For 38 episodes you’ve been following the Authentic Audio Podcast. Starting next episode (episode 40) this podcast will be called “The Connect”. That’s why I decided to release this short transitional episode (39) where I explore the reasons why I’m doing the re-brand, some small changes to the format and what to expect moving forward!

More Conversations: http://theconnectpodcast.com/
More Stories: aaroncalafato.net/7minutestories

​The amazing Brandon Chrostowski was my guest this episode. Brandon is the founder of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute and is on a mission to change the face of re-entry in the United States. The idea was born from “a break” that Brandon received early in life and has grown into a six-month program conducted at EDWINS restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio as well as in prison. His approach is simple: arm those re-entering society from prison and jail sentences with a skill set and a smile.

This program has earned Brandon national recognition as a CNN Hero, a guest on the Steve Harvey Show and being featured in the Oscar Nominated documentary “Knife Skills”.

In this episode Brandon and I sat down at EDWINS Restaurant in Shaker Heights, Ohio and talked about:
-How he found himself and discovered the mission of his life
-The break he was given by a judge that changed his life
-How he became obsessed with French Cuisine and working in the
kitchen
-The Oscar nominated short documentary “Knife Skills” featuring
himself, EDWINS, students and staff
-How not having a television is a conscious choice for mental clarity.
-His experience running for Mayor of the City of Cleveland
-Some of the most important conversations he’s ever had
More!

*Learn more about Brandon and EDWINS at

Homepage

This episode brought to you by:
Cleveland Scene Magazine

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Booking & Coordinator
Cori Birce

This episode features my conversation with filmmaker Rob Montague. Rob is a co-founder of the production company Late Morning Films and is in the process of creating a new documentary called: ‘SECRET IDENTITY: The Origin of SUPERMAN’

Besides talking about this latest project towards the latter half of the conversation, Rob and I have a boisterous, fun and wide ranging conversation about:
-The importance of artistic integrity
-The danger and balance of consuming media
-Rob’s journey from touring musician to filmmaker
-A deep analysis of Pauly Shore’s character (Stanley “Stoney”
Brown) in Encino Man
-The absurdity and beauty of being human
-How inspiration and artistic expression is linked to the ether
-Our love for Carl Sagan and how navigate the overpopulation of the earth
-More!

*Learn more about Rob, Late Morning Films & the Secret Identity Project at: http://latemorningfilms.com/

This episode brought to you by:
Cleveland Scene Magazine

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Booking & Coordinator
Cori Birce

This episode features my conversation with Brandyn Devante Armstrong. Brandyn is an entrepreneur originally from East Cleveland. He is the creator and founder of the Studio Stick, the World’s first portable recording studio for smartphones and tablets. The Studio Stick has been featured on NBC, Yahoo News, CBS, and Steve Harvey’s Funderdome.

In this episode
Brandyn and I talk about things like:
-The realities of growing up in East Cleveland
-Neighborhood Pride
-Conquering difficulties and challenges in order to change the
narrative of his own life
-Why he became an entrepreneur
-How and why he created the Studio Stick
-How he wants to give back to his community

​*Learn more about this Studio Stick

Studio Stick Portable Recording

This episode brought to you by:
Cleveland Scene Magazine

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Outreach & Coordination
Cori Birce

Happy 2018! This is the first authentic audio pod episode of the New Year and it features a conversation with entrepreneur Tony Madalone. Tony is the owner of Fresh Brewed Tees & Tready Shoes. He was on the podcast back in 2017 for a conversation during his run for mayor of the City of Cleveland.

​Now, in 2018 after an unsuccessful but memorable bid for public office, Tony and I sat down for a vibrant and raw conversation at his Fresh Brewed Tees headquarters in Cleveland.

In this episode we talk about many things including:
Cuba Gooding Jr. and his karaoke skills.
Tony’s return to the private sector, his new projects & growing his brand.
Strategies and motivation for starting your own business and living your dream.
What it’s like to run for mayor (the good, bad and ugly).
The genius of Lavar Ball.
NBA Basketball, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and who the best player in world is.

More about Tony’s company FreshBrewedTees:
https://freshbrewedtees.com/

This episode brought to you by
Cleveland Scene Magazine

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Outreach & Coordination
Cori Birce

Graphic Design & Original Artwork
Alex Collier

Happy Holidays Authentic Audio Pod listeners! This special festive episode features a conversation with Mark Klaus. Mark is an eccentric personality and the brilliant mind behind Castle Noel, the largest indoor Christmas attraction in the country. Castle Noel is located in my hometown of Medina, Ohio located about 30 minutes south of Cleveland.

Mark and I recorded this episode on location at Castle Noel and talked about his insatiable passion for Christmas, the incredible impact his family had on his life and the tragedy he overcame that eventually inspired a tribute of love to his parents and the community.

To learn more about Castle Noel or to purchase tickets visit

Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio

This episode brought to you by:
Cleveland Scene Magazine

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Outreach & Coordination
Cori Birce

Graphic Design & Original Artwork
Alex Collier

This episode of the Authentic Audio Podcast features a conversation With CNN’s Van Jones. Van and I sat down this past October and had a fascinating talk about politics, Trump, the 2016 election, the American Rustbelt and his latest New York Times bestselling book Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart. How We Come Together.

No matter where you stand politically, Van’s new book and this conversation is something most everybody will find common ground with.

More Authentic Audio Pod Here:
http://www.authenticaudiopodcast.com/

Purchase your copy of Beyond the Messy Truth Here:

Beyond the Messy Truth

This episode brought to you by:
Cleveland Scene Magazine, Fresh Brewed Tees & Disowned Customs

*Special Thanks to the Cuyahoga County Public Library (Parma-Snow Branch) for providing the space for this interview.

All original music & audio production
Ken Wendt D.M.A

Outreach & Coordination
Cori Birce

Graphic Design & Original Artwork
Alex Collier