It’s no secret that Los Angeles is home to many podcasts and creators, but regardless of the content you consume―chances are you’ve heard of H3 one way or another.
The famous L.A.-based podcast started off as a small YouTube channel in 2011, with dynamic duo Ethan and Hila Klein. As their comedic videos went viral and the channel grew, so did their content. In 2017, they created a podcast that would be a total game-changer, and would eventually feature notable guests like Steve-O, Post Malone, Eric Andre, and more.
To date, the podcast has amassed close to a billion views on its YouTube page alone. An incredible feat that they often credit to their team.
What started off as a party of two, has now transformed into a full-fledged production consisting of beloved crew members like Dan, Ian, Zach, Sam, Lena, AB, Olivia, Cameron, and their fairly newest addition, Love AKA YungFika―the man behind the H3’s social media channels.
YungFika joined the crew officially in 2020, but he reveals to us that his connection to H3 reaches far beyond that. Facing boredom during the pandemic, he would often clip snippets from the show, sharing them beyond the YouTube space and onto other platforms like Twitter. An accidental genius marketing move, as the content now held the power to reach a new audience. It didn’t take long before the H3 Podcast recognized this themselves.
As a self-proclaimed H3 Simp, it was all just love of the game for YungFika, but little did he know his dedicated Twitter page would eventually lead to a life-changing career on the show itself.
Funnily enough, he is the only crew member working remotely in Sweden, connecting to the Los Angeles podcast via zoom on a makeshift screen. (Charmingly known on the show as LoveBot.) Despite living thousands of miles away, he’s still a fan favorite and plays an essential role on the podcast with his undeniable magic touch behind the social platforms.
It’s often said true success occurs when opportunity meets preparation, and YungFika is living proof of this. He describes himself as a loner kid who just spent time doing what he loved on the internet―teaching us that if you stick to what you love, then you are destined to find those who will love you for it too.
Secret L.A. had the chance to catch up with YungFika to learn more about his start on the H3 Podcast, the life-changing adjustment, and even his favorite spot in L.A. Check out our full conversation below!
Q&A: A Conversation with Love AKA YungFika of H3 Podcast
Secret L.A.: How did you start getting involved with H3?
YungFika: I started replying to Ethan [on Twitter] every time he tweeted from my personal account that was completely unknown. No followers at all. I kept replying to him and people started liking it—and eventually he started liking it. I kind of got a little bit of a kick out of him interacting with me. So I was like, sh*t, I got to make an account dedicated to just getting his attention and annoying him full time. So I started H3 Out Of Context, a [Twitter] account where I just basically took short clips from the podcast.
SLA: You started off as a genuine fan to now being a big part of the H3 crew, how did that go down?
YF: I started getting a considerable amount of followers on H3 Out Of Context, and then one day I woke up to a message from Dan, basically saying, “Hey, we need someone to do our social media.” I was like, holy sh*t. Yes! I ended up talking to them via email for a couple of days, quit my job two weeks later, and the rest is history.
SLA: That means you went from being completely anonymous to now thousands of people knowing who you are. How did you navigate that change?
YF: So when I took the job, initially, I did not expect to ever be on camera. Even in my personal life, I never posted pictures of myself. I was really nervous at first. I was really self conscious, and the day I was invited to be on the podcast, I was like, f*ck it, if I’m going to do this, I might as well go all out.
SLA: How did you feel about showing your face for the first time?
YF: Honestly, mentally it wasn’t that easy at first. But I just did it and I told myself I’ll figure it out afterwards—and I’m very happy that I didn’t really think about it too much. I just went in. But after the [first show], I got very comfortable. The H3 fan base is just so nice. It’s unlike any other fan base. I was very welcomed.
SLA: Now you’re on camera weekly, is it fair to say you’ve adjusted?
YF: So after that, I kind of relaxed a little bit. It felt pretty good. It’s mind-blowing that I’m on the podcast now, so far out of my comfort zone. It’s weird because we have literally millions of viewers in our community, and I feel comfortable with these millions of people.
SLA: You’re working for an L.A.-based podcast all the way from Sweden, are people in your life familiar with the podcast?
