Above the bridge

What does it take for a young DJ to carve out a meaningful career in Hawaii's competitive nightlife scene? CJ Park, son of industry veteran Jay Park, reveals the surprising truth behind his rise from playing $20 house parties to commanding major venue residencies and opening for artists like Little Wayne and T-Pain. The journey begins with humble origins – Park recalls being the kid who always brought speakers to high school parties, gradually honing his skills and musical intuition. But rather than riding his father's coattails, we learn how Park built his career through genuine connections, starting with a fortuitous gig DJing a yoga instructor's boat party that opened his eyes to the financial possibilities of his passion. What's striking about Park's story is his refreshing humility. Despite now holding coveted residencies at District, Ki Club, and other premier Honolulu venues, he speaks candidly about his early struggles with professional equipment and the pressure of knowing "if the DJ clears the house, nobody gets paid." His respect for veteran DJs and willingness to learn from them mirrors the mentorship dynamic host Thaddeus Park shares about nurturing DJ Hapa's  career through intentional challenges rather than easy opportunities. Perhaps most powerful is Park's brave disclosure about recently achieving two months of sobriety after recognizing some  issues were threatening both his career and well-being. In an industry saturated with temptation, his commitment to growth both personally and professionally offers an inspiring blueprint for sustainability in nightlife careers. Whether you're an aspiring DJ, nightlife enthusiast, or simply appreciate stories of authentic career development, this conversation offers valuable insights into the delicate balance of technical skill, business awareness, and personal integrity required to thrive in the entertainment world. Tune in to discover how CJ Park continues to "take them on a journey" while still evolving his own. ATBpod.com [Http://ATBpod.com]

DJ Mass Funk reveals the dark reality of nightlife success and his transformative journey to sobriety after 15 years of substance abuse in the Hawaii club scene. What begins as a casual conversation between friends quickly delves into the remarkable story of a talented DJ who opened for major artists like Alesso, Chainsmokers, and Cascade while simultaneously battling addiction behind the decks. "There was no real moment when I thought I was actually good," Mass Funk confesses about his career, despite his impressive resume. His candid reflections expose how substance dependence masked his natural introversion and ultimately stunted his potential. "I imagine and reflect now—if I didn't do that and I was actually serious, man, where I would be right now would be totally different." This powerful realization forms the emotional core of the episode. The conversation takes an inspiring turn as Mass Funk shares the systems that transformed his life: non-negotiable 5am workouts, marathon running, and complete sobriety. His newfound clarity has reignited his passion for music production—something he hasn't pursued seriously since 2015. "I'm super focused, I'm super motivated, and now I'm actually like, if I want to take it to the next level, I can." Beyond music, he's expanding his horizons through learning Japanese, coding, and creating digital art, demonstrating how recovery opens pathways to creativity rather than limiting it. Whether you're struggling with your own demons or simply fascinated by the unseen challenges of entertainment industry success, this conversation offers rare honesty about addiction, recovery, and rediscovering purpose. Listen as two friends explore what it truly means to break free from destructive patterns and build a life of authentic fulfillment—proving that sometimes, the most meaningful drops in life happen off the dance floor.

What happens when the thing you've done for twenty years suddenly doesn't align with your soul anymore? In this deeply personal conversation, Thaddeus welcomes back his longtime friend and business partner Hanson to discuss his surprising decision to walk away from nightlife promotion after finding renewed faith. Hanson, co-owner of Hawaii Events Unlimited and Level H Promotion, shares the remarkable story of their new nightclub event "Aura" at Eve nightclub. Just as everything aligned perfectly—record-breaking attendance, supportive venue staff, and all the markers of success—Hanson felt an undeniable spiritual pull in another direction. Standing in the middle of what should have been a triumphant moment, he realized his heart was elsewhere. The conversation explores the challenging intersection of identity and occupation that both men faced during the pandemic. "I realized that my core friends still hit me up... The people that I love still loved me because they loved Thaddeus. They didn't love Thaddeus, the promoter," the host reflects. Meanwhile, Hanson reveals how his return to church transformed his understanding of purpose: "When I started going back to church, my purpose changed. God is the ultimate purpose for me now." Beyond clearing up swirling rumors about their departure from Eve nightclub, this episode offers profound insights about authenticity, friendship that transcends business partnerships, and the courage required to walk away from external validation. As Hanson puts it, "Club life is people trying to be happy momentarily... what I'm trying to do now is give a permanent version of that for people." Whether you're contemplating a major life change or simply interested in how careers evolve with spiritual growth, this raw discussion about finding new direction while honoring past experiences will leave you reflecting on your own purpose journey. Subscribe now and join the conversation about what happens when God calls you to something new.

