Nick Calderone is an Emmy Award-winning host and co-founder of Reel Stories & Feedback Comms in Glendale, a boutique video production company specializing in high-quality storytelling and content creation. Learn about Nick Calderone…
Follow at: @nscalderone
Hometown: Branchville, New Jersey.
First job: My first job was at a neighborhood farm stand in Branchville, New Jersey. It was hot and dirty work—stuffing ears of corn into brown paper bags for $1.25 an hour when I was 12. Eventually, I earned a promotion to busheling apples, which felt like hitting the big time.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: I’ve traveled all over the country, but there’s something absolutely magical about Arizona. From the saguaros of the Sonoran Desert to the red rocks of Sedona and the cool pines of Flagstaff, the cultural and biological diversity here is unmatched. For me, a perfect day involves a truck, a trail, and a campfire under the stars.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Hosting RightThisMinute, a nationally syndicated viral video show, for 11 years. Being on national television for over a decade is an experience very few people have. The show was at the cutting edge of viral video culture from the moment it launched in 2011, and helping it grow into something that reached audiences across the country is something I’m incredibly proud of.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Keeping up with the constant evolution of media. From traditional broadcast TV to online platforms, it’s been a wild ride. Adapting, learning, and staying relevant while staying true to my passion for storytelling has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Someone who inspires you and why: Katie Brenneman, who is part of my blended family—she’s the wife of my wife’s ex-husband. Katie faced a brutal leukemia diagnosis and fought her way through relentless treatments with a strength and resilience that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. Watching her journey inspired me to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by setting a personal goal of raising $100,000 as a Visionary of the Year volunteer. That campaign was a powerful experience and reinforced my belief in the strength of community and perseverance.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Start now, no matter how old or young you are. Thanks to technology and social media, more opportunities and avenues exist to share your voice and creativity than ever before. Be genuine and authentic—people can spot the real thing a mile away.
Favorite quote: “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I appeared in the George Clooney movie Money Monster. I often get told I resemble him, but so far haven’t been able to monetize that yet.
What makes someone fabulous: To me, someone truly fabulous is a traveler who devours as much of this planet’s beauty and diversity as they can. They seek experiences, not possessions, and approach the world with curiosity, humility, and respect. They follow the golden rule, leave no trace, and give back more than they take.