CollabGPS Founder Ted Buras Talks Creator Safety, Fatherhood and What Comes Next -

DENVER — CollabGPS founder Ted Buras joins host Amanda Thickk for a wide-ranging edition of In the Thickk of It, moving from creator networking and entrepreneurship to fatherhood and the personal experiences influencing the platforms he hopes to build next.

Buras explains that CollabGPS grew from his own frustration after he moved from working behind the camera to creating content. Finding legitimate collaborators, vetting potential partners and organizing shoots across constantly changing social platforms proved difficult enough to reveal the need for a more structured solution.

The interview digs into the practical concerns behind that solution, including shadowbanning, creator verification, professional conduct, model releases and 2257 documentation. Buras also discusses his intention to expand CollabGPS beyond adult content while maintaining its emphasis on safer, clearer collaboration.

Business is only part of the conversation. Buras speaks about becoming more comfortable with his sexuality later in life, changing from deeply risk-averse to willing to invest in his own ideas and balancing the uncertainty of entrepreneurship with raising his six-year-old son.

“Amanda and I covered a lot more than just the app, which I really appreciated,” Buras said. “We talked about why I built CollabGPS, what I learned when I stepped in front of the camera myself and how becoming a dad changed the way I think about risk and the future. I also got to share where Joystiq is headed and why building platforms that actually serve their communities matters to me.”

That next chapter includes Joystiq, Buras’ planned LGBTQ-focused social and hookup platform. He describes it as a community-first alternative to corporate-owned apps, with part of its success intended to flow back into the LGBTQ community.

The complete interview, titled “Ted Buras: He Built the ‘LinkedIn for Content Creators,’” is available through In the Thickk of It on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, iHeart and Spotify. CollabGPS is available globally on mobile and the web, combining partner discovery, scheduling, secure messaging and media sharing in one workspace designed for content creators.