316. Meals By Cug & Sabino Curcio On Their Mindset of Collaboration Vs. Competition, Remaining Authentic & Being You

·1 hr 16 min·5 clips

Matt LeBris welcomes a friend who accepted the podcast invite while intoxicated and is now starting to drink.

Host Matt LeBris opens the episode by humorously introducing his guests, including Sabino Curcio (Meals By Cug), noting one accepted the invite while intoxicated. The conversation begins with reflections on their long friendship and early collaborations. Sabino details starting his food page in 2017 purely as a hobby, posting for years without viral success until 2021. He emphasizes not caring about others' opinions or going viral initially. The discussion explores the mindset behind content creation, with Sabino and the other guest sharing their indifference to online judgment. They analyze the dynamics of viral content, noting that negative comments are often a prerequisite for massive reach. The guests compare platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, discussing demographic differences. Sabino shares a personal moment about his son celebrating a video hitting 100,000 views. The topic shifts to business growth, including Sabino's plans for a Growing Up Italian office in Little Italy as a retail and studio space. He explains the guerrilla marketing success of a window backdrop increasing Instagram followers. Sabino recounts his background, from working in a deli and earning an accounting degree to quitting a corporate job after five days. The conversation delves into the anxieties of content creation, including posting pressure and logistical challenges of guest booking without a team. They discuss handling brand inquiries and the expectation of free promotion from small businesses. The episode touches on family involvement, with Sabino mentioning his mother's rare appearance in a celebratory clip. Matt asks for life advice, leading to a core philosophical exchange about doing things for personal fulfillment rather than money or clout, though Sabino jokes everyone has a price. They debate whether to start a podcast, acknowledging the work and cost involved. The episode concludes with lighter topics like sports, travel, and personal habits, wrapping up a candid discussion on authenticity and business in content creation.

As heard by us

A loose reunion turns everyday advice about health, authenticity, and consistency into a grounded reflection on daily effort.

Everyday self-discipline sits at the center of this conversation, but it comes through casually: working out to feel better and stay healthy, avoiding all-day drinking, and doing things for oneself instead of chasing money or clout.

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Why you'd press play

You want bagel detours, blunt health advice, and a reminder to be yourself and keep showing up.

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