We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Russell Sun Eagle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Russell below.
Hi Russell , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Taking a risk is huge. Especially if its for yourself. The most recent risk I took was back in 2020. This is when Covid took over and I was working a job that I started to hate. When Covid hit it made our job shut down for three months. And during that three months, everyone was on lockdown. No places to go nothing to really do. So during this time I start thinking about what I would like to do with my life rather than just working a 9 to 5. Even when I was younger, I always knew there was more out there , but it was just hard to get to that point and know how to get there. I remember finding Podcasts and finding them interesting and after listening to a few, I wanted to start my own. During the lockdown of Covid, I started to educate myself on what a podcast is , how to do it and what all goes into a podcast. After doing that, I knew I had to buy the equipment and get everything situated to where I can start doing a podcast. After buying everything I needed it was time to go back to work. I remember my company called me and I didn’t answer for maybe three days. Finally I called them back and they told me I had to come back to work the next day. Before I called back I really thought about why I would want to stay working there and not do my own thing. So when I called them, I had made the decision to not go back to work. I told them this and I was really surprised by their reaction to it. All the manager said was OK. See you later. Right then and there I knew I was replaceable and I knew the time I put in didn’t mean anything. and after that, I started planning more and more about the podcast. That was a big risk and to me and even bigger risk was actually putting out my first episode. For me, I’ve never done nothing like getting my voice out there. I was so afraid of how people would view me, or just be judged by the things I say. So I was afraid to put an episode out because of that. I really had to just let all that go and put the content. After letting all that go this drove me to stick with it and stay consistent throughout the years. That’s what I did , I took these risk and rewards came later. So I truly believe that when you take a risk and you bet on yourself good things will happen. You just always have to believe in it. Stay consistent work hard and keep going no matter what anybody says. no matter how many times you fail. you just have to keep doing it and keep believing it. And like I was always told anything is possible you just have to be willing to put the work in and do whatever it takes to get where you want in life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Russell Sun Eagle. I’m from Pawnee Oklahoma. I started Okie Podcast in 2021. Starting a podcast was an idea that turned into reality. I had to educate myself on what a podcast truly was and how to run it. After posting my first episode with ryker sixkiller I knew I had to keep going. I then started to release an episode every week with a new guest for the next 2 years. All of my guests always talk about just keep working and perfecting the craft. Don’t worry about the numbers and have fun. That’s exactly what I did. I stopped looking at my downloads and just kept releasing episodes. I believe jiu jitsu taught me a lot about myself and how to keep going when things get tough. Everything I start I have the mindset of doing the work and whatever it is I’m doing will catch on. This has led me to help start another podcast called spirit talkers. On spirit talkers we talk about any and everything paranormal. Its also helped me create Sun Eagle Media. With Sun Eagle Media I specialize in podcasting, editing, videography, photography, and motivational speaking. My work ethic is unmatched. If you have an idea we can get it done. Helping get clients what they truly want out of media is always special to see their vision come to life. With everything I’ve done im most proud of working with out pâri pakûru’ (Pawnee Language) program as the Audio Visual specialist. I get to work media in the program but I also get to learn my language and hopefully soon get to do a little bit of teaching the language. I Still have some ways to go but learning my language has been so powerful and fulfilling. I look forward to every semester. I want everyone to know that I try my best at whatever it is I do. If you have an idea for photography, videography let’s work on it. I have experience with comedy shows, concerts, portraits, powwows, private events and public events. If you have an amazing story to share about not giving up and keep working at something like acting, comedy, music, filmmaking, etc okie podcast can help get your story out there to motivate and inspire. If you have spooky stories about the paranormal, cryptids, send them to me personally or spirit talkers. I also do some motivational speaking engagements as well. Feel free to contact me.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Yes, I think what illustrates my resilience happened recently with my dad passing away. My dad passed away January 29th, 2024. I always knew my dad would pass away, but I just never knew when. So I would always prepare myself for that moment. Talk to myself about how it would be maybe or what I would need to do to take care of these things when he’s gone. All of that didn’t matter because when it actually happened, my life changed. Seeing my dad in his last days, really traumatized me. Those last days are what I kept seeing for the next 5 to 6 months. It left me in a state of depression that I really didn’t know how to get out of. I was wanting to do media, but I didn’t want to do anything. I would just lay in bed all day and think about my dad. I wanted to call my dad and hear his voice one more time. I had dreams of my dad and I didn’t wanna wake up because I wanted to be with him in those dreams . I wasn’t prepared for the reality of him being gone physically. I know my dad wouldn’t want me to live like that. I know my dad would want me to continue the work I was doing and to keep going. I knew my dad wasn’t in pain. Suffering hurting or even lonely anymore. I knew he was with his folks, family, ancestors and everyone that’s gone on before him. I knew he was with them. I had to remember that, and I had to remember that he was always going to be with me wherever I went. Remembering that and also family members, community members, friends and anybody in my life gave me words of encouragement to help me and this part of my journey. Slowly, but surely I started to come back and continue my journey. I still have my days where I don’t want to do nothing and think about my dad. But it’s not all the time. Because I know my dad wouldn’t want that for me. It’s been a blessing to come back doing media again and knowing that my dad will never leave me and I can continue his legacy and continue mine as well. And right here right now. I just want to thank everybody. That’s been there for me during this difficult time.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
To help support your local artist, creatives I would say go to their events. Buy their artwork. Share their announcements on social media. Subscribe to their work, wherever it may be. And just let them know that what they’re doing is worth it. Sometimes creators need to hear that from people. That helps a lot with to just keep going and to keep reaching those goals of being an artist, entrepreneur, Actor, business owner, Musician, podcaster, photographer, videographer, filmmaker, writer, The list goes on and on with supporting your local Creatives. So support how you can when you can and just let them know that you’re there for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @okiepodcast @suneaglemedia @spirit_talkers_podcast @russthemuss49
- Facebook: Russell Sun Eagle
- Youtube: Spirit Talkers Podcast
- Other: TikTok: @spirit_talkers
Image Credits
Photos taken by Sun Eagle Media