lifeonward: Recent Episodes
Life On Ward
Welcome to the Life Onward, aka Life On Ward Podcast. I am Ward Hughey and I am here to bring you conversations with people who are living out their passion...
Ward sits down with musician and visual artist Alex Peramas outside of mutual favorite spot Stogies Cigar Bar to learn the story of Alex’s artistic journey. Starting at a young age Alex shares his journey of visual and musical artistry that has taken him down many roads. From fronting a post-hardcore band at an early age to facing the reality of struggling to make it Alex gives insight on making tough decisions of balancing art and survival. From there he goes on to talk about how to take the risk of following one’s passion and recreating oneself in a new town. Finding his way in the Saint Augustine scene as a drummer Alex speaks of a strong work ethic and making the artistic community his family. He also steps out as a solo artist along the way to living as a full-time musician professionally balancing solo and band projects that include releasing an ep, a few different band projects, and a great music video. All this leading to where he is now being solo artist while also a drummer in local scene staple The Space Heaters, as well as member of new band Mr Cool. This is one wild ride that speaks to Alex’s perseverance and commitment to art as life. Along the way he gives us a lot of advice and wisdom on how we all can pursue our passions.
Alex’s website and home to all the things
https://www.alexisperamas.com
Alex Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/aperamas
Alexis Peramas “Neon” music video
https://youtu.be/38T-UuH-zcU
Mr Cool Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rLDRKhQbMowDsZsOhuilk
Mr Cool Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/followmrcool/
The Space Heaters Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thespaceheatersband/
Ward gets together with creator Jason Blankenship of Bad Cloud Media to discuss his journey from music to video work. Jason shares how he first became an musical artist that ultimately led him to playing drums with Saint Augustine, FL band Best of Synthia. From there Jason tells of the struggles to choose between career and passion that ultimately led to a return to art and the breaking new ground in video work. Telling of the passion for music and video Jason speaks to the process of growing his into being a full time creative with his business Bad Cloud Media. Through it all we learn the importance of being observant, a hard work ethic, and finding joy in creating. While Jason’s passion and work speak for itelf, hearing his story offers great encouragement for all of us to put in the work and live out our dreams.
Bad Cloud Media YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuIBLA8uOMXCwE1GynVgCg/featured
Bad Cloud Media Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/badcloudmedia
Best of Synthia
https://thebestofsynthia.bandcamp.com/
Alexis Peramas “Neon” music video
https://youtu.be/38T-UuH-zcU
Huan “Days” music video
https://youtu.be/VP9PMa7I2oY
Ward Hughey sits down with friend Rosalie Cocci to discuss her story, her many passions, and how she balances life as an ultimate hustler. During this conversation you learn where Rosalie comes from, and how her experiences at a young age have echoed throughout her life making her who she is today. She also shares her life as a student of multi-interests, the study of archeology and culture, growing as an artist, love for music, and giving back to the community. Through this all Rosalie shares her struggles to live life on her terms and how she has balanced as many as 7 hustles at once! Sit back for a fun ride as Rosalie shows us a true hustler’s heart.
Rosalie’s art- Regalia
https://www.instagram.com/regalia_art_and_more/
Girl Gang STA
https://www.instagram.com/girl_ganggsta/
Pie In The Sky
https://www.pieintheskystjohns.org
This special edition being called “a covid conversation” is audio taken from a recent livestream with Ward and guest Sergei Kutrovski. Sergei was the very first guest on LifeOnWard. In this episode audio from their live conversation is shared for listening pleasure. Sergei catches Ward up on how life has been since he was last on the podcast. In doing so there is insight given on unique weddings, moving, coffee, starting businesses and ultimately how a a creative handles life amidst a pandemic. Always innovative, Sergei gives us a look at what it means to live coffee, be a creative amidst change and how to balance business and love of people during this current Covid-19 world.
Digital tip jar:
Ward Venmo
Sergei Kutrovski
Instagram links
www.instagram.com/sergeikutrovski/
www.instagram.com/mirrorcoffeeroasters/
www.instagram.com/makeworth_market/
Ward Hughey speaks with artist, and businesswoman Sway DiFeo on her passions and how she became a supporter of the arts. Sway discusses what she had to learn as an artist as well as giving a look into being successful in event planning. She also sheds light on the struggles creatives face on the ground level and how her passions led her to help in these areas. Sway DiFeo is one of the most passionate people alive today and this is evident in the discussion.
