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In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with Ruben Santiago for a raw conversation about identity, belonging, and the quiet reasons people make destructive choices.

Ruben opens up about growing up searching for acceptance, how hustling became a way to feel valued, and why selling drugs was never really about money. He walks through the consequences that followed, including prison, and the internal reckoning that forced him to confront who he was without the lifestyle that once defined him.

This isn’t a story about glorifying the past. It’s about understanding how unhealed wounds shape behavior, and what it takes to rebuild when everything familiar is stripped away.

If you’ve ever chased validation, identity, or love in places that left you emptier than before, this conversation will hit home.

Chapters:

00:00 — Meeting Ruben
Setting the tone, who he is today vs who he used to be.

04:12 — Growing Up Without Feeling Chosen
Early emotional gaps, environment, and the hunger for approval.

10:45 — When Hustling Beccomes Survival
How selling drugs wasn’t about money, but belonging.

18:30 — The Moment Everything Collapsed
Consequences, prison, and the cost of the lifestyle.

27:05 — Sitting With the Silence
What prison stripped away and what it forced him to face.

35:40 — Rebuilding Identity After Loss
Learning who you are when the hustle is gone.

45:10 — What Love Actually Looks Like Now
How Ruben defines love, purpose, and self-worth today.

54:30 — Advice to the Version of Himself Who Was Hurting
A message to anyone still chasing validation the wrong way.

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

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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)

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

Lauren Bergeron returns to the podcast nearly two years after being Episode 2 — and a lot has changed.

In her first appearance, Lauren shared her journey through massive weight loss, grief, addiction, miscarriage, and rebuilding her life through fitness. On the surface, she looked strong and disciplined. Internally, her body was breaking down.

In this conversation, Lauren opens up about what happened after the fitness success — when chronic stress, nervous system burnout, and survival mode finally caught up with her. We unpack why you can look physically healthy while mentally unraveling, how trauma lives in the body, and why discipline alone isn’t enough to heal.

We talk about:

• Central nervous system dysregulation
• Anxiety, brain fog, burnout, and gut health
• Why “doing more” often makes things worse
• Habit building versus discipline
• Healing as a lifelong process
• Social media, doomscrolling, and emotional overload
• How to slow down without falling behind

This episode is honest, grounded, and practical — especially for people who feel overwhelmed, scattered, burned out, or stuck in constant survival mode.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing all the right things” but still don’t feel okay, this conversation will resonate.

Chapters

00:00 – Lauren returns (Episode 2 → Now)
02:30 – Looking fit but not mentally healthy
04:05 – Hospitalization & discovering nervous system burnout
06:30 – Survival mode, trauma, and chronic stress
08:40 – Fitness vs healing: why discipline isn’t enough
10:45 – Anxiety, overwhelm, and slowing down
12:55 – Burnout signs most people ignore
15:15 – Doomscrolling, social media, and nervous system overload
18:45 – Habit building vs motivation
21:00 – Control what you can control
24:00 – Parenting, phones, and emotional modeling
27:00 – Healing as an ongoing process
30:00 – Journaling, trauma, and emotional release
33:00 – Why some people keep getting back up
36:40 – Small daily actions that actually help
39:25 – What evolution looks like in this season of life
41:00 – Loving yourself during chaotic times
42:00 – 90-Day Health Restore Challenge explained
46:00 – Final message on mental health & self-care

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

What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire life suddenly disappears?

In this episode of The Open Exchange, Paul sits down with Mike Loudon, a former college baseball player and teammate who opens up about identity loss, body dysmorphia, alcohol, career uncertainty, and the long road to rebuilding himself.

Mike shares:

What it felt like when baseball ended

How weight gain, drinking, and depression crept in after college

The moment he realized something had to change

How nightclub promoting unexpectedly launched his career

The discipline required to lose 100+ pounds

Why people misunderstand who he really is

How he rose to become a Senior Video Marketing Manager at Rémy Cointreau

This is an honest conversation about masculinity, ambition, self-worth, and learning to peel back the layers of who you think you are.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Reunion, nicknames, and college memories
02:10 – Why this show focuses on people’s real stories
04:15 – How Mike ended up at Mitchell College unexpectedly
06:30 – Coaches, mental toughness, and being pushed hard
09:20 – Identity, popularity, and coping in college
10:55 – Body dysmorphia and insecurity behind the scenes
12:30 – Growing up with a single mother in Fairfield County
15:00 – “The obstacle is the way” and avoiding discomfort
18:35 – The final college baseball game and identity loss
20:15 – Post-college weight gain, drinking, and depression
21:55 – The stairway moment that forced a lifestyle change
24:00 – Losing 100+ pounds and rebuilding discipline
26:00 – Working in sports vs. the reality of low pay
28:30 – Nightlife promotion as an unexpected career pivot
31:00 – Entrepreneurship, flipping sneakers, and hustle
33:30 – Finding confidence and direction in his career
36:00 – Working with global brands and creative fulfillment
38:30 – Fashion Week, NBA players, and feeling “in the room”
41:00 – Misconceptions people have about Mike
44:00 – Depth, loneliness, and surface-level friendships
47:00 – Masculinity, fatherhood, and relationships
50:00 – Creativity, content, and staying connected to youth
53:00 – Why identity must evolve after sports
56:30 – Final reflections on growth and self-acceptance

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

Follow Mike:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentydeucect/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Twentydeuceclothing/


🎙️ 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!

Joe Logudice’s story is a raw, honest journey through the depths of addiction and the climb back to faith, purpose, and gratitude. Between ages 19 and 22, Joe’s life unraveled through cocaine and opioid addiction despite a loving upbringing. In this emotional exchange, Paul and Joe explore what truly causes addiction when “everything seemed fine,” the pivotal moment at his grandmother’s wake that changed everything, and the divine phone call that saved his life.

Joe opens up about shame, humility, faith, and rebuilding a new identity—one rooted in service, real estate, and storytelling. He reveals what recovery looks like 12 years clean, why gratitude keeps him grounded, and how his past became a tool to help others heal.

If you’ve ever struggled with purpose, identity, or finding peace after failure, this conversation will hit home. It’s not just about addiction—it’s about redemption and the power of grace.

Watch, share, and subscribe for more open, real conversations that remind us how fragile and powerful the human spirit can be.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro” — Setting the stage
00:35 – Joe’s childhood and family foundation
02:00 – The origins of addiction: when life “should’ve been perfect”
04:01 – Losing his grandmother & discovering cocaine
06:30 – Understanding addiction as a disease
08:00 – Core memories, shame, and self-worth
09:00 – The beginning of a downward spiral
13:00 – Functioning while addicted
18:00 – Escalation from cocaine to opiates
20:00 – Arrest, denial, and false control
22:00 – “Rock bottom” and the trap door
25:00 – Pain, trauma, and perspective
28:00 – “College” and the turning point
30:00 – Lessons from confinement and self-reflection
33:00 – Hearing a message of hope
36:00 – Humility and acceptance
41:00 – The Serenity Prayer and surrender
43:00 – Faith and the divine intervention that saved his life
47:00 – Gratitude as a daily practice
50:00 – Life after addiction: real estate, purpose, and giving back
53:00 – Finding God and a new way to live
55:00 – Paul’s reflections on identity and renewal
1:00:00 – Closing thoughts: gratitude, peace, and grace

🎙️ 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!

Maxi Blanco’s story is unforgettable — from facing a potential prison sentence to receiving a full pardon and rebuilding his life from the ground up.

He shares the night everything changed — when a split-second decision nearly cost him everything — and the path that led him toward redemption, peace, and purpose.

The conversation goes deep into anger, forgiveness, and how he turned a life of chaos into one of discipline and purpose.

If you’ve ever questioned whether people can truly change — this episode will answer it.

00:00 – Intro: Meeting Maxi Blanco
02:00 – Childhood across London, Spain & Connecticut
05:00 – The roots of anger and identity
13:00 – Life alone at 18 and chasing independence
16:00 – The hustle begins: street life and drugs
20:00 – The night of the shooting
27:00 – Facing the police and a life-changing case
36:00 – Isolation, reflection, and awakening
45:00 – Becoming a barber & building a new future
53:00 – Faith, forgiveness, and a full pardon
1:00:00 – Lessons, purpose, and second chances

✂️ Connect with Maxi Blanco:

💈 Instagram: @maxi_the_barber

📅 Book a haircut: Book with Maxi at I Got You Next Barbershop (Groton, CT)

🧴 Beard Products: BeardOctane.com
— Use code MAXB10 for 10% off

🎙 About The Open Exchange Podcast:

Real people. Real stories. Real change.

Hosted by Paul Martinez, The Open Exchange shares authentic conversations that remind us that no matter where you’ve been, there’s always a path forward.

💼 Need Insurance Help?

Home • Auto • Life — protect what matters most.
👉 Connect with Paul Martinez at Comparion Insurance

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)