Happy Hour Holidaze

S2 E42 | Shawn Miller with Van Dyke Mortgage

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2215051/fan_mail/new] Special Episode

S2 E42 | Ride with Alissa Hale: From Alabama to Florida, Alissa Hale's Country Music Journey

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2215051/fan_mail/new] Meet Alissa Hale, a rising country star who's redefining what it means to be a modern artist. Born and raised in Alabama with a 12-year background in gymnastics and ballet, Alissa's path to music came through an unexpected intersection of talent, determination, and a mother who believed in her enough to talk her up to a music producer. During this candid conversation, Alissa gives listeners an exclusive world premiere of her upcoming single "Ride" - a bold, wild anthem for Southern girls who aren't afraid to embrace their freedom and make no apologies for it. The track, releasing June 20th, perfectly captures her authentic country roots while bringing a fresh energy to the genre. What makes Alissa truly unique is her innovative approach to building her brand. She's created "Dirty Blonde," a groundbreaking zombie video game that integrates her music into gameplay - something never before seen in country music. Players blast "deadheads" while experiencing her songs in an immersive environment, creating an entirely new way for fans to connect with her work. This creativity extends to her entrepreneurial ventures, including a hot sauce line featuring her signature blend and an upcoming ghost pepper version aptly named "Hot as Hell." Beyond music and business, Alissa shares stories about her acting career, including her role in "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and playing Android 18 in a live-action project that showcased her gymnastics abilities. She lights up when talking about her passion for fishing, particularly the 180-pound tarpon she caught in the Everglades after a 30-minute battle. Her parting advice resonates with striking clarity: "If you envision it, if you can see it, if you can feel it, you know within you and you have that burning desire, really you're the only one that can hold yourself back." It's this independent spirit that makes Alissa Hale an artist worth watching as she continues to forge her own path in country music and beyond. Follow her journey at AlissaHalecom and don't miss "Ride" dropping June 20th on all streaming platforms.

S2 E41 | Hard Money, Hard Lessons with Caleb Delgado

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2215051/fan_mail/new] What happens when life knocks you down not once, but twice—and you find the strength to build something even better than before?  Caleb's journey from Queens-born soccer player to mortgage mogul to nearly bankrupt and back again is a masterclass in resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up in Long Island with immigrant parents, he learned early lessons contrasting wealth and struggle that would prove invaluable later in life. His soccer skills earned him a D1 college spot playing center midfield, but family financial troubles forced him to leave school and enter the mortgage industry at just 20. The timing couldn't have been more dramatic—the early 2000s "Boiler Room" era of mortgage lending. Within months, Caleb was making hundreds of thousands, driving luxury cars, dropping $10,000 on dinner tabs, and living what seemed like the dream. Until 2008 hit. "That crash was my saving grace," Caleb reveals, explaining how losing everything forced him to rebuild with better values. With savings his mother had secretly set aside from his earnings, he relocated to Florida. Starting over meant taking jobs beneath his experience level while strategically networking and positioning himself for his next chapter. The founding of DKC Lending with his partner David marks the culmination of these hard-learned lessons. Their approach to hard money lending focuses on transparency, reliability, and truly serving clients rather than simply collecting interest. Even in today's challenging market, they're finding creative solutions for investors while maintaining their core values. What makes this conversation so compelling is Caleb's candor about both success and failure. His counterintuitive belief that "business is personal" challenges conventional wisdom, while his insights on entrepreneurship—"stick to what you know and be the best at it"—offer practical guidance for anyone building a career or company. Want to build something that survives market crashes and personal setbacks? Listen now to learn how your biggest failures might become your greatest teachers.

S2 E40 | Black Clover The Fight Within: Balancing Trucking and MMA Dreams

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2215051/fan_mail/new] In the realm of combat sports, few stories embody raw determination quite like that of Forrest "The Black Clover." From the humble beginnings of Dade City, Florida, where growing up with seven brothers meant daily wrestling matches were simply part of life, Forrest has carved a unique path to becoming a 6-1 professional MMA fighter while maintaining a full-time career as a truck driver. This conversation peels back the layers of what makes a fighter persist despite overwhelming odds. Forrest reveals how he manages the seemingly impossible—driving trucks across state lines, sometimes to Texas and back, while maintaining the discipline to train, cut weight, and dominate in the cage. "If you want it bad enough, you're going to find a way to do it," he shares, describing how he performs pull-ups in his truck and jumps rope in the back of trailers just to stay conditioned while working. What truly separates this fighter is his authentic approach to both victory and defeat. After amassing an impressive 8-0 amateur record, Forrest transitioned to pro fighting with refreshing honesty about his motivations: "What made me stop at eight was I wanted to get paid." His lone professional loss became not a setback but a catalyst, especially after seeing the look on his young son's face following the fight: "No more losing in front of you, this ain't happening," he vowed. True to his word, his comeback fight ended with a devastating first-round TKO. The discussion also explores the science behind weight cutting, the importance of proper nutrition (partnering with Venom Nutrition transformed his recovery), and his unique connection to anime that inspired his fighting moniker. At 31, with only five years in the sport, Forrest sees himself as just beginning his prime—drawing inspiration from fighters like Daniel Cormier who started MMA at 30 and became UFC champions. Catch Forrest "The Black Clover" in action at Combat Night on June 21st at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida, as he continues his journey toward UFC glory. Follow him @BlackClover_MMA for updates and use code "BlackClover15" for discounts on supplements that fuel his double life as a trucker-fighter.

S2 E39 | The Art of Melodizing: Young Hub's Musical Journey

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2215051/fan_mail/new] Dive into the world where sports and music collide as Tampa artist Young Hub joins the Happy Hour Holidays crew to discuss his latest project "Melodizing 3." This candid conversation reveals the unique blend of rapping and singing that defines Young Hub's sound, reminiscent of early Drake but with his own Tampa flavor. The episode quickly transforms into a passionate debate about football loyalties when Young Hub reveals his surprising allegiance to the Philadelphia Eagles despite his Tampa roots. The hosts trade statistics, championship histories, and playful jabs while comparing the Bucs and Eagles franchises. The football talk extends to a heated discussion about which states produce the best athletes, with Florida and Texas emerging as the primary contenders. Things take an unexpected turn when guest host Max shares his professional journey in arena football, offering rare insights into the world of professional sports beyond the mainstream leagues. His stories about trash-talking fans mid-play, contract negotiations, and eventually hanging up his cleats for family reasons provide a refreshingly honest look at an athlete's journey. Both Young Hub and the hosts reflect on their high school football experiences, comparing public versus private education, and debating the merits of various athletic programs in the Tampa area. These personal stories highlight how sports shape identity and provide valuable life lessons that translate to other pursuits – including music. The episode closes with practical advice for aspiring musicians, with the hosts suggesting Young Hub explore opportunities to get his music played during sports events and emphasizing the value of in-person networking with DJs. Young Hub leaves listeners with words of wisdom about staying dedicated to your craft despite distractions, whether you're pursuing sports or music. Whether you're a music fan, sports enthusiast, or simply enjoy authentic conversations, this episode offers a perfect blend of entertainment, nostalgia, and practical industry insights. Listen now and discover how the disciplines of sports and music creation intersect in unexpected and inspiring ways.