Chocolate Croissants

Episode 43: Wild Kombucha (Adam, Sergio, & Sid)

In a six-man showdown, we go face to face to face to face to face to face with Adam, Sergio, and Sid of Wild Kombucha.

The guys are only a few years into the highly competitive beverage game but have already landed deals with major players like Whole Foods. In EP43 they share the origin stories of both kombucha as a drink and Wild Kombucha as a business. They've hit roadblocks along the way and share how they've relied on communication, vision, and grit towards growth and success. In just a few years they went from promoting through Craigslist to hiring a team of employees.

This was our first time meeting the Wild gents, and we all left this conversation with more energy and inspiration. Their kombucha is the real deal...and they are too!

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Audio Assist: Joe Hamilton (www.prismrecordingsuk.com)

Episode 42: Chef Chad Gauss (The Food Market, La Food Marketa)

Chad Gauss (The Food Market & La Food Marketa) is not your typical chef. In fact, he prefers that his "employees" don't refer to him as such.

But he leads two of the most in demand restaraunts in Baltimore. In EP42, Chad shares his unique perspectives on management, productivity, food, and more. He grew up as a kid rooted in hip hop culture who started from the bottom of the restaraunt business and is now running it on his terms. Culture and community are cornerstones of his philosophy, and his love for others is as deep as his hustle.

This was our first episode recorded on location, in The Food Market's private dining area. You will hear the controlled chaos throughout this episode from behind the scenes of a packed restaraunt. Chad then opened his menu up to us...we need to start doing this for every episode.

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Audio assist by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com)

Episode 41: Sam Silverman (Live Nation Marketing Manager)

Sam is the blueprint.

She became passionate about music as a teen and began helping bands. While at university she leveraged every opportunity to build her dream career. She ran the Campus Activities Board, learning how to book and promote large-scale concerts. She interned and worked at every major club in Baltimore while also working at a record store. She even managed a band, booked national tours, and helped secure runs on the Warped Tour.

As a woman in her mid-twenties, she now sits at the big kids table as Marketing Manager for Live Nation, working in the Washington D.C. market. More importantly, she realizes that balancing her career with her personal life is the key. Sam shares her blueprint on Episode 41 and we're all better for it!

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Audio assist by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com)

Episode 40: Geoffrey Blake (MissionFit)

Geoffrey Blake is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of MissionFit (www.missionfit.org), a non-profit organization and gym serving Baltimore's youth. He's also a talented musician and good friend to us. In EP40, GB shares his often difficult journey moving to a new country as a kid, losing his father as a teen, and struggling with drug addiction for many years. He chats about music helping him to overcome these obstacles and how he has grown and thrived from these difficult experiences. He digs into the beginnings of MissionFit, why he believes in it, and his vision for its potential. Geoff is a great model for us all and generously shares his truth and wisdom on this episode!

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Audio assist by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com)

Episode 39: New Years 2018!

Happy 2018! In EP39, we reflect on the past year and pass the mic with seven questions: Concert, Meal, CC Epsiode, Travel Destination, and Career Moment of 2017...Life Skill to Improve in 2018, and Acknowledgement of a CC Community Member. Join us in the CC Facebook Group as we open each question up to you this week! Much love and respect for your attention and Happy New Year!!

Join our community to continue the conversation: www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Edited, mixed, and mastered by Jeff Lang (jeffreywlangjr@gmail.com) 

Episode 38: XMAS Reunion!

It's Christmas, we have jingle bells, and it's our first time together in months! This episode is simply three friends who haven't been together in awhile catching up. We dig into Jordan adjusting to his new role in pro wrestling which leads us to forming relationships at work. Matt reacts to feedback he received from a recent video he shared and clarifies his original intentions. We discuss the importance of human connection no matter the context of the interaction or relationship. Justin chats about the lessons learned from this podcast that he's applying in his dietic career. Matt also introduces a new project he's been working on and we all share what we're feeling good about heading into 2018. Much love and respect for your attention and engagement this year! 

Join our community to continue the conversation: www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Edited, mixed, and mastered by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com) 

Episode 37: Brandon Bateman (Marine Veteran, Military Consultant) Re-Air

(This episode is a Re-Air of EP33 with a new and extended intro with Matt)

Recorded in Periphery's tour bus, Matt and Jake Bowen (Periphery, EP32) sit down with Brandon Bateman to chat his history in the military, most specifically his time in the field and how it's shaped his views on how men and authoritative jobs are viewed in society today. They discuss the measure and expectations of a "man" in the context of the military and in the civilian world and dig heavily into Brandon's work educating law enforcement officers, EMT's, veterans, and other victims of trauma on how to cope with stress. Evangelizing the term "Post Traumatic Growth", Brandon hopes to lead a movement from the ground level all the way up to the federal level in order to create support programs for local enforcement officers who currently have limited options after experiencing trauma. Brandon also discusses the "worst day of his life" and how its shaped his worldview today, and digs deep into the differences between anxiety vs. true fear.

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Thanks to RODE Microphones, Jeff Lang, and Joe Hamilton for their continous generosity and support!

 

Episode 36: Ryan Hunter (Envy On The Coast, 1st VOWS)

Ryan Hunter toured the world as singer of Envy On The Coast while maturing into adulthood. Now residing in LA, he has developed multiple creative outlets to support himself as a musician. Joining Jordan and Justin, Ryan chats about losing his home during Hurricane Sandy and how he grew from it, the ego trap of identifying fully with a role you play, how the Chicago Bulls led to a new career in film scoring, the importance of eating well and how its impacted his health, and more. Ryan's definition of "success" offers a healthy perspective on deciding what's most important in one's life. We can all follow his lead.

Join our community to continue the conversation: www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: Ring Of Honor (www.ROHWrestling.com)

Edited, mixed, and mastered by Jeff Lang (jeffreywlangjr@gmail.com) 

Episode 35: Javier Reyes (Animals As Leaders)

Javier Reyes is the guitarist and co-founding member of the band Animals as Leaders. In this episode, recorded in the back of Matt’s tour bus, the guys discuss the early days of the band, Javier’s childhood and growing up in his parent’s restaurant, his early aptitude for guitar, his view of bands and self-management, and the future of Animals As Leaders. This episode is light and fun, with quick cameos from previous Chocolate Croissants guests!

Join our community to continue the conversation: www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com)

Edited, mixed, and mastered by Jeff Lang (jeffreywlangjr@gmail.com) 

 

Episode 34: Lauren Kashan (Sharptooth Vocalist, Herpetoculturist)

Lauren Kashan is the vocalist of the melodic-hardcore band, Sharptooth (Pure Noise Records). She joins Jordan and Justin in the CCompound to share her story of joining the band and eventually realizing her dream of signing a record deal and touring nationally with bands she looks up to. But as we do on Chocolate Croissants, we dig much more into the human being than simply what they're otherwise known for. Lauren chats about her childhood and how it shaped her careers as a musician and a herpetoculturist (i.e. she brings crocodiles to schools!) She digs into how meditation influences her life, her screaming techniques, finding identity through hardcore music, and how a Sharptooth show brought her and her mom closer together. Lauren also chats about being a woman in the hardcore scene and introducing social issues and politics into her art. Many more will know about her years from now...but we're happy to share this gem of a human with you now!

Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/

Official Sponsor: Nat-A-Tat2, Visit nat-a-tat2.com and use checkout code CHOCOLATE25 for 25% off all products!

Edited, mixed, and mastered by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com)