Are you struggling to get traction with your side hustle? Feel like you're doing everything right but still see zero results? This episode dives deep into the raw truth of managing a small business, from content creation battles to burnout, and the bittersweet reality of supporting our heroes—first responders and military. I'm sharing my personal journey, lessons learned the hard way, and what keeps me going despite the obstacles.

In this episode:

· The daily grind of a small business owner juggling multiple ventures and resources

· Why organic reach and community matter more than endless content creation

· The pitfalls of chasing trends and how personal taste differs from customer preferences

· Lessons learned from failed designs, marketing missteps, and licensing issues

· The importance of purpose, passion, and patience in building a legacy

· How supporting first responders and military connects to a bigger mission

· Practical insights on vending at markets versus online sales

· The mental toll of social media and how to stay true to your vision

· Encouragement for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or lost in the chaos

Timestamps: 00:00 - The raw truth about running a side hustle and expecting quick results

02:23 - The mental maze of advice overload from influencers and creators

03:41 - The shift from product focus to mission-driven purpose

04:54 - Hit a wall: investing in gear that wasn’t used and lessons learned

06:28 - The evolution to custom hats and local markets as a breadwinner

07:59 - Why most t-shirts don't sell: aligning products with public taste

09:17 - The story behind a failed event-specific design and lessons learned

12:22 - Transitioning from a brand concept to a mission: not a bystander

13:36 - The language barrier in branding and marketing challenges

15:01 - Building a legacy like big apparel brands—slow and steady

16:17 - The licensing pitfalls that nearly shut down a profitable Etsy shop

17:36 - Real talk on financial tracking, ROI, and the importance of patience

19:23 - The challenges of Shopify versus Etsy—building your online presence

22:31 - Marketing on a budget: leveraging social media without burning out

23:57 - Connecting with a community: supporting first responders and military

30:05 - The fulfillment of vending and making genuine connections

33:38 - The bigger picture: unity, support, and leaving a legacy

35:07 - Managing burnout and recognizing your limits

36:49 - The importance of balancing outdoor events with health & safety

39:00 - Why community, authenticity, and patience are the real wins

40:43 - An open invitation: your journey, your story, your brand

Most of us don’t realize how deeply music shapes us—how a single song can transport us to a moment, a person, or a feeling so vivid it’s almost like we’re there again. But what if I told you that your emotional reactions to music are not just random? They’re rooted in biology, psychology, and the stories we tell ourselves through sound—and understanding that could change everything about how you connect, heal, and even define yourself.

In this electrifying episode, I tear down the myth that music is just background noise. I reveal how certain songs serve as emotional TIME portals—powerful tools that can take you back to your happiest memories or help you process the tough times. You’ll discover how your favorite tracks are more than just melodies—they're deeply intertwined with your brain’s biology and your deepest human needs for connection and reflection.

We break down:

• The science behind why some music makes the hair stand up or tears fall
• How your personal playlist is a mirror of your life's journey—from childhood favorites to adult anthems of resilience
• Why certain songs remind you of specific people—and how those memories shape your current sense of self
• The universal power of live music to unite strangers without a single political or cultural clash
• And the question I want you to ask: where is your music taking you?

Skip this episode, and you might miss out on the key to unlocking your emotional health through sound—something that millions ignore but desperately need. Music is more than art; it’s a sanctuary, a mirror, and a roadmap. Want to understand yourself better? To find peace or inspiration in sound? This is your call.

Whether you're a die-hard music lover, someone seeking healing, or simply curious about the stories your favorite songs tell—this episode is your master key. Because at the end of the day, music isn’t just something you listen to. It’s a reflection of who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re headed.

Tune in. Feel. Reflect. And ask yourself: what’s the theme song of your life? The one that defines where you’ve been and where you’re going.

This is more than a podcast episode—it’s a journey into the very music that makes you, you.

There’s a side of military and first responder life that rarely gets talked about — not the heavy stuff, and not the highlight reels — but the everyday culture that shapes how people think, joke, communicate, and connect.

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, we talk about the things that make sense only if you’ve served or lived close to someone who has: the humor, the unspoken rules, the long shifts, the strange sense of calm in chaos, and the bonds that form without much explanation.

This isn’t a self-help episode or a deep dive into trauma. It’s a lighter conversation about identity, perspective, and why people who serve often see the world a little differently — sometimes for the better, sometimes in ways they don’t notice until later.

A bridge episode about culture, camaraderie, and the shared experiences that connect generations of service.

There’s an unspoken expectation that by a certain point in life, you’re supposed to feel settled — confident in your choices, clear about your direction, and sure you’re doing things “right.”

Most of us don’t.

In this episode of Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It, we talk about where that pressure actually comes from, why feeling “behind” is more common than we admit, and how comparison quietly convinces us we’re failing when we’re not.

This isn’t about lowering the bar or giving up. It’s about reframing the idea that not having everything figured out means something is wrong with you. Sometimes it just means you’re still becoming — and moving at a pace that actually fits your life.

A conversation about pressure, perspective, and replacing the need for certainty with something more useful: direction.

“Average” isn’t the insult we’ve been taught to believe it is.

In this first episode, I talk about why the world actually runs on people who quietly show up, carry responsibility, and keep going—even when it doesn’t feel impressive or celebrated.

This is a conversation about pressure, perspective, and why feeling tired or uncertain doesn’t automatically mean you’re failing. Sometimes it just means you’re human.

Average Joe: Let’s Talk About It is a podcast for people trying to figure life out in real time.

Hosted by Chris, this show is about honest conversations around work, purpose, burnout, pressure, and the things we usually keep to ourselves. No gurus. No filters. Just real talk for everyday people carrying real weight.

This podcast is especially for those who show up for others—at work, at home, or on someone else’s worst day—but it’s built for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, burned out, or expected to have it all figured out by now.

New episodes coming soon.

I left home when I was 16. Not because I had a plan — but because staying felt harder than leaving.

Before steady work and a place to lay my head at night, I wandered. The streets. The desert. Under bridges. Sometimes on a dirty mattress in the open. A lot of the time, though, I had good friends and parents who quietly helped more than they probably realized.

This episode isn’t about trauma or blame. It’s about survival — the habits it builds, the strengths it creates, and the blind spots it leaves behind.

The military didn’t save me. It gave me structure. My wife gave me a reason to want something better.

A conversation about growing up fast, learning to survive, and realizing that survival isn’t the same thing as direction.