Humanity and Hashtags

#289 | Nova Jay - Being Stay-at-Home Dad Changed Everything

In this episode, I sit down with Nova Jay, a stay-at-home dad, dance instructor, and lifelong performer, to talk about the realities of modern parenting and how fatherhood completely changed his perspective on life. After years dedicated to dance and performance, Nova found himself stepping into a new role: a full-time parent?! What started as a practical family decision quickly became a journey that gave him a newfound appreciation for stay-at-home parents and the often-overlooked work that goes into raising children every day. We talk about balancing family life, marriage, personal identity, and career ambitions while embracing the challenges and rewards of being present for your child. In this episode, we discuss: * The realities of being a stay-at-home dad * Why parenting is harder than most people realize * Fatherhood and personal growth * Marriage, partnership, and raising a family * Balancing work, passion, and parenting responsibilities * The value of being present during your child’s early years * How becoming a parent changes your priorities This conversation is for parents, soon-to-be parents, and anyone interested in fatherhood, family life, work-life balance, stay-at-home parenting, and modern relationships.

#288 | Graham Martin - Built a Business for Families

In this episode, I sit down with Graham Martin, a dad and entrepreneur who recently launched OUR HEY DAY, a new family-focused marketplace designed to better serve parents and households. We talk about what inspired Graham to build a business centered around families, the gaps he saw in the current market, and why modern parenting often feels more complicated than it should. This conversation explores the intersection of family life, entrepreneurship, and solving real-world problems for parents — especially in a time where families are navigating busier schedules, digital distractions, and increasing demands. In this episode, we discuss: * The inspiration behind OUR HEY DAY * Why families are underserved in today’s market * The challenges of modern parenting * Building a business while raising a family * Creating solutions that actually help parents * Balancing entrepreneurship and family life * The future of family-focused products and services This episode is for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building meaningful businesses, improving family life, and solving real problems in today’s world. Follow Graham and his company @grahammartin Find everything else: www.theberardo.com/linkinbio

#287 | Zack Peter - Inside the World of Pop Culture Media

In this episode, I sit down with Zack Peter, host of No Filter with Zack Peter, a Top 10 podcast on Spotify and Apple that covers the latest in pop culture, celebrity news, and entertainment. Zack has built his platform from an independent podcast into a full media brand — including a growing YouTube channel, a popular social media account. We talk about what it really takes to build influence in today’s digital world, how pop culture shapes public perception, and what’s happening behind the headlines we see every day. In this episode, we discuss: * How Zack built a Top 10 podcast * The reality behind celebrity news and media coverage * Turning content into a full brand and business * The power of social media in shaping pop culture * What it takes to stay relevant in entertainment media * Possibility of being a father one day * ...and much more! This episode is for anyone interested in pop culture, celebrity news, podcasting, content creation, and building a personal brand in today’s media landscape. Keep up with him @justplainzack [https://www.instagram.com/justplainzack] and justplainzack.com [http://justplainzack.com/] 🎙️FIND EVERYTHING HERE: http://theberardo.com/linkinbio 📲LETS CONNECT EVERYWHERE ELSE: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theberardo   TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@theberardo   Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theberardo

#286 | Elliott Caldwell - 0 to 13 Businesses (7 are 7 Figures)!

In this episode, I sit down with Elliott Caldwell, a serial entrepreneur who has built 13 businesses — 7 of them generating 7-figure profits annually — and a podcast host focused on teaching entrepreneurship, systems, and scalable growth. We break down what it actually takes to build multiple successful companies, the mindset required to operate at a high level, and why most entrepreneurs struggle to get past the early stages. Elliott shares insights from his experience building and scaling businesses across industries, offering a practical look at systems, leadership, discipline, and long-term thinking. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ How Elliott built 13 businesses ✅ What separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else ✅ The systems behind scaling to 7 figures ✅ Why most founders fail (and how to avoid it) ✅ Mindset, discipline, and decision-making at a high level ✅ Building multiple income streams and businesses ✅ What entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes Follow Elliott at - https://www.instagram.com/elliottcaldwell/

#285 | Adrian Luna - Cider Expert, Black Belt and This Happened

In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Luna — also known as @hardciderguy — a certified pommelier, Licensed Educator with the American Cider Association, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Adrian has built a unique career around craft cider, education, and culture, but his story goes far beyond that. We talk about his journey in the world of hard cider, what it means to be a certified pommelier, and how he became deeply involved in the craft beverage industry. We also dive into his experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the discipline it requires, and how it shapes mindset, resilience, and everyday life. But this conversation takes a deeper turn. Adrian opens up about recent challenges his family faced involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and how quickly personal life can intersect with politics in today’s climate. In this episode, we discuss: * What a certified pommelier does * The rise of craft cider and cider culture * Balancing passion, family, and career * Immigration, family, and real-life challenges This episode is about more than cider or martial arts — it’s about identity, resilience, family, and navigating life when things don’t go as planned. 🎙️FIND EVERYTHING HERE: http://theberardo.com/linkinbio 🎧LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: http://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/humanityandhashtags   📲LETS CONNECT EVERYWHERE ELSE: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theberardo   TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@theberardo   Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theberardo   💻WHAT I USE FOR PODCASTING: This is ECAMM LIVE and it's a powerhouse for podcasters and streamers.  Get your FREE 14-DAY TRIAL BELOW:  https://tinyurl.com/tonyecamm