Homeschool, Hustle, and Harmonizing Life – My Chat with Producer-Ninja, Chris Crary

I've been on a bit of a spontaneity streak lately, so naturally, I invited my friend Chris Crary onto my podcast at the very last minute—like, "Hey, can you be at the studio in 30 minutes?" kind of minute. To my delight, Chris showed up: phone in hand, kids peeking around in the background, and enough energy to power a small city. If there's one thing I've gathered from our friendship over the years, it's how Chris manages to live life on his own terms. That means building a production empire, setting big golf goals, being a dad of two, and somehow still finding time to nurture the next generation.

Chris came from a big family—he's the youngest of five—and early on, he grasped the art of learning from other people's mistakes (having older siblings is like getting free tickets to the "How Not to Do That" show). Over the years, dedicated mentors in his local church community nudged him toward strong work habits and self-awareness, two traits that later fueled his co-founding of Photon, his video and photo (now including podcast) production house. The result is a setup where Chris gets to let his creativity run wild while he leads big-brand shoots, corrals cameras, and organizes elaborate sets. Not to mention, he's basically turned into an impromptu life coach for a bunch of 20-somethings coming up in the industry.

We dove deep on a concept that has stuck with us both: "First, you learn, then you earn, then you return." I love how this saying captures the spirit of hard work and community. Chris is living proof. When he was learning the ropes, he soaked up every opportunity—working for mentors, gleaning knowledge from seasoned pros, and paying attention to every detail on set. Then came the "earn" phase: building his business, investing in top-notch equipment, and forging relationships with clients who trust him for their brand's content. Finally, the "return" phase kicked in, big time. Chris houses kids in crisis, mentors awkward teens, and never charges them a dime because, in his view, sharing your wisdom isn't about a transaction—it's about legacy.

A big portion of our conversation centered on homeschooling. Chris isn't one to shame folks who opt for traditional school, but he stresses that parents—himself included—should play the leading role in their own kids' education. Whether he ultimately does a hybrid homeschool or full-on instruction at home, the overall objective remains the same: help his children become confident, kind, and curious human beings who can order their own food at a restaurant by age two. (Seriously, Chris's daughter is out here placing drink orders like she's a seasoned coffee connoisseur.) The conclusion: teachers and (some) educational systems are great, but they're no substitute for an invested parent.

I suppose letting my kid learn math from me could be risky—especially if he inherits my habit of mentally rounding in favor of saving a few pennies. But hey, at least no child gets left behind when you're the teacher, the principal, and the superintendent.

We also touched on the tense topic of differing opinions in a time when social media encourages everyone to pick a side and stick to it like super glue. Chris's approach? "You're never 100% right, and you're not 100% wrong." He values nuance, keeps an open mind, and tries to set an example by calmly engaging with people who might say or believe bizarre things—including folks on the golf course who sometimes let questionable statements fly. He doesn't just avoid them; he asks, "Where's that coming from?" Nine times out of ten, it's a misunderstanding or some unexamined baggage. It's a refreshing approach in a world where "block and cancel" has become an all-too-common reflex.

Let's just say if we canceled everyone for their weird golf-course chatter, half of us would lose our uncles, half our neighbors, and probably three-quarters of our weekend tee-time buddies.

Another theme Chris and I both latched onto is the illusion of work-life balance and how it's better to think of it as “harmony”. Balance makes it sound like we should split our day into perfectly measured segments of family, work, spiritual, and hobby time, which rarely pans out—especially if you're an entrepreneur who might pack up at a moment's notice for a shoot in Nicaragua. Harmony, on the other hand, is dynamic. It means some days you lean heavily into work, while other days you commit to family first. Over time, it blends into a life that feels meaningful and connected, rather than rigid and guilt-ridden.

Ultimately, this spontaneous chat reminded me—in no uncertain terms—why I respect Chris so much. Here's a guy who invests in the next generation, ditches ego in favor of collaboration, and stays humble enough to keep learning daily. The best part? This is the same dude who can spontaneously appear on my podcast, phone propped on an Apple box, kids tugging at his legs, and still manage to share wisdom that's both practical and deeply inspiring.

(And yes, I absolutely plan on renting out his newly minted, soundproofed podcast studio soon.)

If I had to distill it all in one takeaway phrase, it's this: "You've got to know your 'why.'" When your purpose is clear—helping your family, uplifting the next generation, or channeling creativity through your business—then the hustle, the sleepless nights, and the daily tough calls all make sense. That mindset has certainly helped me cease chasing the mythical 'perfect balance' and focus on building a life that actually hums in tune with my bigger goals. In the end, it's not about being right or wrong; it's about staying curious, caring for your people, and leaving a worthwhile mark on the world—even if we occasionally get a little lost in the chaos.