Olympic & Bundy with Christine Devine · FOX 11 Los Angeles

58 - Parker York Smith on positively influencing the world of men's fashion

·1 hr 32 min·5 clips

Parker's wife confronted him about pursuing acting to prove himself to his deceased father, sparking a major life change.

This episode of the Olympic & Bundy podcast features host Kelly Taylor interviewing Parker York Smith, a Cincinnati native who moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting before building a full-time career in men's fashion content. Smith shares his journey from aspiring actor to fashion influencer and details his daily routines and creative process. He discusses his morning ritual of walking his two dogs, a yellow lab and an Alaskan Klee Kai, followed by a gym session before tackling work emails. Smith reflects on the challenges of managing screen time, noting he averages about three to four hours daily on his phone, primarily for work on social media platforms. The conversation explores generational differences in technology, as both host and guest recall getting their first cell phones around age 16 and the early days of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Smith recounts his college major in electronic media and an initial ambition to become a news anchor or sports broadcaster, which shifted after he took an acting class. He describes moving to LA impulsively in 2009 with a friend, driving from Cincinnati in roughly 28 hours, and using a small inheritance after his father's passing to fund the relocation. Smith landed a role on one episode of *American Horror Story: Asylum* in a flashback scene with Zachary Quinto, which briefly opened doors to larger auditions. He admits he often felt extreme anxiety during auditions and eventually questioned if he was pursuing acting for the right reasons, particularly to prove himself to his late father. His now-wife encouraged him to reevaluate his career path and suggested he start a fashion blog, leveraging his writing skills and interest in style. Smith explains he was always interested in fashion as a way to differentiate himself in the Midwest, where he sometimes felt like an outsider. He launched his website, originally called "Gentlemen's Candor," with a focus on honesty and accessibility, using a basic camera and tripod to create content from his existing wardrobe. The tone is casual and conversational, featuring two Cincinnatians catching up and sharing personal anecdotes. Listeners interested in personal pivots, creative careers, or men's fashion advice would enjoy this episode, while those seeking highly structured interviews or debate might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A clear look at turning fashion taste into a full-time career.

Parker York Smith's path lands as a straightforward case of taste becoming a business. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, stayed connected to a long-running interest in fashion, and gradually built a full-time content career around men's style, lifestyle, and fitness.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a pivot story about acting, fashion, and building a full-time creator business.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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