2020: Into The Fire

Host Jesse Curtis shares his thoughts on the evolution of the series and the personal impact the conversations he had with his guests over the last year have had on him.Several guests check in to tell us how things have changed for them since their interview, as well as their hopes for the coming year.

Ozeal DeBastos is a podcaster, mentor, and consultant out of Houston Texas. His journey is one of a creator, having been involved in dance, music, and many forms of content creation and community building, including the popular Pod Houston Facebook community.Ozeal shares his story, and his passion for serving others and changing lives for the better. He freely shares his wisdom on what it takes to live your purpose to the fullest and how to push through when times get tough.For more on Ozeal and his coaching/consulting services, visit his website:[link|https://www.ozealmedia.com|www.ozealmedia.com]If you book a free discovery call with him, mention you heard about him from Nodball, and you'll get upgraded to an hour-long session at no cost.Find Ozeal on Twitter and Instagram: @ThinkOzealPod Houston Facebook community: [link|https://www.facebook.com/groups/podhouston|www.facebook.com/groups/podhouston]This episode is sponsored by Bill Beats of [link|https://noirgrime.com/beats|noirgrime.com/beats]. He's the man to go to when you need any kind of beats for your next project. When you pick up some beats in his store today, enter promo code NODBALL at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order!

Kadesh Flow is an independent Nerdcore hip-hop artist and trombonist out of Kansas City, Missouri, and his Thanksgiving week may be a solid contender for "worst week ever." In spite of life hitting him like a mack truck that week, and this whole year like all of us, he remains focused on all the blessings life has brought him. Never wavering in his drive and determination to achieve the success he's worked so hard for.Desh tells his story— of knowing his purpose, following his intuition, staying motivated, and outworking everybody to the point that the door of opportunity is compelled to open for him.This episode is sponsored by Bill Beats of [link|https://noirgrime.com/beats|noirgrime.com/beats]. He’s the man to go to when you need any kind of beats or mixing/mastering for your next project. When you pick up some beats in his store today, enter promo code NODBALL at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order!

Robert Brantley is an independent harsh noise artist out of Pompano Beach Florida. He will be the first to admit that his brand of entertainment is ultra-niche, but that's something he's embraced, and in doing so, has found his tribe and his place in the world. Live performances are a staple of the harsh noise scene— and with the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on entertainment as a whole— Robbie's scene has been hit especially hard. He isn't letting the circumstances stop him. He's finding a way to make it work and making sure he can stay connected to his audience, even when this year has forced us to stay apart.This episode is brought to you by Ozeal DeBastos and [link|https://www.ozealmedia.com|ozealmedia.com]. He’s the one you need to go to when you need guidance on your latest podcast project and help with your branding and marketing. Book a free 15-minute coaching session with him today, and when you mention Nodball, you’ll get upgraded to a 1-hour session on us to show our appreciation for listening to the show!

Hassan BFly is an author and musician living in Venice Beach, California. In early 2020, he departed his hometown of Washington, D.C. to pursue his dreams on the west coast. Like many of us, he didn't expect the COVID-19 pandemic to hit as hard as it did.Hassan tells the tale of his struggle to get by in a new place at the worst possible time and how his belief in God, as well as his unique spiritual philosophy, helped him through some of the hardest times in his life. He explains his personal philosophy and how it turned into his book "Theology for the New Millenium: The Introduction of Intellectual Righteousness."To learn more about Hassan BFly, his book, and his music, visit his website:[link|https://zerothemathgod.com|www.zerothemathgod.com]This episode is brought to you by Ozeal DeBastos and [link|https://www.ozealmedia.com|ozealmedia.com]. He’s the one you need to go to when you need guidance on your latest podcast project and help with your branding and marketing. Book a free 15-minute coaching session with him today, and when you mention Nodball, you’ll get upgraded to a 1-hour session on us to show our appreciation for listening to the show!

Ambush Vin is an independent sci-fi hip-hop artist out of Gary, Indiana. He is one of those artists who is a rarity in the independent music scene. He has a strong sense of who he is, and what his message to the world needs to be. Vin is the type of guy who knows how to send a strong message about his identity, and knows exactly who his music is for.He’s been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as much as any artist, both professionally and personally. And the time he nearly got stuck on the wrong side of the Canadian border is only the tip of the iceberg. With his strong business sense, Ambush Vin knows he has all the tools he needs to weather any storm this virus, or anything else throws at him. If you’re an independent creator of any kind, this episode is for you! Vin will put you on some major game if you take the time to listen!This episode is sponsored by Bill Beats of [link|https://noirgrime.com/beats|noirgrime.com/beats]. He’s the man to go to when you need any kind of beats for your next project. When you pick up some beats in his store today, enter promo code NODBALL at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order!Are you struggling in your creative career? Do things like marketing and branding feel overwhelming? Maybe you have a hard time finding the energy to keep going when nothing seems to work. No matter your struggle, or what kind of creator you are, we can help you find a solution to your problem and put you back on the path to success.In our effort to add value to the independent creator community, you can now book a FREE 30-minute call where Jesse will help you address the biggest issues your business is facing, and help you get back on the path to success! This is a free gift to you because we understand everyone is going through tough times right now. We want to see you blazing a path to prosperity as an independent artist!Book your free session today at [link|https://nodball.com/30|Nodball.com/30]

