ABJ Podcast

I started creating content because I had things I wanted to talk about. I never expected it to become such a big part of my life.From recording videos and reviewing music and movies to interviewing people, working in wrestling, and building the ABJ community, content creation has taken me in directions I never imagined.For Episode 13 of the ABJ Podcast, I'm looking back at my journey as a content creator. Where it started, how it evolved, the people I've met, the opportunities I've had, and the struggles that come with putting yourself out there.I'm also talking about the side of content creation people don't always see. The time, money, equipment problems, burnout, disappointing numbers, lack of support, and moments when you question whether all the effort is worth it.But more importantly, I want to talk about how the experience has changed me personally.I'm not famous. I'm not making a living doing this. And I'm definitely not an expert who has everything figured out.I'm just somebody who loves music, movies, wrestling, pop culture, and having conversations with interesting people.And somewhere along the way, creating content became more than just a hobby. It became a way for me to express myself, learn about the world, connect with people, and hopefully build something meaningful.In This Episode:Why I started creating contentHow ABJ and 5Q with ABJ evolvedFinding my voice and developing my own styleThe people I've met and opportunities I've experiencedBuilding the Cult of ABJ communityThe challenges of being an independent creatorDealing with burnout, criticism, and disappointing numbersHow content creation has changed me personallyWhat I've learned and where I want to go nextI'm still learning, still growing, and still trying to figure things out.And that's part of why I keep creating.Question for you: Have you ever started something creative that ended up changing your life? Or is there something you've always wanted to create but haven't started yet?Let me know in the comments.ABJ Website:https://abj.free.nf/?i=2Subscribe for more conversations about music, movies, wrestling, personal experiences, and the things that inspire us.Come as you are. Stay beautifully damaged.#ABJPodcast #ContentCreation #ContentCreator #BeautifullyDamaged

Have you ever had an idea that sounded great in your head, but once you started putting it together, you realized just how much work you signed yourself up for?Well, I decided to organize my own music festival, and it was called Skookstock.On Episode 12 of the ABJ Podcast, I'm taking you behind the scenes of what went into putting together my own music festival. From the original idea and booking bands to finding a venue, handling the financial side, promoting the event, and dealing with everything that comes with making something like this happen.I'm doing this episode a little differently, almost like I'm interviewing myself, answering the questions I'd ask someone else who organized their own festival.We're talking about the preparation, the challenges, the things that went right, the things that went wrong, and what it was like seeing an idea turn into an actual event.I'm also looking back at what I learned, what I'd do differently, and whether I'd ever do something like Skookstock again.This isn't a guide on how to run a music festival. It's just my experience, the stories behind it, and hopefully a little appreciation for the people who put these events together.In This Episode:Where the idea for Skookstock came fromFinding a venue and booking the bandsBudgeting and organizing the eventPromoting the festivalThe final weeks of preparationWhat actually happened on festival dayThe good, the bad, and the unexpectedWhat I learned and whether I'd do it againQuestion for you: Have you ever organized an event, started a project, or taken on something that turned out to be much bigger than you expected?Let me know in the comments.ABJ Website:https://abj.free.nf/?i=2Subscribe for more conversations about music, movies, wrestling, content creation, personal experiences, and the things that inspire us.#ABJPodcast #Skookstock #MusicFestival #LiveMusic

We're heading back to the Kelsey Theatre in St. Clair, Pennsylvania!For Episode 203 of 5Q with ABJ, I had the opportunity to sit down with the people behind their upcoming production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, one of the most famous murder mysteries in theater history.We talk about what makes this story special, what goes into bringing a murder mystery to the stage, the challenges of creating suspense in front of a live audience, and why supporting local theater matters.And don't worry, we're keeping the mystery alive. No spoilers here!In This Episode:Why they chose The MousetrapBringing suspense and mystery to the stageCasting, rehearsals, and preparationWhat makes this production specialBehind-the-scenes stories and discoveriesThe importance of supporting local theaterOne of my favorite things about 5Q with ABJ is getting to meet people who are passionate about what they create and learning about the work that goes into bringing those ideas to life.A huge thank you to everyone at the Kelsey Theatre for welcoming me back and taking the time to share their stories.SUPPORT LOCAL THEATERKelsey Theatre — St. Clair, PennsylvaniaFor show dates, tickets, and more information:Official Website:https://www.agosc.org/Kelsey Theatre Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/agosc_kelsey_theatreAGO Theatre Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/agosctheatreFOLLOW ABJABJ Website:https://abj.free.nf/?i=2Like, subscribe, and follow along for more music, movies, wrestling, beer, stories, topics, and ideas that inspire us.Keep asking questions. Keep discovering. And keep supporting great art.#5QwithABJ #TheMousetrap #AgathaChristie #KelseyTheatre #SupportLocalArts

