Mitch Wu thought he knew exactly what his creative career would look like. But after years in product design, a difficult job, and the loss of his brother, he realized how far he’d drifted from the kind of work he actually wanted to be doing.

Then one afternoon he and his nephew went to the park with a couple of action figures and from the first photograph he knew he'd found what he was meant to do.

In this episode, Mitch shares what it’s like to build miniature worlds, develop a creative niche that didn’t really exist, and turn play into a profession.

• His journey from illustration to product design to wedding photography—and how he realized he’d gotten off his creative path
• The moment in a park with his nephew that instantly shifted his career direction
• What toy photography actually is, and why it’s rooted in storytelling and world-building
• How he built a career in a niche that barely existed at the time
• The difference between being a “commodity” creative and owning a specialized niche
• Why continual learning and experimentation keep his work evolving

• Larger Than Life (documentary) – See Mitch at work and get a behind-the-scenes look at his toy photography process
• New York Toy Fair – The largest toy industry convention in North America, where Mitch exhibited his work and connected with major brands
• Disney+ Marvel documentary series – A series featuring toy creators, including Mitch and his work
• Mitch Wu’s toy photography work – See examples of his work for major toy companies, including Mattel’s Ever After High, one of Mitch’s first major clients

Support This Show:

• Follow Tell Me What It’s Like in your favorite podcast app
• Leave a rating & review — it helps others find the show
• Share the episode and tag @RaineMediaCo on social media

Toni King was at a Medicare workshop when she realized how easy it is for someone to misunderstand the system—and how difficult it can be to fix those misunderstandings once they happen.

She’s spent years helping people navigate Medicare, a process shaped by rules, timelines, and decisions that aren’t always intuitive. She shares what it’s like to guide people through it, how the system works, and why it can be so challenging to understand from the outside.

1. How she got started helping people navigate Medicare
2. Why the system can be difficult for people to understand
3. The structure of Medicare and how the different parts fit together
4. The role of private insurance within Medicare
5. What people need to think about as they approach enrollment

1. Learn more about Toni King
2. Medicare
3. Social Security
4. Medicare Advantage (Part C)
5. Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)

Support This Show:

• Follow Tell Me What It’s Like in your favorite podcast app
• Leave a rating & review — it helps others find the show
• Share the episode and tag @RaineMediaCo on social media

Cities don’t just develop over time — they’re shaped by decisions about transportation, where we build, and what gets prioritized.

Urban planner Jahnavi Kirtane explains how those decisions come together, why so many places in the U.S. are built around cars, and how walkability affects independence, access, and everyday life in ways most people don’t realize.

1. The difference between growing up in a car-dependent suburb and navigating New York City
2. What “walkability” actually means and how it shows up in daily life
3. Why many U.S. communities are designed around cars
4. The kinds of decisions that shape how cities function
5. How design influences independence, access, and connection

1. Walkable City by Jeff Speck
2. Speck Dempsey, the planning and design firm where Jahnavi works
3. Jeff Speck's TED talk, The Walkable City

Support This Show:

• Follow Tell Me What It’s Like in your favorite podcast app
• Leave a rating & review — it helps others find the show
• Share the episode and tag @RaineMediaCo on social media