Rock/pop trio This Modern, out of Phoenix, Arizona has their sights set high. They have aspirations of hitting the top 40 with their brand of rhymes fused with rock/punk melodies. Earlier in the year, they embarked on a tour with the Juno award-winning duo Neon Dreams that had the chance to put them in front of new listeners and potential fans. Then, like for everyone else, COVID-19 got in the way.The pandemic hasn’t seemed to slow them down too much. They signed with 59X Records and found new ways to reach their tribe. They keep the dream alive by doing everything they can, in spite of the challenges they face. Marcus and Sean talk about how they came together, the fateful day their tour got shut down, and how they’re navigating the chaos so that they can thrive instead of just survive.More on This Modern:Website: [link|https://www.thismdrn.com|www.thismdrn.com]FB/Twitter/IG: @thismdrnThis episode is brought to you by Ozeal DeBastos and [link|https://www.ozealmedia.com|ozealmedia.com]. He’s the one you need to go to when you need guidance on your latest podcast project and help with your branding and marketing. Book a free 15 minute coaching call with Ozeal, and if you mention Nodball sent you, you get upgraded to a free 1 hour session at no additional cost!

Jeffrey Bryan is a singer, songwriter, composer, and the current keyboardist for the band Survivor. Having come of age in the 1980s as a musician and actor. He was able to star in movies like The Karate Kid and perform on TV and the sunset strip, in spite of being too young to engage in the insanity of the era. Jeffrey shares the story of his life, how playing for Survivor is things oddly coming full circle, his opinion on the challenges the music industry faces in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and shares some of his personal wisdom for aspiring musicians.More on Jeffrey Bryan:[link|https://www.jeffreybryanmusic.com|www.jeffreybryanmusic.com]Are you struggling in your creative career? Do things like marketing and branding feel overwhelming? Maybe you have a hard time finding the energy to keep going when nothing seems to work. No matter your struggle, or what kind of creator you are, Jesse can help you find a solution to your problem and put you back on the path to success.In our effort to add value to the independent creator community, you can now book a FREE 30-minute call where Jesse will help you address the biggest issues your business is facing, and help you get back on the path to success! This is a free gift to you because we understand everyone is going through tough times right now. We want to see you blazing a path to prosperity as an independent artist!Book your free session today at [link|https://nodball.com/30|Nodball.com/30]This episode is sponsored by Bill Beats of [link|https://noirgrime.com/beats|noirgrime.com/beats]. He’s the man to go to when you need any kind of beats for your next project. When you pick up some beats in his store today, enter promo code NODBALL at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order!

Russ Baum, an independent folk/rock singer out of Columbus, IN has a roller-coaster of a story— leaving a steady job to pursue his dream, then nearly losing everything to the touring musician’s lifestyle. He found a way to get it all back, and more— in spite of everything that tried to work against him, including a global pandemic.Russ is an example to every independent artist put there. He shows you that you can overcome every struggle, break through every obstacle, and come out stronger and more successful than ever. He knows it’s a marathon to success and happiness, but he runs his race with energy and relentless positivity.More on Russ Baum:[link|https://www.facebook.com/russbaum|www.facebook.com/russbaum]Instagram - @russbaumYoutube - Russ Baum Official[link|https://www.russbaum.bandcamp.com|www.russbaum.bandcamp.com]Are you struggling in your creative career? Do things like marketing and branding feel overwhelming? Maybe you have a hard time finding the energy to keep going when nothing seems to work. No matter your struggle, or what kind of creator you are, Jesse can help you find a solution to your problem and put you back on the path to success.In our effort to add value to the independent creator community, you can now book a FREE 30-minute call where Jesse will help you address the biggest issues your business is facing, and help you get back on the path to success! This is a free gift to you because we understand everyone is going through times right now. We want to see you blazing a path to prosperity as an independent artist!Book your free session today at [link|https://nodball.com/30|Nodball.com/30]This episode is sponsored by Bill Beats of noirgrime.com/beats. He’s the man to go to when you need any kind of beats for your next project. When you pick up some beats in his store today, enter promo code NODBALL at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order!

Shubzilla and Bill Beats are a hip-hop duo out of Seattle. While each of them is a force on their own, they have discovered the power of combining their abilities to create something truly special. Discover the story of the moment they decided to team up, and why joining forces has been so successful.Shubz and Bill share their perspectives of the CHAZ zone in downtown Seattle this past summer and what that area of the city is really like on a daily basis. They also weigh in on the many social/political issues we are facing this year with their wisdom and unique wit and sense of humor.More on Shubzilla and Bill Beats:[link|https://www.shubzilla.bandcamp.com|www.shubzilla.bandcamp.com][link|https://www.noirgrime.com|www.noirgrime.com]FB/Twitter/Instagram: @shubzilla @billbeats @noirgrimeTwitch: [link|https://www.noirgrime.tv|www.noirgrime.tv]This episode is brought to you by Ozeal DeBastos and [link|https://ozealmedia.com|ozealmedia.com]. He’s the one you need to go to when you need guidance on your latest podcast project and help with your branding and marketing. Book a one hour coaching session with him today, and the first one is on us! Just use promo code NODBALL when you book your call.