🎙️ Episode 190 – Part 2: Alejandra Mendoza

Welcome back to Tell Craig Your Story. In Part 2 of my conversation with Mexican entrepreneur Alejandra Mendoza, we dive into her bold decision to move to China and explore the powerful cultural exchange between Mexico and China.

Alejandra shares insights into building her language business, her passion for communication, and practical tips for improving your public speaking. We also discuss her podcast, her Chinese learning book, and her collaboration with the Mexican Embassy in Shanghai.

To close, Alejandra opens up about her pride in representing Mexico and shares some of her favourite Mexican artists, albums, and books.

🌐 Website: www.encxxtros.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@encxxtros

🎧 LISTEN NOW 🎙️ Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

#AlejandraMendoza #Entrepreneur #Mexico #China #CrossCultural #PublicSpeaking #LanguageLearning #GlobalStories #ESL #TellCraigYourStory

🎙️ Tell Craig Your Story — Episode 189 In Part 1 of this episode, we’re joined by Mexican entrepreneur Alejandra Mendoza, exploring her journey between Mexico and China — from her humble upbringing in Guadalajara to building a life abroad and navigating the real struggles of living in a foreign country, including language barriers, cultural differences, and starting over in a new environment.

Alejandra shares her podcast 促西相谈 Encuentros, launched in 2024 — a cross-cultural platform where she shares Latin American stories and lived experiences between Mexico and China. The podcast is produced exclusively in Spanish and Chinese, bridging both languages and cultures. Alongside that, she has her own bilingual language business YuBaiLing Consulting, and teaches public speaking, helping others find confidence across languages and cultures.

We also begin exploring feminist progression in Mexico and shifting opportunities for women in society. This is a conversation about identity, resilience, and finding your voice across borders.

🌐 Website: www.encxxtros.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@encxxtros

🎧 LISTEN NOW 🎙️ Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

#TellCraigYourStory #AlejandraMendoza #Mexico #MexicanEntrepreneur #CrossCultural #MexicoToChina #SpanishChinesePodcast #PodcastInterview #LatAmVoices #CrossCultural #PublicSpeaking #WomenInLeadership #CulturalExchange #LanguageLearning

🎙️ Donut Larsen — In Part 2 of Tell Craig Your Story, we continue our conversation with one of the most compelling new voices in American roots music Donut Larsen — rose from street performances to global attention through viral videos. His 2025 album Maybe blends Americana, blues, folk-punk, and modern country, delivering raw storytelling and deeply personal reflections.

In this episode, we explore the stories and creative process behind Maybe 🤠 His views on modern country music in the U.S. 🌍 Life after sudden fame 🗣️ His love for Australian 🇦🇺 and Kiwi 🇳🇿 accents ✊ Experiences participating in protest rallies More than an album, Maybe is a snapshot of a life transformed into music that resonates worldwide. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 LISTEN NOW

🎙️ Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com

🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory

▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

🌟 Follow & Support Donut Larsen 📸 Instagram: @donut.larsen 🌍 www.donutlarsenmusic.com

#DonutLarsen #MaybeAlbum #AmericanaMusic #ModernCountry #IndieArtist #FolkPunk #SingerSongwriter #NewAlbum2025 #ViralArtist #TellCraigYourStoryPodcast #PodcastInterview

🎙️ Donut Larsen — (Part 1)

Today on Tell Craig Your Story, we meet one of the most raw and authentic new voices in American roots music

Donut Larsen — is an Americana, blues, and folk-punk artist from Birmingham, Alabama. After years of hitchhiking, riding freight trains, and performing on street corners across the country, his powerful voice and deeply personal songs have captured the attention of millions online.

From busking for spare change to going viral worldwide, Donut’s story is one of survival, freedom, struggle, and the search for meaning through music 🛣️🎶

In Part 1, we dive into his early life, life on the road, the experiences that shaped his sound, and the journey that led to his sudden rise in popularity. This isn’t just a story about music — it’s a story about resilience, authenticity, and the American spirit.

So sit back, turn it up, and get ready to hear the story behind the voice everyone is talking about.

🎧 Listen Now

🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

🌐 Follow & Support Donut Larsen

📸 Instagram: @donut.larsen 🌍 Official Website: www.donutlarsenmusic.com

#DonutLarsen #AmericanaMusic #IndieArtist #FolkPunk #BluesMusic #SingerSongwriter #ViralArtist #BuskerLife #TellCraigYourStory #PodcastInterview

Today on Tell Craig Your Story, I’m joined by Fiony — a professional wrestler from Thailand who’s making serious waves across Asia.