How Rejection Changed Me | ABJ Podcast Episode 11 with AmandaRejection sucks.Whether it's being told no by someone you care about, losing an opportunity, being left out, watching someone choose somebody else, or realizing a friendship or relationship isn't what you thought it was — rejection can mess with your head.But rejection doesn't always mean you're not good enough.Sometimes it teaches you.Sometimes it redirects you.And sometimes, it forces you to finally choose yourself.For Episode 11 of the ABJ Podcast, I'm joined by Amanda, who you've already seen on 5Q with ABJ and who will be joining me more often as a co-host.We're talking about the different kinds of rejection we've experienced, how rejection can become personal, the times rejection actually turned out to be a good thing, and what we've learned from the people and situations that didn't choose us.But we also flip the conversation around.Because we've all rejected people.We've all said no.We've all walked away from relationships, friendships, opportunities, jobs, projects, and situations that weren't right for us anymore.So we're talking about both sides of rejection — being told no and learning how to say no.The biggest lesson?Don't reject yourself just because somebody else did.And sometimes choosing yourself means accepting the answer, learning from it, and moving forward.What has rejection taught you?And have you ever experienced a rejection that eventually led you somewhere better?Let us know in the comments.In This Episode• What rejection really means• Our earliest experiences with rejection• Romantic rejection• Friendship rejection• Rejection in work and creative life• Social media and the pressure of being seen• When rejection becomes personal• When rejection actually becomes a good thing• Learning from rejection• Stop chasing people who don't choose you• Times we rejected people or situations• Learning when to say no• Choosing yourself• What we learned from rejectionABJ Website:https://abj.free.nf/?i=2Follow along, subscribe, and join the conversation.The ABJ Podcast explores the music, movies, wrestling, beer, stories, topics, and ideas that inspire us.I'm not here because I have all the answers.I'm here because I believe asking good questions leads to better conversations.#ABJPodcast #HowRejectionChangedMe #Rejection #SelfGrowth #Podcast

5Q with ABJ — Episode 202 | Scream 7 Movie ReviewGhostface is back. Sidney Prescott is back. And nearly 30 years after helping create Scream, Kevin Williamson is finally behind the camera directing a Scream movie.For Episode 202 of 5Q with ABJ, I'm diving into Scream 7.We're talking about what worked for me, what stood out, Sidney's return, the latest incarnation of Ghostface, the kills, callbacks, and what I learned after digging deeper into the making of the movie.We'll also look at Kevin Williamson stepping into the director's chair, the influence Wes Craven still has on the franchise, some behind-the-scenes details I didn't know going in, and why audiences are still answering Ghostface's calls 30 years later.As always, I'm not here to tell you what to like. I'm here to share my perspective, learn something new, and hopefully start a conversation.Did I miss an Easter egg or callback? Tell me in the comments.And I want to hear from the Scream fans:What's your favorite Scream movie?Who's your favorite Ghostface?What's your favorite kill?And where do you want to see the franchise go next?Follow ABJABJ Website:https://abj.free.nf/?i=2All ABJ Links:https://linktr.ee/AnthonyBlackwellJrABJ Merch Store:https://abj570-shop.fourthwall.com/Like, subscribe, and follow along for more 5Q with ABJ — music, movies, wrestling, beer, stories, topics, and ideas that inspire us.Keep asking questions. Keep discovering. And keep supporting great art.#5QwithABJ #Scream7 #Scream #Ghostface #Horror #MovieReview