What You Don’t Hear

Alex Lewis (@lewisalex10)  is a poet and writer through his own popular newsletter “Feels Like Home” and Columbus Underground, as well as his projects like Car Window Poetry. If you’re looking for a laid back conversation about why making your art for authentic reasons is enough to do them, this is the one for you! Alex is great as he shares his story of passion for writing at a young age, how he’s translated that into his main creative avenue as an adult, and he shares a lot on how he’s maintained that passion through lots of ups and downs and tempts of “internet fame” to take things in a different direction. We explore the balance between personal fulfillment and creating for others, navigating the pressures of sharing creative work, and the importance of staying true to your own path. Alex also shares a lot of great stuff on taking your time with your art, embracing life's ups and downs, and finding meaning in unexpected moments. ——THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY—— PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com

In this episode, I sit down with Brandi Lust, a powerful advocate for personal growth, community building, and host of CreativeMornings here in Columbus, Ohio. We dive deep into the challenges that creatives face, especially in times of uncertainty, where things just aren’t working the way they used to. Brandi opens up about her own struggles in the creative world and how she’s learning to trust herself through these transitions. We also get into her professional journey, shifting from a career as a teacher to becoming a consultant, speaker, and mindfulness advocate. Brandi’s passion for personal development shines through as she talks about how helping people gain new awareness and insights lights her up, and how she’s dedicated to shifting the culture in workplaces to foster authentic growth. We touch on many interesting subjects, such as the idea of “care washing” in work environments—where companies project fake values to seem more caring—and the need for real, genuine culture shifts. Brandi shares her thoughts on how organizations can sometimes push false narratives to seem compassionate, but real change only happens when there's a deeper sense of authenticity. We also discuss the balance between being true to ourselves in our personal and professional lives, especially when the lines get blurry. Brandi shares some powerful advice on how to stay connected to your true self, no matter what external challenges or expectations you face. And for anyone curious about consulting, Brandi shares some golden insights on how she got started in that world, blending her passion for personal growth with helping organizations create meaningful change. Brandi openly shares her journey of self-discovery, from navigating major life transitions to embracing her true self after coming out later in life. She talks about leaving a long-term relationship, moving into her own space, and the waves of grief that came with it, but also the joy in rediscovering her identity and finding peace in the chaos. This was a super deep and inspiring conversation, full of vulnerable moments and valuable takeaways. Seriously one of my new favs, filled with gems! —Brandi is truly one of a kind! ------THANKS TO THIS EPISODES SPONSORS------ PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com  River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off! Franklinton Market - @franklintonmkt Located right in the heart of the Franklinton Arts District in Columbus, OH, Franklinton Market is a convenience store that features a variety of snacks, beverages, health and beauty items, last minute grocery items, and of course the awesome Go Meals, a local and freshly prepared line of sandwiches, breakfast, lunch and dinner take-and-go, meals. You can follow them online for more information @franklintonmkt

Nic Bronkall is a Health & Wellness Coach, focused in the areas of Breathwork, stress & anxiety management, physical therapy, as well as strength & conditioning coaching.  After a childhood diagnoses of ADHD left him feeling confused and gave him the feeling that there was something wrong with him, that stuck with him growing up and led directly into a ton of his work and outlook he shares in this episode. His major viewpoint in so many aspects of wellness is reminding people they aren't broken, and that there's work we can do to feel better, working with our issues to get a handle on them. From helping people learn more about their bodies, and why they react in certain ways, whether to physical injury or emotional responses. He shares on how to manage stress, what parenthood has taught him, how our body responding to an injury really means it’s doing its job right and a lot on slowing down and being more present in all that we do! FOLLOW his work @nic.bronkall -----THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY----- PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com  River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! CrossFit Gahanna - @crossfitgahannaoh CrossFit Gahanna is a gym built on community style fitness, focused on gym-goers of any and all skill levels. Whether you want to stop in for open gym and do your own thing, or get started in one of the many All-Levels Classes, there's options for everyone! Visit crossfitgahanna.com for more info. The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com

Brian Penn is the owner of Clean Kicks, a shoe restoration and cleaning service. Guys, this episode is just flat out great. Plain and simple. As we dig into Brian's story, not only do we talk about how a lifelong passion for sneaker culture pushed him to start up the idea mid-pandemic, but, he really opens up about his entire life journey. From being born with eye issues that had doctors say he’d be blind by 7, to growing up without a father figure and losing his way, even to at one point in time being at his lowest and being homeless. We talk about his experience with it all, and how it led him to being the really amazing person that sat with me for this podcast. We also cover; The difficulty of wishing people knew your actual inner struggles, hoping to make a great impact on others around you, how much easier it is to be negative than positive (and how to get past that), not chasing external validation, his passion for lyricism and music, the humility that comes with personal growth and owning up to our mistakes, and of course the impact he's making with his company Clean Kicks and how it all got started as a favor for a friend. For real, I can’t say enough nice things about Brian and this episode. Great guy, who just wants to live life and help others.  FOLLOW Clean Kicks @cleankicks.614 ------THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY------ PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com  River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! Franklinton Market - @franklintonmkt Located right in the heart of the Franklinton Arts District in Columbus, OH, Franklinton Market is a convenience store that features a variety of snacks, beverages, health and beauty items, last minute grocery items, and of course the awesome Go Meals, a local and freshly prepared line of sandwiches, breakfast, lunch and dinner take-and-go, meals. The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com

