Burned Out and Exhausted? Here's What's Actually Happening | with Tony Calabrese

Hit Disney Music Producer Reveals What's Secretly Destroying Modern Artists and Men

What if AI isn't the only thing destroying modern artists, and what if the same forces are quietly hollowing out men, too? In this Stand Up Dude Podcast episode, hosts Pedro LaTorre and Stewart White sit down with hit Disney music producer, songwriter, and author Adam Watts — the producer behind Jeremy Camp's first two records, co-writer of Jesse McCartney's "Beautiful Soul," and the man behind hits for Switchfoot, High School Musical, Camp Rock, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato. After 20+ years inside the machine, Adam pulls back the curtain on the corporate music industry, the spiritual cost of celebrity, the rise of AI in music and art, and the near-fatal health crisis that almost ended his life. This is a brutally honest conversation about creativity, faith, manhood, mental health, fatherhood, and why every man needs to rediscover what Adam calls "soul nutrition." 👉 Take Adam's free artist assessments: https://myartistdna.com 👉 Read Adam's AI manifesto: https://bit.ly/WattsAITheory 🧢 Get a TN HAT — the ones we wear on the show 🧢: https://tnhat.shop/collections/frontpage Adam opens up about the parathyroid tumor that took five months to diagnose and brought him to the edge of his own life, what it means to make art "as unto the Lord," and why he believes if Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix had the tools he's now building, they'd still be here. Together, they wrestle with the addictive pull of AI, the danger of letting your creativity atrophy, the difference between a craftsman and someone who's just "crafty," the Myth of the Tortured Artist, and the daily fight against compartmentalization that's quietly killing the modern man. 👉 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode: https://missionxmission.eo.page/sud-newsletter 👉 Support Stand Up Dude & Mission X Mission: http://MissionXMission.org/donate 🚀 Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! https://vidiq.com/StandUpDude WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY: * A rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Disney and Christian music machines from a producer who built hits inside both * A raw, unguarded testimony of hidden illness, mental darkness, and where God actually showed up * A clear-eyed framework for using AI without letting it hollow out your creativity, your work, or your soul * Why "art that looks real but is empty" is the spiritual warning sign for our generation * The "Myth of the Tortured Artist" debunked by a man who lived it — and survived it * A "balanced diet" model for the relationships, rhythms, friendships, and rest every man needs to stay whole WHO THIS IS FOR: * Christian men, creatives, songwriters, producers, and entrepreneurs wrestling with calling, identity, and the pressure to perform * Anyone navigating hidden suffering or a faith that feels thinner than they thought it was * Men who feel quietly empty in a season of outward success and don't know why * Anyone trying to figure out how to use AI without losing what makes them human TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 "I didn't know you could be alive and be this dead" 00:51 Meet Adam Watts: Disney, Jeremy Camp, Switchfoot, "Beautiful Soul" 02:30 Why entrepreneurs, moms, and tradesmen are artists too 04:36 Doing your work "as unto the Lord" 06:00 The creationist theory of art (and why AI breaks it) 10:00 The hidden tumor doctors missed for five months 13:14 At the edge — and the two things that kept him here 14:50 When you realize your faith was thinner than you thought 16:50 Where God actually shows up when everything falls apart 19:48 Why tears are a "beautiful confession" — and why men avoid them 22:50 The Myth of the Tortured Artist 24:00 Why pain has to go somewhere (the MMA analogy that nails it) 26:30 Art as "soul nutrition" 28:00 What he saw working with Miley Cyrus at 12 and Demi Lovato at 14 30:30 The uncomfortable truth about the Christian music industry 34:00 The 10 Artist Types and the new MyArtistDNA platform 37:50 Building an "electric fence around your humanity" 41:30 Watts AI Theory: a framework for the unprecedented 44:30 Why AI is more intoxicating than any drug we've ever made 47:00 Wall-E, atrophy, and the death of effort 48:30 The Golden Calf warning every modern man needs to hear 51:00 Heaven and hell aren't "out there" — they're already here 51:55 What art actually does for a man 55:30 The balanced diet of relationships every man needs 58:30 Why decompartmentalizing is the work of modern manhood 1:00:00 "If Kurt Cobain and Hendrix had this, they'd still be here" RESOURCES & LINKS: Start your journey with Jesus: https://standupdude.com/standup Free resources for growth: https://standupdude.com/be-more ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf #StandUpDude #AdamWatts #ChristianMen #AIandArt #ChristianMusic #DisneyMusic #Songwriter #JeremyCamp #MentalHealth #Fatherhood #Creativity #Vocation Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment, Like, subscribe, and share. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf

Jason DeMeo Reveals the Real Struggles Behind Creative Entrepreneurship

What does it look like to live a creative life rooted in faith, family, and real purpose, without losing yourself to the hustle? In this Stand Up Dude Podcast episode, hosts Pedro LaTorre and Stewart White sit down with contemporary artist and entrepreneur Jason DeMeo for an unfiltered conversation on art, creativity, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and what it actually means to be a Christian man in a noisy, distracted world. 🧢 Get a TN HAT Designed by Jason DeMeo 🧢: https://tnhat.shop/collections/frontpage Jason opens up about walking away from a pastoral path, rediscovering his creative impulse, and learning to balance ambition with presence. Together, they dig into the spiritual disciplines that anchor a meaningful life—solitude, rest, meditation, self-awareness—and what it takes to build a legacy of substance over a résumé of noise. If you're a man wrestling with identity, manhood, work-life balance, marriage, parenting, or how faith shapes your craft and calling, this one's for you. 👉 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode: https://missionxmission.eo.page/sud-newsletter 👉 Support Stand Up Dude & Mission X Mission: http://MissionXMission.org/donate 🚀 Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster!  https://vidiq.com/StandUpDude WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY: * A clearer picture of what a creative, faith-rooted legacy actually looks like in real life—not just on Instagram * Honest tools for breaking the cycle of ego, idolatry, and burnout through spiritual disciplines that create rest and self-awareness * Real talk on marriage, fatherhood, and stewardship from men who are still figuring it out * How to cultivate a home marked by grace and the fruit of the spirit, not just rules * Raw stories on managing work, family, and the longing for impact—from pastor to creative professional * Practical rhythms for schedule management, silence, and intentional presence WHO THIS IS FOR: * Men navigating fatherhood, creative pursuits, and work-life balance * Entrepreneurs, pastors, and creatives chasing substance and legacy, not just hustle * Husbands and fathers hungry for connection, faith, and a purposeful life TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Meet Jason DeMeo: artist, entrepreneur, and dad 05:38 Why Jason walked away from becoming a pastor 06:16 Evolving your identity as an artist (without losing yourself) 11:41 Finding clarity and purpose in a noisy world 14:18 How to honestly evaluate your spiritual growth 17:45 The mindset shift that changes how you carry responsibility 19:46 When work and faith collide 24:35 The hidden cost of missing the present moment 25:49 Hard work vs. trusting God—is there a balance? 31:08 What actually gives life meaning 32:36 Kids, sports, and competing priorities 35:53 Why family time is non-negotiable 40:37 Laughing at our own forgetfulness 44:41 Discipline vs. human nature: the daily fight 46:57 Owning your agency as a man 48:27 Pursuing real transformation through faith RESOURCES & LINKS: Start your journey with Jesus: https://standupdude.com/standup Free resources for growth: https://standupdude.com/be-more Get a TN HAT Designed by Jason DeMeo: https://tnhat.shop/collections/frontpage ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment with what challenged you most. Like, subscribe, and pass this to a friend who's chasing meaning over noise. Join the Stand Up Dude brotherhood—where men find their voice, lead with courage and humility, and become men of faith, substance, and impact. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf Stay creative, stay rooted, and lead with purpose. #StandUpDude #FaithAndCreativity #ChristianMen #Fatherhood #Vocation Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment, Like, subscribe, and share. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf

