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DJing isn’t just about the moment when everything clicks — it’s about everything that happens before it ever does.

In this episode of The Open Exchange, I sit down with Alex Walker to talk through his DJing journey — from early gigs and teaching himself equipment, to learning how to read a room, build confidence, and grow through repetition and trial and error.

Alex shares what it’s really like to develop as a DJ over time, how creativity fits into real life, and why staying consistent matters more than chasing attention. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the learning curve most people never see.

Whether you DJ, create on the side, or just appreciate the work behind the music, this episode speaks to the journey itself.

Chapters:

00:00 – Reconnecting and early DJ memories
02:15 – The “Kanye” nickname and early identity
05:40 – DJing in New London and first gigs
09:20 – Wanting more after early sets
12:30 – Teaching himself DJ equipment
16:10 – Looking unpolished and doing it anyway
20:45 – Learning to read the crowd
26:30 – Confidence built through repetition
32:10 – Creativity, branding, and growth
37:40 – Trial and error as the real teacher
42:10 – Advice for DJs on the journey
46:30 – What makes the work worth it
47:50 – Where to find Alex

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
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'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
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Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

Adulting isn’t real — and most of us feel behind because we were told it was supposed to look a certain way.

In this episode, I sit down with Zaga, co-host of the Adulthood Pending Podcast, for a real conversation about trauma, ADHD, identity, and the pressure millennials carry into adulthood without a blueprint.

Tony opens up about growing up in the Bronx, experiencing 9/11 firsthand, surviving a life-altering accident at 13, and how those moments shaped his outlook on responsibility, success, and what “being an adult” actually means.

We break down why so many people feel behind even when they’re doing fine, how social expectations distort reality, and why adulthood is less about rules and more about owning the choices you make.

If you’ve ever felt like you missed a memo on how life is supposed to work — this one’s for you.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ZAGA

Podcast: Adulthood Pending Podcast

Instagram: @adhpshow

TikTok: @adulthoodpending

YouTube ⁨@ADHPshow⁩

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why “adulting” feels fake
02:10 – Meeting through podcasting & chasing the same vision
04:30 – Millennials, FOMO, and buying things we don’t need
07:15 – Growing up in the Bronx & early childhood trauma
10:45 – Hip hop, environment, and identity formation
13:30 – Experiencing 9/11 from the Bronx
17:45 – Curiosity over fear: learning instead of reacting
20:10 – Getting hit by an F-250 at 13 (the full story)
28:40 – Humor, trauma, and perspective
31:10 – “Adulting is relative” explained
34:20 – The biggest lie millennials were sold
37:10 – Why people feel behind even when they’re doing okay
40:15 – Awareness vs responsibility in adulthood
43:10 – Non-negotiables when you choose responsibility
46:20 – ADHD, discipline, and staying on track
49:30 – The evolution of Adulthood Pending Podcast
53:10 – Being yourself on camera vs real life
56:30 – Final thoughts: adulthood has no blueprint

🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
Subscribe: / @paullyymm

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)

Send a text to suggest topics you’d like to hear!

In this episode, Rob Springer shares the story behind his discipline: surviving a violent assault as a teenager, navigating mental health struggles inside his family, building a career early, and learning when to carry responsibility — and when to let things go.

We talk about:

Growing up too fast

The cost of always saying yes

Trauma, resilience, and empathy

Why not every problem deserves your energy

Fatherhood, legacy, and his upcoming memoir told through meals

This is a grounded conversation about work, faith, pressure, and what actually matters over time.

Chapters:
00:00 – Meeting Rob & starting young
02:45 – Imposter syndrome at 18
05:10 – Trauma, assault, and losing two years
08:50 – Early sales instincts & money lessons
11:30 – Mental health, cynicism, and empathy
15:20 – Discipline, pressure, and responsibility
17:40 – Multitasking, burnout, and saying no
20:30 – “Will this matter in a year?”
23:10 – Career stress and emotional detachment
26:00 – The book: memoir through meals
30:45 – Cooking, travel, and culture
33:50 – Building a brand around yourself
37:40 – Faith, grounding, and resilience
41:30 – Where to find Rob & closing thoughts



🎙️ Follow Me:
TikTok: @paullymtv @theopenexchangepodcast
Instagram: @paullyym @theopenexchangepodcast
Email: Theopenexchangepodcast@gmail.com
Subscribe: / @paullyymm

🎙️ Other ways to listen:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-open-exchange-with-paul-martinez/id1733876904

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Qh1HPG7IF9vlI1Sy21gST


Podcast

#Conversations #PersonalDevelopment #Faith #Inspiration #StoryTelling #Podcast

Support the show

'Virtual Tip Jar' - Donate to my show to keep me going! Thank you!

Paypal: https://paypal.me/PaulMartinez89?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US (PaulMartinez89)
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/Paullyymm (Paullyymm)