What is the name of your podcast? 

#conceitednobodi

What are your names?

 Alex Zephyr, Johan The American, RED1DER

Where are you from?

 NYC

What is your podcast about?

 @alex_zephyr- Our podcast is about anything and everything, but we primarily cover current events. It’s really three guys who’ve known each other for a long time.

@johanthermarican - We do our best to highlight the voices around us. Everyone has a story and we provide a place for people to tell it. 

@red1der - It's current events and our opinions on it with little boundaries & no judgement. Mostly barbershop talk.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

 @alex_zephyr - Learning to stay more abreast of what’s happening in the world. I believe I bring a wealth of general knowledge. But I have been lost before with regards to the world and what’s happening with current events. So the other podcasters help shore up my weakness in that department. To pull my weight, I’ve begun to expand my news sources and try to draw from various outlets.

@johantheamerican - I took a course on adobe premiere/photoshop to familiarize myself with editing. A lot of time on Youtube looking at videos on podcast equipment. Most importantly I spent a lot of time talking to the team. We have a great group of people that are great problem solvers. 

@red1der - Just learning how to speak on a mic was a new thing for me. A lotta dead air in the early episodes. But being consistent has proven to build all of our voices. We get into a flow and everything is seamless.

Why did you create your podcast?

 @alex_zephyr- The podcast was a creation of Red’s and Johan’s. I was fortunate to be brought along for the ride and am enjoying it ever since.

@johantheamerican - My initial motivation was a way to see my friends more often in an environment that wasn’t the typical. But it grew because I think we’re a special group. I have always been excited about the possibilities of us all getting together to bring something special into the world. 

@red1der - Ghost (Johan) came up to me and just said “Let’s start a podcast. We got dope stories, why not showcase them?” It was on, and with our connections we've been able to have great interviews with people from all types of backgrounds. We used our platform to present THEIR stories.

What does your setup look like?

 @alex_zephyr - Umm, well, with COVID-19 we’ve done some telecommuting. Before, it was simply a bunch of us in a room sharing a microphone! But now, we actually have a dedicated space and a table with our own mics. Plus, Johan would pump the sound through an old Mackie board. However, we’ve upgraded to a Rodecaster and the change has been great.

@johantheamerican - Rodecaster Pro has been great. We use Audio-technica (ATR2100) along with Sony Headsets MDR-7506. We’re slowly upgrading as we go along. 

@red1der - It was rough at first. Everything was used. Me and Ghost even went to the projects in The Bronx to pick up mics and headphones lmao. But now we've got the Rodecaster pro, Sennheiser headphones, Shure mics. We've come a long way when we started in 2018. We just invest in us, to give the people the highest quality sound, and great entertainment.

What is your goal when you interview someone?

 @alex_zephyr- For me, it’s to move from the place of “interview” to “conversation.” In my opinion, the best interviews are when the interviewees understand we’re not a firing squad but a venue where they can be themselves and have the space to speak their truths.

@johantheamerican - I want people to not feel like it's an interview. I want to know who you are as a person. 

@red1der - I'm a fanatic of history. I love asking people how they were raised, what they've seen and what motivated them to pursue their goals.

What 3 people do you wish you could interview if they were still alive today? 

@alex_zephyr

Nelson Mandela
Mansa Musa
Ching Shih

@johantheramerican - 
Hannah Elias
My Great-Grandmother 
A.G. Gaston

@red1der - I wish I got the chance to sit with my dad before he passed. I wish I knew more about his life before me, before marriage, before moving to NYC at 17. Just being in The Bronx in ‘77. That era of NYC. The Bronx from ‘77-’88 from his eyes.

If you could interview any 3 people in the world, who would they be? 

@alex_zephyr

Barack Obama
The Dalai Lama
Queen Elizabeth (although I think she might be too tight-lipped for us to get anything real/good)

@johantheamerican
Barack Obama
Slim (Cash Money Records)
50 Cent

@red1der - Shiiiiet, after the last question, maybe I should have a sincere sit down with my mom lmao.

What podcasts do you listen to? 

@alex_zephyr - To be honest, I don’t listen to many podcasts. But I used to listen to a lot of the stuff that was on Panoply.fm.

@johantheamerican - Black Widow, Black n Kinky, Whorable Decision, Joe Budden Podcast, HowthingsWork, NPR. 

@red1der - Of course it's #conceitednobodi, Medium Popcorn (best movie podcast), Pete’s Basement (comic books and everything nerd culture), Joe Rogan Experience & Joe Budden Podcast.

What are some of your favorite interviews to date?

 @alex_zephyr - Faroah Black was one of the most memorable interviews, if only because he was human and “real.” Our conversation took place when we were in an older and, as is usually the case with these things, much tighter space. It might’ve been that we all have a connection to Old New York or the forced intimacy of the room but there was a warmth, honesty, and fun in that conversation.

@red1der - Mine is the @faraoh_black interview. He's a producer that came up in the 90s right before BAD BOY hit its peak. He worked on Lil Kim’s HARDCORE album, and shared stories of young Kanye West & Beanie Siegel. Also he grew up during the birth of Hip-Hop. Witnessing the Dj park battles - LIVE in person, to then working in the studio on major projects. That one was a lotta fun. 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2F3mq2LgEKdWwTjmaAbqAE?si=oVMnSTu9R7-mb_IG3J7sqQ

@johantheamerican - As a part of our network we also produce #mindingmillenials a segment where we highlight young people being amazing in the world. We interviewed a survivor of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Marlie. Her story was amazing and the way she told it was even better. 
https://soundcloud.com/conceitednobodi/mindingmillennials-haiti

What is your dream as a podcaster?

 @alex_zephyr - As a podcaster, my dream would be to give people a space to find strength in his/her voice. Regardless of the side of the microphone on which you sit, there is always value in contribution. And to not allow anything - or anyone - to silence one’s voice. I would hope that people can listen to our podcasts and see that the medium allows for everyone to have “a seat at the table.”

@red1der - Never dreamed about this before. But I'm definitely inspired by what Joe Budden has done. As far as taking his show on the road. To be touring on stage, hanging out with my family and shooting the shiet in front of people who genuinely fuck with us. That would be amazing. 

@johantheamerican - I would love for this to be a source of income where I can get paid to be around my friends.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to create a successful podcast?

@alex_zephyr - Have a vision bigger than yourself because your “why” will always drive your “how”, but not necessarily the other way around. Expression is about you, but bringing value is really “where it’s at.” And always remain hungry, curious.

@red1der - Consistency is key. I'm blessed with this team, that even if one of us is unavailable, the show will continue on. No hard feelings and no egos. Have a strong team, and be consistent. 

@johantheamerican - “Don’t be rigid”, sometimes your original idea takes its own form allowing yourself to be flexible is the key to success. “Don't be rigid”, there will be a lot of days where you get no response from the universe. “Do have fun”, enjoy the process.

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