STArt NOW
http://STArtNowfl.com/
Narrow Magazine
https://www.narrowonline.com
Ward Hughey speaks with musical artist Royce Lovett about his journey in the business of music. In this conversation Royce shares who he is, where he is from and what life has been like since going full time as an musical artist. He gives insight on knowing one’s value, working with labels, being on The Voice and much more. Royce’s story is truly one of gratitude and perseverance that we can all learn from.
Royce Lovett social media and website links:
https://www.instagram.com/roycelovett/
http://roycelovett.com/
Music Videos:
RUNNIN
UP FOR LOVE
Royce’s Ted Talk:
- Love, Purpose and Security | TEDxBerkeley
Ward Hughey takes the role of guest while good friend and pastor Caleb Jones becomes the host in this episode about art predicting life. Ward talks about the passions he has had in life for over a decade and the struggle to pursue them while balancing a full time job. Throughout the conversation topics of faith, following God, community and more are touched upon. Ultimately we hear how art like this very podcast helped Ward come to a new place in life where he is more free to pursue his true passions than he has ever been before.
Coinciding blog post
https://www.lifeonward.co/blog/2019/12/3/art-predicts-life
Coquina Community Church website
http://www.coquina.org
Ward Hughey speaks with Joel and Pamela Bernkrant of Jacksonville, FL. They share their individual journeys into music and how to traverse them as a couple. Each of them share the lessons they have learned as creators along the way. They also speak on the community building projects they have started born out of the needs of themselves and their peers.
Joel’s band The Dog Apollo https://thedogapollo.bandcamp.com
Pamela’s solo work https://pamelaelainemusic.com
Online home of Bold City Circuit https://www.boldcitycircuit.com
More about the work of Songbook https://www.songbookjax.com
Ward Hughey has a conversation with friend Taylor Leary and learns how he ended up living in a land far away from Jacksonville, FL USA. Taylor speaks on what life was like growing up in a large family and how he went from music to moving abroad. Taylor also gives insight into the culture of coffee and how it differs in Indonesia from America. Most of all Taylor's story is an example of how to follow a passion of loving people and how he grows by his desire to help others grow as well.
You can look into Taylor’s life and the culture of Indonesia here https://instagram.com/taylrlry?igshid=1kkx54y05bd8e
In the second half of the conversation Ward Hughey talks with entrepreneur and friend Ryan Ropero about going through extremely hard times. He learns what it is like to nearly have everything washed away more than once. Community proves to be a source of life and renewing of faith in the hardest of times. Ryan also shares how he starts to fully live out a dream and renew a broken relationship in the process.
This is part 2.
To follow Ryan’s business click here https://www.instagram.com/vanagram.co
Ward Hughey talks with entrepreneur and friend Ryan Ropero about his life from childhood to now. Ryan speaks about growing up in a split home, faith filled community, love, life's struggles and being a dreamer. He even touches on a short time in his childhood that he, through his mom was part of what he calls a "cult". Ryan reminds us that life is not always easy. Through his experience Ryan teaches us the difference of living a story within healthy community and trying to live story without. Above all Ryan is an example of a dreamer and how to keep the dreams alive.
This is just part 1.
While conducting an interview for Narrow Magazine Ward takes the opportunity to record an episode with friend Felipe Sanchez. Felipe is the guitarist for the hard rock band SLAVES. In this conversation Felipe shares how he first fell in love with music and how he got to where he is now touring the world as a musician. Topics discussed include:
Finding music
Touring life
Broadway
SLAVES
Work Ethic
You can find out more about SLAVES at https://slavesband.com and listen at all places you stream music.
Ward sits with his good friend Sergei Kutrovski at a favorite watering hole and cigar bar. Amidst the smoke they discuss Sergei’s wild ride of life that has led him to where he is now. Along the way they hit on things such as:
Being a refugee
Faith and mission
Pain of life
Art and coffee
Restoration
Here you can find the blog that was referenced in the podcast. https://www.lifeonward.co/blog/2019/4/25/through-the-valley
Trying to get the podcast launched and it seems I should give a little more information into what exactly this is all about.
This recording is a bit rough in sound, but I am at the point I just need to get this out! Feel me?
So give it a listen and get a better idea of the hopes I have in the conversations to come.
Call it a trailer or a tease. Something to peak your interest for the conversations to come here at the lifeonward podcast.
Short soundbites of the conversations that will be featured in different episodes. Just giving a taste of what to expect.