We would love to hear from you. What spoke to your heart?

What happens when pressure meets faith? In this episode of the Respect My Genius podcast, Nicholas Kayea sits down with Xavier “Eks” Hayes — an Atlanta-based creative director, engineer, and producer who’s worked with Netflix, BET, and BMF.

Eks shares his journey from the high-speed grind of Full Sail University to the humbling early days at Blue Room Studios, where making coffee mattered as much as making music. He talks about why atmosphere is everything (“secure the vibe”), how faith quietly shapes his work, and why reps beat perfection every time.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and a must-listen for anyone who’s multi-gifted, faith-driven, and navigating the tension between pressure and purpose.

💡 In this episode you’ll learn:

• How to do it scared and still walk in excellence
• The power of protecting atmosphere in creative spaces
• Why humility is the doorway to opportunity
• What it really means to be multi-gifted without ego
• How faith and excellence walk hand-in-hand

🎧 Subscribe and share if this episode inspires you — and remember, respect your genius, because the world needs it.