Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patrick Ellis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Patrick, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I had wanted to start a creative business of my own for years but always found a way to talk myself out of it. I used to think that if I didn’t have all the answers to any possible challenge then that meant the time wasn’t right or that I wasn’t ready yet. Eventually, I realized perfection is a mirage. The simple truth is we never have all the answers, so the most important thing is to believe in yourself, make a plan, and just get going.

But so often we don’t believe in ourselves. We underestimate our own ability to roll with the punches and figure things out as we go, we assume that we need to be experts in everything before we begin. That sort of thinking is a dangerous trap, and it’s also a sort of paralysis. A lot of time and opportunity is wasted when we’re stuck in an endless loop of self-doubt. Becoming comfortable with uncertainty was crucial for me to learn to trust my own skills, and ultimately to bet on myself. And that has been incredibly liberating.

In just over a year as an independent podcast producer, I’ve built a valuable network of creative collaborators, talent managers, and rights-holders and made amazing friendships along the way. My first project as executive producer, a 10-episode audio drama titled “Two Thousand and Late”, premiered in September, and a handful of new projects are underway with creative partners I deeply admire. I still don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned that wherever this new endeavor leads I’ll manage just fine – and I will most definitely keep betting on myself.

Patrick, 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’ve spent my entire career in the media and entertainment industry, driven by a love of storytelling in all its forms. After graduating from USC’s film program, I cut my teeth working on movies, television, music videos, and commercials, really anything that let me be part of the creative process. When digital media began to emerge in the early 2000s, I was hooked. I went on to spend more than two decades leading digital marketing teams and spearheading high-profile campaigns for companies like Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney, and ABC Television, helping to shape how audiences engage with entertainment in a more interactive and creative way, doing some really cool stuff and winning awards along the way.

I’ve always had a soft spot for radio, and when the opportunity came to build a digital content team for iHeartRadio, I jumped at it. That’s where I caught the podcasting bug and discovered how powerful this medium can be for intimate, innovative storytelling that connects directly with listeners.

If I have a superpower I would say it’s building collaborative partnerships that give creative artists room to take chances and do their best work. That instinct took on even deeper meaning after losing my wife Elicia Richardson to cancer in 2023. Elicia was an absolute force of nature and a champion for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. When I made the decision to begin working as an independent producer, there was never any question that my focus would be to continue that support and to honor her by creating opportunities for underrepresented artists to be seen and to tell stories on their own terms.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As an independent producer, I have to create my own opportunities. That means a lot of prospecting: figuring out who’s who in the industry, finding great material, cold-calling potential partners, tracking audience trends, and nurturing relationships. It also means unusual hours, being ghosted frequently, and chasing leads that go nowhere. Some days everything clicks, but others, not so much.

I find it’s very useful to treat setbacks as a learning opportunity, a chance to get better at playing the game. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but doing it helps me stay grounded. When I first launched this new professional chapter, I had an impressive pedigree in marketing and publicity, but not as a producer. Doors closed on me often, especially at agencies that control intellectual property rights. Discouraging? Absolutely. But I started to see those moments like striking out at the plate: keep at it, get better. After roughly six months I successfully negotiated with a literary agency to purchase the rights to a short story I love, and I’m now developing it into a full-cast audio adaptation.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

In my experience, people do their best work when they feel respected and know their efforts are valued. I believe it’s equally important for a team to share its losses as well as its wins. That balance keeps the group from becoming strictly transactional or falling into all-or-nothing thinking. When a team focuses on collective achievement, it builds trust and delivers stronger long-term results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://harperandhavoc.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickellis111/

Image Credits

Patrick Ellis
Erika McKee