YF: When I was growing up, everyone knew about H3 when they did their original H3H3 YouTube channel [through their] viral videos. But ever since they have evolved into a podcast, for whatever reason, when I mention [it], I feel like there’s just less [people familiar with it] in Sweden. But of course when I went to L.A., there was way more people that knew what I was doing. When I’m here in Sweden, I have to even sometimes explain YouTube and live streaming to people, especially [to my] family.
How do you go about explaining that to your family?
YF: For example, my mom, she doesn’t really use YouTube at all so I’ve had to explain everything, even basic just internet usage. And my grandma doesn’t have any clue. I’ve tried. I kind of just end up saying that I work for a radio show.
SLA: The podcast is known for commentating on other creators on the YouTube platform, which can infamously get the podcast into some trouble. How do you deal with the heat the podcast may receive sometimes?
YF: As you pointed out, when there’s another fanbase [involved] I do feel a little bit self conscious. But honestly, with time, I’ve just gotten used to it. Regarding hate, maybe once in awhile, I’ll get one hate message. But it’s never really aimed towards me. It’s usually aimed towards [the content on the podcast.] So it’s never personal. (laughs) Maybe I should knock on wood for saying that.
SLA: We’ll knock on wood for you! Speaking of content, the H3 fans want to know, will you do the Paqui One Chip Challenge next? [Context: The H3 crew challenged each other to see who can go the longest without taking a sip of water or milk after eating a ridiculously spicy Paqui Chip.]
YF: When they did that, I was like, yeah, I’m going to do it. I wasn’t cocky or anything, I’m just going to do it. But lately, I’ve seen people go to the hospital and stuff. Not even not random TikTok people, but like literally notable people doing this challenge for a YouTube video―exactly what I would do―go to the hospital. So I don’t want to do it anymore. (laughs) I don’t want to go to the hospital.
SLA: Fair enough! You may not see yourself eating the chip and in the hospital any time soon, but where do you see yourself in five years?
YF: Hopefully, I’ll [be in Los Angeles] by then.
SLA: Well we are Secret Los Angeles after all, what’s the first thing you’re going to eat when you land?
Gosh, I mean, definitely Taco Bell. (laughs) We have nothing like it in Sweden. But actually, there is this place in Little Tokyo, Champion’s Curry. I think that might be my go-to spot. I’ve never had Katsu Curry before I went to LA. That is probably the yummiest thing I’ve ever had.
📍 Champion’s Curry, 136 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Find it on Google maps here!)
SLA: We’ll definitely check it out! Career-wise, where would you like to see yourself?
YF: Honestly, I just want to be doing the same thing. I’m so happy right now. I get to wake up every morning, I get to watch my favorite podcast, I get to interact with the crew, I get to discuss things I’m interested in. I’ve kind of evolved to be more of an on screen talent, and being there in person means there will definitely be plans to incorporate me in sketches. So I see myself definitely doing that more and social media, but still doing both. Just more hands on, helping more in production and stuff like that.
SLA: It sounds like you get to live your dream!
YF: Literally, and I’ve always had a little bit of an interest in social media stuff. But the thing is… it’s so perfect. I never liked creating my own content, really, but I enjoyed being creative with existing content. It’s this super unique thing I’ve always enjoyed. And now I get to do it [as a career.]
SLA: What advice someone who is interested in being an online creator?
YF: [Depending on what they’re putting out,] I always tell them start with the platform that is easiest to kind of grow on. For example, TikTok, you can post a video there and just get 4 million views randomly if it’s funny enough. So the main thing I always tell them is like just diversify, put content everywhere.
SLA: What advice would you give someone who dreams of an online career, but might be too intimidated?
YF: I want to be honest with people, it’s a bit hard. But if you have the time, I say go for it. Like I said, I didn’t think about it too much, I just did it. Hone in on a platform, and go for it.
Thank you for chatting with us! To keep up to date on Love AKA YungFika you can find him on the H3 Podcast weekly, or even live streaming on his own time on Twitch. Check out his Instagram here!
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