What drives a person to transform their life from rock bottom to running a successful business? Meet Val, the founder of For My Family brand, whose story of redemption, purpose, and entrepreneurial spirit captures the essence of Hawaii resilience. Val pulls no punches discussing his former life of addiction—mixing fentanyl and other substances until his body literally broke out in hives from toxicity. His pivotal moment came after an overdose that finally forced him to confront the pain he was causing his loved ones. "When a person goes through addiction, we don't only go through it, we put our whole family through it," Val explains with raw honesty. With the help of his boxing coach, he fought through three grueling months of withdrawal to reclaim his life. What emerged from this dark period wasn't just recovery but revelation. Val recognized that the same determination addicts use to "find a way to get high even when we don't have money" could be redirected toward achieving positive goals. This insight became the foundation of his brand, For My Family, which has grown from a personal mantra into a movement with nearly 200 product releases over five years. His innovative mobile store—Hawaii's first clothing bus complete with AC, Wi-Fi, and retail displays—has brought his message directly to communities across the islands. The brand isn't merely about apparel; it's about purpose. Whether creating high-visibility workwear for construction workers or designing matching outfits for parents and keiki, each piece carries the reminder of why we push through difficult days—for those who depend on us. "A tough guy isn't one with a gun or knife," Val asserts. "A tough guy is getting up every morning and doing whatever they got to do for their family." Ready to be inspired by someone who truly understands the fight? Listen to Val's full story and discover how focusing on your "why" can transform not just your life, but create a legacy that impacts an entire community. Follow @FMF_brand on Instagram and visit www.fmfbrandhi.com to connect with this movement that's redefining what it means to live with purpose.

Tyla Reese Mane's journey to the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team unfolds like a perfect sports movie – complete with unexpected twists, heartbreaking setbacks, and triumphant homecomings. Growing up as the daughter of comedian James Mane, Tyla defied gender norms from the start. Not content with just playing soccer and volleyball, she became her high school's football kicker while her father coached the team. "When I first did it, I was kind of joking around," she admits. But after blasting a 40-yard kick in her first scrimmage, everyone realized she wasn't just some girl trying to prove a point – she was the real deal. What truly touched her heart wasn't just playing, but seeing young girls approach her with admiration: "That's so cool that you play football." Through this experience, Tyler became a living example that girls aren't "only subjected to just this box of things." Despite her multi-sport background, volleyball eventually captured her heart, offering a supportive environment unlike the critical atmospheres she experienced in other sports. But with limited club experience and COVID disrupting recruitment opportunities, her path to college volleyball wasn't straightforward. She accepted a full scholarship to a junior college in Casper, Wyoming – a place so unfamiliar she had to Google "10 facts about Wyoming" before deciding. The Wyoming chapter brought challenges – harsh weather, limited playing time, seasonal depression, and a volleyball culture focused on offensive power rather than the defensive mindset she knew from Hawaii. "It was definitely a difficult time in my life," she reflects, "but an experience that I needed to go through." Through persistence, additional training, and supportive connections, Tyla eventually received the opportunity she'd dreamed of – a chance to try out for the University of Hawaii volleyball team. When offered a walk-on position with the Rainbow Wahine, she could barely maintain her composure. "I was sitting there trying to have a straight face," she recalls, while "little Tyla was freaking out" inside. For aspiring athletes, Tyla's advice is powerful: prioritize academics, utilize your support system, and most importantly, ask yourself: "What extra are you doing that other people aren't doing?" As her father taught her, "You're doing this while these other girls are sleeping." Want to follow Tyler's final season with the Rainbow Wahine? Find her on Instagram at @tylareesekmane and watch her continue to break barriers and inspire the next generation.