The Genie Mentality That's Killing Your Faith | Jordan St. Cyr

"We've treated God like a genie in a bottle, and it's quietly wrecking our faith." In this episode of Stand Up Dude, hosts Tim Bisagno, Stewart White, and Pedro LaTorre sit down with Christian recording artist Jordan St. Cyr ("Fires," "Rescue," "Wild Love") for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on the show. Jordan opens up about the thought he says he's never confessed publicly—what he found himself thinking about his daughter Emery in the dark months after her Sturge-Weber Syndrome diagnosis—and what God did with that selfish moment. 🤠 The hats we wear are from Tennessee Hat — for Tennessee icons and creative outlaws. https://tnhat.shop/collections/frontpage This conversation goes places. We talk about being "unsuccessful for decades" before any dream comes true, the lie that crushes Christian men until their back finally breaks, why God isn't a vending machine for your wants, and how a father's brokenness becomes a son's inheritance—until somebody decides to stop the cycle. Jordan also shares the heart behind his new singles "Wild Love" and "Storyteller Man" and the full-length record dropping in early 2027. 👉 Never miss an episode — get the newsletter: https://missionxmission.eo.page/sud-newsletter 👉 Support Stand Up Dude and Mission X: http://MissionXMission.org/donate 🎙️ ABOUT JORDAN ST. CYR Jordan St. Cyr is a Canadian-born Christian recording artist now based in Nashville, TN. His breakout single "Fires" charted on Christian radio for nearly 18 months, and "Rescue" hit the Top 10 on the Christian music charts. His daughter Emery was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber Syndrome shortly after birth, and the family's journey through her illness has shaped his music and ministry. His new singles "Wild Love" and "The Storyteller Man" are out now, with a full-length record releasing in early 2027. Find Jordan: https://jordanstcyr.com Listen to "Storyteller Man": https://jordan.ffm.to/storyteller Subscribe to Jordan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jordanstcyr 🌟 LINKS & RESOURCES Ready to (re)start your journey with Jesus: https://standupdude.com/standup Free resources for men's discipleship and spiritual growth: https://standupdude.com/be-more 📬 CONNECT Email: dudes@standupdude.com Website: https://standupdude.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/standupdudeofficial Facebook: facebook.com/standupdude Everything in one place: https://linktr.ee/standupdude If this episode hit something in you, do us a favor;  like, comment, and send it to a man who needs to hear it. You're not alone, and God's healing runs deeper than the wound. 🎵 Theme Music: "Prodigal" by Arrows in Exile https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf 🚀 Grow your channel faster with vidIQ: https://vidiq.com/StandUpDude #JordanStCyr #StandUpDude #ChristianMen #SturgeWeberSyndrome #ChristianTestimony #FaithUnderFire #ChristianMusic #Fatherhood #ChristianFatherhood ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 "We've treated God like a genie in a bottle" 00:53 Welcome Jordan — and the nice boots 01:11 Unsuccessful for decades: the long road before "Fires" 03:38 The tension between music, calling, and family 05:01 What construction work + worship leading built in him 07:00 Driving Manitoba-to-Nashville on a dream 08:50 The "backstop" lie every man tries to live 11:14 Tim gets vulnerable: anxiety, vulnerability, and not being immune 16:13 Emery's birth, the MRI, and a Sturge-Weber Syndrome diagnosis 18:32 "The most beautiful gift a man could ever receive" 21:50 "God, take her": the thought Jordan never confessed 25:50 Growing up in a broken home — and what God said to Tim 28:11 Becoming a man means getting over your childhood 33:00 Movement, running, and exhausting the body to quiet the mind 34:35 Shoutout: Tennessee Hat 36:23 Tim's 6-mile revenge run that healed a wound with his dad 41:46 Losers' scoreboards and the deeper "why" behind ambition 42:30 "If it takes me away from You, let it not happen" 45:00 A piece of the pie vs. peace of mind 46:30 The Pigeon Forge walk that exposed what Stewart actually wanted 48:35 The 3-things exercise that defines what you really want 54:00 Why we still treat God like a genie 55:25 "Unhappiness is not knowing what you want…" 57:00 Bathtub theology — teaching kids to hear from the Holy Spirit 01:00:08 For the man who's tired and overwhelmed right now 01:03:00 "It is impossible for you to be unheld" 01:04:00 New record: the joy of the road trip after the fire 01:05:30 "Wild Love" and "The Storyteller Man" — what's coming 01:07:00 Closing on the gospel 01:08:30 "Nobody lived like Jesus. Nobody died like Jesus." 01:11:00 An invitation to make Jesus Lord — pray with us Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment, Like, subscribe, and share. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf

Burned Out and Exhausted? Here's What's Actually Happening | with Tony Calabrese

Burnout. Father wounds. The quiet pressure of midlife. If you're a man carrying weight you were never built to carry, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Stand Up Dude, Pedro LaTorre and Stewart White sit down with pastor, church planter, and men's discipleship leader Tony Calabrese for an unfiltered conversation on spiritual formation, fatherhood, and finding your identity in Christ when everything in you wants to perform for it. Tony opens up about pastoral burnout, the slow work of healing through therapy and biblical counseling, and the daily practices that pulled him out of striving and into abiding. 👉 Never miss an episode — get the newsletter: https://missionxmission.eo.page/sud-newsletter 👉 Support Stand Up Dude and Mission X: http://MissionXMission.org/donate 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY * - Why performance ≠ worth, and how to actually internalize your identity in Christ * - How to recognize a father wound and start the work of emotional healing * - What pastoral burnout really looks like from the inside * - The spiritual disciplines that build daily intimacy with God: solitude, silence, prayer * - How forgiveness breaks the cycles of shame, pride, and avoidance * - Tony's daily practice for coping with anxiety and protecting work-life balance * - Why every man needs honest discipleship, mentorship, and real friendship 🧭 THIS ONE'S FOR YOU IF… * - You've felt the slow burn of burnout — in ministry, work, or family life * - You're carrying unhealed hurts from your dad or your past * - You want to be emotionally healthy in marriage, parenting, and your walk with God * - You're tired of performing and ready to start abiding * - You've considered therapy or counseling and don't know where to begin 🌟 LINKS & RESOURCES * Ready to (re)start your journey with Jesus: * https://standupdude.com/standup * Free resources for men's discipleship and spiritual growth: * https://standupdude.com/be-more 📬 CONNECT Email: dudes@standupdude.com Website: https://standupdude.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/standupdudeofficial Facebook: facebook.com/standupdude Everything in one place: https://linktr.ee/standupdude If this episode hit something in you, do us a favor — like, comment, and send it to a man who needs to hear it. You're not alone, and God's healing runs deeper than the wound. 🎵 Theme Music: "Prodigal" by Arrows in Exile https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf 🚀 Grow your channel faster with vidIQ: https://vidiq.com/StandUpDude #StandUpDude #ChristianMen #SpiritualFormation ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Personal faith journey in college 10:49 Discovering faith through scripture 13:19 Healing my relationship with dad 18:47 Finding God in painful times 26:53 Processing changes and seeking guidance 28:30 Finding identity in success or pain 34:38 Processing anger and grief 40:33 Processing pain with faith 48:38 Discovering spiritual worth as men 50:07 Promoting Tennessee Hats 55:30 Spending a half day in reflection 01:04:16 Pacing yourself with grace 01:06:51 When good things become idols 01:15:00 Seeking guidance during transition 01:17:38 Enjoying God through obedience 01:25:50 Encouragement for a prayerful confession 01:26:55 Inviting audience feedback Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment, Like, subscribe, and share. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf

Matt Farnsworth's Radical Second Chance | From Death's Door to New Life

What does it take for a man to come back from total destruction? In this raw, hope-filled episode of the Stand Up Dude Podcast, hosts Tim Bisagno and Stewart White sit down with keynote speaker, bestselling author, filmmaker, and recovery coach Matt Farnsworth to unpack a story of addiction, brokenness, and supernatural rescue that few men dare to tell. Matt's comeback story is unforgettable: a car crash that left him flatlined for three minutes, a broken neck, and a long walk out of addiction into 12 years of sobriety. That journey became the foundation for his #1 Amazon bestseller, The Comeback Blueprint — a no-fluff manual for men who are done running the same play. A former Hollywood director, Tribeca filmmaker, and Prism Award winner, Matt traded the spotlight for a mission: helping men rebuild their identity, kill shame, and live with purpose again. Today he speaks at churches, conferences, and corporate events, hosts the Unfiltered with Matt Farnsworth podcast, leads the Armor Up spiritual warfare app, and coaches both men in recovery and Fortune 500 leaders scaling their businesses. If you've ever felt stuck, broken, or like your past disqualifies you — this conversation is for you. 📖 Get Matt's #1 Bestseller, The Comeback Blueprint: https://amzn.to/4mX8SFy 🌐 Matt's Website: https://www.mattfarnsworth.net Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/StandUpDude 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: * The crash that killed Matt for 3 minutes — and what he saw * Hollywood, addiction, and the slow descent few men talk about * How faith rebuilt his identity from the ground up * The Comeback Blueprint framework for men starting over * Why your deepest wound is your greatest weapon * Practical steps to break shame and reclaim purpose 👊 ABOUT STAND UP DUDE PODCAST Stand Up Dude is a Gospel-centered podcast for men ready to stop drifting and start standing. Hosted by Tim Bisagno and Stewart White, we bring you raw conversations with men who've been in the fight — about faith, fatherhood, addiction recovery, mental health, marriage, business, and what it really means to live as a man on mission. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. 👍 Like this episode if it hit you. 💬 Comment below — we want to know: Do you have a story like Matt's? What stood out to you about his story? 📲 Share this with a brother who needs it. 👉 Never Miss an Episode: Get Our Newsletter: https://missionxmission.eo.page/sud-newsletter 👉 Support Stand Up Dude & Mission X Mission: http://MissionXMission.org/donate 💥 EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES Ready to start your journey with Jesus? https://standupdude.com/standup Free resources to accelerate your growth: https://standupdude.com/be-more Interested in Matt’s book or bringing him to your event? Find all links in the episode show notes. Connect with us: Email: dudes@standupdude.com Website: https://standupdude.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/standupdudeofficial Facebook: facebook.com/standupdude Feeling the wake-up call? Share your story or thoughts in the comments! Like, subscribe, and send this episode to a man who needs hope and honesty today. Thank you for being part of the Stand Up Dude brotherhood—a community calling men to rise up, tell the truth, and lead with humility and faith. Truth changes everything. #HollywoodRedemption #AddictionRecovery #StandUpDudePodcast #ChristianManhood #Testimony #SpiritualAwakening #FaithStory #SurrenderToJesus #NewLifeInChrist #MattFarnsworth 🔗 Share/Connect/Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/standupdude Theme Music: Prodigal - by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Meet Matt Farnsworth's journey 04:34 Uncomfortable encounter with teacher 08:18 Living the party lifestyle 11:37 Understanding Christianity and family challenges 15:34 Struggling with alcohol and relationships 17:59 Struggling with personal identity 19:25 Drinking and dangerous driving incident 22:55 Hospital incident and aftermath 27:47 Waking up to a nightmare 31:39 Entering recovery after hitting bottom 33:32 Embracing vulnerability as a leader 37:02 Car accident consequences 39:54 Matt accepts responsibility in court 43:52 Training leads to a dinner date 47:57 Inviting to pray and commit 50:44 Bodybuilding and seminary days 52:27 Acknowledging God's authority Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-stand-up-dude-podcast--6143975/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. ⚡️ Engage & Take Action: Drop a comment, Like, subscribe, and share. 🔗 All links & socials: https://linktr.ee/standupdude 🎵 Theme Music: Prodigal by Arrows in Exile: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Qbpjwsb1Z9XuES9yqKQoz?si=8deed3f6cd2548cf