Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108

2026-02-04 · 98 min · 15 entities

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→ discusses Self-Improvement concept

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→ references Insiders website

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Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
→ references wakingup.sjv.io website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

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concepts 9

mentioned Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
mentioned Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Visual Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
discusses Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
discusses Self-Improvement concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
discusses Visual Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
mentioned Mattyj Ay concept

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@mattyj_ay

websites 4

mentioned Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
mentioned wakingup.sjv.io website

0.45

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965
references Insiders website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
references wakingup.sjv.io website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Your Story Isn’t Needed - Pie Aerts Finds Meaning Within The Pressure Machine Of Photography, E108": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

persons 2

mentioned Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob
hosted by Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob

Episode description as stored

In this episode, I sit down with photographer Pie Aerts to unpack the philosophies, struggles, and decisions that have shaped his work over the last decade. Pie is a documentary and wildlife photographer whose practice sits at the intersection of human presence, conservation, and long-form storytelling. He is also the founder of Prints for Wildlife , a platform that has raised over $2.5 million for conservation initiatives worldwide. Our conversation focuses on how Pie thinks about photography beyond aesthetics. We talk about self-doubt, ethics, money, responsibility, and what it actually takes to stay committed to a story over many years. A central thread is his 6-year project in southern Chile (titled COIRÓN ), documenting the lives of the Puesteros, and how that work has evolved from an idea into a deeply personal body of work. My discussion with Pie was reflective for photographers who are thinking long-term, questioning their motives, and trying to balance meaning with sustainability. Other stuff we talk about: Pie Aerts’ background in documentary and wildlife photography His six-year long-term project with the Puesteros of Chile Ethical responsibility, power, and care in long-form photography Self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty as part of creative life Why deep, meaningful photography rarely pays on its own Building expeditions and community as a funding engine Authenticity, AI, and the future of photography. During the part where we discuss his project 'COIRÓN' , Pie shares details about his current Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of his upcoming photobook COIRÓN on the Puesteros, produced with GOST Books. The book is scheduled for release in 2026, alongside a feature-length film developed from the same long-term project. Find kickstarter link below for you to support the project. Links for Pie and his work: Kickstarter Page here Instagram: @because.people.matter Website: pieaerts.com __________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Support the show _________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus features https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders The App That Transformed My Art & Mind https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965 Website: https://themoodpodcast.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay