We were lucky to catch up with Fossil Daddy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Fossil, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always been a creative. Long before I got into the sciences, I dreamed of becoming an animator, largely due to my love of Disney during the Disney Renaissance (may it rest in peace…), and also just my love for hand drawn and stop motion animation. The things that the human hand is capable of always fascinated me and I knew I wanted to do something with my hands… Who knew that one day my hands would transition into pulling fossils out of sedimentary rock, instead.

However I do utilize some of my illustration and animation skills into my YouTube videos (YouTube.com/@fosceldaddy) where I talk about my love for animation.

Fossil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m known online as Fossil Daddy, a queer “Paleontological Father figure.” My journey into Paleontology started with a fascination for fossils, inspired by a Pokémon called Omanyte, which is based on real-world ammonite fossils. This early interest grew into a lifelong passion for Paleontology, and I began sharing my fossil discoveries on Instagram, where I quickly found a community of people who shared my enthusiasm.

Initially, I started selling some of my fossil finds to help fund my fossil hunts, and it surprisingly turned into a successful business. However, over time, I realized that my true passion wasn’t in selling fossils—it was in sharing my love for Paleontology and educating others. The demands of selling became mentally draining, so I shifted my focus to content creation.

Today, I primarily make a living through content creation across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. I showcase my fossil finds and discuss Paleontology, but I also explore my interests in animation and cartoons. YouTube, in particular, offers me a creative outlet where I can produce longer, more in-depth videos about topics I’m passionate about, which I find more fulfilling than the shorter content on other platforms.

What sets me apart is my unique blend of Paleontology and pop culture, bringing a fresh, relatable perspective to both fields. I’m proud of the community I’ve built and the impact I’ve had in making Paleontology accessible and exciting to a diverse audience. My main goal is to inspire others to explore their passions, just as I did.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, society can best support artists and creatives by fostering an environment that values and prioritizes creativity as essential to cultural and educational growth. This starts with recognizing the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in the creative ecosystem, especially those that challenge the status quo or come from marginalized communities.

For artists like myself, who blend disciplines such as Paleontology with pop culture, it’s crucial that society not only encourages creative expression but also provides tangible support, such as funding for projects, accessible platforms for sharing work, and educational opportunities that nurture both traditional and non-traditional forms of creativity.

Moreover, it’s essential to create spaces where artists and creatives can collaborate, experiment, and take risks without fear of financial instability. This could mean offering grants, residencies, and scholarships specifically designed for interdisciplinary or unconventional artists. Another key aspect is providing mental health support, as the pressures of sustaining a creative career can be mentally and emotionally taxing.

Ultimately, a thriving creative ecosystem depends on a society that actively supports and uplifts its artists, recognizing that their work not only entertains but also educates, inspires, and drives social progress.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a time when I had to make a significant pivot in my career as a content creator. I was heavily involved in producing short-form video content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Initially, these platforms were lucrative, and the content I created garnered a lot of attention. However, in recent years, the income I generated from short-form videos dropped drastically DESPITE getting significantly more views now than I did back when they were lucrative. For instance, I once had a reel reach 18 million views, and another shortly after made 7-8 million views. It paid my mortgage for a few months with those videos alone. I recently had a video reach about 4 million views and it paid out $16

It’s just less sustainable as a primary source of income, and I’m just thankful I have other sources of income and was never foolish enough to put all my eggs in the short form videos basket.

Beyond the financial aspect, I began to feel mentally drained from constantly chasing trending sounds and topics that didn’t resonate with my true passions. I found myself creating content just to stay relevant, rather than because it inspired me. This approach started to take a toll on my creativity and overall well-being.

Eventually, I realized that content creation should never be about chasing views or trends—it should be about producing work that you can genuinely be proud of. This epiphany led me to pivot away from short-form videos and instead focus on longer-form content. These longer videos allow me to fully utilize my skills in video editing and animation, and more importantly, they give me the creative freedom to explore topics that I’m truly passionate about.

The pivot wasn’t easy, as it required letting go of what was once a successful part of my business. However, it was a necessary step to preserve my mental health and creative integrity. Since making this change, I’ve found much more fulfillment in my work, and I’m proud of the content I now produce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Fossildaddy.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/fossildaddy
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/fossildaddy
• Twitter: https://Twitter.com/fossildaddy
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@fosceldaddy
• Other: https://Patreon.com/fossildaddy