In this episode, I sit down with the talented (and hilarious) Mark Eshleman, AKA ReelBear Media. Mark has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of a lot of great artists, most notably through his long-standing collaboration with Twenty One Pilots. We dive deep into his journey, starting from his early days in video production, and while we cover the story of how he first connected with TOP and how their creative partnership evolved over the years, the biggest topic of discussion that threads throughout this one, is that of identity and self-discovery. We also discuss the power of YouTube and social media in today’s music industry, and how these platforms have changed the way content is distributed and consumed, the importance of staying authentic in creation, being persistent, and continuously learning ever-changing industries. All the while, we ramble, laugh and giggle like two school children who stayed up too late. It’s a blast! Whether you’re a fan of Mark’s work, a creative looking for inspiration, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of video production and the creative process, this episode is packed with stuff you won’t want to miss. Most of all, the reminder to slow down, and zoom out on our life once in a while! ------------------ THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

Austin Parker is a Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer under his brand 'APFit'. Austin knew from a young age that he had a real passion for the fitness world, and after playing 4 years of College Basketball and living the corparate America life, he decided to take the dive fulltime into becoming a Personal Trainer and took that leap of faith to believe in himself, and follow his purpose! In Austin's story we talk a lot about self-believe and the work it takes to uncover it, as well as how he balanced a "regular" job through the day but still made time to build up his personal brand as a coach, all while making time for training sessions both before and after work. We also dive into the value of building a personal brand and the impact it makes on connecting with others, his love for music and wishing he pursued it, dealing with heavy depression in college, why we should challenge ourselves in order to get better, finding your "purpose" and living a life built off that + a lot more! This is a real good conversation with Austin and one that will have you feeling positively motivated when you turn it off!  ------THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY------ PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com  River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com

Hanna Williford ( @hannawilliford ) is a Sports Broadcaster, Journalist & Reporter for the Columbus Clippers, The Big10 Network and a lot of Ohio State sports here in Columbus. As well as a writer for TheCbusToday!  This week I sit down with Hanna Williford. It’s a fun dynamic in this because normally, Hanna is on this side of the microphone as she’s normally the one doing the interviewing. So the roles are reversed here as we dive into Hannah’s story of just how she got involved in the sports broadcasting world and how it was a pretty intentional and opportunity seeking path she took to get there. All that and a lot more of course! ------------------ THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

Alex Copeland is the creator of "Plenty O'Cookies" and performs as his Drag Queen persona "Plenty O' Smiles" This episode is a fun chat as I get to know the story of Alex Copeland. We cover going from growing up in a small town and moving off to college to see more of the world, then finding a passion for baking and leaning into that to create a whole business out of it, how he entered the Drag world and why he loves performing, the love to make others happy, the value of protecting your personal energy, looking at your world with more optimism & a lot more for a really great conversation!  THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com Queerencia - @queerencia.co  Queerencia is LGBTQ+ lifestyle & apparel brand that aims to support the queer community by empowering all people within it, to embrace their true identity and express themselves boldly and proudly, while also at the same time aiming to create more accessibility to queer history and queer culture.  Hop to their website to learn more or make a purchase and support at Queerencia.co Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!  

Walker Evans is a co-founder of Columbus Underground, an independently owned online news publication here in Columbus, OH.   -------THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY------- United Strength - @united_strength Located right outside of Downtown, aims to create an environment that is welcoming to all, judgement free, and results driven. Whether it’s open gym hours filled with community members all bettering themselves, or one of their two coach led classes aimed at building muscle, or burning calories, United Strength believes that fitness wasn’t meant to be done alone, and that we’re all on this journey together. PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com  or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit! Queerencia - @queerencia.co  Queerencia is LGBTQ+ lifestyle & apparel brand that aims to support the queer community by empowering all people within it, to embrace their true identity and express themselves boldly and proudly, while also at the same time aiming to create more accessibility to queer history and queer culture.  Hop to their website to learn more or make a purchase and support at Queerencia.co Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!

In this episode I sit down with Todd Johnson, the owner of Columbus, OH based gym, United Strength. Todd shares his journey from his early days in the fitness industry, to creating a thriving gym dedicated to health, wellness, and community. We discuss his passion for building a supportive environment where members can connect and grow, and how it came together through a lot of ups and downs. We also chat the power of daily habits and short-term goals in making long-term dreams a reality, highlighting the essential link between mental and physical health, the role social media plays in modern day entrepreneurship, breaking common misconceptions of gym culture, the transition from sports training to a more holistic approach to fitness & a lot more. Join us as we explore Todd's dedication to helping others, his strategies for personal and professional growth, and his vision for fostering a vibrant, connected community through United Strength. ------------------ THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: PromoWest Productions - @promowestlive For all upcoming shows & event info of who's coming through Columbus, OH, visit promowestlive.com or to purchase tickets directly, visit AXS.com  River & Rich - @riverandrich Located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH, River & Rich brings together quality apartments, desirable amenities, and a vibrant artistic community. They offer guided and self-guided tours, so go view an apartment anytime! Visit their website at riverandrichcolumbus.com - Use the code 'WYDHPOD' for up to HALF OFF your deposit!  The Scatter Joy Project - @thescatterjoyproject  The Scatter Joy Project is a local Columbus nonprofit focused on fighting for mental health. They aim to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. They sell apparel with 100% of the profits funding their crisis text line, their network to help people find the mental health help they need, and their very own therapy fund. So whether you're looking to get help or want to donate to help support the cause, Scatter Joy is right for you. Find more info at www.thescatterjoyproject.com Makers Social - @makers.social Maker's Social is a DIY Project Bar located in the Franklinton Arts District of Columbus, OH! To book a reservation, go to makerscolumbus.com enter “WYDH” in the notes of your checkout for $10 off!  Queerencia - @queerencia.co  Queerencia is LGBTQ+ lifestyle & apparel brand that aims to support the queer community by empowering all people within it, to embrace their true identity and express themselves boldly and proudly, while also at the same time aiming to create more accessibility to queer history and queer culture.  Hop to their website to learn more or make a purchase and support at Queerencia.co