Moises "MO" Santizo Introduces Vinyl-Exclusive Interview Format
UNSHUT Podcast Founder Moises “MO” Santizo Introduces Vinyl-Exclusive Interview Format
by Jack Rush
Moises “MO” Santizo is testing a new future for interviews—one that steps away from algorithm-driven consumption and into physical space. The creator and host of the UNSHUT Podcast has launched a vinyl-exclusive spoken-word release, reframing long-form conversation as a collectible object rather than a disposable stream.
The project debuts with a limited-edition vinyl interview featuring Chez Starbuck, marking a rare crossover between podcast culture and record collecting. While spoken-word records have existed in various forms for decades, Santizo’s decision to build an interview specifically for vinyl distribution—rather than adapting an existing podcast episode—signals a deliberate departure from the streaming-first logic that dominates contemporary interview media.
At a time when podcasting increasingly prioritizes speed, scale, and constant output, this release moves in the opposite direction. The vinyl format slows the listening experience, demands intention, and treats the interview as something meant to be revisited, owned, and archived—rather than scrolled past. That conceptual shift alone positions the project as a notable experiment within today’s entertainment landscape.
Santizo’s unconventional career path helps contextualize the thinking behind the release. Born in Guatemala and raised in Los Angeles, he navigated financial instability, language barriers, and immigration restrictions throughout his early life. When college opportunities became inaccessible after high school due to application requirements, Santizo redirected his ambitions toward choreography and coaching, ultimately becoming an award-winning choreographer working across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
That chapter culminated in Las Vegas, where Santizo founded a performing arts company, partnered with the City of Las Vegas on consulting and recreation initiatives, and helped pioneer virtual choreography feedback through digital platforms. In 2022, he stepped away from the performing arts industry. One year later, he launched UNSHUT, which has since reached listeners in 44 countries and hosted guests ranging from Grammy winners to independent creatives.
The vinyl release featuring Starbuck reflects that same long-form ethos. The interview revisits Starbuck’s breakout role as Disney’s first live-action merman in The Thirteenth Year, alongside reflections on working with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Christy Carlson Romano. It also explores the personal aftermath of early fame, including addiction, family strain, and fatherhood.
Pressed locally by Gold Rush Vinyl and recorded at Santizo’s home studio in Austin, the release includes a double-sided record, a vinyl-exclusive alternate ending, and a QR code unlocking extended video footage and original photography.
Rather than scaling outward, Santizo’s vinyl experiment turns inward—prioritizing durability, authorship, and form. As interview media continues to chase feeds and fleeting attention, the project restores physical weight to conversation. By resisting the pull of virality, it reframes long-form interviews as artifacts rather than data points, offering a subtle but pointed challenge to an industry that often values volume over permanence.
Have a listen and connect with Moises Santizo:
