Why This Episode Matters:

In this episode, Wino Willy opens up about transformation, both personal and creative. He shares how fatherhood, therapy, and music combine to help him overcome depression and obesity, leading to a renewed sense of purpose. His story is one of radical responsibility, taking ownership of change through small steps, community, and gratitude.

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Who is Wino Willy:

Wino Willy is a producer, percussionist, and community organizer based in New Orleans. Known for his soulful, sample-rich sound and deep sense of intentionality, he’s collaborated with artists across the underground hip-hop and lo-fi landscape. Beyond the music, he’s a devoted father, husband, and advocate for wellness and connection in creative spaces.

What We Dive Into:

* The link between mental health, movement, and music

* Building sustainable creative habits

* Fatherhood, discipline, and redefining productivity

* Community, collaboration, and the sacred nature of art

Three Key Takeaways:

* Start Small, Stay Consistent: Change doesn’t come from grand gestures it comes from doing the small things daily. A three-minute meditation can become a life-altering habit.

* Community is Wellness: Whether through music scenes, fatherhood groups, or global collaborations, Wino reminds us that healing and creativity thrive in connection.

* Simplicity Creates Depth: The greatest art, and growth, comes from knowing what to leave out. Mastery is doing more with less.

Before You Go:

Ask yourself, what’s one small action you can take today that your future self will thank you for? Whether it’s a three-minute meditation, reaching out to someone in your creative community, or simply expressing gratitude, start there.

Chapters:

0:00 – Intro

0:24 – Toru Intro + Episode Overview

1:00 – Waking Up at 3AM

3:20 – From Depression to Transformation

5:30 – Small Steps, Big Changes

7:55 – Mindset, Self-Talk, and Growth

10:15 – Grace, Grit, and Getting Up Again

12:30 – Motivational Interviewing & The Power of Gratitude

14:50 – Radical Responsibility

18:55 – Redefining Goals

23:10 – Fatherhood and Time Management

25:35 – Leaving the BS Behind

26:05 – Mid-Episode Break

26:50 – Rejecting Hustle Culture

28:20 – Making Music Sacred Again

30:20 – Creative Systems & Consistency

31:55 – Making Your Own Wave

34:15 – Community in Motion

36:30 – Defining Community

38:30 – The Dad Crew and Loud & Clear

40:10 – On Showing Up Before You Feel Ready

42:15 – In-Person Energy > Online Presence

44:20 – Simplicity & Depth

46:30 – On Ego and Mastery

47:50 – Where to Find Wino

48:45 – Quick Hits

50:50 – Upcoming Shows + OKPlayer Feature

52:40 – Closing Reflections

54:10 – Outro

List of References from the Interview:

Songs/Albums:

* “Space Is the Place” – Sun Ra

* “Midnight Marauders” – A Tribe Called Quest

* “Baduizm” – Erykah Badu

Books/Authors/Podcasts:

* Black Boy by Richard Wright

* Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

* Insight Timer app

Connect with INSERT GUEST:

* Instagram: @winowilly

* Spotify: Wino Willy

* Apple Music: Wino Willy

* YouTube: @winowilly1991

Connect with Toru:

* Website: torubeat.com

* Instagram: @torubeat

* YouTube: @torubeat

* Spotify: Toru

* Apple Music: Toru

Credits:

This episode was co-produced, engineered and edited by Matthew Diaz. From ProducerHead, this is Toru, and in a way, so are you. Peace.

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