Justin Brown: I Do Not Have Followers, I Have My People

In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Justin, The Real Food Stalker, sits down with Mick Hunt and unpacks the unglamorous work behind a following that grew without a single negative review. He started Food Stalker in 2010 with nothing but photos and a habit of asking waiters what the next table ordered. He did not eat on camera until 2021, when his kids told him he made food look too good not to. He paid for every meal himself long before a brand ever called.

Mick opens up about his own start, too. When he was still a LinkedIn-only guy two and a half years ago, Justin was the first account he followed on Instagram, and watching Justin be unapologetically himself is what convinced Mick he did not have to perform to show up online.

The conversation runs from microwave burgers to a lost footrace to a sister who brought home teriyaki wings and accidentally created a food critic. But the through line is simple and it applies far past food: you do not have to be the most talented person in the room. You have to be the one who keeps showing up.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Justin never posts food he does not like

• How Food Stalker started in 2010 and became a camera habit in 2021

• Why consistency beats talent in every arena

• The phone-and-CapCut workflow behind every video

• The three thousand dollar camera he never used

• How the AJC writing opportunity changed the way he describes food

• Why honesty and negativity are not the same thing

• The sister whose leftovers built his palate

• What brands get wrong when they buy three videos instead of a partner

• Why he says he has people, not fans or followers

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:55 How Justin got Mick on Instagram

03:10 The Because

03:50 Why he only shows food he likes

05:20 From 2010 photos to eating on camera

06:49 The Unplugged Truth

07:21 Consistency is everything

09:48 Fans, followers, or your people

09:51 The gear: phones, CapCut and one take

13:07 Writing for the AJC

17:40 Hot Takes

17:57 The microwave burger debate

21:42 The race he lost to his nephew

27:02 The Room

27:26 The sister who changed his taste buds

29:55 Vegan mac and cheese

33:03 How Mick Unplugged started

36:48 The Unplugged Five

43:29 What Justin wants the world to know

46:36 Where to follow Justin

48:05 Closing

Connect & Discover Justin Brown:

Instagram: @therealfoodstalker

Facebook: @The-Real-Food-Stalker

TikTok: @therealfoodstalker

YouTube: @therealfoodstalker

LinkedIn: @justintherealfoodstalker

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify: MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged 

Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast 

LinkedIn: @mickhunt 

Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged