Why I Left Task & Purpose

Summary

In this heartfelt first episode of Cappy Army, Chris Cappy shares his journey from working at Task and Purpose to launching his own YouTube channel. He reflects on his military background, his passion for storytelling, and the evolution of the channel that grew to 2 million subscribers. Cappy details the challenges and shifts he faced as Task and Purpose changed ownership, and the personal realization that led him to leave and start Cappy Army. With a focus on honest reporting, in-depth analysis, and a new approach to uncovering declassified stories, Cappy Army marks a fresh start in his mission to inform and engage viewers on global conflicts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The channel, Cappy Army, is created to provide a unique perspective on wars, weapons, and geopolitics, combining the host's military experience and storytelling passion.
• 😀 The creator, Chris Cappy, reflects on his 6-year journey of creating videos out of his home and credits the community's feedback for shaping the content.
• 😀 Cappy's transition into working with Task and Purpose started in 2019, where he began producing video content about military topics, leading to an explosive growth of the channel to 2 million subscribers.
• 😀 Early struggles in video production were overcome with the support of Task and Purpose's leadership, and Cappy learned the entire YouTube process, from production to editing.
• 😀 Cappy gained significant success covering military technology, including topics like the XM7 rifle, which contributed to the channel's rapid growth.
• 😀 The shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in Cappy filming episodes in cramped living spaces and adjusting his work style, including moving in with his father to save money.
• 😀 Cappy’s content evolved to cover complex geopolitical events such as the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, driven by audience input.
• 😀 The growth of Task and Purpose eventually led to its acquisition by new owners, which changed the company's direction, making it more focused on corporate growth rather than creative risk-taking.
• 😀 Cappy’s departure from Task and Purpose came after personal realization and frustration over creative control, quotas for growth, and the lack of ownership over the content he produced.
• 😀 Cappy launched Cappy Army to regain creative control, allow for new production improvements, and focus on deep-dive reports on world events with a fresh perspective, aiming to cover sensitive topics with integrity.

Q & A

Why does the host start by thanking the audience?

The host expresses gratitude for the support and trust of the audience, emphasizing that the show has been shaped by feedback from viewers over the years.

How did the host's career at Task and Purpose begin?

In 2019, the host saw a job opening for a video producer at Task and Purpose and, after interviewing with Patrick Baker, he joined the company. Initially, he created skits for their Facebook page and filmed advertising spots around the country.

What was the host's initial motivation for joining the military?

The host joined the military at 19 to support his country and seek answers to the complexities of the war in Iraq, hoping to understand the truth firsthand.

What were some of the key questions the host had during his deployment in Iraq?

The host questioned why Iraqi towns were shooting at each other and targeting US soldiers, and why bomb makers came from Syria but were funded by Iran. He was seeking a deeper understanding of the war.

What was the turning point in the host's decision to create a YouTube channel?

After his deployment and return to civilian life, the host realized there was a lack of accessible, clear information on military topics. He wanted to create a show that could break down complex military subjects for people like himself.

How did the Task and Purpose YouTube channel grow under the host's leadership?

When the host joined Task and Purpose in 2019, the channel had 800 subscribers. Over time, through his content on firearms, the channel grew significantly, eventually reaching 2 million subscribers. A key factor in this growth was the coverage of the XM7 rifle.

What changes occurred after Task and Purpose was sold to new owners?

After the sale, Task and Purpose became more focused on meeting growth targets. The host experienced increased pressure due to higher quotas and minimum viewership numbers, which led him to feel that the company was prioritizing growth over creative risks.

What personal realization did the host have while on the front lines in Ukraine?

While in Ukraine, the host realized that life is too short to not take risks and take control of his own career. He understood that he needed to prioritize his own creative vision and take a chance on himself.

Why did the host decide to leave Task and Purpose and start Cappy Army?

The host felt that Task and Purpose, after being bought by a private equity firm, was no longer a place where he could fully pursue his creative vision. The decision to leave was based on a desire for creative freedom and to have ownership of his own content, leading him to start Cappy Army.

What is the mission of the host's new YouTube channel, Cappy Army?

The mission of Cappy Army is to provide analysis, insights, and reporting on military and geopolitical topics, especially from the host's unique perspective as an Iraq veteran and war correspondent. The channel aims to uncover declassified stories and cover world events and conflicts as they unfold.