and going out for auditions when a friend suggested I start a YouTube channel. At the time, I was auditioning for projects I didn’t think were very entertaining, so I decided to write and film my own comedy sketches. It became a fun outlet between acting jobs, and I had no idea it would eventually turn into a career.

Q: What’s the journey been like since then? How has your life changed over the course of your YouTube journey?

A: Posting videos has completely changed my life. What started on a whim led me to meet incredible people in both traditional entertainment and the digital world. I’ve balanced acting auditions with filming content, and YouTube opened doors to work with brands I grew up loving like Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox. Now I have two careers running side by side, one in traditional entertainment and one online, and I bring them together whenever I can. I do not have one single favorite video, but I’ve learned to put things out without getting too attached to how they perform.

Q: If you achieved everything you’ve ever wanted with your channel, what would that look like?

A: I do not think I have fully reached that point yet. In a perfect world, every time I uploaded, the video would perform really well and bring in steady income. It would be all my own material so there would be no copyright issues, and the platforms would be helping to support my touring and live shows. That kind of consistency would also grow my community, which would translate into ticket sales and bigger opportunities.

Q: Help us fill in the blank: “The best ideas come when I’m______”

A: The best ideas come when I’m sleepy. There’s something about being relaxed, almost in that dreamlike state, where ideas just pop into my head. Sometimes I’ll wake up and record a voice note about a dream or a random thought, even if it comes out as half-gibberish. When you are relaxed instead of stressed or anxious, your mind has the space to make those connections.

J.D.’s BIG Ideas:

1) Q: What book, resource or creator expert have you recommended most to other creators, and why?

A: I would recommend the *365 Manifestation Journal*. It might sound simple, but it works if you actually use it every day. It trains your brain to think positively, plan what you want, and believe you can make it happen. When I was consistent with it, I started to see results, and I know I need to get back to it.

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2) Q: What $100-or-less creator tool or purchase has made a surprising impact on your channel? 

A: Get yourself a good microphone for under a hundred dollars. Audio quality matters a lot because people will sit through a video that does not look perfect, but they will click away if the sound is bad. You do not need a fancy camera since your phone can film just fine, but a solid mic can make a big difference in how people experience your content.

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3) Q: What’s a video flop that taught you an important lesson on your creator journey? 

A: Honestly, I feel like they all flop at some point. The big lesson for me is you cannot get too attached to a video. It is the same way I treat acting auditions: you do your part, then let it go, because there are a million factors you cannot control. If something does not land, I just move on, and if I really believe in it, I might bring it back in a week or a month with small tweaks like different keywords or a bit of editing.

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4) Q: If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it (metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions of Creators) what would it say and why? 

A: I’d probably have two billboards side by side. One would say “Post the content, it doesn’t matter,” and the other would say “Be ready for a life of rejection.” As a creative, you are going to put yourself out there and some people will love it, but the rejection will always outweigh the acceptance. That is just part of the job, so you have to be comfortable with it.

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5) Q: What’s a unique part in your creative process that works for you even if no one else gets it? 

A: I have this thing where I only give myself about three takes before I move on. If I keep going past that, I start overthinking and the energy drops. I also try not to obsess over every little detail because I have learned that the audience often does not notice the things I stress about. For me, it is better to keep the momentum, trust the first few takes, and get the content out rather than get stuck trying to make it perfect.

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6) Q: If you could bring to life any video idea with any brand what would it be and why?

A: I do not really have a specific dream brand because I have already worked with some of the ones I grew up loving, like Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and Alienware. Any future partnership would need to feel authentic and let me create something that actually fits my style. If the idea is fun, gives me creative freedom, and connects with my audience, then I am all in.

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7) Q: What’s the BEST advice you'd give to a smart, serious creator just starting to post consistently? What’s the WORST advice they should stay away from? 

A: : I would say look at what is working for you and try to make more of that, but still find ways to keep it fun and creative. Do not fake your personality or act like someone you are not just to get views. The goal is to be the same person in your videos as you are in real life, because that is what will keep people coming back.

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8) Q: What's the biggest challenge you’re facing in your creative journey right now? How can the Spotter Studio Community help support? 

A: Right now the biggest challenge is handling all the back-end work while still being creative. Editing, organizing files, scheduling uploads, thinking about thumbnails — it all takes up a lot of time and energy. Ideally, I’d have an editor and someone helping with strategy so I could focus more on making the actual content.

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9) Q: What idea are you most excited to create next? 

A: I want to start a personal podcast where I sit down with friends, family, and interesting people to have real, unfiltered conversations. The idea came from wishing I had recorded more talks with my dad before he passed. It would be a way to capture those stories and moments so they last forever.

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10) Q: If you had a million dollars to make your dream video, what would it be? 

A: If I had a million dollars for a video, I would probably give it away to people who really need it. The content would be about showing that process and the impact it could make in their lives. I think that would be more meaningful than spending it all on some big over-the-top production.

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Final Note

J.D.’s story is a reminder that creative success comes from doing the work, letting go of perfection, and staying true to yourself even when the numbers fluctuate. His approach proves that the ability to adapt, experiment, and keep momentum matters just as much as raw talent. Whether you are just starting or deep into your own creator journey, there is value in posting the content, learning from the process, and keeping your creative spark alive. If you want to follow J.D.’s journey, subscribe to his main channel here.