Meet Diego Tapia | Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Tapia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’m originally from Lima, Peru. At 17, I made the decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. Back home, I had started studying business administration, but after a year, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me. I had always loved movies and been fascinated by the entertainment world, but I’d never seriously considered it as a career. Determined to find something I was passionate about, I started researching the entertainment industry and learning how people built careers in it. The more I learned, the more I realized it was something I could truly pursue. But I also knew that to give myself the best chance, I needed to be in the US. I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my parents, and in 2017, I moved to Los Angeles. It was a huge leap—especially at such a young age, with no family here—but I was excited and fully committed to making it work.

I enrolled at Cal State University, Northridge, and began studying film and television. I threw myself into every class, volunteered on sets to gain hands-on experience, and attended industry events to connect with people and grow my network. In my final year of school, I landed an internship at the production company Propagate Content, which turned into a full-time job after graduation. I’ve been collaborating with them since then, leading exciting projects and growing as a producer every day.

Looking back, the risk I took at 17 was absolutely worth it. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve never regretted that decision. For me, it’s always been about following my heart—even when it means leaving behind something familiar. If something doesn’t feel right, I can’t ignore it. And while change can be difficult, it’s always worth it to take the risk and chase what you truly want.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m currently a producer at Propagate Content. I began my journey there as an assistant editor on the award-winning Spotify podcast “An Oral History of The Office”, and eventually moved into an editor/producer role on their iHeart shows, including “The Office Deep Dive with Brian Baumgartner”, “XOXO with Jessica Szohr”, and “Return to the Shadows with Dominic Sherwood and Katherine McNamara”. In 2023, Propagate launched a BBQ brand in partnership with actors and comedians Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer, AC Barbeque. As part of the Business Development team, I contributed to the launch of the brand and their Hulu series “Kings of BBQ”. Today, I lead content creation for the brand while continuing to work across Propagate’s podcast and television slate.

When I first moved to LA, I didn’t expect to jump into so many exciting projects so soon after graduation. I’ve been fortunate to meet the right people at the right time—but nothing was handed to me. I worked hard, prepared thoroughly during school, and stayed ready to deliver no matter the opportunity. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish in just a few years, especially without existing connections in the industry. People often say success in entertainment is all about who you know—and while there’s truth to that, I’ve carved my own path through persistence, passion, and a strong work ethic. I’m excited to keep growing in this field and grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many places that come to mind. Since it’s summer, I’d start with a drive up the PCH—maybe a morning hike in Malibu, followed by a beach day. We’d grab lunch at Malibu Seafood and go wine tasting in the afternoon. I live on the West Side, so for dining, I’d take them to a few of my favorite neighborhood spots like Coral Tree Cafe, Blu Jam Cafe, and LA Puglia for dinner. I also love the restaurants along Sawtelle Blvd—they’re all amazing, and the atmosphere at night is great. For sightseeing, I’d make sure we hit the Griffith Observatory or The Getty for the views, The Grove at night, a game at the Crypto arena, and if there’s a fun concert that weekend we could go to the Troubadour or Hollywood Bowl.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been fortunate to have so many people support me over the years and help me get to where I am today. But none of it would’ve been possible without the unconditional support of my parents, German and Miriam. The values they instilled in me from a young age have been my foundation—my anchor during tough times and the fuel that’s kept me pushing forward. Without that grounding, I don’t think any of this would have been possible. Having a support system you can count on makes all the difference. And I’m especially grateful to everyone who welcomed me with open arms in LA and has been guiding me through this journey since the moment I arrived. Your kindness and support have meant more than I can say.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10746643/

Image Credits
You can credit Rachel Kaplan for the group photo in front of the MET museum. No credits for the other ones.