After building her reputation on the Thai wrestling scene, Fiony took a major step forward by signing with the China Wrestling Alliance (CWA) and stepping onto the international stage.

We caught up backstage before her match at the Fight VGM Fight show at Phase Live House in Shanghai, where she opened up about what it takes to prepare for a big fight, the mindset behind stepping into the ring, and what it truly means to represent Thailand on a global platform.

This is Fiony’s story.

Follow her on Instagram: @fiony.th

👉 Listen now: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

#TellCraigYourStory #Fiony #ProfessionalWrestling #WomensWrestling #ChinaWrestlingAlliance #CWA #ThaiWrestling #Shanghai #ProWrestler #PodcastInterview

With the NRL 2026 season about to kick off in Las Vegas next month, I couldn’t think of a better person to welcome onto the podcast than Dean Smith.

Born in Maitland, Australia, Dean is the host of the KTP Podcast, recorded live every Tuesday night from their studio, where they break down all things Rugby League. I was lucky enough to jump on the show last year and had an absolute blast.

Beyond the mic, Dean is the founder of the Smita Foundation, a charity focused on mental health, anti-bullying, and domestic violence awareness. His work reaches far beyond the Rugby League community, making a real impact locally as he tackles some incredibly challenging issues head-on. In recognition of this, Dean was recently named a 2026 City of Maitland Service Award Nominee — well deserved.

📲 Follow Dean & KTP Podcast Instagram: @10smita14 | @ktp_podcast_ YouTube: @KTPPodcastAU

👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

#NRL2026 #RugbyLeague #NRLinVegas #PodcastLife #RugbyLeagueCommunity #MentalHealthAwareness #SmitaFoundation #AustralianSport #TellCraigYourStory #KTPPodcast #DeanSmith #NewcastleKnights

🎉 Happy New Year and welcome to a new season of the Tell Craig Your Story podcast! Let’s kick off 2026 with our first guest, Chloe Trujillo.

Chloe is a multidisciplinary artist, vocalist, and designer, best known as the frontwoman of the heavy alternative band BLVD OF EYES. She recently released her new single “Lies,”, showcasing her powerful vocals and emotionally driven song writing. Known for her striking stage presence and bold visual style, Chloe blends music, art, and fashion into a deeply personal creative vision.

Chloe is married to Robert Trujillo, bassist of Metallica. Their son, Tye Trujillo, is an accomplished bassist and a member of Suicidal Tendencies, while their daughter, Lullah, has performed on stage alongside Chloe. Creativity and music run strongly through the Trujillo family.

In this episode, we talk about: BLVD OF EYES’ tour of Australia last November and life on the road, Why Lullah didn’t play drums on the Australian tour, Chloe’s take on Australian slang, Her work designing custom surfboards, Her 3rd magic deck.

📱 Follow Chloe: Instagram: www.chloetrujillo.com photograph @mortyvision

👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory

#ChloeTrujillo #BLVDOFEYES #TellCraigYourStory #NewMusic2026 #PodcastEpisode #AustraliaTour #SurfboardArt #RockMusic #MusicFamily #FemaleVocalist #Metallica #RobertTrujillo #TyeTrujillo #LullahTrujillo

It’s an absolute honour to welcome Bernard (Barney) Haas from the Blue Man Group to the podcast. Barney was in Shanghai for a four-month residency, and I was lucky enough to attend one of the shows. I went in not knowing what to expect and came away completely blown away by the talent of the Blue Man Group performers — from drumming on bongos to create exploding paint, to catching marshmallows in their mouths, to creating art live on stage. The audience was a perfect mix of young kids through to grandparents, all equally captivated.

In this episode, Barney and I talk about working in Shanghai and learning not just Chinese, but other languages along the way. We dive into his life in Ireland, busking on the streets, forming bands, and eventually landing acting roles. He shares how he first discovered Blue Man Group in an Indian restaurant, the intense audition process, meeting the original members, and travelling the world as part of one of the biggest live music productions in the world. We also talk about navigating the entertainment industry during COVID, his time with Le Wagon, his passion for tackling insomnia, and many unforgettable experiences from a truly unique career. Please welcome Barney Haas from the Blue Man Group.

📸 Instagram: @brednad_flex 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barneyhaas 🌐 Website: www.bluemangroup.com

👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com

🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #BlueManGroup #PodcastLife #LivePerformance #MusicPodcast #PerformingArts #BehindTheScenes #CreativeLife #ArtistJourney #ShanghaiLife #TellCraigYourStory