Cozy with Calinnah

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I sit down with my longtime friend Johnny—founder of Lobsterdamus and Mano Po—to talk about building from the ground up without a college degree. We dive into his early hustle, training under Roy Choi, what it means to give 110%, and how being a family man reshaped his perspective on life, love, and legacy. If you’ve ever felt torn between passion and stability, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, Menchie—queer Filipinx-American cultural worker, producer, and founder of Bootleg Orchestra—shares how activism and artistry intersect in her life. We talk about honoring our inner child, understanding our histories, and finding balance as creatives while staying rooted in community.

In this cozy episode, Tati Velazquez—lead vocalist of Asi Fui and founder of Baked Papaya—opens up about how she balances her music, art, and business without burning out. We talk about why consistency (like meeting with her band twice a week) is grounding, how switching between creative outlets keeps the inspiration flowing, and why she’s all about trusting the vibe instead of forcing the process.

In this episode, I sit down with muralist, animator, and community-driven artist Jason Keam. We talk about how drawing 100 pieces a month helped him land both local and corporate clients, and why staying consistent is the key to long-term creative growth. Jason also shares insight into his project at Be Here Now and how community involvement shapes his art.

This one’s for the artists, dreamers, and anyone trying to stay committed to the craft.

—

🎧 Watch the full video on YouTube

🌐 More episodes: https://calinnah.live

📲 Follow Jason: https://instagram.com/jason_keam | https://jasonkeam.com

Christian Orozco is a genre-defying drummer who blends jazz, hip-hop, and indie styles into a sound that’s all his own. In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, we talk about how gigging nonstop, saying yes to every opportunity, and listening to every kind of music helped him grow into one of the most versatile drummers. Whether you're an artist, musician, or just curious about the hustle behind the scenes — this one hits.

In this episode, I sit down with Colocho—a Long Beach native, musician, and recording artist who’s been playing in bands since he was a teenager. By day, he works as a pressure valve technician, and by night, he’s in the studio building sounds, stories, and community. We talk about growing up in Long Beach, traveling the world, starting bands, and what it really means to be a self-starter in music and in life.

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I sit down with powerhouse vocalist Joe Caigoy of The Filharmonic to talk about the real journey of being a full-time artist. From finding his voice as a Filipino-American singer to dealing with the competitive pressures of the music industry, Joe shares his unfiltered truth about staying grounded in the chaos. We also get into our shared cultural upbringing, mental health in creative careers, and why identity matters just as much as talent.

Ever feel like your 9–5 is holding your creativity back? In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I chat with Chapis—an engineer by day and artist by night—about how we both manage to keep our artistic dreams alive while working full-time. We dive into the realities of touring without a huge following, how to stay consistent with your craft, and budget-friendly gear tips for indie artists just starting out.

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I’m joined by Leti Gomez—a Long Beach-based DJ, co-founder of Las Chicas Tristes, founder of OhDear Radio, and owner of Latina-run screenprinting business West Coast Artwear. We talk about the power of music, reading the room as a DJ, and balancing multiple creative roles while staying true to your identity. If you're a multi-hyphenate creative or just curious about how music shapes us, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Cozy with Calinnah, I sit down with actress, voice artist, and host Jaimi Gray to talk about her bold move from Virginia to L.A. to pursue her creative dreams. From working a 9-5 to becoming the voice of Felicia in Bratz, Phaedra in Rainbow High, and roles in Miraculous Ladybug, Jaimi shares the ups, downs, and lessons from her journey in the entertainment industry.

We talk about:

• Moving to L.A. without a backup plan
• How to get into voice acting
• Balancing a creative career with a full-time job
• Staying grounded through faith, family, and purpose

If you’ve ever wanted to start something big before you feel ready—this one’s for you.