First off, sorry to the would-be SXSW volunteers - This is y'all episode and I meant to get this up earlier this week, but podcasting is not easy! The good news, is if you haven't signed up to volunteer yet, you still have until February 28 to register at sxsw.com/volunteer.

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You ever walk into a room and just know it's going to be one of those nights? I did at a dinner recently after accepting an invite without asking that one awkward question: Who's all coming? This week I'm unpacking that night, what my nervous system had to say about it, and why I'm now the guy who always asks who's coming.

If you've ever wanted to go to SXSW but couldn't justify the $1,000+ badge price, here is your cheat code. I talk about how to volunteer your way into a free badge, which crews to look out for, how to actually enjoy the festival while working it, and whether it's even worth it if you're flying in from out of town.

Plus, I got to see comedian, Trevor Wallace a few weeks ago: my brother cancelled, my sister made us an hour late, but we still made it in and honestly? Worth every minute of it.

Music coverage

• Drake's ICEMAN still doesn't exist and r/Drizzy is burnt out.
• J. Cole's The Fall-Off — I have thoughts!
• Baby Keem's Ca$ino dropped and his big cousin Kendrick Lamar is featured twice!

This episode is for anyone who showed up when they didn't feel like it — and figured it out anyway.

📍 Follow: @notsuccessfulyetpod | @itsjaylin
⭐ Leave a 5-star review and share with someone who needs a free SXSW badge.

🎥 FIRST VIDEO EPISODE! Watch me struggle in real-time.

I had a dream where I rode bikes through Austin with Kendrick Lamar, couldn't find an outfit for SXSW, and got written up at work. My AI therapist says I'm "stretched thin between who I'm becoming and what's expected of me." Ain't that the truth.

This week: SXSW 2026 is changing everything (no Convention Center, shorter festival, and no more secondary access), and I'm breaking down how I plan to navigate it after a decade of attending. From accidentally walking into an Anderson .Paak show to taking the L when Travis Scott called in sick, I'm sharing past stories about when plans came together and/or fell apart—and how to pivot when shit hits the fan again.

Takeaways:

• The major SXSW 2026 format changes (and what they mean for you)
• Insider tips from a festival veteran.
• My non-negotiables for surviving the festival
• Why "finding the pocket" matters more than perfect planning.
• Whether you're going to South By or just trying to balance your day job with your creative dreams, this one's for you.

🎙️ Episode dropped late because life happened, but Pharrell said never stop grinding, so here I am.

Follow: @notsuccessfulyetpod + @itsjaylin for live SXSW coverage starting March 12.

Next time on NSY: More SXSW—how to get a platinum badge for free and the full event breakdown: must see concerts, film premieres, common spots for free drinks and noms (food).. I'll also be giving my reaction to seeing Trevor Wallace on tour. Oh and we can't forget to talk about a recent birthday dinner I went to that had me all kinds of anxious.

Hey, It's Jay! In this 19-minute pilot episode, I talk about what "Not Successful Yet" is, and more importantly, what it's NOT. I'm no expert and this isn't a guide to productivity. Instead, it's a space to talk about navigating your 20s and 30s, the weird in-between moments, tech culture, music, film, and all the things we're still figuring out.

Let's just call this what it is—your new favorite podcast.

This first episode introduces you to who I am (hint: a nobody), why I started this podcast, what kind of conversations to expect, and how this whole thing came together. Just think of it as an extended trailer for the episodes to come next (hint: episode 2 is all about SXSW).

If you're tired of hustle culture, 5am morning routines, and productivity gurus telling you how to "optimize" your life, and want to know what's really going on, you're in the right place.

Instrumental by: audionautix.com