Austin singer-songwriter Ruthie Craft joins the Cody Kai Cast for one of our most honest and inspiring conversations yet.

We discuss the realities of being an independent artist, balancing creativity with business, surviving a traumatic leg injury, PTSD, faith, sobriety, dating, social media, vulnerability, and the lessons that come from rebuilding after adversity.

Ruthie also shares the story of being scammed by a former manager, why artists should think like CEOs, how Jeremy Renner's advice helped her stay calm during a life-threatening injury, and why simply being present can be the greatest way to support someone who's hurting.

Whether you're a musician, creative, entrepreneur, or someone navigating life's setbacks, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and hard-earned perspective.

Topics Include

• Independent artist life
• Music business & artist branding
• Manager red flags
• Getting scammed in the music industry
• Creativity vs. social media
• PTSD & trauma recovery
• Jeremy Renner's influence
• Faith & resilience
• Sobriety & dating
• Vulnerability & emotional support

West Texas Exiles frontman Daniel Davis joins the Cody Kai Cast for a wide-ranging conversation covering music, creativity, psychedelics, sobriety, AI, comedy, and what it really takes to build something meaningful as an artist.

We dive into why chemistry matters more than technical ability in a band, the similarities between songwriting and stand-up comedy, Daniel's experiences with psychedelics and personal growth, quitting cigarettes cold turkey, the role of community in sobriety, and why he believes AI should never replace human creativity.

From stage banter and songwriting to graphic design, podcasting, and the future of artificial intelligence, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights, hilarious tangents, and honest conversations about the creative process.

Topics include:

• Building chemistry in a band
• Musicianship vs. technical ability
• Songwriting & creative process
• Psychedelics and self-discovery
• Quitting cigarettes & sobriety
• AA, community & personal responsibility
• AI-generated music and artwork
• "Quit making AI band posters"
• Comedy, timing & performance
• Podcasting, authenticity & creativity

🎙️ Listen now on YouTube & Spotify.

Singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Jordan Cordel joins the Cody Kai Cast to discuss what it really takes to build a successful music career.

From earning his MBA at UT McCombs to balancing artistry with business, Jordan shares his journey as an independent artist, the importance of professionalism, branding, networking, and developing your craft. We also react to his latest single, "Chocolate," discuss Austin's live music scene, celebrity encounters, social media, and the mindset required to stand out in today's industry.

It's a conversation full of music, laughs, and practical advice for creatives chasing big goals.

Topics include:

• Jordan Cordel's music journey
• UT McCombs MBA experience
• Independent artist mindset
• Branding & professionalism
• Austin's live music scene
• Gallery & Thursdays with Da Homies
• Celebrity encounters
• Music video production
• Building meaningful industry relationships
• Supporting the Austin music community

🎙️ Available on YouTube & Spotify.

Samantha Anne returns to the Cody Kai Cast for her first full-length episode to discuss building one of Austin's most recognizable creative communities through Lux Art Agency.

We dive into authenticity in the social media era, why integrity still matters in business, the evolution of Austin's creative scene, collaboration over competition, producing large-scale events, supporting local artists, AI-generated design, entrepreneurship, modeling, and the importance of creating opportunities for others.

If you're an artist, entrepreneur, event producer, or anyone trying to build something meaningful, this conversation is packed with insight.

Topics include:

• Building Lux Art Agency
• Producing large-scale creative events
• Austin's changing creative culture
• Authenticity vs. networking
• Why integrity still matters
• Supporting local artists
• AI-generated artwork
• Entrepreneurship & leadership
• Modeling & creative direction
• UFOs, conspiracy theories & plenty of laughs

🎙️ Available on YouTube & Spotify.

Two years. Seventy episodes. Countless conversations.

This special episode of the Cody Kai Cast is just Cody and Kai reflecting on everything that's happened since recording their very first conversations together in an apartment with a microphone and an idea.

They look back on how the podcast started, the lessons learned from over two years of weekly episodes, the Austin music scene, viral podcast moments, meeting incredible artists, building meaningful relationships, and why consistency has been the biggest key to the show's growth.

Along the way they discuss music, comedy, creative process, podcasting, performance, confidence, discipline, setbacks, family, friendship, and the mindset required to keep building something long after the excitement of starting wears off.

They also share stories about guests including Dave Scher, Eric Johnson, Roy & Spice, Reese Wynans, Jordan Cordell, and many of the musicians helping shape Austin's incredible creative community.

Whether you've been here since Episode 1 or you're discovering Cody Kai Cast for the first time, this episode is a look behind the curtain at what it really takes to build something one conversation at a time.

If you've enjoyed the journey so far, thank you for being part of it.

• How Cody Kai Cast first began
• Lessons learned after 70 episodes
• Building a podcast from scratch
• The importance of consistency
• Austin's music community
• Dave Scher's viral Eric Johnson clip
• Working musicians and creative discipline
• Reese Wynans' incredible rise
• The psychology of podcast hosting
• Family, birthdays, and perspective
• Mental resilience after setbacks
• Upcoming CKC projects and future plans
• Why the process matters more than the outcome

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves music, comedy, and authentic conversations.

🎙️ Follow Cody Kai Cast

Instagram: @codykaicast

Full episodes available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

Austin hip-hop veterans Tee Double (@terranyjohnson) and Traygod tha MC (@traygodthamc) join the Cody Kai Cast for a deep dive into the culture, history, and artistry behind hip-hop.

The conversation explores why hip-hop has more in common with jazz than most people realize, the unique creative energy behind Austin's live music scene, the evolution of freestyle culture, and what separates great MCs from great rappers.

Along the way, the crew debates Biggie vs. Tupac, discusses the influence of Royce Da 5'9", Masta Ace, Nas, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan, breaks down sampling and publishing rights, and shares stories from decades immersed in Austin's underground music community.

Topics include:

• Why hip-hop is the jazz of our generation
• Austin's overlooked hip-hop legacy
• Freestyling with live bands
• Biggie vs. Tupac
• Nas, Jay-Z & publishing ownership
• Royce Da 5'9" and Eminem's early development
• Wu-Tang's one-of-one album
• The power of authenticity in music
• Improvisation, performance, and creative flow

🎙️ Full episode available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere podcasts are streamed.

#CKC69 #HipHop #AustinMusic #WuTangClan #Biggie #Tupac #Freestyle #Podcast

Delaware State Representative and comedian Madinah Wilson-Anton returns to the Cody Kai Cast for a wide-ranging conversation on stand-up comedy, politics, crowd psychology, audience connection, open mics, crowd work, authenticity, media, religion, and the similarities between making people laugh and earning their trust.

Madinah shares insights from performing comedy across the country while serving in elected office, discussing why the first rule of comedy is relating to the audience, how comics maintain control of a room, the reality of bombing versus crushing, and why authenticity matters in both politics and stand-up.

Topics include:

• Comedy vs. politics
• Open mic culture and developing material
• Crowd work and audience psychology
• Bombing, crushing, and stage experience
• Authenticity in public life
• Religion and culture
• Current events and media narratives
• Building trust with audiences and constituents

Follow Madinah:
Instagram: @madinahcomedy
Instagram: @madinahfordelaware

🎙️ Cody Kai Cast — Conversations with musicians, comedians, creators, and interesting people shaping culture.

Austin guitarist Dave Scher (@daveifyoulike) joins the Cody Kai Cast for a deep dive into creativity, improvisation, guitar culture, and life as a working musician in one of the greatest music cities in the world.

Dave shares stories from the road with Eric Johnson, discusses sitting in with the Kill Tony Band, reflects on growing up in Austin's evolving music scene, and breaks down what separates great musicians from merely skilled players.

The conversation explores everything from Joe Walsh and the Eagles to Prince, John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., comedy, artistic risk-taking, and the importance of getting out of your own way when creating.

Highlights include:

• Playing with Eric Johnson and behind-the-scenes tour stories
• The now-infamous "tonewood plywood pedalboard" discussion
• Dave's experiences subbing with the Kill Tony Band
• Why audiences love watching performers succeed—and fail
• Joe Walsh vs. Don Felder and the role of risk in great guitar playing
• Improvisation, authenticity, and creative flow
• Growing up in Austin and watching the city transform
• Gary Clark Jr., Eric Zapata, and Austin music history

Whether you're a guitarist, musician, comedian, artist, or creative of any kind, this episode is packed with insight into what it takes to build a life around your craft.

🎸 Guest: @daveifyoulike
🎙️ Cody Kai Cast Episode 67

ATX comedian Robert Tabet joins the Cody Kai Cast for one of the wildest conversations yet — covering Victor Wembanyama’s unreal NBA ceiling, Tom Brady, AI data centers, Epstein, internet surveillance, Gaza, conspiracy rabbit holes, modern dating, COVID narratives, and why society feels increasingly disconnected.The episode swings from hilarious sports debates to genuinely unsettling discussions about technology, politics, media manipulation, and the future of the internet — all while somehow staying funny the entire time.Topics include:- Victor Wembanyama & NBA GOAT potential- Tom Brady, marriage & masculinity- AI infrastructure & “data center” conspiracies- Epstein fallout & internet distrust- Gaza & modern geopolitics- COVID skepticism & media narratives- Why modern relationships feel broken- Internet surveillance & privacy concerns- Why people feel mentally overloaded today🎙️ Full episode available now on YouTube & Spotify.#CKC66 #RobertTabet #Podcast #ComedyPodcast #Wembanyama

Bassist/keyboardist Ejay Bedford joins the Cody Kai Cast for a deep conversation on Austin’s live music scene, San Antonio culture, D Madness, Kill Tony, Kanye West, AI in music, discipline, bass playing, and the spiritual side of live performance.

From stories about playing with top Austin musicians to breaking down why great rhythm sections matter, EJ delivers one of the most insightful music conversations on CKC yet.

🎧 Full episode available now on YouTube & Spotify.